₦airaland Forum

SofiaAmrozia:
see as my heart is beating here.

The thunder that will fire Pastor Bartholomew is training with ISIS.

Souloho, u r d bomb!!!

Have you ever considered publishing your book?

lwkmd..@ Isis.. that thunder would be a real terror...lol..thanks dear..honestly publishing crosses my mind every day...I'm making some moves tho

biggietreasures:
I have never made a comment in this section. But I would be an ingrate if I did not thank you for the story God bless you fellow Corp member.

and I appreciate your comment bro..gracias. Jah bless you too

queenjuli:
souloho19 the guru himself. I can't believe I came this late, well it felt nice reading everything at once I even saw that you mentioned me at the beginning wonder why I didn't get the notification. This movie is goooooooood. You're doing a great job as usual pls keep it up, I see you going places.
Meanwhile nothing should happen to osi o!.
I can't believe pastor B is the devil.
Waiting for the next update
Weldon sir

finally welcome onboard...lucky you. its gud to have you here queen

marvwhite:
wow i never saw this coming.

I'd like to use this medium to apologise to BENEDICT (the butcher) for acusing him of the murder of the victims.if i had been a judge,people(like Benedict) would be in prison,for the crime they didnt comit just because some quack lawyers(which i may belong to) who would give quack proofs (although,my proofs aint quack),

Some persons pointed out pastor Bathelomeow being the Devil,but since they have no proof,people (like myself) would never believe.


I remember someone stating that "the writer can pin the crime on more than one character" ,but pastor Bethelomeow? (sighs)...
That was shocking


Souloho19 well done....
#fromYourBiggestFan

lol..thanks bro..you were truly on to something and your train of thought wasn't really on the wrong track...I just wanted to be wicked...
but IMO you'd make a good detective cos you rili think outside the box..infact you think like there's no box..thanks for reading and commenting bro

OGMEEKZY07:
guu buh u tlk say u go update tdy ooooooooo y u no fufil ya promise nah

Bleeze2:
Souloho19 come and update o. Today is almost gone, come and fulfil ur promise o

brosses..in this case man proposes but NEPA disposes..lol..I'm on the job tho.. gracias..

please would complete this update tomorrow...thanks for your comments..thanks for reading..Jah bless.


°•°•°•°•
Osi knew he was too late when he heard Amara scream once more. This time it wasn't a frightened scream but rather it sounded full of pain.

Finally he bursted into the clearing: The grave site and a part of his brain realized he had been here before. When he got lost...the very first time he had spoken to Amara.

Now Amara was on the floor and pastor Bartholomew was on top of her. He had parted her thighs and was currently taking off his boxers completely.
When Amara screamed he gave her a backhand slap. The sound was deafening and Osi went mad with rage.
He rushed at Batholomew. The pastor was so involved in what he was doing that he didn't notice Osi at first. When he finally noticed him, Osi was already few steps away. He leapt on Batholomew sending the man on the ground. Both men rolled in the dark but Osi came out on top. He had never fought in his life. Even in his school days, before he became a born again christian he knew himself..he wasn't a fighter so he always made a conscious effort to stay out of trouble. But right this moment he did not care, he had his fist and he was going to use it.
The first punch he landed caught the pastor on the mouth. He felt the teeth Pierce his knuckles and Peel the skin but he didn't feel any pain. He hit him again...and again...and again...yelling furiously as he did so.
"What did you do to her...you hurt her!!"

Pastor Bartholomew was on the floor with Osi on top.
After the first few punches..he almost lost consciousness he was angry..he was naturally filled with rage, but the rage emitting from the other pastor really surpassed his own.
The fist landed on his right eye..blinding him for a few seconds. He could only see darkness and heard only a faint ringing sound.
The devil knew he needed to kill this bastard obstacle.
With a surprising show of strength he lifted his lower body, from his waist down. Rising slowly and lifting Osi in the process.
He managed to free his right hand and grabbed Osi by the collar.
He pulled and heaved and used his legs to add force. He succeeded in tumbling the pastor over his head.

Osi didn't know how it happened. One moment he was on top, the next moment he was on the ground staring at the sky.
Then pastor Batholomew sat astride him and Osi saw the blade, but his mind didn't really process it...so many thoughts were running round his head. It felt like a dream...the whole night felt unreal..
But then the knife landed on his chest and the pain was very real. Pastor Batholomew had stabbed him, burying the knife in the chest.

Bartholomew had meant to go for the heart but in his haste he struck Osi from his own left meaning he got him on the right.
He saw Osi gasp in pain and smiled devilishly.
He removed the knife again with the intention to bury it in his heart.
"You should have left when you had the chance...now its goodbye, you won't be an obstacle anymore"

°•°•°•°
It took some seconds before Amara noticed that Batholomew was no longer on top of her. She had shut herself up...going deep inside her mind...to a kind of safe room she wouldn't feel any pain. Even if her body was abused, she was not going to be in tune with it...she was going to be detached from the pain. And she was not going to beg.

