THE LAST OF HIS KIND

Prologue

THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD

The woman blinked a few times, but the pounding of feet refused to stop. She kept on running, running with a new born baby soundly asleep.

The child she'd given birth to was an abomination. Different from their kind and against the laws of nature and the only solution was the death of the child. Their world was devoid of evil and humans, a world embellished with love and spiritual tranquility. The only thing they feared was the birth of the last one born with the eyes of evil.

As prophesied, it was the birth of a child that would rain both chaos and peace. The mother refused to let her child die because of a mere prophesy. It wasn't an effulgent sight to be beheld.

There were plenty of burning sticks shining between the forest trees. And she'd made a decision, to cross the boundary that kept them protected for thousands of years from the overworld.

She broke the barrier, to a world she knew nothing about. A Strange bird flew in the air, big things moving fast on the black hard ground. Quickly, she placed the child by the side of the road and ran back inside. Tears rained from her eyes.

After she had been caught for doing wrong, she was held in chains. Beside her knelt other women, weeping, their heads held low and their mouth bleeding profusely.

The non-stop snarling became louder. She could tell that something much powerful than her was in front of her. She saw the feet of the wolf walk away from her to the women. Their breaths became shaky, their body trembling with fear, they knew what would become of them for helping to save her child.

The clawed feet circled them for some seconds then halted. It broke the chains holding the other women. The women didn't wait for seconds and bolted into the forest, their desperateness to survive didn't have them think twice. They ran as fast as their feet could carry them. The twigs started creaking. With an anxious grunt one of them halted. She stood there staring into the darkness, but not much to her relief the creaking didn't stop...it was right behind her- the monster everyone feared.

Immediately, her head was gone and spring of blood gushed out from the reaped neck.

The second woman, snarls reverberated around her. She grunted in fret, the force pushing her to the ground. She tried scrambling to her feet again, but a black hairy wolf pounced on her. She screamed in terror and tried struggling with the wolf that held her down. She struggled to hold the wolf back but even with both hands it was still stronger. It drove its blood-dripping teeth into her shoulder and ripped it out. She yelled louder in torment, still persistent to break free from the wolf, but it bit the other shoulder and ripped off the hand. Its eyes were glowing gold as the sun she'd seen today.

Then her head... ripped off.

Returning back to the mother, through the shadow, the wolf turned into a middle-aged man, his arms crossed behind his back. His eyes were glowing gold of royalty. He was wearing a long kaftan, his built muscles and handsome were what pinned the mother of the father to him- the father of the child.

"Tonight, we witnessed the execution of those who betrayed us. The prophesy which our ancestors passed onto us. The prophesy of the ten green eyed," the man finally spoke up. "Throughout the ages, the other nine born with such eyes brought calamity to everyone around them. The child that they seek to protect is bewitched even though he is the tenth with the eyes. The last of his kind. For Yemi, my wife, who happens to be the mother of the child. She shall be banished to the overworld, the land of humans to face suffering and pain."

She was kicked out from her people. The only mistake she made was giving birth to a child born with green eyes. She was left almost dead in the land she knew nothing about. She tried her best to get up, but she could so was crawl on her stomach. She hoped for someone to help her. The world around her started spinning.

She hoped to find her child...

14 years later.... 2019

Living in a big state entailed going to either a big secondary school or a small secondary school. Going to a big secondary school implied that not everyone was concerned about your lifestyle. Most students don't get to communicate with each other. This meant, majority of the students minded their business. In secondary school, most of the students were defined not by their current achievements, but by their past embarrassment.

Theresa Moffat in jss2 was never able to break out of the smart, preppy shell. She won the cowbell spelling bee competition. School was her life. She'd rather study than be with friends. She just needed to survive three more years. However, that was easier said than done.

Escaping the hot, early September wind in 2019, holiday was over. Theresa walked into school, through the main entrance heading for the long hall. Teachers were attending to the newly enrolled students in other classes. The moment she walked into the lobby, she knew things were different. Instead of a lousy atmosphere like students gisting about the latest music or movies and the teachers trying to chase the students in. The hall was as quiet as a graveyard, as other Jss3 students spoke in hushed tones.

