Gbenga.

Clover Milverton, Ikoyi.

Driving through the streets of Ikoyi, the interlocked roads and the beautiful trees by the sidewalks screaming with colourful produce. Kyosks were everywhere, making Lex wonder if the Lagos government never pass these places. This was the rich man's town, he thought, they ought to see these ugly contraptions and they out to be destroyed.

A sudden breeze of self-disgust hit him. What am I thinking? How can I be this heartless? People live from the services of these little establishments! When did I become to ruthless?

Shaking his head, Lex drove on. When he got to the house, he looked through his passenger window.

The house cound not be seen from the outside. Beautiful trees and flowers blocked the main house, like other personal houses in Ikoyi.

This time, Lex parked directly opposite the house. Surveying the building, his jaw dropped by what he saw.

The house was a two-storey building with a front porche and a parking lot. But that wasn't the shocking part.

On the wall, right above the garage door, was another message from the killer:

CURIOUSITY KILLS THE CAT.

BUT SATISFACTION BROUGHT

HIM BACK.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Someone said.

Lex spun around fast, revealing the speaker. The man pale and tall. Lex was tall but this man was a giant. He had a faint igbo accent, and he wore all black.

"Who are you?" Lex stuttered.

"I. Am. God." The speaker said, mockingly. Arms outstretched.

"Yeah right."

"You don't believe? Do you want to believe?" he started laughing.

"What are you doing here? This is a crime scene. Only authorised personnel are allowed here."

"Agwam. Lexington. 32. Married to Funke Quinn. Favourite food is Bread and anything made with black eyed peas, Your favourite colour is blue, Your shoe size is 47 and --"

"I never knew God was black."

"What's that supposed to mean?" The man's looked lost.

"You are God. You are supposed to know."

Silence.

Lex continued. "That inscription over there," he pointed to the message, "Who did you leave it for?"

"What makes you think that I did that?" A smile greased his face.

Lex looked at him for a moment, and said. "The blood used for writing is still fresh. Probably written today, less than an hour ago. I came, unexpected, and I find you here, hiding behind bushes."

a very smart theory.

"I was never hiding in any bush. I just came."

Lex was puzzled. He didn't see an entrance behind those bushes.

"Then how did you get here?"

The man gestured skyward.

Lex looked up. What he saw was something his mouth might never be able to say. He tried to say something but the sound didn't come out.

Above them, was a white horse. Attached to its sides were black wings. 

On the head of the flying horse, were two horns. This horse breathed blue flames, and had sabertooth. Planted on the skin between its eyes were the numbers:

666.

The sign of light.

"Isn't he beautiful?" The man said.

"I call him Exceedra. He's my flying pegasus."

Lex didn't think it was beautiful. It was repulsive! The beast looked like it was suffering. It looked heavy, like he wore oversized cloths. And he was branded with the mark. Oh! The mark, Lex trembled with fear.

At this moment, all he wanted to do was to go home, and climb into his bed, knowing that Funke lay.. Probably unclad on the other side of the bed. He could roll over and kiss her big forehead and cup her firm breasts in his hands, and kiss them like little -

Lex inwardly slapped himself. This wasn't the time for such thoughts. Here I am, facing a man who claims to be God and I am thinking about.... Ugh! Lexington, you need a be flogged. Dufus.

Lex turned, and started for the house. Walking mechanically.

"You stop right there." The man bellowed.

Lex did not answer.

"Where are you going to, mortal!"

"To do my job. You're distracting me. Time is not by my side. Be gone with you and your devilish beast, you're a drag." He said as he reached the door, his hand on the door knob, he turned back, and said.

"You really think that I would believe you are God. That you, God, in quote, will leave your heavenly paradise to visit me, a mere man. Someone who doesn't give a damn about death or even... You? That is, if your claims are true.

"Did you run out of angels or something? Now that you are doing the dirty-work yourself, God? Well, God, I have work to do. Now if you will excuse me.."

He went in.

That should do it, Lex thought. You are no God. But I will play your games until you tell me who you are and why you killed the Ayodeles. And also... Why you have come here today, painting door posts.

Lex closed the door behind him. Darkness enveloped him, he brought out his torchlight.

* * *

Rude son of a bitch! Y was furious. The veins in his neck throbbed, and his eyes glittered with hatred for this barrel-chested follow. Who didn't seem to be scared of Y's revelation.

But I saw him shrink. At first, Y thought Lex would shrink in fear. He saw a glint of fear in his eyes, but they disappeared as soon as they came.

Fearless little bastard!

Clouds gathered above the earth, their grey bodies looked like huge cotton candies afloat. The wind blew roughly.

Sensing it was about to rain, Y beckoned on Exceedra. It flew down. The beast was in pain for it moaned like a dog.

Or maybe it was part dog. This horse had no hooves.

Y mounted the beast, and the horse started to gallop. Wings outstreatched, they left the ground, floating into the grey clouds.

* * * 

Inside the house, Lex stood at the window. His eyes looked like they were about to pop out of their pockets, his mouth agape, what he saw was no dream, it was not illusion, it was the messenger of the Light. That, he knew.

Lex's phone began to ring. He was still shaken by what he had seen, he was still trembling. Unvealing the phone from his pockets with sweaty hands, he looked at the caller's name.

There was no name.

It was an unknown number. He answered the call, and let the person from the other end speak first.

"Your first encounter with the Light and you weren't weak at knee, Mr. Agwam, that is very impressive." The voice was deep with an accent Lex could not decipher.

