Divepen1:
It was here. I'll bring it back...

Pls do, I'll like to read it so as to know the origin of the rebelion

Rachael? I didn't read that also

In my other series.. Well, I'll post them later..

After this story, I'll post ' Lost But Satisfied again"

12 Selfishness or Safety?
Carl sat still as he watched the big tower the Peacelearners referred to as their home. If he tried to compare it to any of the buildings he had seen in that place, there was no way he would successfully compare it. The building on its own looked like a bone that was buried for years and was only excavated because they needed a place to stay. Compared to the numerous beautiful houses in the place, the house was shambles. Its body crawled with cracks that would make anyone aware that it would crumble anytime soon.
'He would come', Joyce said, pulling him out of his fear. They were both seated on a crooked stone bench that was placed outside their new home. She informed him that she had finally become a P.I without training. Her mission there was to discover where they were. She also told him how she handled the situation they were supposed to solve together.
He wouldn't agree that Etyes was their new home. It seemed almost everyone in that place wanted to leave the unknown place, but many of them couldn't dare try to leave after witnessing all they had seen. He wouldn't want to be irrational in trying to escape. It had to take a lot of time and planning. He had to team up with his people to make the best plan. Joyce was one person he didn't think he needed until he saw her. The others were good with a different aspect of life, except of course, Iris, whom he wasn't sure could do anything.
Carl looked about him to be sure they were alone. 'So, what if something happens to him?'
She shrugged, 'then we will find a way out of this hole'.
Carl looked about him skeptically. He didn't believe in anyone being the hero for him. Nothing worked best than clawing his way out of that place.
'Have we been told why they brought us here?'
He shook his head.
'Then, we are so screwed'.
'Let's go up. I think they've all gone before us, you just have to be careful around Regina because she can make you mad at the slightest thing'.
They had been waiting for the others. But it occurred to him that by the time they finished running, the others were gone.
'Maybe', Joyce said as she rose from the bench to follow him. She glanced at the field one more time 'Is that...Is that not Freddy?'
Carl turned. Fred was trudging his way towards them.
'Freddy', Joyce cried and ran to hug him. He expressed a short form of excitement, then receded to his weary gloomy countenance.
'Freddy! Oh God I never knew you were brought here'.
'Yes, I was and I'm so dying to leave here', he said amidst his heavy pants.
'What happened to you?' Joyce asked him as she cushioned his back with her hand.
'I ran 20 laps I ran 20 long laps'.
Carl nodded. 'So did we'.
Fred gave him a curt look. 'Sonia caused it. Remember my handler said I should imitate her instructions? He noticed that you were given 20 laps instead of the original 10'.
Carl nodded. 'So he made you...'
'Do 20. He wants to kill me. I thought I liked him, but now I'm adding him to my blacklist'.
'You mean we were supposed to do 10 laps'.
'Sorry. But right now, I'm really starving and wouldn't mind eating you', Joyce said dejectedly.
Fred walked away. 'See, I'm tired. I never booked for this. I love this place. But we need to find a way to leave this place'.
Carl looked about as they moved towards the door. 'Someone is coming to help us out of this place'.
'How?'
'J, she has...'
'I have a tracker'
'Wow. Who did it?'
'Blanj'.
'Oh wow. Blanj. Those guys are good. They use some of the craziest sophisticated gadgets in the world'.
Regina popped out of the front door, laughing hard. Carl and Fred wanted to join her in laughing, but Fred looked confused while Carl held his calm. Joyce stared at her as if she was another buzzing bee that must be swatted with a hand fan.
'Guys, you won't believe...' Regina said as she wrapped her hands around Carl's and Fred's neck.
'What's happened'? Fred asked as he seemed to have regained his strength at the sight of her.
'When some guys saw me coming out of the elevator, they tried to enter, but they couldn't enter'.
'Carl, what's this?' Joyce said as she flung Regina's hand away from Carl's neck and pouted.
Regina sprung from where she was, and pushed her way from in-between the boys to face Joyce as if her legs were on fire. 'What's that? Are you crazy?'
Joyce gave her a tough look and edged towards her. The tight uniform made her plump body look massive. 'What will you do? How dare you touch my boyfriend?'
Regina stared at Joyce as if she was a mad woman that had just escaped from the asylum. She shook her head. 'You are crazy. We are all new here. Hello. He's no one's boyfriend. Is it because he is handsome? He has a girlfriend outside this place'.
Carl stepped into their midst. 'Typewriter...'
'No. Baby boy, let me talk some sense into her head. Is this not the new girl that got here this morning? How will she claim you're her boyfriend? Are you nuts? How will you claim he is your boyfriend?'
Joyce glare melted into amusement. She burst into laughter and glanced at Fred. As if her look was contaminable, the others, except Regina, also burst into laughter.
'What's funny?' Regina spun from one side to another. 'Oh! It's a prank'.
Carl laughed. 'No. No. She's my girlfriend'.
Regina stared at Fred who nodded repeatedly. Regina seemed mystified. 'Oh'.
Carl gave Joyce his look that showed that she had overreacted again. She pouted.
'What? I thought she wanted to be with you'. She stared at the sky for a while and finally stared at Regina. 'I'm sorry. I overreacted'.
'Oh! I know people like you. Research has helped me discover that these people tend to lose their love or spouse more'.
Joyce rolled her eyes and dragged Carl away, he calmly pulled her back.
'That means she won't be able to bring her to the top', Carl said and heaved a sigh.
'Bring her to the top? Why are we bringing her? She is coming to stay with us or won't you stay with us?' Regina asked, facing Joyce.
'Of course, I will stay'.
Carl stared at the two ladies. 'Of course. That's not what?'
'Just say you don't want me to come'.
'But I meant that...'
Regina plugged her hands, and pulled her towards the building. 'Whatever! She's coming with us'.
'That's not possible' Carl shouted after them.
Regina waved her hand and pulled Joyce away. Carl stared at Fred who looked puzzled.
'Why will you say that?' Fred stared at him as he trudged towards the door.
'You too?' Carl said and increased his speed. The doorway was filled with people that gathered round.
'Make way', he repeatedly said as he pushed his way through the crowd.
'Leave the way' someone screamed with a pitched voice.
Carl found his way to the front. Different people ran into the elevator. Immediately they entered, it scanned their body, and spat them out again. Many people tried frantically but were always thrown away.
'Get away...' Carl shouted as he began to pull people away from the elevator. 'Get back'.
Yet, they weren't relenting.
'I'm sorry. Listen... Eh, you...Get back', Carl stood in front of the elevator. 'This elevator has the information of those that first saw that top room. That got there first'.
Suddenly, the elevator closed and the wall became just like the regular wall in the broken building. Someone saw this and pushed Carl away from the way. Carl yelled as he spun to hit the person, but he had to jump out of the way as the person ran onward and shouted, 'it will be there'.
