SURVIVAL GAME

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

" So what's the plan?" Dare asked frustrated.

Ava faced Dare

" The plan is simple. Bring a new plot. Chang the story line"

Kofi scoffed then smiled a little

" Turn things around. Good plan, but how do you do it?"

" Can we even trust her plan, she can bring more trouble" Dare said rudely.

Ava frowned then stared at Kofi

" Must this asshole be here"

Dare widened his eyes

" Who are you calling asshole" he asked getting upset.

" Who else, I can't find any other asshole apart from you here "

" I can. And she's f*****g standing in my front"

" Oh please, I can't trust the taste of judgement if a guy who still lives in his best friend house "

" At least I'm not being controlled... I'm..."

" Can you two shut up" Kofi said annoyed. Ava and Dare faced Kofi.

" It all is fault " Ava whispers to herself.

Kofi faced Ava

" What the plan?"

Ava walked to Kofi

" Call one of your trusted makeup artist"

" Wow, You still care about your beauty in a situation like this " Dare said.

Ava ignored Dare. Kofi sighed

" Okay " Kofi moved to his VIP table and pressed the red button on the table " Esther, tell laide, she is needed " Ava heard the ' ok sir' the. Kofi walked closer to her.

It was at that time that Ava observed Kofi's house. Kofi's house was a godamn f*****g huge mansion. Inside the mansion, the air was alive with opulence. Soft, golden light spilled from crystal chandeliers, casting a warm glow on the polished marble floors. The walls, painted a soft cream, provided a subtle backdrop for the vibrant artwork that adorned them, each piece a testament to Nigeria's rich cultural heritage.

Ava remembered how the living room looked liked when she entered. The marbled textile was the first to catch her eyes. Ava has never seen anything so shuny and neat. And the sofa, Ava sat there for only a while, but it felt like home. it was so soft that Ava couldn't stop touching it. Ava looked at the walls, and the arrangements took her eyes away. The painting was arranged in a way that one could think Kofi was an artist. The artwork signifies life itself. The artwork was arranged in a way that it was passing a message.

The only thing that spoilt it was a picture of Dare looking like a pathetic, desperate fool as usual.

Every detail, from the gleaming fixtures to the subtle patterns on the fabrics, spoke of understated luxury and refined taste. This was a home that whispered sophistication, elegance, and warmth, a true sanctuary of beauty and comfort. Ava wanted to live here.

" Now that that's done, what are you going to do?" Kofi asked snapping Ava out of her thought. Ava stared at Kofi " just watch" she said determined. Ava removed the knife in her hair. Place the knife on her arm, closed her eyes, then penetrated the knife into her skin and created a cut. Dare looked disgusted as he watched the blood flow from her arm to the floor.

Kofi looked indifferent. Then disgusted, he didn't like the sight of Ava's blood. He hated the fact that she was hurt. What is wrong with him?

Esther entered.

" Right on time" Ava said and walked closer to Esther " make this look like an old scar"

Esther looked at the cut and blood a little bit petrified, she swallows hard, then nods her head in approval.

" You will need a press conference right?" Kofi asked seriously. Ava faced Kofi

" Of course. And this time, the press itself will be needed" Ava said and formed a little smile.

***

Ava walked into NEC auditorium. She looked around as she takes each step. The silence and the stares, she could feel it all. She knew she was about to take a risk. But she had no choice. This is what she has to do.

Ava walked to the stage, beside Kofi. She stood in front of the microphone. Observed the crowd for a while, closed her eyes then sighed. She had no choice, she have to do this. Forget Femi and do this.

Ava opened her eyes

" There have being some speculation about the murder case in NEC. Even after the criminal responsible have been caught, people seem not to believe it. Instead they blame me " Ava said seriously and slowly, ensuring each words linger in everyone ears. " Two people died, two innocent people " Ava voice cracked, her eyes were getting wet. To her three people died , Obi was the third " Femi was , I repeat was my friend. Today I'm going to tell the world about the darker side of Femi. And I will prove that I'm not murderer. Just a bystander. " Ava paused. Then stared at Kofi.

Kofi stared at Ava, she didn't want to do this he could see. But she has to. Kofi walked closer to Ava and held her hand. Nicely and warmly.

Ava faced the crowd. She held the collar of her jacket and slowly revealed the scar in her arms. Ava could feel and hear the gasps, murmurs and camera clicking.

" Femi...Femi killed them all. He always showed signs of violence. Femi was the one who posted those pictures of me and him. He claimed that he loved me but I turned him down. And that night was the first time he showed me his darker side. He slapped me and threatened to kill Kofi if I say a word" Ava sighed loudly and paused " Shade... Shade knew of this and I guess she...she wanted to tell the world. I saw him with the dagger. I...I...he tried to kill her. I tried my best. I did all I could... " Ava mouth and hands trembled. She is betraying both Femi and Obi " in the process of trying to save Shade, I recieve this scar. That moment gave Shade a chance. And she ran. And he followed her. I couldn't do anything. I was scared. And she died. "

Meanwhile, miles away, behind the cold, gray walls of the jail, Femi’s fists slammed against the metal bars. “She’s lying! She can’t do this to me!” Rage boiled through him like wildfire, and the cell echoed with his furious shouts. He kicked the corner of his small room, the sound sharp and hollow. “She’s betraying me… everyone will know how she really is!”

