THE VESSELS

CHAPTER FOUR

VESSELS

CHAPTER FOUR

“Where will I get money now? Chai, Jehovah!”. She flung her hands up in the hair rolling on the floor. She sat back and started weeping as someone tapped her shoulder.

“Maryanne, what happened?”. The feminine voice spoke as she turned to look at her. She was confused. Why is this woman so beautiful, just like a goddess? She had long hair, Maryanne couldn't tell if it was her natural hair or weave-on. She stared at the woman from head to toe. Likewise, she had skin as fine as milk and as yellow as pawpaw, and she was glowing.

“You must've been shocked, stand up”. The woman stretched forth her hand, smiling at her. Her white set of teeth were so beautiful and enchanting. Maryanne took her hand and stood up as they both left the sun and went to the shed.

“Who are you? How did you know my name?”. Maryanne questioned her. The woman smiled and gave her a handkerchief.

“Wipe your tears, you're beautiful”. She smiled again. Maryanne collected it and sniffled.

“I have been watching you since the day your Father died. How your wicked uncle took over everything, beat your Mom and took advantage of you as well. I know about everything”. The strange woman said.

“How is that even possible? How do you know all this?..er, how did you know my uncle took advantage of me when I didn't tell a single soul”. Maryanne said, standing up, trying not to yell. She even thought she was dead or imagining things.

“Because I was with you the whole time!”. The woman laughed and covered her mouth with her palm.

“Are you like an angel or something? How can you be with me and I wouldn't see you?". She sat down back.

“Let's say I'm an angel from the other side, and I've come to solve all your problems. Here, take thirty thousand Naira, I think the money you lost is twenty, abi? Just use the remaining ten to buy what you want”. She brought out a bundle of money from her purse and tug it inside Maryanne's purse.

“No, I can't take it, I barely know you ma".  She refused.

“It's alright, we'll see each other often, no need to worry. Like I said, I've come to solve all your problems and answer your prayers.”

“Okay? How?”.

“I'll give you power, I can see great potential in you. It's not difficult, take this as we'll see again”. She brought out a cake wrapped in a transparent nylon.

“Okay, thank you ma”. She appreciated the woman.

“It's fine, I'd love to spend more time, but I have to be somewhere. Take good care of yourself until we see again and eat that cake, you'll be fine”. The woman patted her head, and she felt a strong surge of power and strength running from her head to her feet.

“You didn't tell me your name ma?”. She shouted.

“Ifabanke”. The woman gave her a cheeky smile. She nodded, stood up and went home. She didn't tell her Mom about the strange encounter, she only bought what she wanted to buy and kept the remaining money as she ate the cake with cold Pepsi when no one was home.

_____

Around midnight when everyone had gone to bed, Maryanne found it difficult to sleep, her stomach kept making weird sounds, and she went to the toilet different times before she drifted to sleep slowly and suddenly, she felt a strange breeze coming from the window, and she opened her eyes and saw herself in an unexplainable place.

She was kneeling in the middle of a calabash, which had a carved wooden image idol of a woman who was wrapped in a red cloth on her waist and breast, she was sitting on a carved wooden chair too and had a crown on her head. She looked around and saw herself surrounded by some women-- the tall, slim, fat, chubby, dark, light and chocolate ones-- they were 11 in number, terrified she screamed.

“Shut up!”. One of the women shouted. She started weeping as she knelt down. She didn't know how she found herself there, but she knew she was in deep trouble.

“You didn't make our guest feel at home, that's not how we do it”. A feminine voice said, coming behind her, everywhere was filled with smoke. Maryanne knew that voice sounded familiar. She looked back and saw the woman who gave her money. For a moment, she felt relieved that at least she knew someone in this strange place, but why was that woman there?

“Priestess, the only one who can make a man miserable, the terrible and powerful woman. We hail thee!”. A dark, slim lady cried out as they all bowed down.

“We hail thee, our Queen!!!”. They said that three times before she spoke.

“Arise, my great subjects”. She smiled and sat down on a throne in front of Maryanne. She wore a black sequence gown, she was bare-footed, and she held a black staff. On her head was a shiny silver crown with an inscription; IFABANKE.

“Please, what is going on? I want to go back to my mommy, I'm sorry I collected your money, I promise to return all back, let me go back to where I belong”. Maryanne pleaded, avoiding their faces.

“There's no going back, my darling. You have entered the lioness den, and must eat from the meat she is eating from. Before I attend to you, Amanda, where is the betrayer? Bring her here, so she will serve as an example to others”. The woman, Ifabanke, commanded. Maryanne watched in anxiety as a lady who was tied with a chain dragged inside. Her mouth and eyes were covered, and her body was seriously bruised. Maryanne gulped hard. She never wished to be in that position.

“So, you have decided to reveal the secret of the Dark Angels Court. My dear subjects, what is the penalty for betrayers?”. She asked, looking around for a response.

“Beheading!". The chanted in unison and laughed. Maryanne's eyes widened. They were going to kill this woman right in front of her? She wished she could escape that moment, but it wasn't possible. She tried pinching herself, so she could wake up from the terrible nightmare, but she just hurt herself. It was so real, than Real Madrid.

_that was a sarcasm back there_

“Yes, death. Bring the sword of death, so we can behead her to our goddess”. Ifabanke commanded  again. It was that same Amanda lady that brought it, so Maryanne guessed she was the right hand of Ifabanke. The lady who was bound in chains was made to kneel in front of a big calabash and Maryanne was instructed to watch closely, and she was beheaded. Blood spilled everywhere, even on Maryanne's face, as they all clapped their hands and smiled at each other. Maryanne knew any single mistake would lead to her death, so she had to obey these strange people.

“Now, to you, my darling. You're welcome to the Dark Angels' Court. We're the unseen birds that fly everywhere, bringing the Christians down. We help people who are broken-hearted like you. We give them power and let them have control of their lives”. Ifabanke explained.

“Are you witches?”. She shivered, interrupting.

“WHAT???!!!!". They all roared and Maryanne could feel the heat in the room. She quickly pleaded.

“Like I said, we aren't witches, we are dark angels, and we are here to grant your wishes. Bring the calabash of oath, there's no time, we have other businesses to attend to”. Ifabanke commanded. She had only seen these in Nollywood movies. How can this be real? Witches? Dark angels? No, this should be a joke. God, please help me. She quickly said a silent prayer with guilt, she tried to remember the last time she called God. That was many years ago and here she was, in the middle of a problem, she remembered him.