₦airaland Forum

Issue 18
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Series of thoughts ran through my head as Baba Odika's voice echoed "...even those who never bargained will suffer..." , I was beginning to get the big picture but first I had to find my way out of the deserted outskirt. Now that Baba is dead, the only hope I had of escaping visual and mind torture, I felt there was a drastic negative development which already is being obvious, I have never seen Mama Sunday's ghost before but now she isn't hiding from me. A bike pulled over in front of me asking where to, I told him my destination mounting hastily, I never took my eyes off behind me to ensure the fierce ghost has given up the chase, my heart was still beating to the sound of the bike's engine as we sped on the highway.

The breeze that blew all over me while on the bike felt like a new feel of relief, the bike man concentrated while he rode me to my destination, I still had flashes of Mama Sunday's sudden appearance in my head as it caused my heart to get a little jumpy, I tried calming down as I held the metal my seat rested on. It was completely dark as the bike's head light was the main aid to see what laid ahead, other coming vehicles also had their head lights but they just passed by leaving us with ours. In no time we were at the main market, I told him to stop so I could get something to eat before I headed home, I paid him and he gave back my change as he turned his bike and zoomed off, I put the change in my back pocket and faced the Mai shai beside the phone charger.

I took my time taking my meal as I could not taste it at all, not that I had catarrh or cold but the thought of going home alone gave me a scare, I threw the last chunk of suya in to my mouth and stepped it down with a cup of hot tea, I paid the mallam and crossed over to the other side of the road. I looked at my dark street which had no brisk of light, the songs of the crickets welcomed me like I was part of them, I couldn't proceed with all the darkness that beckoned, I decided to wait till I find some one who was going my way, someone whose destination path was also my street. Seconds ticked to minutes as minutes turned in to an hour, I was still on my feet waiting patiently for someone who would just tilt in and walk home, thirst crawled my throat as I had no choice but to cross over to get a pack of pure water, I did just that but kept my eyes stationed opposite where I was, I squeezed the nylon and ordered another pack, I paid for it and began to sip it like it was an expensive liquid. Suddenly, a man branched in to my street and was walking straight down, quickly I crossed and began to follow his path, he wore a long sleeved shirt but it was very hard to see the colour, I wasn't really bothered by that but felt a little bold as I have found company who I was trailing,the man walked slowly in which I also emulated by walking slower so I could be behind him.

My strange leader looked familiar from behind, many people reside on this street but with just a few being my friends, he'll only be familiar if I do not get to see his face, I didn't bother to walk ahead of him as I mellowed on my pace and trailed like I have been. There was absolute silence on my street which didn't get me surprised, I ignored the darkness as I have found solace in the fearless man who never even bothered to see who was walking behind him, he never for once looked back to get a glimpse of who was following him, all he did was kept his head straight and maintained the pace of his stroll, we walked past the chemist shop who had already closed for the day, I wondered why he closed so early but that wasn't a thought for that moment, home was all I had in mind.

The gentle man didn't even stop for a second as he passed different houses which meant he wasn't home yet, I was on one part happy I would get home before he did so I won't have to walk this lonely road all alone, crickets made their sounds as owls hooted to the rhythm of the night, it appeared like the whole residents of my area held a meeting not to use their generator sets tonight, it wasn't too late but it baffled me why generators were not gracing the night with their own harmonies, the silence was so dead I couldn't even hear the noise from the market anymore, even the night breeze fought to be heard. The stranger didn't appear he was going to stop any time soon but I was already saying hello to my compound which a few meters away, I wondered where he was going but that was no longer my business, I do not care where his destination laid so far I have arrived at my humble abode and he appeared to be brave and bold enough to proceed in to darker side of the street. He didn't alter his pace as he also didn't look back for once, I could bet I was not silent enough for him not to notice someone was walking behind him, he chose not to care and had that confidence nothing could happen to him. I looked at my compound on the left side and promised my self never to return late again, I thought of thanking the strange lone walker but a second thought deemed it not necessary, it was possible he wouldn't even acknowledge my appreciation, I decided to just shut my mouth and go home

To my utmost surprise, the lone walker's destination was my compound, I could swear I have never seen him before as a tenant or a neighbour, I thought he might just be dropping by to say hello to one of the tenants who happened to be one of my neighbours. I reached for my phone and also my keys so I wouldn't have to search when I need it, the compound was also empty as everyone was already in their various apartments, just the light from their lamps and lanterns reflected outside through their windows. I stopped at the centre of the compound to see where the lone walker was headed, to see the apartment where he stayed or try to catch a glimpse of his anonymous face, he kept walking straight and slow headed to one apartment.

