RINGS OF GLORY
Part 2

By Ezeigbo Christian

Chapter Four

"Hi, I wasn't expecting you today," Wilmer stuttered.
"Yeah, I know, I was so bored, so I had to come here," said
Princess Avara.
"Really? How may I help you?" Wilmer asked.
The Princess replied, "I'd love to listen to your music at
the nearby stream."
"I'm sorry, I can't," said Wilmer. "I lost my voice last
night."
At this point, a sudden stare ensued between them, and
her eyes were locked onto Wilmer's. A sharp connection
was felt, and she lowered her head slightly to maintain
self-control.
"You lost your voice last night, right? Don't worry, I will
sing," the Princess said.
"What! You, you—"
"Wilmer, you don't need to stutter; I want to sing for the
one I love," Princess Avara declared.
Max overheard everything and cleared his throat as he
emerged from the door, intending to excuse himself.
"Welcome, my princess. Wilmer, please close the door and
window," he said.
Left with no choice, Wilmer followed the princess to the
stream, picking up his musical instrument along the way.
Princess Avara was fascinated with Wilmer, seeking a way
to break the silence.
She asked, "Wilmer, can I tell you a story?"
"Story about what? The royal family? I'm not interested,"
Wilmer replied.
"There is something you ought to know about the royal
family," Princess Avara insisted.
"Okay, I'm listening," said Wilmer.
"Once upon a time," she began, "All the noble kings were
invited to a feast in Ecot. They were very happy and began
to prepare themselves with the most expensive cotton,
well-designed and decorated. The host, King Great, saw all
these and soon discovered that it was an honor for all the
kings to gather in his own home. At once, he sent his
soldiers to search around the kingdom and to prepare
young maidens for presentation. There was famine in
those days, and King Great had stored enough food for
only himself and his household. His special adviser had
whispered to him some hours ago. So the King asked what
must be done.
"The land of some of the people should be sold to
purchase food," said the Special Adviser.
Without wasting time, the lands were sold to purchase
more food for his visitors.
"But where would those people whose land was sold find
shelter?" Wilmer interrupted the Princess's story.
"Be patient," replied Princess Avara.
The princess continued, "At last, the great day came, and
the noble kings arrived at the palace. When all the kings
had gathered together, King Great sent out for the
beautiful maidens to display their beauty before the kings.
Ecot was known as ‘the home of beauty.’
"There's one important thing we must not forget," King
Great addressed his special guests. "When people are
invited to a great feast like this, it signifies peace and unity
among the nations."
During the celebration, an old woman appeared at the
center of the gathering and said, "King Great, why are you
eating and enjoying while your people are dying of
starvation and hunger?"
King Great, in anger, said, "Who is this, and how did she
enter this place? Throw her out of here!"
"Because you've done this, today will be the last day you
and your descendants will sit on the throne of Glory," said
the old woman as the guards held her and threw her out of
the palace.
The old woman was ignored, and the celebration
continued. After the feast, King Great was applauded and
praised for his friendly treatment, and then they all
departed to their various kingdoms. The following day,
King Great woke up early and went directly to his throne,
but he couldn't touch or sit on it. It was locked and
guarded by four rings of glory. Till today, no one has ever
sat on the throne."
Wilmer sighed after listening to the story. "So, isn't there
any way to unlock the throne?"
"There is, but before that, I want you to play the
instrument while I sing," said the Princess.
Gradually, the day became darker, and the sun changed its
color to red. There was no moon at that time. Princess
Avara sat on a small hill close to the stream, closed her
eyes, and started singing:
"When we were young, I could feel your love within me,
Now you've grown, I can see you left something.
Don't be long so you can take it from me,
I hope you know it is meant for you and me.
Hope you know how much I love to care for you,
I know you're feeling so shy near me.
Hope you know your heart, your smile is in my dream,
Now your hope in me is safe inside my heart."
Later on, Wilmer was tired, so he lay down beside
Princess Avara. He didn't know when he fell asleep.
Princess Avara noticed that he had fallen asleep, so she
used one of her clothes to cover him while she sat down
quietly.
For the first time since Mary got employed in the palace,
Prince Kelvin demanded a walk to the stream.
"Which stream, my Prince?" Mary asked.
"The one close to your man's house," said Prince Kelvin.
As they walked, Mary observed Princess Avara and
Wilmer's musical instrument on the hill. As they
approached, Mary walked carefully and quietly, doubting
the figure of the person lying on the ground.
"Wow! Who am I seeing?" said Prince Kelvin. "My little
sister is having a good time."
Wilmer, not knowing how long he had slept, heard a noise
behind him and stood up sharply. A lady stood there with
fierce anger written all over her face.
Wilmer couldn't utter a word; he knew she had seen the
princess's cloth on him.
"Don't be foolish, Wilmer!" Mary said. "I thought you said
you wanted to sing for the princess."
Wilmer did not answer; he didn't know where or how to
start explaining. He knew Mary would never listen to him.
"Go home and sleep," said Prince Kelvin. "You have made
Mary very sad."
"I've told her several times that you're not meant for her,"
he continued. As they stood there together, Wilmer's mind
went back to the days when they were young. He had
always loved her right from the beginning of time.



