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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!".

Creeza:
Topher, you are good bro... im interested in reading this story but I can't overlook the fact that the comments and breaks are kind of discouraging for me to continue. can I have an access to this in a PDF format.. or it's not complete?


I brewed by anyways...

and for the record
Nowadays, just few NL storiescatch my attention but you piqued my raft followership( hitting the follow button right away)

This forum is blessed from time immemorial.


More heights.

Amen! And Amen!! Thank you so much.. I'm working on the story as I post. Thanks for following.

dawno2008:
Oh topher052 you are in the world of your own I scatter for you die

I was not reading this story,rather I watch it in my head,I could actually watch it on a tv in ma head ,
Thanks for the wonderful work,may your ink never dry.

---

my brother, thank you very much! You got me laughing at a point. And Amen to the ink.

Chapter Forty-Five
Who dies

Usman turned abruptly around and shouted. "turn this place upside-down!". Then stormed into one of the rooms on his adjacent.

The doctor tried to stop him, he nudged her hard and she fell on top of a patient lying on a stretcher. Three nurses standing behind a counter rushed to help her up.

Usman and the men with him scattered every ward pushing down every patient from their bed, turning their beds over. In less than twenty minutes the hospital has been turned to a disarray.

Usman's eyes were bloodily ominous when he couldn't find Abdul. He went to the doctor and held her neck aggressively. " where the hell is he? You lied to me or you were kidding with me?".

The doctor looked confusingly at him and said in a shaky voice. "I..i said nothing! I didn't say anything to you sir".

The nurses behind the doctor made to beg Usman but couldn't fight off their fears, and so stood looking.

The two men came to Usman and shook their heads. Usman pushed the doctor aside and looked around the hospital. " he's somewhere, or has he gone?".

The men looked around for a place they haven't searched. Then one of them spotted the counter. The nurse earlier with Abdul filched and swallowed nervously.

The man moved to the counter without Usman nor his colleague noticing.

He slowly went over the counter and looked down. Coming closer to have a closer look; like a flash, someone jumped with a pen pointed forward and dug it into his neck and eyes swiftly and simultaneously grabbed the gun off the mans hand, and shot him in the head.

Usman and the other man turned abruptly but it was too late for the man next to Usman as a bullet hit him in the forehead. Usman immediately dodged and grabbed the doctor as shield.

" stop! Stop!". Usman screamed in fright hiding behind the doctor.

Abdul came closer breathing fast, the gun pointed at Usman steadily, his eyes narrowly ominous.

" stop! Please! I'm not here to harm you". Usman said and threw his gun on the floor. " the elder needs you! They have a job for you! Please stop!".

Abdul didn't believe him, he was hungry for Usman's blood. He rushed to get a better angle for a shot but Usman shielded with the petrified doctor.

" stop please! Don't kill me! I'm telling the truth!". Usman begged with a hand stretched forward.

Abdul tried again from another angle, Usman quickly moved with the doctor.

Abdul was furious, he was hungry for blood but didn't want to kill the doctor which was not his nature.

Since Usman killed his friend and family, something melted in him about killing innocent people. His anger was with Usman. Even as angry as he was, he refused to kill the doctor to get to Usman.

Usman searched the doctor's pocket with a shaky hand whispering into her ear nervously. " do you have a phone".

Then his hand stumbled on something in the doctor's left chest pocket. He dug his hand in and retrieved a phone. Then dialed fearfully with an eye on Abdul.

When the phone connected, he slide it on the floor to Abdul. Abdul picked it up and slowly put it in his ear with his eyes on Usman.

" hello... Abdul on the line... Yes sir....okay sir... I will sir!". Abdul finished, dropped the phone and his eyes softened.

" I told you! Now drop the gun please!". Usman said, hopefully looking at Abdul.

Abdul dropped the gun, and looked out through the window.

The nurse who helped him earlier was yet to take the shock off her face. The way Abdul handled the situation got her admiringly speechless.

Usman slowly let the doctor go, and courageously said to Abdul. " can we go now?" With his eyes on the gun.

Abdul nodded and began walking out through the door. The nurse ran to him, held his hand and whispered. " come and look for me. Please!".

Abdul looked at her thoughtfully but his mind was not with her, nevertheless he nodded, the nurse smiled and made to walk away, he held her hand and said. " take care of my friend".

She smiled and nodded. Abdul then walked away.

Usman slowly followed Abdul from behind droopily like a remorsefully child. Abdul suddenly stopped, turned to take a look at Andrew and said to Usman with his eyes still on Andrew. " do they have mortuary here?".

Usman followed Abdul's gaze and was surprised to see Andrew still alive. He wondered why Abdul should care where they bury Andrew. He suddenly felt Abdul must have gotten too attached. He then turn to Abdul to give his response but a straight shot hit him in the chest. He looked surprisingly at Abdul with a hand on where he was shot.

Abdul looked expressionlessly into Usman's eyes and shot him thrice again. Usman moved backwards still looking at Abdul.

Abdul stood watching with no expression on his face as Usman slowly sagged on his knees. Then he came closer wearily and emptied the rest of the bullets on Usman without blinking, and kept pressing the trigger after he had ran out of bullet. It took him some few seconds to realize he was out of bullet. He frowned down at Usman's battered body, threw the gun on him, turned and headed towards the car Usman came in and drove off.

The nurse stood looking stunned at the dead man lying in front of the hospital. A sudden fear engulfed her and she suddenly wished she never asked Abdul to come looking for her.



Oscar got to the hospital and the first thing he saw was the remains of the car that Kate drove off in with Susan.

He rushed out of the car and spontaneously headed for the hospital that was in smoke and crowded with cops, ambulances and paramedics attending to injured patients with firefighters coming out of the building with some unconscious persons.

Some cops held oscar back as he made to run past them, pushing him away from the building.

" my daughter is in there!". Oscar yelled.

" go back sir! Go back!". One of the cops bellowed pushing Oscar backwards.

" I have to see my daughter!" Oscar returned forcing his way in.

" sir! Please go back!". The cop said and turned to stop another distraughted fat Asian lady forcing her way in.

Oscar managed to force past in-between the cops and stood looking into the smoke covered hospital hoping to see Kate.

A firefighter rushed out with a girl on his shoulder. Oscar ran to him and pulled the lady down from firefighter's shoulder.

" Kate! Kate!" He called turning to her face in his arms but it wasn't Kate's.

" sir! ". The firefighter man said pushing Oscar away from her.

Oscar slowly stood up feeling sick in his stomach. He felt and overwhelming emotion taking over him, hot tears ran down his face even as he fought it back.

One of the cops came to him and pushing him away, this time he didn't protest, he just allowed himself to be pushed off.

He slowly went in front of his car crying as he looked around hoping to see Kate. Then a thought crossed through his mind to ask any of the paramedics or check the ambulance's. He wondered why he hadn't thought of it all the while.

Immediately he ran to a young paramedic hauling a victim into the back of an ambulance. Wiping his face clean he said .

" excuse me".

The man turned to him impatiently.

" where are the victims taken to?".


Susan spotted Oscar from an ambulance behind Oscar and immediately stood up. The nurse with her tried to push her back, but she insisted and yelling in a weak tone. " sir! Kate!". But her voice didn't go far.

" the government hospital". The young paramedic replied hastily and continued with what he was doing.

Oscar nodded and rushed to his car.

" please call that man running off! Please I beg you!". Susan cried emotionally desperate to the nurse with her.

The nurse turned to Oscar that was already getting to his car. And jumped off the ambulance and shouted running after Oscar. " hello! Hey!".

Oscar wasn't listening, he entered his car and engaged the engine before the nurse got to him he had driven off. The Nurse shook her head regretfully and turned to the ambulance but Susan wasn't there anymore.

Oscar was driving off when someone ran in front of him with her hands up. He immediately applied the break but the car hit the lady and she fell.

Oscar rushed out to see if he had killed someone but found Susan standing to her feet. He looked at her and immediately recognized the face even in her battered state.

Chapter Forty Four
Who is who

Oscar sat in his car smoking and thinking of how to get the information out of Mayor. He turned to his rear mirror looking at his overgrown beards and frowned, touched his side buds and looked away.

One of his men rushed to him and said hastily. " another attack!".

Oscar threw the rest of the cigarette away and puffed out the smoke in his mouth. " where?".

" General hospital". The man said weakly.

Oscars eyes widened and he came down from the car in shock. " hospital?! What an barbaric act?!".

Then he stormed out of the car and rushed past the man standing surprisingly looking at him. " we need to make him talk!". He said as he walked away.

Oscar pushed the door open, Mayor slowly looked up with eyes bloodshot. Oscar gave him few hot punches in the face and took out the key's of the cuffs from his pocket, loosened Mayor's hands from the seat and dragged him harshly out of the room.

Outside, Oscar pushed Mayor hard against the back of the Audi car he was in. His men came out wondering what he was up to but said nothing.

He gave Mayor a hot knee kick in the tummy and hit Mayor's head hard on the trunk of the car. Mayor fell on his butt and slowly wiped the blood on his face.

Oscar angrily took out the cuff in his back pocket and cuffed Mayor's hand to the back rear of the car and matched into the driver seat. Oscar's men watched with curiosity but said nothing.

He engaged the engine and drove off dragging Mayor on one hand behind the car on the stony ground.

" you think you are difficult! I will show you that I'm worse than you are!". Oscar raged as he drove Mayor around in zigzag and in circle.

After driving for five minutes, he stopped the engine and stepped down. Mayor's clothe was turned and his body bruised badly allover.

" are you ready to talk?". Oscar asked Mayor provocatively standing in front of him.

Mayor looked at him and spat on the floor, turned to Oscar again and said between his teeth breathing heavily. "my only regret is that i didn't tell my men to rape that LovePeddler you call a daughter and kill her afterwards with my little knife".

