I drove to the office and stopped at the parking lot, killed the engine and tried to recollect or understand what happened earlier. Was I loosing my mind? I looked at my face in the rear mirror, checked my eyes and then arranged my hair properly, dusted some patches from my face before I stepped out of the car.

I walked slowly towards the entrance door, conscious of my new ability and scared It may begin. I had forgotten about the bad news I was going to deliver which may cost me my job.

" why is he walking like that?". A voice said behind me.

I turned abruptly and saw a white girl passing by my left looking absent-mindedly at me and when our eyes met, she smiled, faced her front and continued walking.

" it is happening!". I said to myself and increased my steps without looking both sides, trying not to listen to anyone's thought.

I entered the office, it was like a market place at the customer care section. I stood looking at the busy men and women answering calls and wondered why it's so loud today.

" look at him. Mike some day I'm going to suck you cum inside my mouth!". A nerdy slim Italian girl said and timidly passed my front pressing some files against her chest without even taking a glance at me.

I looked at her strangely, she tried to steal a glance but caught my eyes, she abruptly turned away her face and disappeared through an adjacent door.

That girl is the weirdest girl ever! Who's going to allow her come closer let alone suck on my precious rod.

I was still pondering when I saw Gabriel walking towards me. I wouldn't like to hear his thoughts, it wasn't going to be something good. So I immediately started hurrying to my office.

" hey! What's up bro!". Gabriel called behind me.

I turned to him and smiled, while I continued walking.

Gloria smiled at me from her desk when she saw me come in. " good afternoon Mr. Mike".

I nodded and was moving past her into my main office when I heard her saying: I hope he hasn't made a mess of this job! I wonder what I see in this guy though, heard Gabriel will replace him soon.

I stopped and turned to her, she smiled innocently. " how did it go?".

" good! We got the job! But he will sign it in two days". I said to her.

Her thought boomed out loud: What! He landed that difficult Anthony Trees? Wow! Mike has done it again! I feel like fvcking him now!

Then she spoke out. " wonderful sir! Congrats! That's one job many have failed to land. I'm happy for you". She ended the statement flirtatiously.

What a confused human being! I smiled at her and suddenly realized what to tell my boss, I LANDED THE JOB. Then smiled again at Gloria and walked into my office.

I was just settling in, trying to understand what was happening to me when my landline rang. I picked it up. " hello".

" Mike. Come to my office. The director!". And she hung up.

I can't give her any news that is not positive. I slowly stood up and walked cautiously to her office.

At the entrance to the directors office, while I was taking some quick air, a fat, full bearded Irish man who handles our social media marketing, Mr. Matthew, joined me at the door In a gloomy face as always and I could hear him saying: Damn! Why am I so fat? If I was as good looking as Mike, Cassandra wouldn't have left me for that hunk. I hate my job! My body! My life! I'll kill myself someday! Very soon! I promise you!.

" good afternoon Mr. Matthew". I was forced to greet. I have never taking notice of him, but hearing his thoughts made me want to bring him close.

He beamed an 'all is well' smile and replied. " good afternoon Mike. How's your day coming?".

" perfect". I answered grinning.

Mr. Matthew's thought: why won't it be perfect? I know you've been fvcking Gloria. Same girl I spent so much on and yet she hasn't giving me a kiss nor even want to be seen with me. I hate my life! I want to die!

I was shocked. He knows about I and Gloria? Immediately I have been standing at her door with fat Mathew. I opened the door and walked in, tired of hearing his pathetic thoughts.

There she was, looking so stunning. She wore a gray sleeveless gown slightly above her knees today, looking out through her wall window. What a slim waist and lovely ass, look at those legs! What cant imagining what I will do to that lovely booty, I bet she wont believe a younger guy got such talent. Oh shit! I am getting an erection! I have to distract myself! And so I adjusted my attention to a big framed painting of some gibberish splashes of colours on her wall.

She turned to us. Damn! Look at her beautiful face. And then Mathew spoilt everything with his thought: if I was as handsome as Gabriel or this arrogant, proud Mike, I would have given her a shot. Oh! god! Why! Why have you made me this ugly! Look at my tummy! Oh!

I turned to him in disgust and wanted to scream 'get a hold on yourself' when she spoke in her British ascent, my lady crush Daniella.

" Mikey! How did it go?". And she walked behind the table and sat on a chair facing me.

" well, it went well..." Then she cut me short.

" never begin a sentence with me using well! Get that?".

I was stunned. But managed a nod and struggled with my confidence before I continued.

" he said I should come tomorrow, but he will close the deal in two days time". I said two days to buy time.

She winced at me and then turned to Mathew who stood timidly behind me.

" hey! Fat boy!"

Mathew literally ran to her table saying in his thought: oh no! Please don't yell at me. Mathew be your best please!

" get back from my table! Are you stupid?". Daniella yelled at the trembling fat man.

He took two steps backwards with his head bowed saying in his thought: lord help me! Lord help me!

" have you finished the social media and TV ads?".

" yes madam!". Mathew muffled out.

" then why can't I see it here?"

" that's because I haven't uploaded it. Just finished the design". Mathew replied with his head bowed stealing glances at her nervously.

" so you mean it takes 1 hour to design and upload? What a waste! If I don't see a good Job here In the next 10 minutes consider yourself fired!".

Mathew flinched and looked up suddenly flabbergasted without saying a word but his thought said: Do you know what it takes to design a standard ad? I haven't even finished the fourth graphic work for our TV commercials. How can you fire me?

I believe if he had the guts to yell at Daniella he would have threw those words on her face.

" now get out of my office! 10 minutes!". She bellowed at Mathew.

The fat man, slowly turned and walked out gloomily.

I can't believe she threatened to fire the best graphic designer we have. Mathew is a world class designer and his works gives us recognition. I had to speak up and I found myself talking even before I could screen my words through.

" but you can't fire Mathew! He's the best designer this company can ever get. One hour to do four jobs including TV commercial is too short a time for a standard job. Don't treat people that way, you won't get the best out of them!".

And then I saw how she was looking at me as though I have forgotten my place, at that instant I realised I was yelling at her.

After a brief silence, with the only noise in the office was the humming of the refrigerator and clicking of the pendulum in her wall clock. She said in a low ominous tone.

" you think I'm not fit to be the director?".

" that's not what I meant, I...". She shushed me with her slim finger in the air.

" you think you can do this job better?".

" that's not what I...". Again the finger in the air. Making me choke in my own words.

She slowly stood up and walked close to me. Damn! She was so beautiful! I fought the urge of telling her how I felt that instant forgetting the tension in the air.

She walked very close to me , stood some inches away, looking Into my eyes. I could feel my heart throbbing against my chest, not for fear but the urge to kiss her sexy lips painted in red. The scent of her breath on my face smelt of strawberry, her presume was jasmine and lavender with some kind of soft powerful scent accompanying it.

" you're a rat! A crushable cockroach! How dare you raise your voice at me!". She said in a low tone eyeing me menacingly.

Her statements shook the tension off me and replaced it with anger for calling me 'rat and cockroach'. That moment, i promised myself that i must make her know that I'm not just an ordinary guy, I'll fuvk in her office. Then i looked her in the eyes and said.

"you are such a beautiful lady, if I was up to your class I would have sold everything to have you!"

I noticed her eyes softened and she looked at me surprisingly. Now was the time to know what she was thinking but I heard nothing of her thoughts. So I continued.

" you can win anyone's heart by not being this lady you are putting up. You cant scare me. If I loose this job today, I'll get five better ones tomorrow. But I'm here because I love this company. I will die for this company! We all love this company. Yes! I lost some cool cash yesterday and last month and the previous and em... But I have brought more jobs than I have lost! That's why I'm in the position I'm occupying. You can make them love you and do their jobs well or make them hate you and keep changing staff, your choice. For me, I love you already even if you fire me for telling you that. I can't hate you coz you're 'unhateable'. I'm not afraid of you, and won't ever be! But i respect you for being a strong lady. I love strong ladies, they build empires. In two days time I'll land that job, I will win your respect!".

I finish and was surprised she was now looking at me with no expression on her face. This was the best time for me to hear her thoughts but I couldn't, damn it! I feared I may have said a little too much, but waited for her reply.

She leaned closer and whispered into my ears coldly. " come back here in two days time without landing that job and pick up your sack latter". She finished and looked me in the eyes maliciously. " now get out of my office!".

I nodded, smiled and walked out feeling the floor dragging my feet.

Outside her door I realised it wont be easy to get through Anthony Trees. Why wasn't I able to hear her thoughts? Was I loosing the ability? Now I'm beginning to see it's advantage I can't afford to loose it.

I turned to an approaching slim teenage white boy who always left his hair unkempt and wore one white and black sneakers; one of the office assistants of the media section of the company, carrying a cup of coffee and burger, apparently to give someone busy at work. He was thinking as he walked past me: These people don't know I'm working on a software program that will make me millions before the end of this year. I laugh at them when they yell at me. Soon. Very soon.

I scoffed and looked at him again. Working on a software program? Who would even had believed he knew how to put on the computer. I smiled and was strolling back to my office when Gabriel intercepted me.

" hey Mike! Heard she gave you the toughest assignment". Gabriel said amusingly and crossed his hand across my shoulder.

I prayed not to hear his thought and quickly replied. " not difficult!".

He smiled and dropped his hand from my shoulder with a mocking smile on his face. " that guy is impregnable. Anthony Trees".

" really? How did you know?". I acted surprised.

" I got ears everywhere of interest. He comes to you when he wants you, not you going to him".

I stood wondering why I didn't hear his thoughts. What's going on? But I managed to put up a proud look and said ." I was able to get through him".

" wow! You impress me. Looking forward to seeing it". Gabriel said sounding genuinely happy for me.

" you will, I assure you!".

" okay bro. Got this party tonight. Mehn! Chicks! You will love it!". Gabriel said excitedly.

" nah!". I said and moved past him walking to my office. He followed me.

" hey! You can't afford to miss this party". Then he leaned closer to my ears and whispered. "it's a sex orgy, your kinda thing. All kinds of babes. My frat guys organized it".

This seem like fun. But I have a job to do. So I insisted. " nah". And continued walking.

" see bro. I'll ensure you don't drink or take too much indo. I'll watch you bro!". Gabriel pressured.

" why do you want me to come this desperately?!". I shot at him, feeling irritated.

" coz you are my man! My niggar! My blood!". Gabriel passionately said, hitting his chest.

I was standing at the door to my office. I needed not let him follow me in, so I nodded. " I'll think about about it".

" don't think, just come! I'll pick you up by 8. See ya!". He said, slapping my shoulder as he walked away.

I wondered how I ended up with such crazy and intelligent guy. I smiled and entered Gloria's section of the office, she stood up and walked up to me like she was waiting for me to come in.

Today she wore a very short, tight black gown and her hairs hung on her shoulders, on her feet was a black heels. I heard her thinking as she smiled walking to me

Gloria : Let me flirt with him a little and see if he will take me home. I don't know why I'm even fooling around with him, someone who fvcks me like a cheap LovePeddler!

She stood in front of me still smiling" hey baby! You look stressed". Trying to reach for my tie.

I held her hand looking her in the eyes angrily for few seconds, and then dragged her Into my office. She says she doesn't know why she's fooling around with me? I wanted to show her why. Though i was just angry and needed a quickie to cool off.

We got to my office. She was looking at me surprisingly.

Gloria : What is going on? I hope I have not done anything wrong.

I pushed her against the wall, kissed her on the lips and grabbed her fat ass.

Gloria : What is he trying to do during working hours? No! He's lost it!

She pushed me slightly and moved her face away. " stop it, somebody may walk in".

I didn't answer her, I wanted to vent my frustration and anger on her. So I held her hands and kissed her neck. She slowly and gently tried to move away.

Gloria : Oh my gosh! I love this! But I'm scared, someone may walk in.

Then she said. " stop, please!". Pushing me feebly away from her.

I turned her facing the wall and pulled up her gown

Gloria : He wants to Bleep me in the office at working hours? I love this! Oh please god help me! I'm falling for this guy! This is adventurous! Oh! just fuvk me! Don't listen to me please!

Then she said without much resistance. " please don't do this. Lets wait till closing time please".

I pulled down my trouser and boxers, then Pulled down her g.string. Drew out my rigid rod and slapped it on her buttocks, penetrated once and then stopped. Pulled up my trouser and said to her. " you're right. Someone may walk in". And moved to my table.

She looked puzzlingly at me

Gloria : What? He turned me on and stopped? Shit! What have I done? I should have let him. Oh no!

She slowly asked while pulling up her underwear and bringing down her gown. " what happened?".

" after work dear". I said buckling my belt.

She looked at me wickedly.

Gloria : No, you must finish what you started.

She smiled flirtatiously and slowly took off her g.string, walked sexily towards me and dropped it on my chest. I was calmly looking at her. Now she's fooling around with me again.

She sat across my legs and started kissing me while opening my zip.

" stop! Go back to your office". I said, but I was too weak to resist her. I was in need of a hurt quickie. She had already pulled out my very stiff rod.

Gloria : Damn! He wants me! This is going to be remarkable.

She stroke my rod kissing me before sat on it and let out a low moan.

Gloria : Oh shit! I love this dick! Please cum inside me today, I want to have your baby.

I heard this pregnancy part and wanted to push her off when the secretary door opened, I and Gloria looked up at the CCTV monitor on a shelf in front of me simultaneously. Daniella was strolling in confidently. Shit!

My Madam And I (part Two) - Literature - Nigeria

https://www.nairaland.com/5625818/madam-part-two

EPISODE 1

My phone alarm kept ringing disturbing my deep sleep. I tried to reach for it in my subconsciousness but it was far from my grasp. I had no option but to sleepily get up. A leg crossed my face; i pushed it aside and sat up. Three naked white ladies where on the bed with me; one of them got dick. Bleep! How do I end up with transsexuals most of the time? This country is filled with them, you can hardly tell who's a real lady anymore.

I turned to the room that looked like it had just experienced world war 2 and stretched my aching body. The alarm was still beeping, I cursed it for waking me up from such a lovely rest. Then it was dawn on me! I looked at my watch, 8:30am!

I was the one who set the damn phone to wake me up by 7:30am the previous night before the club; before the pills. I hate Gabriel Smith, he got his ways of ruining my life, again he had succeeded in making me take three of that knockout pills knowing I have a presentation by 9am. I always knew he got an eye for my job.

