The Spirit Killer

CHAPTER ELEVEN

It was 5a.m. in the morning. The cock crowed to announce the dawning of a new day. While some people still slumbered, others were already up to start the day. A selected few didn’t have the luxury of sleeping during the night. The latter now found themselves in the same room. Orion, Don and his group, also James was also in the room; for the third time today he was picking himself up from the floor; he was having a rotten night.  They all stood facing the spirit killer. It was he that floored James but not intentionally. James had come down the stairs in an attempt to free his father and the others but he was a little too hasty in picking his opponent. He had entered the room just as the last two spirits had their throat sliced. He assumed the figure backing him was an enemy and lurched forward in a futile grab and slit move but there was nothing to grab. He was just here! He was thinking to himself. Before he could recover, he realized he was half way across the room; his feet were not touching the ground, and then collided with the wall.
Now, they stood facing a real live spirit killer. The silence in the room was unnerving especially for the spirits present. Their knowledge of past spirit killers, the little they had heard and witnessed about this one sent shivers down their spines, if they could shiver, that is. Spirit killers and houties don’t agree and their working with the houties was a death sentence if this spirit killer was unwilling to hear their part.
Orion felt he should break the silence. He could sense the tension and fear in his colleagues. No one knew why he was here, though they were grateful that he distracted the spirits but how were they sure this wasn’t a worse situation and how did he even know to be here? Orion looked directly into the hood but could see only blackness. Then suddenly there was a green spark were his eyes were supposed to be. For some reason, he felt that the killer was smiling. This made him relax a little. His next action surprised his colleagues. He walked over to his favourite chair at the corner and sat down. The others looked from the spirit killer to him and back to the killer.
“At least someone here knows am not here to fight.” The killer said slowly. He moved further into the living room slowly, the others backed away, and sat on a two sitter adjacent Orion but facing the others, who still preferred to remain standing. He raised his hand; this movement startled everyone except Orion, and pushed back his hood.
“You! James exclaimed.
Mark smiled lightly. His pupils were still green.
“You know him?” asked his father.
“The other night he was while on patrol he was outside his house when I encountered some spirits; and he’s also a teacher at Sandra’s tutorial centre.” He replied.
“The same one that rescued your granddaughter?” Don asked turning to Orion.
“Yes, he is.” He answered without shifting his gaze from Mark.
Don turned his attention back to Mark.
“So, you’re…” he began.
“Mark… my name is Mark.” He interrupted. “And right now, you are wondering why I am here, aren’t you…Stargazer?” He said looking at Orion.

         *                                                  *                                                 * 
Beneath the floor of the heavy machinery of a factory at Ikeja, was a captive. She stood, still in her night gown, in front of three distinguished gentlemen and a dozen more behind her. She had no idea where she was. The place was very large, windowless and with only one entrance as far as she could tell. Everyone in the room was murmuring about something. She was frightened she knew that they wouldn’t kill her yet until they got what they wanted and obviously James was aware of it and quite possibly his father and her grandfather. She knew something was wrong the other day. One thing she knew was that her grandfather wouldn’t let anything happen to her, irrespective of what the situation was. She knelt on the cold floor, closed her eyes and muttered; “Oh God, help me get out of this!”
“Sorry to disappoint you but your God isn’t here.” Mr. Deacon said. He was standing among the distinguishly dressed men. Everyone one was silent as all attention was on him.
“You see, my dear…” he continued as he walked towards her slowly. “…down here only evil reigns.”
The others cheered loudly then stopped as he raised his hand. “Only we, the evil ones, can answer your prayer.
“What do you want from me.” She found her voice.
“Why nothing. By know you should have figured that you are here as leverage until we get what we want. The one thing that can release our master and lord. If your family or friends; whatever they may be to you, cherish you so much , they will give us what we want at the appointed time or else…” He bent down in front of her. “…use your imagination.” He touched her chin but she turned away. He rose up and began to laugh. At that point Kadeem walked in.
“The message has been sent, my lord.”
“Good. Brothers! Tonight we shall ascend to a greater level. Once our master is released, this world will be ours again.” His words were complimented with applause and cheers.