THE RECKONING

Chapter 4

Tightening the Noose

Tayo Cole was worried. Two of their trusted contacts had not checked in for a while. It was unusual, as they had all agreed to check in with one another twice every day. For two days now, Ralph their skipper and John the tech guy.
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“I’m worried. Something’s wrong.” Tayo complained to Nike.
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“I am too. They never take as long to make contact. Should we get ready to leave?”
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“Good idea. Also, let’s keep it from Jasmine and Kay for now. We’ll let them know if it was a false alarm.”
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Nike nodded and began to prepare the kids to go. They already had go-bags packed so they only needed a few more essentials. In thirty minutes, they were ready. As they were about to leave the house, rapid knocks sounded on the door. Tayo put his fingers to his lips, a sign for the kids to be quiet. He waved them into the kitchen and went to look through the peephole on the door.
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“It’s Ralph, thank God. But stay put with the kids, Nike. He looks frazzled somewhat.”
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Tayo opened the door and Ralph rushed inside, breathing heavily. Tayo made sure to close and lock the door.
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“Hey man, what’s going on? You just went incommunicado.”
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“They came out of nowhere. I don’t know how or who they work for but they took John and me. They wanted information on Jasmine and Kay,” His face fell and he began to sob. “John’s dead, Tayo. They killed him in front of me.”
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It had to be Crimson Widow. Tayo didn’t have time to process the rest of the information. “Did you tell them anything?”
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Ralph shook his head. “No, I didn’t give them anything! Neither did John.”
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“How did you get away then, if John was killed? Why leave you alive?”
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.” It- it was about an hour ago. The guard wasn’t looking… I took a chance. Wendy’s was my destination but I thought to warn you first.”
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Tayo pondered Ralph’s words while taking in his appearance. It didn’t look like he was lying. His head had more bumps than he could count, and his lips were cracked and busted. Even his clothes were wrinkled and torn in several places with dried blood splattered here and there. It all didn’t add up though. If these people could kill for the information they wanted, why then did have such lax security? Unless…the realisation hit him like a splash of cold water.
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“You dunce! They must have let you escape.” Ralph started to shake his head but Tayo continued, “You’ve led them straight to us!”
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As if on cue, the front door was blown off its hinges in an explosion. Tayo and Ralph were thrown backwards. They barely had time to recover before several armed men in black fatigues swarmed the residence. In no time, they had done a thorough sweep of the house and had all its occupants on their knees with rifles pointed at the backs of their heads.
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“All done sir,” One of the men called to someone outside. A man in a tailored suit sauntered in.
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“So this is where they’ve been hiding.” The man said under his breath. He turned to Tayo and the rest on the floor. Nike was busy trying to calm the frightened kids. “I do apologise for the mess, but it was a necessary evil. Now who do we have the pleasure of meeting here?”
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No one said a word. The man sighed. “Okay, you want to do this the hard way? It’ll be my pleasure.” He collected a pistol from one of his men and knelt in front of the kids. He pulled S.J close.
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“Let go of him!” Nike shouted, trying to wrestle S.J from the man. One of the guards hit her over the head with the butt of his gun and she collapsed in a heap.
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“Nike! Mummy!” Tayo and Wole screamed, the former struggling against his captors. One of the assailants held fast to Wole preventing him from rushing to his mum’s side.
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The man paid them no mind. “Oh little one, I’m not here to hurt you. See, I’ve dropped my we.apon.” He made a show of dropping the weapon on the floor then raised his hands. “I’m unarmed. I only need some information from you and then everything can go back as it was. That’s simple right?”
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S.J nodded, pointing to where Nike lay un.co.ns.cious. “And aunty Nike will wake up too?”
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“She’s not your mum,? Interesting. Can you tell me who your mum is?”
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“S.J don’t tell him anything!” Tayo was silenced with slaps and punches.
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The man looked at S.J once again. “Listen little man. You can stop this. All you have to do is tell me who your mummy is.”
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Shivering, S.J nodded. His lips wobbled. “But she’s not here. She went on a trip with my dad.”
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“I see. I wonder, do you know what your mummy’s real name is? Can you tell me that?”
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“My mummy’s name is Jasmine Adewole-Smith.” S.J said with pride
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“The man smiled. “Good boy. You’ve done well.” He patted S.J’s shoulders.
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“Can we leave now sir? You promised.”
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The man straightened. “Of course. We’ll all leave together.” To his men he said. “Take them to the car.”
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Amidst wails and threats and shouts, they dragged everyone outside.
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“Get me on the line to Crimson Widow. She’s going to be extremely pleased with this news.”
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©Hafsah bint Nurein
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It seems Amanda is currently winning the game! What do you think happens next?
The Reckoning will resume on Monday in shaa Allah.
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See you!