Dere walked through the grimy alleys of the slum, flanked by four men. The area was a maze of crumbling buildings and refuse piles, the air thick with the stench of decay. As they approached a compound that resembled a refuse dump more than anything else, Dere signaled for two of his men to hold their position.
"Una stay here. Make sure say nobody enter," he instructed, his voice carrying an edge of authority.
The two men nodded and took up positions at the gate, their expressions set in grim determination. Dere then motioned for the remaining two to follow him as he entered the compound. They navigated past heaps of rotting waste, the ground uneven and treacherous. A few locals, scavenging for scraps or sorting through the garbage, glanced up as they passed. Their faces were a mix of curiosity and wary respect.
"Alaye!"
"Senior Man!"
Dere waved back dismissively, his focus fixed on his destination. He entered a small, dilapidated room where a young couple knelt on the filthy floor, their faces etched with desperation. As Dere stepped inside, they scrambled to their feet, their pleas echoing off the grimy walls.
"Abeg, abeg, we go pay na just small remain," the man begged, his voice trembling.
"True, sir. Just give us a little more time," the woman added, her eyes wide with fear.
Dere's lips curled into a smirk as he gestured to one of his men.
"Abeg, hold them."
The couple's cries grew louder, their pleas more frantic. Just then, Dere's phone rang. He took the call from one of his men and stepped outside, leaving the couple to their anxious anticipation. The conversation was brief, and Dere's face lit up with a satisfied grin as he walked back into the room.
"Abeg, leave them,"
He ordered, and his men reluctantly stepped away from the trembling couple.Dere faced them, his demeanor shifting to a more relaxed, almost amused tone.
"Make una thank your god oh. Una get luck say I just hit jackpot wey I fit handle sharp sharp."
He motioned for his entourage to follow him as he turned to leave. The couple, drenched in sweat and trembling, began to express their intense gratitude, their words a desperate attempt to ensure Dere's decision remained unchanged. Dere paused at the door, turning back with a final warning.
"But make una pay my money sha, because if I catch una again, no luck go save una oh."
With that, he exited the room, a broad smile on his face as he walked away, his men trailing behind. The couple, left in a state of relief mingled with fear, watched him go, their gratitude tinged with apprehension.
Iron Hero sat in the dimly lit waiting room of the hospital, blending in among the others who anxiously awaited news of their loved ones. Disguised in casual attire and a nondescript cap, he tried to mask his true identity as Adetola Oluwarotimi John, the renowned CEO of Adrotech. His foot tapped rhythmically, a subconscious attempt to drown out the swirling thoughts that plagued him. The uncertainty was unbearable: what if she didn't survive? The guilt would be crushing. If she did survive, what if she figured out his true identity and used it against him?The waiting room buzzed with hushed conversations and the occasional beeping of medical equipment. Iron Hero's mind was a storm of worry and dread, his face a mask of tense anticipation. As he tried to center himself, a voice broke through his thoughts.
"Relaaax, chill bro. Not like she's gonna die or something."
Iron Hero turned to see a white man sitting beside him, dressed like a character from an early 1900s Western film. The man's casual demeanor and Western accent seemed jarringly out of place in the sterile, somber environment. Iron Hero's brows furrowed in irritation, but the man continued undeterred.
"Hey, where are my manners? Good day, John."
Iron Hero's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know my name?"
The man leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Don't worry, I won't spill. The name's Chase, by the way."
Chase extended a hand for a handshake, but Iron Hero was still reeling from the shock of being recognized. Chase continued talking, seemingly unfazed by Iron Hero's confusion.
"Don't worry, no one else knows."
" As for what you said earlier about her not dying—how can you be so sure?"
Chase sighed dramatically. "Guess I broke the pact. I know the writer, and I wasn't supposed to reveal any certainty about the outcome."
Iron Hero's confusion deepened. "You know the writer? What are you talking about?"
Chase waved a hand in front of his face.
"You really don't get it, do you? I'm not like you characters. I'm only visible to you right now. "
Iron Hero's brow furrowed in confusion as Chase continued.
"Okay, you still don't believe me. Here's a tip: the nurse will come in three, two, one—"
As if on cue, the nurse entered the room. Chase gave Iron Hero a triumphant 'I told you so' look before John stands and walks towards her.
"Good day, sire," the nurse said with a professional smile.
"She's alive but currently in a coma."
