From the stables of GHOST PRODUCTION in partnership with NAIRALAND ENTERTAINMENT and NEW INSIGHT STUDIOS presents: THE DEVIL'S PUZZLE (Revised and completed version).
My appreciation to all my followers who have got my back. This will be a short read. You can read more of my works on okadabooks.com


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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transported in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, re-cording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher of the book.
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The moral right of Omotayo Taofiq Suleman to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.


You can reach me if you need an interesting/catchy story line for a movie or for your affordable BOOK COVERS or any other information through osuleman11@gmail.com/ Whatsapp 08068833118

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“Please don’t tell me that this was how it all ended, I mean it all can’t end up like this, right?” I questioned in anger and of a heart filled with raging emotions as I watched Balogun Fijabi rode off from our presence unchallenged with his slaves who trooped sheepishly behind him. “Isn’t there something we can do? At least call for help” I asked the old

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April 14, 2010. (University campus)
7:18 am.

It was on a Wednesday morning, I had rushed into the school library to quickly and quietly get something to read for the final year exam which was to hold in the afternoon. I was shocked but not too surprised to see how filled-up the University library was, I saw heads above every table and every seat were occupied with students who had their minds buried in whatever was in front of them.

Don’t these students sleep at all? How on earth did they all make it to the library this early? I thought aloud as I glanced at my wrist watch.
I was determined to find a place for myself among these bookworms, so I shuffled rows for empty seat and found one by a partially secluded corner of a last row; on the plastic seat was this old dusty book. I removed the book and placed it on the floor, dusted the seat and sat on it.

Surprisingly, I couldn’t concentrate on my read after about half an hour. There was obviously no excuse for distraction as my space was conducive. I decided to take a quick walk around the library hoping it might help me get my mind together. As I walked round the book shelves glancing through every book cover, pretty faces and outfits on my way, I began to hear whispery calls of a name, it sounded creepy. I searched around and couldn’t see who called but rather just other students shuffling books from shelves. I felt uneasy and withdrew back to my seat but I was surprised to see a book on it, it was the book I had thrown to the floor, someone must had returned it on my seat just to pass a message -I guess-, but who could be? I attempted to drop the book on the floor but thought against it, I cautiously opened it and wasn’t much surprised it was someone’s dairy; I couldn’t help but pity it owner who must be in search of it. As I flipped open the cover page, I mentally swore not to read it content but only get the contact of it owner so I can help return it. The first page made me realized the diary was addressed to someone named ‘Tekun’, I attempted to stop right there but I went against my conscience and quickly flipped through the page to see a bold title ‘The Day I Died’, there where good narrative hand sketched images of villagers invaded by warlords, men bounded with chains and whipped with lashes, a man bound in chain hugging a nicely dressed lady under a tree, an angry looking man standing above another man under a stormy rain. I decided it would be an interesting story-dairy worthy of my time after all. It felt as if I was about prying into someone else’s life but then I cared less.

‘The Day I Died:
My name is Asake Arinola Ajijogun, the only daughter to Balogun Fijabi Ajijogun and Aina Ariyike Ajijogun, these are what you need to know about my life and the day I died.
They said the war started many years ago, most of the elders said it started about six generations far back, most of them could no longer remember exactly how the enmity had began but they had always warned us just as their fathers had been warned by their grand-fathers that the villagers of Isese kingdom are our sworn enemy and we should never hesitate to strike them down just like we do any poisonous reptile.
One day, the warlords of my village staged a sudden attack upon the rivalry village Isese in the middle of one of their festive nights, they were all caught off-guard, It was too late for counter-attack, their men slaughtered, women raped and massacred, farmlands destroyed, houses burnt and their children were taken for slavery.
My father Fijabi who was the chief warlord had the greatest share of the bounty and that included taking many of the able-body children for slavery, he made them work harder than adults and feeds them like rats, he made them swore oath to forever be under his command, he transformed few of them to his special warriors.
It was on my twenty-one birthday when my father called me out from my room into the compound amidst all my female friends who had come to celebrate with me, he said he had a gift for me, I ran outside expecting to see a white horse he had earlier promised me but I was surprised to see some of my father’s special slaves paraded under scotching sun. Father wants me to pick two guards of my choice. It was every ladies dream to have a guard to them and there I was offered choice of two. I was excited and so were my friends for me when I inspected the men, they all looked hairy and very masculine with iron collars on their necks attached with rusty chains that linked them to one another, they all appeared fierce and alert; every one of them had his own unique physical feature but one of them had long caught my attention, father called him Erutekun because he had killed a Leopard with his hands when he was a boy, I had witnessed his kindness and sacrifice to his fellow slaves.
I choose only Erutekun; the chain on him was loose but the iron collar stayed. Erutekun was tall, muscular and even with his bushy beards, he was handsome; he had the physical attributes any lady would desire in a man. His soul duty was to see to my protection and before the end of that day I renamed him Tekun.
Days after days, I learnt new things about Tekun as we spent more time together, I had never related to any man as I did to him, at first he was very cautious of how he relates with me, trying to look away when I steal glances at him, he would often avoid intimate discussions and body contact when initiated but slowly it changed. It felt as if I cared more for him than any other person I had known, my emotions grew towards him enough to always have him around me. I wasn’t surprised when my mother noticed my affection for my slave guard, she warned me to discard whatever affection I have for him if I indeed truly love him but I was engrossed in my love for him to understand.
It was on a full-moon when most village elders love to stay out-door to tell stories to children all night long. I was alone in my room thinking of my growing emotion for the man who was meant to be my mere guard. I thought of doing what my friends had always and secretly whispered about, at first I discarded the thought but after awhile I decided to see how it would work out, so I thought of an idea. I ordered Tekun to accompany me go see a friend, after a short walk away from home I stopped and sat under a tree to rest, I ordered Tekun to do likewise which he did after being reluctant and suggested we should be on our way. I saw in his eyes how concerned he was about me but would not wish to go beyond being just my guard. At that point I poured out my mind to him, told him how I felt about him, he looked baffled and scared. I suddenly kissed him while he was still going over my words, he smiled after he withdrew his lips and told me how he had also felt same way for me but was too scared to let it show, I was happy. We held each other, kissed and made love on the grasses, it felt painful as it was my first but I loved it, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. While at it, one of my father’s friend closest suddenly appeared from a corner of the farm, he was a strong agile man who was my father’s most loyal friend and would always do things to gain father’s trust, he must have had us trailed all along having suspected something, he ran back towards the village to go report what he had seen; Erutekun on sighting him as well and knowing full well the implication of his deed dashed-off after the man so fast, he ran like a wild dog after a rabbit, caught up with him midway and pounced on the man who was also struggling in the little way he could to escape, though the man was strong as well but he was no match for Erutekun. Erutekun appealed to the man who seemed adamant to having us reported. Another round of struggle broke between the men which led to Erutekun twisting his neck in a brutal manner, I understood he had no choice…we had no choice. Erutekun kept assuring me he had done what he did to protect our lives and most importantly our love, I believed whatever he said. I warned Erutekun from burying the corpse as it would be a curse upon the land if an innocent soul is buried in it. Instead, we hid it somewhere along the bush path not to be easily noticed, we both swore to keep our action secret and sneaked our way back into the village shortly before children resigned from the moonlight play.
Like wild fire during harmattan, news spread so fast reaching every household within the village that one of Balogun’s friends was murdered in a cruel manner. My father the chief warlord on hearing the tragedy the third day grew frantic, he felt the village was no longer safe as long as the perpetrator of such brutal act is still within the community, he called my mother and I into his room telling us both to be very careful of where we go and who we talk to, he promised to add one more guard for me to ensure proper safety measures but I declined immediately. It was assumed such murderous act could only be a threat of war to come from angry neighboring communities most especially the village of Kereje. The oracle was consulted on the tragedy and Baba Ifa the village priest simply revealed proverbially that it was an act carried out by someone within.
On one particular night, I had a bad feeling before going to bed and it led to a bad dream in which I saw myself underneath a large river, chained to a very big stone. I tried calling for help to Erutekun who was standing at the bank of the river but he couldn’t hear me. I woke up knowing it was a very bad omen, I was convinced death was about to separate Erutekun and I, so seek the help of a woman Iya Akokaa, she was a very mischievous old witch who had well disguised her true craft under her practice of selling herbs. I got to know about her from one of my friends. The next day, I visited the witch who dwells at the outskirt of the village, she looked younger and beautiful than I had imagined of a grand witch. Iya Akokaa showed great empathy as I narrated my plight but then promised to help after she told me how she could see death hovering me and that she alone has the power to help preserve my soul against it. I wondered if such was possible. She brought out a kola-nut from a black calabash around the corner in her hut, handed it over to me and told me what to do with it. I was grateful to her and asked what the price to pay for helping me was; she smiled and told me I should come back to pay her only when I am satisfied with her services. Then I should have known something was wrong.
I was excited as I hurried back home before anyone notice my absence, I thought of how beautiful it would be for Erutekun and I to life as lovers forever and not even death would separate us. I was surprised to know death could be cheated.
I was back to my father’s compound shortly before the sun braced the sky and there I saw Erutekun looking troubled, he told me how he had searched everywhere for me wondering what could had happen to me, I was glad no one else knew I had been away. I led him along into my room, locked the door behind him and kissed him, he wanted to say something -perhaps asked where I had been- but I wouldn’t stop kissing till he succumbed. We then made love till we both felt drained, I laid by his side stroking every hair on his wide heaving chest. It was exciting enough to be with the love of my life as nothing in the world made sense than laying next to him forever. I whispered sensual words into his ears and he kissed me in return at any opportunity he had, I was happy, so happy that I wished to capture that moment into the glance of eternity. I stood up and told Erutekun to follow me somewhere.
Slowly, I led him far away from the village through pathways, farmlands, hills and river and finally made a stop under the shade of an Oak tree that stood in the center of a large space around the forest…”

