Chapter 49: A Difficult Decision and a New Beginning
1500words
When Eki got to her apartment, she saw Dapo at the door looking very worried. "Eki," he said in a hurry, "Kunle has told me everything." The real collector, the entity… It is frightening."
Eki, feeling very tired from everything that happened today, sat down on the old sofa. She remembered her conversation with Chief Olumide and began to tell it to someone sitting close by—her voice having small trembles as she spoke. Dapo, with a face that displayed astonishment and resolve, listened attentively.
"They admit their part," Dapo commented with a frown. "This is a beginning. Maybe, if we join together, it is possible to stop the true collector's power over the city."
Eki scoffed. "Work with them? They're the ones who started this mess!"
Dapo agreed by nodding his head. "Yes, you are correct. But they have resources and know the Lease very well - these are things we need quickly.
Eki had little questions in her head. Dapo's words were full of smart thoughts, but when Eki thought about working together with the Olumides, she felt like it was against all the things she believed in.
**Flashback**
Eki is fifteen years old and feels sadness. Her newest painting was not chosen by the famous Olumide Art Gallery. Eki's painting displayed a busy street market full of colours and action. The rejection message, loaded with boring criticism, felt like a heavy blow to her face.
"It does not have... soul," the letter says. "Making it good for selling is important, but true art must show deeper meaning inside."
Eki holds the letter tightly, her eyes filled with tears so much that reading words is hard. How can they talk about the soul when they destroy Lagos's art community? At this time, Eki chose not to seek their approval anymore. Instead, she selected her path, in a way that respects the vibrant and powerful creativity of Lagos.
Eki does not feel happy when she thinks about it. Working with Olumides seems like agreeing to support the same system she wants to remove.
"Maybe we should do some study," Eki suggested with a strong voice. "We can find ways to free ourselves from real collector's hold, without needing their help."
Dapo took a deep breath, then said, "We can try. But the city's art energy goes down very fast and people...they lose their spirit."
The quiet time that came later was a period full of much tension. Eki felt a strong conflict inside him, stuck between wanting to start over and feeling very hurt by the betrayal.
There was a sudden loud knock on the door that made them jump. Eki quickly got up and wiped away her tears from her face. She slowly opened the door, feeling surprised to see a nicely dressed woman standing there in front of her. The woman's face has a smart look and also seems somewhat known. She tries very hard to recall where she met this woman earlier, but her memory does not easily bring the answer.
"Eki?" the woman said, her voice surprisingly warm. "My name is Dr. Abeni Moore. I understand you've been… stirring things up lately."
Eki's eyebrows went up. Who is this lady? And how does she know about my battle with the entity?
"Excuse me?" Eki stammered, her voice cautious.
Dr Moore gave a tiny smile, her eyes showing a playful sparkle. "Let's put it this way," she whispered with mystery, "I am here to help you discover the heart of Lagos once more."
Suddenly, Eki starts to sense hope rising within her. Could it be there is another way, a path she can take to confront the true collector without betraying her values? But, exactly when she wished to ask more questions, a sudden cold fear made her whole body shake. She sensed that something was not right.
There was some movement on the other side of the street, a mysterious figure observing them from within a dark alley. The person slowly came out, revealing himself to be a tall and thin man with eyes that sparkled in a strange blue colour.
"Ah, Dr. Moore," the man said with a voice that sounded rough, like dry leaves moving in the wind. "You look very eager to get involved in matters that are not your business."
Dr. Moore met his gaze defiantly. Eki's breath hitched in her throat. The man's cold blue eyes met with her eyes, a sneaky smile forming on his face. He was here – the true collector. And the timing couldn't be worse.
"Who are you?" Dapo demanded, stepping defensively in front of Eki.
The man chuckled, a sound like nails scraping on a chalkboard. "Me? "I am the protector of this city's dreams, the keeper of its artistic spirit." He pointed at Dr. Moore with a thin hand. "And you, well, you seem to be… disrupting the arrangement."
Dr. Moore straightened her back and said, "There is no arrangement here." Her voice was very steady, surprising the others. "Just a chokehold. These artists, their creativity... they deserve better than being used in this bad cycle."
A tense quiet took over the street. Eki looked at Dapo, his face pale but determined. They were hopelessly outnumbered. But backing down now wasn't an option.
"Let her go," Eki says. Her voice sounded strong, even if her knees were shaking. "This is just between you and me."
The real collector tilted his head, eyes cold as he looked at Eki. "You are the little beginner with a paintbrush?" You think you can challenge a force older than this city itself?"
Eki stared at him without fear. "Maybe I am not strong," she said, her voice getting stronger with each word, "but there is something I have that you do not." I have the artists, and also people from Lagos helping me. Their shared spirit… this is a thing you cannot control.
The true collector's smile paused briefly, and his icy blue eyes revealed a hint of uncertainty. It lasted just for a moment, but it gave Eki a tiny spark of hope.
Suddenly, Dr. Moore made a quick move forward, gripping a canister very firmly in her hand. She yelled and then slammed the canister onto the ground with great force. It broke open, releasing a cloud of purple mist that wrapped all around the real collector. He screamed, trying to swipe away at the air as the mist stuck onto him firmly.
"What is this?" he roared, his voice tinged with fear for the first time.
Dr. Moore smirked. "A little disruption of your own," she said, her voice sounding tired from the effort. "Now, let's go!"
She grabbed Eki's arm and hurried her towards the apartment building. Dapo stopped for a moment, his eyes switching back and forth between the figures moving away and the real collector who was having difficulty. Then, with a determined nod, he followed them.
They close the apartment door with great force, and loud yells of real collectors go quiet because of the thick wooden door. Eki leans on the door, feeling her heart beating very fast in her chest. She had never felt so terrified, yet so strangely empowered.
"Who was that woman?" Eki gasped, turning towards Dr. Moore.
Dr. Moore leaned her back against the wall, trying to catch her breath. "An ally," she said with a voice rough and tired. "You understand, Ms. Eki, the fight for Lagos' spirit... it is much bigger than you had imagined."
She stood up straight, face very serious. "But with friends like me and the city almost ready to rebel, maybe we have some hope for fighting."
Eki looked at Dr. Moore, her mind turning quickly with many thoughts. An unexpected friend, a frightening enemy, and a city nearly about to fall into disorder. As she understood better how serious the situation was, one thing became clear: the battle for Lagos's soul had only just begun, and she found herself right in the centre of it.
The night was still early, and what was to come was not clear. But when Eki looked out the window at the busy city below, a tiny feeling of hope started to grow in her heart. They had an opportunity, a chance to support their art, their city, and their freedom. Holding the paintbrush firmly in hand, Eki was ready to face the storm.
