Chapter Five: Unfortunate incidents

Chapter Five 

Unfortunate incidents 

At the start of Thursday morning, Grey had received a letter telling him to see YouTube videos on how to reload, and fix a sniper. He had watched himself to exhaustion, and slept through most parts of other videos that loaded themselves...thanks to the limitless WiFi the company provided for his home.

However, he had learnt a few things, because he had seen himself practising in his sleep, Helen shouting again—again anytime he failed to pull the bolt handle fast enough. 

Helen kept to her promise that Thursday, engaging him in the discussion that had led to them meeting.

"I was invited to a friend's party at a club. It was one of Tatenda's friends. So many guys and babes, it was a rocker. The place was festive with good music. Tatenda didn't tell me she was leaving. Suddenly, things changed after she left, as did the music. I saw blood spray in the air, guys laughed. I was by a corner with two other girls. I ran, they followed. 

"Eventually, once out of the building, we were all in tears and shaking from what we just saw. While the other two kept talking about what they had seen, I ran to the comfort of Tatenda's house. She comforted me, then said to follow her so she could report to a friend, and that was where I was drugged, dash how we met via the rape attempt before they would deliver me to whomever they wanted to." 

"Don't you have a family?" Grey asked, then noticed she didn't want to broach the subject because she was in tears. "If no one caring is looking for you, you're welcome to stay with me." 

Truthfully, it felt like The Secret wanted them both to be together, for the day the white truck had arrived, it had brought clothes Helen loved so much with her favourite colour which was blue. They had fun together for most of Thursday at the swimming pool behind the house. Grey had inspired it to take her mind off what she had told him. From the way she smiled, Grey could tell she was beginning to get over whatever had happened to her, one he hadn't fully understood yet. Someone making interest from the death of girls, and he would find out…either with the help of The Secret, or alone. 

On Friday morning, a letter found its way into the Range Rover as he left his room to warm it. Grey read it. 

Dear Mr. Garrett, 

You're to go to the Fidelity bank at Beryl Avenue today to make a withdrawal of five million naira. Use the blank cheque for the withdrawal. 

Yours faithfully,

The Secret. 

Grey readied himself, told Helen he had to make a withdrawal and asked if she needed anything...Helen said she was okay then thanked him for the effort. Grey got into the Range Rover, zoomed for the Fidelity bank at Beryl Avenue with the blank cheque in his jacket.

He passed students holding and shaking white containers in hands and they were in rags. While at a traffic, two approached him, Grey gave each five thousand naira, then kept on moving when the lights showed green. He arrived at the bank, got inside, wrote five million on the cheque he got from his jacket, then went upstairs to a room the security directed him to. They stacked the money into a bag, he then met a rather confused security man who handed him a letter. 

Grey tucked it into his jacket, took the bag in hand, then left the bank.

On his way out, armed men in casual clothings laid everyone on the floor. Two stayed outside with Grey and other customers, the rest got into the bank, Grey didn't need a prophet to know what was going on inside. Gunshots were heard, then the men walked out with big bags in hands. One took Grey's bag and wristwatch, deposited two bullets hastily at his back, then moved into their car, backed out of the premises, and off they went. 

Grey couldn't believe what just happened. He had been shot. How was he still alive? He walked up to his car, backed it—trying to get a glimpse of his back, no tear. He looked at the others who slowly got to their feet, then began to run. He entered his car, set off for home, but hadn't erased thoughts of what just happened.

When he arrived, Helen wasn't in the parlour. He opened her room, she was there, but asleep. Grey got up to his, and there was a letter on the bed. He picked it up. 

Dear Mr. Garrett, 

We are sorry for the unfortunate incident you just experienced. Get to the store, await further instructions. 

The Secret. 

Grey got to the store on the same floor with his room, pushed the door which he once tried to open, but it refused to, though now it did. It was dark inside. He looked for the switch, he found it, tripped it on, lights revealed different kinds of rifles and guns.

What the hell is this? Grey thought. If the police raided his house and found this room, with letters that appear and disappear on their own accord, what would he explain?

Grey found a note. He picked it to read. 

You're to dismantle a rifle, fit it into a casing on the shelf, then use it for your evening mission. 

What evening mission? He hadn’t gotten a letter. He thought better than to disobey. Grey walked up to the rifle, felt its weight, then began dismantling it. When he was done, he got down the casing which had rounds in it, fitted parts of the rifle into the casing, then took it to his room. 

Grey hadn't gotten any other letter, so he undressed, waiting carefully for darkness so he could go spy on Jamal and Tatenda. By five-thirty in the evening, Grey heard the footsteps approaching his room...it stopped, then began to leave. 

He must have deceived himself to be sleeping, else he wouldn't hear the footsteps. 

Grey came out, there was only a letter. He moved to the window facing the road, he saw no one. Grey walked back to pick up the letter which said: 

Dear Mr. Garrett, 

You're to kill everyone in room six of the Bright Haven hotel, first floor. When you're done, you're to walk in and retrieve your watch, and money. 

