PROLOGUE

Six years, had I been here in the cell, locked behind bars; six year had I been locked out from the open world, my families, it has been six years of eating shit they called food, six year of lying on a stupid bunk. I will not say it is horrible; I totally enjoy it not when inside of me is full of satisfaction, and I intend to spend the rest of my life in here.
I am in D-block, it is made with stones, the walls are stones, the floors are stones, at night the walls and floors are cold, so cold that lying on the ground or resting your head on the wall becomes a pleasure. My cell is just as small as a bathroom, with a bunk at one side.
Opposite my cell is James’, he is a huge bald headed fellow, eight years ago he had beaten his neighbor’s son to death, for breaking his window glass with a base ball, and was sentence. He is to spend the rest of his life here like me.
We have a hall where all the inmates have their meals, we have a field where we all roam at noon. I remember the first time I stepped my foot on the field it was evening, the moon light was already out, and the usual cold was on its way, the bulbs where already shining bright in their wires. I was new to the whole thing, the place was very strange, and as I walked into the field, I saw over hundred inmates watching me.
Some had their hands folded and some were clapping, I withdrew my steps, and herd them saying at the top of their lungs ‘c’mon…c’mon fight like a man’ I began walking again.
When I got closer one of them said ‘clear the way’ and I saw them clearing a path, the next thing I knew, I was stand right in their middle. Their clapping and cheering increased.
just then James came out from the crowd and the noise faded, he was punching his left palm with his right fist, he twisted his neck and I heard the cracking sound, cold fear greeted me, I couldn’t imagine standing in front of a guy so big and now it seem I was to fight with him.
My eyes were on his chest, it was bare, his grey overall which every one of us is wearing sagged to his waist, on his chest was the world biggest ‘w’ it was bouncing.
‘Come… fight’ he said and grinned.
‘Fight!...fight!... fight’ the crowed began to cheer, I bit my lips hard and ran to him, I was attempting a punch him when he grabbed me by the neck, he pulled me up and I felt my legs leaving the ground and was dangling in the air. he looked at the crowd and grin then he threw me to the ground, I fell on my back and hit my head on the ground, I felt a sharp pain.
‘Get up, fight… fight…fight like a man’ said several voices, I stood up rubbing my head ‘come on’ said James beating his chest.
I ran to him attempting another punch, but he cut my hand and twisted it, I fell on my kneels screaming, I saw him facing the crowd laughing, he released my hand and I fell on my face to the sand.
The pain on my right arm was severe, so severe that the chattering and noised made by the crowed sounded many miles away.
I wanted it to stop, but from the cheering the crowed was making, I knew it wouldn’t, they were probably having fun, I knew I had to finished the fight. I stood up and he tried to punch me, but I caught his huge fist, I swung it backward, and punched him on the chest, it was as if I had punched a foam. He laugh hard on my punch ‘weak, very weak’ he said and was about to kick me when I caught his leg, it was like holding a branch of a giant tree.
I saw him limping with the other leg then I knew what I had to do, I kicked the leg of the ground and he fell hitting his bald head on the ground, I saw him holding his head and rolling in the ground with pain, I saw his eyes going red right in my presences.
The chattering crowd went salient, I stood there waiting for him to stand, but he didn’t, the crowd ran that moment to me and raised my hand up.
‘He won, he won’
For the first time I manage a smile. my hands were still been raised up, and the crowd still chartering when we heard a blast of a whistle, we turned to the entrance and saw some police officers standing there, that moment the prisoners began to dismiss into the prison hall.
It was now very dark, and the sky had been dotted with a few stars, the bulbs at every corner of the field were now shining even brighter, the moon was a full one, the trees in the field where now shadows and the cold had arrived. I was shriving when I walked to James and helped him up.
‘Am James, ruler of the prison field’ he said, we shook hands and then we heard the whistle as it blasted again, that moment we turned to the prison hall and saw a police officer standing over there beckoning of us ‘come over here…’ he yelled. I was beside James as we walked to the hall.
One of the police officers led me to my cell in D-block, I was surprise to see James laying on his bunk on the opposite cell, I walked to my bars and held it, gazing at him as the police officer struggled to lock my bars with the key. The officer was about leaving when James called him and stood up from his bunk.
‘Hey! You, come here’ he beckoned on the officer with his index finger, the officer halted at once and stared at him for a while, and as he hit his baton on his palm he walked slowly to James’ bar.
‘Hey… what about food… isn’t it time, it’s getting late’ James said in a whispered holding the bars of his cell.
‘Listen big fellow, no food for the evening’ said the police officer.
‘Why… not again, I can’t sleep with an empty stomach… now go over there and get me something to eat’ James said a bit raising his voice.
‘Listen James, this not an hotel where you make orders, this is a prison you eat only when we have food you… good night’ the officer said and walked away.
‘Hi James’ I called still clutching the bars of my cell, but James didn’t respond he was shaking his bars violently that the noisy sound echoed in the corridor.
‘Hey… I am trying to get some sleep here’ said another prisoner to James.
I woke up the following morning to the sound of my bars, when I opened my eyes I saw James outside my cell.
‘Morning’ he said, grinning.
‘Good morning’ I said sitting up from my bunk.
‘Am heading for breakfast! Coming along?’ when I stood up from the bunk I notice my cell was not locked I pushed opened the bars and walked beside James to the hall.
The hall was a every huge one, filled with tables and benches, at the far side was a queue formed by the prisoners who were collect their food.
we joined the queue and collected our food which was served to us on a wooded tray, holding the tray we search for a good spot in the hall and sat down to eat. after eating we returned to our various cells and at noon it was opened again and we were allowed to the field till the evening.
The field was huge, it was just the smaller version of the opened society, it had trees with benches under, where we can sit and be shaded from the sun. they were swings which some prisoners play with, they were stalls and each stalls were man by a police officer, the prisoners could buy whatever they want: cigarette, chocolate, beer and even snacks.
I sat mostly on the trees watching the activities going on, most times I watch James bullying the prisoners taking their cigarette and chocolates and almost of all their beers, just like me he had no one to bring him money or to say hello but as the ruler of the field he could satisfy himself with anything he wants.
when it is night and at the blast of the whistle, we all return to our cells.
My name is Lauren Lawrence this had been my life here in the prison for six years, every night when I rest my head in the cold and stony prison walls, I think about nothing but my past life, like I said before I never regretted anything, except the fact that I hut Sarah too much for her to bear, I knew her life will never remain the same, I have no idea where she might be right now, but I knew pulling the trigger that night hurt her so much, it broke her beyond repair, but I had to , not when I have seen the horrors of the alpha maze, not when I was betrayed by my only friend, I just had to.
I was a military officer with code number, tree too wun (321), my life was shattered when George sent me to the maze, and I thinking I shattered it the more when I sought for revenge.

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Hi Nairalanders first of all let me introduce myself, I am Palmer EmmaNuel aka PEN, the abbreviation of my full name. I am a fiction engineer. I Am not a guru anyway, just doing my best to improve my craft.

The Alpha Maze, Is a story i have been publishing on Wattpad for some time Now, but I decided to bring it to Nairaland officially.

This is the first time for me to publish a full story here, however I had published several short stories before.

This story is between two best friends, and it's all about betrayal and revenge. There would be blood there would be horror.

Copyright © 2017 Palmer Emmanuel

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the Author.

Please endeavor to vote for this chapter if you like thanks for your support https://www.wattpad.com/393524443-the-alpha-maze-chapter-two

Visit my page for interest literally Masterpiece. at www.facebook.com/authorpen28

Jake and Lucy for two years had been together, their relationship was as sturdy as the walls of Jericho. Jake was a happy reporter and even became happier the day Lucy showed up in his life. Lucy was a happy undergraduate student and even became happier the day Jake became her honey.

As an undergraduate student she never went out with Jake, she gave countless of excuses, it was either she want to read more or study more or focus more. Moreover, Jake never objected the fact that he wanted her to be among the best student 'but just for fun' cried out Jake most times but Lucy was such to turn down his offers with a peck.

Despite the fact that Lucy always turned down Jake's offers of taking her out, it never affected their love or reduced it in anyway rather it kept on burning like a furnace of fire and the heat could be felt by everyone who knew them.

It was pass 8am when Jake woke up that morning, just when he could get his eyes opened he heard the phone ringing.

'Hello, peter what's up' he said stretching himself and yawning, with the phone pressed softly on to his ear.

'Jake, do you know what the time is' asked peter

'Yeah!' Jake looked to the side of the bed where an alarm clock was 'it just 8:22'

'Where are you? Are you on your way coming?'

'No! I am just waking up'

'What!' Peter exclaimed 'you are just waking up? Look Jake, the boss have be asking after you severally this morning and I told him you were on your way coming , come on Jake what is wrong with you?, you aren't taking your job serious'

'Hey! Save me the chitchat, just come and meet me at lady's world, I have a surprise for you as for the boss I will handle him'

'What time'

'9am'

Jake threw the phone on the bed, jumped down happily, dressed up as soon as possible, and left the house looking gorgeous.

For thirty minutes, he had been in lady's world staring on the beautiful clothes, shoes, bags and Jewelry and admiring them, when peter pulled over at the parking lot. Jake saw him through the revolving door and walked to him outside.

'Why are you coming now it almost ten?' asked Jake.

'You side nine'

'But this is almost ten'

Peter kept quiet with his hand on his pocket staring at Jake 'what surprise were you talking about?' he asked after a short while.

'Are you ready? Now come with me' Jake said and they both walked into the shop

'Wow this place is beautiful' said peter staring around the place.

'This way' Jake said and dragged peter along with him to a section in the shop where beautiful rings were displayed.

'By now you should be surprised' said Jake smiling.

'For what?'

'I am getting engage with Lucy' Jake said still smiling

'You are so crazy Jake' peter said still staring at the beautiful rings on the display; Jake smile went off his face as if the power powering it went blackout and he became serious.

'Why did you say that?' asked Jake.

'It's not me you should be surprising it's Lucy, so you called me for this, I thought it was something else'

'Well, I thought you should be surprised as well, you were the one who told me to go ahead and I am here to surprise you that I am going ahead?'

'Any way, Jake which one are you going for?'

'Hmmm' Jake starred at each of the beautiful rings properly 'this one would be great' Jake pointed to a ring with a big diamond after a while.

'Jake, that would be too expensive I suggest you go with this' peter pointed to a shining golden ring with a small diamond. 'No! I want something more expensive' Jake said and stared back at the ring 'but this is more beautiful' peter insisted.

'And I said I need something more expensive'

'Ok, if you say so'

Jake took the ring out from the glass and ran his and slowly and gently on it 'she is going to love this' he said but peter was not listening he was looking surprise at the price tag of the golden ring with a small diamond 'oh! Jake, this golden ring with the small diamond actually cost more than that one' he said and Jake looked at peter 'really' he asked and looked at the ring and then the price tag.

'Wow, I think I will go for this'

'But Jake, this is too expensive'

'That is why I am going for it'

Jake carefully drop the other ring and stared back at peter 'look peter, I brought you here because I wanted you to give me suggestions ok! Now which do you suggest the small diamond or the big diamond'

Peter looked at Jake straight in his eyes and gave him a mocking look before staring back at the two rings 'am waiting' said Jake

'the big diamond?'

'My God, but you said the small diamond before?' screamed Jake

'Yes! Because I thought it was less expensive!'

'I don't know why I brought you here in the first place you don't even have a clue' Jake said and took the golden ring with the small diamond 'I will want to get some clothes for Lucy' he added and began walking to another section in the shop were beautiful clothes were showcased

'Jake! Are you going to spend all your money here?' peter asked dragging himself behind Jake who seems not to be listening.

It was almost 11am when Jake and peter came out from the shop, peter could not believe that they had spent almost an hour shopping and Jake seems to be excited for what he had got for Lucy just when they entered the car, Jake's phone rang and It was boss calling.

'Hello sir, good morning' Jake greeted

'What happened? Jake, by this time you are still not in the office?' the boss said a bit raising his voice.

