Outcast - Episode 25

 

I was left with Chinyere. She sat on a sofa. Their sofa was torn and dirty. They had only one and a bed in the room. A big bed. It looked like the other room was where they kept food and other things. She was watching television and laughing.

"Why will your mother do this to me. I thought she was Mama's friend"?, I said.

"What did she do to you. Why are you ungrateful? Did anybody force you to follow her to the city . I know you don't like where we live. Mama should just return you to the village. So, you'll remain a village rat. But wait, you look like someone that had been living a good life. Why come here in the first place? I saw fine clothes in your bag", she said all at once.

"That's not true. I was staying with the woman she works for, she told the woman that I was an ogbanje and the woman arranged to bring me back home, but she brought me here", I stuttered.

"Wait, I don't understand the whole thing, calm down and explain", she positioned herself well, and was all ears. I rose from the bed, my cheek hurt so badly, and I sat on the bed. I started explaining everything to her, and watched as she looked at me. After, I was done, she took a deep breath.

"I would have given you money and send you back home, but I don't even have much money with me", Chinyere said.

"I don't just like this place

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. Just allow me to escape", I begged. "I'd rather suffer anywhere in this city than be with your mother", I sobbed. 

"Well, I can't allow you now. I don't agree with my mother on so many things and if I do, she will think I planned it", she said. She continued, "but I'll allow you to escape in the night when they are around, so the blames won't be on me. Just act active, so that she will send you on errands even to a place as near as the kitchen". She told me to stand up, dragged me outside and showed me the routes I will follow to escape.

"Thank you so much", I said.

"Okay", she nodded with different emotions written over her face.

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The night arrived, Ebuka came back from work. I greeted him, but he ignored me. Mama Ebuka came back too. I greeted her and helped to carry some of her things inside. She was surprised at some of my gestures. We finished eating, fufu and oha soup that Chinyere prepared. It looked like Mama doesn't want to send me on errands. We sat in the room, watching television. Chinyere whispered some things to my ears. Immediately, she shouted.

"Obiefuna, go outside and check if the kitchen door is locked".

"Hah! Calm down, Chi Chi. He is becoming a good boy", Mama Ebuka said and smiled.

"Which stupid good boy. Will you go and check fast", Ebuka shouted. His voice sent shivers down my spine. I was on my legs quickly. When I got outside, I ran away. I continued running until I got to a market. The market women were closing their various shops. I saw a shop, where a woman used three tables to block the entrance of the shop, I sat by the corner of another shop, waiting for onlookers to disperse, so that I'll hide there, and sleep.

After some minutes, they dispersed, I scurried to the place and hid under the table. The mosquitoes were singing on my ears, as some bit me, I was getting uncomfortable and was about to make noise with my clapping, before I heard some people talking. I peeped slowly and saw three hefty men. A stature looked familiar. They were smoking as I could see the flames of the cigarettes. The first one said something I didn't hear, the second one replied and his voice sounded like Ebuka's own. 

"Could this be Ebuka?", I wondered. I immediately developed goose bumps. I wasn't caring if Ebuka was an armed robber, what I cared was, what if they see me. I quickly closed my eyes, so that I'll sleep off.

I saw myself in a wide road as I kept walking endlessly and dust was blowing up and down. The road had no end. I kept walking, until I got tired. I fell on the floor, trying to rest, immediately, three creatures on red apparel appeared. I didn't freak out. I looked unconcerned. 
"You! You!! You!!!, your time should be up but you don't want to go", the first voice said

"Aren't you satisfied? You have lived for fourteen years. Be satisfied already", the second voice said.

"Please, hear us out. Allow us to take your soul already", the third voice said. I ignored them and kept stretching my bodies.

"Such an ingrate", they all cried and disappeared. 

I stood up and kept walking, immediately, it looked like I was on a high mountain, my leg struck a huge stone, I tripped, and started rolling down from the mountain. I looked down, it was a deep river and I saw a creature down there, though my eyes were blurry.

Read " The Odds Are Against Me " by the same author ( Obinna Tony )

. The creature had a huge smile, as it spread its hands to receive me. I woke up immediately with huge gasp, and it was a nightmare. I was sweating profusely, the nightmare coupled with the non conducive place. I heard the toad croak by the side of the bush and freaked out. Immediately, the hen crowed. I peeped outside, it was daybreak. It looked like some minutes past 6:00AM. I stood up and kept wandering on the road, looking for where I will beg for food. I was famished and tired. Shops were just opening, people were walking and running helter skelter. While cars moved slowly, some flashed their lights, and others honked.