CHAPTER 6

         The chips had been staked, the drop was today, they had 2 co-ordinates, one was at lekki, and the other at a relatively farther location, it was the same time, they had the location, they were ready to intercept, the guns were loaded, their hearts crossed, today would be the day, Fasting had to be stopped.

        The beach was always serene at night, the cool breeze would whisper, incomprehensive whispers, it was tranquil, precious, flawless, captivating, the waters would reach for the sand and withdraw back, like a muse, enticing the shore, the sight was infectious, tailored to lure, to attract, to amaze. It was the beauty of the sea shore, but as beautiful as it was, it had been a harbinger of one of the worst criminals in Lagos " Fasting ".

        He was the crime boss, the godfather of the alley, the weaponizer, he had been very careful, hiding his tracks, avoiding the law seemed like his forté, Fasting was smart, cunning, deceitful, a ghost, a criminal, a killer. He had to be stopped, and today, would be that day, he wouldn't get away this time, the line was drawn, it was simple, most importantly, it was personal. Sunday was a member of a secret agency, like Fasting, he had his alias, as a secret agent, he was instinctive, fast, clever, ruthless, disciplined, a trained officer, but his alias, and the only side of him the bigger part of the world knew, was Joseph, he has been spying on Fasting, and had stolen something from him, the same thing that helped them in finding the co-ordinates, the same thing he would use to destroy him, if not for himself, then he would do it for her, or he would die trying.

        He knew Fasting would do anything to get it back, and he would do anything to keep it away from him, this was it, the battle line, she was his fuel, and vengeance was his drive. The boats were approaching, the whispers faded, the tranquil whooshed away, the sand darkened, the battle had begun. 

       The boats arrived at the exact time they anticipated, and Fasting was there to receive them, one by one, they unloaded the vessels, stacks and stacks of cocaine, guns, gun powder, this was it, the day he had been waiting for, this was his opportunity, with a deep breath, and his vision clear, he locked his sight on his target, it was a clear shot, he wouldn't miss, he placed his hands on the trigger, his body hidden, in a croutched position, ready, he exhaled, but something was wrong, this was easy, too easy.

       Before he could figure out why, the captain gave the order, and in seconds, they surrounded Fasting and his goons.

     " Surrender your weapons, now !!! " the captain yelled, they approached the criminals, who surrendered without protest, he still couldn't get the feeling away, something wasn't right, he had always thought he had homed his skills, but he was wrong, he let his guard down, he missed the sign, if he had been suspicious of Fasting's confidence before, despite his unveiling, what happened next assured his doubt . In a split second, before they could react, bullets sprayed at them, it wasn't from Fasting, or his goons, this was an insider, a spy, a traitor, Fasting had made traitors of their own men, they would die without a fight, unsuspecting. In minutes, the beach sands stained with blood, blood from his brothers, from his friends, from his family, they had been betrayed. 

       His vision clouded, his head ached, his heart shattered, this had been his family, the only family he had left, and Fasting had killed them, he saw their faces, each one of them, as they fell, clueless, unable to even defend themselves, the images tortured him, as he made his way to the apartment, his clothes stained with blood. He had suffered a bullet wound, and he was bleeding, he couldn't give up, he had to hide it, to keep it safe, if Fasting could find his way into the organization, then, no where was safe. He struggled with the pain, and the door, falling on his injured leg, causing a painful groan as he pressed his lips hard against each other, with another groan he pulled himself up, and slid behind the bed, he reached for a socket, and ripped the cover off, then he removed a bag, a bag that contained the chip Fasting was after. He had suffered two gunshots to his side, he had to take the bullet out, or risk it being infected, this was one of the greatest challenge he had ever had to face, he had to pull 2 bullets out of his body.

      The fire made the iron on the knife dark, as dark as the soul of the monster Fasting, he was the devil in human form, and he would do everything he could to send him back to hell, where he belonged, he placed a mirror in front of himself, but he saw a whole different person, a shadow of what he had once been, a man, who had his heart ripped out, and helplessly watched as it was taken away, he had died that night, he couldn't save her, and he couldn't forgive himself, he gagged himself, the knife hissed as it touched his skin, the pain was excruciating, his guilt had exposed him, he was vulnerable, anxious, wounded, the pain intensified, as did the ache in his tempo, when he pulled out the bullet  he bit back the most he could out of a scream, the gag had played it's part, it was time to remove the second, his hands were shaking, bloody, cold, he felt as if death had finally found him, he wasn't ready to die, he still had to get the bullet out, half dazed, he reached for the second, it was like an explosion, as though he fell into a trance, being hit by a train would be better than this, it was agonizing, slow, malignant, he could see her, she was calling to him, it was a garden, like the garden she made him promise they would make together, once she could fight her addiction, the ixoras were in full bloom, the roses in red lush, it was as perfect as she had described it, the air had a fragrance that only the flowers could give, and for the first time, everything was peaceful, until suddenly, the red turned black, the lush withered, the air clouded with smoke, it destroyed everything, and she burned, right in the middle of it, in that instant, he screamed the loudest, he couldn't do anything, the flowers were gone, she was gone, and he was left alone, with a bullet in his hand, as he fell to the endless pit of unconsciousness, all that was left was the blood, pain, and a sorrow he would have to live with, if he survived the night.

      He woke up to the sounds of rain hitting the road, the thunder strong, the temperature cool, the winds aggressive, it had poured unend, he needed to get out of there, for all he knew, Fasting was still searching for him, and if not for the rain, the trace of blood would have led them straight to him, the bullets were out, he just had to stop the bleeding. It was a game of will, and a show of strength, as he sewed his skin back together, each piercing, as painful as the first, but it had to be done, if he wanted to see Fasting hit rock bottom.

      The week that followed would have killed any normal man, but Sunday wasn't normal, he was trained to fend for himself, if the need arises, and that was exactly what he did, the world didn't know his pain, only he did, and he alone knew what he had to do. Things were going well, his plan was already in motion, Fasting had infiltrated the team, he had to warn the others, and he would had done that, had not the unexpected happened, the last minute visit that changed everything, he opened the door, that cold, rainy evening, only to find his old, lazy, cassanova of a friend, tall, slim, dark skinned, with half his muscles, he stood there, drenching in the downpour, the surprise in his voice couldn't be hidden, as the next word left his mouth.

     " Mike ? "

     " Hey , mind if I come in ?" he asked, but before he could get in, someone grabbed him from behind, what happened next was fast, sharp, a sting, a stab, then more, simultaneously, he was bleeding, struggling for breath, but one thing he knew for sure, these men weren't out for nothing, they were Fasting's men, Mike thought Fasting was after them for the cocaine they stole, years ago, but he was wrong, the three muscular men attacked Sunday, they had him at gun point, on his knees, while Mike bled on the floor, Mike didn't matter, but Sunday, they wanted alive, he had something they didn't, experience, and skill, and just as they tried to tie him up, he flung the gun from his attacker, it was fast, unexpected, as the others saw what had happened, they drew their weapons, gunshots fired, mixing with the bang of the thunder, there were ricochet bullets, Mike struggled with his wounds, pulling himself up, and away from the line of fire, then, he saw them, the cars, the goons, the guns, why would Fasting send so many people after them ? there wasn't time to think, while they were busy with Sunday, he made his escape, he didn't look back, until he finally dropped at her doorstep, bruised, battered, bloody, his salvation was on the other side of the door, and she had no idea what lied in store for her.

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