The person jumped into the wall, crashed into, fell back, and cried out. Normally, people should be laughing at him but they were desperate and wanted to get to the top along with them. He didn't understand the hunger that made them wish to follow them.
Suddenly, the elevator's door appeared again but this time with a new door standing as the middleman between the frantic people and the elevator. People rushed towards it and they disappeared. After a while, they would be seen rushing from outside the building.
Fred also tried it, and didn't rush back into the building like the others. If Carl had hoped that the people would believe him after Fred didn't return, he was wrong. They decided to trust in their inner self. Many of them believed the elevator was truly for some set of people, and they were also part of those chosen.
Regina pulled Joyce into the elevator, and then it closed on them. Carl waited for the result. Joyce came from outside looking dazed like the other.
'It led me outside'.
'I don't know what to do?'
'It means I won't be with you'.
'I can come to stay with you. That means we would be visiting them regularly'.
She blinked repeatedly. 'I want to be with you too, but what about the others?'
'They can survive it'.
'But can you?'
Carl stared about and held her head. 'I want this. I will be with you.'
She blinked back tears. 'I love you'.
'I do too. I love you like no other'.
'Let me get a few things from the top'.
His hand slipped off as he moved towards the elevator. 'I'll be back'.
She nodded as he watched him hurry into the elevator. Others tried to join him as he forced his way to the front. The desperate ones were pulling at his cloth, and he was so lucky that the Uniform was of a good material. If not, it would have been torn by the force with which the crowd pulled it. The desperate ones jumped through the door, but they never got the chance to enter the elevator because the door had its way of separating the stones from the grain. Seeing a good chance, he jumped through the door, and made someone grunt. However, he didn't have to press the button before it opened.
'Carl. Carl. The time...' Fred shouted, but couldn't complete his sentence before Regina covered his mouth and whispered something into his hear. Fred opened his eyes in realization.
'What's that?' Carl shouted. The crowd was dwindling already, but they still had their way of overcrowding the place.
'Outside...' She dragged Fred away. Carl glanced at Joyce and she followed him. The sky was becoming brighter. Someone followed them, but after Regina yelled at the person, he returned inside.
'The time is reading again.'
'We should tell people...' Fred said.
'No. Our place would be overcrowded', Regina countered.
'What Time?'
'What are they talking about', Joyce asked glancing first at Carl then at Regina and Fred.
'I don't know too. What time Freddy?'
'The time that was counting when we first got there. I think'
'We think it means Joyce can still make it'.
'Seriously?'
Regina nodded. Joyce looked at them curiously.
'That looks good? What's this time all about?'
'I'll explain later'.
'But I'm having the same belief with Regina. I don't think she can make it', Fred muttered.
'Why is that?'
'The time It's just 16 minutes, 30 seconds.'
'Are you kidding me? What are we waiting for?' Carl shouted and pulled Joyce.
'Carl you can't make it', Regina shouted. 'It took us 30 minutes to get to the top the other day'.
'Then we had better run'.
'Carl, wait', Regina shouted. She threw something that looked like a wristwatch at him and winked.
'What's this? Where did you get this?' Carl shouted and turned, pulling Joyce away.
'It's a stop-watch', she shouted. 'I got it at the top'.
Carl ran off and Joyce was at his heel. Some people on the ground stared at them for some seconds then turned towards the elevator as if it was a force that kept calling them deeper.
'Carl, how far up is it?'
'Very far'.
'Then, we are so screwed.'
'Like, seriously'.
They ran up and the only thing Carl could think about was the way things would be if she really got the opportunity to stay with him: the untamed fun they would explore together after pushing the others out of their privacy. Dusts from the cracking house kept pouring down, and he wished it would crumble while they still had their abode there.
'Carl, calm down', Joyce said after a while. Carl glanced back and stopped.
'Okay, let's count one to fifty'.
'This reminds me of the ropes', Joyce said amidst her heavy pants, smiled, and looked away as she strengthened herself with the wall.
Carl stared at her for a while. 'The ropes I don't get...'
'The Janitor's closet'.
'Oh! I'll still find my revenge. I will'
She burst into laughter, and used her free hands to hold her stomach. 'This was the same way I ran that day: I was so excited that I finally overcame you'.
'No one gets rid of me. I'm like that'.
'Yes. You're a Jackhammer, always determined', she said, winking.
He glanced at his stopwatch: 6 minutes 14 seconds. The problem was that he didn't even know how many floors they had climbed. 'We've got to', he nodded towards the top.
As they ran upwards, he remembered how he also ran the day she was talking about. But that was after she was long gone. After many days of asking her out, she invited him to talk with her in the Janitor's closet. He had expected that they would make out. When he got outside, she said she would blindfold him because she wanted to surprise him. And he foolishly agreed. She then blindfolded him and guided him into the closet. When they got there, she suddenly began to tie him, from his head to toe, starting with the hands. He should have restricted, but he assumed it was romantic. Though he knew her to have lived on the streets with the homeless for a while before the government got hold of her, he never expected such behavior from her. But after she told him he was in for a long time, he knew he was doomed. It was Fred that later helped him.
'We are here', he said when it started reading down from 20 seconds.
'We are here?'
'We are here. Go there. Follow me'.
'It's dark'.
'I know'
'I'm afraid...'
'Be fast ...'
He dragged her and they entered the light. Carl turned in time to see the countdown time touching down at 00:00.
'Oh God!' She said, hugged him, and gave him a prolonged kiss amidst the 'oohs' from Regina. 'Thank you'.
'You're here. Fred, they are here'.
Fred hobbled out of the room, beaming. 'But from all indications, you shouldn't or couldn't have made it.'
'I told you if I can get Joyce, I can get anything in the world', Carl said.
Joyce blushed, yet looked weary.
'Welcome to my Janitor's store'.
She nodded as he guided her to a room. 'We will get you something to eat. In fact, we can explore this place together'.
As Carl entered the room, he saw a tiny piece of paper on his bed, created into a size of a bird. On the body was written 'Iris'. He slowly unwrapped it with one hand while he unwrapped a bar of chocolate with the other. That was one of the things others downstairs were missing.
Carl, I've found some geniuses, we are leaving for the train. I'll tell you the outcome later if I ever have the chance to get back- Iris
He sat up and shouted. 'Everyone, come here. We've got to save Iris'.
They rushed outside and he explained himself.
'See, the time is reading again', Fred told Regina who scowled as if the timer offended her.
'Okay. We should tell the others', Regina mumbled and glanced at Fred, who looked triumphant.
'I think this is the last time'.
'How?'
'See... four of four'.
'Forget it. No one else is joining us. This is like...Erm... This is our own estate', Joyce said.
'That's so rich coming from you, after we saved you', Regina said and walked off towards the elevator. 'You're selfish'.

