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Oluchi01:
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Nosa nodded. They used the concept of the hive for their fathers' houses. They believed the old men's statements were always dedicated to sting them.
'How come you didn't tell me?'
'I met him asleep. He's yet to see me too since yesterday'.
Moriah shook her head. 'I'm not sure I'll enter the house'.
Although she was sure he would control his desire to lavish them with copious insults, she was sure his father reaction would still be the same around her.
'Seriously. Will you now leave without hitting your target? Let me get Chloe here', he said.
'Okay, but how will you cope in this hive?'
'I'm not sleeping here tonight. I must find somewhere else to sleep tonight'.
'Will you crash at my place till tomorrow?'
'Seriously? Seriously? That's smooth like a clean shot'.
Nosa excitedly hugged her and rushed to the house to get Chloe. In her joy that things were edging towards perfection, she didn't notice a car drive into the street. It was until it came near her that she realized that it was coming towards her. When the car stopped in front of her, Chloe stepped down from the car. Upon seeing her, Moriah had mixed feelings. She didn't know if she should be excited about seeing her or afraid.
'Moriah?' Chloe said with her pretentious smile.
'Chloe', she said, and turned towards the gate, and shouted. 'Nosa'.
At least, if Nosa was there with her, Chloe wouldn't be threatening her with her secret. Chloe laughed wickedly as she edged forward, and hugged her. She didn't need anyone to tell her she became stiff at the contact with Chloe because she didn't even reciprocate Chloe's hug.
Chloe whispered into her ears. 'I'm very sure this is a courtesy visit or have you told Nosa what happened at the Tree-house?'
Moriah gritted. 'He doesn't know you know the place'.
'Then, let's leave it like that. Remember our contract. Don't open the bottle of urine'.
'It's still firmly closed'.
'Good girl. And you didn't call me yesterday'.
'Free me. I'm tired of this your regular check-up that you can't involve Nosa'.
'Will you rather I call you regularly or tell Nosa about our ticking bomb'.
Nosa stumbled out of the gate towards them and beamed with joy. Chloe turned to him and hugged him.
'Oh! I'm sorry, baby, that I left Papa at home'.
Nosa frowned. 'What's my own with Papa? You know me now, one bullet to the chest and to the head. A quick death. This one that you're going out. I'm happy'.
'I've haven't become gregarious over the night. I and Mummy Church quickly went to a prayer meeting, and I didn't know it would be intense and would take time'.
'C'mon. Take your time', Nosa said and turned to Moriah. 'I see you too have met. We found the lost girl'.
Chloe laughed. Moriah inhaled and tried to fake her smile.
'Yes, the lost girl'.
'I'm not a girl. I'm a lady', she said and hoped it would break the ice that was building up in her already. At that moment, Moriah knew she would cry if she didn't leave him soon.
'My car The person I was chasing shot the tire and rendered it useless for pursuit, but I've got my people on her. They would find her'.
Chloe nodded. 'Pick another one tomorrow'.
'I'll do that this evening. I have to return to the place I slept yesterday'.
'By this time?' Chloe asked and glanced at Moriah. She understood the meaning and bit her lower lip.
'I have to be there earlier. At least, I came home for the Christmas'.
'You know you and Papa have not even discussed since he arrived'.
'And allow him to buzz on me? No. I'm not talking to him. Leave him in his bed. He should be sleeping by now'.
'I'm sure you won't have any excuse when you finish the case'.
'I'm very sure I'll have an excuse to never be around that man'.
'Your father', Chloe corrected and glared at Moriah.
'Yes, your father', Moriah said correcting him also. Nosa looked perplexed.
'What's with the two of you? Why are you acting as if you're my mother? I know my mother. I'll call her if I need advice', he said and marched into the house.
Chloe edged towards her. 'Remember Patoranking's song. No kissing. No touching. No hugging, and no nothing. If I should smell anything, then the world would help him know that you're a'
'I will heed your word', Moriah said. 'At least, it was his men that found me'.
A car revved within the compound.
'They found you? Or you found them. No one can find you if you don't want to', Chloe said with clenched teeth and fists. 'So, that means it was you he saw yesterday morning when he ran out. No wonder you didn't check up on me'.
'You're evil'.
'I have all of your interests at heart'.
Nosa drove to the gate and opened it. Chloe brushed Moriah's dress at the chest while Nosa returned to his car.
'You might be the mother of computers. I am the mother of info. I'll know. I know he is following you home. He must not enter your compound today or forever. How you'll do that is up to you', Chloe said and gave her plastic smile again as she returned to her own car, and reversed for Nosa to drive out.
'When all this is over, we want to have a get-together at our Tree-house. I promised him I will tell you. After the get-together, I will go'.
'Why are you telling me? I told you the place is cursed for me. The last time I came, my eyes saw the evil in man. No, the evil in women'.
'Then, Skype'.
'I'll Skype'.
'Promise?'
'Promise. No matter where I am'.
Moriah nodded, entered her car and drove out of the way. Their farewell greeting was totally animated, and Moriah couldn't stay any longer in front of the devil Nosa referred to as a wife.
Upon getting to her compound, Nosa was still far behind with the car. She hurriedly got down and locked the gate. That surprised him that he parked, jumped out of the car, and banged at the gate. She crashed into the gate.
'I'm sorry for raising your hopes. I saw Chloe and remembered everything. You're married'.
'No. Don't do this tonight'.
'I'm sorry Nosa'.
'Don't do this'.
'I'm dead sorry'.
'No, you're not. If you're, you will open this door'.
'I'm sorry'.
'Damn', Nosa screamed and hit the gate.
He slid down the gate and refused to believe her. She burst into tears again, and this time, she didn't want him to hear her. If he heard her he might want to know why she was crying. So, she rushed into the house and cried her eyes. She had allowed a little desire make her lose the person she loved most in the world and made her lose her freedom as well as a good friend. It had made her a servant to the green snake called Chloe.
She knew Nosa wouldn't return home, so she filled two baskets with wraps of cookies, gala, chin-chin, and two cartons of juices each. Then, she returned outside.
'Nosa, take from the top of the gate', she called and raised the basket. If he took the basket, then they would be doing the same thing they always do at the beginning of the year, a tradition they've stopped for close to ten years now.
'New year's night', Nosa said and collected the basket. Raphael started the tradition.
'To the womanizer'.
'Yeah, to the womanizer', Nosa replied. In a few minutes, the door of his car opened and closed. She returned to her own car and knew they would both sit there and wait for the morning. She burst into tears again.