Immediately, sprang off the bed, picked up my boxers, wore it horridly. Reached for my trouser and slide into it while fetching my sleeve top from the floor. In no time, I was in my shirt and trouser and was forcing a pair of my shoe in my foot.

" Where the hell is my stockings!" I cursed out loud.

There was no time to start searching for it, I wore the foot other foot without a stockings and rushed out with my briefcase.

The elevator was at the 77th floor, while I was on the 5th floor. "no time! no time!". I murmured and took the stairs, running like a deranged man.

I ran past the receptionist at the ground floor who called me back to check out properly. I shouted behind me. " got guest up there!".

I reached the car and discovered my car keys was not with me. " damn shit!".

Immediately, I ran back to the elevator, it just left. The second was still around the 41st floor. I had no choice but to use the stairs again, how I hate stairs! This time I was sweating profusely, skipping steps and falling at intervals.

Barged into my room breathing like one who just completed a marathon race. Scanned through the large executive suite painted in white with every furniture and sheets in white. There was no idea where to begin the search. I looked at my Rolex leather watch, it was 10 minutes to 9.

In the confusion, i rushed to the bed, turned the sheets. Then slapped the ladies in the bum. " get up! get up! Where's my damn car key!".

They seem to be too wasted to even open their eyes. I wasn't in the mood for play, so I slapped one in the face and shook her shoulders rigorously. She opened her eyes and looked at me sleepily. " where is my fucking car key?".

She pointed at the bathroom and slept off again. I shook my head and rushed to the bathroom and my searched the floor, bathtub and found it in the toilet. A flash of yesterday's event came to me when we had a party in the bathtub and I used my car as a price for who satisfies me the most. After the sex, I threw the key in the toilet when the ladies where trying to take it from me.

I wondered why I even thought of that. Then dug my hand into the wc and pulled the keys dripping with urine. Did a quick rinsing at the washing hand basin before rushing off from the room.

The elevator was just closing by the time I got to the hallway. " hold it! hold it". I yelled as I ran to it.

Just as it was about closing, I dug my hand in-between the small gap and it opened for me. I entered amidst three white men in suit, apparently going to work, two of the hotel workers and an old lady who kept stealing glances at me. I checked my time, it was five past nine. "Bleep!". The old lady looked at me surprisingly, shrugged and looked away.

I couldn't wait for the elevator to open before I jetted out and ran to my BMW convertible. Without further delay, i engaged the engine and drove off like i was being chased by assassins swerving through cars.

" Bleep! Bleep! How did I allow myself to sleep this much?"

A siren sounded behind me, I looked at the rear mirror. There it was. The delay of a life time. A cop was behind me, apparently coz I was over speeding. I wasn't ready for another waste of the time I'm fighting to regain, so I pressed harder on my throttle. The car sped up.

The car behind me was unrelenting. I kept pressing hard swerving through cars, narrowly missing scratch from adjacent cars and beating traffic lights.

There it was, my chance to get caught or die. A bus was coming from my adjacent left lane in front. I knew it would be a one out of a hundred chances of not getting crushed. But I pressed harder. This presentation was my life, I cant afford to miss these new clients.

The bus was getting closer and I was nudging towards it in full speed. There it was, my only chance. I pressed my throttle to the finish and zoomed past. It felt like the bus had already ran me over but it only brushed through my car's tail slightly. I gasp for air with my eyes opened in surprise, panting as one rescued from drowning.

Immediately I swerve through a lane at the left. That was how i beat the cop.

Now got to the office. Another skyscraper. I rushed out of the car packing wrongly. The security; a slim, tall Indian man yelled as I ran past. " sign in Mr. Mike!".

I rushed back and signed in. The man kept looking at me as though I had shit on my face. When I was done, he said. "there's a patch of saliva beside your mouth".

It was embarrassing. But i thanked him without showing how embarrassed I was and wiped it off running to the elevator.

On our way up in the elevator, i spotted a patch of what looks like dry semen on the zip side of my trouser, and the elevator opened almost immediately. I rushed to my office blocking the patch with my briefcase, ignoring greetings from my staff. my office , I moist a tissue paper with the water from an aquarium. Wiped off the dry semen but left water patch. It was better than having the previous. I quickly packed my dreadlocks backwards and knotted it with a red ribbon on my table and rushed to the conference hall.

There he was, my enemy my friend. Gabriel Smith taking my place, giving the speech that ought to be mine. An English guy in his early thirties. Blond hair, blue eyes, undoubtedly good looking and always smartly dressed. Today, he was in a gray Italian suit, pink sleeve inner and a pink tie. He looked so intelligent in his transparent glasses and speaking with such eloquence.

I badged in apologized for being late and moving towards Gabriel who had a mocking hint on his face. I ignored him and went in front where he was. That was when I discovered how horrible I looked standing before these well dressed people. I opened my briefcase to bring out my speech but almost caught a cardiac arrest when I couldn't find it.

" looking for something?". Gabriel whispered amusingly.

" no!" I said to him smiling and abruptly shut the briefcase.

I noticed Gabriel moved away when I spoke. He leaned closer and whispered to my ear. " watch the bad breath". Then moved aside for me to continue.

I took a deep breath and smiled looking confidently at the people waiting for me to make a huge flaws with my speech. Even my boss was winking me to give way for Gabriel to continue. I looked past him and began.

I finished my presentation without a projector, without my speech note and everyone and made a flop. The speech would have bought us a deal worth millions of dollars but I ruined it. I know Gabriel would be happy and pleased by now.

After the speech I ran to my office and my secretary was behind me as I went in.

Gloria Adams, a beautiful 23 years old, five foot three, dark girl with an impressive backside and admirable straight legs always shooting out from her mini office skirts.

She loves flirting with me and one day I levelled her from the back in my office after working hours; twice In the restroom, once in my car. All the time she left me wanting for more. But she wanted something I couldn't give, knowing where I live. I don't want commitment and so never took any lady home.

" you look like shit!". She said to me. " your grandma has been calling. I even called you severely you weren't picking your calls".

I sat on my chair and turned my chair to face the window. " did she leave a message?"

" she said she wanted to speak to you it's urgent".

I took up my phone and saw thirty-two missed calls, two text messages and four voice messages. I opened the missed calls, grandma called 22 times!

Grandma keeps telling me I shared a striking resemblance with my dad. Although I may look like him facially, but he was dark skinned and I'm very light in complexion with bold lips ; I'm chubbier while my dad was athletic. Aunty Ruth said I took after my mother whom my dad tragically murdered. What kind of a child's parents ends up killing each other?

" the new Director is around, and she's asking after you". Gloria's voice shook me off my monetary daydreaming with her hands on my desk looking with a cunning smile on her face.

" a she?". I asked, surprised we have a new director.

" yes. She's directors younger sister". Gloria replied standing erect with her hands folded and a warning smile on her face. " she's way off your class dude".

I suddenly realised I should have hit the bathroom immediately after the meeting. I stood up abruptly and said to Gloria hastily. " get me a toothbrush and soap!".

Gloria glared at me as though I have lost it. " where are you coming from!".

Before I could reply, a stunning, curvy lady in her late forties walked into my office in company of two of our logistic officers; Mr Howard Webb, a nerdy European and Jack Cash, a black man. She wore a black suit jacket and trouser, a blue inner shirt, black high heels shoes, her long blond hanging on her shoulders and had the exact resemblance with Shakira.

She was in front exuding confidence and charming charisma of a boss lady. These features completely entrapped me in so much admiration I remained motionless with my mouth opened.

" You're Mike?". You asked in a fluent British ascent

I nodded and shut my mouth. Gloria bowed and slowly left. The new director waited for Gloria to leave without taking her eyes off me. Like she could see with a third eye behind her head as Gloria entered her office before she continued.

" I wonder why my brother still have the likes of you working here". Then her face frowned. " why're you looking like this?".

I looked at my shirt and trouser, tried to defend myself but something about her presence paralyzed my speech.

" this company cant tolerate such rascality! What has my brother been doing!". She turned to the guys beside her and focused back on me. " I heard you're the best in the marketing team and you have been enjoying the benefits so don't say you are not properly rewarded and yet you cost us money today and last month! That's not good for our reputation!".

I noticed she wasn't putting on a wedding ring while she was scolding and wondered why.

" this is your last chance Mr Mike!". She blotted.

I looked up with my heart beating.

" i have a job for you and you must hit it before 12 noon tomorrow. I want positive answer! Will send details to your mail". She said and turned immediately to leave with the men trying to keep up.

I sat down wondering what happened to Mr. Samson, our Director. I stood up and decided to pay him a visit In his office knowing fully well he may even slap me for the lost I made.

I got to his office, but he was with some guests. I walked to the table of his secretary, a slim German girl with red hair and almost ice white skin . She hardly could look me in the face while talking. Today she was in a yellow flower gown and red lipstick. Her big transparent glasses never left her eyes for no reason.

" why is he leaving?". I asked her.

" heard he's retiring". She replied looking at her laptop screen.

" without telling us?"

" he plan on doing that today after work". She said and looked disapprovingly at me.

I caught her. " yeah. bleeped two blonds and a transsexual last night. Over slept". I said with a nonchalant smile.

She flinched in disgust and focused on her laptop. I grinned and walked back to my office.

The next morning I was at the reception of the company my new director wanted me to visit. The secretary sat with a magazine covering her face chewing and pulping gum.

I have been waiting since 9am and it's almost eleven. I called the lady; a black girl in pink chiffon sleeve top with a white butterfly collar seated. Her hair was cut low and her blue lipstick sold her off as slutty.

" please. Can you remind him I'm here waiting?".

She eyed me and pulped a bigger gum that covered her lips, then continued her chewing and reading.

I knew I had to flirt my way through, from the look of things she may be a strong headed individual. So I stood up, beaming my charming smile.

" what's that you're reading... Fashion!".

She eyed me and continued.

I pulled down the magazine down a little with a finger so I can see her face. " no wonder!". I said beaming my charming smile at her.

" no wonder what!". She barked.

I ignored the tone in her voice and continued. " no wonder you are such a good dresser".

I noticed she fought back a smile and continued her chewing. I then suspected she may like me but wanted to act uninterested. So I pushed harder.

" I wish I could see you stand. I love black girls!".

She smiled briefly and switch over to her self.

" what's the name of the perfume you're wearing?".

She looked at me sternly and dropped the magazine. " why are you disturbing me Mr.? Please go back to your seat, my boss wouldn't like seeing you standing this close to me!".

I felt like my pride was hit by a truck. But I didn't let it show. I just smiled and said. " it's okay, just trying to complement you. Coz you're really beautiful".

" thank you! Please go back to your seat!". She said stiffly.

I slowly returned to my seat wondering what her problem was.

In less than a minute after I sat, she stood up and went into her boss' office. Came out and said to me. " you can go in!". Then walked to her seat and continued with her magazine.

I sat in front of the fifty something years old man after introducing myself, my company and stated my reason for coming. He remained motionless looking at me for a long period of time until I became uncomfortable.

" sir. Are you with me?". I said to call his attention.

He suddenly smiled flirtatiously and asked. " you're Mike?".

" yes sir!". I answered, wondering why he was weird.

To my surprise he hit his fist on the table and bellowed. " I hate Mikes! I hate the name Mike!".

I was confused. So I asked . " what has Mike done sir?".

" You are Mike right?".

" Yes sir!"

" then get out of my office!". He barked standing up and pointing the door to me.

" sir. I'm a different Mike I...".

He cut me off and screamed. " stop calling that name! Will you get out this instant!"

This was the craziest thing ever. I slowly stood up and walked out of his office. He called his secretary as I was about leaving the reception. I turned and saw how the girl nervously ran into his office and his voice roared, cursing and telling her he never wants to set his eyes on me ever again.

I decided to wait for the secretary to return. I cant afford to go out of job, my lifestyle cant cope with brokenness.

The secretary returned and was shocked to see me. " what are you still doing here? Leave before he sees you!". She whispered pushing me out hastily.

I held her hand and said. " I won't leave until you tell me why he hates mikes".

She paused and looked shockingly at me. " he said that?".

" yes!".

She smiled and whispered. " he just broke up with his black boyfriend".

I didn't quite get her. " what does that have to do with mike?"

" his name is Mike". She said and pushed me out before shutting the door.

I went to my car wondering how I was going to get across to the man. I I'm too straight to be gay. I needed to land this job by all means possible. I looked up at the skyscraper and was about entering my car when I saw a white teenage boy snatching a Pilipino lady's bag and ran off. Something in my prompted me to run after him and so I did without thinking.

The boy was so fast, he crossed the road without watching, I made to follow but was hit by a car; I found myself flying in the air and landed my back on the windscreen of another car. I was unconscious for awhile when a bird pooped into my eyes and mouth, I immediately gained consciousness and fell to the ground, spitting off the poo and whipping my eyes.

In few seconds some persons crowded me. I slowly stood up and was hearing voices.

" is he okay?" How did he survive it?"
" Damn! He must have a broken bone!"
"What was he doing running into the road like that? Some persons are just careless! He should have died what's my business!".

The last statement made me look up to see who said it but saw five persons asking questions like. " are okay?", " are you hurt?".

I looked at their faces and then the voices came again.

" he's acting like he has lost his mind".
" oh, poor boy".
" nice watch! I wish I got to him in time to snatch that!"

I looked for the person who spoke the last words about my watch and caught only caring eyes beaming at me.

" what did you say?". I asked a black man whom I suspected made the last statement.

He looked at me and asked with concern. " are you okay?".

I think i could hear their thoughts. It felt like I was going Insane. I immediately left their midst and went to my car, ignoring their calls.

" he may be loosing it". An European lady said without moving her lips walking pass with her eyes on me as though I would attack her.

I got scared, rushed into my car and zoomed off.

Chapter Fifty three
The Sweet Kill

One of the men held Susan by the hair while she sat on the floor struggling with the hand dragging her menancely.

A tall bulky man with huge tummy stepped forward and yelled. "We got your bitch! Come out now or we slice her into little bits".

Abdul was already unsteady, he was loosing too much blood. He peeped and saw them malhandling Susan, his tummy rumbled but he knew we wasn't going to save her dead. He took back his head and thought of a way around the situation; already he was outnumbered and couldn't do much in his present situation.

The voice echoed again "I'll count to five and if you don't come out, we are going to pluck out her eyes first ".

Abdul impulsively wanted to run out and surrender, but he fought back the urge. He tried to lift up the AK47 but couldn't. His clothe was soaked in his own blood creating a little pool around his feet.

" one! ". The man began.

