Woah This Story Is So Captivating And It More Like Watching A Seasonal Movie, More Grease To Your Elbow. Yours Following.

Olamega78:
Thanks for the updates. I hope Rex won't eventually go bankrupt after all the huge spending on the widows... I'm loving the movie more and more... Jah bless

Tnx bro..its gud to see that he no longer cares too much abt money since money was the root of it all..but don't mind the guy the foreign currency in Olivia's care is still giving him hope

EbonyQueen001:
Wow! I remember stumbling on this story when it just started, that should be when you were still on the first page, and I have silently followed till now. Guy you are simply amazing. An author like you left me stranded after his beautiful story came to an end and I found you.

Solomonbrown64 see your brother here o.

I must commend you for this cool story, so so real. Thumbs up man.

Tnx for your comment..its priceless!
Jah bless

Maryclaire1:
I was so elated when I saw it dview001 if say the author dey with me ehn ...big up to you souloho19 I trust your pen say all the character will b save...Happy democracy day...

Lol tnx..I must confess I planned for her to die before..but thanks to you guys..it turned out better I guess..Jah bless you Claire

iamloyalty:
Souloh19 u are baddass when it comes to writing i subscribed so i could comment. So far this is the best story i have read in the first quarter of 2017 in Nairaland U succeed in keeping my imagination running high. Get a copy write for this story Well done keep wrighting u will go places.

Wow thanks and Jah bless you..@ the copyright I'm on it already
Thanks.. I must say I've rediscovered my passion for writing. Thanx for ur comment

prettyrose:
Woah This Story Is So Captivating And It More Like Watching A Seasonal Movie, More Grease To Your Elbow. Yours Following.

PrettyRose thanks for following and commenting..Jah bless you

Exactly my thought. The fx is just his secret cushion after the dust is settled... More of your magic pen please

"Rex...you're tired..you're hurt, you need to rest. You can't keep doing this to yourself" Olivia said worriedly.
"Don't worry..I just need to have a chat with this man, hopefully there'd be no fighting for me any more"
She didn't look convinced but she let it go.
"I don't feel he should go alone..." Betran said
"What do you mean?" Dr Rasheed asked with his mouth full.
"X has been acting strange..you and I both know he's lost it.." He threw up both hands "Heck!..this wasn't the initial plan!"
"Okay so you go with him..as for me..someone needs to stay with all these women"

We agreed that Olivia should request for the journalists and reporters to come to the hotel. They had a big hall they used for weddings and occasions.
I assured her I would see the management before I left.
"I'd be back before you know it...this is something I just need to do"
I left her speaking on the phone with doctor Rasheed also dialling numbers on his phone.
On my way out the dining, a woman hurried after me. It was Martha..my mother's namesake.
"Mr Rex you are going out again? You need to rest sir.."
I spoke in my old man wise voice again "my dear..I'd be back in a few hours..just something I need to look into"

I hurried out as fast as I could in my bandaged legs. I was glad Betran had offered to go with me and I waited patiently for him to bring the car.
I checked my phone for the time.
12:11am
Less than 12 hours to the deadly gas discharge....

•°•°•°•°•
"So..how'd you meet Mr X?" I asked Betran trying to stifle a yawn.
He must have been feeling sleepy also because he kept on blinking rapidly.
He seemed grateful for the opportunity to talk and keep himself awake.
"Actually I met Carmichael in the General hospital...my little niece was going through some difficult times health wise..she would just fall and faint..sometimes she'd wake up immediately, sometimes she'd be out for long..some scary times its like her heart would stop beating for some seconds and her pulse would be so faint...almost non existent"
He had his eyes focused on the road and I sat up. "What was wrong with her?"
"No one knew..it got so bad I had to drive her mother-my sister with her to the hospital one day...they referred us to the diagnostic center..."
"Where you met doctor Rasheed"
I filled in.
"Yes..after hours of running series of tests..this short man comes outside with a solemn look on his face and says...and I quote: "I'm sorry...I tried my best but I just can not get to the root...to avoid a misdiagnosis...I have to tell you your daughter..your daughter has delayed diagnosis!"
I put my hands on my head "Not that again...!...what did you do?"
"What do you expect...I was livid..my sister was crying and I asked him what he meant by that and he repeated it..my niece was suffering from delayed diagnosis"
"That Carmichael is something else" I said.
"Well I was about to break his nose..and I roughed him up pretty good..I had paid a lot of money for tests and here he was telling me he couldn't get to the root cause..."
"So what happened?" I had lost all traces of sleep now, and I was wide awake.
He smiled sheepishly "I must have lost control.." He looked at me "you've been in the diagnostic center haven't you?"
I snickered, remembering "yes I have..you people put me through hell!"
He smiled "well..let's just say the first room...diagnostic1 wasn't always as scanty as you saw it when you went there.."
"You threw a tantrum?"
He nodded "I threw a very big tantrum...I threw 10 tantrums!..smashed things..and even smashed Carmichael's face when he tried to stop me"
He accelerated the car, We were on the highway now "Anyway..I got booked and charged by the hospital..to cut the story short..I spent just few days locked up and then my bail was paid by this mysterious man with the scarred face..
We sat in his car and he told me he had observed what happened at the hospital, even though no one had been there...anyway my sister had registered to the widows initiative at the time..seeking financial help to further treatment for her daughter.. But Mr X told me she had to miss the interview...I was adamant until he told me things...opened my eyes, and then I was shocked..I was indebted to him when he sent my niece to India for advanced check up and treatment...my sister too..from there I became his unofficial driver and should I say something like a friend...he told me about his past and I grew to hate the Chief as well"
"Hmmm..." That was all I could say.
I stared outside for some seconds before I asked.
"How about the doctor...Mr X brought the both of you together?"

