Emotional Tingle episode 27
EMOTIONAL TINGLE
(The Mind Reader)
Episode 27
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Written by Author Nath
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Things had unbelievably gone wrong in the life of the mind reader for pulling the trigger. The heavens and the Earth seemed to be against him as he walked sluggishly on the road. Though it was dark but a sudden wind escalated along with lightening and thunderstorms. A heavy rain began, pouring on the boy as if the heaven was crying upon him. Anyone who saw him wondered if he was drunk or insane. His shirt gum on his body as a result of the rain while his sneakers retained a lot of it from the tied road.
Meanwhile, Kester had returned home just immediately the rain started. He pulled his black jacket in the living room. “Lucy!” he called, walking into the kitchen. “Come on, you have to come out, sis. I’m hungry!” his voice echoed from the kitchen.
Oh, no, how would he had known that the sister he was talking to was lying dead at unknown site.
“Lucy!” he called again, yet no response, so he came out from the kitchen, opened the girl’s room to see her bed well dressed but her school bag wasn’t there. He dialed her number but nobody picked it then he glanced at his wristwatch: pass eight post meridian. The dude had no choice but to make dinner by himself.
On the other hand, Crucifix had staggered to his old house which was closed, so he hit his hand on the door severally before it was opened by Geb. “Crucifix?” the man became stunned by the devastating look of his grandson.
Crucifix looked up at his old man. His eyes red and full of rain water and tears. His l-ips quivered over the unbearable cold of the weather too. “Pa-pa, I’m sorry.” he found his voice.
Geb widely opened the door for him as an afterthought. He watched his grandson over the candle light, taking off his clothes completely and drying himself with a towel. Quietly, he left to his room where he brought a plate of food he wanted to eat for the night to Crucifix but found the boy not only covered on his local bed but shivering too. He sat down on the edge of the bed with the plate in his hand.
“Crucifix, you have to eat something. What even happened this time around?” he asked.
The question replayed Lucy’s dying moment to him: CRUCIFIX? NO, NO, NO, PLEASE… The gun went off. Crucifix startled on the local bed at the sound of the imaginary gunshot he pulled at Lucy. Yet, he never said anything to his grandfather..
Notwithstanding, at Kester’s, the young man was still in the kitchen when a knock came from his door. Already the rain had stopped thereby reducing the noisy sound of the roof. Shirtless, Kester walked to the door, hoping it was his sister but when he opened it, it all went pear shaped: he saw some policemen in uniform.
“How the hell can I help you, feds?” Kester’s street voice trailed at the door.
“Are you Kester Oman?” one of them asked.
“You’re f-cking looking at him.”
“Well, we found your sister’s body down the city. I think you need to come with us.”
“My sister’s body? You niggas gonna be kidding me.” he walked back into the house, grabbed his jacket and followed the policemen to the morgue to see a body in a body-bag. Slowly, he walked to the bed as the policemen monitored him from the door. Only one of them called Foster entered with him. He gestured to the mortuary attendant to zip the bag open. The man in white long coat like a doctor grabbed the zip of the bag which sound circulated the creepy sanctum as he zipped it open.
Kester behold his only sister in it with a bullet wound on her forehead. The man weakened drastically, his feet couldn’t carry his body as his tears gland struggled to be activated. The black beauty of the girl was still admirable even at death.
“Someone killed my only sister?” he looked up at Foster. “She was shot by a motherf-cker!!!” Finally, the gland activated fully. As he looked down at his dead sister, some dropped on her face.
“Because your sister was shot, that’s why you need to follow us to the station for the commencement of proper investigation.” Foster said.
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At the station, Kester seated in the interrogating room which had a large transparent window. Marcus, Foster and a few other policemen monitored him from outside. Only Marcus was in suit.
“Do you think he did it, Foster?” Marcus asked with a hand in his pocket.
“You mean if Kester killed his own sister? Director, sincerely, I don’t know.” the man replied.
“Let’s go know what he has to say first.” They entered into the quiet interrogating room. Marcus sat down opposite Kester, while Foster stood beside him.
“Mr. Oman,” Marcus began. “Where were you when your sister died?”
“Are you kidding me?! I was out running some shit to put food on our table!” Kester replied.
“Do you know anyone who would want her dead?”
“Nah.”
“Then you killed her.”
“What?!” Kester exclaimed. “I killed my only sister? For what f-cking reason should I do that?”
