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Episode 13: He's In Pain

“Your husband?” Ify asked as she glanced between them in shock.

Beatrice nodded but didn’t speak. There was total silence for a moment. Then Johnson began to weakly lose his grip on Ify in pain. Ify held him and looked pleadingly at Beatrice. “He’s in pain.”

Beatrice nodded and they helped him to her car and drove off to her house. Ify helped him to the long couch in the living room and left. She came back with a bowl of water and a towel and began to tend to his wounds. He winced.

“Sorry.” Ify said and continued tending him.

Meanwhile, Beatrice paced in front of them as she glared at Johnson, with all pent up hurt and hatred over the years. Johnson carefully avoided her eyes.

“How do you feel now?” Ify asked as she dropped the towel in the bowl, done.

“Better, thank you.” Johnson replied.

“Good.” Beatrice said and gave him a dirty slap. Johnson screamed in pain.

“That was for abandoning us.” She continued, breathing hard like a grampus.

“Did you have to do that? He is in pain already.” Ify said, shocked.

“I don’t care.” Beatrice replied and turned angrily to Johnson. “Get out.”

“Bea…” Johnson began.

“Shut up and get out of my house!”

Johnson sighed sadly and stood up to leave, swaying a little.

“Wait, are you sure you’ll be alright on your own?” Ify asked him.

“What are you doing?” Beatrice turned coldly to her.

“Auntie, look at him. He’s not strong enough to leave.”

“And how is that my business?”

“Auntie…”

“It’s okay, my dear. You have done more than enough for me. I’ll be fine.” Johnson said. He took a step to leave and fell. Ify ran and helped him back to the couch.

“You see? You’re not fine.” She said. “Can you call your family to come and take you home?”

“I don’t have any family.” Johnson replied.

Beatrice scoffed. “What about what’s her name? Sharon, the woman you disappeared with?”

“We broke up a long time ago.”

“Why? Did you dump her too?” Beatrice mocked.

“No.” Johnson muttered.

Beatrice laughed wickedly. “Oh, she dumped you… let me guess, after she ate all your money? Karma really is a bitch.”

“What about your friends? We can call them to come and pick you.” Ify said.



“I don’t have any friends.” Johnson replied shamefully.

“Neighbors, nko. Don’t you have a neighbor’s number?”

“I don’t have neighbors.”

“Where do you live then? A cave?” Beatrice mocked him.

“I don’t have a place to live?” Johnson’s voice was so quiet they almost didn’t hear him.

Both women went silent. Johnson couldn’t meet their gaze.

“Wait, you mean you’re homeless?” Ify asked.

Johnson nodded. Ify looked at Beatrice.

“What?” Beatrice asked. Then she shook her head. “Mm-mm. No way. He’s not staying in my house.”

“Auntie please…”

“Ify no.”

“He’s homeless.”

“And so? It’s not my problem.”

“Auntie…”

“Ify please… please stay out of this. You have no idea what this man did to me and my daughter.” Beatrice said firmly.

“I am sorry, Beatrice.” Johnson said.

“Take your sorry and get out of my house. I don’t want your karma to pollute this place.”

“Auntie, I know I have no right to interfere in your business. Apart from my mother, you’re the most wonderful woman I know. Yes, he wronged you. Karma is dealing with him now. But whatever wrong he has done to you, don’t pay him back by kicking him out to the streets. Look at him. He is in no condition to be out in the streets. Please let him stay, at least until he recovers.”

Beatrice glared at her. Ify looked back at her, doe eyed. Beatrice looked at Johnson. Then she turned to Ify and said. “Alright he can stay but only until he is strong enough. That’s it.”



Ify beamed at her. “Thank you, Auntie. God bless you.”

Beatrice smiled back. She looked at Johnson and frowned. “You are lucky you have Ify here to defend you. I’m only doing this for her. She is the only one that can make me do this.”

“Thank you, Beatrice.” He looked at Ify. “Thank you very much my daughter. I won’t forget your kindness.”

“You’re welcome.” Ify said and helped him lie back down on the couch. Beatrice turned to leave.

“Beatrice?” Johnson called softly.

She turned back to him.

“I know I don’t deserve to ask. But how have you been?” He asked.

“I’m still here.” She replied.

“And Nene?”

The silence that greeted him was chilly. Beatrice was frozen like a statue. Even Ify stood very still. Johnson glanced at them, confused.

“What happened? Where is she?”