Chapter Five
The night enveloped Princess Avara in darkness. Laying
her head gently on the pillow, tears streamed down her
face as she dwelled on the incident at the stream. Sleep
eluded her as she pondered on how Wilmer might feel.
"Will he hate me?" she muttered. "I hope not," she said.
"It wasn't my fault."
The crowing of a cock announced the arrival of the
morning, disrupting her restless night. Determined to
make amends, Princess Avara hastily grabbed a pen and
penned an apology letter to Wilmer. Entrusting it to her
palace girl, she inquired about Wilmer's whereabouts.
"Do you know Wilmer?" Princess Avara asked.
"Yes, Princess," said the palace girl.
"Do you know where he lives?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," the palace girl replied.
Surprised, Princess Avara questioned, "How did you
manage to know his location?"
"His brother, Max, directed me there one day," the palace
girl explained.
Handing the letter to the palace girl with strict
instructions not to show anybody, Princess Avara hoped
for reconciliation.
As the palace girl left, she encountered Prince Kelvin.
"Good morning, my Prince," she greeted.
"Morning," he replied. "Where are you heading to this
morning?" he asked.
"Nowhere, sir. I'm just checking around," she said.
Unconvinced, Prince Kelvin confronted her about the
conversation with the princess. Fearing punishment, the
palace girl reluctantly agreed to cooperate with the prince.
"I want you to seduce Wilmer," Prince Kelvin instructed.
"How can that be possible, sir?" the palace girl protested.
"I don't know; you must do it," Prince Kelvin insisted.
The palace girl proceeded to Wilmer's house, where she
encountered him coming out. Handing him the letter from
Princess Avara, she deliberately stumbled and fell.
"Oh my!" Wilmer exclaimed. "I hope you didn't injure
yourself." He helped her up, displaying concern.
"Wait a second; let me go inside and get warm water to
treat your wound," said Wilmer.
As Wilmer tended to her, Prince Kelvin and Mary
observed the scene. Mary, already troubled by previous
events, couldn't bear to watch.
"Don't cry, my dear, lest Wilmer will see you as a weak
woman," Prince Kelvin comforted Mary.
Unable to contain her emotions, Mary confronted Wilmer.
"Never will I see you in my life again."
Back at the palace, Prince Kelvin and Mary left, leaving
Wilmer heartbroken. He unwrapped a gift from Princess
Avara, discovering a map to the Ring of Glory.
Early the next morning, Wilmer embarked on a journey to
a distant land to seek the Rings of Glory, following the
map's directions. Arriving at a hut in Gatarh, he knocked
but received no response.
Reasoning that the owner might be in the backyard,
Wilmer explored the surroundings. Suddenly, a
mysterious voice asked about his purpose.
"I came from Ecot and I'm looking for Master Zuul,"
Wilmer responded.
The voice revealed itself as Mr. Stone, the personal
assistant to Master Zuul, the guardian of the Rings of
Glory. Wilmer, astonished, engaged in a conversation with
Mr. Stone.
In the course of their discussion, Master Zuul returned.
Upon seeing Wilmer, he declared, "The time has come for
a king to become the king."



