Chapter Four

Humphrey was fatigued by now. He cleaned his sweat with his cloth and brought a test tube. Behind him was a flask, containing a green liquid that was squeezed out of herbal mixtures. The mixtures included ground moringa leaves, aloe vera water, bitter leave water, brahmi, and lots of other rare herbs. He had mixed them under a high temperature and drained the water out of them. The powdery substance was sealed in another transparent flask. It could be used for other medicinal purposes. He dispensed the liquid into a tube and kept it. Then, carefully, he brought the virus which was in an air-sealed tube. He extracted five milligrams using a special kind of injection that left no hole where he pierced through. The extracted virus which was cold was injected into a warm alkaline medium. The result was that the gaseous virus settled and formed a solution with the alkaline medium. And in doing that, the alkaline medium changed from its colorless state to red. This proved that it was highly acidic. On the pH scale, its acidity was 3. The same as hydrochloric acid. He imagined what kind of virus would be so acidic like this. What if someone comes in contact with it. What would happen? So, while he made the antitoxin or the cure, he made sure that each mixture had a pH of 12 or above to completely neutralize the virus's acidity which prevented the immune system of the human body to release specific enzymes. The reason because these enzymes operate in a slightly alkaline medium or a neutral medium as the case may be. He extracted the exact five milligrams and injected them into the solution. He expected that its red color would return to its colorless state as it was before. Or else, or he had been doing was just a complete waste. This time, he got it. The solution changed to that of colorless. He heaved a sigh of relief. Now the acidity of the virus had been removed. Next was to eliminate the toxins released by the virus. That is, to stop the activities of the virus without harming the organs in the body. There were two specimens. A rat and an ape. Robert told him the exact amounts of the cure he should inject in them. Originally, they had injected the specimens something that would stop the effects of the virus for a while. Now here he was with the cure.

"Zero point five milligrams for the rat" he murmured. He injected as directed. Nothing happened. The rat just fell unconscious. He could tell it was still alive by looking at the heart monitor device. Next was the ape. He could tell that she was in a bad condition, looking at her swollen belly. Earlier Robert told him that what the virus does is enlarge the pelvis region of a female by causing cancerous overgrowth. The overgrowth would begin to tear the skin and the melanin would begin to wear off. The blood vessels would tear, making blood flow and the organs would start falling. This process happens at a fast rate resulting in what we term the bursting of the stomach. He injected the quantity quickly to avoid complications. Complications like, such a person won't be able to live normal lives. Because when the stomach is burst, one is that, there would be an operation to remove it entirely and connect the intestines to the oesophagus. When this is done, the person won't be able to eat normal foods as everyone does. He/she would take processed food by food scientists to aid in rapid absorption and digestion by the small intestines. He looked at the poor animal whose stomach was threatening to burst. He stepped backward, not ready to behold bloodshed. The stomach enlarged for a while then paused. The ape lay motionless on the ground. He.looked at the heart monitor device. It was still alive. He looked at the stomach. Its size had returned to normal. This, the cure had been found. However, it has to go through modification by Robert and his men So that it can sync with the human metabolic processes.

.....

Anthony and Nicholas sat beside each other, watching the match. At times, they would jump and cheer their team, or sit frozen like ice when their team's defense is scattered. If they ever told you that these two people were once enemies, you won't believe them. Looking at them, they chatted happily, each eating their popcorn. To add to their newly found friendship, the match ended in their favor. Four - Three. The Jelly Strikers are on the winning side.

"Our number nine wasn't that efficient. We would have scored higher" Nick commented walking down the aisle.

" Anyhow. But our defense was on target. Our keeper had a good eye for incoming balls" Anthony replied.

"If that is so, then how did our opponents score three solid goals?"

No response. Probably thinking of what next to say.

"It's a matter of why not how. Maybe because he was simply outmaneuvered" someone added. The duo looked in the direction of the voice. It was just a random guy who had been following them around to show off his mother's wealth.