12
Grassed
When Nosa heard Shayla's words, he felt like running mad. She was the one. He should have known. She had all the help she needed to carry out such feat. He should have suspected that she was involved. The problem he had there was to know how deeply involved she was in all these. He sped off in his car and called Moriah. When he lied to Joana the other time that he knew the place she was, he only stalled her. Immediately he dropped the call, he had called his computer guys but they were yet to give him a reply.
'You're calling me'.
'Moriah. Not now'.
'I will block your line from reaching me till Friday'.
'Not now. I need your help'.
'Johnson would soon be here'.
'I will be brief. I need you to help me search for anywhere in Fortunecity that has mountain'.
'Why? And have you tried our mountain?'
'Oh, God! Our mountain. You're right...Damn right'
'Where are you?'
'I'm looking for her. The person I'm looking for... The woman I was supposed to protect'.
'And she's at our mountain?'
'- our mountain'
'She's at our mountain? How did she?'
'I don't know. I'll call you back', he said and hoped he wouldn't break the rule of never disconnecting the call whenever Moriah was talking.
'It's Raphael. Raphael did this. I'll kill...'
Nosa disconnected the call and focused on the road. Someone drove in front of him stupidly. He hissed and gritted. No matter how angry he was, he shouldn't let his anger take control of his words towards other road users.
The driver, who was wrong, shouted, 'your father!' But Nosa held his calm and was sure he would pounce on Shayla the moment he saw her.
He wondered what he would do as he bit his lower lip, and placed a call to the number Shayla used in calling him again, but the phone wasn't connecting. He decided to call Shayla's line, and luckily, the number went through.
'Shayla',he shouted the moment the call got connected. 'If anything happens to that woman. I'll destroy you'.
'Hey. Calm down. I should be the one ranting. What woman?'
'Shut up. Shut that thing you call a mouth. I'll hunt you down'.
'Nosa'.
He disconnected the call and sped off. His mind wasn't at peace even twenty minutes after he sighted the top of the mountain. He just wished he was headed to the right place because the mountain was just at the end of the city, near Black Town. He would have to take another 180-degree turn to go to the next mountain. He was so much in a haste that he didn't reduce his speed when he got to some dangerous bends, even if cars rarely took that route.
Moreover, when he and the others always came there, they barely encountered cars except for occasional trucks. However, that was when the three of them still always had a good time, when Moriah always wanted them to escape the clingy nature of Chloe since she always refused to go with them to the mountain because of some evil occurrences that surrounded it.
So, when he saw a car parked at the side of the road, he tried to avoid it. Then, it occurred to him that no car should be parked on the mountain. There wasn't ever any reason for anybody to park there. The church nearer to the mountain had moved away to a farther distant.
He stopped the car and jumped as he removed his gun from its holster. With the way he was angry, it would take a great deal of control not to shoot Shayla when he saw. She betrayed his trust and played him for a fool. She had just used his bald head to play drums, and he would make her smell the disgusting scent of animal skin.
Despite the receding daylight, he was still able to see a pathway and deep footprints in the marshy floor, leading away into the forest. The wind around the mountain howled like the rage in his stomach, and he gripped his gun harder.
He looked around for a while. There wasn't anyone around to answer his questions if he asked any. So, he ran into the forest and would have turned back had he not noticed a fresh slide through the slope on the ground. When he, Moriah and Raphael used to come there, they had a day fixed for playing hide and seek in the forest. One of the ways to know if any of them had passed that side was to check the slope. Then, only he knew about a secret thick root that stretched to the base of the slope, and that infuriated the others who always wanted to know about the root.
Quickly, he grabbed the root, which he was too happy to still find, and climbed down the slope. He wasn't clear about what to do when he got down.
'Shayla', he shouted. 'I'm here for you'.
He shouted again and ran off into the woods. If for no other reason, for the sake and the fact he really wanted to get the name of the person involved, he must catch her. The only thing that might stop his hand from killing her would be to know the whereabouts of the missing ladies. Would he really need it?
'Shayla', he shouted again and brushed the bushes aside.
Suddenly, a gunshot rang in the wood and made birds fly into the dark sky. They scattered in the air and chirped terribly. Immediately, someone screamed from the far end of the forest. Nosa's adrenaline pumped faster and his speed increased as he climbed the path of the forest. The bushes around the path were becoming too overgrown for him, but he still knew how to maneuver through it. This time, he was no longer careful of being heard.
'Shayla, you're so dead', he yelled and charged into the woods. The dead of Green City would increase in the number that day.
The woman that screamed kept screaming her head off. By this time, other people had joined the wailing woman in her scream. He ran towards the place with the hope he wasn't heading into another trap.
When he got to the place the scream came from, he saw a man lying on the ground writhing in pain. A young woman was crying over the man that seemed to have been shot. The woman wore the same cloth as one of his preaching disturbers. By this time, a number of the others there had used their phone as torchlight. Nosa was angry at the way the whole event was changing directions. The people around the woman were mostly teenagers. She cried and pleaded for his help.
'Please help'.
'Who shot him?'
'A woman'
'Where is she?'
'She ran towards the top'.
He wanted to stay back to help the dying man, but if he left Shayla, many people would still die. Like his mother used to say, the pollution was from him. Nosa clambered up the hill just as four gunshots rang in the highway. Despite being one of their regular route in their plays, the road was harder to clamber through because of the darkness. By the time he climbed up, he saw a car driving off.
'I'll kill you', he shouted as he ran after the car. He stopped in his track and returned to his car in an effort race after them. However, when he tried to chase Shayla with his car, he discovered that the front tires, as well as the headlamps, had been shot. He tried to drive the car like that, but the only thing he could do was to struggle with it.
Nosa screamed into the darkness, and he punched the wheel thrice. There was no way he could move. The only place of solace was their tree-house. He ran into the road with the hope of finding someone to help him. There was no one to call. He might have called Chloe but she didn't know the place because every time they asked her to follow them, she always refused. Also, he couldn't call Shayla because she was the culprit. So, he dialed Moriah's phone number.
'Don't tell me you need another thing. Just tell me you just want to hear my voice'.
Nosa sighed into the phone, and with a weary voice, he said, 'please, can you come to our tree house?'
'Why? I don't want to have memories right now'.
'Come on. I'm stuck here'.
'How?'
'My mistress, Shayla- she is behind all the trouble'.
'That's impossible'.
'It is I'm here because she shot my tires and headlamps. I can't find any car here'.
'Oh, that's a bad way to crash. I'll come for you. This event is turning into a bottle of urine. Now, you see what would have happened if we kept our bicycles there'.
'I'll be inside the house'.
'They would have been useful. I'll be there soon'.
He disconnected the phone, and picked some vital things from his car, and dragged himself into their tree-house. At that moment, he was happy that Raphael was a fan of hiding things in the oddest of place, and that he never gave up on people, even when they were fighting him. Last year, when he came to renovate the place, he called Nosa and told him he had kept a key for them in a small hole around the door. Then, Nosa rebuffed his effort and told him to never bring up the issue of the house because it revived memories.
Nosa walked through the path and climbed into the room. The moment he entered the house, he knew how much he missed the serenity of the place. Angry at the whole events that had happened that day, he slumped into one of the chairs. Raphael had really renovated the place.
They got the house when they were in their 100 level in the university. They had made a plan to go tour Fortunecity after they've written their final exam paper. The plan was that the four of them would take a ride through the road of the forest with Chloe's car, which they agreed to use after a long deliberation about using their bicycles which they changed because Chloe couldn't ride a bicycle. But unfortunately, Chloe fell sick on the D-day. Since none of them could drive a car because of their strict fathers, they agreed to go without Chloe on their bicycle.
Upon getting to that side of the mountain, they met an old man who had just tumbled down the mountains and was terribly injured. When they asked him for his place of abode, he directed them to the house.
At that time, the house was in a terrible state. Raphael took up the task of arranging the house while Moriah and Nosa took up the task of taking care of the old man. The old man, whom they later called 'Mountain Papa' explained to them that his children had left him for long, and the only thing he could call his own was the house, which he tried to take care like his own son. He was off into the forest to gather some woods when he slipped and injured himself.
From that time, they all decided to always visit him, and that was how he began to call them his children. And true to his word, they acted like his children.
Since Chloe's father had taken her on a holiday, she couldn't be a part of their holiday project, which was to take care of the Mountain Papa. They spent a lot of money, which, luckily, Chloe was too happy to supply because of her absence.
Despite their effort, Mountain Papa died some days to their resumption. They all cried because they had lost a great friend. On his dying bed, Mountain Papa willed the house to them. And they too began to care for it to preserve the memory of something they've all done; taking care of Mountain Papa. Every year they all contributed money to take care of Mountain Papa's house. Although Chloe refused to see the house because she believed something didn't want her to see the house, hence the death of Mountain Papa before her arrival, she was still part of the project. So, she didn't know the place.
He glanced through the pictures on the wall - of him and Raphael. He wished Moriah was ready to talk to Raphael, maybe he would have her pictures there. He also wished they had the picture of mountain Papa. They would have included Chloe's picture also, but she refused to have her picture hanged on the wall. The only thing she wanted to have associated with the house was her money.
Nosa, fuming at how he would have caught up with Shayla and would have rescued Joana, if he wasn't indeed reckless, turned from the pictures. He knew he shouldn't have shouted, but he couldn't let Shayla go without seeing the trouble she had caused.
Seeing that he would be idle for the next twenty-five minutes Moriah was expected to come for him, he brought out his phone to watch the movie on it. Since the TV series he was watching was on his laptop, he decided to focus on the movies on his phone. One shouldn't miss two things at a time. Their foolish trouble had really made things worse for him. They all should die and rot with their cry about heaven.
Their tree-house was always a place they all found solace when they were deep trouble. It was his own turn to find solace.
Just as the film got to its climax, Moriah knocked on the door. He rushed off the couch to meet her as she opened the door. They had to leave immediately. But she pushed past him and shouted in amazement at the change in the house.
'Yes, he has really tried', Nosa said from the door.
She nodded and looked around the house. The moment she saw their pictures hanged on the wall, she burst into tears. Nosa was perplexed and he ran to meet her. She raised her hands to show she was fine, and tried to smile but burst into tears again. Nosa pulled her nearer. The world be damned. If Moriah was crying, there was no way he would leave her, and attend to anything wrong with them, and the missing women.
'I'm sorry', she said as she wiped tears from her face. 'I just remembered everything. The memory flooded back. Oh! I miss this place'.
'Me too'.
'Let's go', she muttered as she brushed his hands away, and didn't look at his face again as she rushed outside as if she would burst into tears again.
He smiled. It took him a great effort too not to burst into tears at the sight of their picture. He had missed every one of them being together. 'You know what? After this whole ordeal, we should all hang out here'.
She nodded. 'Chloe?'
'We would do as we always did. We would bring her here through Skype'.
Moriah nodded as she pointed out the path they used to race through. Despite the darkness, the funny memory of the place rushed back. She owned the idea of the game.
'Why haven't you written any game yet?' He asked as he went downhill.
She held on to the bushes around. 'Many reasons, but I'm working on one already'.
'Good. I hope it features all our games'.
'Of course. It features us, and many stages'.
'That's good. Any name?'
'None, yet. I would have called it Fortunecity Three Musketeers but Chloe wouldn't be too happy to be exempted'.
'I trust you. Talk to Chloe about it. She's good with names', he said with the deliberate effort not to rush as she was holding his cloth now.
For some unexplainable reasons, she dropped his cloth, and he turned to look at her. Only to be met by her hand, trying to smack his head. Since he had changed position, she fell into him and they fell through the remaining part of the mountain. Within a few seconds, they stumbled to the ground, with her lying on him. He touched his head and saw that he wasn't injured. She chuckled. Memories of the times they've all fallen in that same manner rushed back.
'I should name this side: the fall of death', she said.
He roared with laughter. And she joined him. Even if he had the mind of catching the thief that night, it wasnt possible now.
'Are you sure it is good to let her know I'm back?'
'Chloe? Yes. She would be super-excited'.
Moriah sighed and was silent for seconds. 'I just hope'.
They entered the car, and she played their favorite songs of the year before their separation- Four years by Stylplus of Nigeria.
Memories of the old times flooded back; the memories of how they climbed the mountains together, the bicycle races, the hide-and-seek games for money, and the times they've all vacated home to have picnics, the times they all spent in secondary school. All these came flooding back, and tears formed in his eyes as Moriah drove off. She brought her hands to touch him, and he let it remain there. There were many desires that he longed for.
He wanted to be that good boy, whose only goal was to have Moriah as a wife; he wanted to be like Raphael, whose main goal was to be on top of every situation; he wanted to have Chloe only as a crush, nothing more; he wanted to have Moriah, whose daily dream was to write the best games in the world. The games Moriah wrote and made them all participate in. He wanted all those things that propelled and brought them together. He sighed as the car drove off.
She drove him off to his house.
***
When she got to his house, the fear that made her stay away all those years returned. She saw her secret expanding in front of Nosa, and his world of love crashing down.
'Your hive', she mumbled as she got down.
'The bee is inside'.
'Seriously?'