When she noticed the absence of Batholomew's weight, she opened her eyes and turned as she hurried to her feet.
She experienced a foreign pain in between her thighs as she stood up.

She gave a with of relief when she saw Osi shouting and hitting Batholomew.
He had come for her. He came to rescue her.. Her heart swelled with love and she suddenly felt like bursting into tears.
But then the tables were turned and then somehow Batholomew was on top.
She saw pastor Batholomew raise his hand over his head and she caught the glint of the metal and she panicked.
She looked around and hurried to a broken branch on the floor.
As she picked it up she saw him bring the blade down and she screamed.
She attacked the pastor...running as she saw him lift the blade a second time.
She reached him before he could stab Osi again and with all her might she smacked him on the back of his head with the branch.

°•°•°•°
Osi waited for death..a strange feeling it was as he waited for the second impact of the blade. But instead Bartholomew fell on his side and the blade fell beside him. Osi was aware of a kind of pressure on his chest..it left him with a kind of feeling and he knew it was as a result of the blood that was gushing out of his chest.

Then Amara was kneeling over him and she was weeping "oh...Osi...Osi...look at me...don't close your eyes"
But his eyes were heavy. He tried to tell her he was fine. He wanted to ask after her. He desperately hoped she hadn't been hurt. But when he tried to speak, the pain was unbearable and he shut his eyes.
He heard Dé Nwachukwu's voice as the old man finally caught up.
"Are you okay...Amara baby...my God..what's happening?!"

°•°°•°•°
"Amara

cool initiative..I'm in!

It must be a dream. It had to be a nightmare Amara panted as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She was quite fast and had been one of the fastest girls in the village in her younger days but now she was almost paralyzed by fear but she maintained her pace, one leg in front of the other, then another and another....
The problem was Batholomew had known what he was doing..he has gotten her really deep into the woods and when she had taken of she had ran the other way..which was deeper into the woods.
Unless she would double back and pass him and head towards the market square and human life, she was stuck in this big forest with the devil.
It occurred to her there was another route that led to the stream from this other end. But the problem was no one really used that path again and it was almost impassable if not completely so as it was hardly used and she doubted she could locate it in the dark.
The trees offered some kind of blanket and partially blocked the little light emitted by the quarter moon.

"Bi*ch! I'm going to harm you...I'm going to make you wish you were never born..you shouldn't have done that!!"
Batholomew sounded so close she almost looked back in fright.
However she knew a worse fate than what befell the wife of Lot awaited her if she looked back and was caught and so she increased her speed, although she was on her highest gear.

She had only a split second to make a decision when she approached a clearing. Two paths, she had to follow one.
One would definitely lead to the stream which could mean safety although she remembered the path as sloped and full of rocks.
The second path...would lead to nowhere in particular...just deeper into the woods meaning she would be caging herself further.

There was no time to think. Batholomew was behind her and he sounded too close. She chose the right path and she prayed it was really the 'right' path.
She continued running through the woods in the dark with Batholomew getting closer with each second and shouting obscene words after her.

It took less than a minute for her to realize that she had taken the wrong path.
But one thing..her mother's grave site was somewhere along this way.
She needed her mother's protection..even if she was late and if Bartholomew caught up to her....

°•°•°•°
Dé Nwachukwu and the two girls had run after Osi. But maybe Dé Nwachukwu saw them for the first time, or maybe it was when they overtook him and he stated at them that it occurred to him they shouldn't be here. It was wrong on so many levels. They were chasing a killer someone who raped young girls like them..they shouldn't be here. And if anything happened to his Amara...they must never see her in any bad state.
He shook his head determinedly. No..nothing was going to happen.
He stopped both girls.
"Joy Oluchi...go back to the village before we get deeper into the woods"
"But papa-"
"But sir-"
"Go now! Go and wake up the whole village...tell them pastor Batholomew has gone mad!" He cut short their protest and the urgency in his voice got to him.
They turned on their heels and took off running in the other direction.
"Papa be careful"
"Go...go!"

He was an old man and he could not keep up with Osi he could hardly see the man. The pastor's long legs ate up the ground and the speed which each leg landed was something else.
Dé Nwachukwu could only see momentary glimpses of his form. The pastor seemed to know where he was heading and Dé Nwachukwu followed.
The worry was eating him alive.
He couldn't help himself anymore: "Amara! Amara!"

°•°•°•
Contrary to what Dé John thought, Osi didn't really have any idea the direction he was going..he freed his mind and tried to listen to any direction from his spirit but either he was too distracted or his spirit was crippled with fear because he got nothing! Still he ran.

When Dé Nwachukwu shouted her name, he joined him shouting at the top of his voice: "Amara! Amara!"

°•°•°•°•

The devil couldn't believe it! At first he thought it was a trick of the wind..he didn't just hear someone shout Amara's name but few seconds later he heard it again.
He could swear that was pastor Osi's voice. He should have killed the obstacle when they were under the same roof!
The voice was enough to inject fresh action in his legs and he tripled his speed and when he was few steps away, he took a giant leap.
He caught her and knocked her down.
She let out a blood curling scream...