'sir, actually, when I woke up this morning I felt weak and sick so I decided to see the doctor first before come to work, when I got to the doctor's place he told me to get some drugs which he prescribed for me, sir am just coming out from the shop where I went to buy the drugs I am with peter now and we are coming right now to the office' Jake explained

'Ok! Jake I wish you quick recovering' the boss said and Jake brought down the phone from his ear with relief and stared at peter that was about starting the car

'Why are you staring at me that way?' asked Jake

'Noting Jake, it's just that I am surprised, I thought they sell clothes, shoes and jewelry and all that, I never knew they sell drugs too' peter said and moved the car.

full story ==>

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Six years have I been here in the cell, locked behind bars, six year have I been locked out from the open world, my families, it has been six years of eating shit they called food, six year of lying on a stupid bunk. I will not say it is horrible; I totally enjoy it not when inside of me is full of satisfaction, and I intend to spend the rest of my life in here.

I am in D-block, it is made with stones, the walls are stones, the floors are stones, at night the walls and floors are cold so that lying on the ground or resting your head on the wall becomes a pleasure. My cell was just as small as a bathroom, with a bunk at one side.

Opposite my cell is James' cell, he is a huge bald headed fellow, eight years ago he had beaten his neighbor's son to death for breaking his window glass with a base ball, and was  sentenced. He is to spend the rest of his life here like me.

We have a hall where all the inmates have their meals, we have a field where we all roam at noon. I remember the first time I stepped my foot on the field it was evening, the moon light was already out and the usual cold was on its way, the bulbs where already shining bright in their wires. I was new to the whole thing, the place was very strange, and as I walked into the field, I saw over hundred inmates watching me.

Some had their hands folded and some were clapping, I withdrew my steps and herd them saying at the top of their lungs 'c'mon...c'mon fight like a man' I began walking again.

When I got closer one of them said 'clear the way' and I saw them patting, the next thing I knew was that I was stand right in their middle. Their clapping and cheering increased.

just then James came out from the crowd and the noise faded, he was punching his left palm with his right fist, he twisted his neck and I heard the cracking sound, cold fear greeted me, I couldn't imagine standing in front of a guy so big and now it seem I was to fight with him.

My eyes were on his chest, it was bare his grey overall which every one of us is wearing sagged to his waist, on his chest was the world biggest 'w' it was bouncing.

'Come... fight' he said and grinned

'Fight!...fight!... fight' the crowed began to cheer, I bit my lips hard and ran to him, I was attempting a punch when he grabbed me by the neck, he pulled me up and I felt my legs leaving the ground and was dangling in the air. he looked at the crowd and grin then he threw me to the ground, I fell on my back and felt a sharp pain on my head.

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hi guys, for the love of art i just started my free read on wattpad title THE ALPHA MAZE please support this story it's free.

Story Description: Sgt Lauren Lawrence tells the story of his horrible past and struggles in the Alpha Maze, and how he was betrayed by his best and childhood friend colonel George Campbell.

George Campbell's father was the General and had promoted his son to the rank of a colonel and the first thing George did was to show interest on Sarah, Lauren's fiancee.

this was a blow to their friendship, but George never cared all he want was Sarah claiming he met her first and the only way he could get his chance was to use his rank to send Lauren to the deadly Alpha maze.

Sgt Lauren wants revenge but no one as ever survive the maze.


Extract from the story: My name is Lauren Lawrence this has been my life here in the prison for six years. every night when I rest my head in the cold and stony prison walls I think about nothing but my past life, like I said before I never regret anything, except the fact that I hurt Sarah too much for her to bear, I knew her life will never remain the same, I have no idea where she might be right now, but I knew pulling the trigger that night hurt her so much, it broke her beyond repair, but I had to, not when I have seen the horrors of the alpha maze, not when I was betrayed by my only friend I just had to.

I was a military officer with code number, tree too wun (321), my life was shattered when George sent me to the maze and I thinking I shattered it more when I sought for revenge.

here is the link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/103055492-the-alpha-maze

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JUST ALONE
It was Friday again and as you know, Mrs. Flora would be visiting, that day the rain fell till it was evening, though the rain was not that heavy I thought Mrs. Flora would not come. I was indoor throughout that day.
I was eating at about 5pm when I heard a knock at the door.
“Come in” I said, to my surprise I saw Mrs. Flora walking in.
“Oh! I thought you didn’t come” I said putting a spoon of beans in my mouth
“You know I would always come” she said as she sat on the chair
“I know you will, but the rain” I said
“We have been working inside the rain, it’s just a shower anyway” she said
“Do you mind joining me?” I asked, she stood up and took the spoon and ate out of it, then she sat back still chew her mouth.
“I never knew you can cook” she said.
“How will I survive if I don’t cook” I said.
“Well it’s delicious, I think I should have some” she said standing up to take another spoon
“It all yours, I am filled already” I said giving her the spoon she took the plate and began to eat
“But it’s still much here” she said.
“I don’t eat too much, you know am an old man, I don’t have as much space in stomach as I used to when I was much younger” I said.
“Hmmm! This is too delicious, this is such a nice meal” she said.
“A moment please” I said and went into my room to look for the keys of the door just opposite my room.
The room had been locked for over ten years, and after searching the whole room the keys were nowhere to be found, I went to the sitting room and checked the shelves and lockers there, then I sat down tired, I still could not find the keys.
Then Mrs. Flora walked out of the kitchen where she had dropped the plate after eating, she was holding a can of water when she came to the sitting room.
“What is it, are you searching for something” she asked
“Yes, the keys to my other room” I said.
“Have you seen it now?” she asked like someone who was ready to join me in the search
“No, but don’t worry” I said.
“Give me a second please” I said and walked into my room and brought out a hammer and began to hit the padlock of the door.
“What’s going on over there” I heard her screaming.
Finally the door was opened, what I saw was mouse running into different holes at the Conner of the room I saw the skin of a snake.
“A snake has been here before” I said to myself and walked to the sitting room.
“Come with me flora” I said and she followed me immediately.
“Why is this place so scatted” she asked.
“I have never opened it for over ten years” I drew out a dusty big metal box then I took the hammer and hit the little padlock and it was broken immediately then I opened the box.
“Wow”
“These are the clothes, shoes and bags of my mother” I said.
“But they are very new”
“Yes! my mother never used them”
“You mother must be rich to have bought this kind of expensive clothes” she said
“Yes she was, she was a business woman, she was far richer than my father and she even had a car then” I said.
Then she began to pack the clothes and bag inside the box again.
“You don’t have to, they are yours” I said
“Mine?”
“All of them”
“Thank you so much” she said
She was still looking at me amazingly,i looked around for a little box and found it under a writing desk, I took it and with the hammer I broke the padlock on the little box. It was containing all my mother’s jewelries.
“This is also for you” I said
“Thank you so much” she said happily.
We heard the sound of her car outside.
“Is that your driver?” I asked.
“Yes I told him to meet me here at 6am” she said glancing to her watch.
“One more thing” I said as I stood up and walked to the cupboard and brought out a briefcase, I opened it at once and brought out the documents of my mother’s two houses.
“I know you are a rich woman, but just keep this for me” I said “it is the document of my mother’s two houses” this time she knelt down crying as she took the documents from me.
“You don’t have to cry flora” I said
“Why are you giving me all this” she asked still crying while on her kneels
“I am passing my inheritance to you flora, you have been so nice to me, you came here every time even when you are to stay at home, you treat me like a father, so many times you give me money, sometimes you buy things for me from the city, many a time you even bring me food, thanks for making me happy at this final stage of my life, thank you” I said.
“Thank you!” she said standing up.
“you took me like a father, and I am giving you what a father would give to a child, so cheer up flora if only I have more, you deserve more than this” I said.
Then I went to my room and brought a rag and came to her again.
“I think you should go with the box” I said and began to dust it.
“let me do it” she said and took the rag from me and began to dust the box after dusting it she came out and called the driver who helped her to put the box on the car.
“Thank you very much” she said.
“Bye and my regards to you family” I said standing on the verandah watching the car as it was been reversed. As soon as the car left, I returned to my room and lay on the bed. I was for a while happy.
Now! In case I never mentioned this, I retired in 1985 as a General to this little house I have been staying. Being alone seems nice, but it keeps my mind from the present and made me think about the past. Most times it made me scared.
Each night I shared a couple of tears before going to bed. I took time every night to look at the picture of them all.
Every night I think about my father how he hugged me that night and told me he would see me the next day but I never saw him again.
I think about Paul how death took him away from us and left his mother insane till her death, I think about Julie and the love we share and how I lost her to death, I never forget about my mother most especially how I hurt her so much even till her death
And most especially Laura how the last hours of her life was horrible and how she was wasted for nothing.
And off course major abbey how he was laying dead bunt in that vehicle and how he saved me that very day.
Sometimes colonel Matins though he was never like a friend to me I still felt the hurts of his death and lastly myself how old I am still carrying the sad memories of the past on my mind.
at night I became even scared because, it seems to me that there are ghost around my house, I took this habit of staying alone because I liked it, at first it was nice and okay, I enjoyed it, but know it hurts me so bad and I can't take it anymore.
Sometimes when I lie on my bed watching the moon from the window I think about death, and when it would come for me. I don't think i can wait anymore. i too want to take my rest. and i really need to get this out of my mind, i think i want peace, it’s high time to end it all, to get this sad memories from my mind, i tried to get rid of it on my own but i could not, the picture of them kept flashing into my mind. at some point when i am trying to be happy they come into my mind again and spoil my mood, what i used to enjoy many years ago, had suddenly turn into a torment.
I just can't wait for that day when i would be at peace, when I would close my eyes here and open it in the other realm, when I would be far away from this lonely world where I live alone, when I would no longer cry, when the peace I have long waited for will find me, Because oh! God! Being alone and lonely now hurts.
THE END