Oscar got wrought and wanted to kill him for mentioning his daughter in such manner, instead he entered the car and zoomed off pulling him on one hand behind.

Oscar then stopped the car after driving for a longer time. Mayor's body had ripped badly and bleeding, with his boxer remaining and little portion of his trouser hanging to his waist.

One of Oscar's men walked cautiously in a droopy face to Oscar and whispered into his ear eyeing Mayor who sat with a hand on his bleeding tommy. " The car rental company called". He looked at Mayor suspiciously.

" and ?". Oscar said hastily.

" they reported that the car we took Kate...".

" what happened to the car!". Oscar yelled impatiently.

The man looked at Mayor whose attention was drawn to Oscar's yell and pulled Oscar aside far from Mayor's eavesdropping.

"what is it". Oscar asked feeling nervous.

" the car is burnt in the general hospital". The man said and looked pitifully at Oscar.

Oscar looked completely flabbergasted, he refused to believe Kate has anything to do with it so he said. " but Kate has no business in the hospital, she didn't say anything about it".

"we don't know yet sir. But I have sent someone over.

Oscar turned angrily to Mayor, grabbed the butt of the gun on his waist, but his man held his arm and hastily whispered. " don't give him that gratification, don't even let him know. Stick to the plan sir".

Mayor hesitated and later returned his gun, then rushed into one of the jeeps and sped off to the hospital.



Usman got to the place where Abdul's car caught fire and looked around for a clue. One of the two men said to him.

"Let's check the town, it's few kilometers from here".

" and look where!". Usman retorted.

The other man chipped in. " I think he is right. Let's go and asked around".

" so you can think like this and you returned without him?". Usman asked staring at the two naive looking men.

Usman then walked to his car and zoomed off with the men following closely from behind.


Abdul sat beside Andrew on the floor with his back on the wall sleeping. One of the nurses came and stood beside him wondering what would make an Arabic man as intense as Abdul, judging by his look would care so much for a black man.

She slowly tapped Abdul on the shoulder and he rushed up looking aggressively around startling the nurse to spilling the water on her body.

when Abdul looked up and saw that he startled the beautiful looking young nurse covered up with only her face opened. He hurriedly stood up and apologized.

The nurse smiled, handed him the cup of water and walked away. He took it looking at her as she disappeared through the entrance door.

After emptying the content in the cup, he looked down at Andrew lying on his back breathing slowly. He winced at his body that was scared allover and spotted the cut on his side, then shook his head imagining what Andrew must have been through.

While he was about to seat beside Andrew, the engine of an approaching car called his attention, it just packed at the far corner from where he was. Slowly Abdul sat looking circumspectly at it. Another car pulled over behind it, and when the door opened, the person he saw alighting cut short his breath. He swiftly crawled into the hospital and peeped through a small opening on the wall at the men that just arrived. One of the patient; a starved looking man without a shirt on, in bald head and shaven face sitting on a small stool with his back on the wall beside the door saw Abdul crawled in and was looking confusingly at him.

Usman walked towards the hospital looking around with the men behind him. He came to where Andrew was and looked past Andrew without recognising him and at other patients lying outside.

" what kind of hospital is this?". He asked the men behind him and walked closer to the entrance.

The man looking at Abdul turned to Usman and shooting him the same stare he shot Abdul.

Usman took little notice of the man he was looking for someone sane or healthy to ask a question, but one of the men had gone to the man and was enquiring from him. The man looked into the hospital and pointed inside.

Usman turned to his man with a surprised look and said to patient hopefully. " are you sure?''.

The man nodded looking at the direction Abdul took.

Immediately they took out their weapons and the patient's eyes widened in horror but he remained on his seat.

They rushed in and scared the nurses. The men searched the seven filled up rooms but couldn't find Abdul.

The doctor lady came out to meet Usman. " please, what's going on?".

" I'm looking for a dangerous terrorist; tall, lanky, long dark hair and beards, full eyebrows with a scar beside his left eye. Have you seen him?".

The doctor's eyes gave out her concurrence to the description and Usman caught the hint.

Chapter Forty-Three
Blood Painting

Liq held Boko's shoulder. Boko turned to face him.

" I think we should go back. It's not worth it". Liq said.

Boko practically threw Liq's hand off his shoulder angrily and gave him a mean stare. " you can chicken back if you're too coward to face little humans!".

Liq's face turned into an angry frown. " I won't take such words from you Boko! How dare you call me! I! Liq of the eight squad a coward! Don't ever repeat that ever..."

" or what!". Boko interrupted facing Liq eyeballs-to-eyeballs. " what are you going to do about it?!"

Liq struggled with himself not to send a blow in Boko's face and then turned to leave but that would make him a coward. So he turned to Boko who stood watching, and walked past him. Then Boko followed from behind.

Boko knew Liq was an equal match he also knew how to manipulate people to do his biddings. For Liq, Boko knew Liq hated to be dared or made to look like a coward and he uses that always to his advantage.

They were now standing on a hill leading to the town. Boko turned to Liq and said. " he is there somewhere".

Liq was not comfortable with Boko whose anger had blinded his sense of reasoning but he couldn't stand to admit he chickened out, so he just stood looking at the roofs of houses cluttered together, little cars driving through the road networks and people moving to fro.

Boko began ascending down the hill not minding if Liq was coming. His mind was made up that he would see Andrew when he gets down, kill him and return to his cave.

Liq knew he was making a grave mistake but he heaved and followed from behind as he always did against his wish whenever Boko calls on him.

A teenage boy waiting to cross the road with his friend spotted Boko and Liq coming from a distance. He stood watching while his friend crossed without him. And when his friend got to the other side of the road, he noticed he crossed alone and turned to his friend still standing on the other side looking up the hill.

" what are you looking at?".

The stunned boy just pointed with a opened mouth. His friend followed his gaze and saw two mighty men carrying a huge batting and a cut to size tree trunk.

A lady screamed, pointing at the giants. This called attention of everyone and caused a huge panic.

Boko saw the way people were looking and felt threatened. He immediately threw the tree trunk in his hand towards a car. It compressed the driver's side of the car, swerving the driver's hand towards a shop.

Everyone took to their hills on different directions. There was pandemonium; cars bumping into each other, people running helter-skelter.

" how do we find him in this madness?!". Liq asked

Boko didn't answer him, his eyes was busy searching for Andrew.

" I think we should go back before they start shooting at us again". Liq buried his pride to say.

Boko wasn't listening. His eyes caught a man who looked so much like Andrew watching behind a building. Boko felt he had seen who he was looking for and Immediately started running down.

Liq shook his head regretfully and ran after him.

Boko jumped on the roof of a car and the roof sank in. He saw the man withdrew his head behind the building. Boko then leaped from where he was to the top of another car, and another, before he landed in front of the building and ran behind it, with Liq behind him pushing aside everything on his way.

The man ran up the stairs in fright looking behind him to know if Boko was coming.Boko caught him in time before he entered through a door.

Boko leaped and landed on the first storey, then pulled himself to the second storey of the building where the man entered.

The door was too narrow for him to assess, with a kick he pulled down the door, blew off some bricks from the wall to create wider space and bent in.

The occupants ran in horror and confusion helter-skelter. Boko blew down walls standing on his way as he bent walking searching for the man.

A body flew past Boko, and he turned to see Liq standing behind him. When he turned to his front, he caught sight of the man trying to jump down from the veranda. He quickly picked a big brick and threw at him, the brick hit the man in the head and he fell down the building.

Boko rushed to the veranda and saw the man lying carelessly on the floor, dead. He made to jump down but gunshots rained after him, one hit him in the shoulder pushing him backwards. He looked down and saw some military men positioned around their vans firing.

Liq quickly pulled Boko back in and said hastily. " let's go! ".

Boko looked at the blood on his shoulder and followed Liq through the back. But when the reached the back exit gunshots fired at them sporadically and one hit Liq in the forehead, he dropped on his knees and fell backwards.

Boko's eyes widened in horror. The soldier men were much. Some where already progressing forcefully up the stairs. Boko knew he had to fight. He turned around and saw a cabinet standing on a wall. He grabbed it and threw it on the soldier men climbing up the stairs, followed hurriedly and jumped past the men rolling down.

The men crowdedly attacked on both directions shooting at Boko, he raced towards the ones in front of him, in a swing, blew them off his way.

Another gunshots came from adjacent direction but he continued to run towards the hill with bullets raining on him.

He succeeded in getting close to the hill, but was too weak to climb up. Another gunshot hit him in the leg and he dropped to one knee, he turned to his back and saw some soldier men moving circumspectly towards him with AK's. Few more gunshot landed on his back and this time, he dropped on both knees breathing heavily. He dropped his hands to his sides weakly and some gunshots hit him so hard in the back, one pierced through his neck and blood poured down from his front throat. He was getting too weak and sleepy, he fought back sleep breathing, now slowly, but the sleep was too deep. He then gave in and closed his eyes still kneeling.

The men surrounded him from a distance waiting for him to move. One of the men courageously came closer, pushed Boko on his shoulder with his gun and he fell on his side.



Usman came down from his car and looked around tiredly. He check his wrist watch and yawned. He has been standing for six hours along the path to the camp waiting for his men to return in search for Abdul.

He walked to the back of the car to take a leak when he heard the engine of an approaching car. He hurried up and ran to see who it was.

One of the camp van's was approaching. He prayed they had good news as he waited in anticipation.

The car pulled over in front of his and two bulky men came down.

" any news?". Usman asked, knowing the answer from the look in the men's faces.

They shook their heads, and the taller of the men said. " we found the car you said he escaped in in flames".

Usman was surprised and devastated to hear the news. He looked puzzlingly at them and asked taking his words slowly. " did you see his corpse?".

The men exchanged ignorant glances and shook their heads at Usman remorsefully.

" you fools! Don't you know you ought to look around that parameter?! ". Usman yelled and rushed into his car. And brought his head out of the side glass. " what are you still doing! Will you come and take me there!". He bellowed at the men.