Chapter Six
Princess Avara had experienced loneliness for some time,
not having set eyes on Wilmer. Night after night, she
would hear the soft moans emanating from Mary in Prince
Kelvin's room, wondering how Wilmer would react if he
discovered Mary's betrayal with her brother.
"How I wish he loves me just as he loves Mary; I'd be the
happiest person ever," she thought to herself. Engrossed
in her newfound skill of crocheting, she pondered the
situation.
One day, she overheard a conversation between Prince
Kelvin and Max, Wilmer's brother.
"I really love the way you cooperated," Prince Kelvin
remarked. "Mary is finally pregnant for me."
"Really? Congratulations, my prince. Remember my
compensation," Max said.
"Why not? I will also promote you to become a staff in the
palace if I become the king," Prince Kelvin added.
Princess Avara was bewildered by Max's treacherous
actions against Wilmer. She quickly retreated from her
hiding place to avoid being caught.
On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the time
arrived to appoint a king in the land of Ecot. Prince Kelvin
and his pregnant wife, Mary, donned extravagant robes
crafted with the finest cotton and silk. They walked regally
to the seat of honor, following the customs. Prince Jack
and his beautiful sister sat alongside them.
An elder stepped forward, emphasizing the significance of
the rings of glory before crowning a new king. Aware that
a king without a throne is not a genuine king, he
announced, "The ring of glory must be found before
crowning one of the princes."
The land fell into absolute silence, confusion evident in
every face. Suddenly, the climatic conditions shifted as
clouds darkened and thickened. Princess Avara looked up
and smiled.
Meanwhile, Wilmer found himself led into a dark cave by
Master Zuul. Before him lay a large book surrounded by
the four rings of glory. Though Wilmer had lost patience
in acquiring the rings, he was intrigued by what he saw on
the book's cover.
"Within shadows, I weave treasure unseen, an atmosphere
of power where secrets convene. A future both present
and past, guarded by lights between the stars. What am
I?" The puzzle left Wilmer standing firm and quiet,
patiently awaiting Master Zuul's response.

RINGS OF GLORY
By Ezeigbo Christian
Part one

Prologue
In the kingdom of Ecot, where magic lingered in the air
and secrets hid in every corner, a young man named
Wilmer found himself caught in the twists and turns of an
extraordinary adventure.
In this lively kingdom, where destinies were like stories
waiting to be told, Wilmer set out on a journey that would
change his life and the fate of Ecot forever. Little did he
know that his path would cross with others who held the
strings of power, love, and deception.
Princess Avara, longing for a love that went beyond royal
boundaries, discovered a new talent in crocheting.
Unbeknownst to her, the threads she wove would connect
with Wilmer's story and the destiny of Ecot.
In the shadows, a tale of deceit unfolded as Prince Kelvin
and Wilmer's brother, Max, navigated tricky waters.
Secrets were kept, alliances formed, and destiny's wheels
started turning, leading to a revelation that would
challenge love, loyalty, and reality itself.
As the kingdom prepared for the crowning of a new king,
an old prophecy resurfaced, demanding the discovery of
the mysterious "Ring of Glory." Wilmer's quest for the
rings turned into an adventure that revealed the magic of
Ecot and the destiny whispered by the wind.
With darkening clouds and a knowing smile from Princess
Avara, the stage was set for a story of magic, love, and the
courage of those who dared to challenge destiny. The
journey began, and the fate of Ecot hung in the balance,
waiting for the unraveling of the tale that bound them all
together.