The nurse added before handing Iron Hero some additional paperwork, which he signed swiftly. He gestured to the empty seat where Chase had been sitting.
"Do you see any white guy over there?"
The nurse looked around and shook her head. "No, sire. Is there a problem?"
"No, nothing at all. Don't mind me."Iron Hero walked off to handle the payments, while Chase watched with a satisfied grin. Once the transaction was complete, Iron Hero headed toward the exit, glancing back at Chase. Chase tipped his hat, adjusting it to shadow his face, and nodded. Iron Hero left the hospital, his mind still spinning from the strange encounter, his thoughts tangled with both relief and confusion.
A young child, barely eighteen months old, raced through the sitting room with her arms outstretched, mimicking the flight of an airplane. Her gleeful shouts and stumbling steps contrasted sharply with the calm, focused demeanor of her two older sisters, who were engrossed in their young adult activities. The little girl's exuberant playtime came to a sudden halt when she tripped over her sister's foot.
"Hey... Watch it!" the eldest sister snapped without looking up from her laptop.
Undeterred, the toddler continued her flight, darting through the dining area and heading towards the kitchen. Just then, their mother emerged from the kitchen, balancing two trays loaded with breakfast items—bread, fried eggs, and tea. Her expression was a mix of maternal affection and urgency as she called out to the little girl.
"Dumi, stop playing and come have breakfast. Daddy won't be happy if you don't eat."
The older sisters abandoned their activities and gathered at the table, their movements punctuated by the clinking of cutlery and the soft hum of the refrigerator. As their mother prepared to serve the meal, her phone began ringing insistently. She stepped away from the table, her face suddenly pale as she answered the call. The phone slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor, drawing puzzled looks from the children.
"Mum, is anything the matter?" the younger of the two older girls asked, her voice tinged with concern.
The mother's face hardened as she turned to her eldest daughter, her voice trembling.
"Code red."
The eldest daughter's face went ashen, and the plate she was holding slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor. The other sisters exchanged confused glances, not understanding the gravity of the situation, as only the eldest grasped the significance of their mother's words. The mother abandoned the phone, her movements frantic as she dashed out of the sitting room.The eldest daughter, grasping the situation, quickly took her younger siblings by the hand and followed their mother. She led them to their parents' room, only to find it in disarray. Clothes were strewn everywhere, and their mother was frantically searching through the mess. The eldest daughter's voice quivered with anxiety.
"Mum... What about Kelvin?"
Her mother's voice was a strained whisper as she fought back tears. "He's gone as well."The eldest girl's shock was palpable.
"We're going to Grandpa's place?"
Her mother, still grappling with her emotions, nodded as she pulled clothes from the wardrobe. She retrieved a purse from a drawer and strapped it around her waist. She ushered her eldest daughter and the younger siblings out of the room, calling for Dumi, who was now crying.
"Mummy, what is happening?" Dumi sobbed.
"We're going to Grandpa's place. Just be a good girl, okay?"
Dumi nodded through her tears as her mother wiped her face.
"This is no time for weeping," the mother muttered to herself, her voice a mix of determination and despair.
"Just follow Mum, okay."
Leading her children to the back door, the mother and her kids hurried outside. As they exited the house, they were immediately greeted by the sound of approaching voices.
"Sheesh, we're late... They're already here," the mother muttered, her voice trembling with fear.
The family quickly sought refuge in a corner, the tension palpable as Dumi's attempts to speak were silenced by a shushing gesture from her mother.
"Mum's playing hide and seek, okay?" the mother whispered, trying to soothe her children.
Dumi responded with a hushed "shhhh," and they waited in silence, the heavy footsteps of their pursuers growing louder. The eldest daughter peered out to check if the coast was clear and gave a nod when she saw the way was momentarily clear. The family emerged, hoping to scale the fence before they were spotted.But their hope was short-lived. Dere and his gang emerged from one end of the building, while more men appeared from the other side. The family was trapped. The mother positioned herself protectively in front of her children, her face a mask of fierce resolve. Dere's laughter was cold and mocking.
"Eh eh, see am oh. You think say you fit run?"
He gestured to his men to grab them. The mother's voice cracked with desperation.
"You can take me, but just don't hurt the children."
Dere's smirk widened. "I know, but I need to teach you a small lesson first. You think say you fit run?"
"Ah, abeg," she pleaded, but Dere's laughter continued.
"Where all your English enter now?"
