A/N- Hi everyone. New writer here. I had this idea pop up last night and wanted to test it out. This story is a bit of mystery, thriller and some folklore. I post regularly, so the story will be updated.

Hope you enjoy.

All rights reserved by Enam Korley.

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Many of us don't know how many countries there are in our beloved continent.

Africa has a total of fifty four countries, and I settled with this important fact throughout my years at Chemu Secondary High School and Legon University. My grandmother told me this in the village of Adafienu, an quite notorious place located in the Volta Region of Ghana. I treasured this information, for it was like a little ticket in my pocket I used to push my way into any discussion.

My life changed ten years later, in Abuja, Nigeria when rain slammed onto thick windows and my boss of seven years, Mr. Adeosun, told me I was promoted to the position as liason ambassador for the entire country.

"Why?" I asked.

First, let me explain. You may be thinking that any common man wouldn't dare refuse such a high position. After all, there was likely high pay and full benefits that could serve my family and I for the rest of my life. I could get a new house and shower myself in riches, put my three children in the best universities and live life happily ever after with my wife.

But I was only twenty-eight, and an executive assistant to the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Kwara State. I may be an idiot at times, but I like anyone knew that to attain a high political position meant having enough money to bribe the entire government and citizens before anyone would ever dream of me stepping anywhere near Aso Rock.

Mr. Adeosun didn't judge and said, "We need you to visit 55. It is a country."

"There is a country named 55?" I asked.

"It is the 55th country in Africa and it is located around here in the Western Region."

"No sir. There are fifty-four countries in Africa, and I have never heard of one called 55."

Mr. Adeosun did not speak. He kept his arms folded and watched me with a calmness I never knew he possesed. The boss I was used to shouted and snarled at any minion without a care, but this one remained silent. His eyes, too wide and open, and lips, pursed and closed. He seemed well aware that I, like most Africans who knew, believed that there were only fifty-four countries in Africa.

"Mr. Zetomahany," he began, "There are fifty four countries, according to the world. But fifty-five countries actually exist here, and we need you to visit the fifty-fifth one, as I just said."

"What will I be doing?"

"You will be staying for ten days. We need you to do a little...survey, and you are good with notetaking."

I couldn't not move my lips to speak again. The winds howling from the rain pressed behind the windows. I could almost see the parts of palm trees slapping thick glass. Something told me that this all seemed like a dream. But Mr. Adeosun reached the door and pulled it open into empty corridors.

"Have a sound sleep tonight. I need you here tomorrow by 6:00am for your last day of work. Understood?"

I looked up from staring at my desk for too long. "Yes, sir."

This looks interesting. Like the cover tho. Following!!!!

Great one...

Thanks Divepen1 and SofiaAmrozia!

Chapter 1

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I began my last day just like any other. My wife woke me up two hours before my designated start time at work. I decided to take tea. Instead of going to work at the office near my home, I left to the same place Mr. Adeosun brought me over to announce my new post.

He told me I would not complete any administrative tasks.

“I have to brief you on the country,” he said, a slapping a map over my bare desk. “Have a seat.”

I did.

“You will be going to the airport tonight. You will leave at 3:00am.”

“That early? But I haven't told my family-”

“Leave that to us,” Mr. Adeosun said. “They will be well taken care of while you are away. We will send another housemaid there for any additional assistance your wife may need.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded and pointed down over the map. “This is 55.”

The continent had been etched in beige and brown, with bold letters representing country names. The map looked like any true map. With fifty-four countries, not fifty-five.

“I don't see-” then I look where Mr. Adeosun’s dark hand pointed.

He pointed at a silver slither in between Nigeria and Benin. It had the title, 55. “This...” he moved his finger all around the tiny space.”Besides you, we have sent only three men and one woman there.”

I stayed focused on the small land. “Can they give me a briefing on the place?”

My boss blinked. “No. They are all dead.”

I didn't know how to speak. But I worked past the sudden drop in my chest and asked, “Is this a dangerous country?”

“Depends. All three ambassadors died days after returning back to Nigeria, with no information about what they found. This is why we have made arrangements for you to meet a citizen on the plane. She has agreed to escort you on your journey.”

I was about to ask a question when Mr. Adeosun cut me to the chase. “You understand how strange this is, don’t you? For you, a foreigner, to meet someone from a place the world doesn't know?”

“I will make sure I take notes.”

“Good. It's better if you do it secretly. I'd like to know what someone with a voice like hers sounds like.”

“...how did she sound?”

Mr. Adeosun smiled at the sun peering over us.