I stood confused looking at the lone walker and where he was headed, he walked straight towards my own apartment like he was going to look for me,I wanted to call out to him but quickly changed my mind to see if he was really going to knock on the door, I got my phone torch on as I pointed it straight at him, I could see his brown shirt properly and clearly as I moved a little closer with the intention of starting a conversation. He sluggishly got to the door step and stopped, he faced the door without looking back as he didn't perform any action, he failed to knock nor say a word like knew someone was going to open the door for him, I couldn't hold it any longer as I spoke loudly to him. "...hey...hello...who do you seek?...who are you looking for?....who you dey find?...", he didn't alter any reply but he acted like he heard me, he turned around slowly as he stared at me, It was too dark I didn't get to see his face or who he was, I raised my phone towards his face as the ray of light from my torch revealed his face....he was so familiar I knew who he was....my cousin Eugene stared at me as he used his two hands to cover his belly, his intestine dangled from his torn shirt as his hands couldn't hold it completely....my jaws jammed as my heart beat faster than ever before, my legs shook as my hands couldn't hold the phone any longer.....Eugene turned back again and walked right through my door as he gained entrance in to my apartment without opening the door....

Issue 17
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Agitation is a state of worry, a state of personal disturbance, a moment when the only choice left is to wait with the heart at the edge, its not about hearing an expected answer but just getting a feedback so an early death of expectation doesn't occur. Patience has its peak, and its not called that when its reached, patience brings the slap of a tapping feet and an uncontrollable heart beat when there are too many protocols or procedures to be followed, not relatively being inquisitive on the part of those expecting but an outcome should worth the wait. Expectation was the depiction of the silence that took over the atmosphere in my compound, we all paid attention like it was a due owed, all eyes focused on Baba Odika like he wanted to determine the fate of planet earth. Baba Odika kept quiet as he looked around the compound like he was seeing something or a sort of spiritual communication, people only showed interest in what he was about to reveal. There was a sudden change in his facial expression, he acted like there was a breaking news and he was really unaware, but still not a word escaped from his mouth, I prayed loss of patience should ravage but the crowd I saw was ready to spend another one hour if that would guarantee the exposure of the concealed truth. We all watched Odika with hopes of different meanings because I was very sure what I hoped for was totally different from everybody else's.

At last he was ready to speak after many minutes of anticipation, Odika shouted "I feel souls....angry souls...angered at their shortened journey...angered at their state and place of rest...they try to speak but I cannot hear....I cannot see them because there are no bodies...they cry like they are in bondage...I feel anger...I feel betrayal...I feel pain...I feel vengeance...I feel hatred...who is responsible for this?.." Baba Odika asked as he stared us all in the eye, he began to laugh when there was no reply from any of us, for the first time Baba Odika has failed, there grumbling crowd turned their back and walked away, they all knew there was nothing else to be revealed, Odika wore a disappointed look feeling he had failed most of his fans, he looked at Papa Sunday saying "don't worry my brother, even those who never bargained will suffer"...

Baba Odika's last statement got me a little confused but I didn't let that bother me, I felt it was just an empty threat to make up for his inability, I complained a little about the whole drama and how it wasted my precious time, Papa Sunday apologised but I ignored him leaving Baba Odika behind with the rest of my neighbours. I quickly got myself prepared so I could go to the outskirt to get the usual, I got some water, took my bathe and and got all dressed up, I picked up my wallet and sprayed Eugene's deodorant all over my body, I cleaned my palm slippers and got in it quickly. I got a glimpse of my precious diary in the sitting on my way out and it reminded me of my routine which quickly I picked my pen and walked outside my apartment so I could take some fresh air as I record.

