-OLIVIA-"So how do you want the news to go about slimcute?" Amber asks, her voice bringing me back to reality. The reality that I'd just got dumped by yet again, another Yoruba demon. Amber's father is one of the few richest people in the whole of Lagos and even Nigeria, making her a young, well successful lady. We're the same age, but twenty four looks so great on her that you would think she was just clocking sweet sixteen. Clear, smooth skin with baby cute face and petite stature-damn! I was always secretly jealous of her. Though she's older than I am with two months. She just had her birthday a couple of days back, and it was insanely amazing. I get it from some people that I talk with a UK accent, but since I've met her, I still have doubts whether she was Nigerian or not. She speaks like a real descendant of the queen Elizabeth's household. "Leave her first, she might be connecting with our lord." Lola replied, with her thick and manly voice. Everything about her was manly; he
•|•RAYA•|•"Yes. I hated it." Raya complained like she had been doing ever since they stepped foot outside the mall. It wasn't like she was the type to whine and whimper like a cry baby all the time. In fact, her own definition of maturity, was to always go with the flow. "You go with the flow. Just make sure you must have worked super hard, and if it doesn't work out, it's wasn't meant for you. Don't fret." It was her anthem and she made sure she recited it to all of those that were close to her. Sadly, Nora, her younger sister, had always been the victim of listening to her specific words of wisdoms. She angrily dropped the bags in her hands down on the floor and stormed off to lie on the nearest couch. "I hated it so much. So much that, that... it still bothers me tomorrow!" It wasn't as if she hadn't been approached by old men, delivering a special kind of religious visions to her. One time, a man that looked like he was in his late seventies had appeared to Raya, and predicted t
Life is so full of mysteries that each day, we uncover a tiny piece of them. The gifts it offers... the wonders of nature, the cryptic knowledge of time, the breathtaking view of the ocean and all of its divine beauty that unfolds beneath it.But not all that glitters is gold. All that is sometimes good, is also bad and dangerous to us, at one point in time.Raya Soldiers, a remarkable selfless young girl soon finds out about a mysterious piece of ornament, not the kind that was pretty and shinny and would make you the picture of loveliness at the dance party-it was similar to those kind that changed the entire life of a person. A simple gift you might say, but what happens when a simple gift turns out to be a hard nut to crack? This tale uncovers the true meaning to friendship, love, true strength and compassion. Sharpens the blurry image of the lives of three friends, redefines the reality they'd all chosen to abandon. And if all fables truly taught us a lesson, these three friends
"You're right. We don't know anything about her where about." I remembered how I wanted to discuss this with my mother. How I wanted to bring Tara home to her. But now, she was gone. Just like everyone else I'd known. Kedar, Tara. Nila. "You'll figure this one out. You always do." Mona comforted. "Thanks." I replied her with a smile. When she spoke, it sounded oddly creepy, as I just realized how very similar their voices sounded like. "You know, you remind me so much of Nila.""That was what father used to say.""Father? Old man Ayer?" I remembered how Nila had denied sir Ayer about being her father. But the fact that I never gave her a chance to explain herself bothered me the most. "Sir Ayer?" She called the name like it was an odd creature's name, something so unfamiliar. "No. He's not our father. Our father lived here, in Talot. So did Ragnila. You know, we were all happy together. Until one day, she just ran off with a lady friend, and never returned. She was a young girl, a
The night was cold and unnervingly dark. The wind didn't give a damn on the nightmarishly terror she was feeling. The insects chirped louder than they normally would, and the moon? It was no where to be found in that moment of despair. When she needed comfort the most, it left her. Everything was gone. In the dark alley, her legs wobbled as she felt her bones go weak. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead and her soul was ready to give up. She couldn't take another step forward. Maybe if she just laid down for a moment, it would all be fine. But they were behind her now. Any moment, she would breath in her last breath.Where she was headed to? She didn't know. She was only ten. She was just a child when the heavy wave of misfortune had crashed into her life."You are my own blood. The next ruler of the Central City. You shall fear no evil. A true Lancaster is a god. You will survive." Her late father's words rang in her head
They say a great kingdom is one where the king works arduously, but the people are happy. He works burdensome, during the day, sleeps even lesser by night. All of this efforts, worthy though. Because the people are happy. And the king was fulfilled.His kingdom, a hearth where there is a steady supply of fire fueled by the breath of relief from the villagers, everyone of them. A stranger who is just new to the land could even say it was a magical city where it's rulers were powerful sorcerers and kind hearted fairies. It's land is peaceful and it's people, happy.The magical city of incessant happiness, that was what the Central City used to be. That was what King Conrad used to make the Central City be like before. Until darkness swept foot into the peaceful land and bartered it with catastrophes and series of affliction. When he died, the City died along with him.Only hope and something even greater than hope, can restore balance into this land once aga
