Episode 2 – First Blood

Jay’s heartbeat thudded in his chest as the footsteps grew closer. He quickened his pace, hand brushing the pocket where the envelope sat. Every corner of Ajegunle had eyes, and carrying Boss T’s package made him a target.

“Jay!” a voice barked from behind. He spun. Three guys stepped out of the shadows, machetes glinting in the faint moonlight. Rival gang. Their faces were hard, hungry.

“Drop am,” the tallest one ordered. “We know say Boss T send you.”

Jay’s throat went dry. He wasn’t built for this — not yet. But giving up meant death later. Boss T didn’t tolerate weakness.

“I no get wetin you dey find,” Jay lied, trying to sound steady.

They laughed. One rushed forward, swinging the machete. Jay dodged, barely, the blade slicing the air close to his arm. Instinct took over. He grabbed a broken bottle from the ground and slashed wildly. The attacker screamed, stumbling back with blood on his forearm.

The others pounced. Jay fought like a cornered animal, adrenaline drowning out fear. He slashed, punched, kicked, refusing to fall. By the time a bike’s headlights cut through the alley, Jay was on the ground, bloodied but still clutching the envelope.

It was Kunle, riding in fast. “Hop on!”

Jay didn’t think. He scrambled onto the bike, and they tore through the streets, rival shouts fading behind them.

When they finally stopped near the lagoon, Jay collapsed, chest heaving. His shirt was torn, his knuckles raw.

Kunle stared at him in shock. “Guy, na real wahala you don enter. You kill am?”

Jay shook his head, still trembling. “I no know. But if Boss T hear say I lose this package…” He held up the blood-stained envelope.

Kunle nodded slowly. “Then you no fit lose am. Deliver the thing. Then pray.”

At dawn, Jay dragged himself to the address Boss T had given. He handed the envelope to a quiet man in a suit who said nothing, just nodded and walked away.

Hours later, Jay was summoned. Boss T sat in a leather chair, smoking lazily. His men surrounded him.

“You deliver?” Boss T asked.

Jay nodded, hands still shaking.

Boss T studied him for a long moment, then smiled. “Good. You get heart. Ajegunle need men like you.”

Jay exhaled, relief flooding him. But then Boss T’s eyes darkened.

“Still, enemies test you already. That mean one of us dey leak.” He leaned forward. “Find out who.”

Jay froze. He realized the fight hadn’t been random. Someone had set him up. Someone close.

Jay looked at Kunle, his best friend, and a chilling thought crept in — could it be him?