Merry Haven - Episode 5

 

Annas was under an enormous tree, it's big roots were exposed, giving it a grotesque look, a young man sat on the roots. Annas was across the man, listening to him. The young man's face was blur. 

"Young cub, you have to come to me, the carnage has begun, we can end it if you face your fear. The massacre in South road marks the beginning of the curse." The young fellow said, he had a voice Annas knew well, but can't place its owner.

"I don't have to be involved in any of it, I need my life, no one choose how I will live it." Annas snapped

"You can't have a happy life when a gun is been pointed at you." Said the young man . "Come to me and let's save the Jacobs line."

"Save?" 

"It is a long family curse, it could be reversed."

"I don't know where on earth a psychopath's killing could be related to a curse - not here."

"Your family is plagued with the curse, not any one else." The man threw back. 

Annas was shocked. He shielded his mind from the southroad saga for a long time, and now this?

"Young cub, find me." The man said, withering away.

He snapped out of his dream, breathing hard. He was sweating profusely

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/merry-haven

. This shouldn't be happening, to hell with the curse!

He knew the man now, it was Kashees. What does he really want from me, he thought.

He hadn't seen Kashees for seven years now; when last he saw him was when he stopped by, to attend a friend's burial.

 Where he was presently living could be difficult to find. Mr Ernest made sure that they sever all links with Kashees.

Annas had to face his woes, since the life of his family was been threatened - so the dream said, he wished it was merely a dream, but a part of him knew he was only deceiving himself.

I just have to find him to satisfy my curiosity, he uttered in his mind. And find out Kashees was only toying in his dreams, he thought.

Where could he start from? His brother might be in Kingston, was he expecting him there, never! He'd rather die here with his problems than fly to Kingston. Kashees was very wise, he might be lurking around. 

Yet, Annas must find him, even if Kashees was hidden in his bathroom. Don't be lazy, just plan your search properly and find him! His inner voice chided.

Annas prepared a sumptuous meal of yam porridge mixed with vegetables. He and Tettes sat in the dinning room devouring it.

"Mum is coming tomorrow." Said Annas, stroking his beard.

"Thank goodness! at least I will not be disturbed by those your party lovers you call friends." He said with mouthful of porridge. 

"Whatever, just don't tell her about the party, if you do your sure going to Doctor Bitrus, I will see to that." Annas threatened. He knew his brother hated going to the doctor because of his weird dreams.

Tettes was on his school uniform; a white long sleeve, and black trousers. It was well starched and ironed, giving him a smart look. "I will not tell about the pool party, just don't tell her, am done with that doctor!" Tettes said.

"You just know what to do, I hope you do what's right." Annas cautioned. He studied his brother and was surprised that he had not even a wisp of beard. He stroked his beards again, letting Tettes see it. "Tettes, what's up, when I was your age I had gotten a full beard. Are you really....."

"Call it whatever you wish, am Tettes Jacob, and yeah Mr Ernest is my father."

"Then grow a beard.." Annas insisted.

"Mummy said her brothers started growing theirs when they were twenty two, am only fourteen."

"You see mine, it makes you a full grown man. Jacobs are naturally hairy, So bad you couldn't inherit it." Annas teased.

"But you got dimples from mum. We can trade, you give me your beard and I will give you..." Tettes said, itching his temples.

"So bad little one, you got nothing to trade."

"Whatever, am leaving." Tettes said, picking his bag. 

"Run along." Annas said, grinning.

Annas shoved all he would need into his crimson bag, he would wait for his mum's arrival before he takes-off, to find answers. 

As much as he had shielded the markings and the death of Benjamin's employee out of his mind, he knew they might crop up again.

This dream might have waited - or never came. His curiosity was beclouding his fears, he must start finding ways to his brother. A wisp of thought visited his muses; "Faruq Tapshat!".

That was it, he must travel to Faruq, maybe he could be helpful. Wide-pass was an ancient town, filled with strange occurrences; like charms, the worship of demons. They had native worshippers as well, and a handful of Muslims, Christians were..... - below a handful.

The red brick house welcomed the travellers who had left her in a bid of pressing activities. Miss Margaret, Juliet, Ernest, and Sydney were all back like they had never left.

Still... Annas lingered, not wanting to go in search of what he called answers.