Beatrice remained frozen with grief. Ify shook her head sadly, eyes glistening. Johnson’s eyes widened in sudden realization.

He shook his head in disbelief. “No. No. She’s gone? Dead? Nene is dead–”

“Don’t you ever mention her name. You have no right. You. Have. No. Right.” Beatrice cut him off harshly and abruptly walked out. Ify stood awkwardly for a moment and left. Alone, Johnson broke down and wept for a daughter he had callously left a long time ago.

And as the days followed and the estranged couple, Beatrice and Johnson mourned, Ify continued her quest to contact her family. But it proved to be very difficult. The queen had infiltrated everywhere. None of her people could recognize her. Anytime she approached any of her family, her face always changed to someone else.



Even her friends were not left out. She had gone to the company where she worked to see them. The queen was there, of course, posing as her. She had watched miserably from a distance as the queen enjoyed lunch with them. They had looked straight at her but couldn’t recognize her. The queen had smirked insolently at her and turned back to gist with her friends.

Ify wondered what she had done wrong to deserve such punishment. In a flash, her perfect life had turned to a nightmare. All her life, she had tried to live right. Her predicament could have been excused as karma if she had done something horrible.

Then a miracle happened...

Visit https://www.litafrik.com/vanquished-episode-13-hes-in-pain/ to know that miracle

Episode 13: He's In Pain

“Your husband?” Ify asked as she glanced between them in shock.

Beatrice nodded but didn’t speak. There was total silence for a moment. Then Johnson began to weakly lose his grip on Ify in pain. Ify held him and looked pleadingly at Beatrice. “He’s in pain.”



Beatrice nodded and they helped him to her car and drove off to her house. Ify helped him to the long couch in the living room and left. She came back with a bowl of water and a towel and began to tend to his wounds. He winced.

“Sorry.” Ify said and continued tending him.

Meanwhile, Beatrice paced in front of them as she glared at Johnson, with all pent up hurt and hatred over the years. Johnson carefully avoided her eyes.

“How do you feel now?” Ify asked as she dropped the towel in the bowl, done.

“Better, thank you.” Johnson replied.

“Good.” Beatrice said and gave him a dirty slap. Johnson screamed in pain.

“That was for abandoning us.” She continued, breathing hard like a grampus.

“Did you have to do that? He is in pain already.” Ify said, shocked.

“I don’t care.” Beatrice replied and turned angrily to Johnson. “Get out.”

“Bea…” Johnson began.

“Shut up and get out of my house!”

Johnson sighed sadly and stood up to leave, swaying a little.

“Wait, are you sure you’ll be alright on your own?” Ify asked him.



“What are you doing?” Beatrice turned coldly to her.

“Auntie, look at him. He’s not strong enough to leave.”

“And how is that my business?”

“Auntie…”

“It’s okay, my dear. You have done more than enough for me. I’ll be fine.” Johnson said. He took a step to leave and fell. Ify ran and helped him back to the couch.

“You see? You’re not fine.” She said. “Can you call your family to come and take you home?”

“I don’t have any family.” Johnson replied.

Beatrice scoffed. “What about what’s her name? Sharon, the woman you disappeared with?”

“We broke up a long time ago.”

“Why? Did you dump her too?” Beatrice mocked.

“No.” Johnson muttered.

Beatrice laughed wickedly. “Oh, she dumped you… let me guess, after she ate all your money? Karma really is a bitch.”

“What about your friends? We can call them to come and pick you.” Ify said.



“I don’t have any friends.” Johnson replied shamefully.

“Neighbors, nko. Don’t you have a neighbor’s number?”

“I don’t have neighbors.”

“Where do you live then? A cave?” Beatrice mocked him.

“I don’t have a place to live?” Johnson’s voice was so quiet they almost didn’t hear him.

Both women went silent. Johnson couldn’t meet their gaze.

“Wait, you mean you’re homeless?” Ify asked.

Johnson nodded. Ify looked at Beatrice.

“What?” Beatrice asked. Then she shook her head. “Mm-mm. No way. He’s not staying in my house.”

“Auntie please…”

“Ify no.”

“He’s homeless.”

“And so? It’s not my problem.”

“Auntie…”

“Ify please… please stay out of this. You have no idea what this man did to me and my daughter.” Beatrice said firmly.

“I am sorry, Beatrice.” Johnson said.

“Take your sorry and get out of my house. I don’t want your karma to pollute this place.”

