skubido:
Wow. Nice ending


Jah will continue to bless ya hand work

Amen. Thank you so much

Ann2012:
An interesting end

Thanks OP

Thanks for reading dear

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

Aww... Thanks so much for reading, darling

Final Episode

“What!” Ify exclaimed in shock.

Johnson nodded solemnly. “Yes.”

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

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

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

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

“Ok.” Ify said, somewhat reassured.

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

She turned to get back into the house.

“Beatrice.” He called softly.

She turned back to face him.

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

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



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

“Yes ma.” Ify replied.

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

“I will.” Ify replied softly.

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

“Good luck, Johnson.” She said.

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

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

“And you too.” Beatrice said.

Johnson smiled. “I’ll try.”

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

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

“I am.” She replied, sniffing.

“Good. Let’s go.”

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

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

Episode 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

“Have you noticed anything strange about Ify?”

“Are you referring to her meltdown this evening?”

“So you noticed?”

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

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

“What do you mean?” Ben asked curiously.

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

“Why? Is she not your daughter?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

* * *

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

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

“To warn them of course.”

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

“What am I supposed to do?”

* * *

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

“Hi.” She greeted cheerfully.

“Go away, Ify.” Lola said curtly.

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

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

“Please now.” The queen pleaded.

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

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

“Ok, we’ve heard.” Halima said.

The queen smiled. “Have you forgiven me?”

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* * *

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

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

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

“Thank you.” She asked, curious.

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

“Ok, what do you have in mind?”

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

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

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

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

“Exactly.”

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

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



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

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

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

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

“What?” Ify said in shock.

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

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

“What do you know about sea goddesses?”

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

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

“Mirror.” Ify finished for him.

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

“Why not just any mirror?”

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

“And the urn?”

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

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



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

“God forbid.”

“Good. We need to start immediately.”

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

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

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

“I am sorry.”

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

They continued to practice.



* * *

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Alright, I’ll try it.”

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

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

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

* * *

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

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

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

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

“This is yours, right?”

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

Johnson nodded. “I can see.”

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

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

“What do you mean?” Tony asked defensively.

“Maybe you’ve added some weight.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It helps you lose weight.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Oh, I see.” Johnson said quietly.

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

The Final episode will come out tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Ann2012:
Thanks for the update

You're welcome dear

skubido:
Hmmmmm

Tanks for the update

You're welcome dear

Episode 13: He's In Pain

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

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



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

“Sorry.” Ify said and continued tending him.

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

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

“Better, thank you.” Johnson replied.

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

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

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

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

“Bea…” Johnson began.

“Shut up and get out of my house!”

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

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



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

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

“And how is that my business?”

“Auntie…”

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

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

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

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

“We broke up a long time ago.”

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

“No.” Johnson muttered.

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

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



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

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

“I don’t have neighbors.”

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

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

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

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

Johnson nodded. Ify looked at Beatrice.

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

“Auntie please…”

“Ify no.”

“He’s homeless.”

“And so? It’s not my problem.”

“Auntie…”

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

“I am sorry, Beatrice.” Johnson said.

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

“Beatrice?” Johnson called softly.

She turned back to him.

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

“I’m still here.” She replied.

“And Nene?”

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

“What happened? Where is she?”

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“NO!” Ify screamed in her head.

“Nice to meet you.” Tony said to her.

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

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

“How did it go?” She asked.

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

“And?”

“He doesn’t recognize me.”

Beatrice sighed and went to sit beside her.

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

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

“How?” Ify asked, frowning.

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

“Who?”

“A pastor.”

“Which pastor?”

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

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

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

“It’s okay.” Ify replied.

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

“I am. But I will be fine.”

“Is there someway I can help.”

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

“Try me.” He insisted.

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

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

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

Johnson raised his eyebrows. “But I can.”

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

“The queen.” Johnson concluded.

Both women stared at him, stunned.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“So, you’re saying I’m doomed?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What can we do?”

“We destroy her.”

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

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

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

“Exactly.”

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

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

Episode 13: He's In Pain

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

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

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

“Sorry.” Ify said and continued tending him.

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

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

“Better, thank you.” Johnson replied.

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

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

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

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

“Bea…” Johnson began.

