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Don't welcome me back.

Once someone welcomes me back something in life takes me away again.

That being said I miss you guys.

I have said it before that I like writing simply because I want to make my readers happy.

i am an empath so it is kind of selfish of me, I feed off of your joy and excitement when I write.

I have since published my book 'The ninth labourer' and I intend to post the first ten(10) chapters here.

For those of you who have money, please support me by going to the link and purchasing my books.

If you don't have the money please encourage me with your kind words.

For those of you that know me, my books always end up having a supernatural twist. I cant help it, it is based off of what I have experienced.

Do enjoy ' The ninth labourer'.

THE NINTH LABOURER

PRELUDE
THE HARVEST

He sat down at his white study table in his regally furnished bedroom and sighed deeply.

Today was the day.

He faced the mirror on the wall and had a good look at himself. A successful looking middle aged man smiled back at him. Not bad, not bad at all. Well-trimmed luscious black hair with some strands of white dispersed here and there in a mature and sexy manner. A squarish handsome face with the signature short and straight tribal scar running down one cheek. Pearly white teeth, not one missing. A strong jaw and cheekbones...but none of this mattered, not anymore.

He adjusted the white suit he was putting on and the black shirt beneath it. He looked dapper, really handsome and he knew it. He patted his slightly protruding belly affectionately. He had tried to get a six-pack but that had never really worked out. That hadn’t stopped the ladies from ogling him though, he thought and laughed a little to himself.


There was a sound by the window. Like someone was approaching but trying to make as little noise as possible. He sighed again. Getting up, he walked to the bathroom and brushed his teeth, making sure not to stain his clothes. He came out again and took a glass of water, drinking it down slowly.


He wondered if he should give his wife his pin number before he departed but thought against it. That would look a bit suspicious and he wanted everything to appear as natural as possible. Let her go through the hassles of getting access to his bank accounts legally. His bank manager would intimate her on all of them, he could trust him for that. If the authorities dug too deep they might discover the skeletons in his cupboard. Better to leave a good legacy behind.


He laughed quietly to himself at the thought of a good legacy. Who was he kidding? They would find out who he really was sooner or later. And the shame to his family would be unbearable.


The window opened a crack, creaking noisily in the process. Whoever the person was, he was an idiot. Very noisy somebody. Didn’t they send professionals anymore? He walked back to the study table and was about to sit down when he heard two quick gunshots.


The bullets whizzed through the air towards him, both aimed at his chest. The talisman around his neck shone bright and suddenly everything slowed down. He saw the bullets approach for an eternity and at the last possible moment raised his right hand, palm open.

The bullets, conical messengers of death, each flying parallel to the other, stopped in their tracks.

Immediately a shadow fell behind him. He sensed it but didn’t bother to look back; rather he kept his eyes on the bullets, examining each one in turn without touching them, marveling at man’s propensity for producing tools of destruction.

There was a polite cough behind him and he finally turned around. An elderly man stood there, wearing a red cloak and adorned in gold and silver necklaces. Apart from his sudden and mysterious appearance he showed no signs of belligerency.

“Hello Bossman,” He said, putting his hands in his pockets and bouncing on his heels. “Come to send me off?”

“Thinking of changing your mind, brother Tombre?” Bossman said. He had a magnificent silver beard hanging from his chin, bushy and long but obviously well-tended.

“What?” Tombre replied, feigning indignance. “You couldn’t trust me enough to go along with it that you had to come here?”

“Oh, don’t be offended, young one.” The elderly man replied, looking around the well-furnished surroundings as he did so. “I just wanted to remind you that you can always change the agreement. You don’t have to go through with this. Avoid the bullets. Live your life to the full for a few more years.” He smiled.

It was a cold, mechanical smile.

“That’s the most insincere smile I have ever seen.” Tombre replied irritatingly. “Stop it.”

“Alright. I have tried to be as cordial as possible.” The man’s temperament took on a more serious tone. “Why did you use your protection spell? Do you wish to renege on the agreement to end your life?”

“And risk suffering a worse fate and losing all I have and hold dear in this world?” Tombre thought of his wife and daughter. “No. I was just, you know… savouring the moment.”

“Moment savoured.” The man hissed. “Get back in line or we will consider this matter…complicated.”

And he vanished.

Tombre sighed. If he could turn back the hands of time he would never have involved himself with these people. Truly wealth was ephemeral and true value came from living a good life. He walked back into the trajectory of the bullets even as he saw new shadows gather, growing out of the walls, grinning gleefully in anticipation of what was to come. He raised his palm once more to the bullets and then brought it down swiftly. Immediately the spell was broken and the bullets tore through his chest, killing him instantly. No sooner had his lifeless body dropped to the floor that the demons came and wrenched his wailing soul from its now useless casing.

His guardian angel stood beside him, distressed but unable to interfere.

“You may leave,” a demon said amidst the turmoil. “This one is ours.”

“For each man it is appointed to die, and after death, judgment.” The angel replied. “Let him be judged, then you can take him.”

The demons laughed. “Very well. But do not think you can offer even the slightest succor. We will escort this one to the Judgment seat ourselves.”

The angel nodded quietly even as Tombre’s soul screamed and cried, trying his best to crawl away from the creatures of darkness that clawed at and taunted him. He turned to his guardian angel and stretched his hand for help as hard as he could but it was no use. They didn’t even let him touch the hem of his garment.


It had been a very successful harvest.



https://ko-fi.com/s/33a5f55f13

AMAZON
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1MQGSJ

SELAR
https://selar.co/87c111

CHAPTER 1

Now once upon a time there was a man who lived in a big town located in the southern part of Nigeria, the Delta State area to be exact. He lived there peacefully and unobtrusively with his recently married wife and baby girl in a modestly furnished three bedroom apartment. The man worked as an accountant in a bank and his wife who had left her job as a customer service person in the east to move in with him, took care of their six month old baby.

The man, by name Daniel, was a kind and sturdy fellow, raised by his mother to be truthful and generous, and raised by his father to stand strong in times of temptation and struggle. Daniel had no lofty dreams. He did not want to be a millionaire or ride a fancy car or build a gigantic mansion. He craved the simple life and his wife and child and job with a modest salary was enough for him. His father had taught him as a little boy that there was no shame in hard work and no loss in being humble. Honesty, humility and contentment were his watch words and he believed strongly in being the pillar of his home.

He met Juliet, the woman who was later to be his wife, at a social event in church and liked her for her beauty and calm demeanor. At that time she had finished secondary school two years ago and had gone into selling of clothes but wanted to go to the university. Being a final year student himself and knowing the rigors a Nigerian university could put a person through, he supported and mentored her for four years, loving her more and more as each year passed until she graduated. After which he listened to her dreams for the future and determined they were compatible with his. Only then did he pop the question which he did with all trepidation although as far as his wife was concerned it was a rhetorical one. She had met the man she would submit to willingly and without question, someone whom she could trust implicitly with her whole being. She agreed to marry him and the rest, they say, is history.

A year later and they had baby Chioma, their protégé in the making, the first of four individuals they hoped to bring with love into this world. Daniel loved his wife and child the way an average Nigerian man would, with plenty of action and few words; and his wife loved him in return. And they lived in peace and quiet in the suburbs of that big town in the southern part of the country.


And then Daniel lost his job. And a few months after, Juliet broke her leg in a freak accident. And their world came tumbling down.

Following (247):
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Happy New Month.

Royver:
Following (247):
kelvinezeh55(m), Hongkongfukid(m), Dybala11(m), SageMK, Divineroyalty(f), purples25(f), chyoooma(f), eniafelamo, ministerblessed, trevolicious1, AdeniyiA(m), Idyllic, Bec(f), amjou, Pukka36(f), riyageh(f), Uncleodi(m), ValentineMary(m), mako007(m), Arinze96(m), Xcely, Ochek, Haryanfe7(m), Lilibeth914(f), Dennis192, eboigbedavid1(m), Tbrak, vokes247, MrsExplorer(f), JummyGee, Teeneyo(m), yorhmienerd(m), spokesman3k(m), Titidi(f), iamzubby(m), dynatress, olanshile2016(m), olenyi, CHYNAEYEH(f), kokosheen(m), MONDAYkay(m), shegs2009(m), PrincessMM(f), Ayokunumi24(f), Ujuuzoma, PBeni(m), sleemoon(m), ideykwum, Despirado121(m), mbapelvis, flez09, ojuolu(m), Olusharp(m), CNARIOjoseph(m), eitsei(m), IamLukas(m), Santi222(m), Rachel01(f), holusormi(m), smokeydrinky, lanre2009, buoye1(m), DaVinci24(m), copg22(m), ajsans, Izyyblaze(f), Countrygirl(f), Horlorlardaey, Yuneehk(f), Dunnipearl(f), raphieMontella, saintTim(m), FreshestManny(m), Deejay1000(m), Maydayy(m), rawdpiper(m), MichaelKadi(m), Smooth278(m), chiexcel, mylove4God(f), jokepearl(f), ablatgraphicplus(m), ikescope, drippingink3, drdrei09, Mcphancey7(f), RemenZack(f), Jummyjagz(f), smartigo, vivvyo(m), mackzydon9(m), Asito(m), LarrySun(m), socially4fun, amosamali(m), Ziondee(f), gulfer, vonn(f), Olansgee(m), TheRealStuff, bundlez, speckless, Ashbal(f), Gorgeousolasco(f), Donvilo(m), Calismart(m), harmlessphil(f), Writeditor, lenmafon, coolsegun2002, Glorious1985, Peejayybold(f), Emanuel1997, AleshKeem(m), dejialam(m), 88natzy(m), teetee92(m), Donpoker9(m), Freshtomato(f), tommychizzle(m), lupey, Hauneg(f), Chrisx1x(m), Aimedrey(f), samopeyemi, singlefade25(f), creamyanne, afotrick(m), Yudeeaikay(f), Sowhizy(f), Colynx(m), WorldGreatest1(m), chinnygold, fam24(f), Nuges11(m), kingphilip(m), rexoluj(m), Daughterzion(f), MumZ(f), Flakeey(f), Carinaflo(f), labaski(f), Truth234(m), FameG(f), missuniverse(f), jumainsexy(f), gr890, Mimisboygreat, treasuregr8(f), bquin2all(f), Mollyallex(f), PrettySleek(f), aboyaji(m), tenajtek(f), Nimen(m), zyzxx(m), immortalvoices(m), pweedierhonda, Aipete2(f), pinkkyjenny(f), chinedumo(m), Ephhay(f), edogho(m), fhunn, tobex23(m), jaetrill(m), Euphrosyne(m), Yeboah10(m), omotolaray, Lawconfessor(f), toykathy(f), 3Dimension, Cheriepet, PrinceAdepoju(m), Coldfaya(m), thelastgenius, Niyipo(m), Shawdey(f), hapiness44(f), Harrychocoberry(m), lozanni(m), Donlino(m), Queening(f), ashbal5683(f), Imunique, Maccoy1(m), ALAYORMII, Annais(f), Sugarbabekemi(f), Jeanfortune(f), chupcake(m), jaybeecom(m), Damlesky(m), sdqxxx(m), Davidsonical(m), capip120(m), SexySapphire(f), JigsawKillah(m), Joyicy(f), Treasure95(f), Dyoungstar, awoononi(m), write2obi(m), Emperortj93(m), anneabidemi(f), Kimmo(f), Joebeck(f), pmc01(m), mizjules(f), Nostradamus, Solphiequeen(f), whitemosquito(f), spicyuzo(m), 2bey(m), 9slick(m), slimfredo(m), omowolewa, nuwell(m), missterious(f), ANDREW2EIC(m), imohcyril(m), shegzi(m), flames77(m), ttime(m), straneur(m), PoetWritefield(m), MrBenSun, Layiwoo(m), Mistically(f), KabukiSensei(m), Jayses(m), Brite02(m), eyezik3(m), Mutaino7(m), ProfessorD(m), drollster(m), adepink(f), fabnikky(f), Oluwason(m), coonax(f), Wealthyone, seundex(m), ivyy(f), MightyFortress, seankay(m), Ishilove, JeffreyJamez(m)

Happy New Month.

Good one, another banger!

CHAPTER 2

One hot and humid evening, as Juliet was sitting on the sofa in the living room with her left leg in a cast trying to breastfeed her baby, she heard footsteps outside and there was a knock at the door.

“It’s open,” she said, knowing it was her husband.

There was the sound of keys clinking and the door creaked wearily on its rusted hinges as Daniel’s sturdy frame filled the entrance. For a moment, just before he shut the door, she caught a glance of him in the evening sun. He looked unkempt, his hair bushy, his once white shirt stained brown with sweat and dust from commuting around town. In his hands he nursed the black leather bag that contained all his credentials. The door shut and they were once again enveloped in darkness as the power was out. Her heart sorrowed for him as she saw him in this state but she hid it behind an encouraging smile.

“Who is that giant by the door?” she teased, “Welcome dear.

He walked wearily towards her and collapsed into the sofa as she reached out and patted him encouragingly on his lap. He smiled back and sighed. Beads of sweat ran down his forehead and in one quick but endearing gesture she wiped them away with a flannel.

“Any luck?” She asked hopefully.

“None, none at all.” He replied with a small smile, trying his best not to show his frustration. “It seems I am either too old or have little to no experience for other jobs. The other banks are letting their own employees go, so no chance for me there. The business owners, they slam the door in my faces, some look at me with pity but they still won’t give me a job. They can do their own accounting, they say. I guess no one wants a liability…”

“And how are you a liability dear?” His wife interrupted. “You are barely thirty, still young and strong, the most handsome man I have ever met…”

“Liar,” he grinned but she playfully put her finger to his lips.

“...handsome and intelligent. I’m sure favour will meet you soon.”

Daniel shook his head sadly and sighed. It had been three months now since he lost his job and his job-hunting was not yielding any fruit. Their little savings had quickly depleted over the months owing to the baby food they had to buy and also the treatment for Juliet’s fractured leg. Not to mention upkeep for the house. A very real possibility of sheer starvation loomed over them.

“I have to find something to do soon.” Daniel said, sighing again and looking down at Chioma who was now crawling on the floor and playing with a rattle. “We need to get some things for this little terrorist.”

“She’s your daughter, you’re free to call her a terrorist if you like,” Juliet said with a chuckle. “It will be alright. The doctor says in a few weeks I can get the cast off and will be able to move around again. It will be easier for me to go to the market then.”

“But it’s not enough dear.” Daniel interjected. “We are yet to pay the bills, the house rent will be coming up in three months, I still haven’t finished paying the loan I took out on the land I bought in the village…” he hunched his shoulders, looking like a man defeated. “I honestly don’t know what else to do. No one wants to hire me, they all either want fresh graduates or they say I’m not qualified for the job positions.”
His wife fought back tears from her eyes and grasped him firmly on the shoulder. He looked up at her.

“I know you’ll figure it out.” She said. Her voice was confident. “I married a strong, determined man, this is just a small bump in the road, we’ll be okay in the end don’t worry.”

“What’s the use of all my strength if I cannot use it to provide for my family?” He sighed again, “I’m ready to work if only they will allow me. We need some money despe-“

“We’ll figure it out!” his wife interrupted him. “It’s not like you to complain. Stop it. Come, I was able to make some soup while you were away” He looked at her in alarm and she laughed, a comforting sound in that quiet and dreary house. “The doctor said I should be moving around as much as possible, it’s okay really.”

“How did you manage with the baby?”

“Oh, Chioma isn’t that much of a terrorist as you’d like to think.” She chuckled again. “Come on, you’ll feel better after you’ve eaten dinner.”
After dinner, Daniel sat thoughtfully in the parlour as he watched his wife and baby play in the candle-lit room. There was no electricity as their line had been cut for lack of payment of the light bill. All his savings had gone settling expenses over the last few months. He appreciated his wife so much for her show of courage but he knew deep down she was worried as well. He closed his eyes and thought hard, surely there had to be a way out of the conundrum they had found themselves.

He was young and strong, he thought. An idea had come up in his head and began to grow stronger; he wouldn’t mind at all at the prospect of what he was thinking but he didn’t know how she would take it if he told her.

