Chapter 14 : Ravin as a wolf

"For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock".

- Acts 20 : 29

JIM OVIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Chioma brought out her phone, "I don't see you, mom. Where are you?".

"Chichi", A loud voice yelled behind her. She put the phone in her pocket and turned around.

"Mom", She smiled as the woman hugged her.

"I miss you too, darling", Miriam shakes her from side to side and stops. Pulling away, she placed her hand on Chioma's tommy.

Chioma smiled nervously, "Yeah".

"I'm a grandma again", Miriam laughs. Shouting to every passersby, "My daughter in law is pregnant".

"Congratulations", The security at the airport waves at her.

* * * * * * * *

Driving to the condominium took only 5 hours apart from traffic. Linda announces the time as soon as they entered their house.

"The time is 7 O'clock".

Miriam sits on the couch in the living room, "Linda still works".

"Yeah. She does", Chioma behind her, rolled her eyes as she replied.

Turning around, she holds Chichi's arms, "Would you mind if I bring one more guest?".

"Guest?", asked Chioma.

"Yeah. Jeremy is on his way here. I hope both you and Aaron will accommodate him. He just retired from military service and I want my sons to patch things up. Don't you think?", She smiled, "Don't worry about Jeremy being a sore thumb, he works for the mayor now".

"Oh", Chioma smiled back, "Congratulations".

Anod and Rachel greets the woman and leads her upstairs. Sitting quietly on the couch, Chioma pats her vibrating lap. She years the screams of the past and tries to steady herself.

"I'm afraid", Anod returns and sits next to her, "Jeremiah is coming".

"Don't be. I have a gun. If he tries anything. I won't hesitate to shoot him".

Anod freaked out, "You have a gun in the house?".

"Yeah. Aaron and I do. I'm a cop. 10 years on the force. What did you expect?", She answered, "I don't trust easily".

Anod chuckled nervously, "But you trust me, don't you, bestie?".

"Sure", She stood up.

Aaron enters the living room, looking gloom. Removing his coat, he put it in his other hand and walked towards Chioma, with a sigh, he rested his head on her shoulder.

"Are you okay?", She put her arms around him.

"No", His voice was muffled as he gave her a bear hug.

Anod takes Aaron's jacket and briefcase, "I'll get that".

"Thanks, Anod", Aaron mumbles as Anod goes upstairs.

The front door opens. The footsteps give a proud to Chioma's heart. It gave off a feeling. Was it fear? anger? Hatred? She couldn't tell what she felt. The person stopped walking. It was a man. Jeremiah.

"You're really a kid, Aaron. You miss your wife too much", Hia voice carried a mocking tone.

The couple pulled away. Chioma put a smile on her face and stared daggers at him.

"Jeremy, what a pleasant surprise", There was a hidden anger in every word.

"Nah! you don't mean that", Jeremiah laughs.

"Of course, I do. if I didn't, you wouldn't even be here", She smiled at him and turned to Aaron, "You must be tired, honey. Why don't you go upstairs?".

"Sure", He looks at his brother, "Feel at home, buddy".

Hugging his wife, he whispers, "You gonna be okay with him?".

"Sure. I got a gun, remember?", She pulled away and watched him go upstairs.

A few minutes later, Rachel, Miriam and Anod descend the steps.

"Momma", Jeremiah called.

"Jeremy", Miriam rushed to embrace her son. They pulled away.

"How was work?", She asked.

Anod bowed his head slightly, "Excuse me. There's someone at the gate".

"Its pizza. I'll go get it", Chioma exited the parlour to get her order. Grabbing the pizza box, she tires to pay but the young delivery man sprays something on her face.

"And they shall know that I am the lord, I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them", the man smiles as Chioma's slumped to the ground.

Coming out in his casual clothes, Aaron turn to the dining area.

"Where's Chichi?", He asked.

Jeremiah looked up from his plate of spaghetti and slurped, "I think she went out".

"Pizza. It was Pizza", His mom added.

Aaron became worried, "How long was it?".

"Thinking about it. Its been a while", Rachel attending to the food arrangements on the table said.

"I'll go check", Aaron went outside and found no one outside, "There's no one here".

He turns to Anod who comes behind him, "Are you sure she left?".

"Yes. We all saw her", She replied.

Aaron dials her number, "Pick up" but it went straight to voice mail

"She's not answering", He said horrified.

"She's not probably fine", Anod pats his shoulder softly, "Let's have dinner. I overheard her taking with Wysa. She's there. Probably".

Aaron frowned, "She didn't tell me".

North Pelican Hospital.

9 : 15pm.

Wind blew lightly in the hospital room through the open window. A female patient laid unconscious on her bed. Suddenly, a strange hand pressed against hers. Whispering strange words to her. It didn't take long till the sleeping beauty awoke.

"I missed your eyes the most, mama. They're still pretty", The other female caresses the woman's cheek.

Tears streamed down the woman's cheeks as she cried, "It.... is .....you", she found it hard to speak.

"Shhh. rest now. You need it. I will fetch the doctor. In the mean time, rejoice with me for I have found baby Sia. I am reunited with her again".

Back to the Kingsley's residence.

11: 23pm.

Aaron threw his cigarette on the ground, "Shit. Where is she?".

"She's a grown woman. She can take care of herself. Besides, she's a cop", Jeremiah joined his brother in the balcony upstairs.

"I know. But she's never been out especially this late. I mean, it was pizza she ordered for Gods heavenly sake", Aaron hissed.

"She's okay, man. Chill out", Jeremiah laughs.

Running footsteps rush upstairs. It is Anod.

He pants heavily as he hands the phone over to Aaron, "Its not good".

Aaron realizes something, "Fuck". He takes the phone, "Josie... I knew it was you".

A laugh was followed as a reply, "How on earth did you know it was me?".

"Where is my wife?" asked Aaron.

Jeremiah was surprised, "What's going on?".

Anod ran downstairs to call the police while Aaron ran behind him.

"My wife's been kidnapped".