Shadow War

by Chuks Gerry

  I must confess what you did today was the most cockneyed thing I’ve encountered in my stay here,’he muttered as he cleared the dishes. You could have easily gotten yourself killed. I mean what could have gotten into you? He asked befuddled.

  You call this living,’Aliyu smirked at him, his eyes shone in mockery.They should expect more from where it came from,’he said gazing at the ceiling.

  Look I know you’re unhappy and angry but like I’ve always said getting yourself killed is not an option. It will make them the winner, where there’s life there’s a means. Sanni will be crested at tonight’s ceremony for your information which means he’s now a top tier officer of the brotherhood. A word from him can get you killed even after your comfirmation, which is why I’m pleading with you to tread with caution and always be on his good page, for your own benefit.

  Sanni is a bastard, a sick bastard who will pay dearly for all he has done to me and my family,’he said with clench fist, biting his lower lip. Besides how come you know this much?

  Same way we know about every other thing, flimsy scintillating gossips from the mess mostly. I have to be going, the ceremony starts soon and I heard Mallam Talib-Aziz himself will be officiating. I can’t wait to finaly set eyes on the entity behind that name,’he sighs deeply. I hope you will be okay on your own?

  Yes I will, need to rest now,’he replied groggily, possible effects from the drugs. I may join you guys afterward.

  He whisked his head sideway simultaneously with his leg making himself more comfortable. The pains had dramatically lessened as a result of the aspirin doing a great job in his system, soon he doze off. He slept soundly only to be reawakened once again by multiple gunshots and loud cheers which only grew in propensity intermittently. He turned from one side to the side, feeling his body temperature as he sat up. He still felt drowsy and weak but the pains weren’t profound anymore. With the magnitude of excitement going on outside there is no way he could go back to sleep so he put on his clothes. Holding onto a stick he saw by the corner of his bedside for support, he staggered outside heading straight for the arena. From the distance it was a huge and frenetic crowd, everywhere was litted, gigiantic halogen lightening. He approached cautiously wary of being shoved around, maneuvering through the crowd until he got to a vantage spot where he could make out the happenings on the podium. Among the six people on stage was a very light skin man wearing a turban and sporting a beard, having a middle eastern vibe sitted conspicuously in the middle whom Aliyu quickly figured was Talib-Azziz based on the description he’d heard. He moves an inch forward, little by little until he was able to get a better view. To his astonishment the speaker giving such an elaborous rumbocious speech was none other than Alhaji Nasiru, his father’s presumed friend. Watching him speak so vibrantly, motivatingly and assuringly that their effort will not be in vain felt sickening to him. He couldn’t even think clearly as it became clearer his father’s death and his being here was a huge conspiracy that has its root buried on the very soil he stood upon. Alhaji Nasiru chastised the government for their cruelty, insensitivity and marginalization labeling them shallow, inefficient and corrupt, as a result of their ineptitude should get ready for war, a shadow war. He once again promised that with his influence and those present the entire state will crumble under the might of Al-sahad within a month’s time. He pledge his total allegiance to the sect telling every one to be prepared for victory. His words filled with vigour, enthusiasm and confidence resonated in the darkness as Aliyu limped back to his quarter despondent of how bleak the future is.

  The following morning wasn’t bright as usual rather it was cloudy and breezy suggesting it was likely going to rain. A welcome development from the usual hot sunny morning so everyone went about their normal activities not bordered about the weather, rather they were even gladdened by it. Training was already in earnest when Aliyu tottered in, Rabiu who was in the middle of a mock physical combat took a break to assist him settle in.

  You don’t have to be here if really don’t feel like it, I’ve got you covered,’Rabiu whispered mentally noting his degree of wellness.

  It’s alright, I’ll manage somehow.

  Are you sure?

  Yes.

  Okay, just so you know Rasaq is coordinating alongside Sanni. At the mention of Sanni’s name Aliyu felt gushes of bile to his mouth immediately feeling feverish, now he wished he’d stayed back instead.

  And there comes my great fighter, it’s a delight to see you back on your feet so soon,’ hollered Sanni beckoning on him several meters where he stood. Limping as slowly as possible in a bid to conceal his raging emotions, he approached Sanni with a calm straight face and coolness. Sanni went round him, sizing and nodding severally, giving him a broad warm smile that looked almost sincere.