That of the bank, you're to leave it with the security at the Fidelity bank gate without saying a word to them. 

The Secret. 

Now they've stopped saying yours faithfully. What? Did they get tired of being faithful? Grey thought. Grey had his bath, dressed up, took the casing to the car, then moved out.

He drove to the Bright Haven hotel, looked for the highest building next to it, then rode there. He took the casing out, and began walking to the building. He used the backstairs, walked to the first floor, then set the casing down. He opened it and began arranging the rifle how he had seen it done on YouTube. 

Grey positioned himself, but one major problem, he couldn't tell which was room six. He wanted to go down then across to check, quickly, he thought to look through the scope. Grey spotted the man who had shot him, then the one who had raised his voice saying they all should lay on the floor...now was the time, The Secret's instruction was clear.

The room was exposed through the glass from this height. He activated the heat signature to better improve his chances. 

Grey took a deep breath, placed his finger on the trigger, then he aimed.

One, two, Grey pulled the trigger. The first man went down...he quickly reloaded as they were all shocked, fired the next man, then the next. Another dived for the bed, Grey got him in flight. One rushed under the bed. Grey could see him moving, he shot through the foam, the man lay still. One was hiding in the bathroom…Grey waited. It must have been five minutes when the man stood to look through the window, Grey pulled the trigger—his head split open. He dismantled the rifle, put it in the trunk, then drove to the front of the Bright Haven hotel. He concealed his silencers in his jacket, walked into the elevator, pushed the button for the first floor. 

Thank God, there were no cameras here. Grey shot the door lock, it opened. He closed it behind him, looked to the position he had stayed in through the window, he had the faint feeling he was being watched by another rifle.

Grey saw his wristwatch on the table, he cleaned the blood off it, then put it on. He spotted his bag which was untouched, and took it to the entrance. The bank’s money which was scattered on the table, Grey used a wet rag to clean off the blood stains, then arranged it in the bag. He heard a wheeze, someone dropped. Grey quickly turned back, he saw a man gagging from the bullet that passed through his neck.

He was definitely right. Someone was watching him. Grey wondered if he ran up there, would he be able to meet them and ask them a few questions? He thought against it, then left for the elevator. 

He put the bags next to the rifle casing, then drove to the Fidelity bank. There were armed security patrolling the grounds now, Grey stepped out with the bags that had been taken from the bank. The security man asked who was that, he ignored, simply dropping the bags at the gate. He got into the Range, then drove off for GRA.

Grey got to the position he was on Wednesday night with his casing. The rifle he had used was still there. Did someone know he was coming? Did The Secret want him to do this for Helen? Grey had no idea. He put on the headset, there was already a conversation, Grey watched through the scope of the rifle.

Wait, it wasn't a conversation. It was the pleasurable moan of people having sex. Seems this was a norm...Grey removed the headset, waited for some minutes, then replaced it back to his ear…they weren't done.

“Aaahhh," Grey exhaled. "Keep it up. Just keep it up."

Within a space of ten minutes, he replaced the headset to his ear, they were done, Grey watched through the scope. 

"How much did they achieve?" Tatenda asked. 

"I don't know. Some millions. More than twenty I think," Jamal said. 

"Not bad. What do you want to use the cash for?"

“I wanted to use it to hire a worthy assassin to take out those other girls, and Helen." 

"You've not found her yet?" 

"Sadly, no. We've tried. The police practically set roadblock at so many points, nothing still. That girl is a pain in the ass." 

"Are you sure she's not left the state?" Tatenda asked. "We have her dad. He said there's no notable relation outside the state. She's all they have literally. I think she's still here. The only option we have is to activate the assassins. Hopefully, one of them bad boys would get up to her before we do," Jamal said. 

"How do you hire an assassin?" 

"On the Dark Web." 

"Wait. Do they like, register with their names, or do they use nicknames?" 

"Only a fool, or a feared ace assassin would register with their real name on the Dark Web." 

"Nice. I wish to register and see how they do things there." 

"What name would you use?" 

Grey heard Jamal call the site, he noted it in his head, then Tatenda went ahead to say she would love the name Unhealthy Skimmer. Grey took note…and also heard Jamal register as Bad Rain…he took note. 

Grey went further to listen in on their discussion. 

"I hope she guards what she has more than her life," Tatenda said. "I pity what is coming for her."

Jamal laughed. "Me too. What is the saying, 'Only the good die young.'” 

"That's just ain't right." She laughed. "What's our next course of action?" 

"I'm waiting for the guys to call me. I need to know the final amount I'll get to place on her head, cause if Ahmed comes here, we won't be safe." 

"What is the value?" 

“Nine hundred trillion US dollars. And many companies in Rivers state are being filled in on it. I wonder what would happen when word gets out about it. How did we get this careless?" 

