THE TWELVE-season 3,episode 18

RWANDA

                Thoughtfully the group reached the camp being led by Musing, the place was very quiet and peaceful and all the children were inside. Musing confidently led them into the camp hall where the children were kept, entering the hall the group saw them children sitting on the floor and in wait for the buyers to come and take them. They only recognized Musing and some recognized Shorsha, he whispered to the children in the dialect that the group had come to help them and the children were happy even if they didn’t know how the help will come.

“Do they understand English?” Ken whispered to Shorsha.

“Yes most of them,” She replied not whispering.

“Ok…..” Ken went close to them. “Hello friends,” he smiled at them but they didn’t smile back, their glance at him made him feel uncomfortable but he kept his countenance up.  “We are here to help you,”

“It’s too late,” one said. “The buyers will be here soon.”

“Why do they want to sell you? What did you do to them?”  Zodiac asked.

“Nothing, we are just poor orphans and have no place to go,” the response came.

“Do you like where they are taking you?”  Christy asked.

“We don’t know they will bring us,”

“We will go anywhere we can survive,”

“They will never treat us right,” Musing said. “They will use us for money,”

“We are forced to go, we don’t have choice again……..”

“This is more serious,” Nick said shaking his head.

“You will not be going anywhere with the buyers,” Ken said. “We are stopping them now.”

Few minutes later the man responsible for the trafficking walked into the hall and found all the children standing but he didn’t see Ken and his group.

“What is going on here?” He asked them. “Why are you all standing up? Your new owners will soon come to take you.”

“There will be no child trafficking here today,” Zodiac stepped forward.

“You,” He recognized her.

“Yes me,”

“And me too,” Ken stepped forward and the others followed him.

“What are you guys…………” he broke off. “You kids doing here?”

“So you sell children?” Laura asked looking disgust at him.

“You know that’s against the law and we are going to sue you for that,” Ken told him.

“You don’t have any right to interfere in my business. No rights at all,” he yelled.

“Your business,” Declan shook his head. “You call selling people’s children your business?”

“Why don’t you go sell your own children,” Zodiac said. “Let’s see how rich that makes you.”

“Awful Mr.” Nick looked at him. “Don’t you know a child’s life is too precious to be bought, worst with money, a decorated piece of paper?”

“I need the money to get out of this god forsaken village. I need to start a new life somewhere and this transaction will complete my budget so you have to step out of my way and let me do this one.”

“No way,” Ken said. “If you don’t get out of here, return the money you’ve collected and let this children be, I promise you by this same time tomorrow you will be in prison.”

The man knew the threat was real, they were the twelve and just a phone call from them to US embassy troops will come flooding in Rwanda to fish him out and that will be the end of his life.

In that pressure he went into a small room which looked like his office.

“Please don’t let him take us,” Musing begged them. “We will serve you anyhow you want but please don’t let him sell us.”

Ken looked at Zodiac, they felt a surge of responsibility towards the children. The man walked out with a case in his hand.

“Your new keeper is coming to take you,” He told the children, and then he turned to Ken. “As for you take your partners and go back to your life as superstars because if you chose to stay here, they will kill you.”

“Please,” Ken looked at him. “Return the money and let the children be,”

“And then what becomes of me? Will I remain here? God forbid. I’m letting you have this camp if you decide to stay but as for me I’m leaving this country.”

“Okay, if you return the money right, I’ll give you something.” Ken opened his bag and brought out his ticket fair home. “Take this, show it to the embassy and they will let you into the plane. They respect that name twelve,”

The keeper slowly took the ticket. “How will you……”

“Until all these children are save, we are not going anywhere and when the time comes for us to leave we will find our way home.”

They were all very surprised that Ken sacrificed his ticket for the liberation of the children. So well, the keeper dropped the case, nodded and left. The children jumped in happiness and embraced the group thanking them for their courage had set them free.

ZIMBABWE

                  The group visited Edna’s place as usual but this time their welcome was different. Edna was sitting outside crying, it was surprising to the group seeing her like that because her tears was not that of a person who mourned for the death. They rushed to and held her trying to find the words that will bring out an answer to why she was crying.

“Edna calm down and talk to us,” Larry said. “Why are you crying?”

“For so long I’ve never had anyone to talk to.” She tearfully said. “When you guys came I knew I was living again because I could express my thoughts and even smile again, but now I don’t think that will be possible.”

“Possible,” Paco was confused. “How,”

“Why did you talk back at those boys?” she cried. “Now I betrayed you in telling them all you’ve been doing for the orphans. I had to do it in exchange for the safety of those poor orphans.”

“You didn’t betray us Edna,” Shania said. “You saved their lives and that’s perfect.”