11 The Voyage
Everything seemed calm and she would have loved it to remain so. However, it was eerie. Who wouldn't want silence? It was beautiful. She enjoyed silence a lot even before she got born again. Those days, because of the numerous blasting speakers of the clubs and the motels she used to work; and the rancor and noises of the different prostitutes, she always craved for silence. Once, she had gone to the beach with a customer on his voyage. Just the two of them. Most of the time, she always left him weak on the bed. The peace of that place, she longed for it once more.
However, the only thing silence could do to her now was to make her sit up in fear. In fact, her fears were numerous that she was afraid she would die from them.
To add to her woe, the trees around the mountain began to howl like a pack of wolves. She sat up and looked about in the house. The house had touches of a woman and the pictures of Raphael and Nosa. He placed two empty frames beside those. They seemed to be friends as Raphael had claimed.
By the way, Raphael was supposed to have arrived. He promised to be there in the evening to stay with her, and she wasn't doubtful because he always kept to time. She had given him the benefit of a doubt for like two hours, and she knew something was wrong. Someone must have gotten to him. The devil had used them to get to him. If something happened to Raphael, she would never forgive herself for allowing him to get involved in her case. He may still have the devilish habits in him, but she was so sure she could still change him.
There was no other way she could do anything than to leave the place to call him on phone. The night was already settling on the mountain and she would have been too afraid of going out, but her greater fear was to be sure she wouldn't sleep alone in that place. God had manifested himself by allowing Raphael to agree to stay with her. If he also refused to show up, that could only mean God was getting angry at her for hiding behind papers to tell about his coming.
'God help me. Forgive me', she mumbled as she shut the door behind her, and stepped into the windy night. The trees from their different corners looked like human figures, and she knew within a few seconds, she would die from fright. So, she ran back into the house.
She meandered about and searched for her phone. It didn't take a minute to find her phone. With its torchlight, she found her way down the mountain. The journey down the mountain was rough and almost made her heart jump out through her mouth.
The only things she needed was to get a good network. She raised her phone, and the network bar was empty. She hissed and kept walking down the mountain.
As soon as she got down from the frightful dark mountain into the drizzles on the ground, she remembered that her Glo SIM card was also at the back of her phone case. She stopped using it for security and sanctity reasons. Now, it was time to use one of her sinful cloths in order to remain sane. The network, Glo, which always had the home advantage, had been known for its ability to be useful in times like that. It could get network connection anywhere.
The sun was peeping from behind the trees, behind the orange cloud, waving its last goodbye at Fortunecity. Immediately she inserted the SIM card into the phone, it got connected. She dialed Raphael repeatedly, but his number kept ringing. That was a clear indication that God didn't want her to work with him anymore. In fact, that means she couldn't stay in that place.
The battery of her phone began to drain quickly. Then, it occurred to her that after she dismantled the phone, Raphael took the better battery. Before she released the battery, he tried to collect the phone, but she refused and succumbed when he said he would opt for only the battery. She used the other one after he left since he didn't know she had a backup battery. She picked out Nosa's number and called him. After a few descriptions, he got where she was, and that excited her. He told her to stay put, but the howling tree and the numerous shadows that played neared the mountain made her know she couldn't go back to the house. Probably when he had her time, she would beg Raphael to get her things for her.
However, after sitting at the bottom of the mountain for ten minutes, she knew it was the high time she started making life-saving decisions by herself, and she stopped relying on people to come up with the ideas. If she could get to the city early enough, she could surely get where Nosa was.
As the night edged nearer alongside the drizzles and the cold of the mountain, she knew she was in for a troublesome time.
'No. No. God. Help me. I trust in you. I'll do what you want'.
At that moment a car drove towards her. Her heart flopped with joy, and she flagged it down as if she just saw Jesus. Her long fat skirt danced around her like a balloon.
'Help', she yelled at the car.
The driver reduced the pace of the car and stopped in front of her. The woman in the car wore dark shades, a polo, and black trousers. Another darkness. She should reject the offer. However, the Bible says that if the Lord be for us even our enemy will do things in our favor. That must be the hand of God.
'Hey! Lady. How're you? Are you stuck?'
'Yes. Are you the hand of God?'
The lady removed her glasses and peered at her. Then, she paused for a while and chuckled. 'Oh! I get! I guess I'm the hand of God'.
'Okay! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you'.
She said as she entered the car. Now that she was in the car, she remembered that she must call Nosa. Yet, she feared for her phone's battery. A biro was lying on the dashboard of the car.
She picked it and turned to the woman. 'Can I use this?'
The woman nodded, and Joana hurriedly wrote Nosa's number on her palm. As if the phone's battery was waiting for her to do that, it went off immediately. She gritted and turned to the woman. She held her lips and watched the dark shade of the woman, and hoped she was about to do the right thing.
'Please, can I use your phone to make a very important call?'
'Hmm...Of course. Just try to go easy on the call credit'.
She dialed Nosa's number, and her fear made her body shake, causing her to hold the phone so hard.
'Where are you?' Nosa asked immediately she informed him she was the one on call.
'I just left the mountain...'
'But I asked you to stop, to wait for me'.
'This place is terrible'.
'Wait for me. Ten minutes to be there'.
'A woman is helping me'.
'I will soon be there for...What! What woman? What's her name?'
'Sorry, he's asking who you're'.
'Shayla', the woman replied in a low tone.
'Shayla'.
'Shayla?' Nosa asked.
'Shayla', Joana said
'Shayla?'
'Yes. Shayla'
'Don't try to do anything stupid. Try to run. God! I should have known. She's the kidnapper. Give her the phone, and try to run'.
'Oh...Ah' She was perplexed and didn't know what to do. The only thing she could do was to release her scarf.
'He wants to give you directions'.
Working as a prostitute had made her enjoy a lot of free rides, and had made her lose grip off the reality of life that there can never be free rides in life. She should have known the ride and the sudden appearance of the car was too good to be true. Just as the lady collected the phone, her scarf flew off.
'My scarf'.
The lady stopped the car and grumbled into her phone. Joana jumped out and ran for the scarf, but not before she noticed the lady's broad smile as she heard Nosa's voice on the phone.
The lady smashed the phone on the ground. Joana ran after her scarf. Fortunately, the breeze made it roll towards the forest. The part Raphael pointed out to her the other day, which he said led into the forest was just standing out at her. She ran into it. Prostitution was bad but made her agile especially when she had to stand up to her mates.
The sun was sinking, and she wished she was on that Voyage again, and not on the ridges, not fighting for her life, not in love with Jesus. She ran and shook the thought out of her head. Jesus was everything. Heaven was real, and that was her aim. But for now, her short-term aim was for God to save her from whoever that woman was. Nosa didn't tell her who she was dealing with. He only told her that he would be there for a short while.
'Oh. God. I'll do what you want. Just save me', she cried as she scampered through the forest. She ran into the forest as the leaves continuously slapped her body.
'Stop. Hey, stop', the Shayla lady shouted from her car. But she wasn't ready to wait. Even if she was pointing a gun at her, if she didn't shoot her, she wouldn't stop.
Joana ran and didn't stop stomping the grasses until she got to a sloppy part. She was plunged down the hilly part, which had little rough edges. She shrieked as she tumbled through the forest until she got to the end of the slope. Miraculously, she fell into a bush. They scratched her though, but she preferred their scratches to the Shayla lady at the top of the hill. She had forgotten about the slope.
When she glanced up and saw that she wasn't made yet, she rejoiced as she ran off into the thickness of the forest, and allowed herself to be immersed by the darkness that was invading the massive forest. All she needed there was to find the place Raphael said led outside. Then, probably, Nosa would find her, and she would finally get to see her voyage again.

queenitee:
Come lemme hug you
But honestly, this story is outta this world. You are muah

Thanks. You don't disappoint. I expected you to be the first person to drop a comment.

Any comment will make sense..

