by Sam Wilson
On him, he has his passport, ticket to Mexico, lots of cash in different currencies and a key to a deposit box at Banco de Mexico (Bank of Mexico) in Mexico City, he has a flight booked for 7:00pm that evening under the Name David Augustus Jester going to the Dominican Republic, one to Miami under the Name Roberto G Prada and another flight to Mexico City at 7:00pm under the Name Mayorga T Vergano, all the flight are flying through Panama Tocumen international Airport, the people that are out to get them know a lot, if they can find the safe houses, it’s possible they know about the safety deposit box in the Bank of Mexico, Cax is not going to the Bank but plan to go through Mexico into the U.S.
The taxi went through Espana and the Banking district, Central Avenue, the Amador expressway, Balboa Avenue and finally arriving at Peru Avenue and 39th street, it stops in front of the hotel Costa Inn; Cax stepped out handing the driver twenty Eight American dollars and said “keep the change” after checking into a singles room as a Mr Roberto Prada, he set about preparing for tonight, it’s 7:54 am and going to be a long wait till it’s 4:00pm when he’s going to leave the hotel and check in at the Airport at 5:oopm, for now he has to stay low, he closes the drapes, the room is on the third floor, room 315, it’s in the middle of the hall way, sitting on the bed which is in the middle of the room, his body aches for sleep, tired and sleepy he set the alarm for 13:00pm, as he lay back ready for sleep, he wondered how his men are doing, and if they made it out of the country? Sleep finally took him over.
The alarm woke him up right on time, he stayed lying in bed for a few seconds letting the alarm ring, pulled himself up feeling like he had been hit by a truck, called the reception and ordered chicken sandwich for lunch, got up from the bed and took a shower lasting fifteen minutes, as he came out of the bathroom the door bell rang,
CAPT’N CAX
Who is it?
MAN VOICE
Room service sir
He walked to the door and opened it; the man carrying a tray entered the room placing the tray on the desk in front of the bed, Cax tipped him ten dollars, “thank you” he said, “no worries” replied Cax, the man walked out closing the door, he puts on a black suits and black shoes to match, time is 13:50 when he checked the big clock that is hanging on the wall over the desk, a few hours to go he thought, switches the television on with one hand and grapes a sandwich from the nice china on the tray with the other, sat down on the edge of the bed and switches with the remote control from channel to channel then finally stop, leaving it on CNN news report, he was so hungry he didn’t realise when he finished his lunch, the time was now 14:25.
Two Caucasian men in gray and black suit walked into the small but stylish lobby of the hotel, they spoke with a British accent, the man in gray suit asked the beautiful brown hair, green eyed receptionist about their reservation, “Do you have a reservation for Mr Matthew Harris and Mr Joseph goodwill”? The receptionist quickly checked in the computer, “yes sir, I have a reservation for two double rooms, she replied, at that moment a business man in his late sixties that checked in at ten o clock that morning and went for a business meeting, interrupted their conversation, he had given his room keys to the receptionist before going out. He had wanted a room on the third floor because it’s just two floors up, not too much stairs to climb when the elevator is out and still with a good view, in the calmest of voice said “how are you darling” he turned to the gentlemen standing beside him “I’m so sorry to come between your conversation” before they could answer, turned back facing the receptionist “ but I am in a rush, can I have the key to my room please”? “And your Room number is”? She asked, “Room 311” he replied, she opened a drawer under the desk, quickly found the key, “here you are, is that man by the elevator with you sir”? She couldn’t see his face “Yes, that is a business partner” the well-spoken man took his keys and walked off towards the Elevator.
Cax stood in front of the mirror looking at someone else, this job is partly acting and gave him opportunities to be someone else, to meet some of the most dangerous individuals, see and do the unthinkable, stopping what would be catastrophic is what gave him satisfaction. He repeated some affirmations to himself silently, preparing himself mentally for what is ahead, he always does that whenever he has to go through customs in disguise, the time is 15:48, he carried his bag and walks out of the room, surveyed the corridor from side to side before closing the door behind gently, turns to the right and walked towards the elevator that is at the end of that corridor, he pressed the white button with an arrow pointing down, it made a ding sound, the elevator is on the 9th floor, it begins to descend counting down, 8, 7, a familiar voice calmly called out his Name behind him, “Caxander” a voice he recognised so well, a voice that gave him comfort when he was in training, the voice of a man he will always have respect for, one of his trainers, could it be true? For a moment his heart jumped but he composed himself just as quickly, he turned around and to his surprised he was not imagining things, it was his mentor (the faceless man by the elevator) he couldn’t say anything, they just stood frozen staring at each other in anticipation of action, he noticed something else, the two emotionless men in black suit that were at the safe house was now standing on elder side of him (the men that spoke with British accents), the air was thick with suspense, it was like the wild west were the cowboys challenges each other for a duel to the death, waiting for who will draw his pistol first. This betrayal caught Cax off guide, the elevator doors opened making a dong sound, no one moved, it was empty inside, the door closed and proceeded downwards,
THE MENTOR
This is bigger than you can imagine. You know how this is going to end, don’t fight it.
