Ini

𝕮𝖍𝖖𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕰𝖑𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓

Folashade snapped open her eyes as soon as she felt something cold around her feet. She looked around and her heartbeat raced as she wondered why she was in the middle of a river.

She whipped her head around as the animals of the night made horrific noises and Folashade began whimpering. She tried her best to move, but it was as though she was stuck–like something was holding her down. Tears streamed down her cheeks as thoughts of death raced through her mind.

Obviously, she didn't have plans to die and so, she began screaming for help. Crying and begging, like anybody could hear her in the middle of nowhere. She never even thought about how she got here, all that was on her mind was how to get out.

"Help me!" She had screamed and Orisa Ife had had enough of her loud screams that disturbed her ears. The river began to tremble as Folashade's screams only intensified. She wasn't sure what it was, whether animal, beast or anything demonic, but like before, death wasn't on her schedule.

"Be quiet!" Orisa Ife yelled, and everything became still. No more screams, begging or sounds from the animals of the night. Folashade's heartbeat raced even faster as she stared at Orisa Ife, her eyes wide open in shock. The goddess floated above water and her persona was scary, but she was, in no doubt, beautiful.

"You've made enough noise." Orisa Ife said, her Yoruba accent leaking through her words as she stared evenly at the shaking mortal. She would have smirked or laughed, but the girl had done enough to annoy her. She never expected Folashade to be so weak, so human, she had thought Folashade was almost like her, eil and wicked.

"W-why a-am I-I h-here?" Folashade said, stuttering throughout her words and now, this made Orisa Ife laugh. Her thunderous laughter filled the air as Orisa Ife found her stutters and fear as funny.

This time, Folashade wrinkled her eyebrows in confusion as she watched the goddess laugh. Orisa Ife eventually stopped before returning to her stern look. She moved towards Folashade, who felt like fainting or vomiting any time soon.

"You know, I expected you to be a little brave and less of a human–maybe almost like me, in fact." Orisa Ife said, while circling around Folashade as she sniffed out fear from her.

"W-what d-do...you mean?" Folashade stuttered again, earning a smile from Orisa Ife.

"I expected you to not fear me. To be evil or wicked, like I am, but you're only evil in your thoughts." Orisa Ife said.

"That's because I am not." Folashade said, and Orisa Ife snorted before brushing her fingers across Folashade's neck.

"So, the girl speaks without stutters." Orisa Ife said, before coming in front of her. As Folashade said nothing in response, Orisa Ife continued, "dear mortal, as you can see, I am not human. I am, but a goddess, the one who controls Araba village. I called you here, because I need your help."

"My help, how?" Folashade questioned and Orisa Ife smiled, the moon light shone against her blood smeared lips.

"There are certain things I can't do outside Araba village and my messenger can't do either. I will hand you something, put it in your sister's meal, so that she may come and be with me, forever." Orisa Ife said, whispering 'forever' as she shut her eyes for a split second before opening them again.

"Wait-wait. What?! I'm confused." Folashade said and Orisa Ife let out an exasperated sigh. She thought Folashade would not ask so many questions and do as she was told because according to what she had seen, Folashade wasn't a big fan of Inioluwa.

"Don't act like you didn't hear what your mother said. Inioluwa is my child, she belongs to me, here in my waters." Orisa Ife said, and this made Folashade even more frightened. Yes, she did hate Inioluwa, but she couldn't poison her or even anyone else.