THE TWELVE- Chapter 3, episode 4

Moments later, Moscow and his team showed up. They spoke their last goodbye words and words of encouragement to the team as a whole while waiting for boarding time, Lennon equally had his chance to apologize again to the girls for what he did. He promised not to ever leave them again and that he will be right there with them all through the way. Duncan made an appearance as well except for Jakes and his men. He parked his car outside and was heading to meet the others inside when he heard his phone ring; he stopped at a corner to answer it.

“Hello,”

“Duncan, where are you?”

The voice was very familiar but he asked. “Who am I speaking with?”

“Stop messing around Duncan,” He got tensed on the phone. “You know very well that this is Randy.”

“Alright Randy,” Duncan chuckled. “Don’t bounce out please, I was just being careful.”

“Where are you?”

“Am at the airport saying goodbye to my beloved twelve,”

“Where are they going?” he wondered.

“Missions for the children’s world their vision is so big.”

“I don’t get it, missions to where?”

“Africa,”

“Again,”

“I can see Jakes freed you,”

“He played the smart guy didn’t he?”

“Randy are you scared now? That everybody knows you were the real devil,”

“I heard there was reconciliation and I want to be a part of it. The question is will you let me?”

Before Duncan could answer that, he heard the announcement for boarding time.

“I’ve got to go Randy, I will come see you so we talk more,” he immediately dropped the phone and rush in to find the twelve. They were already going to board their different planes but he was swift to catch them.

“Sorry I’m late,” He said breathing.

“We didn’t think you will come,” Zodiac said.

“I couldn’t miss this for anything, not even for a grand concert,”

The twelve smiled. Moscow and the rest just watched while the other kids said their final goodbyes to their parents and guidance.

“I will miss you guys so much,” Duncan said and he was sincere. “Thank you for all you’ve done for me and I promise you I won’t abuse this second chance you gave me,”

“God gave you a second chance Duncan,” Ken said. “Not us and the best thing you can do now for yourself is to go and asked him what he wants you to do with it.”

Duncan nodded. “That’s what I will miss about you guys, those graceful words.”

“We will miss you too,” Ben said. “It was an amazing experience working with you.”

“Same here, you mind if I hug you?”

Of course they didn’t mind if he hugged them. Duncan opened the way for the hugs, after him Jan came and so the line went on till finally Lennon hugged them goodbye.

“You guys be careful,” Lennon said. “Boys, take care of my girls okay,”

The boys nodded.

“Africa is a very hostile place, especially the zones you are going to. We won’t stop praying for you and I will be in Botswana to await your glorious return.”

Time was gradually running out and it was time for the twelve’s finally goodbye to each other.

“So this is goodbye?” Shelly said.

They felt like crying again and the others watched tearfully.

“We shouldn’t think about it too much or it might really hurt. We love each other very much, and we are going to miss each other no doubt but what will happen when we meet again? We should always remember that, we should love and care for one another, always be in one agreement before you take any step, don’t judge one another’s actions by quarrelling but be forgiving. We will communicate body, mind, soul and spirit. When you wake up every morning go down on your knees as a team and pray before you start doing anything. If you find love, go the extra mile but don’t defile yourself and break your strength.” Michael said he stretched forth his right hand. “One spirit,”

“One heart, one faith and one love…” the twelve all joined their hands together with tears in their eyes they hugged each other goodbye and it was time for them to get into their different planes with their assistance. There was much sorrow in hearts and tears on the faces of those who watched them leave. Few minutes later they were all in and their planes took off at different times but in the same hour. The twelve was gone, gone to live the life of their dreams.

                When Duncan left the airport, he went to see Randy at the Rolex center. He didn’t see much of the workers but there two reporters loitering on the sidewalk beside Randy’s locked office. He was surprised; everything had changed just within few months. They followed one of the workers to coffee room and demanded to see Randy; she refused and asked them to leave. They refused and repeated their demand, Duncan heard the commotion in the coffee in the coffee room and was confused but when Randy heard it in his locked office, he relaxed and let her fight with them. From his office window he watched a crew set up by the door getting into the building. He smiled and felt a wonderful surge of dirty fame. He could see himself on the evening news walking briskly, stern, business-like across the street followed by reporters begging for dialogue but getting no comments and this was just his wish. Imagine his rule over the children’s world, cameras everywhere, reporters yelling questions at him, front page stories perhaps magazine covers.

              Moments later Duncan interrupted the argument in the coffee room and warmly greeted the reporters but the female worker was surprised to see him and she disappeared into the dressing room.

“Could you answer some questions?” one of them asked.

“No,” he replied politely. “I have to meet with Randy Rolex,”

“Just a couple of questions,”

“No, but Randy will be out soon to attend to you. I have to see him first,”

Duncan walked to the locked door and the reporters followed him.

“Where is Randy?”

“In his office,”

“Why is he hiding from us?”

“He has his own purpose,”

“Thank you,” they reporters said and left. Duncan shook his head. He slowly brought out a key from his pocket and opened the door. When he walked in Randy was not surprised.

“When will you stop risking your life over nothing Randy?”

“Sooner, I haven’t decided.”He sat down.

“What do you plan on doing with your life?” Duncan took a seat.

Randy laughed. “Listen to me boy, I thought so and I’ve already considered whether I should sell my soul to some devil or not. As you know, it is completely within my discretion and I’ll never allow myself to be toasted like some kid,” he paused. “On second thought, I won’t be selling my soul to the devil like I did before because my will is more in control now.”

Duncan smiled, looked at Randy and digested what he said. “A hard will I can tell,”

“Yes,”

“Good enough, but on who do you plan on excising that will power?”

“They already asked for it.” Randy replied. “And I will give it to them.”

“Who are they if I may ask?”

“Too bad little boy, you shouldn’t ask too much.”

“Chris and Jan are not coming back to this company Randy, and I might decide to look elsewhere too,”

“Fair enough, why don’t you just quit like the others? I mean there’s nothing, what exactly will you be doing here? Besides you succeeded at the hand of the twelve not me,”

“Then what will you be doing?”

“Sell my inheritance and pursue my dreams, just like the twelve is doing.”

“And what if you lose the pursuit of this dream?”

“It will be a drawing card,”

“Embarrassed?” Duncan felt sorry for his pride.

“A little, it’s hard to start all over again when the knows you are trouble,”

“It will be worse if you don’t change,” Duncan stood up. “Thanks Randy,”

“Thanks?”

“For being so blunt,”

“I gave you opportunity,”

“Thanks for that too, hope you find a better life.”

“Oh I have found a better life.” Randy assured him and Duncan left.