Spilled Blood

by A. Achaka

  Both two teams head differently, Capatin musa and his Team head towards Bukuru, while the commander and the others started towards Zaria road to the warehouse. From the main city, there were about three route, that will atke them to Zaria road, the main cause has a heavy traffic jam, that even their Vehicle on a military schedule would not pass through for the next thirty minute. The driver got a easy spot that took them from the normal main road, to a short cut through a nehibourhood, it was rough and dusty, but that was the fastest way to get to their destination.

  On their way the commissioner called, asking if his men could tag along for the mission but the commander wouldn’t appreciate that and since the commissioner had made the first mistake, he withdraw his suggestions to the matter and let them handle it.

  With the speed of 120kh, they were at the junction heading to the warehouse, they could see the old structure from a little distance. The ware house was actually a factory at first and due to poor management, it was abandoned and later turned into a warehouse, which was either sold or also abandoned.

  It was on the open, structure nothing like a hid out around or worse buildings, all the uniform me looked at their selves and at the commander, if by any means the murderers were armed waiting for them, they would just walk into their funeral. They parked few meters from the junction and they proceed on foot.

  The building was huge, both on the outside and on the inside, they went round carefully to make a cover and when they had seen no one, they went inside crochinly. It was a big hall as well with broken down machines of various types, the only office was at the top right corner, at the far end of the hall, two of the uniform men went up, while the others checked through the machine, indeed they discover it was an hide out because there was drawn out plan of an attack on a small table close by to one of the broken machines.

  Their plans was there but not a soul was spotted through, in there their hopes had gone down, how they wished to get them, without much struggled but it was never walking to plan. The commander was in rage and he called them out, Just by the corner in one of the machine, a uniform man froze, his body started shaking,

  “T-Bone, whats up” Another uniform man call on him, but he didn’t much of respond quickly but the Word “Bomb” came out, all of them struggled out of the building but befor the T-bone could get out, the bomb set off. Outside the whole uniform men were confused and in rage, they had believed they lost one of their own, but they saw him crawling out heavily wounded, two men rushed and pull him out and in no time was out of there to the hospital.

  The commander was very furious, He had earlier second guess the information Seth had given them, Although that was it but, now one of his soldier is lying critical in the hospital. All at that moment oh how he wished to be in the prision cell at that moment, Seth would have wished never to have been born. Though he was furious but he wouldn’t encourage such with his boys. At that moment he thought abou the other team, hoping there would be a good news to eliminate the thought of the bomb. Immediately he reached into his pocket for his phone, it started ringing

  “exactly who I wanted calling, hello Musa” his voice got these authority sound in it and now he listened to the latest from their own mission. It wasn’t much of a great news but compare to theirs, it was another starting point.

  The commander kept on a thought to himself, ‘How did they suspect we were coming, or may be they saw us coming and vanished after setting the bomb’ he could not keep focus, but he realise his anger was not to be on Seth, because he was actually right about the warehouse.

  T-bone was give minor treatment to sustain him, and his wonds treted, they head out back to the barracks, by then the sun was way past overhead.

  They arrive the barracks in sadness, immediately T-bone was taken to the military hospital in the barracks for proper care and treatment, the Commander dispatch the other men and he head back to the office. In the office despite the airconditioner, he was still feeling the heat; this was not really the atmosphere but his body, a certain contraction his heart made, the pain was unbearable but he only could squim, he has this habit of hiding out his health to every one, never want to be called a weak man.

  In less than an hour of been in the office, he heard a distance noise, more like chanting, but to him it was a normal thing, since the soldiers can do the same during training.

  “Sir, the Captain is here to see you” his secretary mentioned through the desk phone.

  “Let him in” his thought was still going back and forth, about the incident, worse it was the man in the infammery. He was sensing weakness in his attitude lately, he suddenly feel for his men more often than usual, may be his ailing health has opened a sudden emotion locked away for the army.

  Soon a knock came on his door “come in” he answered, as the captain came in giving a half smile to the commander; he saluted and wait for his respond. He was finally asked to seat down

  “What happened” he asked

  “it looks like our guest prisoner, was right about their meeting place, when we got there, they were still having their meeting, none of which was quiet of course, We sieze the advantage and sneaked into the building, and were able to get three unlucky once, but the others vanished ”

  “So you got three of them” the commander asked

  “Yes sir, they are in the prison, separate cell, but we got a map, it seems they have more than two hide out as Seth had told us, we got some ammunition and other gadgets as well”

  “Make sure they all eat enough, and by two o’clock, we will visit Seth again, understood”

  “Yes sir” he saluted and about to leave, when the commander spoke, he couldn’t believe his ear ‘did the commander congratulate him?’ he must be dreaming or may be the incident that happened got to him, but well he had to enjoy the complement while it last and he left the office.

