THE STUPENDOUS MAN

❌ Do not copy or share on any platform ❌ “Hello, young man…” Rowan could see a man sitting inside the car. He had no beard and he looked good. “Can I help you?” the man said when he noticed that Rowan wouldn’t say a word. “You cannot help me!” “Just get out of here!” Rowan fired. The man was so surprised. He knew everything was not well with Rowan. He wondered why a young man could be staying close to the road at this hour of the day. He alighted from the car and moved closer to Rowan. “C’mon, I won’t hurt you.” “I am Jeremiah, but you can call me Jeremy…” the man said with a smile. “I am Rowan,” Rowan said sharply. “That’s a lovely name. What are you doing out here? It’s cold. Besides, the police and watchmen won’t take it lightly with you if you are caught.” “I don’t want to be garrulous, old man.” “I am sorry.” He turned to leave. “Can you take me to suite ten?” “Selma’s…?” “Yeah. Do you know there?” “Yes, of course. I am an experienced driver, so I know virtually everywhere in Alabama.” “That’s good. What’s my bill?” “35 USD…” “That’s too much.” “It’s a long journey there.” “30 USD?” “Alright…” “Let me help you with the bag.” “No. Thank you!” As soon as Rowan entered the car, he glanced through his wrist watch. It was 8:02 pm. He took out Cheetos puffs from his pocket. “Would you like some Cheetos puffs?” Rowan said. “No,” the driver said, nodding his head. “How about Cheetos crunchy?” “No, thank you. Those are for young men like you,” the driver said, and Rowan laughed. That was the first time he would laugh since the journey began. He has been keeping quiet and playing games on his phone. “Why would you pick a call while driving?” Rowan frowned. “I am sorry. I do that seldom,” the driver said, and continued driving the car. When they were some few kilometers away from Suite ten, they could see the flashlight of a vehicle. Rowan had the feeling that everything wasn’t right, but he replaced the thoughts with optimism. It was a lonely path which was known to be lonelier at night. The major reason why this path was lonely was because of the several killings, abductions and thefts that had occurred in this path. A man had once been found lifeless on this path. An autopsy had been done on this man and it was discovered that the man died of internal bleeding. It was later discovered that the man had been challenged by a group of thieves. When he refused to comply with the thieves, they hit a pistol on his head and he died at that spot. The men took away the man’s money. The gunmen were later caught. They were reprimanded by the court of law for the infringement of human rights. This was one year ago. Everyone has stopped trending on this path. The path was called “Devil’s cohorts path,” while others called it “Lion’s den.” Rowan had told the driver not to go on this route. The driver told him that it was the shortest route. Rowan had no option than to accept the driver’s proposal. Though he still felt some pang of guilt that he acceded to Jeremiah’s proposal too fast. As soon as Rowan looked at the minibus van that was parked in front of them, he became afraid. Some men gestured to them and they alighted from the car. “Who are you?” Rowan said. His voice was faint. “He wants to know our names…” one of the men said and two other men laughed. “I am sorry if I appear rude.” “Jeremy, come over,” the shortest of the men said. Rowan was surprised to see Jeremy discussing with the men. He stood for five minutes gazing at the men. The men never noticed this, they were engrossed in their conversion. “What’s inside your bag?” one of the men said. “Young man, how does that concern you?” “You are delaying us already,” Rowan added. “Bravo!” Before Rowan knew it, the men took out their guns one after the other. It was now that Rowan knew he was in serious trouble. How would he escape from the tyrants? “Jeremy, get his bag for us.” “Alright, boss…” Rowan’s eyes were filled with tears as he watched Jeremy moving closer to the car. He never believed Jeremy could betray him so soon. “So I have been so foolish to ride in a thief’s car. I have been robbed so cheaply. I pray these men spare my life.” All these thoughts ran through Rowan’s mind. He looked in the direction of the car, only to see Jeremy clutching a bag. “Open the bag. Let’s look at the content.” The boss said. Jeremy had addressed him as the boss. Jeremy held the zipper of the bag. The bag went open. “There is a huge sum of money