~Kamsi~

_  Danger lurks on every corner, and yet, no one else sees it. And there is no escape, because it always wins.  _
.
.
.

I tried my best to calm down, and watched as the phone went blank in a second. I knew this place was lonely and very dangerous, but it was the only way I could meet Tyrone without anyone suspecting anything. Now, with a dead battery, and absolutely no idea how I'd call Tyrone to let him know I was on my way — I tried to maneuver my way around the darkness surrounding me. The first thing that played in my head, was heading home. But I wouldn't dare. If I did, I wouldn't get the information needed. I wouldn't be able to prove to everyone what I truly knew about that cursed mansion. And that father of mine.

Everyone had their heads buried in the clouds. It'd only take a few more hours and the people who had bad intentions about the Ekwegh family, would slowly wipe them off the surface of the Earth. I tried to warn them, because I knew it wouldn't take long before someone would have to pay with their life. And at all cost, I had to make sure that that someone, wouldn't be my sister. As far as I was concerned, she was the only family I had — besides my grandparents, that is.

This place was popularly known as Dark Alley. And it was feared, because shady businesses went on here. Sometimes, deaths were recorded here, and it was in the most mysterious way of all. Most importantly, this place was feared because of the people that came along during the nighttime. Some had to do with rituals, some came to sell parts, and some basically came to carry out the unthinkable.

I wondered why the government hadn't shut this place down. But I immediately recalled that this is Nigeria. A place where the government seems to be corrupted, and everyone seems to be on their own. The politicians only had their minds set on one thing, and that was getting richer and richer. The government didn't give two sh*ts if the condition of the country was in deep calamity. Why? Well, that's because it didn't concern them. It didn't affect them. Their children didn't have to suffer, and neither did they. It was none of their business. But that was by the way. I had way better things to worry about, than to banter over how messed up this country was becoming.

I was taking a huge risk. One that could lead to my death, or worse, someone else's. Tyrone was a really good friend of mine. The only friend I had left, that didn't run off like the rest, thinking I'd become a psycho. He was one friend that understood me, and never judged me for shutting everyone out, because he knew I was going through real hell. He was one person, who didn't see me as a potential murderer, or a drug addict — like most people assumed. Instead, Tyrone chose to help me. Tyrone chose to take this risks with me. And he already knew that this was a do-or-die situation. Anything could happen. He could lose his life, and as much as that scared us both, he still chose to stay. And I couldn't imagine that someone could even do that for me. I was sure I'd do anything for him, as well. Because this, this was really risky.

Finally, I maneuvered my way to the alley, and the spot where we usually met. And because my phone had already died, I couldn't turn on the flashlight. I just tried using the reflection of the moonlight, to make out a few things.

"Kamsi?" I suddenly heard his familiar voice. With that, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Tyrone," I called out, and heard approaching footsteps. I tried checking to see if it was actually him, but I couldn't make out the figure that was approaching me. But it did look like him. "Thank goodness! My phone just died, and I could barely see a thing. Did you bring the stuff?" I further inquired, but I was shocked to have gotten no reply. That was odd. And that made me think Tyrone wasn't the one with me, here. I felt like I was about to get attacked. Just like last time.

Slowly, I reached for my back pocket, and retrieved a pocket knife. One sharp enough to leave a deep cut on someone's skin. "Tyrone?" I called out again, and still got no reply. Just more approaching footsteps.

"Kamsi, run!" I suddenly heard his voice. And without being told twice, I knew there was something wrong. I took to my heels, immediately.

I didn't even know where I was going. I kept knocking over some cans, and tripping over a few rocks. Yet, I kept managing to pick myself up and sped up my pace. Whomever it was, that was chasing me, was getting closer. My heart began to pound within my chest, and I felt like it'd rip out of my chest and fall onto the floor, in mere seconds. The moonlight didn't offer much help, either, but I was able to make our a few paths from the alley.

"Sh*t!" I exclaimed, the minute I collided with a tall wall. Still, I managed to keep running. I kept running, and didn't know when someone forcefully grabbed my arm and shoved me to a cover. I reached for my pocket knife, just in time, and was about stabbing the person.

"What the f*ck, Kamsi?! It's me!" Tyrone groaned, and I began to regret my actions. I had stabbed him on his left arm, and I felt like literal crap. I felt his blood ooze onto my palm, and I began to panic.