Self hatred is a great weapon for destruction, because the moment one begins to hate one's self, havoc and chaos is being birthed. It is when the mind becomes polluted with a shadow of doom. When love is lost, and contempt, rings in. It redeems. It rules. It kills, like a slow poison.But maybe sometimes it isn't all dreadful. After all, every bad things always have a good side. For without good, evil would not exist. Without death, life would be meaningless.Self hatred to Fiora, managed its way into her life to change it for the better. All her life, she had found nothing but pain. Saddening for she fears it had all been nothing but her fault. She had lost her father because of something she'd said years ago. She lost her home. She hated herself more than water repelled oil. But she knew now what she must do. Her life could still change, only if she was willing to make it better. And she did.Every day, for
"Really? What a foolish child." The Queen remarked after Donn spew out all of what had happened nights before. He confessed that Fiora had bamboozled the brains of their women and how they all dreamt of becoming what only men should dream of. "Quiet now. Women have the freedom to such dreams as well. Whoever told you only men are allowed to prosper?" She hushed him."Sorry, your majesty. Please forgive my mindless head." He quickly apologized. He was the queen's rat, she had quite a lot of those. By rat, that would mean an honest respectful citizen, but whose reasoning and thinking had been washed clean by the power possessed by Helen. By rat, that would mean one particular servant who had dedicated all his life to the power of the throne. He would never own his life again because he has sold it to Queen Helen, for almost no price at all."But still, these women ought to be contented. As long as their husbands provided for them, that should
"You're right. We don't know anything about her where about." I remembered how I wanted to discuss this with my mother. How I wanted to bring Tara home to her. But now, she was gone. Just like everyone else I'd known. Kedar, Tara. Nila. "You'll figure this one out. You always do." Mona comforted. "Thanks." I replied her with a smile. When she spoke, it sounded oddly creepy, as I just realized how very similar their voices sounded like. "You know, you remind me so much of Nila.""That was what father used to say.""Father? Old man Ayer?" I remembered how Nila had denied sir Ayer about being her father. But the fact that I never gave her a chance to explain herself bothered me the most. "Sir Ayer?" She called the name like it was an odd creature's name, something so unfamiliar. "No. He's not our father. Our father lived here, in Talot. So did Ragnila. You know, we were all happy together. Until one day, she just ran off with a lady friend, and never returned. She was a young girl, a
Life is so full of mysteries that each day, we uncover a tiny piece of them. The gifts it offers... the wonders of nature, the cryptic knowledge of time, the breathtaking view of the ocean and all of its divine beauty that unfolds beneath it.But not all that glitters is gold. All that is sometimes good, is also bad and dangerous to us, at one point in time.Raya Soldiers, a remarkable selfless young girl soon finds out about a mysterious piece of ornament, not the kind that was pretty and shinny and would make you the picture of loveliness at the dance party-it was similar to those kind that changed the entire life of a person. A simple gift you might say, but what happens when a simple gift turns out to be a hard nut to crack? This tale uncovers the true meaning to friendship, love, true strength and compassion. Sharpens the blurry image of the lives of three friends, redefines the reality they'd all chosen to abandon. And if all fables truly taught us a lesson, these three friends
•|•RAYA•|•"Yes. I hated it." Raya complained like she had been doing ever since they stepped foot outside the mall. It wasn't like she was the type to whine and whimper like a cry baby all the time. In fact, her own definition of maturity, was to always go with the flow. "You go with the flow. Just make sure you must have worked super hard, and if it doesn't work out, it's wasn't meant for you. Don't fret." It was her anthem and she made sure she recited it to all of those that were close to her. Sadly, Nora, her younger sister, had always been the victim of listening to her specific words of wisdoms. She angrily dropped the bags in her hands down on the floor and stormed off to lie on the nearest couch. "I hated it so much. So much that, that... it still bothers me tomorrow!" It wasn't as if she hadn't been approached by old men, delivering a special kind of religious visions to her. One time, a man that looked like he was in his late seventies had appeared to Raya, and predicted t