THE LAST FIGHT
Before the Biafrans surrendered in 1970, we were sent as a back up to Port Harcourt, our armies were having tough times with the Biafrans, then I was fully recovered, and I left to the place with my troops.
That evening when we got to that village, the whole places were covered with smokes you could hardly see anybody, we drove immediately to were the soldiers were said to be camping.
When we got there. I heard Colonel Matins telling the other soldiers that the Biafran armies were far in the west. He was pointing westward; he has been in the village combating the rebels since he was sent there with other armies who came from the west.
I walked round the base and saw some group of soldiers carrying injured soldiers to a class in the school.
Shortly some soldiers arrived with a small vehicle which had a machine gun standing at the back of it.
“All of you get your weapons” said colonel Matins.
“we are heading straight to the west were the rebels are occupying” then a vehicle which also had a machine gun on the back of it pulled in front of me, a sergeant was behind the machine gun, to my surprise Major abbey came out of the car. He saluted me and shook hands with me.
“We just came in” I said.
“Let’s go” he said and we entered the vehicle and as we moved slowly out of the camp I heard the vehicle shaking and vibrating then I looked back and saw soldier jumping into the vehicle, they began to talk and discuss with the sergeant who was handling the machine gun.
As we moved slowly to the west I saw vehicles carrying soldiers while some were walking along side the vehicle which was moving slowly.
The smoke was still very profound and we were still moving through it to the west until we started seeing some Biafran armies. Then our armies began to jump down from the vehicles while the vehicles which had machine guns on the back of it took the fore front. They opened fire at us and we as well opened fire at them.
“Take this way!” I said after all the soldiers at the back of our vehicle had jumped down except the one handling the machine gun. Major Abbey went the direction I was pointing at once and we came out behind some Biafrans soldier the sergeant having the machine gun wasted them and we moved on.
As we drove slowly we met with the other soldiers.
“we are moving this way” said colonel Matins at the top of his voice we were still behind so I said “follow them”. Just as we were about moving to the direction were colonel Matins was pointing I saw the Biafrans armies rushing out again and began to fire at us the knocked many of our soldiers down because they came out unexpectedly.
All of a sudden they fired a bazooka at us and destroyed one of our vehicles they fired again and another vehicle was down and our armies were decreasing drastically
“Retreat! Retreat!” shouted colonel Matins, then I saw the vehicles left reversing some soldiers were dragging some other injured soldiers.
“Fire!” I screamed and the soldier handling the machine gun opened fire at once and knocked some down.
I looked around and saw our soldiers no more they were already on their way back to the camp retreating.
“We have to retreat” I said to Major Abbey.
“Yes sir” he said just as he was about reverse I saw a Biafran soldier from the distance pointing a bazooka at our vehicle.
“Get out of the car!” I screamed and jumped down though the window and the vehicle exploded.
After a while I stood up and saw the vehicle completely destroyed, but the soldier handling the machine was down crying his right leg was almost out and was bleeding seriously.
I raised my head further and saw about ten Biafran armies walking close to the vehicle and I peeped from the window and saw Major Abbey burnt.
“My God!” I shouted then I heard bullet hitting the car I bent down again and fired at them before my bullet got finished and the soldiers were already close to me. I sat down on the floor resting my back on the vehicle.
“I am finished” I said to myself then the same voice of my father came into my head again this time loud and clear telling me a good fighter fight even till his last breath then I took out my pistol and shot at them the bullet was once again finished and I only took one down the others increased their pace towards me.
When I raised my head just to have a glimpsed at Major Abbey once more, I saw two grenades hanging on his waist, and then I stretched my hand to get then. But it was difficult for me because the vehicle was totally destroyed and squeezed. I kept on stretching myself not mind the pain and removed the two grenade just as I was dragging myself out of vehicle I saw them just very close, one of them saw me and fired at me is bullet was close it almost hit me on my neck.
As I took cover beside the vehicle I opened the grenade and threw it at them and opened the second at once and threw it to them. And the place became quite. I raised my head up and saw them lying dead on the ground; I smile a little with relief and began to cry I had just thought about Major Abbey how he saves me the other time.
Suddenly I heard the familiar noise of the Biafran soldiers; I raised my head and saw more than hundred soldiers coming towards me. Then I fell down to the ground still resting my back at the vehicle. There was nothing I could do now I thought it was over I knew If I had run they would certainly kill me so I sat down there.
“Forgive me father, you said a good fighter fight till his last breath, but I am sorry there is nothing I can do right now” I said and took a deep breath their noise were already sounding so loud and I knew they were just close to me, I bit my lips so hard and tears came out my eyes.
Then I remembered my father when he gave me the pocket watch on my ninth year birthday he had no money for a party and when I met him and asked if he had forgotten it was my birthday he said to me.
“No son I have not forgotten, happy birthday” then he went inside and brought out the pocket watch and gave it to me.
“I know I don’t have a lot, but take this it very expensive my father bought it for me long ago” he said. I took it from him and was happy.
“I may not have enough but I promise to always be there for you, I promise to always stand by you and protect you” he said and I smiled as I thanked him.
“happy birthday” he said again and sat on the chair.
Then I thought about my mother when she came to pick me at my uncle’s house just after my father’s funeral as she drove home she said.
“I know your father as always been there for you, but I will do my best to be there for you also”
Then I remembered Paul who came to meet me in the hostel room when I was still crying about my father and he said to me.
“I know you still fill the pain of losing you father, but I want you to know one thing, that I will always be there for you”
Then I remembered Julie, o! Julie my lovely Julie When she took me to the zoo for the very first time. Just as we were throwing bananas to the monkeys, she drew me close to herself and gave me a kiss on the cheek then she said. “I will always be with you forever”
Just as I remembered this people I was still hearing the foot step and noise of the over hundred biafran armies. I took what I suppose was my last breath and smiled, I was ready to join them.
All of a sudden I saw our soldiers running out form different corners reinforcing, this time they were different weapons some with artilleries, machine guns and bazookas wasting the biafran soldiers with no mercy I took another deep breath smiling.
“Thank you” I said to nobody in particle but to them for always been there for me.
I sat down there still smiling for the great relief; I was almost dead you know. When I stood up I saw almost all the Biafrans armies all down expect few who were retreating and my eyes were following them to see the direction they were heading to then I ran towards a soldier who threw a gun at me.
as I walked towards a vehicle I saw some group of soldiers conveying injured soldiers into a vehicle some were carrying dead soldiers. so I called one of the soldiers and pointed to the vehicle Major abbey was, and then i entered a vehicle which had a machine gun on the back and a soldier was standing on it.
“Move the car, down this way” I said to the soldier driving the vehicle and he moved the vehicle toward the narrow path which led to a street I was pointing.
We passed through a heavy smoke and I heard bullet hitting our vehicle, the car began to move uncontrollably until it hit a log of wood and stops.
“What was the meaning of that?” I asked turning to the driver but to my surprise he was dead, a round hole was on his forehead.
“Oh! My God” I said “what happened?” I said turning to face the soldier who was handling the machine gun but he was dead too my eyes was still widen in surprise when I heard bullets hitting the vehicle again I bent down quickly. I looked through the smokes and saw that I was just in the mist of the Biafran soldiers, in fact it was their hideout but they were not much. And I could still hear the sound of the artilleries and the bazookas around I knew our soldiers where around heading to where I was.
I jumped down from the vehicle and climb at the back of the vehicle and handled the machine gun and began to shoot them as they came out from their covers until the whole place was cleared.
I sat down on the floor of the vehicle and began to cry for my friend Major abbey when I heard the Biafran armies running and shouting like people who had lost their hopes I stood up again and saw them running towards me they were retreating from the other side were our armies was, they too were surprised to see me in where should have been there camp. You know what? They still fired at me I bent down to dodge and then I held the machine gun and began to fire at them as they were retreating from the other side towards me I was bring them down with the machine gun until the whole place was silent.
I took my usual deep breath and jumped down from the vehicle the whole place was smoky as always then few minute later our armies drove to the place and saw me, they looked around and saw that the enemies were all dead. Some of them raise their gun up jubilating while others were walking around the place picking the guns in the ground. I knew defiantly this was the last fight.
Then I began to walk round the village. I saw falling houses dead people all over especially the civilians. Then as I walked around I heard a child crying, I began to trace the voice until I saw a little girl crying beside a woman who I thoughts was her mother. I paused for a while and looked around me all I saw was young boys, women, old men, young men and children all lying dead at different corners, then I knew why my father said war was ugly then I remember what my father told me when he was telling me about war “I have never experienced any but I saw many pictures of it from the news papers, it was something that one would never pray to experience” he said to me that very day.
Most especially I thought about the innocent lives that was lost those who were never part of the arrangement became like the major target scatted all over the places were their bodies.
I went to the crying child and picked her up and began to head back for the camp, on getting to the camp the whole soldiers were surprise seeing me with a child. Colonel Matins walked to me.
“This is the only surviving child” I said
“Must you pick something every single time? The other time it was a girl now a child” he said with a kind of seriousness.
“I don’t have time for your” I said ignoring him, he blocked me at once as I was about to pass him.
“You are not taking this child into my vehicle” he said “I have mine” I said “exploded remember?” he said mocking me as usual, and then I remembered my vehicle was among the destroyed ones.
“Then stop me” I said just as I was about going he pushed the child off my hands.
“Drop that thing” he said I bent down immediately to pick the child up but she was lifeless “oh! My God” I lamented just as I was angry, with my gun I shot him on his feet just when he was about shooting me I shot the gun off his hand which injured his palm.
Then I angrily walked to his vehicle just as the other soldiers were watching me.
As I entered the car I was hearing the voice of Colony Matins scream I looked through the window as I drove away and saw some soldiers holding him.
It took me almost seven hours to get to Bendel because I never knew my way I was just driving around.
As soon as I drove into the base not quite long after coming down I saw about four soldiers running towards me with handcuff. I didn’t saying any word I just simply gave them my hands. Meanwhile the soldiers I left were already in the base some hour before me even though I left them. Like I have said, I never knew my way. I was already reported and it was decided that I spent one year behind bars.
Just about two months after I was locked behind bars, a soldier who came just to say hi to me told me the war has ended that the rebels had surrendered.