He shook his head.."nope..not at first..the diagnosis incident happened two years ago and I didn't see Carmichael's brake light...but apparently Mr X maintained contact with him as well..not until about two months ago..he arraigned to meet with the both of us for a very important discussion"
"What discussion"
"We were discussing you"
"Me?"
"Yes..at the time..you had stolen the papers...and Mr X was interested in the coordinates...he didn't know you were his son in law Or almost son in law at the time and he came up with idea of getting the papers back from you with the threat of Kidon and the black September terrorist group"
"Hmm...I guess Carmichael came up with the delayed diagnosis code word?"
He nodded in agreement "yes..and at the time..Mr X contacted a shadow and put the contract on your head so you'll be killed immediately you return the papers...but then he found out you were the one his daughter had been seeing so he dropped money and instructions with me to call of the hit...I was transferring this to Carmichael the night at the club before you snatched the brief case...you know the rest"
I nodded...remembering it all. "Snatching that case was the best thing I could have done..I was running blindly all along before then.."
He was silent and I felt the car slow down...
I didn't even know when we got off the highway.

°••°•°•
The house was dark. It looked like no one was in.
He had a neighbour on the right and the light from the balcony reflected into his compound lighting it up partially.
It gave the house an eery and scary look.

"Is he in?" I didn't know why I was whispering.
"Yes..the dark is his friend...he hates the light...during the day all the curtains are drawn..24/7"
"Hmm...do we knock or what?" I suddenly wished I had brought my gun with me.
I shook the thought out of my head..that was crazy..
"The gate is never locked...good luck with Mr X"
"What..you're not coming?"
"Hell no...no way..I'm okay here..I'd wait for you and drive you back"
I was quiet..I knew I couldn't convince him..something in his tone told me I couldn't.
I got down from the car slowly and walked the short distance to the gate.
I pushed it open and entered the compound.

I looked up at the duplex in wonder.
The walls were covered with wall plant or was it wall grass..there where trees taking up every space in the compound and grass on the floor..it looked like he had built the house in the middle of the forest...make that the evil forest.

Funny that I was already scared...I tried to draw comfort from the fact that he didn't want me dead...but that wasn't so reassuring anymore.

I located the door and climbed up the stairs.
As I climbed I thought it wise to announce my presence "Mr X..Mr X...its me...Rex..Rex Obasi..your son in law!" (don't mind the fact that Fome and I never married...anything to reassure me at
this point)
No response. I climbed up the stairs fully and looked around..everywhere was pitch black.
I couldn't see anything, I brought out my phone and switched on the flashlight.
I almost jumped out of my skin and shouted in an incredibly high falsetto.
The beam of the light had fallen on the scarred face of Mr X.
Believe me...that is one of the scariest sights in the world.
I tried to calm my beating heart while he smiled.
"Rex..my son..its so nice of you to visit...come come..let's have a sit"
He led the way..moving in the darkness perfectly and swiftly.
I remained still for some minutes..trying to calm my beating heart.

I followed him..to what had to be the living room, pointing my touch ever corner and seeing scary gargoyle looking statures every where the beam fell.