-OLIVIA-"So how do you want the news to go about slimcute?" Amber asks, her voice bringing me back to reality. The reality that I'd just got dumped by yet again, another Yoruba demon. Amber's father is one of the few richest people in the whole of Lagos and even Nigeria, making her a young, well successful lady. We're the same age, but twenty four looks so great on her that you would think she was just clocking sweet sixteen. Clear, smooth skin with baby cute face and petite stature-damn! I was always secretly jealous of her. Though she's older than I am with two months. She just had her birthday a couple of days back, and it was insanely amazing. I get it from some people that I talk with a UK accent, but since I've met her, I still have doubts whether she was Nigerian or not. She speaks like a real descendant of the queen Elizabeth's household. "Leave her first, she might be connecting with our lord." Lola replied, with her thick and manly voice. Everything about her was manly; he
"I can't believe that woman made us travel today?" Rachael complained from behind me as we walked out of the airport. Mum told her that she'd like for her to stay with her sister, Aunt Roselle, till she finally decides what to do with her like. Typical of her. "And it's so sad I get to stay with her of all people?" Aunt Roselle was nice in her own way, but was exactly mum's junior. Not just junior as a sister to her, but junior to her in every other way. She craves respect more than anything in the world, talks like mum with a weird fancy accent, eats like her, and loves operas like crazy! In a nut shell, she's mum's replica. "I mean, why can't I just move in with you?"Because we're bunch of dudes Rachael. Now shut up already.""So? I'm like a dude too. Only that I've got some nice female parts, like the boobs and-""Oh for godsake Rachael, would you shut up! You've been talking non stop for hours." I asked as politely as I could, or at least I pretended I acted politely."Well at le
Monsters are real. Ghosts are too. They live in and around us, and sometimes they win. For me, the demon that haunts me is nothing more than the tiny voice that whispers in my ear; "you'll never be happy again." How would I ever be?When I was a child, I was afraid of ghosts. Now that I'm a grown up, I realise what could be more scary. Me.I don't live inside the darkness. Because the darkness lives inside of me. I am my own darkness. I remember when I first heard the word, 'Agoraphobia.' That word was way too big for a thirteen year old naive girl. I despised the word so much that it haunted me for a long while. Until few months back when I realised that you can't drown your demons. Those bitches know how to swim.Agoraphobia from the dictionary means: a morbid fear of opened spaces. To the doctors it may mean: a disorder caused from stress and often triggers a panic attack when out in public alone. But to me?To me it was traumatizing. Because I knew what I had, had nothing to do
"Mr Bernstein," my boss was saying to me but sadly, I was not listening. I'd only just heard my name, and instantly, wished I could hit on a 'backward' button. "Do you agree?""Sorry?" Confused me asked, and Mr. Pitt let out a low growl. He did that a lot, creating a sound that resembled some hungry and angry wild NaGeoWild predators."If you do not comply to this, you can save yourself the stress and don't bother resuming tomorrow." He said, hinting no sign of emotion whatsoever."Wait, you would fire me if I don't join your secret illuminati club?" "Yes." He replied and even though I couldn't see much in his darkened room for an office, I saw his head shake as a nod. "Mr. Pitt, this is absurd. Completely." I panicked, because who wouldn't? Ever since my wife left me, my life had been a wreck. Not that I used to be wealthy, but that was the more reason I was broken. My job was the only thing that fetched me little incomes. Call it pride, but I chose not to depend on her for almost
That morning, I was over at Carolina's house—or hotel room. It was a rather weird drive to the venue but I stuck with her explanation. My home was not what it used to be anymore, and thus, far from safe. Hers on the other hand, was pure and off limit for demons. (Who'd believe that I'd be taking about demons so casually now).It wasn't one of those hotels with five stars. Or those with four. Or three. Or any stars at all.This was just a place where one stayed as long as they had their money. As you would have guessed, the building was a complete havoc. Whoever managed the hotel definitely cared less about beauty and attractive structures and decors. The vicinity wasn't even a conducive area to begin with. I hoped that would be my last visit. I prayed."So, I believe you've been well oriented the last time we spoke, huh?" Said Carolina, who might have not noticed me catching my breath. I was taking a moment to survey my environment and it turned out the hotel's outside was a facade.
"Mr Bernstein," my boss was saying to me but sadly, I was not listening. I'd only just heard my name, and instantly, wished I could hit on a 'backward' button. "Do you agree?""Sorry?" Confused me asked, and Mr. Pitt let out a low growl. He did that a lot, creating a sound that resembled some hungry and angry wild NaGeoWild predators."If you do not comply to this, you can save yourself the stress and don't bother resuming tomorrow." He said, hinting no sign of emotion whatsoever."Wait, you would fire me if I don't join your secret illuminati club?" "Yes." He replied and even though I couldn't see much in his darkened room for an office, I saw his head shake as a nod. "Mr. Pitt, this is absurd. Completely." I panicked, because who wouldn't? Ever since my wife left me, my life had been a wreck. Not that I used to be wealthy, but that was the more reason I was broken. My job was the only thing that fetched me little incomes. Call it pride, but I chose not to depend on her for almost