The Game Changer Episode 8
Getting to his place i looked around the two bedroomed house he lived in. “No wonder the man would do anything for money. The kind of home he had was enough to tell me he was a poverty stricken man. Not that what he got from his pay as a warden was so meagre, but the guy was good at spending more than he earned more on drinking than taking care of his family.
Recalling how i met him, i had gotten out of the jungle with Queen. After hearing her story of how she was betrayed by the man she had trusted and loved, he hooked up another lady after promising her marriage.
She told me people had told her to be carefull with that man but she had insisted on giving him a million chances. According to her, she had decided to look at his good side which cost her.
” i trusted him and he went for another woman. When i confronted him at a shopping mall as he walked around with the same woman, the lady raised her voice at me throwing all sorts of insults on me whilst he watched in silence.
The worst happened when the lady decided to fight me” she spoke her voice hoarse she was almost bursting out in tears i could see her fight them back.
” that woman with everything in her pulled my dress leaving me completely nude in that public place whilst everyone watched in awe. I was so ashemed as people flashed their phones taking some pics of my naked body others shouting at me naming me a prostitute. I have never been that embarrassed in my life Steven, it was the worst day of my life and i decided to quit the sales personnel job for a knowm supermarket and ran away to this place away from the shame and embarrassment i had seen on the social medias. Thats how come i have stayed out here with my grand father for almost a year now” she told me and i felt bad for her.
I knew i was not so gentle with women, in fact i never had one so close as to have a defined relationship, but to treat someone like that was not appealing at all.
A few days later, i decided to leave the jungle and i convinced her to go with me.
” you can not hide from the world for good Queen. You better go back to the city and start living a normal life” i told her.
” but how? It’s not like am so educated, i only went up to grade 12 and with no papers to push for a job, i will not easily start over. My parents are late and i dont have any relatives i can relly on to keep me. My grandfather catches fish and we farm together. Life is cheaper here” she refused my offer.
” lets get to the city and i will help you start over, its the least i can do for what you and your grand father has done for me” i begged her.
She finally agreed and that’s how come we both got to the city. My home was as deserted as i left it. Luckily i kept a spare key hidden under the small stones around the house as the entire yard was green with grass.
The following day i gave her money to start some business and rent her own house away from my home. I never wanted her anywhere near. Knowing i might engage in a dangerous mission. Having her in the way of danger was something i didnt want.
A week after i talked to a few people and thats how i started finding out about my friends plot to eliminate me.
Through some guys i managed to get contact with a guy they called Chanje who worked as a warder at a prison Makasa was. I was told there were some money laundering case for the guys and to escape the blame, they decided to make it look like Makasa was in the wrong and agreed for him to get a 1 year imprisonment of course on false pretence.
Finding it difficult to get closer to Jacob and Mberere, i decided to approach him first
I spent the first 6 months of my coming back working on a plan to get to him. Hiring some guys to help me out and Chanje was one of them.
I paid hom off to help with the security details of the prison. He was the guy that turned off the power to allow me passage across the fence and placed the warden uniform inside the buildings for me.
Now that i noticed how much i was being followed, it clicked that he was the one that sold me out cause i had given him my phone with him claiming he had to plant a chip to help communicate and warn me from inside the cells where i was seeing Makasa without having to call.
He did well giving me directions in and out of the prison. But if my suspicions were right, he was the guy that gave the tracking device away to the guys after me, was what i was thinking at that moment. I had no other logic explanation other than that.
So here i was watching his house in silence trying to imagine what i would do to him if he was the one playing me. With his love for money, i now knew i couldn’t trust him.
” okey time to wake up b******!” I screamed in my head as i got out of my newly acquired vehicle, a black jeep with tinted windows.
I knocked at the door three times ensuring my knock was loud enough to wake a sleeping child.
I waited looking at my wrist watch, a minute past and i was almost kicking the door open when i heard foot steps approaching.
” who is there? ” i heard Chanje’ s voice call out.
I smiled knowing he was sobber. The right condition to be dealt with.
” its me Steve” i announced and heard him sign. It was quiet for a moment.
” what do you want at this hour Steve. Come back tomorrow ” he responded
” well, i can’t, i need to ask you something and trust me i will whether you open this door for me in a normal way or i break it open for myself ” i told him.
It was silent again and the next thing i heard was the turning or the key the door lock.
” what….” he almost spoke but i gave him no chance, i pulled him out in a grip closing back the door with one hand.
” son of a bi*ch !” i yelled angrily, ” who paid you off to track my phone?” I asked shaking his shirtless body.
” oh calm down man, i helped you in and you paid me so whats this? I have no idea what you are talking about” he stammered trying to raise his hands but i held him down.
