Matar entered into the room. The echoes of the guard's voice kept reverberating in his ears:

Guard 1: (Flashback ) Your parents think they're smart... they must face full force of the law!

He heard and saw it all when the Chief and his men ransacked his brother's cottage and handcuffed brother Alo where he hibernated at the background.

Matar: ( Soliloquy) How could they be that cold and mean. How did their words and actions concern my brother?

Matar: (Laughing to himself) Even if bro his a fraud he didn't deserve such a treatment because of father and mother's illegal act!

He kept Wondering on and on until he could no longer take it anymore.

He pulled the door a jar before locking it behind him and summoned the Guok and ran past the road, five minutes later he was at the gate of OJ's home. Their dog barked, charged towards him and his Guok.

The two dogs are friendlier to each other which easily gained him access as they consolidated their pact ahead of everyone else. He could see OJ and his brother eating in the main house, before he could wonder about O'king's whereabouts, he saw him from  the other angle.

Matar: So my guess was right after all! But how could he just be comfortable here knowing the condition he left behind. What's wrong with some people?

Matar wondered as he took cover away from main gate by leaping towards  Omwa's room.  From where he sat at the backyard he could easily see the main house. OJ and O'king suddenly appeared 15 minutes later. As O'king was leaving the house Guok followed him, he became sensitive,

O'king: I didn't come with this dog, how comes it's here, does he usually visit your place at night?

OJ: Guok? No, this the first time I'm seeing it here at night. Maybe he followed your footprints.' He asserted as both  walked towards the cottage. Not wanting to cause a scare, Matar stood up, moved to close the gap between them. Guok left the two and charged towards Matar.

Matar : ( Announcing)
Bro I'm here.

OJ: Who's that. Matar? Where were you,you're just seated outside while we're eating?

Matar: ( Whispering) ssshssh don't make a scene here. Let nobody, except you and bro know I'm here where's Omwa?

OJ: He'll be here shortly. What's the matter?

Meanwhile O'king walked to the backyard as OJ continued to grill Matar.

Matar : Didn't O'king tell you what happened tonight at our place?

OJ: He briefed me. But bro Omwa just arrived a few minutes ago. He went to evening fishing and just came and found us eating. What do you want us to do with those mad people, didn't I tell you they raided here last weekend and destroyed every apparatus?

Matar:(Shocked) What. You didn't tell me?

OJ: I can't lie bro. Those guards came here while my parents were away. It's the neighbors who saw them destroying everything. They carried several gallons of liquor with them. My mum is totally grounded. She may not get my fee tomorrow that's why bro Omwa decided to go fishing in the evening.

Matar: ( Most assuredly) That justifies my plan. We Must execute it to blackmail the guards. The Cold hearted people must be taught the law. Enough of this nonsense!

O'king returned. He was hearing everything from the backyard.

OJ: What's this plan you're most certain about?

Matar: ( Facing O'king) Bro how could you just be silent at such a time. You should have told brothers too. Now see, they handcuffed bro Alo to the station and we're all going to rescue him tonight!

OJ: What. You mean those guards did that to Alo. O'king never shared this version?

O'king: I didn't know that. I just ran away immediately had informed Mama and Baba. I just escaped by a whisker!

Matar: But why is OJ saying you told him. What did you tell him?

OJ: He just told me about the raid, this of Alo being handcuffed is a new development

Omwa: ( Overheard the boys talking when he was approaching from behind) Who has handcuffed him Alo?

Omwa and Alo aren't just relatives and friends. They're not just age sets. They're partners in crime. Most things, good and bad. Hot and cold, dump and wet react on them in the same rate. They're friends that can take a bullet for each other. Not just the Che girl incident. Their black book is massive.

O'king: Chief and his men did it.

Omwa: ( Annoyed) Why didn't you tell immediately

Matar: He wasn't aware. He ran after alerting the parents. Everything happened after he left. If he knew he would not be here by now with that big mess. My parents haven't returned imagine!

Omwa:  I can now understand. I heard some commotion in the lake. I wish I knew I would have paid much attention. So what's your plan?

Matar: Rescue Alo Tonight!

Omwa: How. Chief has a deadly DOG!

Matar: Their  DOG and GUOK are buddies. I will get the keys to Dungeon from her niece, Pa, you remember that girl yesterday...

OJ and O'king: Yes!

Matar: She is chief's niece. I know her place, she can easily gain accessibility to chief's place anytime. We'll cross Alo to the other side of the west through the water, he cannot go through town center with policy and without identify card. He'll school there, Baba had made a decision on that.....

Omwa: ( Interrupting) what?

O'king: Yes. Baba investigated everything and unearthed every deal you made yesterday. The verdict was concluded few hours before the raid.

Matar: This must be very private and confidential until we make a case. Are we together in this?