This time, Abdul knew he had to do something urgently.

" two! "

Abdul dropped his gun on the floor, heaved a final sigh of regret and turned to come out.

" where is he? ". The chairman said coming out of the building a block away from Abdul.

Abdul stopped abruptly, he thought of this as his only opportunity, picked up his gun with much difficulty and rushed out pointing the gun behind the chairman.

The men immediately positioned with guns pointing at the chairman. The chairman smiled and said in a calm tone to Abdul without turning. " you cockroach, refusing to die".

Abdul summoned strength biting back pain as he hit the butt of the gun on the chairman's waist, the chairman bent over and slowly stood up.

Abdul said breathing faintly. " let her go and you can have me".

The men made to charge forward but the chairman stopped them and smiled weirdly. " you got me twice today. I hope I don't die in your hands Abdul "

" let her go! ". Abdul repeated and clinched his weight to his right side, the bullet in his back was beginning to paralyze that part of his body.

" let her go! ". The chairman said to the men.

There was tension in the air, everyone was on their toes watching to know if Abdul would shoot the chairman.

The man holding down Susan freed her and she stood up staggering with an unsteady feet to the gate. She turned and looked at Abdul, her heart melted, but Abdul smiled and nodded at her to move on. She felt tears boiling in her heart. She had come to grow a kind of feeling for Abdul. He has sacrificed so much for her. Her heart forced her to run to him and pull him by the hand so both of them can escape together, instead she kept on moving still stealing glances at Abdul with uncontrollable tears running from her eyes until she was out of the gate and continued running without looking behind her.

" now, can you drop the damn gun so we can get you a doctor". The chairman said to Abdul in a comforting tone.

Abdul waited until Susan was out of sight before he dropped the gun and sagged to his knees behind the chairman.

The men immediately rushed to Abdul and one hit the butt of his gun on his face pushing him down.

The chairman turned to the men. " leave him alone. Kill that bitch! ". Looking mockingly at Abdul.

Abdul heard the chairman tried to spring up but his body refused to move. He made to reach for his gun, The chairman slowly picked it up. He watched as the men ran out and he was completely incapacitated.

Hafiz and other elders came out through the door behind the chairman. Hafiz walked up to Abdul and kicked him on the rib. Abdul turned and remembered he had a knife buried in his boot. He struggled to his knees and carefully retrieved the knife, before Hafiz could kick him again, he dug the knife into Hafiz's thigh and used Hafiz's body as support to get on his feet.

The chairman made to turn, Abdul leaped on him and continuously dug the knife into his tummy with his hand around the chairman's neck to support his feeble legs. The chairman dropped the gun sagging on his knees.

Others were still trapped in shock and confusion. Abdul picked up the gun with every strength in him and opened fire at the elders who now made to run back inside. He killed the six of them and turned to Hafiz who was crawling dreadfully, shot him in the back twice, then dropped the gun and staggered to the Car nearby. Opened the door, engaged the engine and zoomed off from the compound.

Susan noticed some men where coming after her fiercely and they were already catching up with her. She tried in vain to run faster. Suddenly she fell and turned behind her, the men were a short distance away and now strolling towards her.

One got his gun ready to fire. She looked in front of her and remembered Andrew. Her heart melted in regret, she thought of her mother and sibblings. Then she muttered under her breath . " not today! " and surprisingly believed it.

The man in front pointed the gun at her, she looked at the hole in the mouth of the gun and said out loud. " not today! ".

The man smiled wickedly and was about to pull the trigger when the engine of a racing car behind them startled them all. They turned and saw a blue Mazda approaching speedily.

" Abdul! ". One of the men shouted.

They turned abruptly and opened fire on the car.

Bullet flew past Abdul, but he was too weak to dodge. He pressed harder on the throttle. The car knocked five men down as he drove past, narrowly missed Susan's leg.

He put the car on reverse and raced after the other men who where now running back. Climbed some who were still on the floor and knocked down two. The remaining four opened fire shooting into the car, The engine cried and the car raced forward and stopped.

The men moved towards it circumspectly ready to shoot. As they came closer the sound of police sireen called their attention. They exchanged glances and took off on different directions.

Susan stood up and staggered to Abdul's car. Abdul's head was on the steering, he was still blinking. She opened the door and went to him, she smiled and blinked at her. She held him crying.

The police car came closer and stopped in front of Abdul's car. Oscar ran out of the car in front with a gun in his hand, he moved towards the car carefully and saw Susan, he pulled Susan aside to see who was on the steering. He recognized Abdul immediately.

" go away from him, he's dangerous! ". Oscar bellowed nervously.

" No! He's not! Let's take him to the hospital please ". Susan cried.

Oscar slowly pulled her away from Abdul for the police men to take over. Susan cried uncontrollably as Oscar struggled to wield her away.




A cold feeling passed through Andrew's face, he slowly opened his eyes. His new German shepherd puppy was licking his face. He pushed the dog aside and realized he had been dreaming. Immediately, he sprang off the bed and raced out of the room to the kitchen.

" baby! ". Andrew called as he opened the kitchen door.

Susan was washing the dishes and she turned to face him. He ran to her and hugged her.

" I'm so happy to see you baby! ". Andrew muttered.

" what? ". She scoffed, surprised at his drama.

" we are not passing through land! Never! ". Andrew spattered.

" passing through where? ". Susan asked bewildered.

She was still trying to understand Andrew when then door bell rang. Andrew went to get it and saw a man backing him. The man turned around and Andrew almost fainted. Abdul was the mail man.

THE END.

Thanks guys. MY MADAM AND I PART2 is going to be tomorrow's update.

Chapter fifty two
Bloodbath

The car drove into a club house with security men dressed in black fully armed and packed at the packing lot. Abdul turned to Hafiz whose nose was stuff with tissue paper.

" get the hell out!".

Hafiz slowly opened the door and stepped out. Abdul killed the engine and motion Hafiz to lead the way. The security men looked at them suspiciously but Hafiz nodded an okay at them, so they remained calm but didn't stop staring.

Hafiz slowly moved towards a small door that led through a hallway into a large hall. Abdul looked at the exquisitely furnished hall with every furniture plated in gold. The bold paintings on the wall and sculptures with large chandelier hanging on the roof in the middle of the hall made Abdul feel as though he was in a palace.

Hafiz pointed at a door in front of him. " lets go". He said to Abdul.

Abdul followed him into another well furnished sitting room where some well fed men sat chatting and laughing with beautiful Arabian girls attending to them.

The men turned to the men as they walked in, Abdul recognized non but confidently walked past Hafiz and stood in front of the puzzled men.

" my name is Abdul. I heard you guys have been looking for me".

The men couldn't contain their shock. One of them turned to Hafiz and stormed. " why did you bring him here!".

Hafiz looked away pitifully.

" l bullied him here". Abdul said to the man. "I'm ready to get your job done, just deliver the girl to me!".

There was a murmuring as the men whispered within themselves. Then another said to Abdul.

" she's safe! Get out of here and do your job!".

Abdul suddenly felt he wasn't taking seriously. He brought out his gun and shot into the ceiling. This drew the men's full attention, they all looked at Abdul suddenly with fear in their faces.

" I'm not to repeat myself. Give the girl to me and I'm out of here!". Abdul said between his teeth.

The door opened abruptly and three armed men ran in. Abdul moved quickly towards a very fat man who sat quietly looking at him at the main seat and pointed the gun to his head.

" do you know who that man is?!". One of the men bellowed angrily.

" hey! Calm! Get the girl!". The fat man said to the security men who were nervously steadying their guns to shoot.

The men looked at him and one of them said in a shaky tone. " chairman, are you sure?!".

" get the girl". The chairman said with a smile.

Abdul turned to the bulky man who is the chairman making the rules was now in his mercy. This made Abdul felt powerful. He watched few other security men come in and two disappeared through a door adjacent the entrance.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Abdul. Abdul didn't take his eyes off the security men who were ominously wielding their gun towards him.

The door suddenly opened, Susan was in front staggering with her hands on her tummy, limping. Abdul felt his heart sinking into his tummy, his anger for the elders suddenly awaken but he knew it would be wrong to do anything stupid for the sake of Susan.

The men moved away from Susan with their guns pointed at Abdul. Abdul suddenly realised that getting out without an insurance would be a suicide attempt, he knew the elders for no mercy when threatened.

Then Abdul dragged the chairman by his brocade up to his feet pointing the gun on his head. " now drop your guns!". Abdul said to the security men.

" you don't have to do this Abdul. They won't hurt you". The chairman said in a low assuring tone.

Abdul didn't listen to him. He repeated with a yell. " drop your guns!",

The chairman waved the security men to drop their guns. They hesitated. The chairman waved again with a confident smile on his face before the men dropped their guns.

Abdul slowly pushed the chairman towards the door. Then turned to Susan. " come with me!".

Susan has never been so happy to see Abdul before like she felt that moment. She limped to him and followed him closely as they walked out through the door. Abdul immediately shut and bolted it, then pushed the chairman towards the exit.

Outside, a handful of security men were pointing their guns at Abdul. Susan flinched in fear and held on to Abdul's shirt.

" tell them to drop their guns!". Abdul commanded the chairman.

" you are going too far man. Get the hell out of here with your lady and I won't hurt you!". The chairman said in a soothing tone.

" tell them now!". Abdul bellowed.

The chairman smiled and waved the men down but they refused. He tried again but the men moved even closer to them.

" these guys won't listen, they don't ever listen". The chairman said causally.

Abdul pushed Susan behind him with a hand and pointed the gun hard into the chairman's head. "drop your weapons, or I kill him!". Abdul said to the men in a stern tone.

The men stopped circumspectly, but their guns were steadily aimed to fire.

Abdul turned to Susan and was going to say something to her when the chairman brought out Taser from his brocade side pocket and drug it into Abdul's rib. Abdul felt like every vain in his body was passed through live wire of 5000 volts. He shook and fell on a knee. Susan held him by the arm to support him from falling. The chairman moved away from Abdul immediately and shouted at his men. " get him!"

The men moved forward towards Abdul, but Abdul quickly shook off his weakness, though his body felt paralyzed yet he managed to shoot and killed one of the men, sprang up and grabbed the chairman to shield himself with Susan behind him.

The chairman was surprised, he couldn't believe Abdul withstood the Taser. Though Abdul was shaky, yet he held on to the chairman with a gun in the chairman's head.

" I'm Abdul, I unkillable, uncatchable, I'm Abdul the sleek!". Abdul whispered into the chairman's ear in an unsteady tone and pushed him forward with his eyes on the men.

They approached the car, he opened the front passengers door for Susan to go in. He was about shutting the door when a gunshot hit him in the back pushing him hard against the car. He simultaneously returned the fire killing two men in the spot and dragged the chairman closer in front of him with his hand around the chairman's neck facing about twenty armed men now circling him. He turned to Susan and said in a shaky voice. " bury yourself!".

Susan immediately laid on her tummy.

The men circled Abdul while he held on to the chairman. Abdul did not bother of the possibility that he may not survive the attack, but he knew confidently that he cant die. He has met worse situation and escaped.

He was turning towards a man running to his left when a bullet brushed through his head from behind. He bent down abruptly dragging the chairman with him. It was time for him to return tire. He quickly shot and hit one man; and again; he hit another.

The men immediately changed formation and a bullet from Abdul's left hit him in his shoulder while he was trying grasp their move and his hand dropped from the chairman's neck. The chairman in that instant head-butt him with the back of his head and moved away leaving Abdul exposed.

Abdul immediately rolled on the floor towards sculpture of a man carrying a house few distance away from the car at his left with gunshots firing at him and hid behind it. He felt just little pain in his shoulder and his back due to his adrenaline pumping fast.

Three men ran towards Abdul on both his left and right hand sides. They opened fire even before they reached could be spotted, Abdul abruptly fell on his back and shot speedily at both directions, killing the three; one on his right and two on in his left.

The rest men ran towards him shooting boring holes and creating splashes of dust from the sculpture. Abdul tried to retaliate but his gun was out of bullet, he felt like he was being swallowed up. In that dilemma, he rushed towards the closest dead man by his right and grabbed his gun, in the process, a bullet hit him on his right lower rib and he fell, but reached for the gun; returned fire, killing four men. Another shot hit him in his upper left chest and the gun fell from his hand, he immediately picked it up, staggered to his feet and ran to take cover behind the entrance of the clubhouse.

Susan stumbled on a phone on the foot mat In the car. She picked it up and dialed Oscar's number Kate made her to memorize.

" hello". Oscar's voice came through.

" this is Susan! Please help, they're shooting!", Susan cried into the mouthpiece.

" Susan? where are you?!". Oscar asked sounding apprehensive.

" I don't know! Please help!". Susan said hurriedly and peeped if anyone was coming. " please". She cried.

" okay hold on! Just leave the phone on, I'll trace the GPRS. Hang on, I'll be there soon!".

Where Abdul stood he was shaking in an excruciating pain from the bullet wounds, he could barely hold the gun steady as blood oozed out from different parts of his body.

One of the men heard Susan's voice and slowly moved towards the car. He saw her and called on the remaining 11 men, two moved towards him, one opened the car door and dragged Susan out.

Chapter fifty two

The old way


The car drove through a dark tunnel, Abdul was vigilantly ready to retaliate hard if they tried anything funny. Then the car came out and took a bend towards a narrow path down hill that led a sawmill fenced with a barbwires and a huge hate with a security house beside it where a man stricken with age in yellow overall sat with a radio pressed to his ear .

The car stopped at the gate for the old man to open. The man looked as though he was surprised to see the car and then struggled to his feet, walked slowly to the gate bent.

Abdul wondered what they were doing there but decided to see as he watched the old man struggling with the keys. Hafiz and other men with him were patiently waiting. And when the gate was eventually opened, they drove in and the driver gave a tip to the old man who was very happy thanking, exposing his scanty front teeth.


They drove passed some group of workers milling wood at a huge factory by their left, non of the worker took notice of them as they seem engrossed with work. After driving for a minute, they arrived a storey glass furniture house with beautiful furniture works on displayed up and downstairs. They drove behind it to pack.

Abdul looked at the glass furniture house and couldn't make sense of it as why they were there, but he was still silently vigilant.

" we are home". Hafiz said and opened the door.

" is this where the elders are?". Abdul asked.

Hafiz turned behind him to face Abdul. " do you think I'll take you to the elders place? We're here to collect a clue on how to attack the government".