” oh you have no idea what am talking about huh? Where is the tracking device you used to monitor my phone?” I asked him hitting him in his face the darkness of the night prevented me from seeing the impact of my blow on his face but i heard him spit i knew given a little light, i would see the blood from his mouth and probably nose.
” i destroyed it the other day, i swear i didnt give anyone else” he winced in pain but i was not convinced.
” well lets see maybe this will refresh your memory” i raised my fist ready to hit him and he screamed aloud.
” okey okey please don’t hit me again. Please i was just afraid of losing my job. I have kids and a wife to look after.” He pleaded crying like a child.
” don’t lie to me dammit! I know you like money and you probably sold me out to make more than i gave you. ” i scolded him pulling him away from his yard lest the family inside woke up .
” so start telling me the truth before i finish you off” i told him placing him down besides the jeep.
” i was rooted out by my friend
I told him about our deal but he betrayed me after the internal interrogation they conducted hours after you broke in on the very day.
” i was tortured and made to speak and when i mentioned your name they asked how i got you in and they decided to get the tracker instead, to get to you” he explained and i shook my head continuously.
” so it was easier to sell me out after chewing my money you coward. Now tell me who got that device ” i held his neck
” i don’t know” he shivered, ” someone from the high ranks in the military. they said you have some issues with high intelligence operations and were on the wanted list. I had no option Steve don’t kill me” he cried kneeling down as i kocked the gun pointing at his head.
” okey stand up” i placed the gun in by belt.
” here is what we shall do” i told him making sure he was paying attention.
” do you love your family Chanje?” I asked him after i was done giving him my fresh orders.
” yes sir” he responded
” good, cause when you cross me again i will make sure i cut off their throats as you watch.” I said pointing at his house he knew who i meant. ” Just know that am watching your every move” i warned and left him there a few minutes later.
The time i was getting to the second lodge it was almost dawn. The twilight sky was coming up and in a long time i sat outside sitting on the car boot laying my head down and watched in silence.
I felt the fresh breeze of the morning touch my face and i allowed myself to relax. I realised i felt tired and needed to rest. I had not slept in almost 5 days and the effect of not sleeping was catching up.
I looked around when the sun was just coming up and decided to get inside the room i had booked. I had thrown away my stained vest and wore a losse tshirt i found in the back of the car i assumed belonged to one of the hit men that had sent to me.
I had made up my mind to posses the jeep as a repayment for the truck they had burnt down. My intention was to get a new number plate when i got the chance.
Looking from side to side and i got to my room, i entered and locked the doors afterwards i went in the bathroom taking a long warm bath cleaning out all the blood stains on my skin.
” hey Queen how is it going there?” I called queen after laying down on my bed before falling asleep.
” hey its you finally, you decide to call. Whats going on Steven, you have not come to visit me since you found me this house, you don’t want to check on the progress of this business you helped me start. Tell me whats going on please am worried ” she whispered i could tell she was still in bed.
” am okey, was just busy with some things and when everything is okey i promise i will come over. For now i cant okey? Just trust me i can take care of myself” i sighed
” well the more reason am worried. Everyone needs to be taken care of sometimes and for the time i have come to know you, you think you have it under control. Let that pain and bitterness go already. You are alive thats what ma……..” she couldn’t continue as i cut her off.
” listen, i got to go now. Will talk to you some other time and probably using a different line” i quickly spoke and cut the line before she could go on her lectures of letting go and forgiveness.
All i needed was some good rest and i planned to kick off my plan after some hours. I placed my phone close to my hand and let sleep take me out.
I woke up with a start as there was a loud knock from the door. Without hesitation i held my gun in my hands walking my nude self to the door. I never slept with clothes on whenever i wanted to have a good rest.
” who is there?” I asked standing behind the door.
” room service! We are worried about you sir, you have been in there for over hours and its almost getting dark. We thought you might want to order some food or something” the voice of a woman spoke.
I looked at my phone.. ” oh s***!, i have slept for over 10 hours” i whispered to myself.
” what was that?” The woman asked, i could tell she had her eyes to the door.
” um am okey and i can use some food. Give me the best you have here and a pack of cigarrates” i told her without opening the door and walked back to bed after hearing her foot steps walking away.
I took another bath, cold this time and clad myself in dark jeans and a black v necked tshirt.
A few minutes later, i had my meal and called in some guy with some building plans.
I met him by the road away from the lodge and paid him off. Good i could have someone organise some things remotely thanks to Ackim.
I pulĺed out a small bag and started sketching the map of the offices i was heading to.
” well lets see what you do when i get to your well furnised office Sir..” i spoke to myself drawing a pencil around the plans planning my way in and out.
The Game Changer Episode 9
© Tisa Phiri
“You have to know the working of your enemy’s mind. Know what to expect from them before you strike a strategy to attack them. You have a better chance of success if only you can maintain a step ahead of them ” the words echoed in my mind as i silently worked on the keys to the rear gate of the building. It was a nicely elevated and well maintained outside.