There was a labour market two streets away, at the junction where the express went directly into the heart of the city. Able bodied men went there every day with a shovel or machete in hand. All they had to do was wait for a truck to come and carry them to any of the numerous construction sites in the city and they were paid for the number of hours they put in. It was hard work but it was better than nothing.
It was also humbling work. After all, he had become quite popular in the bank over the years. His customers would recognize him. Worse , if his wife found out she would be mortified.

He didn’t care much about himself but he did not want to do anything that would bring embarrassment to her. However this was a dire situation.

He mentally discarded the thoughts of his former colleagues seeing him, after all, they hadn’t been exactly helpful in his time of need. He wasn’t sure what the pay would be like but he was determined to put in as much effort as possible into the work. He nodded surreptitiously to himself. Enough of coming home with less money in his pockets than when he left the house, money wasted on transport fares and repeated photocopying of documents. He was going to do it. He would try the labourers market tomorrow.

https://ko-fi.com/s/33a5f55f13

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1MQGSJ

https://selar.co/87c111

CHAPTER 3

The next morning’s sun arrived to see Daniel already awake. He had gotten up early and had taken his bath, skipped breakfast as usual on the pretext that he was in a hurry whereas he was trying to save up on the food in the house, crossed the threshold of his front door wearing a black suit and tie with a turquoise-blue shirt and well-polished shoes and walked a few feet into the street to make sure his wife and neighbours saw his usual exit, then as soon as he turned the corner he quickly hid behind a store to change to a ragged black polo top that had definitely seen better days and a faded pair of grey jeans. As he changed into these clothes he paused for a moment, wondering why for the first time in his life he was ashamed to tell his wife or anyone for that matter what he was going to do. He reasoned that pride had crept in on him over the years at his office job and he didn’t want her to find out how low he had sunk. His eyes moistened over for a moment but then he shook off the sadness that was attempting to envelope him. This was not about him. This was not about him at all. He had a family to feed. If he could get even a day’s work from Akpu junction it would be worth it. He quickly dressed up in the old clothes, packed his suit neatly in a paper-bag he had gotten from the house and walked briskly to Mama Benji’s store.

Mama Benji was an elderly but robust woman in her early 60s. She sold bread and bean porridge and other edible provisions for the taxi-drivers and busy commuters at the junction leading to his house. She was a good soul, always cheerful to her customers and strict in a motherly kind of way that made others endear themselves to her easily. She scolded the early morning drunks and weed- smokers without fear or favour, teased the shy clerks and office workers and always had something for the occasional beggar that wandered into her canteen looking for scraps and morsels. People used her canteen as a landmark for describing locations around the area. Daniel had been a regular customer of hers since he lost his job and started eating breakfast outside as a means to cut food costs in the house. Her meals were cheap yet delicious and she always had a kind word for to start the day with if she sensed someone’s spirit was down.

Daniel came into her shop through the back door and called out to her as she was sitting down beside a huge cauldron, ordering one of her sale’s girls to turn a bubbling broth on the fire. She looked up at him, perplexed for a moment and then suddenly burst into uproarious laughter.

“Ah! Daniel! Wetin be dis?” She bellowed as she came towards him. “Today na rag day?”

Daniel motioned for her to keep her voice down which she did although the twinkle never left her eyes

“Wetin happen? Madam don pursue you comot for house?”

“No, nothing like that,” Daniel chuckled. “I want you to keep my clothes for me Mama, I’ll come and collect them when I’m through for the day.”
He handed her the paper bag with his suit in it and she collected it from him and peeped inside. She looked up at him again in surprise.

“Wetin dey happen?” she asked, seriously this time, her voice a whisper.

“You know I’ve been out of a job for some time now…” Daniel murmured

“Yes?”

“And I’ve really tried ma, I’ve tried looking for another source of income but it’s not working out for me. Madam and Chioma, I’m tired of seeing them look so haggard…”

“She dey complain?” Mama Benji asked, placing her arms on her hips.

“No ma, but that doesn’t mean I won’t go out and look for money. I’m supposed to be taking care of them ma…”

“You’re a good man, Daniel.” She said, touching his arm. He suddenly had the strong urge to cry but he bit his lower lip instead. She smiled kindly.

“So you wan go do labour work abi? And you no wan make madam know”

“How did you…Can you keep it a secret for now? Please? I don’t want her to worry.” Daniel pleaded.

“Of course nau, you be my pikin!” Mama Benji boomed loudly, reaching out and clapping Daniel on the back so hard that he almost fell into a big empty pot. He grinned sheepishly.

“Don’t worry, God go do am for you. As you no wan see your family suffer, he go bless you, you sef go shock.”

“Thank you ma.” Daniel replied and walked out of the canteen, quickly boarding a tricycle to Akpu junction. Mama Benji looked at the tricycle as it sped away and nodded.


“Better pikin.” She mused. And then- “Ronke turn the stew! You no dey smell am say e dey burn?!”

https://ko-fi.com/s/33a5f55f13

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CW1MQGSJ


https://selar.co/87c111

CHAPTER 4

Akpu junction was a busy intersection between Asaba and the neighboring town of Okpanam. The name of the junction came about long ago when people would come there from near and far to sell Akpu, a local pudding delicacy made from cassava tubers. Nowadays however the junction was mostly occupied by traders selling building materials and labourers looking for work. Now that the city was rapidly expanding builders, block molders, bricklayers and masons of all kinds were in high demand. Here, all the able bodied men that sought menial work came to hang out early in the morning with their hoes and cutlasses, shovels and pickaxes, wheel barrows or just plain bare hands and willing muscles. There were construction sites all over the city and trucks, trailers and buses came here daily to pick up the men and bring them back at night or in rare cases the next day. The daily pay for a laborer was three thousand naira for the unskilled and as high as five thousand for those who had learned skilled work like plastering and painting. A tarred road ran across the junction with a wide pavement on both sides providing large parking spaces for heavy vehicles.

The men would sit in groups, chatting away until a vehicle approached and then there would be a mad rush with labourers pleading with construction site foremen to employ their services. The foremen were usually approached by the owners of buildings under construction and told what it was that needed to be done. The foremen would negotiate a price and then pick from the teeming number of labourers who they wanted to come and work with them on the field. They had their favourites among the regular labourers of course, those whom they knew could work with minimal or no supervision, those who were highly skilled in their particular craft, those who were honest and those who could help in supervising the men and making sure they completed their work on time.


It was at this place that Daniel alighted as the tricycle came to a brief halt. The air smelled bitter-sweet, a mixture of choking exhaust fumes and delicious roasted roadside delicacies. Trucks were parked at a corner of the road in a single file waiting to be hired, waiting to carry men to their working destinations. The men themselves sat together in groups, smoking, chatting, beating away flies and glancing hopefully at passing vehicles, especially flashy cars carrying rich men who would pay handsomely for labourers to come and work in their sites. Some of the men sat aloof from the others wearing blue helmets. They were the foremen, the men who picked those who would follow them for jobs. Daniel took a deep breath to calm himself and then approached one of them. He was a big man, bearded, and seemed friendlier than the others.

“Hello Sir,” Daniel hailed loudly.

The man turned away from his conversation to stare inquisitively at Daniel. “Me?”

“Yes sir, sorry to disturb you…” Daniel called, respectfully gesturing for him to move aside from his group. The man did so and followed Daniel to a corner.

“Are you looking for labourers?” the man inquired, though his face registered doubt after looking at Daniel’s appearance.
“I’m new here sir. My name is Daniel. Please sir I have a family to feed and I haven’t had work in five months now. I’m strong and I have stamina. Any work you give me to do I will do, please sir.”

The man sighed and looked Daniel over. “Yes, you appear well built. Do you have any special skills for construction work?”

“Not really sir. This is my first time…”

“Alright then, you will join those shoveling sand. Where is your shovel?”

Daniel spread his hands meekly and the man laughed although he looked a little irritated, “You can borrow a shovel from there.” He pointed with his jaw and Daniel shifted his gaze in the direction he was indicating. “One shovel for hire is one hundred naira a day. Get one and I’ll see what I can do…”

“Thank you Sir!” Daniel exclaimed, heaving a sigh of relief. He had been worried that they wouldn’t accept him as he had never worked with them before. He ran to the tools-for-hire- shed and requested for a shovel, writing down his name on an IOU list. On getting the shovel he sat close to the other men with shovels, pick-axes and all kinds of tools. Some of the men looked in his direction for a moment but then went back to minding their own business.

An hour passed, and then two. The Sun rose higher into the sky, setting the day on fire with its radiance. Not a single truck had moved from the line and Daniel was beginning to get impatient. This was not how he had envisioned it. He had expected to have gone on at least one trip by now. He sighed to himself and brought out his cell-phone to look at the pictures of his wife and child. One of the pictures was of him while he was still at his bank office. He smiled at the picture wistfully, completely unaware that a sleek black Toyota SUV had slowed down a few feet ahead of him. Before he knew it, there was a mad rush to the vehicle as men shouted at the foremen to be picked for the job. Daniel jumped to his feet, almost tripping over as he rushed towards the SUV.

“I need twenty people, only twenty people!” the foreman was yelling and Daniel stood and watched as the men pulled and shoved to get on the truck. Soon they had gotten their number and the vehicle zoomed off with the truck following closely behind.

“Don’t worry, another one will come.” The man in front of him said with a grin. He was big and muscular like Daniel but had a streak of meanness about him. A scar ran down his left cheek. “Rush hour is approaching.” He smiled slyly at Daniel through tar stained teeth. “You are new here, what’s your name?”

“Daniel.” Daniel said.

“Well, Daniel, there is no room for gentlemen here o, you were close to the SUV and you didn’t fight your way through, abi you don’t want to work?”

“I do, it’s just…I was caught unawares.”

The man laughed and followed Daniel back to his seat.

“Buy something for us to eat Oga Daniel.” The man demanded still wearing his sly grin.

Daniel blinked and shifted in his seat awkwardly. “I don’t have any money. Even this shovel I borrowed it to pay at the end of the day…”

“But you’re carrying around an expensive phone like that, you must be a big man,” The man said, eyeing Daniel’s pocket where he had inserted his phone. “Come na, give your guy something…”

“Will you get out of here Muda!” a voice shouted from behind.

‘Muda’ whipped around to face a scrawny looking man wearing only a dirty white singlet and jean shorts that were a bit too big for his tiny waist.

“You won’t mind your business Dare! Do you know him before?”

“Back off!” Dare stood toe to toe with Muda and stuck out his bony chest aggressively. Muda was about raising his hand to Dare when he caught the foreman’s eye.

“Try it.” The foreman mouthed, his glare cutting through the distance between them.

Muda balked. The foreman could decide not to give him any jobs for the rest of the week. He smiled and took a few steps back.

“Oga Eze dey watch us. Don’t worry sha, one day one day…”

“You think I’m afraid of you? Get out of here jo!” Dare said, trying to shove the muscular man aside with his thin frame. Muda laughed and went back to his perch, grabbing a cigarette from another man’s lips to smoke. The man looked up for a moment, was about to protest, then thought better of it, sighed and looked away.

“Don’t mind him, he wanted to obtain you.” Dare sat beside Daniel who was still watching Muda as he dropped flecks of cigarette ash on the man he had collected the cigarette from. The man sighed again and moved away as Muda sat down.

“Obtain?”

“He would have either gotten some money off you or stolen your phone. That guy is an idiot. But so are you, why did you bring that kind of expensive phone here?”

“Uh, I didn’t think…”

“Keep it out of sight.” Dare interrupted. “Look for a smaller simpler phone to bring next time. A cheaper phone makes you look more desperate, and thus more likely to be picked.”

“I see…”

Dare leaned closer and whispered. “I have an iphone at home. My uncle from ‘the abroad’ brought it for me. But I dare not bring it here, the guys will think I have struck it big and won’t allow me work again! And I must feed this stomach as I no get work!” He patted his surprisingly rotund abdomen fondly and Daniel laughed.

“So tell me, what is a man like you doing in a place like this? From the look of your hands and skin you haven’t done this kind of work before!”

“Well, I kind of lost my job a couple of months ago…” Daniel began

The two men sat together and talked, quickly bonding in this market of men waiting for the next indication for manual labour.

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CHAPTER 5

Morning brought hunger and numbness to Joseph Aguwa, young bachelor and aspiring importer- exporter, stealing away the comfort and oblivion that was sleep’s blessing to him. He sighed and turned over in his bed. The hunger was growing. Deep down he knew that try as he might, he would not be able to ignore it for long. He knew what he would have to do to quell the gnawing discomfort in his stomach and although the thought alone made him shiver in disgust he also knew that he didn’t have a choice.

So he got up and went about his morning activities; brushing his mouth, having his bath, getting dressed and making himself a simple breakfast of bread and tea. He took an extra slice of bread to see if he would feel better but it did nothing to quell the craving. He sighed miserably to himself and looked around his one bedroom apartment one last time to ensure he hadn’t left any appliance on before leaving the house.

On the way to the hospital he glanced around at the passengers who shared the same bus as he did. He tried to distract his mind from the gnawing pain in his stomach by eavesdropping on their conversations. They all seemed content… not altogether unhappy but not exactly the spirit of cheer either. Things were hard. The economy was in shambles. The political situation in the country was highly disconcerting. They spoke with excited voices, sometimes tired voices for such an early morning. But that was it. All talk, no action. They didn’t seem overly ambitious. They didn’t seem like they wanted more. But he did. He had wanted more. He had wanted so much more. He had wanted to be outstanding, exemplary.

But not at this cost.

He sighed.

He watched as the driver switched gears, struggling to get the bus up a hill one moment and then struggling to keep it from careening down the other side the next. The journey lasted barely 30 minutes but to him it seemed like an eternity. The craving was terrible. Was it always going to be like this?

He sighed again.

The bus finally stopped at the hospital gate and he came down and headed into the hospital grounds, straight for ‘Mama Twins’ shop. It was a popular place despite its location at the far right of the compound behind the tall administrative building. Mama Twins sold delicious snacks ranging from hot egg-rolls to freshly baked meat-pies, and her special ‘moi-moi’ wrapped in plantain leaves was almost like an addictive drug in its deliciousness. Her drinks were always chilled, a testament to her high powered freezer and backup ice-chests. The aroma emanating from her store attracted people from far and wide; patients, patient’s relatives and passing visitors, her store was always rowdy. It was to this place that Joseph’s gnawing hunger led him.

He entered the store, quickly scanning the rows of benches to see where was least occupied, and took the last seat in a bench closest to the service area, the most chaotic part of the restaurant. His seating arrangement needed to be a little obscured for him to be able to set the trap to catch his prey. Months of practice had made him almost an expert in picking the right place.


You may have thought that Joseph Aguwa was here for the food. He was not. Food was the furthest thing from his mind right now. The food Mama Twins offered, just like the bread he had eaten earlier, would have done nothing to satiate the gnawing hunger deep in his belly.
He asked for a fizzy drink and an egg-roll and ate them as slowly as he could, waiting, hoping for a suitable victim. The steady flow of more people into and less people out of the store and the ensuing crowded chaos made it very likely that the individual he was targeting would soon arrive.

And he did.

From his corner of the shop he sighted a young lad with short dreadlocks and a bushy beard enter the store. The boy was dressed in a vertically striped gray and white polo-shirt and knee-length combat shorts. His feet were clad in green flip-flops and plastic multi-coloured wristbands adorned both wrists. From experience, Joseph guessed he would most likely be a thief or pickpocket. They usually thronged around crowded places like this. The boy sidled up to the food-stand and began ordering for a coke and an egg-roll while his shifty eyes darted from one table to the next mischievously. Joseph smiled wryly to himself. What were the odds that hunter and hunted would order the same refreshments?

As the young man waited for his order and scanned the crowd for what he could steal, Joseph made his move. He brought out both of his phones from his pocket, one of them the latest Samsung galaxy and the other an Iphone. He waved them around carelessly, catching the boy’s attention. Grunting to himself as if replying an annoying post on social media, he plunked the Galaxy on the table beside him and turned sideways just a little bit while typing furiously on the Iphone, enough to make it look like he was an absent-minded simpleton. From the corner of his eye he saw the young lad take the bait as he took his order and approached to sit beside him in an apparently random manner. He pretended to pick a call, further backing the thief as he shouted dramatically into the phone, seemingly trying to make himself heard above the cacophony of voices in Mama Twins shop.

