CHAPTER 17

Ezinne wiped the sweat off her brow as she talked to a woman who was carrying farm produce.

The woman was on her way to sell her meager wares at her market stall, so she answered Ezinne's questions as curtly as possible, “Look, I've told you before. Continue driving until you get to the end of the road.”

Ezinne asked, “Where is the end of the road?”

The woman shot her a look, probably regretting stopping to help the strangers in the car.

“There's a place where the road has been eroded by erosion. Your car won't make it past there.”

Ezinne gave her a smile, “Then what do I do?”

The woman looked up to the sky before she replied, “There are some commercial motorcyclists there. Ask them to convey you to Okoagu.”

Before Ezinne could express her thanks to the woman, she briskly walked away, muttering to herself.

Ezinne continued driving. The road to Okoagu had deteriorated they closer they arrived. From smooth expressways, to jam-packed byways and pothole-riddled community roads.

Their GPS stopped working along the way as cellphone reception became spotty.

Since the Accord was the only car on the road, Ezinne floored the pedal hoping to reach their destination before the next hour.

Soon, they arrived at the spot the woman had described and Ezinne had to admit there was no way her car could make it past the deep gullies that had been caused by rainfall.

The tar on the road was tremendously cracked and missing in most places too. From where she was sitting, she saw that her car could fall into one of the ravines and a tow truck wouldn't even be able to help.

Ejike thinking the same thing, whistled under his breath.

“Where will we keep the car?” He asked.

Ezinne was thinking the same thing. She couldn't just abandon the car and continue the journey, it would be akin to putting a neon sign which said “Thieves, here I am” on the car.

“I think one of us has to stay with the car. In fact, Ejike you'll stay with the car while I go after Ekere.” Ezinne decided firmly a moment later.

“No way. You haven't encountered Ekere, but I have. I know how powerful it is. If there's anyone who should go after it, it's me.” Ejike said fiercely, his nose flaring.

Ezinne hadn't seen him this emotional before. She figured he had some old scores to settle with the demon.

“I'm the Gate Keeper. I'm the one who should go.” She persisted.

“One way or another, I'm going to climb up that hill and face Ekere.” Ejike vowed stubbornly.

Ezinne sighed in resignation, “You're not going to give in, are you?”

“No, I won't.” Ejike confirmed, staring out if the window.

“Well, I'm not giving in either.” Ezinne replied.

They both jumped when someone tapped the window pane of the passenger window.

“Who is it?” Ejike called out menacingly, hoping to scare away the person.

A wiry young man in stained overalls came up to Ezinne's side.

“Good morning, madam. Good morning, Sir.” He greeted her courteously, giving a little bow.

“Good morning,” Ezinne returned his greeting cautiously, regarding him for any bulge that denoted hidden weapons.

“Who are you?” Ejike was less courteous than Ezinne.

“My name is Kelechi. I'm a mechanic. You two look stranded so I decided to come over and help.” The man said, smiling cheerfully.

“Our car is in good condition. You can leave now.” Ejike said frugally.

“Are you trying to reach Okoagu then?” Kelechi asked, undeterred by Ejike's rudeness.

“Yes,” Ezinne replied.

Kelechi's grin broadened, “You're in luck then. As you can see, I'm a mechanic. I have a workshop not too far from here.”

“I didn't see any workshop,” Ejike said accusingly.

“That's because it's not near the road.” Kelechi replied.

“And why is that? Everyone knows workshops are situated in a conspicuous place so as to attract customers.” This time, it was Ezinne who voiced her doubts.

Kelechi agreed, “Of course. But this is a lonely stretch of road. What would stop robbers from coming to steal the cars I repair?”

Ezinne considered his words and nodded.

Kelechi continued, “You can leave your car with me. I'll keep it safe for you until you return for just a small amount of money.”

Ezinne exchanged glances with Ejike.

“I don't trust the man,” Ejike whispered.

“That's very obvious, but we have no choice.” Ezinne replied. To Kelechi, she said, “Direct us to your workshop.”

Kelechi's smile threatened to split his face into two. He gave them directions and left, walking ahead of them.

When he left, Ejike said to Ezinne, “There's something fishy about that man. I don't like him.”

“Ejike,” Ezinne said chidingly, “That man was nothing but courteous to us. He's provided us a way out of our present dilemma. Now, unless you want to wait with the car—”

“Fine, fine.” Ejike interrupted, “I'll keep my mouth shut.”

“Good.” Ezinne said as she reversed her car and followed the directions Kelechi gave. They caught up with him and he pointed to an unpaved byway they had not seen when they'd passed the spot earlier.

Ezinne took it and saw that it led to a shed constructed with wooden poles and aluminum roofing sheets. The place housed three cars which had their bonnets open. Another man was tinkering with something in one of the cars' engine.

She parked the car and they got out. Kelechi walked up to them.

“As you can see, your car will be safe in our care.” He reassured.

“How much do you charge?” Ezinne asked, opening her handbag to bring out some cash.

Kelechi stopped her by saying, “Don't worry. Embark on your journey first. When you return, we'll talk about payment.”

Ejike regarded Kelechi as he said, “If anything happens to this car, if one little thing goes missing, I swear you won't like what will happen to you.”