The two men rushed into their car and started towards the road, while Usman followed.

Chapter Forty-Two
The Devils Advocate

Oscar sat in front of Mayor who also was seated now but cuffed to his chair.

The door opened and two men came in with Peter. When Mayor saw Peter, his expression changed to an uneasy one. Oscar saw what he wanted to see before Mayor comforted himself and became expressionless.

"Blood. Blood can break a man". Oscar said and nodded to the men with Peter.

The dragged the already battered young man to a chair and cuffed his hands and legs to it. Then one of the men opened the tool box and took out a chisel with a hammer.

Mayor was puzzled. He wondered what they needed those for and why.

The man with the chisel came to Peter's finger, placed it on full length of the big finger and hit the hammer on it, the finger fell to the ground. Peter cried hysterically in pain. Mayor turned away his face.

" One gone, Nine remaining". Oscar said looking steadily at Mayor.

The man placed on the next, and hit. The finger fell in-between Peter's laps. Peter cried with tears and catarrh gushing out.

" daddy please! Tell them what they want to hear! Please daddy!". Peter begged Mayor.

Mayor still refused to look at him, his face was turned to his left side.

The man continued with the rest of Peters fingers until he took out all ten of them, yet Mayor refused to bulged.

Oscar slowly stood up, took a pistol from one the men, placed on a weeping Peter's head. Turned to Mayor. " say goodbye to your son".

Mayor slowly turned and said to Peter in steady tone with no trace of emotion. " a soldier must die like one. Stop crying like a baby! Die like one". Then he turned to Oscar. " do your worse! The city is going down!".

Oscar and the men were completely spellbound by Mayor's reaction. Then Oscar regretfully turned to the sobbing Peter and pulled the trigger in close range; blood spattered as Peter's head dropped to a side.

Mayor looked at his son and wished he had killed Kate when he had the chance. His only regret now was not killing her.




Kate and Susan went around the town to get abortion pills but no pharmacy had it and no hospital carries out abortion as it was against the country's law.

" I have a friend in the general hospital that can help us". Kate said to Susan in the car on their way to the hospital.

" I don't care if I die doing it, I don't want this evil seed in me". Susan sounded desperate.

Kate held her hand. " don't worry, you wont die. We will get rid of it without complications".

They arrived the hospital. Kate called the doctor in the car to inform him of their presence. He asked them to come to the second floor and wait in the reception.

A man in his late thirties walked past Kate and Susan car into the building. He carried a small suitcase dressed in shirt and trouser.

He looked around the hospital; most of the nurses were on hijab and patients moving about. Then he walked in to reception, sat down with other persons waiting. Then took out a Nokia 3310, nervously looked around and began dialing a number.

Kate and Susan where few distance between their car and the hospital's entrance.

" The doctor is crushing on me". Kate said and chuckled. "I like him too, you should see him, he is very handsome. That is why I know he'll do it. So don't worry. It's all going to be alright".

Susan smiled and looked behind Kate into the entrance of the hospital.

" I wish it was...".

Before Susan could finish her statement, an explosion from the hospital building threw her and Kate into the air. Kate landed with her back on the car and Susan was thrown over the car to the top of a flower across the road.

Few seconds later, Susan stood up feeling woozy and couldn't hear a thing. The whole place was turned apart with smoke and fire coming out of the hospital. People laid on the floor, some struggling to their feet, cars on fire.

She was bleeding from the side of her head and her right leg shocked her so bad that she couldn't stand on it. Her tummy hurt like a knife was dug into her.

Then she looked up at the building in flames with thick smoke and dust. Her eyes fell on the car they came in that was also was on fire. Immediately she remembered Kate. She tried to move, her right leg shocked her terribly in pain, she fell. She managed to stand on her left leg, and limped through the frenzy to the car shouting Kate's name still couldn't hear anything.

A fat lady running pushed Susan down and continued without looking back. She struggled up again on her left leg and continued limping towards the car swerving through people running to fro in confusion ignoring the pain in her tummy that was bleeding as a result of a stab from a flower stem she wasn't yet aware of.

And when she got to their car, she saw Kate lying on her tummy beside the burning car.

She rushed to her and tried to pull Kate away from the car but her leg shocked her again terribly and she fell. She staggered up and tried; the pain in her stomach increased but she looked passed it pulling Kate away.

She only succeeded to get her slightly farther and sagged on her good leg. Turned Kate to her and what she saw scared her; Kate's head was ripped open and thick brain tissue mixed with blood rolled down her face that was now black with smoke.


The van hit a gallop and Andrew rolled over. Abdul saw his face and stiffened. He slowly moved closer to be sure he was seeing right. When convinced, he wondered how Andrew survived the fall and still alive.

" he's only a man after all". Abdul said to himself to clear his fear of Andrew being mystical.

The car soon came to a halt close to the city and the driver turned to Abdul. " come down here! This is how far I can carry you".

" I know this man. Where are you taking him to?". Abdul asked.

" Hospital". The other replied.

" can I come with him? I know him, he's a friend". Abdul pressed on.

The men deliberated with themselves and the driver kicked off.

Few minutes later, they were in front of what looked like an abandoned primary school with patients lying on a bench in front. The driver alighted and came to the back. His colleague followed. Abdul helped to bring Andrew down while the men assisted to lay him on the floor.

Abdul jumped down and the men returned to their car and drove off.

Two young nurses in hijab came out with a stretcher. " what is wrong with him?". One of the nurses asked.

" I don't know". Abdul said and immediately realized the reason he wanted to stay with Andrew was because he wanted to know how Andrew survived the fall.

The nurses hauled Andrew into the stretcher with Abdul's help and they placed him on the floor beside the hospital door.

Few minutes later a fat female doctor came to inspect Andrew. She opened his eyes and checked his heartbeat then spotted the covering on Andrew's toe. She removed it and saw an injury that was bruised open. She then told the nurses to run a test on him and stood up.

" what's wrong with him?". Abdul asked with concern.

" high fever is all I can detect. But I suspect snake bite judging by the cut on his leg. Let's run a test and see. Meanwhile, we will administer something to stabilize him". The doctor said and walked away.


Boko and Liq continued through the desert in search for Andrew.

Sorry for the long absence. Nayo08 thanks for checking on me. I hope to continue to the last now..

Chapter Forty- One
Running Late

Oscar sat in front of Mayor in the small waiting room silently looking at him for about a minute already with his hands rested on the table between them with a blue bulb suspended by a wire hanging from the roof, a standing fan humming beside him.

Mayor sat comfortably with his back rested on the chair and arms folded returning Oscar's stare confidently.

"what the hell are you looking at, spill the beans and get it off your screwed chest!". Mayor coldly said feeling irritated.

Oscar slowly sat back and folded his arms mimicking Mayor's posture. " the man who killed my wife". Oscar's tone fighting back anger.

Mayor stretched his lips to one side in a cruel smile. "Yes, I killed her. You betrayed me!". And his face became mean

"where is the attack taking place". Oscar changed the topic moving closer to the table.

" which attack?". Mayor sounded confused scratching his beards.

" stop acting dumb with me, I don't have all day!". Oscar said coldly.

Mayor looked away clapping his lips.

Oscar suddenly stood up, turned over the table falling Mayor down backwards. He charged like a wounded lion, pulled aside the table, grabbed the flabbergasted Mayor up, and pushed his back hard on the wall with his hands on his neck.

" now look here you scum! I have no time for your silly bossy games, tell me when the next attack is to take place or I'll get it out of you in a way I'll really enjoy doing". Oscar breathing heavily in rage.

Mayor's burning eyes became cold and then he smiled but said nothing.

This infuriated Oscar that he gave him a hard punch in the belly and pushed him hard on the wall. Gave his a straight head butt in the nose and another punch on his lips.

The door opened and two of the security men rushed in. Oscar slowly turned to them with his hands on Mayor's collar shirt. "everything is fine. Get me water and towel".

The men nodded and walked away looking at Mayor that was wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hands.

Oscar turned to mayor and said. "I'm going to enjoy every bit of this".

Mayor smiled and replied. " Me too".

Few minutes later, Mayor was on the table faced up with his head falling downwards from the table. A blue bucket directly under his head, his shirt off and three heavily built men holding him down; one on his right and left hands with another holding down his legs.

Mayor showed no sign of fear, he watched as one of the men covered his face with a towel.

Oscar came with a jog of water and slowly emptied it on Mayor's face. He struggled trying to break free but the hands holding him was too strong for him.

Oscar finished and removed the towel. Mayor spat out water coughing and gasping for air.

Oscar waited for him to normalize before he asked. " ready to talk?".

Oscar turned to a weird laughter coughing and he said amidst his unsettled state. " is that all you got?".

Oscar angrily covered his face and continued.


Meanwhile, a young Arabian man in his early twenties was walking nervously towards a busy mall with a backpack on his back containing explosive that will detonate when he dials a number.

He looked at a woman arguing with her adolescent daughter and a man coming out of the mall with a lady.

A hand hand tapped him from behind and he jerked around. A lady covered up in black said to him. "I'll take the top and you the down part of the building. The other two are in there waiting for us. See you in paradise". And she walked past him to the mall.

A ball rolled over to the young Arabian's foot, he looked at it and to the three year old girl running towards him to fetch it with her parent smiling at the Arabian.

The Arabian shook his head shaking off sentiment and pity reminding himself of paradise, he heaved and continued into the mall.


" where?". Oscar asked angrily. He was getting frustrated by Mayor's refusal to comply.

Mayor breathing heavily turned to him smiling. "you're wasting your precious time brother".

The door suddenly opened and one of the men bagged in with a phone in his hand with terror written on his face. Oscar turned to him apprehensive.

" what's it!". Oscar yelled.

"The king square mall has been attacked. Over four thousand dead". The man said looking ominously at Mayor's amused face.