He saw the thief glance furtively to see if anyone was looking before quickly grabbing the Samsung Galaxy from the table and putting it in his big combat pocket in one fluid motion. Joseph continued his pretend argument on the phone as the thief seemed to remember a previous engagement and hurriedly got up and left the store.


Joseph watched him go, a macabre smile playing on his lips. He wasn’t worried about the stolen phone, he knew he would get it back, he always got it back. A loud churning sound emanated from his belly and he patted it comfortingly.

‘Soon,” he whispered. “Very soon.”

He would feed it tonight.


Tobi sat down on the tattered mattress that was his bed. He counted out the money he had made from selling the phone he had stolen earlier that day. He had been in luck. His regular buyer already had an order for that specific phone by the time he had gone to the phone market. Almost like the person knew a phone of that specification would enter the black market that day. The phone had been sold for less than half its normal price and he had been given his cut. The money he had made would be enough to buy him some capsules of tramadol and a few wraps of marijuana with change left over.

He grinned to himself. For a moment he had thought the stupid owner at Mama Twins shop had seen him, but the man had been so preoccupied with his stupid argument on his other phone he had failed to see the sleight of hand. Served him right for being careless. He remembered his other victims and laughed. They were all the same, careless folk. Served them all right for not being as smart as he was.
He considered going back to Mama Twins again tomorrow just to see if the idiot would come looking…It would be fun seeing the man’s apprehension and despair. He got a peculiar high, different from his regular stimulants, from watching his victims asking around for their lost property. Sometimes he even offered to help them look for it, laughing inwardly at their pain. If only they knew.

Slowly but surely his eyes became drowsy as the night wore on. He browsed through his own android phone, trolling people online and chuckling at shared videos. The face-me-I-face-you quarters in which he lived had grown quiet for the night. In a little while he turned off the lights and fell asleep.


As soon as he drifted off to sleep, a mist spilled in from under the door and gradually began to fill the room, gently wafting towards his bed as if carried by an imaginary breeze although the night air was still. It surrounded the sleeping form of the young boy and then settled on him, allowing the boy to inhale it into his nostrils. And then Tobi began to dream.


He was in a wide desert landscape filled with nothing but sand. The sky above him was a plain dull red with no clouds, sun, moon or stars. Dried up bones of human skeletons littered the sand for miles around, some intact, others ripped apart. There was something foreboding about this place that terrified him. He tried to wake up from his slumber but couldn’t. He was trapped in this nightmare, rooted to the spot, unable to move his arms and legs and very aware that something was coming for him and coming fast.
The creature appeared on the horizon. It looked like a large dog, twice the size of the ones he had seen on television. It was running towards him at an alarming speed, its eyes blazing red, its fangs exposed in a belligerent snarl as urgent gusts of black smoke billowed from its nostrils. Tobi screamed and tried to run but try as he might he remained immobile. He looked down to find out what was impeding his movement and he saw the phone, the Samsung galaxy he had stolen that morning. Only that it was ten times its normal size and weight. It was bound to him by thick iron chains that came alive and wrapped themselves around his body, tightening each time he tried to move, wrapping itself around him again and again until he looked like a cocoon, wiggling from side to side, only his feet and head exposed.

Suddenly to his right there was a blinding flash of light and an angel appeared by his side. But he looked weary and weak, with his ribs sticking out from his chest like he had been starved for years. He had disheveled and dusty hair that looked like they had once glistened with golden locks; and his wings drooped. He looked at Tobi with tired eyes.

“Say the name,” He said.

The Dog saw the angel and increased its pace, its features more urgent, snarling, its tail swishing angrily from side to side.

Tobi was petrified. “What name?! Are you supposed to help me? Help me!”

“I’m not as strong as I used to be. Your vices over the years have seen to that. Say the name and give me strength. Believe.”

“What name? What name?!” Tobi screamed


But it was too late.


The Dog pounced on him, knocked him to the ground and began to rip him apart. Gradually the boy’s screams faded away and the landscape was quiet once more save for the crushing of bones by powerful jaws.


“His sheep know his name…” the angel said sadly, turning away from the carnage. There was nothing he could do. The boy’s guilt had bound him and his lack of faith had condemned him.

Tobi was found the next day in his room. Apparently he had died in his sleep. While clearing out his property a lot of stolen items, some belonging to his neighbors, were found. The money he had been counting that night lay scattered on the floor, as useless to him now as used toilet paper. The landlord claimed the money as part payment for the rent he owed and someone was sent to alert his next of kin.


The next morning Joseph Aguwa awoke feeling dreadful but fully fed and satisfied. The gnawing pain in his stomach had subsided and would remain bearable for another three months. That was as far as his willpower could carry him before he succumbed again. The night had been well spent, feeding off the life force of the young thief he had caught the day before. The sacrifice had been made and now Joseph knew his business would begin to boom again. He got up from his bed and brushed his teeth. He had his bath and ate a simple breakfast of bread and tea. This time there was no need for an extra slice for he felt no emptiness in the pit of his stomach. He was putting away the dishes when his phone rang.

“Hello?”

“You have been invited to the mansion. A date will be passed across to you.”

And the person hung up.

He sighed and made a face at the phone, but he knew he had no say in the matter. He put the plates in the sink, washed the dishes, and got prepared for work. He walked out his door confidently into the new day, greeting his neighbors politely as he did so.

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CHAPTER 6

It had been raining for five days in Asaba. Okpanam road was completely flooded and vehicles were abandoning their normal route and following longer back-ways into town. Some people even opted for the express which involved a very long and roundabout journey, extending a normal drive of about fifteen minutes by about one hour. Some stubborn-headed vehicle owners and a few commercial tricycles, locally known as kekes, still struggled through the muddy waters that was formerly the main road. Some got through safely to the other side, others weren’t so fortunate and either tumbled or got stuck much to the chagrin of their passengers.

Daniel sighed and shifted a little under the huge umbrella of the phone network card seller that sheltered a few other labourers. He wore only a singlet on top of his dirty jean trousers and was beginning to feel the biting cold and damp atmosphere. The day had started out sunny hence his outfit. He had hoped the rains had finally ceased and was optimistic about being hired today to work on a site; he hadn’t had any work for the past four days and was beginning to think this venture was a huge mistake. His wife still had not found out about his escapades although she did something strange this morning when he was about leaving in his pretend interview clothes. She had stopped him at the door and hugged him tight, saying prayers for him and sobbing gently into his shoulder. She had called on GOD and asked for favour and protection for him no matter where his feet carried him that morning.


“Your wife is very intuitive,” Mama Benji had remarked when he recounted the incident to her that morning as he dropped off his interview clothes. “She knows you’re up to something and that you’ll need all the help you can get.”


“I’m just tired ma,” Daniel replied with a sigh. “Our savings are completely finished. We are essentially living from hand to mouth now. Yesterday it was the last of the rice that we ate. I’ve been managing that bag of rice for months now. The child is learning to eat solid food by force…”


“Don’t you worry Daniel, you have a good head on you. In fact I believe something wonderful is going to happen to you today! Something remarkable that will turn everything around!”

Daniel rolled his eyes mockingly but she glared back

“Aren’t you going to say ‘amen’?”

“Amen.” Daniel laughed and Mama Benji shook her head.

“Say it like you mean it, Daniel. I’m serious, I had a dream about you last night. Keep your wits about you in the coming days. Remember your parents and the values they thought you. Things might look hard now but if you persevere you’ll come out of it alright.”

She smiled and her eyes went out of focus. For a moment her face took on a faraway look and Daniel wondered if she had forgotten where she was or something.

“It is going to be hard and dangerous.” Her voice was eerie, “But you’ll come out of it victorious by God’s grace. And tell them your name is Tombre. Tombre, don’t forget okay?”

“Em, Mama, are you alright?” Daniel asked, wondering if he should raise an alarm. Maybe she was having an absence seizure. He had read about that somewhere. Before he could make another move Mama Benji dragged him into a motherly hug.


“Go with GOD.”


“Mama Benji!” Daniel shouted.


Mama Benji blinked and jumped back. She moved impressively for someone with a huge frame.

“I said say Amen like you mean it!” She shouted back

“Amen!” Daniel yelled, not quite sure what was going on.

“Ehen!” Mama Benji laughed. “Na now you dey talk! Wetin I dey do before? Na who leave this stew make e burn?! Ronke! Ronke!!”


Daniel hesitated, wondering if to ask he what she had been talking about earlier but then he thought better of it.

“Okay ma, I’ll be on my way now. I hope you are feeling alright, have you checked your blood pressure?”

“What are you talking about, this boy? I’m fine! Go, Go! And may favour follow you!”


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CHAPTER 7

It wasn’t really anyone’s fault, Daniel signed as he alighted from the keke that had brought him to Akpu junction that morning. He had chosen the wrong season to be a labourer. There wasn’t much work when it rained like this as most of the areas being developed nowadays were usually in easily water-logged regions. Sometimes the trailers and pickups would get stuck in the mud and extra money would be needed to pull them out. A few days ago a tanker carrying water for mixing cement had fallen into a ditch with the driver suffering a broken arm. The contractors had held a meeting and decided no work was to be done until the rain clouds cleared a bit. It was really for the safety of all concerned but it also meant no pay for the remaining days that the rain would continue to fall and that was not good news for people like Daniel who was slowly falling into penury.


However, there were still a few independent contractors who came around early in the morning to take labourers and risk the floods. Since the work was now scarce, a lot of the men had become edgy and the competition to be chosen for labour had become fierce. Fights had broken out on more than one occasion. Despite his build, Daniel was not one for violence and hadn’t been able to find it in him to fight for any of the positions. The foreman had picked him out specifically once but Muda had raised a big furore, insisting it was his turn to go and in the midst of the argument the contractor had picked someone else and moved off. Muda was slowly becoming a thorn in the flesh for him but Daniel had kept his peace. Right now however he was desperate and had made up his mind that, one way or another, he would be on the next trailer that came to the junction.


He looked around at the other labourers as they huddled under shades and inside kiosks. He really didn’t know any of them. He recognized a few regulars but he was not a very outgoing person and had not made any friends yet apart from Dare who chatted with him once in a while. He recognized Mister Eze, the foreman he had initially spoken to, smoking under a mango tree. Eze was the official leader of the pack and had a way of standing out which was why Daniel had approached him the first time. Being in good terms with him meant you had better odds at landing a job, which was why Muda and the others respected him so much. Their eyes had met once or twice since Daniel introduced himself that day but they had barely exchanged a grunt between them. Daniel got the impression that Mister Eze didn’t think he would be able to do much since he wasn’t experienced, but the man had offered to give him a chance so he was still hopeful.

It was getting to four o’ clock in the evening and it didn’t seem like there would be any work for them today either. The rains had continued to drizzle and a few of the labourers had given up and gone home.

Suddenly a white hilux jeep came round the bend. It was a recent model, sleek and beautiful. The driver was a lanky man and wore dark shades. He parked by the side of the road and immediately a swarm of men rushed to his side.


“Where is the Foreman!” The man shouted.


Mr Eze raised his hand and pushed his way to the front. The man opened the passenger seat and Mr Eze got in, then the man zoomed away from the crowd to a place further off, away from the mob. The men stood where they were, watching the haggling inside the vehicle with high expectations.

“Na big man be dat.” Dare whispered to Daniel. “They want to deal with Oga Eze directly. It will probably be a special job which translates to more money on the hour.”


Daniel swallowed hard.


After a while the hilux’s door opened and Mr Eze came down. He walked back to the group of expectant men.


“I’ll need eight workers! We are going to sleep on the site and come back in about three days. That’s some good money boys. They have accommodations and everything. He said he preferably doesn’t want anybody with family so their wives wont disturb…”
Daniel’s heart skipped a beat. How was he going to do this now? He had been leaving his phone behind as suggested by Dare, and had not had the money to buy a cheaper one. How would he let his wife know that he would not be returning tonight?

“My wife won’t care!” One of the men shouted and others laughed. Eze shook his head and continued “He is willing to pay for any extra time spent on the site but he wants a lot of work done in record time. It is like the work will be very hard because the man has said the men must be able bodied o, no lazy people!” he eyed Dare who laughed and beat his chest defiantly.

“You know what I can do boss!” he enthused and the others laughed. Dare may not have been as strong as the others but they all knew he pulled his own weight and his cheerful attitude always made the work sweeter.


“Alright, let’s wait for them, they said a truck will come and pick us up shortly.”


“Well, when are you choosing us sir?” Muda asked from the back.


“Don’t be greedy Muda, shebi you went for the last one? When the truck comes I will pick the people that will go with me.” He nodded slightly at Daniel who nodded back his appreciation, making up his mind there and then to go. This was a rare opportunity. He couldn’t miss it. He would find a way to communicate with his wife before the night was over.


“Oya go and get your equipment!” he shouted, pointing towards the road where the sleek white hilux was returning with a truck.”They are coming back!”


There was a mad dash as labourers rushed to get their shovels and picks and buckets. Daniel had just gotten his shovel when he was violently pushed to the ground. He turned around just in time to see Muda grinning at him, pan in hand, running back to the truck. Finally enraged at Muda’s antics, Daniel jumped to his feet and ran for all he was worth to the gathering. Muda turned around, and, seeing that Daniel was quickly catching up, increased his pace as well.


Men were already jumping into the back of the truck and Mister Eze was having a hard time getting his voice heard above the noise. He shouted and shoved and pushed down those he thought were not qualified to come. The driver of the trunk blared his horn in protest even as more people struggled to get on. Finally the owner of the jeep walked up to the melee and told Eze that they should not bother, he was not going to take anybody again as they were so unruly. Then he walked quietly back to his vehicle. There was a loud murmur as Mister Eze went to plead with him. The truck driver threatened to tip them off the back of the truck like payload if they all didn’t come down immediately. Grumbling and complaining, the men came down. Some still clung to the side of the truck though, among whom was Daniel. He had gotten a firm grip on a knob just above one of the back tires. At least twenty other men held on, quietly defiant, hoping to get picked. Daniel caught Dare’s eye and mischievous grin, he had gotten there earlier and was holding on the top rung of the makeshift ladder that had been welded unto the side of the truck. He was definitely getting in. On either side of him, men shoved and jostled as everyone tried to be as close to the truck as possible.

“All of the electricians leave here now! I told you this is not electrician work. Musa! John, what are you two doing there?! They tell una say dem wan paint house?! Come down immediately!!!”

And so, with shoving, threatening and light punches, Mister Eze was able to thin the crowd down to a handful of men beside the truck. Mr Eze motioned to the truck driver who opened the back hatch once more and the men all jumped in.


“Chibuzor, your shovel is broken.”


“But I can still use it sir!” Chibuzor protested.


“Not in that state, come down!” and Chibuzor jumped down, muttering to himself.


Mister Eze looked around at those who were left.


“Akpan, you’re coming along.”


To everyone's surprise, Akpan sighed and nodded at Muda who climbed in, grinning.


“Muda, there is no way you’re going, come down!”

“I took Akpan’s place! Akpan said I can take his place, didn’t you Akpan!”

They all turned to Akpan who nodded miserably.

“Akpan hasn’t had a job in days now, it is his turn to go,”

“But we had a deal earlier and he said I can take his place today. Akpan, explain to Oga!”

Akpan hung his head. “Oga Eze, make he take my place today make he free me. I am owning him a lot of money and this is my chance to…”


“Bastard!” Mister Eze spat. “You people should stop doing deals with Muda, I have said it before una no go hear!”

Muda grinned and sat down determinedly on the truck floor.

“So that leaves, one two three…we have eight already? Ah, where is Daniel?

“Here sir!” Daniel replied, climbing up from the side.

“How? I thought you were upfront when I was calling?”

“Muda pushed him to the ground when the truck was coming. I saw it.” One of the chosen men named Timi said.

“Mister Daniel, you’ll have to come down. They need only eight and the others got here before you”.

“Please sir, no. I can’t come down.” Daniel stood his ground, looking at mister Eze with pleading eyes. “I will accept any pay, half pay, quarter pay, just let me go and see what I can do. I have not gotten a job since I got here please!”