"So what do I owe this unexpected visit?" He asked me sweetly. He seemed to be in a good mood.
He sat down on a 3 sitter and opened his plastic bottle again, to sip more cough syrup I was sure.
I sat opposite him on the edge of a chair.
"Mr X...I found out about your plan for tomorrow...please don't do this..this won't make you any different from the Chief!"
He remained silent, sipping away.
"Please.." I was desperate "innocent people are going to die...I beg of you..your daughter Fome was a sweet person..she abhorred violence and she spoke about you often that she didn't know you but she was sure you were the best and most loving dad ever...please don't prove her wrong...don't go through with it.."
He remained silent but he was gulping the contents now, not sipping.
I rambled on.. "Same with Mona..tomorrow that hall would be decorated and designed beautifully...that was her career path..she was a very good interior designer and in a sick way..you would be pissing on her handwork if you defile that hall tomorrow..please Mr X..forget the chief...after tomorrow it would all be over for him..the widows are getting ready for a press conference as we speak...the initiative is going down and so is the chief..killing him now would spare him the embarrassment of seeing his empire crumble...don't give him the easy way out!"
He was still silent and I went on: "as for the fools granting him the award..when the papers hit the stands and the news gets aired...they would be exposed for their crooked selection process...in awarding such a personality the personality of the year!"

He was quiet for some seconds as I struggled to regain my breath but then he smiled: "Rex...you are a man of the people..you truly are a unique man..you've somehow managed to shine a little light in my darkness and chase away the shadows...for the time being at least..."
I was silent and he continued. "You have to find the controller yourself..I have no idea where it is...but its somewhere in the premises..you find it and you put in the code:386...that should stop the countdown and stop the discharge"
I couldn't believe my ears..I hadn't expected him to tell me just like that.
"Woah..you won't regret this sir..you won't I promise you.."
"Yeah yeah yeah..now get out of here before I change my mind"

He didn't need to say it twice. I sprang up and hurried out. And as I jumped down the stairs two at a time, I thought that it had been too easy..perhaps too easy to be true?
I repeated the number in my head and prayed that the code was correct.

I still don't trust Mr X

Souloho19 keep up the good work... Jah bless you

Good work

souloho my guy ...this Rex is beginning to portray the traits of Barry Allen a selfless hero ...Rex no be that typical Lagos guy any more o (LOL)...anyway souloho u too much I'll give u my boo (maryclaire)just for one night

I am missing Andy and his funny ways. Am looking forward to the survival story of mr x.

Gud evening, Update na.

happy new month souloho. hope all is well?

dview001:
souloho my guy ...this Rex is beginning to portray the traits of Barry Allen a selfless hero ...Rex no be that typical Lagos guy any more o (LOL)...anyway souloho u too much I'll give u my boo (maryclaire)just for one night

Thanks bro..lol I'd prefer one year oo

As for Rex he's a changed man..selfishness put him in the trouble first of all

Tnx a lot bro

iamloyalty:
Gud evening, Update na.

Happy wknd sis..coming up now sorry for the delay

queenjuli:
happy new month souloho. hope all is well?

Thanks happy new month and weekend all is well dear
Was just swamped with some extra work. Updating now..thanks

I hurried into the car and Betran. Started the engine. He zoomed off immediately. "Well?" He asked me after some time.
"He gave me a code..according to him it would stop the countdown and prevent the gas from discharging"
Betran gave a low whistle "what if the code doesn't work?" He asked worriedly.
I honestly didn't want to speak about that now so I just shrugged. But the seed was planted and I chewed on it. If the code was wrong then I was also good as dead..because I would be exposed to the poisonous air. No doubt I would be the first to touch the ground...I shivered at the thought....y
Betran was speaking "so how exactly do we locate the machine..the canister what ever it is?"
I shrugged "believe me I
I have no idea....but I would find it" I sounded sure of myself.
"Don't forget the Governor would be in attendance...the security would be extra tight"
I fell silent after that, I couldn't think of any possibility or any scenario.
I must have been very tired and the truth is no matter what you can't cheat your body.
Betran tapped my shoulder, bringing me out of the deep sleep that had claimed me when the car was in motion. We were parked in the hotel ycar park now and I blinked at the digital time on the dashboard '02:38am'
I got down and stretched he also did the same thing.
I called Olivia, I couldn't remember the room number I had selected. I had entered in a rush and just left the gun on the dresser without really paying attention to it. I had given the key to Olivia before I left and I called her to remind me.
The phone rang without her picking and I thought she must be asleep. I walked down the hallway of the hospital and was about to call doctor Rasheed when my phone rang. She was calling me back.
"Hello...Rex...you're back!"
"Yes..I just got in..what room are you in? I can't remember it!"
"462" she replied excitedly. She must have been really glad I was back.
"Did you talk to the hotel about using their Hall tomorrow?"
I had totally forgotten!