"Fard you know very much well how I hate people interrupting my private conversations without invitation" Anthony warned. His anger came again. Nick wondered this guy had a. serious anger problem as Claire told him. At the mention of a private conversation, Fard burst out laughing. Anthony couldn't help but clench his fists.

"You call your conversation private? You're talking in a crowded environment where people can drop their thoughts and go. Simple" he explained bluntly. The way he said it, if you were with a knife, you would stab him a thousand times. Now he understood Anthony's anger. It didn't just stem out of nowhere.

"Fard at least show some respect" Nick fired. He looked at Nick as if he was an alien trying to socialize.

"Who is this rat? Are you aware that it is by luck that you're in this school? In fact, what's your parent's job that they're able to afford your fees" For the first time, Nick felt angry. To the extent that he wanted to kill. Now he understood how Anthony must've felt each time someone wronged him.

"Who are you calling a rat. Do you know who I am" his voice was rough and edgy and he clenched his fists?

"You're just a dummy"

"Who is better than you in hundred ways" Anthony added. Everyone was surprised. They still thought that Anthony and Nicolas were on the edge. But this event changed their perspective.

"I don't blame you. You're the carbon copy of a fool!" Nick fired. A round of applause followed, which made it look more like an insult competition. Meanwhile, Fard was calm. He acted as if nothing happened though his ego was badly injured.

"But I'm still wiser than you bastard". Silence followed. They all looked at Nick to see his reaction. Nick himself was surprised. At first, he thought that Fard referred to Anthony until he realized he was the one. Anthony too didn't know what to say. Like he was dumbfounded. Nick realized what his father had taught him if such a situation occurs. He should keep calm. Looking at Fard, he was feeling fly. As if he owned the world.

" I'm sorry mate" he began in a calm tone. Anthony looked at him in surprise. He thought Nick was more of a fighter with words.

"But I hate to break it to you, .." Fard paid attention now. Nick nodded then continued.

"A mirror was in front of you when you referred to bastard" A wicked smile spread across Anthony's face. Nicolas had some tricks up his sleeve after all. " Your father died a long time ago before you knew him. All you know is that they told you he was once a commander, then a mayor. Are you even sure that you are his son? or what don't you bother looking for your real father" Fard was raging now. He wanted to end this Nick guy once and for all. He needed breathing space because what he said was heartbreaking.

"Don't you call my father!".He tried punching Nick, but Anthony caught his fist midway in the air. Applause followed. Then cheering and cat whistles my girls. As they did in the movies, he twisted Fard's wrists. Screaming ensued. The pain was too much. His pitiful face showed it all.

" Anthony it's okay" Nick whispered. He looked at him and they nodded at each other. He left Nick and walked our in the company of Nick, this leaving Fard on the ground to scream

.....

The bright light pierced through the curtain as I felt uneasy. Getting up in the morning was the hardest thing for me to do. Even at my age. I opened my eyes to make sure the alarm wasn't on. Sure it wasn't. But I sensed a problem. The bed I was lying on didn't have the scent of Moses. Or my son Nick. And besides, I didn't recognize the bedsheet.

"Probably you're on another person's bed" my brain whispered. No. How could it be? I made images of all the female friends and how their bedsheets looked like. But this sounds odd. It was fear that took my laziness away. I got up slowly, only to realize that not just the bed sheet, but the entire room looked odd. I was used to big rooms and lots of furniture here and there, but looking here, the room was so small, with everything packed at one end to conserve space. I looked at the things in the room. They were construction materials. It seemed that they build the house recently. The wall was plastered recently, and it looked rough and edgy. I walked out of the room to make sure that I was safe. And also to find this place. Upon getting to the kitchen, I met Okoh and Stanley preparing some noodles. A small girl sat at a stool observing how they made the noodles. Wait, this girl looked familiar.

"Kara" the words finally came out of my mouth. She finally looked at me and ran to hug me.

"Aunty Doc," she said hugging me. The two men looked at me as if I was an illusion. Maybe they didn't notice me coming. Perhaps I had been stealthy the whole while.

"What, are you not meant to be in school" I asked, looking at the wall clock. Half-past eight.