Kelechi ignored Ejike and said to Ezinne, “Madam, I can even get you to Okoagu. I have a motorcycle.”

“Why should we patronize you?” Ejike asked.

“Because you won't have to walk. Secondly, the motorcyclists you'll meet after the eroded portion of the road are known for ripping off outsiders.” Kelechi explained.

Ejike frowned but did not say anything.

“We're interested.” Ezinne nodded.

Kelechi gestured to his apprentice who brought out a motorcycle from the back of the shed.

Kelechi took the motorcycle from him and mounted it.

“Hop on,” he said to Ezinne and Ejike.

They gingerly climbed up behind him and Kelechi revved the bike and off they went.

* * *

Kelechi rode through an unpaved path, far away from the eroded road.

They passed a gaggle of commercial cyclists who were joking and drinking sachet liquor.

Ezinne shuddered as she thanked Chukwu that she'd patronized Kelechi.

The commercial cyclists paid the road safety rules no mind and maneuvered their vehicles recklessly on the road, trying out stunts.

After some time, they entered Okoagu community.

Kelechi parked his motorcycle and waited for them to alight, “I'm sorry. This is as far as I go.”

“That's alright. You've been such good help,” Ezinne said as she dipped her hand into her handbag and gave him a five hundred naira note.

Kelechi accepted it with both hands and a bow of gratitude, “Thank you, madam.”

Ezinne waved at him as he rode away.

She turned round to see a multitude of curious pairs of eyes staring at her and Ejike.

Elderly men who were playing board games, restless youth who were playing football, women who were braiding each other's hair and naked children who were playing in the mud, all stopped their activities to look at them.

Some of the brawny young men playing football left their game and walked up to them.

Ezinne saw the looks on their faces and knew they wanted to extort some money from them.

“Mama!” One of them hailed her.

“What are you doing far away from the city?” Another with thick lips asked.

“My friend and I want to climb Ugwu Lyi.” Ezinne said calmly.

Gasps could be heard from the youths and other onlookers. The smiles fell off the faces of the young men.

“Nobody climbs that hill.” One of the footballers said.

“It's a matter of life and death.” Ejike said impatiently.

“You people need to leave now.” The thick-lipped one said menacingly.

“Don't you understand? We have to do this.” Ejike said, refusing to back down.

One of the elderly men cleared his throat loudly and everyone faced him.

“You people should go back to your football. I'll handle the outsiders.”

The youths immediately dispersed, although they didn't go back to their game. Instead, they watched as Ejike and Ezinne approached the elders.

The duo greeted the men and focused on the one who had called them. The man had a shock of white hair and thick eyebrows. His tanned face was lined with wrinkles.

He made space for them on the wooden bench he was sitting on.

“I apologize for how the young men acted. You know how the youth these days are, so rude and impulsive.” He said with a small smile.

“I know.” Ezinne replied with a smile of her own.

“So why do you want to climb Ugwu Lyi?” He asked, fixing a surprisingly piercing gaze on them.

Ezinne answered, “Sir, are you familiar with the sect called Ndi Nche?”

“The Gate Keepers?” The man asked, scratching his ear, “I don't think so.”

Ezinne sighed and began to explain the duties and the responsibilities of a Gate Keeper to him.

When she was done, he regarded her with awe, “What does Ugwu Lyi have to do with protecting the earth from...who was it again?”

“Dike Aru. The king of the underworld.” Ejike supplied helpfully.

“We believe that there is a demon somewhere up that hill. We want to banish it to its home forever.” Ezinne said.

The man looked into space as he said thoughtfully, “That would explain it.”

“Explain what?” Ezinne and Ejike asked simultaneously.

“Before, Ugwu Lyi was a beloved landmark which served a lot of purposes both religious and economic.

One day, some children climbed the hill to play like they usually did but they never returned.

We thought they'd fallen to their deaths. We searched everywhere but we didn't find their bodies.

Till date, we don't know if those poor children are dead or alive. In order to prevent that from occurring ever again, we banned everyone from climbing the hill.” The elder explained.

Ezinne replied solemnly, “Sir, I can understand why you people took such a decision. In fact, I don't fault it, at all. But you have to let us go up there.”

“Yes,” continued Ejike, “You've warned us. We are going up there with our eyes wide open. If we don't return, don't blame yourselves. Please do not deny us from climbing Ugwu Lyi.”

The old man raised an eyebrow, “And if we refuse?”

“We'd have to climb anyway but I don't think you'll refuse us. I know you want that demon ousted.” Ezinne said calmly.

The man smiled at them, “Well said. Since you two seem to be in such a hurry, I'll have one of the young men lead you through a shortcut.”

“That will be appreciated,” Ezinne said.

The elder called the young man with the thick lips and he ambled over, bowing as he greeted the old man.

When he was told his mission, his eyes went wide but he nodded his acceptance and motioned to the duo to follow him.

He led them through farmlands and backyards, walking speedily.

Ejike and Ezinne had to jog to keep up with him.

Half an hour later, he stopped in front of a path.

“This is the path that will lead you up the hill.” He said curtly and left, eager to be away from the ominous land mark.

Without a word, Ezinne and Ejike began to ascend the hill.