Crystal night of anarchy

CHAPTER THREE(In the red threshold)

He saw himself in a moderately furnished room, on a comfy bed, he was dizzy. The smell of lavender filled the room. He heard voices outside, but he was too weak to get up. In a bid to get out of bed, he fell flat on the floor. He groaned, as he felt pains all over his body, those men were merciless with him. The room door burst open and a young boy walked in, he had a cup filled with water and some pills with him.

“Take this" he said, staring at Agya on the floor. Agya glared at him, looking at him like some dirt. He looked at the pill and discovered it was a pain relief medicine, he collected the medication and swallowed them, his hands shook as he drank the water from the cup.

"Where am i?" he asked, the boy hurried out of the room not willing to respond to his question. He stood up, trying to balance by resting on the wall, just then, Cobra walked in, he wore that evil grin on his face.

"We have work to do" he said as he approaches Agya,

"I don't understand, why am I here?" Agya said inquisitively, looking confused, "I've done all you people ask of me" he added,

"But you didn't" Cobra moved closer to him, helping him back to the bed. He took a look at him and sighed, "Look, let me be honest, we have your daughter, no! we know where your daughter is being held" he said, he noticed Agya was pensive and furious. Agitatedly, Agya bursted "I did as you people instructed, I've been on the run, I had to dress like a madman to avoid the police, Inkani is dead, my daughter should be released, she should be returned to me, I've bought her freedom"

"Agidi was never going to release your daughter, he is going to kill you both, you killed his brother or have you forgotten"

"Agidi is a man of his words, he doesn't go back on promises" Agya insisted,

Cobra smiled at him and shook his head, he walked from one end of the room to the other, then suddenly, he paused and said, "He would return your daughter to you as promised, but he made a promise on his brother's grave, he won't let you walk out alive from there with Dhalaa" He paused and looked at Agya, Agya seems to be tensed up, he smiled and continued.

"Here's what we'll do, Agidi trusts us, but Chief olowo okere doesn't trust him", he moved closer to Agya "You see, for some time now, Agidi has been secretly planning some sort of scheme, we discovered his plot recently. The PP chairman was poisoned and his deputy assassinated this evening. One of our men who was with the deputy chairman recognized one of those assailant, and pointed him out at the party held at Chief's house this evening"

Agya seemed to beam with interest, he discovered something else was going on.

"Chief has been very careful, and has withdrawn to a safe place, Asiwaju was found dead few minutes before Inkani's death, some prominent members of the party opposing Chief have now switch loyalty”

"I don't understand, this doesn't relate to me" Agya said,

“Listen, Olowo okere life is at risk here, everyone thinks Chief is the brain behind this killings, Agidi knew Olowo okere wouldn't help get him a presidential pardon but PHP would clean his record and even offer him a suitable position in their party, you must kill Agidi, there's no doubt he is behind all these"

Agya looked at him puzzled and burst out into laughter, he laughed so hard that his eyes were teary. He took a second look at Cobra and saw him smiling.

"You should be a comedian"

"Do I look like one, you are going to kill Agidi, we are your only chance at rescuing your daughter" Cobra said,

"Whatever happened between Agidi and Chief isn't my problem, I did what Agidi ordered me to and my daughter should be returned to me" Agya said pensively.

"You should be able to locate him, what we need is for you to lead us to him, you'll call him and he would describe where you both would meet, you'll meet him and then leave the rest to me"

"Agidi is not stupid, he won't just reveal himself that easily"

"He wants revenge, he would want to kill you himself, help us kill that bastard and save your daughter"

Agya was unsure of himself, but he seem to find Cobra words meaningful,

"If olowo okere is dead, Agidi would have succeeded in dismantling the leadership of the ruling party, Olowo okere is the only pillar left in the party, we have to stop that anarchist" Cobra said, trying to convince Agya.

"I would help you, I would help you, he is responsible for my predicament, but I need your word that you'll rescue Dhalaa and keep her safe no matter what" Agya said somberly,

"You have my word" Cobra assured him, placing his hand on his chest as some sign of commitment. Agya stood up and looked at Cobra, he didn't trust him but he had no choice, this way he would have his revenge and save his daughter, he hopes Cobra keeps his word.

It was late, it's almost ten, they've now left the Civilian barracks and drove some distance away from the building. They stopped outside an old building, he saw men in their late fifties seated at a corner of the house, gisting and drinking. They were watching a football match, the champions league final between Barcelona and Real Madrid on a small television. He couldn't remember the room he went to the last time he was there. He was getting impatient, but he was not willing to take any risk, a lot of people saw him at Olowo okere's house, all hell would be let loose if anyone was to recognize him here, he would be lynched for killing Inkani. Inkani had become some sort of Idol within their locality, with countless palliatives and social aids he has provided the community, everyone seems to love him. Agya knew he had a lot of admirers. He, before the crime filled life of his, was a top supporter, he knew Inkani had people who would do almost anything for him. He mustn't be seen, losing his patience, he walked into the building avoiding direct eye contact, it was risky, but he wasn't thinking straight. The men were so engrossed in the way a particular Barcelona player, Pedri, plays with confidence that they didn't notice him walking in. As he approached the stairs, he heard someone call him, he was startled, he turned to see Hunpe.

