6 End of Part One

"You almost got me killed" Humphrey complained.

" But you're not killed" I replied, as I put the suitcase inside the refrigerator. I intended to keep it here, then find somewhere and dispose it of. Then I thought of the danger this might bring to me. And also this man beside me. I knew that Raven would send the Jumbo Quadrant against me. And besides, I can keep myself safe from any assassination attack. But not Humphrey. He was still an old man, with no experience on the battlefield.

"Humphrey, I'm sorry, but."

"Sorry for what?"

"You need to get out of here as fast as you can. Go to the airport, take a flight to any country of your choice and get out here"

"But why. What about you?"

"I've endangered your life enough. I'm an assassin. I can take care of myself. But you can't. You have to catch the nearest flight because by now, Raven must have some tricks up his sleeve" He nodded in agreement, and was about to leave when I called him back.

"It is not safe out there. How about I hid you in my underground laboratory."

"Fine" was his response.

"Wait for me. The servants would bring your food and you will have a change of clothes then I'll lead you there" I said and walked out. Just as I reached my room, the phone rang. It was Robert. I was confused between answering him or not. I pressed the answer button. To justify all righteousness.

"Hello," I said in a proud voice.

"Winnie, get that suitcase or I'll do something you'll regret"a voice warned. It wasn't Robert. Rather it was Raven. That cold voice. Hmph. I didn't care anymore.

" All you can do is to scream. Besides the suitcase is in an incinerator"

" Don't say you're not warned" he replied and cut the call. There was nothing else I could do other than warn Okoh and Stanley. As for Moses, I would be by his side. Then, with Humphrey in the underground layer, who else would I be worried about?

.....

Sports was over. Nick ran to the hostel to take his bath because he was sweaty. As he ascended the stairs, he had this strange feeling that someone was following him. He looked back and saw no one then continued. He moved a little further and had the same sensation. That someone was following him. He could see the intimidating shadow of the person. Before he could make any move, he felt dizzy all of a sudden and slumped.

......

My phone rang again. This time, it was a video call from a private number. My mind told me that it was Raven, so I decided not to answer. But on second thought, I made up my mind to answer the call to see what he was up to.

"Hi, how can I help you" I asked, a hint of victory in my voice. Instead, I saw my son.

"Nicolas!" I gasped. I didn't know that he would go this far. My first thought was that the school's security system was tight. Maybe I was wrong. He was unconscious, as he slept peacefully on the bed.

"I would want you to come to that spot by 4:00 pm on the dot with the virus" a cold voice said. I couldn't see the person, but I knew he was near.

"Fine, come with my son too. And I'll bring your virus. Deal?"

"Deal. But remember, come alone, or you wouldn't like the consequences" Then he hung up. If I had known, I would've killed Raven and none of this would be happening. And besides, I can't let the virus slip out of my hands. Just like that. No. At least, I must put up a fight. I went to look for Okoh because he was the only person capable of helping me in this kind of condition.

.....

"4:30 PM, and still no sight of her?"Raven murmured. What kind of sick mother was she. Or perhaps, she was playing with his patience. She knew that he wouldn't dare lay a finger on Nicolas, as well as he knew that if he crossed a line, she can render Jumbo Quadrant to waste. Just then, an archer came forward. It didn't a bit look like her. Or was she joking? But the archer held that suitcase in his hands.

" Give me my son!" I ordered, removing my mask. Raven didn't expect me to come in this dressing. What he expected was professional suits and the likes of them.

" You came dressed for battle Winnie"

" Just in case for the occasion, now I need to see my son" Raven smiled. Of course, he wouldn't joke with her emotions. As he knew what parents are capable of when their children are in danger. He nodded to his men, and they brought a scared Nicolas out of the car.

" Mom!" he screamed and he ran to meet her but Raven blocked him, and with that move, his men held him in place.

" Now you've seen your son. May I have my suitcase". It was still that cold voice I heard moments ago. I clasped the suitcase tighter as I wasn't willing to let go. I walked closer to him to the extent that I was just a step away from bumping into him. Looking at this man's eyes, I could see the pain and anger, he hid behind his void expressions. Maybe I have a chance to convince him.

" You want to do this huh? Think about your children. Won't they have a future on this earth? Or are you too selfish that you want the world to end in your timeline?" He smiled, at the same time also nodding.

" Give me the case". Nothing else I could do. I handed it to him. He entered the password and the suitcase opened. From another car, emerged a doctor. He held an equipment that was connected to his laptop.

" Is it fake?" Raven asked.

" Nah, this is one hell of a virus" the man replied, smiling. I wondered what was amusing him. They let Nick go, as I hugged my son.

" What's happening?" he asked in confusion

" Long story. But shorter one. When you're okay, you're going back to school. I don't want anyone to notice that you're missing" I replied. But something was wrong. On his neck was something like a dog collar. Wait. I recognized it. A bomb collar?

"Why the bomb on his neck?!" I asked him. At this, his face wore an evil smirk.

"Winnie, I trusted your wits more than the fruitfulness of this mission. But don't worry, I'll deactivate the bomb the moment the virus is safe. And be warned, any attempt to dismantle the bomb might blow his head" he replied, holding the remote high as if it was a prize to be gained.

" Raven, but I didn't mention bomb in our deal, did I?"

"Rest assured. Perhaps you may get used to deals with me in the future. Or maybe your husband will teach you. Until next time Winnie. Goodbye" I could feel my son's hand getting colder by the moment. Fear. Any mistake, the bomb would explode and render him dead. But I wondered why I wasn't scared like him. Trust me. I'm not a fool to come unprepared.

"There's no going to be a next time!" I called out. They looked at me as if I was a ghost. Silently, I smiled. It was time for payback. Raven was confused.

"Now!" I screamed.

We've reached the end of part one. So sorry for the suspense, I'm a student so I had to hurry. And, for more details contact me. Part two would be out soon. Make sure you grab your copy😉

Happy New Year though.