Shadow War

by Chuks Gerry

  Please let her go and take me instead,’Aliyu blurted.

  Who are you and who asked you to speak?

  She’s my sister, please take me instead. I’ll be more valuable to you, she’s just a kid,’he pleaded as sirens can be heard approaching.

  No you won’t, I’m going to groom her to be my bride.

  From then on everything was a flurry; little attention was paid to him as they hurry to leave before the police arrive. He dragged her along easily overcoming her feeble attempts to break free, ignoring her cries and pleas.

  Please sir, I’ll do anything you ask of me. I’ll be more valuable,’he reiterated in tears following them outside.

  Someone pounced on him from behind hitting him hard on the gut; he fell to the ground as several feet descended on him. Just then the signal was given for their departure; the man was about lifting her into the truck when he felt a sharp pain on his wrist. He yelled flinging her aside, she prance up and dart for the minimart, jumping inside a huge drum in the pantry. He came looking for her, searching everywhere, turning the mart inside out while the others called out threatening to leave without him. Finally he gave up, fuming under his breath as he joined his colleagues. As they drove off there was a huge explosion some fifty metres away. The ripple effect rocked everywhere that even items on the shelves toppled, leaving a demarcation on the wall as some temporary structure around collapsed. The blast woke Val who apparently was still dazed from the beatings he recieved. He screamed for his sister calling and searching for her frantically. He called and called until his voice withered, fazed out in the wake of the approaching sirens. Crumbling to his knee in the dust he wept. Police vehicles were everywhere and the entire place was soon crawling with them as they went about restoring peace and order. A female officer approached him, trying to get a statement she but couldn’t make out a thing because he was sobbing uncontrollably and sounded incoherent. The officer consoled him and left to seek for medical aid for him from one of the ambulances. He felt a tap on his shoulder which he shrugged off thinking perhaps it was one of those paramedics beckoning on him.

  Brother, are you alright or did they do something bad to you too? Her tender voice tone trickled into his ear, reliving him.

  Peanut,’ he yelled grasping her tightly. I thought I they took you,’he said hugging her tight.

  Where did you spring from? He asked wiping off tears.

  From inside,’she said pointing at the minimart.

  I saw him taking you away.

  Yes but I bit him hard and ran away. She went ahead to give him a narration.

  Come here you,’he said yanking her closer for a snuggle. Losing you would have been the last straw. I don’t think I’d able to tell mom. It would have killed her.Tell me how’re you? He asked letting go and scrutinizing her from head to toe, noticing only a tiny bruise on her cheek other than that she seems perfectly okay.

  Why are you looking at me like that?

  Just checking you out.

  But I’ve said it times without number that I’m fine. Besides where are we heading from here?

  Obviously to the police station because that is where everyone else is headed. They will require our statement.

  Will that be all?

  Perhaps, I honestly don’t know.

  More ambulances trooped into the vicinity with paramedics attending to severely injured persons. Val went over to where their bus was parked to retrieve their luggage’s, with Amara by his side he took her under a shade to divert her view from the morbidity everywhere. Inside the bus where pieces of shattered glass fragments with spluttering of bloodstains which he cautiously avoided when he drew their lugages from underneath their seat. A nice paramedic came over to attend to her, giving her basic first aid treatment and an aspirin for the pains

  The police station isn’t likely to be safe either, most people I heard are taking refuge in the barracks,’ Val overhead the lady saying as he approached.

  And why are people taking refuge there? He asked cutting in.

  The entire city is under siege. Al-sahad forces have invaded the city and the army barracks is viewed as the only guaranteed safe place.

  Val gave her a bewildered stare, exchanging quick glance with Amara who was looked deathly pale.

  But not to worry I’m pretty confidence in the capabilities of our military might, to dispel them in the shortest possible time,‘ she said feigning a positive outlook.Now come over here let me take a look at you.

  She attended to his injuries briskly heading to another victim.

  Brother I’m really scared,’Amara spoke faintly.

  We have to warn mom and Eugene,’he responded getting out his cell phone to dial their numbers. His mom didn’t pick so after several attempts he gave up and called Eugene. He answered after the third trial but could barely make out what he was saying and the line soon went dead. He kept trying but to no avail all the while he kept a bold overtone to conceal his exasperation from the probing gaze of his sister.

  C’mon let’s join the others in that van going to the station,’he said curtly picking up their lugages.

  So were you able to reach either of them?

  Yes, Eugene answered but due to poor network I couldn’t decipher what he was saying.

  And what about mom?

  She didn’t pick up yet. My best guess is she probably left her phone in the car to get those groceries she’d mentioned earlier. You know how rowdy the marketplace can be. She’ll get back to us when she sees the miss calls,’he blurted confidently, a façade to dissuade her from worrying.

  But mommy always have her phone with her anywhere, she’ll never leave her calls hanging,’her voice breaking

  Like I said earlier the market is a rowdy and noisy place. She might have been distracted or something.

  A policeman stood at the entrance of the van asking people a couple of questions, writing down the information they provided before letting them inside. Amara eyes were teary, something Val only just noticed when she kept sniffing more often than usual.