"What are you doing here?" Hunpe demanded, surprised,

"Where is Agidi?" Agya asked softly almost whispering,

Hunpe looked at him shocked and dragged him to the backyard “Are you trying to implicate me here” he asks him,

"I know you know where Agidi stays, you either help me or i’ll expose you"

"You shouldn't look for him, you'll only make him angrier, Inkani is dead, you just need to lay low, he'll release Dhalla, you'll get her back” Hunpe said trying to dissuade Agya, but he only ended up provoking him, he held Hunpe by the collar and held up his pocket knife to his neck.

"I wouldn't hesitate to slice your throat, you traitor, you knew what they did to Ifemi and you betrayed me, you led the men that kidn*pped Dhalaa, despite knowing she's my only child, tell me where Agidi is or i'll snuff the light out of you" he threatened. Hunpe was terrified, he had never seen Agya so angry, he looked horrific, he knew he hadn't been a good friend, and definitely Agya wouldn't hesitate to kill him, he had too much blood on his hands already.

"He's at the slaughterhouse, the abattoir, the one owned by Eleran"

"Don't joke with me"

"I'm not, you'll find him there" Hunpe said, scared to his wits.

He knew Hunpe had a knack for minors, especially innocent ones, he has molested and abused several girls physically and emotionally, many of which he was aware of. He is a pedophile, their relationship was based strictly on business, he had ignored this, because Hunpe was one of his biggest facilitators. They had an altercation once, when he caught Hunpe staring at his daughter, the thought of what Hunpe could have done to his daughter crossed his mind, he was irritated and angry, in a flash he tore his Adam’s apple, and left blood gushing out. Hunpe felt shock run through his entire body, he saw his whole life, flashing before his eye. He held his throat and attempted to shout but he was gurgling. Agya left him gasping and holding on to his throat. He hurried out of the compound, walking briskly and avoided looking back.

He knew he was headed for trouble, he could lose his life if he shows up at Agidi's hideout, but this was his last chance to save his daughter. Cobra and his goons followed closely in a black Toyota Camry, he knew trusting Cobra was like trusting a snake, how ironic. He knew both he and his boss and Agidi are just using him to get one thing, it just occurred to him, they want control of the city, prominent members of the party dead in a night, an emerging political power was cut short; Inkani was murdered, Inkani never belonged to a particular party, he was here and there, he realized there are only two people left who could run the city, it's either Agidi or Chief olowo okere. He wasn't concerned about the political tussle, all he wanted was to save his daughter, but it would be in his favour if Agidi was killed. He knew Agidi had connections everywhere, so he couldn't be captured. He turned to his left, and walked into the street there. It was dark, the warehouse is on this street, it is a dreaded place at night. "It would be past ten" he thought, the street houses some fish and meat factories, and is usually deserted at night. It is a dreaded place, there have been rumors, particularly stories of human parts found in the streets, mostly bodies of people who work against Agidi and his allies. It is his hideout, but no one knows for sure where he stays, but with the information he got from Hunpe, he now knows which building to look in. He turned and signaled to Cobra. They turned the car off and stepped out, Cobra signaled to the others to wait, and he moved closer to Agya.

"He is in that red building" Agya said almost whispering,

Cobra nodded and gave some non verbal instructions to his accomplices, and they understood. They went towards the booth of the car and opened it, they brought out a bag from the car booth and carried it towards him, they opened it and brought out an Ak 47, a Glock19, a Revolver, a Micro uzi and a M249 SAW. Agya was surprised, there were top grade weapons. It wasn't like the Pistol and Shotguns Agidi and his goons use.

“You will go on, while we inspect the surroundings, this is it, you have to decide if your life is worth more than your daughter's, are you with us or not” he asks aggressively, Agya sighed and shook his head in affirmation. He felt cold, fear ran through his spine. If this plan were to fail, Agidi wouldn't hesitate to kill his daughter right in front of him. He said a prayer for the first time since his wife died, Cobra heard him and laughed.

“God won't help you tonight, you will help yourself”

He looked at him, he had nothing to lose, but him, he had more to lose, how could he possibly understand the way he feels. He had blamed God for his predicament, but somehow, he felt only God could save him. He was scared to die, he was scared of the finality of death, what if the scriptures were true, he would rot in eternal flames, what would become of Dhalaa, what lies ahead of her. He knew this was only going one way, it either he goes in and be killed by Agidi, or Cobra annihilates him there and now. He mustered courage and walked into the red building.