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The EXIT Interview 300 Seconds
"The train is coming," Mia's voice echoed through the phone. "I repeat. The train is coming."Mia locked her aim on the train with the sniper's riffle. The train was a little further than two kilometres from her lofty station on the mine's crane."You heard overwatch," Mr. Zero announced on the tele- conference that kept his team in loop. "Bbob, we need that train in the pit."Bbob took in a deep breath. "Just gear up. It's coming."Bbob motioned forward and pulled the lever. This rendered a change on the course of the railway tracks. "We're ready," Big Thom announced. Mia kept a keen eye on the speeding locomotive. "Brace up, boys. It should be there in seven minutes."While the train closed in, Bbob took cover behind a bush and watched on. His part was done.Unbeknownst to Alexis and her team on the train, the railway tracks' monster was deviate into the old forgotten mine.Seconds later, the train lost control sped off the tracks. Thus, it overturned violently. A storm of dust eng
The EXIT Interview Alexis' Last Breath
A swam of armed police officers and special forces arrived at the scene and quickly besieged the train. Guns and all manner of riot gear were at full display. At the signal of the superiors, the units charged forward with caution and a well- oiled intent to assault in self-defence. But, Mr. Zero and his team had already fled the scene. Deacon, the senior most amid the special forces, emerged from the unregistered vehicle and marched to the train. He was the only who seemed unconcerned about his safety. Unlike the team he led, he was not clad in a bullet proof vest. He only had a pistol tucked at the back of his trousers. He walked into the train in search for clues and possible answers. After a few steps that hinged around a careful scan, he saw the helpless figure of Alexis holding on to dear life in pain. Deacon squatted and announced his presence, “My bad. Who did this?” “Zero. He and his friends did this,” She answered. He chuckled, “I thought that son of a bitch is dead.
The EXIT Interview Ruti Vs. Child- Welfare
Mr. Zero, clad in a pair of new chinos and a lovely shirt and looking fresh, sat behind the wheel of the van that he had brought to a stop outside the local child welfare department. Ruti, dressed in a beautiful black dress, took her place on the passenger's seat. She held a medium- sized envelope in her sweaty palms. She exhaled and turned to Mr. Zero. "Wish me luck." She said, "Pray for me." Mr. Zero smiled and looked back at her and said, "It is well." He reached for her hand and gently clamped it in his hand. Ruti, still keeping her eyes on him, nodded and stepped out of the van. Mr. Zero watched her as she walked quickly to the entrance of the local child welfare department. This was the ninth time the duo was visiting the department in a quarter. Ruti gently knocked on the door of the Department's superintendent and walked in without waiting to be invited in. A fairly old couple sat at the couch by the window while Ms. Marjory comfortably sunk in an executive chair. As so
The EXIT Interview The Interview
Inside a fast moving train, Mr. Zero stood in front of a mirror. He gazed at his reflection that was clad in a pristine black suit, white shirt and a black necktie. His fairly well- built body stemmed from a pair of mintly polished shoes.His hands trembled lightly. In them, was a small picture of his wife kneeling by a wheelchair on which his lame son sat.A gentle knock was heard and the door slid open to the room opened. A man dressed in the same colors as Mr. Zero walked in and announced, "She is ready for you." Mr. Zero nodded his head andtook in a deep breath before taking another look at himself in the mirror. And with that ritual done, he walked out of the room after the man. After a short walk along the isle of the fast, yet smooth, moving train, the Man stopped at a room. He opened the door and beckoned, with a nod, to Mr. Zero to enter. Mr. Zero entered the room and the door was closed behind. Two men wearing black suits stood in either corner of the room. Their faces
The EXIT Interview Loose end