“Shut up and get out of my house!”

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

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

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

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

“And how is that my business?”

“Auntie…”

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

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

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

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

“We broke up a long time ago.”

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

“No.” Johnson muttered.

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

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



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

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

“I don’t have neighbors.”

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

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

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

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

Johnson nodded. Ify looked at Beatrice.

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

“Auntie please…”

“Ify no.”

“He’s homeless.”

“And so? It’s not my problem.”

“Auntie…”

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

“I am sorry, Beatrice.” Johnson said.

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

“Beatrice?” Johnson called softly.

She turned back to him.

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

“I’m still here.” She replied.

“And Nene?”

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

“What happened? Where is she?”

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

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

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

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



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

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

Then a miracle happened...

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

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Vanquished Episode 12: Mother

Ify’s heart pounded as she looked at her mother in expectation. Surely the woman who carried her in her womb for nine months would recognize her.

“Yes, can we help you?” Ify’s mother asked, as if she didn’t know her.



Ify froze in shocked dismay. Her own mother didn’t recognize her. Her eyes caught the window of the living room and she gasped. The same thing that happened in Beatrice’ bedroom was happening to her. It was the same stranger’s face. The queen gave her a smug smile. That quickly changed Ify’s shock into an angry resolution. She turned to her mother and opened her mouth to speak. Then she began coughing like a tuberculosis patient.

“Are you alright?” Agnes asked, concerned.

Encouraged, Ify attempted to speak again and her already severe cough became more severe. She coughed and coughed each time she attempted to speak. Each attempt only brought on more painful coughs. She coughed and coughed until she began to bleed from her mouth.

“Mommy, she’s bleeding.” The queen exclaimed, voice shaking in alarm.

Agnes rushed forward. Before she could reach her, Ify had crumbled to the floor, coughing out blood. They quickly rushed her to the hospital. Ify kept coughing, fighting for breath as the nurses wheeled her in, Agnes and the queen following beside them. Ify grabbed her mother’s hand and locked eyes with her, desperately trying to speak. Agnes was surprised but she patted her comfortingly.



“It’s okay, dear. You will be fine.” She said. Ify shook her head frantically. “M…m…mo…mmy.” She managed to stutter amidst breathless coughs.

Agnes stopped and stared as the nurses wheeled Ify into one of the wards. The queen stopped beside her, her face clouded like thunder.

“She called me mommy.” Agnes said softly in surprise.

The queen snorted. “Did she? Maybe she wasn’t referring to you. She was referring to her real mother.”

Agnes opened her fist that Ify had grabbed. She stared at the small phone in her hand.

“You’re right. I think she wants me to call her mother.” Agnes replied. She dialed the only number on the phone and waited as it rang.

“Hello, Ify?” Beatrice’ voice said on the other end.

Agnes stopped in surprise.

“Ify, are you there?”

“Um… this isn’t Ify. My name is Agnes. Your daughter is in the hospital. She’s very ill.” Agnes finally spoke.

The line went completely silent for a second.

“My daughter?” Beatrice asked, hesitantly.

“Yes, the one you called Ify. I was surprised. My daughter’s name is also Ify. Anyway, your daughter came to my house and while we were figuring out who she was, she started coughing and bleeding all of a sudden. So we brought her to the hospital and she gave me this phone to call you.”

“Oh, okay. What’s the name of the hospital?”

Later, Beatrice got to the hospital. At the reception, she was told Ify’s ward and the people that brought her into the hospital had gone home. She sighed. Poor girl. The happy reunion didn’t go quite well. Beatrice thanked the nurse and went to Ify’s ward. Ify was lying sullenly on the bed. Her cough was miraculously gone.

Beatrice went to her, concerned. “Ify, what happened?”



Ify looked at her and started crying quietly. Beatrice held her, comforting her. “It’s okay, my dear. Everything will be alright.”

Ify shook her head. “No, Auntie Beatrice. Everything is not alright.”

“Tell me what happened.”

And so Ify told her everything. Nothing was left out. Beatrice stared at her, completely still.

Then she sighed. “When I found you at the beach, you…”

“… Escaped from the queen’s coven, yes. Unbelievable, right?” Ify asked.