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“It was me who dropped the diary in the library so to let you know about me…about us” Said the old Asake “I needed to let you know who you really are and most importantly the covenant we forged” she added with tears.
And then it all dawned on me. I gazed incredulously at the dying man lying in the rain.
“So you mean I am the reincarnation of Erutekun, that I was once Erutekun?”
She nodded “Yes my love, you were once the man I gave my heart to, the man I cherished with my life, whom I had place above my father’s threat, the man who died for our love!” more tears rolled down her wrinkled face.
“The man who died for love?”
“Why don’t you see for yourself how it all ended” she jerked her head towards the young Asake tied to the tree.
Asake struggled to free herself from the tree but she was too frail for the strong palm fibers around her, she could no longer withstand the dying look on Erutekun who was then heaving heavily. She grew furious and mustered enough strength to insult her father; she knew exactly the right words with which to hurt her stubborn father and those were the word she bawled at him. Balogun Fijabi who appeared indifferent but yet raged at her daughters words to him calmly walked up to her.
“ I Fijabi the son of the great Ajijogun will never stand to be insulted by my own daughter because of her childish love for a mere slave” he paused to look at her malevolently “I wouldn’t have believed that you my daughter could conspire with a mere slave to kill my most loyal friend”
Asake was stunned by the revelation.
Balogun Fijabi frowned “You must be a fool to think I won’t find out. I know everything that has been going on between you and your guard which is an abomination. It’s time I put an end to it. You are my daughter and you are expected to marry whoever I alone wish for you to”
“No father, I forbid to marry any other man except my husband Erutekun”
Enraged, Balogun Fijabi asked what she meant.
Asake maliciously explained how she and Erutekun had formalized their union with an oath and that no man could break it.
Enveloped in rage, Fijabi pulled out his dagger and brushed it edge across her daughter’s face so violently causing her deep and nasty wound that deformed a once beautiful face.
With mischievous grin he added “Now let me see how you will attract any man with such scar on you without my permission”
“You are a total monster” Asake cried out, “I don’t care if you cut every part of my body but I swear you can never live to be half of the man Erutekun was to me!!”
Fijabi angered; his daughter had just compared him to a slave. He ordered his other slaves to dig the moist earth and have Erutekun buried in it alive which they did. He walked back to his daughter who was still in shock by what she just witnessed; he looked her with disgust and regret and spat on her face.
“Not even the gods could safe your ‘husband’”
“Noooo!” Asake’s cry echoed far into the heart of the forest.

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Sir I don't know if it's me but I'm yet to wrap my head around this story. Let's wait to see what's ahead the battle.

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14th April, 2014.
8:04am

I jerked from a bad dream.
I was surprised to see the day broken so clearly, I was beyond shock that I was still in bed when I was supposed to be on my way to work.
“Good lord!” I exclaimed as I saw what time it was. I must have slept so deep not to have heard the alarm. No doubt this time, I would be getting a suspension or more possibly sacked from work.

“But wait o” I paused on my way to the bathroom “What just happened…a déjà vu?” I thought aloud to myself while recollecting what transpired in my dream “Was that suppose to be a dream?” I reconsidered after realizing how real the whole thing had felt.

After I had hurriedly dressed up with no time for breakfast, I saw so many missed calls as I checked my phone before heading out. Twelve of it had been from relatives and five from colleagues at work. I was puzzles to what could have happened. I finally decided to dial Kemi feeling it could be about the dream.

“Bro. Tee is that you?” Kemi’s voice came up eagerly.
What sort of question is that? “Of course it’s me, hope all is well with you?”
“Thank God!” she sighed in relief and excited. I could hear her revealing to someone around her that I was still alive.
“Kemi what’s going on?”
“Haven’t you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“The bomb blast that just occurred over there in Abuja, mum and I have being trying to reach you as soon as we heard to confirm if you…”
“Bomb…bomb blast? When…how?”
“Just few minutes ago, it’s on every news channel, they said its one Nyanya bus stop”
I reassured her I was fine and would get back to her after seeing the news. Master Obina called almost immediately to know if I was fine, he was more relieved than angry when I told him I was presently at home.

I switched on the television, tuned to a popular news channel and there it was as the Breaking news. The famous Nyanya motor-park had been the latest of many hits by a terror group Boko haram.

What a coincidence!

The images shown of the havoc by the news channel was devastating. It was reported over fifty dead and hundreds injured as at that moment, more details were promised to be aired. I realized if I had woken up as early as I had anticipated, I would have been a victim of the tragedy. Lucky me.
There and then I decided I wouldn’t be going to work, I called Master Obina of my decision and he understood under such circumstances. I was happy knowing I have got the entire day to myself with plans to watch movies. For a moment, I sat down to reminisce on my dream…or could it be a vision of a tragedy I could have prevented. I walked up to the fridge to prepare quick breakfast and while I was spreading the butter on two slices of bread I noticed something bulging in my pocket, I brought it out, it was a Kola nut.

What!

Quickly, I called Kemi with aim to help clear my doubt. The situation was making me question my sanity.

“Hello bro. Tee” she picked after the first ring.
“Kemi, I would like to confirm something”
“What is it?”
“Did you at anytime called me this morning to narrate a dream you had of me, something about me getting married?”
She paused for a while and I wondered why she even had to take more than a second to think that through. It should be a Yes or No.
“How did you know?” her voice came alive, she sounded amazed.
“How did I know what? What do you mean?”
“Truly I had a dream last night of you getting married to a lady whom you both loved each other…but I haven’t told anyone about it, not mummy nor you, so how did you get to know about it?”
I was beyond confused as I still couldn’t figure out what was happening around me. “Are you sure you never spoke of it to me? Maybe you forgot you did”
“I’m so sure I never did. In fact I’m still at shock how you knew about it” she paused and soon added “Brother, is everything alright with you?”
“No…I mean yes, I will be alright” I dropped the call.

One thing I was certain about was that something weird was ongoing and it was making me paranoid. I dashed outside of my compound towards the street hoping to see the beggar but there was none. Back in my apartment, I doubted if anyone would belief what was happening to me if were to explain it. I picked up the Kola nut from the table where I had frightfully dropped it to look much closely at it; it was exactly the same as the one in my dream…or vision. Indeed, I needed answers to my many questions, so I bite from the Kola nut and cautiously chewed while my eyes searched around in anticipation the old woman magically puffs out from thin air. It was almost an hour and I had chewed half of the Kolanut without sign of anything strange.

Maybe the entire incident is just a coincidence…or perhaps my imagination running wide, but that hadn’t explained how the Kola nut had mysteriously found its way into my pocket. When I had concluded on dismissing all thought of what had happen to doing something of fun, my body began to feel strange with severe headache and high body temperature enough that made me felt I had been set on fire. I rolled on the floor screaming for help but that lasted briefly before every part of me was paralyzed. It occurred to me there and then how dying felt like alone in my room with no one to call upon. I just laid there motionlessly waiting for my end and soon my heartbeat stopped.
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April 14, 1914.
Igbodudu village. Somewhere in West-Africa.

I tried to open my eyes but the sharp ray from the sun pricked it, I shielded it with my hands as I slowly sat up to look around. I was puzzled realizing I was within thick vegetation, a forest.
“If I hadn’t know you better, I would have thought you wouldn’t come”.
Frighteningly I turned around to see the old woman standing above me, her skeletonic frame wrapped in dirty cloak. I rushed to my foot confused about what was going on.
“What am I doing here…what have you done to me?”
“You will be alright” she gave an assuring smile.
No, I can’t be alright; I searched around again to confirm if it’s another dream but everything around smelt, sounded and felt so real like my senses were heightened. I asked if I was dead.
She paused and was thoughtful for awhile; she simply ordered that I follow her before she turned to slowly walk the other way with the support of a long stick.
“No, I will not follow you till you tell me what is happening”
The old woman kept forging ahead without a response.
Seeing how far she had gone ahead, I ran and caught up with her feeling unsafe alone in a strange place.
I followed sheepishly as she led me through the forest, I would have asked a hundred questions but I presumed she wouldn’t answer. After a short walk, she stopped behind a big Oak tree and caressed it.
“Do you remember this tree?” she asked while still touching it bark.
Could she be talking to me? And if yes, how am I suppose to know when I haven’t been there before.
“Ooh this tree, it witnessed the beginning of our love and also saw how it was snatched from us”
I couldn’t make sense of her words.
“Honestly Ma, I don’t understand what is going on here”
“Wait for it” she said while staring ahead of her expectantly.
Quickly, I hid behind a tall grass as I heard ruffling sound approaching ahead.

The old woman stood, she was looking straight at the direction from which the sound was coming from, I couldn’t help but notice she seem expectant of what was about to appear.
The ruffle was accompanied with sounds of giggle and laughter by someone else, the ascending sound of footsteps was approaching our direction. I saw a young man and a woman walked out hand-in-hand to the glare, they looked so happy and cheerful together as they walked towards where I was hiding. The two walked towards the Oak tree and stopped to face each other, looking into each other’s eyes so passionately enough to convince anyone they are lover even though they are strangers to me. To my surprise, the old woman was standing next to them and it seems her presence was never noticed by the 'love birds'.
“You don’t need to hide, they can’t see us” the old woman said.
She was right, I realized the two strangers kept on acting like we were never there even after I stood close to them.
“Why can’t they see us?”
“That is because we presently exist in a different time from theirs.
What sort of magic is this? It’s really crazy. The whole thing freaked me out. The young man was heavily built with an iron strapped around his neck and merely had a piece of cloth round his waist while the young lady looked beautiful and neat in her royal-like attire, her body embellished with beads and ornaments. I asked who they were but I got no reply, the old woman was engrossed by the presence of the strange lovers who had had that time wrapped themselves into one another passionately.

“Tekun, nothing can ever come between us, not even the gods” the young lady said to the young man.
That name again. Did she just call him Tekun?
“Asake, what about your father? I am his slave and that means he owns my life, he decides whatever he wishes with it. He is so powerful and very strong. I would be right to say I fear him more than the gods themselves” the young man said with much worry on him.
The young lady frowned and held tighter to the man’s strong arms “I swear by the gods of this land that if he tries to take you away from me, I will kill myself”
“No, please don’t do anything evil upon yourself”
“Yes I will because I can’t imagine myself living a life without you in it and that is why I came to give you this” she brought out something from her wrapper and showed it to the man.
The man looked closely at it. “It looks like a Kola nut”
“Yes it is, but it is more powerful than what it looks like, it’s no ordinary”
The man looked curious and I could see he wanted to ask what the Kola nut was all about before the lady continued.
“What we need to do is to first profess our love to one another” she began enthusiastically “and then we would both agree on how long our love would last before we finally eat it.
The man asked how she came about it.
“Iya Akokaa” she replied reluctantly.
The man appeared surprised “That barren witch? She is not to be trusted, how would you even go to her in the first place”
“But she alone understands what I feel for you after I explained the situation to her, she was willing to help us and that was why she gave me this”
The man looked at the Kola nut distrustfully “Did she tell you of its repercussions?”
“She said there is none, all she told me was that it is a powerful charm that binds love for as long as we both want it to last” she sounded assuring and continued animatedly “So, I Asake the daughter of Ariyike and Fijabi swear by the gods of our land to love you Erutekun the slave of Balogun Fijabi Ajijogun for eternity, let this Oak tree be our witness” she said and immediately ate a small portion of the Kola before giving the man who was still surprise.
“Don’t you think eternity is too long a time?”
“No my love, I wish to be with you forever” she wouldn’t let go his arm.
It was the man’s turn for the oath but I saw the look on him, I could tell he was afraid. “Are you sure about this whole thing?”
“Yes I am” she nodded.
He shrugged in acceptance “I Erutekun the slave of Balogun Fijabi Ajijogun swear by the gods of this land to love you Asake Ajijogun for a…hundred years” he paused for Asake’s reaction and went on to bite the Kola nut seeing she was fine with it.
“May the gods forever bear us witness as I am today your wife and you my husband!!” Asake shouted cheerfully.
Erutekun paused for a while; something still seemed to bother him.
“What is it my love? You look so worried, is it because of my father?”
“No, not that, it’s about a dream I had this morning, it bothers me”
“What sort of dream could bother my husband so much? Please tell me about it” she caressed his beards.
He hesitated for awhile but gave in after Asake’s persistence.
“I dreamt I was buried alive” he heaved and continued “I felt so helpless and scared”
Asake gasped “My husband, that’s obviously a bad omen, we need to go see Iya Akokaa, she should be able to tell us what next to do.
“No, I don’t think it’s…”
“So it is true what I heard!” A bold voice confronted from afar. From where I stood I saw a very tall slender man approaching the two lovers majestically in his full Agbada regalia , he was accompanied by four hefty men who all had the same pieces of cloth and rusty iron around their necks the same as that on Erutekun.