“Like a cat “

The attendant at the airport didn’t flinch when I presented my ticket, which had the name of the country. I almost wanted her to stop and question the place. She processed it and wished me a safe journey before chatting with the attendant next to her.

My plane had no other passengers boarding on. I was the only one waiting by the tunnel, taking note of the indigo skies outside.

By exactly 3:00am, I entered the plane. No flight attendants to assist me, no luggage in my hands to take with me. Mr. Adeosun said, I needed nothing.

Cold air pulled me inside the plane. Dark navy seats, arranged and aligned. All empty.

“Mr. Zetomahany?”

I look up towards the sound. At first, I saw nothing, then, I caught a flurry of red on my right.

Time seemed to stop. No, I wasn’t stunned by the woman’s looks.

Sometimes, one can also be appalled by another’s beauty, like I was. My escort, had skin as dark as the soft soil underneath. Her lips, tainted a little pink, gleamed under the gentle light. I noted her dark hair reaching the small of her back.

White milky eyes blinked in a lazy daze. White.

She rose, smoothed her red suit and offered her hand. “I’m Ona.”

Loving this

Thanks

I'm interested,pls mention me in your next update. Ride on!!

Will do!

I was interested before now I'm intrigued, why did they all die? Ona sounds like quite a name. Ride on my brother.

woww. This is lovely..

Anticipating the next episode.

A/N - Thanks for the comments guys! Divepen1, Vivos, SofiaAmrozia, empress101, Sensitivity1254

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Chapter 2

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Ona, had the beauty a million men would kill for.

I had a family, but I stared her down throughout the flight. I mapped every hue and crevice of her soft edged figure. I knew, that her eyes could terrify another, but a part of me ignored it and imagined what it would be like, if I traced my fingers over the curve of her arms.

“Did they tell you what you will be doing?” Ona asked.

She already wasted no time with questions. No meals were served. In her silky voice, she said there was no need to eat. With a parched tongue, I told her exactly what Mr. Adeosun told me.

“I guess they were not very clear,” Ona said, keeping her white eyes out the tiny window. Blue skies outside showed the early morning coming through. “Take as many notes as you like. They will never show on paper when you go back home.”

My body barely reacted. How could I make a response to a comment like that?

The more we sauntered up in the skies, the more I regretted my decision.

If my notes won’t show on paper, how can I make my report to Mr. Adeosun?

“Your main purpose is to fulfill your country’s permission to meet our king,” Ona said. “We have lived in isolation, from the moment everyone of your own left us to build their own lands. Our way of things has worked for thousands of years, but we have had requests from our fellow country men to help with issues they inherited due to their mistakes. They all want the gifts we have achieved.”

“And what gifts are those?”

The plane began to shift. Landing. Ona returned her gaze. “Before you meet our king, you must enter ten places. If you can pass them, you will meet the king. If not, you will return home and die.”

Slam!

Ona barely flinched at the sound I made. My fist still touched the fold up table between us. My body flared, as I leaned down and came close enough to taste the shocking cold air she gave off.

“Turn this plane around. I'm going home.”

“To die?”

“I don't have time for your games!” I shouted. “I'm here because I want a boost in my salary! I want to send my kids to good schools and give my wife all the designer shoes, clothes and bags she wants! I want be someone one day, so don't you play with me!”

Ona never moved. White eyes blinked.

She simply said, “Look up.”

Perhaps it was just a reflex, or a last act I'd give to my superiors. Ever since I'd been young, I had the fear of God in me. I listened, I never spoke back, I did as asked. Always.

I don't knew why I listened to Ona, but I found myself fixated in a daze underneath skies painted a faint pink.

Cool winds blew. I heard the ocean's roar and the shudder of palm trees a few feet away. The plane I'd entered was half the size of a passenger one, perched on white sand with its walkway sloped down to where I stood.

This all seemed too familiar.

Why do I remember a place I've never been in?

Ona, swung her feet while she sat on top of the plane, barefooted while her dark hair fluttered about her face.

“Welcome to the first stop, Elorm.”

I frowned. That can’t be right. “No. I’m…”

I’m John.

Ona looked back with a gaze that could tell I lied straight through my teeth, just like I had since I was eight years old.

She smiled, but her cheeks never lifted. “Let’s begin.”

This is captivating. Pls keep it coming non-stop for the good of democracy.

I rushed here as I saw as an update has been made

Loving all the way.

First thing I did as soon as my phone cane on and you did not disappoint. Good job!

This looks like a visit to another dimension. Let's see.

For a new writer you are doing a terrific job, I love the way you described everything,update as often as possible so you won't lose your audience. Keep up the good work!