FROM LONDON WITH PAINS

CHAPTER EIGHT

The rays of the sun hit her eyes from the open window blinds. She must have forgotten to close her curtains the previous night.

It was 6:40 AM; she had less than an hour to prepare for school. She said her morning prayers, which she was still trying to get used to. The smell of her mother's cooking evaded her room, increasing her hunger.

That morning, David's driver came just in time to pick her up. She bid her mother goodbye and ran off to the car, making a mental note to go see a movie later that evening, with Friedrick.

By 4:30PM, Friedrick was already at Adaora's gate, although the movie wasn't until an hour's time. She was infuriated by his early timing, but nevertheless, dressed up and went out with him, forgetting to inform her mother of her absence.

When she asked what they were going to do that evening,Friedrick suggested that they get some popcorn and take a walk.

After getting the popcorns, they settled down on a street bench under some trees for shade. Slowly picking their popcorn.

'So tell me...' He started a conversation.

'You said your Papa was a Cameroonian, oui?'

'He sure was.' She threw some popcorn in her mouth.

'Parlons un peu de Français.' He giggled.

'Pas nous allons parler anglais.' She threw her head back, laughing.

He gaped at her in unbelief. 'Wow you do speak French! Bravo!' he said, clapping.

'Je suis desole, I'm not so good at speaking French.' Adaora grinned. Feeling proud of herself.

They didn't notice agrey sienna which had just pulled up in front of them. Two men immediately rushed out of the car. One of them grabbed Adaora and covered her nose with a handkerchief. Her body went limp. Friedrick tried to fight them off but he was overpowered and knocked out. The men threw their unconscious bodies into their car and sped off. The few people who were around the vicinity had taken to their heels. Including the nearby police men.

The air around them carried a strong stench of animal waste and rotten eggs. Adaora regained consciousness and sat up. Her head throbbed as she tried to figure out where she was.

'Adaora! Thank God you're awake.' A frightened voice called out to her.

She turned her head towards the sound of the voice. There was a figure at the other corner of the room, sitting on the floor, with its back leaning against the wall. She couldn't make out the face as the corner was quite dark.

'Adaora can you hear me?' the voice asked again.

'Who are you?' She managed to mumble a reply, her head still fuzzy.

'It's me, Friedrick. You've been unconscious for so many days now.' He tried to drag himself closer to her but the chains on his foot hindered him.

When her head cleared a bit and she took in her surrounding, she became petrified. Her eyes were crimson in color, her stomach grumbled as pangs of hunger hit her. The last thing she had eaten was popcorn. She tried so hard to recollect how she had gotten there. She remembered eating and laughing with Friedrick. Then some men rushed towards them, after that her memory went blank.

In the adjoining room, Akpi and snake could be heard, arguing between themselves.

'Are you sure she is the one?' Akpi was uncomfortable, walking from one end of the room to the other.

'Did you not feel it too?' Snake tapped his feet impatiently.

'Yes but...'

Look!' Snake snapped.

'Torumbe said his charm would make us feel jiggy when we were around her. We did! So stop fussing.'

Akpi nodded, but was still in doubt.

'He instructed us to look out for any girl who looked and talked differently. He said any girl we found like that meant she was of royalty. She fits his description just well na!'

'But anybody can look and talk differently...'

Snake banged his fist on a table, cutting Akpi short.

'Enough! It is time to present her to Torumbe.' They both stood up and headed for the door to the adjoining room.

Akpi walked towards a frightened Adaora.

'Are you of royalty?' he asked in a threatening voice. When he got no reply, he repeated himself, this time around holding a knife to her throat.

'Little girl! You wanna play the dumb game with us, huh?' snake pulled her by her hair

'I don't know what you are talking about!' She screamed at them amidst tears

'Torumbe will find out.' Akpi lifted her up and flung her over his shoulders. He seemed immune to all her kicks and bites.

Friedrick tried to protest but was kicked in the groin.

'What do we do with that one?' Akpi enquired.

'Maybe we'll just use him for money rituals, or better still, sell his body parts.' They both chuckled in an evil tone.

The shrine was hidden in a bush behind the uncompleted bungalow, which they were held captives. Palm fronds with red and white pieces of fabrics on them, were used to fence the little shrine.

Torumbe exclaimed when he set his eyes on Adaora:

The gods have spoken! She is the one!'

'What have I done to you?' Adaora wept. 'Please let me go.' She was terrified. She had heard about African juju, but never in her life had she imagined that she was going to be an unfortunate victim of it.

'Your great great grandmother was once the queen mother of our land, but she was captured and sold into slavery. They took her to a land where the gods say you have come from.' Torumbe stretched his arms towards the sky, as if holding out an invisible bowl.

'Please I don't know what this is. Just let us go, or we'll call the cops on you.' Adaora tried to sound threatening. Akpi and Snake, who were listening from outside the shrine snickered.

'Silence! Young one.' Torumbe commanded.

'The queen was angry because no one came to rescue her, so she cursed our land. Cursed our women! Both, with barrenness. We need your blood to appease her, so she would take the curse away from us.'

He called out to Snake and Akpi.

'Take her away; we will conduct the sacrifice on the next full moon. Bring her back in the next...' he looked at the sky. 'Seven days time.' He completed.

'You all are psychos!' Adaora screamed as Akpi dragged her out.

'My grandmother was no queen! You all are crazy! My God will fight for me.' Adaora went hysterical.

'Your God?' Torumbe mocked.

'Don't worry, child, soon you will meet with your ancestors, and your God.'

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

uh oh! Someone is in trouble!

They say criticism is the food of writer. What do you like and dislike about the story. Yels! I'm all ears dear.