Novels by Mistura Atinuke

Leo had spent the majority of the long day wandering around her room, her thoughts removed from the world she was stuck in. She kept thinking about Jude, his gentle voice, the way he had looked at her and the small gesture of kindness he had given her when no one else had. She found herself in a gloomy world, it seemed like a tiny infrequent glimmer of humanity. But she was aware that she should not linger on such thoughts. Especially someone who was close to Charles, so closely .She couldn't afford to trust anyone. Long before her marriage was imposed upon her, she had to learn that lesson the hard way. After dinner that night, Leo found herself strolling down the hallways once more. She was not sure of what she was searching for, it could be a means of escape or simply some sort of calm in the midst of her hectic life. A recognizable voice cut through her thoughts as she was walking down the hallway. "Hi"A beat skipped through her heart. She instantly recognized the voice as sh

Leo's room's windows were glowing faintly golden as the sun just began to peek over the horizon. She hadn't slept a wink because her thoughts were constantly consumed by her fathers presence, his firm voice and the way he had always urged her to be resilient. He had once advised her to marry for love rather than power but that had been a lifetime ago. Leo was now stuck in a marriage that failed to live up to her fathers expectations. The pain was a continual reminder of how far she had deviated from the life she had known so she pressed her hand to her chest. The more she stayed in Charles' controlling world the more the memories of her family and home slipped away from her like a faraway dream. But Leo decided to leave her room today for some reason. She might have needed some air. Perhaps she needed a reminder that the packhouse was not the only place in the world. Or perhaps just possibly she needed a moment's respite from the oppressive reality she had fallen into. The sound o

The packhouses walls were more confining than before. For what seemed like days, Leo had been imprisoned in her room, a prisoner of the room itself as well as the man in charge. Like an ominous cloud, Charles hovered over her his every action planned and exact. Leo was determined to fight him in every way she could even though his goals were becoming more and more obvious every day. But today she wasn't going to remain confined. She needed to know what Charles' true plans were and what kind of person he had really turned into. Leo walked carefully toward her room's door, checking to make sure no one was around. She barely managed to get out without making a sound by pushing the door open enough. She heard voices coming from a nearby chamber but the hallway was deserted. She was drawn in by curiosity and followed the faint murmurs being cautious to remain hidden in the shadows. As she got closer to the room the voices became more distinct. With her heart racing Leo paused at the do

Suffocating in its stillness, the day had stretched on. Leo was too confused and distraught to do anything else, and she had hardly left the corner of her room. She felt as though the burden of the life she had been compelled to lead was suffocating her. With every second that went by the walls closed in on her and the room's silence felt more confining than reassuring. As usual when she was feeling down, she could hear her fathers voice echoing in her head: Leo, get married to someone who will keep you safe. Get married with dignity. Someone who will support you? With gentle steady hands, her father had always led her through life and spoke with such love and wisdom. But she had disregarded his cautions. She was forced on Charles because her mother thought he was the man who would change everything for good. As a result of her weakness, she was now imprisoned in this room that felt like a prison. She had once admired Charles when she was still growing up, but he had changed.

It was a dark night with the soft sound of the wind outside. A candle that flickered on the nightstand was the only source of light in Leo's room.Leo was sitting at her room's little wooden desk, the silver brush she was holdingtrembling a little as she combed her hair and the shadows seemed to stretch fartherin the darkness creeping across the floor.The tension that seemed to permeate everything made the room feel oppressive. Even when Charles wasn't there she could sense his eyes because he had been observing her more lately.His eyes seemed to have turned into a heavy burden that pressed down on her every action and breath. Tonight however was different. Her plan for tonight was clear. She tied her long hair in a makeshift braid then pulled the strands loose leaving only a few thick locks in place, her fingers working swiftly and efficiently.She had previously witnessed it in stories and films: inmates breaking out of prison by doing whatever it took to get out. Despite her lack

Leo paced the cramped space of her room, her footsteps reverberating against the stone walls. No matter how hard she tried, the connection with Charles kept drawing her back reminding her that escape was only a passing fantasy.It felt like a prison with the icy unforgiving building closing in around her. With a finality that cut deep within her chest the lock clicked, and the door slammed shut behind her.She found herself confined once more. The spot where Charles had struck her still ached in her cheek, a continual blazing reminder of his dominance over her.Her hand which was shaking was raised to her face and gently brushed the area. The pain was still there. She couldn't get away from it; it felt like a brand identifying her as his. It was something she detested. He was despised by her.A tear escaped from the corner of her eye and Leo winced. Angry at herself for letting such weakness show she swiftly wiped it away."Damn him," she muttered in a raspy voice. Goddamn him for bel