Silence swept through the black SUV as The driver cruised on the highway to the airport.Mr. Zero held on to the small box in his hands. Clearly, he was lost in thought. Ahead of him was a future that was punctuated with uncertainty and fear. And behind him, stood memories of his involvements with his wife, Martin and Step son, Chris, and the program.The driver kept on tossing his eyes between the road and the rear mirror. His lot was to keep a keen eye on Mr. Zero.Another black SUV emerged from nowhere and rocketed behind the automobile where Mr. Zero rode. When the SUVs were at par, the chasing automobile rammed into Mr. Zero's SUV. The latter veered to the opposition lane and violently slammed into an oncoming truck. A great explosion of dust engulfed the collided vehicles. A faint continuous honk was heard from the SUV that was badly minced as a result of the collision. Both drivers drivers died on the spot. Their bloody bodies were trapped behind the wheels in their respective
The EXIT Interview The New President
The Presidential jet soared high above the clouds.In the jet's Presidential Office stood The Security chiefs, Speaker of the house of Representatives, The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, A few top- ranked Government officials and Presidential aides. A few minutes later, April Gardens, the Vice President of the Republic walked in and took her place in front of the small delegation. The Chief Justice remarked, "Madam Vice President, I apologise for cutting your holiday short. As you may know we have a crisis on our hands. The President was assassinated yesterday. It is for this reason that I must swear you into office as President in this extraordinary manner. This, of course, is as per provisions of our constitution."Ms. Gardens gave in to a single nod.An Aide gave her the Bible and the Vice President raised it in one hand. In the other hand, she received the oath of the office of President.The Chief Justice beckoned her to take oath."I, April Gardens," The Vice President sw
The EXIT Interview Operation 'Mrs. Zero'
In the cool of the evening, a gentle knock was heard on the door to Mr. Zero's home.It had been eight hours since Mr. Zero, the once beloved ICT wiz, had turned villain. And despite the heavy police presence, he was still at large.Martina opened the door. Alexis stood by the entrance dressed in her usual formal and up- town attire. "You must be Martina," She quickly acknowledged. "I'm Alexis. I worked with your husband."Martina was taken aback and an inquiry rang out, "Is he okay?""I need to talk to you," Alexis veered straight to business in a serious tone. "May I come in?"Martina hesitantly opened the door without saying a word. Alexis walked in and sat on a chair by the dining table. Martina sat at the opposite end. Her facial expression was screaming with caution and uneasiness. The mood was rather tense. The kind that one would kill to see it vanish as the dew of the morning under the rising sun."Am sure sure you are aware that the President was killed," Alexis took out a
The EXIT Interview "The Sun Takes Three Steps Back Everyday"
His eyes blinked a couple of times before Mr. Zero finally managed to keep them open. He laid on a small old matt in a small grass thatched hut. He had no clue where he was.While he assessed the wellness of his body amid groans of pain and exhaustion, an old man wearing dirty clothes walked in with a small steaming bowl."Soup?" The old man extended the bowl to Mr. Zero who struggled to sit.Receiving the soup, he wondered, "Where am I? Who are you?!"He sniffed the soup and cast his searching gaze at the old man. The old stranger smiled and sat besides him."You're the guy the Police are looking for. Your face is all over the TV and newspapers." The old man broke the expected news. "Drink the soup, you need all the strength you can get."Mr. Zero's face waxed cold with fear. He mumbled for answers and certainty, "You... you called the Police?"The man shook his head and insisted, "Please, drink up."Mr. Zero nodded his head and drunk the warm soup, all at once. He was famished."Pho
Latest Chapter
- The EXIT Interview
Ruti Vs. Child- Welfare