13 The Missing keys
Diana should have gone back to sleep, but she herself knew, like everyone around her, that she was a workaholic, that she was hardwired to work. However, since it wasn't duty time, she still had the time to herself. By this time, she wanted someone she could trust. The people she could trust in the organization were becoming many, but they were amateur and skeptical. More so, if any of them were caught or sent into the punishment room, they wouldn't know how to escape. Joyce was the only person capable of carrying out such feat, the only known person to come out of the place without any aid was a greenhorn. Her philosophy and desire were too new and should be tainted slowly, over time. It would be a rookie move to overwhelm her with too much of information at that time. The only person she had with her was a Sonia that wasn't ready to come to her side, to fight her cause with her. Sonia kept doing her bidding, but preferred to choose no side.
'Sonia, meet me at the spot', she said as she passed Sonia by the passage.
She trudged away, assured that Sonia would come even though she would come ranting. However, that was normal for her. Luckily for her, no one would know that Sonia was her weak point. They might kill the world and everything in it; yet, she wouldn't blink an eyelid. More so, with the type of training she had gotten, Sonia would vanquish anybody, no matter how skillful the person was.
Diana crouched inside the cave they always hid, and calculated her steps on the path to the train with a binoculars fixed on her face. If only she could get to the train, she would find answers about her father. No one had ever crossed the path before, and she would give anything to be first to ever try it. However, that is one system with a foolish algorithm, one she wished with all mind to know, even if it was the only knowledge she had. They must get outside soon to let the world know that things were different. She had been making plans for 12 years, and her patience was crumbling. All parts of her plans were ready, but the only thing keeping them was the way past the train. If they tried using those flying cars, they wouldn't go far.
The ground around her scratched. She bent her head to the side to watch from the corner of her eyes as Sonia crouched beside her.
'Tell me something', Sonia said as she brought out a small knife and trimmed her fingernails with it. 'Were you sent to Etyes to disturb my life? You know if I enter the punishment room, I won't be able to get out'.
'Do you see the pattern with which the ground is moving?'
'Yes. It's such that it's impossible to calculate. Did you hear me at all?'
'No. It's not impossible to pass through. All we need is our ability to pass through without any fear', Diana said and was focused on calculating the pattern. 'And I trained you to be better. You can't fall there'.
'This is Etyes, Diana'.
'Mother'.
'Arghh! Mother? How do you come up with all these ridiculous titles for yourself?'
'Well, yesterday I was your teacher. You're the closest thing to me. So I'm your mother'.
'For your information, I should be the mother here. I've been saving you all these times'.
Diana chuckled. Sonia was talking about a day they were both trying to sneak into the train. Diana slipped into one of the holes that led to the punishment room and might have remained there if Sonia hadn't caught her hand.
'Well, that's what daughters do for their mothers', Diana mumbled. 'This thing. I think it changes pattern every time.'
'How? Why do you think so?'
'Look at that tiny feather object', Diana said and handed her the second binoculars, and concentrated on the shifting pattern.
Sonia looked at the ground through the binocular. 'There are a lot of feathery objects there'.
'The red one'.
Suddenly, someone smashed the camera that faced the train. Diana was startled. Sonia chuckled.
'I'll remember that'.
'You're laughing at your mother. What is that?'
They peeped to see some Peacelearners sneaking towards the train. They were led by a boy that had blond hair. They were people from different countries.
'Newbies', Diana grumbled as she steadied herself.
'You should stop them'.
'No. I'm intrigued. I need one of them for my cause. At least if you won't join me, you can help me pick'.
'I'm not joining you or any other cause. I want another opportunity to escape this nowhere'.
'I know Who doesn't? But they are everywhere'.
Sonia sighed. Diana rubbed her back. Sonia rarely had a reason to be sad but the knowledge of the fact they were stuck with these people always made her relapse into the tears and sadness of their first year. Diana tapped her gently and drew her head to her chest.
'Don't cry, daughter'.
Sonia, who was already feeling comforted, pulled away and gave her a curt look.
Diana hissed. 'Prodigal daughter. You'll come around'.
The nine Peacelearners were trying as hard as they could to avoid causing an uproar or making any disturbance, and they did amaze her with their orderliness. The blond really organized their activities well.
'Let's make a bet', she said as she turned to Sonia. 'None of them would make it'.
'That's cheating. You know that's my line'.
Diana stuck her tongue at her. 'You're left with the other line'.
'I will pick...' She said and pointed at no one in particular. Her pointed finger oscillated from one end to the other. She picked the boy with blond.
'They will be sucked into the punishment room'.
'So sad. But I trust that any day you make it there, you'll get back here'.
Sonia shook her head. 'Well, it was once an impossible mission but since Joyce had done it, it's now a difficult one'.
'I know. That place is horrible and clogged with hopeless, wretched people. Many of them would die there, I watched one of them die today'.
'You what? So you went there today and didn't tell me'.
'I'm doing that already'.
'No. You're not'.
'Yes, I am. See See They are...'
'They are climbing it. They are still standing'.
'How did they?
'The blond guy...'
'Not that', a girl yelled at the blond guy. The girl stood at the edge of what looked like a pit. The part with the feathery objects was like a round hole that was built in such a way that even the sides were touching the wall that would lead there. There were walls fencing this hole. The fences were rigged with electricity that one would never have a reason to touch it. Moreover, big signs were placed there, indicating 'DANGER'.
At this time, the feathery objects that were moving at a normal speed had increase momentum. The colors were now getting mixed together.
The blond shouted something incoherent, shook his head, and stepped on the ground that looked like a plain floor, one without the feather. The ground opened and he slipped through, yelling. The others stood still in their positions. One of them yelled and ran back, but didn't have to go far before falling into the ground. The ground was now opening and closing intermittently, exciting Diana's frustration. The others, seeing this new progression, fidgeted and did stupid things. The girl at the edge yelled at them, and climbed the field also. She yelled instructions at them, but they were too fretful to listen to her. All of them, except a boy who was too stunned to move.
'This is like a movie', Diana said. 'I wished they allowed us get things out of the dining hall or that I sneaked some out, I could be munching chocolate or popcorn'.
'I wished I was still in the freshmen hall'.
'See...'
The girl shouted something inaudible and pointed at a place. The boy in front of it, jittering, stepped on somewhere else, and was soon wailing as he was sucked by the hole.
'No... Not...' The girl screamed. She clawed at the air as if she could pull him with her white hands. Despite her glaring desire to help the boy, she stood in the same place as if she was standing on a mine, and that a little movement would forfeit her existence. The girl glared at the field in front of her and took decisive steps towards the train. Diana sat up, tightened her grip on Sonia's hand, and sighed the moment the girl stepped on another part of the ground.
'Iris', someone shouted as other footsteps disturbed the graveness of the place.
The girl turned. 'Get back'.
Carl spread his arms to stop the others as they seemed to run irrationally.
'You get back. I need to see this through'.
'How did you do that?' A fat guy shouted.
'The Mumbled Jack Game', she yelled and as she looked around as if she was looking for another route to the next step.
'Mumbled Jack. Mumbled Jack?' The fat guy said and edged forward. 'I never loved that game, but how does it work'
'Get back, Iris', Carl shouted.
'I need to' She said as she shifted her weight. The little movement caused the ground to open, and Diana inhaled loudly.
Iris didn't finish saying what she was saying before she fell. Sonia sighed.
'Yes, I know. I won', Diana said.
'We just lost the only person that seemed to understand the way out of this hole', Sonia said and slept on the ground, staring at the roof of the cave. 'We lost her again'.
'From my own view, I don't think so'.
'How?'
'I think They seem to be friends'.
Sonia looked at her with realization and sprang up. 'The team. That's the girl that escaped'.
'She has a name'.
'I don't care'.
'Why won't you care...? You're in charge of her'.
Sonia inhaled loudly and looked away.
'No', Diana said as she began to giggle. 'You're in love. You're in love. WowOur relationship has bestowed you with the ability to love something'.
'I don't want to talk about it We need Joyce and that Iris of a girl'.
Diana nodded. 'Meanwhile, you lost our bet. You know the next line'.
Sonia hissed as she got ready to leave their corner. The last time Sonia won, she made Diana do something nice to one of the Peacelearners. But now it was her turn, she had to do something horrible to someone she really loves. Although it was painful, Sonia had to do something to Carl that Diana loved. He looked like someone that could come out of Sonia's evil unscathed.
'Carl'.
'NoNot him', Diana said and gave her cold glare.
'Sorry, daughter', Sonia said in a singsong manner. 'You can't have it both ways'.
Diana closed her eyes for a brief moment, shrugged and stuck out her tongue. 'We would both bear the brunt'.
Sonia grunted.
'You need to be fast about getting that girl out of that room', Diana called after her.
'I will, Mother'.