As she passed the cluster of students, she tried catching tidbits of the most recent gossips which weren't about Nigerian musicians, movies or celebrities. The whispers continued all the way to class. As she took her front seat in French class, a group of students huddled at the back, conversing in low voices. Fighting the desire to eavesdrop, she pulled out her notebook and began her French translation.

"Omor, there is a new juvenile dexterous student for jss3 oh," exclaimed one of the students, Selene, as she smacked her school bag down next to o Theresa's in excitement. "Apparently, he even studied outside the country sef."

"That's absurd. Our school doesn't admit in Jss3 and ss3,"

"I know, right?"

Once the second bell rang, everyone put their rumor agenda on halt. Mr. Inyang showed up with a student, about their age, fourteen. He was dark-skinned, tall, had lean body, could be mistaken as an outsider, but a Nigerian. He wore the school uniform. Surprisingly, he was timid.

"Christopher Williams," Mr. Inyang's voice was shrill. "This will be your class. You can introduce yourself to them in French."

Christopher didn't hesitate. "J'mapelle Monsieur Christophe Williams. J'ai quatorze ans. Mon père est politicien et ma mère est docteur. Merci." He smiled widely. It was the first time Greenland high school had a student from outside the country. He had their accent.

"Christopher, since you're new, endeavour to adjust and If you have any issues. Don't be reluctant to get help from Theresa." Other students grumbled as Mr. Inyang gestured to her.

"him no Sabi come to me make I teach am?" One of the students said in Nigerian pidgin.

Theresa's eyes widened, she was good at pushing people away from her. "Moi?"

EARLIER THIS YEAR, 2019...

MATTHEW

It wasn't hot anymore. The young boy lying on the floor could feel the cold emitting from the air conditioner mat with his body. The only noise he could hear was the fan of the AC.

It was cold... so cold.

He snarled as he tried moving, he opened his eyes, but it was blurry due to his eyes been shot for a long time. Pain wasn't a friend to neither him nor his whole body. He tried moving his legs, but the force of pains brought it back down to the floor. He lifted up his head- he saw that a man was standing before him, a man he knew to be very dangerous and powerful: Mr. Ekong. His cleared sight unveiled a pack of wolves and a woman presently beside the scarred face man.

Mr. Ekong frowned, patting the boy on the shoulder. It didn't even in a way cool the pains he was feeling.

He groaned again, shuffling his legs off the ground. Lifting up his body, the boy set his eyes on him. He had black and grey hair, his beard was like his hair with a scar on his face.

"Bring the kids for me and I'll let you go, Matthew." Mr. Ekong simply said.

Matthew managed to stand straight. "And do what? Kill 'em all over again?"

"You know... the big black wolf that lives here with us," he stroked his beards. "Get ready to go to school_ Greenland high school."

Matthew couldn't struggle, he accepted the mission. He nodded his head but that made him feel even more culpable.

Matthew suddenly pressed his index fingers to his ears. Of course, he knew his fingers wouldn't be enough to tune down the sounds spiking through his skull crescendoed. He couldn't control such power. The sensation built in his head, pounding hard like a headache.

Today's market is Itam and the sun is already high up, how will we do?

Mummy, my stomach is paining me...

They weren't his words and he rolled back and forth on the sandy ground. This was one of the powers a wolf got from the bite of the big black wolf_ hyperacusis.

Anyone could tell that he was a teenager. His edged-trimmed hair collided with the dusty ground. He had a sculpted figure which screamed of an athlete. His soft and golden eyes could tell a thousand words that fitted with his dashing dark skin

"Make it...make it stop please," he begged in a weak voice. It was torture upon torture until he succumbed and then it stopped.

His eyes glowed golden. And fangs shot out from his mouth.

Two days later, in the boys' locker room, Matthew watched the basketball captain, Christopher grin. A round of applause followed after the speech made by the team captain Christopher Williams Imoh.

"Boys," The coach begun, he moved almost imperceptibly, positioning himself between Christopher and the doorway. "We have heard what the Captain just said. Greenland high school needs us. With that I'm recruiting a new member, Matthew Usen."