Oscar felt weak and slowly turned to Mayor and abruptly grabbed his neck strangling him. His men pulled him off Mayor and encouraged him to get a hold on himself.

" that is just one. The president has refused to release Aladdin. Until he does we are taking down many more souls!". Mayor said with a smirk.


Aladdin was a notorious terrorist and also was the chairman of the Elders until his capture which took down half of the troops that came for him.

One of the leaders of his strong guards was Abdul, but they were out numbered in an ambush hence, the reason they succeeded in capturing Aladdin.

Alladin was not only a terrorist but a greedy man whose ambition for wealth and power was insatiable driving him to do all sought of nefarious acts so long as he get what he wanted.




Abdul's car started overheating and stopped. He alighted and opened the bonnet that was covered in smoke. The sun was literally burning his skin like one close to a furnace.

The engine suddenly caught fire. In the confusion, he tried to quench the fire with sand, tried using his mouth to blow it off, took off his shirt, hitting the engine with it, but the whole thing right before his eyes went up in flames and then exploded. He ran backwards covering his face.

There was nothing he could do anymore than to sit and watch his only source of escape on fire with thick black smoke.

After twenty minutes of nursing his frustration, he stood up and looked around, he was still far away from the town. The car was still burning and the sun was becoming unbearable. He then decided to give in to fate and walk.

The sun reduced its nefarious scourging and the wind began to cool the burnt layer of Abdul's skin. His throat was dried of thirst as he made his way on the sandy desert.

A pickup van was coming in front of Abdul. He felt like he just had all his life wishes come to pass. Like a deranged man, he took off his clothe and waved in the air jumping, jumping and screaming.

The drivers; two elderly men returning from a supply saw him and the one covered in muffler turned to his colleague. " what do you think?".

His colleague frowned and screened the area swiftly. " another luggage. I hope the boss does not think we took money from them". Then he added. " lets pick him".

And so they pulled over in front of Abdul. " What happened?". The driver asked.

" My car got burnt down from over heating". Abdul said tiredly.

The men exchanged glances and the other said to Abdul. "jump in the back".

" thank you so much". Abdul said gratefully and made to hop in when his eyes fell on a man lying on his side backing him. He paused and looked at the men.

" yeah. He was bitten by a snake. We found him on our way back. I think he's still alive". The driver said hurriedly engaging the gear to move.

Abdul jumped in and sat beside the man as the van drove off.

greatme2good:
Topher I got a little bit confused with that Andrew part. I saw Susan, saw Sandra, Abdul and Andrew so which is which na. Was Andrew hallucinating or is Abdul and the female giants dead?

the venom got him hallucinating

Chapter Forty-One
Show It To Me

Andrew didn't stop running, he kept pushing without relenting. His feet dug into the sand and he fell on his face. He turned behind him, the coast was clear. And so he stood up and continued.

The sound of a car approaching called his attention to his right adjacent direction and he became hopeful. He could see the car faintly speeding towards him. He quickly lifted up his hands waving.

The driver slowed down trying to catch the frame of the person in front.

" who is that?". The guy seated by the driver asked looking keenly at the man waving in a distance.

" he could be dangerous! ". The driver noted.

" that's very true!". The man beside the driver replied.

Abdul's face beamed of hope as the car came slowly towards him. He wiped the sweat from his face and waited for the driver to stop. But to his surprise, the car unexpectedly zoomed past him. He stood motionlessly looking at the rear of the black Volvo car speeding off.

Andrew felt dejected. He looked behind him and In front of him at the sand kissing the sky.

" not today. I won't die here! ". He muttered to himself and continued.

The sun was unbearably hot. Andrew used his cloth to cover his head as he struggled on. His lips dried up and under his foot hurt from the hotness of the sand.

'' oh Lord, please send me help". Andrew prayed as he continued pushing through the hot wind.

Something on the floor stung his big toe and he impulsively withdrew his leg and his eyes fell on a rattle snake waiting to strike again.

He eyed it in fear and remained still. The Snake's tail dandling rapidly set for another attack.

This was not good. Andrew knew it would strike again and immediately moved away speedily but the snake came after him. There was nothing close by save sands. And so he took to his heels running for his life and lost the snake eventually.

When he was out of harms way, he quickly tore his shirt and tied his leg slightly above his ankle. Then picked up a small rock from the sand and began scrapping the spot of the bite to cut it open. And soon the toe began bleeding.

" I'm not dying here!". He said and continued scratching the surface to expand the cut.

Blood flowed more and he tried to suck out the venom, but his toe couldn't reach his mouth. He tried even harder but the effect had already began kicking in. He was becoming feverish, weak and his mouth tasted sour. Everywhere was becoming blurry and the sun didn't help matters.

He stood up and staggered on.

After walking some few distance, a female voice called him from behind. He turned and saw Gbique. She was standing beside Susan both putting on sparkling white gowns with no footwear.

He smiled and said. " help!". Then knelt down tiredly smiling.

Gbique came to him in a second like she appeared. " are you okay?". She said kneeling in front of him.

Andrew smiled wearily with his eyes becoming bloodshot and said. " thank goodness you're not dead! How did you survive? ".

" he is hurt". Susan said in a plane tone squatting beside Andrew with no sign of worry in her face.

Andrew turned to her and grinned. " sweetie. How did you find me?". Touching her face.

" You look hurt. You're going to die here". She said sternly.

Andrew smiled and replied weakly. " not today baby".

" You killed my mother, that's why you got bitten by that evil snake". Gbigue said looking amusingly into Andrew's face.

" I'm sorry. She died saving me". Andrew said. His eyes had become heavy and his body burning terribly.

Susan and Gbique stood up and turned to Abdul that was strolling towards them in shiny white caftan and no footwear.

Andrew saw him and was taken by shock. He tried to stand up but couldn't move his body. He was feeling strange and his heart thumbing rapidly.

Abdul came close smiling at Andrew. Then he turned to Susan, embraced and kissed her in front of Andrew. Then he asked mockingly. " is he saying not today?".

" yes he is!". Susan replied in Abdul's arm looking down at Andrew.

Andrew felt like he was going to have a cardiac arrest. He looked dumbfounded at them. He raised his hand trying to touch Susan but Gbique held it and said to him in a soft caring tone. " let them go, I'll take care of you ".

Abdul held on to Susan's waist, turned and began walking away.

Andrew made to stop her but fell on his stomach calling on her in a faint whispering tone. " Susan stop!".

Gbique sat beside Andrew with her legs crossed smiling and throwing stones she picked from the sand in front of her.

Andrew continued calling Susan's name and eventually passed out.




Susan jumped up from her bed and rushed to the toilet to vomit. Kate who was sleeping beside her slowly woke up.

Susan vomited everything she had eaten earlier and was still forcing out more when Kate joined her in the rest room.

" are you okay? ". Kate asked and gently placed a hand on her back.

Susan tiredly rose up from the WC and turned to Kate wiping her mouth with her back on the white tiled wall. " i am feeling feverish and having stomach upset ".

Kate looked closely at her and opened her eyes. She placed her palm on her stomach pressing it in with her fingers. Then she smiled and said to Susan.

" Andrew has shot a seed in you".

Susan froze in shock looking at her unbelievably. Then she forced her words out carefully praying she didn't hear her right. " you said what?".

Kate held Susan's hands and screened her face. " what's wrong? Aren't you happy? Don't worry, you're safe now".

Susan couldn't control the tears running down her cheek and she broke free from Kate's and moved into the room, sat on the bed, covered her face crying.

Kate walked up to her and sat beside her, crossed her hand around Susan's neck. " I understand. Andrew".

Susan thought of Andrew and wept bitterly. Kate hugged her trying to absorb her pain.

Susan then looked up abruptly at Kate." I can't have this baby!".

Kate was startled. " why?".

" Please, give me something to get rid of it!". Susan insisted eagerly.

Kate nodded trying to understand. Then she wiped the tears on Susan's face. " I'll fix it, I assure you".

" can we do it today?". Susan asked desperately.

Kate looked at the small black digital table clock on the table. " it's late. Tomorrow, I'll take you to an hospital".




Usman returned to the camp. He was entering his tent when he saw a golf car approaching. He stopped to see who it was.

The car pulled over and an English man in suit alighted. Walked straight to Usman.

" hello. My name is Smith. I'm asking after Abdul ". The English man said.

Usman looked suspiciously at him. "Abdul die! Me him". Usman said to him understanding just little of what Smith had said.

Smith wondered what Usman was trying to say and continued putting it aside. " I need to see him. The elders asked me to find him here".

On hearing of the elders, Usman's attention was drawn to Smith. He looked at the English man and wanted to ask what the problem was. So he tried his best. "He do? He do?".

Smith's phone rang. He took it . " hello. I can't understand what one of your men is communicating. I suspect he's not found yet. What do we do now? Abdul knows the route and understands the men better. We need them pronto! The government are on us really strong. We need someone with Abdul's specialty.". Smith said worried.

Usman understood very little of what Smith had said on the phone, but he was boiling with jealousy that Abdul was still relevant. And so he said angrily to Smith. "I do! Abdul do no!"

Instead Smith felt irritated and looked around for someone who could understand English.

Usman walked up to Smith and said in Arabic. " what in the devils name do you need Abdul for? I'm five times better than he is!".

But Smith understood nothing of what he had spoken as he gave Usman a puzzled stare. Then he asked Usman as though he was talking to a deaf man demonstrating. " do you... Have... Anyone... Who... Hears". Pointing his ears. "English?".

Usman understood English and nodded blankly.

Smith felt frustrated and turned to the men approaching. He moved away from Usman to the men.

Chapter Forty
The Color Red


Four black Pathfinders drove in convoy speedily. Mayor sat in the third jeep restlessly with the nerdy young man beside him looking on the screen of his laptop at a red signal blinking.

