Encounter

For three months, Pem and his friends tried all the could but couldn't shake them off, they were getting exhausted of being watch all the time, but decided to drain them of their patience too. Pem worked at the local laboratory much to Emilia's dismay, she never wanted anything related to laboratories. Bob worked at a computer institute, while Iyke worked in a mechanical workshop, located at the outskirt of the town. They lived normal and kept to their regular visitation, something every normal individual would do.

One month later, there was a massive decrease in surveillance, and a month after that, all surveillances were dropped. The streets were cleared of Prolab's agents after another attack in the woods which had nothing linked to them.

At first they were skeptical about the sudden loss of interest, maybe they wanted them to drop their guards. But all was cleared after Bob took the risk and ran a scan, discovering they were off radar. All surveillance cameras were removed. It scared Pem how they managed to enter and exit his house without any sign of intrusion. Finally, they could feel their privacy restored, the awkward feeling was gone, and the stress that came with it washed down the drain.

Feeling a sense of relief, Pem dropped on his bed as its soft cushioning caressed his skin, sweet perfume of sunlight soap did a number on his sense of smell, compelling him into a long sniff.

He kept rolling around like a two-years old, feeling the silkiness of his bed spread, as he sang with delight.

While he laid there day-dreaming, the demon struck again, his attention drawn back to the written note left by his father. What is he talking about? Are my answers in the woods? Chuckled, he mocked his idea, yet that silent voice persisted. In the woods...in the woods, like it was calling out to him. Pem couldn't shake off the feeling that his father knew about the demon of the woods before it was made public.

He was tired of brainstorming alone and famished as he hurried into the kitchen to fix himself a lunch. Boiled yam with egg sauce was on the menu. While he made lunch, he contacted his friends, it was about time.

They all arrived right on time at the old bakery. As usual the place was drained of life, excepts some crickets who never stopped making the darkness scarier than it already was.

Prolab had a steady schedule, they open at seven in the morning and close by nine in the night. All regular staff exit the laboratory by nine, while those working on confidential researches stay late. Pem could remember the time his father does come back from work like it was yesterday, until he started the research that brought about his demise. Even as a kid, he was engrossed in his father's researches.

My discovery will change the world for the better, Alex always told him.

They planned on Infiltrating the organization which at first seemed like a good idea, but judging by the security in comparison with their skills, it was mission impossible.

While they evaluated their options, around quarter past ten in the heart of the night, a humming of a car engine sounded right in front of the bakery, then it was quiet again.

Quickly they took the lights out, allowing themselves to be covered by the cloak of darkness as they peeled their ears for the slightest of sound.

They left the basement and climbed up to the door, and through the openings they peeped to get the picture of what was happening. The openings in the door could give a wide range of view and Pem focused on the entrance to see what comes up next.

An SUV was parked right in front of the abandoned bakery much to their bewilderment. Even when the district was lively, no one had ever saw reason to come to the bakery, in fact they were scared it could collapse anytime soon and won't want to make headline as victims. What lies here of all places that can pique someone's interest? They wondered.

Their hearts were racing, Pem thoughts rode miles away in different dimensions. He didn't realize how much he was shivering until Iyke placed a hand on his shoulder. It was too dark for him to see what expression he wore, but he knew it was a way to say that they would be fine.

There was only one entrance which was also the only exit, they were trapped. The SUV parked right in front of the bakery, its light pierced deep into the dark room. A logo was printed boldly on the car, whoever they were, they worked at Prolab, and upon realizing that, Pem's panic spiked. If Prolab agents are here, then we are surrounded. He thought.

"We're are doomed" this time didn't realize when the voice in his head escaped his mouth.

"Sush!" his friends cautioned. Every nerve in his body suggested that they run for it but he suppressed the urge, knowing it would be the most stupid thing to do.

Running won't save them, so they decided to stay put and wait for what comes next. The lights went off, the engine killed, the door got opened as two men stepped out of the vehicle with flash lights.

Entering the building, one advanced further while the other stood behind. The triad still haven't come to an understanding of what was going on. One of them turned "No one is here" but was bamboozled seeing that he was on gun point. The victim wore a lab coat and gloves, and Pem knew that he was a researcher at Prolab.

