Chapter 01 : The One who oversees.
Once upon a time, in the bustling city of Onitsha, there was a young boy named Zazzo. Nine years old and possessed of an insatiable curiosity, Zazzo often found himself in trouble. His father, Mr. Kenny, was a well-known detective, constantly chasing criminals and rarely home. His mother, Mrs. Kenny, saw discipline as the cornerstone of raising a child and enforced her strict rules with an iron fist. For Zazzo, home felt more like a prison than a sanctuary.
Despite the oppressive atmosphere, Zazzo had a secret world of his own, born out of the books he read in secret and the stories he overheard from his father's investigations. These tales of adventure and heroism fueled his imagination and became his escape.
One sweltering afternoon, as Zazzo wandered through the narrow alleys near the market, he stumbled upon a group of older boys huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. His curiosity piqued, Zazzo edged closer, straining to catch snippets of their conversation. "Join the association," one of the boys said, his voice filled with excitement. "You'll see things you never imagined."
Zazzo's heart raced. An association? Could this be the adventure he had been yearning for?. He took a deep breath and approached the group, trying to keep his voice steady despite his nerves. "I want to join," he declared. The boys exchanged glances, sizing him up. After a tense moment, one of them nodded. "Alright, kid. But remember, once you're in, there's no turning back." They led Zazzo to a hidden entrance behind an old, dilapidated warehouse. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation and mystery. The boys introduced him to the leader, a stern-looking teenager with a scar above his left eye, which seemed to tell tales of battles fought and won. "This is Zazzo," one of the boys said. "He wants to join."
The leader studied Zazzo for a long moment before nodding. "Welcome to the association. We have a code: loyalty and secrecy above all. Can you handle that?"
Zazzo nodded eagerly, feeling a rush of excitement. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere. Over the next few days, Zazzo was introduced to the inner workings of the association. They were a group of young spies, gathering information on various activities around the city. Their network extended far beyond what Zazzo had imagined, and he felt a thrill every time he carried out a mission, no matter how small. Unbeknownst to Zazzo, the association was not what it seemed. The boys he had come to trust were actually members of a secret group hunting spies assigned by the police force. Zazzo's father, Mr. Kenny, was at the forefront of this investigation, unaware that his own son was involved. Zazzo's life became a delicate balance of school, home, and his newfound secret life. He had to be careful, ensuring that his parents, especially his father, never found out about his activities. But the thrill of the missions kept him going, and for the first time, he felt a sense of purpose. One evening, as Zazzo sat in his room, he overheard his father talking on the phone. "We're getting close to finding the leader of this association," Mr. Kenny said. "I need every piece of information we can get."