  Brother,’he exclaimed embracing him tightly. Aliyu remained motionless and uncomfortable wondering how best to respond as the hug lingers. Still puzzled he pats him lightly on the back. At last Sanni let go with strains of tears in his eyes.

  Didn’t know why I’d to do that,’he said taking a deep breath.

  Perhaps you were overwhelmed.

  Yes it was a spur of the moment, I’m very excited indeed. Everyone thought I’ll never surmount to anything in life. My illiterate father and his whore concubine, my mother basicly had no faith in me or themselves either because they were too poor to think but your family, your father most especially thought otherwise. He took me under his wings, nurtured, protected and provided for me,’he nodded continuing,’oh yes he did gave my life a purporse.

  Hmm and this is how you chose to repay him for all his generosity, huh?

  Offcourse, by giving your life a purpose. You’re the closest thing to a brother I’ll ever have. It will be a shame I did nothing to save you.

  Save me, from what?

  From the world, its infidels and decay. Your being here guarantees your survival when it’s finaly destroyed and by fighting on the side of truth, you’ve given your life a purpose.

  But that’s contrary to the teachings of the Quran which preaches love, mercy, humility and compassion to all humans irrespective of religion. Islamic sect such as this are the reason people think of Moslims as radicals and terrorist. The best way to convince a man is by the actions he sees you perform, doing good deeds will draw people closer but killing them will make them flee. Beside your actions have hurt alot of Moslems, my father inclusive.

  We’re still in the process of purging the system. Your father though a good man was foolish. He’d been blinded by the ways of the world after cohorting and frolicking with infidels. He even had the guts to brazenly rally support for a Christian to be elected into the office of the deputy governor. Can you imagine his betrayal? He hissed, spitting on the floor. Not only that, he rendered boundless support to alliens, assisting them grow their businesses, gave them a voice and made them powerful all so that they sing his praises while he parlay himself around like a demigod. It was a good decision the brotherhood made to quiet him forever.

  Aliyu fought the surge within to strangle him, fighting both tears and anger while listening helplessly to this ingrate lousily denigrates his father.

  That was why I fought tooth and nail to bring you here, pardon me if I’d an ulterior motive however it would have been pathetic leaving you out there. You are my brother; it will be nice having you on my side as we achieve great things together. Yesterday I was crested, tomorrow it could be you,’he patted him on the shoulders,’it will make me really proud brother. See you later and sorry for yesterday’s scuffle.

  Aliyu went to look for a good spot where he can relax and stretched his legs. He was no longer in the mood to train, he will rather watch instead. His thought kept faltering to a million things most especially his family, they meant the world to him, also he thought about escaping but the futility and repercussions made him cringe. These people are heartless as well as cold blooded, ruthless and barbaric. A true example was Sanni who used to be a soft spoken passion
able young fellow now a thoughtless cold blooded killer with very little regards for human life. By noon they went on recess to reconvene in the evening by five pm. Him and Rabiu headed briskly back to their quarters just as the rain began to drizzle. They immediately had their bath, prayed and ate before retiring for a siesta. Even though he didn’t quite participated in any of the activities, he was so tired more so than Rabiu that he slumbered immediately he hit the sheet. And so he dreamt, something which rarely happens in the afternoon and it was interspersed by loving scenes of his family. Then suddenly he was with Val and Nneka engaged in heated argument about a child. Val was loud, almost violent tagging him a traitor shouting they are leaving. The phrase they are leaving kept on resounding as they both disappeared into thing air leaving him behind on his knee pleading. Suddenly he felt something tugging lightly on his side shoving him awake. He opened his eyes to Rabiu screaming repeatedly that they are leaving.

  Who is leaving? He asked rubbing his eyes, yawning tiringly.

  Our warriors, they are leaving for battle.

  Again! He exclaimed. They both scurried outside to watch the procession. They came upon where others were watching them organize while waiting for orders to proceed. On the podium getting ready to address his mujahidin was Talib-Azziz flanged by his two generals, Kazeem and Husseni in serious talks. From his expression Aliyu can tell he was paranoid about something while his generals doing their best to work his confidence.