°•°•°°•°•
Osi heard the scream..and his heart rate doubled..as a matter of fact his breathing seized...
He couldn't be too late...no way...no!!!
He ran like a mad man heading towards the direction the scream had come from. It didn't sound too far.

°•°•°•°•
Amara had entered the clearing and could see her mother's grave site just ahead.
When Batholomew leaped on her, she screamed at the top of her voice..she had heard the voice and she dared to hope...
Bartholomew had long lost any sense of restraint long ago...in short he seemed to have lost all manner of reasoning.
He sat on her, gave her a stinging slap and spat venomous words in her face.."you b*tch...you're going to pay!"

He lifted up her gown, tearing it roughly..

The pain was blinding as he drove his fingers roughly into her...

Thanks for your wishes FAM..so sorry I can't quote you like I'd love too..I have to manage my battery...also pardon any grammatical error you might come across..cause I didn't proof read it.
been having electrical problems here as usual..

"Pastor what are you doing? What's happening?" Amara asked pastor Batholomew. She was beginning to panic. She tried to remove her hand from his but he held on firmly.
"Pastor...let go of my hand!" She shouted
"No one can hear you Amara...we're deep into the woods" he gripped her hand tighter than ever.
"What's going on? What are you doing? What has come over you?" But she already knew and she feared the worst although she was in a state of denial.

"For so long I wanted you...I dreamt about you...you hunted my dreams...you pushed my buttons"
"What did I ever do to you? You're my pastor, I....I look up to you"
"I realize its over now but I can't help myself...when you turn up dead I would be exposed but it wouldn't change a thing...it doesn't matter anymore"
He drew her to him suddenly pressing her body to him and holding her waist.
Amara's first reaction was to scream. Her heart was pounding , hammering against her ribs. She knew she had to keep him talking until she could find a slight chance to escape. She could already feel the bulge in his trousers pressing against her pelvis.
"You were the one involved with Ozioma" she asked him desperate to keep him talking.
He grimaced "Aah..Ozioma...its all her fault, she led me on..just like you she made me believe she wanted me at first it was love sweet love and I adored her. She promised nne we would consummate our relationship after I pleaded with her and when she sent for me one weekend to meet her in the farm I happily went there...decked on one of my unsold shirts"
He laughed bitterly and shook his head then moved his hands lower, cupping her backside and squeezing roughly.
"But the bi*ch wanted to end it...I lost it, we quarrelled I grabbed her and when she slapped me...the rage took over..such blinding fury"
He pulled her even tighter and closer which seemed impossible.
"I knocked her unconscious, tore the sleeve of my shirt..because I did love her, I loved Ozioma and I couldn't afford to watch her eyes, to see her pain"

Amara knew time was going. Any moment now pastor Batholomew was going to attack her. He was getting rougher by the minute and his voice was changing...the man wasn't fully balanced and he was getting closer to the edge.

Amara knew she had to keep him talking. That was the best chance she had. "Wait...so you wrote the letter...I don't understand, what does P.O stand for?"

He loosened his hold for a second and Amara considered making a dash for it but she knew she wouldn't get far.
Batholomew smiled at the memory "she used to call me okrika pastor...later it became pastor okrika, that became my alias"
His voice grew hard "Bleep it I loved her but she's gone now...its you I want, I've waited too long for this"
"Please let me go, I won't tell anybody I swear"
"You know why I don't care if I'm caught?" He pushed her to the ground roughly and began fumbling with his belt. "I have a terminal illness..less than a month to live and its all your fault" he unhooked his belt and began removing his trousers. Amara was too terrified and paralyzed to move.
"Aren't you going to ask me why?" He sneered as he rolled his trouser down fumbling with it at the ankles. Amara moved her hand around her and felt the grass for some kind of weapon. Her fingers brushed over a stone and she closed her hand over it.

Bartholomew had gotten one leg out of the trouser but he struggled with the other. He seemed to be too excited and the unbelievable bulge in his briefs was proof.
He was still talking: "after churning my insides and turning me on I needed a means of release so bad I couldn't take it...I was losing it...I had a wild pig and I contacted some kind of STI that developed into something worse..in a month my entire blood cells would have been damaged. It would be nice to pass it to you..what goes around comes around"

He took off the trouser finally and fell to his knees rubbing her legs greedily. "This is going to be rough but the pain wouldn't be much if you cooperate...you would even enjoy it" he ran his hands up her thigh. "Ooooh...I've dreamt about this for so long, sweet Amara..." He closed his eyes in ecstasy for a brief minute and Amara struck immediately. She closed her fist over the stone and brought it to the side if Bartholomew's head which all the force she could muster. He howled and fell to his side holding his ear and shouting in pain.

Amara scrambled to her feet and took off running frantically through the woods. It wasn't long before she heard what sounded like an angry bull charging behind her. Batholomew was very angry!

