LONER

Episode 3

I stared at him, so did Loretta. Loretta didn't get a view of the picture. Douglas laughed loudly before bending to face me.

"Where do you know the man from?" He frowned

"He's my father" I said boldly.

Hahaha Hahaha, he laughed loudly "so you know Raymond?"

I ignored him.

"I need Raymond" Douglas said bringing out a cigarette from his jacket.

"Wait!" He lit the cigarette, "Did you say he's your father"

I nodded, "yes"

"I saved a debtor, my debtor" He gave a wicked smile. "Paschal!!!!" He yelled.

"Yes boss" A young boy arrived almost immediately. Obviously he was Paschal.

"Paschal, take Lucy and the both of you must bring Raymond alive" He popped out smoke to my face.

Somehow I was happy because I was going to see my father again but again sad because I was wondering what this ruthless boss would do to him.

"Loretta, let me give you a second chance of going with them" Douglas said and walked out of the room.

Loretta pulled herself up and help me to get up. This time I was too weak to cry. I smiled at Paschal who took a small pistol and hid it in his Jacket pocket.

"Move" He yelled and we walked out of the room.

We parked in front of the hospital and Paschal wore a black hand glove.

"Loretta, you will go in with me through the back and you, Lucy, you will prevent the doctor or nurses from coming into the ward" He said and got off the car.

I composed myself and walked through the reception heading to my father's ward.

"Lucy Raymond" someone called and I turned to see a nurse.

"How is my Dad" I rubbed my sweaty hands on my Jean.

"He woke up slightly after you left to get food" The nurse said and my heart missed a beat.

"All right, I should go see him" I sighed.

"Let me take you there" The nurse volunteered.

"That won't be necessary" I smiled at her.

"Two turns to the left, ward 8" She directed and left.

I walked briskly according to her direction. My plan was to get my dad out of the ward before Paschal and Loretta got there. It was easier for me because I wouldn't have to tip toe.

Here I was at Dad's ward already. All I needed to do, was to swap him with someone else or possibly make his bed empty.

I got to the ward to discover that's bed empty. Could it be Paschal succeeded in taking Dad away.

I walked out of the hospital to meet Loretta lacing her shoe at the gate entrance.

"Where's my father" I groaned

"We can't find him" She raised her head and we headed to where Paschal parked the car.

"Did you see him?" Paschal asked facing me.

"No", I shot him a stern look

The drive back to Boss Douglas house was peaceful. My thought had been where I would find my Dad. Presumably Paschal and Loretta thought would have to do with how Mr Douglas would scold them.

"I knew it, I knew he would abscond" Douglas yelled.

"I doubt if he was within the hospital vicinity" Paschal bowed his head.

"Shut up!!!, shut up....let me think" Douglas rumbled.

"Sorry boss" Paschal quickly apologised.

"Lucy, if I don't get your father, you will forever be my slave" He said.

"Forever be his slave" This phrase kept ringing in my ears. Somehow, I preferred being his slave than to watch Dad being subjected to this man torture.

I got up from the ground and let out a grin. In Douglas house, there was a small room meant for gym. I went to the gym to see Paschal with a dumbbell

"How do you guys manage to cope with Douglas?" I said his name with disgust.

"Boss Douglas, you mean" Paschal rolled his eyes lifting up the dumb bell.

"Whatever" I sighed.

"Calling time, Boss Douglas wants to see everyone in the cartel" Loretta announced.

"I've gotta go" Paschal said wiping the balls of sweat on his face.

I got to the penthouse suite to meet every member of the cartel seated.

"Why are you late?" Douglas asked.

"I was trying to locate this place" I lied.

"First, I would want to welcome you to my world, The cartel has rules and I'm sure Paschal would tell you it rules" Douglas grinned.

"Whatever" I said in my mind.

"By 6am tomorrow, I would want five of you to go for a vital assignment.

The five are Paschal, Loretta, Shane, Davis and lastly Lucy. Shane and Loretta should be somewhere beside his compound, Davis you should be in charge of moving the car and Paschal, you are to hold the sniper rifle and for you Lucy always go with Paschal" Douglas concluded.

"Boss, what about the hurdles?" That was Paschal.

"The reason am sending Shane and Loretta along, should in case you fail the target, Shane should shoot at sight" Douglas said bringing out a map.

He showed us the different route to get our bait. Our bait was Mr Biden, the former Senate President. I couldn't believe I turned an assassin over night.

The scroching sun peeped through my curtain. I yawned loudly as I change my position on the bed. By now I was use to everyone's name in the cartel. We were ten all together excluding Douglas, the boss.

"Ready" Davis asked

"Semi ready" I said jokingly wearing my black hoodie.

Recently, I suddenly got nerves. I had made a promise which I must fulfil. I got nerves again because when the time comes, I need to save my father.

"How about we try route two" I leaped into the car bringing out the map.

"Boss Douglas instructed we try route one" Paschal snapped and I ignored.

Two meters away from Mr Biden house, we all got down from the car leaving Davis alone in the car.

I followed Paschal while Shane and Loretta went another direction.

"Check it Lucy, Are they out" Paschal ask for the hundredth time.

"I still can't see anytime" I said trying to climb an anthill

Just one step above the small building, I missed my step and fell to the ground.

"Be serious Lucy" Paschal giggled.

"I'm been serious" I said rubbing my butt.

"Seems like they are out" Paschal said sternly climbing the anti hill

Mr Biden standing right in the midst of his hurdles was targeted. Paschal positioned to his forehead.

"Lucy, I'm about to pull the trigger" He said still aiming his focus.

Right then, He pulled the trigger and Mr Biden fell on the floor.