  But why are they leaving so soon? Aliyu snapped still feeling a bit weary.

  This procession was announced at the conclusion of yesterday ceremony, to take control of the remaing major towns in the state including the capital city which comes last.

  Is Garuba not among the major towns?

  Sure, that is the destination they are actually heading.

  And you are just telling me this; bullshit I thought you were my friend?

  I didn’t say anything earlier because of the situation you were in. It’d have compounded issues for you.

  Oh my god, but my family lives there. They can’t possibly succeed –i—I mean get away with it.

  Sorry to burst your bubble but they are going to run over the place in no time. I was privy to the strategies they have in place. They’re going to lay siege at night and ambush the city at dawn and with apparently no warning or secuirity measures in place, Garuba will crumble like cookie in their palm.

  It’s enough, please stop I can’t take it anymore,’ he almost yelled. Something had to be done to stop them.

  I doubt anything can get in their way without being crushed, are you not seeing the numbers. They are bent on succeeding finally this time.

  This time, what do you mean by that?

  Since you’ve be gone Garuba have been under series of attack which has been on going for several weeks now. It will be toast under heavy confrontation. As for your family pray for them, they will need lots and lots of it.

  Then I’m finished, I’m finished,’he reiterated weeping siliently. What type of life is this? He lamented to no one in particular, tears spiralling down his cheeks profusely. Rabiu feeling sorry for him put an arm across his shoulder consoling him.

  I know what I’m going to say next may sound foolish but I think your family will be alright. Call it intuition or whatever just have faith in Allah, he will protect your family least no harm befalls them,’Rabiu said with as much conviction he could muster in a bid to pacify his broken friend.

  Everyone was ordered to kneel as Talib-Azziz led the prayer blessing his warriors. As the prayer progressed a chopper could be heard approaching until it hovers pass them. Aliyu opened his eyes as the sound increase to behold it was a military chopper and for a second thought they were under attacked. It landed in the open field nearby its noise dousing every other, rattling the crowd but Talib-Azziz didn’t seem fazed by it as he continued with the prayers. When he was through he was escorted to the waiting chopper by his two generals and several other officials. The aircraft left taking with it Talib-Azziz, kazeem and several guests. Husseni was left in charge of operations and he went on to address his army about the challenges that lies ahead and the need to be prepared for what may arise.

  Aliyu spotted Sanni in the multitude busy, testing his weaponary gadgets, in all prepping for his sojourn. Rabiu was in the middle of an explaination when he noticed his friend was distracted so he traced his focus to its centre of attention.

  Please don’t go there, now is not the time for this,’Rabiu cautioned. Creating a scene this moment might get you killed.

  Its better I die honourably than live a life of languish. I live for my family and friends, without them life isnt worth living,’he shrugged saunterng off towards Sanni despite continual pleas from Rabiu not to.

  Sanni saw him approaching smiled and waited, delaying his enterance into a waiting truck.

  It seems you’re eager to be in battle but not to worry next battle will be your time to shine,’he said pleasantly ignoring the fiery glaze in his eyes, using a handkerchief to damp sweats from his face.

  Cut the bull crap,’Aliyu snapped at him.Why are you people doing this,’he choked in tears.

  I don’t get? He was befuddled. Does this have anything to do with the jihad?

  Offcourse it does, it’s my hometown goddamn it. I’ve family and friends there.

  Chill man, you’re already acquainted with the mission of the brotherhood to put down any opposition, so your family is safe except otherwise. Now I’ve to be on my way.

  Fucking raging psychopath, there’s no way I’m allowing you guys leave without me. I have a duty to protect my family.

  Not expecting it, Sanni turned swiftly and hit him hard on the stomach with the butt of his gun, kicking him severally after he keeled over short of breath.

  Son of a bitch,’he yelled after he was done hitting him. You’re noting but an ingrate. You care for those infidels more than us after everything we’ve done for you. We are your family now, your only family let that sink in,’he yelled over and over.

  No you’re not and I won’t stand by and allow you people kill innocent people anymore,’he cried shielding himself from Sanni’s bouts which infuriated him the more. He cracked his gun at him but was commanded to halt by Husseni who hurried over. Their little fiasco has captured the audience of everyone around.

