Chapter Three
The fighter jets wide wings cut through the smooth night air with engines screaming at mach two speeds. The settlement came into view, a small speck of dots, some of the dots red and fiery. The pilots activated the targeting system and waited to come into range. A minute later they did and the missiles went flying.
Mako blew his way through a dozen infected with a hand grenade. He raced up the slope and stopped, staring in shock at the tidal wave of infected streaking towards the town. There were at least eight hundred strong and they were coming fast.
He brought out his cell phone again. “Get everyone out Peter. We’ve lost this round.”
“Yes sir __”
He lowered the phone as the screech of aircrafts engines rent the air. His eyes lit up; maybe there was hope after all. There was a loud swooshing sound and then the sky lit up at a point almost at the opposite horizon.
He raised his arm to shield it from the blinding glare. A high wave of fire engulfed the mass of running bodies. Mako’s eyes widened when he saw how fast the fire was moving. He turned going into a fast sprint. His men and all the settlements inhabitants were racing up the next slope a mile away.
Picking up speed, he threw himself forward, rolling down the sloping landscape as the fire engulfed the settlement leaving nothing but ash in its wake.
“My fellow Nigerians, this is a time of great turmoil. Evil spreads over our land like wildfire. Many of our brethren are dead, most without the right of a proper burial ___ the others__” He paused choking up, looking at the teleprompter. His Aide de camp gave him an encouraging nod. He swallowed and summoned the courage to continue.
“ ___ the others walk the streets; part of the evil desperate to destroy us. We are at war. In the past, it was thought our enemies would come from outside. It never occurred to us that the enemy we fight today would be the tailor next door, our humble church going neighbour or even members of our own family. These are people we love and have a solemn duty to die for.
“I am not here to offer platitudes or even excuses. Neither am I here to excuse the mistakes and lapses committed by my government. To put it bluntly we were careless, this was a two part problem. One, we didn’t get the information on time. Two, we underestimated the deadliness of the virus and its frightening rate of infection.
“Our brave soldiers are at this moment fighting to contain this scourge. As I speak, battalions are engaging hordes of infected trying to keep them contained to certain areas. To a certain extent we have succeeded. Our scientists have informed me a more effective and workable vaccine has been developed. We will be shipping it to all corners of the country soon. It is our hope this scourge will be over latest by Christmas.
So my fellow countrymen, I urge you to be strong, stay hidden and above all keep your faith up. We will overcome, do not fear. We will win.”
“Do you think he feels bad about lying so blatantly?”
Jire swung around surprised to see Modupe standing behind him. She was a tall striking beauty dressed in a short tight fitting blue dress. He was so engrossed in the president’s speech he hadn’t even realized there was someone else in the house.
Dupe’s mum had stepped out an hour ago. He didn’t know the specifics; just something about going to the market to get food. He prayed she remembered to buy a lot, enough to last four months at least. The way things stood he didn’t see the situation getting better anytime soon.
His eyes slowly focused and he drifted back to earth. Modupe had an impatient look on her face. She was probably waiting for some sort of response. Not having one to offer he simply shrugged. She smiled knowingly.
“They all lie. The stupid bastards! It’s because of them we are in this mess in the first place.”
He hated to agree with her but she was right. If they had been more expedient in their actions the virus might have been contained. The phone rang. He and Dupe exchanged troubled glances. She walked over picking it off one of the sofas.
“Yes?”
She paused smiling.
“It’s your father.”
He smiled, rising and walking towards her.
“Hello daddy__”
“Jire Bawo ni now? (How are you?”)
“I am fine daddy. How are you and mummy?”
“We are both fine. But your mother is worried sick about you. When are you coming over?”
“The roads aren’t safe daddy. We hear of attacks every day.”
“Are you safe where you are?”
“Yes __ its real quiet here. Though am not sure for how long.”
There was another pause.
“You be careful Jire. I wish you were here with us ___ if things improve try and get out to us as soon as possible.”
“I will daddy. How are you and mummy doing? Is everything safe?”
“Yeah __ we’ve been keeping our ear to the ground. But so far there hasn’t been any disturbance, beyond the usual at least. There’ve been rumours of a safe zone in the west ___ Idanre hills to be exact. Your mother and I are thinking that should things here deteriorate that’s where we’ll go.”
“Sounds like a good plan. I will keep my ears down here too. Should things go bad, I’ll make my way to you.”
“Be safe Jire __”
“You too daddy.”
The connection cut with a click and Jire sighed, feeling more alone than he’d ever felt in his life. He was so embedded in his thoughts he didn’t hear Modupe walk forward, until he felt her warm fingers squeeze his shoulders.
“It’s going to be ok Jire.”
He sighed.
“I hope you are right dupe. I really hope you are right.”