“It sounds like Nollywood.”

“It does. But it is real.”

Beatrice nodded. “So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know, Auntie. I tried to reach my family, even called my fiance earlier in your room…”

“But your face changed to someone you didn’t know.” Beatrice concluded in sympathy.

“Yes. I’ve tried. But that wicked so called queen has taken control of everything. I can’t reach my people. What am I going to do, Auntie?” Ify cried in frustration.

“It’s okay. We’ll discuss it when we get home. First, we need to get you out of here.”

Beatrice used her influence as an experienced doctor and made the hospital discharge Ify. Then they left in Beatrice’ car. The didn’t speak as she drove. Each was lost in thought. Finally, she glanced at Ify who was seated beside her. Ify was looking out the window, her eyes filled with sadness.

“Stop worrying too much, Ify.” Beatrice said, sympathetically. “Worrying will not help. You’ll get through this.”

“How do you know that?” Ify asked softly in a disbelieving tone.

“Well, while there is life, there is hope.”

Ify didn’t reply. Beatrice sighed. “You know what? Let’s eat out. I think a change of environment will lighten your mood.”

Beatrice drove to a restaurant and parked. They stepped out and headed towards the restaurant. A small crowd had gathered at the entrance. They curiously made their way through the crowd and saw three hefty men, bouncers, beat up another man. A very robust woman, the owner of restaurant, screamed invectives on the man.



“Beat him! Beat him very well! You think you can come to my restaurant and eat my food and go like that without paying, abi? Ole! Oshi! By the time my boys finish with you, eh, you go hear nwii.” She shouted angrily.

The bouncers beat the man mercilessly. The helpless man was already bloody from the beating. Beatrice and Ify couldn’t watch anymore. They went between them to stop the assault.

“Stop it! I said stop it at once! What is it?” Beatrice said loudly.

The woman glared at Beatrice and Ify. “Who be this one now? Wetin be your own? Why you dey put mouth for the matter wey no concern you.”

Beatrice glared back. “I am a doctor. And this man your boys are beating will likely die from his injuries. Ify you don’t call off your boys, I will call the Police.”

For a moment, it looked like the threat would not work. Then the woman signaled the bouncers to stop. They stopped.

“Thank you.” Beatrice said, relieved. “Now, what happened?”

“My sister, see this yeye man o. I was on my own, he came to my restaurant to eat and after eating, he wanted to walk away without paying me my money. You know what he said? He said I should forgive him that he was hungry but did not have any money to pay for the food. My own food. Can you imagine? He knows he does not have any money yet he came to eat in my restaurant. Do I look like Father Christmas? He wants to chop and clean mouth. Lai lai! He must pay me my money or my boys will tear him to pieces.” The woman ranted angrily.

“How much is the food?” Beatrice asked.

“Five hundred naira.”

Beatrice brought out her purse and paid her. The woman turned coldly to the man on the floor. “Thank your God for this fine madam. If not for her, wetin I go do you, ehn?”

She hissed and signaled her boys and they entered into the restaurant. The crowd dispersed as the show had ended. Ify went to help the man on his feet. He raised his head to thank them and froze as he saw Beatrice. Beatrice froze too and they stared at each other.

“Beatrice?” The man said in shock.

“Johnson.” Beatrice replied in the same tone.

“You know him?” Ify asked her.

“Yes, he is my husband.”

To be continued…

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Vanquished Episode 10: Beach Curse

Ify slipped in and out of consciousness. Beatrice nursed her faithfully, making sure she was comfortable. But as the days progressed and Ify seemed not to recover, Beatrice was worried. She had done everything she could. As a doctor, she had run some tests in her small lab and found nothing. Nothing. Apart from a few cuts and bruises which Beatrice had taken care of, the girl was fine. Perhaps, that was the girl’s own way of dealing with her trauma. Getting almost drowned in the river was very traumatizing. Beatrice had reason to know. Poor girl.

At first, she had contemplated taking her to the hospital. But she changed her mind. Since her retirement, she had never stepped feet in a hospital. And she had no wish to do so now. She would watch the girl for a few more days and if there was no improvement, she would take her to the hospital.