“And we are not afraid of those boys either,” Miguel said.

“You are foreigners and they can destroy you and nobody will charge them for it.”

“They are not capable of doing anything.” Larry said. “They are just being scared that’s all.”

As they were talking the boys walked into the yard, Edna became afraid. She stood up. “Danny I can explain this,” She told them.

“There’s nothing to explain Edna,” he shouted. “You have broken our agreement.”

“Agreement,” Ruby looked at her. “What agreement?”

“I never have to allow you see the children again,”

“What!” Shania exclaimed. “You very well know that we came here because of them……………..”

“They are none of your business,” Danny said to her. “We don’t want you foreigners coming here to pity us…………….it damns our pride.”

“What kind of pride do you have?” Larry asked him. “What are you being proud of Danny, that you are street child limited to the drugs and alcohol you use to feel your system and cloud your judgment? You have destroyed yourself love and that’s why you can’t love anybody else around you. Why did you allow them fool you all like this? I was once a street child too you know but because I loved myself and my fellow mates like you, I reached for the stars, found the way so I can bring others like you along. All we need you to do is come along with us, drop your hostile attitude and come along with us.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about and I don’t care to know,” he quickly said. The other boys behind him found some truth in what Larry said and believed.

“What exactly do you want Danny?” Soledad asked. “Why are you being so hostile to yourself and to your brothers and sisters?”

“I will be back for you Edna, soon!” he said.

“If you destroy the life of another child,” Shania said. “Their unrealized dreams will melt your conscience and fish you out of your arrogance.” She turned to Edna. “Let him do his worse, they always say if you don’t fear a wizard he will back down and run away from your courage, let him do his worse and he will find himself being tried in the supreme court of law,”

Danny felt defeated, speechless and unable to walk.

Shania looked at him. “Do your worse,”

“Let’s go inside Edna,” Larry said and they all went inside.

Danny stood for while and then walked away with his boys. While they were walking one of his boys persistently asked him. “Why did you sit quiet? Why didn’t you speak up Danny?”

“I had spoken enough wills,” He replied.

“That’s lie; you kept quiet because you noticed those people did not fear you,”

“Shut up wills!” he yelled.

“What do you know about life? What, those rich kids have enjoyed all the benefits of life, they have everything they need, what do we have, nothing.”

“Didn’t you hear what the guy said, he has been a street boy like us but he rich for the stars and he wants to bring us along. I want to go with them. I want to be like them.” Wills insisted. “Boys this is not a life we all dream of keeping as for me I’m off.” And he left.

Danny’s conscience was piercing his heart but his mind was keeping him tough. He continued on his way and the others followed him not knowing where they truly wanted to be.

Back in the city, Randy hadn’t sold his company like he made Duncan believe he would. The Rolex centre was not the same, all the workers had resigned and only Randy was left. He sat in idling in his office then he saw a lady walk in. she was browned skin and at her mid late twenties, her name was Lisa Vernon.

“Good afternoon Mr. Randy Rolex,” she greeted and smiled. She was beautiful and properly dressed.

“Good afternoon,” Randy wondered how she got in then he remembered he had no protocols. “What can I do for you?” he asked looking brightly at her.

“I came to apply for a job,” she said.

Randy smiled, and then he laughed. “A job, who told you I was hiring?”

“I’ve been watching this building for quite some time now,”

“Quite some time, be more specific.”

“Since you left prison,”

Randy suddenly became interested. “How do you know I was in prison?”

“That’s a very sensitive thing to talk about, won’t you offer me a sit,”

He offered her with a hand show and she sat.

“I know that you had a fuse with the twelve and their manager, that’s the reason why they sent you to prison.”

“And that’s why everybody deserted me,” He added.

“I am also jobless, did a terrible thing and I got fired. Nobody wants to hire me.”

“What terrible thing did you do?” he leaned forward.

“I stole from my company, hacked into their finance system and pulled out a lot of money.”

Randy laughed. “Smart girl, what did you do with the money?”

“Would have bought myself a new house, and a new car, slam the door of that company and open my own,”

Randy nodded.

“If I wasn’t caught,” she smiled.

“Did you go to prison?”

“Yes, seven years, all my accounts cleared, I returned the money with interest.”

“Hmm so what kind of job do you want?” he asked.

“Anything you want me to do for you as long as I get paid for doing it.”

“Quick interview, do you love the twelve? Have you ever loved the spice?”

“I’m not a fan, I don’t care about superstars, and they just place me on the edge.”

“Ok you will have to prove that you don’t love the twelve,”

“Why do I have to prove it?” she asked.

“Because you might just be saying those words just to get me to give you the job.”

“Ok what do I have to do, kill one of them?”

