The Deathlike Mission - Episode 15

 

"Thanks for coming dear, for a moment I thought you wouldn't show up." Paul said to Laura after the waiter served their drinks. He had asked her out that evening as he was feeling quite lonely having just gotten back to town and not getting used to being around Jide.

"Oh come on. I wouldn't miss an invitation from someone as cute as you for anything," Laura winked playfully as she sipped at her cocktail.

Paul chuckled . "Really? I'm afraid your friend doesn't think so, at least not with the new guy in the picture."

"Jide? You can't be serious, you sound jealous already."

"I seriously am. You know how long I have carried a torch for Kari but she doesn't even look my way. It's so frustrating how easily she has fallen for a stranger."

"Hey, calm down. Nothing like that is going on, besides the Kari I know can't be that stupid to let down her guard so easily."

"You don't know women. Now tell me all there is to know about this Jide."

"There isn't much to him I know, only that he is as weary of you as you are of him."

"It amazes me how both of you got so attached to him this short while."

"You keep saying that." she replied gulping down her drink. "Aside the fact that he is quite annoying sometimes, he's a nice person and..."

"...He's done so much for Kari, being there with her at her father's demise and all that

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-deathlike-mission-pt-1

. Look, I could have done more if I were here."

"But you weren't, and he was so he did his part as a friend would."

"Wait a minute, whose side are you on?"

"Don't get me wrong ok. Just that in your absence so many things happened. Kari went through a lot and on my own I would not be able to help her through it all. Jide is really a great companion if you get to know him, and he is smart as well even though lately his findings and conclusions are becoming a bit weird and selfish."

"You do sound strange, how do you mean?"

"Nothing. Please how again did you sustain this injury?" She asked pointing at his palm.

"We've been through this. I was involved in an accident where an iron of some sort pierced my palm and I sustained some other minor injuries as well."

"Was it a car accident?" she pressed. Paul gave her a tired frown showing her he didn't want further questions. "Well, I believe you. Sorry about it once again," she gave up.

"It's fine. Before I forget, you mentioned sometime ago about a lady Kari was to meet with, how far with that?"

"She will be meeting with her by tomorrow somewhere in the chapel house where she stays. It will be undercover though for some reasons we are yet to know. Jide is accompanying her."

"Jide again. That's fine, we all can't wait to hear what mysteries lies beneath." Replied Paul with a mysterious look Laura was too busy finishing her drink to notice. "Need another glass?" he asked smiling.

"Yes please."

Paul kept on his smile as he beckoned on a waitress.

*                    *                    *

"I really don't know what to expect Jide, I have a feeling this might not turn out to be too good." Kari lamented her fears for the first time concerning their visit to Inika. She had chosen not to ponder on it since her father died till she was done mourning, like she ever will. Just as her late father had directed Inika was successfully tracked by Jide to St Luke's chapel, where they discovered she has lived all life and worked as a cleaner. The duo decided it best pay her a visit that Friday evening. Kari suggested they went without Laura noticing her sudden discomfiture whenever Jide was present.

"What does your mind say exactly?" Jide asked steadying his hands on the steering wheel as they drove to St Luke's.

"Can't stop myself from wondering what dad would be doing with that sort of person and why he will want us to meet with her. Whatever it is, It must be really bad. If it wasn't, my father could have handled it before he died."

"Your father never knew he was going to die when he did, I hardly ever know anyone who does. It's probably an unfinished business which was very important to him."

"It feels kind of creepy to me."

"You need not worry at all.  Whatever our findings turn out, we'll handle it like we always have."

"What if we don't get to meet her or we do but she acts like she doesn't know my father, what happens then?"

"If that happens, there multiple ways to get to her. But for now, try as much as you can to stay positive."

"Right. I noticed a cold war is brewing between you and Laura, you both haven't been getting along to well lately or am I mistaken?"

"Sure you are," replied Jide as he negotiated a bend. "I and Laura aren't any different from the way we used to be."

"Ok, if you say so."

Jide nodded with a smile. The rest of the thirty minutes drive was silent, each anticipating a possible outcome of the meeting. They reached a junction with an arrow sign post pointing the road to the left as leading to St Luke's. Five minutes later, Jide was parked outside an ancient Storey building. The environment was mostly serene. They both took a deep breath before taking off their seat belts.

"Here we are. Are you ready?" Jide asked her.

"More than ever. Let's go."

As they climbed the stairs into the building, Kari's heart began to beat faster than normal. There were some children of about four to fourteen years playing around, giving the place an appeal of a destitute home. Inside the building, they arrived at the reception area. A fat lady was seated there.

"Hello ma'am," Jide greeted.

"Good day," replied the lady looking up abruptly from what she was studying. "How may I help you two?"

"We are here to see a lady called Inika."

"Inika?" she called the name with surprise. "And who are you please?"

"Jide and Kari exchanged  glances."

"I'm Kari Salman and this Jide."

"Are you family?"

"No, we are friends of hers."

"She knew you were coming?"

"No, she didn't." An impatient Kari replied.

There was a pause during which the lady looked away, little droplets of tears forming in the corner of her eyes to Jide and Kari's amazement.

"Is anything wrong?" Jide questioned.

"Well, I'm sorry but you both just missed her." she gathered herself.

"How do you mean we just missed her," asked Jide again. "Isn't she around?"

"Inika is no more, she's dead."