Cax went for the 9 millimetre pistol he has at the back of his trouser but he stood no chance, with a silencer mounted on each of their pistols they simultaneously shot him twenty five times ending with three shots to his head. They walked back to their rooms like nothing happened, leaving Cax hanging to life by a thread.
ELEVEN
PRESENT DAY
The elevator doors opens and General Ealing comes out walking towards Cax’s hospital room, he enters the room finding Cax still bed bound, head bandaged and looking worse than he had left him, he had had two operations since the last time he had seen him but seems to be recovery fine, Cax smiled a weak but welcoming smile as soon as he saw the General,
CAPT’N CAX
Good to see you sir
GENERAL EARLING
Good to see you too son, do you recognise me?
CAPT’N CAX
Yes sir, how are the boys?
GENERAL EARLING
Don’t know, it’s as if they disappeared from the face of the earth, as soon as you are ready, we will bring them home safely out of hiding.
Cax nodded his head in agreement, he doesn’t quit remember everything but bites and pieces, he noticed the General looking troubled even though he’s putting on a brave face,
CAPT’N CAX
Sir, are you all right?
GENERAL EARLING
It’s nothing for you to worry about boy.
CAPT’N CAX
Please help me take my mind off this place
GENERAL EARLING
(Against his own judgement, he started talking) The unthinkable has happened, those we were working to stop has helped our enemies carry out the most catastrophic event that no one saw coming, we are at the brick of war and (the General stopped, looked at Cax who is listening to him and smiled) tell you what, this is extremely complicated, you don’t need this right now!
CAPT’N CAX
Sir, it’s ok, can I ask you something?
For a moment the general thought he saw Cax as he used to be, calm and collective and also something in his eyes made him think he remembered something.
GENERAL EARLING
Sure son, what is it?
CAPT’N CAX
Why didn’t you pick up the phone when I call you?
The General didn’t give hi
m an answer and didn’t turn around neither but stared out of the window into the make believe ocean, it showed a world beyond reach, a place of such beauty that it only exist in someone head or Dreams, he will like to go there and stay there.
They have fallen. They have fought their way through and did not survive. What was once thought to be impossible, part of him wanted to prove they were not invincible. It was said they did what other couldn’t, they went, and succeeded where others wouldn’t dream, they brought a new meaning to the word EFFICIENCY, they were known as GHOST, now GHOST IS DEAD. Such a shame, the plan did not work out as planned but things may change in the future. Senator Rushmore closed his diary after the last entering and attempted to get up but due to back aches slop down back on the soft chair, he heard the door open and called out to his wife, no one responded. He stood up and ample towards the door then he heard the voice behind him.
“This is a nice brandy senator”
“Tom, how many time have I told you not to enter my house this way, especially when my wife is at home” he said angrily
“ She is not home Senator, besides this is not the usual kind of visit”
“What in the name of the Lord are you talking about” he demanded shouting to the point where his face got red, his feeling got worse when he saw the other two personality challenged men breeze in from behind a large book shelf, he has heard of this two, death follows them. Tom Wright crossed his legs, made himself comfortable smoking a large Cuban cigar and spoke in a condescending manner.
“Have a seat Senator”
The Senator stood in trepidation at first staring at Tom then he smiled accepting his faith, took a seat, and lights a cigar.
5
ZIZA-LAND
The Queen known to her friends as Mada is in labour and in the process of delivering, she laid on a woven mat bed, in one of the mud brick hut inside of the palace known to everyone as the village, her faithful midwife named Ama by her side as always. Wiping the queen's sweating face with a piece of white cloth, also in the room is the king's younger brother's wife, princess chika who is pregenant but not due yet, she watched over the queen carefully. As soon as the baby emerged, Ama and Chika exchange quick glances because unexpectedly the baby turned out to be a boy. Ama quickly took the child away while chika gave the queen a mixture of herbs in a clay bowl to help calm her. Tired queen mada drank it from her hands, she feet weak and dizzy, Ama returned distraught, holding the baby close to her bosom, he has past away. Queen Mada raise her weak hand towards Ama but it fell back on the mat as her life faded away before Ama as a result of the shock. When Chika confirmed her death, Ama quickly placed the dead baby beside her, grief overcame them, and they started crying at the top of their lungs. One of the king's guards who were posted at the front door, upon hearing about the unfortunate incident, dashed in a hurry to the palace to report the bad news. King Muluzi was shattered on the inside, the village elders, and his brothers tried in vain to console him. Later that night, the king's younger brother called Mugee met with an old witch, who held a baby to her chest, he dropped a bag of cash into her outstretched hand, without saying a word the woman disappeared into the night. Prince mugee returned to his home to celebrate his first victory. Two days on, princess chika gave birth to a baby boy, the heir to the throne. King muluzi was not happy because he regards his brother as a great weakly, lover of many women and at any threat, will submit the kingdom to the enemies.