Christopher pointed to where Matthew sat down, but before he could say anything again the coach spoke.

"Why don't you Chris, let the boy in the team?"

"I'm basically human, Chris," Matthew said quietly, while laughter crowded the room.

"Matthew is a new student on transfer from Pathway high school," Coach interjected. "His report says he plays basketball very well."

"Oh?"

"l did some research on this team," Matthew shrugged off the details. "I liked the team and the school." The other members gave that statement another round of applause.

Light spilled through the glass windows into the barren basketball court. Matthew paused while his eyes adjusted to a tall, absentminded student, Christopher. Matthew hadn't grown accustomed to the school. His eyes skirted over Christopher. He was already holding this stranger before him responsible for some sort of attraction. He turned on a friendly look to approach Christopher.

He blinked, genuinely surprised that he couldn't perceive any scent from Christopher. Everyone had a scent, both werewolves and humans reflecting how the werewolves would attack its prey.

He put on a smile, but the no-scent mystery was a little too uneasy for him. He found his steps faltering, something deep pushed him to place his hand on Christopher.

Seeking elucidation for his unease, he quickly tried to read Christopher's mind.

Nothing... he couldn't see his past... like he was blocking it.

*****

In a dimly lit room, Mr. Ekong dressed casually stood with a phone and bloody handkerchief in both hands. Evident that something drastic had happened. His aura was cold and domineering. The sunlight reflected a scary scar on the man's face close to his mouth. Dressed in black and combined with his fierce expression, he looked like a cold man.

Ten people, all in their early twenties, knelt down in front of him, they were quivering and groaning in pain.

"Make them do the job neatly this time. If they get caught, kill them." ordered Mr. Ekong. The fierceness of his voice sent chills down the men in the room.

"Yes sir." His men replied in unison.

He walked out of the incomplete building and entered a white range Rover as it sped away.

"Yemi, call vice Principal Philip," He said to his assistant sitting beside him.

"Okay."

At Greenland high school, a man walked into an office and walked straight to his ringing phone on the desk with an inscription, 'Vice Principal Philip Essien'.

"Mr. Ekong. Matthew got the admission as planned. I'll make sure your plan works out." Mr. Ekong hung up. He smiled at those on their knees, but the expression was too senile for their liking.

CHRISTOPHER...

THE TATTOO AND THE WOLF...

The basketball court was deserted for the Captain, Christopher. He stood for a moment facing west, enjoying the rich glow of the sun. He thought of how he would make Theresa like him. Reminiscing about his days in junior year, the debate competition they had in school when she wore a black gown, he wore a three button suit and they were partners. He smiled. But what had made her to change towards him; she no longer showed affection except for yesterday when she allowed him to hug her.

Christopher jumped when Matthew hands came to his shoulders. "Easy captain," Matthew murmured, kneading the suddenly tensed muscles as he stood behind Christopher. "I love this time of the day when everyone leaves the court." Matthew spoke from behind interrupting Christopher's moment. "I do come back to practice.

Christopher turned back to face Matthew still dressed in his basketball wears. The afternoon sun reflected on Matthew's left wrist revealing a tattoo. "You got a tattoo on your wrist?"

Slowly and meticulously, Matthew looked at his wrist and began to rub it. He as well glanced to see the tattoo on his wrist. "It's not a tattoo. It's a scar I had when I was seven." a smile crept across his mouth.

There was something altogether too cozy about the two of them standing in the court, Matthew was tall, lanky, dark-skinned, he was no doubt handsome, Christopher thought. He could sense the growing friendship between the two of them and it didn't worry him a bit.

"I'm Christopher Imoh." Christopher sighed. "Why don't you join my friend and I for dinner tonight at my house, we'd love to know more about you. I'll send you the address."

Matthew opened his mouth to protest, but Christopher spoke again.

"We are the ones to cook. I don't have a maid. And besides, my parents are out of the State." He said.

"Thanks." He said, knowing his involvement with Christopher was beginning to slip beyond his control. From the rumors he'd heard, Christopher wasn't the nosy type and was reluctant in accepting new friends.