Abdul's face changed in an ominous frown that made Hafiz uncomfortable. " where's Susan?". Abdul asked coldly.

Hafiz suddenly scoffed and asked. " is that her name?"

Abdul could not contain his rage anymore, all his will to fight it had worn out so he wanted to punch Hafiz on his face, but a voice called and he stopped even before he made a move and turned to a short fat man dragging his feet like his protruded tummy was weighing him down.

" you people are late!". The fat man said walking to the car.

Hafiz said to Abdul. " get out of the car".

Then opened the front door and hurried to meet up with the approaching man. Abdul slowly came down and joined the men.

The fat man's face was suddenly laden with surprise when he saw Abdul. Abdul looked at him wondering why he was that way towards him.

" Abdul! We finally meet!". The man said in an admirable tone.

Abdul nodded not knowing what to say and looked past the him to the glass house where people were busy going to-fro, some talking to each other, others seem to be admiring the works or pricing with some persons attending to them. And he returned to the fat man who was now handling with a piece of paper and when he was done, handed it to Hafiz.

"that's the address. You know what to do. I have to attend to business". The fat man said and turned to Abdul. " nice meeting you. I hope you make us proud".

Abdul smiled wearily. The man smiled back and walked back to the glass house.

" we have to go now!". Hafiz said walking to the car.

Outside of the sawmill, Abdul couldn't bear what was eating him up any further, he doesn't care about the elder's fight with the government nor want to have anything to do with it nor interested anymore in his revenge with the elders. All he cared about was to get Susan to safety.

So he said in a low tone. " stop me!".

The man beside Abdul turned to him and kept the stare.

" I said stop me!". Abdul bellowed angrily.

Hafiz turned casually to Abdul and said with a smirk on his face. " you have a job to do not to place demands".

In the anger, Abdul hit the man beside him hard in the throat with the side of his hand and followed immediately with two strong punches at the side of the man's head that knocked him out. He abruptly gave a strong punch in the driver's ear and the car swerved off the road but the driver was able to struggle and normalize the steering. Before Hafiz could point his gun at Abdul, Abdul had already grabbed his hand, elbowed him in the throat and nose, grabbed the gun from him and pointed it on his head.

" stop the car!". Abdul said to Hafiz who bent over with his hands on his neck and bleeding nose.

Hafiz nodded to the confused driver who then pulled over.

Abdul turned to Hafiz. " take me to her!".

Hafiz tried to speak but couldn't, his throat was still hurting. The driver slowly grabbed his gun by his side and made to swing it at Abdul but got a bullet in the back of his head even before he turned over startling Hafiz to death, as he sat wide eyes looking at the driver who bent over the steering with blood oozing out from the back of his head.

Abdul came down from the car and moved to the backseat, pulled the unconscious man out and to the front seat, dragged down the driver then took driver's seat and turned to Hafiz who was still in shock pointing his gun at him. " where is she?"

Hafiz swallowed hard, wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand and said in a strained voice. " she's...". Paused to clear his throat and continued. " she's with the elders!".

" now take me to the elders!". Abdul said.

Hafiz's eyes widened in shock. Before he could protest Abdul hit him with the butt of the gun on his mouth.

" don't make me mess you up here!". Abdul said in an ominous whisper.

Hafiz nodded with his hand on his mouth and pointed in front. Abdul nodded, engaged the engine and drove off.

Chapter Fifty one

Digging Up Corpse

Andrew sat outside of Abdul's tent far in thought without noticing Smart standing behind him.

"come back to earth". Smart said and Andrew jerked around startled, Smart placed a hand around Andrew's neck seating beside him. "where did you go to?". Jokingly asked.

Andrew heaved and shook his head. "my wife, I wonder where she is". Then he turned to Smart with fear in his eyes. " what if she's dead? What will I tell her family". He placed his hands on his head in frustration looking around like he was searching for a spec of dust in the air.

Smart squeezed Andrew's shoulder hard. " get yourself together bro! You're too strong to be feeble minded. She's fine, I promise you.."".

Andrew turned to Smart and slowly dropped his hands to pay attention to what Smart was saying.

" ...after I leave here, I'm going to our embassy. I'll use my office as a journalist to help you find her. Don't worry. I owe my life to you". Smart said and squeezed on Andrew's shoulder.

Andrew nodded and turned to a police officer walking towards him. He stood up wondering if he had something for him.

" heard anything?". Andrew asked the officer hopefully.

The officer walked closer to Andrew and said. " we want go. You, him, everybody here go office. Us police stay here look look and us police come again to follow us police here look look".

Andrew was tired of trying to understand everything the local cops tries to communicate. He turned to Smart who was standing to his feet and saying. "I'm eager to get the hell out of here!" .

Then Both Smart and Andrew's attention turned to two cops in nose masks dragging a big sack bag. When the cops came closer the stench from the bag reeked of decay flesh. Andrew immediately covered his nose with his hand and asked the officer who also covered his and was moving away. " what's that?".

" that is Zazi". Smart replied without showing any sign that the stench was getting to him. "he attempted escape last week. They beat him half dead with a stick in that bag and left him to suffer the pain and discomfort before he died hours later". looking pitifully at the bag being dragged away.

Andrew turned to smart astonishingly. " and they still left him there?".

" yes! He was hung at a position where we can see him dying and then decaying, to send a message across to us". Smart said and smiled wearily. " I have seen worse! Lets go please". Pulling Andrew by the hand towards the cars where others were moving to.


The hospital frenzy died down 22 hours later and things were gradually normalizing with armed cops everywhere.

Abdul was looking different with his hair cut low and his precious beards removed. He wore a gray t-shirt and faded blue jean with a black face cap. No one could recognize him even his mother wouldn't at first glance.

He passed the cops without raising any suspicion and walked straight to Susan's ward. As he opened the door he felt his stomach rumbling and his heart beating with excitement and worries. He couldn't understand why.

A female doctor and two nurses where examining a patient. Abdul saw them and wanted to turn around but stopped himself from acting suspicious.

The doctor and the nurses turned to him. " can we help you?". The doctor asked.

Abdul was conscious of himself shuddering and immediately concealed it in a pretentious boastful demeanor that made him look awkward. " I'm looking for my girlfriend".

The doctor and the nurses exchanged glances wondering who could the girlfriend be. The doctor then turned to Abdul who was now normalizing his excessive show of confidence.

" who is your girlfriend if I may ask?". The doctor asked looking suspiciously at him.

" she is over there. The African". Abdul said pointing at Susan's direction .

There was this sudden eerie feeling in the room that made Abdul uncomfortable. The nurses whispering to the doctor and she was not fast enough to hide the shock on her face. Abdul caught it in time and immediately moved towards Susan's direction.

" hey! Stop!". The doctor said.

But Abdul ignored her and the nurses rushed to stop him from he pushed aside moving . He got to Susan's bed and it was empty. His violent nature ignited, his eyes were bloodshot and his face that was once gentle turned ominous. He spun abruptly and grabbed the two nurses trying to stop him by the neck and suspended them on the wall. " what's going on here! Where's she?!".

" stop it! Stop it mister!". The doctor shouted.

" talk to me now!". Abdul bellowed at the nurses in his grip.

" she...she...is missing!". One of the nurses said shielding her face.

Abdul paused and released his grip slowly. " what?".

" yes. The police are on it. Please let the ladies go you're hurting them". The doctor cautiously said standing behind Abdul.

Abdul then slowly let go of his grip and turned to the doctor. " missing? How?".

" yes! After the incident, we discovered she was the only person not here. Mr. Oscar has been on it. He is actually with the police on the issue".

Abdul looked at the bed again and turned to the doctor. " any note or anything?".

" no sir".

Abdul nodded and slowly walked away feeling crestfallen.

Outside of the hospital, he looked at the armed vigilant cops and wondered how useless they were, a whole human got missing in their watch. He turned to leave and a voice called on his right.

" The lover man!".

Abdul turned and saw Hafiz seating in the front passenger side in a black Audi smoking. He then suspected Hafiz had a hand in it and slowly went to him.

" I knew you would come. Have been waiting for hours here. You look different, I hardly even recognized you if not for your unmistakable stature and step!". Hafiz said smiling.

Abdul looked inside the car at the two mean looking men whose eyes were covered in dark sunshades; one in the driver seat and the other at the back, both glaring at him.

" what are you doing here?". Abdul asked.

" waiting for you!". Hafiz replied, enjoying the drama.

" why?".

" because I know you would come". Hafiz said screening Abdul's face mockingly.

" cut to the chase! Why're you here!". Abdul suddenly became aggressive hitting on the roof of the car.

Hafiz nodded smiling. The men with him sat up getting ready for action. Hafiz turned to them and nodded, then returned to Abdul. " you have a job yet unfinished. So get in the car!".

Abdul hissed and turned to leave. Hafiz said behind him. " they must have delivered the news about your African girlfriend".

Abdul turned to Hafiz's smiling face, came closer and said in a low malicious tone. " if anything happens to her, you know me! I'll come for everything you love".

Hafiz smiled and said. " the clock is ticking".

Abdul opened the backseat and sat in. Hafiz exploded in an hysterical laughter and said. " you're a smart guy". Then turned to the driver. " get us out of here before I kill a cop".

greatme2good:

Hard work pays my brother but it doesn't come like yahoo money, it pays gradually. We your fans are ready to stand by you anytime, anyday. God bless you bro.

thanks dear

jadeliyi:
happy new year topher052, abeg go and claim your prize.

. Thanks bro. We don flex the chicken! Thanks all of ya that made it possible. At least make person chop small from this work.

statistics1:
Compliments Of the Season...

May I take this opportunity on behalf of my family, & myself to wish you & your family a Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New Year ahead. May your Christmas be filled with joy & happiness so that it leaves you with special unforgotable memories. And as the New Year unfolds, may it bring everything that you could ever hope for.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

God Bless You Always

. Thanks Happy new year

Ann2012:
Thanks for the wonderful update, merry Christmas in advance

thanks. Happy new year my person.

BankyGee:

I've missed this action! Welcome back topher052

---

pu7pl3, Nayo08, gly, greatme2good - Update

thanks my mannest man!

extremelygolden:
Masterpiece!

You are the man with the pen!

Welldone Topher. You never disappoint.

ese'!

daddio:
Welcome back Topher and thanks for the update.

thank you bro.

Matherson:
Following this story back to back... God bless your efforts. Nice one.

Amen oh! And yours too.

Ultimategeneral:
I would be an ingrate if i don't appreciate your work bro.
This is a master piece !

thanks general. Much love bro.

greatme2good:
Topher, so there's no Christmas update for us

sorry about that. Got limited time

jenifer007:
Topher congratulations for winning the monetary award.....Well done topher....contact divepen1 to claim your goodies

Here's the link to see list of winners

https://www.nairaland.com/5606502/winners-2019-nairaland-writers-award

Thank You dear

Lordshola:



Topher052 please I want to send you a pm and it's urgent, can I send it??

please do brother.

Oscar gently went to Kate and pretentiously stood with his back on her bed pushing it slowly with his buttocks while his countenance remained expressionless looking at the commotion outside. Then the sound of Mayor's gunshot startled him, he spontaneously jumped on Kate and shielded her with his body. He waited with his eyes closed to hear more gunfire but heard nothing, he slowly looked behind and saw the argument between Abdul Hafiz and Mayor.

"what have you done!". Abdul yelled at Mayor.

Mayor seemed less concerned with Abdul's annoyance, his eyes looking though the hole. This provoked Abdul to push him hard against the wall and was about using the butt of his gun on Mayors' face but was stopped by the timely intervention of Hafiz who held Abduls' hand in the air.

" stop that! What are you doing!". Hafiz scolded. " don't you know he's an elder?".

Abdul pulled his hand off Hafiz's grip and turned back to the window biting back anger.

Mayor adjusted his shirt looking ominously at Abdul with a smile at the side of his mouth.

" you think they will fire? With all these patients here? I thought you're wise!". Mayor said to Abdul standing behind him in the same facial expression.

Abdul wasn't listening, he was busy looking at the cops that were taking cover and whispering between themselves behind their cars trying to catch an idea of their retaliation.

" and who put you in charge bloody soldier?". Mayor asked moving to look at Abduls' face.

Abdul spotted a cop with a sniper gun behind a car, quickly pushed Mayor off his way and duck with his back on the wall. Hafiz impulsively pulled Mayor out of the window to a corner.

"what? What was that for?". Mayor asked Abdul annoyingly.

Abdul ignored him and peeped, the sniper man wasn't there anymore. He looked around the hall and noticed that nobody was watching the back exit. Immediately he sprang out of where he was shouting at his men. " cover the back door! the back door!".

The agitated men looking for what to shoot at wasted no time to rush towards the direction. They were just leaving when gunshots were fired at them, immediately returned the fire retreating while few got knocked down.

Mayor rushed towards some of the young ladies amongst the hostages and used two to shield himself with a gun pointed at ones back. He moved them beside the door leading to the hall way so he could gain leverage for escape when the heat gets intense.

Abdul moved quickly to the other side of the hall way entrance where his men stood waiting for their attackers to come through and he stood in front of them with his back on the wall, sweat dripping from his face and hands. Hafiz suddenly disappeared and was no where to be found. Abdul turned to Mayor who nodded and hid his head behind the terrified girls.

Abdul's men remaining were five, he knew this was a lost battle and his only chance of survival was to escape. He turned and peeped, the way was dry; he wiped the sweat blinding him and turned to the window. Immediately, his eyes caught some police men moving in on them. Abdul turned again to the hallway, let out a gunshot and took cover, but no gunshot was replied. He peeped once more, the place remained empty.

Mayor fired at the window drawing Abduls' attention to him. The police had gotten to entrance of the hospital and was taking cover with their backs on the wall.

Mayor held one of the girls by the neck close to himself shooting at the window. " what are you waiting for? Attack!!". He yelled at Abdul's men as he kept shooting.

The men turned to Abdul for approval, Abdul nodded and ran across to the other side of the hallway entrance. He was looking for how to get away, he wasn't ready to die because of Susan nor be caught, he would rather die than be caught alive. Now it was a difficult decision for him because he cant die, neither could he be caught alive, he has to escape.

The men had joined Mayor shooting and soon they chased the police men back to their cars. Mayor laughed heartily and pushed the girl away. He turned to get Oscar, but Oscar was nowhere in view. He spun like a mad man searching for Oscar, neither Oscar nor Kate was found.

Abdul turned to the girls and some few hostages in their custody and motion them up with his gun while Mayor was still looking for Oscar.