20:00
I got on a bus to the outskirt and eventually arrived at Baba's place, the sun was already setting giving way for the premature darkness, I greeted Baba and went straight to the point, he was already getting ready to go home which made him also cooperated not to waste any time, I waited outside like I always do and watched cars sped off the tarred road, it got darker but Baba still didn't come out of his chamber with the perfume, I called out his name but there was no response. I complained bitterly from where I stood in a very loud tone so he could know I still had to travel 30minutes back home, my complains yielded no response from Baba which prompted me to make a move, "for how long am I going to stand here now....if its finished let me know ooo Baba, ma journey still long..."

Silence was all I got from Baba, I decided to go into Baba's inner chamber which looked small from the outside, it was a little wider inside but there was barely light to aid my vision, I switched the torch on my phone on and called out to Baba in his haphazard store where his stock is, I pointed my phone sporadically around the stuffy room but I suddenly saw someone run in to a corner which I suspected there was a door, "..hello.." I whispered but there was no response, I called Baba but the same stillness replied. I walked forward towards the corner so I could tell Baba to snap out of his childish joke, I got to the corner and looked left...all I saw was Baba layin on his chest with his torsos pulled down to his laps, his buttock was filled with syringes stabbed in it, the whole ground was filled his blood as it still was flowing like it was done few seconds ago. My hands shook as I quickly searched around for a door which the culprit must have escaped from, the wall was all I stared at as there was only one door in the store which happened to be the one I came in through, quickly I found my way back to the entrance so I don't get caught and be accused of murder. I rushed to the entrance as I was totally covered in sweat, I was about going out when a female altered my name from the other end of the store, I stopped and looked back raising my torch slowly towards the caller... Mama Sunday stood with two syringes in her hands , there was a big hole on her chest where her heart was supposed to be, she wore her nurse uniform but some parts were stained with blood, her skin was cracked as she whispered wildly with slimy blood dropping from her mouth, she had a very fierce look on her face which made it a little hard for me to recognise her but I did any way, she ran towards me but I didn't wait for her to get to me before I took off. I ran as fast as I could as I looked back to see if she was really coming after me, she never came out of the store but that was not a red light capable of halting me, I kept running on the dark road waving every vehicle that passed by... Adrenaline kept pumping as my heels got strengthened to take me as far away from Baba's place as possible....I could hear her scream from where I was but that didn't stop my pace , I dashed by the side of the road waving at any vehicle that had it head light on...

Damlesky: For the first time since reading your story 'I AM NOT SCARED'. Slickest Suspence ur update is kinda short today....anyway thumbs up

Dude...story never start..am just setting ma stage...of fear...hmmmmuuuaahahahah

Issue 16
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The military is known for force and strength, perseverance and sweaty endurance even in death, that is why it takes a very long time for citizens who have chosen to become part of the military to blend in to the ways of the force because they under go rigorous training sessions, I also wonder if they were taught the easiest way to torture a man in speaking the truth he had concealed for years in seconds. A mistake on a military man's path is so grave the word sorry is not enough to fix it, that is why bloody civilians in all ways avoid the being on the military camouflage, like nigerians say "na go dem sabi, dey no hear come..", I think I have fallen prey for the hungry and angry soldier who happens to be Onome's father.

Mama Onome dimmed her eyes like she was scanning for a particular information, she looked at we the tenants of the house one by one before she confidently pointed at me shouting "Na him be dat...", gigantic Papa Onome walked forth towards me and said in his waffy tone "o' Boy...where is Onome?...", that was a big question I didn't know how I was supposed to answer, all this while I never knew her father was in the military, my unconsciousness in the relationship has caused me a whole lot of damage, I would have thought twice before ever sharing a bed with her talkless she dying in my apartment. My heart beat pounded harder than the kick of a band, I prayed Papa Onome shouldn't hear it, I could just imagine the soldier finding out his two daughters were stone dead in my apartment.

"..Sir, I saw Onome earlier today but she left immediately, she only stopped by to ask me some question about the upcoming waec she registered for, Nnenna also came by looking for her not long ago but she didn't find her here so she left too...you can call their numbers sir" I slowly explained to Papa Onome in a shaky but a little confident tone, he stopped for a while as he picked up his phone which for sure he was dialling their numbers. All through the drama Baba Odika didn't stop his gibberish incantations, he took a decisive back and forth stroll as he danced to the bells he tied around his ankles and elbows, Papa Sunday altered no word as he put all his concentration on the herbalist.