“My friend jump down and stop embarrassing yourself!” Muda shouted.

“You still have the guts to talk after you pushed him?” Thomas, another man replied. “Mr Eze cant you replace Akpan with Daniel?”

“Let him do it na, I’m not concerned. Akpan will still owe me my money.” Muda said nonchalantly.

“Will you keep quiet!” Mister Eze shouted. “Are you even supposed to be here?! If not fore this stupid Akpan that doesn’t listen to advice…!” Akpan who was still on the ground by the truck looked at his feet in shame.


“Oga, let Daniel come along,” Dare spoke out. “He can share my wages.”

The men turned to him.

“Are you sure Dare? I don’t want to hear you complaining later oh!” Mr Eze said.

“Very sure! I know he would have made it here on time if Muda hadn’t pushed him.”

“True boss, I saw it too.” Maxwell, another of the men eyed Muda disapprovingly. “Muda should be the one to come down, He was the last to enter before Daniel and if he hadn’t shoved him Daniel would have made it here first.”

“I dare you to carry me out of this truck.” Muda growled at Maxwell. But Maxwell hissed and turned back to Eze.

“Allow Daniel to stay boss, I’ll share my pay with him as well, no extra charge.”

“Well, it’s not really up to me but I will see what I can do…” Eze replied.

“What’s the hold-up?” the lanky driver from the jeep had come down from his vehicle again and was approaching them. “Aren’t we ready?”

“Em, yes sir, just a small complication sir, one person wants to escort us…”

“No! Eight people only!”

“You won’t pay extra for him sir, he hasn’t gotten work since he came here and wants to gain some experience. We will sort him out ourselves sir.” Mister Eze said.

“Who is the person?” the driver asked coming closer.

“Me sir,” Daniel replied.

“What’s your name?”

“Da…” and then he paused. Something nagged at the edge of his thoughts, like a finger poking him gently in the ribs.

“What, you can’t pronounce your own name?!”


“It’s Tombre sir.”


“What?” chorused Mister Eze and the driver. Mister Eze looked very perplexed.


“Tombre, or Tomby for short. But Tombre if you like sir.”

The driver came closer and removed his glasses. Daniel stared into the coldest pair of eyes he had ever seen and a shiver ran down his spine.

The driver smiled, it was like a widening crack in his lean but stony face, and a silver tooth twinkled, reflecting off the evening sun. He couldn’t have been more than twenty, this fellow, and yet those eyes looked like they had seen things no man of his age should.


“Is that so? Tombre?” he chuckled and wore back his glasses. “Interesting! Okay, let him come!” and with that the driver went back to his vehicle, laughing to himself.

“What was that about, Daniel?” Mister Eze said in mild confusion.

“Just…call me Tombre for now sir, please.”

“I don’t really care, if you want me to call you dog faeces I can do so, just make sure you do a good job out there!”

“Yessir!” Daniel now Tombre replied as Dare pulled him into the truck with a welcoming grin. Muda sneered but said nothing.

“Roll call!” Eze shouted and brought out a rough looking notebook. On it were various lists of names, all of them crossed out. He wrote the day’s date and pointed at each men in turn with his pen:

“Dare, Muda, Thomas, Chigozie, Azuka, Timi, Generalissimo, Maxwell, and Dani…er, Tombre?”

All the men answered to their names as it got written down on the list.

“All right, sit down and relax. We will be moving shortly.”


Back in the jeep, the driver was making a call. “I have them sir. We are ready to move out. Er, Sir, one more thing, there’s a ninth labourer. I know, I know, I wanted to throw him down but he said his name was Tombre… Hahaha, I thought you’d enjoy the irony. Alright sir, see you soon.”

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CHAPTER 8

How long and arduous it is
This journey into the belly of the beast
Yet no man can ere run amiss
With his guardian angel accompanying him to the feast

The white hilux zoomed through the express with the truck following closely behind. The men sat down at the back of the bus, some of them sleeping, others looking into the now darkening sky. It had been over an hour since this journey began and Daniel was getting restless. But the others didn’t seem to mind so he didn’t raise any objections.

He nudged a sleeping Dare in the ribs, making him jump.

“What is it? Have we arrived?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.

“No, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Isn’t the place too far? Do labourers normally go long distances like this?”

Dare laughed. “Look my friend, the longer the distance the better, it means we are going to be paid for transport as well as work. Didn’t you hear Mister Eze saying that we were going to sleep over? I’m sure it is one of these rich politicians houses that we are going to, they don’t usually pick labourers from their side so people in the town won’t start talking about how wealthy they are. Don’t worry, relax, I have a feeling you are going to enjoy this outing.”

Daniel highly doubted that, he was already beginning to worry about his wife and kid.

“Where actually are we going?” he asked, again nudging Dare who had fallen back to sleep. Dare snorted.

“Stop harassing me. Go and ask Eze na, he is with the truck driver in front…”

Daniel decided against it. He didn’t want to be seen as a nuisance, asking unnecessary questions. None of the men seemed bothered, so this journey must be normal for them. So he settled down once more and tried to get some sleep.

Some time passed, about thirty minutes and suddenly the trucked turned a left and entered a bushy path into the forest. Daniel watched as the stars began to come out, twinkling their millions of tiny lights into the horizon. He thought again of his wife and daughter and realized they would be worried. He had never spent a day outside the house before without letting them know where he was. He needed to call or at least send a text message to tell his wife he was okay.

He looked around.Muda was the only one awake now, playing a game on his phone, the neon light from the screen shining on his face. He was hesitant to ask for his help but then Dare was sleeping and he didn’t want to disturb him again. Also he did not immediately see anyone else with a phone. He sighed and stood up. Muda stopped what he was doing and looked up as he approached.

“What do you want?” He asked, “You better sit down before you’re thrown off balance. We don’t want anyone to be injured before we get to
where we are going oh. They might turn the truck around.”

“Can I borrow your phone for a moment?” Daniel asked, “I want to call my madam and tell her that I’m okay.”

Muda smiled and shook his head, “No. Where is your big man phone?”

“I did not bring it with me.”

“You thought one of us would steal it abi? Mr high and mighty. Anyone looking at you will know that with all you muscle you haven’t done a day’s work in your life.”


“Look man,” Daniel said. “I don’t know what you have against me but I am not even going to bother correcting whatever impressions you have. I just want to call my family and tell them I’m okay. Are u helping me or not, let me go back to my seat in peace.”
Muda glared at him for a moment and then smiled. He paused his game and handed it over to Daniel.
“I have two hundred naira credit inside, be ready to pay back double whatever you use when you get paid.”

“I can just use data call, its essentially free…”

“Network here is poor. It won’t connect. See for yourself.”

Daniel inspected the phone. Sure enough, the signal was looking very weak.

“You will replace my two hundred with four hundred naira, Big man. Or else give me my phone back. Agreed?”

Daniel nodded and began dialing. It was a simple phone and he was familiar with the functions. He quickly inputted his wife’s number and
waited with bated breath as it began to ring.

“Hello?” her voice wafted over him like a soothing balm.

“Hello dear, it’s me.”

“Daniel! Where are you? Its almost seven o clock, I was beginning to get worried.” Her voice came out nervous, slightly distant, as the network began to fail.

“I’m so sorry dear, I’ve gone a little bit out of town. I was given an opportunity to work somewhere and I took it. I’ll be back next tomorrow.”

“Are you sure you’re alright? Why did you leave your phone in the house, did you forget it?”

“Don’t worry, the place I work…the phone was kind of a hindrance…”

“What do you mean?”

Daniel hesitated. “I’ll tell you everything when I get back, I promise, just don’t worry okay? I want to be fully concentrated on my work while I’m
there and I don’t want to be worrying that you’re worrying about me.”

She laughed a little at that and it relieved him greatly. Then:

“I noticed your clothes are hardly stained when you return from your job hunting nowadays. Slightly rumpled yes, but hardly stained…not a drop of sweat like before.”

Daniel paused. But before he could say anything she continued,

“I know that you will be willing to do anything to support us financially now. Part of the reason I married you is because of your humility. Whatever it is you are going to do, don’t stress yourself too much you hear? I love you and miss you already.”

Daniel felt a twinge in his heart.

“I love you too babe.” He said.

“Try and send me a text if you can. Can I call you back on this number?”

Daniel looked at Muda who was making silly faces at him and kissing the air. “I’ll call you from another phone later.”

“Alright dear. I will… please keep…”

“What’s that? The line… I didn’t hear….” Daniel said but her voice had become garbled. Soon the call got cut off. Daniel looked at the phone signal. No network.

“Give me my phone na!” Muda demanded, his hand outstretched. Daniel handed it back to him.

“One hundred and fifty four naira!” Muda hissed. “You have finished my credit this man! What if there is nowhere to buy credit where we are going?”

His shouts woke some of the men, Dare included.

“What’s going on? Daniel, what are you doing with that goat?”

Muda switched on the phone’s torchlight and pointed it in Dare’s face. He winced, temporarily blinded.

“Me? Goat? One day your cup will full, don’t worry.”

“Its your cup that will full not my own, idiot! Daniel, don’t do any deal with that guy oh!”

“It’s nothing, I just borrowed his phone to make a call , that’s all.”

“Ah! Why didn’t you borrow from me?! Who did you call?”

“My wife. I didn’t want to disturb you again.”

“Nooo, did I complain that you were disturbing me?” Dare got up and motioned to Muda, “Give me the phone!”

“What? Why? I’m not giving you my phone, you have yours!” Muda yelled.

“Give me the phone let me delete the number he called, before you go and call her and dupe her!”

“Now look Dare!” Muda huffed, “I wont take that embarrassment from you!”

But Dare was already coming towards them. He made a quick grab for the phone in Muda’s hand and they began to struggle. The other
labourers watched, amused.

“Tom and Jerry.” One of the men remarked with a grin.

“What is all this?” Muda demanded chagrined. “Leave my phone alone!”

“Give it! Give it to me! Daniel delete the number from his call log!”

“Come, you this man…I will push you from this truck oh! Leave my phone!”

The beam from the phone’s torchlight, still on, shone like the blade from a Jedi master’s light saber as it slashed through the air, illuminating the angry faces of the combatants one moment and the amused grins of the other men watching this comical scene the next. Daniel stood apart, not quite sure what to do other than plead with Dare to leave Muda alone. Dare suddenly got a hold of the phone and despite being held in a choke-hold by Muda, managed to get to the call log and delete Daniel’s wife’s number.

“You bastard! I will kill you today!” Muda shouted as he applied pressure to Dare’s thin neck. Daniel stepped in at this point, trying to prise Muda’s grip on Dare’s neck apart even as Dare choked and wheezed at the same time. The other men watched and laughed.
In desperation, Daniel grabbed both men and lifted them off their feet in an attempt to prise them apart. Muda looked around in surprise at Daniel’s strength. But the look was cut short by a loud piercing scream from Dare. It was loud enough for Muda to let go suddenly and Dare fell to the floor.

“I didn’t do anything, I didn’t do anything!” Muda shouted. “Put me down!”

“You wanted to kill him!” Daniel shouted back.


“No na, I was just pressing his neck small, I don’t know what…”


“Look!” Dare squealed again as he pointed the torchlight still in his possession at something beside the moving truck. Hie eyes were almost bulging out of their sockets in terror.


Daniel put Muda down even as all the men rushed to the side of the truck to see what he was pointing at.
Surely he was imagining things, Daniel thought. Surely…


“Chineke!”

“It can’t be.”

“Jesus is Lord.”

“What...what are they?”


Running beside the truck silently in the darkness were about fifty black dogs. They raced, keeping pace with the truck, their breaths coming out of their nostrils in puffs of steam, wisps of smoke, as their eyes looked straight ahead. Not one dog barked, not one dog looked up at the men, they all ran beside and chased after the truck, their tails barely swaying in the evening wind.

The atmosphere suddenly changed and everything became surreal. Exclamations escaped the lips of every man on the truck

“Turn off the torch Dare.” Thomas hissed, making the sign of the cross. “Turn it off!”

Dare said nothing but gave the torchlight back to Muda who promptly switched off the torchlight. The dogs immediately disappeared into the darkness, their silk-looking black coats merging with the undercarriage of the truck. The men could still hear their pattering feet, scores upon scores of pattering feet as they followed the truck like pilot fish following a great white shark.

“Oga Eze! Mister Eze!” Dare shouted and immediately got his mouth stifled by various grubby hands.

“Are you mad?”

“You want to draw their attention to us?”

“You want the dogs to attack us shebi?!”

“Does the driver know what is going on? Let us tell them na!” Dare whispered even as he received various knocks on the head. One of the
labourers, Chigozie, moved to the drivers cockpit and knocked on the glass panel that served to separate the driver’s cockpit from the back of the truck. Mister Eze who was sitting beside the driver, opened it.

“What is it? We will be there soon.”

“Dogs sir!” Chigozie whispered harshly. “Dogs everywhere! They are following the truck!”

“I can’t see anything.” The Driver said, peering over the hood of the truck at the road ahead.

Mister Eze looked out his window but saw nothing. He looked ahead where the beams from the truck’s headlights fell. Nothing.

“Go back and sleep jare!” He replied. The others had pressed their faces against the window and he looked at them irritatingly. “We are almost there, you people should go and rest. The Oga is paying us handsomely for staying overnight, he even said he will give you something Dani…I mean Tombre. So you guys should rest yourselves and perform well tomorrow!”

So saying, he shut the glass panel.

The men looked at each other and went back to their positions. Dare took his own phone from his pocket and shone into the darkness. Sure enough the dogs were still there, following them silently. The rays of light fell on the eyes of one of them and reflected back an eerie red light, as if the dog’s eyes themselves were made of fire.

“Switch that damned thing off!” Maxwell snarled and Dare jumped, quickly put off the torch. “Let’s just get to the site and do our job and leave. As long as they pay us well, no wahala.”


“Na so.” Dare replied as he settled back down. Daniel noticed Thomas searching for something in his breast pocket. Watching, he saw Thomas pull out a Rosary and begin to pray it in silence.

CHAPTER 9

Soon they arrived at a large plot of land with a very high fence, so high you could not see what was happening on the inside. Barbed wire lined the top of the fence, making it a nightmare for anyone who was not discouraged by the height of the wall. They drove up to the huge gate and after a few honks a man dressed in a security outfit came out and pushed the gates open, letting them in.

The mansion loomed up ahead of them. It was a huge structure, with a simple base, four square sides and a roof that tapered unnecessarily high, as if the builder wanted to create a huge shovel to scoop out the sky. It looked very imposing, like you needed a short ladder just to lo ok in through the ground floor window. There were stairs leading up to the front and side doors. It was a essentially a duplex with huge paneled doors and sliding windows. The driver drove right up to the main entrance and swerved the lorry to the right, parking parallel to the building itself. He turned off the engine and came down.

“All right, all of you jump down!”

They all obeyed, albeit reluctantly. Dare kept darting his eyes left and right, expecting a dog to come running out of the corner to attack them, but none did. Timi looked wary and turned to the foreman as soon as he alighted from the vehicle.


“Oga, we dey the right place so?” He asked, trying to hide his trepidation.

Mr Eze nodded quietly and looked at the surroundings. The place undeniably had a sinister look around it. He called the men together and they huddled around in a circle as the driver went to knock at the front door.


“We are men.” He cautioned under his breath. “We came to do a job and we will do it and leave. This place gives off a bad vibe, I know, so if any of you see anything funny, shout. We should be able to defend ourselves.”

“Ah boss, I thought you were going to allay our fears sef” Dare laughed nervously.

“Make we dey look” Muda said with a glint in his eye. “If them try nonsense we go show them nonsense.”

“Hey!”

They all turned in the direction of the voice. It was the hilux driver and he was standing at the now open doorway with another man, short and rotund this time, who smiled warmly at the men. This man had an air of opulence around him. He looked well pampered and in his early 50s. He wore a very prestigious looking native attire, brown and white with silver linings and long sleeves ending in golden cuffs. He carried an Afro and his beard was well groomed and had been bleached pure white making him look somewhat regal.

