At that moment, I was truly glad that God had given me a second chance.
There was still more to life for me that what I’d been through. I knew I had to let go of the stigma of the past and although it was difficult, I had a reassurance that things could only get better… but of course they had to get worse first because three days later, we got an emergency phone call from the hospital informing us that Stacy was involved in an accident along with John and a few other friends of theirs.
“It has to be related to these stupid cultists.”
Alison hissed as she paced the room. “I’ve warned Stacy several times that John is no good for her, that guy is poison!”
“Lower your voice, okay?” Lisa snapped at her.
“Shouting isn’t going to solve anything.”
“Maybe if you guys had let me shout at her enough,
She wouldn’t be fighting for her life in the hospital right now. I heard the school authorities informed her parents, if they get to know the truth, she might be transferred to another university.”
“This is so messed up,” I whispered.
“Can we go and see her?”
“Not yet, only her family is allowed to see her now,” Lisa said.
“All we can do is pray because her life might literally depend on it.”
Reality set in and that was when I realized that whether we liked it or not, the battle between the cults had already started and the longer it lasted, the more people would get hurt.
On the other side of campus
Ryan paced his hostel room furiously and cussed several times with such venom that if words could kill, someone would be dead by now.
“Just calm down, this could mean nothing. It’s not like he’s trying to reclaim his title or position.” “And what if he does?”
“Then you simply take him out of the picture.”
“I’ve come too far to let this slip right out of my hands.” Leo shook his head vehemently.
“Since back in my High school days. I did all that was required and went through with every task for the initiation. I even-“
He shut his eyes as if he wanted to wipe away a bad memory. Vicker looked on with curiosity, waiting for him to complete his sentence.
“Does this have anything to do with that girl?”
“Which girl?” Ryan asked sharply.
“You know the one, Monica.”
“I thought we agreed never to speak about that again? What’s done is done.”
“Not when it seems that you regret it.”
“Don’t get me wrong, okay?” Ryan turned to him. “I don’t regret anything and if I had a chance to go back in time, I’d do it again.”
Just then Ryan’s phone rang and he checked it was Grace.
Ever since their previous encounter a few days ago, he hadn’t bothered to contact her. She had come up with all sorts of reasons to justify his actions including the fact that exams were coming up soon even though she knew he
Wasn’t the studious type.
“What do you want, Grace?” Ryan answered, without bothering with a greeting.
Vicker’s ears immediately became tuned to the conversation once he heard her name mentioned. Since the time at the restaurant, they’d had no other opportunity to see each other.
She always had an excuse to avoid their meetings and he was quickly getting impatient.Grace had to make up her mind. It was either him or Ryan. She had to pick one.
“Listen, I’m busy, that would be another time.”
Vicker’s fists clenched by his sides to restrain the anger he felt. It was clear to him that Grace was repeating the same thing she did years ago. She hadn’t changed at all.
“I said if I need you, I’ll call you, don’t make me angry.”
He ended the call and tossed his phone to the bed.
“That girl just doesn’t know when to back down.”
“Don’t you think you should treat her better?” The words escaped Vicker’s lips
Before he could reel them back in.
“What was that?” Ryan asked slowly.
Vicker mentally decided on whether it was wise to retreat or proceed.
“All I’m saying is that she’s been with you for quite some time now.”
“So what?” Ryan shrugged.
It wasn’t the first time Vicker wished girls would see Ryan for who he truly was and not the image he presented to them in the first instance.
“You know what, forget it.”
Ryan watched him suspiciously and said nothing.
“I’ve got to go now,” Vicker said as he shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another.
“Go ahead,” Ryan said in a tone that didn’t sound reassuring at all.
Vicker immediately left the room without a backward glance. As soon as he was gone, Ryan picked up his phone and dialed a number.
“Mikel (M.K), I need you to do something for me.”
“Yes, boss?”
“Keep an eye on Vicker, let me know his whereabouts, who he talks to, what he’s doing and when he’s doing it. Don’t leave out any detail.”
“Yes boss.”
“Good, you’ll get a reward if you do the job well.”
“I’m on it.”
Ryan had taught himself to trust no one and he’d survived for this long as the leader of THE REDS. If Viker had anything up his sleeves, Ryan planned to be one step ahead of him always.
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