Her

Her


Oluchi’s POV

"I'm sorry," he mumbles and instead uses the light of his phone's screen to guide us on the right path.

As faith will have it, Ike's prediction proves correct because what used to be a wall is seen scattered in crumbles of worn-out stones as we approach it, making it easier for us to enter without getting noticed.

We approach a door, and I move forward to investigate, Joe, shining the light. "It's unlocked," I tell.

"How can they be so--" Joe snorts and pulls it open only to reveal another door, this one latched with a padlock. "No wonder."

"I can jingle that," Nuel murmurs, and reaches out a palm to Glory. Her getting the message, unhooks an earring and hands it to him.

He walks to us and we give way for him to do his magic. Five minutes after, we are all quiet, our tension building as we wait for the outcome of his skills. Sweat runs down my back as all sorts of pictures dash into my head hence we don't know what we may find.

The place itself is eerily quiet which is unusual as there seems to be no sound of movement, only the creaking of night insects from the surroundings showing a sign of life.

"It's done," Nuel announces, removing the now loosened lock from the latch of the door, his gaze turning to us as he presses down on the handle. "Should I?"

"Ana please be alright," I shut my eyes and clamp my palms in quick prayer an instant before the door is pushed open.

Ana's POV

"Wake up daughter, it's time," someone whispers in my ear, and I stir, my eyes flashing, but I don't see anyone who matches that voice in the room.

I sight Emily lounging and dozing off on a couch that was brought in sometime around midnight, I guess she felt the need to be here for a reason known to her.

"Be still, for I am with you," it comes again, and this time I don't think it's a dream as I feel the deep rumble of his words.

"Who, who are you?" I ask, my shocking loud voice echoing in the vast space, that it causes Emily to jolt upright.

Her stance showing on guard, she observes the area, spotting no one whom I could be conversing with, she channels her attention to me. "Who were you talking to?"

"I- I, don't know," I stutter, gaping around in the fear that I may be losing my mind.

"What do you mean you don't know?" She queries, her mood serious as she strives to understand who it is. "You were the one speaking so, answer me!"

"I have no idea!" I answer, peeping at her. "Wait, did you hear it?"

"Fuck no! I'm not that crazy," she clamors. "I didn't hear a thing."

"She can't hear me," the voice speaks again, and I feel a light breeze blow the wig strands hanging above my shoulders.

"What do you mean by---" I halt, gulping. "Who are you?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" Emily mocks, "I guess I succeeded in messing up your brain with that stick."

"No, I was asking him," I blurt, noticing how stupid I sound. 

"Him?" Emily doubts. "Who is 'Him' or 'what?"

"The voice I'm hearing, it's a he," I explain, watching her shake her head in disbelief. 

"So you admit you know who are you speaking with?" She investigates, taking a step closer.

"I don't know, I'm not sure," I sigh, having no idea of what I'm saying. "His voice sounds familiar and Fatherly and comforting. Didn't you hear him speak?"

"Okay," she chuckles, seeming to conclude in her head. "I get what you are trying to do."

"What are you saying?" I quiz, stunned at her response. 

"You are either crazy or aiming to make me come off as the crazy one," she cackles throwing her arms in the air as she laughs hysterically. 

"I admit this may sound crazy but--" I stop as I hear it again.

"I told you she won't hear me," it affirms. "You had faith in me, and so I'm here to do my part."

As that statement settles in me, I feel an inner peace spread all through my bones as if all my worries are melting away. This may sound surreal but I swear on everything holy that I didn't imagine those words and I for sure I'm not making up this feeling which takes over me.

"Why are you smiling?" Emily raises a question, striding to me to lift my face with her forefinger for a clearer view.

"Am I smiling?" I inquire, having no clue of my facial expression until she asks that and I perceive my cheeks straining at the ends. "You are right."

"Of course I'm right," she snorts, gazing into my eyes. "What game are you playing?"

"I don't understand," I admit, squinting my eyes, my words coming out unclear due to her right palm clamping my cheeks to try and change my facial tone.

"Why were you smiling Ana?" She repeats her question, standing erect and gawking at me.

"Something is coming," I grin, much to her disapproval, her hands having no control over my face due to her distance.

"What in God's name do you mean by that?" She polls, rolling her eyes.

"Don't call the name of a man you mocked before," I smirk, confidence entering my being in a way I can't decipher.

"Nothing and no one is coming for you," she recounts her earlier words. "The sooner you get that into your skull the better for you."

"Also, the sooner you begin to believe in God, the better for you," I laugh, my lips tilting to the left. "Something is coming."

"What is that?" She asks as we heed other sounds apart from the ones usually heard in the night. "Ana, what is going on?"

"I told you, something is--" 

"Shut up! Shut up!" She screams, striding to bestow me a slap on my left cheek. "I'm tired of hearing that line from your filthy mouth."

"You can't make me," I giggle hollowly like a maniac. "You can't ---"