The eyes of the crying women spoke volume, making Olumide Jagunoso become worried about the grief-stricken words of their mouth. The air was filled with jagged words that pierced into humans' emotion, pinched their tear glands and clawed on his heart. He was worried that their sadness would soon turn to a revolt- one he didn't need at that time. All he desired was to see them all keep quiet as he made his way to the front of the gathering crowd.
Another beeping tone made his phone vibrate assuring him of the continuity of the burning petrol tanker at Jankara Market, Lagos. He hoped none of these sorrowful people would spook the tensed environment, that there would be hope in humanity again but like all hopes, his hope was soon deflating from the sky as a man yelled, 'we will kill the bastard'.
Olumide would have turned to see the person that uttered such ludicrous statement but his focus was laced on the little tiny girl, whose body was sprawled in the thick murky blood on the untiled road beside the scattered casing of an android phone. For some absurd reason, the phone was still on and Instagram feeds painted its screen. He recognised the picture of the burnt body, one that he had reposted.
'Help the man', Olumide coughed out immediately someone else took up the call of the sturdy man that yelled for the death of the driver. However, Olumide's call for help had a counter effect. It fuelled the anger of the man who made the first statement because, soon enough, he had geared the beastly desires in different people. Soon, men were running from different positions to clamp tires on the neck of the lanky wounded man.
His yell rented the air as different people took up the position of the judge and jury. Women, out of the pain of motherhood, called for his head. Young men were too thrilled and wouldn't see a reason to put a stop to the act. Young ladies and some of the younger men jerked out their phones and pointed the cameras to capture what was happening. Olumide, on the other hand, was transfixed to the position as his voice eluded him.
Within a few minutes, the man was screaming and rolling in the dust. Soon enough, his own phone began to buzz with Instagram, Twitter and Facebook notifications. He was sure Nairaland would have also taken up the news. A lot of people on this platform kept calling for the head of the dying man. His voice was louder than the people; yet, they geared up the man dousing him with petrol. Their call came on. And he stood aloof- one man among many people hungry for the death of a sinner.
Once, he had thought that it was the ways of the African but he had seen white men do worse whenever they had the opportunity. We are all barbaric but live in a different world, he thought.
When the man was dead, the dark smoke and the angry voice reduced and the crackling fire had ceased, everyone left. He couldn't even forget the man's face if he wanted to because it was all over the internet now. The dead's man face would haunt him till he died.
Olumide pocketed his IPhone since he couldn't explain to the people that he was swiping through his own Instagram feed and wasn't concentrating on the road. In a bid to avoid him, the other driver, who must have been checking the news, swerved to kill the little child.
The thought of that lingered on his mind. He should have said something but he couldn't all he could do was to write on his Whatsapp status.
You can only fight a mob by running from them.




dedicated to Okeyben10

very unfortunate for d so-called reckless driver. Olumide however will have to live with that gory memory and guilt for as long as possible.

No, ds story ain't that weird lol

thanks for d dedication boss

You's d real MVP

okeyben10:
very unfortunate for d so-called reckless driver. Olumide however will have to live with that gory memory and guilt for as long as possible.

No, ds story ain't that weird lol

thanks for d dedication boss

You's d real MVP

Lol... It's not weird..
Thanjs

Happy birthday Divepen1, longlife and prosperity. Blessings in all areas of your life.

queenitee:
Happy birthday Divepen1, longlife and prosperity. Blessings in all areas of your life.

Thank you very much. You'll marry your husband..

Divepen1:
Thank you very much. You'll marry your husband..

Amen and you too your wife

queenitee:
Amen and you too your wife

Have you seen Writertain yet

cc: misswrite

Another great story, Divepen. Everyone was guilty of the same thing - not paying attention; immersing themselves in social media while they were in traffic. And one person took the brunt of the crowd for the resulting accident. We never see the full picture in these circumstances; and that's exactly what you've painted here: all of them victims - two paid with their lives; the other will carry his guilt. Well done, writer.

Divepen1:
Have you seen Writertain yet


cc: miss write

I just followed the link on your profile..........great initiative. I'll check it out.

Divepen1:
Have you seen Writertain yet


cc: misswrite

No! Lemme check it out

MissWrite:
Well done, writer.

Thanks. It's the same everywhere.

I just followed the link on your profile..........great initiative. I'll check it out.

Good! I will be delighted to see you there...

queenitee:
No! Lemme check it out

Will expect to see you there...

Divepen1:
Will expect to see you there...

It's not going through sir



I've been able to now, thank you