  You slimy maggot,’Husseni roared after he was briefed by Sanni. Take him,’he ordered as two gaurds did his biddings.

  Count yourself lucky we don’t even have enough slugs to blow the heads of the federal army, non for you today. Now everyone back to business, we should be back in five days with tales of victory,’he yelled accompany by loud cheers.

  We will use their heads to benchmark our territories,’he roared to more applause. Starting from their husbands, pastors, governors and lastly their infidel of a president, their blood shall run through the mountain enriching our valleys. We’ll take over their wives, families, businesses, money, community, state and soon the entire nation,’he ranted to louder and louder cheers.

  We’ll destroy them all,’he said climbing onto a stolen armored tanker, leading the long convoy with his rants.

  Aliyu watched it all progress from afar as he was being led away to be locked up, there’s nothing left to lose at this point. They came upon a guard room where defaulters are locked away in isolation. One of the guard struggled relentlessly with the locks while the other gripped him firmly as if recalling his antecedence, he wasnt taking any chances. Immediately the locks were undone, he was shoved inside roughly. Quite as expected the room was better left to the imagination, smelly, dark and filthy, beaming with mosquitos and other pesky insects. After his eye sight have gotten used to the darkness, he was able to carve out a better image of his surrounding and it was horrifying. The filth extends from the floor all through the wall to the ceiling from which drips slimy murky fluids. Large fat rodents were everywhere going about their business without a single regard in the world. He moved about a bit in a b
id to avoid them, when he stepped upon something that melted sticking to his feet. He looked down, shrieked and taken aback. He had step on a rotten corpse thereby disrupting a lovefeast the rodents were engaged in and now they’ve gone berserk, scattered everywhere. He screamed and ran towards the door; the stench seems to have increased as a result of his action. Asides from the rodents, he was quite sure of snakes lurking in the crevices eager to make a meal of the rats. Those two goes together like bread and butter; he thought and may likely not survive it if he spends the night in this dungeon. Prompted by this he banged on the door,yelling and pleading his heart out but it was of no use because the gaurds have already abandoned him in this isolated cubicle in the middle of the bush to go attend to more pressing matters. When he got tired of yelling he sagged to his knees and prayed therafter he wept, only this time he wasn’t weeping because of his predicament rather the man it had made of him. He remained like that for long not moving despites the bites, whoozing and buzzing of insects, rodents and maggots crawling all over him including the stench. He stayed focus on his thought, transcending oblivious of his surrounding when suddenly the door flunged open and several pairs of hands lurched at him pulling him away. He sprouted to his feet abruptly as if to make away even with eyes shut but was restrained by the gaurds. The gaurds noticing he was partly conscious poured water to revive him fully. They also gave him some to drink after he came to be. As they led him back he thought of what they planned to do to him, recalling the incidence he commited earlier was a treasonable offense, one he will have to face retribution for but he was past caring. Ending it all never sounded so appealing, a sweet escape from his misery however he was intrigued when instead of going further into the plains where the mass grave site were, they went the direction of the camp, pass his quarters at the lower manstral coming to a halt at the entrance of the great manstral where he was informed Rasaq wants to meet with him at his quarters afterwhich they left him on his own. Since he has never been to this section of the camp reserved for top officials, he felt out of place and there wasn’t anyone around he could possibly ask for direction.The buildings were built quite differently from the ones he lived, each complete with utter privacy for its occupant. Continuing down the quiet and somewhat deserted boulevard, he looked sideways and around for who to ask for directions until he came across the first of several block that have lights in one of its apartment. Impulsively he went over, the blinds were drawn apart and through it he could make the outline of someone inside. It was a lady, partially nude rubbing moisturizer on her body. She slid on a robe but didn’t bother to strap it before turning to face the window, walking towards it, giving him a full view of her ample bosom. He stoops at the nick of time sliding further into the shadows. It was Mariam and she wasn’t looking happy, he thought. They haven’t seen each other since the previous day events. Swallowing hard he knew lurking outside for long will only get him in trouble, something he has been a lot in lately. He went ahead and was about knocking when he heard a child crying, he paused wondering were it was emanating from. Suddenly the door flunged opened, she was fully covered up crandling a child in her arms looking defiant.