10 Hoping
The journey home was filled a lot of horrific lamentations from Mummy Church. Chloe wished she had truly not meddled in the business of the visionary and had helped the vision in the little way she could, she wouldn't have received such words from Mummy Church. She choked back tears many tears.
'You must find her for me', Mummy Church said as Chloe drove into the estate Mummy Church and her husband resided. The street was disturbed by the continuous bang from the knockouts being thrown into the air. The DPO had promised to help them search for this particular woman above others. So, she didn't know what Mummy Church wanted from her again.
'Even if you hid her, what would be would be'.
'Don't you dare tell me rubbish. If you had always remained in the place assigned to you, no cursed thing would have happened to her. You should go to the prayer mountains available in the world and let them know that you need to wash away the curse that has followed you from birth'.
Chloe sucked it up, and opened her mouth to talk, but stopped, seeing that they had gotten to Mummy Church's house. The bungalow stood out among others with a big banner of Pastor Fowosere and his wife, hung in front of the gate.
'I'm so sorry. But it was needed'.
'Don't tell me rubbish. I'll be back at your place', Mummy Church said as she banged the door, and stormed into her own house.
Chloe knew it would take her a great effort to reach home without any incidents. Then, the worst thing that could ever happen to human being happened to her there, she saw her Aunt's car. Chloe gritted as she honked to greet her aunt as they got near each other.
'Your psychiatrist called me to say'Her Aunt said from her car.
'I'm fine'.
'No. He believed you're ticking like a bomb'.
'I'm not ticking. I've stopped going for long'.
'And you're doing what?'
'None of your business'.
'Hope you're not working?' Her Aunt shouted.
'Merry Christmas'.
'Remember my brother's contract'.
'To hell with. Merry Christmas', Chloe said and drove off. She was in bigger problem, and the only thing her Aunty was so concerned about was her contract with her father. God would make sure he rotted in hell for his useless contract.
***
Nosa stared at his wristwatch for a long time before he decided it was time to leave. He had called Raphael repeatedly, but he wasn't picking his call and that was very typical of him whenever he was with a lady. Nosa had been sitting in the pub the two of them first met. Then, they were in their early teens. Nosa came there when he was only fourteen years because he wanted to know the feeling of being in such place, while Raphael was sent there by his drunk father, who was now dead.
Angry, Nosa drove off to Moriah's house. She would yell at him for coming to her place for the second time in two days. There was no way he would ever escape her repulsion. Times like that required that he used the best people. For reasons he couldn't totally agree with, she decided to pick a slum over a coded place. He had called his people for this exact work, but they were still stalling. She was the one that could do it within minutes.
He fumed as he kept dialing Raphael's number. The guy was something else. He shouldn't have trusted him with Joana's life.
Immediately he came in sight of Moriah's house, he saw some preachers and hissed. These were another set of Christians that disgraced God. He knew he was one of those sets that oscillated between the love of God and the love for other things. But these set disgraced God by looking drab and useless, more useless than those he saw at Victoria's place. At least those ones were moderate in their drabness. Most of them were always decent, neat, and presentable.
These sets, however, were known to always wear big things, probably to show that their God was big. God is big, no doubt. One could see it on the side of the sun, the earth and the water. But why must everything about them show that God was too big? The clothes were always oversize. For the men, they draped themselves in archaic suits that shouldn't be seen on anybody; and the ladies, their skirts were wide enough to wrap five little children. Despite that, they took pride in telling those whose ties were thin that they were sinners because they didn't wear the same fat ties as they. So, when one of them, a lady- lanky and hungry-looking- clambered towards him, he prepared his answer for her.
'Brother, Jesus loves...'
'Don't bother'
'I have to. You're a sinner'.
Nosa spun in his track and sized her up. 'And you're God. You're my judge?'
'Repent. The kingdom of God is at hand'.
'I know...'
'Turn from your sinful ways'.
He hissed and walked away. But like his shadow, she trailed him with her husky voice. Normally, if not for her extra large worn-out bible, one would have assumed she was a smoker because her lips were black and her eyes red. And who knows, she might be a smoker. Many of them were known to pretend to be on fire for God but were always battling with an addiction or the other.
'Hell is real. You're going to hell if you don't repent'.
He chuckled. 'You... I'm a Christian, sister'.
That statement made her pause in her speech, and like the midday shadow, she seemed to stop for a while, and he thought he had finally warded her off until he saw her shake her head and run after him. 'No. You're not. You're wearing Jeans. Those that went to hell saw it. It's a product of the devil'.
Nosa scoffed and almost buckled as he repeatedly knocked on Moriah's gate. There was nothing he couldn't give to be off the street. He waited at the gate and gritted as the lanky preacher-lady hobbled towards him.
'Take this tract. Read it. God will speak life to you. Forsake sin'.
Nosa refused to look at her pointed hand. She stood firmly and hurriedly turned to passersby to give them tracts. Whenever she did that, she would spring back towards him as if that was her default settings, and the others were frivolities. She acted as if he was a bone, while she was a dog, and she would do anything to remove the bar between them.
'Narrow is the path. Heaven is narrow. Do you want to go to hell?'
Nosa felt like slapping her head away or zip her mouth for eternity. Where was Moriah for God's sake? She was taking too long. Or was she refusing to open the door for him again? At least, even if she would reject him, she should save him from this God-forsaken preacher. He brought out his phone and dialed her phone number again.
'This tract will teach you about God. HellIsReal'.
'I know. Jesus has saved me'.
'Don't say that. All have sinned and have fallen short of the kingdom of God. You, me and everyone have fallen short of the kingdom of God. But...'
'I'm not a sinner'.
'Then, you lie and the truth is not in you.'
'God! Oh God! I didn't know you're now on earth. Please God forgive me', Nosa said, knelt before her, clasped his hands together and pretended to be in a sorrowful mood, and closed his eyes.
'What's this?' The perplexed preacher lady shouted and withdrew from him.
'I'm praying for forgiveness'.
'I'm not God. Pray to God. Pray to God Almighty'.
Nosa bared his teeth at her. 'SeeThat's a guy smoking at the other end. Join him like Jesus Christ did to the prostitutes and preach the gospel. He needs it, not me. Why are you trying to open the eyes of the one that can see when you can possibly open the eyes of the blind?'
The lady was perplexed and batted her eyes repeated as she watched Nosa in awe. 'You uttered that from your mouth. That's vile. That's of Lucifer. You're of the devil your father. God will change you. I come against you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth'.
Nosa was surprised. She jumped about like a bulldog that was smacked on the head and was practically barking at him. Passers-by stared at them. The world seemed to rotate around her as he wished the ground would swallow her. Or if he could catch the attention of one of her owners, her brethren so that they would come around to put a leash on her, to clamp her mouth together. Where was Moriah? He could have left the place, but he needed that information about Raphael desperately.
He turned to the preaching lady to talk, but kept to himself, and turned again to the gate. She shouted at him to look at her. Then the door opened.
'Nos...' Moriah began to say but stopped as she glanced from Nosa to the woman, who had progressed to raking about Devil and demons.
'Please, let's go inside', Nosa pleaded.
'No', Moriah said defiantly and gave him an amused smile. 'Someone is preaching to you'.
'Let me through. You don't want to be exposed. It's another bottle of urine'.
'It's healthy'.
'Moriah'
Moriah, still looking sexy and sweaty, placed her hand across the entrance. Naturally, if she gave him the chance, he would have carried her into the house, to her bedroom, kissing her all the way. However, the only thing he needed there was to escape the psychopath behind him.
'Oh! It's this... No wonder you refused to listen to God's word. You're here to meet a prostitute'.
'Me?' Moriah asked and shifted out of Nosa's way. He, seeing the opportunity, ran into the compound, sighed, and thought otherwise.
'Yes. You. Come to Christ and forsake the path of the devil. This is Dev...'
Moriah jumped on her. The woman crashed to the ground, her Bible flying away, revealing a lot of papers and her bag also joined in flying out of her hands.
She screamed but not as loud as Moriah, who railed curses on her and pelted her face with punches. She kept punching as if she had to melt the lady's face with her punches before her anger could be deflated.
'God punish you. How dare you? Me? Prostitute?'
Nosa pulled her off the wailing woman, who was now defaced with punches from Moriah. Her hair was now scattered, but that didn't stop her from yelling.
'God would destroy you like he did Sodom and Gomorrah', the lady shouted as she struggled to get up.
Nosa hurriedly carried Moriah. Her legs flailed in the air as he dragged her away. She yelled and he could feel the venom of her anger in her expanding body.
'Leave me. Leave me to deal with this slowpoke. I'll show you. You're not holy pass. I can be whatever I want. Nobody. I know their types...'
Nosa shoved her into the house as he began to lock the gate. She rushed towards the woman and tried to run past the gate. Nosa pulled her. The lady screamed in pain and shouted that she would surely be blessed because she was being persecuted by the devil. She picked herself, and packed her things, and screamed, 'The truth is a needle. It would pierce you'.
'I know their type. They are prostitutes', Moriah shouted as she banged on the gate.
After being assured that he had locked the gate, Nosa carried her towards the room. At first, she fought him, but when he didn't drop her, she giggled.
Put me down. NosaPut me down'.
By this time, regardless of his initial desire, he wanted that moment with her. He kissed her neck, and she giggled.
'No. Pastor's child'
'I don't care'.
'God will punish us'.
'I don't care'.
'Your wife. I don't...'
'Chloe will never know. Remember we don't want to turn her bad'.
'And I don't want you to be bad'.
She pulled away, but he kept pecking her neck. She cringed.
'Don't you get? I'm bad already.'
'Not as bad as me'
'I know. But, I want you'.
'Not now. Not here'
'Inside'.
'Never'.
'Impossible'.
'Watch me', she said and released herself to his continual pecking. He released her and she turned to kiss him. He let go of his grasp and was engrossed in kissing until she suddenly pushed him away and grinned.
'I told you'.
'You cheated'.
'Woman power'.
He shook his head and straightened his cloth. Things and times were bad, but he must give in the moment, her moment, for his own sake also.
'I told you not to come here often'
'This is a case of emergency'.
'Are you being chased?'
'I'm always being chased'
'Is your life in danger?'
'My life is always in danger especially when I'm not with you'.
She opened her door and allowed him to enter immediately.
'I told you to let me put a tracker on you'.
'For God's sake, you've not forgotten this: I'm not to be tracked'.
'Your death sentence. Things could get out of hand'.
'Remember that case I was called for yesterday'.
She stared into space for some moments and shook her head. 'I don't remember your case. I don't want to remember your case. I'm nothing to you. I'm not your mistress or your wife. Well, maybe I'm your girlfriend. I think I am'
Nosa batted his eyes repeatedly. 'What are you saying? I wish I had time for this. You're not my mistress or my wife. You're my love.'
'Don't you dare go there'.
'Moriah, this case is massive. I can't find Raphael. He visited my wife this morning. I can't find the womanizer'.
'He visited...'
'Chloe'.
'And you allowed him. Have you forgotten he had...?'
'Crushon her. I know'.
'Yet, you allowed him. That's bad and reckless. Why are you always reckless?' Moriah said as she edged towards the door. She turned to him with sad eyes. 'I could have trusted him, but after our last encounter, I don't think I can trust him'.
He nodded and rubbed her arm. She gave him a galling look and brushed his hands away. He raised his hands into the sky and followed her indoor.
'So, we were supposed to meet at Korede's bar'
'Seriously?' she said and smiled. 'The two of you?'
'I know, right? I was hoping it would help me forgive him for being so crazy around you'.
'That place holds a lot of memory', she said as she began to type into her computer',' the good, the bad, and the ugly. But more of the bad'.
'So, I waited there for more than an hour. He didn't show up'.
'Raphael. He must have met a lady on the way'.
'I know. But, I seriously need to find him. He has something on this investigation'.
'Before he returned to heaven through the same door he used in coming to the earth'.
Nosa stared at her for a while, trying to decipher what she was saying, and when he understood that she meant he might die through sex, he frowned. 'That's gross'.
She rolled her eyes. 'I've told you not to associate with me, daddy's boy'.
'Find him'.
'Okay. I'll triangulate the phone towers around his phone and then ping his lo...'
'Don't give me the details. Find him'.
She nodded and proceeded to type into her laptop. She was like a goddess and the computers were like her subjects. Notifications from different computers popped up repeatedly, and she kept typing until she got his location. 'He's...'
'Where's that?'
'I don't know but I think...You know what? Bring your phone'.
He stared at her suspiciously, and she got the meaning.
'I swear. I won't do anything stupid. I won't bug your phone'.
She collected his phone and did what she knew how to do best. Before long, she returned the phone to him. He collected the phone and rubbed her arm. 'Thank you'.
She pulled him nearer and kissed him longingly. He felt like going on and on till the end of the world came. He could give up everything for being near her. But he couldn't stay for long because she would soon draw away and call him reckless. With her, he always tried to caution himself. Painful though, he pulled away and she swallowed hard.
'Why didn't you say yes to my proposal? We can still work something out'.
She wagged her tongue at him, and he could swear he saw her eyes become red, but he didn't want to dwell on that.
'I will make you bad', she said as she warded him off.
'I want to be bad'.
They silently walked on till they got to her gate. After she typed something into the computer at the gate, she held his hands and kissed it longingly. 'I don't want you to be bad. I love you'.
He opened the door, and there he met a lady, another breed of the first preacher. She ran up to him and said, handing him a tract. 'Sir, have you given your life to Christ?'
***
She received the most shocking news of her life: they've lost the woman they've been after since the previous day. She rushed out of the house.
'I'll handle this'.

Shaylahad never imagined that pregnancy could make her heavy. Despite her complaint about the pregnancy, it wasn't protruding, maybe because it was in its third month.
She wore a blue polo, a pair of blue Jeans trousers, and a blue cap to match. Despite her being in the car, she regularly glanced at different places because she wouldn't want any of her colleagues to see her.
She tapped the steering wheel, and continually shook her head. If Joana hadn't poked her nose, she would have lured out the women's kidnapper and would have still cured the spread of rumors about those men of God. Now, she would use her as the bait, and she would do anything it required to get the kidnapper.
Bringing her out of her deep thought, Segun knocked her side of the car. He looked away and she gestured for him to enter the passenger's seat. He walked briskly, entered and faced her.
'Someone beat us to it. I think it's the kidnapper'.
'How will the kidnapper know about the paper?'
'I don't know'
'Don't tell me you don't know. I made a fool of myself with Nosa so you can find it. Instead, you refused to pick up my call. Were you with Katrina?'
He looked away.
'I knew it. You were now calling me when he caught the person you sent'.
'Almost caught. That's okay. I'll find that fat prostitute'.
'Do, and don't mess up this time. I hope it's not your name she heard at all'.
'I hope too. If I catch that Victoria. Her big mouth'.
'Get away. This kidnapper has links and a lot of people helping them. You need to be careful'.
'Okay boss', he said as he stepped out of the car.
'If you die before we end this case, I'll come after you in the grave and kill you again'.
He slammed the door and she drove off. He had always had a desire to know the safe house she hid the ladies, but she refused to tell him the location. Although she trusted him, she didn't trust the fact that he might say something to someone. Who knows, he might tell the police something to save Katrina from the prison?
Katrina was their new recruit, and the two of them were supposed to be on a mission in Fortunecity, but the two of them diverted and stole. He was lucky to be saved by a mysterious woman, whom he refused to name, but Katrina didn't get the same fate as he. She had been in the police custody ever since. Nevertheless, she still sensed Katrina's stay at the prison as something fishy because Rachael and the whole of F.A.L.T (Fortunecity Association of Life Takers) would have ensured that she was released.
When she got to the compound and honked, the gateman opened the gate instantly. They didn't exchange pleasantries. The compound was buried in the suburb of Fortunecity. The fence around it couldn't easily be climbed. F.A.L.T built such houses at different places in Fortunecity and Nigeria as a whole.
She got out of the car, strapped her weapon bag around her, and marched into the house. She nodded to acknowledge the two hefty guards at the entrance of the sitting room.
When she entered the sitting room, two of the missing ladies- Victoria Akachi Amadi and Lila Uzo- were seated on the cushions, waiting for her. They must have been waiting for her since they called her that morning because Lila pouted like she did whenever she was angry. Shayla dropped into one of the green seats across them, and waited for them to talk. However, after waiting and glancing at their silent frowning faces, which seemed lightened by the cream coloured paint of the house, she decided to trigger the conversation.
'I got your message'.
'That's why you're here, of course now', Lila hissed and looked away.
'See, Shayla, when I'm released from this place, I want to go back to my old life. As in, when I got here everything about my former life just got a boner and the desires rushed back. That stupid life was boring. Me? Living like a real church girl?' Victoria said, groaned, snapped her fingers, and looked away.
'Me too. I wasn't born to live a dull life. Look at me, I'm like a ghost. No. Vampire. Drab. Ah. Yuck', Lila said and began to turn her arms as if she was inspecting them. Just like the first time she met her, Lila was wearing a black fishnet leggings and a pink spaghetti, with no aim to cover anything on her body.
Shayla eyed them as she headed for the other side of the house. 'You two are crazy. Is it because we didn't allow the kidnapper have his way with you?'
She was recruited to be the middleman between the churches and the prostitutes. After 'Desire Greatness Ministry' saw that people were getting visions about heaven, they decided to raise fake visionaries. She was given the duty of prepping them. In retaliation, some rich loyal men from Bringer of Life Ministries also paid Chief Suberu, and she was also given the job to prep them, and to guide them all. In order to have time for it, Rachael ordered her to do something that would make her suspended from the police force, where she was acting as the inside man, and she did more than that: when she saw a member of Gragus Team, she expelled all her anger on him.
In the other part of the house were the prostitutes meant to work for Bringer of Life Ministries. The contract was such that they couldn't tell any other person, not even their fellow prostitutes. And they adhered to their part of the contract until someone killed two of the plants, and she had to start bringing them together into hiding; yet, she still separated those from different churches, and had refused to let them meet one another.
Her main concern was how to save the other fake women in the trap of the kidnapper, and how to catch the kidnapper. Whenever she caught the kidnapper, she would ensure she broke his leg, and make him go through pain for causing the death of innocent struggling women.
'If you say so', Victoria said, curled on the chair, wearing a dark-blue bum short and a silver blouse. 'Then, ten million per year is not enough. Increase it'.
'Why not ask for your pictures to be posted on the church's bulletin. Fools', she said and slammed the door behind her.

