TERROR

4. DEAL

There they were, in a dark room that lacked furniture and a pleasant smell. Ken, John, Kyle and Bruce were all there blindfolded and hands tied to the back of the chairs they sat on. Their legs were tied up with strong nichrome wire. Any struggle to get out of it would rip off part of their flesh. Their mouths were covered with masking tape hence could speak or shout.

Snap! The lights went on as Joe Cartwright entered the room together with his henchmen. His henchmen cut off the nichrome wire that tied the men's legs with a saw and cut the ropes that tied their hands. Finally they removed the tapes off their mouths. The four men recollected themselves together and sat motionless when they saw guns pointed at them. 'Hello gentlemen ,' Cartwright greeted them with a wide smile. " Who are you? ' Ken asked angrily. ' For the start, my name's Joe Cartwright. I am a secret businessman who wants to hook you up with a certain job. Well,.. If you're willing to listen, ' he said. " Sorry but I got no time, "answered Kyle in his Canadian accent.

" Well I'm listening. "said Bruce. "Yeah... We're listening boss,"John answered sarcastically. "Ok. I'll be simple and clear. Please behave while I speak coz u don't wanna make my friends angry ,' he said while looking at his henchmen who were pointing the guns at them. They looked at each other (the four men )then stayed silent. "I'll start giving out the main reason why I took you as captives. I apologize for such an action. I had passed through your files and saw you as the men best fit for this piece of work. You may ask how the hell you got our info but let me say that I am a broad guy. More like the CIA you can say. I search every person in the European and the American continent. It's not for a criminal purpose but for my business purpose. " Cartwright paused for a moment to see the looks on the men's faces then continued...

"There's a job that has come up. It's somehow risky but dough promising. There is a huge amount of gold worth 579US $ that is found in Africa. " Cartwright once again paused.
" What the f***.AFRICA! " Bruce shouted in shock. " Hey! Cut the crap you fool and wait till the guy finishes,"interfered John. " I knew that will happen once I said the word Africa, "laughed Cartwright. " Ok. The gold is located in the Congo equatorial rain forest at a place known as Oding'we. I'll give you the map so that you won't get lost on the way. My partner Jamestone Parks will escort you on your journey. That's the mission my fellow mates. Are you in? "asked Cartwright after a brief presentation.

The men looked at each other then Kyle asked, " What's the deal? " " The deal is that in the 579$ we'll get once we accomplish the mission 200$ will be given to you. That's 50$ for all of you. I'll get 150$ and the remaining 229$ will be handed to the African Mineral Embassy. The company that sent me," answered Cartwright.

" What makes it so sure that you won't do anything funky? "asked Bruce inquisitively. " They always say, trust is a very important aspect of a success plan. I have provided everything for you. Food, shelter, accommodation and all other requirements. What's left of you is your decision, either you're in or you back out. "said Cartwright. " Aargh I'm in, "replied John in a sluggish voice. The other three sat for a moment thinking then they finally agreed. " One thing for sure, if this is a fuss, you'll hear my wrath big guy, "said Ken. " Well, I guess we have a deal mates, "said Cartwright satisfied. " And don't worry about that Mr Diamond. You have my word. And I would like to introduce you to my mate Jamestone Parks."

Jamestone Parks came out from the pack of henchmen. He was short but slim, appeared to be 32 or so, had dark brown hair and had these eyes that would really set an amazement to the crowd. He approached towards the four men and greeted them. " This is Jamestone. He doesn't talk much but is really good when it comes to the world's geography. He'll assist you in your mission. I promise he'll be of great help. "Cartwright said. " Well men, I think I'm done for tonight. I'll take you at an apartment next to my house. I've already arranged everything. The flight's tomorrow. Let's go, shall we? " Cartwright finished then him together with the men and his henchmen walked out of the room.

Tonight , 2130 hrs. Torlini Apartment :

" Hey fellas. We don't know each other quite well yet but I would like to say may we cooperate on this mission," said John. ' Sure boss, 'replied Ken sarcastically. "The food was great though. The Cartwright guy seems honest and promising,"commented Kyle. ' Yeah... But we better keep watch Canadian. ' said Bruce. ' There's something about this Jamestone guy which gives me the creeps. I just don't know why.., ' he continued. "ooh cut the crap, we'll know when we're in the mission. It ain't good to judge a book by its cover," John said before he turned off the apartment switch and all went to sleep.

0230hrs, Torlini Apartment:

"Knock knock!" one of Cartwright's henchmen knocked the door and told them to get prepared. " I'll come again at 0300,"he said then went out......

They were in the air now in Cartwright's plane ... It was at 1000hrs when they arrived in Africa, the Congo equatorial rain forest...