From the look around, i could tell Jacob and his friends were really pulling huge deals and there was no disputing some individuals or organisations were behind their huge wealth accumulation within a short period of time.
I smiled seeing his posters printed with his image labelled ‘vote for Jacob Tatila president.’
” President over my dead body!” I cursed as i went up the stairs inside the building, dresses in dark overalls and shades on my eyes suitable for working with in the dark.
I sighed seeing the switches on the right side of the wall. Steadly i walked up to the top office. Taking my time, it was 30 minutes passed 03 am and i had managed to put all the gaurds to sleep. After giving them some good kicks and punches as they tried to resist my entrance, then i injected them with a powerfil sleep drug that would knock then off for almost 2 hours. ofcourse that was after one of them disalarmed all the buildings security systems, by force.
” Jacob, Jacob man, this is a good life you chose, unfortunately you used the wrong man to get to the top” i whispered looking at his photo as i sat in his comfortable office chair swinging around as i smoked warming my lungs..
I looked around lifting and placing down some small items from the table. I tried to open the drawers but they were all locked.
” what are you hiding in here?” I scoffed moving the chair back and getting the tool from my bag to force the small doors open.
I struggled a bit and when it finally opened, i almost screamed with anger seeing my latest photos placed in an envelope. The guy was really watching me and Ackim was right. They had me followed since the day i came back to the city.
I looked at them one by one, i was at the street buying my dope, the other one i was seated talking to some guys who hooked me up to Chanje.
” son of a Bi**h!” I cursed. “He had me followed all this time”. I shook my head furious. I knew that meant only one thing, someone was on my tail twenty four seven and it was not just about tracking my phone. Even when i had it changed i was meant to believe that they would be watching me again.
I looked outside the building through the window feeling a panick urge. I had to come up with a plan and that was to be quick. I had to outsmart whoever had me under surveillance be it human or machine.
Quickly i switched off the lights on Jacob’s office. I got my phone and mad a quick call to Chama the IT guy from Ackim.
” yes man, am in now tell me what to do” i spoke through the phone walking my hands into the small bag i had.
” okey good, now take the small box i told you about earlier” he instructed through the phone.
” yeah i have it” i responded looking at a small box in my hand.
” okey. So those are small undetectable cameras and recorders, have them placed in the spots where they cannot easily be spoted but can capture most of the room view. ” he added.
” then what?” I asked standing up and finding spots i was sure where perfect and plugged the cameras using the touch light i couldnt risk having the lights on yet.
” then get out of there man, we will do the rest from here, the guys and i are almost in the city we will meet up to discuss the rest.” He added
” yeah!” I whispered and cut the line placing my phone in my pockets and looking arund one more time.
I needed to do one more thing before i left. I sat down taking out a plain paper and drawing something. It was am image of myself and Jacobs when we just started the military training. I remembered it vividly cause it was the day we become friends with him. He was purnished by our instructor one day and i saw him lifting heavy logs from one point to another. He stuggled to walk as he came to the 6th one and thats when i went past the area.
” hey soldier, i have been ballocked man, these guys are really making it tough for me. I still got 10 logs to move for no reason at all and look at my hands” he said showing me the brouses he had.
” i feel you, its hard out here. Let me help you with a couple of those before anyone comes this way” i walked towards him feeling pity.
We were just getting the last ones when we heard a camera click followed by a flash.
” i give you work and you decide yo call your dog for help!” One of our instructors spoke making us stand at ease.
” sorry sir i was just” i almost defended myself and the next thing i felt was a strong whip on my back.
” you saying something soldier?” He asked pissed off.
” no sir!” I stood up right looking at him.
That day he made us stand straight and took a photo of us. He gave us another task harder than the one he had given Jacob before and we had to work the entire night.
The following day, he came to give us two photos as a reminder of out offence. Everytime you look at that photo you ought to be reminded that there is a large cost to friendship, if you are going to decide carry the burden of your fellow soldier, then you will survive the jungle and any war, because being each other’s keeper is what gives you the courage to overcome” he smiled and walked away.
” was that supposed to be a complement?” Jacob laughed looking at me.
” yeah i guess we did the right thing and got purnished for it” i laughed as we walked back to our dooms tired and dirty. That was the beginning of our friendship till we went for Commando trainings and met with Jose and Makasa.
I smiled looking at the sketch i had placed on his desk. I wanted him to know i had got in and that he didnt have me under his sleeves anymore.
I looked around before heading out. There was no one outside i was glad no one had followed me yet. I just hoped whoever it was had lost track of me.
Instead of driving away immediately i went and parked the truck a few meters away and came back placing a hood on my head and standing hidden across the road.