"I am so sorry." I whispered, because I knew the assassins we're still chasing after us. We were now in a secluded part of the Dark Alley. But with me, was a bleeding friend. A bleeding friend whom I'd just stabbed.

Hurriedly, and without thinking twice, I tore a part of my shirt and wrapped it around his arm, trying so hard to get the bleeding under control. "I'm fine." Tyrone groaned, trying to act tough. But I shoved his words aside, because I knew now was not the time for that.

His blood was sticking onto my bloody palms, and I tried my very best to keep the piece of cloth fastened to his arm. That seemed to have done it, because the bleeding seemed to have lessened by the minute.

"What happened?" I whispered to him, as I tried calming down. As it were, we were both breathing heavily.

"Those guys happened," He groaned, and winced, the minute I tightened the piece of cloth onto his bleeding arm. "I don't know how, but they made it out here before I did. It was like they knew we would be here. It was all planned. And I think they're here cause they're out to get you. So it's best we leave." He said, and I nodded, although I knew he couldn't see me, due to the darkness that enveloped us both.

I helped him up, and we both tried getting across the alley, by climbing over the fence. I helped Tyrone get over it, because it wasn't so high up, and we began to race down the empty streets. Luckily, Tyrone had brought his dad's car along, although his old man wasn't aware, but I guessed he'd worry over that fact, later. At the moment, our safety was on the line.

I obviously had to drive, because Tyrone was literally going through severe pains. His blood had managed to stain the car seat, and I made a mental note to clean it the minute we got home.

"Dude, they killed your step-mother." Tyrone choked out of him, but I already knew. Bili had called to tell me, sobbing profusely.

I already knew the woman's life was at stake, and I guess she knew too. But I couldn't do a thing to help her. I might've hated her, but I had never wished her death. She didn't deserve to die.

"I know." I said, and hurriedly took a much easier route, to my grandparents' house. I would have to sneak Tyrone into the house, because my grandparents didn't even know I left.

"This is getting so creepy, Kamsi. Maybe we should just stop. Maybe you could tell the police, or—"

"I know, Tyrone. I know," I heaved a frustrated sigh. "And I hate that I'm dragging you into all this. But I can't tell the police nothing. What the hell will I tell them? I have no evidence against my dad. And I know you haven't forgotten that the man has connections. No one will believe me. If my own family didn't believe me, then how much more the police?" I said, and he snorted.

"Why would your dad kill his own wife? That doesn't make any sense to me." He said, and I grunted.

"That's because he's a selfish man. A man who can do anything to secure power, money, and fame." I retorted, and Tyrone scoffed.

"I feel it's someone else. I mean, why would he want to hurt his own son?" He said, and I tried to keep my cool.

"I don't know, Tyrone! I don't f*cking know! Because as much as I hate to admit It, that sh*t's hurting me. I hate the fact that my own father wants me dead, and I hate the fact that my family's falling apart. But my sister wants me to try saving the f*cked up family." I sighed. "All I'm doing, I'm doing for her. And I swear to God who made me, if that bastard hurts her, I'll make sure I'll kill him with my bare hands. That punch would be little, compared to what I'll do to him." I gritted my teeth, and soon made it to the house. I had to park Tyrone's car next to the gate, and then I helped him out of the car.

"Think about it though," he voiced out again. "Why would he do that? He wouldn't want to kill his son... I feel someone else is behind all this. If he wanted to hurt you, he would have done it a long time ago. So this has to be someone else. Someone who has a problem with your family... And someone who knows you're trying to uncover their secret. And It has to be someone who knows the family. After all, a stranger could never harm you. Only someone who knows you, can. A friend, maybe." He continued, and I tried to make sense out of his words.

"Just think." He went on, again. "Every time you tried getting a step closer to the truth, something bad always happened. And do you think those guys who attached you would openly just say who had sent them? They must've said it cause they wanted to frame your father. Just to distract you from actually finding the real culprit." He added, and I slowly began to think for myself. He had a point, but I was certain he was wrong.