THE LAST FIGHT
Before the Biafrans surrendered in 1970, we were sent as a back up to Port Harcourt, our armies were having tough times with the Biafrans, then I was fully recovered, and I left to the place with my troops.
That evening when we got to that village, the whole places were covered with smokes you could hardly see anybody, we drove immediately to were the soldiers were said to be camping.
When we got there. I heard Colonel Matins telling the other soldiers that the Biafran armies were far in the west. He was pointing westward; he has been in the village combating the rebels since he was sent there with other armies who came from the west.
I walked round the base and saw some group of soldiers carrying injured soldiers to a class in the school.
Shortly some soldiers arrived with a small vehicle which had a machine gun standing at the back of it.
“All of you get your weapons” said colonel Matins.
“we are heading straight to the west were the rebels are occupying” then a vehicle which also had a machine gun on the back of it pulled in front of me, a sergeant was behind the machine gun, to my surprise Major abbey came out of the car. He saluted me and shook hands with me.
“We just came in” I said.
“Let’s go” he said and we entered the vehicle and as we moved slowly out of the camp I heard the vehicle shaking and vibrating then I looked back and saw soldier jumping into the vehicle, they began to talk and discuss with the sergeant who was handling the machine gun.
As we moved slowly to the west I saw vehicles carrying soldiers while some were walking along side the vehicle which was moving slowly.
The smoke was still very profound and we were still moving through it to the west until we started seeing some Biafran armies. Then our armies began to jump down from the vehicles while the vehicles which had machine guns on the back of it took the fore front. They opened fire at us and we as well opened fire at them.
“Take this way!” I said after all the soldiers at the back of our vehicle had jumped down except the one handling the machine gun. Major Abbey went the direction I was pointing at once and we came out behind some Biafrans soldier the sergeant having the machine gun wasted them and we moved on.
As we drove slowly we met with the other soldiers.
“we are moving this way” said colonel Matins at the top of his voice we were still behind so I said “follow them”. Just as we were about moving to the direction were colonel Matins was pointing I saw the Biafrans armies rushing out again and began to fire at us the knocked many of our soldiers down because they came out unexpectedly.
All of a sudden they fired a bazooka at us and destroyed one of our vehicles they fired again and another vehicle was down and our armies were decreasing drastically
“Retreat! Retreat!” shouted colonel Matins, then I saw the vehicles left reversing some soldiers were dragging some other injured soldiers.
“Fire!” I screamed and the soldier handling the machine gun opened fire at once and knocked some down.
I looked around and saw our soldiers no more they were already on their way back to the camp retreating.
“We have to retreat” I said to Major Abbey.
“Yes sir” he said just as he was about reverse I saw a Biafran soldier from the distance pointing a bazooka at our vehicle.
“Get out of the car!” I screamed and jumped down though the window and the vehicle exploded.
After a while I stood up and saw the vehicle completely destroyed, but the soldier handling the machine was down crying his right leg was almost out and was bleeding seriously.
I raised my head further and saw about ten Biafran armies walking close to the vehicle and I peeped from the window and saw Major Abbey burnt.
“My God!” I shouted then I heard bullet hitting the car I bent down again and fired at them before my bullet got finished and the soldiers were already close to me. I sat down on the floor resting my back on the vehicle.
“I am finished” I said to myself then the same voice of my father came into my head again this time loud and clear telling me a good fighter fight even till his last breath then I took out my pistol and shot at them the bullet was once again finished and I only took one down the others increased their pace towards me.
When I raised my head just to have a glimpsed at Major Abbey once more, I saw two grenades hanging on his waist, and then I stretched my hand to get then. But it was difficult for me because the vehicle was totally destroyed and squeezed. I kept on stretching myself not mind the pain and removed the two grenade just as I was dragging myself out of vehicle I saw them just very close, one of them saw me and fired at me is bullet was close it almost hit me on my neck.
As I took cover beside the vehicle I opened the grenade and threw it at them and opened the second at once and threw it to them. And the place became quite. I raised my head up and saw them lying dead on the ground; I smile a little with relief and began to cry I had just thought about Major Abbey how he saves me the other time.
Suddenly I heard the familiar noise of the Biafran soldiers; I raised my head and saw more than hundred soldiers coming towards me. Then I fell down to the ground still resting my back at the vehicle. There was nothing I could do now I thought it was over I knew If I had run they would certainly kill me so I sat down there.
“Forgive me father, you said a good fighter fight till his last breath, but I am sorry there is nothing I can do right now” I said and took a deep breath their noise were already sounding so loud and I knew they were just close to me, I bit my lips so hard and tears came out my eyes.
Then I remembered my father when he gave me the pocket watch on my ninth year birthday he had no money for a party and when I met him and asked if he had forgotten it was my birthday he said to me.
“No son I have not forgotten, happy birthday” then he went inside and brought out the pocket watch and gave it to me.
“I know I don’t have a lot, but take this it very expensive my father bought it for me long ago” he said. I took it from him and was happy.
“I may not have enough but I promise to always be there for you, I promise to always stand by you and protect you” he said and I smiled as I thanked him.
“happy birthday” he said again and sat on the chair.
Then I thought about my mother when she came to pick me at my uncle’s house just after my father’s funeral as she drove home she said.
“I know your father as always been there for you, but I will do my best to be there for you also”
Then I remembered Paul who came to meet me in the hostel room when I was still crying about my father and he said to me.
“I know you still fill the pain of losing you father, but I want you to know one thing, that I will always be there for you”
Then I remembered Julie, o! Julie my lovely Julie When she took me to the zoo for the very first time. Just as we were throwing bananas to the monkeys, she drew me close to herself and gave me a kiss on the cheek then she said. “I will always be with you forever”
Just as I remembered this people I was still hearing the foot step and noise of the over hundred biafran armies. I took what I suppose was my last breath and smiled, I was ready to join them.
All of a sudden I saw our soldiers running out form different corners reinforcing, this time they were different weapons some with artilleries, machine guns and bazookas wasting the biafran soldiers with no mercy I took another deep breath smiling.
“Thank you” I said to nobody in particle but to them for always been there for me.
I sat down there still smiling for the great relief; I was almost dead you know. When I stood up I saw almost all the Biafrans armies all down expect few who were retreating and my eyes were following them to see the direction they were heading to then I ran towards a soldier who threw a gun at me.
as I walked towards a vehicle I saw some group of soldiers conveying injured soldiers into a vehicle some were carrying dead soldiers. so I called one of the soldiers and pointed to the vehicle Major abbey was, and then i entered a vehicle which had a machine gun on the back and a soldier was standing on it.
“Move the car, down this way” I said to the soldier driving the vehicle and he moved the vehicle toward the narrow path which led to a street I was pointing.
We passed through a heavy smoke and I heard bullet hitting our vehicle, the car began to move uncontrollably until it hit a log of wood and stops.
“What was the meaning of that?” I asked turning to the driver but to my surprise he was dead, a round hole was on his forehead.
“Oh! My God” I said “what happened?” I said turning to face the soldier who was handling the machine gun but he was dead too my eyes was still widen in surprise when I heard bullets hitting the vehicle again I bent down quickly. I looked through the smokes and saw that I was just in the mist of the Biafran soldiers, in fact it was their hideout but they were not much. And I could still hear the sound of the artilleries and the bazookas around I knew our soldiers where around heading to where I was.
I jumped down from the vehicle and climb at the back of the vehicle and handled the machine gun and began to shoot them as they came out from their covers until the whole place was cleared.
I sat down on the floor of the vehicle and began to cry for my friend Major abbey when I heard the Biafran armies running and shouting like people who had lost their hopes I stood up again and saw them running towards me they were retreating from the other side were our armies was, they too were surprised to see me in where should have been there camp. You know what? They still fired at me I bent down to dodge and then I held the machine gun and began to fire at them as they were retreating from the other side towards me I was bring them down with the machine gun until the whole place was silent.
I took my usual deep breath and jumped down from the vehicle the whole place was smoky as always then few minute later our armies drove to the place and saw me, they looked around and saw that the enemies were all dead. Some of them raise their gun up jubilating while others were walking around the place picking the guns in the ground. I knew defiantly this was the last fight.
Then I began to walk round the village. I saw falling houses dead people all over especially the civilians. Then as I walked around I heard a child crying, I began to trace the voice until I saw a little girl crying beside a woman who I thoughts was her mother. I paused for a while and looked around me all I saw was young boys, women, old men, young men and children all lying dead at different corners, then I knew why my father said war was ugly then I remember what my father told me when he was telling me about war “I have never experienced any but I saw many pictures of it from the news papers, it was something that one would never pray to experience” he said to me that very day.
Most especially I thought about the innocent lives that was lost those who were never part of the arrangement became like the major target scatted all over the places were their bodies.
I went to the crying child and picked her up and began to head back for the camp, on getting to the camp the whole soldiers were surprise seeing me with a child. Colonel Matins walked to me.
“This is the only surviving child” I said
“Must you pick something every single time? The other time it was a girl now a child” he said with a kind of seriousness.
“I don’t have time for your” I said ignoring him, he blocked me at once as I was about to pass him.
“You are not taking this child into my vehicle” he said “I have mine” I said “exploded remember?” he said mocking me as usual, and then I remembered my vehicle was among the destroyed ones.
“Then stop me” I said just as I was about going he pushed the child off my hands.
“Drop that thing” he said I bent down immediately to pick the child up but she was lifeless “oh! My God” I lamented just as I was angry, with my gun I shot him on his feet just when he was about shooting me I shot the gun off his hand which injured his palm.
Then I angrily walked to his vehicle just as the other soldiers were watching me.
As I entered the car I was hearing the voice of Colony Matins scream I looked through the window as I drove away and saw some soldiers holding him.
It took me almost seven hours to get to Bendel because I never knew my way I was just driving around.
As soon as I drove into the base not quite long after coming down I saw about four soldiers running towards me with handcuff. I didn’t saying any word I just simply gave them my hands. Meanwhile the soldiers I left were already in the base some hour before me even though I left them. Like I have said, I never knew my way. I was already reported and it was decided that I spent one year behind bars.
Just about two months after I was locked behind bars, a soldier who came just to say hi to me told me the war has ended that the rebels had surrendered.

THE ROD OF MOSES
After she left for the city I sat back on the chair and draw my book closer to me, then I search the drawer properly for my pen, and I thought it was time I continued form were I stopped.
Something really happened in 1954 that I can’t do without telling, it was the story of a teacher who had a clash with the General’s son.
That morning I was sent for by the General and when I got to his office he was pacing around angrily, even when he spoke the whole place vibrated, that was the first time I was seeing him so angry especially in that manner.
I saluted him and I look intently at him as he pace around
“a teacher just messed my son up in school, and I want you to go there with some men and bring me the teacher” he said turning to the wall
“yes sir” I left the place immediately and called about four sergeant and lieutenant Mark who was also close to me and we set for the school, on getting to the School, the gate man locked the gate against us,it was not a surprise, of course everybody seems to know why we were here, but the teacher who was involved didn’t know what was going on he even said he wanted to see the parents of the boy, that was what I was told later.
The teacher was a well know young man in the school he was always found carrying a rod with which he pounce on students who were misbehaving. So that fateful day while he was in class teaching the General’s son made noise in class he was actually talking to somebody behind him, so the teacher heard him and angrily struck him twice on his head with his rod and the boy’s head divided like the biblical red sea and bloods began to pulp out and the teacher said
“I want to see your parent”
And the boy who was stubborn left the schools with his head bringing out blood despite the principal’s effort in persuading him not to go home, that he should remain in school and be treated at the school clinic but the boy refuse because he knew what his father would do if he gets to see it.
And when the boy got home he showed his head to his mother who immediately called the General’s office telling him that his son’s head had become a fountain of blood, that was how she said it ‘fountain of blood’. That was what got the general angry and he called me that morning to get the teacher.
Like the calm and quiet man I was, I didn’t behave rudely to the gate man who was still insisting despite us telling him we came not to fight, the next thing I saw was the other four sergeant soaring the fence, as soon as they landed they pounce on the gate man and gave him a dirty slap that sent him to the ground holding his cheek, one of them walked down to the gate and opened it for me and I went inside.
I looked at the gate man and felt sorry for him, I never came there to fight, so I regretted taking those mad fellow with me, they were close to me though, as the general told me to get some men with me, I thought they were the best but I knew who they were --- so discourteous and can easily lay their hands on people. If I had known I would have gone with some really gentle guys who would behave responsibly, I knew a few like that in the base.
But there was nothing I could do so I just walk behind the other soldiers towards the staff room.
“Welcome sir” said one of the teachers
“We want Mr. Moses” I said like a gentle man, but really I was a gentle man anyway, the teacher knew what was happening and they didn’t want to bring him out
“Please officers we are very sorry for...”
“We want Mr. Moses, don’t tell us stories” screamed one of the sergeants, the teacher were frightened at the sound of his voice it sounded like the sound of death and was almost echoing
“we are not here to fight, we are just hear for him and we will go” I said, the teachers kept quiet then I saw one of them whispering to a student who just walked into the room I don’t know what he was telling her exactly but I think the teacher told her to call the principal.
I looked around while waiting for them to cooperate I saw some of the student hanging around imagining what was happening
“You are wasting my time” I said as I turned back to them
“We are not living this place without him” said another sergeant this time a little bit friendly
“So save yourself the stress and tell him we want to see him”
“Please officers, it would never happen again” said one of the teachers who had been quiet for a while
“We know it’s not going to happen again, we know, but we just want him for this one that has happened, don’t you get” said another sergeant. Shortly the principal came.
“What is it officers?” she asked politely even though she knew why we came
“We want Mr. Moses the teacher who struck one of the student’s head and divided it like coconut”
One of the sergeants said jocularly and the other sergeant laughed over it but I was angry inside of me, even though I never wore the expression
“What the hell is wrong with you guys, we came here for something serious and you are making jokes with it” I said, and they kept quiet.
“Madam please can you bring out this man please”
“What for,” asked the principal, this time she was a bit uncouth
“We have apologized on his behalf so I don’t think it is necessary”
“madam you are not to tell us what Is necessary or not whether you like it or not we are not leaving here without him” I said with a voice of vehemence, this time I was really annoyed because they were making a simple job difficult for me.
“Ok! Fine what do you officers need this man for?” she asked as one of the soldiers who had been talking to a student who seems to be familiar with him walk toward us
“Weytin dey happen for here? Were the man may them say make we come carry” he said with is usual red eyes.
“Sir I don’t really know why you need this man this is a matter we can settle amicably, I ask again why do you want with him” demanded the principal looking at the terrifying eyes of lieutenant mark
“Na which kind question be that? Ehh!” he said and angrily kicked the door and it make a very loud sound that made the whole teachers including the principal scared, I looked at her and said
“The general wants to see him, that’s all”
“I hope you would not lay your hands on him”
“No madam I don’t have that intension” I said
“You promise” she said as if she wanted to be such
“Yes madam” I said
She called one of the teachers and said “tell Mr. Moses he has visitors” she sounded like one who had warned him several times.
Shortly the teacher came out “who are the visitors” he asked with a vibrant voice, a voice that sounded like he was having a casual visitors, but I knew he was pretending, he was trying to be bold as though there was nothing happening
“Come, come! Na you be… weytin them say be the name again?” asked sergeant mark as he turned to a sergeant beside him
“Moses” said the sergeant
“yes I am Mr. Moses” he said still with a calm voice, then sergeant mark gave him a slap just as he was about raising his head another slap came in from nowhere, I didn’t see it to be sincere I only heard the sound before I could blink twice I saw him on the ground the soldiers were matching him there.
I wanted to shout at them but I didn’t because I knew who they were they were the soldiers who would always bring thieves or robbers to the base to flog. it was what they love doing so I just kept quiet and watch
“Please stop, but you promised not to touch him” the principal pleaded
“Madam I no promise you anything, see who promise you for here” he said point his thump backward to where I stood the principal looked at me and I shrugged.
With his belt sergeant mark yanked him up
“make we de go” he said and began to haul him along with him towards the gate as soon as we got outside he threw the teacher into the back of the vehicle we brought and sat close to him the other sergeant joined him at the back while I joined the driver at the front.
As the car move to the based I heard them talking and laughing.
“so nah you be Moses the teacher may divide General son heard like coconut abi nah red sea” the whole soldiers began to laugh, I too wanted to laugh but I hold it because I was not use to such behaviors.
“weytin be your name again?”
“Moses sir” he said this time very scared his usual bold face had long disappeared
“Moses who? Abi nah Moses pharaoh?” Then I could not hold my laughter I began to laugh uncontrollably that was the first time in my life I was laughing that way
“Were the rod sef” asked lieutenant mark
“It is in my office” he said looking at his face
“I for like get that rod, make I go divide river Niger” he said and I and the driver burst out laughing just then we drove into the base.
I came down from the car and ran to the general’s office and told him the teacher was right outside his office he followed me without wasting time when he got to where he was standing with the other soldiers,
“What is your name” he asked,
the other soldiers behind the teacher saluted.
“Moses sir” he said and a slap followed from the General himself.
He was so lucky that he was standing in a good position is neck would have got broken
“What did my son did to you that you have to break his head” the general asked still very angry
“Sir actually he was making noise in my class” he said and another slap landed on his face
“next time when a child makes noise in you class speak and not strike” the general said and I saw tears rolling down the teachers cheeks that was in fact the first time I was seen a grown up man crying apart from myself.
“you are going to pay for his treatment” said the general not because I don’t have the money I just want to teach you a lesson”
“No problem sir” said the teach
“Lock him up” he said and entered the office