Tomi Adeshina and Diary of A Naijasingle girl are coming..

A lot of top writers have promised to be there and some great others

9 Baselines
Since he was very sure that Raphael was in total control of Joana's case, he decided to go to the churches that were mentioned in the videos. There would be something to help him catch the kidnappers.
Upon getting to The Bringer of Light Ministries, he swallowed hard at the money that had been spent on the church's building. At this point, he wouldn't blame Nigeria's 'Daddy Freeze' and even Fortunecity's 'Bad belle' for always ridiculing Pastors. The compound was very large, and from where he stood, he might not even get a view of the end of the church.
After being directed to where he would park his car, he waited for the secretary of the church whom he had called. The protocol of the church was such that he wouldn't see the General Overseer, Dr. Immaculate John, until the secretary had talked to him. A man, who was older than expected, who would be around 60 years, walked towards him smartly like a 39-year-old man.
'Good erm... morning sir', he said as the man acknowledge him and shook his hand. 'So, sir I want to meet the secretary'.
The man chuckled. 'I assumed you expected a cheeky girl. No. I'm the secretary'.
'Oh! I just wanted to confirm. I knew you spoke to me the other time, but I thought'
'Yes, I get that a lot. It's Daddy's way of life'.
'Daddy? Dr. Immaculate?'
From all indications, the man was far older than Dr. Immaculate. If he wouldn't be old enough to be his father, he would be old enough to be his uncle. But the man still accorded him respect. Nosa fused into the piety. 'Oh Daddy!'
'Yes. He doesn't love to be in a situation of great temptation as a young blood, like David. So, he made me his secretary being a man that has served in the vineyard for years'.
'Vineyard? As in wine vineyard? I never knew we had that in Fortunecity'.
The man smiled. 'No. I'm talking about God's vineyard. Do you go to church at all?'
'Oh! Of course'
'Are you saved?'
'EhnI believe in Jesus'.
'Hmmm. You should give God your all. Let him be your savior. Your world would revolve more in peace and tranquility if you give him all'.
Nosa nodded as they moved into a richly painted house, which housed objects that projected affluence. The old secretary led him to small office as he kept lecturing him about Heaven.
'Daddy said I should handle anything you have for us'.
'But I need some questions answered by him'
'I know. I'm his secretary, he shares every detail with me'.
'You don't get'
'Young man, I'm not a fool at my old age. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I have the mind of God. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens'.
'Okay, sir. What was Pastor's reaction to the slanders about his church?'
'Slanders? There have been no slanders.'
Nosa sat back and stroked his chin. 'Do you mean he hasn't heard about the things some people that returned with visions said about him?'
'We heard. But he didn't hear anything'.
'What do you mean?'
'I filter most of his documents. I've told the police all of these before'.
'And as I said, I'm a P.I'.
'Parish Instructor...Oh! Private Investigator'
Nosa chuckled and sat up.
'Old age is telling on me'.
'I get'.
'But there's no way. He wouldn't have heard about it'.
'In what way?'
'There's no way. He has a policy. Whenever you start saying "Daddy, have you heard what this person said"; he would stop you and tell you no, and wouldn't wish to listen to the matter because it might be defaming and could make him sad'.
Nosa admired the Pastor. He should imbibe such character. That would help him a lot.
'Well, he needs to hear about them because according to what I heard, your church is one of the two top churches that were slandered in the messages of those that went to hell'.
'Well, God will continually take the ladies into hiding: He will make their scheme stop. They are devilish, sir', the old secretary said. 'The only problem I have with them is that fear sells'.
The man's face was already wrinkled. His skinned head shone in the light. There was something about this man that compelled Nosa to trust what he was saying about the Pastor.
'But sir do you think anyone from the church would do such thing?
'Are they demonically possessed? Our Daddy has taught us that if anyone slaps us we should present the other cheek. Although I respect myself enough not to allow my face to be smitten'.
Nosa laughed. 'I wish it were true'.
'It is. No one from this church would have such audacity'.
Nosa tried different investigative skills but it was futile. He knew he had to head for the other churches.
As the secretary saw him off, his phone rang. Nosa walked off to his car. However, not before he heard, 'we lost it. To her. This woman is becoming a bone in the throat'.
The moment he entered his car, Raphael called again. Nosa wished this guy really knew how he felt about him, maybe he wouldn't keep calling. The way Raphael became closer to his wife even after what he tried to do to Moriah still bemused him. He, whom everyone knew was fond of sleeping with anything in a skirt, became closer to his wife than Nosa. He was always angry at Raphael for trying to rape Moriah, and wouldn't have talked to him if not for series of death around him, which compelled Raphael to come around. During those trying periods, Moriah only called and didn't give him the chance to trace the call before she disconnected it.
'What now?'
'I just went to see Joana to show her the edited version of the testimony'
'And you can't wait till after you've seen Chloe'.
'Chloe gave me a specific time'.
Nosa sighed. He was getting worked up, and sweat was already popping out of his skin. 'I should have known. See Raph, she needs to cry or talk. Just make her do one. Perform your magic'.
'Trust me. I'll make her pop out of her miry ground'.
Nosa nodded. 'Okay later'.
'NoNo, not later. Joana said she remembers the names she heard and has written it for me'.
'Give me'.
'Over this phone?'
'Text it'.
'No. Everything about you is bugged. You're another experiment that would soon turn to a bottle of urine'.
Nosa hissed and thought for a while. 'Okay, let's meet at the first place the two us met'.
'Ahhh! Bad child. Bad guy. Okay', Raphael said excitedly.
'By four?'
'Four like foursome'.
'Raph You're a dog', Nosa said and chuckled.
'Learning from the master. Just try to come early. We really need to talk'.
'Hope all is well?'
'Yes. It's nothing much. It's about Fela Durotoye'.
'What's about him? I like him. The man would make sense as our President, Nigerian President'.
'That's why when we meet, we need to talk about volunteering for him, and I need you to help me talk to Chloe as regarding money. You know what I mean. We need this man in this country'.
'When we meet'.
'Yes. Meanwhile, you should come to our tree house one day. I've placed both of our pictures. I need Moriah's recent picture and Chloe is refusing to have hers there'.
'Raph, when we meet'
'Foursome'.
'Argh!!!'
That was one thing about Raphael, you would have a reason to laugh. He decided to go to the other churches, but he got the same outcome as the first. The case was still at a standstill. Mr. Johnson's call came in and went off immediately. The man was surely an idiot. He wanted the case to end immediately and give all the praise to his Eagle Eyes Security.
***
5

bigwillsakpus:
08163883255

On the website...

olatunyemi:
08140670085

On the website..