"Then what about what I'd seen that day? That man clearly pushed my mother off the stairs... I saw it with my own eyes! I watched her fall, and I heard her scream. I asked the bastard to help, but he just stood there, and watched the poor woman bleed, and beg... And shed tears. You should've seen the tears in her eyes that day. The way she looked at me... At him. And that's why my mom couldn't make it. Yet he had the audacity to lie to everyone, and they bought it!" I was enraged, at this point. Each time I thought about that incident, I felt a certain pain cut through my veins. I felt like a hot knife was slowly placed at my heart and someone kept jabbing at my throat.

I wouldn't be able to forget that day. The day I had to helplessly watch my mother die. And no matter what I did, she still died. And it was all his fault! He stood there, watching everything. And what sickened me the most, was that my own mother's twin didn't do a thing about it. She just stood there. That sickened me. It infuriated me. It made me hate my father the more. It made me wish I could kill him with my bare hands. And that was why I had lost my cool the other day, and had punched him. I was pissed that he still had the guts to lie to everyone like that, and I didn't even know when I lost all my senses.

I saw red.

I saw her. And I remember everything. The blood. The screams. The tears. Everything!

"Kamsi..." Tyrone's voice softened, as he noticed how tight I held the stirring wheel. My eyes had rage glistening in them, and tears began to prick the corners of my eyes. Tyrone placed a hand on my shoulder, and I tired so hard not to lose my sh*t and just cry. "It's okay." He added, and I felt the need to just get air. I felt suffocated. I felt rage steaming in my veins. I felt bile clawing at my throat. I felt like screaming. And losing my mind. And just crying, at the same time.

I didn't even know when my fingers reached the door handle, and I got out of her car. I stared at the distance ahead, and I felt like my head was in a tangled mess. "I miss her. I wish she didn't have to die." A tear betrayed me, and slid down my cheek. The tear was hot, and salty. It slid to my lips, and I could taste just how hurt I was, by the memories. By the monsters that stole my sanity. By the demon I called a father.

Torture.

It really was torture. All the time, whenever I had to go to bed, I'd see my mother. I'd watch that scene repeat itself. And that feeling of helplessness would return. The fact that I was holding her hand, and trying my best to save her, but couldn't. That anger, for not being able to help her. That helplessness, tortured me. I felt like I had let her down. I felt so pissed at myself. I felt like I could've done more. I could've lain down my life, if I had to. I felt like I messed up!

But when I stared back at the present, I knew there was no changing what had happened. I knew I couldn't bring her back. And that fact, tore me apart. It shredded my heart, and burnt every fiber of happiness in me. I became a hologram of my own sadness. My deepest thoughts... My hurt... Raw, and open for the whole world to see just how much of a traumatized boy I was. For the world to see just how much of a useless son I was. For whole world to see how much I'd failed, and had drowned myself in my own misery and regrets.

Outside was cold. It was chilly, and the air around was dusty. Just like I was feeling, on the inside. I didn't mind how cold I was getting, or how much the mosquitoes began to manifest themselves on my skin. I was too hurt to care, anyway.

"Let's get inside, Kamsi. It's not safe to be out here. Those guys could still be looking for you." Tyrone suddenly stood beside me, with a hand on my shoulder.

I willed myself to stop feeling this way. I tried to peel myself out of such an emotional abyss, but I couldn't. Each time I tried, it felt like I'd gotten stuck in my own misery. Like the pain kept sucking me in.

"What's the point?" I didn't realize when the words rolled off my tongue. I felt a chill crawl up my spine, and sadness repeatedly pierced its way into my nerves.

"Come on. Let's go." Tyrone urged, and I reluctantly followed him.

We managed to sneak past the Hausa gate man, who usually guarded the gate. And then, we made it into my room, through an open window which I had left opened, intentionally.

The minute we settled on my bed, Tyrone slapped a hand onto my table. Startled by his behavior, I glanced at him. "Be quiet." I shunned, knowing that my grandparents must've heard him.

His eyes studied me for a minute, and then he walked towards me. "Those people... They may attack again. And your grandparents?" He gave a sad smile. "They might not be spared. This stuff is risky, Kamsi. We're playing with fire, and we will get burnt." He said, and I huffed.

"I don't want to put you, or anyone, in danger. So you can stop helping me now. I can take it from here." I said, and he ran his right hand over his hair.

