Chereads / THE ROAD TO BECOMING A SUPERSTAR / Chapter 16 - CHAPTER 16

Chapter 16 - CHAPTER 16

Sani's frustration reached its breaking point, and with an enraged shout, he hurled the phone to the ground. He stormed out of the room, his anger palpable, and called out to his trusted associates: "Usman, Faruq, Abu, let's move to the IT base. I want to see and hear what they have to say personally. I will uncover that traitor before I leave." He continued walking but then paused, adding, "Arrange the vehicle for the evacuation."

 

Upon their arrival at the IT base, Sani immediately inquired about the guards. The two men responsible for security approached, their heads bowed in deference. Sani wasted no time and asked them bluntly, "Who entered here who was not supposed to be here?" Before one of the guards could respond, Sani abruptly fired his weapon, and the man fell lifeless, blood seeping from his forehead.

 

Sani then advanced toward the surviving guard and posed the question once more, his tone demanding answers: "Think carefully. Who entered here, or who seems suspicious?" The remaining guard, still shaken by the sudden violence, thought deeply and finally recalled an incident. He hesitantly spoke up, "Sir, there was someone who came in. We assumed you had sent him. It was the young boy from the other day."

 

Sani's expression darkened at the revelation. He pressed further, seeking confirmation: "Hamza?" The guard nodded in confirmation, replying, "Yes, sir."

 

The unexpected mention of Hamza, someone Sani didn't anticipate, sent a chill down his spine. He swiftly turned to his left and ordered with a sense of urgency, "Get Hamza here right now!" The stakes had just been raised, and Sani was determined to get to the bottom of this betrayal.

Amidst the tense situation, the military continued their relentless approach toward the terrorist base. Major Abdullahi inquired about their progress, his mind filled with concern for his soldiers and the innocent children they were trying to rescue. One of the captains responded, "ETA 10 minutes, sir," as they raced against time to reach their destination.

 

Inside the building, Hamza remained concealed, silently praying that he hadn't been discovered. His heart raced as Usman entered the room, his voice chillingly cold as he ordered, "Stand up and move out now!" Hamza knew that this was the moment he had feared, but he summoned all his courage, hiding his fear and remaining composed.

 

As they arrived at the IT base, Sani, seated just outside the gate, locked eyes with Usman. Without warning, Usman struck Hamza's leg, causing him to fall to both knees. Confusion painted Hamza's face as he looked at Sani and feigned innocence, asking, "What did I do?" Sani's expression was a tumultuous mix of confusion, anger, and sadness as he demanded an explanation, "Why? I treated you better than your fellow peers here. So, why did you betray me?"

 

Hamza, still on his knees, met Sani's gaze and let out a sigh. He struggled to find words, torn between his loyalty to his sister's safety and the moral cost of his actions. Sani's frustration escalated, and he shouted, "Why the hell did you backstab me, huh?" Hamza looked up and responded with unwavering determination, "I want to return to my home safely with my sister, and you were never going to allow that. You killed more than three people right in front of me like they meant nothing. I don't regret what I did, and I'm prepared to die for it." Inside, Hamza couldn't help but feel a glimmer of relief that at least his sister might be safe.

 

Suddenly, Sani burst into laughter, leaving Hamza utterly perplexed. Sani leaned in and taunted, "Kill you? No, never. I have something far worse in mind." He turned to Usman and ordered, "Go and get his sister."

 

Hamza was thrust into agonizing despair, terror gripping him as he pleaded, prostrating himself on the ground, holding onto Sani and Usman's legs. Despite his desperate pleas, Usman heartlessly shrugged Hamza's grip away.

 

Feeling as though his world was collapsing around him, Hamza couldn't help but glance at Sani, trying to plead again, but Sani remained unmoved. Just as all seemed lost, Usman dashed back, his face filled with urgency. He reported, "Sir, the military has arrived and is moving toward our location."

 

Sani appeared unfazed by the news. He calmly asked, "Where is the girl I asked you to bring?" Usman, looking bewildered, began explaining, "Sir, I couldn't fetch her because I had to war—" Before he could finish his sentence, a gunshot rang out, and Usman fell to the floor, writhing in pain, clutching his wounded left arm.

 

Kneeling on the ground, Hamza felt a glimmer of relief that his sister had not been captured, but he was still overwhelmed by the impending threat to his own life. Sani, with a twisted sense of amusement, gazed at Hamza and remarked, "You seem to be relieved, huh?" He laughed maniacally and raised his weapon, pointing it menacingly at Hamza.

 

As the military forces arrived at the terrorist base, they caught the enemy off guard, initiating a fierce gunfight. Bullets whizzed through the air as the terrorists put up a desperate resistance, but the military's superior training and firepower began to turn the tide in their favor. Amidst the chaos, Major Ahmed took a moment to survey the scene and inquired, "Have you seen Nurudeen?"

 

A lieutenant nodded and replied, "Yes, sir, but he's injured. It appears he was tortured. I'll bring you to him." The major looked concerned for Nurudeen, the young man he had trained. When they reached Nurudeen, the major asked with genuine concern, "How are you, my boy?" Nurudeen attempted to sit up but was gently pushed back. "Rest for now; you need it," the mayor insisted. Nurudeen, however, urgently conveyed, "Sir, the boy who contacted you seems to be in trouble." Major Abdullahi nodded and said, "We're heading there now. Rest up." Nurudeen acknowledged with a "Yes, sir," as the major and his team prepared to move out.

 

Upon arriving at the IT base where Hamza and Sani were located, they were met with a tense standoff. Sani had a gun pointed at Hamza, ready to pull the trigger at any moment. In a swift and decisive move, a soldier from the military ranks fired a shot, hitting Sani's arm. The impact forced Sani to release his grip on the trigger, and the gunshot intended for Hamza was averted.

 

In the ensuing chaos, the terrorists managed to drag Sani out and into a waiting vehicle, which sped away from the base through another exit, attempting to make their escape. Meanwhile, Hamza, overwhelmed by the searing pain in his chest, felt life slipping away. He struggled to breathe, gasping for air, and he could hear the sounds of people surrounding him, carrying him to safety. As his vision blurred and his consciousness waned, his thoughts were consumed by concern for his sister's well-being. Slowly, Hamza's eyes closed, and he succumbed to the darkness.