The Perfect Vision

Chapter 3

  For the past week, Labi has been kept indoors. His father has been delivering various concoctions to him in a mud pot known as an "isasun". Despite not being allowed to drink water, Labi has been enjoying the meals of "aseje", which have included whole chicken, goat head, eggs, doves, and even half of a gator. He has found these concoctions to be quite enjoyable.
  Unfortunately, he detested the multiple "gbẹrẹ" his father gave him.
The incisions were so numerous that he was unable to keep count. To make matters worse, he was being cut on almost every part of his body, including his head, eyes, lips, tongue, palms, wrists, feet, and legs. He once mentioned to Chief that the only place that had not yet been cut were his genitals, which earned him a hard knock on the head, despite the fact that he was already bleeding.
 
As the seventh day drew to a close, Labi experienced a mix of emotions. He was relieved that the long and painful process of incisions was almost over, but at the same time, he was sad that he wouldn't be able to enjoy such a large amount of meat again. Chief Oyewole sat with his son in the sacred room, finishing the last incision on his forehead. When he was finished, he asked,

"How many are we in the room?"
Labi answered,

"Five, one behind you, another behind me, and one by the door.

"Good".

Chief Oyewole stood up and walked to the door. He opened it and turned towards his son gesturing for him to come.

" This is a new beginning for you Owolabi. Everything about you has changed for you will begin to see and hear things far beyond your age. Peradventure you find yourself at a crossroads and you know not what to do,look inward,you shall find your answer. As from today,you shall be known as Owolabi Akanmu Oniran. May the gods be with you."

"Àṣẹ. "

Labi replied with a polite tone as he stepped outside for the first time in seven days. He squinted his eyes and used his hands to shield his face from the morning sun. His sisters were filled with joy and ran to hug him the moment he stepped out. They were playfully pulling his ears and hair as they fondly called him "Olori Ebi".

  "Welcome Labi. Our dear brother came back safely from the spirit world. You're now 'ọkunrin mẹta'. What would you like to eat?" Asked Omowunmi his eldest sister.

  Labi stood, transfixed. He was hearing noises. He stood there,trying to make sense of all the noises. Then he closed his eyes, suddenly,the sounds began to take shapes, each with a form standing behind each of his sisters. He opened his eyes and saw them. All looking at him.
He stepped back from his sisters but the noises still wouldn't stop. He saw a shadow moved behind him. He turned, frightened,and took to his heels.
  Labi ran. He ran as if his life depended on it. The more he ran,the lesser the noises. At a point,they become distinct. Then he stopped, catching his breath, he sat on the ground putting his hand on his chest to control the panting.
Just when he thought he is far from them, he saw the dark figure behind him again. He turned this time to look at it. What he saw made him to freeze for a second. Suddenly, he took to his heels and ran.