From where I stood looking, glimpse of nostalgia washed me, creating a sense of terror to come. I saw fear on Erutekun and Asake as both appeared terrified like they had seen Death itself, she clustered behind her man who seemed to had lost the confidence he once had when alone with his lover, they acted threatened by the presence of the strangers like puppies in front of hungry hyenas. The young lovers instantly held each other’s hand and ran into the forest behind them. The other men attempted to dash right after them but they were ordered to stop by the tall slender man who had an air of authority around him, one could easily tell he was the master while the four others were his subjects. His subjects weren’t surprised as they withdrew immediately; it seems they knew their master had got a trick in his sleeves. The master stepped forward; he pulled out a big snail shell from his pocket, poured out its content into his hand. I watched him grumbling an incantation and after a while he blew the powdery substance into the winds, he quickly stepped back with a wicked grin on him, so sure of himself and seemed to be expecting something to happen and almost immediately something strange happened. The white substance mysteriously took the form of a big human skull; the skull seemed to have a life of its own when it opened it mouth in a wild and horrific manner. I trembled from behind the Oak tree where I watched, it reminded me of the stunts in horror movies, even the four slaves looked so scared.
“Go strike down that bastard of a slave called Erutekun, paralyze him!” Master ordered the object, the mysterious skull drifted into the forest almost with the speed of light accompanied with wind. Almost immediately, a scream erupted from within the forest, it was Aduke’s. Evil grin filled the master’s face while nodding satisfactorily. He ordered three of his subject to proceed into the forest and bring the lovers out from it. Soon, Erutekun and Asake were seen carried out from the forest and dropped in front of the master.
Erutekun fell to the ground like bag of beans, he couldn’t move any part of his body except his eyes, he looked almost lifeless from my position, and I couldn’t help to think of a lamb ready for slaughter.
“Baba mi ejooo. Please father, have mercy on him!” Asake was already on her knees crying. She obviously knew what her father was capable of doing and what her father must have done to Erutekun. Master shunned Asake and ordered that she should be tied to the Oak tree.
All along, the old woman silently watched with keen interest as tears rolled down her wrinkled face. She sighed “It was like the gods witnessed the agony that beheld us, they wept for us” as she said those words, the atmosphere changed into a storm and not long rain began to pour heavily, but surprisingly, not a single drop of rain fell on the old woman and I. Weird!. Soon, the whole atmosphere was electrifying with thunder strikes along with heavy wind and it was obvious that nature was at rage.

The master seemed not bothered by the heavy rain even as he was drenched in it. He approached Erutekun, stood above him like a predator above its helpless prey. From behind the tree where I watched, I wasn’t sure if Erutekun was dead or alive as he lay motionless under the heavy rain. I felt angry and pity as I watched.
“Isn’t there something we can do to help them” I asked the old woman.
“No”
Asake already tied to the tree struggled to fight loose while she kept crying for her lover to be left unhurt. I observed Asake closely and was shocked when it dawned on me the possibility of who she could be.
“I am sorry to ask but is Asake your daughter?”
She slowly shook her head, paused and turned her wet face to me, her eyes held more pain. “I am Asake…and that man over there” she points to the master “…is Fijabi Ajijogun my father”
My jaw dropped. How possible is that?
She went on pointing to Erutekun “And that man on the ground was you”
Was me?
And for the first time, I realized Erutekun would have looked so much like me if not for his heavy beards.

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THE DAY I DIED

*
5:45am

The alarm by my bed side kept buzzing loud enough to jerk up any sluggish horse. Luckily, it jolted me from a horrible dream, it was indeed a nightmare. In my dream I saw myself forcefully locked-up in a coffin and was being lowered deep into the earth. Within the topless coffin which I lay helplessly I saw handful of sincere mourners staring down at me as I slowly sank. I knew them all, though it seems. Indeed, I was the cause for their sorrowful gathering. Weird, I felt I was dead but yet I was still alive, I was suffocating. I could neither move nor shout like I had been spell bond within the horrible dark coffin. Suddenly, I felt a mysterious wind rush through my pores causing a great fright within my body system. Very strong, very sharp and mischievous, a strange voice whispered into my ears “Tekun, it’s time!”
I turned off the alarm after being conscious enough to know I was back in my room, relieved. I considerably dwelled on the fading images of the dream lingered in my memory, I thought I had knew all those I saw in my dream but again I couldn’t have known any of them, they had looked like slaves bond to come mourn one of theirs. I sighed realizing how my mind had just wandered into what appeared. I pushed aside any bad thought as I crawled out of bed.

6:02 am
I quickly went through my usual morning routine which was slowly becoming a habit: Forty press-ups, twenty sit-ups, gulped a bottle of water and a short prayer before heading to the bathroom. Within a short while I was fully dressed and stood admiring myself in the half length mirror, I frowned as I was done knotting my tie and then reminded the young man in the mirror again that he had to keep up with the marketing job if he must get paid. I was fed up of the banking job already after months attempting to catch up with what always seems an impossible financial target. I have always toyed with the thought of walking up to the Branch manager in his busy mood and spite him with my resignation letter. I would always end up yanking the idea knowing it would be impossible. I had a quick breakfast of my regular tea and bread, switched off all electrical appliances, picked up my bag from corner I dropped it the previous day, stepped out of my apartment and locked the door behind me. I stood still for awhile trying to figure out if I had not forgotten do or carry anything, I did a quick brain scan of all the objects and activities which probably I could had left undone, but nothing. As I turned to leave, my phone rang, it was my sister. I was surprised she called very early and besides she had called me the previous day to request for money she would use to acquire a new phone. I picked up.

“Kemi what is it again, I thought we agreed I would send the money to you on friday?”

“Good morning bro. Tee”? She calmly greeted from the other end.

I felt guilty realizing I ought to have greeted her or more appropriately waited for her to greet. “How are you?”

“I am not fine?” she sounded droopy.

I could swear it was about the money for phone, she has this thing for making one feel guilty for her wants. I wasn’t even in the mood for her emotional blackmail, I was about to let out my mind when she continued.

“I had a dream about you”

My heart almost sank. One thing I grew to know Kemi for is her belief in her dreams, more especially her nightmares and how few had come true just like when she proclaimed the death of my project supervisor during my final year in the university. I sensed she had had the same dream as mine. I heaved, could this be a message of my death? And for the first time in a very long time I was eager to know what she wishes to say.

“Was I in your dream?” I curiously asked.

“Yes”

I felt my heart hitting my chest harder.

“Was I laid in a grave with few people crying for my death?”

I heard her gasped, I assumed she must be staring shockingly at her phone “No!” she shouted animatedly “God forbid, how could you say such thing about yourself?”

I don’t understand “So what is this dream about?” I couldn’t take the suspense.

“I dreamt you got married to a beautiful lady, both of you looked so happy together as you walked through the aisle. Everyone in our church were gathered, even Reverend Benjamin was the one who…”

“Just hold it there” I cut in furiously “Is this why you called me?”

“Yes” she replied with excitement in her voice “I was so happy when I woke up, I plan to tell mummy about it”

If only she could see my expression, I was sure she would have stopped talking. I calmed myself with my mantra ‘Monday morning anger kills the entire week. Nobody will ruin my week, not Mr. Kelvin the Branch Manager or Master Obina the head of marketing or even my sister “Kemi, thank you for the information, expect part of the money on Friday” I cut the call, glad I prevented my outburst.

6:59 am
I was out of my compound heading towards the street with hope of sighting any motorcyclist. The area was barely empty of a ride as I hurriedly walked along. I was hoping to get to the office early enough to avoid that Eagle-eyed Mr. Kelvin who has always got something to pick with me. My eyes caught a human figure seated on the floor ahead by the road side, I assumed the person was begging for alms so I reluctantly moved closer after subdued by my conscience, I dropped the least significant currency in my purse into an empty tray in front of whoever it was, I sighed in relief knowing I had started my day with one good deed enough to probably last me for the entire week. After a short walk away from the beggar, I heard someone call out a familiar name behind me. I turned around hoping to see someone who perhaps had mistaken me for someone else but then I was surprised to see no one was behind me, not even the beggar anymore.

I couldn’t stop trembling even after the motorcyclist had dropped me at Nyanya motor-park where I was then to board a bus to work. I lined up, bought my bus ticket and then made it into the bus like nothing was bothering me. How did the beggar disappeared so fast and could it have been the beggar that called out that name I heard in my dream? Tekun! Or was it all just playing in my head. Maybe the beggar wasn’t there after all, maybe the voice was from someone around the neighborhood, maybe the name ‘Tekun’ was…Damn it! I tried shutting down the thought of all that happened moments ago and focus on the present. Speaking of the present, there ahead of me was a beautiful lady already seated in the bus while I was scanning for an empty seat, and lucky me, there was one next to her. I rushed up to sit before anyone could notice it and a funny sense of achievement swelled in me. Maybe this is the lady Kemi was talking about. I wished and thought of a game plan. This beautiful lady was too engrossed with a video on her phone that she wouldn’t reply my ‘Hello!’ I dared myself by tapping her gently on her arm. And when she eventually turned, she looked at me with so much hostility on her. I refused to be discouraged by consoling myself that it is a normal treat by the female specie and besides that was how my mother treated dad before she gave in. I decided to try my shot one more time and as I was about saying a word, a young guy walked up to me with two plastic drink and snakes, he just stood staring at me without words.

