Don't Let Me Go (A Kenyan Story)

The Unraveling

Wendy came to and found herself in a dark room. Her hands and legs were bound with a rope while her mouth was taped shut. She tried screaming but all that was futile. Only muffles came out.

“So, the sleeping beauty awakes?” came a voice from somewhere within the room she was in. she felt the tape being ripped off from her mouth and she screamed out in pain.

“Shhh, careful not to wake the dead with your screams,” she heard the voice whisper in her left ear. The voice was familiar but she couldn’t quite place it.

“Come on, you don’t recognize me?”Just then, the lights came on and she saw Calvin. She was utterly shocked and Calvin laughed at this.

“Why are you doing this Calvin?” she asked, fear written all over her face.

“Because I can. You thought you were important. Well, think again. You are expendable just like your ‘fake parents’. It is real poetic if you ask me. You will die just as they did.”

That is when she noticed the gun in his right hand. He fired once as she took up a fetal position on the floor. The bullet went through her heart and her death came almost instantly.

He made a phone call. “It’s done. The loose end has been tied.”

                ********************************************************

Mark sat at the stool next to the mini bar in his penthouse. The call he had just received was one he had been expecting for a while now.

“Here’s to you Wendy,” he made an imaginary toast as he drained the last of his scotch.
He dialed Cyrus’ number next.

“So, have you come to your senses?” came the man’s voice. He could hear the scorn in his tone.

“Yes, I thought long and hard about what you said to me. Can we meet? You chose the location and name it. I’ll be there.”

“Okay, I’ll text you the address and time for the meet.” The line went dead.

You’re in for the surprise of your lifetime. I told you I wouldn’t go down without a fight Cyrus. But like the fool you are. You thought me joking.

He rose up, went to his balcony and made some calls. He had a lot to do before they met. A provocatively dressed lady walked in. She took off her jacket, poured herself a drink and came to where he stood, watching the city.

“Penny for your thoughts?” She asked as she snaked her free hand around his torso.

“Just preparing myself mentally for what is to come.” He turned to her and kissed her.

                ********************************************************

They met at a derelict building along Thika Road. His Porsche was parked a few blocks from where the building stood. He trusted his associates, but not entirely. In fact, the only person who he fully trusted was himself. That is how one survived in this game. That was the sole reason he had survived this far, and he planned on surviving for much longer. He looked at his watch, eight more minutes and the final phase of his plan would fall into place, and perfectly. He heard the vehicle approach his location shortly afterwards. He felt the bulge of the hidden Berretta pistol in his jacket pocket.

The car stopped, and he heard the engine die, a door opened and closed shortly afterwards. It took no longer than two minutes for the vehicle’s occupant to get into the specific room he now stood in. but to him, it felt like an eternity.

“Hello Cyrus, so we meet again.”The shock and confusion was clearly evident on the other man’s face.

“Mark, what is the meaning of this? Nilidhani napatana na Don!”

“Oh, but you are. In fact, you’re looking at him right now.” A wicked smile tugged at his lips.

“Mbona sikuelewi! Explain yourself this instant before I put a bullet through that forehead of yours.”

He now looked at the gun pointed at his temple. He moved forward, startling the already confused Cyrus. He held the muzzle of the gun in both his hands and placed it on his temple, right in the middle.

“There, go right ahead. At this close range, my blood and grey matter will be all over this place, and on your being.”Cyrus moved a few paces backwards and Mark simply smiled at this.
“Come on now, don’t chicken out on me. You wanted to meet the man in charge. Well, here he is.”

He reached into his jacket and brought out his gun. Cyrus pulled the trigger on his gun but nothing happened. Mark shot his right kneecap sending him falling down, howling in pain like a wounded animal.
But he is a wounded animal. Mark thought to himself.

“I don’t understand this.” Cyrus cried out as he pulled the trigger two more times.

Mark took aim and shot his other kneecap. “You still don’t get it, do you? I have found it that simpletons like yourself will never understand such matters. I’ve been the man in charge all along.” A low maniacal laugh escaped his mouth. I had your right hand man empty your magazine. And like the fool you are, you didn’t bother to check that.”

“You will never get away with this Mark.” Cyrus said  as he crawled away to a corner. “My associates will make your life a living hell.”

“But I will. Amie dearest, come out. Don’t be so rude to our esteemed guest. After all, you are the hostess of this little party.”

Amie emerged from the shadows and walked to where Mark stood. She kissed him long and hard and looked at Cyrus, who was now staring at the scene unfolding before him as he would while watching a horror film. Amie was Becky. She seemed a little bit different.
“Oh come on darling, you never really expected I was on your side. I have been in this game longer than you have been. Oh, out with it already. I can see the machinations in your mind trying to formulate the question.”

“How is this possible? I thought you were Becky.” His voice was shaky.

“What did I say? Fucking simpletons.” Mark said disgusted.

“Let me tell you a little secret. Mark has been the brains behind this entire operation. You were just a foot soldier. You don’t even know half of the things we smuggle, do you?” she squealed at his reaction.

“Let’s just put him out of his misery already.” She reached for the gun mark held and shot him twice in his chest. She walked to where his lifeless body now lay and peered down at him. “Such shame. We could have achieved so much together.

“All this killing and bloodshed has suddenly made me horny, how about you?”

“I’m game if you are.”

With that, Mark lifted her of the ground and planted her on his waist and they walked away from the body, their lips lost in each other. Two men came in after them and put the lifeless body in a body bag. Another bunch came in and scrubbed the place clean, leaving no trace whatsoever of the events that had transpired.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

So, here we are, nearing the end. One more chapter to go and then the book is finally complete. I know most of you have by now figured that Mark is the villain of the story. Unexpected, right?😁
Tune in to the next chapter to find our how all this ends.
Do enjoy.

Translations

1. Nilidhani napatana na Don!”

I thought I was meeting with Don!

2. Mbona sikuelewi!

Why don't I understand you!