(Silence)

Omwa breathed deeply. Sanctioning the mission meant ratifying Alo's transfer in full force. O'king and OJ stared at him to suggest they depended on him to save his friend.

O'king: I'm in. Let's go immediately.

OJ: I second O'king's sentiments it's getting late.

Matar:( Gets into the room) Get enough  paddles ready. The rest we will get from home, we'll not follow this route again. We're not having motorboat, it's pure grit. But you know the shallow end is hippo infested, we must pass through deep end . We will alight at the pier, the rest of the journey cover walking or otherwise.

The rest followed him to the room. Omwa was in great dilemma. He walked into the room reluctantly!

Omwa:( Soliloquy ) What kind of situation is this. Alo transferring to West.  That's NAM primary definitely. Should I also transfer!

Omwa:( After thinking deeply) Okay listen everyone. Pier is very risky at night, it's crocodile infested if you don't know despite being convenient. We'll take an upturn to the left of the pier, paddle several minutes to two beaches to the left of pier. The third beach is five minutes walk to your uncle's place. That will be a safer route and docking the boat and taking a walk comfortably. Ok, are you ready? Let's leave immediately. No talking. No laughing. No matter what you see and happens!

Omwa spoke and gave other instructions authoritatively. He took a sword, spear and a bow and arrows in quiver. The boys left the room. He ensured the door was locked before walking allover the compound. He checked his parents' compound went around the granary as if he courting danger. Meanwhile the boys ran to furthest end, crossed the road and took aright turn into a walkway through a mashy land. Crocking of frogs dissipated as their steps vibration could be much clearly. Their hearts beat faster in response to the rigorous activity. The boys slowed down to enable Omwa to close the gap between them.

Matar: (ORDER ) Stop here. I'm going to Pa alone.

OJ: But Pa's home is two homes away. What will we be doing here?

O'king: It's dangerous being in either of home's gate. We can be ambushed.

Omwa: ( Breathing heavily) That's correct. Go for the key. We'll wait here .

GUOK followed Matar closely before he even gestured. He negotiated corner to the left gate, a white dog appeared after sensing the smell, it unleashed a friendly bark before joining Guok in the gate.

Matar walked towards the kitchen, went round before looking towards the main house. Matar retuned and knocked the kitchen door. Pa came out carrying a plate and a sponge in her hands. She was washing. Returned the dish in shock and restrain. She willingly came out, turned to the back of the house without waiting for further gesture

Pa: ( Shaking) Why are you here. Is anything the matter?

Matar: ( Blocking her mouth to stop her from making noise) Guards kidnapped my brother Alo. I need the key to release him. He is reporting to new school tomorrow . You're the only one to help me. Are you helping me?

Pa: ( More shocked) Seriously

Matar: ( Blocking her mouth again) Exactly. Those people are heartless

Mama Pa walked out of the main house towards the toilet.

Mama Pa: ( Nonchalantly) Pa aren't you through? Make sure you lock the kitchen after finishing.

Pa: ( Answers. Moves closer to the door before moving back to Matar) Almost through mama.

Matar and Pa moved furthest in the back of the kitchen.

Pa: Okay just  remain here.... No go outside the game. When you see me coming from the main door you come to this point again. Okay. Run! Go!

Matar sped past the gate. Took a walk along the road like an ordinary passenger to avoid arousing suspicion. The two dogs followed him.

The chief's house was alongside that of Baba Pa homestead separated by a live fence. She cleaned her hands, went to her mum to confirm she was through. She got out through the backdoor and walked to the gate between the two homesteads. Another guard manning the gates opened for her before she entered and ran to the main house through the kitchen. Pa shared pleasantries with both her uncle and aunty. She greeted her cousins who were watching television. She joined them briefly before leaving them to the inner kitchen, to her right in the walkway there was a bunch of keys and a single key. That's the one she needed. She took it and placed it in her jacket's pocket before retreating back to kitchen.

No sooner had she taken the key than the Chief appeared. Pa walked in the kitchen up and down  as she pretended to be doing some cleaning. Chief on the other hand took the big bunch of key and walked outside after sharing some pleasantries with Pa. He opened poultry door that was  5 metres from the homemade dungeon where Alo was  locked.

Pa decided to change the plan. As his uncle entered into the poultry house, she left the inner kitchen and left through the backdoor after making sure all was well outside. His uncle spotted her and felt relieved

Chief: Pa is that you?

Pa: Yes uncle. What are you doing in poultry house. Can I help I have finished cleaning?

Chief: Kindly come, thanks my daughter you're the one who understands this work. Kindly collect those eggs, they didn't collect them during day. They'll get soiled.  Make sure you lock after finishing.

Pa: Definitely uncle. Let me do it fast. Say goodnight to auntie.