Amara increased her pace, darting past trees in a zigzag way truing to lose the killer. Her foot caught on a tree stump and she fell to the ground, bruising herself but she scrambled up immediately and continued running taking short frantic deep breaths.
She could hear the sound of twigs breaking behind her. The chase was on!

°•°•°•
"Mabel answer me..where's pastor Batholomew?" Osi demanded from the woman. She was clearly puzzled "I don't understand...what's going on?"

Osi looked at her. He seemed to consider her question for the first time. He frowned as he thought about what was really going on. Something was still not adding up.
"What size of shoe does Sofiri wear?"
"Pastor I don't understand you're scaring me...what's going on?"
"Is Sofiri's shoe size small? Answer the question!" Osi thundered

She didn't reply. "Pastor, why are you..." He didn't wait for her to finish. He hurried out of the house.
I have to get to Amara his spirit was deeply troubled as he ran towards the house. He had a bad feeling something terrible was happening this very moment.

°•°•°
He came across her father Dé Nwachukwu. Dé Nwachukwu was with joy and Oluchi and the trio were moving frantically in a worried half run
"Dé! Where's Amara?"
Osi called out as he hurried to his side.
"The pastor took her...Bartholomew!" His voice shook with fear and Osi almost collapse as his legs became rubber all of a sudden.
"Where did he take her to?" He tried to keep his voice calm but failed woefully.
"I don't know...the church is empty...and no one is at the house too!"

Osi stopped moving. He was genuinely afraid. He had never been this scares in his entire life. He couldn't imagine Amara getting harmed like the rest...no way it wasn't possible.
But where was she? She was in danger he could feel it..
Slowly his eyes focused on the trees. The woods were eerily quiet but he suddenly knew Amara was in there.
He broke into a run and he prayed....and prayed...and prayed....

boldndbeautiful kingphillip honeydawealth divepen1 queenitee nikz ormorlewah moseph itsandi asek1 katoto omorlaryoh collins1895 icangift
Thanks for the wishes I'm grateful and full of smiles...Jah bless you all greatly..
pamelb happy birthday ma birthday mate

Thank you all for the birthday wishes..I'm honoured to have you all as readers of my story...God bless you all and bless you with multiple of the good things you wished me..
I'll just brush up on the update and would post soon..sorry for the long delay it wasn't intentional.
Once again thanks for making my day. much love!!

do4luv14:
Hmmmm, something is about to go down

you're right bro...thanks man God bless

SofiaAmrozia:
I woke up specifically for this. Thank God I go fit sleep again.....


Oga meneski no be only u ooo

Queensiju:
Good work soul. Thanx for the update.

.

inkdbetty:
Biko, drop the next one. This suspense is melting my heart.

Thanks for following and your dedication..I appreciate, God bless..another update yaff drop o

geektrovert:
He shoe size smaller than 46, he said "bi**tch*.. And you want to divert us away to sofiri.

Anyway OP, very good plot so far.. Building up with the comments, dropping hits intentionally left, right and centre.. Lol.. Don't delay too much again anyway,... Close it while it's hot.

My two cents..

thanks bro I appreciate your money..:£££

Criis:
Lol

You've successfully thrown Sofiri in the mix too... Are you trying to divert our attention?

Delay is dangerous o

lolz bro..the devil has been revealed already. I told y'all it was Dé john

Segibambo:
No wonder pastor osi is going bad...
He's a repented bus conductor from delayed diagnosis

lol..I remember that episode..very funny bro

The aroma was really mouthwatering and Amara smiled as she put the fire out. The groundnut soup was finally ready and she just needed to wake Joy who had fallen asleep in the parlour.
The kind of drugs she had been given at the hospital made her drowsy and sleep deeply but the thought of the meal would surely get her up.

"Joy wake up..dinner is ready, although its quite early"
The time read: 6:15pm
"Actually this is the proper time for dinner so the food can digest properly before sleeping" Dé Nwachukwu added as he took his spot on a couch and dragged a small table before him in anticipation of the meal.
Amara decided it was the hunger that was talking. Her father had never mentioned anything like that before.
She dished the food, only two plates..she wasn't hungry yet and to tell the truth her mind was far away. She was thinking, thinking about who attacked her brother. Could it be Paul, Stevenson, or somebody else they failed to consider?

