The Family.

The events of the party were all over the news but I was so surprised when they called it a terrorist attack on a crucial member of society. They covered up the facts, although we all knew what went down. It was a failed hit on the boss of the biggest gang in the city, but who dared say anything. 

Chuks would stare at the television for a while and burst into laughter then watch again and laugh some more, pointing at the headline. Kazeem came out of his room with a serious look on his face. He was talking to someone on the phone.

The Sarumky family didn't waste any time before responding to the attack on their boss. It was an all-out war, with bodies falling in the streets. The Fakunle's got hit pretty badly. Some days before then, Kamara and Kamal Fakunle got taken out in a drive-by. These were nephews to the family boss and everybody was prepared for them to retaliate. 

When these big men go to war they bring out the big guns. Automatic weapons flooded the streets and even the small boys had joined the war too. Billy's car got blown up, he barely escaped with his life, and this was a sign that the war had gotten to the poor neighborhoods too, the street gangs were the soldiers after all.

"Yes, sir. I'll get on it right away," Kazeem said to the voice on the phone.

He went back into his room and emerged back some minutes later, dressed in the gang colors. 

"You guys need to put on some clothes and come with me now," he grabbed his keys and proceeded to his truck.

I looked at Chuks for an explanation but he just shrugged his shoulders. I grabbed a shirt and followed Chuks who was already at the door.

Kazeem took us to Murtalla Hills. Murtalla hills was one of the most developed parts of the city, the type of places reserved for politicians and few people rich enough to afford living there.

"What the hell are we doing here, Kaz? You wanna get us arrested or something? Because if any police patrol sees us here we're going to be in real trouble," I complained. 

"Are you strapped?" Kazeem asked.

"Hell yeah, I am. I almost got my head blown off some days ago, I'm never going to put myself in that position again."

"Good, because from now on, you're gonna need that gun."

He slowly parked the truck in front of a large mansion and got out. He was already going when he noticed we were still in the car, Chuks and I.

"What the hell, you guys need an invitation?" He screamed.

We quickly got out of the truck and followed him. We got to the gates of the giant building and it was crawling with security, the kind you see with politicians. They let us into the building and after some minutes we were allowed into the waiting room. In the waiting room, we met Billy already waiting for us.

"You are late," he said to Kaz.

"Well, we still have to wait, so..." Katz replied.

We waited for at least an hour as people were coming and going in droves, Politicians, and criminals alike.

"So even people like Bille the devil have to wait in a line sometimes," I thought to myself.

After a while, Sanusi came out of the office and called us into a large office. Mr. Sarumki sat on a big leather chair, two serious-looking men and an old woman sat on the sofa not too far away from him. Other capos of the gang, like Billy, joined us later and the meeting started. 

"Hello lady and gentlemen, we are officially at war with the Fakunle family. Last week they attacked me at my party, in my home and that prompted the council to declare them a problem.

The council officially gave us the authority to fix this problem once and for all and this means anything and anybody that's got anything to do with the Fakunle family is now touchable. You may kill them, burn their properties and businesses but this must be done according to council rules. No families, except those who belong too." 

"It's long overdue, Cole Fakunle has always acted like an animal, without regard for council rules whatsoever! It's about time he gets put down like the animal he is, "the old lady said.

"Cole is our primary target. We take him out and we can end the war and the earlier we end the war the better it is for everyone. We all know war is never good for business," Billy said.

"Taking out Cole is not going to be so easy," one of the other capos mumbled.

"Give me a week and my girls would take care of this problem," the old lady said.

"The last time you made this type of promise, I remember you failed and we all had to clean your mess, Madame Rahma," Billy said.

This instantly led to an argument between Madame Rahma and Billy. It was very clear that Billy was no fan of the old madame and the madame wouldn't feel bad at all if an unfortunate accident befell Billy. "Aren't these people supposed to be friends or family like they call the organization?" I thought. It wasn't too far before I found out they were indeed not friends or family at all, they were just business partners, and partners can be changed at any time.

"You two need to stop arguing like a bunch of kids!" Mr. Sarumki shouted at them and they both went quiet.

"The contract on Billy goes to Billy's crew, Rahma. I have something else for you and your girls, he added."

He stood up from his chair and everyone in the room followed did the same. 

"We have visitors in our midst today. I broke tradition by inviting them to a family meeting, but I did so intentionally because I already see these two soon-to-be men as part of the family. 

"I owe them a debt of life and today I start rewarding them by making them part of us,"

He clapped his hand and two old men and a woman dressed in white attire came into the room. By the way, they were dressed It didn't take long before I figured out they were occultic priests called the Baba Alawos. The Awos started chanting incantations and prayers.

"This is your induction, kids. You made us proud, Billy whispered and laughed.

"I stared at Kaz but he just kept a straight face and said nothing."  

"Come forth good children," one of the priests said and we did.

He brought out bitter cola from a plate he held and put it into our mouths.

"As you eat this cola you are accepted by the earth, the spirits, and may good luck follow you till the day you leave this earth, but if you betray your family, your friends, your boss, may you suffer and may the earth and everything good reject you," with these words he brought out a knife and cut three straight lines on our arms and poured some charred substance into the wound.

Mr. Sarum emerged from his seat and hugged us both, whispering "Welcome to the family, son." Into our ears.

"Bammy, come take your new brothers to Rahma's for branding and some celebrations. Sanusi and his guys are going to provide security in case Fakunle's dogs try anything." 

I never really dreamt of being a gangster but when it happened I didn't protest against it. After all, I've seen people who graduated university with very good results without jobs and on the other hand there are people like Mr. Sarumki and others like him who are rich, respected and answered to nobody. They are even celebrated in society by everyone.

That was just the way things were where we come from.

I wanted the money, respect. I wanted to be able to wine and dine with the who is who of the society and although I got all these things, at what costs were they gotten?