Iris is truly smart. I am sure she would make it out of that purnishment room on her own. Nice updates Brother.

Arrgh, punishment room

Fazemood:
Iris is truly smart. I am sure she would make it out of that purnishment room on her own. Nice updates Brother.

Thanks boss...
Let's watch and see...

queenitee:
Arrgh, punishment room

Loll

14 What's God?
Tina moved as if she was levitating. Katrina, still all jittery, walked in their midst in a manner that showed that she feared them and also trusted them than she did those men that were in pursuit of her. They had rested for the whole night to regain their energy, and to make the men after Katrina back down, but they adamantly stayed around, and had their men search most parts of the underground.
'Sweetie, open the garage'.
The gate to their garage flung open. The garage was another place underground that was designed in such a way that one could leave the tunnel through many exit routes. They had made the plan they were about to use even before they created the tunnel. So, they were about to test run it. Richard navigated a drone into the tunnel, and scanned the area for any activities.
'They are stationed at the north but... Wow! These people are everywhere'.
'Then, our plan had better work', Tina said as she strapped her glove on very well. She grabbed her pad and began to type furiously. Suddenly, a car started from the corner of the garage.
'Watch the drones on the left wing'.
The car that rushed towards the left wing, she controlled its movement and the plan worked. Since the car was tinted, the people followed it. The car had been made in such a way that any detector would sense human radiation from the car, deceiving as many that wanted to follow it.
'They are in pursuit...'
'Let me see...'
She moved towards Richard to watch the men pursue the car. Katrina also peeped.
'What?' Tina leered at her, and kept watching. Katrina cringed away.
'Thin...Leave her be'.
Tina stared at the screen and shouted, 'No Don't follow'.
She burst into laughter and squealed delightedly, 'That's not us. Let's give you another “us”'.
The people at the other end began a hot pursuit of their decoy.
'Stage 2', she said as she sent another car in a different direction.
The cars had been programmed for such things as this. They were created to detect any form of gunshot and car coming ahead or anything that required escaping from assailants. Immediately the cars detected the movement of the force, they began to swerve and increase paces at a level that surprised even Richard. They've only planned these things, but he never expected it to be in the same manner as this. Katrina had given them the chance to unleash the greatness they had hoarded all this while.
'Let's go...'
Katrina rushed towards another car.
'Hey! LovePeddler, over here'.
Katrina blinked repeatedly and ran over to their side. Richard opened the door for her.
'Gentleman, why are you bias? Am I smelling something here?' Tina said as she placed her leg on the edge of the opened car.
'Whatever you're smelling shouldn't stop you from focusing on the road'.
'I hope it's just a smell because I don't see the reason you're warming up to her'.
'Are you...For crying out loud, that's....' Richard shook his head and climbed into the car.
Tina hissed and placed her hand on the bag of weapons on their side.
'I just hope it's a whiff of something that won't happen'.
'Keep your smell to yourself and focus on this road'.
'Yes, boss. We both know you're celibate', she kicked the car. 'But I won't be happy if your matriculation is not done by me. If I'm not the first woman that makes you reach cloud 9'.
'Jeez! You're horrible'.
'No. Just a warning to them', Tina said and stared into the rearview.
'The silent treatment'.
'Don't you dare'.
'Watch me'.
'Richard?'
'Ten minutes'.
'Please'.
He removed his earpieces from his pocket and began to listen to music. Then, his mind wandered off to his life with Tina.
With the way she had always disturbed him with the want of an intercourse, he had better run from her need for sex. But, he wasn't pledging any allegiance or anything to her. All he needed right there was to find what was happening around Katrina. They still had a lot of mysteries around to solve. And the first thing they needed was to corroborate her story about seeing where they took those children.
'Richard', Tina shouted and shook his shoulder, her noise overshadowing his music.
He gave her a scornful look. She knew that look and would have backed off, but her demeanor made him know something was wrong. He unplugged his earpieces, and glanced at his wristwatch.
'It's remaining two minutes and 27 seconds. Why did you disturb me?'
'She' Tina looked rattled but not afraid. 'Check her out'.
Richard turned to watch Katrina. She was vibrating terribly, and her eyes rolled up into her eyes. Her iris and pupils were now hidden that the only thing remaining was the white part of her eyes.
'What did you do?' Richard asked.
'Me? I was busy avoiding cameras. I was...Just check her out. I think...Richard, check her out, she is freaking me out'.
Katrina was terribly vibrating. Richard crawled to the back, sat beside her, and held her hands in place. He shook her vigorously. Her teeth were clamped together. She rocked to and fro in the room. He had never seen such thing before. What he was staring at wasn't convulsion, though it had semblance with it. His fear as he touched her was that she wouldn't be an idiot to refer to him as a pervert after the ordeal. He might generously give Tina the chance to remove her teeth.
'Calm down...'
Her breath became hyperventilated. He wasn't one to break a sweat on anything, and he wouldn't be doing that now, but what she was doing made the hair on his body rise. The car suddenly had an unexplainable feeling that made the hair on his body rise, and his head had a feeling as if it was expanding.
'The time is unleashing. The new one would be born. The chaos of the past would return. My truth would not be oppressed. For I am God!'
'What did she say?'
'I don't knowWho the...Who is God?' Richard asked as he, against his wish, held her bare thighs in place.
'There would be retribution. The nations shall return to worship me', Katrina said.
'Worsh- what?' Tina said as she focused on the road.' Richard. Do something about it. I will put a bullet in her cranium'.
'I'm trying...'
'She's freaking me out!' Tina screamed.
'Shut up, you, vile woman. Come to me. I have plans for you. I will make you a vessel useful for me in the coming of my reign. The body of Mitchel would be exhumed soon unless you follow my orders, you vile and smelling maggot'.
Tina sat up. She was rattled and surprised at what Katrina was saying.
'What is she talking about?' Richard asked as he now had to disregard his fear to grab Katrina by the shoulders.
Tina was silent. Then, she swerved the car to the side of the road, jumped out of the car and opened the door of the back seat. With extraneous vigor, she pulled Katrina away.
'You bastard! You are not to put me under control'.
'Tina-'
'How dare you rough handle my servant? You will face my wrath', said Katrina, who still seemed blank.
'Servant to whom?'
'I am God'.
'What's God?'
Katrina or whatever was in her laughed hysterically. 'I created this world'.
Richard looked at Katrina for sometimes. Then they stared at one another. 'What world?'
'This world'.
Tina looked at her for sometimes and slapped her face. 'Stop uttering poo. This is...How do you come with such ridiculous claim?'
She brushed Richard's hand away as she held on to the vibrating woman, who went into a bout of speaking incomprehensible words. That couldn't be English, the only Language. Richard had never encountered or gotten information about any other language in the world. He watched with awe as Katrina rolled out of Tina's reach.
'I am God. I know all things and this is my servant. Take her to the base of my servants or I will guide the steps of the authority to the place you buried Mitchel'.
Richard had been staring for a while, he knew only one Mitchel. She was the wife of the second world leader, whom the world had been searching for due to her sudden disappearance.
'You? Wow! Mitchel'.
Tina was embarrassed and her hand slacked to allow Katrina slouch. Richard would have gone to catch her, but for some absurd reason she was still standing, grunting and speaking incomprehensibly.
'Oh! I should have known. The ...WowThat was good'.
'Really? You think it's good'.
'I don't know why you killed her, and I'm not sure I'll like to know why, but I think you're a genius'.
Tears welled in her eyes. She jumped on him and sucked his breath with her kiss. He had never had such encounter. Everything in him suddenly became hot.
He should push her away, but his hand couldn't move and she wasn't stopping. She was crying and kissing him.
'I love you'.
Then she laughed and withdrew and sighed. 'Wow! I've been dying to do that'.
'Which of them? Kiss me or tell me?'
'Both'.
'Human...'
Richard returned to his senses about the shaking Katrina: That moment with Tina was surprisingly good. He wiped his lips as if doing that should remove that thought of kissing Tina from him. However, whatever thought he must have had before, Katrina's statement was definitely surprising. She had been using vocabularies he had never come across. He loved reading the dictionary a lot, but he had never encountered the word “Worship”, “God”. Maybe those were some slangs among prostitutes.
'Human?'
'You. I'll be back. Take her to Queen's house'.
Katrina suddenly became weak and slumped to the ground.
Richard hurried to her side and lifted her into the car. She laid still with a dusty body. Tina would have had to kill her for doing that, but the rattling news from Katrina must have really gotten to her. She must have assumed no one would ever know. In silence, they entered the car too and drove off the road.
When Katrina woke she stared about. 'Are you kidding me? Where are we?'
'Did you remember what happened?'
Katrina looked puzzled. 'What happened? We were running from those gunmen, and how did Dust. Is this seat dusty?'
'You started doing something', Richard said.
'Vibrating like a phone and how do you know about Mitchel?'
'Mitchel Who is Mitchel?'
Tina and Richard shared a side glance.