Dere's gaze shifted to the children, and he drew a pocket knife. He signaled for them to bring Dumi, the youngest. The mother's pleas turned into frantic sobs.
"Ahh abeg, abeg, abeg."
Seeing her broken state brought a twisted satisfaction to Dere. The eldest daughter, driven by fury, kicked at the thug holding Dumi. Dere turned to her with a mix of amusement and disdain.
"Ah, feisty..." he said, then turned back to the mother.
"I sabi speak small English too oh."
Despite the eldest daughter's struggles, Dere's men restrained her and continued to force Dumi towards Dere. With a cold, deliberate movement, Dere stabbed Dumi in her stomach, making sure the wound was painful but not immediately fatal. He covered the wound to increase the family's agony.
"Well, as you can see, this was fun," Dere said, his voice dripping with malice. "But I've got other matters to handle."
He paused, savoring their despair before continuing."Your husband owed me a fortune and was supposed to deliver a package. Instead, he lost it, adding to the unpaid debt. But I'm a merciful man, so I'll give the family a chance to work off the payment."
He looked at the women with a predatory gleam. "Seeing that we have all women here, I suppose my brothels could use some extra employees."
Blessing's eyes fluttered open, her vision a hazy blur as she took in her surroundings. Gradually, the shapes around her came into focus, revealing the sterile, softly lit environment of a private hospital ward. A wave of memories from the chaotic night with Iron Hero crashed over her. She attempted to sit up, her muscles feeling weak and heavy.
"Private ward, huh… I suppose he's capable,"
she murmured to herself, trying to piece together the fragments of her fragmented thoughts.As she adjusted her gaze, she noticed a figure peering through the window, but the shadowy form vanished before she could make out any details. Minutes later, a nurse entered, her face illuminated by a bright, reassuring smile as she carried a notepad.
"Good day, Blessing," the nurse greeted cheerfully.
Blessing managed a weak nod in response. The nurse continued, her voice gentle and soothing.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine, I guess," Blessing replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Any pains anywhere?" the nurse asked, her gaze shifting to Blessing's legs.
"Not quite, just general weakness,"
Blessing answered, her eyes following the nurse's direction. A sudden chill of unease swept over her. She looked down, realizing with growing horror that she hadn't felt her legs. She pulled back the cover and saw both legs wrapped in white bandages. Panic surged through her, and she turned to the nurse, her eyes wide with terror.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
She screamed, her voice echoing off the walls.The nurse's attempts to calm her were futile. Blessing's fear escalated, and she rolled off the bed, sending the IV stand crashing to the floor. Her cries grew louder as she stared at her immobilized legs. Several other nurses rushed in, one preparing an injection while the others tried to hold Blessing down.With practiced efficiency, the nurse removed the IV drip and injected the syringe's contents into Blessing's arm. The sedative took effect quickly, and Blessing's screams softened into a quiet whimper as she slipped into unconsciousness.
Hours later, Blessing awoke in a calmer state, her surroundings now clearer. A man sat beside her, his face obscured by a nose mask. She frowned at him, her voice tinged with exhaustion and irritation.
"Take it off, Adrotech CEO," she demanded, gesturing towards the mask.The man blinked in surprise.
"Woah, Adrotech? I'm just a worker at Adrot—"
She cut him off abruptly. "Do you think I'm an idiot? One, only someone with access to Adrotech could hack their stuff. Two, such a security breach would be detected by the company, unless, of course, if you are the company. And three, you're in here, undetected, making it another security breach."
The man's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'm sorry."
"You're sorr—"
Blessing's anger flared, and she tried to lunge at him but was too weak to reach him. Her frustration gave way to tears, and she began to weep uncontrollably.
The man continued, his voice now a soft, earnest tone. "My name's John, by the way."
He reached into his pocket and produced a small souvenir bag, placing it near her bedside.
"Your coach asked me to give this to you. She said you should check it to know her story."
Blessing, too overwhelmed to respond, didn't reach for the bag. John sighed and walked towards the door, pausing briefly.
"Oh, and if you want to pursue anything else with your life, I'll make sure to take responsibility and set you up as best I can… considering you can't go back to sports."
He stopped at the door again, turning back to her. "And by the way, the criminals are both deceased. I can't imagine how their families are coping. Once again, I'm truly sorry…"
He looked at her one last time, seeing her silent tears, before finally leaving the ward.As John made his way to the hospital's exit, he thought to himself, 'John, you are a fool.'