The Bogeyman; the tale of a man and his death list

Chapter 1(The Man before the Tomb)

Right at the Madre Cemetery in Denor city, a man cladded on a thick black coat had his knee knelt before a tomb. It was raining but the standing soldiers had umbrellas covering him.

“Rest in peace Naomi Meth” were the words that were meticulously carved on the tomb.

“Rest in peace” he chuckled dryly and sadly, pain and fire etched in his eyes as he mumbled the well carved words on the lifeless stone.

He waved his head in disappointment, and exhaled softly “Not yet nanny Naomi, not when those murderers are still breathing.” He heaved an odd smile as he tilted his head down before extending his hand in the air and a black hat was handed on to him by one of his men.

Fully on his feet, he gulped his saliva and took a last glance at the desolate grave, “Until those murderers are down to the very last of them, you shall have no rest. I will be both God’s sword of justice and vengeance.” Redmond Red swore, his eyes and lips meaning every word that he enunciated while he took a last bow before taking his leave.

Redmond was escorted by his men out of the old famous Madre cemetery in Denor city where three Generals were waiting earnestly and patiently for him. The Generals included leaders of the Eastern, Western and Northern province.

On approaching, they saluted him. “No need for that.” He waved them off. “I hope this time, my ears will be laden with good news?” He asked, maintaining a straight face while directing to no one in particular.

“I pray that your ears will never cease to hear good news, sir but what I have is more of a two face of a coin sir.” General Russell, a middle-aged man responded diligently.

Redmond exhaled lightly, “go on then”

“I have finally found the daughter of the woman that saved you and her name is Ruth Teleimans. She was adopted into the Teleimans family, a second rate family in Denor city.”

“It is not all bad afterall”

“Yeah, that's because that's not all sir, her situation and position in the family is like that of a vagabond and pauper. She is said to be cursed with a strange disease.

A disease that causes her to act aggressively and violently for a period of time at an unpredictable time"

By the time they were done, there was no trace of any smile on Redmond's face. There was a brief silence. “What should we do, sir?” The fifty year old general asked with all utmost respect.

“Send me all the information you have on her.” He ordered with a firm voice.

Twenty years ago, at exactly 11:40 pm, a massive slaughter happened at the Red’s family turf leading to a chaotic death of not less than fifteen Red family members.

Redmond's father, the then General of Denor city had serendipitously discovered a secret, a secret holding crimes and corrupt practices by country top leaders in politics, business, sports and entertainment sectors.

In order to protect a truth that would have led to their fatal end, these individuals conspired and connived to eliminate the whole Red family.

Sadly, everyone was wiped out except for an eight year old, Redmond Red who only made it out because of the self-sacrifice of the family nanny who doted on him. She sacrificed herself for him to live, especially when she would have easily turned the other way and saved herself.

“Vagabond, animal, pauper. Things would have been different if your mother was alive, she would still be here if she had just turned the other way round.” Redmond muttered sadly to himself as he went through the information sent to him about Ruth.

He could still remember vividly the pants from nanny Naomi’s breath, the hot sweat that soaked her cloth, the uncertainty in her eyes when her last wish was just for him to take care of her three years old daughter.

That was until their sword penetrated through her. Redmond had run up the mountain, but he can never forget the screams, cries and echoes that infiltrated his ear as he ran with his little feet. The last sight before he stumbled and lost consciousness was that of his home burning into the ashes as the smoke gently ascended into heaven like some burnt sacrifice.

The next time he opened his eyes was in a military camp located in the Eastern province. He was taken under their custody and from there he trained his ass off. Fueled by the cold and brutal loss of his loved ones, he worked his way and rose through the ranks to the very top and became a General at a very young age.

He was feared and respected in the whole country. His escapades and forage sent fears to the most formidable fighters and tyrants. Once upon a time, it was said that he fought his way through the soldiers of doom in Westminster to get his blood soaked sword into the belly of a tyrant, General Da Ludi. He was also once rumoured to smite hundred soldiers with a single pencil. Those were a few of his numerous exploits.

He was known by numerous names but the one that struck more was the “ Bogeyman” for his name will kill you before he actually kills you.

After years of serving in the military, he was back not only to avenge his lost loved ones but also to save the only daughter of the woman who refused to look the other way.

He turned to the other General , General Walter of Western Coast. “Where is it?” He asked, maintaining a firm eye contact with him

Walter obeyed immediately and brought out a black note from his pocket and handed it to him.

Redmond threw a quick glance at him before opening the pages. “This is all?”

“Yes sir, that's all the names of people and organizations involved in your family demise. The Seven Keys of Denor city.”

“Seven Keys of Denor city? That's the first generation families of Denor. My family used to be one of them.”

“Not anymore sir, your family, the Reds were replaced by the Wade family following their tragic demise.” The General replied diligently.

“I see,” He replied as he nodded. His face is devoid of emotions.

“Here sir” General Rothmayer, leader of the Eastern province handed him a tablet.

After going through the tablet, he asked with a confused countenance, “Are you sure she is the right person? Naomi never said anything about her only child being cursed with a strange disease.”

“Exactly sir, Ruth's condition wasn't congenital or genetic; rather the first episode of her condition was recorded following her adoption.”

“Was she adopted into this family by chance?”

“Not exactly sir, in fact, she is under the guidance of Aunt Tana, Nanny Naomi’s cousin who happens to be the wife of late James Teleimans.”

“Alright then, I will look into it. You guys should lay low for now.” He instructed.

“I don't think you have much time sir,” one responded swiftly.

“As it stands sir, she will be given out for marriage tomorrow. She will be handed to any dick, Tom or Harry that will be kind enough to look beyond her condition and marry her.” Another added.

“Tomorrow?” Redmond asked, his frontal lobe wrinkled.

“Yes sir, Ruth’s condition may be part of the reason why the Teleimans deliberately want to dispose of her but according to my sources sir, there is more to it. Ruth has a situation that demands the Teleimans to offload her in such a hurry.” He paused as he carefully examined Redmond's countenance.

“Ruth is pregnant. She is said to be forcefully raped by Jason Wade, the last son of Logan Wade, a part of the Seven Keys of Denor city. In order to protect themselves, the Teleimans were instructed to discard her by whatever means possible.”

The General’s information was met with silence as Redmond's eye colour changed while his face darkened as he forcefully gulped his saliva. The revelation was like having his heart squeezed by a mincer.

“Cursed, Vagabond, pregnant, rape.” Redmond mumbled in anger as his facial muscles tightened up.

“I insist you all maintain a low profile until I say otherwise. I will pay them a visit tomorrow.”

They nodded like some obedient kids. “Should I put a word to them about your emergence, sir?” One asked with all sense of humility.

“No, Denor city is not ready yet to know about my emergence. They are not ready yet for they will be baptized by fire and fury.” He replied, leaving them where they stand.

“Hang a little bit Ruth, I am back and everything is about to change.”