15 Law of Power
Carl was perplexed when he saw Sonia running up to him. Joyce wondered how she could make the foolish girl pay for making her boyfriend angry always.
'What do you want to...?' She said as she glanced from one face to another before finally staring at Carl.
'Calm down', Sonia said.
She was skeptical about Sonia showing up at that time.
'You people need to get away from here', Sonia urged.
'We are not going...'Carl sneered at her.
'Parade would be here soon and you all would be in trouble'.
'Then, let's leave this crazy place', Fred said as he fled from her. He resented being near her. Maybe the next day would show him as forgiving but for now, his anger was still at its peak.
'You would have to go without Joyce', Diana said as she walked towards them. Joyce held her breath. Diana was coming again and she couldn't help staring at her with her mouth agape.
'The rest of you would go, she would meet you. You people need to eat and get ready for whatever is coming'.
Sonia guided them away. Joyce was afraid of being alone with the one they all saw as a prodigy. She watched them till they were gone. If not for the big smile on Diana's face, her mind would have exploded in fear, admiration, and joy of being in the presence of Diana. She looked like one that could destroy the world in ten minutes, especially as her ponytail dangled behind her.
'I need you with me. I know it's too early, that you only arrived at this place this week, but I can't let this opportunity slip from me'.
Joyce could only nod in reply.
'Follow me', Diana said and clambered into a cave, and she followed her. Some guards rushed towards the place they just left, stared at different spots, and left when they didn't see anything. The corner was deeply buried in the rock that surrounded the place. If one didn't look from the top of the rock, one wouldn't see the cave.
'Stay here'.
Joyce sat up and watched Diana rush off the edge. Time began to fly like the birds of the field. She hummed tunes of Beethoven and wished she was given at least her trombone. She would do anything to leave the place to get her instruments.
Some minutes later, Diana jumped into the hole, with a backpack. She pointed at the ground that led to the train. Joyce stared at the ground, and hoped to see anything worth her time.
'We all have to leave this place', Diana said.
Joyce was surprised. She never knew that even the dreaded Diana wished to leave the mysterious place.
'Where are we?'
'No one knows. It's one thing that the idiots saved our lives or our ancestor's lives, now, they are bent on kidnapping us into a place none of us had ever been to'.
'At least, they should inform you'.
'That's the problem. I don't care. None of those that were given the opportunity to leave have ever returned. Many of them are in the Punishment room, maybe because they talked'.
'So what do we do?'
'I have all that is needed to escape this place. Except one thing - Someone that could teach us how to climb out of this mess. That Iris of a girl can do that, and I need you to help. Now, before you ask me what you would gain, you would get a chance to be a part of my team, the deepest secret gatherers of Grousters'.
'Grousters? You'
'No time. Follow me'.
Joyce climbed down after Diana, who stopped as soon as they got to the edge of the cave. Diana detailed how she should use the objects in the bags.
'Can you remember that Iris' face'.
'Not really, but the pad would help me, right?
'Yes'.
They stared at the field once more. Joyce inhaled loudly as she hoped she would be able to survive the place she dreaded most for now.
'Wait...' Diana said as she brought out a picture cut out from a magazine. Joyce stared at the face of the man, and wondered how she wouldn't remember it. She had seen him on the television set for long, and had always dreamt of having the same affluence and authority with which he spoke.
'I know him'
Diana stared at her.
'Yes, I know him'.
'Who is he?'
'Second in Command of the world. Is he in the punishment room?'
'You'll look for him, tell him you're Joyce...'
She nodded.
'And find Iris'.
She nodded and walked with trepidation towards the ground, and saw the feathery objects moving about. Why did she agree to be a part of the craziness that Diana had hatched? She was plunging herself into something crazy for the second time and it was beautiful. At least, if she helped them get out of the place, it would help her CV with Blanj if she ever sought for a job at their place.
Immediately she stepped on the edge of the forbidden field, she fell through, screaming all the way. The Punishment was built in such a way that falling was like falling through a pipe to the floor, so the impact wasn't always too much to bear, and the ground too always seemed as soft as a bed at first impact. She wished she could get out immediately because the stench in that place acted like Zombies. They feasted on one's sanity and breath.
She clasped her hand on her nose and would have puked if she didn't hit someone who exclaimed. Hurriedly, she wore the goggles and retrieved the map Diana gave her, which could only be read with night vision goggles like the one she wore, and began to study her time. She checked the time to be sure she wouldn't be surprised with a flood. The timer indicated that she had only 15 seconds left to avoid it. According to Diana, they flooded the place once a day.
She hurriedly unwrapped her bag and brought out a neatly folded blanket. She never imagined that this was what those in the punishment room were enduring. Many of them stood still for fear of being fallen on or kicked. What if she had stayed back?
Immediately the flood came like rain, people lifted their hands, and some of them hurriedly removed their clothes. The rain fell for ten minutes. Many of them scrubbed their body. Joyce watched them in despair. They were really in a world that no human being should be subjected to.
People were wailing and making different types of plea for escape. After the rain stopped, the place was suddenly cold, but a warm air began to blow from the top. When she looked up, after removing the blanket, she saw many of them fiddling with the clothes, trying to wear it again. Someone at another end was squeezing the cloth.
She traced where she was on the map and began her journey through the place. As she progressed, she noticed that some people formed a line at a place and had their clothes tied together, she paused to see what they were up to and she was lucky to have stopped because suddenly heavy, packed objects rained on the ground, and on people. A lot of the packed objects fell into the place the people had formed a line. She scanned the whole area to know how the others were reacting, but was met with an empty space. She looked up. Those who were hit by these packed objects didn't cry; instead, they carried the objects and found their way from the side.
'It's here', someone screamed and people scattered towards the place she was standing. They hurried as if the packs would disintegrate if they didn't touch it in time. She scrambled out of the way.
'Let us go', someone shouted but the men that guided the place had a rod that had been wrung from different plastics plate, which they flung from side to side.
'We don't need to go through all this trouble. We all know the plan', a lady's voice shouted. 'We do know the plan'.
The people grumbled as they stopped on their track. Joyce knew her. Joyce knew who she was and felt mad at her. The lady compelled them to leave the tunnel, but was still in the punishment room. Joyce felt obliged to tell her how to do it, but Diana warned her not to let any other person know about her presence in that place. She still recognized the voice anywhere. She peeped and saw that the girl was huge. If she was put up against the girl, she would be crushed by the girl immediately.
'Please, the food is not enough for breakfast', someone yelled.
'Would you rather you don't have access to it?'
'You're dead...'
'Well, I can show you things worse than death'.
The man tried to move towards her but by a strange means, four of her men pulled the man away, and dragged him towards the rail, and within seconds he was screaming as he was thrown over the rail. People looked back at the rail in fear. They didn't know how deep the ground was but they knew it was something they should be afraid of. Joyce knew she had to tell this girl. However, when she saw what the lady made those hefty young guys do, she had to rethink what she planned. These people remained in darkness because of their fear. She felt like telling them to all move towards the rail that the days they've spent in despair was enough, that they needed to plunge themselves into the darkness, of course not as fools, but with highly calculated steps.
So, she decided to move out of the reach of those hefty guys swinging the plastic rod. However, when she saw her handler crying terribly, seated in a folded manner, she wondered how it would be that if she was still in that place. She couldn't even fathom how the life in the place was.
'I'll get you food', she whispered into her handler's ear.
'Who is that?''
'I'm... I want to help you'.
'How will you help me when everything is dark? I should die, and I've thought about jumping over the rail like some did but I couldn't muster the courage to do it. I am in a serious mess. How will people be cruel to dump us here? I never asked for this'.
'I don't know the answer to all these questions, but let me get you something to eat'.
'How will you help me? Every man is for himself. When I tried to get there, the hefty men threw us back, and I don't know how they do but they ration our food... Our already rationed food. I'm tired. Can you kill me?'
'Not me...'
'Then, leave me...' her handler said, and tried to crawl through the legs of the hefty men again, but was kicked in the chin before Joyce could even pull her back or stop her. Her handler moaned and winced as she tended to her wound.
'Leave it to me'.
Her handler looked perplexed and stared unfocused into the darkness. 'How do you know what I'm doing?'
'Don't worry'.
'Who are you?'
'Don't worry'.
Joyce crawled through the blind spot of the hefty guys, and brought food for her handler. She saw the joy on her handler's face, and smiled. She wanted to proceed with her mission, but thought otherwise, she returned and took a handful of food. Then, she shared it to those crying desperately for food. But before she gave them the food she would whisper, 'don't shout, and don't tell anyone'.
The people she helped were disobedient, they would rejoice and run to inform others. Many people began to pass the information to another. Within few minutes of doing this, a lot of people had thronged towards the place. The food guards noticed the bustle among them, and tightened their formation. Joyce wished she had all the time or the opportunity to always return there to help people out of the place. But she couldn't waste another time, so she sneaked in again and packed a lot of food for the lady, then she returned to pack more. When she was sure she wouldn't return there, she picked one of the food and flung it at the authoritative lady, who sprung from her sitting position and yelled in pain.
'My People...I told you we are not alone in this world. I told you', someone shouted excitedly. 'Someone is here. People have told of other presence, but now you all can believe it. A female powerful thing is here among us'.
Joyce stared at the man and knew he must be another person living in the belief that something different from humans was living in the world with them. He was a Grouster. How come they brought a Grouster as a recruit to their secret place? She always wanted to believe that another thing was with them in the world, the only thing that could make her believe in this invisible things would be if her parents materialized.
'Something gave me food', someone yelled beside her.
'Me too'.
People began to shout 'me too'. Tears welled in her eyes as she was happy that she did something good for the first time in her life. Sometimes, doing illegal things always opened one to the pain others were enduring. That was the reason she wanted to be a P.I. As a P.I, she could legally do illegal things to help others. Her handler shouted, 'me too'.
Their shout made the hefty guys readjust to ensure no one was stealing food without their notice. The authoritative lady cried as she nursed the place she was hurt, but Joyce knew she needed to find the man and Iris. She held one pack of food for Iris.
She brought out the map and stared at her direction, the man was the nearest. Diana had made others invisible. The only chips she saw were hers, which was colored pink; Iris', which was colored blue; and the man's own which was colored red. She met him seated dejectedly in a corner. She perched beside him.
'Sir, my name is Joyce. Diana sent me'
The man's head sprung up with a certain delight.
'Joyce. My Joyce. Oh, God! At last...'
She was surprised. Diana never told her she would meet any surprises down here. There was no prior training.
'Come Let me feel you Are you with the goggles?'
'Yes. You know about it?'
'Bring it'.
'Why should I give you?'
'I'm your father'.
That was impossible. She was perplexed. 'It can't be'
'I am. I'm sorry I left you alone at that estate'.
'You didn't leave me. I never had a father, and I'll never have a father'
'Who gave you the house? Why did police always leave you whenever you offend? They all work for me'.
'You...I don't have a father'.
'I am your father'.
Joyce couldn't hold herself any longer. She burst into tears, and her body rocked.
'I'm sorry. If they knew you were alive, they would kill you'.
'That was impossible. You could have protected me'.
'I'm sorry. I should have found a means but I didn't know whom to trust'.
'You Left me alone'
'I'm sorry. Even your mother, she didn't know you survived after some men collected you from her'.
'Which men?'
'The details are too much'.
'I want to know...'
'My people...You can't understand everything now...'
Someone came up to them. Joyce turned and shifted out of her way. It was her handler. 'Sir! I've brought your food'.
Her father flashed the girl a big beam.
'I got enough for us till the night. It wasn't rationed. I believe now. We're not alone in the world'.
Her father only chuckled. 'You should eat a little'.
'Why? We have enough'.
'Well, it's not every time you will see the thing or person that gave you food'.
'That's right. You know sometimes I wish you can be ridded of those shackles. So that you can save us from the savages', her handler lamented.
'Well, you don't need to wait for my shackles. I know how I can help you with your shackles'.
'What do you mean?'
Her father turned as if he was looking for her. She burst into tears again as she avoided staring at the way her father was locked to the wall.
'Joyce, please help me take this girl away'.
'I... Diana'
'It's just one girl. No one will know'.
'I'm here for another girl. Maybe another time'.
'No. Come up with a plan. You're my daughter. What if she follows you?'
'No. She can't. The authorities must not know I thought you should know all these'.
He glanced at her handler'.
'What do you mean by he should know? Who are you?'
'Nothing. I'm his daughter. And I think I have a plan'.