"Dad said I shouldn't go. He said that everywhere is dangerous" the innocent voice boomed. I looked at Stanley. Then Okoh. The memories came back. How we were on the manhunt for the virus bio coding manual.

"Winnie I have something to show you" Okoh patted me in a gesture meaning I should follow. I followed him to the sitting room where the 32 inches led television hung, leaving Stanley and his daughter in the kitchen. He tapped on the remote and the breaking news popped the television.

"One Hundred Pregnant Women Kidnapped From Medical Centres"

My heart froze in fear. So Robert meant this. I had to stop him. I knew it was him that kidnapped those women and whatever the purpose was, it wasn't for good. And if I had to do anything, I had to act fast. Once again, I clenched my fists and looked at the television.

"May science be cursed forever!😡"

....

Moses woke up, to see himself in his room. Three nurses surrounded him, with a doctor by his side. He recognized that person to be his family doctor. Wait, what happened to him. And why were these people in his room? Don't that have respect or something.

"I have my reasons" Rod's voice said, the moment he noticed that Moses was now conscious. So much medical equipment surrounded him, and his left arm was attached to a drip.

"What the hell is happening here. You should've taken me to a hospital, not my..."

" But I took the hospital to you" Rod cut him off. Moses frowned. He didn't like this either.

"You should've at least respected my privacy"

"Again I have my reasons. Take a look at this" he said as he turned the television on. The same headlines.

"One Hundred Pregnant Women Kidnapped From Medical Centres"

"So how does this concern me. I'm not a pregnant woman" he shrugged.

" I know you're not a woman, neither are you pregnant. But this news is related to your wife's kidnapping" he explained. Moses was confused. How do pregnancy cases collide with his wife's kidnapping?

"So, explain further"

" I think I'll drop the investigation on your wife's case and focus my attention on this" he said pointing at the television. Moses' face was confused more. What does this man mean? Like was he joking or...

" Robert kidnapped your wife, and the only way to get more clues from him is to turn our attention to this".

"No need for the stress, arrest him"

"We don't have enough evidence. And besides, I wouldn't like to have my badge seized."

Moses was about to interject when a familiar voice stopped him.

" He is the right husband. We don't have much time". The duo was surprised when they recognized the voice. Guess who? It's Winnie Maurice.

.......

Lectures were over for the day. As early as one pm. The reason was that the board of lecturers was having an impromptu meeting with the mayor. This was a special moment because each guy could be seen in the company of two or three girls. Only some guys were faithful not to create a gang. This time Anthony and Claire again. The two were childhood friends and had watched each other grow. They attended the same school, did everything together, and even they became more of a family than close friends. It wasn't a new thing when they started dating because, all those while, they looked like they were dating.

"I'm sorry. I've not seen you recently" he apologized.

" Don't be. I was practicing hard for my test"

"Is it that murder case?"

" Yeah. It's too hard" she replied.

"So, I love listening to stories. So, enlighten me" Claire heaved as she knew what Anthony was up to. To look for where she made errors and make fun of her.

" It was about a man, who was trying to defend his family from a robbery attack"

"Yeah, and he killed someone?"

"His baby daughter" For the first time, Claire's story touched him. He imagined the pain everyone had to go through because of that.

"They called 112, but on arriving at the hospital, the baby was declared dead before they could operate on her"

"What?!" he screamed.

"Already, they've kidnapped the man on charges of murder. And you know the punishment?"

"Life imprisonment?"

"No. Execution by electrocution.". His jaw dropped. That man didn't deserve to go to jail. He needed a second chance with his family. That's if he had one. He l ew that convincing the jury and the judges would be hard, which made this look more like an impossible mission. Claire, seeing his concerned face tapped his back.

" Don't worry. I'll give them a tough time". Nick came towards them, introducing himself as usual. Claire was surprised that her boyfriend and Nicolas chatted as if nothing has happened between the two. More like old pals. Just then Laura and her gang came. They were about eight in number. The people he could recognize were Sonia, Claire's sister, Sandra, and three other boys whom he assumed to be Anthony's pals.

