Before The Dawn

CHAPTER SEVEN

Jackson retreated into oblivion, he kept running amid the cacophonous sounds reverberating into his ears. He was tired and sweating profusely, he paused, squatting for a while to gain his breath, then he saw his gun was still in its holster. He picked it up and checked the bullets, they were complete. He sat on the bare floor, his blurry eyes was staring at an object in the darkness. He c****d his gun, the sound echoed down the corridors, and aimed at the object, but he was frightened, he couldn’t press the trigger.

“Who’s there?” he asked, his voice fainted and travelled only few meters before it faded. He had wanted to scream, but his throat was sour and the little joules of energy in him was just to carry out his metabolic activities.

“Why don’t you save your energy brother!” a voice strained to his ears, but only the rustles of leaves was what he heard when he turned to look.

“Dennis, have you come to torment me also? Why don’t you kill me and let’s get over this quickly!” he said menacingly, poignancy clearly written all over his face.

“Do you really want to die brother? Why don’t you think about your response instead of blurting out the first thing that comes to your mind!” he simpered, Jackson intimidated again, and he fired into darkness.

“This is frivolous brother, it’s inappropriate to shoot at me” Dennis cautioned “I’m here to help you brother, let me help you have peace” he furthered.

“But how Dennis?”

“You see the gun right in your hand, just a bullet from it will do!”

Jackson gazed at the gun for long, the thought rushed through his mind and he could feel his mother’s hand gently combing his hairs as she whispered into his ears “You’re a good boy Jackson, I know you can do it.” Jackson opened his mouth and pointed the gun inside, he c****d it and the two apparitions staggered backwards as they awaited him to pull the trigger.

“I can’t do it!” He said dropping the gun on the floor.

“You’re going to do it Jackson” Dennis said

“The time hasn’t just come, but do it now and your soul will find peace” his mother added

Again, Jackson picked the gun, and stared at it. But high above the tower, it was six and the bell rang ominously.

“Hello Conan, this is Jessica. I’m sorry to interrupt your sleep…”

“No problem, I’m awake already. Kindly go on with whatever you want to say” he cut in.

“Jackson has been found!” She said

“Where?”

“4th Avenue, Sheraton way. The first house by the right!” She replied

“But wait, are you kidding me?” he asked arching his brows.

“No, I dare not. And besides, I found him lying unconscious in a room. Jackson is dead Conan” She said and the phones slipped from their hands.