Hassan smiled as he showed Femi the live video " I warned you"

Back at the press conference, Eva’s voice didn’t waver, even as sweat prickled her forehead. “I am not afraid of him anymore. I will speak. I will fight for justice. And I will survive. Femi must suffer. He killed two innocent people and traumatized so many more. I ... I want him to rot in jail for all the things he has done. And the only thing I ask of you all. Is to ensure justice and not prevent it"

Hassan closed the computer and stared at Femi

" It's never too late to get revenge " Hassan smiled and left. Femi fumed in anger. Ava crossed all limit. And all this is happening because of her. Femi smiled darkly. She just made a mistake.

Back at the auditorium, Ava sighed, looked at Kofi. Then walked away, with kofi, still holding hands.

The game just got dangerous.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

Femi’s fist slammed against the metal table, the echo bouncing off the cold walls. He felt the door slide open behind him, but he refused to look up. He already knew the footsteps — those slow and steady ones.

Ava.

“You must have seen it,” she said quietly.

Femi finally raised his head. His eyes were darker than the cell. Ava stood there, expression unreadable, like she’d spent too long learning how not to feel. She looked tired, she didn't want to come here, he could tell.

“You mean the video where you showed the world what a selfish monster you are?” Femi asked, voice low and bitter. He let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head.

Ava inhaled slowly and stepped closer. “You were dragging me with you to hell. I had no choice. I—”

“You accused me of being violent with you!” Femi roared, exploding to his feet. Ava flinched — not from fear, but from the memory it triggered. His anger was once passion. Now it was a storm with nowhere to go.

“I have done nothing but love you,” he continued, voice trembling with betrayal. “I protected you. I stood by you. And now I’m a murderer and an abuser?”

Ava looked away for one brief second, gathering herself.

“You posted those pictures,” she said quietly but firmly. “Don’t deny it.”

Femi’s jaw tightened. The fight drained out of him for a moment. His voice cracked, almost pleading.

“Yes,” he whispered. “I did it. I did it because I cared. Because I thought you were mine to protect. Because I thought you were different.” He met her gaze then, hurt bleeding through the fury. “But now I know why you and Kofi fit so well.”

Ava’s expression finally cracked — a flicker of hurt, quickly buried. She moved closer, each step slow and deliberate, like walking through glass.

“You lied,” she said softly, her voice darker now. “And how do you expect me to believe anything that comes out of a liar’s mouth?” She stopped inches away from him, close enough to feel his breath. “I saw you. I saw the dagger that night. You killed them. So stop acting like a saint. We’re all demons here.”

For a heartbeat, the room froze.

Then Femi laughed — broken, sharp, like pain disguised as amusement. He leaned toward her, voice barely above a whisper.

“Let’s assume I killed them. Let’s assume I ruined you. But between you and me…” His eyes hardened. “The one who really killed them is you.”

Ava’s throat tightened. Her breath hitched. The guilt — that old, familiar knife — twisted inside her chest. She blinked fast, refusing to let tears fall in front of him, not again.

“I don’t care,” she forced out, though her voice betrayed her. “I didn’t come here to drown in guilt. Not for you. Not for anyone. I came to say goodbye.”

“Get out.” The words left Femi like poison. “Get the f**k out. Go to hell.”

Ava nodded once, swallowing hard. “Fine. Goodbye.”

She turned to leave, but before she could take a step—

“Do you even know who Dark Shadow is?”

Ava froze. Slowly, she turned back. Confusion, dread, something like fear flickered in her eyes.

“What?”

“Kofi will ruin you,” Femi murmured, almost like a curse. “And Dark Shadow will hunt you.”

“Who is Dark Shadow?” Ava asked, voice low and shaky.

Femi scoffed — a broken sound. A sad, cruel smile tugged at his lips before it fell away.

“Get out.”

Ava stared at him, searching for the boy she once loved — the flirty and funny Femi, but she knew it was all fake. Kofi was right, Femi has a darker side and he's already showing it.

Finally, she walked out.

The door closed behind her with a heavy thud.

Femi slammed the table again, harder, a strangled sound escaping him. His chest heaved, haunted by love that refused to die.

He hated her.

He loved her.

He would burn for her — and he knew it.

And somewhere deep inside, he whispered to himself:

I have to save her.

* * *

Obi walked away from the cemetery, tearfully. Shade is gone, and it hurt him like hell. Ava caused it all, she destroyed two people. And yet she feels no remorse. That press conference annoyed him. She acted like a saint. Gosh! Obi squeezed his palms angrily. He wanted to ruin her, he wished he could.

He will. He will remove that fake face and show the world who Ava really is.

But first. Femi must die