TEMI
The harmattan morning was cold, by 12 the sun was high up and blazing. The dry and dusty wind which blew from the Sahara over the Atlantic coast of West Africa dried up my skin. It was a good-bad weather even though at night it was cold, during the day the sun was hot and bright.
I reached a random button of the motorbike. A blast of cold air exhaled from the vent. I gasped as the black and white motorbike raced past me on the track. The noise was loud listening to my instructor through my phone. I was used to the smell of burning and the screeching of tires together with the smell of gasoline. I could hardly take my eye off the overtaking riders.
"Come on, Temi you have to put in more effort." Said my instructor through my phone as I rode and braked sharply. Ekong sighed softly, but I didn't want to argue with him. I saw his bearded, angry face, his furrowed brows through my squared helmet hole. "You have one more lap to go. Then you can bring the bike back to the hangar."
Acutely aware of my sweaty palms, the dampness of my fireproof underwear as it stuck to my thighs. I lifted up my shoulders and let them drop, pushing out some deep breaths, trying my best not to annoy Ekong. The smell of engine oil and gasoline in the hangar was even more overwhelming. I stood aside as I watched mechanics run to take care of my bike, checking the checkable, the durability of the tires and if a problem was diagnosed it would be taken for service.
I took off my helmet, my hair wet and sweaty, stuck to my forehead. I took a bottle of water, emptied it on my head and used my hand to wipe my face.
"I still have a month to the game. Can't I have a break?" I growled at him picking a towel from one of the workers.
"That doesn't mean you should slack off."
"Whoa, whoa, already underestimating me." I muttered to myself as I waited for him to begin his daily compliment.
Three, two, one.
"You're Temi. The twelve-time MotoGP and BT racing champion in Nigeria."
"I know."
The blue BMW S1000XR drove up out of the track towards our hangar, dust whirling out, dirtying the bike. I leaned against Ekong, arms crossed; my dark brown eyes scared Ekong. The only time a sport vehicle showed up in my hangar after trial was when an unwelcomed guest came around, and my radar was obviously aware of whom it was. I braced myself to deal with Kiki, my diehard competitor.
"Hello Temi!" Kiki shouted as she waved, taking off her helmet, a big smile on her face. She was a motorbike racer but a cheat behind that fake smile. I never wanted to believe she was a terrible person even after she bribed the officials last year to announce her winner when I won fair and square.
"Do you have anything worth saying?" I asked friendly, as she took my hands and shook them before pulling me into a hug.
"I'm going to take you back to where you came from. The grave. Maybe since I won last year, I may win this year." She said loud enough for Ekong to yelp.
"Not even you can scare me. You're going to the grave first. And I'm taking the trophy."
She interrupted with a chortle then let go of me. "That was a joke."
Even when training was over, I didn't seem to have any reason of going home early. I told Ekong that I would be in my room till evening and I even ignored Kiki who still stood in front of us.
Kiki, on the other hand, took her bike; however, after standing for a while, everyone seemed oblivious of her presence. Her petty attention wasn't magnanimous. A few minutes later, I looked at her quietly out of the corner of my eye as she finally rode off.
OSCAR
It was 02:15pm when I descended the stairs to the kitchen. The clatter of plates and the clank of pots reached my ears as I rounded the corner, glanced at mum and one of my elder sisters, Victoria, bustling around the large space preparing lunch. I swallowed and stepped quietly into the living room. I glanced towards my black boots tiptoeing and headed for the door.
It all started after I had joined the military. Being able to support my family was my father's daily philosophy to me. I wasn't like my elder siblings; they focused on impressing my parents, while I focused on the things that didn't make sense.
My childhood was hard as I did everything the opposite way disappointing my parents. They sent me to different private schools different from the ones they sent my siblings, hoping for my knowledge and wisdom to be widened.
"You may not be the best but at least you should try and respect me, your father?" my father chided as I halted. I turned around to see my father seated on the chair. He hardly looked at me unless it was to scold or chide me. Eyeing me from the black polo I wore under my tactical vest which had straps on the sides that hooked in the back along with pockets on front and back. The acronym SWAT crawled on my chest.
We stayed in silence for a while before my mother chuckled in awkwardly and narrowed her eyes sharing a look with him.
"I don't agree to this. Oscar has being a big disappointment to the family. How could… " My father jabbed with one hand as my mother chuckled again and threw up her hands.