“Make una come greet oga.” the driver with the silver tooth said.

“Thank you for coming.” The owner of the house clasped his hands together in satisfaction and seeming relief as the men approached him. “I was thinking it might be difficult, getting workers to come at this time of the night, especially with the imposed no-work because of the bad roads. You cant imagine what a delight it is to have you here!”

Dare rolled his eyes and winked at Daniel mischievously.

“Which kain big big English be dis? Make this man pay us well o, no be only for mouth!”

Daniel stifled a laugh and motioned for him to be quiet so they could continue to listen.

“I will show you the construction site tomorrow, you guys must start early so you can finish on time. I don’t expect to keep you here more than three days maximum. And don’t worry, I will provide good shelter, work-clothes, food and drinks.”

The men cheered at that, finally some words to alleviate the gloom they were all feeling. The man smiled in return.

“Now first things first, you’ve had a long journey, let Malaki show you to your quarters while I give Richard some food. He has had a long drive himself.”

He gestured to the truck driver who bowed slightly.

“You know the truck driver?” Mister Eze asked in surprise.

“Of course, Richard has worked for me before.” He nodded at Richard who smiled.

Malaki, the guy that had been driving the jeep, turned to the men.

“This way please.” he said and walked briskly towards the back of the house, the laborers following suit, still keeping close together as the huge compound, although well lit by floodlights, was vast and imposing. Trees, about four or five in number and growing close together, cast an oasis of shadow in one corner of the huge compound. There were smaller buildings, apparently living quarters, interspersed here and there within the walls. Daniel looked around and shivered. An old verse from the bible that he used to recite in his secondary school days popped into his head.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.

Dare was walking alongside the others when he saw someone staring at them from the veranda of one of the small buildings. His heart jumped into his mouth for a moment but then the figure turned sideways and he realized it was a young lady. She was probably in her mid twenties. He couldn’t see her face but her silhouette told him she was exceedingly curvy and beautiful. On impulse he waved at her and to his surprise and delight she took notice and waved back. She stared in his direction for a moment and then went into her house and closed the door.

“Mr Man” Dare said to the silver-toothed man,

“My name is Malaki” he replied.

“Sorry, Mr Malaki, we saw some dogs following us on our way here…”

“Oh those animals?” Malaki chuckled. “Don’t worry. It’s like some time ago someone left some puppies in this bush. So they must have mated among themselves and multiplied.” He turned a corner, and the men followed suit.“They are mainly wild dogs. Not very friendly if I’m to be honest, so please you guys should remain within the compound at all times.”


All of a sudden they came upon a long shed-like structure; a temporary accommodation made from plywood and zinc materials, set up at the back of one of the houses. The shed was lit up from the inside by huge florescent light bulbs, with windows through which the men could see comfortable looking beds. They gasped in awe as the driver motioned for them to go in.
Within was huge and spacious with sleeping areas that had been set in two rows of four beds each, and then one bed at the end of the room, The beds were arranged neatly with chequered white and blue bed-sheet covered mattresses and matching pillows. Beside each bed was a small locker, waist high, with three drawers. A bottle of water was placed on the centre of each of these drawers and a towel, a sachet of toothpaste and a toothbrush lay beside it. Four standing fans had been placed at each corner of the tent, each one working on full blast to circulate air around the room.

“So these will be your quarters.” Malaki said. “I hope you find it to your liking.”

The men walked in, looking around at their sleeping quarters in awe.

“Are you sure this is ours?” Dare asked, flabbergasted.

“Yes of course.” Malaki replied. “Oga always makes sure he takes care of his employees, even temporary ones.”

Dare whistled in astonishment and brought out his phone to take a picture. Malaki’s face instantly fell.

“We don’t allow pictures here please. This is going to be a very exclusive residence. In fact, I would like everyone here with a phone to hand it over to me now. For security purposes. They won’t be useful to you anyway as there is no network here.” He stretched out his hand expectantly and Dare hesitated for a moment before giving him the phone.

“The rest of you, please.” He said firmly. “I don’t want to get into trouble with Oga. If he sees any of you holding a phone by mistake he will be very angry.”

The men looked at each other then at Mr Eze who frowned then slowly nodded. One by one they came forward, all except Daniel, and handed their phones over.

“Tombre, where’s your phone?” Mister Eze asked.

Daniel stared at him blankly until he realized he was the one being addressed. “Oh, me? I left my phone at home.”

“Really.” Malaki said with a wry smile.

“You can come and search me, I don’t carry my phone to work.” Daniel stepped forward, his hands raised above his head in readiness for searching.

Malaki dipped his hands into Daniel’s pockets and then patted him down, very expertly.

“It seems that you’re telling the truth.” He smiled apologetically and then he turned to the others: “Someone will come from the kitchen to take your orders soon. There is fried rice and Goat meat, Eba and Okro soup. Those are the only two choices we have for now I’m afraid…”

“It is more than enough sir.” Mr Eze exclaimed. “we are just labourers, not hotel guests!”

Malaki laughed. “I’m not a sir, Mr Foreman. Its alright, not a big deal. We just want to make sure that you are comfortable. Outside to the left of the tent is a makeshift bathroom with two baths and two toilets. Don’t worry, when you see the workload tomorrow you will know that this resting quarter is necessary!” He gave a mock salute at the men and left the tent.

“We. Don. Hammer!” Muda whistled, jumping on the nearest bed. It took his weight comfortably. There was a momentarily mad scramble as the others rushed to the beds of their choosing. Dare of course chose the bed next to Daniel.

“So, what do you think about this place?” He asked, bouncing on the edge of the bed like a child. “At first I thought it was scary but it seems like this guy Is really loaded. He will pay us very well.”

“Oga Eze, we have to reconsider how much these people are paying us o!” Muda fired from his side of the tent. “the distance is far and the work, its like it will be very hard. Tell the foreman that we want more pay.”

“Silence!” Mr Eze snarled. “The only reason you want to be paid more is because you think they have plenty of money!”

One of the men, a big man they called Generalissimo, walked up to Daniel and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Ol boy, you’re on my bed.”

“How is he on your bed General?” Dare asked, pushing Daniel who was already standing up back down on the bed.


“He is on my bed na!” Generalissimo insisted. “They wanted eight people so there are eight beds. He is the one that is supposed to be sleeping on the ground not me.”

“Nobody is sleeping on the ground Generalissimo.” Eze replied. I’ll talk to Malaki and see about getting you a spare if they have…”

“And what if they don’t?!” Generalissimo retorted. He was already getting angry. Generalissimo was known for his hot temper and highly sensitive nature back at the park. Most people tended to avoid him because they never knew what they might say that would trigger his anger. And at a height of 6foot 3 inches and well built, making him angry was not usually in anyone’s best interest. Right now his neck veins were slowly popping out.

“I don’t like how this guy entered the truck Eze,” Generalissimo hissed. “He is going to short our ration, he has already started by cramping our sleeping quarters…”

“Don’t be like that general…”

“It’s okay,” “Daniel got to his feet with a smile. “I’ll look for somewhere else to sleep.” He went to sit down on Dare’s bed.

Generalissimo hissed and rearranged his bed. The others went about settling down while Eze went to talk to Malaki about sleeping arrangements for the ninth labourer.


Soon Malaki returned with some work clothes complete with helmets and safety gloves. He gave one to each man and insisted they try it out to make sure it was the right side. He let them know that the shower was available once more and that they would bring their dinner soon so they could eat and retire to bed as work would commence very early in the morning.

“There was an old foundation we passed outside. It is just behind the servant’s quarters. It needs to be dug up and a new one put in place. I have given your boss Eze the plan of the new foundation. He pointed at Eze who nodded and raised a folded blueprint in his hand. “You guys please follow the plan accordingly. Do a good job and perhaps oga might reward you with another job. You can see that we don’t like many people coming here to know our business. There are only six people in this compound, Oga, myself, the maid and the cook. Then the two security men at their posts. Do this job neatly and fast and we will invite you for further work. Don’t do it well and we will pay you o, but you wont hear from us again.”

“Oga your boys are loyal.” Muda mock saluted and the other men laughed. Malaki laughed as well.

“Now, where is Tombre?”

“Here Sir.” Daniel stepped forward.

“Your bed will be arriving shortly. We were not expecting another person so it will be smaller than the others and not as posh-”

“Sir, its really okay. I’ll sleep on the floor if need be. Thank you for this opportunity to feed my family, may God Almighty-”

“That’s okay, that’s okay”. Malaki silenced him with a laugh and a wave of his hand. “You all just do the job you were brought here for that’s all. Ah, here comes the bed now.”

The door to the tent had opened and the two security guards they had seen at the gate brought in a bed with an iron frame and a small mattress. They set it on the side of the room and left. Soon after the door opened and young lady walked in carrying bed-sheets and a blanket. The men fell silent as soon as they saw her. She was wearing a bland looking worker’s uniform but it did little to hide her beautiful body. She looked at them momentarily with shy eyes and then quickly went about her business, arranging the bed and putting an extra towel and other toiletries on the bed. After dusting the area and making sure the bed was spotless she made to go.

“Thank you,” Dare said.

She murmured something and fled from the room, the eyes of the men chasing after her.

As soon as she left Dare received a heavy knock on the head.

“Ah! Mister Eze, why?”

“Thank you…is it your bed that she made?!” Eze made to give Dare another knock and he dodged, getting out of his reach.

The men laughed and joked with each other, all in high spirits. Their host had been incredibly magnanimous. The evening wore on and they relaxed, had their bath and were served dinner by the same maid. Dare tried to catch her eye each time she came in but she ignored them completely, served the meals and left.

When it was time for sleep Malaki appeared again for the last time that night.

“I trust you gentlemen have enjoyed yourselves. Now rest as tomorrow will be a very busy day. And oh, Daniel, Oga said you can sleep in the bed you choose before, the other fellow can stay in this bed we brought.”

“What?!” Generalissimo leaned forward from his seated position on the bed.

“Yes, Oga says its not fair that you took the bed from Daniel since he had already chosen it. On a normal day you guys are used to sleeping on mats on the floor when you go for overnight jobs, we know. Oga doesn’t like entitled people, he is funny like that. Take this bed for tonight, tomorrow we will see about getting you something a little more comfortable and bigger…”

Generalissimo stood up menacingly. “what kind of humiliation is this?”

The other men listened from their beds. Mr. Eze came forward. “Malaki, we have already settled the matter, don’t worry.”

“My employer has given me strict orders that Tombre should sleep on this bed. Mr Man, kindly pack you things and move. The bed doesn’t belong to you in the first place. “

The veins on Generlissimo’s neck became visibly dilated. His eyes widened and became bloodshot and he clenched his hands into fists.

“It’s because its his tribesman isnt it?” He fumed. “I notice you took him along as soon a he mentioned that his name was Tombre!”

“Sir,” Daniel came towards Malaki, “Really its not a big deal, I sleep on a mat sometimes in my house, this iron bed is more than comfortable enough for me--”

“You misunderstand me,” Malaki faced Generalissimo. “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. Tombre will sleep on this bed this night. If you don’t like it, the lorry that brought you is about going back to town, you can follow it back.”

“Eze What is all this!!!” Generalissimo exploded as Eze tried to calm him down. “This is public embarrassment! I won’t stand for it, no! No!”

“Guy chill, it’s just a bed, its not a big deal, were you expecting to sleep on a bed here before? Have we not seen worse in other overnight jobs? Take it easy…” the men tried to plead with Generalissimo. Malaki just stood there patiently, waiting for them to make a decision.

“You all are bastards for ganging up against me!” He yelled. Daniel came close and whispered, “Don’t worry brother, I’ll give it back to you as soon as he’s gone.” But Generalissmo was in a rage and pushed everybody away from him.

“Generalissimo is it because of bed you want to lose this sweet job? Calm down na!” Eze yelled at him.

Finally Generalissimo relented. He walked to his bed and picked up his things while glaring dangerously at Daniel. Daniel quietly collected his belongings as well and they swapped. Generalissimo immediately lay down on it and faced the wall.

“I take it that means he wants to stay. Good.” Malaki nodded to the men. “Have a good night’s sleep, we start first light tomorrow.”

As soon as he left Daniel went up to Generalissimo, “Don’t mind him brother, he has gone. You can go back to your bed, I’ll…”

“Will you get out of my corner!” Generalissimo yelled and Daniel backed away immediately. Dare called him aside. They knew Generalissimo well, best to leave him to cool down a bit when he was in one of his frequent tempers. Daniel sat down sullenly.

“I didn’t want to take his bed.”

“We know,” Dare replied.

“I didn’t know my coming would be so much trouble.”

Eze laughed. “Why are you whining. Leave Generalissimo, is it bed that we came to sleep on? Does he have this kind of bed in his house? Let him sulk, tomorrow he will feel better then maybe I will allow him take my bed.”

“Why your bed, I can give him mine, really,” Daniel protested.

“It doesn’t matter who gives him bed, but you can give him your pay if you want, I’m sure he will appreciate that better.”

The men laughed. Generalissimo, who was pretending to be asleep, gritted his teeth and said nothing. He didn’t clearly hear what they were saying but he believed the men were making fun of him because of Daniel. That Daniel, he was going to make things very difficult for him in this place. He gritted his teeth again, the anger boiling up withing him until he physically felt his temples throbbing.


“Bastard” he muttered under his breath. He would find a way to deal with Daniel tomorrow.



Inside the house, Malaki walked down a corridor that lead to the study and private library. Within it were beautifully arranged chairs and settees and desks on which an assortment of books lay. He approached one of the desks which had the roundish man with the silver beard poring over a book in thought.


“We have all the men we need Sir.” Malaki addressed the man sitting behind the desk. “And I have already prepared the first one for harvest.”
The man said nothing. Malaki sniffed the air curiously. The strong scent of tobacco lingered in the room. Bossman was upset. He only smoked when he was upset.


“You have one extra.” Bossman’s rich baritone voice filled the dark room. He didn’t look up from the book he was reading from.

‘Yes sir, I explained to Chief that I would be bringing an extra person. His name happens to be Tombre, you know like in Tombre that we... anyway, I mentioned it to Chief and he thought it would be intriguing having him along.”


The man sitting behind the desk hissed. He closed the books and stared at Malaki until Malaki averted his eyes in submission to the larger predator.


“I do not like surprises. If he had an omen, he should have told me.”


“He said nothing of an omen sir. It is my fault. Perhaps I shouldn’t have suggested it to him.”

The man leaned forward to pick up another cigarette, his thick fingers moving like slithering pythons looking for what to strike. In one moment the cigarette was between his fingers. He withdrew slowly, sticking the cigarette into his lips and lighting up. A billow of smoke escaped his nostrils and dissipated into the room.


“Well it doesn’t matter. They are all dead men anyway. Even the most righteous man sins seven times a day. And these men are far from righteous.”

Malaki heaved a sigh of relief and smiled; and the light in the room reflected off his silver tooth.

Royver:
Don't welcome me back.

Once someone welcomes me back something in life takes me away again.

That being said I miss you guys.

I have said it before that I like writing simply because I want to make my readers happy.

i am an empath so it is kind of selfish of me, I feed off of your joy and excitement when I write.

I have since published my book 'The ninth labourer' and I intend to post the first ten(10) chapters here.

For those of you who have money, please support me by going to the link and purchasing my books.

If you don't have the money please encourage me with your kind words.

For those of you that know me, my books always end up having a supernatural twist. I cant help it, it is based off of what I have experienced.

Do enjoy ' The ninth labourer'.