"My God. We have to find her fast. Have you considered hiring private military contractors?" 

"My love, money is the in thing now. Money is just the main problem." 

The room fell silent for a while. Grey could see Tatenda pacing the room. 

"What if we use our money?" she asked.

"The one Ahmed paid? Love, that's for both of us. We can't just use it to start planning revenge on some slutty fool." 

"Call the boys then." 

"They are meant to call me after they are done." 

"Damn it. What if we just run?" 

"To where? Where could Ahmed not possibly find us?" 

"Uhm, London!" 

"He has people there." 

"The United States?" 

"He has so many people there." 

"Damn. Nowhere is safe then." 

"Unless, wait. I know there's just one place he's found difficulty getting to." 

"Where is that?" 

"Russia." 

"Russia?" 

"Yes, Russia. Ahmed would be here in a matter of weeks or months for his girls. We could just run away, break his trust, that's it. He would have no option but to deal with Helen on his own." 

"That sounds brilliant. When do we begin packing?" Grey watched Tatenda sit on Jamal. 

"I'll get our visas ready by tomorrow. We can leave first thing Sunday morning." 

The phone rang, Jamal picked. "Yo, Luke, what's up?" 

"I'm there, man." 

"And?" 

There was a pause. 

"And?" Jamal repeated. 

"They are all dead, man." 

"Wait. What? Come again." 

"They are dead." 

"The money?" 

"There's nothing here." 

"Shit. Shit—shit—shit—shit. Shit fucking shit."

“What happened?" Tatenda asked. 

Jamal gave her a sign gesturing it was all gone. She placed a hand to her mouth. 

Grey removed the headset, stood up, then turned to leave…again he saw the figure he had seen Wednesday night backing him. He thought for a moment, and edged closer to the person. 

Grey felt little rocks hit his shoe, then stopped. This person had his arms folded, and under his left arm was a silencer aimed at Grey's shoe. 

Grey thought better but to distance himself. This person was definitely one of them. He just wanted to ask one or two questions. No amount of questions could be enough on this organisation. They were so organized, it was hard to know where or who they were. 

Grey tried to trick them into saying something, so he voiced, "Sorry. Odd unit and all. I mean I literally don't own my life any more. You could at least honour me with a few hints and all."

It didn't work. 

"Thanks anyway,." Grey took up the sniper casing he had brought, left to the stairs and began to descend. He put the casing in the trunk, stared at the rooftop, he felt the person staring down at him. Grey got into the car, then drove off for home. He wished there was a car around he could use to identify with this person, but there was nothing in sight. 

He got home, met Helen eating on the table. She saw the casing in his hand, asked how his night was, Grey replied, “Fine.” 

Helen walked into the kitchen, and returned to set what she'd prepared on the table for him, took the rifle casing to his room, then returned to join him on the table. 

Grey stood, removed his suit jacket, unclipped the gun strap, kept it on the chair, then returned back to the table. Helen gave him a curious look, one eager to hear the tales of tonight. When he refused to decode the message, she asked, "What did you find out tonight?"

Grey waited for the spoonful of pasta to go down before he said, "Ahmed would be here in a matter of weeks or months. The people who want to kill you robbed a bank and stole my watch. I killed them, and gave the bank back their money...case closed."

Helen arched a brow. 

"Oh, and they want to place a bounty on your head for you to be assassinated." 

Grey was slightly amazed Helen wasn't phased by this news. 

"Aren't you scared?" he asked. 

Helen shook her head. 

"Why?" 

"Cause what I'm in possession of would never be bountiful if I die. Besides, I can't die now, and I don't fear death. You can protect me." 

Grey smiled. Hope she wasn't trying to stir up courage that wasn't there, cause he never really saw himself as one who was courageous enough. Foolish, yes...but not courageous. 

"You know, I barely take night walks. Me finding you that night, and all that happened, I would just say we were fortunate. We would have been the ones dead." Grey deliberately didn't ask what she was in possession of. He felt he probably needed to earn her trust to know what that was, so he kept to himself.

Thoughts of the secret returned as he prepared for bed. Why was that room bugged? Why was that headset there? Why hadn't The Secret said anything about this girl yet? Just what were they hiding? 

Grey hated not being let on everything. He had heard of Helen's dad. He had personally withheld that information from her.

The Dark Web came to his mind. He got his laptop, got into the site, remembered them saying only a fool would register with his real name...he could stay anonymous if he wanted to, instead he scrolled through different nicknames of assassins on the list for the time being...they were more than five hundred thousand, Grey stopped.

He went to the most wanted list, he saw names of people with price tags to their real names or pictures. Some were being ticked good which somehow he knew meant they were dead. More pictures were being ticked, Grey was in shock. Just how many people die in one night by the hands of assassins. And the names of the people or companies that set the price tag on their head was beside the names. 

He went to his account, filled in a fake bio with the weapon he loved using, went to the name section, thought long and hard, then typed—Night Mist.