Hello guys please I want volunteers to read and give me feedback on the first three chapters of my recently completed novel titled JACOB’S PLIGHT, if you are interested you can drop your email address and I will mail it as an attachment(pdf)
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Thanks for your support

The president of the court stood up and said
‘The court marshal is now open prisoners may sit’ and the three prisoners sat down, the president sat down too and said after a while.
‘This is a general court marshal, therefore proceed with the necessary formalities’ the president kept quiet and then went on ‘these men are charged for cowardice in the face of the enemy and would be tried for that offence…Mr. Prosecutor’
‘The accused private Ferro ‘said the prosecutor and the solders whose name was called step out and walked to the middle of the court.
‘Private Ferro’ called the persecutor
‘Yes sir’ answered the soldier, the prosecutor stood up and began to pace round him
‘Were you on the first wave during the attack at the anthill’ said the prosecutor
‘Yes sir’
‘Do you refused to advance’
‘No sir’
‘Did you advance?’
‘Yes sir’
‘How far did you advance?’
‘to about the middle of no man’s land sir’ said Ferro who was now breathing very hard, the prosecutor who was standing right in front of the colonel smiled and then walked closer to him
‘Then what did you do’
‘Well sir, I saw…’
‘Reply to the question, the court has no business with you visual experience ‘
‘my what sir’ said Ferro turning his head slowly to the prosecutor
‘Would you answer the question’ said the president
‘What question was it sir’ asked Ferro
‘When you advanced to the middle of no man’s land what did you do then’
‘Then sir?’
‘Did you move forward or backward’ said the president
‘I went back sir’ said Ferro, the prosecutor smiled and took a deep breath and as he walked to his seat he said ‘in other words private Ferro you retreated’
It took along while before private Ferro said yes sir and when he said it, it was in a very low tone.
‘That is all’ said the prosecutor ‘the accused may now return to his sit’
But before private Ferro could put on his cap the voice of the colonel who was standing for them came from the other end of the court. ‘Just a minute’ he said and stood up.
‘Mr. President I will like to question the accused if I may’ said the colonel
‘Proceed’ said the president turning to face the colonel
‘Thank you’ the colonel said and turned his attention back to private Ferro.
‘Private Ferro when you reached the middle of no man’s land where you alone with private Mile’
‘Yes sir’ said private Ferro who had managed a smile when he saw the colonel standing up.
‘What happened to the rest of you company’ asked the colonel now folding his hands
‘Well, I don’t know sir but I guessed they all have been killed’ said Ferro now looking at the colonel
‘You found yourself in the middle of no man’s land alone with private Mile’
‘Yes sir’
‘Why didn’t you attack the anthill alone’ said the colonel
Private Ferro took a deep breath at this point he was speechless the colonel who was standing for them and had been the reason for a little smile despite his thigh condition wasn’t sounding as he had never expected. The colonel bent down a bit and said more seriously ‘why didn’t you stormed the anthill alone’
‘Just me and Mile you are kidding sir’ said private Ferro the colonel stole a look at the president and said ‘yes I am kidding private Ferro….thank you…that is all’
‘I don’t see the point of this line of question’ said the president
‘Well I am attempting to indicate the absurdity of the line of question used by the prosecutor’
‘Mr. Prosecutor’ said the president turning to the other side of the court room where the prosecutor was sitting
‘You freely admitted that you retreated, private Ferro’
‘Yes sir’
‘That is all the accused may now return to his seat’ private Ferro put on his cap and saluted and then walked back to his sit the second soldier was called and he stepped forward immediately and remove his cap. The prosecutor stood up and walked to him.
‘Private Onor did you advance’
‘Yes sir till I was ordered back to the trenches by the captain’
‘How far did you advance’ said the prosecutor
‘Into the wires sir’ said private Onor
‘The enemy’s wire?’
‘no sir it was our wire’
‘you mean to tell me that you didn’t advance any further than our wire’
‘no sir I didn’t ‘ said private Onor
‘how far would you say that was… how many meters’ asked the prosecutor who was now standing behind the soldier.
‘Well I advanced as far as I could’
‘How many meters’ the prosecutor said again
‘Not many ‘said private Onor
‘Not many’ said the prosecutor and then began to pace round him with his boot echoing as it hit the tiles.
‘Now private Onor before you were ordered back did you urge you fellow men forward’
‘Most of them where dead before they were three steps away from the trench’
‘reply to the question’ yelled the prosecutor
‘I didn’t… no sir’ said private Onor the prosecutor smiled and said ‘thank you’ and then went gently back to his sit.
‘The colonel stood up with his hands on his pocket and walked a few feet away from his desk.
‘Did any of your men went beyond that wire’ he said to the soldier who was now staring at him
‘No sir’
‘Well I will like to point out that this soldier has distinguished himself in some of the bloodiest battles in the war’ the colonel too k his hands off his pocket and picked a file from his desk.
‘With the court permission I read citation of bravery that has be honored in two occasions’ the colonel opened the file and was about to read when the president said.
‘That is immaterial colonel the accused his not been tried for his formal bravery but for his recent cowardice’
‘May I call witnesses to his character’ said the colonel
‘You may not, but you may call witness to the effect that he reached the German wire’ said the president with his finger crossed on his desk.
‘Mr. President no one in the entire regiment reached the German wire including myself’ said the colonel.
‘Called the next accused if you are through colonel’ said the president alternating his head between the prosecutor and the colonel’
‘Thank you’ said the colonel moving back to his seat.
The third soldier was called and he stepped out immediately, the prosecutor who didn’t stand up from his seat said.
‘So you never even left the trenches’
‘No sir’
‘That’s all’ said the prosecutor with his usual smile.
‘Corporal Perl why didn’t you leave the trenches’ asked the colonel who was still sitting on his chair
Corporal Perl look to him and said ‘major bojan was shot and he fell on me and knocked me cold sir’
‘Where you lying unconscious in the trenches during the entire attack’ asked the colonel
‘Yes sir’ said corporal Perl
The colonel drew a deep breath and stared to the president and said ‘that is all’
The president who was staring at the prisoner said with his hand folded ‘do you have witness to that?’
‘No sir’ said corporal Perl staring at the president ‘I guessed all of them were too busy to notice me, there were so many other lying dead anyway’
‘But you have no witness?’ asked the president with his hand s still folded
‘No sir, I only have a large cut on my head sir’ said the corporal
The president stared at the injury on corporal Perl’s head and said ‘that could be self inflicted corporal Perl nodded his head not in affirmation but for that fact that the president didn’t believe him
‘you may stand out ‘ said the president and corporal Perl saluted and walked back to his seat, crossing his hands on the table the president turned to the prosecutor and said ‘Mr. prosecutor you can make you plea now’
The prosecutor stood up from the table after a nod and he folded his hands as he paced round the room and then began ‘gentle men of the court, this case speaks for itself all of us witness the regrettable attack yesterday morning, and I say that attack was a stain on the flag of France, a blood on the honor of every man, woman and child of the French nation…’ the prosecutor paused for a while and walked back close to his seat and then pointed at the prisoners ‘I asked this court to find the accused guilty and impose the penalty prescribed by the code of military justice’ the prosecutor said this time very seriously and then sat down on his seat.
The president turned to the colonel and said ‘colonel would you like to make you plea’ the colonel slowly stood up and began pacing the middle of the hall with his hands on his pocket.
‘gentle menh of the court there are times when I am ashamed to be a member of the human race this is one such occasion’ the colonel still with his hands on his pocket gasped for breath and began walking to where his seat was.
‘It is impossible to summarize the case of the defense, the court never allowed me a reasonable opportunity to present my case’ the colonel stopped at his table gazing directly to the walls ahead,
‘Are you protesting against the authenticity of this court ‘said the major-General who had remained quiet and was sitting in an arm chair at the corner of the room
The colonel turned back and said. ‘yes ‘ and began walking to the opposite chair where the prosecutor was sitting and said to him ‘the attack yesterday morning was no stain to the flag of France, certainly no disgrace to the fighting men of this nation’ the colonel turned back to the court
‘but this court marshal is such a stain, such a disgrace, the case made against this men his a mockery to all human justice’ the colonel turned to the table where the president and the other council members were sitting and went on ‘gentle men of the court to find this men guilty will be a crime that will hunt each of you till the day you die therefore I humbly beg you show mercy to this men’ the colonel concluded and went back to his seat.
The whole executive stare after him and a while letter the president stood up and said
‘Execution we take place at 7:00 clock according to the verdict of the court marshal, the accused we be escorted back to the guardroom, the hearing is closed’
The inn was crowned by soldiers who were making sound with their fingers in their mouth, they all had a bottle of bear In their hand and as they listened to the jester who was making jokes on a platform in front of them, they laughed and cheer some of them were hitting their bottles on the table to make the noise louder. Soon the jester left the platform and came with his wife she looked so shy and she had tears in her eyes.
‘She sings like a bird’ said the jester ‘she has the throat of Gold’
The soldiers kept on wailing and then the girl began to sing, and as she sing the loud wailing of the soldier began to go down, and the sweet melodious and melancholic voice began to go up, no one shouted or wail again, no one drank their beers again, the song was like a sword stab into their heart
And soon they began to hum along with her as she sings, indeed the song was coming out from a throat of gold, the humming of the soldier became louder and tears began to fall down from their eyes.
The colonel who after witnessing the execution of some of his men heard their humming as he walked to his quarters and then went to the inn and peered in from the window, he stared for a long time and when he heard the sound of boots approaching he turned back and saw the captain the captain saluted and said,
‘we have been order to return to warfront sir’ the colonel nodded his head and said ‘alright give them a little bit of time’ the captain saluted again as the colonel walked pass him to his quarters.
THE END

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...

