LEGEND OF DEATH'S ASSASSINS

CHAPTER 7

Nadi listened patiently as Bella narrated the incident that had happened two days ago. By the time she was done, she was sweating and weeping. At a point during the narration, a small part of Nadi had been glad that he had died. He should have died and be forgotten. At least, that’s what everyone wants. Maybe that would have given their parent the comfort they seek. But on a second thought, there was a part of him that snapped in two when he saw the sorrow in Bella’s eyes. He didn’t need a soothsayer to tell him how much sorrow he would have caused her. His death would have devastated her, if not break her. She would never be the same cheerful Bella, if he had died that night.

“I am sorry you went through all that, because of me.” Nadi wiped his eyes and pulled her into his arms. “So sorry.”

Bella nodded and rested in his arms. Nadi was much older and taller too, so it was easy to hold her. She fitted into his arms like the days when she was still little and their mother had forced him to carry her. Nothing mattered again. With his sister by his side, the earth could burn for all he cared. She was the only thing that mattered to him.

It must have lasted eternity. He couldn’t say for sure. They just stood there, buried in their own emotions until Bella finally pulled away, trying with failed attempts to keep the tears from running down.

“I am okay,” She smiled or tried to, it was hard to tell. Not with the thoughts running in his head, “So tell me,” she returned to her seat, “why the question?”

Nadi pulled his seat, but this time closer to Bella’s. After the pain in his wrist and his dramatic return from the land of the dead, the piece seems to fit. He was not so sure but, it was the only explanation he had at the moment. There was something else in play.

“Bel, I think…” He shrugged, “I think you are the one that brought me back to life.”

There was silence for a while as Bella seemed to digest the word. But when Nadi thought she would not speak again, she burst out with laughter. The laughter was so great that she had to hold the table to keep her balance.

“I am serious,” Nadi muttered.

“You sure are,” Bella chuckled, but the amusement in her eyes ceased when she saw the seriousness that were written in Nadi’s face. “That’s impossible.”

“I thought so too.” Nadi studied his wrist, “I couldn’t have said it if I was not sure. Beside, you just healed my bloody wrist some seconds ago.”

Bella swallowed. The laughter was still dancing in her eyes, but she did let them out. Nadi was not even sure if she was paying attention to anything he had said.

“No,” Bella shook her head, “This cannot be. Even though your body was cold that day, you were still breathing. It was almost insignificant. Father must have made a mistake or something.”

“Mistake? Do you think it takes one fisherman to confirm a dead body?”

“I really can’t say but—”

“Five, Bel. It takes a minimum of five fishermen to confirm a body. I have seen these men before. They know their work. It takes decades of experience. These men would not lie in such pressing matters. Even though they wanted me gone. They would not lie to the people. Not to father at least and certainly not to mother too.”

There was something else going on here. Nadi was not so sure, but he could feel it. Even though people with healing powers has never been seen or heard off, aside from the movies. He was convinced deep down, that Bella must have obtained the gift somehow.

“this is overwhelming, Nadi. I will need some time to process it.”

“So you are calling me a liar?”

“Never said so,” Bella added and hugged herself as if cold. “Just saying—”

“If you don’t believe me” Nadi bit his lower lips, “How then can you explain the white light?”

“Now you lost me,” Bella raised her hands in total confusion.

“The white light” Nadi added, confident of what he had seen, “I saw a white light coming out from your hand before the pain on my wrist went away.”

“Are you sure you are alright, Nadi. With all these drinking and smoking, should I look for chains, before I call the psychiatrist?”

“I am not a mad man, Bel” Nadi laughed despite himself. Was she right? Is he actually running mad? “If you don’t believe me, then fine.” He rested on his chair. “But, thanks anyway, for bringing me back to this world. I promise to make it work, this time.”

“I like the sound of that,” Bella giggled and held his hands, “Does it mean you are coming home?”