What’s wrong with this one? I was getting pissed-off by his presence.

This strange guy wouldn’t move away nor say a word, he was just frowning at me and I grew uneasy, he had caused a stare among few passengers.

“Bros, go and find yourself another empty seat, you can see I’m already seated here” I said desperately hoping for no physical confrontation.
Still without a word this strange guy handed the drinks and snacks to the beautiful lady beside me and then faced me again to make a sign language expertly with his hands. While I was still struggling to make out what the guy was saying, the lady was laughing and so were many others around me. I felt foolish after I realized he is the original owner of the seat who had briefly left the bus to go get something to eat for himself and his fiancée.

I would have opted out of the bus for another knowing how uncomfortable I would be after what had happened but I was running late already and with the long bus almost filled. I stood up and was lucky to go take the only available space by the end of the bus, it was an uncomfortable spot but I was out of option seeing that would was the only seat left.

Next to me seated was an old woman who appeared so haggard, the air around her oozed so bad making me want to cover my nose, I could feel her body trembling under a rag-like attire as she cautiously leaned on me. if I had my way I would had moved away from her to another seat but I knew I would have to endure the about twenty-five minutes drive unless I want to join those standing to grab poles. A man quickly began to advertize a product to those who cared to listen, it was a small sealed paper he waded along with exalting words of how the medicine can cure almost all ailment.
The bus was yet to move. I couldn’t stop glancing at my wrist watch and also enduring the stench from the old woman.

“Good morning ma” I greeted her with a nod trying to be polite as I would have done to any aged person.

She was quiet for a moment like she did hear or notice my presence.
I repeated the courtesy.
Again I got no response. Then I concluded she must have got problem hearing or her mind engrossed in something more important.
She slowly turned to me fixing her gaze into my eyes searchingly. Looking closely at her face startled me, she had a much frail appearance; a long deep scar runs across her crinkly face, her eyes were fatigued as every hair on her had turned grey.

“The world is cruel” she said in a hoarse voice.

Did she just spoke to me? What was that about? I looked away in pretense not to have heard.

“It had made me what I am” she said again, but this time looking away from me and focusing on something through the window like she was addressing herself.

I grew nervous realizing I could be seated next to one who had lost touch with sanity.

Slowly, she turned again and spoke quietly to me, she looked frightened “My love, death is here again, I can’t safe them all but I can safe you this time if only you let me”

“Excuse me, are you talking to me?”

She nodded “Yes, it’s you Tekun”

O my goodness! Did she just mention the name Tekun? I stared back at her stunned. How could she have…? I held my though midway as my eyes caught something, it was her cloth, the same one as the beggar. I gasped.
Like she read my thought, she smiled enough to reveal scanty lines of brown tooth.
Is this some kind of nightmare? I looked at the passengers, listened to the noises and could feel they were all real. Maybe the woman is just crazy and had followed me for whatever reason known to her. I swore not to speak a word to her till I reach my destination, pretended nothing had happened and was happy the bus was about to move away from the park.

“Take” she pointed a big Kola nut to me with her trembling bony hands.

“Excuse me!” I was becoming irritated by her crazy act.

“Just take” she raised her voice persuasively.

I was surprise not a single passenger cared about what was going on with me; I guessed they thought it was a grandmother-grandson conversation.
Who the hell is this woman? Reluctantly, I collected the Kola nut from her reassuring myself all will be fine if I play along enough to avoid a scene for the mean time.

“When all this is over and you wish to seek answers to your questions then I am sure you know what to do with it” she paused to look across the bus pitifully for a brief moment and to me again with a grieving face “I await you on the other side my love” she added conclusively before vanishing into thin air.

My jaw dropped, and while I was still trying to come in term with what just…

Booooom!

Dreamily, I caught glimpse of an explosion that rocked, causing earthquake effect and destroying everything that crossed it path.

***

From the stables of GHOST PRODUCTION in partnership with NAIRALAND ENTERTAINMENT and NEW INSIGHT STUDIOS presents: THE DAY I DIED (Revised and completed version).
My appreciation to all my followers who followed this story in 2014 when I was just starting out. This is my shortest work and would end soon. You can read more of my works on okadabooks.com


*
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transported in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, re-cording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher of the book.
*
The moral right of Omotayo Taofiq Suleman to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
*
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.


You can reach me if you need an interesting/catchy story line for a movie or for your affordable BOOK COVERS or any other information through osuleman11@gmail.com/ Whatsapp 08068833118

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If truly u need a script with extra-ordinary plot to work with then holla me osuleman11@gmail.com
go through few of my works on this forum.

For the love of God, Can someone just send me ANY interesting novel on horror/mystery/supernatural (pdf format) to my email osuleman11@gmail.com
I don't have access to hard copy where I am.
God bless you as you do.
Pls I don't read romance.

Riele:


I wish I could " love " react to the story up there !.

You're an amazing writer .

Thank you Ma.

There I sat on the third row by the edge watching Jide starring at his beautiful bride, both grinning to one another as they stood by the foot of the altar ready to be committed in vows.

“I promise to love you, to be your best friend, to respect and support you, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve our goals, to accept you unconditionally and to share my life with...” Agnes vow in the presence of the congregation was cut short by sudden burst of wind which took everyone by surprise. the atmosphere in the church began to darken. everyone grumbling and murmuring in fear.
There from behind of the hall appeared something strange, it was a reptile, an anaconda, one big enough to swallow two grown men crawling slowly towards the altar in it shinning scales and it red glowing eyes, its tongue flipping. I stared petrified in horror just like everyone else, unable to speak or move, we could only watch as the serpent crawled it way to the altar to transform into something else, into a woman. OMG! I couldn't believe who it was, Cynthia...Jide's ex.

the above narration came into my head this Saturday attending my friend's wedding, Jide. now am even planning to develop the story into a crazy love‐horror tale.
Inspiration for me is like air, it's everywhere for me and attacks me every seconds. I have got over a hundred unpublished mind blowing stories in my PC. and countless jolted titles. my biggest problem is time to develop the stories and money to have them published into the kind of standard I soooo wish.

my biggest gift to me by God Almighty is my weird imagination in every environment I find myself. I never get bored being alone. I create my own movies inside my head and just laugh or cry to it. Unlike Larrysun, my babe no dey send me at all, she wouldn't even read a lines from it, all she cares about is the realities around her. Fun lady I must say, she is missing out.

a lot of writers and readers here inspired me many years back. love you all.

Story Brought down
****
*******

CHAPTER SEVEN

Tick-Tock


__________________
Mbala’s corpse was laid before his pregnant wife Banya and her two little boys Taati and Willie, seven and four respectively couldn’t understand what dead was all about. As the customary rite to the dead before burial, Banya vowed upon her husband’s corpse to revenge his death in whatever means possible but after the that day, Ikuku forever ceased to strike within Osia or it environment. Twenty-one years later, Taati and Willie both encountered strange death in their quest in hunting around various communities for the mysterious killer that was said to strike down it victims exactly as Ikuku the night beast.

*
Jacob made his way home all terrified, he couldn’t believe he had encountered Black Dog up-close, His body still shivering even as he sat on the small bed in his room trying hard to figure out what he had been instructed, the man ‘Black Dog’ insisted he must poison Mr. Pious within seventy-two hours or he risk the death of his entire family member. He couldn’t imagine losing his new family to the hands of…someone knocked on his door.

“Who is that?” Jacob panicked.

“It’s me your mother…Jacob I hope all is well between you and Mr. Pious?” Mrs. Zantiba sounded curious having noticed how Jacob walked in cold from where she watched from her Kiosk.

“Yes Ma” sounding gloomy.

“Just make sure you comport yourself well enough and keep being a good young man to Mr. Pious, I think God wants to make use of him to bless this family”.

“Okay Ma”. He could hear her footsteps fade away. He wondered what Black dog would do to Mr. Pious if eventually gets hold of him, Jacob was certain it could only be horrific. He was too sure Black dog would show no mercy to the creature that killed his father and two brothers Taati and Willie.

By evening, Mrs. Zantiba had served dinner to her twins and was in her husband’s room to nurse him. Jacob sat with Sarah as he munched his dinner absentmindedly, he seem to have so many things going on in his head. Sarah on the other hand had her full attention on the television; another mysterious death had turned breaking news.

“It’s her, Jacob it’s her!” Sarah alarmed pointing to the television.

Jacob’s chain of thought was broken when Sarah tapped his attention to the news. He saw the image of Vivian’s corpse displayed shortly before the news channel correspondent appeared to reveal in an eloquent manner in full detail of what happened, Jacob could recognize Vivian’s apartment at the background, there wasn’t any eye witness as usual and so it was easy to blame it ones again on the psychopathic serial killer in line with the missing heart.

“I pray they catch the murderer” Said Sarah.

Jacob swallowed hard. He headed to Buzz that evening for his night shift with much heavier heart, he wondered how long Pious would keep up with the hunt descriptively before he gets caught by the desperate security officials scattered around Kutanga. He wishes Pious would be sensible enough to issue a statement condemning the latest tragedy and smart enough to donate large sums of money enough to cover his act, he would have done same.

Mr. Bobby his boss wouldn’t take it lightly with any employee who comes even a minute late; Jacob had somehow escaped many a time being sacked for same offence but Mr. Bobby knows a good head at work when he sees one. Jacob had proven himself an excellent employee of late as he had been friendlier, livelier, and more mature in his approach in his dealings with customers. Even Meyame had been astounded lately. Mr. Bobby to no one’s knowledge had been more observant of the activities going on within his bar lately; he had taken more interest of the affinity between his latest favorite employee and a man who frequently sit in the dim.

As Jacob entered the bar and was heading into the staff room to go change into his white on black uniform, Mr. Bobby called for his attention into his office. Jacob strangely felt nervous as he had his sit in front of his boss whose eyes were searching him suspiciously. Jacob would have sworn that that would be his last day at Buzz as he checked through his wristwatch to see he was twelve minutes late. He couldn’t afford to lose the job; he needed it more for his sanity than for the pay.

“Please Mr. Bobby, I know I do not deserve your forgiveness after so many of it but give me one more chance, I got held up…”

“By your mother?” Mr. Bobby cuts in.

Mr. Pious wish he could tell him the truth that he was yet to familiarize himself well enough to the twisted route leading to the bar ever since he took possession of Jacob’s body. He spared himself the long unbelievable explanation by simply nodding.