  Peanut what is it? He quizzed placatingly.

  Nothing,’she responded blowing her nose with a tissue. He knew what perturbs her but there was nothing he can do especially when he was petrified himself.

  Don’t worry, everything will be fine,’he said drawing her closer. She rested her head on his lap as they journeyed to the police station.

  What was that,’exclaimed Mrs Nwankwo tapping Eugene lightly on his shoulder. Didnt you hear it?

  Hear what ma? He asked removing his earpiece.

  I thought I heard a loud explosive sound, it kind of shook me.

  Nope, didn’t feel a thing

  Why would you when you are busy nodding to those noise you call music, which you kids ain’t ever tired of listening to.

  Ma’am these are good top quality jams. You may not like it but there’s no denying the fact this generation is talented,’he said sheepishly.

  You call that brash nonsense talent. You need to have listened to music of our time, the lyrics and rhythm flow takes you on a journey until you come full circle. Musicians used their musics to tell stories which were quite relatable and different from the mediocre you guys listen to all day.

  But ma’am I can categorically tell you not all music released back then was pure honey, trust me I’ve heard some stuffs from way back that would make even the dead cringed,’ he snickered sarcasticly.

  She gave him a tap on the head

  Besides then and now are two very different era, times have change same with government, fashion, food and offcourse musical taste. I mean in the sixties there were no Al-sahad terrorizing people but now we have it to contend with,’he smirk jeerily.

  Mrs Nwankwo heaved and looked away suggesting her reluctance to continue with the line of argument.

  Don’t forget to take the bend, we’re almost there.

  Eugene swerve the car towards the bend and with a little savyness on his part was able to locate and secure a par
king space in the very busy fruit section of the market. They both got out; Mrs Nwankwo went about her shopping while Eugene hurried up to take a pee which he’d been holding ever since they left the motorpark. He hissed and spat out severally, hating on the smelling disgustiness of the drainages and dirtiness everyhwere. Nigeria market places are among the dirtiest in Africa or so he thought and despised going to the market base on that singular fact. A couple of feets ahead of him a truck loaded to the brim with watermelon was parked and two of the young men offloading it were engaged in a diatribe that soon resulted in real physical fist fight that non of their counterparts seems to be bothered about as they went on with their chores. At first Eugene was curious as to what lead their dispute and made to intervene but seeing they weren’t interested in his help, he strolled back to his car and rested on it. Feeling the dry breeze with a tinge of moisture in it, it was most likely to rain later he conclude. Talking of the rainy season and its perks including the cool weather and fresh fruits produce which abound but then its flaws of pesky mosquitoes and flood brings to mind the polarising views of nature. Just as he’d suspected, shit had gotten real between the hagglers with punches flying both ways; someone was lifted and tossed several feet across from where he stood. The enrage fellow was back on his feet in no time, took a watermelon with every intent of smashing it on his adversary head but was restrained by the market secuirities who had previously feigned ignorance.

  Eugene didn’t know why but he found the entire scenario hilarious, and he was soon smiling then laughing uncontrollably. The dude with the watermelon held steadfast to it, despite pressures from his counterparts to put it away he raised it up again making threats of smashing it on the head of his rival when it suddenly turned to smithereens in his grip, splashing its soft juicy contents all over him. He looked perplex at the others wondering how come when rattling gunshots flooded the air followed by a loud explosion and that was it, instant chaos. Everyone took to their heels running in different directions; while some traders began packing up others locked themselves inside their shop. Eugene stood in the middle of it all confused entranced in a dejavu sensation for a moment, then getting a grip on himself ran off in search Mrs Nwankwo. As he searched for her he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket, in the process of taking it out to view who the caller was he was hit by a frantic tricycle seeking an escape route. He found himself knee deep in the gutter, the tricycle driver didn’t pause for a second to check up on him scurring away. Luckily for him, his mobile landed on the pavement a few feet away. He hissed at the irony of being stucked in the same filth he abhors as he struggled to get off and reach for his mobile. He was almost there when it was smashed to smithereens by several unknown hasty feet. He yelled in anguished, picked up the pieces and went on his way. As he went along he asked several traders if they had seen her but it was utterly useless as everyone was in haste. Atlast someone pointed him towards a direction, still he couldn’t find her and the market was becoming ghostly. Perhaps she must have gone back to the car to wait he thought and here he was looking for her endangering both their lives when suddenly he saw a figure on the floor lying beside some basket of tomatoes. His heart skipped several beats as he recognised those cloths; it was Mrs Nwankwo lying passed out on a bundle of straw. He raised her head from the dirt and checked her pulse. She was fine probably passed out from the anxiety. There were loud screams and more gunshots, he looked ahead and saw several trucks filled with men wearing all black, welding guns and matchets similar to what he’d witnessed at his school, beating and pilfering anyone or shop they come across.

  Can you help me move her,’he pleaded with a young kid and his mother who were almost done packing. The mother ignored him and was about leaving with her son when she spotted the men ahead and was taken aback. The lady contemplated risking it without being notice but the brutality she withnessed made her changed her mind. She instructed her son and together they hurriedly opened back the store locks.