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16 Zombied
Carl was still angry at the way Sonia had sent him away along with the others. After Diana sent them all away, Sonia had bossed them away and ranted on how they were supposed to have remained in the place designated for them. She said they were lucky that Diana had to overlook their stupidity. Fred almost fought her, but had to caution himself when she promised to send him to a trial room. According to her, this room would make them wish she had sent them to the punishment room because she would make them go through pain beyond their knowledge.
They settled in the room and discussed their disappointment on how things were done in Etyes. They took their baths, while they learnt from Regina how to use the voice activation to call for a change of clothes.
Later, Carl gathered them together, and they began to discuss how to get away from Etyes. There was no way they would endure more of the trouble. The people with him were geeks, and they could notice things he couldn't. They all promised to do things he mapped out, and didn't stop talking until a robotic voice announced over the P.A System: All Peacelearners meet your leaders for orientation within 8 minutes at the training center'.
They all rushed out, and took the elevator. When they got down, they met others rushing and shouting from different parts of the building. Carl also ran with his might, and rushed into Iris. She yelled and fell. Carl also yelled his surprise.
'Carl, oh I'm so happy to be here', she said and flung her arms around him. He hugged her too, but their time was gradually counting down, so he drew her away.
'Run with me'.
'Not too fast'.
'Fred', she called.
'I'm here', a panting Fred shouted.
'Good'.
'Hi', Regina said sarcastically.
'Of course, I remember you. Good to see you all again'.
'Yes. I wish I could give you a group hug', Regina said as they all ran on.
'Yea A group hug would have been nice'.
'How did you get back?' Regina asked.
'Joyce saved me'.
'Where is she?' Carl said as he jumped after Iris pointed a trap to him.
'Joyce ran off to meet her handler'.
'Selfish as always'.
'Hey Regina, that's my girlfriend'.
'Then, train her'.
'Guys Run The time', Fred called.
They glanced up at the time and saw it counting down to its 2nd minute and 58th seconds.
'We'd better hurry before I am tempted to abuse her self-centeredness', Regina shouted.
They ran into the center of the field, and began to readjust to stand in the presence of their handlers. He stood before a stone-faced Sonia. She stared at the top of their heads as if they weren't there, as if she wasn't seeing them. Carl looked around and waited some minutes before he moved nearer to her.
'Where's Joyce?'
'She is with Diana'.
'Doing what?'
'You don't want to know what I know until you need to know what I know'.
'I don't want to know what you know', Carl said and stared at her scornfully.
'Will you shut up?'
'I'm not shutting anything up. You backstabbing bastard'.
'Well, it takes one to know one-.'
'What? How do you mean? I've never betrayed anyone'.
The computer relayed a long boring information that made Carl tired. He had never known he could be in such state of hopelessness. Afterwards, it directed them to a place in the hall. The handlers led the way, and Carl grudgingly followed his. Every one of them had a room to themselves.
As soon as they entered the room, Sonia locked the door, and stared at him longingly.
'Oh! How I long to be in your arms, but I can't. Sit on the chair'.
Carl looked around her and everything that was in the little room. It was a simple room painted white and had a little camera in the room, but unlike the others Carl had been seeing in the whole place, no red light blinked from this one. Well, he didn't know anything about cameras.
'Sit down for crying out loud'.
'I'm not...'
'Sit down or I'll be forced to send you to the trial room'.
He sat on the chair and she gave him a pair of dark shade glasses. It had two small pieces. Immediately he wore it, she fixed the earpieces into his ears, pressed the side of the glasses, and a video began to play.
'Welcome to the truth. We live in a world that has its truth altered. This world was not only destroyed by Aliens as you have been told. It was destroyed by human's worship of them. As you can see...'
The videos showed people bowing down in secluded places. Some of them in a place with a star and a moon. Another bowing down to molded images. Some were in a building that had a medium size cross placed on it. Some of the places the people were had the image of a man on the cross. Many of them counted a thing that looked beads strung into a thread. Some others burnt candles and looked different, weird, and awkward. He couldnt fully fathom what they were doing, but if that was how people lived in the former world, it was definitely scary.
'Each of these people saw different Aliens and called them by different names such as God, Allah, Zeus and so many other names that always ignited a sense of followership among the people of the earth. The leaders of the present earth saw it best to exterminate the aliens, but the adults wouldn't agree. They caused a great war that made some people from the former world rise up to the task of putting this evil away. And these aliens have been exterminated. But they always have a way of coming back. They arise when the nations begin to have a belief in the existence of these aliens. This is why we are the Peacemakers. We were built to eradicate these things. However, the Peacemakers also can fall into the temptation of falling for this problem like the humans. And for this reason, the Peacemakers have created an order to make everyone not have a wisp of what is happening. That is why everyone is going through a test. After the Peacelearner's test, you'll be trained for the next stage. But for now, you need to go through a mind adaptation test'.
Sonia made him lie down, she moved closer, pointing a small sweet towards his mouth. He glared at her. She opened her mouth. He opened his mouth, and she dipped the sweet into it, which he licked for a moment and then chewed.
'Close your eyes'.
'Why?'
'You need to go through that test...
'Why?'
'If not, you will be killed.'
'But...Won't I be sent to the punishment room?'
'No. You have to go through the test and pass it so that they will know your mind is ready'.
'I prefer...'
'Carl, they will kill you and your stubbornness'.
'Then, I'll take it'.
Sonia moved closer and whispered as she brought the needle closer to him. 'I love you. This is what will happen. You will be a zombie for a while, their zombie, doing everything they say'.
Carl eyes riveted around. 'Are you kid...For real? Stop this joke'.
'I'm not ...But that was why I gave you that sweet in your mouth. It will neutralize everything'.
'Do it'.
She plugged the needle into his neck. He felt his brain being zapped and he couldn't feel anything except the taste of the sweet on his tongue.
'He is ready', she shouted.
'Troublefinder, withdraw your gun'.
Sonia closed her eyes and turned to the wall. She tapped it repeatedly, and a part of it came out. A gun appeared on what looked like a tray. She grabbed it and pointed it at him.
She mouthed, 'be a zombie. Be a Zombie'.
'Peacelearner, jump', the computer ordered.
Carl stared at her. She shook her lips. Carl jumped.
'Peacelearner, sit'.
Carl sat. She closed her eyes and when it opened, tears lingered in it.
'Peacelearner is ready. Take him to the building for studies'.
'Follow me'.
When they got out, Carl saw many of the others moving about like drones. Immediately they got out, some other people too had the same look as his. That showed that there were others that weren't also affected. Within a few minutes, all the Peacelearners were looking normal and were looking about, wondering what had happened to them.
'What's happened there? Why did my brain suddenly numb or something?'
'That was the drug from the needle I plugged into your skin. The sweet I gave you made you sane again', Sonia said and led the way. 'It takes one to know one. I know Not for now. But be prepared. You were made for a greater purpose. Me and you'.