But she didn’t have to wait. The next day, Ify woke up, panting heavily from an obvious nightmare. Beatrice held her down gently.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. You are in safe hands now.” She said in a cooing voice.

The soothing voice helped Ify relaxed a little. It was then she looked around her strange environment.

Seeing her beginning to panic again, Beatrice quickly said, “I found you lying on the beach. So I brought you here. You are in my house. You’ve been slipping in and out of consciousness for almost seven days.”

Ify’s eyes widened at that. But before she could speak, Beatrice asked, “I am Beatrice. What is your name?”

Ify opened her mouth to reply but no sound came out. She tried to clear her throat and speak. No way.

She was dumb.

Beatrice grimaced in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. I didn’t know you were…”

She trailed off. Ify shook her head frantically, trying to tell the kind woman before her that she wasn’t dumb as she obviously concluded. Beatrice was too embarrassed to understand.



“Let me get you something to eat.” She said and quickly left.

Ify tried to call her back to no avail. She simply couldn’t speak. Mortified, she watched the woman leave the room. It dawned on her she was likely going to spend the rest of her life, dumb. The queen had won.

Beatrice came back a few minutes later with some food. But Ify couldn’t eat. She could only stare into the distance with sad eyes. That became a routine for days. Beatrice would cook delicious meals to entice her, but Ify couldn’t eat. She would only stare into space. Beatrice didn’t know what to do. Her visitor was emaciating before her eyes. Ify looked like a skeleton. Beatrice couldn’t take it.

“Look, I know you are troubled.” She said one day. “But you can’t stay like this forever. Maybe you experienced something a young lady like you should not experience. But you can’t give up. You are very young and you have life ahead of you.”

Ify didn’t even twitch to show that she heard her. Beatrice sighed.

“I was once young like you. Came from a good family. I was the first child, the prettiest and most brilliant of all my siblings. Came top of my class. I studied Medicine in University of Oxford, practiced in London. And then I got engaged. My fiance was the son of one of the richest men in Nigeria. He managed one of his father’s companies. And so, I had to resign my job and relocated to Nigeria to get married. That was a big mistake because it turned out my so called fiance was too possessive and abusive. I got out the toxic relationship and started all over again. I took up an appointment in a Federal Teaching Hospital as a Neurosurgeon. Life was good. I was the golden girl.”



“But my love life since then was sadly the opposite. After getting my heart broken several times by other men I dated, I decided I wasn’t going into any relationship. I wasn’t ever going to get married. But on my 35th birthday, I met my husband.”

She could vividly remember that day. She had gone to the beach to celebrate with her friends. He had walked up to her in the beach bar where she was partying and wished her a happy birthday. That was it. They became friends. And that friendship led to the most beautiful romance she had ever had. They were married a year later and had a daughter. And then they settled to live happily ever after.

“Two years later, he ran off with another woman. I haven’t heard from him since then. My heart was shattered but I survived. I had my daughter. She was everything to me. So, I raised her alone. Her name was Nene. Three years ago, she went to the beach with her friends and never returned.”

Beach again? Ify thought. That place must be cursed.

According to her friends, Beatrice’ daughter had gone to swim and never came back. At first, they thought she playing pranks on them. After all, everyone knew she a great swimmer. But after a few minutes and yet there was no sign o her, they knew something was wrong. They tried to look for her to no avail. Beatrice was called and the frantic mother elicited the help of professional divers who applied all their professional skills to find the girl. They combed every nooks and crannies of the beach.

“Her body was never found till date. My daughter had simply disappeared. So every year, I take some flowers to the beach to remember her. When I saw you, I thought you were my daughter. She would have been your age if she lived. Both of you are so alike. You would have been friends.”

By now, hot tears were flowing down Beatrice cheeks.



“I’m saying this to let you know you’re not alone in your misery. Look at me. I have no husband, no child and no job. I retired early when my daughter died. But you my dear, you’re young. It’s not too late. You can start again.”

Ify’s eyes were filled with sympathetic tears. She wanted to tell this kind hearted woman that she understood. That she didn’t think it was too late for her either. But she couldn’t speak. So she settled for gently holding Beatrice hands. Beatrice held her gratefully as she wept.