Mr. Bobby sighed resignedly not sure what to belief any longer, not that he believed the teenager anymore, he had employed many of his kinds.
“You deserved to be sacked, mummy’s boy” with much emphasis “but I will forgive you one last time” he sounded stern like he meant it; he reached for his table drawer and brought a small envelope, handed it to Jacob. “A courier brought in this letter few hours ago, it’s for you”.
Jacob’s heart sank, he feared he would scream ‘Black dog’. “For me?” he asked as his trembling hands held onto the envelope.

“Yes” Mr. Bobby replied as he stared curiously at Jacob’s hands “I will be right to say you’ve got admirers” he now smiled and learned forward to add scenically “I just pray to God you don’t do gay” he relaxed back to his seat to watch the boy confused. As much as he wishes to know the content of the letter on Jacob, Mr. Bobby motioned him out of his office like he had so many things else to do with his time but the suspicious eyes still on him.

Jacob made sure he was free enough and out of the curious eyes of Meyame before drifting into the empty staff room to unfold the letter. He was greatly relieved to see it wasn’t Black Dog’s handwriting and so calmly began to read the short note:
After what I had done to Vivian, I still couldn’t bring myself to belief that I now have to kill to live, I now feel so stupid to had admired a monstrous life rather than appreciate mine. I have decided to travel out of the community far into isolation where I will hurt nobody. I have also decided to let you know that there in the upper left of the shelf directly above the counter is a small bottle which contains the substance Black Dog wants me to use on you, you can do whatever you want with it”.

Jacob scratched his head thoughtfully on what to do, he was certain on one thing, Black Dog will come for him if he fails to use the poison on Pious as he promised the day before. He squeezed the letter into his pocket as he walked back into the bar masking himself with smile. He could see Meyame busy with orders from impatient customers. He rushes to join his partner.

“Where the hell have you been?” Meyame demanded like one would do if trying hard to appear furious to a junior colleague.

“Sorry Boss, I went to use the rest room” Jacob teased.

“Someone just dropped a note for you, it’s on the counter, go get it” said Meyame while he hurriedly went from one customer to another with a tray filled with brands of liquor.

“Another note?” he thought aloud with Pious in mind. He dashed to the counter before Meyame would try suspecting a thing, desperately wishing no one had read it. He saw the piece of note carelessly lay on the counter, opened it. His heart ceased a beat and came up twice faster. The writing was unmistakable.

‘Tick-tock…Tick-tock!’


***
*******

CHAPTER SIX

Black Dog

______________
(Thirty-six years ago)

Mbala had sat vigil upon one of the strong branches of the tallest trees, watching keenly for any strange figure that would move within the village. For hours, through the silent night, he had watched and listened at the darkness of his sleeping village Osia but as it appeared that his mission would be futile, yet his instinct had him convinced that the beast would show forth itself.

Over six months, Mbala had been relentless on his mission to hunt down a beast that had been tormenting his village Osia, the people of Osia believes that the beast strikes it victims ones in a full moon as it renders their corpse heartless. No one had ever seen it coming or heard it, and that was why the villagers were quick to belief the words of the village priest when he said the beast is called Ikuku, one of Devil’s favorite pet that had been unleased to the village as a punishment for a sin someone within the village had committed. Going by the recommendation made by the priest, the villagers did everything to please the Devil against the wrath of Ikuku through many sacrifices that involved shielding blood of three virgin ladies. The strike stopped to the pleasure of Osia community but for it to resume after five full moons later.

Mbala’s cousin Nafuso had been struck by the beast, his chest tore open causing a deep bloody hollowed sight on his corpse with nothing missing but a heart. Keen observation at corpse revealed to Mbala that his cousin had struggled with the beast at the face of death as there were deep scratches all over his alms. Mbala was convinced right there and then he would strike down the beast no matter what it takes and for six full moons, he stuck strictly to his plans, he would sit on a tall tree from dawn till dusk watching down at the village and listening to every sound so as to familiarize himself with it usualness. Within the six months of his observation, the beast had struck six times in the same pattern ones in each month, every dead was a pinch to the determined Mbala. On the seventh month, he had studied the pattern of the beast enough to predict it move that night, the moon betrayed the village to a pitch darkness enough to assure Mbala of a strike. Down around the village, Mbala could hear a dog bark from a distance, he quickly aimed forward his long riffle from above the tree he had sat for hours, he was certain the beast was around. Shortly after, another dog joined in calling attention to something strange but Mbala couldn’t see what it was even as he strained his eyes. He climbed down from the tall tree and headed as fast as possible to where the dogs where, on getting there, one of them was dead while the other was dashing away with its tail within it legs whimpering aloud.

“Ikuku, Show yourself” Mbala called out while confidently as he aimed him gun around to the emptiness. After a while, he scrambled his hand down through his hunting purse tied to his waist, brought out a wrapped leaf and quickly opened it, he sniffed heavily the substance in it and waiting for it effect. Gradually, his senses heightened, his eyes were sharp that they could see clearly into the dark, his ears easily picked up every sound from around him and his nostril were as effective as that of a dog. He smelt something strange and heard footsteps fading away from behind. He swiftly turned around, met a figure walking away. It was the figure of a man unclad. “Stop there before I shoot you!”. But the figure forged on like it didn’t hear. “I won’t repeat myself again; otherwise I will shoot you in the head” Mbala shouted threateningly as he maintained his aim. “Stop there and turn your face to me!” he added.

The figure halted, slowly turned at him and Mbala was awestruck by who it was. “Chief Ake!” He gasped with his eyes wider in horror and total disbelief. Chief Ake stepped much close to Mbala staring keenly at him “Mbala, can you see me?”

Nodding, Mbala replied “Yes, I can see you clearly. But Chief, what are you doing walking naked in the middle of such dangerous night?” Mbala still surprise.

“Mbala truly you have seen me” Ake paused and gently rested his hand on the hunter’s shoulder in a cordial manner, “You see, just like you, I am also going hunting- emphasizing word ‘hunting’. Mbala was greatly puzzled as he sized up Chief Ake once again. Nothing made sense to him. “But Chief, you are not a hunter and besides, you can’t go hunting like this’. Chief Ake let out a charming smile, “you are a good man Mbala but you shouldn’t have seen me, you could have simply walked away”.

“What do you mean? I don’t…” he paused like something had crossed his mind, he stared in shock. “or are you…Ikuku, the beast?” He asked realisingly.

“I am sorry Mbala, it’s too late”, Chief Ake transformed into a beast and swiftly dipped his hand through Mbala’s chest who stood watching in disbelieve to a mystery he had never experienced, and the beast ripped out his beating heart, it watched the hunter fall dead.

***

It was a sunny afternoon, Jacob was determined to locate Vivian’s apartment and after asking around the neighborhood, he found it. One of the flats attached to a three storey building. He knocked at the door hoping Vivian opens, gives her her money and never to come embarrass him in the presence of his newly found family. He kept knocking at the door but no one showed up to open and so he tried to open and was surprised it wasn’t locked.

“Good afternoon Vivian, I had come to return the money, it’s me Jacob” He called out but yet no one answered. The room was well furnished with all sought of gadget befitting a single lady. There were pictures of smiling Vivian hung on the wall, she looked lively in most of it. Jacob couldn’t help notice she lived alone and more reason she had made her apartment a brothel. “Is anyone home?” Jacob called out now feeling uncomfortable and as he turned around to leave he caught a blood stain on the floor. He was shocked seeing there was more of the blood leading into one of the rooms. Jacob traced the blood into a room where a lady laid dead on a bed already soaked with blood. On a closer look Jacob realized it was Vivian’s mutilated body, her heart was missing.

***

Jacob kept pacing restlessly within the small bedroom, he had to dashed off Vivian’s apartment as discrete as possible and had been unable to take his mind off what he saw that afternoon. Then a rapt knock was heard on his door, it was Mrs. Zantiba calling his attention to a visitor waiting to see him. Jacob wasn’t surprised to see it was Pious standing outside the building, waiting by the car. Mrs. Zantiba had hinted him on his way outside. Jacob couldn’t fail to notice Pious’ healthy appearance but as well nervous and angry. They strolled to a secluded corner of the building and when it appeared they were out of open view, Pious suddenly rushed at Jacob with two heavy blows to his face which caused Jacob to stagger in pain.

“So it was you all along, you were the murderer” Pious accused with pointed fingers at Jacob. Jacob looked around and was relief no one was there watching.

“Why don’t you let’s talk this out somewhere else some other time? Jacob said calmly rubbing his arching cheek.
Pious frowned as Jacob’s words got him more furious “You and I are going nowhere, I need an explanation here and right now”, he yelled insistently.

Jacob sighed deeply after thinking it through “If you insist, then let’s get into the car”. He said and both men embark on the ride through a lonely road on Jacob’s plea. Pious halted the car along a secluded part of the street as instructed by Jacob.

“I am sorry you had to find out that way” Jacob broke the long awkward silence in the car, “I couldn’t have explained it better till you read for yourself, I wasn’t the man people thought I was, I was a monster, I hunt for life to survive the excruciating pain I go through each night” Jacob turned his stare away from Pious to the trees and birds, boys and girls passing by in their school uniform, traders hawking. He smiled much appeased, heaved much lively “Life is truly beautiful in its simplicity”.

“I still don’t want to believe that all I read in that book last night were true”. Said Pious looking more frightened than worried as he thought aloud. “I can’t believe I had to kill someone last night before the pain could stop, I can’t explain how I did it, it appeared like a dream but too real, I was like a…a beast” he paused, turned to Jacob and resumed calmly “Please, whatever this thing is, I don’t want it anymore, the riches, the fame, your body, you can have them back”. He pleaded.

“I am sorry, that will be impossible as I don’t wish for them any longer”. His voice was firm.

“But you were the one who gave me this life”. Pious reminded.

Shaking his head in refute “No I didn’t, it was you who wished for it and that was why it was easier to channel it to you” Jacob explained, “if you wish to give out that life then the recipient whoever he may be must genuinely wish to have your new kind of life” Jacob added conclusively.
Pious fell back resigningly; he stared thoughtfully as he remembered the event that transpired in the night of the exchange. He was scared to admit Jacob was right, knowing he had truly wished for a ‘Pious Oshulolo’ lifestyle. Jacob opened the door in an attempt to step out but paused, he turned to Pious who still appeared disturbed “I will advise that next time you wish to hunt, you don’t strike prostitute, women or children, go for the strong men with healthy heart who live in the outskirt, with that it will be hard to trace the murder back to you, good bye sir” he said and opted out of the car, walked back the long distance the car came. Pious felt scared, guilty and exposed all at a time, he was more surprise at how Jacob had detected he was the one behind Vivian’s death so easily, he now feared for the many days –of hunting- ahead, he concluded right immediately to give out his horrible life to any unsuspecting willing human as soon as possible.