I had to stalk around a bit and see any signs of someone on my tail.
I looked at my watch, a few minutes to 5 am, soon vehicles would start parking around the buildings. I saw some guards walking around looking lost i could bet they were trying to figure out what happened.
” you won’t remember a thing my friends. That drug did you bad” i smiled to myself folding my hands around my body.
” here we go!” I whispered seeing Jacob’s vehicle pulling over the building. The b****** was being driven and he looked all bossy in his black suit and a merroon necktie that blended well with a cream white shirt he had inside the suit.
I waited for some few more minutes and i saw him run out to his car calling to his driver the sketch i left him in his hands.
“Couldn’t resist the pics eeehe?” I spoke to myself. And turned back to the car i had.
I needed to know where he was heading to.
Through some main roads in town i went behind him leaving two vehicles between us.
” hey man did you get anything from that office? ” I called Chama.
” yeah he made a call to a guy named Jose and some commander i can’t recall his name” Chama expalined.
” did he say where they are meeting from? cause am on his tail roght now” i asked looking through the side mirrows to ensure i want being followed too.
” no he didnt, he just side lets meet but didnt say any more” he replied.
” okey man, go on with organizing those people i will tag them a bit longer and see how it goes. Anything happens to me get the rest of the things done” i added and hanged up paying attention to Jacobs car which was now joining the road to ibex hill.
The road ahead cleared and there was no car ahead of between our vehicles so i decided to reduce my speed and follow at a distance.
After almost 10 minutes of driving i saw it pull over some huge wall fence and the car drove in. Another vehicle drove past me at a high speed and too turned at the same place. I couldn’t tell who was in it, but i could bet it was either the commander Jacob called or Mbeŕere Jose.
” okey atleast i know your meeting place” i whispered to myself driving past the house.
An hour later we were seated with the guys from Chingola in the bushes we had created our hide out. We had decided to lodge at a very cheap motel outside the city where no one would suspect anything.
All in total plus the investigator Ackim recommended and the guys Chama and Jim came with we were 15.
” are you sure all these men can be trusted?” I asked Chama in a whisper.
” sure man, i can assure you of that fact. These men are mostly ex militants who had issues and were either fired or demotted and got pissed with the system. They do their own thing now and this is the right group you need for the job man” he smiled pulling on the cigarette as i did too.
” good. Just one thing before we start, i have nothing to lose guys, i have been to the dead land before and am not scared of going back. So if you think for a second you are here to preserve your life then you ought to back out now. I will not accept any sign of weakness in this Job. So we clear, you will get your advance pays at the end of this meeting and the rest if you come out alive.
This mission is dangerous i will warn you before hand. We are dealing with someone who will be going to be the head of this nation and he has security all around him. This is the beginning of our mission and from now onwards it shall get bloody. Do it for money of for your country i dont care! All i want is you to work with me and prevent a wrong man taking over the highest office of our country. Am going to turn around the tables and trust me, i will achieve it even if its the last thing i will do on this God forsaken place.” I spoke standing up and looking at everyone’s face and eyes to make sure my words got into them deep and clear.
” i will for a couple of days walk alone, i first want to know who is tagging on my back and then we excute the highest attack after i uncover the entire truth” i courageously added.
” you will all stay hidden and train until i say otherwise. any questions before Chama gives us the plans?” I asked siiting back down.
” yes sir, only one” one of the guys stood up.
” go on” i nodded.
” what is to come of the presidential elect? We killing him or what?” He asked.
” whats your name man?” I asked instead standing up and pacing towards him.
” Albert sir” he responded.
” Albert, if you dare lay a finger on him even when you come in contact with him whatsoever, i will make sure i kill you with my bare hands.” I held his chin up.
” clear?” I asked him and looked around other s to make sure the message got to them too.
” yes!” He replied and i pushed him back.
” that man is mine to handle, do anything else you are told and leave him, Mberere and Makasa to me” i pointed a finger at each one of them.
” good!” I sighed satisfied i was clear enough.
” now before you start going through the staff with them, show me that video i want to see whats going on back there” i spoke to Chama and he gave me his room keys. I walked away leaving everything to him and went back to the motel.
” where are they? Find the jeep dammit and get me Chanje !” I heard Jacob yell on the phone i knew he was aware he goons were dead. Luckily i handed the jeep to the dealer guys in exchange for a truck and they would work on it. Painting it and taking it out of the country i cared less what would happen afterwards.
” have someone else on him, find him and report to me! we cannot afford to have him sneaking around. We are a few months towards the main election” Jacob added as i watched him move about his office. He looked in all corners i would bet he was searching for some cameras. ” you won’t find them anytime soon my old friend” i whsipered placing my palm on my nose as i pulled in the drugs into my nostrils. Jerking as it reached down inside i felt revived.
…to be continued