NIGHT AT THE GRAVEYARD
by PEN

Bill and Molly for about thirty minutes had been standing outside their car just at the graveyard lane, the place was dark, so dark that everything were shadows and around them were graves, they stood holding each other with fright, at about nine o’clock that night their car had stop at the graveyard lane and refuse to start— it was just at the middle of the road.
‘Let just have a walk’ said molly shivering in Bill’s arm
‘What about the car?’ asked Bill.
‘we will come back for it’ said molly, for a moment or two Bill kept quiet and stared at the whole place, ‘but how are we suppose to walk home from here?’ asked Bill.
‘Even if it takes us the whole night it is better than staying here, this is a graveyard… it is too risking we might meet a ghost’ said molly
‘Ok fine, please… but let me…let me… I mean, give it a try, one more time’ pleaded Bill as he rushed into the car
He pulled the car key from his pocket slotted it into the ignition and then twisted it, the car made a jolt as though it would start but refuse to start, still very frustrated Bill came out from the car and could not find molly ‘molly! …Molly, where are you’ called Bill, cold fear was beginning to run though his spine, he looked round the darkness but saw no one.
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Part 2

Another one month went by and work continued as usual, and as usual Paul had to fight with Dan everyday this made them got queries, but Paul wanted their fight to stop by all means but he just could not, Dan would start a fight over nothing, he knew his job was at stake and he could not afford to lose it, he knew how many years he had wandered in the streets before landing this one he would do anything to keep it, but really there was nothing he could do he just had to develop muscles and be ready for a fight every time.
Paul was still taking records at the ware house when the boss called him, he told him he would be going on a meeting ‘my driver his not around he left this morning, so I would want you to take me on my car to the meeting ok’ said the boss ‘yes sir’ Paul said, he was happy at the offer at least he would have a one day fight free with Dan. When he came back he saw Dan hauling an extra bag of rice into the truck ‘hey what are you doing?’ asked Paul pointing to Dan ‘i thought you truck was full what are you doing with that’ Dan looked at him with a face of horror he was so unhappy that Paul had caught him ‘it’s just extra it might be important’ said Dan ‘no return it, you don’t need an extra bag’ Paul said recording the loads on the other trucks ‘and what if I don’t’ Dan said like someone ready to fight in the next minute, Paul looked at him and smiled ‘I will write plus one’ he said ‘and you know what, you still have to sell It’ he continued recording and soon he saw Dan yanking the bag back to the warehouse and he giggled, when he was coming back he hit Paul roughly with his shoulder and he staggered to get his balance.
The next morning Paul took the records before joining his boss in the car, half way into the road one of the tyres pulled out and they almost ran into the river that was by the side of the road his boss had never been so angry and Paul had never been so scared the meeting was canceled and they went back to the office.
The boss told him angrily to get to his house in the staff estate and wait for his sack letter, Paul cried for a third chance but the boss chased him out like a mad man. he went to his house at the estate crying, as he cried he thought about how he would find himself back in the streets and the suffering poor Daisy would had to face, getting a job in the country had never been so difficult , he packed his things in tears and waited for the sack letter, two days later the long awaited letter came it was brought by one of the clerks ‘the boss asked me to give you’ he said and then left, Paul took the latter he wanted to tear it but didn’t he threw it into his bag and traveled back home.
His wife was surprise as it was the first time, it was still not his off day but yet his husband was dragging himself home tiredly and weakly, ‘what happened? were you suspended again?’ asked daisy ‘I was sacked, fired’ Paul said and brought out the letter he threw it on the table. Soon they held a knock on the door it was one of the men who had lend him money ‘thank God you are back, I need my money’ he said, Paul brought out some money from his pocket and paid, soon another knocked he brought money and paid, it continued like that until the little money he brought was almost gone.
That night Paul refuse to eat, his wife forced him like a mother forcing her sick baby to take drugs, when it was midnight she woke up and didn’t find Paul on the bed she searched the whole room then she came out and raised an alarm and the neighbors came out ‘I can’t find my husband’ she said and the neighbors went to their rooms to get their torch they search the whole compound until one of them screamed ‘come and see him here’, they all ran to the tree where Paul stood tying a rope round his neck, they brought him down and hauled him to his room ‘what his wrong with you? what were you trying to do?’ asked one of the man but he kept quiet, his wife sat on the floor crying ‘he came back this evening with that letter, and told me he was sacked and since then he had been behaving strangely he refuse to eat and now he wants to kill himself and leave me al alone’ she cried.
One of the men in the room picked up the letter and opened it and first read threw ‘this is great’ he said and Paul raised his head and the man read again aloud
Dear Paul Michel
we are sorry for the troubles we have cursed you, we have found out the cause of those accidents that happened, it was Dan who went and tampered with the bolts on the tyres, as at the time we were finalizing your sack letter one of our staffs who saw him reported, as we speak now he is already in the police custody. Once again we apologize for the mess we have placed you in, the board has also made provision for your salary to be paid twice and we hope to see you next week.
Yours sincerely
Mr. Donald
The manager.
Paul stood up from the ground and took the letter from the man and read threw himself to make such he was not been pranked, Daisy too had stopped crying her eyes was alternating between the man that first read the letter and her husband.
When he resumed worked the following week, he went to see the boss ‘congratulation Mr. Paul good to see you back, I think you should get back to work right now’ the boss said smiling. the first time he gave him such a smile was the day he shook his hand and said ‘congratulation you got the job’.
Work started in full swing and Paul was happy again his joy which was once stolen had returned and sometimes when he looked around and saw that there was no Dan, he took a deep breath of relief. As long as there was no Dan there would be no fight.

THE END

The job of a truck driver came to Paul as a miracle, he had been jobless for several years and in this frustration he got his girl friend pregnant, he became more serious in his job hunting the very day he held the white paper with his two hands staring at it and rolling his eyes like an albino trying to read a book under the sun, he tried to find where pregnancy positive might be writing but all he saw was funny hand writings and symbols which he could not understand, daisy took the paper from him ‘I am two weeks pregnant’ she said ‘but I didn’t see anything’ explained Paul but she ignored him and folded it into the envelope.
Paul almost cried begging for the job right there in the interview room, he needed it so badly most especially when daisy’s parent had thrown their daughter to him like a beggar been stone with a loaf of rejected bread, she now lived with him and he had to care for her, the job was finally given to him out of pity not because he had the experienced needed as a truck driver.
He did so well in his first two months as a driver, and so became trust worthy by his boss the manager of Ricorich, a rice distributing company, one day the boss called him to his office and said ‘Mr. Paul your are doing so well, your sales is quite better than that of your colleagues’ Paul smiled and he thought it was a good start ‘thank you sir’ he said ‘now I want to make you the manager, the manager of the warehouse, so Paul monitor the others keep records off what they are taking out’ the manager said and Paul almost knelt down thanking him he was about to lived when the boss said ‘I am giving this job to you because I think you are handling your job with honesty’ Paul nodded his head and thanked him again before he left.
It wasn’t funny for his fellow drivers when he assumed his new position, he made such he had the records of what they were loading on their trucks, and when they came back he checked to see if everything was intact before reporting back to the office, this continue for two months and the management saw a huge difference, but his colleague where not happy they never had the chance to take extra bags of rice and sell to make extra money, and Paul became their enemy, a torn in their flesh and an enemy of progress, they picked fight with him for little things but this soon stopped, they became used to it but one of the driver Dan for that was his name he never stopped, he was ready to get rid of Paul by all means.
Paul had just fished recording the loads of the trucks when he entered his own truck; he had the new truck, it was one of his entitlements for been their head, his truck was nice, new and even had an air conditioner, unlike his colleagues whose trucks where old made a lot of sound and usually very hot, a few hours into the road one of the tyres pulled out and he ran into a bush, it was not a minor accident but he was lucky to have survived it, he stood at the corner crying like a child whose mother had chased out of the house ‘sir you should be thankful for been alive’ the people were saying ‘it would have been better if I died’ Paul said showing them the amount that had been lost.
When he got to the office he was sent for immediately ‘what happened to the truck we gave you?’ asked the boss ‘sir, as I was driving, suddenly one of the tyres pulled out and I ran into the bush’ Paul explained ‘the board has declared you fired’ the boss said calmly and Paul went on his kneels ‘but I won’t fire you, not yet but you are suspended till further notice’ Paul went down crying but the boss walked him out of his office and that same day he traveled back home to meet his wife.
Daisy was surprised to see her husband hauling his bag home, it was not the regular time he was usually giving off to go see his family, and he told her after much hesitation that he was suspended and she knew what that meant they would be no salaries till God knows when and worst of all Paul had not started preparing for his wife who was about four months pregnant
The first month was terrible for Paul, he had borrowed almost his salary to survived, a salary he was not such would ever be paid. Two weeks later he was called to resume work and that morning when he got to the office the boss said to him ‘I have solicited on your behalf and the board has decided to give you a second chance but don’t let this repeat itself again’ ‘thank you sir’ Paul said and resumed worked happily.

To be continued...

The evil girl by pen

The Evil girl was who she was, When she appeared it was blood everywhere, she was pale white and her mask was white too and when she put it on she becomes evil as ever, eating bread with blood, drinking water with skull.
Now she is back on the streets again everyone trembled at her sight, one by one the fall as she draws her sword soon the whole streets is littered by dead bodies the survivals would scream "the evil girl, the Evil girl, she has come again " she would then remove her mask showing plainly her gentle face.
When the mask is off she feels sorry for what she have done, but before the police shows up she would flee out of the streets. Leaving the people in fright, anguish and fear, for they know the evil girl would return someday to bloody the streets again.

.

.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I woke up just when we drove into the base, as I opened my eyes I saw the soldiers at the base rolling a stretcher towards the vehicle they helped me lay on it and rolled it away.
Major Abbey ran to me as I was been rolled along the corridor
“Are you okay! Sir” he said jugging slowly along the stretcher.
“I am ok, I am fine thank you very much” I said and smiled he smiled back at me as I was been rolled into a room, I saw other soldiers who were injured lying on different bed in the hall there was one which shocked me more, almost every part of his body Was banded.
Later Major Abbey came to me and gave me the golden necklace.
“How are you felling now?” he asked.
“I am doing fine” I said looking at the necklace.
“Thank you, were did you fine it” I asked putting it on one of my pockets.
“In the vehicle” he said and sat on the bed.
“You know, you remind me of a friend I once had who cares so much about me. Paul! That was his name” I said.
“Who is Paul?” he asked.
“Come on, you don’t know him, he was my bosom friend back in the days when we were in school” I said, and we kept on talking until he stood up to go
“I will see you tomorrow” he said and walked out of the hall.
I spent three months in that hall before I was fully recovered, yes! I recovered from the injury on my leg, but I never recovered from the injury on my heart, For many years, I never thought of anything else except Laura, most times I cried when I thought about her, sometimes the doctor would asked me what was going on, all I could say was nothing, but I kept on crying because of her horrible death most times I saw her face as she was crying when she was been raped and beating and when she was been wasted and when I saw her lying on her pool of blood with bullet all over her body and I am ready to carry her memories to my grave because it was the only mission I failed.

THE END

i hope you guys enjoyed the story thanks for taking your time to read this and get ready for more.
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CHAPTER TWELVE
All of a sudden our way was blocked by a group of soldiers
“Hey! Where do you think you are going to” said colonel Matins grinning “trying to take her away” he smiled and drag her from me and push her to the ground, and then pulled out his pistol and placed it on Laura’s head then I pull my pistol and placed it on his head
“What do you think you are doing?” he asked adjusting his head to face me
“Just what you are about to do to her” I said with a serious voice, the voice of one who was ready to die.
Then we saw Major Abbey running to us.
“Where have you guys been, I have been searching for you all over, the base is empty the soldiers are all gone and we are here, we need to leave immediately” he said painting
“Wait a minute!” He said looking at every one “what’s going on?” he asked as if he was not seen us.
“Oh! My Goodness, sirs I think you have to stop this madness” he said angrily
“We should leave here right now”
“Not until we get rid of this” said Colonel Matins still pressing the gun to her head and my was still on his. He looked at me and blinked his left eye and nodded side way giving a sign to the other sergeant, immediately the sergeant pointed their guns at me I looked at them and kept quite I knew they were obeying orders so I took the gun off Colonel Matins’ head and shifted backward but I was still pointing it at him, I took a deep breath and I was almost giving up when Major abbey drew out his pistol and placed it on the neck of Colonel Matins.
“Bring down your guns?” I said and the other soldier brought their guns down
“What are you doing, pointing a gun at me?” said Colonel Matins to Major Abbey
“Of course! This is war and anybody can die, now give me the gun” he said and twisted Colonel Matins right hand backward he screamed as his hand was twisted and then major abbey collected the gun from him and hung it on his belt.
“What is the meaning of all this?” he said angrily “just because of this” he kicked Laura with his boot and she fell holding her mouth with her two hands not to cry out but the tears coming down her eyes was like a fountain.


CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Just then we heard the sound of a truck and the voices of people screaming and shouting immediately we ran to the direction and saw a hill, we climbed and looked down and we saw a very big vehicle. What I saw was amazing to me I saw young boys jumping out of the vehicle collecting guns from an army officer who was standing beside the vehicle. From the way they looked I knew they were probably picked from the streets, and the part that amazed me most was that they were happy, but I wondered, I really wondered why such untrained people were sent to the war-front, to me it was another way of man’s destruction. It was the same people who were easily hit back in the field they did not even know how to take covers. It was like they were sent there to be killed rather than to defend.
We were still lying down on the hill watching them when we saw a man in their mist pointing toward our direction.
“My God!” I said with a voice that sounded like a whisper “they are heading towards us”
“That is the girl?” said Colonel Matins pointing to a distance behind us then we all turned back and I saw Laura trying to run but she was weak and was staggering.
“Shoot her!” screamed Colonel Matins the other soldiers looked at her still walking slowly on the open field.
“Don’t let he go, I said shoot her” he screamed at the top of his voice
“Please don’t shoot, please” I pleaded, the other soldiers were confuse not knowing who to obey.
“Shoot her!” he said again at the top of his voice the soldiers pointed their guns at her as she was still staggering along the field.
“please don’t shoot her” I pleaded almost crying, then Colonel Matins punched one of the soldiers close to him and collected his gun and wasted Laura, that minute I fell on the ground to cry because I felt really sad that I could not save her.
The next thing I head was Colonel Matins shouting “retreat! Retreat!” the sound of the gun had alerted the Biafran soldiers and they began to climb up the heal towards us, we were just eight and we could not fight over sixty Biafran soldiers, even while the rest were running towards where our vehicle was packed I was still lying down crying, not minding the bullet that was flying towards me.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I was still crying hitting the ground when a bullet landed close to me, it was then I knew they were close to me, I stood up and began to run as fast as could, and then the sound of their guns increased they were now firing at me.
Colonel Matins and the men were already in the vehicle and he was shouting at Major Abbey to move the car but he refused and shouted at the other soldiers to back me up and they opened fired at the Biafrans, I don’t know what happened but the bullet went down it was like if they took cover.
I stopped when I got to where Laura was lying on her own pool of blood.
“Forgive me!” I said and was shut on the leg, I fell down close to her and looked at her lifeless body and cried again then I cut the chain on her neck.
“Let me keep this” I said as if she could hear me. Then I began to hear the sound of guns again then I looked back and saw the Biafran soldiers running out of their covers firing at me. “Can we go now, he his hit” said Colonel Matins, the car began to move slowly, I knew If they had left me I would be a dead man.
Then I heard the voice of my father very loud on my head, it was the voice of him when he told me a good fighter fight till his last breath. And I was not dead yet, I would rather die fighting than to allow them get me and kill me. I stood up and with my gun and began to fire at the soldier who were already close, most of them took covers some fell on the ground as a way of taking cover but I hit about four or so, then I turned back and saw the vehicle stopping I smiled then I was shut again on my leg this time I began to limp towards the vehicle.
“Move this car, are you mad!” screamed Colonel Matins.
“come on Philip” said Major abbey then he jumped out from the wheel with his gun an began to cover me up as I jumped into the back of the vehicle then he jump into the wheel again and moved the car I and the other soldiers at the back of the vehicle began to fire at the Biafran soldiers until we were out of their sight. I fell on the vehicle and took a deep breath of relief.
Then one of the soldiers drew his bag close to me and brought a scissors and a band and began to work on my leg trying to get the bullet out. I was screaming so loud and the other soldiers were holding me. I fell asleep by the time the bullets were out of my leg.

CHAPTER TEN
When I woke the following morning, I saw captain abbey walking down the bush
“Hey!” I screamed.
“Where are you heading for” he turned back and looked at me
“There is a river down there I just want to take a cool bath” he said and began to walk again then I stood up at once and followed him.
“How is she?” he asked.
“Asleep, we will be back before she gets up” I said as I followed behind him
“Do you think so?” he said turning to me “we still have a long way to go, follow me!” he said and took another narrow path and I followed him at once.
“How did you manage to know that there is a river down here” I said as we kept on moving “I saw it some days ago trying to hunt” he said.
Soon from the distance I saw water and some soldiers were sitting around the place some were washing their bodies while others sat at different Conner discussing with their short on
“You mean you come here to take your bath, don’t minding the Biafran armies raiding this place” I said still very surprise.
“Come on! This place is already our territory, we have talking over” he said pulling his shirt. I looked around once more before talking my boots off,
“By the way, is this what you called a river” I said as soon as I took off my boots
“ What… yes this is a river” he said, and then I sat on the bare ground and took of my shirt
“This is just a stream ok!”
“As long as we get water, come to think of it why can’t they be called a river is it because of their sizes” he said taking his trousers off remaining his shorts.
“I don’t know, maybe it is because of their features” I said taking of my trousers then he walked to a nearby grass and dropped his clothes there and picked his water can.
“So what are their features, we have oceans, rivers, lakes and so on” he said as he entered the stream.
“I don’t know, maybe you should asked a school teacher” I said going to keep my clothes as I walk down to the river I saw Major abbey already far inside filling the can as soon as he finished filling the can he turned to me and threw it to me I caught it and threw it to were our clothes were and entered the stream and began to take my bath I was a bit uncomfortable because my short was wet.
After bathing we came out and sat on the grass where we kept our clothes, as we put on our clothes we kept on discussing
“What about the other soldiers, have they been here?” I asked lacing my boots
“They have been here” we talked for another moment before I stood up to go, he stood up too and took his can and we began to discuss as we walked back to the camp.
“What! What is it?” I asked him after noticing he was smiling.
“I just remembered a very big boy we had in class those days one day the English teacher asked him “a person who waste his money on luxury, is what?” the teacher asked the boy, he stood up and said “rich!” the teacher nodded his head “can someone else tell me?” she asked and a boy stood up and said “extravagant” the teacher turned to the boy.
“Madam, I think we don’t have to call them names just because they waste their money on luxury, they are simply just rich” he said and sat down and his colleagues began to laugh
“Those were the days when we went to school just because some idiot at the back sits were just going to make us laugh” he said and we kept on moving.
“this same boy once agued with the teacher that the Eiffel tower was in American and the teacher said it was in France, but the boy insisted, he said he didn’t see it when he went to France, and the whole class began to laugh because they knew he has never left the country, and it was fun those days, their aim was to make everyone laugh” he said,
“We all have something to smile about, laugh about, be happy about, and most time to cry about if only we can sit down and think” I said and then I heard the screaming voice of Laura “that is Laura” I said
“Run!” I said and we broke into a run immediately toward the camp.


CHAPTER ELEVEN
As we got close to the camp from the distance I saw Colonel Matins raping and beating Laura I stopped at once and pointed to the direction.
“Did you see that” I said almost crying “oh! God” I screamed then we began to run as fast as we can. Just as we were still running I saw the soldiers taking turns as they had sex with her the other soldiers were cheering and another sergeant was pouring water on her laughing.
It was Colonel Matins turn again when I got to the tree I picked up my gun and fired towards them but I didn’t hit anyone they quickly drew up their trousers, then I dropped the gun down and walked very fast to the building when I got there I held Colonel Matins and hit his head on the wall.
“how dare you do that to her” I said and punched him very hard then he pushed me away and brought out his pistol which was hung on a belt tied round his waist, he pointed it at me and I looked around me and saw the other soldiers hiding themselves they were looking worried and scared.
“Have you forgetting I am in charge here” he said patting his nose to see if it was bleeding.
There was no gun with me so I kept quiet.
“The next time you try this again I will blow your head off, I promise” he said I looked at him and turn to Laura who was shivering half naked, her forehead was bleeding and her lips two. I helped her up.
“Then we die here” I said still helping Laura up from the ground I supported her as we walked down to the tree her gown was half torn.
“Don’t worry you will get a better clothes as soon as we leave this place” I said helping her to sit by the tree.
Later Major Abbey walked down to us and rested his back on the tree
“Do you really want to help her?” he asked
“Of course, definitely colonel Matins wants to kill her, i don’t just know why” I said
“Then let her go” he said
“no please don’t let me go” pleaded Laura.
“She can’t go like that without her been guarded out she won’t be safe” I said then I saw Colonel Matins coming.
“Major Abbey” he called “go and get our vehicle we are leaving very soon”
“Yes sir” and then he walked toward the path leading to the main base.
Colonel matins observed me for a while and later wore is usual mocking smile before turning back to the building. As soon as colonel Matins and the other soldiers were not watching I stood up I pulled Laura up.
“Let’s get out of here”
We sneaked into the bush at once and began to trace our way.
My intension was to take her to a safe camp were other civilians were, even if I had to return to Bendel alone without the other soldiers.

CHAPTER SEVEN

When I woke up later that night I found her awake staring at the whole place.
“Why are you not sleeping” I asked, she was still looking at the sleeping soldiers, I turned to look at them they were still fast asleep.
“They are not going to hurt you, I am here, I will protect you” I said still looking sleepy
“What is the time?” I said trying to bring out my pocket watch, when it finally came out from my pocket I checked it and it was just passed three.
“The time is after three, you have to sleep” I said, and then she looked at my watch,
“Oh! This is beautiful” she said stretching her hands to take it from me, I handed it to her wiping my face.
“My father gave that to me when I was nine years old” I said after a long yawning.
“Can I have it? I like it, you can hardly see this anywhere” she said laughing, I began to scratch my head unnecessarily.
“Yes, only those who lived in the ninth century may have something like this” I said
“Why is the glass cracked?” she asked
“It was an accident”
“Can I have it, please” she pleaded, I was a bit confuse not knowing what to do at that point, I took a deep breath I was about to say something when she brought out a pure golden necklace
“This was giving to me by my mom” she said holding the locket while the necklace was still on her neck.
“Can I have that, please” I pleaded trying to test her. To my very surprise she was taking it off her neck.
“Ok! Don’t take it off you can do that tomorrow, just have some sleep” I said taking the pocket watch from her.
“I can’t sleep she said” looking at the sleeping soldiers, once more I looked at them and turn to her
“Ok! You lie down why I stay awake and watch over you” I said and stood up carrying my gun
“Ok! Alright” she said hiding the necklace on her shirt, and then she lay down staring at me
“I promise to watch you” I said and she lay down her eyes was still open until she finally dose off.



CHAPTER EIGHT
The next morning we got dressed as usual, I told Laura to stay in the building, but I made such the other soldier were out before I told her to go there.
“will we be back by evening, you can move around but don’t go far” I said comfortably since I was the senior office there, the others soldiers were bound to obey my others except for Colonel Matins, but she folded herself close to a pillar I knew she would not even dare go out.
I joined the other soldier at the base and we entered the vehicles. This time we drove round the town but there was no single Biafran army expect the one lying dead on the ground stinking, we checked all the bothers and then returned back at noon.
As I jumped down from the vehicle and walked straightaway to lieutenant-colonel Albert who was standing some distance away, he saluted me as soon as I walked close to him, then we both walked to the school were the other soldiers were.
“This is Colonel Philip” and they all saluted immediately, the other soldiers hanging around walked closer.
“now listen, for what we just saw right now, it seems this town is already talking over, some of our soldiers are all over the bothers watching, despite this fact we are not leaving until we are fully convinced, tomorrow is another day we will match pass the town, is that ok!” I said at the top of my voice and I jabbed hands with lieutenant-colonel Albert then I remembered Laura
“Excuse me” I said and began to walk fast then I heard a shout I turn back to see the soldier rejoicing raising their guns up.