here,” Jeremy said, and the men laughed. “He must be a rich man,” one of the men said, holding a bundle of money. Rowan watched the men as they walked in the direction of their van. One of the men walked back to Rowan. He patted Rowan on the back. “You are weeping?” “Oh, no, you are a big boy. Aren’t you the disowned son of a billionaire?” he drew Rowan’s hair and laughed. He left Rowan and moved closer to Jeremiah’s car. Rowan stood there transfixed. He blamed himself for accepting to pass this route in the first place. “My 5, 000 USD is gone just in one night?” he screamed in the dark. Rowan was inside the sitting room when the door went open. Alas, it was Emmett and a policeman. Rowan was so worried. He had taken Emmett to school in the morning, so why should Emmett come home when they haven’t closed from school. He didn’t even come home alone, he was with a policeman. “Good afternoon, officer…” Rowan said courageously. He was afraid though. “Afternoon, gentleman. Are you the father to this criminal?” the police officer said, pointing to Emmett. “Criminal?” “Why would you address my only son as such?” “I don’t have an answer to that question now.” “Your attention is needed at Crest International School.” “CIS…?” “You are getting me confused, officer. What did he do?” “You don’t have a strong heart and you gave birth to a tyrant.” “Watch the names you call my only son, officer,” Rowan said angrily. Meanwhile, Emmett was standing behind the policeman. He watched the men talk and never said a word. When they got outside, Rowan saw a Chevrolet Silverado car. “That way.” The policeman gestured. The men walked in the direction of the car. The policeman started the car and drove the car away. All through the journey, Rowan was worried. He wondered what offence his only son could have committed. When they got to Florence, the policeman parked the car in the front of Crest International School. Close to a building was a large signboard which looked like a billboard. The men alighted from the car and they walked to the headmaster’s office. “Thank God you are here, Mr. Rowan,” the headmaster said as soon as he saw the men. “What’s going on?” “What has my son done?” “He has been sabotaging the school authorities.” “I hope he only committed a misdemeanor.” “He almost committed a felony.” “OMG! How?” “Have your seat, so that I can explain.” “It’s not necessary. Just tell me what happened.” “I see…” “Your son almost killed my son.” “Emmett, you did?” Rowan said, gazing at Emmett’s face. “Yes, dad…,” Emmett said with a low tune. “You better talk louder, criminal…” “And I won’t see you call my son evil names in my presence.” “You f****d up.” “Emmett, why did you hit my son a stone on the head?” “A stone?” “Emmett, you did?” “Rufus called you a poor man and I got mad at him.” “That’s so good of you, son,” Rowan said and shook Emmett’s hand. The headmaster glared at father and son and said, “He hit my son with a stone and he lost a portion of blood.” “That serves him right,” Rowan replied. “When he can’t control his tongue. Why must he call Emmett a son of a pauper?” “Aren’t you a pauper?” “Me?” “With the way you are dressed, even the blind can testify to your penury.” “I won’t watch you watch you dirty my profile.” “You have a profile? I don’t think so.” “It’s clear that you are behind your son’s misconduct.” “As if you trained your son better.” “This should be settled amicably,” the policeman finally said. He had been silent for some minutes. “Amicably, you say? Don’t be a fool officer.” “You can go back to your post duty now,” the headmaster said, and the policeman left the office. “I don’t think we will need your son at this school again…” “Your son is hereby expelled from CIS!” “You must be joking.” “Yes, I am.” The headmaster smiled. “You can come for his expulsion letter by next week. Good day!” Rowan was a man that didn’t tolerate nonsense. He hissed. He held his son’s hand and they walked in the direction of the door. “Why slam my door?” “You can’t afford the door…” The headmaster laughed. He was happy that he had successfully driven Emmett away from school. The first position has always been a competition between Rufus and Emmett. The headmaster had always seen Emmett as a stumbling block for Rufus, because most times, Emmett took the first position. Last term, Rufus took the second position. He was so sad that he couldn’t eat for two days. He promised to eject Emmett from Rufus’ class by all means.