Marcus cleared his throat and stood up. “Does the name Crucifix mean anything to you?”
Hearing that, Kester became mute.
“Someone attempted to kill Crucifix twice, thinking he was working with the Police. Yesterday, Lucy Oman, your sister, saw Crucifix in school and thanked God he was still alive. After which Crucifix read her mind which says and I quote: THANK GOD KESTER DIDN’T KILL HIM. This is to say that Lucy knew your secret or plans to kill Crucifix and when you acknowledge that we would bring her in for questioning, with the fear that she might flip on you, you killed her.”
Kester harshly hit his hands on the table. “That’s bullshit! I have no idea of this cock and bull bullshit!”
“Then you must know who might.”
“I do not know shit!” Kester leaned back and spread his hands. “Am I under arrest here?”
“No, not yet until we have an evidence against you.” Marcus replied.
“Fine!” Kester stood up. “Let me go do your job and find the motherf-cker who clipped my sister. Bye, feds.” he bounced out of the station. Immediately, he texted Mr. Nelson and Adams thus: NEED TO MEET NOW.
Quickly, he ran back home, picked his gun and drove out to the warehouse where he boiled in anger, pacing from one end to another. As he waited for the two men, rats in the house ch¡pped from different angles. Suddenly, the two men showed up and Kester pointed a gun at them.
“Wait wait wait!” Mr. Nelson stretched his hands forward.
“What’s the meaning of this, Kester?” Mr. Adams asked.
“I was just talking to the feds. You both killed my sister!! You discovered that the feds would be on her after the mind reader read her mind and got her killed. Why?!”
“Kester, put the gun down let’s explain. We didn’t do it. Trust us! Just put the gun down first, please.” Adams pleaded.
It took Kester a while to lower the gun. Within a twinkle of an eyes, Mr. Adams fastly, brought out a gun then pulled the trigger twice on him. The sound echoed in the whole building as blood splashed on the floor. Kester died.
“What the f-ck, man!!” Mr. Nelson exclaimed. “Why? Why did you kill him?!”
“Did you hear him? The feds eyes were on him just like his sister.” Adams replied.
“But he was distro.”
“You can always get another distro to move your weight around the city.”
Nelson furiously walked to his partner. “You pulled all this shit up. You had Crucifix murder Lucy and now you’ve killed her brother too. Just know that you’re building castles in the air because when this shit start going down on you, count me out. Thank God the kid doesn’t know I’m working with you and it should always remain like that.” He angrily began to walk out of the warehouse but turned again. “How are you even sure the kid won’t report you to the police?” he asked.
“Because I will also report the killing of Lucy to the police too. So the kid and i are even now.” Adams replied, hearing the fainting steps of his partner, totally leaving the house.
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THE NEXT DAY
The crowing of a cock reminded Crucifix that it was morning, so he stretched awake naked on his bed. He stepped down, feeling his body heavier than a rock. He put on a boxers and wiped his face. He checked his phone to see several Miss calls from Adams and Margret. He began to dress for school.
Kenny High was as calmed as anything you can think of over the death of Lucy which had circulated everywhere. Teachers suspended lessons, students suspended games and studies. All could be seen seated at different corners, discussing the tragic death of Lucy Oman and her brother. Of course, Alice, Rose and Margret could be found under a tree.
“I can’t believe that Lucy is dead.” Alice folded her arms.
“The news is that Crucifix reported her to the police over some people who wanted him dead.” Rose began. “I never liked that wood chopper. He’s always putting people into trouble.”
Alice gasped. “Someone wanted Crucifix dead? Why?” she asked, looking at Margret who had been lost in thought. “Margret, you don’t seem surprise. You knew about this all along but kept it from us.” she added.
Just then, Crucifix arrived from the gate. He sighted the girls then joined them sadly. None said anything to him except Margret who dragged him away from her friends.
“You’ve not been picking my calls. Why?” she whispered.
“I’m sorry. It was a long night.” Crucifix replied.
“Are you aware Lucy and her brother Kester are dead because of you!”
He narrowed his face. “Her brother is dead?” he asked.
“His body was found in some warehouse.”
“I never mean for any of this to happen, Margret. You of all people should know that I only wanted to find those after my life and I read Lucy’s mind and reported to the police. I never really mean for any of this to happen. I think they were killed by those who are after me so they won’t have to flip on them.”
