Air.

The air around Lex seem suffocating. Even with the cool, evening breeze, he grasped for air.

Funke. Is being abducted as we speak!

His mind reeled to when Bob told him about Funke's flight to Lagos. Never in his wildest imaginations, would he ever think this would happen.

The pendulum that swayed in the vast darkness that was his thoughts, translated faster. Lex's panicked.  He had to get to the airport, and he had to get there fast!

* * *

The phone on Bob's desk rang. He had sent an officer to pick Funke from the airport. It has been over an hour since the plane touched down, he had sent the intern immediately. He had been feeling a little uneasy. Like something bad was about to happen.

O! How right he was! 

As he held the receiver to his ear, he spoke in a gruff tone.

"Speak." he said.

"Sir?" the young officer sounded breathless. Like he had been running.

"Yes, have you picked the lady up?" 

"Erm, I haven't seen any one with the descriptions you gave, sir." The young officer sounded perplexed. It was his very first mission. He didn't want to mess this up.

Bob jolted up. Almost knocking his personal phone off the table.

"Are you sure you've checked the whole place? No one of such? Wearing a pink top and stylishly ripped jeans, middle aged, dyed hair?"

Bob could hear paper being rumpled over the line. The officer obviously wrote the descriptions down, so as not to forget. 

"I'm afraid, no sir. I think--"

Bob slammed the receiver back on it's compartment, picking up his personal phone, he dialed Funke's line.

It was ringing. No answer.

What in the world could be wrong?! A sudden chill raced through Bob's spine. Maybe she was never on the plane, he suggested.

But she called me when she was about to enter the plane!

The office phone began to ring. Bob pricked it up immediately.

"Yes?" 

"Sir, I asked the airport officials, they said the woman with your description walked out of here with a man. Pardon me sir, but did you send someone else to get her?" The officer asked.

Are you kidding me? "If I did, would I send someone as untrained as you?" Bob screamed. This was not happening, he told himself. He was sweating profusely now.

His personal line started ringing. Bob stole a glance at the caller.

Lex.

Shit.

With shaky hands, he placed the device on his ear. This was not going to be good.

"Hello? Lex?"

"Bob! You have to get to the airport now! It's Funke!" Lex's voice screamed panic. 

Bob tried to understand what was going on. How did Lex know? 

"How did you know?"

"It's the Sons of Hades. They're going after her! I don't have much time to fill you in right now but you have to get to her before they do!" Lex was almost in tears.

Bob closed his eyes for a moment. Trying to let it all sink in.. The room became silent, only the ticking clock could be heard, as Bob weight the possibilities.

"I'm afraid," He began. "They've gotten there already."

Silence. 

And then, the line went dead. 

Bob withdrew the phone from his ear and stared at the device in hand. His mind calculating his next line of action. 

* * *

As Lex brought the phone to view, he suddenly, for the first time in years, felt helpless.

"Shit!" he muttered. 

Gbenga stood affixed. The Sons really work fast. He had never expected them to act quite so soon. He looked at Lex, he felt pity for the man. He never expected all this to affect him personally. But that's what you get when you mess with the Sons. Gbenga of all people knew that very well.

"Lex." Gbenga's eyes twinkled in the dark.

Lex looked up.

"The only way you can save her is by doing what the Sons want." 

"And that is?"

"Joining the order." Gbenga said this with a finality that sent chills all over Lex. It gave him gooseflesh.

One thing was certain: the Sons of Hades valued their secrets. If for anything, they had gone to extent of kidnapping Lex's wife just for his cooperation. He knew they wanted him to join them not because of what he had to offer, but his silence. He was a dangerous threat to their plans, this. Lex knew.

Lex wished he had stopped Funke from coming to Lagos. By doing so, he had indirectly involved his family. And now.. Ayo might be in danger-- 

Gbenga could see that Lex was deep in thought. His hands trembled.

"Take me to them." Lex said finally. Cashing Gbenga offguard. As Lex moved to where Gbenga stood. Gbenga could have sworn he saw Lex smirk, but he dismissed it quickly.

Without questioning Lex's sudden decision, he motioned for the gate.

"After you, sir." 

Lex started for the gate, Gbenga followed. As they walked towards the Range Rover parked across the street. 

As the moon shone above, Lex cringed. Time was running out. The investigation's got to wait. Family first.