Just stumbled upon this by chance, @Royver, I've really missed your writing especially the twists they carry all way through, nice to see another one from you after a very long time. Can't help but say nice to have you around again loud and not silent 😶😶

gulfer:
Just stumbled upon this by chance, @Royver, I've really missed your writing especially the twists they carry all way through, nice to see another one from you after a very long time. Can't help but say nice to have you around again loud and not silent 😶😶

Thank you Things appear more quieter than usual around here.
Do enjoy the show

CHAPTER 10

Sometime in the 4th century c.e, the christian ascetic Evagrius Ponticus enumerated the seven deadly sins, a list of humanity’s worst traits that served as gateway behaviors through which man descended into the abyss of human wickedness. The sins were Anger, Gluttony, Envy, Lust, Greed, Sloth and the most deadly, Pride, which was believed to have been what caused Lucifer to fall out of grace with The Creator Himself. Each of these words had been engraved on the backrest of seven wooden chairs neatly placed around the large crudely constructed rectangular wooden table upon which Chief Ogo Ikoko rested his elbows. There were three chairs on the right and three on the left, with the ‘Pride’ chair at the head of the table. The table had been crudely constructed from an Iroko tree, an old and ancient one as Bossman had said. Its edges were coarse, easily lending a splinter to anyone trying to run their hands across it. At the centre of the table was a beautiful thick golden fabric, smooth, silky and adorned with red stones in an intricate triangular design. The fabric did not completely cover the surface of the table but rather was just wide enough to be grasped by each member seated at their chair. Chief Ogo Ikoko leaned forward and felt the fabric with his fingers , enjoying the smooth, silky feeling of the golden material. He shifted his heavily adorned personage uncomfortably on his chair which had ‘Greed’ engraved on the back rest and threw the sagging part of his agbada unto his shoulders, first the right and then the left. He sighed and cleared his throat politely at his host who had been sitting very still all this while, as if he himself were a part of the furniture.

“Be patient, they will be here.” Bossman said. Above him, the words “Pride” had been engraved on his chair at the head of the table. He watched as Chief moved again, trying to be comfortable in a chair that had been deliberately designed to be uncomfortable. Chief Ogo scratched his neck surreptitiously.

“You have an itch…” He said. “Is it an ominous itch?”

Chief Ogo chuckled. “If it was I would tell you wouldn’t I? Relax.”

“You could have told me of the ninth labourer first, run it by me before telling your lackey to bring him along.” Bossman’s tone was even, with no sign of belligerency. But Chief knew better.

“Apologies Bossman. I just thought it would add a little drama to the event. You know its going to be a long couple of days. I’ll definitely pass it by you next time.”

Bossman snorted and let it go. “I’m surprised you were able to come for this exercise on such short notice, what excuse did you give this time?”


“Business trip,” Chief replied with a smug grin. “I’m currently in Italy wining and dining my new prospective business partners.”


“I see,” Bossman replied. He lifted his hand to look at his watch, the only move he had made in that seat in the last 10 minutes. “They are late.”


“You think they had a problem with transportation?”


“More likely a problem with Eva. I could be wrong though. Let’s ask them ourselves shall we? Here they come.”


The door to the room opened. In walked three other men and two women. They each nodded solemnly by way of greeting at Bossman who nodded back and each took their respective seats around the table.


“Welcome royalties,” Chief Ogo made a sarcastic gesture of a bow.


“Apologies for the lateness Bossman,” Jasmine smiled courteously, pulling out her ‘Lust’ seat and taking her place. She winked at Chief who blew her a kiss. “We were waiting for Eva,” and she nudged her counterpart who yawned and pulled out the ‘Sloth’ chair.


“Of course, you’re never wrong,” Chief Ogo smiled at Bossman who shrugged.


“We should be able to do these meetings online by now!” Eva said, flopping into her seat. “Bossman , its not as if we need to be here physically to do what we need to do to our prey…”


“And who will handle the inevitable carnage?” Bossman asked. “That will be as physical as can be. You want me to do that all by myself?”

Eva huffed and averted her eyes.

“The sooner we get this night over with the better.” Gluttony had been occupied by the first man to come in. He was dressed in a comically small suit considering his huge abdomen and he wore dark shades that looked like it had been squeezed into his fat beefy face. “Myself and chief had a meeting this afternoon and I am aching to have a proper night’s rest.” He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“We are in opposite parties so we had to have a long drawn out argument against each other today” Chief smiled at his colleague. “But you know some people don’t have any work, all they know is how to eat inherited money from dead relatives.” He eyed Eva meaningfully.
“All I’m saying is we could do with a little modernization.” Eva argued, even as she quickly brought out some white powder from her purse and deftly snorted its contents. Chief laughed and shook his head and she squinted her eyes at him, “What? Its just a little cocaine. Aren’t we allowed to have even that at the table? I’m sure it won’t mind. You guys are all a bunch of traditional stick-in-the-muds.”

“Tradition has its values..:” Bossman replied calmly. “It teaches us our roots and serves as a firm reminder of who we are and what our goals ought to be.” He nodded at the man seated in the chair marked Envy, who averted his gaze uncomfortably. “You know there are so many distractions in the world out there. One could easily lose focus and become attached to people, places, ideals that are not akin with our own...right, Joseph?”

“Sir,” Joseph Aguwa cleared his throat. “Good evening sir, I-”

“Why do you wait so long before you feed, Joseph?” Bossman asked. “Your father was an esteemed member of this coveted table. Have you developed a conscience? Are you trying to leave us, maybe?”


For the first time in the past couple of minutes there was silence at the table. The shadows cast by the candles flickering around the room grew darker and the table trembled as if something from within the wooden fibers threatened to escape. Chief Ogo licked his lips and smiled mischievously at Joseph, looking for some form of fear as he turned to meet their stares one by one.

No, there was no fear there. Only the scent of melancholic resignation.

“Yes, I was trying to control my cravings but not to leave you, Head bongo.” His voice, previously unsure, had become calm, almost carefree as he addressed their leader with his favourite nickname. “Merely an attempt at self control. A very important trait to have in this little club of ours , yes?”

“True. But there is no escaping the table , not after tasting from the powers it bestows.” Bossman said. “I hear you still live in that humble one room apartment and still go about your business like you don’t have millions of naira in your account. Your reluctance at participating in our quarterly session is beginning to irk me Joseph…”


“The boy I killed, I saw his guardian stand by helplessly as I devoured him.” Joseph interrupted and then paused for a moment, thinking.
“Those entities…are they supposed to feel hate? I could see hate coming from his eyes as he looked at me.”


“That is none of your business, or ours for that matter! He cannot interfere, I have told you a thousand times not to worry about such things!”
Joseph lowered his head at the intonation of aggression and exasperation in Bossman’s voice. “I apologize once more to the house.”


“When you perform a sacrifice, you do it not only for your nourishment but for ours as well.” Bossman admonished, spreading his arms across the table at the group. “You are the main reason we are gathered here today, you delayed in your kill and the table has called us to inquire if we are still together. It will give us the opportunity to share in our harvests. For the benefit of those of us who haven’t attended an event like this before…” Here he nodded at the lanky young man with a silver tooth, who had been the last man to enter, “This table will unite us in a common bond to examine our techniques and maybe even improve on it. Its highly inconvenient for many of us but we have made it work.”


“It will not happen again sir.” Joesph said.


Bossman sighed. “Very well. He turned to the chair with “Wrath” written on it upon which the man with the silver tooth sat. He looked determined and ambitious. “So you’re the one replacing Tombre right?


He made to stand up but Bossman shook his head slightly at him and he remained seated. “Yes, I’ve been schooled by Chief Ogo and following reports on the prey, I heard one of them has serious anger issues which we were able to tap into tonight. That is the one I chose. I’m ready to carry out my exercise sir.”


A murmur of approval emanated from those at the table.


“I’m sure you are,” Jasmine grinned and turned to Joseph, “You see, Joseph, this is the kind of enthusiasm we are looking for in our little group; not sad boys with sob stories and guilt feelings. If you’re unhappy with the way we do things let us know and we will replace you. It’s that simple.”


It was that simple, Joseph knew it. He knew they were more than capable of killing and replacing him without batting an eye. Just below the faux politeness and congeniality around this table lay a group of hungry beings, monsters in men’s skin who would rip each other apart at the slightest inclination. There was no loyalty here. He had naively thought at the beginning that they would be the family to him that his father never was, the family that had so constantly taken his father from him, but he had since realized why his father had kept this part of his life away from them. The guilt of what he had done since his father died was weighing heavily on him every day but there was no getting out. He watched their cold-blooded stares and smiled at them. He was sad at his life choices but he wasn’t afraid of them. He was a monster too, after all.


“Take it easy people, I was kind enough to apologize. But if you want to rumble I will be more than happy to show you what I inherited from your friend, my father.” His smile widened just enough to show his canines, ordinary and pearly in the yellow light of the candles.


The others were not fooled by the seeming innocuousness of that gesture. They retreated back into their seats.


“Junior’s got balls” Jasmine muttered excitedly. “Me likey.”


“Enough of the chit-chat. “ Bossman pointed at the new man, “Novitiate, now is your chance to show us what you’ve learned from Chief. They should all be asleep by now.”


The novitiate, Malaki, smiled his silver toothed smile and got to his feet.

CHAPTER 11

Generalissimo had gone to bed in a fit of anger. The thoughts of his humiliation by Mr Malaki bore heavily on his mind even in sleep. He had twisted and turned in his bed, restlessly determined to get even with Daniel one way or the other. He would get back at him tomorrow when the work started. Somehow he would find a way to hurt Daniel, give him a mark to remember him by. Maybe even incapacitate him. He had done it before in another incident of which he felt he had been slighted and didn’t receive justice. About six months ago in another job , one of the laborers had challenged him. He was new to the job then. He had kept his peace until they began working and then he had “accidentally” swung too high with his machete, chopping deep into the other man;s leg. He had apologized profusely of course, even offering to pay for the man’s treatment but it had all been an act. He had watched with inner satisfaction as the man was carried off to the hospital and had felt even more satisfied when he had been told the next day that the man would not be able to resume work for a couple of weeks. Generalissimo was a very hot-tempered and aggressive man and the only reason Eze kept him on his team was that despite his mean behaviour he did a very thorough job on sites.

An accidental swing of a machete or a well-timed slip of a bag of cement from above, the pain on Daniel’s face…maybe he wouldn't even be able to work anymore and they would send him home…

The thought brought a smile to Generalissimo’s face and he had finally settled down into a restful sleep.

The tent was silent, save for the varied snores of slumbering men. And then underneath the door a thin mist crept in and surrounded Generalissimo’s bed.


He found himself in a long tunnel along with the other men, digging it up and clearing it of grass, moss and other debris. He was sweating and itchy. He glanced up and saw Daniel carrying a bucket-load of debris and heading for the exit, exchanging pleasantries with the men on his way out. His anger surged within him like a furnace that had been lit. Why was this guy so much liked by his crew? Why were they smiling with him? They barely knew him! The furnace within him blazed full force and he grabbed a nearby piece of rock and hurled it at the back of Daniel’s head. It hit him squarely on the occiput and Daniel fell on the ground, clutching the back of his head and screaming in pain. Generalissimo laughed out loud, pointing at him gleefully, relishing in the blood that now stained Daniel’s hands, that now appeared on and stained his own hands, that now dripped from his own hands even as he continued to laugh and wonder how the blood got to his own hands and the sound of Daniel’s crying turned to a low moan and finally stopped, leaving the tunnel in a desperate silence.
All the men had stopped what they were doing and were all looking at the unmoving body of their fallen comrade. Generalissimo couldn’t see any of their faces as they all had their backs to him. A certain uneasiness began to creep into his soul.

“What? Did it hit him that hard? Leave him jo! He is probably pretending!” he said.

Somehow, as his voice echoed through the dark tunnel, he knew that he given away his position to…something! Something was terribly wrong. His coworkers remained still as statues, some in fact had turned into stone. Suddenly there was a low, deep, menacing, blood curdling growl, the worst thing Generalissimo had ever heard in his life. He felt his bladder give way and urine spill down his trousers. A large shadow appeared at the entrance to the tunnel and Generalissimo looked into the eyes of - but he couldn’t recognize what it was. Definitely some sort of beast. It had a contorted face, cold black eyes, a snout that was crooked and bent and housed sharp teeth too large for its lips. It let out another growl and began to approach.

Generalissimo turned and bolted down the tunnel, abandoning the statues of his colleagues, abandoning his courage, seeking only to survive. The loud laughter of his colleagues seemingly mocking him for losing his bed, came alive once more and echoed across the tunnel as the creature gave chase, taking shallow ragged breaths as it caught up with its prey. Generalissimo ran deeper and deeper into the tunnel until he suddenly hit a dead end. He turned around terrified as the tunnel began to shake with the thuds of the creature’s footsteps as it approached him. It dripped saliva from its inadequate lips, approaching slowly now, stealthily as if savouring the moment it would pounce on its prey. Generalissimo had never been so terrified in his life. He screamed for mercy, screamed for help, for anyone and everyone to come to his aid.

“Do not be afraid,” A voice behind him said. “Fear is just a distraction.”

“But, but they are laughing at me!” Generalissimo cried. “And this - thing is about to kill me!” His voice filled with rage despite his fear. “All because of that Daniel!”

“Half of what you perceive as hurt is imagined, it did not happen,” The voice continued
although it was gradually fading. “The other half, in this instance, was unintentional. Calm down. Lose your anger. Forgive.”
For a moment, all became still around Generalissimo. Even the approaching creature seemed to shrink in size. Then it suddenly metamorphosed into Daniel, walking towards him, a wicked smile on his lips.

“I will take what is yours.” Daniel smiled, carrying a bed and laying it down at the edge of the tunnel.

“It was not his to begin with,” the disembodied voice replied.

Daniel lay on the bed, turned his back to them and chuckled.

A fit of rage overcame Generalissimo. He ran towards the bed screaming “Yes it was! The bed was mine! MY PROPERTY! You made them laugh at me you bastard!

“No one laughed…” the voice began to say, but then it faded away.

As soon as Generalissimo reached the bed it disappeared and was replaced once more by the creature, but this time its features were clearly visible. It was a huge jackal with a heavy looking snout studded with sharp teeth and claws that reached out eagerly for its prey. Generalissimo screamed again as the terror returned.

A small hand grabbed him suddenly and pulled him away from the creature. He stood in awe and shock, staring at a man with brown wings on his back, a little man who faced the creature as it roared furiously at him

“You…I….I think I know you! “Generalissimo gasped. “Get me out of here!”

The little man nodded and holding him by the hand, covered him with his wings while using a club to strike at the creature with his other hand. The jackal retreated, howling in pain as the club landed heavy blows on it. As the jackal moved back the winged man advanced, still holding firmly to Generalissimo’s wrist. Every time it tried to lunge, Generalissimo would attempt to run away but the little winged man held him firmly , made signs to let him understand he was safer beneath his wings.

Soon they approached the tunnel entrance and a bright ray of light shone, a symbol of hope if there ever was one.

The jackal suddenly became desperate. Howling and striking out wildly, it attacked the little man, tearing the club from his grip. The man grabbed its head as the jackal tore at his wings with sharp claws. Once again generalissimo pulled and this time the little man let go, using both hands to push the creature away, leaving space for Generalissimo to make a dash for freedom.

Suddenly there was a loud moan beside them and Generalissimo turned to see the body of Daniel on the ground. The moan came again and
Daniel moved and struggled shakily to his feet.

“What happened, who hit me?” He sounded confused.

In the background the creature lashed out at the little man who fought back with both his hands and wings now, fully occupied in the battle.
Daniel turned and saw the creature before him and his eyes filled with terror. He stumbled towards Generalissimo, still holding his head, looking very disorientated. But instead of helping him, Generalissimo pushed him away.

“Get away from me!” Generalissimo shouted.

The jackal tried to seize the opportunity to pounce on both men but the winged man quickly intervened, moving to stand between the men and the monster. It growled angrily. The guardian raised his protective wings which had grown larger to accommodate both men and Generalissimo rushed in, followed closely by Daniel.

“Sort yourself out!” Generalissimo barked, “You want to take my guardian the way you took my bed? Go and find your own!”

“I’m sorry!”, Daniel cried, trying desperately to get under the wings of the little man who had retrieved his club, trying his hardest to defend against the creature which had inexplicably doubled in size. Generalissimo pushed Daniel out again.

“Let me in Generalissimo! I won’t take up much space! We can make it out together!” Daniel cried desperately.

“You can die for all I care!” Generalissimo fumed, and gave Daniel a mighty shove.

Daniel was thrown backwards and fell unto the floor, tumbling and rolling away from them. Seeing its chance, the creature immediately went for him, grabbing him in its jaws and shaking him from side to side. Daniel screamed and struggled but it was too late. There was a sickening crunch as the creature bit down on Daniel’s neck and then all was silent.

