In the shadows :the path of lucas

The devil's bargain

Khan-el-khalili was a beautiful bustling city, every one minding his business, Tourists admiring ancient monuments and relics, the younger ones usually always buried their heads behind cellphones

Nestled in the heart of Cairo, Khan al-Khalili isn’t just a market—it’s a living time capsule that has preserved centuries of history, culture, and commerce. Founded in the 14th century during the Mamluk era, this bustling bazaar remains one of the most iconic attractions in Egypt. Travelers from across the world flock here to witness a vibrant blend of traditional crafts, spices, antiques, jewelry, and an atmosphere that harks back to the golden days of medieval Cairo.

Walking through Khan al-Khalili Cairo feels like stepping into a different world. Narrow cobblestone alleys, intricately carved mashrabiya windows, and the rhythmic sounds of merchants calling out their wares create an intoxicating sensory experience. It’s where history collides with modernity, as artisans continue to practice centuries-old traditions while digital cameras capture every corner. Whether you’re hunting for authentic souvenirs, sipping mint tea at a centuries-old café, or soaking in the grandeur of Islamic Cairo, Khan al-Khalili guarantees an unforgettable journey.

Khan al-Khalili embodies the pulse of Egyptian culture. It’s a social hub, a storyteller of Egypt’s glorious past, and a gateway for modern travelers to connect with the soul of Cairo.

In 1382 when Emir Djaharks el-Khalili built a caravanserai, or khan, to accommodate traveling merchants. Its strategic position in Islamic Cairo turned it into a commercial hotspot, linking trade routes from Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean.

Spices from India, gold from Nubia, silks from Syria, and precious stones from Persia once passed through its alleys, making it one of the most prosperous trade centers in the region.

During the Ottoman era, the bazaar expanded and thrived as a marketplace for luxury goods. Over time, it evolved into not only a commercial hub but also a cultural and social one. Today, the market still reflects its glorious past—merchants trade in traditional handicrafts, while echoes of centuries-old haggling practices still shape its charm.

Every corner of Khan al-Khalili brims with activity. You’ll see stalls overflowing with copper lamps, handwoven carpets, papyrus scrolls, and sparkling jewelry. The aroma of freshly ground spices mingles with the scent of incense, creating a captivating atmosphere.

Merchants shout friendly greetings,

bargaining is expected, and the sheer vibrancy of the bazaar keeps your senses engaged.

From intricately designed brassware to hand-painted ceramics, Khan al-Khalili is a showcase of Egypt’s artisanal heritage. Skilled craftsmen, many belonging to families that have worked here for generations, still practice their trades. Visitors can watch artisans hand-beating copper trays or engraving silver jewelry—an authentic experience that modern malls can not replicate, although he marveled at the beauty, his ride pulled over near the saladin citadel, marking an abrupt halt to his tourist appetite, he had far more pressing issues to deal with than a couple of attractive sites, for all he knew, there probably wouldn't be an attraction site anymore if he failed to stop ghost.

Down the road and a quick spin to your left, a couple of corners, dark alley ways, some eighteen year olds smoking away in a corner,

He drew his hood over his head and walked swiftly, trying to avoid any unwelcome gaze or contact with CCTV

the store hadn't changed much from the last time he was there, except the door wasn't glass, and the inside looked a bit exquisite

mira must have invested a lot into this shithole, he thought

Someone materialized from behind him

“She's waiting for you”, right this way, said the man

They took a back door that lucas thought was an emergency exit or something, went down a flight of stairs, took a left and through a conceded door in the wall, Mira stood in front of him, leaning against a huge brown mahogany desk that was a perfect abstract from the dull view he had seen outside, like stepping into a different space, he was still contemplating the beauty and art when her voice resounded across the room,

How may I be of help,mr adbulhaziz ahmed, she said tapping a photo card on the desk, with his face in it

he stammered, looking down at the rich Persian silk on the floor as he organized his thoughts, I need to speak to Mira, i have a pretty good deal for her, matter of fact, I need her help

So I should tell her that mr... Uhhh mm, she stared at the photo card again, before saying the word,

Yeah, he replied, she will know

Mr... Uhhm, she did the photo card trick again, this time with an edge in her voice, shouldn't you add a little clue as to your personality, alot of persons come her for various purposes

A clue?? Like what

I don't know, maybe something you both did in the past, a memory

Oh yeah, said lucas,

Tell her its the sniper from Mali, 2023,ranger detachment

Hearing that, the huge swivel chair turned around to reveal a woman in her mid thirties, with deep red hair and deep blue eyes, she was lovely to behold, she got off the chair and walked towards him, her steps light on the carpet, she was wearing a silk dress and a gold chain Around her wrist with a tiny pod in between, she spoke with a mixed accent of egyptian and European, what an odd combination he thought

I don't remember you been one adbulhaziz

isn't it so lucas?? She asked

I also dont remember you with red hair, fits by the way

That makes two of us then, said Mira, what do you want lucas, Egypt is a long hike from home

Am pretty sure you've heard the news, so why don't we skip that part

word travels fast, but its better hearing it from the horses mouth, dont you think??,

the assistant came over and whispered into her ear, Mira smiled as she took off her coat from the wall,

Who wears a coat in the freaking desert?? Lucas asked

You will see lucas, just try to catch up, she said as she tossed another to him then hurried down a narrow hallway, try to keep up, your buddies are enroute .

