All Chapters of The Interception: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

My fingers clasped their way around her purse but rudely she snatched it from my grip, letting her sharp nails slash over mine lightly. 

The day had aged extremely, contrasting to the bright blue colour that had welcomed me before I entered this building, now, it was all pitch black. The cool wind hit me as I pushed open the back door with speed, hoping to still catch up with the strange woman.

  One could even taste the festivities in the air, the fumes were too strong, tempting our nostrils even and the intriguing tunes, goading our ears. My father had already left for Lagos, seeing as our work here was done but I had decided to stay a little longer which meant giving into Bankole's idea of joining the natives and trying to at least for a day, imitate their lifestyles.

I hadn't expected a call after David's message and now I found myself walking into the Giginya Memorial Stadium in Sokoto. It was almost empty if not for the pair tossing a handball amongst themselves at the centre. A barbed wire fence separated the row of seats from the actual ground where the action usually took place.Bankole and Osaze came to mind and I just hoped they had managed to calm the fire in their heads as well as also escape the angry looking police men that marched to remove the men causing a scene in broad daylight.The Memorial stadium wasn't at all awe inspiring but it wasn't a sorry sight either, though, we all held high hopes as it was heard that the government had planned to renovate the popular sporting arena which may be the beginning of our reign at the biennial Olympic games.

Something dropped, soiling the paper on the spot where it landed. I had thought it was raining but when some had stained my cheek next, I knew then that it was my tears.My knees buckled and my hands reached out to stop myself from crumbling to the ground and curling up like that child who had mourned for the leave of his mother, now it was much worse. I was still tender, a bit over seven when she had left but actually, that had been what father made me believe. He had said that she abandoned us and that she hated me but the flowery images of mother that sometimes flashed through my mind showed only an unbreakable bond and nothing at all like hate. I refused to believe it though, and I had vowed to find her but now if I wanted answers, I guess I would have to swim through the underworld.

   My elbows were on my thighs, back bent forward while my hands cradled my head in them. I took a trip down memory lane as I recalled the events of last night and as if on cue I felt her fingers creep their way past my shoulders. It was morning and the blinds were still shut, blocking away daylight but I had been too busy in thought. I was awake now and unfortunately, I had woken up in the present. 

   "How did you get in?" I still questioned but with caution because I knew any sudden plock, and I might release the beast.

Whoever had been shot multiple times by someone who was unquestionably brutal and deadly and the harsh whispers produced by frightened people around were doubtlessly adding to the commotion. I saw Shade at some point, she looked scared, covering her mouth with her hand like she could throw up at any moment. I didn't think there was anything else that could go wrong but truly I was mistaken.  

    "Did you do it?" Bankole asked as we lined up with the rest like we were waiting for some bank attendant or were at an election poll.       "Of course I didn't," I replied, still holding on firmly to Shade's hand. She had calmed a bit but I could still see that she was restless. 

    She had taken the fall on purpose, she had done this for me, for us. I knew my father eventually told her what had transpired between my chance encounter with Erik and the truth behind the gala, how else would Shade have known and figured out so quickly. Maybe I should have even warned him that Erik failed to show up for the anticipated gala but I guess I just didn't want to believe that I had been deceived, it was inconceivable.