I Believe!

Part Eight

Jim moved his body slowly. He felt so sore and stiff all over. He gently moved his head from side to side trying to work out the kinks as soft barely audible groans poured from his mouth. The thin straw mat he lay on hardly protected his skin from the rough ground and even taking a light breath caused his skin to be pricked.

He was clad in only a pair of boxer shorts and he felt the sweat run down his body through the mat to the ground underneath creating a certain kind of warmth to his bones. The room where he lay was so hot, he tried to steady his breathing so he didn't go into a panic. The air seemed to burn through his windpipes causing him great discomfort. Jim lay uncomfortably there, wishing he'd just go back to sleep. He felt hot tears roll down his face though he was sure he wasn't crying.

The door opened and some fresh air blew in before it was promptly shut with a loud bang which made Jim wish he was deaf. Someone stood over him and right on cue he felt the now familiar and dreaded incense being moved over him. The incense smelled horrid and it was held too close adding to his discomfort and making him feel like his skin was on fire.

He let out a low whimper. He was so weak. He had long since quit trying to hold it in. The pain was unbearable. The person began to hum lightly and Jim comforted himself with the familiar sound. It was ironic that he found it soothing at a time like this.

He heard a loud clank as the incense box was dropped on the floor. Jim tried to focus on the person moving around the hot room. He heard him pick up something like a bowl that sounded like it had seeds in it. The man finally plumped down beside Jim and nudged him in the shoulder. His fingers felt rough against Jim's bony shoulder and if Jim had any strength left, he would have flinched.

"Open your mouth." The voice admonished

Immediately, Jim screwed up his face. He hated this part of his day. Those seeds tasted awful. He felt the man use his fingers to pry Jim's lips open, forcing his jaw apart as he forced the seed in.

"Chew on it." The humming started again.

Jim waited a moment to get used to the taste in his mouth then he began to chew slowly in time to the hum.

"Today is bath day."

Before Jim could process this information, he heard the door open then slam shut. Not long later, the door opened again and he heard someone enter. The footsteps indicated more than one person had entered.

Suddenly, he felt hands slip under his arms and he was yanked up. He cried out sharply but these people were merciless. Two other people grabbed his feet and immediately they stepped outside, he felt the atmosphere change, the air was far cooler. Since this had never happened before, he was confused.

Before he had time to think things over, he was dropped into water. He was instantly awake. He quickly surged up out of the water, aware of his already sore muscles grazing against rocks and rough sand at the bottom of the shallow river. Two sets of hands instantly came forward and held him under the water. He struggled at first but when he realised that he was only gulping in water, he became calm and tried to hold his breath.

Soon enough, they helped him up and he sat up in the water. Jim was pretty sure he had now acquired little cuts on his back and bottom which were already sore and bruised from his time on the thin mat. His eyes slowly adjusted to the bright light. How long had it been since he'd last been outside? He counted four unfamiliar men around him. A fifth was approaching and he immediately recognised him as the Native Doctor, Doctor Ejike, who admitted him more than a month ago.

Doctor Ejike was a man not very much older than Jim but with a wealth of medical experience that could not have been gotten from any medical school. Jim didn't have much recommendations to go on but he had been too desperate to wait any longer.

"You have to realise that sometimes your body is well but your mind will refuse to accept it. You have to condition your mind to accept the healing. I can only help your body. As for your mind, that's up to you." Doctor Ejike shrugged.

Jim wrapped his arms around himself and felt his ribs pushing out on either side. He felt like he hadn't eaten in days and then he tried to remember the last time he'd eaten. He was scared to ask because he didn't think he'd like the answer. He looked at the other four men, they were all average guys, nothing impressive about them. They stood almost randomly around the doctor, staring at Jim.

"Anyway, as I said, this is the end of the first part of the treatment. I will allow you to rest for a few days then we'll begin the next part. But you will have to deposit the money before we begin."

Jim's head snapped up and he felt a sharp pain crawl from his neck down his back. He squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath before he opened them and focused on the Doctor.

"I thought the money I paid was for the whole treatment." The doctor shook his head, "But that is what you led me to believe."

Doctor Ejike shook his head again, "It is possible you misunderstood me. The money you paid is for the first part. There are four parts so you need to pay that same amount three more times."

Jim shook his head slightly and covered his face with his hands. What was the doctor saying? He needed to pay three more times? He raised his head up, "Where will I get that kind of money from? My accounts have been wiped clean."

The doctor looked unsympathetic and shrugged. "I totally understand but you have to understand that once you've started this treatment, it's dangerous to stop." Doctor Ejike had a hard gaze fixed on Jim.

"Moreover, you are almost at full recovery. Quitting shouldn't be an option. Think of that little boy of yours."

Jim nodded. The doctor was right. He had to complete the treatment no matter how difficult or expensive. He owed that much to David. He would do this for his children. He would find the money somehow and complete the process. Jim reasoned this was like penance for all the mistakes he'd ever made.

"Ok."

Doctor Ejike looked relieved. "Good choice. You'll have a few days to rest then we will begin the next stage."

"I will rest a few days then I'll go and get the money."

It will be alright. I will make it up to my kids. David will find a reason to believe in me once again. As Jim made these resolutions, he felt his spirit soar and he felt better than he had in days. Doctor Ejike was right. He had to condition his mind to the healing process so that his mind and body would be at the same level.

***
"How do you feel about our first mission as a married couple?" Bidemi whispered. Her eyes were fixed on the house made visible through the part she made in the low tree branches with her hands. Apart from the lit-up house, there was darkness for kilometers around.

When she didn't get a response, she looked back and found Michael scowling, "You look so cute." She took a step toward him and dropped a kiss on his cheek before quietly turning back to the house.

"We got married yesterday, Bidemi"

In the distance, they heard a low "shhh" and saw a red flag swing twice in the dark night.

"That's our cue." Michael picked up a baseball bat and crouched low as he and Bidemi moved closer to the house.

With their backs against the wall of the house, under a window, Bidemi turned to him and whispered, "If it were up to me, we'd go away to a place just by ourselves for at least a month!"

"Tell me about it! But I admit this is also so much fun." He leaned in and kissed her.

Bidemi smiled at him, "It sure is."

A loud clap pierced the night and they nodded at each other, "Let's do this."

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Hi people! Thanks to everyone reading my story :D. I hope we all have an amazing journey together.Hit the star if you enjoyed this part and let me know what you think in the comments. I'd appreciate suggestions.