"Let's play. Right now." Christopher challenged

The ball was in session as Matthew held on tight to it. He tried his best to put the ball through the hoop. Christopher blocked him from attempting to score. The noise they made attracted more students to the court. Some took pictures, videos of them playing. Finally Matthew scored one that had the audience roaring.

Sensing that he could longer attend to the crowd of students, Christopher managed to squeeze himself out to the boys' toilet.

Looking in the mirror, an animal squatted behind it. Its most menacing characteristics were the eyes; it glowed green, staring at him.

I'm seeing things; my fantasy of reading novels has played its part on me. I'm dreaming, right?

His heartbeat wasn't fine, it kept beating uncontrollably. His mouth was stiff has he couldn't shout for help.

Is it drugs? I've never had the knack for such a thing. Who brought a wolf to school?

He looked behind him, but nothing was there, not even the wolf, he chided himself. Two things had given him interest today, the tattoo and his silly fantasy coming to life 'in a mirror.'

Christopher was astonished that Theresa allowed him to lead her outside without making any protest. It took all his willpower not to shriek after the witnessing such in the toilet. He didn't blame himself. Wolves only existed in movies, and novels.

It must be my childish fantasy, he thought to himself, to be able to see a wolf in the toilet.

Christopher and Theresa have been rivals right from junior high school in terms of class participation but outside classroom they were best friends.

Christopher Williams Imoh, the first and only son of Mr. Williams and Mrs. Williams Imoh. The heir to his father's business once he is twenty. He was no doubt tall, dark-skinned, his brown eyes reflected perfectly when he stood under the sun. His outlined masculine structure stood out with his sharp side burns.

Christopher had probably never worked a day in his life. Theresa remembered the soft, pampered feel of his palm the day he held hers. Though he was a whiz in books, basketball and tennis, he sailed his own yacht, never did anything meaningless. Only church, the books, basketball and she made him happy.

Christopher turned the rearview mirror opposite Theresa at the backseat as if to check her analysis while he sat down beside the driver as the driver drove the white porch. No one would be surprised. It wasn't difficult to deduce the rich kids in school. Christopher smiled as they merged into traffic.

Theresa smiled, "Have you spoken to the new student?" Theresa Moffat asked, the second of three children. She was tall, light-skinned, had dimpled cheek and long lashes. Her profile was sharply attractive.

"No, not yet," With the windows down, Christopher could hear the outdoor activities noises. The music from a variety of car radios competed against each other and merged into a strange sort of harmony. Christopher liked the cluttered, indefinable sound. He felt himself relaxing and straightened his shoulders and turned to look at Theresa.

"I heard he's smart and we're in the same class."

"And how's that got to do with me?" The driver stopped at a red light, Christopher turned, giving Theresa a long, direct look. He chuckled. The light changed and the driver deftly slid the car into the parking lot.

"That's rude," Theresa told him with a glance at the exclusive restaurant.

"Are you coming out or not?" The driver switched off the ignition. "The food's good here."

"Oh...no."

Christopher eased himself out of the car, and then leaned back in the window. "Okay."

She watched him and the driver slide through the elegant doors of the restaurant.

"His father is well-known. He can do anything he wants." she murmured to herself.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a waiter pulled open the door of the Restaurant, Christopher and the driver strolled out.

"Thanks." He said and moved past the waiter.

Christopher opened his eyes several times before the evening sky clocked in. Actually, he woke up couple of times all afternoon. He was anxious and this was his first.

Sitting up he removed his phone, jerked his neck left and right, releasing cracks and then moved into the bathroom. Flickering on the light, he checked himself out in the mirror_ one of his funny habit. He sighed heavily, basically exhausted from the day's activities. Or was he anxious to see the tattoo on Matthew's wrist again? Everyone that knew him, knew that he wasn't the type to interfere in the business of others, but such anxiety was brought by the fact that a high school student had it.

His anxiety wasn't put on hold even at the arrival of Theresa to his house. Theresa lived on the next street. She visited everyday probably because he was always alone at home.

Stepping out of his room and into the kitchen, Christopher pulled a long face and he didn't hide it forgetting how sensitive Theresa was.

"Matthew will be joining us for dinner," Christopher said softly.