The scientist was confused as he demanded answers from his partner.

"I'm sorry bud, you've known too much. I warned you, I warned you, damn it! You just won't listen."

"We are friends, right?!" shouted the scientist but was silenced by his colleague.

"You don't get it do you? This is bigger than us, this is bigger than Prolab"

The boys wondered what was happening and what could be bigger than Prolab on the Island?

"H.O.S.T ordered your death" he confessed and without waiting for any other question squeezed the trigger. Gunshots echoed at every corner of the room, even the triad behind the door withdrew for some seconds in shock. The murderer didn't bother to attach a silencer knowing too well that he was in a dead town. After releasing rounds of bullet on his partner, he bent over, checked his pulse and confirmed him dead.

He flashed torch light at every corner of the room, to ensure he was alone. Though a dead town, he still needed to be careful, there was no loopholes in H.O.S.T operations. His light reached the door and the boys hid by the corner, afraid he might release some bullets at the door just to be clear. They don't know what he was capable of, and not placing their lives on a platter to find out.

The killer walked closer and closer to the door, a voice inside of him was sure something or someone was behind that door, another cautioned him that he might not survive the night if he gets to encounter what lay beyond that enclosure. His heart was beating twice as a fast.

While on the other end Pem and his friends were tensed, the basement was no hiding place and if caught, they might get killed. Their best option was to lie and wait for whatever comes, they can attack immediately he opens that door, but they feared the outcome. Despite their fear, they weren't going down without a fight.

As the killer came closer, he felt his resolve melt away with each step forward. Quietly and curiously, he marched closer never letting it off its sight, not for a second, like he was expecting something or someone to slam it open and charged at him. Luckily a rat ran past him, which didn't just startle him but left him disoriented. His heart almost jumped out of his mouth. There and then he knew he was pushing his luck too far. Without a second thought, he dived into his SUV and zoomed off. Whatever was in there, he was sure what was coming was greater.

After few minutes of peace and quiet, they crawled out of their nest glancing at every corner to ensure they were alone and safe, not giving room to chances.

They came to a halt right in front of the corpse whose beautiful lab coat was drenched in blood. Leaning over, Pem observed the dead body, checking for any kind of recognition but no, he was a total stranger. It would have been big news learning Prolab killed their scientist if not that his father was a victim too.

They searched his pockets but found nothing related to the organization, checked his surrounding maybe something might have fallen off his pocket during his demise, if so his executor would have picked it up.

They were sweating profusely not because the environment was too hot but because their lives were at stake. Minutes passed but nothing was found, all hope lost they decided to head home before it becomes too late for them, they have pushed their luck just too far.

As they were about leaving, something struck Pem's mind. "Where do we consider the safest hiding spot for sneaking in candy into science class?"

They looked at themselves beaming and chorused "Our shoes"

They rushed to the corpse, unbuckled his shoes and a flashed drive fell out. "I knew he was hiding something" Pem screamed but was shushed again by his friends.

Whoever this man was, he knew something that he shouldn't and was silenced by the organization. Whatever he found out that led to his demise, they boys were determined to know, it might be the longtime breakthrough they've been seeking.

While they exited the bakery, Pem felt something sinister coming their way, what or who? he had no idea but his instinct screamed danger.

He urged his friends they leave immediately, and for some reason they didn't oppose. They were disturbed too just out of the blue, and leaving as fast as they could sounded like the perfect idea.

They stared at the old bakery which held most of their childhood memories, their safe hold now exposed. With someone shot dead, it was just a matter of time before someone call the authorities and in minutes be flooded with cops and reporters. Life will finally storm the alley latest tomorrow morning. They held hands, glanced at the bakery one last time and hastily left the premises, never to return.

….Two hours later, in the cold night of the alley, there first came a rumbling, then a hiss. Something was approaching at top speed, damaging whatever stood in its way. The air was nothing but dust and gust of wind. Was it a tornado? No, this had life. It made its way into the abandoned bakery, swallowed the dead body, and left as fast as it came, bringing the whole building down to ruins.