She popped the second Mentos sweet in her mouth and let it's wrapper fall to the ground.

Checking the time on her wrist watch, she stamped her foot impatiently before glancing at the road.

“SC when will the truck pass nau? it’s already after 1am.” The guy beside her complained and at that moment, her cell phone vibrated. She took it out of her pocket to see a text message.

‘Almost there, be on standby. Ten minutes.’

“Everyone should get ready, they’ll soon be here.” She commanded as she tucked her phone into her rear pocket.

“How soon?”

She turned to him with a stone expression, “this mission must be a success, so shut up and just do whatever I tell you to do.”

The guy swallowed as he nodded and sauntered away.

She wore her ski mask over her head and waited behind the bush as the truck approached the set trap.

The truck who had been safely on the road without disruptions suddenly had to come to a stop when the driver saw a blockage on the road. A strange one consisting of sticks, huge stones and broken bottles.

The driver tuned off the ignition key, leaving only the front headlights. He and the other person who sat at the front seat got down and went over to inspect when a gunshot penetrated the silence of the night.

Instinctively, the driver got down in fear and clapped his hand over his head.

“Get up,” SC said coolly while pressing the tip of her rifle on the driver’s head.

“P..please,” he stammered and SC chuckled.

“Get up or I’ll blow your head away from your body,” she threatened and the driver shakily rose to a kneeling position.

“The Gothium bullets you’re conveying to Dahlia’s place won’t be happening,” she explained, “so give me the car keys.”

The driver shook his head and broke into pools of sobs, “I’m not carrying any bullets,” his bottom lips quivered, “I’m just carrying crates of bottle drinks for the party this evening.”

“You’re lying,” SC said pressing her rifle tip into his head, “I’ll kill you if I find out the truth.”

“Uche,” she gestured with her head, “collect the truck keys and check it.”

Uche did as he was told and returned with a negative result. “He’s telling the truth.”

“How?” she barked, “it is supposed to be here. What is this rubbish?”

She faced the other guy who sat at the front seat, “you told us it contained the bullets, you lied!”

The other guy stumbled backwards and was immediately held by one of her men.

SC approached him angrily and fear was evident on his face. He had every right to be because she was livid.

“I didn’t know, please –“

He was never able to finish that sentence because of the bullet that penetrated into his forehead. His body plunged to the ground.

SC took in heavy breaths, trying hard to steady her breathing. The mission was a failure. She was back to the drawing board. Alhaji would be furious.

“Where are the bullets?” she asked through gritted teeth, pushing her rifle after each word into his head.

“It has been at her house since yesterday, I swear that’s the truth.” The driver replied with a shaky voice.

SC heaved a sigh of relief. There was still hope.

“I want you to do something for me, and if you don’t want what happened to him to happen to you, you will do as you’re told. Is that understood?”

He nodded in reply.

“Good.”

SC began to formulate another plan. She was going for Dahlia Kagabel’s party, by force.

“I’m in,” Wura announced, taking in of the sight.

“Wonderful.” Astrid’s voice came over from the communicator. “I’m bloody bored to death here.”

“Tired of drinking?” Tomiwa asked and Astrid chuckled without humor.

“You’re aware I cannot drink alcohol on duty and the Chapman is close to tasteless. This is all so unexciting.” She sighed.

“Can we please focus?” Aminat butted in. “How’s the situation Wura?”

“I entered through one of the backdoors and I’m currently in a sort of lobby. How do I access the underground room hall?”

“Straight ahead, then turn left. There’re two doors, one belongs to a room and the other belongs to a toilet. Open the left door,” Fareed directed.

“A toilet?” Astrid’s voice was laced with mirth.

Wura unlocked the toilet door with the keys she managed to pinch from the senior guard when he wasn’t looking.

The toilet room was wider than usual, for just a toilet without a shower or a tub. There was really nothing really fancy about it. It consisted of an ivory white toilet and a patterned white and green tiles, on the wall and floor.

“The tiles are fake,” Fareed continued, “Painted to resemble actual tiles. It’s one of the underground entrance."

Wura knelt and examined the tiles. Yes, it was indeed painted excellently by a professional. She could tell.

“There’s a hidden lever on the wall in a compartment,” Faizah spoke this time, “it’s at the bottom side of the right wall. There’s a particular wall tile that looks a little dim and faded in color than the rest. You have to use something sharp to pull it out a little before using your hands.”

Wura bent on one knee when she spotted the tile and produced a pocket knife from her pocket. Giving it a little pull, she used her hands to finish up, gently pulling out the tile and placing it silently on the floor.

In the wall opening was a metal lever, currently facing upwards.

“I’m done, what’s next?” she told them.

“Pull –“ Fareed and Faizah said at the same time.

“Pull –“ the said again after a moment.

“I want to say it.” Faizah whined.

“But i-“

“Yi Shiru.” Aminat said sharply, “da kuma mayar da hankali.”

“Pull the lever downwards.” Faizah ended up speaking, eventually.

Wura pulled down the level and observed as a rectangular slab in the middle of the room slid sideways to reveal an opening in the ground.

