Chapter 18: Run or Burn
568 Words
Carlton Swiss Hotel – 12:42 PM
Ajoke spun once in the mirror, her curls bouncing.
She smiled at her reflection, flawless and glowing.
> “They’re here!” she called with excitement.
But behind her…
Taye stood frozen at the window, the color draining from his face.
Outside, a black SUV pulled up.
Doors opened. First two men in black suits.
Then…
Baggy.
Same scar. Same gold tooth. Same devil's grin.
Taye’s stomach twisted.
> No. No. Not here.
His breath quickened.
Ajoke turned, eyes soft. “You okay?”
Taye stepped forward slowly.
> “Ajoke… listen carefully. Don’t panic. Don’t ask questions. Just—please—trust me.”
Her smile faltered. “What’s wrong?”
> “Baggy. That’s the man who nearly killed me. The man who betrayed my brother.”
She blinked, confused. “Baggy? My dad’s campaign aide?”
> “He’s a killer. A street god. If he sees me, we’re both dead.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “You’re scaring me.”
Taye grabbed her wrist, gentle but firm.
> “Ajoke, please. I’ll pose as your driver. Play along. Say nothing.”
---
Outside.
Baggy leaned against the SUV, cigar in his mouth, eyeing them as they approached.
Ajoke smiled stiffly. “Morning, sir.”
Baggy nodded. “You ready? Oga dey wait for you.”
His eyes flicked to Taye.
> A long pause.
Taye kept his head down. “Driver, sir.”
Baggy squinted. Took a slow step forward.
> “You look… familiar.”
Taye held his breath.
Ajoke laughed nervously. “No, no. Just a driver from the hotel staff. They assigned him to help with my luggage.”
Baggy looked him up and down.
Then gave a sharp smile.
> “Loyal boys. I like that.”
Taye nodded quickly and backed off.
Baggy’s smile faded the moment he turned away.
His voice followed coldly.
> “Hey… you. We met before?”
Taye stopped mid-step.
His hands clenched.
> This is it.
He turned halfway. “No, sir.”
Baggy stared…
Then smirked.
> “Be safe.”
---
Backdoor. Hotel kitchen.
Taye burst through the service hallway, ripped off his fake name tag and ran.
His phone rang. Unknown number.
He answered.
A whisper:
> “They saw your face. You need to run. NOW.”
He tossed the phone, heart pounding.
---
Street – 1:03 PM
Taye spotted a delivery bike parked near the gate.
No keys.
He yanked the wire underneath.
Sparks. Engine coughed.
ZOOM!
Baggy’s SUV peeled off behind him.
> “GET HIM!!”
---
Market Road, Lagos – 1:05 PM
Taye weaved through traffic, hair in the wind, heart in his throat.
People screamed. Market women jumped aside.
The black SUV pushed through—relentless.
He turned into a narrow alley. Too fast.
SKRREEEEECH!
He lost control.
Crashed into a pepper stand.
Tomatoes exploded.
He stumbled up—limping, dazed.
> “He’s on foot!” one man yelled.
Guns c****d behind him.
Taye ran.
---
Inside the SUV…
Ajoke watched the chase from the tinted windows.
> “Where are we going?” she asked quietly.
Baggy grinned. “To see the man you call Daddy.”
She looked back—Taye was gone.
And her world?
Cracking.
---
> Bleeding. Hunted. Betrayed.
Taye’s past was no longer chasing him.
It had caught him.
- Writer