Mr. Zero, clad in a pair of new chinos and a lovely shirt and looking fresh, sat behind the wheel of the van that he had brought to a stop outside the local child welfare department. Ruti, dressed in a beautiful black dress, took her place on the passenger's seat. She held a medium- sized envelope in her sweaty palms. She exhaled and turned to Mr. Zero. "Wish me luck." She said, "Pray for me." Mr. Zero smiled and looked back at her and said, "It is well." He reached for her hand and gently clamped it in his hand. Ruti, still keeping her eyes on him, nodded and stepped out of the van. Mr. Zero watched her as she walked quickly to the entrance of the local child welfare department. This was the ninth time the duo was visiting the department in a quarter. Ruti gently knocked on the door of the Department's superintendent and walked in without waiting to be invited in. A fairly old couple sat at the couch by the window while Ms. Marjory comfortably sunk in an executive chair. As so
- The EXIT Interview
Alexis' Last Breath
A swam of armed police officers and special forces arrived at the scene and quickly besieged the train. Guns and all manner of riot gear were at full display. At the signal of the superiors, the units charged forward with caution and a well- oiled intent to assault in self-defence. But, Mr. Zero and his team had already fled the scene. Deacon, the senior most amid the special forces, emerged from the unregistered vehicle and marched to the train. He was the only who seemed unconcerned about his safety. Unlike the team he led, he was not clad in a bullet proof vest. He only had a pistol tucked at the back of his trousers. He walked into the train in search for clues and possible answers. After a few steps that hinged around a careful scan, he saw the helpless figure of Alexis holding on to dear life in pain. Deacon squatted and announced his presence, “My bad. Who did this?” “Zero. He and his friends did this,” She answered. He chuckled, “I thought that son of a bitch is dead.
- The EXIT Interview
300 Seconds
"The train is coming," Mia's voice echoed through the phone. "I repeat. The train is coming."Mia locked her aim on the train with the sniper's riffle. The train was a little further than two kilometres from her lofty station on the mine's crane."You heard overwatch," Mr. Zero announced on the tele- conference that kept his team in loop. "Bbob, we need that train in the pit."Bbob took in a deep breath. "Just gear up. It's coming."Bbob motioned forward and pulled the lever. This rendered a change on the course of the railway tracks. "We're ready," Big Thom announced. Mia kept a keen eye on the speeding locomotive. "Brace up, boys. It should be there in seven minutes."While the train closed in, Bbob took cover behind a bush and watched on. His part was done.Unbeknownst to Alexis and her team on the train, the railway tracks' monster was deviate into the old forgotten mine.Seconds later, the train lost control sped off the tracks. Thus, it overturned violently. A storm of dust eng
- The EXIT Interview
The Plan
After day had broke, Mr. Zero took his place by the black board in Ruti's garage.Mia, Ruti, Bobb and Big Thom gathered about him. Their eyes zeroed squarely on him."Before we can discuss any of this, what's in for us?" Bobb opened the floor. Mr. Zero acknowledged with a nod. "The locomotive always has cash and valuables. Remember it's a Presidential train. Normally, it is used as a conduit to syphon public funds, drugs and precious stones. You'll split the spoils four ways."Big Thom hoarse voice thundered across the room, "and you?"Mr. Zero replied, "I just want my freedom back.""Sounds good to me," Big Thom was satisfied.Mia inquired amid chewing her bubble gum, "so, what's the plan? how do we get hold of the train?""We steal it," Mr. Zero issued a quick response. Silence swept through the garage."The train uses the same railway the corporation uses to move its locomotives. It must a round across the city once a day. I feel we can derail it," Mr. Zero outlined. "What do you
- The EXIT Interview
League of the feeble
Morning had broke again. Ruti sat on the trunk of her truck in the garage. Her frame was covered in an oil stained work suit. Three metres separated her from Mr. Zero who stood by a black square the duo had painted on the wall. "What's the plan?" Wondered with a great degree of awe. "I mean, how do we steal the damn train?" Mr. Zero allowed a moment of silence. He was somewhat lost in thought. Ruti chuckled. "We need a few more men," Mr. Zero. "Just a few.""We need an army," Ruti spoke firmly. "We're talking about stealing the most protected locomotive. A few hands and minds will not do." "If a grain of rice can tick the scale," Mr. Zero voice mellowed out. "Then a few men will do. All we need is proper coordination and timing." Ruti nodded her head in agreement. "Do you have anyone in mind?" "Bobb, he once for the railway corporation," Mr. Zero replied. "Uh, we can also engage Mia, Fred and Big Tom.""Can they deliver?" Ruti wondered.Mr. Zero nodded emphatically, "I believe