17 The Oracle's Declaration
When they got to the riverbank, Richard was very sure he had the best instinct in the world, one that worked better than any computer in the world. He wasn't wrong about the place after all. The place was deserted and looked as if nothing had ever been done there. Tina scowled and hissed as she looked around. He would have done the same if he hadnt been there before, meeting the same obstacle. Tina was so angry that she picked a stone and threw it at a tree that was withering away near the river. Immediately, machine guns sprung out of the rivers and shot at the stone. Richard, as well as the women with him, scrambled into hiding. Katrina's noise was louder than the machine guns'.
'This is it', Richard said. 'This is the place'.
'Why is there security around the place?' Tina grumbled.
'Are those ones security or death? I'm not smelling the anus of that thing again in my life'.
'Words', Richard said disgustedly. He might puke if he stayed beside Katrina.
'You won't understand'.
'We need help', Richard said.
Tina stared as the machine guns retreated into the river again. She nodded. Katrina, awed, pointed at the innumerable cases of bullets on the ground. They rose from their hiding, and returned to the car, but didn't drive far before Katrina started vibrating again.
'Richard. She's doing it again', Tina said, irritated.
'I don't condone all this rubbish. What's wrong with her? Eyes on the road, Thin'.
Tina kept looking at her, firstly from the rearview then she began to turn to check her out from time to time.
'Take me to Decky Estate. I want my Oracle to join the team'.
'I'm not going to meet any freak. I can't even imagine moving into their midst. I'll kill them all'.
'We need to go At least to get over this rubbish'.
'No. I'm not driving this beautiful queen into the midst of freaks. What if what possessed this LovePeddler begins to operate through it. What's wrong with your analysis?'
'It's simple. This might solve the mysteries of the missing children. We need her to help find those kids. She might be an android for all we care'.
'Then, let's rip her guts out. That way we are safe on both side'.
'Tina?'
'Yes. Rip the crazy thing out'
He stared at her in unbelief. She retaliated and shrugged. They all knew Decky Estate. It was rumored to belong to the Grousters. So, Katrina led the way to the house of a very rich person. Immediately they got there, Richard sensed that their problems would end soon because he didn't see anyone there. However, when he began to ask the security man a lot of questions, a black lady, who had a big afro haircut, strutted towards him in a peach satin gown. She moved as if she had a fan blowing her from the back. There was a sort of peace that eluded Richard or anyone he had ever come across that was laid on the face of the young lady.
'Who are you?' The lady said as soon as she got to their side. Tina's face spoke volumes about how she felt irritated by the lady's gait. Richard had to take over before she decided to snap the lady's neck.
'I know this is odd. But, the woman we worked with went unconscious and started blabbing about the existence of a team here that we need to bring to her'.
The lady looked interested in what he was saying. He glanced at Tina, and she brought out Katrina, who was still under the influence of whatever she was under. Tina brandished her Glock 17.
'Why the weapon?'
Tina smiled at the dark lady. 'I trust nobody Well, except Richard'
Katrina walked as if she was being pulled by different people at the same time. Tina stared in utter disbelieve and raised the butt of the gun to hit her on the head.
'Tina?'
She gritted and pushed Katrina forward. Richard was quick to catch her. The lady looked at her as if she was seeing an invention. Katrina rocked forward and backward in Richard's hand, while Tina gripped her gun harder.
'I see that you've been asking for the existence of a spirit. I have come', Katrina mumbled.
'Who is she?' The lady asked Richard with a horrid look on her face.
'She is my oracle. I'll use her', Katrina said as she kept swaying from side to side.
'Who are you? Are you people spies?'
'I am God... I have come to help you'.
'Spies?' Tina sneered. 'Do you people have an iota of sense? How will a spy come bearing a gift to your feet? That's by the way, what do you people do here?'
Katrina, who had returned to another fit of ranting, suddenly snapped up with blood-red eyes. She suddenly began to levitate in the air, and that surprised Richard, who moved back and drew his gun. Katrina barked some incomprehensible words into the air, and suddenly her body moved in that same fashion as the words.
'I told you to let me rip out her guts'.
'Later. Start moving to the car', Richard shouted as the lady, whose countenance had been calm all this while, was suddenly transfixed to a position. Tina moved away to the driver's seat.
'Richard, let's go'.
'We need her back'.
Katrina's hair was suddenly blowing in a hurricane as they began to gather around her and make him have the same feelings the first time she started. Richard had never seen such act, even in movies.
'Grousters, catch these two. They will be sacrificed. I am God. I have seen your desire to know of the existence of something else in this world. I am the one you need to know'.
The people who had begun to gather to watch the mysteries of Katrina shouted excitedly and sprang forward to catch Richard and Tina. The only person that still watched curiously was the young lady in the long gown. Richard dove for the car, and scurried into it. The people were hot on their chase.
'This is cool', he said and heaved as they ran out of the estate. Within a few minutes, a wild range of cars had taken over the road in pursuit of them.
Tina's hands looked rigid as she sped off. Richard hurriedly switched on the music board and played her favorite rock songs. She grinned and twisted her head as her rigid face suddenly loosened up.
'Yeah', she screamed and stepped on the accelerator. If Richard had seen her before in her rage, he was sure she just upgraded her version.
Richard flipped the company's intercom and sent a distress message to the whole board. They were to help them. The protocol provided that at the advent of any major outbreak all agents should be informed and be prepared for it. Immediately he sent it, Tina's phone vibrated on the dashboard.
He was sure that whatever the world was facing before would soon become bigger. The little battle that had been going on between the authorities and Grousters had suddenly become a full-fledged war. They've received a new leader. One that is led by something he couldn't fathom.
After a little deceit, they lost their pursuers. Richard, so tired, sent another message to their computer analysts that he needed the information about the place the tracker was coming from. She sent it to him, and he saw the shock of his life.
'Where is it?' Tina asked. He showed her. She stopped typing into the security machines and stared into the pad.
'Is that not.?' Richard asked.
'Yes. It is'
'They are at the mountain near the Centre of Rulership', he said and became numb.
'No. Can you see those waves? They are underwater, very far from the Centre of Rulership. The Centre is just a landmark'.
'Can we ever penetrate that place?' He asked as the door slammed, which indicated that no one could enter the place or go out within the next 24 hours.
Immediately the door slammed behind them and the beeping tone of the security machines ceased after she stopped pressing it, he headed for one of the numerous rooms in their hideout.
'Sweetie, switch off the light', Tina shouted.
He turned just in time to see her hand unbutton the last button of her dress three feet from him. She planted a kiss on his lips, and didn't stop at that.
'I had been trying to reserve myself for you', she whispered into his ears. 'Until you were ready'
He was so stunned to make any move, to push her away or flee from her touches and kisses. She stopped and moved back. He stood still, panting as if fire was gaining momentum in his stomach.
'What have you done?' He growled.
'Nothing. Sweetie, lights on', she said as she walked away.
He rushed to her and broke his words. If they would die very soon from the coming war, he had better break his promises. As if she expected it, she turned in time to see him lift her and plant a kiss on her lips. She giggled and shouted, 'Sweetie.... Lights out'.

Following all the way. In btw it "charminee"

Charminee:
Following all the way. In btw it "charminee"

Oh oh. Thanks.

Hmmm

Oh yeah sweetie, turn the lights off

queenitee:
Hmmm

Yes ooo.. hmmm

Fazemood:
Oh yeah sweetie, turn the lights off

lol...

18 Inner Circle
When they finally got out of the punishment room, Joyce's voice had broken from shouting innumerable instructions to Iris. Diana was waiting for them. Joyce wondered about the sacrifices she had seen a lot of people do for the cause of others. She had no reason to sacrifice for others. The only sacrifice she had made at the moment was to boost her C.V as a P.I, which were mostly under duress.
One other person she had seen make this type of sacrifice was her handler. After she handed the glasses to her, she expected her to follow them after thirty minutes, but her handler kept quiet for a while, and with a kind of joy Joyce had never seen on someone that was trying to help others, she said that, with the goggles, she would get the chance to help people. At first, Joyce shouted at her for being inconsiderate because if her handler came out with a lot of people, the authorities would track her down. However, she was speechless when the lady said she wanted to stay behind to save all those that were under captive from the savage authoritative girl.
At the sight of them, Diana was on all cylinder to know how they did what they did. She said the two of them were automatic members of her rebel team.
'How were you able to cross that field? I mean how did you know how to do that?'
'I've played a game like that, Mumbled Jack'.
'You played a game?' Diana asked
'A game?' Joyce said, staring at her as if she was lying.
'Yes, a game. It was a game developed by one Smithsman'.
'That's my father'.
'Mr. Bellamy, the second in command, the one in the punishment room?'
'Yes. We were playing one game like that he created named 'The Seeds games'.
Joyce glanced from one face to another in the expectation that they would know about it.
'Wow. That's painful. Seeds Game is one of the coolest games ever created. All you have to do is to keep putting seeds in round holes until there were four in a hole, then you pack it and Anyway, Fred, Carl's friend, hacked into their account and saw that it was created by someone called the Smithsman, whom we discovered was the second in command'.
'So what made you think or know that this game was the same as that of this place?'
'I just tried. There was no crime in trying. Everything was the same. I hinted someone, he made me join his group and that led me here'.
'But thats impossible'.
'I know...'
Diana brought out wristwatches and gave it to them. 'If you press this green side, the wristwatch would be invisible. Immediately I send a message to everyone in my group, you'll all get a vibration on your hand'.