"I'm Brad" a muscular guy owned up facing the confused Nick.

"Nicolas" he replied calmly. The guys took turns in introducing themselves and he knew them by their names.

"So, what job does your father do?" Brad asked a quiet guy, who was in the gang.

"Um". The guy was taken by surprise. He didn't expect that question to come. And it was obvious Brad wanted to tease him.

" A businessman" he replied quickly. Scoff. The guys began to shake their heads.

"What kind of business?"

"Excuse me. Do you guys place too much emphasis on social status and money? Why is that so?" Claire asked, speaking up. That was one thing about her. She was bold in stating what was wrong and didn't mind if she got humiliated in the process. Something that Anthony cherished her for.

" Who doesn't want money? Don't you know that without money, you're as doomed as useless" a guy explained.

" It is not like that. As far as you're chasing your passion and you're achieving your goals, that's okay. Money doesn't matter. It's just like to spice the food up." When she finished her explanation, everyone roared into laughter. Only Anthony, Nick, and her sister didn't find that amusing. They stared at the gang, confused at what was making them laugh. When the laughter died down, the same guy walked towards her.

"You must be a billionaire to be saying this. Even your billionaire boyfriend loves money so much that he would do anything to get one"

"No, I'm not. I'm just a normal human being like anyone else. " The guy stared at her as if she was an alien. "Don't tell me you're that dumb" he whispered.

"Excuse me, but does having tons of capital give you certain privileges over others?"

"Of course!" almost everyone replied in unison.

"Well, the law doesn't see it that way. Have you heard that if you're a member of political and civilized society, the law treats everyone equally without fear or favor?"

"Go fuck your law" he murmured.

" It has been fucked. But guess what, the person who fucked it ended up fucking himself" she replied. An argument was about to ensure between the both of them.

" Enough of all the stupid arguments," Anthony said, attracting attention. He just killed that vibe they were building. That's how he acts if you referred to his second slang name. The Vibe Killer.

"Anthony, why did you spoil this for us now?" Brad complained.

"Laura, how is it with the runs"

"I've bribed our lecturers with the money you transferred to me last year"

"Okay, and.."

"I also bribed the man who is monitoring our class's security cameras. And good news, I'm in the same class with you". Anthony smiled broadly as he held her hands. This girl was way too smart.

"I talked to the vice-chancellor and the head of the disciplinary committee. They warned me against getting caught, and remained passive about the camera surveillance."

"Ooh, my baby girl. If not that I was dating my strict Claire, I would've given you a kiss" he whispered. A grin appeared on her face.

"Anthony, I'm ashamed of you," Claire said, walking up to him.

"Bla bla bla, I'm not going to be implicated okay. Just give me breathing space" he said rapidly.

"Fine. We'll talk later" she said and stormed out with her sister.

"She's so strict" Brad commented.

"I know"

.......

I ran to my husband and we hugged each other. Even though it was just a few days I've been kidnapped, it felt like I've been away for a few months.

"I hope you're okay," he asked.

"I'm fine" I replied. I removed the drip from his hand and threw the syringes into the waste bin. He got up, as I shifted the medical equipment away from him.

"So, I'm Detective Roderick. Call me Rod for short" he began.

"I know you know my name by now"

"You know" I looked at Rod with an expression on my face. This man was cunning.

"Moses, we have unexpected visitors," I said pushing the door wide open. The men stood there. He recognized Okoh. Of course, why won't he recognize him. After all, Okoh was my uncle. The brother of my mother to be specific.

"This is my teacher," I said, walking towards Stanley.

"Good to meet you. What's your name?" Moses asked.

"I'm Stanley"

"Teacher as in how? Classroom teacher, maths teacher or... Please specify" Rod asked. I sighed. Must you know everything?

"My lecturer" I replied.

"Good to meet you. I'm Detective Roderick"

"Stanley Drake". The introduction was over now. I had to act quickly.

" Okay, men we don't have much time" I announced. They all looked at me. As if I spoiled their fun or something. You know, men loved socializing fast.

