Author's pov
The Lagos state police station was busy than usual, many people were coming in with complaints of their relatives missing. The officers were running around trying to attend to everyone but Nigerians being Nigerians, wahala must happen. A certain impatient man whose grandmother has been missing for more than two weeks since the attack, was shouting at a female officer
"What exactly have you foolish people been doing ever since this attack started?! My grandma has been missing for two weeks and yet her body hasn't been found?!"
"Sir please take it easy, we're doing everything we can" the female officer tried to calm him down
"Doing everything you can? You mean collecting the usual bribe you guys collect before handling any case? You guys are very stupid, ever since these terrorists showed up, what have you guys or the governor done?!" The man shouted puffing out hot steams from his nose angrily
"Bia oga abeg calm down, this matter is out of our hands. The federal government, DSS, and army are the ones handling the matter so please remain calm and stop acting like a he goat! If they ask you to fight the purple Lagoon now, you'll start shaking like one dried leave.."
They both continued exchanging insults while the officers and people in the room just stared at them laughing
Aurora who was sitting at a corner, waiting to be attended to, was just busy watching the drama unfolding in front of her. Aron was also sitting beside her, watching the drama. Ha looked at Aurora and tapped her shoulder gently
"Huh" she turned towards him
"Um why did we come here instead of going home after the check up?" Aron asked
"I have an urgent meeting with the DPO, sorry for bringing you here. it's really chaotic" she apologised
"It's fine" he smiled "it's just I don't feel like I've been to a police station before"
"You can't be sure, no Nigerian has escaped this hell of a place before" she chuckled
"I'm sure, i may not remember anything but I'm sure I've never been to a police station before, this might be my first time" he smiled
"Hmmm, did you grow up in a forest or something? Cause that's weird, especially for a Nigerian" she leaned closer to him
"Lol, I'm serious.."
"Who are you Aron?" She just studied him "it's really weird for a Nigerian to have never been here"
"I wish I knew" he shrugged
"Hmmm are you a Terrorist or something?" She stared at him with serious but playful eyes
Aron thinking she was serious just paused for a while
"I'm messing with you 😂" she laughed and patted his shoulder
Aron just chuckled feeling kinda strange after the "terrorist remark".
"Don't mind me, i was just joking. There's no way you could be one of those purple bastards." She smiled and continued looking at the duo who were still exchanging insults
Aron just kept quiet trying to remember who he was. A skinny officer walked towards them and told Aurora that the DPO was ready to see her
"Oh thank you" she said to the officer and then turned towards Aron "here's some money in case you get bored or hungry, this meeting might take a while"
Aron gratefully took the money from her and nodded "I'll wait for you"
"Kk" Aurora smiled and followed the skinny officer to the DPO's office.
When they entered, the DPO was on a call with someone. Aurora and the officer stood by the door waiting for him to notice them.
"...yes sir" the DPO said as he finally noticed them. He signalled Aurora to have a seat and made a sign to the officer indicating he could leave. The skinny officer nodded and left the room, shutting the door.
"I understand, I'll make sure to come to the meeting" the DPO continued with his call "oh the president will be there? I see. Alright I'll be there, goodbye sir" he finally ended the call
"Important meeting?" Aurora smiled at him
"Yes, the president and members of the ECOWAS will be having a summit in Lagos today" he said
"I'm guessing because of the purple Lagoon"
"You're not wrong. At least the president hasn't abandoned us, we'll bring those terrorists to their knees" he said gritting his teeth
"I hope so" Aurora said
"So how can I help you miss Starry? Is it about your boyfriend's body?"
"Um no sir, i came for something far more crucial" she said sitting up
"Hmmmm what's the problem? Did anyone send any threat messages to you?"
"No...not yet anyway" she wasn't sure how to present her case to him
"Go straight to the point miss Starry, my meeting starts in an hour" the DPO was getting impatient
"It's about the purple Lagoon"
"What about them?"