" go get me that man!". Mayor yelled like a mad at Abdul's men when he couldn't find any trace of Oscar nor Kate.

" nobody moves!". Abdul commanded in a low cold tone with his eyes on the hostages but his men obeyed and stood their grounds.

Mayor felt transfixed looking at Abdul whose countenance was murderous. He wanted to say something but couldn't find the courage to.

" get everyone up!". Abdul said to the men.

They pointed thier guns at the hostages dragging the weak ones up, kicking and hitting some with the butt of their guns until everyone was standing.

Abdul moved to the hallway entrance and peeped, still there was no sign of anyone. He then returned and stood in front of the petrified faces with his gun hitting his thigh. Then he stopped, corked the gun and said in a low cruel tone pointing it in their faces. "the last person I find here after counting five is dead! One! Two!"

Mayor stood wondering what Abdul was up to. The hostages looked confused, they didn't know whether to run or stand but when Abdul got to three, a man took courage and ran off, others immediately followed. Abdul swiftly took of his jalamia and ran after them with a black t-shirt and gray trouser.

The police men hiding at the other side came out of their hidings and opened fire but stopped when they noticed they were civilians but four were already dead and two injured. The rest squatted in fear screaming on top of their voices.

Abdul men ran out with their guns and began shooting thinking that's what Abduls' plan was, the police immediately retaliated and killed the remaining five.

The hostages remained on the floor shaking while the police men quickly moved past them to the hall. The hostages then stood up and ran off as the police men went to check on the bodies of Abdul's men.

Mayor moved about in confusion in the hall looking for where to escape through. He went under the table and squatted there looking like a scared dog.

The police men came into the hall and when Mayor saw their feet's, he pushed his gun away from him and rushed out with his hands in the car shouting like a feeble old man in English. "I'm a patient, please don't shoot! I'm a patient!"

The police men came closer to Mayor and searched him, then left him to look around the hall thinking he was a foreigner entangled in the bomb fiasco.

Mayor smiled with his face hidden and was walking out of the hallway when he met face-to-face with Oscar walking with two police men. Everything suddenly felt like slow motion as Mayor grabbed a gun from the waist of an officer walking past him and fired. Oscar was fast to dodge jumping into a ward by his right. Before the two police men could shoot Mayor had gotten them down.

Mayor lost all of his right senses when he saw Oscar, he was blinded by revenge. He rushed at the ward and opened the door; a 24" TV hit him on the face and Oscar almost simultaneously picked him on the waist and hit his back against a bed, both of them ended on the floor.

Oscar got on top of Mayor hitting him with the side of his fist severely in the face before Mayor held Oscar's hand and bit him so hard with the intention of cutting off his thumb. Oscar screamed hitting Mayor with his left hand but Mayor refused to let go. He then forced his left thumb into Mayor's right eye, Mayor screamed but his jaw closed even more harder and his head shook aggressively trying to rip off the hand. Oscar's hand dug deeper into Mayor's eye, then burst it and Mayor ripped off Oscar's thumb in the pain, spat it off. Both men fell on different directions, Mayor held on to his eye and Oscar his hand.

The door opened and some cops came in and saw the two men on the floor screaming with blood on ones eye and the others hand.

Abdul walked faster with the hostages and took a different direction with his head low, without looking back as he walked far away from the premises.

Happy new year my people. May God keep us throughout this year and bless the works of our hands.

Thanks for your votes. Someone just brought it to my notice. I'm really grateful. The story has really gone cold. For your supports, I'll drop something this night, and bring it back to life no matter how busy I am. Thanks again guys.

Divepen1:
Romance Short Story
Sponsored by Litereso ( https://beta.litireso.com/ )

Topher052- 3



*Only the winner should contact me with his account number.
Please, nobody should contact me for help because me sef need financial help. Aside the money given to the volunteer(s), the remaining is being sent out to the winner(s) only.

I'm just seeing this now. How do I get across to you outside this platform. Please contact me on whatsapp. 08138943767

greatme2good:
Welcome back Topher. As your number one fan, I would like to point out a little mistake. You changed Kate's name to Rita. Please do the needful.

thank you very much!

Chapter Fifty

Swimming with fools

Abdul entered the busy hospital hall and looked around for any of the ladies. He saw a nurse forcing a snack and soft drink hurriedly into her mouth. Immediately, he went to her. " excuse me, I'm looking for someone involved in that explosion earlier today".

She looked at him with her mouth full and mumbled something pointing towards a narrow path at her right filled with busy people; both patients and staff then quickly rushed her drink and disappeared through a door behind her.

Abdul turned to the direction and walked slowly towards it with his eyes looking out for the girls.

People pushed passed him as they went to-fro but Abdul cared less. He looked into every opened door and opened the ones that were shut, every ward was filled with all categories of patients. He walked to the last but there was no sign of the girls.

A door opened by his left in front and a doctor came out with man. The man shook hands with the doctor and both of them strolled away.

Abdul felt he needed to go through each ward again and look at the faces of each patient but something in his heart kept pricking him to see who was in the room the two men came out from. After a momentary hesitation, he moved forward and entered through the door.

Every four bed arranged in twos in the ward was occupied. Two nurses were bandaging a mans' head at the outer bed and turned to Abdul with an inquisitive glare. Abdul immediately spoke up. " please, I'm looking for my girlfriend, can I look through?".

The nurses exchanged considering glance and one of them nodded and they continued with their job.

Abdul slowly scanned through each of the patient; the man they were attending to was a middle aged Chinese, the bed behind him was a young Arabian girl with an amputated leg, but she was not Kate. He moved to the next two beds; an older man whose one eye and chest was wrapped in bandage was quivering in pain with a clinched teeth and hand on his chest, he took no notice of Abdul. Abdul felt he was being pathetic and hissed in disgust.

Turning to the bed behind, his eyes fell on someone lying by the corner of the bed. Immediately, Abdul rushed over and saw Susan lying face up. His heart sunk into his tummy and ceased his breath for few seconds. He stood completely paralyzed looking at Susan.

" hello!".

The call of one of the nurses started him. He turned to them and one of the nurses asked. " have you seen her?".

"yes! What happened to her?". Abdul found the courage to speak.

" who?". The nurse asked.

"that African girl". Abdul said pointing to Susan.

" oh, she had a miscarriage due to the impact of the explosion. She's fighting for her life. Are you the fa....". The nurse paused when she realized it was not in her place to give that information.

Abdul felt he could hear the shattering of his heart breaking like broken glasses. His feet suddenly felt weak and he supported himself with the rail of the bed beside him.

" It's okay sir. She will survive it. Have seen cases more critical than hers". The other nurse quickly added.

Abdul's emotional melt down immediately turned to hot revenge to make the elders pay for hurting his unborn child.

There was a shout outside. The nurses ran out to see what it was about.

Abdul moved close to Susan and stood beside her bed looking down at her bruised, yet beautiful face. And there was a gunshot sound, this moved him, his heart went straight to Hafiz. Immediately, he ran out and saw people running towards his direction. Abdul pushed his way through and saw his men, Mayor and Hafiz holding down the man he saw earlier at gunpoint. Immediately Abdul forced his way hurriedly so he could stop them from coming to Susan's ward.

" where is your bitch of a daughter! Bring her here now!". Mayor bellowed at Oscar who was sitting on the floor in front of him with a bleeding kneel.

Oscar was still hurting from the bullet wound on his knee and held on to his leg ignoring Mayor.

The furious Mayor corked the pistol, placed it on Oscar's head and was about to shoot.

" stop!". Abdul commanded walking swiftly towards them.

Everyone's attention turned to Abdul as he came closer.

" who is he?". Abdul asked Mayor.

" the bloody Oscar that murdered my son in cold-blood before my eyes and tortured me!". Mayor replied in a venomous tone.

Abdul had no business whatsoever what happens to the strange man, his concern was Susan.

" lets take him away and report to the elders first, I think they may have plans for him". Abdul suggested.

" no! I want that daughter of his!". Mayor retorted.

" she's dead!". Oscar said without looking up.

Everyone turned to him.

" Who?". Abdul asked Oscar.

" my daughter. She died from the bomb blast. Now we are even!". Oscar said looking maliciously at Mayor.

Mayor scoffed at Oscar and said. " that's a lie!". He turned to the men and ordered. " search the place and bring me every Arabian girl of 25 and below.

Abdul wanted to say something but refrained. He heaved and looked away believing they don't really know Susan and had no business with her.

Hafiz moved closer to Abdul while the men went in radically in search for Susan.

" you look nervous. Everything okay?". Hafiz asked suspiciously.

Abdul took a glance at him and looked away.

Oscar was so uncomfortable and Mayor seem to be enjoying it as he fixed his eyes on Oscar who constantly looked behind him uneasily.

The men began carrying young Arabian girls out on their beds, and pushing those who couldn't walk out, and soon the place was crowded with young Arabian girls, both conscious and unconscious ones.

Mayor slowly began going through each looking carefully at their faces. Oscar now was pale and evidently shaking. Abdul too was worried in his stomach but was aware of Hafiz's constant gaze at him.

Mayor stopped in front of one of the beds and was looking down at a young unconscious girl, then his face turned to grin.

" I have found her!". He said and turned to Oscar whose heart had drained every blood in him. " your bitch!". Then he placed the gun in the middle of Kate's chest.

" please! Kill me! I'm the cause of it all! Leave my Innocent daughter alone. Please I beg you! She's in coma fighting for her life please!". Oscar laid on his tummy begging Mayor in tears.

Mayor liked seeing Oscar in that emotional condition. He smiled and slowly started pulling his finger on the trigger showing Oscar his teeth.

A voice on megaphone startled Mayor and he pulled away abruptly looking at the direction the voice was coming from.

" this is the police! You're surrounded. Drop your guns and come out with your hands on your heads!".

Abdul slowly snuck out but Hafiz caught him and followed him.

Abdul's men were confused, the two men who were to give orders had disappeared, Mayor automatically became their leader.

Abdul entered Susan's ward and walked to her. She was still fast asleep. The door opened and Hafiz surfaced, both men jammed eyeballs -to-eyeballs.

" who is that?". Hafiz asked as he walked in.

Abdul moved In front of Susan and shielded her with his body. " she's no business of yours!".

Hafiz had always hated Abdul and wanted to have something to pin him down with. So he moved closer hoping it was something implicating.

" who is that?". Hafiz asked again stretching his neck to get a better look.

" Lets get the hell out of here!". Abdul said harshly trying to push Hafiz away.

" get your hands off me! Who is that?". Hafiz's voice suddenly became stern.

Abdul knew he had to let him be and face whatsoever comes out of it squarely.

" she's my wife! So now you know!". Abdul said facing Hafiz.

Hafiz nodded and said. " lets go handle the cops first, I'll like to know who this lady that brought you here is".

" after you!". Abdul said, waiting for Hafiz to move.

Hafiz moved out and Abdul followed from behind.


At the main hall, the men were positioned at the windows with their guns pointed. Mayor stood at a corner peeping through a small opening, and when he noticed someone behind, he jerked around and saw Hafiz and Abdul.

" where have you guys been?". He asked hastily.

Hafiz moved passed him to the window while Abdul stylishly went to check on Kate, she was still how she was and he then moved slowly to join them.

" come out now! Last warning!". The megaphone resounded.

" what do we do?". Hafiz asked Abdul.

Abdul was looking out at the crowd of cars and armed men positioned to fire with a man standing behind a car with a bega phone pressed to his mouth.

A gunshot echoed and the man with the megaphone went down. Abdul and Hafiz turned abruptly and saw Mayor with a smoking gun in his hand.

So sorry for the long absence. I wish you all very merry Christmas in advance.

Chapter Forty Nine
Taking Back

Abdul's car pulled over some safe distance away from the warehouse. He alighted and looked around the deserted pathway. Hafiz joined him looking down the road.

" don't you think they'll find out we are coming and attack?". Hafiz asked Abdul who was in a deep thinking.

" Not we, I and two persons will go alone!". Abdul replied with his eyes closed sniffing the air.

Hafiz was dumbfounded. He looked at Abdul as though he had lost his mind. " what are you saying? That's a suicide mission!". Hafiz stormed.

Abdul turned abruptly behind him and screened through the armed men waiting for his order. He saw a vibrant, smart looking among them. " you!". Abdul called.

The guy was startled but walked forward.

" come with me! Get a smaller gun you can shove into your pant!". Then Abdul turned to Hafiz who was yet to grasp what Abdul was up to. " are you coming?". Abdul asked impatiently and began walking without waiting for a reply.

Hafiz who wanted to suggest someone else knew it was too late to do so and immediately joined Abdul.

Abdul was in front, the guard in the middle and Hafiz behind.

In front of the warehouse, Hafiz looked around for someone or a hint of an attack in fear.

Abdul confidently walked to the door and shook it, it looked locked from inside, he turned to Hafiz who was looking behind him. " someone is in".

Hafiz glared at Abdul and nodded waiting for Abdul to make his decision.

Abdul peeped through the keyhole but couldn't see anything, then he began knocking. Hafiz was shocked, he felt Abdul was announcing their presence but he nervously stood watchingp.

Abdul knocked harder again.

" what are you doing? This plan of yours is the stupidest I had ever seen. It's a pity I'm coiled up in it".

Abdul pretended not to have heard him and continued knocking.

A little opening on the door pulled aside and someone peeped through it. " who is that?".

Abdul bent over and said to the eye. " I was told to come and inspect this place".

"who?". The person asked.

" He is the agent responsible for this place; Ramat". Abdul said.

The person shut the opening.

Abdul turned to Hafiz in a weak smile. " Plan A went bad!".

" can we get the men over and start shooting things down?". Hafiz nervously whispered.

The lock began opening; Abdul and Hafiz moved backwards. Abdul hands were stylishly behind him on the butt of his gun while his countenance remained neutral.

The iron door opened and a man of an average height, athletic built, low cut hair and cleave shaven face in a black t-shirt on a black combat trouser and a black timberland boot showed up. He looked at Abdul and the men with him suspiciously, especially the third guy who had something about his eyes that depicted danger.

" who did you say you're again?". The man asked Abdul.

" My name is Mohammed, I'm here on behalf of my boss, Alhaji Mustapha, the owner of Musta estates. I believe you must have heard of him. We are here to inspect this property before purchase". Abdul explained to the man.

" where is a permit or something to show you're not just some phony trying to be fraudulent. Pardon my speech". The man said screening Abdul through if he fit into the profile he was claiming.

