Chapter 22
Sunlight filtered through the translucent curtains as I slowly opened my eyes; feeling disgruntled with last night, tiredness made me limp like wet laundry on a cold winter morning. Slowly I rolled out of bed stretching and yawning I headed for the window and drew the curtains. Sunlight bathed my skin as the curtains flew open and my eyes squinted shut trying to ward off the sunlight that bathed em.
Just then someone knocked on the door
“Yes who is it?”
“Good morning sir, its me Teresa.”
“Good morning ma'am. Is anything the matter?”
“No! not at all... It's 7:30 AM and your mom said I should tell you to take your bath and get set for Church. By 8:30 AM y'all shall be on the way to church.”
”Church!?”
“Yes Sir”
“Okay.... I'll do just that”
“Okay sir”
I walk
Chapter 23 Mom rode through the gate, steered the car towards an open space and parked it. After we'd all alighted the car, mom hurried to the booth, and brought out dad's wheelchair. My eyes widened as they fell on a red bricked triangular shaped building with crystal blue and beige colored reticulated windows. The white building was surrounded by neatly trimmed flowers which gave it a calming and peaceful sensation. After hoisting dad unto his wheelchair, we all trailed behind mom as she pushed dad towards the building. My eyes travelled up the pointed tower which rose from the red roof of the building; admiring the enormous spire and the cross on top of it. When we got to a big porch, Kayla and Kathleen gave each and everyone of us a fleeting hug. After moments of hesitation Kayla also hugged me and ran off with her sister.Where are they going?I asked mentally, but mom replied as if she coul
Chapter 24My brain stuttered for a moment and my eyes widened like two flashlight beam. Every part of me goes on pause as questions swirled in the pool of my thought. Unable to comprehend the fact that I was on my feet, I looked away; gave my mom an uneasy glance and then looked back to see if I was still on my feet. Holly Molly I was.“Stiles, sit down,"My mom muttered. Still stupefied by my action, I remained still for a while before taking my seat.“Young man why did you sit down?”Asked the announcer.I didn't give any reply, rather I made eye contact with my mom and then raised my eyebrows which indicates: Should I stand up? But my mom replied by shaking her head which indicates: No! don't stand up.“Young man are you shy? Come on standup,”the announcer added calmly.I kept still, staring at my mom again, I swiped my eyebrows up
Chapter 1 The room was gloomy and dimly lit. The only beam of light in the darkness came from the screen of the Television. Nestled in my usual chair, my eyes rested on the flickering screen of the big box. On the screen of the box was a girl, staring at three traditional african dolls, all of them were dressed in white gowns. One was burned to a crisp, the second was only scorched on one side and the third was untouched by the flames. The girl reached out her hand and picked up the doll that had not been burned. She smiled down on it and caressed its cheek. The doll had eyes that seemed to sparkle. I stared in horror as the sparkly eyes suddenly warped into a bloody red. The doll cackled fiendishly, it's cackling was so loud that my windows began to vibrate. “JESUS CHRIST!” I blurted and quickly reached for the remote; turned down the volume and covered my eyes with my fingers. Through the tiny slits in my fingers, I peeked
Chapter 2 “if your daddy doesn't bring my money in the next thirty minutes, I bet you, you'll kick the bucket.” AHEM he cleared his throat, adjusting his red polka dotted tie. He took a long drag from his cigar and then plodded out. Wincing and groaning I tugged the manacles but it was futile. Minutes later, the bald dude and bulry guy on red T-shirt processed in. “That chair that you are sitting on. Do you know it's an electric chair?” Asked the bald guy on stripped shirt. I shook my head slowly. “Now you know it is, so better pray that your daddy gets here in the next five minutes or else, I'll turn it on and electrify you to death,” he threatened; pointing his finger at me. “why are you doing this to me?" I asked tears dripping from my eyes. “Why am I doing this to you? Well, I'm going to tell you since you are going to die a
Chapter 3 A sweet, velvety, and mellifluous song flowed gently through my ears. The song had a sadness; there was something somber about the notes as they sipped into my ears. My eyes gradually cracked open as the mesmerizing melody of the flawless voice lured me out of oblivion. For a while, I stared at the white blurriness above me. The atmosphere was hazy, like it was filled with smoke from a nuclear blast. Everything appeared like I was watching a low resolution movie with a very bad quality. I couldn't tell up from down. I was not sure if I was breathing; all I could do was stare into space. I tried to move my head but my neck was stiff, my muscles limp and my whole body numb and lethargic. I could tell that someone was staring at me, directly in the eyes, but I couldn't keep focus. I tried to speak but my wo