He laughed. “No that’s too much. You are going to device a means to ruin their good name and their reputation…… something that will cause the world to doubt their every move and question their story.”

“What’s in it for you?” she asked.

“You will find out but I will pay you in four figures if you do this properly with no one being able to trace its source.”

She smiled. “Sweet, I like it. I will do it.”

Randy nodded. “Welcome to the company then,”

And Lisa nodded.

                    After Jakes had disappeared from his old fashioned life handed to him by his father. He decided to take a new life in Canada where all things could become new. He sat in one of the local restaurants along the run way streets reading the Tuesday newspaper log. He was mostly surprised when he saw the twelve as a general topic often discussed at the press. He read it through again aloud to himself saying that the readers may be forgiven if they forget to do certain basic things such as talking to neighbors when they start reading about the new events of the twelve. He was startled and almost forgot to breathe. “Wow”, he said and shook his head. Then a black lady from the balcony walked up to him.

“Hello sir. Is there anything I can do to put you off your mood?”

Jakes looked at her. “EH…”. He murmured. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

She sat by him, took the newspaper from his hand and read the contents of the news paper then looked at Jakes and smiled. “Everybody knows about this Mr. The twelve will have more fans and trouble when they return.”

“Those are my kids,” he said.

“Your kids, you’re not married, are you?”

“Nope,” he smiled. “My kids,I owned the company they worked in”

The lady looked at him. “You are Jakes Raves?”

“I am”

“Oh my God”, she laughed.”I didn’t know.”

“Why? Don’t I look like someone who can manage the twelve?”

“For the appearance you don’t, but for the practicality, you do look like someone fit to manage the twelve. I’m happy to meet you Mr. Jakes Raves. My name is Sally Cooke with an e at the end.”

Jakes laughed. “I’ve got it. Nice meeting you Sallie.”

“Your statement refers to the past…”

“Yeah, yeah”, he swiftly interrupted “I no longer manage the twelve. I shot down my company recently because I saw that my practicality had no meaning there anymore.”

“Why? Is it because the twelve was the only one behind the success of the company?”

“I’ve decided never to lie to anyone anymore. The twelve was behind the success of the company but when they decided to take a new step I had to take another. That’s practicality in another phase of life.”

“Mr. Jakes Raves, don’t you think the twelve won’t like the idea of you shutting down your own company and the other managers too?”

“I handled that already. I just want to start a new life Sallie, somewhere away from my past.”

Sallie looked at him thoughtfully. “Well, about this paper, are you still interested in the twelve?”

“The twelve is the reason why I’m here. They are a part of my past, present and future. I’ll make sure they are alright whenever and wherever and I hope their lawyer sees this.”

“Mr. Lennon?” She asked

“You know Mr. Lennon?” Jakes was amazed.

“We are lawyers.”

“You’re a lawyer?”

“Yeah, I schooled with Mr. Lennon. I used to know everything there is to know about him, how he sold the talents and everything. But since he left law school I’ve not set eyes on him again.”

“Serious. He’s back with the twelve. He’s very good, very good.”

“And the twelve like him very much too.”

“Yes. The twelve will arrive safely because they have so many people to clear the way for them.”

“And I will love to be part.”

“Well, you can be if you earn our trust and convince us that you are capable.”

“So you don’t trust me.”

“I can trust you but what about the others?”

She smiled. “We’ll talk about that later. It’s time for me to go.” She stood up.

“Nice meeting you Sallie.” Jakes stood and gave her a handshake. “I’ll find you someday.”

“I’ll be waiting Jakes Rave. See you.” And she walked away. Jakes sat down and went back to the newspaper.

“We’ve been here for over four hours.” Benedict said pointing to the door,”  they were all present at Leon’s house, doing nothing just talking shouting and cursing. We should forget about Jakes and move on.

“We should not forget about Jakes,” Leon shouted at Benedict. “We shouldn’t because he owes us so many things inexpressible.”

“What apologies? He gave them a long time ago.”

“There is no way we can get Jakes back.” Harrison said. “No way,”

“No, no way we can take Jakes back, but if we find a way to let the twelve know, they can pursue him back.”

“The twelve,” Harrison’s delight was cancelled with a grim face. “We are not getting the twelve into this. They already have much in their hands Leon. We can’t bother them with this.”

“With this,” Leon was tensed. “This is our career going down and I think it’s time for the twelve to return the favor.”

“Return the favor?” Benedict shook his head. “I won’t be a part of this Leon, even if I’m mad at Jakes as hell I still have to start somewhere else.”

“Where are your credentials?” He asked the both of them. “Do you have one?”

“We’ll work that out” Harrison said as he relaxed on the chair.