After driving for Thirty-Six minutes, they arrived the building. The doors of the cars opened almost simultaneously and fully armed thugs jetted out with their guns pointed forward moving circumspectly fast towards the entrance.
Mayor hurried from behind with a stainless automatic in his hand. He was not concerned about the outcome of gun exchange, he was irrational and had one thought in mind; saving Peter.

The first four thugs in front kicked hard the door open and aimed with their fingers on the trigger set to be pulled at any moving thing but met the place empty. They moved in carefully looking sharply around. The next group joined and they separated themselves taking formations on different directions.

Mayor carefully entered looking around the place with his gun in front of him. He slowly moved in expecting an ambush, his eyes circling every corner. Some of the thugs had climbed up to the upper offices but it was empty too.

" go around the building! ". Mayor whispered to a thug close to him.

A seven foot athletic built thug walked in as the one Mayor instructed was about leaving.

" sir, I think they're gone! There's no trace of them, save for the trail of their cars tire". The thug said wearily.

Mayor didn't believe him. He immediately yelled moving out of the building. " bring me Johnson! " .

A thug led the nerdy guy out of the car with his laptop in hand still looking at the red signal. Mayor walked angrily to him and stormed. " what nonsense! You told us they were here!".

" yes sir! According to this indication ". Johnson said confused.

" what indication!". Mayor bellowed.

The young shaky man slowly moved past Mayor following what was blinking on his screen. He entered the building, looked around and took his left, came to a dismantled red Honda Civic, checked under the bonnet with Mayor and the men looking keenly at him.

He took up a little metal chip the size of a tooth and walked to Mayor. " they found it!" Pointing it to Mayor's face as if he had found an alibi.

Mayor only noticed the bloodstain on the tip and said worriedly in frustration. " where would they be?'".

Oscar slowly came to Peter who sat tremulously and looking behind him in fear. He was tied to a chair at the edge on a roof top of a sixty storey building.

Oscar slowly laid his hands Peter's arms tied to the chair. Peter looked cautiously at Oscar's hands on his with the fear of him mistakenly pushing him over.

" are you ready to corporate? ". Oscar's calm tone asked looking into Peter's eyes.

Peter was concerned about the hand threatening to push him over. He thought of lying but he wasn't such a good liar. He had attempted severally but couldn't sell his speech right.

" I have told you everything I know, my dad does the shady things, I just handle the business aspect and sometimes run errands, like the one you caught be doing ". Peter's shaky voice said.

Oscar smiled weakly and pushed the chair. It fell off the top and stopped swinging by a rope tied to one of the front legs of the chair that was now upsidedown.

Peter had died and resurrected, his eyes bulging as he looked down the sixty storey. He screamed his guts out looking at Oscar who squatted comfortably looking down at him.

" please... Please... I'll tell you everything! Please don't kill me!". Peter cried.

" where is the next attack going to be launched and when?". Oscar asked calmly.

" please pull me up and I'll tell you!". Peter cried, looking down frighteningly.

Oscar shrugged and turned behind him to the men struggling with the rope and they let go so that Peter would fall down four feet before they held it again.

This distraught Peter's stomach and gave him a nausea feeling. He coughed and tried vomiting but nothing came out.

Oscar turned to the men and they pulled him up again enough to hear him talk. Then he looked down at Peter's petrified face and said. " give me name and place! I've some facts, and if yours doesn't correspond, I'll feel you are useless and you'll have to say goodbye to this world".

Peter wasted no time this time spilling out everything, including names of people of importance with the elders inclusive.

Oscar stood up and took a call from his phone ringing. Turned to the men and nodded as he walked away, they then pulled Peter up.

" don't let them leave! Launch attack. I want Mayor alive!". Oscar said to the person on the phone.

" okay sir. A swat dressed man said and turned to his colleague lying on his belly with him some distance away on top of a skyscraper with a sniper gun looking through the lens. " take them out, but Mayor". His colleague nodded and aimed to fire.

The transmission got to four other snipers hiding in various strategic positions.

Mayor stood outside with his thug looking around for a hint. Then he turned to Johnson. " get me Oscars number".

Johnson shoved the laptop under his armpit and was going to reach for his phone in his pocket when three of the thugs got hit.

Everyone looked around hastily for where the attack was coming from. Four thugs shielded Mayor immediately.

" we are under attack! ". One of the thugs screamed and made to lift up his gun before a bullet hit him in the chest with three others.

The guys shielding Mayor was leading him to the car looking swiftly for anything to shoot at when they all got shot leaving Mayor standing alone.

Johnson ran to Mayor, he had almost urinated in his pants, with a hand he held on to his penis and his legs closed together as he looked around in horror.

The remaining five men got hit as well. Mayor made to run to the car, shots from nowhere bored holes on the ground around him. He then stood with his gun looking around with defeat written on his face.

Ten men from different directions came out from behind the building pointing their guns at Mayor.

"Stay put! If you move!". One in the front said moving ominously towards Mayor and Johnson who was paralyzed in fear.

Then he took the laptop from Johnson and gun from Mayor, handed them to one of his men behind him before taking out his phone from his combat trouser.

" we have him!". He said.

Chapter Thirty-Nine
Beast and Man

Sandra was still wallowing in amazement at the splendor of nature. She would pick up things, sniff and lick them. She had completely forgotten about Boko as she literally walked aimlessly snooping things up.

Andrew was becoming impatient tailing her, trying effortlessly to get her to follow his leading. He would have abandoned her if he hadn't conceived the idea of using her to rescue Susan from her capture.

The sound of approaching cars startled Andrew but Sandra who looked excited and expectant, hoping to be lucky this time with the strange animal.

Andrew slowly moved away from her wondering who was coming and hoping it was help.

Two police vans were seen and a car behind it. Andrew moved in front of Sandra excited. He turned to Sandra who was like a child that saw fire works for the first time; she expected one, now three animals to make her day.

Immediately, Sandra searched for something to hunt with, on seeing nothing in view, she raced towards the cars in a hunting spring even before Andrew could mutter a word to stop her.

In front were two police van and Isa's team following behind. The police men saw the Beastie creature coming after them and was overtaken with fear. The driver in front immediately swerved to his right.

" what are you doing! ". An officer in the backseat yelled. " let's take it down!".

" what's that!". The petrified driver said pushing hard on the throttle with an eye on rear mirror watching as Sandra pursued after them.

Sandra hadn't tasted such a beat before and wouldn't let it pass her by, so she continued pushing hoping to hunt it down.

The police van behind; two of the police in the backseat brought out their heads and let out gun shots at Sandra. The sound of the shots stopped her. She looked behind her in wonder and the car promptly pulled over with four police men standing close to the doors aiming to fire.

Andrew discovered they were police. Help had eventually found him, but before he could heave, the gun fire at Sandra startled him. Immediately, he ran forward shouting on top of his voice. " stop! Stop!".

The police van in front pulled over too. Their colleagues courage had encouraged the scared driver. They also stayed close to their car aiming at Sandra who stood looking at the humans beside the beast wondering if it was humans pet and also looking for where that loud sound was coming from.

Isa and his team saw Andrew running forward from where they packed watching with excitement at what was going to happen to the giant. Musa waved at Andrew to get out of sight but Andrew didn't take notice of him.

Sandra saw Andrew and wanted to go to him but the men opened fire on both directions, she was hit in the back and thigh. The pain felt like she was stabbed with a little spear. She then realized she was under attack by humans and immediately understood why they keep saying in the cave " stay out of sight from humans". Horror took over her and Andrew was the only saviour she could think of. Immediately, she ran to meet him for help while few more shots hit her as she ran.

The police men saw Andrew shouting and waving his hands for them to stop and Sandra racing towards him. They wondered what was going on. The officer in charge quickly shouted. " cease fire! Cease fire!". Waving at the other van a distance away opposite.

Sandra came to Andrew, hid, kneeling behind him shivering in fear. This called great curiosity from both police and Isa's team.

" stop! She's harmless! ". Andrew shouted, shielding her with his body and hands lifted up.

Suddenly, the faces of the police men were painted in horror. They stood motionlessly looking at what Andrew hadn't seen behind him.

Shaggy slowly moved away from the car not alerting his friends.

Andrew thought they were amazed at Sandra's sight. He finally let himself smile and said. " yes. She's...'"

An unmistakable roar sent freezing cold through Andrew in the hold weather. He slowly turned and every hair in his body jumped. Immediately, he dragged Sandra's hand, she hesitated a little looking at the police men. Andrew pointed at Boko, Liq and Zixta to her before she let him drag her towards the police men.

" shoot these ones! shoot!". Andrew shouted as he ran pointing behind him.

The police men took Andrew's coming to them as attack and immediately aimed to fire. Andrew stopped abruptly. And said on top of his voice. " shoot at them!". Pointing at Boko.

Boko and his team raced fiercely towards them. Sandra couldn't contain herself anymore, she made to run off and then came gunshots towards Andrew. Sandra stopped, in a swift resolution, she quickly shielding Andrew with her body taking the bullet in her back.

Abdul's car came to the place and wanted to race past them, but on seeing police men shooting, he thought it would scare his pursuer and then decided to stick around.

Sandra was now lying down looking up at Andrew. Zixta raced towards Sandra while Boko and Liq focused on the distraction.

A mighty hand caught Andrew on the shoulder and threw him away. Grabbed Sandra by the neck strangling with a hand, and punching her face angrily. A bullet hit zixta in the neck and he turned angrily towards the police men, left Sandra and raced for them.

Bullets hit him on his upper left chest and stomach pushing him on a side.

Boko leaped off the ground and landed on top of one of the police's van I'm front. The men around it fell on their backs and butts. Boko roared, hitting his chest with a hand and wielding his batting with the other. The police at the other van fired at Boko, he jumped down from the top of the van, picked up one of the police and threw him towards the ones shooting at him.