"F*ck that sh*t, Kamsi! You need to stop. Call Kambili, ask what's going on. Cause that mansion isn't safe. And if I'm not mistaken, those guys will soon realise that she's your weak spot. The minute they figure that out, they'll get her. And it will be easy." My eyes burned with rage, and I glared at Tyrone.

"Don't say stuff like that, Tyrone!" I warned, glaring spears at him.

Tyrone glared back. "I'm just being real, Kamsi. This ain't no Barbie and The Three Musketeers. This is real life! And I feel we need help. It's time you tell Kambili the truth." He explained.

I groaned, and ran a hand over my face. Frustration glued onto my face, and I felt it's painful sting on my skin. "She won't believe me."

"And why not?"

"Cause she didn't the last time. She was mad at me. Embarrassed at my actions, and my words. Everyone was." I dismissed, and decided to get the first aid box, to treat Tyrone's wound.

"Call Kambili. There must be someone else in that house that's the next target. And I fear it's Kambili." He urged, and I felt like screaming at him to just shut up. I wouldn't let what happened the last time to repeat itself.

Last time, I couldn't save my mother. But this time, I'd do anything to save my sister. Even if it meant dying in the process. "Shut it." I warned, through gritted teeth.

"Don't freaking tell me to shut up. I'm being real here. Call your friggin sister!" He demanded, and my eyes sent chills of warning his way.

"Keep your voice down." With that, I flung the first aid box towards him.

He reluctantly caught it, and made to treat his wound. While he did that, I hurriedly went ahead to charge my phone. I waited till it charged to fifteen percent... Which would last for one phone call.

"... The minute they figure that out, they'll get her. And it will be easy."

Tyrone's word rang in my ears. With those words in mind, I hastily dialed Kambili's number - hoping and praying that she was safe. But before I could do that, a text came in.

'Alisa got shot. She's not going to make it, Kamsi. I'm scared! Please come home. Please.'

I felt my heart drop, as I stared at the text.

Alisa?

Sure, the girl was a pain in the arse, but I would never had expected that they'd be out to get her too. What hand did she have in this? Was the bullet meant for Kambili?

"What happened?" Tyrone asked, interrupting my train of thoughts, and I tired to keep my head in one piece.

"They shot her." I said, still in shock.

Tyrone's eyes softened at me. "Who?"

"Alisa." I murmured, and he shook his head.

"I just knew it. That house is cursed. And the sooner they find a way to fix this mess, the better. For all I know, I doubt your father has a hand in this. This has to be someone else." He said, looking like he was deep in thought.

My shoulders slumped, and I stared at him. "Then, who?"

He groaned. "I don't know," he sighed. "Perhaps someone who hasn't been in the—" he suddenly stopped talking. His eyes trailed to the window, and I felt my heart freeze, and my breath hitched in my throat.

"Kamsi?" He voiced, his eyes were still fixed at the window, and his voice was awfully low. So much that it scared the crap out of me. I tried staring at the window, but he motioned that I got under the bed.

"Why?" I asked, as fear settled at the pit of my stomach.

"Just do it. There's a sniper aimed at your head." He slowly said, and I watched in despair. I didn't want them to shoot him, instead. He was my bud. I'd die if that happened.

"What about yo—"

"Get under the bed!" And then I heard gun shots and Tyrone's scream. I didn't have enough time to think, I hurriedly got under the bed. I knew they must've shot him cause I heard him scream. I felt tears slide down my cheeks, and I felt helpless once again. I couldn't do anything to help him. Nothing at all.

"Tyrone?" I muttered, the minute I watched him slide under the bed as well. He was alive... But he had been shot on his leg.

He groaned. "You're not getting rid of me that easily." With that glimpse of hope in my heart, I smiled. A genuine smile which had never sprouted on my lips in a really long time.

But I feared one thing. My grandparents!

*
And it gets scarier and scarier. What do you think? I really want to know what you're thinking.

Do you think Alisa is dead?

Do you think Kamsi's grandparents are dead?

And who do you think this unknown person is?

There's been a lot of deaths lately. But I'm sparing Kamsi because I don't want him dead. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens next. Who knows? He could be next.

Please motivate me by leaving votes. Please don't forget to comment, as well. And please share of you can.

Till next time,
Bye!❤️❤️❤️✨