“Auntie, I know I have no right to interfere in your business. Apart from my mother, you’re the most wonderful woman I know. Yes, he wronged you. Karma is dealing with him now. But whatever wrong he has done to you, don’t pay him back by kicking him out to the streets. Look at him. He is in no condition to be out in the streets. Please let him stay, at least until he recovers.”

Beatrice glared at her. Ify looked back at her, doe eyed. Beatrice looked at Johnson. Then she turned to Ify and said. “Alright he can stay but only until he is strong enough. That’s it.”



Ify beamed at her. “Thank you, Auntie. God bless you.”

Beatrice smiled back. She looked at Johnson and frowned. “You are lucky you have Ify here to defend you. I’m only doing this for her. She is the only one that can make me do this.”

“Thank you, Beatrice.” He looked at Ify. “Thank you very much my daughter. I won’t forget your kindness.”

“You’re welcome.” Ify said and helped him lie back down on the couch. Beatrice turned to leave.

“Beatrice?” Johnson called softly.

She turned back to him.

“I know I don’t deserve to ask. But how have you been?” He asked.

“I’m still here.” She replied.

“And Nene?”

The silence that greeted him was chilly. Beatrice was frozen like a statue. Even Ify stood very still. Johnson glanced at them, confused.

“What happened? Where is she?”

Beatrice remained frozen with grief. Ify shook her head sadly, eyes glistening. Johnson’s eyes widened in sudden realization.

He shook his head in disbelief. “No. No. She’s gone? Dead? Nene is dead–”

“Don’t you ever mention her name. You have no right. You. Have. No. Right.” Beatrice cut him off harshly and abruptly walked out. Ify stood awkwardly for a moment and left. Alone, Johnson broke down and wept for a daughter he had callously left a long time ago.

And as the days followed and the estranged couple, Beatrice and Johnson mourned, Ify continued her quest to contact her family. But it proved to be very difficult. The queen had infiltrated everywhere. None of her people could recognize her. Anytime she approached any of her family, her face always changed to someone else.



Even her friends were not left out. She had gone to the company where she worked to see them. The queen was there, of course, posing as her. She had watched miserably from a distance as the queen enjoyed lunch with them. They had looked straight at her but couldn’t recognize her. The queen had smirked insolently at her and turned back to gist with her friends.

Ify wondered what she had done wrong to deserve such punishment. In a flash, her perfect life had turned to a nightmare. All her life, she had tried to live right. Her predicament could have been excused as karma if she had done something horrible.

Then a miracle happened. She had bought a loaf of bread and was leaving a supermarket when she spotted Tony fueling his car at the filling station opposite the supermarket. Her heart pounded excitedly. But she hesitated, not wanting to be disappointed in case he didn’t recognize. As if he could sense her, Tony looked up and saw her. She didn’t know when she smiled widely and waved at him. He smiled and waved back! Ify couldn’t believe it. Tony recognized her!

For the first time, she felt hope coursing through her. She ran across the road, straight into his arms and held him tight, crying in joy.

“I’ve missed you so much, baby.” She said as she stared up at him.

“I’m sorry.” Tony said, confused. “Have we met before?”

Ify felt the sweet hope disappear and replaced with cold dread. “You don’t recognize me?” Her eyes caught her reflection from his car window and her face crumpled in despair. It was the same strange face that stared back at her.

“Baby, what’s taking you so long?” The queen said as she approached them.

Tony quickly stepped back, guiltily. “Nothing, babe. It’s…”

“Oh, I know you.” The queen smiled at Ify. “You’re the girl who came to our house the other day. Babe, I told you about her. She got sick and mom and I took her to the hospital.”

“Yes, that’s right. I remember.” Tony replied.

“How’s your health now?” The queen asked Ify in all innocence.

Ify blinked at her. For some reason, she couldn’t speak. The queen smiled sweetly at her. “Well, I’m glad you’re fine now.” She turned to Tony. “Babe, we have to go or we’ll be late for our counselling.”

Counselling! Ify screamed in her head. So, it was happening. Tony was going to marry this evil marine queen. The queen was getting married in her place!

“NO!” Ify screamed in her head.

“Nice to meet you.” Tony said to her.

She still couldn’t speak out loud when Tony and the queen entered the car. She watched helplessly as they drove away. Only then did she recover her voice. By then, it was too late. They were gone.

Later, Beatrice saw her sitting at the front porch of the house and staring vacantly into space.

“How did it go?” She asked.