“What home? To live under the same roof with Isak and his wife? Never.” Nadi closed his eyes, wishing he had the money to rent his own house, “But for you, Bel. I am going to live this life for you. So yes” he stood up, “Let’s go home,”

“Welcome back, big bro.” Bella jumped into his arms with excitement, “I missed those smiles of yours,” “She said as they pulled away from each other. “But you need a good bath too. You smell like a roasted fish.”

“Oh God, I will not return home again.” Nadi stick his tongue and tried to return to his seat. But that was the opportunity Bella was waiting for. She suddenly hopped on his back, forcing him to carry her home.

They had just passed the counter when the door at the entrance suddenly burst open. Some men walked into the brothel, each bearing a yellow armband. Most of them were probably in their forties or thirties, but there were also some teenagers among them. It was a pack of men. Even though there were ladies in their ranks, this group was mostly referred to as being a den of men, to instill fear on anyone who dares challenge them. The women in their ranks did not always come out of limelight. They were the ones that did the hidden works. The deadliest work of all.

Nadi paused when he saw them, and the smile on his face suddenly disappeared. Yellow armband. He hated yellow armband, he hated everything about these people. They were the ones that had taught him everything he knows. They had even instigated him once, to kill his parents and get over it. Nadi would have done it, but doing that would have mean losing Bella forever. He couldn’t do that. Bella’s hurt was his hurt. He would do anything to protect her.

“Big bro, who are these people?” Bella asked as she slides down from his back.

“Don’t you know?” Nadi replied without looking down. The men were walking into the brothel now in large number. “this is the notorious gang called Jango.”

“Notorious?” the man that had just walked in laughed.

Nadi cursed. He thought he had whispered the words. It was too late now. He couldn’t take back the words even if he wanted to.

“Just laying emphasis.” Nadi said, hoping he was as polite as ever even though he hated the idea. It was a sign of weakness, and the Jangos feeds on people’s weakness.

“I see.” The man said.

Unlike the rest of his gang members, his jacket and trousers were yellow. Even his hair, his eyelash, his eyebrow and his mustache were all dyed yellow. A closer look and one would notice the brown teeth which matched the color of his attire. For a man his size, he had a small round head, which hung on the broad muscular neck.

“You are welcome sir,” The girl that had been cleaning the room earlier, hurried towards the man and drag out one of the chairs, placing them in front of him.

“What can…we…offer you” She said.

She was picking her fingers and was systematically changing her stance, hoping to keep her uneasiness from getting the best of her.

Fred, as he was called, waved his first finger, as if the girl was just a common pest. He did not sit on the seat either, instead, he sauntered into the room, wearing a smile that never reached his eyes.

“Where is my money?”

“Big bro, are you owing the Jangos?” Bella asked

Nadi did not answer, instead, he pointed to the back door.

“Bel, I want you to run towards that door. Find a place to hide or go home. Don’t tell dad or mom anything until I return.”

“But Nadi—”

“Listen to me for once, Bel” Nadi pushed her towards the back door. He thought she was going to argue or protest, but he was glad when she hurried towards the door without a word.

“This is so romantic” Fred chuckled, “You’ve not changed a bit Nadi. Always protecting people from the inevitable.”

“I owe you nothing, Fred. I owe the Jangos nothing. It was a clean deal and I submitted everything after the heist.”

“And you decided to quit afterwards” Fred shook his head, “You think this is some kind of village meeting. Some local meeting where you wake up in the morning and just, QUIT?”

“I owe you nothing. There is no law that said one cannot quit. Unless the rule has change, entrance is open just as exit.”

“Obsolete, Nadi.”

“Too late. I am out. And that’s final.”

“You such a baby,” Fred shock his head with regrets. “Anyway” He said and walked back towards the door, “You will see your sister again if you pay up your debt.”

“What?” Nadi turned towards the little door. It was closed and there was no way Fred’s men could have gotten to the door. Not without passing through him. Unless…

“No, no. Bella” Nadi screamed as he hurried towards the door.