I stared at my doom as people kept trooping in to see the end of the matinee, my feet emitted sweat as I was already weak out of hunger, I believed my last day on earth had arrived, I looked at the waiting crowd that appeared set to mob a culprit, I looked at Papa Sunday who had the believe someone in the compound knows the whereabouts of his darling Mama Sunday, I tilted to my fellow tenants who just stood muttering at each other, I looked at Mama Onome who looks fed up of searching for her two troublesome daughters, Papa Onome kept dialling nonstop without giving up as he put the phone to his ear and then dialled again, Baba Odika kept waiting for a dead woman to talk to him.

Everybody was engaged in what mattered to them the most while I did what mattered to me the most, I wait in fear for what was to come as I still tried to wear a look innocence. Papa Onome got tired after his whole effort of reaching his daughters was futile, he came towards me and surprisingly said in a calm tone, "their numbers are not reachable...", I took advantage of his new calm state and replied immediately "...well, she just dropped by to ask few questions, I inquired where she was in a hurry to but she reluctantly said she was off to momsy's shop, I knew she was lying but there was nothing I could do, not quite long Nnenna came looking for her but I told her she wasn't here, Nnenna left immediately as she tried calling her number...", Papa Onome gave me that trusty look after my short story, he looked like he believed me but Mama Onome's was bent on the contrary, I could tell from the look on her face that she didn't buy my explanation at all, "I'll deal with these girls..." Papa Onome shouted looking at his wife, his wife stood looking at me like my eyes were telling her the truth, quickly I diverted my stare to Baba Odika who was still dancing around in his grassy attire, I thanked my stars I was able to escape the Onome accusation, I stood agitating what will become of me if Baba Odika was truly as powerful as people say he is. Papa Sunday was at attention as he waited patiently for Baba Odika to begin to shed the light, while I prayed he never finds the lamp less shedding any brisk.

My phone vibrated from my pocket indicating a just received text message, I never bothered to reach for it as my full concentration was stationed on Baba Odika, even the crowd wasn't tired of waiting as they all had a cup of patience in their hands. My phone vibrated again with another message delivered to me, I knew it would be my service provider, they are the only ones capable of sending a text twice, I expected one of the tenants to complain of time wastage so I could follow suit but their readiness to wait was obvious. They all gave me that suspicious look like they all had something to confess, I ignored them and hoped I would be vindicated of the crime I committed so I could shame all the cowards called my neighbours.

There was another vibration from my phone which made me give a quick conclusion it was a call me back sent by one of my contacts, I thought to myself that this wasn't the right time to call anyone back, I am about to be crucified if luck worked against me, there was nothing I could do but hope something just happens, something that would distract the gathering, but as it is, attention is at its fullest and no distraction whatsoever can get a better part of anybody here. Baba Odika started smiling as he chanted his incantations, he walked faster as he laughed while dancing, those in the crowd who were already seated got on their feet, there was a sudden noise from the crowd like they knew what that meant when Baba Odika does that.

There was a clash of cutlasses and a click of sticks, bangs of planks and a clink on iron from the roaring crowd, they were ready because it appeared the end was near, my neighbours were calm as they all stood smiling and waiting for the unfortunate one amongst us,I was nothing but scared at the whole new development. My phone vibrated again and it got me a little concerned but reading a text message wasn't the priority at the moment, I put my left hand in my pocket so I could bring out the phone when next it rings. Baba Odika's attitude became energetic as he made it look like he was about to come up with something, the sun was so hot that the sweat from my body could soak a shirt, even without the sun I would still sweat a river.

There was another vibration but this time it didn't stop, the vibration was continuous meaning multiple messages were lined up to be read, it kept on vibrating and vibrating till I had no choice than to read it, I removed the phone from my pocket and checked who it was that wanted to run my battery flat...to my scariest surprise...it was Onome's number, all the messages came from Onome's phone that was supposed to be in my ceiling. I looked around then looked back at my phone, I opened each message one after the other which read " LIES...LIES....LIES....LIES...LIES...", that was exactly what she used to say when ever I told her a lie to cover myself, I shook as my phone dropped to the ground, tears of fear tripped from my eyes as I looked at Baba Odika who stopped all of a sudden, silence prevailed because it was time for him to speak the language everybody understood.