Then she wiped her tears and smiled, a little embarrassed. “Thank you, my dear. Let me get you some food. This time, you must eat whether you like it or not.”

She rose and left. Ify smiled, feeling a little better at Beatrice’ authoritative tone. Besides, the woman was right. If someone like her could lose everything and still be able to function, then who was she, Ify? Dumb or not, she had to move on.

Ify resolutely swung her feet to the floor and pressed her fists on the bed, trying to get up. Then she stopped as she felt something on her finger. She raised her finger to look.

It was her engagement ring. In her misery, she had completely forgotten all about it. She stared at the ring, her face bright with glee.

“My ring.” She whispered “My ri–”

Wait a minute, she could speak! She had her voice back! She ran out of the room excitedly.

“Auntie Beatrice! Auntie Beatrice!” She called.

Beatrice ran out of the kitchen, surprised. “What?” The her eyes widened in shock when she saw Ify. “Wait, you can talk?”

“Yes, I can. I always have been able to talk. I don’t know why I couldn’t these last few days.”

“Oh good. That’s good.”

“My name is Ifenyinwa. Everyone calls me Ify. My family is here. I have been going through some troubles. It’s a long story. Thank you so much for everything.”

“You are welcome, Ify. Glad to know you are not dumb after all.”

Ify laughed. “Thank you, Auntie. Can I ask a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can I use your phone? I need to make a quick call.”

“It’s on the table in my room. My room is on the left.”

“Thank you so much.” Ify said gratefully and ran to Beatrice room.

She picked the phone and quickly dialed a number. It rang.

“Hello?” Tony’s voice answered on the other end.

Episode 11 is already out. You can read it on https://www.litafrik.com/vanquished-episode-11-not-my-real-face/

Episode 8: Human Swap

Ify sprang to her feet and stared at the queen confused and scared. “You again? What just happened? Where’s Tony?”

“You mean your lover? He’s still there in what you humans call an accident?” The queen replied nonchalantly.



“Accident!” Ify squeaked in alarm. “Oh my God. Please take me back. I want to see him.”

“You will see him later. But first, we need to talk.” The queen replied calmly.

“About what? Besides, this is not the time. Tony must be in danger and also worried about me. Please take me back.”

“And I said you will see him later. We need to talk.” The queen replied firmly.

Ify stared at her and sighed impatiently. “Alright, let’s talk. I know you’re the one behind all the things that have been happening to me lately.”

The queen smiled. “Did you like the powers I gave you?”

“Why me?” Ify asked. “Of all human beings on earth, why did you choose me?”

“Oh my dear child,” the queen replied softly. “If only you know what you are made of. Come child, come with me.”

She led Ify to the swirling vortex. And as she waved her hands over it, different flashes of Ify appeared.

“You can be anything you want.” The queen whispered persuasively into her ear. “ A CEO of a successful advertising company like you’ve always wanted. A President, world leader, a celebrity of your choice, a woman of substance. All you need do is ask and shall be given to you.”



“And what do I give in return?” Ify asked, mesmerized.

“Come to me. Work with me. Give me your soul and I will make you the most powerful being in your world.”

Ify nodded. “Yes, yes, I want those things…”

Then she turned defiantly to the queen. “But the problem is if I give in to your request, I would not be in control. I know how this works. You and I make a pact. I get all those nice things you promised me. In exchange, you control my life. You use me until there’s nothing left. Then you throw me out like garbage and find someone else.”

The queen smiled reassuringly. “You’re wrong. I’m a very benevolent goddess. I remain faithful to those who are faithful to me.”

“Really?” Ify asked skeptically. “And how do I know when I fail the rules?”

“You will know if when it happens which I believe shall never happen. I know you, Ifenyinwa, better than you know yourself. Your loyalty to your family and friends is unquestionable. And that is what I desire from you. Think of what you felt when you possessed those powers to fight your enemies. I know you enjoyed them. You can have so much more. Give me your soul.”



“No,” Ify replied more firmly. “You can take your powers back. What I want right now is to go back to Tony. I will be want I want to be. Not what you want me to be.”

The queen stared speculatively at Ify for what seemed like an eternity. Then she sighed sadly. “You’re right. You will be what you want to be.”