There was a knock on the gate and her father called out: "don't worry...I'd get it"
He hurried outside and Amara could hear voices from the gate as she set the meal on the table.
She shook Joy gently.
"Joy...sister, wake up come and eat"
Her sister's eyes fluttered open and Joy smiled as she sat up.
"Wow..you're the best Amara, I love you"

I love you too..promise me you'd finish the food so you can rest well"

Dé Nwachukwu returned to the parlour.
"Amara have you eaten yet"
"No I'm not yet hungry. Who was at the gate Dé?"
"It was our pastor"
"Osi?"
Her father smiled "Oh..Osi is now our pastor abi? I meant pastor Bartholomew"
"Oh...what did he want?"
"He requested your presence, he is setting up a special youth group to raise awareness and wants you to be one of the leaders. He said Oluchi is already in the church as well as mama and some others"
"Ohh..its about time, that's a very good move"
"Why didn't he come since?" Joy frowned "its now late at night he wants you to start going to church"
"He said he has been here severally today but no one was home" Dé Nwachukwu explained "He said he'd bring you back himself but I agree with Joy. Enjoy your meal and leave it till tomorrow"
"No..I'm so in love with this plan, I'm sure it was Osi that gave him the idea. I'd go with him..it shouldn't take time"

°•°•°•
Osi turned up at Sofiri's doorstep ten minutes to 7.
He held a bottle of wine in his hand and he returned Mabel's smile as she opened the door.
"Oh...welcome, dinner is almost ready..how are you doing"
He stepped inside and handed her the bottle of wine.
"Oh you shouldn't have" she squealed in delight. But she took the bottle and placed it on a nearby table.
"Once more happy birthday pastor, I forgot to ask you your favourite dish earlier..but I made white soup and I pounded yam I'm sure you'd enjoy it"
"White soup? I've never had it before"

Osi admired the house. He decided pastor Batholomew would have been very comfortable here after all. The house was spacious and beautiful not to mention the benefit of having someone like Mabel as an occupant.
"Where's Sofiri?" He wasn't sure the man was in, or maybe he was in one of the rooms.
"Oh..Sofi went out but he'd be back very soon.."
She directed him to the parlour.
"Please make yourself comfortable, let me just round up in the kitchen."
Osi settled into a leather seat and sighed.
It was very comfortable and he was only aware now that he hadn't really rested in the past few days. Even the few hours he slept were either hunted by the unknown killer or thoughts of Amara.
He observed the parlour. A television stood in one corner with a CD player and wine shaped speakers.
He wondered if it would be appropriate if he switched on the television. He thought Mabel was a very free open minded person and one didn't have to pretend with her but he decided to wait till she returned.
So he feasted his eyes, taking in everything.
He admired a wedding photograph of Sofiri and Mabel. She even looked fatter in the picture and he smiled as he wondered how many years ago it was.
"Pastor so you said you're going back on Saturday?" Mabel called out from the kitchen
"Yes"
"But you'd visit us every now and then?"
"Yes I will" her voice sounded distant and he wondered how many rooms were in the house.
Out of curiosity he got to his feet.

°•°•°•°
Amara smiled at Pastor Bartholomew.
"I'm really sorry to disturb.. I came earlier but no one was around"
"Its alright"
"How is Joy, I heard what happened to her"
"She's fine...she's eating now, I love this new idea of yours..I'm in 100%"
He smiled apparently relieved. "Wow..thank God...let's head to the church quickly then..we have a brief meeting. The new leaders have been in church and even Benedict the butcher accepted my invite"
"Really..that's good he has a lot of influence on people"
"Exactly...I'd bring you and Oluchi home after the meeting"
He offered her his hand and she took it. She slid the gate shut and followed him.

°•°•°•°
The bungalow had about four rooms. Osi made this deduction after checking out the doors. The kitchen was at the other end and there was another door which he took to be the rest room. Probably the visitors toilet.
He could hear the sound of plates being set on the counter and knew Mabel was probably dishing the food.
He returned to the parlour, licking his lips but then he decided to relieve himself first before the meal. He planned to demolish that pounded yam very well. He whistled softly and headed to the toilet.

He opened the door and gasped.

°•°•°•°•°
A knock sounded again and Dé Nwachukwu swore angrily. He was just midway through the meal and he was enjoying it immensely. He hated disturbances especially at this crucial time when he was feeding his belly. He hadn't eaten all day as he had been in the hospital and he had been too worried to eat.

Joy stood but he held his hand up. "Baby don't disturb yourself..eat your food I'd answer the gate"
So for the second time that night he opened the gate.
It was Oluchi.
"Dé good evening" she greeted him.
He looked past her and didn't see anybody else.
"Evening dear..wait don't tell me you came alone?"
"Yes Dé I did..Paul escorted me most of the way although. I just came to see Amara and Joy one more time"
"Okay come in please....wait aren't you supposed to be in church for the meeting?" Dé Nwachukwu suddenly remembered.
"Church...which meeting?" Amara asked clearly surprised.

°•°•°•°•
Row after row after row of clothes stared back at Osi. On the bed, on wooden rails, on hangers..folded on drawers and spilling out of dozens of boxes round the small room.
They were Okrika clothes.

"Jesus!" Osi whispered as he entered the room fully.
He must have shouted it because Mabel came running to the room.
"Pastor what happened? Are you okay?"
No, he wasn't okay.

Sofiri....Sofiri....Sofiri....!!!