Margret exhaled. “I believe you, Crucifix.” she hugged him and rested her head on his chest without letting go. “My Dad said we can come back together.” she added.
“He did? Thank God.” Crucifix began to slide her hair, thinking about Raina who was still in the hospital for food poisoning. He just couldn’t wrap around it. So, he said, “Margret, remind me how you found out that I was the one ghost-gifting you.”
Margret looked up at him. “I saw the drawing in your friend’s room, Raina.” she replied.
“And you were there why?”
“I followed my Dad. He said Raina’s father is his business partner.”
Crucifix connected the dots immediately and discovered that since Mr. Adams had been the one wanting him dead and he’s a partner to Mr Nelson, definitely, Mr Nelson also wanted him dead by poisoning his food which he never ate but tasted by Raina. The boy exhaled.
“Any problem, Crucifix?” Margret asked him.
“No, no, baby girl.” he replied. The girl rested her head on his chest again.
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Raina laid awake in her sick bed. A skyblue fabric covered her from toes to the chest. Her hair looked unkempt unlike her face which was bright and smiling when she saw Crucifix entering with a rose flower.
“Hi, Raina.” he handed her the flower which she smelt happily.
“You didn’t have to do all this, Crucifix.” she said.
“It’s nothing.” The boy sat down on a chair beside the bed. Raina sat up, dropped the flower beside her as her eyes never departed from him.
“What is it, Crucifix?” she asked.
“Raina, I didn’t poison you.” Crucifix found his voice.
“Of course i know you did not. But that’s not what I’m talking about. What is the problem, Cross?”
Crucifix looked up at the girl, wondering how she always knew what lies within his heart. Of course she was asking about the death of Lucy which guilt he was still feeling. Wow, that was one thing about Raina which Margret didn’t have. No doubt Margret loves Crucifix, but she could not tell when the boy was troubled or not. That made Raina unique to Crucifix. So the boy swallowed hærd and said, “I’m okay, Raina.”
“You’re lying again, Cross.”
Crucifix stood up. “Let’s go back to the reason why you’re here.”
Raina exhaled and rolled her eyes.
“If I didn’t poison you, who did and why?” Crucifix asked.
Raina shrugged. “I don’t know.” Crucifix’ phone beeped at the moment, he glanced at it.
“It’s the police. I have to go, Raina.” he k-issed her on the forehead and headed out of the room while the girl watched him. Surprisingly, she saw her father through a window, stopping Crucifix on the way. Though she could see them but couldn’t hear them.
“..I told you to stay away from my daughter and family at large!” Mr. Nelson warned.
Crucifix walked closer to him, glaring at his eyes unabashedly. “You think I don’t know that you poisoned my food which Raina ate a meat from and ended up here. You think I wouldn’t find out that you and Mr. Adams wanted me dead. If you don’t want your family to know about this, get the f-ck out of my way and never come between me and your daughter’s friendsh¡p.” The boy left the long passage of the hospital.
Instantly, Mr. Nelson brought out his phone and texted Adams thus: THE KID KNOWS. DID YOU TELL HIM?
Immediately, a reply had his phone beeping: NO, I DIDN’T. THE KID IS SMART.
Mr. Nelson placed his phone back into his pocket.
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Crucifix seated with Marcus and Foster in the police station. It was a round table. One could see the kid, tapping his fingers on the table nervously.
“Crucifix,” Marcus began. “Base on the investigation, we just found out that two potential suspects are dead; Lucy and her brother, Kester. They were brutally murdered the same day. We’re sorry, but we must get to the root of all this.”
Crucifix lowered his head then raised it up. “Please, I want the investigation to stop.” he said.
“But why?”
“I do not want more people to get hurt because of me! Please, you have to stop now.”
“But your life is in danger!” Foster interferred.
“I better be killed for others to remain alive. Please, sir, I have to go now.” he stood up and left the room.
Marcus and Foster looked at each other. “Are we gonna let this case die just like that?” Foster said.
“Of course not. We gonna keep an eye on the kid.” Marcus replied.
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Days turned to weeks, Crucifix had gone back to his old mud house and Lucy’s death was gradually being forgotten. At the same time, Crucifix and the two drug lords had kept their secrets from their families. Ero never stopped collecting cash from Crucifix through gambling. All this went on but everything seemed normal to others without the knowledge of the elephant in the room.
