I got discharged in the evening. I left the hospital and went straight to Kate’s lodge. The mood Kate was in that evening wasn’t good at all. Her eyes were red and her face looks gloomy.
On opening the door, Kate stood up, came towards me and said—
“So, my fears are real. You’re now a member of that evil society! What an irony! My supposed boyfriend is now part of the ones that haunts me…” I cut in.
“No! My membership means your security and freedom. Being there now puts an end to every haunting of your soul!”
“Dayo; you don’t understand. That guy this morning is a dare-devil. He’s a beast; a murderer. He was the one that shot my dad. He was wearing beret and sun-shade. Just before he shot my dad, he removed his sun-shade. He killed him…” and she broke down in tears. I drew her closer so that she buries her head on my chest. Raising up her head and wiping off her tears, she said—
“Baby, promise me; even when I’m gone, that you’ll still kill Bobby.”
“Stop it Kate! Knock it off! You? Die? Who’s going to kill you? Bobby? I’d have killed him before then…”
“Then do it now! You need to take your revenge fast! My life and Larry’s life is at stake. You’re the only one that can salvage us. Please do something fast…” And she broke down again in tears.
Kate wept profusely that evening but I managed to console her and assured her that I’ll kill Bobby even before he makes any moves again. I’ve forgotten so easily that Larry told me that, I’d have being able to kill all Dark Eyes member before I can kill Bobby and that’d take time. However, I had made up my mind to jump all protocols.
I left Kate’s lodge and went straight to my lodge. What I met increased my fear of the unknown. My room was neatly arranged. No cobwebs, no dust—as I was expecting. It’s been six weeks all together; those times I spent in the hospital. The last time I came here was a month and two weeks ago… from these, I knew that I’m into a society that’s bigger than what I have being imagining.
In the middle of my bed that has been laid; was placed a green beret and a gun—a pistol, a round-neck shirt that has this gocked* eyes and bold inscription on it. A note was dropped on the pistol and it reads—“Rendezvous 21:00; Main Theatre Hall Road!” From the note I knew it was Bobby. It’s getting late so I have to prepare.
In no time, I wore the cloth and the green beret on my black trouser—I’m now a member; a sub-alpha. I holstered the pistol and covered it with my cloth. I was ready for the unknown. Before I went outside, I made to blow off the candle that was lighted even before I entered. Just then, I saw another note and it reads—
“Today might be my last day on earth. Because as I write, I have death strangling me right here. For this, you might want to know that our godfather is the Vice Chancellor of this University. He gave Bobby the assignment of killing Kate’s father. Today, Bobby adds to his power bank as he’s the death that strangles me right now. Promise me therefore dear friend, that you’d take revenge on my behalf. Blood flows in Bobby’s vein that makes him an immortal and open to death—kill him. Forget not Kate, that’s all you’ve got to protect now. Protect her with your life! In death, I remain your friend; Larry!
“Nooooooooooo…” I screamed and jerked the door opened and I started running towards the main theatre hall road. One thing that occupies my mind was to kill. How many am I going to kill?—I don’t know but I’m sure my bullet would send some of these beast crashing on the floor including Bobby.
I got to the location and all the members were already set. Bobby was seated on his seat as usual and I noticed that there was another seat but unoccupied. I stopped, removed my pistol and started walking towards Bobby. I passed through the line and got to the middle. I pointed my pistol—holding it with my two hands—at Bobby. I walked a bit closer and stopped again. I was filled with mixture of rage, terror, fright, angst and curiosity.
“You murderous son of Lucifer! Where is Larry before I’m forced to pull the trigger?” I said furiously.
“How many years is it going to take us to blend you properly? Or don’t you have regards for the one seated on this chair. Am the Alpha of this frat! Bobby said with anger building up in his voice.
“And who cares about Alpha. You’re nothing but a common killer. I asked again, where’s Larry before I put one of this men down.” I said pointing the gun in the direction of one of the members. However, I was surprised to see all of them removing their own pistol and pointing it to me.
“Ease up brothers! He’s your superior; remember. He’d blend in soon! And you Jaydee, Larry’s here but before you see him, listen to this…” Bobby paused and there was complete silence.
“There’s a lot you don’t know! You think you know all things. You dare challenge me again and I’ll get rid of you! This is a fraternity that’s bigger than you! You’re either for us or against us!” He paused again and continued. This time, my pistol was pointed at the earth.
“Larry has become an outlaw. He had betrayed this brotherhood and death is his judgement—our constitution reads so. If today, Jaydee; you betray this brotherhood, the same fate that befell Larry would be yours.” He said, stood up and walked some steps towards me and said again—
“Dark Eyes sees everything; even your thoughts. Don’t try to do what you’ve being thinking. It’s more dangerous than death and hell fire.” He concluded and walked away.
Just then, some men drew Larry into the middle right in front of me. They dumped him and all of them left, leaving me and Larry—half dead. I went on my knees and I raised Larry’s head up whose face was full of blood. His nose was bleeding and his mouth. Each cough brings out blood.
“What did they do to you?” I asked filled with pity and rage. Larry managed to smile but his smile has no beauty again. Everything is giving way to death.
“Forget it! Did you read the note? Larry asked coughing and spitting out blood. “Yes I did!” I said. He smiled again and nod.
“Bobby has to die… Kate has to live…” Larry held my palm and went cold.
Larry died a victim even after he had dined with darkness. So, not everybody who had killed his worst fears is a victor. Not everybody who takes life as fun live to enjoy it but the ones who live this life with ease never wanting to know beyond what they knew—but then, that makes them vulnerable to victimization as in my own case. But sadly, even we that know all; with all our knowledge, our understanding and even our supposed wisdom—not wisdom but craftiness, cruelty and conscience-damning attitude—are still haunted every day. Something we’ve all learnt to live with the rest of our life—guilt!