  Please help me she’s my mother,’he cried out to them even as the sects approached. The kid pleaded with his reluctant mother briefly and without waiting for her approval drifted off to lend a helping hand to Eugene, who too was bleading from injuries sustained from his accident. Together they managed to lift her into the shop while the panicky lady hurriedly clamps the lock. They all kept mute in the darkness sweating, heartbeats pounding to the nerve wrecking wails of victims’ who have fallen prey to them and gunshots that filled the air. After several minutes when the hysteria outside seems a bit calmer, Eugene requested for water which he used with his hankerchief to wipe her face and neck clean. She stirred open her eyes and asked where she was. He assured her she is safe and all was well, hoping she wouldn’t notice the apprehension in his eyes but he needn’t worry as she soon slipped into another slumber. He sat observing her all through noting how the incidence of the past few weeks had taken a toll on the once chubby, obstinate and vivascious personality that is Mrs Nwankwo. Right now with her head resting on his bosom was a scared frail lady who have lost a lot of weight as a result of her paranoia.

  You took good care of her, my child. You’re a good son and God will surely repay your generously. I used to say to my children that a day will come when we will need them to take care of us and my prayer is when that day comes they wont relent,’the lady spoke to him, though it sounded more like a recountation then she went mute again in her corner.

  Those were her first and only words to him for the next several hours they would spend together and though insightful was somewhat haunting, reminding him of his own mother. He remembered her travails prior to her death, wondering if she would have still been alive if he’d done more or had more to give. He used to say to himself he failed her by allowing her die, an assertion he was reprimanded by his grandmum and aunts. He remembers that infamous eve in the medical ward when a team of practitioners broke the news of her cancer situation to him and his sister, how it’d metasize. The family spent a huge fortune seeking medical, spiritual and herbal means to salvage her situation but she kept slipping by slowly and was gone in less than two month. She had died in his arms when she was being rushed to the hospital in the early hours of a Saturday morning. The frightful stares she’d giving him when she struggled for breath knowing the end was imminent haunted him till this day. He still blames himself for letting go and it resulted to him being reclusive over the months that followed, turning him into a subversive refractory young soul. In many ways being close to Mrs Nwankwo reminded him of his mother. Her likeness, character and personality exemplify a lady with polarising qualities, forceful but calm, hardcore but giving and most of all a loving mother. Still in thought he slowly drifted to a light slumber but was soon awaken by the sound of sirens. He got up gently fully alert, his eyes moist as a result of his crying subconciously. He tiptoed to the door, place his ears on it and listened thereafter he gestured.

  What are doing,’the lady hushed at him.

  I think the police have arrived, I’m going outside

  My son, don’t open that door. For all I know those people are impostors, don’t risk the lives of I and my child. Our good will not kill us o,’she blurted much to his irritation.

  Madam it won’t, but for a second can you stop thinking only about yourself. Can’t you see we have a sick lady that has been barely conscious for the past hour? She requires medical attention ASAP before it deteriorates into something worse,’he replied icily restraining his irate emotion from bursting.

  Stealthly he opened the door, ducking his head out looking sideways. There were uniform men everywhere investigating and assisting victims. Asides from the security vehicles scattered about, there were ambulances available to convene people to the hospital which gladdens and embolden him to step out. Just then the door behind jammed shut, the bolts locked in a flurry. His first intention was to damage it under the gravity of his indignation but thought otherwise. The lunatic lady is quite capable of setting him up should he act funny especially in the prese
nce of these forcemen. He instead approached a paramedic explaining the urgency of his situation at hand. Severel minutes later Mrs Nwankwo was carted into an ambulance heading for the general hospital with Eugene by her side, his own injuries tended. Seeing her relaxed and safe gladdens his heart, with a voice whispering it wasn’t his fault. A man can only do his best but requires the assistance of a divinity to proceed beyond it, the familiar tone pitched in his ears. He raised his head and looked around wondering but there wasn’t anyone else aside from the both of them. He must have slightly dozed off because he felt dizzy but somehow knew it wasn’t a dream. Resting his head backward on his seat he looked up decidingly to chill, smilling inwardly.

  Mommy thank you for everything, I am truly grateful,’he sigh with eyes shut.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Breaking news, fierce battle between the military and Al-sahad forces is currently on going in the following areas, central business district, international trade fair precinct, the tipper expressway and environs. The public are advice to avoid those areas, and a state of emergency has been declared by the federal government on the state, the newscaster read from her script.

  Here is your drink,’Val said handing her a chilled can of coke and biscuits. I thought I told you to stay off the news; it will further aggravate your emotions. She thanked him, took the snacks and kept it aside. She had since lost her appetite and pray her brother can barely notice how deep her paranoia had sinked.

  I want to make use of the ladies,’she said getting up. Uptill now he hasn’t been able to reach neither Eugene nor his mother. But he kept dialing their numbers praying fervently for a response. Loosing his mother will be an indescribable loss, Amara will be crushed, and a burden he can’t trust himself to bear.

  Have you been able to reach either of them yet? Queried Amara alerting him from his somberness, her voice sounded hoarse. It was apparent she’d been crying.

  Erm not yet, but her second line is ringing.