In a very calmed evening, Mrs. Nelson opened her door to see Margret standing. The girl appeared in her normal beauty; a shirt skirt with canvass on her feet while a tight black top felt the texture of her dangling hair.
“Good evening, ma. Is Raina at home?” Margret asked smiling.
“Yes, come on, in.” She opened the door widely.
“Thank you.” She stepped in,side.
“How are your parents?”
“They sent their regards.”
“Raina is in her room. I think you should meet her there.” Mrs. Nelson pointed upstairs.
Margret ran up through the stairs, she knocked on the girl’s door then opened it to see Raina operating her phone. “Hi, Raina.” she said.
“Wow! What a surprise!” Raina dropped her phone. “Margret.”
“Yeah, I wanted it to be a surprise.” Margret looked at the wall of the room but didn’t see the painting again. “You had the drawing removed?” she turned to Raina.
“Yes.” she replied.
“Why?”
Raina exhaled.
“Is okay, you don’t need to tell me.” Margret sat down on the bed. “I came to tell you that tomorrow is my birthday and I want you to be around.” she added.
“Wow! I guess you’re turning into adulthood tomorrow.” Raina smiled, sitting beside her.
“No, I will be turning sixteen.”
“Sixteen? Girl, you look twenty.”
They laughed then Margret suddenly stopped and looked at Raina. Her voice changed amicably. “Raina, I want to make sure we’re good. You know what I’m talking about. Also I apologise if I have wronged you in anyway.”
“Margret, there’s nothing to apologise for and we’re good. Come here.” she hugged her. “Happy sweet sixteen my dear.” she whispered to her ears. Both chuckled.
“Bye, Raina.” Margret left the room while Raina kept smiling.
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The next day at Mr Adams, many students from Kenny High gathered, drinking and dancing. The parents had left after presenting their gifts to their daughter. Only Eda saw that food wasn’t a problem. in,side Margret’s room were a lot of packages. She could be found on the bed with her two friends.
“Girl, you’re so lucky. Look at many gifts that surrounds you.” Rose said.
“Margret’s mind isn’t here.” Alice ch¡pped in. “Chill girl, Crucifix is coming.” she added.
“I know, I just feel nervous about… you know… it might happen.” Margret stepped down from the bed.
Already, Rose had started grinning wile Alice’s voice trailed. “Babe, if you’re not ready, you chill, nobody is forcing to lose your v×rgiπity. You must make sure anybody you give it to worths it.” she adviced. Just then, a noise came from the living room.
“I think that’s Crucifix.” Margret rushed out to see the mind reader at the door in suit. Both hurried and hugged each other, letting the crowd cheer them up with cups of wine in the air.
“You came late.” Margret punched him friendly on the chest. “What took you so long?” she asked.
“Traffic, baby girl, and happy birthday.” Crucifix replied and k-issed her. Margret happily reciprocated it, locking her two hands across his neck.
Just then, Raina entered too. She also looked hot in a jean trouser. The girl sighted the two lovers k-issing then took a deep breath. “Just be yourself, Raina.” she said to herself. She walked to them and said, “Happy birthday, Margret.” she handed a gift to her.
“Oh, thank you very much, my love.” Margret hugged her. “Please, make yourself comfortable and enjoy yourself.” she added then dragged Crucifix along with her. “Come, let me show you many gifts I’ve received.” she said on their way to her room.
Raina began to look around the house. Suddenly, someone tapped her from behind. She turned to see a tall and good looking dude.
“Hey, I’m Emmanuel. I don’t know how to dance but something told me you’ll teach me some steps.” the boy said.
Raina smiled. “I’m Raina. I don’t know how to dance too but four legs cannot be totally useless on a dancing floor.” she replied while both chuckled, grabbing their hands for a dance.
“Wait, like I’ve seen you before.” Emmanuel said. “You’re the girl that came to pick Crucifix one day at school.”
“Yeah, and you’re the one I inquired about him from.” Raina concurred.
As the slow dancing movement continued quietly, Raina couldn’t take her eyes off Margaret’s door, wondering what was going on between Crucifix and Margaret. As she stole a glance at the door occasionally, she saw Alice and Rose coming out of the room, grinning. She also heard the door of the room locked! Damn! Initially, she was wondering what was happening but now, she could guess what was happening between the two in,side the room. Oh, poor girl, her senses disappeared from the dance. She couldn’t help but to feel jealous again…..
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TO BE CONTINUED