Amidst half-hearted celebrations, the team could not help but blame Siyanda for the less-than-perfect performance he gave. It was apparent to them that his focus was elsewhere. Siyanda had, after all, over-concerned himself with what would happen if his team did not win.

Sure enough, Sihle, Sizwe and Wandile were all in agreement. There was no other choice but to set sights on the other mission.

After the failure of the last mission with the soldier’s brother, they had done a lot of surveillance of the soldier’s place. He would definitely not catch them this time.

As soon as he saw the place, Siyanda knew it was going to come down to him having to choose sides. If I warn them then I will have to harm more innocent people on other missions…

The team understood that entering an unlit house was risky. The owner could come back and easily notice the flickering light of torches, but they knew that this was no time to be afraid of taking risks.

Like the ninjas they had watched on television the previous night, they darted across the dimly lit street and across the front lawn to the two-and-half-metre gate that was swaying gently next to the garage. With ease, they climbed over it.

With the team bent over and out of sight, under the kitchen window, Sizwe quickly crawled up the passage to go around to the back of the house.

After a few quiet scrapes the glass was removed and the window was opened. Sizwe effortlessly climbed in and proudly marched towards the kitchen door.

A few metal clicks and a clang later, the team was inside. A whisper of joy could not help but to burst out of Sizwe. “We’ve done it bras…”

With no warning, two commanding voices suddenly announced their presence.

It was Mr Grobbler, the soldier, and Marko, his brother.

“We know you’re not armed, so get down now you filthy dogs!” announced the brother.

Little did the brothers know that Sizwe had, in a second, found all the courage that can possess a desperate man. And in one swift movement, he flung himself across the living room and met the muzzle of the incoming gun.

With as swift a move as Sizwe’s, he was met with a downward-pulling grip to the back of his neck and a knee crashing into his front teeth. As he stumbled backward, crippled with shock and adrenaline, the muzzle roared. In a flash, he was blown in the direction he had flung himself from.

The voice announced its presence once again. “Come here, all three of you.”

Siyanda knew this was his cue to act. “Mr Grobbler, I did my part…”

“Don’t worry my boy; I’ve got some work for you, so comeback on Monday.”

Silence could not hide the shock of the remaining two members and the bleeding Sizwe. Siyanda had betrayed them.

With his safety assured, Siyanda finally offered an explanation. “You’re criminals! I warned him that if we didn’t win you’d come here, cos you knew that he’d forgiven me for our last mission.”

“Go son! The cops will pull you into this when they get here,” said Mr Grobbler’s brother.

With no objection, Siyanda exited.

Silence filled the room and only the sounds of distant police sirens could be heard.

Help the writer: Did you enjoy the story? Why? Why not?

[The End]