While Jacob was heading back home, a long black all tinted-glass Limousine stopped abruptly beside Jacob and right behind it was a black Jeep, two neatly dressed men in black suit rushed out of the Jeep towards Jacob. One of the men calmly but threatenly ordered that Jacob entered into the car. Jacob been confused and smart not to argue in the face of obvious threat went into the Limo whose door had been opened wide for him. There was a man there already seated, dark in complexion, he was dressed in an all black suit as well, so was his glasses and hat. Seated at the driver’s seat was a chauffeur who wouldn’t hear a thing because of the thick glass partition, still the man in black chooses not to speak a word but inscribed before handing the note to Jacob without turning a head.

‘MR. JACOB, I THOUGHT WE HAD A DEAL?’

Jacob read and was lost for a moment but he quickly masked himself up with an conscious appearance, “Black Dog?”

The man turned to him with a frown like he had been greatly offended by such question.

“Yes, Black Dog” he answered deeply.

Jacob almost jumped out of his skin as the man in black revealed a mouth filled with hidden fangs.


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

CHAPTER FIVE

More To It


_____________
When Jacob got home tired at night, Sarah handed him a sealed letter on his way to his room, he inquired what it’s about but Sarah informed him it had been from a postman. Jacob shot tight the door of his room before reading the content of the letter. Inside the envelope was just a small note with a message boldly written on it, he was shocked after reading it all over again. Jacob went back to Sarah who was then watching a movie in the living room.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but who did you say this letter was addressed to?” Jacob asked.

“You of course” Sarah replied with her eyes still glued to the television.

“Are you sure?”

Sarah turned around to stare at her brother curiously; she could see the seriousness on him. “Jacob is everything alright, what is the letter about?”
He shook his head, shrugged and masked himself with a dry smile “Nothing, just that I wasn’t expecting the letter today”. He inquired about mother and father, Sarah replied they were both fast asleep in their rooms. Jacob returned back to his room, went through the letter again and then he began to search the room for something but couldn’t find it. Again, he read the letter again this time consciously and concluded that Jacob’s way of life wasn’t as easy in the eyes like he had thought. By morning, Jacob jolted up from sleep by the rapt knock on his door, it was Mrs. Zantiba standing, staring furiously at him as he opened.

“How many times have I warned you against seeing that girl?” Mrs. Zantiba yelled pointing to the main door.

Jacob was puzzled, “What girl Ma?”

“That prostitute who calls herself Vivian, who jumps from one man to another in the neighborhood all for money, she came here wanting to see you but I chased her to go wait outside, whatever she wants to discuss with you should be done outside the house, I don’t need any Jezebel influencing my children”.

Jacob went outside and it wasn’t much of a surprise to see a lady clad in skimpy outfit leaving virtually nothing to his imagination. Vivian slapped Jacob before he had the chance to talk.

“What was that about?” Jacob asked staring bewilderingly with a hand pressed to his cheek.

“My money, where is it?” snapped Vivian looking vexed. “You liar, so you think you can just have a nice time with me and go freely ehn?”

“I don’t understand, can you please explain?”

Vivian again slapped him before warning him never to humiliate her, she left with a promise to return in a more fierce and aggressive manner if he fails to come pay his debt. Jacob was awestruck as he stood watching Vivian cat-walk away. As he opened the door of the house, he saw Mrs. Zantiba waiting close to the entrance, obvious she had heard it all by the way and manner she stared at him disgustingly.

“Ma, you have got to believe me, I don’t…”

Jacob’s words were interceded by a slap from Mr. Zantiba.

“Shut up!” she yelled furiously and paused, looked at him all over for a moment, ending her gaze to his bemused eyes, she added calmly “So you had slept with her as well, and yet couldn’t pay her. You are a disgrace Jacob” she turned to leave but hesitated and then turned around “I don’t want to ever see her here again, so you must go pay her all that you owe and report to church for confession, I will report you to Rev. Father Ezekiel this time”. She ordered with much anger in her tone before dashing into her room.

Jacob headed to his room dumbfounded; he lay restless on the bed trying to figure out the puzzle surrounding his new life. What the hell is happening? He made a mental note to get more clarification from Pious when next they meet.

*
Six days passed and yet Jacob hadn’t set eyes on Pious in the bar, and so was his absence on media. Jacob feared for the worst with Pious’ absence. And on the seventh night, the man Pious walked up to the counter looking ill, frail and exhausted like he had lacked good sleep for days. He even looked pale under the blue and red light that illuminated the bar in it fancy way.

Jacob and Meyame looked up and were shocked by Pious’ appearance.

“Please we need to talk…now!” Pious said to Jacob before staggering away towards a shadowy corner of the room.

“Please I need your help, something is wrong with me” Pious broke out painstakingly as soon as Jacob was seated in front of him. “I keep having these nightmares” he added with his eyes widened in effect. “I now fear to sleep, these dreams gets terrible with every passing night. Doctors claimed nothing is wrong with me but the pains I feel within me tell otherwise, “He leaned towards Jacob and asked “Have you ever felt same way?”

Jacob was hesitant to speak, he looked around the room for preying eyes…or ears. “I don’t know what you mean”

“Please I beg you, the pain is killing” he groans “I need you to tell me how to stop it. Please”

“Worse” Jacob said appearing indifferent.

“What do you mean worse?”

“There are more pains, sufferings, and torments yet to come”.

Pious eyes widen in horror and disbelief, “I don’t get it. You mean to tell me the severe pain I feel right now is nothing compare to what’s to come?”

Jacob nodded “Yes” he began “every night doubles the pain and torment of its previous, every night turns a curse upon your soul”.

Pious was taken aback, he couldn’t believe what he heard. “Please, you have to help me, every part of me hurt so bad”.

Jacob for a moment looked around the bar ones again to ensure no one was paying attention to them and when he was satisfied, he leaned slightly to his listener, “I will tell you how to cure the pain only on three conditions. One, you must keep our true identities a secret. Two, what’s your relationship with the lady know as Vivian. And lastly…” Jacob brought out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Pious “I want you to tell what business you’ve got with Black dogs?”

Pious quickly went through the letter, his hands began to tremble. “Oh my God!” he exclaimed as he appeared taken aback.

**

“It all began three months ago on my way to work “began Pious after he had sworn never to reveal Jacob’s identity, explained his relationship with Vivian and as well her location –as Jacob demanded- to go pay his debt. “A man accosted me with a gun and instructed I opt into a waiting car, I obeyed and beside me was this man I had never seen before already seated inside. I was frightened as there were armed men standing guard beside the car. The stranger man neither looked at me nor spoke, rather he inscribed his message in a note and handed to me”.

“What did it say?” Jacob interceded impatiently.

“He wants to poison Mr. Pious Oshulolo, he wants me to poison you with a potion he gave to me before letting me go”

Jacob quickly sat up “And I guess you didn’t”

Shaking his head slowly, unable to look up at Jacob, Pious said naively “Yes, I didn’t, I couldn’t”.

“Why?”

Pious slowly raised his head to meet Jacob “I almost did it on one of those days you asked for a glass of water but I couldn’t, I couldn’t bear such act knowing they intend to hurt you”.

Jacob stared at Pious remorsefully, he asked curiously “And this strange man, did he tell you why he wants me poisoned?”

“No”

Jacob looked absent minded, deep in thought as to what he just heard.

“Jacob! Jacob!!... please you need to help, my body hurt” Pious cuts in through the awkward silence.

Jacob explained “Go back to the mansion, in the bedroom, check under the bed for a box, inside of it is a small diary, read it carefully as it contains all you need to know about your new self”.

“Is that all?” Pious asked surprisingly like he anticipated for more.

Jacob stood up with a beam. “As you can see Mr. Pious Oshulolo, I have got customers waiting to be served, good night” he said and walked away to go take orders from the new customers that entered.


***
******

CHAPTER FOUR

The Exchange


_____________
Gabriel Zantiba a head teacher had his first encounter with Alice Safuaa a product marketer to one of the growing firms in Karanga; Alice sat looking exhausted at the young man who had welcomed her into his small office. She had trekked the scorching sun going from school to school with her product, educational materials to enhance student learning. Gabriel offered her water, made her relax and paid attention not to what she was saying of the charts, chalks, textbooks and other things she pulled out from her box but rather her face, he was captivated by her innocent beauty. He bought almost all she brought in an act to see her relieved of the burden. That was the beginning of a friendship that led to them being husband and wife. Few months into their marriage, they had their first boy Michael Zantiba who was a bundle of joy, he was so cute and happy and very playful. Five years later, Micheal had two siblings Jacob and Sarah to play with. Alice tended more often to the twins than she would to Micheal who wasn’t pleased with it, he would cry for mother’s attention but got scolded like a big brother he was “Go away from here and play with your peers, you are no longer a baby” Alice would always yell at her little boy who would cry his way out of her presence.

On a Saturday morning, Micheal had walked out from his mother who was breastfeeding the twins, even when she was done, she never noticed Micheal had gone outside the house. After few hours, Alice went searching for her Micheal and soon realized he was nowhere to be found, not even within Katanga according to the police and vigilantes who later searched for months.

The loose was too brutal for Gabriel and his wife who consulted a spiritualist who only raised their hopes of their lost son coming back to them alive. And with every passing year, the Zantiba’s lost hope on Micheal and had to built their comfort on the twins, Jacob and Sarah.

*

Gabriel hadn’t been able to sleep all through the rest of the night, his health had been bad for years, cancer of the bone growing worse causing him total incapacity, not enough money to fly him abroad for proper surgery like doctors had suggested. So he had for years depended on local herbs which did little close to nothing. He hadn’t woken up that night to ponder about him dying poor as a sick retiree in a corrupt government where pension never comes steady or about the spade of unresolved murder cases within the community. That night was about his Micheal, he had seen his little boy walked up to him in his dream. It was strange and nostalgic. He saw Micheal calling ‘Papa’ like he first did twenty-three years ago. Gabriel tried hard to dismiss the thought of hoping for Micheal’s return but couldn’t, the dream kept playing in his head. He painstakingly crawled out from bed to knee beside it breathing heavily. “Lord, Please safe my wife, my daughter and my sons” he cried out in prayer.