“I met Tony, my fiance today.” Ify said quietly

“And?”

“He doesn’t recognize me.”

Beatrice sighed and went to sit beside her.

“I did as you said.” Ify said, defeated. “I tried again and again and again. Yet each time, she is there. She is everywhere. She took my family, my friends, my fiance, my life. Everything.”

“I refuse to believe that. Surely there is always a way to get everything back.”

“How?” Ify asked, frowning.

“This is a spiritual matter. Have you considered consulting someone?”

“Who?”

“A pastor.”

“Which pastor?”

The door opened and Johnson stepped out. The women stopped and stared at him. Although he still walked with a limp, he looked better than before.

“Do you need anything, sir?” Ify asked him.

“No, I’m fine. I’m sorry to interrupt. I just wanted some fresh air.” He apologized.

“It’s okay.” Ify replied.

“Are you alright my dear? You look so sad.” Johnson said, concerned.

“I am. But I will be fine.”

“Is there someway I can help.”

Ify smiled sadly. “Thanks for offering. But there’s nothing you can do to help me.”

“Try me.” He insisted.

Ify hesitated. “Well, I’m trying to get my life back from someone who took it from me. But I can’t because the person is too powerful.”

“Hmm… that’s a very difficult situation to be.” Johnson said.

“You see, I told you, you can’t help.”

Johnson raised his eyebrows. “But I can.”

“No, you can’t. This person I’m talking about, she isn’t ordinary. She ageless, very powerful and she calls herself–”

“The queen.” Johnson concluded.

Both women stared at him, stunned.

“She’s just intimidating you to stop you from disrupting her plans. But she isn’t as powerful as you think.” He said.

“Are you sure we’re talking about the same queen?” Ify asked skeptically.

“She’s the queen of the coast, goddess of the sea and mother of all–”

“Existence.” Ify finished. Her eyes were round as saucers. “You really do know her.”

“Yes, I do.” Johnson replied. “The queen is a very powerful and vindictive sea goddess. Her symbol is a large python. Before Christianity and Islam, she had one of the largest numbers of worshipers. She still does, only not as many as before. And that makes her worried because she loses her power anytime she loses worshipers. What she does now is to select young, lovely, gifted people- preferably females…” He stared pointedly at Ify “… who are strong and can command attention anywhere with their charms. She places such people in strategic positions where she can control everything and everyone through them. That’s how she gets followers to fuel her power. “

“Apparently, she found you worthy and you turned her down.” He continued. “The queen doesn’t like to be turned down. The thing is once she singles you out, you have no choice. If you refuse, she will strike like a python.”

“Wow.” Ify blinked at the unsettling revelation. “But it’s not by force now. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

“You don’t have to ask anything. What the queen wants, the queen gets.”

“So, you’re saying I’m doomed?”

“That’s how it looks.” Johnson said, solemnly.

“You’re a big help. Thank you very much.” Beatrice said, sarcastically.

Ify went between fear and anger. “That’s it? I’m going to live the rest of my life knowing that someone else is living my life and there’s nothing I can do about it. Nothing I do will ever work because she sees and knows everything. She even knows what we’re doing now as we speak.”

“Yes, or how else do you think she always seems to be ahead of you?”

Back at Ify’s family house, the queen was doing the dishes, her head corked as if she was listening to a conversation. She smiled. So the little, ungrateful urchin was back?

Back at Beatrice’ front porch, Ify paced all over the place, agitated. “So what’s the point? If she already knows what we are doing right now, what is the point planning anything against her when she will already know about it anyway?”

“Of course we can do something. There’s always hope.”

“What can we do?”

“We destroy her.”

Ify scoffed. “How do you kill an immortal, all powerful goddess of the sea?”

“She doesn’t have to be dead to be destroyed.”

Ify stopped and stared at him in sudden understanding. “You mean we can destroy her powers and send her back to where she can’t hurt us anymore?”

“Exactly.”

Ify gave him a determined look. “Then I’m with you. Tell me what to do.”

Episode 14 is already out. You can read it at https://www.litafrik.com/vanquished-episode-14-she-killed-my-baby/

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Episode 15

Agnes came out of the restroom in the master bedroom she shared with Ben. Ben was up in bed going through a large family album and smiling at the happy memories.

“Why are you smiling?” Agnes asked, amused.

Ben looked at her as his smile widened. “Oh, I am just looking at pictures from the early days.”

Agnes joined him in bed and they watched the pictures together.