My mother reached over, took my hands and said, "Now is the chance to prove that you aren't a disappointment to your family."
"Oh, um. Papa? weren't you supposed to be on your way to the office?"
"Why aren't you going in place of me?"
"I'm on my way to the station. We'll continue this conversation some other time. Later."
"Oscar! Oscar!" my father screamed as I dashed out.
~~~~
The clashing of the wooden sticks and the grunt of the male and female trainees filled the air. I clashed mine against James' as he steadily blocked it.
"I don't need a weakling as my partner, Oscar. You were late again." He said as he pushed me back and swung his stick at my face. He continued, "Your father tried to talk to you about the company again."
I jumped out of James' stick's way. He flung his stick at me as I put mine in between his stick and his throat. The force sent me down to my knees.
James Eteka was the only saved contact on my phone. He was the only friend I had for six years since joining the military and a graduate student in psychology from the Nigerian Defense Academy.
"Nah. He didn't bring up the company today."
I swept my foot across toppling James to his back with a loud grunt. I stood tall, with a stick in my left hand as I looked down at him. He was lying helplessly on the sandy ground. I smiled and stretched out my hand, pulling him onto his bare feet.
"A-ha what did he do today to you?"
"Literally says I'm a disappointment."
James chuckled earning a leering from our sergeant. "Partially true though. I see no reason why a wealthy boy like you is here. In DMS." Acronym for Delta military station.
I collapsed shirtless and sweaty on the bench in the locker room opposite James. Usually, James was the one to collapse after the drills, today, however, I was irritated, tired and nervous.
"I want to do something by myself that I'm proud of."
"I'm already proud of you, son." James laughed, infecting me with his laughter.
Suddenly the siren blared, so much for having peace of mind. Duty called.
"Team five. Meet at the hangar, you'll be flying to Benin city." Chief kept on repeating the words for about fourteen seconds, thrice.
James Eteka, at that moment, like our other colleagues, was in a daze as we heard the order.
"Benin city? As in Edo state? Let me bath before we go." James whined.
"As if you used to bath when we first recruited." Osita, one of my teammates commented causing an uproar.
I wanted to laugh, but as a team leader I'd always maintained discipline. Therefore, I kept a cool expression as I turned away from them facing my locker, changing.
I coughed softly gaining full attention of the team, "whatever task they have in store for us, let's perform our best. As usual, we think, discern, analyze." I said before leaving the room.
Everyone nodded with a smile except James.
Amid the plethora of teams, there was a saying that even though my team had the least members, we had the highest murder solving rate at the headquarters for two years and that was owed to the fact that I joined when they had no Leader and…Motivation.
The hangar was on the roof of the building. It wasn't quite far away from the locker room. It only took a minute to go there, maybe because of less rest, it felt like forever walking up the stairs.
The afternoon sun was shining splendidly, I could barely open my eyes. Chief stood beside a camouflage helicopter.
Delta military station estate had a determined vast location in Abuja, the headquarters. The land was known in the past to have been inhabited by a small number of farmers who abandoned the land. The government took over the land, and after, gradually transformed it into a high specialized military station: one with high technology for easier crime solving and curbing. It had almost everything.
"Team five, Sir. Everyone is present, sir." I said as we stood at ease.
"I got a report from Edo state. A murder case of a woman. Name of victim: Damilola Kiki Tunde. Age: 26 years old. Manner of death: slitting of the throat." Chief continued as he handed each of us documents. "Everything you need is inside. An arrest, search and seizure warrant. The location of the murder is stated."
I took mine and read it with focus. After a while, I looked up and nodded. Since no one had questions, chief dismissed us letting nine of us get on the helicopter.
The camouflage helicopter's engine started to move. Vincent was trembling, his gaze showed that it was his first time on air.
James became aware of his behaviour and spoke first, "Old man Vin that's always acting tough and fearless dey shake, is this your first time?" He unfortunately teased Vincent poking fun out of him.
"Yes. It's my first. I haven't ridden a bike before." Vincent's voice was hoarse.
"Don't worry everyone has had their first, so gird up. I heard that Edo girls are very very beautiful. Not only that, slim waist, fine shape and big bam b…"
I interrupted James immediately. "Don't mention it. Have respect for the ladies. And shut up if you're not willing to say anything meaningful."
James looked towards me, but he only faintly nodded and mumbled, "Maybe someone might find his type and take a short break. You're still very insidious and mean."