**

Pious had woken up into the bright morning feeling healthy and strong like a horse, the night before had been wonderful as he had driven his way down town a night club known for its lousy parties. He had danced like he had always wanted to, drank all sought of liquor and ate all that was served. And there on his bed he sat trying to recollect what happened the night before, he appeared puzzled wondering if he had driven himself back home through the route he wasn’t yet familiar with or perhaps a Good Samaritan did. He shrugged mindlessly no caring how it had happened as long he is safe. He got out of bed and stood staring at his unclad reflection in the mirror. He appeared baffled on seeing the ‘black tattoo’ on his alms were four, for a moment he thought… O! Maybe he had mistaken it to be five dots the previous day, he shrugged carelessly after a while before heading for the bathroom and there he saw everything appeared tidy and unused as against how he had left it. He made a mental note to confirm from the gate-man if anyone came tidy-up the bathroom while he was away. Done with bathing, he walked up to the wardrobe, there he saw the suit he had worn the previous day neatly lined amidst others, same for the pairs of shoe, wrist-watch and tie. He concluded someone had been up all night busy getting the mansion tidy.

“But that’s fast” he commended whoever it was. He walked up to the dining table and a neatly arranged breakfast of various beverages with bread well served just as he would want it. Pious looked around for a maid but still no one, he sat and filled himself of it all.

At the garage, Pious opted for another car, a white Range Rover to compliment his white T-shirt and black Jeans. He halted the car by the gate where he saw the old man already waiting.

“Does anyone else live in this compound apart from you and I?” Pious questioned the man.

The old man didn’t say a word or moved his lips in an attempt; he kept on staring at Pious.

Pious came down from the car, walked up to the man in raising anger, “Do you ever talk?”

No response.

“Can you hear me speak?”

No response.

“Say something, anything if you wish to maintain your job” Pious yelled threatenly as he wasn’t comfortable with the silence.

No response from the old man who appeared indifferent.

Pious looked around wishing to see a gardener, cleaner, a cook, steward, just anyone else who can talk. His eyes wandered back to the old man, “is this how you keep to yourself while I’m away?”

Emotionless stare, no response.

Pious sighed in defeat and back into his car, he watched in amusement as the old man slowly walked up to push open the heavy gate like he could read Pious’ thought.

“Indeed, you are deaf and dumb…but at least not stupid in doing your job” Pious grumbled while he zoomed off.

**

Three exciting days it had been for Pious Oshulolo who wholely absorbed the love from Pious Oshulolo’s fans, beneficiaries and lovers wherever he goes. He loved the attention from the paparazzi, the screams for autographs, invite for exclusive interviews and much more required of a Mr. Pious Oshulolo status. He loved his new self and played it well in keeping it real. But some things weren’t right with his new life and they bothered him not so much to cause him sleepless nights or sober expressions like he had seen Mr. Pious does in Buzz in the past. The beautiful ladies of Karanga couldn’t just have enough of him and so was Pious who couldn’t have enough of them as well.

*

At Buzz, Jacob was attending to a customer’s request when Pious walked into the bar in a manner to be reckoned with but got no eyes on him, the dimmed illumination from the colorful bulbs wouldn’t let one see the other from afar except for the one at the counter. Pious walked his way up to meet Meyame who was standing behind the bar counter cleaning the glass cups and having them arranged neatly on the small rack. Pious stared up to the shelf behind Meyame curiously, there was something in it he hopes Meyame or anyone else never find out about. Meyame looked up to see Pious, he stiffened before quickly putting up a tentative smile, Meyame asked for what he would want to be offered, Pious declined saying he only wishes to see Jacob . Soon, Jacob was up in the counter shuffling through the bottles of beers while pretending not noticing his guest.

“We need to talk” said Pious in an enforcing tone, he walked away to one of the isolated corner of the bar and there he sat.

Before Jacob left for Pious table, Meyame hinted Jacob of his displeasure with his association with Mr. Pious by mere giving the ‘what’s-with-you-and-that-man’ look, he was skeptical about the two after hearing rumors of Mr. Poius being gay, he hear people say he takes pleasure in only young men after luring them to his abode. Now he fears for his friend.

Pious began by enthusiastically narrating how fascinating his new life had been and activities within the few days, Jacob who stood in front of him appeared indifferent, and he only wishes to go attend to customers who were calling for his attention.

“But yet I’m bothered” Pious appeared disturbed as he began. “I am all alone in that house, it’s weird. This morning again, someone I had never seen cleaned the house while I was asleep”. He paused for a moment hoping for Jacob’s words but he was disappointed as there was none. Pious shrugged, rested his back on the chair and continued, “your gateman doesn’t talk as well, his he dumb?”

Jacob stared without words.

“And there are these strange dot-like tattoo on my left arm I can only see through the mirror, how did you come about it? It’s fascinating I must say” Pious added. “And that crazy looking gateman of yours, how do you manage to cope with him?” he waited for response.

“Sir, I have no idea what you are talking about” said Jacob “If you don’t mind, I’ve got customers to attend to” He walked away abruptly.

Pious appeared shocked at Jacob’s hostility, he concluded the poor lad had found himself in an unfortunate kind of life.

“Poor Jacob” he shook his head in pity watching the young man going from customer to customer, he stepping out of the bar to go fulfill his long time fantasies in the other part of town.

**
****

CHAPTER THREE

…Now You Have it.


________________
He jolted back to consciousness, feeling refreshed like he just woke from long intense sleep and was surprise to find himself in an entirely different place, his eyes scanned around the room that had luxury everywhere, he jumped crawled out of bed, turned to a large mirror standing tall beside the bed, he pushed back in fright on seeing the reflection and so does it. There on the mirror his eyes caught a small yellowish note tagged to it edge.

‘YOU WANT IT, NOW YOU HAVE IT’.

He couldn’t make sense of the note at first but after a second glance at the man in the mirror, it stuck.

“Mr. Pious” he called out to the reflection that did same simultaneously. He made quick gestures to confirm his thought and was awestruck knowing it was true. He now dwells in Mr. Pious body. He jumped in excitement to his fulfilled wish. He then had a careful observation of his reflection as he stood unclad, he admired every feature on him, the cute eyes, pink lips, pointed nose, tall light skinned with biceps and body abs. He laughed in total admiration, as he wouldn’t have wished for anything better. His eyes caught something on his arm through the mirror, five black dots but he was puzzled not to see them on his physical arm when he tried to confirm. “Probably a form of invisible tattoo, for the rich” he thought before cladding himself in pajamas lying by the bed side. Excitedly, Pious went through every room in the mansion and was surprise no one else was in them, he was all alone. The house had all the luxury he had never imagined, the living room, kitchen, gym, bathroom, toilet, cinema, garage, store, field, orchard, pool; all looked in place, new and unused.

Pious was back to the bedroom dancing and singing along to Dorothy Kabala’s ‘sweet life’ which he had picked from the playlist that popped from the music device. He had hot shower in the bathtub; clad himself from the many collections of designer suits, shoes and wrist-watches. He picked the black Mercedez from the fleet of cars well lined in the garage –he mysteriously gained the instinct for driving- and was about to drive pass the gate when he saw an old man standing by it. Pious was surprise and same time happy he wasn’t alone in the mansion after all, happy to see someone who would enlighten him about his new personality.

“Of course you are the gate-man, right?” He inquired as he opted out from the car to approach the old man.

He was baffled when yet the old man wouldn’t talk. The man stood still in his faded, wrinkled skin, his head covered in smoky-grey hair, the cloth on him so scruffy and ragged, he had a goatee and it appeared to suit the oval face, he stood unsteady even on thin feet…but his eyes, those eyes are a sparkling, blue color and he seems to see everything in Pious’ assumption.

“Are you dumb?”

Still the man wouldn’t talk but only stared like he was expecting a different question.

Pious stared at him in a gawky manner wondering how such a dummy could be so opportune working for Mr.Pious. Pious walked back into car. “Open the gate” he ordered.

The old man painstakingly pushed the mighty gate opened to watch Pious steered-off through it carelessly.

*

First thing, Pious rode to the Zantibas’ and parked the car in front of the small old resident which had a kiosk beside it, he had no place in mind to go. From inside his car he could see Mrs. Zantiba attending to a customer inside the kiosk where she sells petty items. Mrs. Zantiba was about to go back into the house when she heard Pious’ called her attention; she turned around and saw a fine man walked up to her, he looks familiar.

“Do I know you somewhere?” she looked him all over.

Pious knew that look on her; it’s the look she makes when trying hard to recollect something she desperately wish to remember.

“I…I…am” he struggled with his choice of word.

She appeared awestruck by his presence before she cuts in joyously “Mr. Pious Oshulolo! I see you many times on television and papers. I see you help people in need and donate to victims. You are a wonderful man. God bless you sir”.

Pious stood dumbfounded not sure what to say to a woman he had grown to know. “Thank you ma” he found the words. It felt awkward but he somehow loved it. He gained a sense of higher class.

“So what have you come to do in a neighborhood such as this?” Mrs. Zantiba asked still surprise. Her eyes searching him like he was a sought of phenomenon.

He scratched his head in search of words –a bad habit he noted would have to stop- “Just passing-by” he said.

“Good” she nods for a thoughtful while and added “Mr. Pious, I know how busy you are serving the community but it will be an honor to have you in my house even if it’s for a glass of water”.

“Definitely” he simply said like he was expecting it.

“Oh! That’s humble of you” she said before leading him into the house. Sarah wasn’t home so was Jacob and Mr. Zantiba still lays sick in his room.

“Where is Jacob?” Pious asked –he wish he hadn’t asked so informally- after making a stop in front of his room.

“You know him?” asked Mrs. Zantiba, stunned.

“Yes, we had met couple of times at Buzz where he works, he is such a great young man” Pious was smart on that “Where is he?” he looked around hoping to find no Jacob.

Mrs. Zantiba appeared disturbed “That boy hasn’t returned home since last night, I wonder what’s keeping him so late”.

Pious suddenly appeared statuled as he recalled his last scene in the bar, he tried not to think of the worst for Mrs. Zantiba’s sake.

“He will be fine, I assure you” he lied as he led himself into Jacob’s room while Mrs. Zantiba had gone to get him something to drink. His room appeared smaller with a familiar smell he had grown used to and now he hated it, it disgusts him. He turned to Pious’ fractured reflection in the cracked mirror and gently ran his hand across it.

“This is the real life, this is who I’m meant to be” he heaved in satisfaction.

Mrs. Zantiba soon walked in to offer her august visitor a glass of juice which was the best she could afford in such circumstance, Pious declined her offer; he thanked her and promised to come check on her soon. He hurried out to his car and zoomed off with Buzz in mind.

*

At Buzz Rendezvous, Pious walked in and headed straight to the bar counter were two waiters stood discussing. Meyame slowly walked away from Jacob to a corner on sighting ‘The Shadow man’ approaching. Jacob seems undisturbed by Pious’ presence as both men stood staring keenly into each other’s eyes for a few bizarre moments.

“Sir, welcome to Buzz Rendezvous where we’ve got all brands of chilled liquor” the young waiter cuts through the awkward silence between him and his customer.