Chapter 4 I lay on my gurney, waiting for my mom to return so we could engage in our normal discussion: Our conversation were so much more than words; the smiles, the gentle shrugs, nodding, winking and bla,bla,bla. The light in my moms eyes gave me peace and comfortable. So I lay there; longing to see them. A figure caught the corner of my eye. I couldn't prevent myself from glancing at who it was. When I turned my neck around, my eyes fell on a girl. she was petite and dainty. Her hair was black with brown highlights; it flowed like a river down her tan shoulders; cascading them like a waterfall. She was putting on a casual form fitting gown. My gaze turned downward. She was carrying a white plastic basket in her right hand. “Hi stiles” she greeted; dropping the basket on the floor, close to my gurney. “Oh! Stiles you look great today. Your eyes, they look livelier than ever.” She sa
Chapter 5Slowly I picked one of the letters out of its enveloped; fixed my eyes on it and read aloud.“Dear Si...tailisi..”“I... I mean, Stiles.”“Ahem"I cleared my throat and continued reading.“I... Miss you... Alr.. Alr...”I said over and over again, not sure of the word so I paused reading for a moment, skipped the word, and continued reading. My reading was not fluent. I miss interpreted and left out a lot of words. I sounded like a baby learning how to read in kindergarten. I sighed anytime I made a mistake and skipped any difficult word. I paused my reading, pursed my lips and peered into AY’s face.“What!? Come on, go on, keep on reading, you wont leave your letters halfway will you?”“No"I replied slowly and shook my head.“I want you to read em, please read em for me.... I can't read em, I find it difficult to read em, please…”I added, placing the letters on her lap.“Styles, you are trying, just go on a
Chapter 6The living room was dimly lit. Blue velvet curtains hid the long windows across the walls, thus allowing only streaks of sunlight to filter through the windows. The floor was well tiled with red marbles. Four white sofas surrounded a brown debonair table which stood on a hand-woven rug. On the sofas were red square shape cushion that blended with the floor. A clock in the corner ticked slowly and eerily in the silence; every now and then it gave a snap which gave the room a ghostly feeling, like someone was watching me.“Now!!!”a voice echoed in the room. My heart did a somersault as voices stentoriously filled the room.“Surprise!!!”A bunch of teenagers appeared from back of the sofas and from back of the door. A guy slid out from underneath the center table and waggled his brows at me. From different corners of the room came girls which squealed and cheered as they race towards me and dragged me over to a sofa.
Chapter 24My brain stuttered for a moment and my eyes widened like two flashlight beam. Every part of me goes on pause as questions swirled in the pool of my thought. Unable to comprehend the fact that I was on my feet, I looked away; gave my mom an uneasy glance and then looked back to see if I was still on my feet. Holly Molly I was.“Stiles, sit down,"My mom muttered. Still stupefied by my action, I remained still for a while before taking my seat.“Young man why did you sit down?”Asked the announcer.I didn't give any reply, rather I made eye contact with my mom and then raised my eyebrows which indicates: Should I stand up? But my mom replied by shaking her head which indicates: No! don't stand up.“Young man are you shy? Come on standup,”the announcer added calmly.I kept still, staring at my mom again, I swiped my eyebrows up
Chapter 23 Mom rode through the gate, steered the car towards an open space and parked it. After we'd all alighted the car, mom hurried to the booth, and brought out dad's wheelchair. My eyes widened as they fell on a red bricked triangular shaped building with crystal blue and beige colored reticulated windows. The white building was surrounded by neatly trimmed flowers which gave it a calming and peaceful sensation. After hoisting dad unto his wheelchair, we all trailed behind mom as she pushed dad towards the building. My eyes travelled up the pointed tower which rose from the red roof of the building; admiring the enormous spire and the cross on top of it. When we got to a big porch, Kayla and Kathleen gave each and everyone of us a fleeting hug. After moments of hesitation Kayla also hugged me and ran off with her sister.Where are they going?I asked mentally, but mom replied as if she coul
Chapter 22Sunlight filtered through the translucent curtains as I slowly opened my eyes; feeling disgruntled with last night, tiredness made me limp like wet laundry on a cold winter morning. Slowly I rolled out of bed stretching and yawning I headed for the window and drew the curtains. Sunlight bathed my skin as the curtains flew open and my eyes squinted shut trying to ward off the sunlight that bathed em.Just then someone knocked on the door“Yes who is it?”“Good morning sir, its me Teresa.”“Good morning ma'am. Is anything the matter?”“No! not at all... It's 7:30 AM and your mom said I should tell you to take your bath and get set for Church. By 8:30 AM y'all shall be on the way to church.””Church!?”“Yes Sir”“Okay.... I'll do just that”“Okay sir”I walk