CHAPTER NINE
When I got to the camp I met them beating her and marching her to the ground and she was crying very hard.
“Stop! Stop!” I was shouting as I ran to where she was, I pushed the soldiers away and angry punched one of the sergeant, I assisted Laura up and took her back to the tree
“Are you hurt” I asked, but she was still crying and she could not say anything.
“They are going to kill me” she said still crying as soon as we got to the tree.
“No! They wouldn’t, I am here they can’t” I said then she folded herself resting on the tree
“Your mouth is bleeding” I said and with the back of her hand she wiped it off but it was still bleeding, then I opened my bag and brought out a clean rag and gave it to her.
Later I saw Major Abbey coming from the bush this time his empty can of water was now filled
“He threw it to me as he walked close, I opened it at once and began to drink then I passed it to Laura who slowly took it from me and began to drink too.
“How is she filling” he asked putting his two hands on his pocket.
“She is fine” I said
“I saw colonel Matins beating her” he said and I was startled a bit hearing that
“And what did you do?” I asked “Nothing, he ordered me out” he said and left us.
“Don’t worry, I will get you out safe, ok!” I said and she nodded.
Later that night I stood up to go and get woods and she came to me
“Please don’t leave me here alone” she said almost crying.
“ok then follow me to fetch woods” I said and went to my bag and pulled out another torch light and gave it to her, for the first time I notice she was not wearing anything on her feats
“Where are your shoes?” I asked, and then Major Abbey walked to us holding his torch
“I lost them” she said “to get woods?” asked Major Abbey as he got to us
“Yes!” I said and we all walked down into the bush for woods
“Be careful so you don’t step on something harmful” I said as we pushed our way into the bush.

CHAPTER FOUR

As Night came gradually the sound of the crickets began to substitute the sounds of guns. Major Abbey and two other soldiers walked to me holding their torches the walked pass me.
“Where are you going to” I asked raising my head from my bag which had become my pillow.
“To see if we can get some woods” he said
“Alright let me come with you” I said searching my bag for my torch.
We came back later to the little camp and set the fire on the woods and the whole place became bright.
Colonel Matins brought his little radio and began to search for stations, most of the stations were all talking about the war, and there was one which cut my Attention, it was the voice of general Yakubu Gowon talking , but Colonel Matins tuned the station.
“Please let me listen to that” I pleaded looking at him, he ignored me and was still searching
“If you want to listen to news, go and get yours after all it’s not expensive” he said
“And this is mine and I decide what you listen and if you are not happy with it close your ears”
Then music blasted immediately from the radio he gave it the highest volume, trust Major Abbey he was already on his feet dancing using his gun as a guitar. That was what he would always do as long as the beats were danceable, before I knew it they all stood up and began to dance round the fire; I watched then for a while and rested my back on the tree after nodding to the beats for some time.
When it was morning a soldier walked to us and gave us bullet proofs, I put on mine and then my helmet then I picked up my gun. We ran back to the primary school and joined the vehicle that was leaving, down to the war front.
It was a successful fight we had by the time we returned to the base that evening though a lot of our armies where killed.




CHAPTER FIVE

One evening, I think that was the third day we were spending there, so as usual we were in the bush trying to get woods when we heard a strange sound.
“Who! Is there?” asked Major Abbey, he conked his gun the other two soldiers conked theirs also and we began to walk towards the sound with our torches.
“Don’t shoot” I shouted at one of the sergeant who was about to shoot then major abbey ran into the bush and pulled a young girl out he held her on her neck and hauled her back to the camp while the rest of us took the woods we went for and followed them.
Colonel Matins who was listening to his radio as usual stood up and took out his pistol and walked towards the girl who was kneeling down, major abbey was behind her while I stood beside her the other soldier then gathered around her.
“Sir we found her inside the bush” said Major Abbey to colonel Matins
“What is your name?” asked colonel Matins “Laura sir” she replied looking at the faces of the soldiers as she was quaking.
“Are you Igbo” asked colonel Matins
“Yes sir” she said still quivering
“Then I have to send you to hell” he said as he placed the gun at her forehead
“Don’t shoot her” I said and walked close
“They are the rebels, they are the cause of this war, and she is my enemy”
“no she is not, she is just an innocent civilian trying to survive, and it is our duty to protect the civilians” I said, this time the girl was already crying but another sergeant was telling her to shut up, but she was still crying holding her mouth with her two hands.
“We are to protect the country?” he said still holding the gun to the girl’s head and she was still crying
“Get away from her?” I said and pushed him away
“I am the country” I said pointing to myself “you are the country” I pointed at him
“We are the country” I gesture to demonstrate my point.
“Do you think this place would be called a country if there was no me no you no us, certainly it won’t, it will be called something else” I said and pulled the girl up and took her to the tree were I was staying.




CHAPTER SIX

Shortly the other soldiers set the fire on the woods and the whole place became bright again. As I watch the burning flame I wondered why colonel Matins wanted to kill the girl, I remember sometime back when we went to some eastern villages we rescued so many of them they were even shouting
“One Nigeria! One Nigeria!”
We guided them to a camp where they were safe. But colonel Matins reaction was like a mystery to me.
Colonel Matins put on his radio and their party began
“How long have you been hiding there” I asked her as I turn to face her
“this night, I left home two days ago trying to look for a place safe for me but the whole place is crowded with soldiers” I looked at her and then I asked “do you need water” she nodded like someone terrified.
I stood up and walked to where Major Abbey was lying down
“Let me have some water, please” I demanded and he stood up and drew his bag close and brought out a container. I took it from him and turn to leave.
“I hope you are not giving it to that girl?” he asked
“Shut up!” I said calmly and he began to laugh. I gave the water to her to drink as soon as I got there.
The burning fire in the middle of our little camp began to attract the attention of the other soldiers distance away, many a time they stared to our direction.
Later I began to observe the movement of the commander.
“go that way” I said to her pointing to a direction inside the bush “hide there and don’t make any noise” she ran immediately, just then the commander began to walked towards our little camp, I took a deep breath as he walked to me, he waved at the other soldiers who were sitting round the fire, then he sat close to me. It was not a surprise though because I was a bit familiar to him than the other soldiers.
“It was a successful fight we had today sir!” he said I was surprised at him calling me sir then I looked at his shirt lt-colonel Albert was printed on it. Then I was relief because I was the senior officer. I thought he would have reacted if he saw Laura, I never knew I was the seniors officers. It was then I knew I and colonel Matins was the most senior officer in the base.
“I guess it’s over” I said
“I don’t think so sir” he said “it has always been like this, when we thought it was over the next morning while parading the town we see them coming again with vehicle filled with soldier” he said
“Are we expecting the same thing tomorrow?” I asked
“of course, but we are going to win, we are going to take over this town, some soldiers arrived today they came with some artillery guns and bazookas” he said and we kept quiet, all this time my eyes were traveling to the bush Laura ran into
“Do you think this war we continue for a long time?” I asked to keep the conversation going
“I think so, the Biafrans are resilient people, and they mean what they want” he said
“Well I just pray it end soon, because I am tired of seeing the blood of those civilians” I said and silent fell on us for a while before he stood up
“let me allow you have some rest sir” he said and saluted, I only took my hands to my head and brought it back then I watched him as he turned and left the place. By the time I looked at the place the other soldiers; they were all at sleep holding their guns next to them.
As soon as he left the place Laura ran out again and sat close to me under the tree, she was looking around especially were colonel Matins and the other soldiers were lying.
“The very first day the war came to this place my anti’s husband took her and the children and ran away and told me to find my way home” she said smiling a little
“You are not from here, is that what you mean?” I asked
“Yes, I am from Enugu, It was when I was tracing my way trying to avoid the soldiers on the way that I came here” she said this time her usual face was on the display, the face of a crying child.

THE POOL OF BLOOD
By PEN

©Palmer Emmanuel 2016

CHAPTER ONE
The war started in1967 and that year it was so tough that every single time vehicles carrying soldiers were always leaving the base, it was that time I and colonel Matins were sent on a mission together. It was on a Saturday morning when I got a message that the general wanted to see me.
When I got to his office he told me I would be going on a mission with colonel Matins he said we could both make a successful team, I wish he knew who Matins was, anyway I was not too bother until he told me he would lead while I assist. But I wondered why such a little boy would be leading us I should have been the one to lead I thought and it was another way of bring me so low before that young man especially when we were rivals.
We were leaving for Onitsha the next day, so I went into my room to get things ready, to make such I never forgot anything important especially my pocket watch and the photograph of Julie.
Very early in the morning I got dressed and hanged my bag and went to the field were colonel Matins had told us to meet him.
“Good morning everyone” I greeted as I got there, the other soldiers saluted me except colonel Matins who said “you are late” I looked at him and laugh first because It looked somehow imagining him leading us secondly I wanted to mock him
“I remember vividly that there was no set time” I said.
“I said morning, I said we should all gather here early in the morning” he screamed at me,
“Wait a minute!” I said then I put my hand on my pocket to bring out my watch, after I brought the watch out from my pocket I said “let me tell you the time” then I looked at the time
“Let me tell you, it’s just pass six” I said and brought out my tongue to scorn him
“Hey! Listen to me” he said patting my shoulder.
“I am in charge here so you must obey me” he turned to the other soldiers “our mission is simple ok! We are to check the place to see how it is going and then report to the base, now let’s move” we all walked down to the vehicle.
I and the others soldier jump into the back of the vehicle while major abbey the driver and colonel Matins sat at the front. The vehicle started and off we went to Onitsha.


CHAPTER TWO

When we got to Onitsha we saw that the whole place was smoking some armies were parading the whole streets. The place was already talking over and there was no need spend time there. Colonel Matins called the base and reported that everything was in control and we were told to head for umuahia immediately. We jump into the vehicle and began to head for umuahia, on our way we saw so many dead people including soldiers on the way and they were several road blocks.
There was a lot of gun firing when we got to umuahia; it was our armies with the Biafran armies. I walked toward a soldier who looked very much like a commander and I saluted,
“How is it here?” I asked, it has been a real combat for a week now the Biafran refuse to relent or retreat they keep bring more men every time” he said, colonel Matins who was standing behind the commander picked up his bag, he was about to report to the base when I walked away toward a vehicle which soldiers were jumping into preparing to leave the base.
Then I told major abbey who was driving our vehicle, to take us round the streets, he simply nodded and entered the car he started it immediately and gesture for the other soldier who came with us to jump in which they did and we moved immediately.
As we drove down to the village all we saw was dead soldiers, dead civilians and destroyed houses,
“This place stinks” said one of the soldiers, covering his nose, the others spited. I looked at them but didn’t say any word, and then I turned back to the streets still looking at the dead people.
“how unlucky they are” I said to myself, I saw innocent people who had starved, ran and later were brought down by bullets some of them had a very big head, big stomach, long and fat legs that looked like it was bigger or longer than their bodies.
As we moved around the streets we kept seen more dead people and the soldiers kept on spiting several times, until we got to a place where the soldiers who had left the base were, we came down and walked to them. The sound of the bullets were heavy, I stood a distance behind a soldier who was firing an artillery gun toward the direction the Biafran soldier were.
From where I stood I could see dead soldiers and right in my presence more soldiers were hit, we were about leaving when another vehicle came bring more armies.
CHAPTER THREE

After we got back to the base which was an old and half destroyed primary school, I went straightaway to colonel Matins to ask him what instruction was giving to us.
“We are to stay here until more soldiers are deployed to this place” he said
“We are probably staying here till this town his talking over” he said and walked into the bush.
“Follow me all of you” he said and the other soldiers began to walk behind him
“To where” I said
“as you can see this place his crowded no room for us, and we are to camp here” he said and began to trace his way into the bush as we cleared the place into the bush we saw some soldiers sitting around the place.
After walking some distance into the bush we saw an old and uncompleted building with even no roof.
“We can stay here for now” said colonel Matins and the others took off their bags and went inside the building. The building had only six standing pillars and the ground was cemented with concrete the other places were expose even as we sat on the floor we could see every were.
As I sat down I drew my bag close to me and took out my pocket watch and put it on my pocket then I took the picture of Julie and stared at it for a while smiling, when I raised my head I saw all of them staring at me
“What! What are you looking at” I asked a bit angry, and then I took my bag and went under a tree which was just right opposite the building.
like the lonely person I was, staying with people was one thing I never liked, anywhere I was I did all I could to be alone either to think about Julie or to regret what I did to my mom or better still to miss Paul.
As I sat down under the tree I stared at the picture for another moment before putting it on my breast pocket. I never wanted to forget it, many a time we often left our bags due to the pressure of our enemies. Especially when we have to retreat.
As I rested my back on the tree I quietly watched the seven other soldiers including colonel Matins and major abbey as they were discussing and laughing, though I could hear their voices clearly, I was not interested.

hi friends i am PEN i writer short stories and novels, i am kind of new to NL but hoping to share some of my work with you guys