Chapter 27 Tough

Raymond stood still, head bowed with creases of distress on his forehead. He was utterly devastated, lost in his thoughts, not knowing what to do. He was faced with two options at the moment, to either rush to Vanessa's house or to his, because both were in a dire need for a supportive hand. Samuel had called to tell him the powerhouse had began their operation. He arrived at their rendezvous point only to be told, both his mother and Vanessa were in trouble and he had to decide whom he was going to save. Not an eazy decision to make! He wished he could divide himself into two.

"Darn it!" Raymond cursed out loud, as he raised his head.

"Anthony is with Mary right now. We are yet to confirm who's with Vanessa" Samuel said as he looked at Raymond.

"Where's Arnold?" Raymond asked

"Behind you!" Arnold replied as he walked towards them.

"How many men do we have now?" Ray asked Samuel.

"20 men" Samuel replied.

"Divide them in to two. Ten men per a group." Raymond said.

"Arnold, " Raymond called with so much plea in his voice.

"I've got your back, buddy" Arnold replied.

"I'll go with Samuel then." Ray said and turned to Samuel; "To Vanessa's"

"That leaves me with Caleb, alright. Caleb, to Raymond's. We'd come back to this place after a successful mission. Be on guard. The powerhouse elites don't move alone. They always have company. They're called Powerhouse for a reason." Arnold told the men before dispersing.

*****

Aida looked at Vanessa who had just budged into her room with a club in her hands.

"Aida, " Vanessa said as she moved towards the door, where Aida was standing, and said almost in a whisper "open the door, when i nod, but make sure to seek cover behind the door immediately it's wide open"

"ok" Aida said and held the knob tightly. She turned the knob and pulled the door wide open, and hid behind the door just as Vanessa had told her.

Vanessa tried to club the man in front of her but his reflexes were super fast, he bent which had the club flying on top of him and he straightened up and smiled like nothing had happened.

"Hi, Nessa! What a heartwarming welcome! Long time" he said as he approached Vanessa.

"Raven! How did you get in there? And what are you doing here? "

"Oh, sweet cousin. I heard you had arrived. i missed you terribly that i couldn't keep my limbs to myself. I rushed here as soon as possible to welcome you. Hey! Where's the young lady. I almost thought you had time travelled. Come out of here, sweetie" Raven said.

Everything about Raven irked Vanessa. Raven was bad news. Vanessa couldn't let down her guard however, she knew there was no point in having Aida hide behind the door at that moment.

"Aida, come out" Vanessa called out and Aida walked out and moved swiftly to stand beside Vanessa.

"That's Raymond's basta.."

Before he could complete the statement, Vanessa's hand came flying in the direction of his left cheek. Somehow he managed to catch her hand midway.

"If you dare call her that name, I'll rip your throat and feed it to the german shepherd you came with."

"Vanessa, always fast. Don't you think it's a pity you can't help any society with that strange ability of yours? You'd make a fine member for the powerhouse"

"No, thank you" Vanessa said and pulled her hand from his tight grip.

"Give me a call when you change your mind. "

"Why are you here, Raven?"

"I missed you"

"Cut the crap"

"That's not a lie"

"What's the powerhouse up to? Trying to get me to join you?"

"I'd say, the powerhouse's got a bigger vision this time round" he said and smiled when he saw the frown which suddenly appeared on Vanessa's face.

"And what's that, so called bigger vision?" Vanessa asked, as she pulled Aida behind her.

"You're smart, Nessa. She's the vision right now. Arrrgggghhh! I think we have company, Nessa. Twelve of them. I don't have any bloodlust right now. Maybe I can break some bones. What do you say about that?"