  Two o’clock sharp the alarm clock in his office came buzzing, which woke him up, He looked around and realise he was still in the office. He jsut kept his head down to ease the pain, in his chest and suddenly it was time up, although he feels releaved, may be all he needed was the rest.

  He got up and went to the bathroom, rinsed his face and wipe it with the hand towel, and back to his office again. Immediatly his desk phone came alive, it was his secretary giving the massage that the captain was waiting for him.

  In less than a minute, he was out walking towards the prison. His mind was clear of all the thought, though few ache for the table nap he had, walking through he saw the match pass practise by the cadet in the feild, how uniformly they match, looking out to each other, that was how he planned his life, to be perfect.

  In no time he was at the prision, Seth was already in the intorrigation room, He talked a few with the captian and the guards and he went in. Seth sat down comfortably, he was somehow excited to hear that his snitching was the right one, which off corse he knew, but the look on the commander’s face was not promising, and not convincing that any thing good had come out of it.

  “I have been very good ,to you, isn’t it?” the commander spoke up as he sat down infront of him, Seth cring a little at that tone, very scary at that moment, he was shying away with his eyes.

  “But you were not honest to me, like I treated you, you see, words have mercy I was told a story once about two people, they had a bet on who was the best deceiver among them” he stared at him for a while “I won’t tell you that story, it was for my ears alone”

  “Please” exclaimed Mr. Seth “I told you the truth, the two places I informed you, were the first places, we were to visit after the operation, at the...”

  “Why are you always in a hurry, people who rushed into life get out of it early, I was thought to be strategic” the commander interrupted him

  “I don’t know what you want from me” shouted Seth, almost bursting into tears. The commander was thrilled looking at him, what had been his problem, he got up and left the room, he met the captain in the other room, watching the tape. />
  “Go in there and found out what he was afraid of” the captain saluted and went in.

  When Seth saw the captain, his face came at ease, and slightly at peace, He watched him sat down with high shoulder, he knew these was just a child in the army trying to impress his superiors.

  “Why were you in alarm with my boss?” the captain spoke up

  “Wow look at your fine uniform, what are you? a captain right? Oh I get it right?” Seth was teasing him

  “Answer the question, or you want me to get him in here?”

  “No, please, the man has a scary look, he is very gentle but any time I see him it’s like his good morning is go to hell and I will send you there” said Seth

  “So you are scared of him?” the captain watched him closely, because he has a way of telling, if people are lying, but it seems he is telling the truth

  “I want you to be honest with me too, where is the next place”

  He kept his eyes to the captain, also watching if he was a tough one, before the next question came, a blow was sent straight to his nose and blood gush out. The captain brought out a handkerchief and gave him, when he was done cleaning the captain took it back.

  “What are going to do with it?” Seth asked, in agitation

  “Anything necessary”

  “Wait, I told him the truth, it was at the meeting place that we are going to arrange were to go next, please don’t do anything please, I beg you” he was getting nervous.

  The captain saw the fear in his eye, He let out a deep laughter and throws the handkerchief back to him and he stood up and left the room. He went to the commander at the viewing room.

  “It seems he don’t know, but we can use the other three, we caught against themselves and get the next place”

  Looking at his watched, the commander had been to occupied, that he faild to realise the time had gone almost past closing hours, He and the captain walked out of the building and asked the guards to take Seth back to his cell. They walk down back to the commanders office mostly in silence, the moment they got in, the found the secretary’s desk empty, she must have gone already, they went straight into his office and sat down. His mind couldn’t stop thinking about what Seth had said about him and no matter how he tried to hide it; it still shows in his words

  “So Seth, mmm, what did you mean by using the three others against themselves?” he tried to stay on course

  “I am saying, sir, we can use the other three to spot the next place of hiding, you see, the three of them knows they are being caught and they would stay silent but not if we snitch them together, we might tell B that A said these and it would arouse anger for him to speak, that would go for all of them”

  “All right then, let them eat enough, we will have a big day tomorrow, I have to get home early today, get your boys always ready, when anything come up, understood?”

  “Yes Sir” he saluted and left the office.

  The commander sat down alone for a while, and realised he wasn’t doing a thing but, bring up issue that were not making any sence to him, He got up, get his things and set out of the office, he had called his driver to make the car ready for departure.

  Out side the barracks towards sunset was very beautiful, the reddish ball flashes on the wind shield of the vehicle come from the east, it was aview that every body talks about, the commander himself have talked severally about it. the view was so peaceful and in no time he was lost in his thought. ‘Is my face that scary, in all his years this was the first time a criminal told him so, he would have love that very word, when he was a young and fine captain, but now he use strategy to get his jobs done and let the young once do the harsh part.

  He was almost dozing in his thought, when his phone woke him up, his reaction frightened himself, how did he let such words get to him like that

  “Hello” his face went, from frowning to smiling, as heard the other end, it was the commissioner for police, always trying to get words out of his mouth but he promised to send words over tomorrow after the encounter and hang up the call.