“Good for him, good for him!” Generalissimo ignored the feelings of guilt that welled up within him. “when he comes to life in the next world he will learn not to humiliate me!”

Then he turned to run out the tunnel entrance.

The tunnel entrance was no longer there.

Confused, he turned to the little man who stood beside him, staring at Daniel’s body, his face enveloped in sadness. His wings had shrunk to a very tiny size.

A low blood curdling growl directly behind him and the feel of hot breath down his neck and Generalissimo knew he had made a terrible mistake. He was filled with a sudden dread as he saw the little man drop the club he was holding and cover his face with his hands in defeat.
From the shadows a man came, a taller man with familiar features and a silver tooth twinkling from his macabre smile.

“I won this fairly, Guardian. This one is mine.”

“I…I don’t understand.” Generalissimo sputtered even as the Jackal circled him, licking its jaws as saliva drooled from its lips like it was savoring a hard-won prize.

“You failed the test,” the silver-toothed man said with a sly grin. “Even in your subconscious you are an angry, wicked man who would rather wish death upon his brother than help him in time of need.”

The bloodied guardian suddenly made an attempt to charge forward but fell weakly on the floor instead. He opened his mouth to shout a warning but no sound came out.

The man looked at the winged creature. “He can’t even hear your voice, he has made himself deaf by his actions. Admit it. This is a clean kill.”
The Guardian sighed sorrowfully and looked away, and Generalissimo screamed as the Jackal before him suddenly pounced, knocking him to the ground and tearing away at his flesh as he struggled in vain.


And in the bed in which Generalissimo slept deep in this worst of nightmares, his body began to convulse. He seized fitfully over and over until finally he ceased to move forever. Beneath the body, the iron frame of the bed trembled ever so slightly and then was still.
And the mist disappeared as silently as it had come.



“Excellently done” Bossman smiled at Malaki who had collapsed back in his chair, exhausted from the exercise. “Ah, here it comes…”
The wooden table trembled ever so slightly at first and then more and more until it rose to a crescendo. Each member of the table grabbed a piece of the centre cloth as the table began to shake and spasm like something that was alive. Malaki , now recovered from his weariness, stood up in alarm but Chief Ogo quickly pulled him back into his seat.

“I told you about this remember?” he whispered. “The table needs to feed. After that it will repay us. Grab a piece of this cloth.”

Malaki nodded, although his eyes were still wide with fright and his knees shook with adrenaline. He had never seen anything like this in his life.

The table creaked and trembled and suddenly let out a sigh and became a still and ordinary heavy wooden table again. The room was silent, save for a gentle dripping that seemed to be coming from beneath it. Malaki shifted uneasily in his chair waiting for someone to notice the dripping or at least for it to stop. But it didn’t.

“Go on,” Eva smiled at him. “Have a peek.”

Malaki slowly bent down and looked under the table and gasped.

There was a huge puddle of blood forming beneath the table at its centre and spreading outwards. The blood seemed to know where to go, seeping gently towards the direction of each of the chairs until it had reached them, and then it began to flow upward. Malaki sat bolt upright once again, terror etched on his face even as Eva chortled with laughter and Chief Ogo shook his head.

“Relax, this is the result of your exercise. Now stay still.”

The blood continued to flow upwards until it got to the handle of the seats and then unto the hands of each of the people seated at the table. They all sighed in excitement and let the blood stain their hands. Malaki watched as the blood got into his hands as well.

And then all of a sudden it was gone.

“How do you feel novitiate?” Bossman asked.

“Like, like I can succeed at anything!” Malaki declared, beaming his silver tooth at everyone. They all laughed.

“Some drama coming up tomorrow when the labourers discover their fallen comrade eh?” Chief Ogo remarked.

“Nothing out of the usual,” Bossman replied lazily. I’ll flash some hard currency and see what they have to say. If they fall for it the game continues, if thy protest we kill them all. Either way they are trapped here until we are done.”


https://selar.co/87c111

Roy don't tell me that's the end of chapter 10 oo

CHAPTER 12

Pandemonium had broken loose in the early hours of the morning in the workers camp. Thomas had been the last one to have his bath and the first to to notice that Generalissimo was still ‘asleep’. No one had bothered to wake him up as he could be quite irritated when aroused from his slumber and following the altercation of yesterday would not be in the best of spirits. Thomas had decided to finally do it since he was the last person left in the tent. It was when he had nudged him once, twice and shaken him vigorously only to realize he was not responding that he raised the alarm.

Everyone had rushed back to find Generalissimo dead as a doorknob on his bed.

“This is a bad sign, Oga Eze.” Thomas said, making the sign of the cross even as the others murmured among themselves.

“Let’s all calm down first.” Mr Eze replied. “Carry the bed, lets take him to the owner of the house.”

Carrying their dead comrade out into through the open field and placing him in front of the main house, they banged on the large iron door. When no one responded the men started to shout and bang the door again. Mr Eze tried calming the men as he waited for the door to open but he knew the matter was a grim one. It was true Generalissimo had not been anyone’s best friend when he was alive, but he was still a comrade. This was no way to start a job.

The door opened and Malaki came out, a dark look on his face. He stared at the men with those cold eyes and they gradually fell silent.

“What’s the matter?” He asked quietly, then saw the body of Generalissimo on the ground behind them as they parted. Immediately he rushed out and knelt beside the man. Almost like a professional he felt his neck for a pulse and put the back of his hand against the man’s nostrils to feel for breath. Nothing. He got up quickly and ran back inside.

“What is going on here?!” The owner of the house came out the front door soon after. Now they saw him clearer in the morning light. Light smooth skin with wide face and slightly protruding abdomen, he looked like someone who had been pampered all his life. He was wearing boxer shorts and a faded plain blue T-shirt. On his feet were a pair of expensive looking designer slippers. From the looks of things he had been asleep himself and was probably only just awakened by Malaki. He saw the body of the man they had laid at the entrance and let out a gasp. He walked over to the body cautiously and stared hard at the man's face.

"Is he dead?"

"You are asking if he is dead can't you see that he is not breathing?!" Dare shouted

“Be quiet and don’t be rude!” Malaki growled, coming up from behind his Master, “Are you a doctor? how are we sure he is dead?"

"He is not breathing!" Dare repeated.

“And so? Do you know if his heart is still beating? Lets see if we can take him to hospital! They might still be able to do something.”

“He has a point sha,” Mr Eze said. “We don’t know for sure that he is dead. Where is the driver that brought us, let us rush him into town.

“He left last night,” Malaki replied, “I mentioned it to you remember?” He sighed. “Now I really wish this guy had refused his bed and gone back with the man.

“Was he sick?” The homeowner asked.

“Not that I know of,” Mr. Eze replied. “He’s a very strong worker. Not one that falls ill easily. This is a big surprise.”

“Well, let’s not waste any more time, we should try and get him to a hospital as soon as possible let us see if there is anything that can be done for him.”

“How?” Mr. Eze replied, “I see no vehicles in this compound. And the way back was really far or is there a hospital nearby in this bush?”

“I have a helicopter” The homeowner replied. “I use it in emergencies and on special occasions when I want to make a grand entrance. We can use that.”

Eze blinked and looked at the men who looked at each other. Was the man serious?

“Helicopter? Are you joking?” Chigozie said staring at the man incredulously.

“No, its at the back of the house.”

There was a long pause among the men as they temporarily forgot about their fallen comrade.

“Sir, you have a helicopter?" Dare repeated.

"Well, not a very big one, “ the homeowner replied, “It’s a Hummingbird model, quite small…”

“But you have a helicopter? na wa o, money good o…” some of the men began to murmur and the homeowner, looking embarrassed,
interrupted them.

“Anyway, the helicopter isn’t very big but it should be able to carry this guy to the nearest hospital immediately. Its at the garage in the back.
Quick, let's go!”

Directing two of the men to pick up the body, the homeowner hurried them to the back of the house , another corner they had not seen when
they had come in. There was a huge wide shed with high walls and a slanting roof. Two men pulled the doors apart and let the others in. Right in the middle of the shed was indeed a small black, sleek looking helicopter. It had the name ‘Tableau-45’ printed on its side and it looked clean and well maintained. 

“Your friend should be able to fit in there.” The homeowner said, “Malaki, quickly, fly this guy out of here!” 

“Let some of us go with him…” Dare suggested. 

The homeowner looked at the helicopter thoughtfully.

“Normally this helicopter is supposed to carry only two people plus the pilot.” He turned to the foreman. “but alright, Mr Eze, you can go with him.”

The foreman turned to his men.

“You guys behave yourselves until I come. Don't do anything foolish.” He glared at them sternly and entered the helicopter while Malaki put
Generalissimo’s body in the space beside them. Malaki pushed a button on the wall and suddenly the entire roof began to slide backwards.
The men looked at the mechanism in awe.

“Everyone clear out,  its dangerous to be close to this thing when I start it.” Malaki warned. “Clear out!”

All the men ran out of the building. They stood watching in amazement and trepidation as Malaki started the helicopter engine and the blades came to life and whipped up the air and dust around them as it let off a loud whirring noise. Soon the helicopter was in the air and had flown off swiftly towards the town.

The homeowner tuned to address the men,

“So sorry about this guys, is it possible your comrade was sick before coming here?”

“No sir.” Dare said. “He did not report any signs of sickness yesterday.”

The owner signed.

“I can imagine how awkward it must be for you guys, but the show must go on, as they say. I will be very happy if you can go ahead and
commence work and I will update you about his situation as soon as the others return.”

“Oh no, we are not working again sir.” Timi replied,sitting on the ground.

“Yeah, we would much rather go back home sir, you can hire another group,” Dare said sourly.

The homeowner looked at them from one to the other , each man carried a forlorn look on his face.

“It is most unfortunate that your comrade died in his slept, who could have foretold such a thing? I'm really sorry.”

"Find how you will arrange transport to get us home!" Dare's shrill angry voice suddenly sounded in the background. "I've had a bad feeling
since I came to this place. Now somebody has died!"

"Was I the one that killed him?" The homeowner looked surprised. “Many people die in their sleep everyday. Even if he had not been sick, how
do you know he wouldn't have died peacefully in his house last night if he hadn’t taken this job?"

There was murmuring among the men. Clearly they were worried about recent events but at the same time there was some logic to the
homeowner's words.

The one called Tombre was gazing at him intently, but said nothing. He looked at him, waiting for him to speak, but Tombre looked away
instead.

He continued.

"Look, I'm really sorry about your friend and comrade. But it is not my fault that he died. Also I want to get my building finished as quickly as
possible as I plan on doing a house warming party later this year and I have already sent out invites. "

"How do you expect us to work when our moral has been crushed like this?" Muda cut in suddenly. He pushed his way to the front and stood before the homeowner. "We need something to boost our morale."

“Ah…I see,” The homeowner said with a little smile.

"Come, Muda..."Dare began, but Muda continued,


"The men need motivation boss. Somebody just died, a dear friend we talked with and shared dreams with and regarded as a very close brother just died suddenly last night in the same room that all of us slept in. Haba, you reason am na. We need something too boost our spirits Boss.”

“Muda we are not sure he is dead,” Daniel began but Muda shushed him.


The homeowner saw the gleam in Muda’s eyes and stifled a chuckle before it came to the surface.

“Okay, okay, how about I give you guys some encouragement? It is not as if it is my fault that your comrade is not fine but at the same time I can understand that you guys are traumatized. How much was it that I agreed to pay you in the contract? I will add some money on top. Call it hazard allowance.”


"How much are we talking boss.?"

"Muda!" Dare shouted but Muda ignored him, not taking his eyes off the homeowner for a second.


"Alright. I'll double the pay. And I'll send the sick man's wages back to his family even though he didn't do any work. Take it as compensation to the family for what happened even though once again I must say that none of it was my fault in any way!"


"Correct boss," Muda said under his breath with a subtle smile. He winked at the homeowner and turned back to the men.. "Guys, forget this
matter make we go work. The Boss has told us he will settle us with double our pay. It is unfortunate but what has happened has happened. Let us do a good job here and return back to town richer than when we came!"


"How do we know he will pay?" Chigozie demanded. "All this one na for mouth, where is the money?"

"I have assured you that I will double your salary. It is chicken change to me. If I don't do as I said when you're done with the work, destroy my house, hold me hostage..."

“All that one no work Oga," Timi, another of the men replied. Muda nodded. The men were getting into his vibe. Thank goodness Oga Eze was not here to shut it down. ”Destruction of property will turn to police case an no one wants that.”

“Fine, I'll put it in writing. Or better yet, I sign you guys a cheque right now. You won't be able to cash it until the job is done..."

"Do both." Muda  suggested, cutting him short.


The man looked at Muda and smiled. It disconcerted Muda for a  moment. “Very shrewd sir. Okay, I'll write it down and also sign a cheque you all can share. If you're happy with that agreement, please go to work.

The men discussed among themselves and slowly they all agreed and began to move to the site. Even Daniel had to admit it was a good bargain that had been struck. Still though, he hesitated.

“What is the matter, Oga Daniel?” Muda asked mockingly, “The money offer is not enough for you?”

“Far from it, I’m not thinking about the money at all,” Daniel replied and Muda rolled his eyes. “I just feel something isn’t quite right…”

“You should be happy, you can easily take Generalissimo's place now and demand full payment. Maxwell and Dare don’t need to share their wages with you anymore.”

“That’s true” Maxwell who was nearby, said. “You can use this opportunity to talk to the Oga.”

“I don’t know. I feel like that would be taking advantage of the situation…”

“Mister landlord!” Dare shouted suddenly, making everyone jump. The homeowner turned to him.

“Yes?”

“This man here was the extra guy that followed us to this work. It is a good thing that he came. We initially thought of splitting our salary with him but as it is, he will be replacing our fallen comrade. Is it okay if you pay him his full wages?”

"Don't worry, if you don’t want your share of the money, give me when we go to town to cash it. " Muda whispered in Daniel’s ear from behind. "Oga goody goody."

“But of course!” The homeowner replied. “Really it is a good thing you came Tombre. Please step forward.”

Daniel came to the front of the crowd. The homeowner walked up to him and stretched his hand out for a handshake. Daniel took it, feeling the warm beefy flesh envelope his hands.

“I knew there was a good reason for you coming.” The man smiled. “work hard here and I will pay you your complete money and more!”

“Thank you sir,” Daniel said, not looking into the man’s eyes. He pulled his hand free from the somewhat slimy grip and backed away.
Something about the man’s aura disturbed him.

“And you,” The man pointed at Muda, “You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders. I will appoint you the leader of this group until your foreman returns. That okay?”

“Very okay sir!” Muda saluted before the others could protest.


“Daniel, you still look bothered, what is it?” Dare asked as they walked to the site.

“The landlord, he said it several times that he was not the one that killed Generalissimo.”

“Of course, he is not. We were all just angry that’s all,”

“True but we all also agreed that Generalissimo might not be dead. That’s the whole point of rushing him to the hospital isn’t it? But the man
spoke with conviction. Like he was sure he was dead.”

“He looked dead to me too.” Dare replied. “But don’t let it bother you. The landlord was probably mixing up his words under pressure. Let’s
just pray and hope that Generalissimo makes it.”

Daniel signed and nodded.

I'm really enjoying this story. Please don't stop halfway.

CHAPTER 13

An hour later and the men were busy at work. Sweat poured from their grisly skins as they dug up old rotten blocks from the foundation that had been laid years ago. This was difficult as the foundation had been laid pretty deep and the ground was hard. Using their tools, they fashioned new ridges and holes for the new foundation while others carried the old blocks to throw into a pit in the compound. A shed had been shown to them which contained bags of cement and other building materials. The men worked long and hard into the day. At one point a young woman had come and offered them refreshments. It was the same woman that has brought in the extra bed , the same one that Dare had waved to when they first came in. Even now Dare was talking to her and she was smiling and looking away shyly.

“Come, fine girl, don’t you have something else to do?” Muda yelled from a corner. The lass quickly picked up her empty food tray and hurried away as Dare stared at a grinning Muda with daggers in his eyes.

“Muda, if you try that again eh…”

“What will you do? Are you not supposed to be working?” Muda said with a grin.