"Pastor..?" Mabel asked him again worriedly.
"Who...who is the owner of all these clothes?"
"Oh..." She smiled.
"The current church building once used to be a shopping complex. Batholomew formerly used to sell second hand clothes in a tiny shop before he received the divine call..and now look at the church today, expanding every second..God is indeed faithful!"
But Osi only heard one thing: Pastor Batholomew used to sell second hand clothes before!!
He rolled his eyes and suddenly felt very weak.
"Oh my God...oh my God..oh no..."
"What..what is it pastor..you're scaring me"

°•°•°•
They talked about the plans for the youth group as they walked to church. Pastor Batholomew said she could come up with a name for the ministry and she suggested several as they walked to church.

When she finally noticed they were on another path. She looked round her surroundings surprised.
"Pastor...where are we going? The church is the other way"
She looked at him but his eyes were unreadable.

meneski you na my bro na..its not intentional believe me
same with Sofiamrozia.
I'd definitely reply every comment but my battery no Dey allow sometimes even now I just need to rush and update as it is in 7% already..


oh...and my birthday is on Tuesday ooo
hopefully the story would be done by then.
@Rachealfst pls check your mail again

Countless times Osi subconsciously touched his lips as he remembered the kiss from earlier. Although it had been brief, it had felt like heaven.
He cringed at the comparison and sighed inwardly.

-My God...you're really backsliding..
but the kiss isn't a sin now, as long as my thoughts are clean right?
-And who told you your thoughts were clean?
Arrrgh...okay I'd remember to pray for forgiveness...
-don't forget to pray for grace too, you'll need it..imagine if you got hit by a bus now?


He put an end to the internal debate raging in his head and continued towards his destination.
His mind was on Paul now, Amara's point about his strong perfume had been too strong too ignore. He still had Steve on his mind, his clash with the European was too fresh and violent in his mind to be ignored.

°•°•°•
He reached the house finally and just like before he met the same woman (Paul's mother) outside but this time she was cracking palmkernels with a large stone and dropping the seeds in a basket.

"Mama Ndewoo...please I'm here to see Paul again..he's my close friend" (Another lie... His conscience reminded him again)

The woman smiled "welcome my son, please go inside, Paul went to run an errand for me but he'd be back very soon"
"Okay..I appreciate" he gave her a charming smile and entered the house.

The parlour was modestly designed with a three seated couch and a soft shade of red carpet that matched with the curtains.
On the wall were some pictures and Osi stood still admiring them for some minutes.

There was Paul and his sister smiling as children and different portraits of them as babies.
He noticed there was another child in the picture. He couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl and he spent time on the photo and traced his hand on the face.
He felt there was a slight resemblance between this baby's face and Paul.

"His name was Peter"
He jerked involuntarily at the voice and turned around trying not to look guilty.
He smiled at Oluchi.
"Hello...Peter you say, what do you mean by was?"
She dropped the bucket in her hand and sat down. She was probably going to fetch water.
"Yes he was my brother, my immediate elder, after Paul. He died of pneumonia at the age of 6 months"
"Jesus..I'm so sorry"
Oluchi nodded solemnly "its alright I wasn't even born yet my mother told me when I was much older"
Osi sat down beside her. He had been entertaining the thought of snooping through Paul's things quickly thinking he was the only one in the house no wonder her voice had jolted him. But now he wondered if he could stylishly get information from her about her brother.

"Have you been to the hospital to, how is Joy?" Oluchi asked him first
"Yes, I left there not long ago"
"I wanted to take my bath and go over there, I hope she's okay and Amara too?"
"Yes she's much better, wait....how did you find out?"
"My brother told me this morning. Apparently the news is all over Amaife"
"But how did it spread so fast? The incident happened late last night and the hospital is not even in Amaife" he tried to keep the doubt and suspicion out of his voice.
Paul was affiliated with a band of kidnappers meaning he was no saint, Osi wasn't sure but he thought Paul didn't really have large feet, he'd need to confirm though. And to top it all according to Amara he had a strong deodorant or aftershave. The only glitch was that Paul didn't wear okrika but Osi waved it off. It was possible that Paul had a stash somewhere and wore it during his evil operations or perhaps he left the pieces as a distraction to point all suspicions somewhere else, to Okudili and it had worked. Yes it was highly possible maybe the devil didn't wear okrika after all, they say the devil wears Prada.

"Hello are you still with me?" Oluchi asked him worriedly
He blinked "yes...yes...you were saying?"
"I said who would be trying to copy Okudili and continue these terrible crimes now that he's dead or do you think it was just a random coincidence?"
"No....I don't believe in coincidence" he hesitated about telling her Okudili was never the killer. If he should tell her and ask questions about Paul she might become suspicious and refuse to answer. On the other hand he had a responsibility to alert her for the sake of her safety( Although the irony was if Paul was indeed the killer then she was safe. Or was she?)