"No I didn't...its too late now...don't worry tomorrow morning"
"Okay..the reporters should be here as early as 8 in the morning"
"Okay..." My mind was on how I was going to locate the counter and disable it..I repeated the code in my mind again..3,8,6..how would I get past the security for the Governor..the place would be on tight lockdown I was sure..maybe the best I could do was just alert them all...alert them shouting like a mad man that they needed to leave the hall and pray to God they'll listen to me.
".....very tired" Olivia's voice brought me back to the present.
I shook my head.."what?..you're very tired?"
"No..I said you look very tired...come here"
She opened her arms in invitation and I fell on the bed gratefully.
I buried my face in her soft bosom and she cradled my head and stroked my neck softly and lovingly, humming a tune as she did so.
Believe me if I were to be suffering from chronic insomnia...that would be the antidote. Within seconds I was asleep.

°•°•°•°•°•°•
I woke up to the spill of sunlight in the room. The curtain was drawn back and I shielded my eyes from the sun struggling to come fully awake. But then I thought: the sun was out already...what was the time?!
I was alone in the room. I looked around for Olivia but she wasn't in.
I checked my phone and was shocked to see the time was 8:53am.
I had over slept. I must have been really tired the night before.
I splashed water on my face in the bathroom and looked at the mirror.
I had travelling bags under my eyes. I was still owing my body sleep.
But I felt better now.

I left the room feeling a bit refreshed and energized.

On my way down the steps, I met doctor Rasheed aka Carmichael.
"Good thing I was just coming to wake you" he sounded grumpy.
"Good morning" I said to him.
"Morning...your girlfriend said you shouldn't be disturbed so I let you sleep but the whole place is a mad house!"
I frowned "what do you mean?"
"Come and see for yourself" he tugged my hand and led me down the stairs.
"I thought you said you would see the hotel management about the hall yesterday?"
I winced "I totally forgot about it..I was planning to rent it for some hours today"
"Well too late..they said the hall has already been booked since last week for a wedding"
"On a Thursday?"
He shrugged "I think its traditional"
"So where are the women?"
"See for yourself" we had reached downstairs and ye pointed to the entrance door.
I could already see the crowd of people and I must have blinked about a hundred times.

When Olivia had said she had some contacts of her late husband, I had pictured a handful of men and women wielding tape recorders and microphones and maybe a video camera.
Instead what I saw left my mouth open in surprise. I was utterly shocked.
There had to be about a hundred news men in the car park. I could see various news station vans with the station/channel inscription on them.
Countless state of the art video cameras handled by veteran and seasoned videographers.
I stepped outside, taking it all in. they were all at work and they were divided in different smaller groups scattered here and there.
The widows were talking, some of them into the camera, some of them into the voice recorders while the journalists all looked astonished at the atrocities they were hearing and scribbled furiously in notepads.

I strolled over to the nearest group of women. The young widow was currently talking looking into the camera while an elderly looking journalist held the video microphone to her mouth.
"........ The lawyer and socials. The excos are all part of it and organise the selection process..."
Another widow: ".....name is Chief Amunike, a well known billionaire but the source of his riches is not his businesses...he makes money from human trafficking..when we were captured I overheard one of the kidnappers say he gets as much as a million dollars for each shipment!...."

The car park was full. There was no space that wasn't occupied. In between cars there was always a journalist with a group of widows.
I looked around for Olivia..pride and love swelling within me..she was just too much, I couldn't believe she had turned up something like this.
Someone tapped my shoulder impatiently and I turned expectantly, hoping to see Olivia, but I saw an elderly looking man instead.
I first took him for a reporter but then I noticed his tailored 3 piece suit and I changed my mind.
"Morning...can I help you?"
"Are you the pastor in charge of this women's convention?" He asked me impatiently.
Pastor? But then I remembered that was our cover so I nodded in agreement. "Yes I am...may the good Lord bless you for your hospitality"
That threw him off a bit but I knew where he was going.
"Amen...look sir, we don't allow this..its unheard of, you can't take over any part of the hotel without the right permission and some kind of payment"
I nodded "actually I enquired about the hall hut I was told it had been booked for a wedding ceremony"
He frowned "be that as it may...I'm sorry but I would have to ask you to stop and vacate our parking lot."
"Look you don't understand..take this as a means of publicity..you see these reporters..they are filming and getting content for the newspapers...I promise to praise your hotel for its kindness and hospitality to be shown to the whole country...you can see the amount of news channels here? Basically every station would broadcast this interview"
He frowned, deep in thought "you don't get me..there is no space for our guests to park their vehicles anymore..you people have-"
"Look look...these women have gone through hell..they were kidnapped and the good Lord ensured their safety..the least you can do is squeeze in an hour so the world can learn from their story and countless women can be saved from experiencing the same fate!"

