Itanife: The Book Of Ifa (Orisha Chronicles) #NaNo2015Winner

CAN'T CATCH A BREAK - PART 14

                                                          If you want to go fast, go alone

                                                          If you want to go far, go together.

                                                                                  African proverb.

I close my eyes because I'm beginning to realise just when I think I'm starting to accept all the crap this day has to throw at me, I find it hasn't really started yet. All this from before has just been the tip of the iceberg. And I really don't know if I can handle being in this 'magic' place with my human evil nemesis. I feel a soft hand on my arm and I turn to see Abi watching me. Her eyes seem to be beseeching me to calm down as if she can feel my inner turmoil. I promise myself to do just that.

This is all a thousand types of weird and unreal, there really is no need to allow Kemi get under my skin. I stood up to Bisi for heaven's sake, one human mean girl is nothing compared to a supernatural one I tell myself. Problem is, all the years of teasing makes it difficult to ignore her and I'm too mentally exhausted to banter with her. With relief I notice she doesn't have her minions with her, which I believe is a small reprieve for me.

"What is she doing here?" Abi asks the million dollar question I can't get out. My mouth feels all swollen and all I can do is look at Sheni like a betrayed little girl while he avoids my eyes. I need to pull myself together because I'm going to need my wits about me with that snake about. Only good thing from all this is that from her angry shouts I understand that Kemi is also a visitor to this strange place. Thank god for small mercies. Human mean Kemi is bad enough, a supernatural one? Doesn't even bear thinking about.

Sheni again raises his eyes upwards. I'm starting to see a pattern here. Seems every time he's exasperated, he looks to the sky for answers. It's such a cute human gesture, I feel myself thaw a little towards him.

"Stowed away when I wasn't looking". He replies

"What do you mean? how is that-"

Sheni interrupts her "Look when you two decided to play hide and seek, I got very worried. I wasn't thinking straight. It was all a rush. I just wanted to get to you both as soon as possible. I was not as careful as I should have been and she snuck in with me".

"How did you actually get into this place?" Abi asks curiously.

"Abi I really don't think now's the time for your curiosity, we have bigger problems in case you forgot". I tell her with eyebrows raised and eyes bulging in Kemi's direction. Just so she understands that having Kemi here is still an issue.

"Sheni, thank god you're here. I was so afraid. There's something very bad in that forrest. This whole place is bad. Please lets go back." Kemi says in a small voice as she finally stops in front of us. At least she has the brains to know we're no longer in Kansas I think sarcastically. Sheni puts his arm around her and draws her close. I feel the sledge hammer thud in my heart again and turn away. I am not a masochist. I don't need to look at things that hurt me. And there and then I realise seeing Sheni treat Kemi with such tenderness does hurt. I think how stupid I am to be bothered about things that are not my business. Sheni romantically is not my business. I have to put these feelings aside and concentrate on leaving this place. I have to let my childish feelings go.

"I see you found them". Kemi says in a voice which makes me think she's not so happy he did. "Now can we leave?". As I turn back to them, I see she's snuggled even closer to him if that was at all possible.

The Elokos are standing around us again. I guess their meeting is over. Err..no, I see they are all staring at Kemi with dreamy eyes. I can't believe this chick. Even supernatural midgets love her. I really need to know her secret because I am a hundred percent positive it has nothing to do with her personality.

"Hello again munchkins". Kemi gives them her light bulb smile with a little wave and they all straightened up and glow with pride. I hear a snort beside me and turn to Abi who rolls her eyes at me. Good at least someone else here sees through her.

"Mistress we we are all happy happy to see you again". Chief Nnamdi says grandly. I notice he is standing on tip toes and I sigh to see even supernatural males are all as gullible as human males when it comes to a pretty girl. All the Elokos join in nodding, smiling and saying "yes yes yes yes".

"Yes as nice as this whole reunion has been, I think we better move on as you suggested Sheni". Abi says, cutting the Elokos off mid chant. Thank heavens for Abi. The voice of reason. And in as much as I really don't want to step into that evil forrest, I also know we can't procrastinate any longer. Sheni is right. The prince could be really close and standing around here would be like offering ourselves to him on a silver platter. We're still standing close to the entrance of the cave and there forrest is right in front of us. We are open to any attacks, basically sitting ducks like he described earlier.

"You're right Abi. We need to move. Didi you and a few men go in front. I'll move with the girls in the middle and the rest of your men can make up the rear". Sheni says with authority.

The Elokos all begin moving and following Chief Nnamdi's instructions. I watch Sheni as he hands Abi and I our rucksacks. To say I am surprised is an understatement. Abi squeals as she looks inside and finds a change of clothes and some basic essentials. She moves away from us to have some privacy while she changes her clothes. There is not a lot of privacy here but since the Elokos are already moving towards the forrest she is a bit safe from their ogling.

In no time at all we are all ready to move. I look at the tall black trees of the forrest and feel my heart tighten in apprehension. I tell myself everything will be fine. We are a group and there is safety in numbers. I do not believe anything from my pep talk but I know I have no other choice. I am really beginning to hate having no choices. Bracing myself , I follow my companions into the dark forrest and hope for the best.