Issue 16
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The military is known for force and strength, perseverance and sweaty endurance even in death, that is why it takes a very long time for citizens who have chosen to become part of the military to blend in to the ways of the force because they under go rigorous training sessions, I also wonder if they were taught the easiest way to torture a man in speaking the truth he had concealed for years in seconds. A mistake on a military man's path is so grave the word sorry is not enough to fix it, that is why bloody civilians in all ways avoid the being on the military camouflage, like nigerians say "na go dem sabi, dey no hear come..", I think I have fallen prey for the hungry and angry soldier who happens to be Onome's father.

Mama Onome dimmed her eyes like she was scanning for a particular information, she looked at we the tenants of the house one by one before she confidently pointed at me shouting "Na him be dat...", gigantic Papa Onome walked forth towards me and said in his waffy tone "o' Boy...where is Onome?...", that was a big question I didn't know how I was supposed to answer, all this while I never knew her father was in the military, my unconsciousness in the relationship has caused me a whole lot of damage, I would have thought twice before ever sharing a bed with her talkless she dying in my apartment. My heart beat pounded harder than the kick of a band, I prayed Papa Onome shouldn't hear it, I could just imagine the soldier finding out his two daughters were stone dead in my apartment.

"..Sir, I saw Onome earlier today but she left immediately, she only stopped by to ask me some question about the upcoming waec she registered for, Nnenna also came by looking for her not long ago but she didn't find her here so she left too...you can call their numbers sir" I slowly explained to Papa Onome in a shaky but a little confident tone, he stopped for a while as he picked up his phone which for sure he was dialling their numbers. All through the drama Baba Odika didn't stop his gibberish incantations, he took a decisive back and forth stroll as he danced to the bells he tied around his ankles and elbows, Papa Sunday altered no word as he put all his concentration on the herbalist.

I stared at my doom as people kept trooping in to see the end of the matinee, my feet emitted sweat as I was already weak out of hunger, I believed my last day on earth had arrived, I looked at the waiting crowd that appeared set to mob a culprit, I looked at Papa Sunday who had the believe someone in the compound knows the whereabouts of his darling Mama Sunday, I tilted to my fellow tenants who just stood muttering at each other, I looked at Mama Onome who looks fed up of searching for her two troublesome daughters, Papa Onome kept dialling nonstop without giving up as he put the phone to his ear and then dialled again, Baba Odika kept waiting for a dead woman to talk to him.

Everybody was engaged in what mattered to them the most while I did what mattered to me the most, I wait in fear for what was to come as I still tried to wear a look innocence. Papa Onome got tired after his whole effort of reaching his daughters was futile, he came towards me and surprisingly said in a calm tone, "their numbers are not reachable...", I took advantage of his new calm state and replied immediately "...well, she just dropped by to ask few questions, I inquired where she was in a hurry to but she reluctantly said she was off to momsy's shop, I knew she was lying but there was nothing I could do, not quite long Nnenna came looking for her but I told her she wasn't here, Nnenna left immediately as she tried calling her number...", Papa Onome gave me that trusty look after my short story, he looked like he believed me but Mama Onome's was bent on the contrary, I could tell from the look on her face that she didn't buy my explanation at all, "I'll deal with these girls..." Papa Onome shouted looking at his wife, his wife stood looking at me like my eyes were telling her the truth, quickly I diverted my stare to Baba Odika who was still dancing around in his grassy attire, I thanked my stars I was able to escape the Onome accusation, I stood agitating what will become of me if Baba Odika was truly as powerful as people say he is. Papa Sunday was at attention as he waited patiently for Baba Odika to begin to shed the light, while I prayed he never finds the lamp less shedding any brisk.

My phone vibrated from my pocket indicating a just received text message, I never bothered to reach for it as my full concentration was stationed on Baba Odika, even the crowd wasn't tired of waiting as they all had a cup of patience in their hands. My phone vibrated again with another message delivered to me, I knew it would be my service provider, they are the only ones capable of sending a text twice, I expected one of the tenants to complain of time wastage so I could follow suit but their readiness to wait was obvious. They all gave me that suspicious look like they all had something to confess, I ignored them and hoped I would be vindicated of the crime I committed so I could shame all the cowards called my neighbours.

