Wormwood

The Siege

       19th of August, 2016 was unlike any other day, nothing flew not birds or nylon bags, we could barely breathe. Trees didn't rustle, there wasn't as much as a ripple on the surface of any water body, the oxygen we had was wearing thin. I and Udeme trapped oxygen gotten from the green house we built for plants and put it into small containers---small enough to fit into a pocket. It could last up to an hour maximum. The soldiers that returned with me were under my command, so everyday we would go out in groups as I delegated to scout and drive out as many stars and thugs as possible. We successfully drove out every possible threat within a 40 mile radius in every direction of the house and securing as many houses as possible for storage. We sent reports to the president on our progress level in reclaiming the city, as a reward he sent more guns and food also to other soldiers in the remaining states.

       At about 1pm with the sun beyond its peak, one of the soldiers sounded the emergency alarm alerting everyone. My attention was needed at one of the houses we had taken over. I was accompanied by Udeme and the five soldiers that came with Eyo to witness a sight that startled everyone. The fallen stars numbering over a hundred surrounded us, they had strategically positioned themselves at our exits and entrances round about. We went to the other houses where we stationed men but they were also there. We went back to the house to discuss what to do but arguments filled the room. Udoette surprised everybody when he spoke up saying he knew why they had come in such numbers.

'Why do you think they are here?' I asked curiously

'If you observe closely, they aren't attacking us which means this is a siege. They want to cut us off from our supplies, if food finishes they know we'll have to come out. Their numbers around the routes we use to get our supplies are more than the numbers spread around.'

'What do you suggest we do if you think that's their plan?' Rashid broke the silence

'We have guns, I suggest we stay at our stations and attack. Let's provoke them to attack us, I believe we have the advantage here. When they notice their numbers are dwindling they will break formation then we'll have the upper hand.' Mmaette spoke up

'Like father like children.' Ubokabasi said with a smile.

'What do you think sir?' Omawunmi asked

'We'll it looks like we have a plan. Get the information out to every one to man their stations. I want a situation report every 25 minutes is that clear?' I ordered

'Yes sah!' They chorused

Our home became a battle ground, gunshots were fired from every angle but the creatures didn't budge after two hours of killing their comrades. At some point I almost ordered a full scale attack until one of them charged towards my men, the others followed. Udeme radioed in saying they were under heavy attack, the fallen stars were shooting some kind of sharp object at them. We had used sandbags to build barricades round, with stations at least 100 meters from each other. The kids were with me as we fought, at some point Udoette began to have so much fun he shouted 'this is awesome!'. We killed every star except 8 of them on my end. They stopped attacking and just growled.

'Dad I think that one is calling you out.' Mmaette said

'You think so?' I asked sarcastically

'Yeah dad I think it's challenging you, but he's big though so maybe you should reconsider.' She mocked

'So you don't think I can take him?'

'I haven't seen you lose a fight before dad so please don't get beat up.' Udoette said

'Sah are you going to confront it?' One of the men asked

'Yes, cover my back and get Udeme down here now.'

'Yes sah.'

Towering over me was a creature almost 7 foot, it's comrades were not as big but I wished I had to tackle one of them instead of the big guy. I avoided it's jabs and threw mine at precise moments, I tackled it to the ground and was about to unleash my rage when I felt a burning sensation on my back, it increased excruciatingly---it was my mark, appearing at the most opportune time i thought.

'Dad's in trouble.' Udoette exclaimed

I ordered Udeme not to allow them come down, the other creatures attacked but my men killed them. Defenseless and in pain I rolled on the ground, the creature I fought with raised its hand to stab my chest, for a moment I saw death in its real form so closed my eyes but instead of my breathing to stop I felt a heavy thud on me, I opened my eyes to see the creature lying face down on me with an arrow in its head, I turned around to see Vincent holding Mmaette's bow and smiling weakly.