" we didn't expect to meet the property occupied. Can we just take a look and off we go?". Abdul said as innocently as he could be.

"no! You can't. We are authorized to make use of this place for the next one year. I believe your source must have told you the government has rented it for a project". The man told Abdul.

Abdul turned to Hafiz, and they exchanged a knowingly glance. Then Abdul looked past the man into the building; some men stood behind looking with their hands folded.

" I'm sorry I cant go back!". Abdul told the man.

The man looked behind him and the four men standing began walking out ominously looking at Abdul and his colleagues.

Hafiz held Abdul hand signaling him to leave will smiling at the man, but Abdul stood his ground.

The three men came out and turned to Abdul. One of them asked. " what is going on here?".

The first man replied. " intruders!".

" this is a government property leave!". Another said to Abdul.

Just then, a voice called from inside the warehouse. " don't let them go! Hold them down!".

Everyone's attention turned to the voice; a bulky man dressed in same way with others hurried out. Abdul was the only one who didn't blink, his hand was on his gun waiting to pull it out, Hafiz was already set to leave without Abdul and the guy with Abdul stood alert.

Abidin was the leader of the group. He rushed out with a pistol in his hand and stopped between his men facing Abdul.

" you're one of the rebels!". Abidin yelled. " arrest him!". Pointing at Abdul.

Two men moved towards Abdul; a blinding blow hit one in the eye and with the back of his gun, Abdul knocked the other's head sending him down. Abidin quickly made to fire, Abdul charged towards him, raised his hand up and the shot echoed in the air.

The guard with Abdul quickly shot the two men left who made to attack Abdul.

Abidin and Abdul struggled with the gun, shooting at intervals.

" go in! Search the place!". Abdul shouted as he continued with Abidin.

Hafiz shot one of the men Abdul attacked and the other ran away. Then he joined the man with them into the warehouse.

Abidin picked Abdul by his waist and slammed him on the floor, but Abdul didn't let go of his hand. Abidin struggled with great effort trying to point the gun on Abdul's face. Abdul fought back with every strength he could mutter. Abidin then crossed his legs around Abdul and sat on top of him pushing with every muscle in his thick body shooting out and sweat dripping on Abdul. His hand got to Abdul's face and he released a shot but Abdul dodged in time to miss it. He moved the gun again and was about to fire, Abdul pull his hands above his head and the gunshot missed Abdul's forehead.

The two men were now tired but non was ready to stop. Abdul had to think of another way around it, his hands were getting weak and he knew he couldn't keep up much longer.

Abidin came again to Abdul's neck, then pulled the trigger ; Abdul closed his eyes expecting a hot pain to pass through his throat but the gun only clicked . Both men looked astonishingly at the gun.

Abdul immediately picked a handful of sand from the floor and poured on Abidin's face. Abidin abruptly let go and clinched to his eyes. Abdul then send a punch in the middle of Abidin's lips sending him down on his side.

Abdul stood up breathing heavily, then kicked him hard on the rip turning Abidin over on his back.

Just then Hafiz and the man with them came out looking at Abdul kicking Abidin in anger for attempting to kill him thrice.

Abdul noticed their Hafiz"s presence few moment later and turned towards them panting. "any news?".

Hafiz shook his head.

Abdul immediately moved away from Abidin looking around for anything suspicious. His eyes caught a flickering light of tiny glass on top of a building a distance away.

" take cover! Sniper!". Abdul yelled and ran bending all the way into the warehouse.

The guy with Abdul got hit in the chest and he fell on his back. Hafiz joined Abdul inside. Both of the then stood in the entrance peeping by the door .

" how did you know?". Hafiz asked almost in admiration.

Abdul ignored him. His mind was busy, thinking of a way out without the sniper knowing.

Abidin stood up, dusted his body, still trying to get some remnant of sand off his eyes. He looked around for Abdul half opening his eyes and when he couldn't find him, he began running behind the building.

Abdul quickly ran after him and two gun shots narrowly missed him. He caught up with Abidin and pointed his pistol at him conscious of his vulnerability.

" stop! Don't move!". Abdul said coldly.

Abidin stopped swiftly with his feet dug into the sand and slowly turned. His eyes bulged when he saw a gun in Abdul's hand. He looked out for the sniper but they were out of sight.

Abdul immediately aimed and shot at Abidin's toe, sending him to the floor screaming in pain holding his boot.

Abdul moved closer to the crying man and asked in a low tone. "where's Mayor!".

Abidin didn't hear him as he was still clinging to his boot that now was dripping blood and trying to take it off.

Abdul pointed the gun on Abidin's knee. " where is Mayor? Tell me or I shoot!".

Abidin eyed the gun dreadfully and looked up at Abdul. " who!". He forced out.

" the man you held captive!". Abdul said.

Abidin turned to his boot and began loosing the lace as he said. " he's dead!".

Abdul was shocked to hear it and showed it in his reaction. " how? When?!".

Abidin pulled off his boot and slowly looked at his middle toe that was cut off with thick blood dripping from it. He then looked up at Abdul in a pathetic way and turned away.

" when ?!" Abdul asked and pressed the gun on his knee.

" This morning! He was buried over there!". Abidin said pointing adjacent him.

Abdul followed his direction and saw a ridge of sand. This completely weakened him, then a thought flashed through his mind.

"lets go see!". Abdul said even though he knew he had limited time before whosoever knows of his presence would round him up.

Abidin looked at Abdul as though he was nut and then to his bleeding toe he was trying to tie up with an handkerchief.

" I believe you heard me the first time! Get up let's go!". Abdul stormed impatiently in a controlled rage.

" I believe you can see I'm of little use here! You can just go ahead and kill me!". Abidin said without looking up.

Abdul knew Abidin was buying time so that his men would apprehend him. Abdul went to the ridge and stood in front of it wandering how long it would take one man to dig up six feet. Just then Hafiz ran in, breathing as though he had undergone a marathon race.

" we have to get out of here... now!". Hafiz said panting.


"no! We have to find Mayor!". Abdul said and started walking towards the back of the warehouse.

Hafiz admired Abdul's passion for his job and now understood why the elders hold him in high esteem, but this was stupidity and a suicide mission, Hafiz knew he had to talk Abdul out of the madness before it's too late for both of them. So he ran after Abdul.

Abdul was at the back of the narrowed fenced building looking for something when Hafiz caught up with him.

" we have to go! Whosever that was firing at us must be on their way by now! Lets get out of here!".

Abdul turned to Hafiz. " get the boys! The party is going to be hot soon!". And continued his search.

Hafiz liked this, and immediately ran off.

Abdul returned to Abidin who was struggling to his feet and pulled him by his arm. " come and show me where he is!"

Abidin fell and cried in pain holding his feet. Abdul felt some persons approaching in his spirit and ran into the warehouse and shut the door.

Abdul looked sharply around and then took a direction towards a door a corner. The room was empty. And then he remembered Ghalib had told him there was an underground , so he swung into action looking for the underground.

The doors he met were offices and had no trace of am underground. He then suspected the abandoned cars. He looked under the first, found nothing, he moved to the next that was with tires, looked under it and saw a canopy, he pulled out the canopy and found a staircase. He smiled and pushed the car off.

Just then a bang sounded on the door. He knew the men he was expecting had arrived. He ignored it and walked down the stairs. There was a narrow passage with two doors; one at the far end and another at his left some distance forward. He checked the one in his left, it was locked. With an aggressive nudging the door gave way and he saw a nerdy guy seated on the floor looking tiredly at him.

" are you mayor?".Abdul asked

" no! I haven't seen Mayor in days now!". The guy said now beaming hopefully at Abdul.

Abdul quickly left the room and went for the other at the far end. It was locked too. He kicked it hard and the door burst open. Mayor was cuffed to the chair with his head on the table. He slowly looked up at Abdul.

" are you mayor?". Abdul asked, but knew he was who he was looking for.

Mayor carefully observed but said nothing.

" I'm here to save you! The elders sent me. I once walked with Aladdin!". Abdul explained.

Mayor smiled and showed him his cuffed hands. Abdul moved towards him and then looked around for something to break it with when he heard gunshots. Both Abdul and Mayor were startled. Abdul then moved closer and asked. " where's the guy that betrayed you?".

Mayor heaved regretfully and then his face turned into an ominous frown. " I want to kill him and his dog of a daughter!".

" Yes! I want to find them! Do you know how I can get him?". Abdul asked desperately.

Mayor liked the enthusiasm in Abdul's eyes and believed he would find Oscar because he found him. " I overheard some of his men saying he went to the general hospital!".

Abdul repeated the name of the hospital and then turned to mayor. " my men will get you out of here. I need to take care of business". And then jetted out without waiting for Mayor's reply.

The shooting outside got heated up. Abdul pulled out his gun, took in few large air and unbolted the door. The first persons he saw were three of Oscar's men backing him shooting at his men. He immediately shot one in the back of his neck and the other in the face as he made to turn around. The third was already facing Abdul almost shooting, so he had to rush and grabbed his gun, shot him twice in the stomach at close range and took cover behind a flower tree.

Both sides had dead bodies and had taken cover, for few seconds more no one shot. One of Oscar's men was the one to break the momentary silence when he shot at Abdul but hit the tree instead, Abdul retaliated almost immediately and killed him. The rest of Abdul's men rushed out shooting at Oscar's men. Abdul peep to see if he was in the clear and then ran out shooting, got one down.

The remaining three of Oscar's men then lifted up their hands in surrender and dropped their guns. Abdul quickly stopped his men who were going to kill them while they were going on their knees.

Oscar's men were now on their knees with their hands up including Aladdin.

Hafiz moved closer to them looking as though he was the one who did all the shooting whereas he hid himself behind a well with a gun in his hand all the while. He walked to Abidin and put the gun in his forehead.

" stop that!". Abdul commanded. " he is no longer a threat".

Hafiz turned to Abdul and smiled, then dropped his hand.

" Mayor is inside. Go get him!". Abdul said.

Hafiz took two men with him inside. Abdul then decided to go after Oscar alone after waiting for Hafiz to go out of sight.

Hafiz came out with Mayor and the nerdy guy. He but couldn't see any sign of Abdul and was told Abdul had just drove off in one of the cars. This was puzzling to him, he looked around thoughtfully.

" he has gone after Oscar". Mayor said with his hand around the neck of one of Abdul's men for support.

" where?". Hafiz asked.

" government hospital!". Mayor replied.

Hafiz wasn't comfortable with Abdul's secret mission, he felt Abdul wanted to take all the glory for himself. He immediately took four armed men with him.

" what about Oscar's men?". One of the men asked as Hafiz made to leave.

" kill them!". Hafiz replied, and went after Abdul leaving Mayor in the care of his men.

Chapter Forty Eight

Light Came

The smallish man grinned and checked the time on his golden chain watch, then slowly stood up and looked at Abdul. " I see you're here to waste my time". He turned to the big guy behind Abdul and nodded while he slowly moved away from the table.

The big guy held Abdul's neck from the back and the other two men ceased Hafiz's arms and forced him down facing the floor.

The smallish man walked up to Abdul who was struggling with the big guy's grip on his neck. He tilted his head to a side looking as though he was trying to see the pain in Abdul's face and asked. " you said your name was what again?".

Abdul was still struggling and looked down with difficulty to reply. "I...I'm looking for... Ghalib!". Abdul forced out.

The smallish man shook his head pitifully and asked. " who do you work for?".

"the...the elder's!". Abdul managed.

" I don't believe you! Tell me now because you're wasting my time!". The smallish man said hastily.

Abdul felt the big guy's hand growing weak. He knew it was time to take advantage.

The smallish man moved looser to take a closer look at Abdul's face, Andrew used they big guy's hand on his neck to his advantage and leaped holding the big guy's hand for support and kicked the smallish man in the middle of his face sending him backwards and rolling over the table behind him.

The impact of Andrew's leaping and kicking pushed the big guy backwards but he remained standing. With the back of Abdul's head, he knocked the big guy in the nose and quickly followed by a strong elbow in his stomach forcing him to let Abdul go.

The men holding down Hafiz left him and charged towards Abdul. Abdul moved backwards with his hands stretched out to reach for anything close but didn't see any before of the men got to him and threw a punch but missed. Abdul replied with a strong blow on his nose pushing him aside. Immediately the big guy picked Abdul up by the waist and threw him down on the floor. It felt like stars and blue sparkles glittered in Abdul's head, but he came to consciousness as a big hand grabbed him up by the neck. He quickly left an head butt on the big guy's nose, simultaneously followed with an uppercut on his jaw. The big hand left Abdul and grabbed his nose.

The second guy kicked Abdul so hard he fell on the wall. The other first rushed with a bottle to attack Abdul but Hafiz scattered a chair on his head from the back sending him down unconscious.

The smallish guy slowly stood up and opened the drawer of his table, took out a pistol and aimed at Abdul. Abdul saw him in time enough to dodge before he shot. This spooked everyone to pause and looked at the smallish man holding a gun between his hands in moist tensed face.

Abdul slowly looked up from behind the cabinet where he hid himself to see if the man was going to shoot again while Hafiz stood confused.

The curtain and a door suddenly opened from behind the smallish man and a dark Arabian in full hairs and bears surfaced.

" why are you boring holes on my walls?!". He yelled at the smallish man who swiftly dropped his hand in respect.

Abdul immediately recognized the new man and slowly came out of his hiding.

The man turned to the room that was now upside-down and to the men looking instantly unsure at him, then at Hafiz and his eyes dropped on Abdul. A surprised look spread on his face as he moved closer to Abdul.

" Abdul?". He called

Abdul heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. " Ghalib!".

Ghalib and Abdul walked up to each other and stood some inches apart.

" you're alive?" Ghalib asked.

The smallish man looked surprised; the other two men aside the unconscious one who was still sleeping were both shocked and displayed the expression. Hafiz felt so relieved that he sagged with his back on the wall to the floor.

"yes! Who can kill me...".

"...is not yet born!". Abdul and Ghalib completed the statement together and laughed.

They exchanged a satisfactory look and heartily hugged. Ghalib broke the hug and turned to the perplexed men.

" you wanted to kill him? Do you know who he is? Get out all of you!". Ghalib bellowed and turned to Abdul. "I'm very sorry. They were just taking caution, but may have gone a little overboard".

" it's okay". Abdul replied with a smile.

The two men lifted up their unconscious friend and dragged him out. Ghalib turned to the smallish man who made to take a seat by the table. " and you too!". In a malicious tone.

