"In Eight Months' Time"

By Bassey Ette

A teenage boy suddenly finds himself exhibiting strange powers. A lady came home and discovered her husband and his boss and friend dead. A promising police investigative officer discovers he doesn't have control over himself anymore. A teenage girl cannot enjoy her life because she suffers from epilepsy. There are people that have powers to manipulate situations and get what they want. And there's one that seeks to rule over them all!
"in eight months' time"---- manipulation like never before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bassey Ette
• Release date: Aug 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310329562

Bassey Ette

"In Eight Months' Time" is one of six novels I'm embarking on. Writing is what makes me happy

Book preview

in eight months’ time

Bassey Ette

By Bassey Ette

Copyright 2015 Bassey Ette

Smashwords Editon

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ONE

IT WAS MID-AFTERNOON; THERE WAS TEMPO AND PACE TO THE PEOPLE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK. SUDDENLY, A TAXI JERKED TO A HALT AND, A BLACK TALL ANGULAR MAN IN HIS EARLY THIRTIES RUSHED OUT. His black brief case reflected the bright afternoon sunlight. He was young—depending, to an extent, on one’s perspective—and handsome, sharply dressed, with a carefully cultivated five o’clock shadow obscuring his jaw line. There was a charisma about him, a sense of ambition, of a man who knew he was going places. He moved briskly across to the other side of the road. His action showed he was in such hurry. His name was Jimmy Robert. He was still going, when he bumped into a dapper, middle-aged man as he was about entering the subway……Oh my God! Jimmy Robert cried out as his brief case smashed to the wall and, contents scattered all over the floor. I’m terribly sorry, it’s my fault. I have…huh! he cut his explanation and paused momentarily when he realized the contents of his box were all over the floor. My documents! he yelled.

Immediately, he was on the floor picking papers—one after the other. The man he bumped into watched from behind—observed everything with a kindled interest. After he had put his papers back in his box, he hurried on his feet and, turned to the man behind him. I’m sincerely sorry for that, sir, he offered apologies again. Though he felt awkwardly doing that—it was the gentle man in him which caused him to act that way. Or the man would have expressed aloofness and went his way but he did not. He rather waited as if a great deal of a thing had happened. Em, you see, there are this people I’m meeting and, I’m almost behind schedule. You know… business! he said as if he was asked. The man only stared at him without saying a single word. I am Jimmy Robert. He doled his hand for a hand shake which the man declined but, his eyes were well fixed on the young man. Huh, in that case, I should be taking my leave. As he turned to go, the man said, Follow me. Jimmy Robert was, Ha, what is wrong with this man? in his mind. Excuse me! He gave him a sullen glare. I don’t understand and I don’t intend to cos I have a very… That is if you want to be your own boss, work on your terms, time and pace, the man said, cutting him off. Jimmy Robert was dazed—that statement struck something within. He closed his eyes as if he needed a quick nab. Then he opened them and wiped his face. Yes! Of course there was no time but he also knew his job wasn’t the best of jobs. He looked around; the man had gone…….

HE STEPPED OUT OF THE SUBWAY. You gotta do better than that to have a man dump his business arrangement! The man is going now on the sidewalk without looking back. I hope you realize I’m working under someone. I’m supposed to be somewhere not here! He got the feeling the man did not hear him as he did not look back. At least you should tell me your name, for Christ sake! he shouted, making a scene out of it.

Not satisfied, he held tight his brief case, doubled up his pace—following the man. The man turned into a two way lane which led him to narrow lane. He crossed before passing through a black gate decorated with gold at the middle. The beautiful gate opened by itself. The man walk with less energy now on a crystal clear lane surrounded with an eye catching gardens. He got to the door, it opened by itself but, he stood in between the door with something in mind--allowing Jimmy Robert to finally catch up with him. I’ve followed you up to this place, you still haven’t said a word to me, Jimmy Robert said. The man turned his head, acted as he did not know Jimmy Robert was still trailing him. Oh! Come in please. Jimmy Robert walked in.I’m Andy Todd, you welcome to my place. He doled out his hand for a hand shake. I am Jimmy Robert. They shook hands. For a moment, Andy Todd held onto Jimmy Robert’s hand, pulled a smile before letting go, moved and strolled around his large living room. He got rid of his black suit and threw it on the couch—revealing his tailored herringbone shirt and a skinny tie. He looked like the history teacher who could inspire one to concentrate at school, like one who could make being in the choir cool. I thought you love your work.