Chapter One
In the Eastern part of Scotland, there existed a small
village named Ecot. This village, abundant in food,
clothing, and breathtaking beauty, played a crucial role in
supporting nearby villages. Notably, many princes from
prestigious kingdoms sought marriage with women from
Ecot due to their captivating charm.
Amidst this prosperity, Wilmer, a young orphan living
with his elder cousin Max at the village's edge, found
himself in solitude, deep in contemplation about his life.
Recently, he had a haunting nightmare about his late
father, Mateo, who met his demise while attempting to
unravel the mystery behind the "rings of glory."
In Wilmer's dream, Mateo departed Ecot, following a
peculiar map through a dense forest. Along his journey, he
encountered a talking stone that persuaded him to take a
specific route, promising a faster accomplishment of his
objective. Trusting the stone's counsel, Mateo reached the
heart of a dark cave, where a significant book surrounded
by the four rings of glory awaited him, each with
instructions inscribed within.
"Finally, my dreams have materialized into reality; I will
become a king!" Mateo exclaimed with a self-assured
smile. Intrigued, he approached the book with caution,
wondering about its contents. Suddenly, a mysterious
voice echoed, asking, "Mateo! What do you see?"
In response, Mateo revealed his quest for the rings of
glory to unlock the throne. However, the voice chuckled
and proclaimed, "Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, only a child born on
an eclipse is worthy of the rings!"
"But who are you to tell me that?" Mateo questioned.
"I'm Zuul, the guardian of the four rings of glory," the
strange voice answered.
"Really? Then where are you, and why can't I see you?"
Mateo asked in confusion.
The strange voice replied, "You ask too many questions. I
am everywhere, inside you, speaking through your heart."
In annoyance, Mateo declared, "I don't really care. I need
it, and I must get it no matter what!" He rushed towards
the book to grab it, but unfortunately, he was caught by
the power of the rings.
"Max, I want to ask you a question," Wilmer said.
"I'm listening, bro, go on," Max responded.
Curious, Wilmer asked Max about the reason for their
persistent poverty despite all their efforts. Max's response
wasn't straightforward; he suggested that the answer
should come from Wilmer's late father.
"Really?" Wilmer said in surprise. He then shared the
nightmare he had the previous night with Max.
"Wow, you had a nightmare?" Max smiled, drawing closer
to Wilmer. "But why didn't you ask your father about the
cause of your current situation?"
Out of anger, Wilmer grabbed a broken piece of wood
from the ground and hit Max on his head. Max, turning
red with anger, retaliated by dragging Wilmer and
delivering a punch to his stomach. Their heated exchange
turned into a full-blown fight.
The young boys continued their brawl until they heard a
soft knock on the door, which surprised them. "Wait,
Wilmer! Don't be hasty to open the door," Max cautioned.
Peering through the window, he tried to identify the
person outside through their shadow.
"Max, what's the problem? Who's that?" Wilmer asked
quietly.
Max instructed Wilmer to be silent while he confirmed the
stranger's identity. However, before Max could descend
from the window, Wilmer quietly opened the door,
revealing Mary, the stranger, standing patiently outside.
"Hi-i-i," he stuttered in response. Wilmer stood still,
smiling slightly at Mary, who seemed unperturbed.
"Aren't you happy to see me?" Mary said, looking directly
at him.
"I'm sorry about that, Mary. He's just a shy little boy,"
Max explained, ushering Mary into the house.
Sensing Wilmer's embarrassment, Mary changed the
subject to love. "Wilmer, how do I look today?" she asked.
Wilmer complimented her without looking. "Really? Am I
beautiful?" she inquired again.
"You know you're beautiful, in fact, you're the most
beautiful girl in this entire land," Wilmer replied.
"You're so beautiful that Prince Kelvin and his brother,
Prince Jack, are in conflict because of you," Wilmer
added.
"Please, stop mentioning those names," Mary said,
moving closer. "They are so proud and rude." After hours
of conversation, she stood up, gave Wilmer a hug, and the
atmosphere lightened.