" The kidnapping is a situation we have to deal with fast"

" Yeah. Do you know anything about that?" Rod asked.

" You're Detective. You should know from the recent argument I had with Robert that went viral"

" Which was right before your kidnapping". I nodded in the positive. Rod thought for a while. The media didn't reveal much. Perhaps Robert had warned them or something.

" The media didn't reveal much. Trusted sources said that it was over profit management and capital allocation, and others took it as a sign of embezzlement from you. So your fans tried defending you by asking whether you're a doctor or an accountant, but deep down, I know you're not that kind of person". I smiled at his long explanation. He was on point.

" Yeah. My niece won't be the embezzling type, considering the family she came from, and where she was married to" Okoh added. My parents were politicians. My uncles were entrepreneurs. My elder brother was an affiliate marketer with lots of people under him. I had stocks and shares in most of the well-to-do companies. Someone like me, would money be my problem? To add to that, Moses owned the second largest company in Bay City. So, I had too much money, that I became sick of it, and decided to become a doctor to earn mine. And not to rely on others.

" You're there. The thing is, Robert's company isn't a pharmaceutical company as you think"

"So what is it then?" Rod asked. I thought for a while.

" Let's call it, a virus remodeling company. Shall we?" Moses and Stanley chuckled because it was a bit funny. Only Rod had this bony-like face as if he hadn't smiled before.

" But, last year, Meds Org accepted a project from NAFDAC to eradicate malaria by using DNA remodeling on mosquitoes" Rod replied. In my mind, I gave this man a thumbs up. He was quite clever and knowledgeable.

" To cover up their crimes. They went even further by DNA coding to reduce the toxins released by some deadly viruses."

" Mention them," he asked.

" Monkeypox virus, cholera, lassa virus, ebola virus,.." and lot's more. Think about the viruses that claimed the lives of many"

"Coronavirus?"

"No. They used DNA remodeling to make it look deadlier than it seemed." I replied.

"So you guys did nothing about it?"

"We did. Just that, it wasn't completed. And maybe I think someone greased his palm if you understand what I meant"

"I do. I thought it was a plan to reduce the world's population by half" Rod said.

"Maybe. But that's not what we came here for" I looked at Stanley. He understood what we were saying, unlike my husband who was lost in his train of thoughts.

"Recently, they remodeled a virus and named it the Alfa Virus. Guess what it does?"

"To burst the stomach of a pregnant woman?"

"Yeah." ."What!?" Moses screamed as he heard it. He couldn't imagine it. Perhaps it had been long since he had seen blood. After all, as an ex-general in the military, he shouldn't be scared of blood or blood tales.

"Greed had the better part of him, and he extended it to males."

"What does it do, burst their belly too?" Stanley asked

"No. Their sex organs" I replied

"You mean the dick?" Rod said. I sighed. This man should've said it the way it did, not mentioning its full name.

" It sounds nasty if the dick would burst" my husband added.

" Not if you're going to taste it." I fired. I hated when people give me useless suggestions about what I've said.

" I remember saying it sounds nasty, not it tastes nasty, and besides nasty doesn't make a reference to the taste organ" Moses replied.

" Fine" I replied. This man can give me an entire encyclopedia to prove his point.

"So what's going to happen?" Stanley asked. I heaved a sigh. I've been talking for the past ten minutes.

" They're going to experience erection dysfunction" I replied. Of course, I didn't need to explain what I mean. "Kidnapping those people mean that he wants to taste the virus on them, and I wouldn't let that happen".

"So why did you get kidnapped," Rod asked. Before I could answer his question, the television began to show the breaking news. When I read the headlines, I froze in shock.

"Ninety Men Kidnapped. Ten Escapes As They Narrate Their Ordeal To The Police"

" So prophetic Winnie" Rod murmured. On the screen, I could see a girl weeping profusely. Her dad and mom had been kidnapped. I felt this emotion towards the girl as the police took her.

" We don't have much time" I whispered. Looking at the girl again, anger swelled in me. This time again, not science, but medical technology.

"May it be cursed forever😡"