There was another vibration from my phone which made me give a quick conclusion it was a call me back sent by one of my contacts, I thought to myself that this wasn't the right time to call anyone back, I am about to be crucified if luck worked against me, there was nothing I could do but hope something just happens, something that would distract the gathering, but as it is, attention is at its fullest and no distraction whatsoever can get a better part of anybody here. Baba Odika started smiling as he chanted his incantations, he walked faster as he laughed while dancing, those in the crowd who were already seated got on their feet, there was a sudden noise from the crowd like they knew what that meant when Baba Odika does that.

There was a clash of cutlasses and a click of sticks, bangs of planks and a clink on iron from the roaring crowd, they were ready because it appeared the end was near, my neighbours were calm as they all stood smiling and waiting for the unfortunate one amongst us,I was nothing but scared at the whole new development. My phone vibrated again and it got me a little concerned but reading a text message wasn't the priority at the moment, I put my left hand in my pocket so I could bring out the phone when next it rings. Baba Odika's attitude became energetic as he made it look like he was about to come up with something, the sun was so hot that the sweat from my body could soak a shirt, even without the sun I would still sweat a river.

There was another vibration but this time it didn't stop, the vibration was continuous meaning multiple messages were lined up to be read, it kept on vibrating and vibrating till I had no choice than to read it, I removed the phone from my pocket and checked who it was that wanted to run my battery flat...to my scariest surprise...it was Onome's number, all the messages came from Onome's phone that was supposed to be in my ceiling. I looked around then looked back at my phone, I opened each message one after the other which read " LIES...LIES....LIES....LIES...LIES...", that was exactly what she used to say when ever I told her a lie to cover myself, I shook as my phone dropped to the ground, tears of fear tripped from my eyes as I looked at Baba Odika who stopped all of a sudden, silence prevailed because it was time for him to speak the language everybody understood.

Back to mother earth she goes!!!

Ms Spaqs: U r a lil confused,u wanted us 2 vote 4 d diary now Ghostfull.Well i voted 4 'D Diary' n i think we should stick 2 dat whether it's complete or not besides it's more recent. @Slickest

The reason being dat ghostfull had more publicity nd had once made the front page but not withstanding, its too scattered to corrected...its ain bou confusion...

Issue 15:
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There is strength in numbers so they say, the power in multitude is enough to cause a rapid change, relatively, I have had a few encounters with Kako's ghost who didn't even die in my house, another with a stray ghost who chose me as a companion, those two have made a living hell for me in the past few days, now I have added four more bodies that I know will definitely come back knocking. I have a missing person's corpse in my custody which have caused an harmonised chaos in the community, Mama Sunday who is known by all, the search for her by the police is still on going but Papa Sunday kept making it clear that the police would not be the only vigilante to search for his missing wife, he made it known that he would seek the intervention of Baba Odika the priest.

Baba Odika is a formidable priest who is so popular around here, he is known for his fearless interaction with ghosts, the last I heard he did was the unbelievable one, the talk of the town, it was narrated by an eyewitness that a girl was killed by an anonymous person, the killer stayed anonymous until Baba Odika got involved, I was told he summoned the little girls ghost to question it, it was shocking when the killer was revealed to be her step mother, it was exposed that she was poisoned and Baba brought forth the plate the little girl ate with and showed it to everyone, He also went on to bring the rest of the poison kept in an inner chamber by the step mother to justify his intervention, I found it hard to believe but it was the talk of the town.

Baba Odika had solved some other mouth opening mysteries which made headlines on people's lips for weeks, though I haven't encountered any of his mystery solving spree but I pray am not his next culprit. Papa Sunday kept saying he'll invite Baba Odika over but he never said when, and I would not want him to storm me unaware, but honestly I really don't know what to do, the best solution I could come up with was leaving town but the right time was what I contemplated on, I think the right time is now because my problems are being compounded as the count of corpses keeps increasing. Leaving is the lasting solution to my problem because I would not want to be mobbed like all other culprits exposed by Baba Odika, the jungle justice here is so barbaric that I don't inquire to know what's going on when ever I see crowd gathered, I just walk pass them so I don't see some disturbing scenes that is capable of giving nightmares.