“Those were good times, weren’t they?” Ben asked.

“Yes they were. Look at the children. So young and innocent. How did they grow up so fast?” Agnes replied.

“Time. Yesterday, they were little children playing and jumping all over the place. Today, they are responsible adults with their own families. Very soon, Ify will marry and move to start a family of her own. It will just be two of us. I miss those days. I wish we could get them back.” Ben said wistfully.



“Me too.” Agnes replied in the same tone. Then she sighed.

“What is it?” Ben asked, concerned at the sadness he detected in her.

“Have you noticed anything strange about Ify?”

“Are you referring to her meltdown this evening?”

“So you noticed?”

Ben shrugged. “Look, she is about to commit herself to a man she will live with for the rest of her life. Of course she is bound to react to that one way or the other. Remember how you cried that you wanted to go home to your parents the morning after our wedding? I guess Ify is going through the same thing. Cut her some slack. I thought you women understand these things better.”

“I know but still… there is something off about her. I can’t place my finger on it. Call it a mother’s instinct.” Agnes insisted.

“What do you mean?” Ben asked curiously.

“Remember the way she attacked those robbers that came to this house the last time and all the other weird things that followed. Now she goes off over very little things. In the kitchen, she went berserk over a fish. Fish o. You know Ify loves to eat fish. She literally changed before my very eyes. In fact, let me tell you the truth. Anytime she comes close to me these days, I cringe. I am scared of her.”

“Why? Is she not your daughter?”

Ben’s tone made her want to strike him. “Oh, she’s my daughter now, okwa ya?” When she was nice and sweet, she was daddy’s darling little angel.”

Ben blinked at her outburst. Then he sighed. Women. He’d been married for almost forty years and yet, he couldn’t understand his wife.

“What do you want me to do now?” He asked calmly.

“I don’t know. I was hoping you would talk to her to stop being an ogbanje.”

“Ogbanje? It hasn’t gotten to this, Agnes.”

“It has o, honey. Something is wrong. I can feel it. Sometimes, I feel that that person is not Ify.”

Ben rolled his eyes. “Come on Agnes, of course she is our daughter. Personally, I think she is acting out because of stress. Let us just hope it ends when she gets married.”

Agnes sighed. “I hope so. I really hope so.”

Meanwhile the queen was in bed in Ify’s room, growing stiff with anger and dread as she listened to the conversation in the master bedroom. So, they were beginning to suspect her. She knew the kitchen incident was a mistake. She could have handled it better. The queen berated herself. What was wrong with her? She was the queen of the universe, queen of the coast and mother of all creation. A queen shouldn’t react like a mere human because of a little provocation.

But truth be told, that wasn’t a little provocation. Whatever her former subject, Johnson, the stupid ungrateful imp poured on her face was deadly. And she had sneaky suspicion what it was.



“No, no, it can’t be.” She muttered, shuddering in fear. But where did he get the knowledge from?

She turned over and sighed. It didn’t matter now. So far, nobody knew what she was, not even the girl’s mother who was growing too suspicious for her liking. She had to do something about that woman. In fact, she had to do something about all of them before they find out and damage her plans.

* * *

“Oh my God!” Ify exclaimed the next morning. “My family is in danger.”

She rose up but Johnson stopped her. “Where are you going?”

“To warn them of course.”

“That’s not going to work. You’ll only put them in further trouble.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

* * *

The queen walked straight to Lola’s and Halima’s desk at the office. They turned away.

“Hi.” She greeted cheerfully.

“Go away, Ify.” Lola said curtly.

The queen sobered. “I want us to talk.”

“We don’t want to talk to you. Go away.” Halima said.

“Please now.” The queen pleaded.

“Shebi you said you want to cut us off because you’re getting married. We have made it easy for you. Go away. You’re disturbing us.” Lola said.

“It’s not like that.” The queen replied. “I shouldn’t have said that. I am so sorry. The truth is I wasn’t myself. I’ve been so stressed out. I didn’t mean what I said. I swear.”

“Ok, we’ve heard.” Halima said.

The queen smiled. “Have you forgiven me?”

“We’ll think about it.” Lola replied, not smiling.

“Come on, I said I am sorry. You guys are my best friends. We’ve been best friends since forever. What are friends if they don’t forgive each other? Please now, forgive me.” The queen pleaded with all sincerity she could muster.

Lola and Halima looked at each other as if they were consulting telepathically. They nodded and turned back to her.