Chapter Two
Two decades later, a talent competition unfolded in the
kingdom of Ecot. Wilmer and his brother, Max,
meticulously prepared their musical instruments, viewing
it as a chance to secure a better life if they emerged
victorious. As the gentle wind blew and the sun dimmed, a
well-arranged carpet adorned the beautifully designed
floor. Mary eagerly awaited Wilmer's arrival, unaware that
he was already present. Perceiving his absence, she
decided to explore behind the palace.
"Wilmer!" Mary called out. "I've been looking for you."
"This is the most challenging day of my life; I must not
miss this opportunity," Wilmer responded.
Gracefully, Mary, reminiscent of a princess, approached
Wilmer and embraced him gently. "I know you will make
me proud," she assured.
"Of course, I will," Wilmer affirmed.
Meanwhile, Prince Kelvin and his brother Jack, consumed
by anger and jealousy, secretly observed the scene.
"She looks exactly like a princess," remarked Prince
Kelvin.
"Oh yes, and I must have her for myself," added Prince
Jack.
"How dare you! How many times have I told you to stay
away from her?" Prince Kelvin exclaimed angrily.
The two princes quarreled until Prince Kelvin stormed off
to Princess Avara's chamber. Knocking on the door
yielded no response, and upon entering, he discovered his
little sister in tears.
"Princess, what's the problem?" he inquired.
Turning from her seat, Princess Avara stood up, holding
Prince Kelvin's hand firmly. He sensed her intense
emotions and emotional trauma.
"Who did this to you?" Prince Kelvin asked.
"Nobody," she replied in a low tone. "There's this young
boy named Wilmer. I've loved him since he first entered
the palace, but because of my status, I'm not free to go
wherever I want to see him."
Prince Kelvin realized his sister's love for a poor boy and
reluctantly said, "Go get him. I saw him hugging a girl."
"Could she be his girlfriend?" Princess Avara questioned.
"I doubt it," Prince Kelvin replied, revealing that the girl
was Mary, the one he loved.
The talent show's first round commenced, and Wilmer
and Max's musical performance captivated the audience.
Birds in the air, initially silent, now echoed the sounds,
and the earth seemed to come alive. As the clouds
darkened, the brothers received applause and praise.
When the judges announced the results, the crowd
expected Wilmer to win. However, to everyone's surprise,
a contestant named James was declared the winner.
Confused and angered, Wilmer stood up, disappointed
and filled with regret, mumbling, "If I knew it would turn
out this way, I wouldn't have performed."
He journeyed home, passing by Princess Avara standing
in front of his house. Filled with fear, he managed a forced
smile, but as he approached her, he began to stutter,
uneasy about potential trouble with the princess.



Chapter Three
"Hello," Princess Avara greeted.
"Hi-i-i," Wilmer responded. "What a surprise visit. What
brings you here?"
"Didn't you observe that the result was changed? And you
know you were the rightful owner of the reward," the
princess asked.
"Yes, that was why I stood up angrily and took my leave,"
Wilmer answered.
"The results were changed by the other judges who sat
close to the Princes," said Wilmer.
"It's not the end, Wilmer," said Princess Avara. She then
presented another gift to Wilmer.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Wilmer asked.
"Nothing, I just felt you were being cheated, that's all,"
Princess Avara said. "I'd like you to play your instrument
for me alone tomorrow evening."
Wilmer stood there speechless, unable to believe what was
happening. He hurried inside and waited for Max to
return so he could share the news. Two hours passed, and
Max wasn't home yet. Wilmer, tempted to open Princess
Avara's gift, discovered it was twice the value given to
James, the acclaimed winner. Inside a short letter
attached, he read:
"I wondered what made you sad
I wondered who made you sad
Who is as handsome as Wilmer?
He has forever been a Wilmer.
I'd love to see him always smiling
His music always gladdens my heart."
For the first time in two nights, Wilmer slept peacefully.
The next morning, a loud knock woke him.
"Who's that?" Wilmer said angrily.
"Open the door."
"Max?" Wilmer said, opening the door to find his brother
and Mary.
"What's going on, Max?" Wilmer asked. "I've waited for
you all day."
"Nothing is going on, dear," Mary said. "I just wanted to
break the good news to you."
"What good news?" Wilmer asked.
"I've been employed as the personal assistant to Prince
Kelvin," Mary replied.
Wilmer was shocked and disappointed. He shut the door
and sat, tapping his feet in confusion.
"Wilmer, you have to calm down. This is a life-changing
opportunity for her," Max said.
"What do you mean by that?" Wilmer shouted.
Max invited Mary into their discussion. She entered the
house, visibly sad. Wilmer looked at her, unsatisfied with
the news.
Wilmer stood up, drew closer, and held her firmly. "Mary,
I love you, and I don't want you to leave me."
"I understand, Wilmer, but this is a life-changing
opportunity for me. I've always wished to work at the
palace and be paid handsomely," Mary said.
Wilmer's face reflected disappointment. He stood still, not
knowing what to say, as Mary had made up her mind to
accept the job offer. Eventually, he uttered, "The things
that happen these days are just strange."
"What happened?" Max asked.
"Did you know that Princess Avara was here yesterday?"
Wilmer said. Mary and Max were shocked.
"She said she loves our music and would love me to play
for her at the palace soon," Wilmer added.
"This is good, but you ought to ask her why she chose you
alone," Mary suggested.
Max sighed. "How do you expect him to question the
princess?"
"Let's leave that aside and celebrate our new royal
employee," Wilmer said. He went to the kitchen, bringing
out fresh wine to celebrate Mary.
The next day, the people of Ecot assembled for their usual
activities, and Wilmer and Max practiced new tunes at
home. A sound at the door caught their attention.
Wilmer opened the door to a stranger. "Hello, how may I
help you?"
"Good day," said the messenger. "Prince Kelvin gave me
this to give you."
Wilmer thanked the messenger, opened the letter, and
screamed in pain. He handed the paper to Max, tearing
his clothes and weeping.
"He dare not, what's the meaning of this?" Max said.
A knock interrupted their distress. "Who's there?" Wilmer
thundered, opening the door, only to be shocked and left
stuttering.