  He couldn’t help but smile at the naive commissioner, it might be for the press so that they would know he s doing his job. They got to the main city, and were caught up in a heavy hold up, the line was moving slowly, but eventually they got to the real problem, it was truck, trying to take a u-turn and fell blocking half the road.

  When they got to the commanders house, the sun was bearly seen, the hold up has kept them for long, for a moment he felt sorry for the driver, may be he had other plans, but the incident kept him away. After the driver had parked the car, he told him to go not minding his stuff, he would take care of it himself, He made sure he had everything and then went inside. Every where was clean, smelling good, it was well vacuumed and fresh, he had forgotten about the help, she comes in a week to take care of his laundry, cooking and tiding the house.

  He felt satisfy with the job she had done in the living room, up to the kitchen, it was sparkling, he felt his stomach turn, a smile came to that feeling, how neat environment would entice you to eat, he promised himself to eat once he had taken his bath, but immediately after the bath, all he could think of was the bed, which happens to be the paradise that he needed to visit and once on it, it was an open gate into the dream world.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Their first night in the hotel at Kaduna was awesome for Erica, she had been to many places, even overseas for holiday but she has never been free to do anything, when they checked in, she told him she wanted to go back outside because the art sculpture got her eyes. She was expecting a “No” answere or worse but he agreed and gave some money and told her not to get lost.

  He has a bit of sense when it comes to children, and looking at the way she acted earlier, anyone could let her do what she wants, speaking of which, he was scared anytime they arrive at any check point earlier, praying she would not sell him out which she didn’t. He was a bit worried but he have to allow it happen for her to trust him completely.

  The TV was on showing the CNN news, he was bearly watching the news, his thought was all on her and came the knock on the door, He was abit agitated, but finally open and saw her standing with a paper bag. He gave her a smile and she entered, and set SUYA meat she baught on the table.

  “How old are you” he asked her, that was a way to tell her he was worried about her. She on the other hand was getting irritated by the question and didn’t answer it, she went straight the table and settle to eat the SUYA meat.

  He noticed her mood had change, she had a piece in her hand but was looking at it. He knew he shouldn’t have asked her the question but he have to, she is too matured for such an age. The mood would be bad for any conversation he thought, he pick up the remote and search through the stations and it fell on Nickelodeon, He smiled and increased the volume, the famous ‘Sponge Bob Square pants’ was on play, she couldn’t resist it, but smile and keep focus on it and started eating the meat.

  He sat on the bed, looking at her and thinking how in the world, did he let this happened, he never thought this would get this way, he was now concern, if they discovered that one of the honourable’s daughter was missing, it will be a nation wide search and which means they have to be in the shadows, all through. He was trying to forse the thought to a nice conclusion,

  “Are you not eating?” she interrupted his thought, without looking at him

  “Oh yes, I will” he got up and sat in one of the chairs by the tea table, but looking at her.

  “Will you join me?”

  “Yes” before he took the first meat, she had two in her mouth and chewing and soon reunite witht the TV programme. He took his first and sink further into the chair, He couldn’t look away, there is something spectacular about the girl, he still can’t say what it is but, there is, though a conclusion flashed in his mind, “Oh yes” he whispered, may be she was some sorth of reincarnation of somebody, such children tend to be but his life was no different at all.

  The cartoon cam
e to an end, the first time she turned and looked at him, he was still in his thought and she changed the station to MBC Max.

  “if you are thinking of how to escape all these, just put me in a vehicle to Jos and you go your way” he raised his head in surprise, their eyes lock for a minute, she was actually right, he could do that and even get away from the country before anyone knows it. But on a second thought he should not, somehow he feels some sorth of obligation for taken care of the child.

  ‘Yet again, how did she know, what he was thinking?’

  “or you can take me to the police station and told them you found me wandering on the road alone” she interrupted again “Wait, no that is too risky” on that he couldn’t help it but smile

  “You are a very smart girl” he finally spoke “I was trying to figure out a way through this entire thing and you brought it to my door step free of charge”

  “No, you spared my life, even when my parents were too foolish to listen to my words” she rouse up and took another piece of meat and start to chew.

  They hadn’t realise that the time had, gone until he look at his wrist watch and saw ten minute to eleven.

  “What!” he exclaimed “wow time has gone, you need to sleep, and how about we go shopping for new clothes, when we wake up in the morning?”

  “yea” she jump up and ran into the bathroom and soon set the shower running, in no time she came out dressed again and then jump into the bed, and watched him joined too.

  “Lets pray” she told him, he smiled and sat down, she went ahead with the prayer, they all chorused Amen, when she was done and she said goodnight and slept.

  In the den of the night, the room was dark and chilled with the AC on, He was on the bed and turning, he seems to be having a nightmare, he was more like fighting to get up and finally.