I could see I had perked his curiosity. He looked around studying the widows with renewed interest.

"What exactly do-"
"There he is!" He was interrupted by a loud shout.
"That's him..Mr Rex..he came to our rescue!"
"That's our fearless hero..!"
A group of widows had spotted me and started clapping as they identified me.
Before long, the whole parking lot was resonating with loud applause.
Even the journalists joined them while some of them took a knee and positioned themselves to get the best angle to take my picture.

The clapping went on for minutes and the elderly man, who I took to be the manager of the hotel said in my ear loudly so I could hear over the clapping. "Make sure you put in a good word for this hotel!" He stalked off grumbling and I smiled.

I noticed Olivia in a corner also clapping and my smile grew wider. From ear to ear.
I waved in acknowledgement at the round(s) of applause which was dying down gradually now and made to go to Olivia.
I took the first step towards her and microphones were thrust in my face, materialising from thin air.
"Sir how did you find out about the initiative?"
"How did you discover the dirty business of the Chief?"
"How many shadows have you killed?"
I held up my hands. "I promise to answer all your questions as best as I can..but I need you to promise me something on return"
"What is it sir?"
"Anything sir!"
I scratched my grey beard before speaking "I want you all to promise me you'll air this interview by noon today.12 on the dot!"

"No problem"
"That won't be an issue"
"We're not in charge of selecting programs!"

I scanned the faces for the last speaker.
"I don't think you understand..that is not a request..its my condition"
This time they all agreed.

I answered all their questions. Narrating how I had come across a piece of paper from the Chief's house (I left out the money part) and how it had quirked my interest and curiosity. I wove the story excellently destroying the Chief and his wife and the excos ripping his 'reputation', the security staff of the sunrise steel, otherwise known as the sunset shadows..with the motto and tatoo idebtification: 'the shadow is tallest' and finally to the very last action of the previous night


°•°•°•°•
11:05am
Betran was behind the wheel. I sat in front, with the images and memories from the press conference still playing in my head.
I had left them all at the location when I got conscious of the time.
Olivia had asked to go with me but I had to be firm. Just in case I wasn't able to reach the timer and stop it and died a Marty death, I couldn't afford to let her risk her life.
But hopefully things would turn out well, I would be able to stop the timer and the interview would be aired by noon on live television on various stations and so the ultimate exposure of the Chief wyould take place at the best venue, in front of the most powerful individuals in the state.
I looked out the window as Betran zapped between vehicles, overtaking every car in sight.
I wish I could glimpse into the nearest future and see what it holds..
I hoped I would still be in it.

"We're about 20 minutes away" Betran interrupted my thoughts and my heart began beating madly.
I had browsed on the sarin gas and found out one inhalation was all it needed. It was as deadly as anthrax, maybe even deadlier.
I polished the gas mask Carmichael had given me one more time.
He wasn't sure it would be effective but there was no harm in trying.
On the other hand, I hoped there would be no reason to use it.

"10 minutes away" Betran announced.
I glanced at the dashboard :11:26am

Nothing should happen to our Rex o..cos everyone is a suspect i dont even trust that Bretran he is going with and strange eyes too.

Tanks 4d update.

Thanks for making me join nairaland with your award winning story. God bless you for delayed diagnosis. I have read stories but yours is awesome. I love thrillers.

Rex is indeed a hero. thanks for the update souloho

Rex Rex, he's a hero. Olivia, come and give him to me

Waow. being a while I have been hooked like this. It's just like a movie. I can see everything clearly in my mind. It's rather unfortunate that such bad things happen. May God protect us all.

Great write. It's worth reading

OP. You're extremely talented Chai! This is the best story I have read in Nairaland so far. The way you use words and suspense overwhelmed me. I hope you will publish this story as novel and also convert it as season film. Ride on Mr Rex.

Thumbs up Mr soul. You are just too good, every update wowed me. Continue to soar high bro. Happy weekend.

Soulhoho..... Just keep blazing.... You are destined to be the greatest...

souloho u no go kee person....up up u will go .amin

Following keenly,

iamloyalty:
Nothing should happen to our Rex o..cos everyone is a suspect i dont even trust that Bretran he is going with and strange eyes too.

Tanks 4d update.

You're welcome..I've cooked up another update
It would be too bad for Rex after surviving the shadows to meet his end this way, let's see how it unfolds with our fingers crossed

Chinnybaby99:
Thanks for making me join nairaland with your award winning story. God bless you for delayed diagnosis. I have read stories but yours is awesome. I love thrillers.

You're welcome on board chinny..happy sunday