"It's a long story," I said.

"l know you would say that now.l want to hear that story".

"Okay, you know what, let's make a deal. what if you tell me how you came out of prison and then l would..

"I didn't go to prison, okay? So there is no story to tell. You can keep your own story," James cut in sharply before l could finish.

What! You didn't go to prison? Then, what happened? I asked inquisitively.

Just then, voices arose from outside the room, questions and answers chasing one another.
"What about Abraham? Bryan asked.
"The policemen probably caught him," Adrian replied, stuttering.

"Oh, my God, they shot you?
"No, you shot me. You ask me foolish questions, yet your eyes can see," Adrian growled angrly.

James and l rushed outside to meet the young men, James errand boys sent to kidnap Mary.
"Boys, what happened?" James asked as we met them.

"The police are still atter me. Let's get into the room, Adrian said as his voice kept dropping
notches lower. He hobbled into the room and we followed.

"Abraham has been arrested; it won't take long before we are caught,"continued.

"Tell me everything that happened, James said.

"I was shot and Abraham was arrested. We need to leave here soon, because, sooner or later, they will definitely catch up with us."

I shuddered as cold fingers ot fear gripped my insides. I tried retlecting on the phrase 'catch
up with us' and I wondered if l was actualy part of the 'us'.
"Perhaps, we should take Adrian to the hospital, I blurted out as I noticed how James had been starring at me.

"That is stupid; he is wanted and you want him to be taken to the hospital and how would you
explain the bullet? That is an odd idea; just relax, all of you, let me call Oga Martin; he knows what to do."
I nodded in agreement with James decision.
James made a call sharply and nodded after then, explaining that he got a positive response.
"Boss, what about Javier? The one you had sent to keep an eye on Mr Alex's house?" Bryan asked.

"I don't know yet; I haven't heard from him.
How did they know where to find you? That is what baffles me the most," James asked with a sad expression on his face.

Perhaps, we are dealing with a demon here;

haven't you noticed?" I said, looking at James to see
what his reaction was going to be.

Oga Martin came in; I had seen him only once
in a robbery attack w carried out in Port Harcourt.
James had told me that he was a herbalist and a spiritualist, too. He was usually called upon on a very tasking operation.

"Boys, come on, we need to leave these two
alone. Oga Martin here is a private man," James said.
I joined James as he left the room.
Bryan left the premises shortly after speaking privately with James.
"Why couldn't we stay?" I asked curiously.
"Those are his rules, and I don't question them as long he gives me what I want.
"Also, why was Adrian so sure that it wasn't safe to stay here any longer I asked on.
James smiled and cleared his throat.

"Abraham talks a lot; he is not secretive at all.

So, definitely, he would tell the police of our whereabouts. I do not involve him in our robbery
operations, because he is not my type of guy. I just regret putting him into this, because, even before he is tortured, he would tell them everything he
knows about us.

"So, what is our next step?l enquired.
"We leave tomorrow by 6:00a.m."
"To where?"
"Don't worry, it is a safe place. Only Eliaz and I are familiar with the place".
"And who is Eliza, becausel can't remember hearing that name before." Eliza is a businessman and also a Capon
of the Black Axe cult. He has the house to himself; no tamily or friend attached."

l heaved; the thought of Eliza as a Capon had reminded me of Uncle Philip who was already
late. It was as though there was a bad omen attached to these cult leaders.

"I would still ensure that Mr Alex pays for the evil he had done to me.

"Of course, William, but, for now, we just need to keep our heads down. And there is this one last robbery that will automatically catapult us to
eternal success. Real cash is involved," James stated
with poise.
The door opened at the instant and Oga Martin came out. He gazed at us for a while and then closed the door behind him.

"Adrian would be fine in a couple of hours; you shouldn't disturb him, because he is asleep now,"
Oga Martin said.

"Thanks, man; I know you wouldn t disappoint me, James said with a smile.

"James, there is something I need to tell you and you shouldn 't take it for granted," Martin said. He stared coldly at us and then looked away.
"Hope no problem, Martin?
"I could sense death when I was in that room.
I don't know who, but what I do know is that you boys should take extra precautions in this
dangerous game you are playing."
My legs trembled instantaneously and I felt
a sudden saltines in my tongue. "Was Tony a fortune-teller, also?"I wondered.
"See, Oga Martin, I know you are just bluffing Adrian was just shot; nothing is going to happen to anyone here. So you can leave now instead of scaring
us with your insane visions" James thundered.
"Okay, James, if you say so. I will take my leave now, Martin said sharply and left the compound.
James and I went back into the room and sat down.

I stared at Adrian; he looked just like a newborn baby in his sleep. "James, I'm woried about what Oga Martin had said earlier," I said to break the
Silence that hung over us since we got into the room.