Dare began to approach him but Maxwell held him back.

“Don’t go looking for trouble, Oga Eze isn’t here to separate both of you this time.”

Dare hissed and turned to his work. He was about heaving a bag of cement unto his back when he spotted Daniel at one corner, staring thoughtfully into space.

“What’s up ‘Tombre’? Dare called, “You tired already?”

Daniel shook his head and went back to work. He thought he had sen a wad of notes earlier somewhere on the ground near the cement bags while carrying a batch to the men at the building site and had planned to come and take a closer look, but now it was nowhere to be found. He had started to wonder how easily it was to hallucinate and from there his mind had wandered to thinking of the wife and kid he had left at home.

He had proven his worth to the men in the last couple of hours. Being his first time at work, he had gone for the less expertise job and had been digging up old blocks, putting them into a wheel-barrow, and wheeling them to where had been assigned for them to be disposed of. He was sweating all over but he was loving the job. He had not used his muscles like this in a while and it left him feeling more and more exhilarated. After a while, to avoid monotony, he had switched with Chigozie and gone to assist the men in mixing and pouring the cement and generally assisting with one task or the other. He listened keenly to advice and carried out his tasks as quickly as possible. The men began to squabble among themselves who he would assist next as he was dong so well and making their work generally easier.

“Thank God we brought him along oh,” Timi whispered to the others. “He is really doing well.”

“It is initial gra-gra,” Muda sneered. “He will soon get tired, watch and see.”

“I doubt it.” Maxwell replied, looking up at Daniel as he rushed to fetch water from a tap. “He is behaving like a man driven, a man with a purpose. It is obvious he has not done this kind of work before but you cannot deny that he is putting a lot of effort into it.”

“Initial gra-gra.” Muda repeated. “Wanna bet?”

The men all dispersed. They knew better than to bet with Muda on anything as he always found a way to cheat. Muda laughed and called them cowards and went back to his work.

They worked until late afternoon before they finally sat down in a corner to rest. The power generator was on and its gentle and consistent hum filled the compound. Lizards watched the men from on top of the high fence and birds flew overhead, some daring ones landing on the sites where the men had dug up, where they could grab grubs and insects from freshly pulled earth and stone.

“We have done well today boys.” Muda said and he brushed dirt from the shin of his leg.

“The kind of hunger I am feeling now, I can eat a whole goat.” Chigozie sighed.

“Glutton.” Maxwell laughed. “Be careful and study the meat they bring for us to eat this afternoon o. Let it not be one of those black dogs in the forest that they prepared for us!”

The men fell unto uneasy laughter followed by a long silence.

“But guys, don’t you think that Generalissimo is really dead?” Maxwell asked.

“We have no way of knowing, we are not doctors.” Dare replied.

“So if you see person for bush, you no go know if he don die or not?” Thomas queried.

“Well, if they can get him to hospital on time…who knows if there is a drug to revive him…”

“From death?”

“My friend, leave me alone. I told you I’m not a doctor.

“This work is hard. All the effort today and we have barely gone half way in digging up the old foundation.”

“Yeah but the money is good.” Maxwell grinned.

“Very good!” Dare replied. “May be uncle Muda will stop tricking people from their money for a while after this!”

“Keep looking for my trouble when Oga Eze is not around. You will soon ifnd what you are looking for.” Muda hissed.

“Shebi it is helicopter they used? Oga Eze should have been back by now.” Azuka murmured. He was a very quiet person and didn’t speak much.

“Well, maybe he is trying to sort out his bills and such.” Daniel replied, thinking of the bills he had to pay.

There was silence again.

“Poor Generalissimo” Dare said.

“Yeah, too bad man.” Maxwell replied. “It didn’t look good.”

“You people are just pretenders,” Muda hissed. “ You’re just trying to make yourselves feel remorse.”

“Haba, Muda, surely even you can’t stoop so low to speak ill of the dead?” Thomas said, making a sign of the cross.

“Oh please!” Muda retorted. "Is it our fault if that bastard died? With the way he was always getting angry I'm sure he had high blood pressure. Even last night when he was shouting I thought he was going to have a stroke. The guy killed himself jare.”

“So you don’t think the homeowner had something to do with it?” Thomas asked.

They looked from one to the other, each afraid to voice his illogical and superstitious belief.

“Well, I do not trust that man, even though he has been nice to us since we came here.” Daniel finally said. “Something about him just feels off.”


“You are only saying that because he is a rich man that lives in the middle of the bush.” Chigozie replied. “Even me, when I have money, I will
build my house in a place so far from civilization that it will take two hours to reach me from any direction…I like my peace and quiet.”

“You? Peace and quiet? Do you even know the meaning of the words?” Timi sneered and jumped out of the way as Chigozie flung a stone at
him.

“But you have to admit the man has done his best regarding the incident this morning. Offering to fly him to hospital..” Maxwell said,
completely ignoring Chigozie and Timi tussling by his side.

"Abi" Dare nodded enthusiastically. "The man even said he will give his family compensation. Haba Daniel, even you must admit that was quite generous of him."

"I suppose you're right." Daniel said. “But why live in such isolation?”

"All these rich men have their reasons. Our own is to chop their money when we have the chance." Muda grinned and raised his voice. "Come o, I know say una no like Generalissimo before so i no wan see any sad face near me! I have bargained good money for you guys nobody told me thank you. Nonsense!"




They had gone back to lying on their backs in the field when they heard a loud whirring nose approaching from the East. The helicopter had returned. The men stood up and approached the aircraft as it slowly descended into the special hangar in the compound. They waited until the roof had closed and the engine from the helicopter and stopped completely then they went in. The first thing they noticed was that Eze wasn’t there.  They went to meet Malaki.

"Where Oga  Eze?" Daniel asked as he alighted from the aircraft. 

"Oh, he decided to stay behind and help your friend.” Malaki replied. “He said he will come in the next two days to collect you guys. He expects you must have finished our work by then.”

The men stared at him in shock.

“Wait, how? Is Generalissimo still alive?” Daniel asked in surprise.

"Yes he is. We were able to get to the hospital just in time. They took him into intensive care but the doctors assured us he was going to make it.”

A sudden loud cheer erupted from the men and the homeowner came out of the house . 

"What happened?" He shouted "Where is their foreman?"

Malaki came out of the shed and went towards the house with the men following behind, laughing and clapping each other on the back in celebration.

“Good evening sir,” Malaki began, “He said I should come and pick him up in two days, that he will stay with the sick man until his family arrives. Apparently they don’t live in town."

"Oh wait, he's alive?" 

"Yes sir."

"You see?" Bossman laughed in relief and pointed at Dare, "I told you he'll  be alright if we can get him to hospital on time."
“He, he really looked dead. I don’t know what to say…” Dare muttered.

“No need to say anything, let us just be grateful that all’s well that ends well.” Bossman grinned at Muda. “You guys just put us all through stress for nothing.”

"But sir, that doesn’t negate our agreement.” Muda said quickly. “Agreement is agreement sir… it could have been worse…"

"Shut up Muda!" Dare shouted at him. "What is wrong with you? The man is alright, we thank GOD for that, let us go back to the work we came here for..."

Bossman laughed out loud. "It's quite alright. I told you that money was chicken change to me. I have the cheque right here.”

He walked over to Muda and handed him a cheque. Muda looked at him incredulously. “I never go back on my word." He said. “This is for
trusting me and rallying your men to work for me today. Good job."


"Boss!" Muda hailed him and all the men cheered. 

"Alright you guys turn in to bed, ask the cook what you want to eat for dinner and rest. We have another busy day tomorrow."

All the men laughed and cheered as they went back to the shed. All except for Daniel who had been watching Malaki and the homeowner exchange a few private words between themselves and he could have sworn Malaki’s lips formed the words “dead” and a sly grin had crept through the homeowner’s face. Then they turned almost at the same time to look at him. He averted his gaze quickly and followed the men to the tent.

Wow. What a surprise. After more that two years that we last heard from you. It's good to hear from you again.

Hope you will keep us entertained for long this time before you disappear again.

I am amazed that I didn't get this mention notification till today. But it's all good.

Warm regards.

Royver:
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Happy New Month.

Following

CHAPTER 14

The man in the gluttony chair sat forward.

“I would like to go next if I may...”

“Who did you have in mind?” Bossman settled back in his Pride chair.

It was midnight once more and all were gathered around the table. Chief was smiling at Jasmine who winked back. Eva looked at both of them and made a gagging sound.

“There is one man amongst them.” The man continued, “He has barely spoken. But I watched his eyes and read his soul and I feel he is the one for me.”

“Surely you do not mean Tombre?” Chief Ogo remarked. “Bossman, I was thinking we would leave him to be among the last, to be a victim of the inevitable wild slaughter. Then we could interview him and find out how he came about that name before we destroy him.”
The man in the gluttony seat shook his head. “No, I mean the boy that stared at your house when he came in, Bossman, stared at your smooth skin, stared at your helicopter, the boy whose eyes watered when he saw the opulence of your modest accommodations. His eyes are full of gluttony and that excites me so.”

“You mean greed, surely?” Chief remarked.

Eva raised her hand. “Pray tell, what is the difference between gluttony and greed?”

“You don’t know?” Chief’s voice became authoritarian; “Gluttony is over indulgence in food or drink. Greed is an insatiable desire for material gain or social value, such as status or power.”

“You are wrong.” the man in the gluttony chair said, his voice quiet in the darkened room. Chief turned to him curiously.

“What are you talking about? I literally just gave you the textbook definition.”

“The kindergarten definition, maybe.” The man took out a cigarette from his pocket, took out a match, took his time to light it as the others watched, took a long deep puff, and exhaled it towards the roof of the room. “What is gluttony if not the loss of control of one’s desires for pleasure. What is food if not sustenance for life itself. I say gluttony is an overwhelming desire to be satisfied in life, to seek out and take and take and take to keep your tummy full, to keep yourself satiated. In greed you look at what others have, in gluttony you look at what is within your own reach and keep taking, not knowing when to stop.” He took another puff of the cigarette. “that is what gluttony is to me. It goes beyond food, yes. It is the desire to be full throughout life at the detriment of others, leaving nothing for those behind you, leaving nothing to share with those less fortunate.”

The room was silent. Chief bent over to Malaki who was sitting beside him and whispered, “I’ve never liked this man. How you guys voted him to be the next senator-elect in your party is beyond me.”

“Ah, Chief, but you know you two have always been rivals. You have a love-hate relationship. I’m not getting in the middle of that sir” Malaki chuckled

Bossman looked at the man smoking the cigarette. “Your victim, how do you propose to get to him? Have you baited him yet?”

“Of course.” The man blew another puff of cigarette into the air. “I can feel his guilt from here. He is ripe for the picking.”

“I still feel what he explained was greed and not gluttony.” Chief complained. Bossman chuckled in amusement.

The man got to his feet and looked business-like at Bossman. “Right. Shall I begin?”


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CHAPTER 15

Back in the laborer’s quarters, the man being spoken of sat down on his bunk and surreptitiously counted the wad of notes he had picked from behind the pile of cement bags that afternoon. He whistled as he counted twenty five thousand naira in one thousand naira notes. What a windfall! He had not expected to come upon this kind of money just lying around carelessly. The money had been covered in some dirt so he believed it may have been dropped there some time ago. Probably even forgotten. It most likely belonged to the homeowner. For a man that owned this compound, a man of such opulence, he would not even remember if he had lost this kind of money.
Or maybe it belonged to someone else? He had seen Daniel standing close to the money earlier but surely it couldn’t be his. If he had that kind of money what was he doing with them doing manual labour?

A gentle voice in his head urged him to announce the missing money, but he silenced it. He would be a fool not to claim this windfall, after all, no one had complained of having lost any money. He opened his satchel and dug the money deep into it, whistling and looking around to make sure no one else was watching what he was doing.

The others were going to have their bath or preparing for bed. He waved and smiled pleasantly at Dare and stared blankly at Muda who seemed to be looking at him suspiciously. But then Muda looked away.

Or maybe he was just being paranoid.

He put the satchel under his pillow and laid his head on it. Another two days or so and they would be out of here and the money would be his to spend as he deemed fit. He fell asleep with a smile on his lips.

He found himself under a huge Udala tree. It was a hot afternoon and someone had arranged mortars alongside their pestles in a circle just in front of the tree and within its cool shade. He was sitting on one of the mortars. Sitting beside him was his aged grandmother. He gasped when he saw her, realizing that she had died a couple of years ago. His grandmother was admonishing him of something and he was answering in a voice that belonged to a child.

“And so my child, never take that which does not belong to you’, his grandmother was saying. “You belong to a noble family, one of the most noble families in our village. And even when we starve we do not steal.”

“But mama, I haven’t stolen anything,” He replied.

His grandmother gave him a knock on the head with her knuckles and pointed at the mortar he was sitting on as he winced in pain.

“So what have you hidden underneath there?” She asked, staring sternly at him.

Somehow he knew if he were to get up he would see the twenty five thousand naira he had tried to hide in his satchel there.”

“Chigozie. Chigozie. Chigozie. How many times did I call you?” His grandmother said.

“Three times mama.” He replied sullenly.

“Wake up immediately and return this money,” She said.

Chigozie felt his heart sink. He always did what his grandmother requested when she was alive. But she was dead now. And besides, this was a dream.

“No mama! I found it, no one else asked for it. No one else has said their money is missing, It is mine! Finders Keepers!”

“Chigozie,” His grandmother called him again. “We are not dishonest people. We have never been dishonest in our family. When God wants to bless you with your own, it will be your own indeed. Return this money.”

“I will not!” Chigozie retorted. “It is people like you that slow down others progress with your outdated morals. This is called being sharp.
Nobody asked for the money, nobody claimed money was missing. How do I not know that this is a blessing from GOD?”
His grandmother shook her head slowly.

“Chigozie,” she began but he cut her short.

“All the honest I have been ‘honesting’ since, how has it helped me. How has it put food in my mouth? Look, If that was why you came back from the grave, to tell me to return small twenty five thousand naira I saw in my employer’s field, then return!”

His grandmother sighed deeply again and then she was gone.

Just like that, he was alone.

He was just about sitting back to relax on his mortar when he heard a sound of people in large numbers coming in his direction. He jumped to his feet to run but they were already upon him. Blurry faces, faces shrouded in darkness, but he could see their anger. He could feel it. Men and women they screamed and shouted, grabbing him from all sides before he could escape.

“Thief!”

“Where is the money?”

“What money?” He shouted as he struggled to get free of them.

As they held him down an old man hobbled to the front of the crowd with his walking stick. He pointed it at him and asked,

“Where is the money?”

“I don’t have any money! You people have the wrong person!” chigozie cried, even as one of the men approached and touched the mortar he had been sitting on.

“Raise it up! This is where he has hidden it!” A voice in the crowd shouted.

The man by the mortar raised it up and there underneath was the Twenty five thousand naira. It shone with a strange light so that the whole crowd could see it. The old man opened his palm and the money suddenly jumped into his hand of its own accord.

“I want to wake up! I want to wake up!” Chigozie screamed but the crowd only got more excited. One by one, big men came to the front, each of them carrying a mortar. They were followed by women armed with pestles.

“You are a thief.” The old man said quietly. “And you will be punished.”

“So saying the men raised the mortars above their heads and brought it crashing down on Chigozie’s body. They repeated this over and over again until Chigozie felt all the bones in his body must have been broken. He whimpered in pain, what kind of nightmare was this? Why was he in so much pain, why couldn’t he wake up? The women came afterwards , each of them smiling gleefully and pestles aimed at his face.

“No,” He pleaded. “Please…”

And the pestles came crashing down.

Back in his bed, Chigozie’s eyes became bloodshot as he tried to raise a feeble hand in defence. Then he breathed his last.

And the mist that had surrounded his bed slowly dissipated.


“Excellently done, I must say”. Bossman clapped as the man in the gluttony chair sat back down. The others joined in, Chief only briefly.
“I still feel that was a greed kill.” Chief said but the man in the gluttony chair ignored him even as the table squirmed and moved once again like a living thing and blood seeped into their waiting hands.


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Happy New Year....

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