The smallish man paused to digest the statement and then nodded in shame and joined the others out.

Abdul, Ghalib and Hafiz sat around the table with a cup of tea and a steaming kettle in front of them. After a brief catching up, Abdul then decided to go straight to save time.

" yes. Why I came is because it's urgent". Abdul said adjusting on his seat.

" what is it?". Ghalib sounded interested.

" we are looking..." Hafiz who has been quiet excitedly said to get involved.

" I wasn't taking to you!". Ghalib interrupted him with his gaze still on Abdul.

" the government is holding a liability called Mayor. The elders has asked me to rescue him or kill him. I need information on hiding places you suggest they may be keeping him". Abdul went on without acknowledging Hafiz offended countenance.

Ghalib nodded thoughtfully and searched through his head, then turned to Abdul. " there's a place some of boys spotted some men moving in and out of late".

" okay?". Abdul said interestedly.

"I think something is cooking there". Ghalib said.

" where?". Abdul asked.

" down Mustapha hut at the back of the central mosque. The narrow path will lead you to an abandoned warehouse. I think it's an underground. Just check it out". Ghalib said and sipped from his cup.

" thank you very much. I have to get going!". Abdul said standing to his feet.

" what? So soon?". Ghalib asked in shock.

"yes! I told you he is a liability, it's urgent!". Abdul said moving slowly to the door with Hafix behind him.

Ghalib stood up and said. " okay! Please come around soon".

" I will". Abdul said with a bow and walked out.



Andrew sat in the backseat in between two cops as the car followed his direction through the desert. Behind where five other police cars.

Andrew's heart raced uncontrollably in fear; the paths they took had horrible and terrifying memories. He kept looking at both directions when they were passing through the mountain Sandra died hoping to see her corpse or being attacked by Boko or any of his team.

They spotted a jeep in a distance. Andrew pointed it to the cops. " look! That's like one of the cars they use!".

The cops were still trying to have a clear look when the jeep reversed and jetted backwards.

" faster! That could be trouble!". The cop in front said to the driver.

" and lead us into an ambush? Caution! Radio others!". The cop beside Andrew said.

The jeep kept going out of sight as they tried to keep up. The police car raced in full speed chasing after the jeep.

" we are getting close to the place!". Andrew said looking in front of them at the car racing very fast.

"Attention everyone! Get ready! We're getting close!". The cop in front shouted into the radio.

Andrew felt goose pimples and a strange cold running up his spine, his palms were moist and his heart thumbed like it would burst out his chest. He began wishing he had not followed them, but when he remembered Susan and what she must have undergone in the hands of those nefarious men, his confidence returned.

Andrew spotted the camp in a distance and pointed it to the cops. Again fear struck like hot iron fired to his heart, this time, his tummy rumbled. He remembered how he narrowly escaped with his life. He swallowed hard and wiped the sweat rolling down his face with the back of his hand while his full attention remained on the gate they were now nudging closer.

The jeep drove in. Andrew shot his head forward and said to the driver. " please don't go in at once. Let's take caution!".

Either non of the cops heard Andrew or they just chose to remain expressionlessly looking in front of them.

Immediately, some men ran out of the gate shooting at them as they were about approaching it. The car Andrew was in raced opposite direction swiftly while the bullets scattered their glasses. Other police cars behind immediately pulled over and the cops jumped out returning the fire.

One of the guards got hit and another followed. The cops in the car Andrew was hurried out hiding behind the car shooting with their AK's.

Andrew rushed out when few bullet hit the car sounding like it was going to hit him any second and joined the cops with his back on the rear tail of the car.


" is there another way in?". The driver, also a cop asked Andrew.

" I don't know!". Andrew quickly replied and buried his head.

The driver looked at Andrew in disappointment and returned to fire from the roof of the car, hit one of the guards.

" man down! Man down!". Came a voice on the radio.

" shit!" The cop on Andrew's left cursed.

Andrew managed to look and saw the guards shooting like they had spare lives. They stood in the open shooting confidently.

A body fell on Andrew while he was peeping. It was the cop in the front. A bullet had hit him in the mouth. He sat on the floor beside Andrew gasping for air and coughing out blood with his eyes laden with horror. His upper lip were gone and all his front teeth lost.

Two of his mates rushed to him and tried in confusion to help, but the gunshots raining kept distracting them.

The driver who was still shooting turned to see what was going on and then fell in the position he turned to with a bullet hole in the side of his head close to his eye.

The remaining two cops looked at their dead colleague in horror. One rushed to the radio and shouted. " retreat! Retreat fall back! Everyone fall back!".

Andrew was surprised to hear him say that. " why? No! Don't do this!". Andrew said in alarm.

The cop ignored him and struggled to help pull the driver's body into the backseat.

Andrew lost his sense of reasoning as the other cop aimed to crawl to the driver's seat. He picked up a gun on the floor and began firing . The cops were surprised to see he could use a gun. Andrew got two men down and continued shooting, another man fell.

The two cops felt motivated by Andrew's display of courage and joined him. After few more minutes the guards began running inside. Andrew was the first to run after them before the cops with him joined and others followed.



Mary and other escort ladies hid in their tent. Ablah was everywhere like mother hen guarding her chicks. Zahra was too scared to even look up as she hid her face between her legs crying.

"nobody comes out! Nobody leaves this tent!". Ablah said and went to peep and saw the guards running past their tent. She ran out and held ones arm. "What's going on!".

" the government! The government!". He yelled and took off.

Mary's fear motivated much curiosity. She quietly stood up to see what Ablah went out for, she was half way to peeping when heard a guard screaming 'the government'. This suddenly filled her with hope. She was about rushing out when Ablah badged in and they both met at the entrance eyeball-to-eyeball.

" where are you going to?!". Ablah barked.

" the government. We found help!". Mary said excitedly.

" will you get back!". Ablah yelled at Mary and turned to the other girls who were folded in a corner in fear. " We are joining the retreat. Everyone get up lets go!".

" where! The government is here to help us! I'm not going anywhere with you!". Mary boldly challenged Ablah standing head tall facing her.

Ablah got so infuriated she slapped her. " who the hell are you to challenge me!".

The impact of the slap moved Mary's head to a side. Immediately, all the anger she had been harbouring, the pain and maltreatment she had suffered all erupted at once. Mary returned the slap with the back of her hand and jumped on Ablah. Ablah fell on her back while Mary sat on top of her hitting, slapping, pulled off her hair covering and hitting her head on the floor in total madness while Ablah only shielded her face. Other girls were now courageous and stood behind Mary cheering her on.

Smart slowly sat up when he saw some guards running past the cell. This was strange. When he first heard the shooting he thought it was the usual but this was serious.

Smart's new cell mate; a young smallish Pilipino male stood up and peeped to the opposite direction the guards came through then turned to smart and asked. " what do you think?".

Smart slowly knelt down, looked same direction and replied his mate. " lets watch and see.

Andrew was in front while the cops were behind. It looked like Andrew was their leader as they followed him anywhere he went to but Andrew didn't take notice, he was concerned about going to Susan's tent.

Andrew got to the front of the tent and quickly opened it with his heart pounding in dilemma. He was excited that he came for her, making him her hero but he also feared she was dead.

The ladies were clustered together at a corner. They moved further away screaming in fear when Andrew came in.

" it's okay! It's okay!". Andrew said with his eyes searching for Susan. " Susan! Susan!". He called and walked further in.

The two cops with Andrew looked into the tent then realized their mistake, and turned behind them to the other cops that were crowded behind like they wanted to see too. " go! Check the whole place!".

Fifi who hid herself inside so that she won't be the first to the shot at heard Andrew calling Susan. She slowly moved out and carefully asked. " Andrew?".

Andrew's face was filled with relief and hope when he heard his name, though he hardly recognized the black African girl but he was happy she knew his name.

" Yes! Yes!". Andrew replied rushing to her.

Chapter Forty Seven
Beat imagination

The cop finished taking Andrew's statement and walked to meet his colleagues. Andrew sat looking at the cops talking among themselves and stealing peeks at him. This wasn't going well with his feelings, the last thing he wanted was to get into another hitch in this journey that had refused to end.

Nurse Fatima touched Andrew's shoulder from behind and he filched turning backwards. Even nurse Fatima was startled by Andrew's jumpy response. When Andrew saw Fatima, he heaved a sigh if relief with his hands on his pounding chest.

" are you okay?". Nurse Fatima asked with a cup of water in her hand.

Andrew smiled and nodded. Andrew's warned out oversized clothe which he knotted the waist of the baggy rag trouser with a rope, and the top was a button-less, faded, dirty yellow sleeve top with holes on various sides and Andrew's over grown hairs and beards gave him the appearance of a madman.

" take, you need some". Nurse Fatima said, handing Andrew the green plastic cup of water.

Andrew took it with a smile and sent the content all in his mouth with two hands, pouring some down from his mouth to his chest.

He finished, wiped his mouth with the back of his hands and gratefully returned the cup. Nurse Fatima smiled and walked away.

It was then Andrew noticed that she was young; in her late teens. Her beautiful sets of white teeth, little pointed nose, oval face shooting from her hijab. Andrew thought she was beautiful, something about her reminded him of Susan and this broke his heart.

A voice shook him from his thought and he turned to another cop standing in front of him. This particular cop looked more confident and smart compared to the others, with a well groomed hair he neatly patched on the right side.

" how are you feeling?". The policeman asked in a clear English but with an accent.

" okay ". Andrew said, not actually having a thought of his health but what was coming to him through the man standing before him.

" that's good to know". The cop said and sat beside Andrew. " I learnt you know who that man was?". Looking searchingly into Andrew's face.

" yes. He was a very bad man, they kidnapped us and cut us open to sell our organs". Andrew said opening the place for the cop to see.

The cop looked at it, nodded and frowned.

Andrew pulled down his shirt and continued more desperately. " they have my wife! Please do what you can to save her!".

The man looked at Andrew's worried face thoughtfully and said after a brief silence. " who was the man that brought you here?".

" I don't know this man. I was bitten by a snake in the desert after I escaped from...". Andrew paused, he knew the officer won't believe the talk about giants, so he quickly went on avoiding that part. "I lost consciousness and woke up here".

" how did you escape and who did you escape with?". The cop asked, then brought out a jotter from his side pocket and a green pen from his chest pocket.

Andrew knew the story of the giant was going to show up again, so he left out details. " I ran away with my wife in one of their cars, they chased us into the desert. I escaped but they caught my wife".

The cop scribbled down something and turned to Andrew. " when was this?".

" a months now". Andrew said without counting.

The cop looked at Andrew suspiciously. " where have you been all these while?".

" in the desert hiding from them". Andrew replied.

The cop stylishly perused through Andrew's dressing and dropped his pen in the middle of his jotter. "can you take us to this place you spoke about?".

Andrew's face lightened with joy and he nodded.

The man turned to his colleagues who were now taking pictures of Usman's corpse and returned to Andrew. " you're sure you can take us there?".

Andrew nodded. " yes! I can, even with my eyes closed!".

"then get ready, tomorrow we shall be going. You will need to come with us, that is if you're medically fit to. I'll enquire from the doctor". The cop said standing to his feet and walked away.

Andrew couldn't contain his emotion. Tears of joy rolled down face, he was finally going to see Susan and return home. But something whispered to his ears. What if Susan was dead?". This immediately snatched the joy from his face and replaced it with fear and worry.



" okay sir. Yes sir. Alright sir!". Abdul finished with the call and handed the phone to the elder's spokes person.

" how do we go about it?". The elders spokesman, Hafiz asked.

Abdul ignored him and turned to one of the guards on the steering. " Isa road!".

The guard nodded and steered towards the direction. Hafiz angrily looked at Abdul who only both of them shared the back seat for a few noticeable seconds and turned to the window. Abdul pretended not to notice, his mind was busy, he was thinking where to begin the search for Mayor because he wanted to ask after Susan and was also strategizing on how to meet the elders whom he knows would send someone instead.

The driver was approaching Isa road and Abdul looked around thoughtfully and said to the driver." Stop!".

The driver pulled over by the roadside with the two cars filled with armed men behind them.

Abdul alighted and searched with his eyes around the zink houses, stores, people pushing against each other and cars struggling on different narrow channels causing serious traffic jam with loud car horns.

Hafiz got down and went to meet Abdul. " what are we doing here?".

Abdul muttered only what him alone heard and started towards the commotion. The guards made to follow him, but he stopped them with a hand up. Hafiz heaved his frustration and started working behind Abdul from behind.

Abdul pushed through the busy place, taking different bends that Hafiz felt if he looses Abdul he not be able to find his way back to the road, so he kept a close mark on Abdul who was working too fast through the bodies that was restricting Hafiz.

Abdul came to the back of an old building with some thuggish men smoking in the front, playing cards and snooker. As soon as they saw Abdul, they all stopped what they were doing and ominously looked sternly at him. Hafiz busted out from behind and paused seeing the horrible faces there.

Abdul ignored them and began walking in through a dark narrow path into the building with dim red light that had more of the likes smoking and some degenerate women with loud make-ups and in skimpy clothes standing by the walls smoking.

Abdul walked through the narrow entrance with Hafiz following closely from behind. The narrow path led to a hall hot from body heat and loud music blasting from a wooden speaker. People on different sections in the hall smoking and drinking, gambling; some had women on their thighs laughing and shouting on top of their voices and some seem wasted either from drugs or alcohol who knows.

Abdul looked around and spotted a door behind a bar, he started towards it. Just few steps to reaching it, an heavily built man, with long hairs and full beards, putting on a kaftan, reeking of alcohol and cigarette smoke stood in front of Abdul. "who are you looking for?!". He shouted due to the loud music.

Abdul looked at him and then turned to the door. " I want to see Ghalib!.

The big man turned to Hafiz, their eyes met and Hafiz swiftly looked away. Then he returned to Abdul. " who are you?".

" tell him Aladdin's striker is asking". Abdul shouted so that everyone would here.

The look on the man's face showed that he was wondering which Aladdin Abdul meant. Abdul caught the hint, nodded and spouted." yes! That very Aladdin. Now hurry up!".

The man slowly screened Abdul suspiciously and but found aura of confidence exuding from Abdul. He then nodded and went through the door.

Abdul turned around and noticed that he had got eyes on him. He ignored them and fixed a stare at the door.

Few seconds later, the door opened and two men accompanied the huge man walking towards them ominously. Hafiz was already getting uncomfortable but Abdul didn't as much break a blink.