So he looked into her eyes and told her convincingly "look I believe Okudili was innocent, the real killer framed him and then killed him probably because he knew something"
"Jesus! But who?"
"I don't know..." He felt he was wasting precious time. He had less than 72 hours to spend in Amaife and he was still in square one. Or maybe not square one but he hadn't really gotten anywhere either.
Oluchi was visibly shaken and uncomfortable "I don't think I can go anywhere alone, even to the hospital. Please would you take me?"
Osi saw a possible opening to make a move "no problem your safety comes first. I just have one problem"
"What is that?"
"My shoe has been killing me, I don't know if my feet doubled in size over night or the shoe shrunk" she glanced at his feet. He had big feet like most tall people were known for but the shoe looked comfortable.
"I don't know if..." He scratched his head like he was shy and unsure.
"If what? Tell me now" she whined
Yes, curiosity worked every time.
"You know what forget it, I'll manage it won't be proper"
"What won't be proper? Seriously tell me I'll do it for you" she was almost pleading.
"Okay...I meant if your brother has any spare footwear that I can borrow cause I can't walk in this shoe...not that kind of distance"
"Oh..okay..Paul has about a dozen shoes and I'm sure he won't mind as long as you return then"
"Surely, before evening" He was going to change his mind the minute he could get his hand on the shoe and run a mental comparison between the print size and the shoe size or better still..."I'd prefer if its a sports shoe preferably trainers."
She nodded and got up "he has one of those its his favourite" She frowned suddenly "uh-oh"
"What, what's wrong?"
"What size do you wear?"
"46, why?"
"Oooh..Paul's shoe would definitely not size you his feet is definitely smaller than 46"
Osi sighed inwardly. He just needed to look at the shoe although she had just told him what he wanted to know and she wasn't done.
"46! Your feet is really huge...I'm not even sure Paul's own is up to 42"
"Hmmm..." He chewed on this information and was about to ask her if he owned any second hand clothes (with the excuse of donation to the less privileged) when the door opened and Paul came in.
He frowned immediately he saw Osi and struggled to hide his discomfort. Osi noticed it and wondered if he was bothered about what Oluchi might have learnt from him or what he might have learnt from her.

°•°•°•°•
The doctor after running some tests and observing Joy decided she was ready to be discharged.
"The blow to her head..thank God it didn't result in amnesia..or something worse"
Dé Nwachukwu shook his head angrily. If only he could get his hands on whoever had done this to his daughter...
He had almost had a heart attack last night seeing Joy on the floor, unconscious and unmoving.
"I'd recommend a lot of rest and that you finish your drugs..follow the instruction and don't miss any one"
"Yes doctor I will" Joy assured her She couldn't wait to leave the hospital. She had been horizontal for hours and she hated hospitals.
"I'd make sure she takes it" Amara added
"Okay..we just have to wait for the remaining drip to finish, we never rush it you know"
The doctor smiled at her expression "it shouldn't take up to an hour, then you're free to go"
"Don't worry doctor, what ever it takes there is no hurry"

It took 30 minutes but the drip finally finished.
After disturbing her father that she was uncomfortable Dé John stood up "let me go and get the doctor..baby ndo oo...Amara will prepare groundnut soup your favourite when we get home"
Joy's face brightened immediately and Amara smiled, her sister really loved the dish.
Dé Nwachukwu exited the room to look for the doctor.
Immediately he was gone and out of earshot Amara asked joy: "Are you sure you didn't forget anything...the slightest detail might be very important"
"No I don't think so..honestly I just want to forget about everything"
Amara nodded then looked at the door as it opened expecting to see her father come in but instead it was Paul and Oluchi.
"Aaaaw..my baby, my sister..." Oluchi cried over Joy as she hurried to the bed.
Amara eyed Paul suspiciously as he strode towards her with uncertain movements.
"Hi"
"Hi"
"I'm sorry to hear what happened...I'm just glad your father was there to save her"
"Yes..yes..whoever this killer is, his time is up, he's going to pay for everything" it was definitely a threat and her gaze didn't waver as she stared Paul in the eyes. He was the first to look away. "Yes...I totally agree with you, the son of a bi*ch needs to be caught"

°•°•°•°
Osi roamed the village thinking about what he had learnt so far which was a lot but still didn't amount to much.

Paul had said he would take his sister to the hospital instead and he had been ushered from the house in a polite but hasty manner.

He sighed frustratedly, the key was in the missing letter, the okrika clothes and the shoe print. Those were the major clues he had. Now he had to figure out how to connect them to the killer. It was either Paul or Steve.
The letter was tied to Steve because of the similar writing and the strange manner it had disappeared in his home but the shoe print was tied to Paul who had little feet the size of cloth pegs. What he needed to do was to link the okrika to one of them. That was the major clue and then the case would be solved.