"Jesus! Really chris?" Theresa threw her palms against the slab, struggling not to fall. "You've already invited him to your_"

"I saw something on his wrist," He cut in¸ leaning almost into her face.

"What did you see?" The doorbell rang.

"Never mind. I think Matthew's here." He told her. She slid her fingers lazily up and down his neck then placed a perk on his cheek.

It was Matthew at the door, he had a picnic basket and in it a white tablecloth, glasses, champagne.

"I decided I wasn't in the mood for hamburger. So I got fried fish." He said handing the basket to Theresa who was trying to calm her fluttering pulse.

From what Matthew saw outside, the houses here were larger, more elaborate than those outside the estate. There were neatly trimmed lawns, willows, blossoming crepe myrtle, and asphalt drives. He had wandered farther along the stone path that led to the house. He looked at the house, the widespread yard.

Christopher invited him in. "Come in."

"You stay here with your parents?" He asked as they climbed the dinning steps.

"Erm....no. Actually I live here alone. My parents are out of the State for now."

Matthew let his vision wander around the house. It was scantily furnished, but with style. The was a low, sectioned sofa in biscuit with a hodge-podge of colored pillows and a wicker throne chair coupled with a large family portrait of his parents hanging on the wall. The room was open, with stairs to the right leading to the second level.

"It's wonderful Chris," he called him Chris, something nobody had done in a long time.

There was a rich, fresh bread to accompany the meal they ate on a smoked-glass table. A dozen candles flickered on a sideboard behind them, held in small brass holders.

Christopher's mood was as mellow as the bread that waltzed in his head. When he rose to stack the dishes, Theresa took his hand.

"Let me help you." she said without hesitation, he let her do it.

She climbed the stairs, wide, carpeted stairs which were split into two sections by a landing. Coming back she found the two men laughing. "Matthew's just about to tell me about himself."

******

In a room, a young man in his early twenties was walking up and down. He was extremely restless. Suddenly, a knock on the door.

Armed men stood in front of the room door. Yemi knocked repeatedly. The occupant of the room did not bother to cross check the identity of those at his door before opening it. He wasn't scared at all. He let them take hold of him by the arms, without struggling, and took him out of the room. He didn't have a choice but to follow the fierce looking men. His palms were sweaty. He knew he was doomed for sure; those who were invited by Mr. Ekong like this were severely tortured for not doing their own part. After he got into the car, Yemi blindfolded him.

Although electricity was connected to the incomplete building, it was dimly lit in order to exert fear into the minds of those brought there. The young man was still blindfolded when they entered the incomplete building. He heard footsteps approaching, then someone untied the blindfold off his eyes. His vision was still blurry due to the fact that he was blindfolded for a long time.

"Jude, we meet again. And the last time we will meet, I might kill you." Mr. Ekong laughed devilishly.

Jude could not bring himself to say a word because of the situation he was in.

"Do you know how impatient, I am? When something is important enough, you have to do it despite the odds, Jude. I made you join the organization. Matthew, Matthew, that idiot you call a brother that refuses to listen. An opportunity like this didn't just happen, you created them. Once the demon goes after him, he'll surely listen." He said.

"Kidnapping poor kids like us and using us for dirty work won't last long," Jude tried to threaten. "I've seen men like you but their end was never good. They always end up dying tragically."

"Who helped you when your father died? Who was there for you when your mother abandoned you and got married to someone else? I was the one. Sometimes you have to stay silent, because words can't explain what's going on in your mind. Why waste your breathe? If you don't wish to go back to the way you were before I picked you and cleaned you, do your job." Mr. Ekong ordered him with a look of disgust clearly visible towards Jude Usen.

Jude Usen was dumbfounded. He knew the kind of man Mr. Ekong was, kind and generous to the world. He wasn't a politician but he was prominent. Both financially unstable men and women were willing to give up their children to work for him at his company, if he gave them scholarship. His ulterior motives weren't known. He was a bad, bad man. Life can be so tricky sometimes.

After Jude realized his current predicament that Matthew would be hurt, he decided to behave. "Sir, I behaved foolishly earlier, had I known, I would've never done so...I hope that you will forget our differences and let me go," He said with sincerity.