THE EVIL TEDDY Episode 6 – The Mystery Man
The driver dropped Lilley in school , at about seven A.M she waved excitedly at her mum , Jessica felt guilty for being so happy that her daughter found her joy after so many years of living in fear .
The death of Shirley had brought Lilley out of her cocoon , Jessica noticed she was eager to go to school this days ,unlike her old self that would feign all manner of ailments to stay off school .
“Hey Lilley.” A mixed race in Lilley’s class greeted . “Hey Price how are you doing?” Lilley said , she waved as Lilley passed near her mother’s GMC SUV, her mother also waved at Lilley , she was a white woman .
The day was excellent for Lilley , the quiz results from the previous week was brought to the class and announced by Mrs Chioma , Lilley was leading the class , she had an average of ninety eight on all her subjects . Mrs Chioma asked the whole class to go Lilley to learn how she got such score .
Lilley was nice to her classmates, she was for the first time appreciated for her brilliance and not being hated for it .
She couldn’t wait for the break alarm to sound , she had dreamt of herself and Gideon playing in the playground , she couldn’t dare pass near the play ground , she dreaded the place , the alarm was sounded by twelve P.M Lilley was the first among the throng of her classmates who struggled to get to the ground floor .
“Hey Lilley how are you doing?” A familiar voice called from behind Lilley ,she turned to face Gideon running towards her , his neck tie dangle in all directions . “Hey Gideon how are you doing?” Lilley said.
“Am fine Lilley , Should we go to the cafeteria or go to the the store ?” Gideon said. “Let’s go to the store , I have money , let me get us a treat today .” Lilley said , Gideon laughed .
“I’ve some money hear , let’s get ice cream and pizza , hope you like pizza ?” Gideon asked , Lilley nodded, Lilley didn’t actually like any food , she would rather not eat , if she could survive without food .
Gideon paid for pizza and two ice cream cones , they went to the green grass park , and sat on a concrete park bench , kids were all over the place screaming and running about, chasing after each other .
“Where are you from ?” Gideon asked Lilley . “Where are you from first ?” Lilley returned his question to him .
“Well my name is Gideon Akpan , my parents are from Eket in Akwa Ibom state , what about you ?” He asked Lilley . “Well my name is Lilley Abbey . We are from Bonny Island in Rivers state . ” Lilley said .
“Wow that’s cool ,we are all from the South South ?” Gideon exclaimed.
“Yeah we’re , I heard Akwa Ibom is close to Rivers.” Lilley said , Gideon nodded .
“What work does your parents do ?” Lilley asked Gideon still slowly licking the ice cream on her hand . “Hmmm its your turn now tell me Lilley where do your parents work ?” Gideon asked.
“Well my mum is a bank manager , my dad has a car dealership, it’s called Abbey’s Motors .”Lilley said , Gideon couldn’t believe his ears . “You mean you’re the daughter of the famous Nigeria car dealer and billionaire?” Gideon said , Lilley laughed hysterically , not believing Gideon her dad wasn’t popular, she didn’t know her father was always on television news and Newspaper, he was a billionaire car dealer.
“Your dad is wealthy .” Gideon said .
“I don’t know about that .” Lilley replied him .”My mum is banker,a regional manager.” Lilley said .
“Wow you must be very rich .” Gideon said . “Now tell me about your family.” Lilley asked , Gideon threw the last piece of pizza he was holding into his mouth .
“Nothing much ,my dad is a pilot , my mum is a dress maker in Wuse two , its big .” He observed that Lilley was not touching his meal .
“You’re not eating from the pack ?” Gideon said , she Had finished the cone of ice scream , but refuse to the pizza.” Why are you not eating the pizza ?” Gideon asked,Lilley had a big smirk plastered over her face.
“Well Giddy Lilley doesn’t like pizza .” Lilley said to Gideon he loved that she called him a name he never thought about . “Well Lilley you made me use up my savings to buy a pack of pizza you won’t eat?” Gideon asked.
“Am so sorry , I can give you some of ny money.” Lilley suggested . “Na ah I don’t take girl’s money ,am a man .” Gideon . ” Can we go and walk around the field .” Gideon said , she and Gideon devoted their midday chasing after grasshoppers and butterflies, until about one P.M when an announcement was made for pupils to return to their classes , they bade each other fair well before going to their classes .