Pious was flabbergasted, awestruck like he was staring at a ghost, “Who are you?” he found his voice.

“Jacob Zantiba sir”. The waiter replied in a flat tone.

Pious frowned, shaking his head more to the amusement than his disbelief “No you are not; I am the real Jacob Zantiba”. His voice was down.

Jacob stole a glance to where Meyame stood by the end counter of the counter making-up the sales record for his new shift, he was relief and then turned to Pious who still had his eyes keenly on him “Sir, is there anything else you would love to drink?” Like I had said, Buzz Rendezvous has got it all chilled” Jacob said as he was cleaning the surface of the bar pretending not to mind the fine man so much anymore.

Pious was taken aback by the hostility, he made deep breath, looked across the bar and back to the waiter, he smiled at him. “You know it’s weird seeing you stand there take my place…” he paused to smile “but I really don’t care” he leaned much close to the bar so that Meyame who is at the far corner taking stocks wouldn’t hear and added in hush tone “You can keep it”. Grinning mischievously while stylishly yanking off the imaginary dust on his shoulder, turned around to leave and was about heading out of the room when he paused, he turned around to the waiter and called out, “Jacob, if I may remind you, it’s Thursday, you are supposed to be off duty; Boss wouldn’t pay staff for extra time”. He turned around and walked away majestically amidst the murmur and stare his attention had caused as many in the room wondered the connection between the richest man of Karanga and the young waiter. Jacob had his eyes on the exit door with a satisfactory grin as ‘The shadow man’ disappeared “thank you Mr. Pious Oshulolo” He quietly said more to himself than to the hearing of anyone.

*

Slowly, Jacob pushed the door open and stepped into the house with two faces staring at him in unwelcoming manner as Mrs. Zantiba and Sarah had turned their heads from the television. It was late evening already, Jacob stood his ground staring back at them still in his white on black uniform, he thought of saying something but he couldn’t make up any word.

“Where are you coming from?” cried Mrs. Zantiba.

“From work Ma” Jacob paused and quickly added “Buzz rendezvous”.

“Shut up your mouth!” she yelled with fury “How dare you come back home to lie in my face?”
Jacob stared blankly at her. Lost.

“You mean you stayed at work for two days…do you know how dangerous it is out there lately?” added Mrs. Zantiba pointing towards the door for emphasis.

Jacob appeared puzzled, he shrugged “I don’t know Ma but I promise you such will never repeat itself again” sounding remorseful remorsefully.

Mrs. Zantiba and Sarah turned to stare at one another questionably.

“Son, are you alright?” Mrs. Zantiba turned to ask Jacob while she stared curiously; wasn’t expecting such humility, calmness from him.

“Yes Ma, I am fine” replied Jacob.

She looked at him all over, keenly “Are you sure?”

Jacob rubbed his forehead tiredly, “Actually, it’s just slight headache, I will be fine” he lied and turned to leave towards one of the rooms but Sarah called out before he could open it, “What are you looking for!”

Jacob looked around thinking of what to say.

“I have told you countless times never to go into my room without my permission. If it’s the magazine you want, go check your room, I have returned it” Snapped Sarah pointing to another room.

“Thank you” Jacob nodded with a smile before heading to the other room. He shut tight the door behind him as he stepped into a small unkempt room; he smiled as he slowly walked through it with keen observation to everything within. He picked up a magazine from the bed; it had the image of a Mr. Pious Oshulolo boldly displayed on its front cover. ‘Pride of Katanga…Glory of our land’ Jacob read out the bold caption of the Africa Forbes before flipping it open to meet more of Mr. Pious Oshulolo staring at him all smiley in different outfits and pose.

“Successful entrepreneur indeed” he noted in disgust while he brushes through one of the articles, he dropped it and walked to stand in front of the long cracked mirror. He stared back at the reflection of a young man who looked lean, dark in complexion.

“This is it…all I had wanted” he sighed as he carefully ran his hand upon the small mirror admiringly.

A knock came on his door and he rushes to go open to Mrs. Zantiba standing there, she was surprise to see him still in his uniform.

“And when are you going to pull that thing off?” she asked staring at his cloth.

“Immediately Ma” Jacob replied and so began to unbutton his shirt.

Mrs. Zantiba expressed surprise, “Why not wait till I leave?”

“Okay Ma” he nodded and stopped.

She suddenly smiled at him and began with the narration of Mr. Pious Oshulolo’s visit, telling him of how charming and humble he was.

“And what did he tell you?” Jacob asked anxiously in fear.

“Nothing much, he only spoke of how you both had met at your place of work”.
Jacob heaved heavily.

Mrs. Zantiba walked away after warning him never to stay out late.

Jacob shut the door, pressed his back against it and sighed in great relief to a life he had always imagined.



**
****

CHAPTER TWO

The Rendezvous


_______________
Couple of hours later, Jacob made it to Buzz, he had sneaked out from the house while his mother had gone to the room. He just couldn’t afford to lose his job for an unprofitable venture, Buzz pays him manage-ably, and at least enough to cater for his basic needs which his parent are now failing at. Taking orders within the rendezvous, Jacob was surprise to see Mr. Pious already seated in the usual corner concealed in shadows, it was just few minutes past the hour of seven, unusual to see him come that early but Jacob cared less and walked pass to minding his own business with other customers.

“Your hand” he heard Mr. Pious said to him as he tries to walk pass. “What happened to your hand?” Mr. Pious inquired a bit curious.

Jacob took a glance at his wrapped hand; he remembered the broken mirror in his room. “Just a minor accident, nothing to worry about sir”. He said and was just about to walk away when Mr. Pious requested he gets him a glass of water. Jacob hurriedly got it to his table and resumed his duties around the place.

After a while, Mr. Pious called on him again requesting he sits with him when less busy. Jacob was surprise; wondering what had changed. He hastened up with his work and As soon as the orders around subsided for a while, Jacob rushed to go take a place in front of Mr. Pious.

“You have a family that loves you?” Mr. Pious inquired.

Jacob was taken aback by such question. “Yes sir”

“Then I see you have a beautiful life” Mr. Pious acknowledged admiringly.

Jacob shook his head, disagreed, “Not at all, family love means nothing to me. It is you Mr. Pious who has got a beautiful life”
Mr. Pious appeared inquisitive, “What makes you say that?”

“You have money, plenty of it to last you lifetime of luxuries, you are handsome as I see many ladies desire you” said Jacob, he paused to shake his head in self-pity “If only I could live your kind of life for a month”.

Mr. Pious appeared thoughtful for a while, “Do you mean it?” he asked.

“What is it Sir?”

“Would you have my kind of life for a month?”

Jacob was taken aback by the question; he couldn’t make sense of it. But yet again Mr. Pious asked staring into the young man penetratingly. Jacob was confused; he couldn’t understand where the bizarre question would lead. He preferably kept mute and kept his eyes straight like a stone-fish wondering if the rich man was only being sarcastic.

Mr. Pious could easily see that the young naïve man wasn’t too sure of himself and obviously scared. He told the young man to go think over the question properly and come back to give a reply after a month. Jacob tried to give an answer but it was too late, Mr. Pious waved him away angrily.
All through the week, Mr. Pious kept showing up in his isolated corner of the rendezvous ordering nothing but his peace. A month seem tooooo long a time for Jacob to think a simple question through as he was too eager to give his answer within a week.

“Yes sir, I have thought your question over the week, I have come to the conclusion that I want your kind of life” said Jacob intruding Mr. Pious stream of thought.

The handsome man looked up at him, not offended like he would think himself “Young man, you have three more weeks”

Jacob shaking his head, refuting “I swear, I have thought if over. I want your kind of life”

Mr. Pious kept his inquisitive gaze on the waiter; he is right about this young lad when he had assumed him a stubborn creature. May be it’s the youthful exorbitance in the lad. He sighed resignedly.
“How old are you young man?”

“I just clocked eighteen sir…but don’t mind my age, I can work for you like I am in my thirties”

Mr. Pious let out a conscious smile; Jacob was pleased to have impressed his never-smiling customer.

“This is the last time I will ask you…and no more” Mr. Pious began sternly “Jacob Zantiba, will you have my kind of life for a month?”

Jacob could see Mr. Pious was damn serious through his tone, his expression, in his eyes, in his squeezed brows, in his person, he could see Mr. Pious was as real as he had never seen any man do, it brushed his mind of how intelligent Mr. Pious was to have still remembered his name in full.
“Yes sir”.

Mr. Pious stared even more anxiously, “Say it like you mean it” he requested quickly.

“Yes Sir, I want your kind of life”

“Now say it like you really want it, like you would do anything to have it” he leaned close to the table and whispered “And this time I want you to mention my full name”

“Mr. Pious Oshulolo, I want your kind of life” Jacob said it like he really meant it because he truly did.

Mr. Pious expelled a deep and long sigh of relief, he brightened up in excitement, one that had been absent from him in over two years. He pulled out all the bales of money he could find in his fine suit and pushed it towards Jacob along with the glass of water in his front and said to him “One last thing. I dare you to gulp down the glass of water if you truly meant your words”.

Jacob appeared skeptical, he took his time to look closely at Mr. Pious, the glass of water, the money, he could hear conflicting voices inside of him, he could hear his father’s voice, he could hear mother nagging at him, he heard Sarah laughing him in her mockery voice like she does when mother scolds him, he could hear the soft melody of the music making a background to all of it.

“I am waiting” Mr. Pious anxious tone broke Jacob’s chain of thought.

Jacob looked around, the voices had stopped, only the soft melody still playing. He picked up the glass and gulped down it content in one gulp fearing the millionaire could have a mind change. “Is that all?” he asked immediately he dropped the empty cup.

“That’s all for me” Mr. Pious smiled “very soon you will have it all and even more”. He stood up and walked out of the room brimming with smile as he moved his body rhythmically to the song of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ for the very first time.

Jacob stood up; walked away from the table with the two bundle of money and the glass cup trying to figure out what just happened. He was so excited; the money was enough to cover his expenses for many months…and Sarah’s if he be considerate enough. He anxiously walked up to the counter and narrated all that had happened to Meyame his co-worker. Meyame had earlier warned him to stay clear of ‘the shadow man’ as that’s the name he lately calls Mr. Pious. After a while, Jacob felt woozy and weak in body all of a sudden, he tried to rest but the request from customers were too much for Meyame alone to handle as both workers must be snappy with demands, that’s what Buzz is all about. Suddenly, Jacob collapsed along with the bottles of liquor that was requested of him. Meyame with few other customers rushed up to him but were shocked to realize his pulse had stopped.


**
*****

queenitee:
What end? Eh eh eh

Weren't you expecting it to end?