The Hyena Code — Continuation 6

2014. University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

“You know, you are going to die tonight.”

Sam slowly turned back to look at the guy who spoke. The guy leaned back on his chair, which was directly behind where Sam sat. The back of both chairs were just inches apart in the canteen.

The place was busy as the mostly young people moved to, and from the counter to the tables with the food and drinks they ordered. The smell of jollof rice and chicken dominated the air as it was the most popular choice It was a lively atmosphere with loud conversation at most of the tables and afrobeats music was playing from the speakers around the room.

“Are you talking to me?” Sam asked.

The guy half turned on the chair and smiled at Sam. The dark sunglasses covered half his face, while on his head was a red skull cap. His teeth and lips were blackened from too much smoking.

“Yes. I am.”

“Why do you say that? You be prophet?”

“My Capone loves your babe. But your babe said she can only love one man and stay true to same.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Fortunately, she won’t mourn you forever. My Capone will be there to comfort her.”

“How you take know all this and why you dey tell me?”

“I’m a chess player. I love to give pawns a fighting chance. Make them believe they can get to the other side.”

“Are you the queen?”

“Nah. Tonight I’m like the knight. I’m here to ensure a trapped rat doesn’t escape.”

“Why should I believe you?”

The guy nudged his head towards the entrance of the canteen. There were two hefty guys at the door staring at them. Both guys had on a red beret, a black shirt, and black jeans.

“They are here to ensure your passage to our nest. Unfortunately, I’ve been asked to stand down and not peck your eyes out, or carve you open till the Capone comes for you.”

The two guys stared at each other for a moment. Then the guy got up and patted Sam’s shoulders.

“By 1am this joint will shut down and everyone will head back to their hostel. Surely, you won’t follow your babe into the female hostel, would you? Besides, we know you are staying over at your cousin’s hostel.” The guy smiled. “Don’t bother calling the police, they are not well-paid enough to risk their lives for you.”

Sam knew the guy was right. The police would probably tell him to send money to them to buy fuel for their vehicle if he wants them to come over. Besides, they might not believe him. and even if they do, they definitely won’t assign an officer or two to protect him for the night, as personal guards were for politicians or people who could afford it. He looked towards the toilets and watched his girlfriend, Lara, and her friend, Sarah, walk back to him.

“Enjoy the sight of her and say your last prayers. Tonight, the earth will drink your blood.” The guy slowly walked away from Sam towards the exit.

Lara, and Sarah, sat down opposite him. “You know that guy?” Lara asked.

“No.”

“Be careful o. Na cultist. People say he is a hitman for the Red Crows, one of the two deadliest cult groups on this campus,” Lara added.

Sam swallowed hard as he slowly drank his beer.

Sarah looked at her phone and said, “We need to start going o, we’ve got an early morning test tomorrow.”

“We will leave by 1am,” Lara replied.

Sam looked at his wristwatch. It was 12:50 am. His voice trembled as he said, “Lara, there is a problem o,”

Lara looked at him with concern. “What happened?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you had an admirer who is a cultist?”

“Because I have a boyfriend and told him I can’t double date.”

“Well, they plan to kill me tonight. That’s what that guy came to tell me.”

Lara and Sarah looked at him in alarm.

Lara grabbed and held his hand. “Haa, what are we going to do?”

Sam looked depressed as he slowly shook his head. “I don’t know o. I’m just confused right now.”

Sam glanced at his wristwatch. It was 12:55am.

There was a stir at the door as five guys, each wearing a dark green shirt, tried to make their way into the canteen. There was a brief stare-down between the new guys and the two red beret-wearing hefty guys at the door. Then without any words being said, the two guys with the red beret stepped aside for them to enter the canteen.

Sam who had been watching the guys at the door, noticed the scene. “Who are these guys in green?”

Lara and Sarah turned to look.

“Ha, werey wolf,” exclaimed his babe.

Sam turned to look at her. “Who be werey wolf?”

There was a hush in the canteen as the five guys in dark green shirts spread out and took up strategic positions around the canteen. One of the five guys, Yemi, walked to the middle of the room and looked around the place till his eyes settled on Sam. They stared at each other for a moment.

Sarah answered, “The Green Wolves cult. The guy in front is called Werey Wolf, na stone-cold killer. He no dey carry weapon, but dem say he fit conjure weapon from anything.”

Yemi smiled and slowly swaggered to where Sam was sitting. He pulled a chair along the way and sat on it as he got to their table. All eyes in the canteen were fixed on him. Yemi placed his right hand on the wooden table and tapped it once. There was a growing protrusion from the table under his hand, then he pressed it back down, and it disappeared. Sam, Lara, and Sarah shuddered and looked at each other.

Yemi looked at Sam.”Hi Sam, how you dey?”

Sam nodded and stammered fearfully. “I’m good.”

“Well, today is not the day you die. I owe your cousin, Paul, my life. So a life for a life, my debt is paid. You are to come with me at once, the Red Crows will soon be back with reinforcement.”

“What about my woman?”

Yemi looked at the two ladies. “It’s because of your babe the Crows want you dead. You’re safer without her. If she was to be harmed, they would have done so before you visited this University.”

Sam turned to Lara with a troubled face and held her hands gently. “What should I do?”

Lara looked at him affectionately and kissed him briefly.”I think it’s safer if you go with him. I will be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

Lara nodded and smiled bravely.

Sam heaved a sigh of resignation and looked at Yemi. The two guys got to their feet.

Yemi held out his hand for a handshake. “Just so we are clear. I’ve now paid my debt to your cousin. Now you owe me your life, and it’s a debt that will be paid on my terms.”

Sam frowned and shook his hand reluctantly.

Yemi turned to the ladies. “Do have a pleasant evening ladies. Two of my men will see you to your hostel.”

Lara and Sarah watched as Sam, Werey Wolf and two of his guys made their way out of the bar. Then they quickly got up and followed the two Green Wolves waiting for them. As they left, people in the canteen started talking at the same time.

Signed

Olumide Holloway (King Olulu).