David was surprised by the officer's carefree attitude. In Nigeria, people usually demanded respect, especially from strangers.
"Hello… thank you for saving us. My name is David Adebayo," he said politely.
"Oh? And this little doll here is?" the officer asked, pointing to the girl beside him.
"She's my sister. Her name is Ada. And these are my parents."
"Hahaha, alright then. Let me introduce myself as well. I am DSP Isaac Chibueze of the Nigeria Police Force. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"What… what?!"
Murmurs spread among the people standing nearby.
"How is that possible? Didn't you travel abroad?"
Most of the surprised voices came from the elderly people and some police officers nearby.
"Hehe," Chibueze chuckled. "I came back yesterday because of what's happening in the world."
He suddenly turned serious.
"Alright. Let's leave that aside and clear the block."
"Yes, sir!"
All the officers on the scene responded immediately and began moving the crowd away.
David turned to his father.
"Dad, why is everyone so surprised when he said his name?"
His father looked at him.
"David… did you hear about the kidnapping that happened in Badagry on the mainland?"
"Yeah, I did. What about it?"
"That's the officer who led the rescue mission."
"What?!"
David's eyes widened in shock.
"People say he lives on Banana Island now. That's why everyone is surprised to see him here."
A few minutes later, after moving away from the crowd, Officer Chibueze stopped walking.
"Alright. This should be far enough," he said calmly.
Then he turned to David.
"David… you're coming with me."
"Eh?! Why?" David asked nervously.
"That's because you and I might be the only ones capable of killing that bird."
David felt a chill run down his spine.
"How? Besides, it's wounded. It might not even come back."
The thought of facing that terrifying creature again made his heart race.
"Yes! That's right!" Ada suddenly said.
"My brother doesn't need to go back there again!"
Even David's parents looked worried, but they remained silent. None of them wanted to risk offending a police officer.
Chibueze sighed.
"I understand your fear."
He folded his arms.
"But we really need to kill that bird."
He paused before continuing.
"Do you know what I was doing before the blackout?"
David shook his head.
"I was hunting in the forest with a friend," Chibueze explained. "After the system countdown appeared, I rushed back to the city. But because of that, we ran into a pack of wolves."
"A pack?" David asked.
"Yes. At first, we thought we could scare them away. But we were wrong. As long as we stayed in that forest, they kept chasing us."
He looked directly at David.
"Now imagine that… but with a flying predator."
David swallowed.
"There would be no escape."
"As long as that bird is alive, none of you will be safe."
He stepped closer.
"That's why I need your help. I need someone to attract its attention."
"I promise I'll protect you with my life."
David thought for a moment.
"Was that how you increased your awareness level?" he asked.
Chibueze smiled slightly.
"Yes."
Silence hung in the air.
Finally David spoke.
"…Fine. I'll do it."
Chibueze raised an eyebrow.
"But I have one condition."
"Oh? You have a condition?" the officer said with amusement.
"Alright then. What do you want?"
"I want weapons," David said firmly.
"I want access to buy them."
Chibueze shrugged casually.
"Sure. No problem."
David blinked in disbelief.
"Wait… just like that?"
"Yes," Chibueze replied.
"What matters right now is killing that bird."
He grinned.
"I can't wait to taste it."
"What?!" several people said at once.
Everyone stared at him strangely.
Chibueze looked around awkwardly.
"Hey… don't look at me like that," he said defensively.
"Don't tell me none of you are curious about how it tastes."
No one responded.
"…Anyway," he coughed. "That's not important."
"David. Are you ready?"
David hesitated.
"…Yes."
He was still scared.
Ada walked toward him and gently held his hand.
"Brother David… you can do it," she whispered.
David squeezed her hand softly.
He looked at his parents.
Then back at Ada.
At that moment, his resolve hardened.
I will survive, he promised himself.
Without another word, he nodded and followed Officer Chibueze.
After walking some distance away, Chibueze glanced at him.
"Are you scared?"
"Yes," David admitted honestly.
"We're alone. Can we really kill that thing by ourselves?"
Chibueze laughed.
"Of course not."
"That would be suicide."
David blinked.
"Then—"
"That's why I called some friends."
At that moment—
VROOOOM!
The roar of powerful engines echoed through the street.
Three black armored trucks sped toward them and stopped nearby.
The doors opened.
Six tall men and one woman stepped out.
All seven of them looked extremely disciplined and well-trained.
They marched forward and saluted sharply.
"Sir!"
"At ease," Chibueze said calmly.
He then looked at David.
"So… what do you think? Do we have a chance now?"
David nodded slowly.
"Yes… but who are they?"
"My squad," Chibueze replied.
"The people I trust with my life."
He then added,
"There are actually two types of police in Nigeria."
"The first type is the officers you see patrolling the streets. They have basic training."
"But the second group…"
He gestured toward the soldiers behind him.
"…are people like us."
"We receive far more advanced training."
He smiled slightly.
"Otherwise, how do you think I rescued those hostages a few months ago?"
"Alright, enough talking," a burly man in the middle said with a deep voice.
"Okay, okay," Chibueze replied with a laugh.
Then he raised his voice.
"Attention, all units!"
"Yes, sir!"
"The eight of us will lead the charge. Wherever we fire… that's where you fire. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Prepare your weapons."
He turned to the woman.
"Did you bring it?"
She smirked.
"I never go anywhere without it."
She opened a case.
Inside was a long sniper rifle.
David's eyes widened.
"Wow… that's a sniper rifle."
He looked at the others.
"And those are machine guns!"
"Way cooler than the AK-47 our police usually use."
Some of the officers frowned slightly.
Chibueze chuckled.
"Well, David… it's good to see you're no longer nervous."
He loaded his weapon.
"Let's begin."