Liq joined Boko, stepped on one of the police's head smashing it under his feet, then ran towards the other police van while Boko pound the rest men with his batting.

Ibrahim, Isa, Musa and Shaggy hurried into their car and raced off.

Abdul hurriedly fumbled with his gear. Before he could drive off, Zixta was standing by his door bleeding from his neck, chest and stomach, looking ominously at Abdul. Abdul engaged the engine and made to drive, Zixta, held the car down, pulled open the door and dragged Abdul out, throwing him to the floor.

Abdul landed recklessly, summersaults severally before he fell on his back. Zixta staggered towards him. Abdul saw him in fright and moved backwards on his butt on the floor looking dreadfully at him.

Usman joined in. He spotted Abdul with a giant, Boko pounding some people and Liq riping bodies apart. He immediately drove past in fear wondering what they were.

Zixta saw Usman driving off but was becoming too weak to run after him. He came closer to pick Abdul up, bent over but a sharp knife Abdul buried in his shoe sliced deep into his neck thrice in a swift move. Zixta held his neck with blood pumping out looking at Abdul surprisingly. Abdul quickly stood up and raced for his car, entered and ran drove off.

Sadeek and Alli came to the sight also, stopped a little to observe what happened and to take a closer look at the giants which was dreadfully strange.
Boko had finished his pounding with thick blood dripping from his batting. He caught sight of the car that just arrived but slowly eyed them from where he stood with his bathing in hand set to be used.

" what happened here?". Alli asked still fascinated by the gory sight.

" let's get out of here! ". Sadeek said hastily.

Alli looked at the dead giant on the floor, then turned to drive off and met Boko's gaze in a distance in front of them. Before he could press on the throttle Boko's threw his bathing knocking him dead from the windscreen. Like a worse night mare for Sadeek Liq was standing beside him. " how did he get here?" Sadeek wondered in despair forcing a huge saliva down his throat.



The hotel room was cold and comfy. Susan hadn't spoken a word yet, she still couldn't believe she had escaped danger. Her fingers still hurt but she allowed water run through her in the shower as she cried tears of joy and wondering about Andrew if he was getting such treatment where he was or if he was even alive or would she ever see him again. She sat on the flowered titled floor crying.

She came out in a clean white towel and sat on the bed looking at the well furnished room, the TV showing a news on CNN, the humming sound of the transparent fridge in front of her filled with all kinds of drinks and fruits, the closed black window blind, the clean white sheets, on the bed, the split unit, on the wall, the huge waderope, a reading table with a connected laptop on it, a huge red leather couch, a fanciful lamp beside her bed, the telephone standing on a stool beside her bed head. She still couldn't believe she wasn't dreaming. She smiled at herself sadly and said it was all a dream. She would wake up soon to see herself in an uncompleted building with Abdul waiting on her. With this thought, she laid on her back and closed her eyes wondering where Andrew was.

A knock on the door startled her. She rose up hastily covering herself up, her heart racing and her countenance fired up. She waited for the knock again looking frighteningly at the door. And when it came, she couldn't recognize her voice. " who...who is that!".

" it's me, Kate". Kate's tiny voice came through.

Susan heaved a sigh of relief and slowly went to get the door. Kate walked in and went to seat on the bed.

" hope you have eaten? You can order anything, don't worry about what it is, even a house or a car". Kate said jokingly.

They laughed and Kate kept a steady look at Susan's worried face. " Your husband? ".

Susan looked at the teenager's beautiful face and smiled.

Kate moved closer and hugged her. " don't worry, my daddy will find him".

Susan decided to believe her and not probe on who they were as she took in the comfort in the hug.



Mayor just got off the call with Oscar. He was overly furious. Oscar just wanted to let him know the list of torture that will befall his only son and how he was going to bring him down with the information he would get from Peter. Mayor threw his phone on the floor and bellowed." who told that brat to do such crazy thing! ". Then sagged heavily in his seat with his hands on his face.

The door opened and a slim nerdy young man walked in. Mayor turned hastily to him. " yes! have you found him!".

" yes sir!" The nerdy guy said containing the urge to jump in excitement. Adjusting his thick lens glass. " the GPRS in the chip inserted in Peter's teeth just pointed us to a secluded location out of town". He smiled and added proudly. " the building has a transmission breaker, I was able to hack in through an advanced technology I invented called-".

"Can we get there in less than an hours!". Mayor stormed impatiently hitting the table startling the young man.

"No...no sir!". He stammered.

" then how long! Stop wasting time!". Mayor yelled angrily.

" four...four hours sir! If...if we leave now!".

" good! Now call the boys! We have a business to handle ".

Chapter Thirty-Eight
Horror

The car pulled over in front of Ramah's. Two heavily built men alighted looking horrifically at the bodies and then to Usman.

" what happened ". Alli, a bulky averaged height with full grey beards asked.

Usman heaved, " that's how I saw it".

The men looked doubtfully at Usman's guilty face but said nothing.

" it looks like an ambush. But who would do such?". Usman sounded thoughtfully.
Sadeek, a thick man with long hair knotted in ponytail carefully said. " I don't think so".

Usman eyed him ominously. " how do you mean? ".

Sadeek cautiously conveyed his point trying not to look at Usman. " I think they were murdered. I mean, murdered for something ".

Usman's anger was evident. He couldn't control his temper and so lashed out. " are you insinuating I killed them?".

Alli immediately defended. " that's not what he meant sir. He was just saying...

" saying what!". Usman bellowed.

I meant someone else must have done it". Sadeek sincerely defended.

Usman nodded, shrugged and walked to one of the bodies. His mind was disrupted, he was worried sick about the porosity of the glaring evidence. He knew carrying out his raging intention of adding the men to the list would implicate him even more so he said without looking up. "Let's take these bodies back to camp".

Abdul whom had been pretending to be unconcious slowly sat up and looked at the men hauling the bodies into the car they came in. His head was still woozy but he knew he had to get to action or risk maltreatment and horrible death eventually.

Abdul had awaken by the gunshots and saw Usman confirming the men dead, then pretended to the unconcious again as Usman came to transfer him to his car.

Now was his chance. He slowly moved to the driver side of the car, the key was there in the ignition. He looked at Alli and Sadeek moving the last body. Immediately, he turned the key and quickly engaged the gear, the car jetted forward zooming past Usman and the two men.

Usman was still perplexed, he just stood watching as the car drove zigzagged through the desert.

" who was that?". Alli confusingly asked Usman.

That was when Usman gained cautiousness and let out two shots, missed before his gun ran out of bullet. He ran to the car with the bodies and chased after Abdul.

" what's going on?". Sadeek asked Alli.

" should we go after him?". Alli replied looking at the hot pursuit by Usman.

Sadeek shook his head. " non of our business. Let's go back to camp". Then his face suddenly brightened in alarm. Then turned to Alli. " what if that was Abdul in the car? "

Alli eyes widened. " that explains it!". He ran towards their car. " let's go after him!".

The men started behind Usman in full speed.



A sharp arrow was fired at the tires of the hummer on both directions and Bright struggled with the steering.

" what's that?". Peter asked startling.

" the tires!". Bright replied, trying to stop the car.

" what are you doing? keep going! I suspect foul play here!". Peter said apprehensively, looking out for Oscar but he was no longer in view.

Kate and Susan were suddenly filled with hope as they searched for some clue in what's happening.

Something then hit the doors spooking the thugs in the backseats. Peter looked out and saw the fascinated reactions from passerby's.

" we are under attack! Move this car!". Peter bellowed uncomfortably.

Bright pressed hard on the throttle, but a red gulf 2 drove into the road and blocked them in front. Bright tried to run it over but the punctured tires hampered the speed making the impact less effective.

Another golf 2 blocked their jeep from behind. Peter took out his gun and loosened his tie hastily. " kill the bitches if need be! Get us out of here!" He yelled looking around terrified.

People started moving away from the jeep pointing at it. Peter looked at them and hit Bright who was pushing the golf in front away with the jeep. " get us out of here now!".

A deafening explosion sounded from the four doors and blew them off with large smoke. The thugs got a grip on themselves and spotted some gun men approaching amidst the smoke. The swat looking men swiftly moving circumspectly towards them came from both directions and knocked them out before they could even raise their guns. Bright raised up his hands and Peter looked like a child caught stealing a piece of meat in the pot with his hands up.

The men quickly pulled Bright and Peter out of the car and dragged them into a black Pathfinder jeep. The ladies looked around scared. The men dragged them out, hastily forced them into the back of a white van and drove off without saying a word.

They drove in silence for long, and then diverted into a bend leading through a narrow path, stopped in front of an old secluded workshop.

Susan held Kate's hand trying to comfort her as the van's doors opened and footsteps coming towards the back of the van. " it's okay. Just stay with me!". Susan reassured Kate looking frighteningly at the door.

The vans back door opened and they pulled them out of the car following behind Bright and Peter being led into the workshop.

The men forced Bright and Peter to seat on the floor and left the ladies standing in what looked like an abandoned mechanic workshop. Scraps of cars and some engine block with car parts littered around. Three iron pillars supporting the triangular roof. Two closed iron windows on the right side and two opened on the back.

The heavily built men dressed in combat green khaki trousers and bulletproofs on top of black T-shirts stood with their guns held across their chest looking ominously at the men seated on the floor.

" hey, come on". Peter said looking up at each of the men. I'll pay you very well. Twice, thrice. Just name your price. Work for me. Ask him!". pointing to Bright". he'll tell you! We pay very well! ".

One of the men smacked Peter's head and Bright stood up abruptly to fight, another hit Bright the butt of a gun in the nose. And Peter immediately held Bright's hand, motioning him to be calm before he slowly sat down with his hands covering his bleeding nose.

The sound of an approaching car called everyone's attention. In few minutes time Oscar surfaced with one of the men with him. Kate immediately ran to hug him. Susan was surprised and relieved at the same time.

