1 RUN! KOKO RUN!

He held onto the leather bag like his life depended on it as he sprinted across Enugukwu Street. His heart kept beating, threatening to tear through his chest and end this whole wahala. He had three options; keep running, don't die of a heart attack, and allow the PoPo to take you in. His heart wasn't going to burst and this was certain because he is as healthy as a 30-year-old can be. Letting the cops get a hold of him would result in a more grievous situation than just a heart condition. It is a rule among the Ogene Boiz, 'we never get caught', and if you do get caught pray for death.

Koko was close to being caught several times already. He had taken a bullet in his left shoulder and that had slowed him down a few minutes, giving the police more chance to close up the gap between them. He won't let that happen, he thought.

He got to the end of Freeway and saw the beginning of the Ogbete open market. He gave a sigh of relief, he turned to see how far apart he was from the cops chasing him. Less than 30 feet apart he noted. All he has to do is join the madding crowd and he would never worry about having a heart condition, getting caught by the police and running won't be necessary anymore. He would practically disappear.

"Run!, Koko run!" He urged himself.

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

Oluchi's parents had their house crowded with a lot of people and it has been that way from as early as 9am on this Wednesday morning.

The sun had not fully risen and the entire place seem hot and stuffy. It was difficult to tell if the entire Enugu State inhabitants felt the same way or if it is was as a result of the overcrowded living room, Mrs. Ike could not tell. She had been very disturbed by the last call from Oluchi abductors. They had been warned on the first call, 'No Talking To The Police', and when the abductors had called a couple of minutes ago it was obvious they had figured that Mr. and Mrs. Ike had gotten the PopO involved.

"We had agreed that you would not go to the police." A usual calm but husky voice from the other side of the call stated.

The line died before an answer was attempted by Mr. IKe. He was glued to the spectacle in his living room this Wednesday morning and wondered if he would ever see his daughter ever again.

"I had begged you to be discreet!" Mr. Ike screamed at the officer in charge of the case.

"We have been as discreet as we can be Mr. Ike I need you to calm down we will get your daughter back."

"You don't know that for sure Inspector, you heard the man over the phone. He asked us not to bring you guys into this!" She and her husband Chima had affirmed that they understand the rules of engagement. "I shouldn't have listened to you Nne". He turned and addressed his wife before storming out of the house.

"Let me go and talk to him Ma'am," Inspector Tobe said as he made for the exit door after Mr. Ike.

**********

Adam sat by himself on his terrace in his Jos home. The air was still filled with the usual chill that Jos was known for and he always appreciated the chill on his bare chest every morning while he sips on his Imperial Blue. He was on the fifth floor of the Grandville apartment building overlooking other high-rise buildings. The young and the old were out on the streets this chilled morning jogging and stretching frail muscles. He used to have that routine till October 7th last year. He distracted his thoughts by sipping from his glass, the thoughts of the incident always brought mixed feelings and he didn't want to entertain that mental state just this early in the day.

He got up from his cain chair leaving his glass on a side rot iron stool beside his chair and walked into his apartment. He still felt a little pinch in his knee especially when he gets up from seating for a long time. Besides the knee pains, he was perfectly in shape again.

He walked into his deemed apartment, the walls were painted white and little furniture made the small apart look spacious. His 65'inch TV hanging on the wall and his three-seater couch was the major things occupying space in his seating room. He had a small diamond-shaped shelve on the wall and it was filled with books. Adam will never pass for a reader but reading is a strong pass time for him if he wasn't chasing criminals or trying to solve a case.

He grabbed the TV remote and turn the TV on and the voice of Cyril Stober filled the room. He sat down and listen to the update on the pipeline vandalization that was being reported.

"Nigeria." He thought as he looked out at the terrace where he had left his glass. "Nigerian."

********

"You are late Koko." A dark figure seating behind a chair and puffing smoke into the air said without looking at Koko who just walked into his office.

"General, I had to shake them off, and that took me a while." Koko said as stood before the polished table in the wide room.

The office was not as would be if it was a corporate establishment but it provided that authority that it was meant to instill into the men who stood in front of his desk. The walls were laced with frames of artworks done by no notable artiste and the biggest frame reveals the brut face of the man who seats behind the desk, the General.

"Yea, I know about the rats, Segun is in her parent's house right now disguised as a pressman." The General said and stood up from his seat. He turned to face Koko and his expression changed. "What happened to you?"

"I got one on my shoulder," Koko said looking at his left shoulder.

"Is that why you are bleeding all over my space?" The General asked Koko with a little irritation.

"Sorry Boss." Koko said and made his way toward the door.

"The money?" The big man asked as he puffed more smoke into the air.

"The boys are counting it just outside your office." Koko said and turned to look at the man who have given him everything. "What do we do with the girl." Koko asked as he place his right hand over the injury on his left shoulder.

"Her parents don't deserve her, they were told they would get her back once they made the money available and without involving the police." He sat down and faced Koko. "They choose death."

Koko didn't flinch, killing wasn't new to them. What was new was that the cops are gaining on their businesses recently but the General seemed to be unruffled.

"Tell the boys to dispose of her and meet me back here in thirty minutes. We have got a big one." He puffed again. "Get the girls to clean you up, you look like shit bleeding all over my space."

*********

As the plane touched down at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, her excitement grew even more. She had not been home for over 3 years and it was looking like she really had missed Enugu.

Nelly as she was fondly called had left Nigeria three years ago to study Engineering at the Atlanta Technical College. She was eager to go away at the time, filled with the youthfulness and the need to explore both herself and the world before her. She never lacked and really didn't have the need to work or own a job.

She was the energy required among her friends and it didn't take long before they knew she was from a wealthy home and her Dad was the Minister for Power and Steel in Nigeria.

The voice from the speakers distracted her thoughts, 'We just arrived at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu and we advise that you all remain seated while we make our final stop before exiting the plane.'

She ignored the voice and reached into her purse to grab her phone. She could not wait to see her mom and she was sure to jump on her at the arrival reception as soon as she got of the plan.