19 The Truth
They had spent the third day in the filthy place, and he was sure with most things in place, he would soon be on his way out of the place they were. He had woken up the next day, tired, but had taken it upon himself to quickly find all the information that could help them escape from Etyes. His geeks were proving themselves to be useless because he didn't see any reason why none of them could decipher where they were. The information they gave him wasn't helping the matter. All they had were random information that he couldn't map out into a good plan. He was sure he would see something to help them get out of the mess they were positioned in.
After they had done their training, all of them were so tired of him. Joyce had returned home and informed every one of them of the new deal she had with Diana. They felt she was their other option. But Carl was tired of waiting for another person to help them out. They needed to fight for themselves. Their handlers told them that they would be starting a thorough group training later in the day.
As he sneaked into the conference room, a computer voice resonated in the distance, and what was being said wasn't audible. If they wanted everyone to hear it, they would have made everyone know. He had been looking for a chance to see the other places in Etyes, but the only places they have been allowed to see were the big hall which was adjacent the hall; the crazy compound was made to fence them in, and not to mingle with the others; then, the hall for changing them to a zombie was behind the dining hall.
Suddenly, Jonathan Zane ran into him. He yelled and Jonathan also jumped. Jonathan screamed and fell. In a bid to steady him, Carl slipped onto him.
Sonia came out of nowhere. 'What? Why did you do that?'
'I don't know about him. He just jumped from that place', Carl shouted as he tried to stand. Although the clothes they wore weren't white, Jonathan had made him stain the uniform with his stupidity.
'You're in big trouble', Sonia said aggressively and she dragged Carl away.
'Me or him? Carl said and resisted.
She dragged him off. He tried to turn but she turned and had his hands pinned to the back. He yelled in frustration as she led him away. The time for him to unleash all his anger was right there. He tried to spin but she seemed prepared because she rammed her fist into his rib. 'You are going to the trial room'.
He yelled and kept resisting her. She would get what would come for her. He would disfigure her body with all the punches in the world. She pushed him into a filthy, horribly dark room, and entered the room after him, locking the door as she entered. He couldn't see anything, but things buzzed in the room, and that made him afraid.
'This is not right? Hear me out. It wasn't my fault. Hear me out'.
The only thing he heard was the sound of a metallic object clanging. His heart flipped. He held his breathe. He mustn't show how afraid he was. He stared into the dark, and folded his hand, ready to punch her. His senses were all fired up to help him. In a few minutes, she opened a place that emitted a strange sort of light. She was kneeling beside it.
'Run... Follow my lead', she said as she began to crawl into it.
'Why?'
'Just go'.
'Are we escaping?'
'Just move'.
He ran after her.
'Stop', she shouted when they got to a door. He screeched to a halt in time not to run into her. She was heaving as she glanced about. He was afraid. Why was he trusting her for the second time? She had been nothing but trouble. He wasn't ready to allow her to take his little plan from him.
'Where are we going?'
'Hold on'.
She brought out a button from her pocket and clicked it. The ground rumbled. Carl moved backward as he stared intently at the ground. Suddenly, the ground opened to reveal a metallic cabin under the ground. He glanced at her, and she nodded. The cabin was devoid of anything that suggested that he had gotten to his last stop. It looked like a bus to carry them somewhere else. A staircase popped out of the cabin's side, and he glanced at Sonia again.
'WowHow?' Carl said as he withdrew from the hole.
'Enter'.
'No...'
'You have to see something'.
'I'm not going anywhere with you'.
'Then, I'll go myself'.
'Good'.
'But not without sending you off to the punishment room first. And luckily Joyce hasn't informed you of how to come out of that wicked place'.
Puffing air, he didn't know what he would lose by following her. The fear that gnawed at his belly was strong, and he wished he could agree with it, but her look showed that her threat was real. So, he climbed down as he held his breath to be sure he wouldn't suffocate at the close of the bus.
' Greater purpose, remember. You and me'.
Immediately they got into it, the top closed up, and he hoped that if he died at that place, someone would see the top of the place, and try to find him. As soon as the door closed, another door slid open in front of him. It took Carl all the will in the world not to scream his surprise. Sonia strutted into the place, and beckoned on him to follow. He moved into the place with every assurance that he would soon take his last breath. It was funny how he saw danger and still checked out its details.
The place was like a computer operation room. Only that this room had too many computers than he had ever seen in a single place. There was no extra light in the room to give him a good description of where he was, but he was very sure the place would be sophisticated. Three people sat in front of these innumerable computers.
One of the learners at Etyes was standing in front of them.
Sonia stood beside the Learner. His own uniform was different, making Carl wonder what class he was. Everything in Etyes was a mystery.
'Welcome, please stand in the middle', one of the people sitting on the chair said.
A yellow round light appeared in front of them. Carl stared at it skeptically and glanced at Sonia, who poked her heads towards the hole. Immediately he climbed the hole, the yellow turned green.
'What is this...?'
'Seat down', the same person said again. And a chair appeared behind him and he sat in it.
'What's this?' he repeated.
'Things are beyond our comprehension. Welcome to the Only Balanced Mankinds on Earth, OBMOE. We are the last of the real humans remaining. Many years ago, the world was created. 2000 years ago, the world was destroyed, but some of us were saved. Despite all they saved, they refused to save the things that made us human, our languages'.
'What's languages?'
'That's why you don't need to rush. The major information is in the book in front of you. Read it as fast as you can, and avoid being caught with it. Sonia would guide you on how to use it. You have to leave soon. Their computers would detect us very soon'.
A small book appeared in front of him, he flipped through it and picked it. He wasn't a fan of books, but he would start reading it. As they climbed out of the underground, he couldn't help but peep into the book, which read: 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth'.
Sonia clasped the book shut. 'Hide it'.
'Who is'
'Get to your room. Censored word'.
'How do you know what I wanted to say? Who is'
'I said get to your room, and we need to stick around to discover these things. So, peradventure you're planning to escape, redirect your energy to how to remain hidden. Remember, greater purpose'.
Sonia redirected him to the trial room, and he hated the fact that she was his handler for the second time. But for now, he had to read that book to know who God is, and how he created the world.

This should be in the cinemas as a movie. Very intriguing. I'm enjoying it

Last set of humans, hmm.
I'm thinking if this is real, I'd like to be Iris

queenitee:
Last set of humans, hmm.
I'm thinking if this is real, I'd like to be Iris

You and the weirdest of characters..

Fazemood:
This should be in the cenamas as a movie. Very intriguing. I'm enjoying it

Thanksssd

20 Spy
Joyce slumped into bed after her rigorous training. Diana had ensured that she got a better training because of her people in the Punishment room. When others had finished their training and had entered their crumbling house, Diana made her stay back for more training. As if it had been waiting for her arrival, a part of her bed slid open.
'Oh my!' She jumped in utter surprise. She stared at the part of the bed that slid out. It looked like a tray, and had a paper that read in it. She picked it up. It read:
Come to the Library. Tell no one. Meet the Librarian.
'Guys, I'll be back', she said as she got to the elevator.
'Of course, that's how you've been going all these while', Regina said from her room.
Shut up your mouth.
Joyce stared at Regina's dancing mouth and felt like removing her teeth with a single punch, but she went her way. The management could have sent her somewhere but the library. She hated the library, and the knowledge it depicted. It was her major turnoff even when she was at school. They always claimed she had a photographic memory that if she was a serious type one, she would have won every educational award. When she entered the Library, she went to the Librarian.
'I was asked to meet you.
Yes?The busy white librarian said and looked up. You Are you the Joyce?'
Sonia nodded nonchalantly.
‘Oh I thought
Thought?
Never mind
She watched the woman rummage through her bag. You were expecting someone else right, like one of those yellow fevered, unripe people like you.
Are' The Librarian began to say something, but held her breath. 'Follow me.
The woman limped away. Her right foot looked alright but on closer scrutiny, she discovered that it was a false foot.
Will you walk fast? I am the one with the limping leg.
Joyce sucked up her anger and walked faster. If it was to walk fast, she could do that, she walked past the woman and went away.
Wh- where are you taking your little blackness to?'
Was that not what we were being taught? That no one should have the right to call anyone by their color?’
Im a librarian, not a Peacemaker.
Then, you should be punished
What do you think Im doing here, being stuck with insolent girls? By the way, this is the right way.
Although she hated the library, the path they went led out of the books area. She turned to see the books shelves gradually begin to shrink to only figures. The woman brought her key and opened the door, locked it; then, another and another and another. She inputted a passcode into a new one, then used another key then another passcode. The next one required her hand scan.
Like seriously?
We still have few to go and will you let me concentrate?
I didnt'
Shush
They went to about three doors before she brought out her keycard that opened the door to a massive room. The room was made round so that every chair faced a podium built into the middle. The podium was raised high to the extent that the person at the front, if short, might have to strain his neck to listen to the speaker. The librarian led her to the front.
Welcome.
She looked upward. Then, she saw her father.
'D How did you get here?'
Come here' he said, stared at her for a while and laughed. 'I am suspecting you've met my twin or have seen him. Well because we are two, people always assume that we are one. We have so trained ourselves that one could pretend to be the other. Very few people know of our existence and it would remain so. In other words, you're not to speak a word of this to anybody'.
She nodded as she tried to soak in the moment in her mind. The empty room made his voice appear as if he was speaking from a different part of the room.
'I've summoned you down here because of the rebels, Groust. They have waxed great, and we have reasons to believe some of our people are involved'.
She swallowed hard as she watched him talk. Her mind went back to the fact that Diana just recruited her. That means they were in danger.
'My children, the two of them, were killed by the rebels and we need to eradicate them all. But our forceful way of flushing them isn't working. Youll be the one in charge of doing that for us'.
'I'm new here'.
'No wonder my brother wanted you to be trained, and made sure your name was among those that would come this year. The boy is so stupid. He still wouldn't learn to always cover his tracks. You're not here for fun. I know you're my brother's daughter, invariably my niece, and one of his fear is your death because you're supposed to be world leader after our death. You're the only heir to the throne, and you must learn how to do the right thing. I guess you know the right thing and have seen the video of the end of the world. Did you watch the videos you were shown?
Yes '
'Thats what destroyed the world. But the truth is this: the world used to have languages, but few of us know'.
'But you can catch Diana yourself and question her'.
'Diana is one of our best. No matter how much we try to get any information from her, she wont oblige. You've been kept in hiding all these while for a reason, no one must know anything about you till we announce you'.
He turned to the Librarian. 'Return her and get us the full information, you're her handler'.
As she returned with the Librarian, she agreed with her uncle, she needed training. A good P.I must know how to infiltrate the deadliest of places. She would play both sides for a fool.

*End*

Watch out for the other part.


Hence, I'll post Fortune city Chronologically...

So, the



Next book...

Crawling in The Mud...


The First of These Series