She took out her pocket flashlight and shone it below to see a flight of stairs leading downwards into the darkness.

“What do you see?” Astrid asked excitedly and everyone waited for her reply.

“Stairs.” She said shortly, “and it smells damp.” She scrunched up her nose.

“Um guys,” Fareed said, “I think the visitors are arriving already.”

“But they’re not supposed to arrive until later this night.” Astrid said.

“Wura leave that place, “ Aminat commanded, “if they catch you there I don’t want to imagine what would happen.”

“I can easily hide down there.” Wura argued.

“No.” Aminat said and Wura could feel her shaking her head, “you will find another way to enter instead.”

Wura sighed silently and had to agree with her supervisor. Returning everything to its previous state, she opened the door, when her ears picked up sounds of men talking in hushed tone, and they approaching at her direction.

Pulling her face cap further below her head, she stepped out walking casually, when they stopped her.

“Who are you?” the shorter one asked her as both of them eyed her curiously.

“I’m part of the new security guards,” she said with her face down.

“Eh why you con dey hide your face?” the taller one spoke, “raise your head jare ,make we see you.”

Without them seeing, she slipped her right palm into her pocket and clasped her fingers over one of her favorite weapon.

“Why are you shy?” the other one chuckled which made his shoulders vibrate.

Wura rose her head slowly and they whistled in awe.

“You fine o,” the taller one remarked while his eyes lustfully scanned through her body.

“What is your name and when did you join us?” the other asked and Wura could clearly see he was the sensible one of the duo, “I’ve never seen you here before?” he said with suspicion.

His partner waved him away, “Jude, calm down. You know say we dey plenty.”

Jude shook his head and Wura took that opportunity to her advantage. With the tool, she pressed it his neck and punched the other on his nose before pressing the weapon against his neck. They both vibrated before collapsing and Wura knew she had to hide their bodies.

“Wura, what’s going on?” Aminat asked in worry.

“It’s nothing, I already handled them.” She replied, “Fareed, what’s in the other door beside the toilet?”

“It’s a guest room,” he replied.

“Excellent.” Wura smiled, then proceeded to drag them by the legs into the guest room. It would take about an hour or two before they regain consciousness and in order to keep them silent, she tied their hands and mouth with pieces of the curtain she had to rip apart.

Afterwards, she snuck out of the room, locked the door quietly, and then slipped out.

Astrid poured another cup of juice and took a sip as her eyes drifted lazily across the party.

It was your typical rich people’s party with a live band playing  songs of different languages, people conversing, dancing and eating.

She had just finished conversing with a man she discovered to be so dull that he only spoke about himself and accomplishment. He even went as far as giving her his business card, which she tossed away as soon as he left.

She spotted Tomiwa looking equally bored stiff like her while swirling the champagne glass in his palm.

“You look rather ravishing tonight Tommy.” She decided to disturb his peace.

“Do I sense sarcasm in there?” Tomiwa voice came over her communicator disguised as an earring.

Astrid scoffed. “Can’t you just accept a complement? Must you question it?”

“Whatever.” Tomiwa replied, “but you do know you’re supposed to be using your Nigerian accent for this mission right?”

“Nobody’s here Tommy.” Astrid said the obvious with a roll of her eye, taking another sip of her drink.

“Hi.”

Astrid nearly choked on her drink at the sound of the voice coming from behind her.

She turned to see a young lady smiling brightly at her. Her dress was color of sapphire gemstones and her makeup being perfect, suited her long face. Her sand colored braids plummeted to her waist. Her nails were white, artificial of course.

“Hello.” Astrid acknowledged her with a polite smile, completely neutralizing her British accent to a Nigerian own. One that took her months to practice.

“I’m sorry for bothering you but I noticed you’ve been standing alone for a while.”

Astrid gazed at her. Surely this was the writer of Dahlia Kagabel’s article.

“I’m Ileri. Leri for short.” She introduced with a stretch of her right palm.

“My name is Astrid,” she also introduced herself, accepting her shake and taking note of Leri’s bracelet around her wrist.

She saw curiosity flash across the Leri’s eyes. Like a true writer, she was inquisitive.

“Astrid?” Leri repeated as she edged towards her, “you’re the first I’m meeting bearing that name.”

“You told her your real name?” Tomiwa hissed heatedly over the communicator. She ignored him.

“Really?” she asked with equal surprise, “let’s sit down, my legs are aching.”

“Are you mixed perhaps, like are you half caste?” Leri inquired further.

Astrid leaned into her chair, amazed by her boldness. Most people would just stare at her to the point it in which it made her uncomfortable.

“Yes I am,” she finally said, “it’s obvious, isn’t it?”

Leri laughed, “It’s like being a duck in the midst of chickens. You stand out,” her eyes softened, “it’s a good thing.”

“It can be uncomfortable at times,” Astrid confessed, “People staring at me like I’m  extra-terrestrial.”

“Only the best stands out.” Leri said, “that’s what makes each one of us unique in our own ways. Also, I think you’re really pretty.”

Astrid smiled and looked away, “I’m half Korean, half Nigerian. Strange isn’t it?”

