NOT DEAD YET… (lll)
The sharp creaking sound that erupted as the guard pulled open the fifth case tore the silence of the night into shreds, and the chirping crickets ceased momentarily. It was as if the forest wanted to capture what was to come. My body grew numb.
Just as he beamed his torchlight on the lifeless bodies therein, the coughing resumed.
“Motherf-ker!” The guard snarled, spotting the body “Still breathing, huh?”
He reached for his spear that was pinned to the ground and with a single strike, drove the sharp edge into the heart of his victim. The body let out a short yell amidst weak struggles. His death was slow, agonizing but certain.
Sniffing in self satisfaction, the guard pulled out the bloodied spear and proceeded to shut the case. I heard him mumble some incoherent words as he turned around and began to saunter back to his tent. The chirping crickets resumed their melody and my hopes were once again restored.
I waited patiently until his receding footsteps were no longer audible before making my next move. This was my second escape from the very jaws of death and I couldn’t explain it.
I began to creep into the wet forest, enduring the multiple stings from the insects that crept all over me. I was already exhausted due to the loss of so much blood, but I made sure never to lose hope. I continued on all four, hoping for a miracle.
I continued regardless, advancing into the unknown, in hope and grace, but I haven’t gone too far when I spotted three masked men in a distance before me. They were busy digging up the earth as they make ready to bury the heap of harvested bodies lying nearby.
The men were also armed and very focused. They had already dug and buried a good number of the corpses and were in the final burial for the night. I swallowed hard and made to retreat. Turning to my left, I spotted a small wooden cabin close by and began advancing towards it.
My movement had been unnoticed until I had stepped on a stick lying on my path. The men on duty stopped abruptly and turned around. One of them picked up a torchlight, turned it on and navigated it towards the direction I laid. The light kept flickering until it went off. The men turned back, picked up their shovels again and continued digging.
I finally made it to the cabin, found a crack big enough to accommodate me and sneaked in. It was very cozy inside.
Inside the cabin was a small candle that illuminated a part of the room, and just at a corner where the light was less reachable were heaps of bags. I made for the bags and hid somewhere amongst them, safe enough to conceal my presence. Luckily, I found a damp black gown and quickly wore it. I then began checking out the bags, hoping to find at least a phone.
The first bag I opened was stashed with cash, bundles of hard currencies. The second was filled with freshly harvested human parts. Eyes, kidneys, hearts, lungs, tongues and all. I almost threw up.
I discovered that almost all the bags were filled with human parts ready to be sold, and just a few had cash and weapons. My heartbeat became rapid.
Just where the burning candle sat, I could spot a small phone lying on the table. I crept out of my hideout and reached for it, returned immediately and tapped on the screen. Irene’s photo came to view. I almost scream out in shock.
Just then, I heard the door creak, it opened and someone walked in. I swiftly hid the phone and lay still. The intruder slowly walked about the room before settling on a small wooden stool next to the table. I carefully stuck my head out to observe better, only to realize it was Irene.
She had a huge book with her, and she kept flipping through the pages and taking notes. Just above her were our NYSC khaki uniforms and a few of my belongings. I could still spot the bloodied part when the dagger pierced me on the white polo.
Irene had my wig on her head. I could also spot my favourite gold bracelet on her left wrist. While in camp, she had on multiple times asked me to gift her that same bracelet but I refused. It was a birthday gift from Mama to me. Mama had spent all she had out of her little savings to acquire it, and I cherish it so much.
Irene soon stood up from where she sat and began searching about the room in panic. She soon picked out a smaller phone from her pocket and began to tap on it. I didn’t realize she was actually searching for her phone and was trying to call it with the other phone.
And right there at that moment, the phone with me began to ring.
The story continues…
Úncle Nnamdi wrote it ✍️