Chapter 21I was about to hit Kayla again when my daddy's voice suddenly rented the air."Stiles”He fired, while grandma cast a look from me to Kayla and then to my Mom.DAD!.........GRANDMA!!.......When did they get in here? Was I so intoxicated by my anger that I didn't see them come in?Time stood still like never before. My pupils dilated, hands flailed and my heart sunk to my feet. I twitched as my anger faded, and everything returned slowly What have I done again?Kayla! her eyes were puffy from crying. Her entire body shuddered as tears streamed down her eyes in torrent.A part of me immediately wanted to be far away from the room"Stiles get back here"My mom called as I headed for my room.I wanted to heed to her voice, I wanted to halt, but I couldn't summon the courage to face everyone."Stiles”
Chapter 20.The old houses in the street were all silhouettes. Now it was difficult to tell that the wooden homes, mud houses and brick buildings had roofs that looked rusted and stained like blood. Dim street lights were scattered along the street, some bent and broken, others old and rusty. The glow they gave off was eerie, but at least each streetlight provided little comfort against the night. Wind gently blew the sickly smell of rotted garbage from GAWD KNOWS WHERE and stray dogs wagged their tails as they roamed about some garbage. When we emerged from the old street, the new street was brightly Illuminated with electric bulbs that flooded the city like sun shine. People were still bustling here and there, stores where still open, and kids were still playing outside.PHEWI breathed a sigh of relief.This place, It's looked very familiar. I had a strong feeling of DEJA VU as I let my eyes roam the street. I
Chapter 19For some frozen seconds no-one spoke. We stood deep in silence, staring at each other like it was some sort of staring contest. A fixed quizzical expression painted the two girls faces. Hmmph...one of them suddenly breathed out; gave her shoulders a wiggle and lolled her head in a circle. Foot tapping up and down like some dumb wind up toy and arms locked around her waist she spoke:“I'm sorry about your loss bro.”“Me too”The other girl added.“Loss?”I inquired with furrowed brows.“Yes, your brain loss”“My..."“Shhh...”They both shushed me by putting a finger against there lips.WHUUUAAAAAAT!?Wait wait wait! I don't get this shit. Am I the one this little brats are telling to shush? OH GAWD! Maybe it's because I've been flashing my teeth at them they want to take it for granted.
Chapter 18The bullet whizzed through the air, but as it got closer the fired bullet floated through the fragile air and missed my chin by a hair’s-breadth.“AaaRrrGghh”He growled with gritted teeth and pulled the trigger again, but this time the trigger wouldn't move.“Damn!”He cussed.“Come on, shoot you fucking piece of shit”he let out, smacking the butt of his gun with his palm. I tried to move but swiftly he pointed the gun at me.“If you move I'm going to blow you up”He threatened.“Pull you GAWD damn! trigger”He cussed again, pulling the trigger, with tensed muscles.I swear watching him struggle with the trigger made me want to laugh. I had to bite my lower lip and quickly look away, before a mischievous grin spreads upon my face again. I tried to keep myself aloo
Chapter 17His eyes widened for a second. A bemused expression spread across his angry face as chuckles involuntarily slipped through my wide pirate grin."What the hell!"He fired.“Guys!! Beat him up”He ordered his goons.Without wasting time his goons rushed at me; pummelling, stomping, spanking and kicking me.“Shey you dey crase? Are you mad?”“Shey you no dey fear face? You aren't scared right?”They asked, and punched me repeatedly.“NNnnooOO”Kayla and Kathleen cried out...“Leave my uncle alone”They sobbed, and covered there faces with there shaking hands. Unable to watch me get beaten, they both fell to the floor as there grief poured out in a flood of uncontrollable tears.“Enough boys"The gang leader ordered, and walked towards me with a smile plastered o
Chapter 16I drew in my breath, and let it back out with a loud sigh. From the front porch the street came into view like a high-definition movie. The kids and I strolled into the street winded ahead of us like a flowing river, people clustered the street, people moving here and there, vehicles moving up and down. As we walked down the street, my eyes flickered back and forth admiring the brightly painted buildings. The houses were identical in shape and size but no two were the same. They were of different colors, yellow, white, blue, red, green and every color you could think of; we came across many stores but I ignored them and kept on strolling with my cousins. I wanted to use my opportunity to explore the town. I wasn't scared of losing my way back home, because there was a very long mast opposite my house. If ever I lose my way back home, I would use the mast to trace my way back home. After much pressure from the kids, we finally came to a stop, in