His friends were always fun to be with, they do make him forget about the macabre nightmare. Annas wished he was always with them, not to go in search of answers he might never grasp. He must go, to know why Kashees was summoning him, and it must not be delayed any longer.

He borrowed Mr Ernest's Ferrari, but Mr Ernest didn't lend it to him - 'snatch' might be the appropriate word.

The journey was smooth at first, but he was exhausted after a long drive, he wish he could drive back home, but it was too late for that. He had just sped past Claybourne park, which was the last lively park in Merryhaven.

He dialled his mum's number, it rang three times before she picked, "Hello mum, am going to Wide-pass, tell Mr Ernest that am with his car..."
 His mum chided and pleaded with her son to return the car. He cooked up a smart lie of his reason for going to Wide-pass, she went on with her lectures 'There are others you could take, that one is too - just too flashy, it's Wide-pass your going to, not an award, or a gala night.' Her voice snapped at his ears.

"Just let him know, that's all." He said, she was trying to argue more when he severed the connection.

 He lied to her, he wasn't going to a business seminar, she was good at knowing when he lied, she might probably figure this one out. She knew Annas and his love for women, he often travelled to Pinegrace for s*x, that was years ago, not anymore.
  He ought to veil his reasons for going to Wide-pass, she should have a second thought about the seminar, she might think he was on his way to meet a lady, he wished she could believe it was so, that would be great for him.

 His phone vibrated, he snatched it out from his pocket, accepting the call; "yep, Syd... I think am out of Merryhaven now. It's just a wrist-watch, you can get a new one. You kept it carelessly - Then be patient, till I come, I will definitely return it, it's no big deal." 

Sydney severed the phone's connection. Annas snatched his wrist-watch - maybe borrowed. He was good at snatching Sydney's belongings, even when he doesn't need them.

He was now on a tranquil path, cascading down a rugged hill road, cautiously preventing portholes. This was a placid surrounding, he hated this quiet, he preferred the boisterous streets and traffic in Merryhaven. He was literally out of the reach of civilization. 

  He went smoothly on a levelled road, feeling lucky he had journeyed out of the hill unscathed. The new path was more tranquil than the hill, it had lined trees at each side of the road, its branches were coalesced at the top, making the sky a bit hidden. Annas was on a full speed, hoping to get to an open path, but the lined trees cease to end.

That feeling revisited again, he felt a presence, not of a being, it was abstract, more like a feeling; of dread, sorrow, melancholy. Was something in store for him in Wide-pass? He ought to find out. The feeling permeated into him, giving him no choice to resist.

He halted with a screeching sound, he was at the middle of nowhere, surrounded by  trees, why he stopped was a surprise to him, but he had to. He had to finish whatever he was here for, and get the hell out, he was now harbouring hatred for Wide-pass already. He turned on the ignition, drifting out from the gory looking road.

He past a little town before getting into Wide-pass, the street was scanty, he might be in its suburb. He past a small pickup truck filled with women on beautiful wrappers, they were staring at the Ferrari with awe. He past a busy market, where local traders exposed their wares to any ready customer to see their stock. 

He must find Faruq, he might lead him to his brother. Faruq might not be in the suburb, he doubted. He must travel to its city before he ask questions.

Once at the city, he asked an old lady for a nearby hotel, she recommended the 'Potto hotel' for him, which was an hotel not too far from where he was.

He lodged in a simple room, scantily adorned, that would do for now, he was drained out of his remaining strength from the cruel journey, a little rest might do wonders.

The strains of the journey was now a thing of the past, it was distanced from Annas with the break of a new day. He was with the city magazine, skimming for information that could be helpful, he could not start asking randomly for Faruq, that might not be successful. The magazine was of no help to him, the journey was a waste of time.

Sydney wrist-watch was on his wrist, he might trade it for answers, but poor folks wouldn't have an idea about Faruq. The innocent wrist-watch was some how glaring at Annas with spite, hating Annas for making it part with his master, wrist-watch were not made with emotions, but Annas thought this one was an exception, it would hate Annas if he trade it for answers, Annas must think straight, he ought to keep frivolities aside, damn the wrist-watch. Wrist-watch was the least of his fashion accessories, it reminded him of the scar on his little fingers. The scar was at the same spot on each of his little fingers (at the bottom part of the little fingers, near the knuckle), he never knew how it came. When he was a kid his mum told him it was an accident, unfortunately it gave him a scar, "Thank God you made it, just see the scar as a reminder of escaping death, you were a little baby when you, I, and your dad were involved in a ghastly car accident." Said Juliet, when he was a little kid. 