CONT'D
Chloe arranged everything the night before. Her father-in-law would be duly taken care by one of the house-helps she paid a lot. They had designated time to come but for the period of his stay, they would attend to him like the king he was.
Against the one-handed Mummy Church's cry, she called the police and paid them to watch Agnes. The DPO promised to send two guys the next morning. So, she drove off to her land, where she slept over. She got a video recorder for her and some food items to make her comfortable. Then, she informed the policemen assigned to her that she was on the move. They hinted her that she had just been followed.
When she got to the door of the building Agnes was staying, she looked about and gave a thumbs-up to the policemen in hiding. Sighing, she knocked. But Agnes didn't respond. She looked about and at the knob of the door. She was probably sleeping naked and it wouldn't be ideal for her to barge in. Chloe had to accord her the respect for humanity. She knocked again, harder this time. Yet, Agnes didn't answer the knock.
This time, Chloe was frightened. What if something had happened to her? She turned the knob of the door. It opened without any struggle. The room was only plastered and had just a small bed, which the man in charge of the place's security was supposed to use.
Chloe called Mummy Church.
'Hello, Sister Chloe. How are you?'
'I'm on my land now, and I can't find Sister Agnes'.
'Yes, she said she was afraid of being alone in that place, so I went back there to pick her and we've moved to a hotel'.
'A hotel? A place where spiritual weeds are known to strive'.
'I know, but we had no choice'.
'She needs to be in a place that no one would trace. I'm with the video camera to help her produce the videos of the vision she saw'.
Chloe felt like strangling Mummy Church for making such stupid foolish decisions.
'She wants'
'Where are you?'
'You don't need to bother yourself. She's doing fine'.
'No. My heart is not at peace'.
'You don't need to feel obliged. We would'
'Are you in a place to have a quality taste of the good morning? I'm not mocking you, but we both know that I have the resources to keep this woman safe. I can even get her police if she wants that'.
'No police' Agnes and Mummy Church said.
'Don't involve the police'.
'But you still need a more secure place'.
'I told Mummy but she said she didn't trust That she didn't want to stress you'.
'I want to be stressed. You're one of the people I've been hoping to meet for months. I need your safety than you'.
'But we She is safer here'.
'She's not safe. Not anywhere. She can't taste or smell safety until this thing is over'.
'She didn't tell anyone except the two of us'.
'Let me feel the pain too. Where are you?'
'Mummy, let her'
'Don't bother'
'We are at Jummy Hotel. You know where that is?'
'Who doesn't know Jummy Hotel? I'm on my way'.
She hissed and hurried to her car, and had almost forgotten about the Policemen assigned to her. She beckoned to them and hinted at the latest development. They understood and hurried
To their own car. She drove off. Agnes thought she could be on her own, but there are consequences for being a lone ranger.
When she got to the hotel, she only had to tell the receptionists her name to get her Agnes' information. She had a major share with almost everything in Green City. The extremely rich Mr. Kings wasn't just rich and wasn't her father for nothing.
When she got to the door and knocked, Agnes opened the door and screamed in surprise.
'How did you get the room?' She said, backing away.
'If I could easily get it, tell me how no one else would get it'.
Mummy Church seemed rattled also because she struggled to get up from the chair she sat in. Agnes spun towards Mummy Church.
'I told you technology would affect things. Who knows? They might be listening to our conversations. Do you ever watch American detective films?'
'I'm a Christian and my focus is on heaven, I don't have time for frivolities'
'Films, frivolities? If not for the film, I wouldn't have known how to deal with some issues in my life'.
'That's unbiblical'.
'Mummy' Chloe said but was interrupted.
'Please, don't tell me Mummy is right. That's why many of us miss vital information'.
'It's okay. I've heard', Mummy Church shouted and waved her amputated hand. 'Let's discuss what is on ground'.
Chloe was perplexed. The woman was acting as if she didn't see a vision. She assumed those that saw visions always had a better behavior. 'No need to talk much, we need to leave immediately'.
'Why the haste?'
'Why the haste? The kingdom of God deals with time'.
Chloe opened the door and gestured for Agnes to leave. Mummy Church stared at her as if she had an ulterior motive, which was true. Yet, her ulterior motive was to know what she knew before she was finally kidnapped. Mummy Church shrugged and followed Agnes. Chloe locked the door, and went after them.
When they got into the car, they drove away with Chloe constantly watching the fearful Agnes vibrate. The journey to her land was like eating food in hurry: they were there in no time. Agnes jumped down, and Chloe did so too. Mummy Church, however, was reluctant in getting down from the car.
Chloe was very sure that she might be scheming things again. But whatever she had in mind, she would definitely fail. Chloe glanced back and nodded when the policemen gave her signals from the place they hid.
She hurried Agnes into the house and was followed by a moody Mummy Church. Agnes was excited when Chloe returned to her car to take the camera for the video coverage.
Agnes started out as many of them would start, and almost made Chloe shout at her to skip to the part where she and Jesus got to their destination. However, her preamble was too much and at some point, she would take a moment to cry or burst into hymns. Chloe and Mummy Church would either console her or rejoice with her. Time was of the essence, but Agnes didn't act as if she was aware of that.
Since Mummy Church had a mistrust for her, Chloe had to act carefully. Although she didn't see anything wrong in what she was doing, it was wise to give Caesar what he needed.
'So, when we got to heaven', Agnes continued and aroused Chloe's interest. She listened with all attention as she soaked the information in. Then the woman began to mention deeds of people and how they were happy in heaven and how some got the best of life. Chloe prayed someone could mistakenly see her mother; it would give her the assurance she needed that God can forgive her for giving birth to her child out of wedlock.
When she finished relaying her message, Chloe knew she just had to do what she planned before. Agnes' message was the strangest of all and should be the one to be preserved. The others continually came back with a report of hell, but she came back with a report of heaven. Chloe picked her phone and called the policemen to come out of hiding. They needed to guard this woman in somewhere very safe.
She turned to the woman, and glanced at the insecure Mummy Church. There was nothing that could be done that moment than to let them know the truth.
'You said we shouldn't involve the police, but you see that you need their protection'
'Y'
'I'm paying them to protect you', Chloe said, raising her voice to subdue whatever Agnes wanted to say.
'I told you she would follow the law', Agnes shouted at Mummy Church.
'That's a lie from the pit of hell, and it provokes punishment. I was the one that told you'.
Chloe was surprised. Although, she shouldnt have been surprised. Mummy Church was a double-faced woman, who could act good around one and backbite about the same person.
'I'm saving your life', Chloe shouted. 'Do you think if I upload this video, they wouldn't find you? They would smell you like ants smell out sugar. The kidnapper would pluck you away from the reach of the numerous people your life would bless like fruits do'.
'Don't you dare tell me what I know is a lie', Agnes yelled and walked over to the mini bed, where her bag lay. She spun and hit her chest. 'I know how much I lived in fear before I told anyone. Now, I told Mummy Church and I told you to make me safe. Do you think I would have asked you for help if not that I had refused to obey God If I wasn't like Jonah?'
'Sister It's okay', Mummy Church said.
'It's not okay. You said we could trust her'.
Mummy Church grabbed her own head. 'I told you? Did I mention anything as regarding her except that she and her husband are known for following the law? Is anything ominous in that?'
'You people have proven yourself to be people I can't trust'.
Agnes carried her bag and stormed out. However, Chloe didn't have to chase her because right outside were the policemen. She sighed and decided to watch the event unfold.
'Madam, you won't be able to leave this place'.
'You see what I'm saying?'
Chloe moved near and dragged Agnes' bag, and flung it into the house. 'Sometimes, people especially the one with the problem, are not always aware of what they want'.
'Policemen, this woman is not supposed to harass me. I'm the one with the vision and don't want your protection. God is my protection. At least, I have done His wish and He would save me'.
'Mummy Church, say something, tell her to return to the house for her safety', Chloe turned to Mummy Church.
'I can't. In fact, she should run as fast as she could from Green City, from Fortunecity, from Nigeria. Away from here'.
'That's like taking a plant with disease and planting them in another ground. This kidnapper would keep searching everywhere for her unless you don't want me to upload the video'.
Agnes shook her head vigorously. 'You must upload it'.
'Yes, you must upload it', one of the policemen said.
'I don't understand, are you the one with the video? If God doesn't want me to upload it, I won't', Agnes barked and ran inside for her bag.
'God would want you, and we need this kidnapper to come after you so we can get him'.
'Like a trap. She is a bait?' Chloe asked in lower tones.
'That's the word', the first policeman said.
'That's' Mummy Church said as she placed her good hand on her hand. 'That's wicked. The Bible adjures us to not tempt people'.
'The Lord, our God', Agnes affirmed. 'This is like trying to know God's power'.
'Impossible', Chloe said. 'Officers, that wasn't the plan'.
The policeman folded his hand as if the words weren't coming out as expected. 'We would use this place as a bait'.
'No', Agnes said and rushed out with her bag. 'I'm not going to be used as a bait. My God wouldnt support such craziness'.
'That's the right thing to do', the policeman said.
'Then, you need Jesus. He would direct you', the woman said and dashed for the path that led out of the bush.
'Sister. What are you doing?' Chloe shouted after her.
'Yo 'The fairer police shouted and raced after her.
Agnes got wind of the fact that she was being chased, and ran like a whirlwind. The grasses she encountered were soon swirling as the other police joined in the chase. They shouted as they ran after her.
'You caused this', Mummy Church said to Chloe and ran after them. 'You always go to places you're not wanted'.
Chloe was so surprised that she stood, transfixed. She only wanted to help someone into safety. If Jesus came and the trumpet was blown, many people would die because they didn't have the message from this woman. The Police's job was to guard this message and not to become a rodent. She ran after them, but fell into the grass. She dusted her gown, and removed her shoe. Then, she continued her race after them. They kept chasing Agnes, whose speed looked like an animal whose tail was on fire. She had an unusual strength for race, and Chloe would commend her for that. Before long, the second police had caught her. He jumped on her and held her firmly to the ground.
'Leave me', Agnes screamed, and twisted, but his firm grip held her in place. Very soon, the other policeman was holding her still.
'This woman is stubborn. She is following us to the station'.
'But it has to be her freewill'.
'Freewill be damned'.
'Sister Chloe, these are your people. Talk to them', Mummy Church exclaimed and gestured at her.
The lady kept shrieking and trying to kick her way through, but the policemen seemed to be prepared for her. One of them cuffed her hands, and slammed her face into the bonnet of the car, making Chloe wince.
'Careful', she shouted. 'You don't want her maimed'.
'Sorry, madam. We're taking her to our office. She would be safer there'.
Chloe turned and pointed to the house. 'She would be safer here. Or a hotel or any other place than the police station'.
The dark policeman shook his head vigorously. 'This woman is adamant and wouldn't help our case. Even if she would still be taken to a place for her to be used as the bait, we would still take her to the station'.
'You're taking her nowhere', Mummy Church cried, and pulled at their clothes.
'Watch us'.
Mummy Church's eyes were now red. 'Leave her alone. She is God's vessel unto honor'.
'Who will help us get the other vessel?'
'What are your names?' Chloe shouted and pulled the door. But the two women were flung back. 'I will make sure you're sacked. I brought you here with my money. You people were given to me after I gave your boss money to release you to do as I wish'.
The other police hissed and started the car. The fair one poked his head outside.
'Call the police and tell them that Marcus and Vincent are with the woman. Tell them my code if you need that. Do you need that also? So, they would tell me what to do?'
They drove away with Agnes, screaming in the car, and Mummy Church beating their trunk till they drove off. Chloe too tried to run after them but had to stop when she was exhausted.
'It's your fault'.
'I was only trying to help'.
'You have not helped yourself. People die around you You're cursed. Now, you've caused trouble for another one. You always go where no one wants you. You're not wanted. You entered your parents lives when they hadn't married. You entered Nosa's life and gave him a child. We never wanted you in this case'.
Chloe gritted and swallowed as the images of her dead children, her sad, caring father, and her friend. Immediately, she remembered her mother's word that she was cursed. She blinked back tears.
'We would find her', Chloe said with a husky voice.
'The police I'll call their DPO. He gave me the boys', she said as she began to dial his phone number.
'Put it on speaker phone'.
Chloe glared at her and dialed DPO.
'Mrs. Kings Obaigbanwen. It's nice to have you call us again'.
'Your boys have just caused havoc and earthquake here. They've opened a bottle of two-week-old urine'.
'My boys?'
'Yes, the ones you sent to me'
'Yes. Those boys. I'm sorry. The idiots came back here some minutes ago and said they got to your place late. I was infuriated. But they would head over there now'.
Mummy Church yelled, and untied her scarf, and wrapped it around her waist.
'But they just left. Two men; Marcus and' Chloe said
'And Vincent. Marcus and Vincent', Mummy Church added.
'There is no one by that name here'.
'But they just carried her away because she wanted to run away because she didn't want police's protection'.
'No. There is no one by that name. Let me call'
The DPO called someone and after a few seconds, he asked the person some questions about Marcus and Vincent.
'Madam, there is no one by that name'.
Chloe collapsed to the dusty, hard floor as her mind because to process the thing that just happened there. She had just allowed the kidnappers get the one she was searching for.
'Where are you? Madam Kings, where are you?' The DPO shouted.
Mummy Church yelled and stomped the ground. 'You will find them'.