When Lilley got home , she couldn’t wait to take her bath , a new Nanny had been employed for her , but she missed nanny Paula . When she was done she took Bestie downstairs as she joined her parents to take dinner.
She rushed through her food and rushed up to her room , she wanted to tell Eddie and Bestie about her day and day ,But Bestie kept falling far from the bed , Lilley picked it up and brought it close to the
teddy .
“Gideon is now my best friend I call him Giddy , he doesn’t talk rudely to me , he refused let me pay do anything even though I’ve my money , when I grow up I’ll marry him .” Lilley said swimming in fantasy,Eddie’s eyes lighted , it was florescent green, like Go on a traffic light , Lilley was carried away by her own fantasy, that she couldn’t see the angry Teddy, the eyes had turned to red , and then back to black . “You cannot have any bestie Lilley , I am your best friend !” Eddie grumbled, Lilley couldn’t hear him , she was busy day dreaming. ”If Gideon doesn’t stop following you , he’ll be the princess.” Eddie continued with an angry frown on his face , it grabbed Bestie and flung it to the ground in a fit of anger.
At two A.M a white girl about Lilley’s age climbed out of the Teddy bear , she had golden blonde hair, she was looking so lean, her white out of fashion gown was stained with brown stain , that could have been her blood , she had no shoes on , she went straight for Lilley’s cabinet, and took out her school bag ,she opened the zipper , and climbed into the bag .
Lilley woken up the next morning by Martha when she came to clean her room. “Lilley why is your room so scattered?” Martha quarreled, Lilley yawned and woke up from sleep . “What did you say aunt Paula?”She said with a sleepy eyes .
“Don’t call me aunt Paula!” She grumbled . “Why did you remove your school bag from the cabinet? why is your school bag on the ground ?” Martha asked , Lilley kept gazing around finding it hard to comprehend what Martha was saying .
“Aunt Martha I didn’t remove the bag , I was in bed sleeping…” Lilley tried to say . “Shut up you Iiar! Your parents don’t pay me double salary stop scattering the house after I’ve arranged it!” Martha yelled at Lilley , she picked Bestie and flung it to the bed, Eddie went into a big nylon bag and was dumped into the big dirty clothes bin .
“Get out of the bed let me arrange it , I’ll be arranging you’ll be scattering.” Martha complained . Soon Rachel Lilley’s new nanny came to check her as she bath herself, then ironed her uniform , Lilley was taking a breakfast of fried egg , toasted bread and a thick and brown tea.
Jessica and Michael were coming down from the stairs , Michael’s arms wrapped around his wife’s waist , he kissed her neck and cheek , she gently pushed him away .
“Daddy! stop it.” Lilley grumbled, her father laughed
“Lilley are you jealous of us ?” He asked , Jessica was looking more beautiful each day . “She’s your wife , but wait for me to go to school.” Lilley said her parents continued laughing , after breakfast Jessica grabbed her hand bag , and was on her way out of the house , Lilley followed .
the two talked like two grown women , discussing on many trivial issues , soon Lilley said bye to her mother and the driver .
School was nice that day she participated in class games activities, then at Lunch she met up with Gideon ,they spoke and laughed, hanging out at their new spot at the park , instead of eating with the class .
When the announcement was made for the pupil’s to return to class , Gideon walked with Lilley to the staircase, and washed her climb.
“Lilley your school bag is open .” He said. he couldn’t understand why she would carry her school bag out for lunch break . ”Thank you .” Lilley said and closed the bag .
The pale white girl began to follow Gideon wherever he went , it flew beside his mother’s car , when she came to pick him , the angry spirit followed Gideon to his room upstairs , it turned and flew back to the house , before Lilley and her mother could get home.
The white and pale girl walked up to Lilley’s room , passing Martha on her way up , she turned and stared at Martha for a long time , she then walked through Lilley’s door , and went to the nylon,where Martha had tied Eddie , she loosen it and lifted the oversized Teddy bear to Lilley’s bed.
She began to melt like a rubber put near a hot fire, the vapor , it filled the whole room with negative energy, the vapor flew into the Teddy’s eyes , just before the Lilley stepped into the room , she was so happy to see Eddie on the bed.
“Hey Eddie how are you ?” She asked, Eddie glared at her angrily, with hateful disdain .