To be continued.....

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE
Episode 3
By ezeigbo christian


I didn't wanted to say this, but I must say that Uncle Uche is indeed a rich man; therefore, from the entrance of the house to the inside was extremely beautiful. The fence which surrounded the building was very tall, the gate was built with heavy metal designed with golden plates and the ground was covered with bricks of different colours. At the side of the building, I noticed a 20 by 40 ft swimming pool and a recreational space.
Looking at the interior aspect, it has a spacious dinning room measuring 18 by 15 feet. The design was simple with large open space for living, dinning and kitchen area. The kitchen, dinning and living area was at one end of the house, while the bedrooms at the other.

" Why was I suffering when I have a rich cousin?"
" Why didn't uncle Uche help my father when he was in need?" I reasoned while eating at the dinning.
" Maybe my father didn't tell him, so he was not aware" I concluded. Just then, I raised my head up a little and I noticed aunty Grace looking at me with such an awful eyes. I guess she wasn't happy that I'm going to be staying with them for the main time. At my left hand side comes my cousin who was lost in thought. Immediately uncle Uche looked at his wife Grace, she came to her senses and act normal.
I wasn't comfortable anymore; everywhere was quiet so I decided to break the roo.
" Uncle, where are your children?"
I asked my cousin who was looking at me as I dropped my spoon. There was silence and a kind of sad moment. I could feel the breeze were now as cold as those blown in the graveyard. My cousin looked at me with tears in his eyes. Then, I turned to his wife Grace but her head was down.

"Ahhh, what have I done ooh" I said to myself. I was actually regretting why I asked about his children.

"Did I say something bad?" I questioned my cousin whose eyes were filled with tears.

"No no, not at all just .. ju..ju..st that...t". tears rolled down from his eyes as he stammered. He continued...
" We've been married for six years now and we don't have any children to show for it"

"I'm so sorry about that, God will definitely give you one before I leave this house" I said ending the conversation.

*************

After eating at the dinning, I washed my hands, dusted my body; adjusted the chair and get up.
" Hhnm, this food I so delicious" I complimented the cook
" Thanks, you're welcome " Aunty Grace replied smiling at me. Her smile was so attractive but I didn't let it bother me.

❤️Episode 4 will soon be posted.thanks❤️

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE
Episode 2
By ezeigbo christian



Ever since I was a kid, my late father told me lots of good things about his brother's child Uche who happens to be my cousin whom I am staying with. I could remember vividly what my dad always say...

"Anytime I or your mom is not around, always call your uncle Uche because he is reliable".
It was actually the first time visiting uncle Uche and his beautiful wife Grace.

**** Uncle uche's POV***

After eating with my lovely wife Grace, I decided to go to the sitting room and rest a bit before going to bed. My phone was on silent to prevent distraction while eating. I decided to pick up my phone so I could remove it from silent; only for me to see six missed calls from the same number.
" Who could this be??" I thought. I looked at the time and it was after 10. Before having a second thought, the same number called again.

" Hello, please who are you?? I'm sorry for missing your call, I was at the dinning" I said smoothly.
"Uncle there is no need for an apology"
" Please who is this?" I asked the second time.
" It's me John your cousin"
" John??" I asked
" Yes sir, it's me John" He said.