- The EXIT Interview
At the verge of losing a son
"How do I look?" Ruti, rocking an old yellow dress with buttons running down on the front and green hat, raised and dropped her hands in a flash. "You look beautiful." Mr. Zero, wearing a greased work suit, smiled radiantly and confessed, "I didn't know you wear dresses." Ruti let out a chuckle, "It's all I have. I keep it just for special days like today." He nodded and advised, "we better be going."The pair walked out of the garage and hopped into the van. Mr. Zero took the wheel and drove off.Three months it had been since Mr. Zero survived Alexis gunshots that pierced his back. He had fully recovered. And the noise about the President’s assassination and false reports about his death had erased in most minds. Thanks to Ruti.During the ninety days, a razor neither touched his head nor beard.He looked somewhat different – he looked old with a pinch of scruffiness. He wore cap and for the first time in his life, a pair of cheap sun glasses adorned his face. All this was to dis
- The EXIT Interview
Pawns on the Chess board
Early in the morning - Ruti, perplexed and fast sinking in disbelief, stood in the small living quarters of the garage. In front of her was the television. A picture of Mr. Zero was displayed on the TV as the newscaster announced, "Now, in our developing story: the police have confirmed that the man who shot the late President has been identified as Gilbert Zero. The assailant was shot dead as he tried to escape from Police custody." It had been three days since Mr. Zero was shot. Ruti turned the television off and stealthily reached for the medium shifting spanner. She tip-toed to the small wooden bed where Mr. Zero laid. He groaned and stretched, as his eyes blinked at fast intervals. Ruti had towered over his wounded body that was only covered in a boxer short and bandages that ran around his abdomen. Ruti raised her hand, ready to hit Mr. Zero. "You're the bastard that killed the President. You robbed the woman of her husband. You orphaned those kids. It's either I kill you o
- The EXIT Interview
The Agreement
As the sun was setting after Mr. Zero's preliminary hearing, Alexis stood by the window smoking a cigaratte at the secret Presidential lodge.The door opened and Ms. Gardens, the President walked in. She made herself comforted on one one of the two chairs that were stationed adjacent to the bed. "We agreed April," Alexis spoke while exhaling the smoke. "I made you President. Now It's time you lived up to your end of the deal." The President allowed a moment of silence before waging her response, "The deal was to get rid of the President, find a scapegoat and shut him up. Forever. But as far as I know, Zero is still alive and is talking." "That's besides the point," Alexis contended. The President retorted almost immediately, "That is the whole point. Some may buy Zero's story. If they do, you will be answerable and it may spill over to me." Alexis turned and threw the cigaratte on the ash tray that perched on the side table. "Don't worry about him?" Alexis assured as she sat on
- The EXIT Interview
The Law Never Blinks
The next day was buzzing with the apprehension of the President's killer. Mr. Zero was the talk of the day. Both print and digital media outlets cashed in. It was a good day for business. But, not so good for Mr. Zero.At a secret Government location, he marched at considerable pace behind an armed special force officer. Besides him and behind, high ranking seals walked with a cautious eye cast squarely at Mr. Zero. Of course, they too were armed with guns. The chain that was employed to fetter his lower limbs rattled with every step he took. His arms were equally not free. They were cuffed. With a few more steady steps, Mr. Zero was standing before a big double- door entrance. Two armed Police Officers were stationed there. The duo in uniform opened the doors and Mr. Zero was ushered in.A group of top ranked security and police personnel made a well arrayed decorum. Alexis had a place amid the invited to the solemn hearing. The Speaker of the house of Representatives, The Attorne