The men walked up to them and the huge man began searching Abdul roughly without seeking permission, Abdul did not resist, he allowed himself to be manhandled. Hafiz too was roughly searched by the other two. They finished without finding anything on Abdul but a pistol on Hafiz's back waist. They pushed Abdul and Hafiz towards the door.

The room was modestly decorated with few red leather chairs, a fourteen inches TV on a TV stand beside the door, one shelf by the wall on the right, a ceiling fan, an old yellow flowered curtain on a washed green wall, a big table in the center of the room and a smallish man sitting on the other side facing the door; the man's middle bald head shone in the reflection of the blue bulb above him, his full mustache gave him the resemblance of an English man in the 70's. He had a huge cigar in his mouth and a huge dark shade Abdul thought made him look blind. He obviously was sweating in the big coat he wore.

The man slowly removed his glasses to unveil two buttons like eyes to see clearly the men his boys brought in.

Abdul doesn't recognise this man behind the table but he was definitely sure he wouldn't get intimidated by him.

" who do you say you're looking for and who are you working for?". The smallish man asked in an impressive baritone.

" where is Ghalib?" Abdul asked in a steady tone.

The man took the cigar from his mouth and released a large smoke with his eyes steadily on Abdul. " you did not answer my question". The man said stiffly. " I won't like to ask you a second time".

" I and Ghalid worked with Aladdin. I have some questions for him that's why I'm here, so please tell him I'm here it's urgent". Abdul said.

The smallish man looked doubtfully at Abdul and said. " I'm Ghalid, and I don't know you!".

" and I don't know you either". Abdul retorted.

It was then Abdul began suspecting something was amiss. The man could be an impostor or playing games with him, but if he was an impostor, there was trouble.




Susan and Oscar arrived the hospital where Kate was taking to. The place was raucously busy. Susan was limping and supported by Oscar as they both looked around for any sane person to enquire from. The two nurses they called seem too faraway to even take notice of them.

" sit down here!". Oscar said to Susan, helping her to a seat.

Susan had told Oscar what happened earlier; that Kate was hauled away dead. Oscar refused to believe her.

" not my Kate! She promised me two grand daughters that resembles her and her mother, and a grandson that will took after me. She can't be dead! I need to see her corpse to be sure, coz I don't believe! She can't die!". Oscar had said to Susan.

Susan didn't tell him how grievous Kate's case was and that she was stone dead before they took her away. She knew how devastating it would be for him, so she saved him the detail.

Oscar walked about restlessly stopping anyone In white or blue. He couldn't keep his body together. Susan fought back the tears clouding in her eyes. She had cried enough and doesn't want to go on.

A sudden sharp pain suddenly hit her on the side she was stabbed and she tried to control it, again the pain stroke her harder, she let out a scream and sagged on her knees. Oscars' eyes opened in alarm as he turned to Susan. He rushed to her. " what is it?!.

" my... Haaaa!". Susan screamed lying on her good side.

" doctor! Somebody help!". Oscar screamed.

Two nurses rushed to them and one called for a stretcher. Immediately a male nurse rushed over with it and they hauled Susan who was in pain on it and began rolling her away.

" go back!". One of the nurses said to Oscar.

" I'm a doctor! I can help!". Oscar said to her, brought out his ID card and showed to her and quickly moved past her before she could say another word to stop him.

Susan was rushed to the theatre but it was filled up, she had to be operated in the corridor. They had to cover both sides for privacy but were short of doctors even nurses.

Oscar volunteered himself. After much debates, they allowed him move in with them after clarification. The hospital was in a hullabaloo. Hence, Oscar was allowed to operate on Susan.

An hour thirty minutes later, Oscar was done with Susan and was compelled to help with other critical cases .

Susan had an internal bleeding and was in a critical case. She lost her pregnancy and lots blood. She was unstable fighting for her life. Her chances of survival depends on her surviving the night.

About another hour later, Oscar decided to continue his search for kate, so he asked one of the nurses.

" check the wards, if you don't find her, check the mortuary". The nurse replied horridly and rushed off.

Oscar began by entering all the wards looking for Kate but she wasn't there. After checking and cross-checking, he was left with the mortuary.

This was the hardest part. He feared he would see her there, but he doubted she wasn't dead even if she was there. So he encouraged himself and enquired where the mortuary was. With little help he found it. It was filled up with corpses and people crying.

Oscar saw himself in scary nightmare as he stood looking at bodies lying on the floor. He was mentally paralyzed for few seconds before an attendant walked up to him and asked in a gentle tone. " looking for someone?".

This brought him back to consciousness and he nodded abruptly. The man smiled weakly and said. " follow me, look around as you walk".

Oscar found his heart thumbing uncontrollably, his stomach knotting. He managed to remain courageous looking at different faces of young, old, male... But the young female corpses stabbed his chest with a hot rod.

The entered the place and looked around but Kate was not there. The man turned to Oscar who was suddenly worried that he didn't see her when he wasn't expecting to see her there.

" you couldn't find her?". The man asked.

" no! And she's not in the hospital too!". Oscar said nervously.

The mortuary attendant looked baffled. His colleague overheard their conversation and walked up to them. " what's going on?".

" I couldn't find my girl anywhere in his hospital". Oscar said almost in tears.

The second attendant turned to the other. "she could be the one they just moved few minutes ago!"

" oh!". The first exclaimed.

" what's going on? Moved to where?!". Oscar asked desperately.

The second explained. "one of the corpse's moved a finger while I was trying to arrange her properly. The doctors just confirmed her alive, you must have passed them on your way here. Check if she's the one".

Oscar felt a surge of hope overwhelmed him. He spun and ran off knocking bereaved people off his way.

He was just entering the hospital's main hall when he saw some nurses rolling someone on a stretcher. He rushed to check who it was and found Kate.

I hail, me people. Thanks, I really appreciate your comments. It's just grace. Oga lawyer abeg no sue me oh

Chapter Forty-six
Hard to Say Now

Abdul drove to the camp angry because he did not drag Usman all the way with him and giving his mercy killing. He had cursed himself severely in the car for letting his anger get in the way of a sweet revenge.

Three guards stood looking as Abdul drove in. When they saw it was Abdul they immediately jumped in joy and began firing in the air calling everyone's attention and less than a minute the place was filled up with guards.

Abdul was not in the mood for celebration, he blatantly ignored them and walked past the jubilating men whom he considered sycophants with his head low and entered his tent.

He stood in the entrance of his tent when he noticed that the tent had changed. He slowly walked in looking at the new things that had replaced his. On his bed were some clothes that obviously wasn't his, and his table had been replaced with a more fanciful one. There was a wireless radio on a green plastic cabinet beside a solar standing fan by the corner . Then his eyes fell on a picture of Usman posed in his full military uniform and two decorated officers behind him hung on a standing polished wooden wade rope. This particular one took reasoning out of Abdul. He rushed to the wardrobe and punched the picture chattering the glass with his fist and cracked the wardrobe door, the picture fell to the floor. He then stepped on it with his shoe continuously until the picture was completely ruined.

The curtain opened, one of the guards came in and his fell on eyes the picture under Abdul's feet.

Abdul turned to him feeling embraced. " what is it?". He asked walking to bed removing a glass dug into his fist.

" one of the elders spokes man is here to see you. He came this morning". The guard said humbly.

Abdul sat on the bed, picked up a singlet from the bed wiped and wrapped the blood flowing from his hand.

" yeah. I know. Spoke with him earlier. Let him in". Abdul said in a weary tone with his eyes on the blood pouring out.

The guard nodded and sprang off.

The curtain opened and a tall, heavily built Arabian in red jean and yellow T-shirt stood in the entrance with the curtain in his hand looking as though he was surprised to see Abdul. Abdul shot him glance and returned to hand.

The man smiled and walked in. " the man that never dies". He said and took a seat in front of Abdul.

"I just killed your your friend!". Abdul said nonchalantly without looking at him.

The man stiffened in shock and slowly adjusted on his chair.

" Which?". The man asked having someone on his mind he was going to ask after.

"Usman!". Abdul dropped between his teeth.

The man was stunned. His eyes widened in alarm. Then he slowly relaxed, cleared his throat and asked in a low scolding tone. " you know the implication of that right?".

" why the hell were you looking for me? You said the elders want me to locate someone". Abdul said to change the topic.

The man forced himself to focus but he could not. " where is his body?"

"Lying where the vultures can't get him, better than what he deserved thought. So talk or get the hell out!". Abdul said looking sternly at him.

The man scratched his head rigorously trying to contain his fury and then grudgingly asked. " you were with Aladdin before his capture".

Abdul looked at him for awhile and opened the clothe tied around his wrist yo observe the cut, then wrapped it up again.

The man sat waiting for a reply, when non came, he asked again. " you worked with Aladdin right?.

Abdul turned and looked at him. " that was question right?".

The man shook his head and continued. " you have to come with me. The elders need you urgently".

" tell them tomorrow!". Abdul said, then stood up and began walking to the door.

The man looked unbelievably at him wondering if Abdul was with his senses. He stood up abruptly and bellowed feeling insulted. " what is wrong with you! The elders summons you and you're telling me tomorrow? When did that start?.

Abdul ignored him and slowly opened the certain, peeped for any of the guards, saw one and beckoned him over. The guard walked up to him and stood in attention.

" get me hot water and food". Abdul said to the guard and returned into the tent.

" what is wrong with you! You killed Usman and still unremorseful! Do you think your life belongs to you?!". The man yelled angrily.

Abdul pretended as though it wasn't him the man was talking to. He gently sat on the bed and stared at the angry man. "what about Aladdin?".

The man furiously roared. " who the hell are you! Who do you think you are!".

Abdul turned ominously biting his lips. And said.
" you are lucky to be alive! I know how you supported Usman all the way. I said you are very lucky!". Abdul returned, controlling his rage.

The man's eyes widen unbelievably. He winced in shock and felt paralyzed.

Abdul was still very angry with Usman the way he killed undeserving. He wanted to wipe out everything associated with Usman even his friends which the visitor was one.

" you dare threaten me?". The man forced out.

Abdul immediately realized the implication of what he did and asked to change the topic. " why do they need me? Aladdin is in prison and the rest of us are dead save I".

The man fought back his anger, heaved twice and said. " the government are on the elders"

Abdul felt happy that the government had started the revenge he had in mind against the elders.

The man continued. " we need you because you know major things Aladdin knows. We want to fight back in favour of Aladdin. Now they have Mayor, one of our insider with the government. They have his son too".

" what's my business with this Mayor?". Abdul asked.

" we know you have a good knowledge of this country and every possible place things could be going down. So we want you to rescue or kill Mayor and his son before they spill much. That's your first assignment". The man said and sat facing Abdul.

Abdul was reluctant because he didn't want to do any more business with the elders save to revenge. He needed a lead to who they were and wipe them all. He cared less of Aladdin whether he dies or not.

" why do you guys feel he could spill?". Abdul asked mockingly.

The man spotted the hint in Abdul's tone but went ahead. " Mayor had a mole in his cartel that gave us out. Mayor killed the wife of the mole, kidnapped the daughter, but he allowed the daughter escape him twice. Once she was taken by a stray guy, and secondly was captured because his stupid son tried to play smart. And Mayor led himself to an ambush because he was too blinded to think!".

Abdul suddenly was in a deep thought. He turned to the man and asked. " this daughter, is she a doctor student?".

The man eyed him suspiciously and said. " yes! How did you know?"

" heard it on the news". Abdul replied and suddenly became interested. " can we go after I eat?".

The man didn't notice anything in Abdul's countenance, he shrugged and said. " okay, why not!".



Andrew slowly opened his eyes and everywhere was blurry. Slowly it became clear and he thought he was in a camp. He tried to sit up, but couldn't spring up as he had wanted to.

When he was fully seated, he noticed the commotion in front of the building; some cops, few young ladies that looked like Muslim nurses standing and explaining something to the cops, while some persons looking in wonder and tension.

Then Andrew spotted a dead man on the floor. This aroused his curiosity and fear. He felt really relieved to finally see an officer of the law he could confined in. So he struggled to his feet, removed the syringe in his hands and walked tiredly to the group.

Someone from the group saw Andrew coming and tapped a nurse on the shoulder. It was nurse Fatima, Abdul's crush. She turned and excused herself from the cops and went to meet Andrew.

" hey! Stop! Go back!". She said in Arabic, gently pushing Andrew back.

Andrew resisted, pointing to the cops. " I want...to speak to ... Them!".


She looked surprisingly at Andrew and realized he was a foreigner. She nodded and still gently nudged Andrew back.

Andrew resisted. " Please I need to explain myself". Then Andrew's eyes fell on Usman's corpse and recognized him. He stiffened and held the nurse's hands. " who is that man?".

Fatima turned to Usman's corpse, returned to Andrew and said. " was killed by your friend".

Andrew and Fatima were still talking when one of the nurse's pointed the cops to Andrew saying something to them cautiously so Andrew doesn't see her. The five police men turned to Andrew and two moved towards him.

Fatima was still trying to take Andrew back when a cop called their attention speaking in Arabic. Andrew and Fatima turned to the him coming but Andrew didn't understand a word he said.

" tell them you don't know him". Fatima sharply whispered to Andrew.

" who?". Andrew inquired, lost.

The two cops came closer and stood in front of them.

" we have some questions to ask you". One of the cops said in Arabic.

" he doesn't understand Arabic sir". Fatima said to the cop.

The two cops exchanged glances and the second said to Andrew who looked confusingly at them. " we want ask you question".

"Is it about the dead man? I know him! He's bad! Very bad! He's a kidnaper! They held..." Andrew said hastily, tensed.

" okay! I hear your friend shoot the man!". The cop interrupted.

Andrew looked completely lost then asked. " which friend are you people talking about?".

Fatima looked at Andrew's face and thought in her heart that he was a good liar.

" the nurse say he bring you here. You two friends". The cop said.

Andrew was still lost, then he turned to nurse Fatima and immediately she said in Andrew's defense. " he was unconscious when he came. I think the man was a good Samaritan".

The cops exchanged glances again and turned to Andrew to study his expression. The second said. " come! Station". Trying to pull Andrew by the hand.

" no! you cant take him. He just woke from unconsciousness. Please till he recovers properly ". Fatima protested.

" he said he recognized the dead man. We would need to ask him some questions". The first cop said in Arabic to Fatima.

The second cop turned to his mate and nodded for him to let Andrew be. Then faced Fatima." I ask you here, okay?".

Andrew nodded and said hastily. " okay! Alright!".