Jimmy Robert dropped his brief case carefully on the floor, loosened his tie – pretending he did not hear what Andy Todd was saying. The line of pictures, the arts work on the walls got his attention. His eyes went through them then, the square room with heavy satin curtain, the floor, high-tech furniture and, designer lights—very trendy. He knew what he would expect in the building having seen the yard right from the gate. Do you live here alone? I mean this whole place? he asked. Yep, Andy Todd replied. Nice photos. He pointed at a picture on the wall. You look much younger in there he said Yeah that was years ago, me and my parents, Andy Todd replied. After a little pause, Andy Todd added, They are late. Jimmy Robert grimaced. Such is life, the inevitable. Andy Todd joggled his head, Yeah. Andy Todd seemed to like his choice of word. So, when is she coming home? Or is she upstairs? Jimmy Robert asked. Who is this? You know who I mean, your wife!

Andy Todd looked at him up and down. When he answered, it was abrupt and trifled. I’m single. Why? Still looking for miss right? Andy Todd eyed him and forced a smile. He wasn’t impressed by his actions. He had thought he would behave as one coming for a job interview. You love asking questions, don’t you? Andy Todd asked. Jimmy Robert breathed deeply. Uh, you see, you’ve already made me missed out on the business appointment and I’m contemplating on what to tell my boss. What is this whole thing about? I hope it’s worth the salt. He was hasty and, kind of brutal in his approach. The reality that he could actually lose his job made him to speak hastily and, very unofficial. Andy Todd walked to him and placed his right hand on his shoulder. If you will listen to me and play along with me through this, we will rule the world and everything in it together, Andy Todd said. Then, walked with swagger to the couch, pushed his suit aside, sat down and, raised his hand to check his watch. A swift silent canvassed. I’m listening! Jimmy Robert cried out. Andy Todd stared at him as he unbuttoned his shirt. It seemed what he had in his mind had been overwhelmingly too heavy for him to spit out. You should sit down! Andy Todd said gesturing at him.

When Jimmy Robert opened his mouth to make a speech, his cell phone rang. He pulled it out…. Yes, sir, something came up. He listened. No, everything is under control. He listened. I’ll be with you soon. The call ended. Is that your boss? Andy Todd asked. You know is him! Jimmy Robert replied in a harsh tone. You will be quitting his job by tomorrow. I have examined your contacts and the ladies in your life. I’ve found one of them very interesting. You need to pull with this one against all odds. She got what we need. You are the one to help us get it. For Jimmy Robert, the feeling was hard to concede. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How did you do that? Jimmy Robert asked. Andy Todd smiled. And how does that supposed to do with my job? I mean working on my terms, time and pace, huh? Jimmy Robert asked with a defiant-- tightened his face, letting him know he was so annoyed. Andy Todd managed hard to avoid looking at his face. The lady in question has siblings. We need one of them and, the rest will be history, he said. Jimmy Robert tried to think for a while, he paced left and right. The man was a real pain in the ass. Do you realize that my job is at stake? And that your joke or the piece of crap I’m hearing will not save my job? he asked--like he was snapped back to reality. Wait a minute, what I’m I doing here? My boss! God! I need to explain things to him. He motioned back, heading for the door, stopped, turned and grabbed his brief case before rushing for the door—the door refused to open. At this point there is no turning back! Andy Todd said. His voice re-echoed in Jimmy Robert’s ears.

Jimmy Robert hit, slapped, kicked at the door. Open this door! I gotta leave this place. This is no more fun, did you hear that?! Andy Todd kept mute. Jimmy Robert looked fiery. His emotions veered between panic and rage. He made a surging run towards the man on the couch, swung his arm in an attempt to hit him on the face. Let me out of here! His arm did not get to Andy Todd when he fell to the floor and passed out.

ANDY TODD PACED PURPOSEFULLY IN A large room in which the floor was designed with two colours—red and milky. The colours were vivid and bled into one another, blending into a little HOLLOW at the center. The gorgeous walls and the door were clad with cherry woods. The ceiling suspended itself from atop. The vibe was effortlessly style, making the room to enjoy quintessential view of excellent work of arts. At one corner of the room was a large office table, Jimmy Robert laid at the foot of the table. Andy Todd had brought him in when he passed out in the living room. Andy Todd called the place his chambers. By far, it was different from every other room in the entire building—bigger in size and, different in decoration. Mr. Todd flipped through a book among other books on the large table—then his attention was drawn when Jimmy Robert sneezed. Ho, ho! You are back! Andy Todd exclaimed. Jimmy Robert dragged himself and sat on the floor. What happened to me? He yawned tiredly; his eyes looked like one who had slept for the past seven hours. You activated the auto-respond defense mechanism when you tried to hit me, Andy Todd replied.