“Ok, we forgive you. But what you said yesterday hurt. I have to tell you. You know I don’t hide my feelings.” Lola said.

“As in eh, I never thought I would hear you say it.” Halima agreed. “But we forgive you, sha.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.” The queen beamed. “How about we hang out this evening. My treat.”

Lola finally smiled. “You want to bribe us, abi?”

The queen laughed. “I want to show you I am really sorry about yesterday.”

“You don’t have to do that to show you’re sorry. You’re our friend.” Halima said. “But since you’ve offered to take us out, who are we to say no?”

They laughed and hugged and the queen went back to her desk… or Ify’s desk. She sat down smiled smugly to herself. Things were back on track. She had even taken care of the girl’s parents. She had made them a very sumptuous breakfast and apologized profusely to them. They had forgiven her after a lengthy lecture on how they didn’t like her recent ogbanje behaviour. Ogbanje? Really? Of all things to call her, it would be Ogbanje! That was very insulting. But she had let it pass. If she didn’t have better plans, she would have blasted them to kingdom come on the spot. Then they would know she was more than an ogbanje.

* * *

“Relax, she isn’t going to do anything to them.” Johnson assured Ify.

“How do you know? You’re not there with them.” Ify wasn’t convinced.

“The queen wouldn’t want to hurt them so as not to attract unnecessary attention. Yes it sounds ironic but they are safe. But if it makes you feel better, I will do something to protect them.”

“Thank you.” She asked, curious.

“You’re welcome.” Johnson replied confidently. “Meanwhile, we have to begin getting the things we need to get her out of your life.”

“Ok, what do you have in mind?”

“We need to get fish oil. Lot’s of them.”

Ify sat up. “Fish oil again? What exactly does it do?”

“Mermaids or sea goddesses have some sort of kindred spirit with fishes. They can’t eat fish, not even in this world. Picture someone serving you a plate of human flesh.”

“Eww.” Ify screwed her face up in disgust.

“Exactly.”

“Ok, so we get a lot of fish oil. But you told me it’s more complicated than that.”

“I did and I will explain. Have you ever wondered why gods and goddesses don’t carry out their missions themselves but send agents instead? There’s a reason for that. You see, each god or goddess has a realm he or she controls. In these realms, they are powerful. No one can touch them. But when a god or in this case, a goddess leaves her realm to another, she becomes very vulnerable. And if there’s anything the gods dread so much, it’s vulnerability.”



“Then why is the queen not vulnerable since the sea is her realm and she is on land?”

“Who says she isn’t? She only wants you to believe that so you will be too afraid to come after her. You see, when she is in her realm, she is an all-powerful goddess. Nothing and nobody gets to her. Here among the living, she may be powerful and all-knowing. After all, she isn’t really human. But she is also weak. This earth is not her natural habitat. It is ours. We may not have supernatural powers like her. But we do know how to defend ourselves by other means.”

Ify nodded. “So we need fish oil. What else?”

“We kill her pythons and get into her realm.”

“What?” Ify said in shock.

“When you were there, did you see a mirror and an urn? They were on the stools on the two sides of her throne.”

“Honestly, I was too scared to notice. All I thought about was how to get out of there.” Ify replied.

“What do you know about sea goddesses?”

Ify shrugged. “I don’t know. They’re very beautiful?”

“Good. And they are very vain about it. They have this extraordinary attachment with their extraordinary beauty. They love to bask in their beauty and admire themselves. That’s why they need a–”

“Mirror.” Ify finished for him.

“Right. If we have to defeat her, we need her mirror.”

“Why not just any mirror?”

“It won’t work. In fact, it will be an insult to her. We need hers.”

“And the urn?”

“Her pythons shed skins periodically like normal pythons. She collects them, grinds and pours them in that urn for her purposes. Ironically, she cannot use them on herself, especially when she is so vulnerable here in our world. She can use it on anyone but her. Talk about back to sender.”

“So we’ll go back to that place again.” Ify said and sagged in defeat. “I don’t know if I want to do this.”



“Would you prefer to spend the rest of your life as miserable as I am?”

“God forbid.”

“Good. We need to start immediately.”

And they did. They spent the days that followed in intense preparation of their impending mission. Johnson taught her how to douse the knives and stakes they made in the oil. He taught her how to fight with them.

“How did you learn to do all these?” Ify asked him one day as they practiced.

Johnson grimaced. “I met some interesting people during my wanderings. They didn’t like the queen because their gods were at war with her. So they taught me how to defend myself against her. Unfortunately, by the time I met them, she had already taken everything from me.”

