"Of course, I do,"James replied sharply.
"And his business associate, Mr Harris, at Chief Miquel's house by 12:00a.m. I don't know why they chose that time. Perhaps, they are dealing with blood money here, going by Chief Miquel's notorious profile," Eliza said.
"Nice, and you confirmed this information is authentic," James asked on.

"Yes, right from the Chief's PA himself.I have promised him a lot of money; so you don't have
worry about him. we just need to co-ordinate ourselves and plan ahead for the steps involved in carrying out this operation."
I took a deep breath after listening and turned to look at Vanessa. "Is Vanessa going to be involved in this," l asked Eliza.

He smiled and turned to her, kissing her deeply. "She is the author and the finisher of this
robbery. Without her, there wouldn't be any operation at all," Eliza replied with a smile on his
face.

Few minutes later, James and Eliza left the house. I was left alone in the living room with
Vanessa, who turned on the television and watched in silence. There was a heavy knock on the door later on, and Vanessa ran to open it. She came back shortly after talking with the man who had knocked.
"How long have you known James?" Vanessa asked me.

"Quite long," I replied sharply, hoping to lengthen the conversation.

"Then, you must know that, in this operation, you are on your own if anything happens."

"l don't understand,"l said, confused about what she had meant by my being on my own.
"William, that is your name, right?"
"Yes, is there something you are not telling me?"

"There are lots of them, but I'm not in the position to tell you."

"Why not? l asked more curiously.
"If this operation were to be a success, consider yourself dead, because that is one of the
rules of the game" she said, turning to look at me.
"What rules? What are you talking about? I don't get you at all," I asked as I got more confused.
Was she also trying to make me scared again to further test me? I thought.

"I don't have anything else to say but you could do me a favour."

My heart pounded as I. stared at her with trembling lips. what favour, vanessa? You are making me nervous."

"Forget this operation, just go away and find something else to get involved in," she said.

"And what the hell does that mean?" Eliza shouted as he walked into the living room.
"Em, nothing, I was.. Vanesse. stammered.
"Go into the room and wait for me," Eliza ordered angrily, his eyes hardening.
Vanessa ran in quickly without hesitating.
"Whatever she told you are all lies; the girl is a serpent," James said as he stared into my shocked eyes.

Eliza walked briskly into the room and, few seconds later, I heard him shouting on top of his
voice in a language that I was not familiar with. There was a bit of silence, and then, I heard the thud of a slap.

"James, what language was that?" I asked.
"I don't really know; this one seems foreign, James replied.
l kept thinking over what Vanessa had told me. I had wanted to ask James about that, but I didnt think that was a good idea.

"Come on, let me take you to your room, James said and l followed him. He took me to one of the rooms in the small bungalow.

I walked in and locked myself up. Few minutes later, I dozed off.
"My son, give me your hand; I can't be of much help, I'm an old man".

"Daddy! Daddy! Is that you?" I asked, terrified at how I had found myself in such a place.

"How did you get into this pit? I don't think you will be able to make it out of there alive. It is so deep, you can't get out,"Daddy stated.

"Daddy, why are you saying this; help me, please. I don't like this place, I begged.
Mum emerged at the instant with a rope which she threw down, asking me to climb with it.

"Thank you, ma" I said, smiling. And as I made to climb, I felt someone grip my feet.
"Where do you think you are going? You are meant to be here, son," Daddy said, pulling me dowm from the rope.

"Daddy, let me gol" I screamed in fear.
Then, Daddy began to laugh; the unpleasant sound of his laughter.rasped at my eardrums.
Then, there was silence as I fell unconscious. l stood with fear as I regained consciousness; my
limbs trembled as l walked. There was nothing around me as I discovered that I was out of the pit already. l looked up to the sky and saw that it was dark red, the colour of blood. A cold shiver ran down my back. Just then, it began to rain heavily and l noticed that it was blood, not water. The floor seemed to vibrate below my feet and the few trees before me formed a shape of some huge giants with
horns. I quaked in fear as I heard voices saying, The judgement day has come." My hand became damp and my stomach churned with something worse than butterflies. Some buildings, warehouses and trees, which I saw at a distance, all collapsed as a result of the bloody rain, the rain of ruins. The earth opened
up to swallow them as they crumbled and I wondered
why I wasn't affected by the downpour yet. Then, I saw a man with a bald head. He had an unusual set of big eyes and a tiny body. His few front teeth looked yellow like fresh corn kernels. "Help me, sir' I managed to say as my heart throbbed taster in my chest.

"Young man, what brings you here? he asked, probably surprised at my presence
"I don't know, sir; please, save me," I pleaded in tears. He frowned as though I had said something unpleasant to him. Then, slowly, his iface changed to that of Daddy. My head became swollen and hot sweat
joined the free-flowing tears and began to bathe my weakening body.