My heart slipped. I made a promise to John's father to always be there for John but I failed.
" How are you?? It's been a long time" I said
" Uncle, I'm not fine, I am located around close 14 please come and pick me up fast" John said in a trembling tone then the phone went off. Hurriedly, I grabbed my key from the table and left the house.
John is the only cousin I have. I was too focused on making money that's why we weren't close.
"This is very strange; the way John was sounding on the phone was not clear" I said to myself . I could observe he was nervous and frightened while driving him home.
"Wait ooh, why the sudden call?"
"Why was his lips vibrating while on call?"
"What happened to him? Or is he hidding from something?"
These questions ran through my mind until I was distracted by my wife who was busy looking at John suspiciously.

**** Grace (uche's wife) POV*****

I've been talking from the kitchen at a high tone thinking my husband was hearing me. After talking for about ten minutes I didn't get a response, I decided to check the parlor.
" Honey, Honey" I shouted.
" Honey, where are you?" I continued. There was no response , I became scared. The last time I heard his voice was when he was on a call so, why the sudden disappearance??. I picked up my phone and call his number
"Hello, honey where are you?" I asked.
"I'm so sorry dear, I got a call from John" my husband said.
" John? Who is John again?" I asked my husband.
" John my cousin, the only child of my late uncle"
" Ooh that boy, why is he calling you by this time?"
"I don't know"
"You don't know? But you went out without letting me know"
"I'm so sorry, it was an emergency"
"Don't worry, we will meet at home" I ended the conversation angrily.

*************
I sat patiently on the couch for about thirty minutes.
" Kpon, kpom, kpon" - there was a knock on the door
" Who is that?" I asked with a soft voice.
" I am the one dear" my husband said in a low tone. I slightly opened the door for my husband and his cousin John. John was a handsome guy but I was not happy he will be staying with us without my consent. I welcomed him and directed him to the dinning table to have something to eat. The way I was looking at him at the dinning made my husband suspicious so I had to act normal for the main time.

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I grew up in a poor home. Poverty had led me astray. My father died attempting to cater for the family by all means. His death wasn’t a story told but it was a reality. I saw the way he hustled just to take good care of the family but at last, he died. Hearing the news, my mom; who was hawking mangoes in the street came back home so sad to the point that she could not eat anything.
“Mummy please eat something, I don’t want you to leave me like my father” I said petting her.
“You won’t understand, poverty has taken a good soul away” she said still crying.
I had nothing to say because I didn’t want her to cry anymore. Early in the morning, I woke up only to see my mom lying motionless on the mat, I could observe she wasn’t breathing.
“Mummy! Mummy! wake up the sun has risen“ I said while shaking her body. This time she didn’t move. I decided to call the nearby neighbours. Shortly, they came into the house.
“My mom didn’t respond” I said looking scared. One of my neighbour touched my mom’s neck and shouted “Jesus! She is dead”. I wept continuously though, I was consoled. After the burial of my mom, I was so scared returning back home, I decided to meet a guy named Paul who was always dressing nice and spending massively. I walked up to him, explaining my story and he promised to help me.
“John meet my squad, they are the ones I told you about who will end your problems” Paul said.
“Hi, I am John”. I formally introduced myself. We were cool together living in a two bedroom flat. I was called at night by Paul for a group discussion where I was told the kind of business they were involved in.
“Cocaine dealings” I raised my voice; “will you keep quiet” Paul said looking fearful.
The day passed and I was taught to job well. We went to different locations at night dealing with drugs and guns in our pockets, I started building up my wealth. One certain day, we were to go to a mission, luckily for me, I was ill so, I had to stay back. My squad pardoned me and I stayed at home taking my drugs and doing some exercise. “Peem! Peem” my phone beeped and I decided to go through the message. Paul and his squad were caught by the police while exchanging drugs, they were charged with drug abuse and terrorism. On seeing the message, I hurriedly board a taxi and went straight to a hotel.
I remembered I once had my cousin’s number so, I decided to call him. He came and took me to his house.
Right now I am in his house still surprised about how I escape miraculously.


By ezeigbo christian.