“I am sorry.”

“It’s okay. I deserved it. You don’t. And I am going to make her pay for it.”

They continued to practice.



* * *

Agnes came out of the hospital and went to her car.

“You’ve collected your result, madam?” A male voice asked her. She turned to face the voice. A middle aged man approached her smiling cordially. She had seen him at the waiting room. They were waiting for their result.

She smiled back. “Yes, I have. Have you collected yours?”

“Yes, everything is fine now, thank God. The last time I came for a check up, the doctor said my cholesterol was very high.” The man replied.

Agnes’ eyes widened in surprise. “Really? I’m having the same problem. My cholesterol is high. The doctor said I should cut down on some certain foods before the problem becomes too serious. He recommended some drugs. Did they help you?”

The man shook his head. “Not really. Drugs are good but diet is better. I focused more on my diet.”

“I think I’m going to do the same thing. I hate drugs, to be honest.”

“Then allow me to introduce you to this oil. It helped me. I know it will help you too.” He gave her a well packaged bottle of oil.

She read the label. “Fish oil? I’ve never seen that.”

“You won’t have to worry about cholesterol problem if you and your family take it. It’s very rich in Omega-3.”

Agnes smiled. “You sound like my daughter. She loves fish.”

The man’s eyes gleamed in satisfaction. “Then she will love this oil. I’m sure of that.”

“Alright, I’ll try it.”

“You won’t regret it. I promise. You’ll thank me later.”

“Sorry, I don’t know your name.” Agnes said, curious.

“Johnson.” Johnson’s smile widened. “My name is Johnson.”

* * *

“Where is Iyke?” Tony asked as he entered the tailor’s shop.

Johnson looked from the material he was sowing and smiled at him. “He is not here. He went for a burial in his village.” Which wasn’t true. Iyke was actually in his house unconscious and gagged.

Tony was angry. “Village? What the hell is wrong with that guy? I told him I was coming to collect my clothes today.”

“Oh, you must be Tony. Yes, he told me about you. Hold on, let me check.” Johnson said and checked the already sown materials on the hanger. He brought out a very well designed traditional wear.

“This is yours, right?”

“Yes.” Tony said in relief. He took the cloth and tried it on. “It’s too tight.”

Johnson nodded. “I can see.”

“But that’s strange. I have known Iyke for years. He normally gets my measurements right.”

“Maybe the problem isn’t the cloth. It might be you.” Johnson observed.

“What do you mean?” Tony asked defensively.

“Maybe you’ve added some weight.”

“What?” Tony said, surprised. “It’s not true.”

“You just said he normally gets your correct measurement. So, it might not be his fault.”

“But… wait, let me call him first.” Tony said and dialed Iyke’s number. It was switched off. “What the hell?”

“Look, it’s very easy. I can adjust it to your right size. But you might want to consider changing your diet. You don’t want your madam to start looking outside.” Johnson offered.

Tony took offense. “I live a very healthy lifestyle, thank you very much. And I don’t know you.”

“Oh, I’m only standing in for Iyke until he comes back from the village. Don’t worry, I’m not going to ruin your cloth.”

“Ok.” Tony gave him the cloth, hesitantly.

“So, are you going to take my advice on the diet?” Johnson asked delicately as he mended the cloth.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not fat.” Tony replied curtly.

“I’m not saying you’re fat. Just be careful of what you eat. You know, to avoid cholesterol problems.”

“I know that. Even if I want to take diet tips from you, I’m sure you have nothing new to offer me.”

Johnson lit up. “I do. Take this oil. It’s good for you.”

Tony took the bottle he offered and read it. “Fish oil? Why?”

“It helps you lose weight.”

Tony laughed. “I’m not a woman. And you can stop patronizing me. I know you just want to sell your product.”

Johnson chuckled. “Ok, you’ve caught me. But I assure you, you will not like taking any other oil if you try this one. It’s very good for your heart. Very rich in Omega-3.”

Tony smiled grudgingly. “My woman actually loves fish. I’m sure she will like this.”

Johnson beamed. “Great. She deserves it. Even if she doesn’t want it, use it for yourself. You won’t regret it, I promise.”

Tony laughed. “Have you met my fiance’? She loves fish a whole lot. I think I’m going to prepare a surprise jollof rice for her after our wedding.”

Johnson paused. “Wait, you’re getting married?”