" I missed you baby ". Oscar said hugging her passionately. Then he broke the embrace screening through her. " thank god you're okay. You played it right ".

" I'm okay but my friend is not". Kate said pointing to Susan who stood looking lost.

Oscar and Kate walked to Susan with his hand across her neck.

" her name is Susan". Kate introduced Susan.

" nice meeting you". Oscar said extending a handshake then noticed Susan's bandaged fingers. " what happened?". His voice laden with concern.

Kate answered before Susan could form words. " he did it to her!". Looking angrily at Peter.

Oscar's face curved to pathetic frown and hugged Susan. Broke the embrace almost immediately and said. " sorry we got you into this. Kate will acquaint you later about us. These are our brothers".

Susan winced at Kate and then the men who smiled for the first time to her and nodded. Then one of them said in a friendly tone smiling. " sorry the way we handled you earlier".

Oscar led Susan away from the group towards the exit with a hand across her neck. " you and Kate will be going to the hotel. Jasmine will drive you there. I have an unfinished business with my guest here ".

Kate joined them, and Jasmine said moving out . " Kate, let's go!".

Susan looked at Jasmine and wondered if Kate was familiar with the men. She was whisked out by Kate towards a red golf car before she could say a word to Oscar about his wife.

Oscar waited for the girls to drive off before he returned to the workshop. The men dragged Peter and Bright up.

"Welcome to my domain. You will have to tell me everything I need to know!". Oscar said in a malicious grin.

Peter was stricken with fear and tried to hide it, and Bright struggled to break free but was held down by two strong men by his sides.

Oscar smiled, slowly brought out a gun from under his waist and shot Bright in the eyes in close range.

This paralyzed Peter in fear. He just stood looking with his mouth and eyes opened.

Oscar smiled, drew close to his ears and whispered. " was that cool?". Then turned to his face. " now, you'll tell me everything or get the perfect treatment that will give me everything ".

Chapter Thirty-Seven
Seen It all

A black Hummer-2 pulled over by the side of the busy road of the suburb crowding with touts and miscreants. Peter sat in front at the passenger side and the ladies sat in-between two thugs in the backseat with Susan nursing the pain on her bandaged fingers.

There was no sign of Oscar amongst the pedestrians strolling pass taking a suspicious look at the jeep that was a misfit in the area.

Peter took off his designer Gucci sun shade and screened through the tinted glass across the road to the old brick and zink houses with kiosks clustered randomly with a dirty filled up drainage in front. Then to the only dilapidated four storey building standing with some juveniles loitering in the front. He looked up at the first storey and saw a young girl with a baby admiring their car at the Terrance.

" why would he chose this filth of all places?". Peter asked Bright in the driver's seat.

" I don't like this sir ". The thug beside Susan said.

" put a bullet in her head if he plays any smart move with us". Peter said calmly with his eyes on the road looking out for Oscar.

The walkie-talkie rang 15 minutes later in their wait.

" Where the hell are you!". Peter spat coldly.

" are you the ones in the black Hummer?" Oscar asked in a controlled tone.

Peter didn't feel like answering because he thought it as a stupid question, regardless he gently uttered. " who else?".

" come out of the car with her, I'm standing in front of a yellow store beside the blue umbrella by your left".

Peter turned immediately to the drivers side and spotted someone in blue hood jacket with a hand in his Jean pocket and the other pressing a phone to his right ear with a backpack hanging on his back looking at them.

" I can't do that. Come closer to the car and give yourself up before anything. I don't trust you, you may have something up your sleeves ". Peter said, screen through for any suspicious move or persons.

" I have what you need in the bag I'm carrying, every damn thing. I want to know if she's with you first before I do anything ". Oscar said feeling nervous.

Peter turned to Bright taking the walkie-talkie away from his ear and covering the mouthpiece with his hand . " what do you think? He want to see the girl first".

" let her stand close to the car with a gun pointed to her back in such a way no one would know. If he tries anything we kill her".

" and risk mass publication? No!". Peter frowned at the suggestion at turned to Oscar.

Just then Peter's iPhone rang in his suit jacket while he made to continue with Oscar. He took it out of his suit jacket. Mayor was calling. He pressed the walkie-talkie on his chest and took the call on his cell phone.

" hello sir? " Peter said in his usual tone without taking his eyes off Oscar.

" what's going on? I heard you went to see Oscar without my consent! Who gave you such authority! ". Mayor bellowed.

" sir, I'm in a middle of a negotiation. Please let me call you back soon". Peter said and hung up, then returned the walkie-talkie to his ear. "She's coming out now. Start moving towards the car. And let me warn you, I have a sniper planted somewhere, don't be smart".

" just get her out of the damn car!". Oscar said coldly.

Peter turned to the thug beside Kate. " be discreet with the gun. Stand with her close to the car".

The thug nodded and opened the door. But Kate held Susan's hand.

"she's coming with me, or I go nowhere!". Kate said confidently looking steadily at Peter.

" what the hell is she talking about. Take her out!". Peter said impatiently turning back to the man in hood.

The thug made to pull Kate out but she began dragging with him screaming on top of her voice. The cry called attention from some onlookers.

Peter sense Kate had created a compromising scene and stormed. " shut the goddamned door!".

Immediately, the thug took in his leg and shut the door.

Some nefarious looking guys smoking in a local gin spot across the road saw the commotion and became suspicious. They had started discussing between themselves and pointing at the jeep ominously. Oscar was at the left side of the car and didn't see what happened.

" this is not good! " Peter said uneasily. " lets get out of here!".

Oscar was surprised to see that the car had kicked start. He watched helplessly as they slowly entered the road and began driving off. Immediately, he began calling a number.

Susan felt like she swallowed something eating up her intestines. She suddenly felt nausea and went pale. Kate kept looking at her father who was on the phone running after them as the car was driving off.

" change of plans! Hurry up with plan B, they are leaving! Hurry!" Oscar yelled on the phone running after the jeep from a safe distance.



Sandra was way ahead of Andrew. She had forgotten about everything else save one mission: To get as far as possible away from the region and from the reach of Boko.

Andrew was out of breath as he ran after Sandra. He couldn't keep up the pace any further lagging way behind.

Sandra stepped her feet on a broken bottle and flinched lifting up her leg swiftly. She pulled off the piece and made to run gain but decided to look behind her and then spotted Andrew staggering behind her. She hesitated, but on a second thought ran to fetch him, grabbed him up, hauled him on her shoulder and began running.

It was already getting bright and she was beginning to get worried. She had ran for an hour and was now standing to find her bearing.

She had never left the cave since 40 years ago when she was 29 years old during the age grade compulsory hunting training. She had never left her jurisdiction which was around the vicinity nor been caught by sunlight which was rumoured to melt one to sand.

Sandra gently dropped Andrew looking lost. She made to take different directions but stopped half way. Andrew sensed her confusion and held her hand.
"Hmmm!". He said pointing towards the direction to Jaga's mountain.

She winced confusingly at him.

" Hmmm!". Andrew repeated pointing at the direction.

She looked up to the sky and became nervously scared. Then hauled Andrew to her shoulder again and followed his direction.

It was already day light by the time they arrived the mountain. The sun looked new to Sandra, she was expecting to melt but didn't. So she stood admiring it forgetting she was supposed to stay out of sight.

Andrew was down from her shoulder. He ran into Mutum's cave in search for anything of value; grabbed some few clothes made of animal skin. The meat had decayed. He searched for anything else and Sandra's loud groaning called his attention.

Immediately, he ran out and found her looking for him. She saw him and looked at him as though he was bathed in something hazardous. Then immediately grabbed his shoulder still in same look, then abruptly let him go and started viewing the top of the mountain.

Andrew gently held her hand to lead her up the mountain but she withdrew it in shocking reflex and then relaxed on seeing it was him. Turned to the direction of the sun again, shielded her eyes from it with her hand still admiring it and looking at her body that hasn't melted yet.

" Hmmm!" Andrew said impatiently pointing up the mountain.

She followed his direction and returned to the sun. She giggled and was in awe of its beauty .

Andrew was impatiently waiting. He was worried sick that Boko would trail them down to the place, but Sandra seem to be enjoying the heat on her skin and the beauty of the yellow ball in the sky.

An approaching car was spotted directly in front of them. Andrew was paralyzed with fear. He turned to Sandra who seem captivated by the car and curiously looking.

" hmm!". He said dragging her by the hand into Mutum's cave.

She remained immovable, still looking. Andrew had to abandon her and ran to the back of the back of the mountain.

The four men in the car saw Sandra and was flabbergasted. The driver, a fat, stout man couldn't believe his eyes as he drove closer.

" what's that?". The slim tall man beside the driver asked in amazement.

"Is that human?". A bald at the back asked moving forward.

Sandra was excitedly looking at the small creature with loud noise. She wondered what kind of animal it was. Immediately she looked around for anything to hunt it down with and found a big rock. She picked it up and ran after the approaching car.

The driver shouted in horror. " woh! It is coming! ". Before he could swerve off, the rock slammed hard on the windscreen and he drove adjacent direction speedily.

Sandra caught sight of the men in the car and was surprised to see humans in the belle of the strange creature. She stood watching as the car sped away.

Andrew slowly came out of his hiding looking behind the fading rear of the green Daewoo. He turned to Sandra who seem to have forgotten all about Boko and was feeling like a freed slave.

The men in the car pulled over and examined the damage on the windscreen.

" who was that?". Isa, the driver said still in shock.

" or you should have asked what was that?". Ibrahim, the slim tall guy in front added, looking in wonder at the size of the rock thrown with ease at them.

" that could be a giant. Did you see the thick long dreadlocks and massive breast?". Shaggi, the only dark skin with the rest of the Arabians added.

Isa went into the car and fetched his phone. Shaggi turned to him and asked. " what are you doing?".

" calling the police!". Isa shot at him and started dialing.