Still opened

Don't miss this opportunity

8
Meddlers
There is this wait that can get on ones nerve, and if not watched, would ruin every accolade that one had gotten for being patient. Nosa impatiently kept a tab on the time and kept glancing at Shayla.
'Eat your food. Staring at the time wouldn't make everything resolve itself and would do you no good'.
'Your man said Joana hadn't come out since, and that's disturbing'.
'I told you they are good'.
'Please, let me go. Have I not fallen in love with the wrong woman like this?' Nosa said and sighed.
'Yes. You have fallen in love with a bloody wrong woman. How will you leave me for weeks and want to go before a new day, are you sick?'
'But you understand what's happening'.
'Story for the gods'.
'I need to see the other case. The new missing person'.
'I told you the police were at her place. Her case wasn't consistent with the others. She left home and wasn't found. You're not eating'.
He glanced at his food and winked at her. 'You know my mind is not here. I want to be out there, chasing every lead and clue'.
'I know and I also know this might be the last time I'll see you. So, no. Eat. Now'.
He sighed and fiddled with the food. Like Jesus, whose food wasn't meat and drink, but to do his father's will, Nosa's food wasn't yam and egg and tea; it was to feed on the grumpiness of some people; ask numerous irritating and accusative questions, and find out about the vilest of the thoughts of men. He shrugged and ate his food slowly, picking it as if it was laden with worms. He rose and Shayla's hand flew to the pistol she laid on the table.
'It's ten'.
She glanced at the food. 'You've not finished eating'.
He shook his head, took his key, and stormed into the room, and returned. 'If you're the man of the house then I would remain here. Did you woo me or did I?'
'Nosa, don't try it. Being huge or stubborn doesn't open the door. It's only the one with the key. Even if this door isn't locked, I'm the free passage to wherever you're going'.
The moment his hand touched the doorknob, a bullet scraped the edge of the door, a few inches from his hand.
'What's this?'
She shrugged and glanced at the food. 'I know you love me, and won't make me hurt you, but you have given me the go-ahead to always do this to you. Why are you always heady?'
'I need to go to find this woman'.
'No, you don't need to do anything. You're acting as if this case is your hemoglobin as if you can't live without it'.
He dragged the seat, collapsed into it, and stabbed his fork into the food and made noise with it. There was no way he would definitely obey her. The food would probably be sweet since she was a good cook, but his appetite had traded place with his inquisitiveness. The food was an insurmountable obstacle. The more he tried to push them into his mouth, the more he felt the urge to leave the house.
She dropped the gun on the floor in anger as she hopped out of her seat. The gun clattered for a while as her chair screeched and collapsed.
'I'm tired of you', she yelled and skipped near him as if her legs were on fire. 'Did I say you should love me? Why did I ever meet you? Maybe I wouldn't be worked up because of you? Simple food', she lamented and her voice began to break as tears clambered down her eyes. 'You treat me like a piece of shit'.
He rose and moved near her, but she withdrew. 'Don't you dare touch me'.
'I will eat', he said and sat. 'See. I'm eating'.
She continued crying as he gulped down the food. There was no way he would allow her to hold him down with something that could simply be solved by heeding to her desire. She kept hinting her approval at every swallow he had. The moment he finished eating, she went down on her knees and clasped her hands. 'I'm sorry'.
He stared at her disgustedly. She tried to hold his hand, but his cold glare made her withdraw it. He rose and went to get his stuff. She crawled towards him and tugged at his trouser. He gritted and glanced away. What could he do with her? She knew just how to pacify him. Their time together should have taught him that, but he still always fell into her trap. He rubbed her head, scattering her hair, and kissed her forehead.
'I've got to go'.
'I know'
Her phone beeped. She sighed dejectedly and nodded as Nosa headed for the door. The journey from the boat to the beach felt like an eternity. He kept ruminating over everything she told him. He didn't even consider the cool breeze that trailed after him. There must be a way to solve this mystery without him losing contact with everyone that could help him solve the case. Even if Joana wasn't missing, she was still partially useless. What could make someone keep forgetting things?
The moment he got to the land, he rushed to his car and sped off. He contacted his computer analysts and informed them about the missing Joana, and how they must help her also. He then proceeded to try to contact Chloe, who said she was with Mummy Church and asked him to make sure he came home for Christmas. He felt happy that she had detached herself from his father, and was with someone that could really help her loose herself from the tendrils she had wrapped herself.
The problem now was that his analysts were right. There was no way anyone could have known where he was or even what he discussed with Joana if he wasn't bugged. They must have really bugged his phone and he would go to the end of the world to ensure he discovered who they were. How could they know he would be on the case? That means the person was either from Mr. Johnson's case or Joana was lying about her not telling anyone except him.
'Please, please get out of the way', he murmured. The happiness from meeting Moriah the previous day was still lingering within his bones, and he wouldn't allow anyone take the opportunity from him.
The car in front of him belonged to a learner, who kept to the middle of the road. Nosa honked repeatedly and hoped his anger wouldn't take over his desire to remain happy. There was no way he would allow anyone tamper with his crime scene. Crime scenes were like February 29; one would have to wait for an eternity before one could get a better clue.
When he got to Joana's house, upon entering the compound and being directed to Joana's place, he met her house had been scattered. He looked around for anybody to tell him what happened there, but no one was available to help him.
Seeing that he had no choice than to advance into the house, he withdrew his gun and proceeded to his house. The silence of the compound, as well as the graveness of the massive house, made him aware that it would be foolish to make any noise. He wondered how she coped living in such house alone. Yet, she would never in her right mind leave the house empty, and the door ajar.
He entered the compound and searched everywhere. Her clothes were all scattered on the ground. The objects in the house were scattered. In his quest for finding any evidence at all, he saw something in the mirror. Quickly, he withdrew to the passage, to a vantage point, to a place no one would suddenly jump on him. The mirror reflected someone's leg.
'Come out gently with your hand in the air'.
The room's door creaked, then the person slowly walked out with both hands in the air.
'Police. Who are you?' Nosa shouted from where he was.
'Boss. Please, please. I swear. I just needed the money'.
'What money? Were you here to steal?'
'I swear'.
'I don't believe you. Who are you?'
Nosa moved towards the room, but the man was faster. He hurriedly locked the door and held the doorknob with something bulky. Nosa pushed, groaned and pushed, but the door didn't budge. The only thing he heard was that of the person breaking a window and jumping out. He got a glimpse of the thief the moment he opened the door. He rushed through the door and sped after the man into the bushes behind the house. When he got there, he met the bush settling after being rattled. Nosa followed the man into the bush, determined to catch him, but had to stop because it would be a fruitless effort just like searching for a needle in a sea.
He sighed, marched towards his car, and dialed Raphael's number. They were friends from childhood. The womanizer just happened to be available at the right time for him and had been instrumental in making things work fast at the moment.
'Raph, her house was just burgled by someone'.
'That's serious. Thank God I called you for her safety'.
'I didn't take her serious at first. Thanks to you, I did now'.
'She has done her crazy testimony. Oh God! How did I ever fall in love with her? She must change. I'm not sure I can keep up with this her newly found love for God. People love God and don't die for it. Her own is worse'.
Nosa chuckled. 'RaphThat's your cross to bear. Beauty is in the eyes of the beer-holder. Tell her I said "hi"'.
'Remember, we don't want anybody to know'.
'Brother, let them know. Everything is frustrating'.
'Remember your phone is hacked'.
He assumed that if he changed his sim card into another phone the person wouldn't get access to his calls, but getting to Joana's place had proven him wrong.
'I know. Let the idiot. You, idiot, listening at the other end. I will catch you'.
Raphael sigh. 'Guy, that's reckless. I miss Moriah. How far with the investigation? You should have gotten a lot by now'.
'Nothing. Raph. My mistress held me at a gun point'.
'Bad guy. Shayla is a stubborn girl. She isn't a bottle of urine. You should go gentle on her. Oh God!'
'What's that?'
'I just mentioned her name'.
Nosa started his car. 'You don't want to try her. Whoever is hacking my phone should be careful. Nobody dares try her. She's a legal tyrant. She can kill at the blink of the eyes'.
'By the way, Chloe called.'
'Why are you telling me? Were you not her best friend?'
'I was until that naughty Irene became closer. And I told that naughty one too to let's have fun before she traveled. That adamant idiot. I miss them all. I miss' Raphael said and paused.
Nosa knew who he wanted to say, but didn't encourage him to talk further because he might spill the beans about Moriah's resurfacing.
'When last did you hear from Irene herself?' He said as he drove off and plugged his earpieces into the phone.
'Irene? Four days ago. We are not as close as I am with Chloe. But Chloe just snoozed off and forgot everyone for one week. She only says hihi now'.
'Irene is dead'.
'Wawu! Jah!
'See, I have to go. The fact is, Chloe is withdrawing to herself again. Talk to her'.
'I will. Oh! Fine, Coke body Irene is dead'.