“Yeah, next weekend. We’ll be traveling to the village this weekend. That’s why I was pissed when I didn’t see Iyke.”

“Oh, I see.” Johnson said quietly.

“He didn’t tell you? That cloth you’re holding is my traditional wedding outfit.”

The Final episode will come out tomorrow. Stay tuned.

nice one OP... God bless

Final Episode

“What!” Ify exclaimed in shock.

Johnson nodded solemnly. “Yes.”

“She’s going to marry him! What are we doing here? We need to stop her!”

“We will. It’s just… I thought we’ll have enough time to complete your training. Well, we don’t have a choice. Lucky for us, tonight is full moon. Her pythons will prowl.”

“Her pythons? I thought they’re too sacred to come out.”

“They are the mother pythons, the symbols of her power. That is why some communities don’t kill pythons. It grieves the mother pythons which in turn grieves the queen and incurs her wrath. If we must get to her realm, we must get them out of the way. And what better way to do that than when they are out?”

“Ok.” Ify said, somewhat reassured.

“Good. It’s settled then. We’ll strike tonight.”

Then night came. As Johnson predicted, it was the full moon. It was also an eerie night, a night of reckoning. Johnson was already packed and ready as he waited for Ify on the front porch. He had two back packs. One for him, one for Ify.

He was checking the bags, making sure everything was ready and nothing was left out when Beatrice came out. Since his last confession, she had deliberately avoided him. Even when they had occasionally met face to face, she pretended she didn’t see him, that he didn’t exist. He was pretty sure she would have thrown him out of the house if not for Ify.

Now she was staring at him at her front porch. He didn’t know what to make of it. Had she come to wish him the fieriest part of hell?



“Everything is ready. I’m just waiting for Ify.” He said, breaking the awkward silence.

She nodded but didn’t speak. Instead, she stared out into the night. Johnson wanted to talk to her but for the life of him, he didn’t know what to say. It was already enough that she wanted his head on a platter. He didn’t want to say anything that would trigger her to make it a reality. So, the awkward silence dragged on.

Finally, she looked at him and said. “Before you go, I just want to say that I forgive you for what you did to me and… and Nene… That’s all.”

She turned to get back into the house.

“Beatrice.” He called softly.

She turned back to face him.

“Words can’t describe how sorry I am for everything. I want you to know that if I could go back to change things, I would, I shouldn’t have left you for Sharon. I will regret that for the rest of my life. And I am very grateful to you for finding it in your heart to forgive me. You don’t know how much it means to me.”

Beatrice’s glistened with tears as she smiled her forgiveness. Ify entered and glanced between them. “Am I interrupting?”



Beatrice chuckled and wiped her tears. “No dear. Are you ready?”

“Yes ma.” Ify replied.

Beatrice hugged her tenderly. “Be careful. Take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will.” Ify replied softly.

Beatrice let her go and faced Johnson. To his greatest surprise, she hugged him too.

“Good luck, Johnson.” She said.

Johnson was speechless. It took him a moment to hug her back. He closed his eyes to savor the moment. God, how he missed her. In that moment, the regret of all the wasted years washed over him. How he wished he never met Sharon. Never met the queen. By now, he could have lived a happy life. Nene would have lived and may be had brothers and sisters. But all these could never be, because of his stupid mistake.

Johnson gulped. “Thank you. She’ll come back safely. I’ll make sure of that.”

“And you too.” Beatrice said.

Johnson smiled. “I’ll try.”

They broke the embrace and Johnson turned to Ify who was watching them with tears in her eyes.

“Ready, young lady?” He asked, his eyes shining with new found joy.

“I am.” She replied, sniffing.

“Good. Let’s go.”

They went into Beatrice’ car and drove into the night while Beatrice waved them goodbye...

Read the rest of the final episode at https://www.litafrik.com/vanquished-final-episode-python-dance-to-freedom/

Wow! what a beautiful and mind-blowing story.. thanks for sharing this with us

becca2017:
Wow! what a beautiful and mind-blowing story.. thanks for sharing this with us

Aww... Thanks so much for reading, darling

nonnywhite:

Aww... Thanks so much for reading, darling

Yeah.. you're welcome

An interesting end

Thanks OP

Ann2012:
An interesting end

Thanks OP

Thanks for reading dear

Wow. Nice ending


Jah will continue to bless ya hand work

skubido:
Wow. Nice ending


Jah will continue to bless ya hand work

Amen. Thank you so much