"I want to investigate them, no fire starts without a smoke. I think there's something or some group of people behind all these?" Aurora said looking straight into the DPO'S eyes
"What do you mean?" he leaned closer
"The broadcast that was made on the first day of the attack, they mentioned some important government figures. I think the state government has something to do with all these attacks"
"Wait are you saying the government is behind the recent attacks?" The DPO gasped
"I'm only assuming sir, I'm not really sure. That's why I came here so you could help me"
The DPO paused for a while, staring at the wall in deep thoughts. Something about him suddenly changed, his warm friendly nature disappeared and he just stared at the wall behind Aurora
"So you think these terrorists are working for the government?"
"Kinda, I'm thinking they used to work for them but maybe due to some misunderstandings, they rebelled. This might be some kind of political revenge plan"
"Hmmmm miss Starry, what you're saying is really serious" he said rubbing his chin
"I know it's hard to believe but I really need your help. I need eyes and ears in the government house"
"I'm not close to the governor" the DPO said trying to end the discussion
"But you're close to the commissioner who's close to the governor, he must have mentioned something about this group to you, right?"
The DPO kept quiet 🤐
Aurora watched him, his eyes that were always warm and full of compassion hardened, they looked uneasy like they were hiding something. The DPO shifted uncomfortably in his chair as beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks, he grabbed his handkerchief and mopped up his sweaty face.
"Sir..." Aurora tried to convince him
"I'm sorry miss Starry but you came to the wrong guy, i can't help you" he said without looking at her
Aurora's face fall as her hopes dashed
"But..."
"Please leave my office, i need to do something urgent now"
"You know something, don't you? I'm right, aren't I? Are they threatening you? What are you hiding sir? I can see through..." Aurora asked as she scanned his face searching for some truth
"Miss Starry, please get out of my office!" The DPO suddenly snapped
Aurora flinched, she sat still and just looked at the man she used to admire, change into a coward in front of her
"Look, i have no idea what you're saying? You're just being delusional, everything you've told me are all lies, just assumptions made out of fear. Get this into your head, the purple Lagoon are just terrorists, nothing more... they're not connected to the government. You're just looking for something to keep your mind occupied with since you lost your boyfriend, i suggest you go home and get some rest"
"I'm perfectly fine sir, if you know something that could help me in this case then please tell me" Aurora pleaded
"I know nothing"
Aurora stared at him in shock, was this the same incorruptible police officer she saw just a week ago? She searched his eyes for some hope but found none. Since it was no use trying to convince him, she grabbed her bag and gently stood up to leave.
"Sorry for disturbing you" she walked towards the door and stopped, then turned back to him "we both know the truth, i just pray you expose the truth before we all burn in this purple fire"
"You have no Idea what you're getting yourself into, be careful girl. Have a nice day" the DPO whispered though Aurora heard him
Aurora stood at the door still in shock, the DPO's last remark sent cold shivers down her spine. He definitely knew something, Anna was right; she shouldn't have trusted the DPO. She looked at him one last time and then stormed out of the office slamming the door shut.
Immediately Aron saw Aurora walking out of the office, he stood up and rushed to her.
"So how did it go?" He asked her
"Fine, c'mon we need to leave here" she said and then rushed out of the building
Aron watched her in confusion, wondering what could have triggered her. He ran after her and when he got outside, he saw Aurora leaning by her car, crying
"What's wrong?" He rushed towards her
"It's nothing, just dust in my eye" she lied "um let's go home"
Aron just watched her as she got into the front seat of the car
"Why are you standing there? Get in" Aurora frowned
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. Please get in so we can leave"
Aron obeyed and got into the car
They soon drove off
Meanwhile back at the DPO's office, after Aurora stormed out. The DPO grabbed his phone and dialed a number
"Hello?" A husky voice echoed through the phone
"We've got a rat, Aurora Starry"
"I'll handle it" the voice said and the line went dead
The DPO stood up and started pacing around the room worriedly
"She has no idea the can of worms she's about to open"