I cleared Nnenna's body and did justice to it like I've done those before her, I already had a routine in the clearing of bodies, may be I should get a job at the mortuary, as if that would solve my problem. I dumped her where I dumped others and in no time I had concluded the cleaning, this time I made sure I took away all evidences and clues that might physically involve me, every where was empty with only my own belongings in sight. My tummy rumbled as hunger clamoured, I went to the kitchen to reach for the food Onome brought for me,I bent and opened the cupboard carrying the food with the nylon, I picked a spoon and a pack of pure water from the bag that laid beside the cupboard, I stood up and walked to the sitting room,sat and brought out the stainless plate from the nylon, I opened it and I couldn't stand what was in it, quickly I dropped the plate and took some steps back.

The awkward odour that oozed from the maggot filled soup got me very surprised, I was shocked at the flies that buzzed around my sitting room as a result of the rotten soup Onome brought for me earlier today. Questions emerged deep within me on the new process of nature towards decay, I left the food for few hours and it had the look of an eight day old meal, I picked up the nylon to reach for the fufu but its look was beyond the original look of the one I saw earlier, it was so rotten it had a grey colour and had mucus all over it, quickly I threw it to the ground and covered my nose with my hand which also had the contaminated smell inflicted on it, I spat out like I could taste it on my tongue as I dashed to the bathroom to get my hands washed.

I felt disgust for myself as I washed my hands in the bathroom, I was so ashamed after attempting to eat the food Onome brought, I felt I had no heart anymore, it was like there was no pinch of pity for dear Onome. I cleared the rotten food and cleaned the parts that suffered the splash of the soup, I dumped everything back in to the nylon and found my way out the compound without being noticed, I threw the nylon with the plate in to the bush opposite my compound and strolled back in to the house, I sat down and thought of a way out of this mess I could have avoided if only I was self disciplined, I thought a boulevard deep in my head but the best I could come up with was to run away, I couldn't stay here any longer, and I don't care anymore if the people knew I was responsible for the crime after I have left.

I stood by the window still very much in my troubled thoughts when suddenly I saw Papa Sunday walk in to the compound with a very furious look on his face, he was accompanied by Baba Odika who walked slowly right behind him and of course the murmur of a massive crowd was heard before I saw people from different areas of the town halting in front of the compound. Where ever Baba Odika is seen there definitely is a crowd to watch, people usually gather around when ever Baba Odika is on the verge to solving a mystery, so it was at our compound entrance the crowd anticipated what was to be uncovered. I was so confused I didn't know what to do next, Papa Sunday was already knocking my door as other tenants also stepped out to see what was going on, I opened the door and asked what the problem was like it was strange to me, he told me to come out so I could join the rest of the tenants, I obeyed him but I reacted sluggishly, I already had the believe my journey in life was about to be concluded, I prayed deep within me and also on the outside I had no faith it could be answered. I joined other tenants who all wore the look of fear like it was the day of judgement, I tried composing but I couldn't help it, I thought of taking one last look at the beautiful surroundings before joining my ancestors, I looked at the waiting crowd who all had sticks and cutlasses to mob the unfortunate. I thought of confessing before Baba Odika started his procedures, that would be worse because finding out your neighbour killed your wife and had her laid in a ceiling is unforgiving, I stood strong and faced what was about to befall me. Suddenly, some people in the crowd started complaining as they got pushed in order for them to give way, there was a little path made by the crowd for someone who was trying to get in to the compound, I looked around to see if every tenant that resided in here was present which unfortunately they were, I wondered who could be forcing his/her way through the crowd. Baba Odika commenced his incantation as he danced back and forth, I didn't pay attention to him as I stayed expectant of who was coming....at last he got past the crowd and came in to the compound, he was accompanied by his wife who was so angry, Papa Onome was on his military uniform with a whip in one hand (koboko) as he dragged his wife out of the mammoth crowd with the other, Papa Onome stood upright and asked his wife in loud voice "Where is the boy....?"...

Ppl...I think my votes are being divided and if put 2geda will guarantee a win, I urge u guys to please modify your votes to ghostfull since it has been concluded, I really appreciate you guys...thanx..https://www.nairaland.com/1467988/literature-section-awards-2013

Madawaki01: tell dem to go and modify their casted votes.....

He said it buh I'll say it again....pls just modify the votes to the diary...tanx ppl...

Hey people...please vote for the diary and not ghostfull....its like sharing ma votes in to 2....please its the Diary....

afangide: Slickest, na now hand go touch you because u don commit murder

No b na?