7 Disappeared
Joana's fat body, depression, and new-found faith couldn't make her jump over Raphael the moment she saw him. Before, she would have hugged him, brought down his head into... She shook her head. Thoughts and memories like those ones were meant to die with her baptism. They shouldn't be allowed to resurrect again.
He was as tall as ever. His broad shoulder still made her have a tinge of desire to hug him again, but she denied herself of it. It was unholy and she needed to abstain from every appearance of evil. He had a knack for keeping a white beard and an afro. He still kept them, the way she always admired them. His big chain shone from his neck alongside the bracelet and the ring he wore. If she didn't know him before, she might have assumed the ring was charmed as it was the custom of so many get-rich-quick guys.
'Jah!' Raphael shouted when he saw her pulling a Dhayour duffel bag. His scowl deepened as she got nearer. 'Joany, what have you done to yourself? No. This is pathetic, even the fish in the Sardine that had recently been growing thinner isn't as thin as this'.
'What?' She asked as she followed his gesture that she should enter the car. His eyes didn't leave her as she scrambled into his car. The darkness shouldn't cover how she was. If not for the reflection of the street light, and the busy street, she might have refused to meet him. He should have waited till the next day, but the fear releasing itself into her was a better motivation and persuasion than he.
'First of all', he said as he started the car. 'Jah! This is too much. Bottle. This is a bottle of urine'.
'Whatnow? Raphael, you have started this your crazy ways of acting again'.
'When you started using my name and started speaking formally I knew you have changed...'
'Of course'.
'For bad. But this...You look worse. You are now looking like all those Deeper Life people. Why now?'
'See I've met Jesus. If any man is in Christ, old things are passed away. Hell and Heaven are real'.
'Of course. Of course, I know. Prophet Vegas, you know that my very handsome Prophet. He went to heaven last week', Raphael said and chuckled. 'When he first said it, I thought he was lying, but one of those tiny waist ladies in the church said he wasn't lying. Then, she winked at me. And I knew my prophet must have gone into trance after copulating with her'.
'But this one is real'.
'I know. All of them are real. But, God can't be wicked enough to take everybody to hell'.
'God is not wicked. He just has his rules and laws'.
'That's your problem. I know Jehovah well; he has his method. He knew all of us would not be faithful. That's why he made some of you faithful'.
'Raphael, see...Forget it. Just know that life is short'.
'Yes. I will forget it. My problem still remains that why the sudden change? You look too drab. You are not wearing those...'He said and gestured at her breast. She felt naked in his presence.
'Stop that now. I'm a daughter of Zion'.
'I know'.
'So who was the person that had been calling to know about me?'
'I don't know yet, but I've given it to Emma...Emmanuel. You remember him now'.
She nodded. 'Your partner in crime'.
'No. Emma is not my partner in crime. He was my mentor. The guy was good. He can have three women in a row'.
'It's okay. What did he do?'
'Emma is now a bonafide Christian', he laughed. 'He called it something...Born something like that'.
'Born again...What did he say?'
'Yes. Born again. He has stopped going to clubs and the rest. Now, he is also crying about Heaven and Hell'.
'You see. If your teacher has changed, why can't you change?'
'Did God create us to go heaven?'
'Yes...'
'Why didn't he just create us in heaven?'
'Oh I see where you are going? So you think gallivanting about the whole town would do it? You have not change for better at all. And I'm surprised at your way of life'.
'See forget it. Emma will get the answer to me soon. The guy is good with all this computer stuff'.
'Good. Maybe I'll tell Nosa the person'.
'Which Nosa?'
'He's...What' your concern?'
'My concern is that you will marry me again'.
She laughed. 'What does light have to do with things of Darkness?'
'See this hippopotamus o. I'm darkness. I'm helping you to safety and you're calling me darkness'.
'I'm sorry'.
He bantered on as they drove into the darkness, into her unknown future. She knew the apostles ran from place to place because they were under siege because of the word of God. People wanted to kill them, persecutors. Her own fear wasn't about persecutors. It was from someone that was just kidnapping them and wasn't even demanding ransom. She allowed her mind meander into oblivion. If she was persecuted like the apostles, she would endure it, but she couldn't possibly die without the message of God to the world.
He checked his phone and yelled, 'thank God'.
She sat up with the expectation that he had gotten the response from Emmanuel. 'What's that?'
'My boys. Those boys are good. Ah! Bet9jaYou people have failed. My two odds make sense. Somebody must suffer. Your father'.
'What's all this? You haven't stopped gambling?'
'See this girl-she. Gambling is my water and blood. How do you think I maintain my fine look? When I finish with you, I will load games for tomorrow. Ah! Betnaija Their mother'.
Joana hissed and turned to watch the darkness and the light that reflected through it. Raphael inserted a song and was dancing. At least, he should wait till she got down from the car before he rejoiced. She glanced at him as he rejoiced with his croaky voice. She turned to the window and thought of the many times of her life, and knew that if she got the opportunity to choose again, she would choose this one over and over again. Working for God was the sweetest thing that could ever happen to her.
Suddenly Raphael stopped. She turned to look at the place they were. They were in one of the brothels in town. The sounds of knockouts resounded from nearby stalls, and Raphael bared his teeth at the blasts from the knockout. He pointed at them and shook his head as if they brought out archived memory.
'What? What are we doing here?'
'Celebrating Let's buy something to drink before anything happened to you'.
'Are you m What's wrong with you? I told you I'm a Christian'.
'And I'm a Buddhist? Forget all those rubbish. Do I look like someone that has gummed his eyes? You are very safe here'.
'Raphael, stop all these jokes'.
He burst into laughter. 'But at least, let's eat pepper soup made with Catfish'.
'I don't eat the same food that sinners see as the best'.
'Jah!' Raphael exclaimed and raised his hands. The music from within the brothel spread outside and above the one he was playing in his car.
'You're not feeling fine. You ate these things when you were here. Somebody should help my memory? I even bought you Suya from Ibrahim, the Fulani. If not that he has gone home, we would have bought some'.
Joana shrugged. 'Those were in the days I was foolish'.
'Then, foolishly pay back all the money we used then'.
'Those were in my old life'.
'Something is wrong with your church brain', Raphael said as he hissed and turned. 'I'll look for someone better'.
He looked around and sighted a slim lady on Yellow shirt. He gestured at her. She rushed towards him with her tiny legs. Joana was sure he couldn't do anything foolish with her sitting there.
'Baby girl', he said and pointed his phone at her. 'I tried to call your number, but it wasn't going through'.
'That's because I forgot to give you my number', she said and flaunted her padded chest at him.
'Raphael, please let's go', she groaned.
'A minute', Raphael said and dashed out of the car. The lady outside rolled, but Raphael ran past her into the brothel and returned with four cans of beer. Joana slapped her hand on her face, while the lady stared in surprise.
'Till later baby girl. This church woman wants me to leave this beautiful place. Merry Christmas'.
'Miser', the slim lady yelled at him.
'Chicken That's how every one of them does. They are looking for a husband on the road', Raphael yelled and drove off.
'What do you see in that woman?'
'Beauty is in the eyes of the beer-holder'.
Joana glanced at him and hissed. Then, looked back into the darkness that engulfed the roads of Fortunecity. Raphael hissed at her and opened a can of beer. It made a noise that propelled a big sigh from Joana.
He drove off and started the song playing in his car, and shouted along with the song. However, he became silent when the playlist got to Four years by Stylplus. Gradually, houses started dissolving into grasses and the grasses soon started making way for huge trees. Then street light gave up on them and handed the watch to the moon.
'Raphael, where are we going?'
'I'm taking you to a place no one would ever think of finding you'.
'Where?'
'Prayer Mountain. My prayer mountain', he said and winked.
'What of my video testimony and the magazine?'
'You will do it.'
She became silent again and tried not to talk to him. At least, she was having it both ways- working with a heathen and still pleasing God. She preferred to term it as God having his way. On a normal circumstance, she wouldn't have trusted anyone, but she trusted Raphael. They had gone far in their relationship for her not to trust him. She might not like his method, but she liked him and believed he would never hurt her, even if they handed the world over to him.
When they got to the place, she was skeptical about heeding to Raphael. Despite the fact he told her he was taking her to a mountain, she never believed it would be a place like the one he had just brought her to. The peak of the mountain was the only thing protruding from the tall massive trees that surrounded it. Even in the darkness, the blackness of the mountain's peak highlighted the coldness that was building up in her heart. She shivered as they got out off the car. The rain was drizzling, and Raphael merely glanced at the drizzle as if it was a child jumping about excitedly because its favorite TV show was being played.
Raphael began to give her details of how the place was without a balanced network, and how lonely it might want to be.
'I thought it was a church'.
'A...?' Raphael said, hissed and chuckled. 'Me? Bring you to church? The only church I like is the one I attend and no other', he said as he brought out two torchlights from the duffel he withdrew from the trunk of his car.
'But when did you plan all this?'
'Since the day I met you. After you told me about the cruise you took and always wanted to take. I always wanted this to be our own cruise. I've been planning to leave the world alone and spend the rest of the year with youOn' He said as his eyes roamed her body.
'Argh! You need God. The Bible says without holiness you can't see God, even heaven'.
'Who? Heaven? God? I don't want to see God now. I have a lot of plans for my life'.
Then, they came to the top of the mountain and he pointed the torch towards a direction. 'That's the house. It used to belong to me and my friends'.
'Do I know them?'
'Not sure'.
He turned and pointed to a very far end. 'I wanted you to come to this place. That place I and my friends used to play a lot of games there. It's sloppy but one of us knows how to climb it. We would run and come out of the other end', Raphael said, smiled and shook his head.
'Let's go. I'm tired. And everywhere is dark'.
'Yes, I know. I'll remember to show you tomorrow. Immediately, we enter I'll take your phone'.
***
When Raphael was sure she was out of earshot, she dialed the number.
'She's disappeared', he said.
'Thank you'.
Then there was a pause at the other end.
'Where is she?'
'Remember our promise. I can't tell anybody where she is'.
'I remember. I just want to access her when it's time'.
Raphael shook his head. This wasn't time to even think about passing the information. 'Remember why you asked me to do this?'
'Yes. I know...'
'Okay. I'll update you soon. She wants to me to upload a video of her tomorrow'.
'We will do it. Just do everything to make her stay put'.
'I will. And I will change her mind about announcing herself to the world'.

Hugo55:
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Have you ever had the desire to write that Fiction in the prose form? Here is the opportunity you need. You will get all the push you need to be the best.
– It’s free.
– It will be A WhatsApp-class
– One Hour
– Regimented School Style
– Visitation from established fiction writers
Application Date: April 12-April 16
Class Commencement Date: April 22- May 18
How To Apply
– Drop your phone number in the comment box of the website
– You’ll be contacted and will be asked to do something. The first fifteen people to meet the requirements will be added to the WhatsApp group.
– The class will commence.

http://writertain.com/2018/04/12/writertain-fiction-class-for-beginners-2/

A good character and plot is such that you would have to introduce a bigger enemy at one point or the other. This is not something new. In most movies and novels, we can see that at a point or the other a bigger enemy is always introduced to boost the story. Most times, this turn in event makes us understand that we want only our protagonist to vanquish our antagonist. Interestingly, we sometimes are excited when the antagonist wins this bigger enemy..

So, let’s quickly brush what is expected to happen when you introduce a bigger enemy.
1. Hold The Antagonist To Ransom: you can decide to make the real antagonist be at the mercy of the bigger enemy. In the TVseries, Scandal, the antagonist was Papa Pope, the command; however, when a bigger enemy was introduced in the sixth season, people wanted to know why this bigger enemy had an edge over the known antagonist. At last, it was discovered that Papa Pope was threatened with the head of his stubborn daughter, Olivia Pope.

2. Make The Bigger Enemy Stronger Than The Real Antagonist: Many times, we need to introduce someone with more power than the antagonist. With this, you have made the readers happy that the antagonist is powerless, and now they can root for a way he can overcome the bigger enemy. This phenomenon was displayed in the TVseries ‘Once Upon A Time’, when the evil queen was faced with people greater than she, people rooted for her.

3. Let the Antagonist vanquish this bigger enemy: here, the concept is to give the antagonist this bigger enemy. Also, at this junction, the antagonist is the newest protagonist. It is after our antagonist wins, that we allow the protagonist begin to fear them.

4. Avoid allowing the bigger enemy kill our antagonist: the job is for the protagonist have a hand in the death of the antagonist. If you’ve seen Jason Vs Freddy, you would see that the real enemy was Freddy but Jason was more powerful, and the only way the viewers seemed satisfied was when the characters led Freddy into Jason’s trap.
Have you ever seen any book or movie that used this concept?
Have you ever tried writing a bigger antagonist into your story, how did you do it?
Which of the above have you ever seen used in a book?

http://writertain.com/2018/04/11/using-a-bigger-enemy-against-the-antagonist/

The concept of acceptance into a group is simply one that many people explore in story writing without knowing they are doing that. If we check great books we will see the same phenomenon in this books. The basis is to ensure group communication. Various characters, protagonist and antagonist alike, have to join a new group, and doing so, they need to be accepted into the group.
For example, in most of the books by Rick Riodan, he always makes the reader see how people craved for acceptance among their mates. Therefore, before they can accepted, there are some things you need to use in the creation of complex characters, groups, and plots that will make readers seat at the edge of their seats.

The following are the things that will help portray that well:
1. A Crush: In every story, in order for your character to be accepted into a group, he would have someone that crushes over them. This person will always dote on your character. At some points, the character will feel obliged to do something to please this crush because at a point or the other the crush will fight for then or will be disgraced by them.

2. The Threatened: this person is one that feels that his or her position is being threatened. Most times, these people aren’t aware of the fact that they are burdened with this fear, but they would soon be seen acting irrationally, angrily, grumpily. This simply implies that the person had been threatened. No matter the genre, this would make the story have a more natural flow.


3. The one that cares less: this person is so engrossed in their work that they don’t seem to notice your presence. This type is the one that the character would want real acceptance from. Unlike the others that cared about the characters, this one didn’t even flinch at the presence of this new person. He or she can later be aware of your main character and even either praise them or be their friend.

4. Courting The Best person: most times, to be accepted means going with the best persons; therefore, if one got into a bad relationship, the acceptance level would be reduce. In my story ‘Crawling in The Mud’, Grace had to pick between being a friend of the bully of the class or the spoilt brat of the class. This selection process can cause conflict among your characters, and that’s what we want. Stories are imaginations. Even fantasies are ridden with conflicts.
Have you ever used any of the above, tell us how you did?
Which of these intrigues you most?



http://writertain.com/2018/04/10/acceptance-of-your-character-into-a-group/

Character's Dressing: Haute Couture
Describing the way your character dresses is a part of characterisation in the story you are about to write. The way you portray your character's dressing will or must coincide with some other things that goes on in their life. That's why this post is aimed at discussing Haute Couture.

Haute Couture is when a fashion house or designer decides to produce expensive cloth for your character.

Helpful Character Background and Traits
- Rich
- One who loves to be unique
- One who might have a desire for affection
- A means to show affluence
- Diehard fashionistas
- Buys magazines
- Friends to fashionistas



Possible Occupation
-Musician
-Actor or actress
- Entertainer
- Model
- Fashion Designer

Possible Voice to use in writing story
- Condescending
- Pompous
- Colour freak
- Design freak


Possible Group to Walk with
- A friend who loves to leech out of others
- A friend who is also a fashionista
- A friend who loves to be natural ( most likely, their best friend)

Possible Perks
- Neatness freak
- Privately rough

Possible Talent
- Designing and drawing
- Having eyes for colour


http://writertain.com/2018/04/09/characters-dressing-thesaurus-haute-couture/

youngoracle:
my boss, look through carefully again o, the only story U posted twice yesterday is PERFECTION.
RELIC haf neva graced frontpage before.

Well, the title was a mistake. The admin used the same name twice.... But you can the star in front of the topic

wow... This means a lot.. Thanks

youngoracle:
Divepen1 lalasticlala this is presently the hottest novel on this forum by ghostwritter titled 'RELIC'. It's never been to frontpage as u might think and am very sure the world would love it.

https://www.nairaland.com/4371508/relic

Actually, it was all there yesterday