Leri shook her head. “Of course not. I can relate to your struggles to an extent because I’m the only fair person in my family. But I really don’t care about what people say anymore. It’s their cup of tea.”

Astrid laughed and straight ahead, she noticed someone in the crowd. A lady.

“This is my first time attending such a party,” Leri continued.

“It’s boring.”

Leri doubled over and burst into laughter. “I don’t think everyone shares the same view as you,” she gestured towards the crowd of people dancing.

“And how about you, it is boring?” Astrid asked, glancing at the lady once more. Something wasn’t feeling right.

“Well-“ Leri gasped as she pointed at her hair, “one of your bantu knots have loosened.”

“Really?” Astrid inquired, “Which one of them?”

“Here, let me help you with it?” Leri volunteered as she shifted her chair towards Astrid.

As Leri assisted with her hair, she squinted her eyes to catch a better glimpse of the lady. Black. That was the only color she could see, from the crown of her hair to the sole of her feet. But something didn’t feel right in the way she moved. She was too stiff, too watchful. She didn’t blend in.

Astrid wondered who she was, what her mission here was and if they were more like her.

“Done.” Leri announced, and Astrid got up to her feet immediately.

“Thank you, I’m very grateful,” Astrid said with sincerity, “but do excuse me, it was nice meeting you Leri.”

“What..what was that?” Faizah inquired.

“Aminat, are you there?” Astrid asked as she maneuvered through the dancing crowd.

“Yes?”

“I think we’re not the only ones here after the bullets. I have a hunch.” Astrid stated, immediately ducking someone who almost spilled drink content on her.

“Who did you see?” Fareed asked.

“Like I said, it’s a hunch until I confirm it.” Astrid trailed after the lady with determination.

“Astrid don’t do anything rash, we beg you.” Tomiwa pleaded on everyone’s behalf and Astrid smirked in response.

The lady in black spoke in hushed tones to the security who equally replied in hushed tones. She waited until the lady entered the mansion, before approaching the security guard.

“Excuse me,” she smiled at the man, “that was my sister who just entered now, I need to tell her something very important. You see it’s about her boyfriend. They had a huge misunderstanding and I’m trying to help them. Would you like to hear the full story?”

The man shook his head, clearly not interested in her babbling, “she went to the restroom. Just go in, you’ll see it.”

Astrid smiled while nodding as she hurried in.

The restroom was really easy to locate, which was just beside the waiting room, almost as large as her living room at home.

She counted three guards at the main door entrance, an obvious message that no one was allowed to go in.

Ignoring them, she went into the female restroom.

Fortunately, the lady in black was there, as well as one other elderly woman who she had to wait until she left.

She occupied herself by pretending to wash her hands in one of the washing hand basin and also staring at herself in the mirror. Makeup wasn’t really her forte, so she kept it really light. Her face looked Asian, with cat-like eyes and high defined brows. But her caramel complexion, she inherited that from her father. Her signature bantu knots made her resemble an African goddess, while also making her look more confident.

It didn’t take long for the elderly woman to take her leave. So, she turned off the tap and stared the lady in black who was at the other end of the rest room.

“Wow,” she said with a smirk, “you forgot your mask today.”

She reacted as Astrid thought she would. Pulling out a gun on her.

Astrid didn’t budge from the spot. Her face remained impassive.

“I refuse to believe you’re here for the party? So what are you doing here?”

The lady in black let out a humorless laugh. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to take what I want. The bullets.”

“What do you wish to do with it?”

“To take it to my –to use it of course. It’ll be my newest toys in my collection.”

Astrid smirked and she crossed her arm across her chest. “You’re working for someone are you not? You’re just a pawn, doing all the dirty work.” She made clicking disapproving sounds with her mouth, “and here I am, thinking you’re an independent woman.”

The lady approached Astrid with a deadly icy glare and pressed the gun against the side of her head. Astrid stayed unfazed.

“I can end your life right now, do you realize?” she gritted. Her breath smelt of something icy, yet hot.

“But you won’t,” Astrid matched with a challenging stare of her own, “there are approximately five guards right outside this door. You’ll be arrested even before you see the bullets.”

The lady in black responded by punching the mirror aggressively, causing multiple cracks on it.

“Stay out of my business or you’ll end up like this mirror. You don’t want me as your enemy.” She threatened.

“How can I?” Astrid smiled coldly, “When you’re following me everywhere I go, like MTN.”

“You’re playing with fire Astrid. You will burn.”

“I love playing. How hot are you?” Astrid retorted.

The lady in black ran her hair through her faux locs in frustration.

“The next time we meet, one of us will die, and it will be you.” She said her last words before heading out, leaving Astrid alone.

Astrid saw it. A tattoo on her right fore arm of a cow’s head. The only clue she had about this lady.

She reminded her of bullies in her elementary school, who often bullied her because of her mixed heritage. She was as timid as a mouse then. But now, the mouse has grown into a tiger.

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    Glossary

1) Yi Shiru!= be quiet!

2) Da kuma mayar da hankali. = And focus.

Both are Hausa language from Nigeria.