•••

Funke woke up with a jolt. Her vision blurred, as she adjusted her eyes to her surroundings. The back of her head ached, moving  her hands which were positioned awkwardly behind her, as she did, she was pulled back. Restrained? She became alarmed, the last few hours was a blur. . . She tried to recollect the events that led to her current situation, she could not remember anything. 

Forcefully trying to turn her head to see what held her hands to the chair, her head felt like it was splitting into two. She winced. Seeing what restrained her, she recoiled. Am I being held hostage?

Just then, the door creaked open. . . Slipping through the small opening was a man who looked to comical for Funke to take seriously. For a moment, her quickened pulse normalized. It's probably Lex playing a prank on me, she mused. But, come to think of it. . Why would he tie me so brutally? hurting me? I don't get it. She tugged at the rope, a part of her playing along and the other tingled with danger. She can't remember Lex tying a knot this perfect. He couldn't even tie his own shoe-laces!

What really is going on here?! 

The masked man closed the door behind him. He dipped his gloved hands into his pocket, it reappeared with a bright rose. As he twirled it, Funke felt scared. The hairs behind her neck stood.

"Ekasun." The man's voice was clear and firm.  For a second, Funke felt at ease. As the man stepped into the light, what she saw sent a chill down her spine.

Before her stood the most scary figure she had ever seen. He wore a mask carved from wood, apparently, it was carved in the shape of a bull dog smiling ghost-like, he was clad in black camouflage trousers and turtleneck, pinned to his slim torso was a small dagger. The man's six-foot-seven frame stood erect, illuminated in a god-like fashion. Funke's eyes twinkled with  fear, the masked man saw this and chuckled.

"You don't hear Yoruba?" He asked.

Funke couldn't answer. Shocked as she was, she was beginning to think this wasn't a joke.

The man moved closer to her, her chair was directly under the light, in the middle of the dark room. As he approached, Funke tried to move the chair backwards. A futile effort. Towering over his hostage, he crouched before her, looking into the eyes of his little hostage. He could see terror in her eyes, beneath his mask, he smiled. He loved the terror in the eyes of his helpless victims.

He took his hand and started to explore her face. Funke cringed. His touch wasn't sensual, it was almost. . Clinical. She shut her eyes tightly, showing her displeasure. The masked man chuckled softly and retrieved his gloved hand. Thank god, Funke thought.

"Are you hungry?" he asked. " You must be famished. What can I get you to eat?" He spoke with a British accent. Funke's mouth watered. With the mention of food, she remembered she hasn't tasted anything for fifteen hours now. But she wasn't ready to tell this man that she's hungry. Not until he unites me!

"I'm not hungry. What am I doing here? What am I held hostage--" Just then, her tummy grumbled. Audibly. The man arched his head. Funke hung her head in embarrassment. 

Feeling nausea, she croaked.

"Please, if it's money you want, I'd get it for you... Just untie me. My hands hurt"

"Hm." the man ran a hand through his surprisingly fluffy black hair, Funke's eyes fell on his wrist. Planted on it, was a Rolex wristwatch.

"Money is the least of my worries, darling."

"Then what do you want! Who are you?" She was screaming now.

"I'm a very good friend of Lex, you could say a kind of fan." he paused. "whichever way."

What is he saying? Funke was sure the man was mad. She noticed his mask was one-eyed. She could see his eyes, they were blank. This man must be mentally deranged. God help me!

"I want to be untied! You claim to be Lex's friend. But you are hurting his wife." Her eyes glittering with anger.

"You will be released soon."

For some freakish reason, she doubted him. Why am I tied then?

"Please," Funke began, almost in tears. "I'll get you whatever you want, don't just harm me."

"Why should I?"

Funke couldn't answer.

The masked man chuckled.

"I can never harm a very valuable commodity." he ran a finger down the bridge of her nose. "Now, do you want something to eat?"

* * * 

Outside, the rain fell heavily, as Gbenga's Ranger Rover sped down Third Mainland Bridge. In the passenger seat, Lex looked through the rain-bitten window, watching the water droplets raced on the glass. Gbenga stole a glance occasionally. Lex's face was blank. 

Don't worry, Funke, Lex mused, I'm coming. A sudden chill enveloped Lex, and for the first time in years. . . 

He prayed.