Ify sighed in relief. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath. The next moment, she was thrown painfully to the floor by an invisible force.

She was stunned. But to her horrific dismay, the queen began to transform before her eyes. By the time the transformation finished, Ify felt her eyes were playing tricks on her. Oh wait, maybe they were. For the queen had Ify’s face, height, color, shape, dress, shoes and even her hairstyle. Everything. Ify was staring at the very image of herself.

The queen smiled maliciously. “But I can be what I want you to be. Goodbye my beautiful, foolish human. I wish I could stay but I have a mission to accomplish.”

Then she disappeared with her laughter echoing after her. The swirling vortex flashed again. And Ify watched as the queen, now posing as her, appeared at Tony’s wrecked car and screamed for help. Motorists gathered and they took Tony out of the wreck. He was unconscious and his whole body were drenched in blood. The motorists carried him into a car. The queen joined him and they drove speedily away.

“No! No! Stay away from him. Baby, I’m here! I’m here!” Ify screamed desperately. The vortex suddenly closed and the maidens who had been still like statues snapped to life and looked intently at her with their shining green eyes. The two huge pythons uncurled themselves and began to slowly creep towards her.

Ify tried to get away but she couldn’t move. Whatever force the queen used to pin her down was still working. In that moment, Ify knew it was too late. She was never going to get out alive…



Meanwhile, Tony had been taken to the hospital. He was immediately wheeled to the theater for emergency operation. Ben and Agnes arrived shortly. They were frantic for their daughter.

“Oh, Ify. Are you alright?” Agnes said as she rushed and hugged the queen who was still posing as Ify.

The queen sobbed. “Oh mummy, Tony…”

“Chim o! Where is he?”

“He’s in the theater. The doctors are operating on him now.” She broke down again. “Oh mummy. He’s bad. What am I going to do if I lose him?”

“Honey, you’re not going to lose him. Have faith.”

They hugged her, comforting her as she shed her crocodile tears. Hours later, the doctor came out of the theater. They hurried to him, concerned.

“Doctor, how is he?” Ben asked anxiously.

“Are you the father of Anthony Orji?”

“No but my daughter here is his fiancee. This is my wife, Agnes. We’ve called his parents. They will be here as soon as possible.”

“How soon?”

“They live in Port Harcourt. But they’ll be taking the next flight to Lagos. They should be here this evening by God’s grace.”

“Alright.” The doctor said, satisfied by the information.

“So, how is he?” Ben asked again.

“He has several broken bones. His ribs are also broken and they have affected his lungs. We have fixed the lungs but there might be complications. One of them is that the lungs can go into collapse. He is in the ICU where a machine is helping him to breathe and where we can also monitor his vital signs continuously.”

“Can we see him, doctor? Please?” The queen pleaded innocently.



“Not yet. He has to be left alone for now. I advise that you go home, get some rest and come back later. Excuse me.” The doctor said calmly and left.

The queen began to sob again. Ben wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay, dear. Tony is going to be fine. The doctor is doing his best.”

“Yes,” Agnes concurred. “And you need to go home. You’ve had a very long day.”

“I think I’m going to stay. You can go.” The queen said.

“Ify, staying here will not solve anything. You heard the doctor. You cannot see Tony now. Let’s just go home. You need rest.” Ben said.

“Your father is right. There is nothing we can do for now. Let the hospital handle it. We will come back later when you’ve rested a bit, okay?” Agnes added.

The queen nodded reluctantly. “Okay. Let me go to the restroom. I need to pee.”

She left for the restroom, a picture of distraught. As soon she got to the rest room, she moved straight to the mirror and smiled widely. Humans were truly stupid. She thought. Just look at the way she fooled them. Those two gullible fools that called themselves Ifenyinwa’s parents thought she was their daughter. Oh, this was interesting. She hadn’t tried being a human for centuries. She detested stooping so low. But now she did, it was easier than she thought. And she must admit, she was enjoying herself.

She washed her hands and opened the door to leave only to bump into a nurse Eliza carrying a bowl of vomit. The vomit scattered all over the queen’s face.

She screamed.

Episode 9 will be out soon. Or you can read it @ https://www.litafrik.com/vanquished-episode-9-a-miracle/

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