He saw a familiar face in the market and searched his memory trying to recall the name. "Sofi...Sofiri!!!"
Pastor Bartholomew's younger brother turned and scanned the faces looking for who had called him.
He saw Osi and smiled, he came over crossing the short gutter and Osi noticed he wasn't alone. A woman was with him. She had to be his wife, the one pastor Batholomew had said provided lunch and dinner everyday and Osi couldn't help noticing that they made quite an odd couple. For one she was fat and huge, Ovie size actually and while Sofiri wasn't slim per say there was still a sharp contrast in their size.
"Pastor, so nice to see you..I heard you stayed behind" Sofiri pumped his hand furiously
"Yes..I have some unfinished business but I'd be gone by Saturday"
"Oh...I thought you were going to remain as one of us"
"No..I have responsibilities in PortHacourt but I'd surely visit once in a while"
"Okay..this is my very lovely wife Mabel"
"Its a pleasure to meet you"
Osi took her hand and returned the smile.
He suddenly felt in his spirit that this moment was important.
Although why it should be important was foreign to him.

Mabel was a ray of sunshine. She was currently smiling still yet to let go of his hand and saying.
"You need to come over for dinner if you can before you travel.."
"Baby I'm sure the pastor is really swamped with responsibilities" Sofiri said.
But Osi couldn't remember when he had eaten a proper meal. Since Bukky had left with his friends two days ago (monday) and today was his birthday after all.
"You know what...I'd love to, if tonight won't be too imposing..its my birthday actually"
Sofiri was surprised "really..you're very welcome then..and Oh..happy birthday"

rachealfst:
You are welcome. I just checked my mail, I didn't get your message. (toyinfst2@yahoo.com)

oh..okay my bad..I'd get it right this time

ADECULATE:
Oya na souloho19, update na. I can glimpse u on d thread sha

lol..I'm coming few more minutes

Ayomicome:
I already start a count down....3days to go. Pastor Osi if you need help abeg call strange eyes and I can't wait to see the magic that kiss will do

I concur bro, strange eyes would have cracked this case long ago..they formed a p.I firm
the B.R.O.T.A agency (Bami, Rex, Olivia, Tonye, Andy) and they're currently busy sha...still hunting down Mr kehinde the last shadow

Cynicgod:
you are one crazy writer Mr soul d only writer worth reading on nairaland to me so far......d style is like dat of James Patterson and am impresed and bliv me m not easily impressed keep it up fam you shld sell subsequent ones in paperback or PDF......its just that good
pls mention me on subsequent books

thanks bro...but believe me there are plenty geniuses on this forum you need to check out...haven't read anything from James Patterson yet but I'm now on the lookout. once more thanks man

IRALIFE:
Great job you're doing Souloho. But I doubt this shoe print o. No freshly cut grass around

Great job you're doing Souloho. But I doubt this shoe print o. No freshly cut grass around

lool...I honestly like your comment please continue your deep analysis I need it..as for the pix..that was the closest I could get oo..let's just assume that Osi carefully cleared all the grass around the print so he could take the picture clearly

stephenGee12:
Jagugu the great.
Where have u been to.

Souloho19 the great.
Omo u mad ooo.
How can u point clues to stevenson and then tell us another person saw the spot osi had hidden. Ehn answer me.
You are mad in a very very good way.
Keep twisting my head like twister.
I need panadol ooo.
Anybody help me b4 I die from souloho19 hand.

Adesina12 come and serve beer.
But I get kilishi ooo

lol thanks bro..no need for panadol no worry na the devil go need am..very very soon

inkdbetty:
Finally! I am here. After going through 34 torturing pages of suspense, beauty, word mastery and skill, your ability to keep us interested is something i am still trying to learn. Keep up the good work. You are going places definitely... what is your name on facebook, i wish to follow you up.

thnx,,I appreciate..I'm also following your story, nyc one dear.I have a literature page: soul's ink; https://free.facebook.com/Souls-ink-362489464187417/

Jazmiynne:
Souloho19 would be somewhere smiling as we all crack our detective minds to find the devil

as in eh..a very wicked smile is on my face right now

Criis:
Souloho19

.

OGMEEKZY07:
why are not updatin it everyday again @souloho19

pls bear with me, I'd surely update..been tied down in school, I just checked in during break time now self. please be patient brosses

rachealfst:
I know you're an IT guy, so you can design better. @ souloho19.
I just made this cover to say well done for this wonderful master piece you've got here. More wisdom and inspiration in Jesus name.

wow!!!!!!
Rachealfst you are a very very very very wonderful person, honestly this blew me away. chai...I so love this work, I don't even know what to say again..God bless you that one is very sure..you're too much ma'am...I like the first one tho..the 3rd got me thinking as well.
please check your mail

centitan:
my Oga Souloho19 you are the bomb, omo see suspense!! please when u wan publish the book, biko!!
notify me because this kind classic,adventure-filled book deserve mek I own a hard copy, so even after ten years I can re-read die.
your works are creative,mindbogglingly,amazing.

with the way things are turning out,I think the devil is Stevenson (though I'm not 100% certain).
It seems like Pastor OSI(abi na Detective OSI, I tired for did one ooo) and Amarachi would end up together.

more data to your phone.
more ink to your pen .
keep the updates coming.

(lying down flat on the ground,prostrating, I no go stand up,until I receive order from the boss himself @Souloho19).

Ahh..please stand up boss..Lol, thanks man God bless you a million times