" or should you call the military. The police can't do much about that thing". Musa, the bald guy said after trying to move the rock in futile effort.

" hello". Isa said as the phone connected. Good day sir. We have an issue. A beast is on the loose. It's a danger to humanity".

Devils touch made front page! na wah oh

Goddeywithme:
About 5 years ago, I would have sponsored u to publish. I was young, I had money. I did a lot of good for people. But now, I have a lot of responsibilities. But I will pray for u bro. Keep it up. I follow ur stories bumper to bumper

Amen! thank you so so much

greatme2good:
Ok I have been reading but I have not been able to register with my moniker here. I have a Google blog account and that username keeps popping up.

Yeah, me too. I have another blog and it keeps popping up. You can try anonymously, then add your name on your comment. still working to perfect it. please bear with me.

greatme2good:
Ok I have been reading but I have not been able to register with my moniker here. I have a Google blog account and that username keeps popping up.

Yeah, me too. I have another blog and it keeps popping up. You can try anonymously, then add your name on your comment. still working to perfect it. please bear with me.

Having trouble with network. So I have to update here.

Chapter Thirty-Six
Raining Fear


Andrew was slowly released by Liq who was lost in shock. Boko and Zixta with those who later joined stared speechlessly. Sandra whom sat with her back on the wall beside the wall couldn't understand her feelings; it flashes of fear, joy, sadness, excitement, confusion. But she sat looking at what had captured everyone; Hitra.

His body was a rocky muscles, his eyes were bloodshot. His hands were the biggest Andrew had ever seen; big, strong and intimidating. His chest were unbelievably large and huge with thick veins the size of a thumb spread all over it to every part of his body like a tree root.

Boko slowly released Zixta from his grip, instinct told him to escape, but pride kicked against it. Instead he slowly moved backwards shivering under his feet.

Hitra was overly furious and reflected in his countenance. He and Boko were few steps apart. They locked eyes for few seconds before Hitra roared breaking the momentary silence. " Boko! I challenge you to the death!".

Boko shook in fear and immediately comported himself swallowing hard.

" today! You die! And I'll eat your flesh for dinner. Your wives, I'll rape and behead. Your children, I'll hang alive. I will let you watch and I kill you afterwards with my bare hands". Hitra raged ominously demonstrating by clinging his big fist. Then looked at the crowd with Boko. " anyone who wish to die! Join him!".

And immediately raised his hammer, everyone gave way, including Zixta. Boko in confusion frighteningly snatched the spear from Zixta and aimlessly threw it at Hitra then made to run away.

The spear caught Hitra in the middle of his chest close to his neck. Hitra couldn't believe his eyes. He stopped abruptly, his body seem paralyzed, his hands still up with the hammer, he tried everything in his power to swing it, but the suddenly seem heavy in his hand and slowly he dropped it.

Boko stopped halfway, turning unbelievably to see his aimless throw caught his victim badly.

Like a mountain Hitra dropped to his knees looking furiously frustrated. He tried in vain to move and managed to stretch his hand to Boko. Held the spear, tried to remove it still shaking angrily, but fell on his side.

Boko walked to him, now boastfully. He stood in front of his dying brother and roared beating his chest happily, his friends joined him. Liq had forgotten Andrew as he joined to celebrate with Boko. Fate had just saved them from untimely death in the hands of Hitra.

Andrew waisted no time. He rushed towards the exit and saw Sandra still in shock looking at Hitra on the floor. He grabbed her hand and she turned startling to him. He nodded, looked at the party still celebrating and ran out while she followed with no one noticing.



The three men driving back to the camp happily. The sang and smoked all the way. Fantasising the glory they will gain to have captured the great Abdul whom many considered beyond death due to tales of his heroic escapades in the past.
Few yards to the away, they saw Usman seated on top of the bonnet of a Suzuki van looking like he had problem with his car.

Ramah slowed down and Saha placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think we shouldn't tell Usman anything. That guy is too ambitious".

Idris moved closer from the backseat and added. " I think he's right. Let's not say anything. Just drive pass".

"But we can't drive pass, we need to see greet at least or see if he needs our assistance. He's our superior.". Ramah said and stopped some distance enough Usman could not to get a look into the car.

Usman looked at the trio walking towards him and turned to their car moving towards it. The trio immediately stood in front of him blocking his view.

" Peace be unto you". They greeted.

" peace be unto you". Usman replied and turned to his car. " it just stopped. Was praying I get a help and here god sent you people ".

The trio exchanged troubled glances which Usman caught and became suspicious but kept his cool.

" could you guys help me drag it to the camp? I have a rope". Usman said pointing to his car.

Ramah scratched his hair and eyed his team for approval, they all looked even more confused.

" any problem? ". Usman asked searching their faces for a hint.

Ramah looked at his team and they nodded.

" we have Abdul ". Ramah forced the words out with great effort.

Usman paused, looking surprised at them, making them unsettled. Then his face drew a wide smile that exploded into excited laughter. " wow! Great news! Where's he?". Moving joyfully towards their car, ignoring their body resistance.

The trio exchanged quick glances and hurried to join Usman.

He peeped in the backseat and saw Abdul lying on the floor, bound hands and legs still unconscious. He turned to the men overwhelmed. " congratulations! You did what I couldn't do. But please I'm part of this!".

The men looked lost. Usman excitedly placed his hands on Idris and Saha's shoulder with Ramah in their middle. " look! I'll share everything with you guys. We did this job together, that's all you will tell the elders". He turned to their car. " hope he's still alive?" His voice sounded unsure.

" yes! Just unconscious ". Idris said uncomfortably.

Usman hugged the men and kissed their cheeks. " good job! Let me get my phone and call the elders". and he headed for his car.

The three men gathered together whispering amongst themselves.

" I don't like this". Idris said uneasily.

" me too. I don't trust that guy ". Saha said, took a peek at Usman and continued. " he may want the glory for himself ".

" you are right". Ramah said ."But what do we do? We can't do much, we can't-". A gunshot stopped his speech splashing blood from from his head and he fell on his face.

The other two spun towards Usman in shock. A straight bullet knocked Salah in the forehead and Idris attempted to run but two shots visited his back.

Usman moved closer, kicked the ldris's arm to ensure he was dead. Then moved to the car, opened it, checked for pulse on Abdul's wrist, nodded his confirmation. Pulled Abdul into his car's backseat. Returned to the men looking thoughtfully on what to do with their bodies and car.

Just then Usman spotted a black Cherokee Jeep from a distance approaching. He had to have an explanation for what happened or face demotion which he couldn't stand.



Peter held Susan's third finger and was about pulling it off when the walkie-talkie rang. He looked sharply at the phone and dropped his tool, wiped his hands on Susan's body then took the call.

" hello.... Yes... " eyed Kate and looked away. " she's still okay for now".

" if as much as a strand of hair pulls from her body, you will have the swat team, the military, the police on your assess!". Oscar bellowed.

Peter remained expressionless and asked in a cool complacent tone. " so what gives? Are you complying or still playing balls?".

Oscar paused a little and said. " I'm turning myself in. Bring my daughter to Casto hill. Once she's out of reach, you can have me".

Peter smiled. Pulled one of the seats, sat down, turned to the petrified Kate and asked. " why should I believe you? Why shouldn't I think it's a set up?".

Oscar yelled. "You have a choice! I'm after my daughter! ".

Peter smiled and turned to Bright blankly. " okay. Casto hill it is. What time?".

" 5 pm". Oscar said weakly.

Peter smiled again. " so you're in town?". Then his voice went stern. "Any shady move, I promise you, I'll kill her".

Goddeywithme:
Topher, u are a good writer. You are up there with Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I hope u have plans to write a full novel which u will publish. U are really good.

Pls, while I enjoyed the free entertainment of My Madam and I, while I appreciate that some guys here gave u something, I encourage u to publish. Consider all avenues through which u can achieve ur aim. Consider ebooks. But u would have to develop a story line to be big enough to be a novel. U will make it man. U will be big like Adichie and Achebe and other big Nigerian writers. God bless

I'm blushing boss. Thanks so much. Im trying to get there by Gods grace. Please follow the sacrifice, chapter 35 now.

BankyGee:

We dey together bro. No problem. More grease to your elbow

Thanks somuch my brother. I dey see you. Thank you very much

Sorry for the long delay. Just updated chapter 35. Please register and it'll ease the stress. Still trying to perfect it though. Thanks you all for reading. Would have started listing names, but I appreciate you all. I'm trying to give you all something to take away your stress for the day. Please don't hesitate to point out any mistakes or if I'm going off track.
Thank you so much

Chapter Thirty-Four
The Journey

The door opened and the ladies turned sharply to it. The man in the picture surfaced; every hair on Susan's body stood, Kate was finding it difficult breathing, her eyes widened and her body paralyzed.

Mayor walked in gently not noticing the effect his presence had on the ladies. He pulled out a seat across the table and sat facing them. Looking at the ladies he said in his usual calm tone. " which of you is Kate?".

Susan almost pointed at Kate but gently dropped her hand. Mayor noticed Susan's hesitancy and turned to Kate. " I believe you are".
Continued from topherpenpad..com

extremelygolden:
So we share the same birthday, Topher052?Hmmmm, this is interesting.

Woow! Nice to know

iListen:
You kept writing Susan in place of Sandra... please correct it

corrected oh. Thanks.

Chapter Thirty-Three
Look Death In The Face

The crowd started gathering around Gbique. Boko still couldn't believe what he was seeing, he just stood motionless looking down at his jewel lying dead.

The neighbour's wife slowly went to Boko said whispered. "it's Sandra".

Boko didn't hear her until five seconds later. Like someone shook from his slumber, he snapped grabbing her by the shoulder. "you said what?".

The giant lady felt intimidated by Boko's raged countenance. She slowly spelt her words cautiously. "I saw Sandra and that human. They killed her!". ......

Continues from topherpenpad