Chief: Okay. Goodnight in advance too

Chief walked back to the main house after checking his dungeon . Meanwhile Pam collected the 30 eggs and exited through the other door immediately opposite dungeon. She went around to ascertain there was no guard around , only the dogs but they were deeply a sleep. Pa unlocked the door rushed in to  wake up Alo who was dead a sleep.

Pa: ( whispers) Follow this marshy place. It's not safe but no other route. You'll find your way out. Make sure you go your brother Matar he's at our gate with some people. Okay leave.

Alo: ( Trembling) Thank you.

Pa:( locking the dungeon) Go please. Go! Run!

Alo jumped over  euphobia fence reinforced with barbed wire and fell hard the other side. Dogs barked but only Pa heard . Pa returned to her routine checks after eggs collection thereafter she walked back to the house , but first she made her mind not to return the other single key.

Pa: ( To herself) They must face the music and take their medicine. You can't mess with my friends and go free!

Pa stacked the eggs in crates, returned the bunch of keys to uncle to erase any suspicion and to make a case that other key was not there initially.

Chief took back the key. There's no other single key but he assumed since it was his men, Chunye to be precise, who opened the dungeon last that night, he had just confirmed the culprit was inside not long ago.

Pa walked back to her place. Went to the main room. Her parents were watching late night soap opera. His brother was doing his revision. Her other sisters were already a sleep . She went to the gate via the toilet. Matar was impatiently waiting. Ran towards her when she appeared.

Pa: (Cheekily)Forgive me Matar!

Matar: Forgive you for what. Where's the key!

Pa: ( Very serious) I'm sorry!

Matar: Did chief catch you!

Pa: (Laughing)Mission Changed But Possible. Go we'll meet tomorrow. Your brother crossed through the marshy route. I think he has joined the rest

Matar : (Clap!Clap!) High Five !

They hugged before Matar left. They smiled cheekily and lovely at each other as they faced each other closely and face to face for the first time!

Pa: Don't miss school tomorrow. Goodnight!

Matar: (Running) I won't . I can't afford to miss. Goodnight!

Matar and Alo reunited with the Team at the same though from a different direction. Alo was watery and muddy allover. The marshy water is mosque infested besides being a breeding place for snakes , big frogs and mud fish. He was lucky to wade through unscathed.

The Team ran out of the scenes towards the lake where Alo could clean himself before anything else. Nobody talked nor briefed him about the plan!

When Pa returned at her uncle's house she found when two guards— Guard 2 Otulo and Guard 3, Square had reported to duty. The chief raised the issue of the key, he was aware Guard 1, Chunye was the one who locked the dungeon. This was confirmed by the two as a formality.

Pa greeted them formally as she walked towards her cousins Cal, Yul, and Val. Cal and Yul are boys in classes 3 and 4. Val is STD 6. Pa spent most of her time alone because of age difference between her and her cousins. At her place she's the last born out the three: Bon, STD 5 and Tom, Std 6. Tom and Val, because of same class study together most of the time, and  that day wasn't exceptional. She stayed with them up to 2200hrs when chief dispersed them after winding up his meeting with his men. Both families retired to bed at around 2300 hrs.

Alo: ( Breathing hard out of exhaustion) Who's that Smart girl. How did you know her?

Matar: Bro you are going to West. You remember what Baba said?

Alo: (jokingly)You have started having girlfriends?

Everyone including Matar laughed to ease the tension as they hugged and helped Alo to clean his stuff.

Matar: We'll escort you through the boat. It's very risky to spend at home tonight. This is an opportunity to cross over!

Omwa: Bro it's a painful decision for me particularly. Meanwhile I'm also contemplating transferring to your new school. We thank the girl the mission has been executed without casualties. We've to move with speed to keep the tempo. First run home and collect everything you need for this mission and school tomorrow. Above all you should thank your small bro, it was his plan.

Everyone clapped for Matar for drawing and executing such a plan. They praised him, particularly Alo and promised him great rewards .

Alo: ( Shedding tears of joy while holding Matar, first. Then O'king. OJ followed. Then Omwa. Team embrace) I'm sorry young bro. You know I have never showed you love, just trouble after the other. I'm Bad. Don't be like me now and next life if most high grants you. But you know I'm a victim here. You know I have been wronged in this. For the sake of our parents I'll play according to your rules. But know that I nearly contemplated taking my life in that filthy dungeon. Thanks. Let's move. I'm grateful to all of you.

Matar: ( Shedding tears of joy) Thanks bro. I'm always for the family. To me, Most High, Danilos ,you The people and The Law. Thank you for your cooperation. From now onwards, we must be more united and purpose driven. We need good company. We must better our network through friends we make. I promised that girl, Pa, some token of appreciation. I leave that to you, Alo and Omwa. Let's go TEAM!

TOGETHER: ( Unison) : Most High. Family. The People and The Law. TEAM! TEAM! TEAM!

The Team dispersed into night as they ran towards the footpath leading to home, five home away and on the lower side of the main road.