Past the azhar street and down the ghuriya complex, Mira gunned the car engine downtown, past and turned left headed for the Brit shab-shiri, a tunnel opened up and she drove in just as it closed back

She got out of the car and headed to an area in the building with what looked like a cafeteria

You must be starving, she said, producing a plate of samosa, the insatiable and ever growing hunger in him over powered his pride and killed his insecurity, he dug into the food with his hands, taking in handfuls and filling his mouth, for a moment, he thought of the spicy meals he usually had back in abuja, dinner at Hilton transcorps, breakfast at grandsquare, the akpu, Eba and egusi soup, with stock fish and kpomo, well seasoned and washed down with a bottle of chilled water and usually topped with chilled coke or sprite, he chunked down the meal and washed it down with glass of masala chai, a combination of black tea, spices some sugar and milk and topped it with a yoghurt based sauce, his belly was filled to the barrel top, a leisure he hadn't got time for in a long while, he sat back on the couch

so what makes you think I will not just hand you over to ghost bello, a hundred million isn't a small joke, Mira finally spoke up, I could just have spiked the drink just now

But you didn't, if you really wanted to get rid of me, I wouldn't be sitting in an underground safehouse, maybe you've been developing a conscience after all! Lucas spoke

or you need something in return, a little favor that runs for a price worth forfeiting a million dollar bounty

I want out, mira said after minutes in thought, no more Isis and stuff, you have the capacity to make me disappear forever, no one can ever find me

Am sorry mira, that is a deal I cannot make

So you want me to poke a stick into gods eye, temporarily blind the most powerful war machine ever built in the sky,for free?

you and I both know NIA doesn't have a soft spot for those who f**k up theirs agendas,said mira

I've got a life to go back to, okay, lucas said

So you toss away everything that happened between us away like trash?? you are pathetic, said mira

That was a one time thing, actually yeah, it lasted a month but that was it, I've moved on, and I suggest you do so too, said lucas getting impatient

You left me at deaths mercy lucas, and now after three years you show up, with your name on a bokoharam target list and a million dollar bounty on your head and you expect me to just suck it up, pretend like nothing ever happened?? Is that what you really think??

You we're having an affair with al-massad jubril, a renowned underworld criminal, what was I supposed to do, then you just vanished for almost twelve months

That was my father you sucker, said mira, and you sniped him in Russia

A deadly silence fell across the room and lucas tried to process all that was been said, he had f****d up pretty bad and was very much sure mira had already called the gang

I didn't know, is that why you vanished??

i was pregnant lucas, mira said with a carefree tone that made him think twice

Is the child mine??

Mira turned and looked him straight in the eye, with that deadly look, he was pretty sure he needed some of the stares he had received surgically removed feom his neck, she was glaring at him.

Am sorry, I had an order and I executed it, he said

She remained unmoved from where she was standing

I've done miserable things I regret and if given a second chance , I shall amend those wrongs

Its too late, you're a dead man already

If you really want me dead, you would have killed me already , so please am begging, I greatly need your help

Can you pay the price??

just name it and its done, any amount, I can source it out

And who said we we're talking about money, you always thought you could settle everything with a bank transfer and check, a stack of cash here and there,you must be joking

What is it then mira?

She pulled out an envelope and dropped it on the couch where lucas sat, hit and run, crowded area, one target, kill at sight

Lucas eye froze and his face went pale, inside was a passport of the one man he had come to trust in the midst I'd hell, he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh

I can't, no mira, I wont do it

Then say bye bye to your lovely agenda of ever going back home, a million dollar would sure do a lot for me righ now, mira said, with the same icy tone

It that a threat??

Am just saying, a million dollars is a lot, if am giving that away and turning a blind eye, then I might just deserve a few favors,

don't you think a little gratitude would be greatly appreciated??

Every half hour, that ledger sends an encryption ping to your HQ in abuja, thats part of why you have difficulty staying analog, you are walking around with a satellite lens in your pocket , the jacket is a prototype, something am still working on, capable of absorping frequencies originating from one self, deflecting those coming from outside, more like a ghost patch, so keep it on