Lex did not respond.

"I see you're too scared to talk," The voice continued. "I understand. Well, let me introduce myself.

"I am Gbenga Alli. The speaker of the Light. You're a very smart apple, I must say. The coucil of the Light are really impressed by your works. Twelve cases to your name! Very impressive, my friend.

Still, Lex did not say a word. His hands were sweaty, so he tightened his grip on the phone.

"I can hear your breathing. Mr. Agwam, I know you are there. And I know you know what -- who the Light are. And I also know... That you want answers to why a society as big as ours' are after puny politicians and their families."

It was then Lex spoke.

"I do not want to know. I already know."

Gbenga laughed.

"You can't possibly --"

"All I want to know was what connections do these men have with your group, and why you killed their family."

"You're very smart, Lex. I like you. This is not what I would like to discuss on the phone. Can we meet? Meet me at the Ikeja City Mall tomorrow by eight."

The line went dead.

Lex looked at the phone in his hand, there was a lump in his throat. He has never been so scared in his life. He had gooseflesh.

Placing the phone on the ground, he lifted his right leg on the air, and dropped it with added force, the heels on his shoe kissing the phone's screen.

Staggering into the darkness where the wall stood, leaning on the cold surface, Lex breathed hard. His breathing was laboured, the revelation had shook him, the pendulum that was his thoughts was swaying in transitional motions... Swish. Shwoosh.

His phone came to life. It was ringing. With the screen battered from the impact of Lex's boots, he picked it up. Thankfully, the hand-gesturing feature was activated, he moved his palm over the cracked surface and answered the call.

"Lex?" It was the voice of a friend. He was glad.

"Bob! Boy, Am I glad to hear from you." He wanted to tell Bob what just happened, as he started to speak, his lip pursed. Would he believe what I'm about to say? Would he think I'm craze? Lex thought better of it.

"You left my office hours ago. Why are you glad? I thought you got this all by yourself?" His voice was curt.

"Funke called the office. She said she'll be in Lagos by tomorrow morning." Bob said flatly.

Lex did a double take. Before he was able to protest, the line went dead.

He held the phone out, glancing at the battered screen. I am one impulsive son of a bitch. I just destroyed the screen of a phone forth my monthly pay. Way to go slacker.

Lex's nerves seemed to have become calmer with the mention of Funke's name. Thanks babe, he mused, I needed the antidote. I guess you were my antidote.

Standing erect from the dark wall space, Lex looked out the window. The orange sun was setting, a flock of birds graced the clear skies in a kite-like pattern. Lex checked his watch:

7:01PM. Time to check this house -

Lex stopped dead on his tracks. He has been in the house and it never occured to him until now... of course! The houses looked familiar. Too familiar. 

His phone began to ring.

It was Gbenga.

Lex did the hand gesture to answer the call.

"I wanted you to drive to the Ikeja City Mall for some drinks with me." Gbenga's voice was gruff.

Sadly, I'm not a fan of tea. Since when was tea sold at ICM?

"Sorry, I'm not interested in your tea invitation. I see you're not serious about being the light. You're probably a false - "

"Easy! You're talking too fast. I was calling you to tell you there would be no need to meet there again."

Lex couldn't believe his ears.

"I'm sorry... What?"

"You heard me." Lex heard the noise of a car pass over the line. His guess was that this man was calling from somewhere public.

"So... Where are we going to meet?"

"How about here. Right now."

He's more confused than I thought!

"But you're a hundred miles away possibly! There's no way you could--"

The man cut him short.

"Why don't you come outside the compound?"

It. Can't. Be.

Doubtfully, Lex headed for the outside porch. He passed the porch, stole a glance at the blood incription smeared above the garrage gate, averting his gaze, he strode towards the smaller gate.

"Do you see me?"

Lex looked across the street. A tall man in a three-piece suit stood, one hand in pocket, the other hand holding a phone to his ear, he glanced over at Lex and winked.

You've got to be kidding!

As Gbenga crossed the road, walking regally towards Lex, towering over him, he held out a firm hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lex?" Removing the phone from his side, Lex shook the firm hand. To his uttermost surprise, it was very smooth and soft. Like that of rich blood. Lex scanned the area for any exotic vehicle and his eyes fell on a Range Rover parked two blocks opposite the crime scene. All was black, the glasses tinted.

"Mr. Gbenga, I would be lying if you do not enter the compound. As you can see, I'm in the middle of unravelling the--"

"If you think you'll go anywhere without my help, you'll be lost. Because what you're looking for is not in there." Gbenga said flatly. He seemed to be looking straight into Lex's light brown eyes. Or through it? Lex felt uncomfortable, and averted his gaze to the ground.

Gbanga smiled.

"The inscriptions you saw," Gbenga continued. "was actually meant for those who are worthy of what we are doing. We are the light. These men were part of our society. They broke a code, and paid for it dearly. So is the law of our society."

"Your society.. You are known as the sons of Hades?" Lex asked. Obviously unimpressed with this man's lack of descreetion and his open nature. 

Gbenga put a hand on Lex's broad shoulders, "You learn fast," His hands slid to Lex's chest and he quickly withdrew his hand. "We are the light of the new Nigeria. Our elite members are the whites. But believe me when I tell you the current leader of the Sons is Nigerian?"

Lex did a double take. This was all too mythical to be true. Too comical. But what thing to Lex was certain....

Gbenga is queer.