Jimmy Robert stood on his feet. Who are you? And what the hell do you want from me? he asked. There was anxiety in his eyes as he moved them sharply across the whole place. We should be getting this whole thing kicking by now! Andy Todd said. Oh, by the way your boss called. He threw a cell phone at Jimmy Robert—it landed safely in his hand. I told him what he needed to know, Andy Todd said. What did you tell him? Jimmy Robert asked quickly. I told him that you don’t need his job anymore. You told him what?! You nothing but a freak! Jimmy Robert shouted to the ceiling. Glared at him; wishing he could do to him all that was in his heart. Soothe your anger, Andy Todd said gesticulating. I think you should consider yourself lucky to be involved in this. The world is about to witness a new dimension of power, of glory like never before. History is about to be made! This is United States of America and, if you think your thing, whatever is gonna work here then, you’ve got it all wrong! All wrong! They stared at each other for a moment. Andy Todd shifted his gaze at the ceiling and then at the HOLLOW on the center of the floor. After a while, he returned his gaze at Jimmy Robert. C’mon, take my hand! He stretched out his right hand. And let us see if it’s gonna be all wrong! he said calmly. Jimmy Robert’s face was that of a confused despair. He reluctantly took Andy Todd’s hand and, the two men walked out.

THEY STROLLED TO THE PORCH OF THE building—Andy Todd let go of Robert’s hand then sat on the slap. Although it was fairly dark as the night was drawing near—it was barely noticeable because of the shimmering lights. Jimmy Robert leaned on the wall completely out of order. He felt like the activities in his mind had gone for a break. He just could not reason anything out. C’mon! Don’t be such a baby, a relaxed Andy Todd beckoned at him. Jimmy Robert took a sluggish walk and sat beside him. Andy Todd composed and, straightened himself up. This lady, what is she like? What is your relationship with her like? Andy Todd asked. Jimmy Robert replied like a child who had been canned and forced to talk. Warm, I… guess. He touched the bridge of his nose—rubbing it. We had a little misunderstanding days ago and since then we haven’t seen Jimmy Robert said. He spoke his words in slow cadences. She’s not really the one I have in mind—marriage wise. Andy Todd stared gloomily at him, not what he wanted to hear. Sarah is a pretty lady, decent and fun to be with, so is Liza. They will both make a good choice for a wife, I presume. Liza is the only child of her family. She’s crazy about me—head over heels. And she stands to inherit all her father’s fortune. I have to be honest with myself as I know what that means to me if I marry her".

He looked at Andy Todd and smiled. Andy Todd cleared his throat, tried to find the right words. I like honest people. I’m no marriage counselor and, I will never be one. But it’s like it is all about who gives the earth and a few planets, Andy Todd said. No! Jimmy Robert replied quickly. Don’t let anything stand between you and the one you would truly love. The one you crave for and want to cuddle in your arms forever. The earth and a few planets can still be yours and yet you follow your heart, Andy Todd said with persuasive urgency.

THUNDER STRUCK, Jimmy Robert stared at the dark sky. His face highlighted the fear in his heart. He could not understand what was going on--strived to figure it out the authenticity of what was happening—a dream or a reality. Andy Todd studied his face, noted all slide changes. He wished he could cut deep into his mind and see what was going on in there. But he better rely on the one at hand—his intuition, his greatest asset. He realized the effect of his words on the young man and decided to add some frantic gesticulations. You see, Sarah is like a SEARCH LIGHT in this our quest. He stopped, cleared his throat. Jimmy Robert could not articulate his thoughts, like they were uncharacteristically going too fast this time.

Did he say our quest? Hmmm. he said to himself. Sarah is important to us because of one of her brothers, Andy Todd said. Sarah has two brothers, which of the two are you talking about? Jimmy Robert asked quickly. The younger one, Andy Todd replied. That is Levy, Jimmy Robert said with an urgent tone. Yes! Andy Todd replied. Jimmy Robert could not stand it anymore, to him, it was rubbish. He just could not express it in words. He was beginning to show him some respect, a respect that instilled fear. Thoughts of him being a psychopath or, a psychopath killer went through his mind. His problem was how to get out of the place and the thoughts would find its way—something Andy Todd