That was a very long time ago, but he was awed at the twin scar, why must it be on both fingers. No one cared to ponder with him, he cared less about it, but he prevented any hand accessories that gave it attention. People pry, preventing the wearing of wrist-watch make people less curious about the scar. And now this? Why was he being mean to Syd, he was a Demi-devil for snatching what he seldom used.

Some thoughts popped in his head, he should ask the manager or any of the biguns in the hotel, Faruq was popular, he was well known in Wide-pass, he knew it now, Clement told him that as well. 

Faruq Tapshat was well known indeed; Annas painted the address on a paper for easy access - from the address the hotel manager gave him, Faruq was nearby, Annas was beginning his journey already.

It was a bungalow with a black roof, Annas noticed the street houses, it was lively, save the bungalow, which was meek and gloomy for his liking. He parked beside the bungalow, moving his heels to the little gate, he pounded his knuckles on the gate, he did it again, more, and more, but he got no answer.

The gate was pulled back, a middle aged man pulled him in, he was too strong for his age. The size of his eyes were as big as a tennis ball, with hooked nose. His beards were long and rough, with a wisp of grey hair. He wore a black robe.

He gave Annas a long stare, his eyes were glued to Annas's godlike eyes - wether he stared with lust, awe or in disbelief, Annas knew not. Annas wondered what was on the man's mind, and why the long stare.

The man moved his gaze to Annas's hands, peering at his scar, he snatched Annas's wrist, studying the scar. He dropped the hands, bringing his gaze back to Annas's eyes. "A corruption of the real eyes!" He muttered with surprise.

"Excuse me!" Annas snapped.

"Oh, sorry for that, it's just what we call your eyes." The man replied, recovering from his earlier dazzled state.

"What do you mean 'we'? Are there people with my eyes around here?"

"Not people, but - sorry not now, please don't mind my manners." The man made a gesture, inviting Annas in. " I am Professor Faruq Tapshat." He said when Annas accepted his invitation.

"And I am Ann-"

"No need for that Annas Jacob, I know you, and I know you are coming." Said Faruq, he peeped outside the gate, like he was frightened about something or someone outside. "Is that your vehicle?"

"Yes, It's mine."

"Then it will be coming in as well."

When the Car was in, Faruq brought him into his gloomy bungalow. He was a lover of art, Annas noticed, his living room was adorned with  Benin figurines; one of it was a woman with braided hair. A fierce looking male figurine was wielding a miniature spear in his right hand. They were also figurines of different ethnic groups. 

The furnitures lacked a modern touch, it was old fashioned, but exquisite.

"Let me get you coffee." Said Faruq, moving to a path that leads to the kitchen.

"Don't bother with that, I don't drink coffee, am just hear to ask some questions and get back, it will be snappy. I will not waste much of your time."

"You have to take something, water, whiskey anything you need."

"Am okay, don't bother." Annas insisted.

"Okay... Come with me then."

Annas followed, he was curious to know this mysterious man who knew his name, and he found his eyes somewhat - that sentence; a corruption of the real eyes, it hurt him. There was something about Faruq, was he living alone, was his family not with him? Annas hated such isolated life.

He took Annas to a room filled with books; it was scattered all over the room, on the table, floor, on a stool. It might be his study. 

"Take a seat," said Faruq, he fetched some books from the table, depositing it on a mahogany shelf.

Annas sat on a seat beside the table, Faruq fetched more books from the table. " I want to ask about a symbol, and, and its source." Annas managed, faltering, he was carefully planning his next words.

"And...?" Faruq asked, filling more books onto the bookshelf.

What does that mean, was he expecting more question?, Annas wondered. " And how did you know my name, what else do you know about me?."

"Hmmm..." Faruq stroked his beard, advancing closer to Annas. " I know more about you, even what you don't know about yourself."

"Your a professor, you might read lots about my family, don't believe what you see on papers." Annas was beginning to feel uneasy about it. "Clement, referred me to you, you know him right? He is your friend I met in prison."

"I don't know him, let's talk, you need some catching up to do." Said Faruq, he drew a nearby seat closer, resting his butt on it, facing Annas.