9 years after their alleged victory, they have waited patiently but prince Mugee and Chika patients has ran out, king Muluzi refuses to die and he is impregnating his four wives as much as he can, fortunately his efforts hasn't yielded any heir. But his days are about to be shortened; they have made plans to hasten his demise. A knock on the door interrupted their discussion, their son Obi stepped in to announce that an older lady is at the back of the house waiting for them. They ordered all their servants to their quarters including their son but he instead hid in a dark corner watching his parents meet their old acquaintance.
As soon prince Mugee and his wife Chika got to the back of the house, they recognize the old woman instantly, many years has past but that posture and aura was distinct and unmistakable, she moved slowly towards them as if aided by wheels under her feet. They had been expecting her but still her presence made the air chilly with fear, something was not right, albeit she seem happy. They didn’t greet each other or rather the old medicine woman did not give them the opportunity but with her gaze directed them towards a light skin young boy standing 20meters away tucked behind some over grown leaves. They followed her gaze, saw the cute, shy, and innocent kid, and turned their heads back to her demanding an explanation. Without missing a bit, she told them flat out that he is the king’s son whom she has raised as her own; she named him kadize meaning the great one. They where taken aback by the revelation and would have jump on her like hungry lions killing prey but they held back because she is a woman of dark arts. She further explains everything, as they had wanted and instructed, she tried eliminating the baby that very night, but something bizarre happened in the process. With her right hand she gently swept her breaded long hair away from her face and revealed a nasty scare on her neck. It happened, as she was about to plunge a dagger into the baby’s chest, when suddenly her neck sliced open gushing out blood, she was bleeding to death. A quick chant with her powers kept her alive. Finally, at the end of the story, true or not, she warned, it is better to deny him of his throne than to kill him and woe unto the person who dare try. Without waiting for the two confused couples response, she strode to young kadize and whispered into his ears then walked away without looking at the prince again. Now prince Mugee and Chika are left with double trouble, the king is not yet dead and now the son whom they thought they gotten ride off is standing right in their court yard with warnings not to harm him. Meanwhile kadize stood clutching his little suitcase, waiting to be taking in. Chika called her maid Una to take him to the hut far on the left hand side of the compound close to the goats and chicken barn. The next day prince mugee ordered logs of firewood for kadize to cut. He obeyed without objection. Chika who could not take her thoughts off kadize wanted to prove what the old witch said was true. She mixes a drink for kadize and gave it to her servant Una to take to him. Una approached him with the drink not suspecting anything, kadize was glad to have something to drink after an hour or two of cutting wood in the scorching sun. It took milling seconds to finish the cup of drink, he gave the cup back with a big thank you and a smile, she chuckled and said “cute” took the cup and headed for the kitchen but before reaching the kitchen door, she fell to her kneels, crushed her stomach and cried out in pain. Kadize left the wood he was cutting and rush to her side, instinctively he reached into the purse on his waist and brought out a small black bottle and pour the mixture into her mouth, she then vomited everything kadize drank on the concrete floor. Upon seeing what happened, chika ran to her husband and narrated the incident. While kadize carried Una to her hut and carefully placed her on the mat and returned to his job as if nothing happened.
The next day Prince Mugee and his wife after much deliberations, decided on a different approach, their thoughts rested on using a man instead of a woman, maybe that will make a difference. They knew any of their helps would do anything for a chance at setting up something for themselves but one above all would kill to obtain it. They called to their private quarters their lead help Ibe, poured his ear full with lies about Kadize and offer him a plot of land to assassinate kadize in the forest when he goes to fetch firewood. The thought of owning a land and turning it into a profitable farm pleased Ibe very much and agreed to do as he was asked. And secondly he noticed since kadize came into the compound, that the prince and his wife have been on edge, he relished the idea of gaining favor with the prince, better yet with the King himself, all he has to do is get raid of a pest.
