CHAPTER 27

Ogadi and Ezinne settled into a routine. Ezinne would try her best not to complain about her injuries and Ogadi did everything possible to make her grandmother as comfortable as she could be.

When Ezinne woke up one morning, she walked into her bathroom and applied some toothpaste on her toothbrush, sighing as she did so. Brushing her teeth had become an onerous task thanks to swollen jaw. It hurt to open her mouth even a fraction.

She steeled herself and gingerly opened her lips. When she noticed the pain wasn't as much as before, she pumped her fist and began to brush vigorously.

When she was done, she looked at herself in the mirror, the bruises around her jaw and neck had darkened although they weren't as painful as before. Ezinne wished herself a speedier recovery as she undressed to shower.

When she finished, she strode into the kitchen where she knew Ogadi and Nwata were waiting for her to make an appearance.

Before Ezinne woke up every day, Ogadi would have already prepared some pap or custard for her.

Ezinne was not a huge fan of custard, but she never complained. She knew Ogadi was trying her best and thanked Chukwu for giving her such a considerate and caring granddaughter.

And to think it was not up to a month ago, she'd called Ogadi immature and childish. It had taken Dike Aru's imminent resurrection for Ogadi to grow up.

Ogadi smiled brightly when she saw Ezinne walk in, “Good morning, Grandmother.”

“Good morning, Grandmother.” Nwata greeted as it hid behind Ogadi.

Ezinne knew the demon still feared her and she wanted things to remain that way in case it ever thought of betraying them to Dike Aru.

“Good morning, Ogadi, Nwata.” She replied as she sat on her designated chair in the kitchen and watched as Ogadi brought before her a bowl of piping hot pap.

“Thank you.” Ezinne replied.

“Wait a bit, it's still very hot.” Ogadi advised.

Ezinne nodded.

“Do you still hurt? Do you need some painkillers?” Ogadi asked.

“It's still hurts but I don't want any painkillers.” Ezinne replied, putting her spoon into the pap.

Ogadi nodded and rushed to make her own breakfast with Nwata shadowing her silently.

“Any progress?” Ezinne asked as she brought the spoonful of pap into her mouth.

Ejike, Phillip and Ogadi were taking turns to wear the sacred amulet of Ikala and walk the streets of Owerri, hoping they'd encounter whoever had offered the sacrifice for Dike Aru's resurrection.

“Last time I checked, Ejike said he hadn't encountered anything strange.” Ogadi replied as she made herself a cup of hot Cocoa.

“But then, do we even know what we're looking for? The amulet is supposed to warn us when we're in contact with anyone who's had dealings with the underworld, but it doesn't specify how. For all we know, the amulet has been warning us but we've been oblivious to it.” Ogadi continued.

Ezinne sensed Ogadi's growing frustration with the amulet.

“I don't think that's the case. The gods aren't known for their subtlety. If we find the person behind all this, we'll surely know.” Ezinne reassured her.

Ogadi sipped her hot Cocoa and mulled over her grandmother's words.

“I just hope this ends soon. I'm tired of worrying that each day might be the last normal day for us.” She finally said.

Ezinne felt the same way too. Each day, she prayed to the gods that Dike Aru wouldn't decide to return to earth on that day, but she knew it was only a matter of time if they didn't stop him.

Ezinne snapped out of her thoughts when she noticed Ogadi staring at her.

“What is it?” She asked.

“Nothing,” Ogadi replied, looking away.

“I know it isn't nothing. What is on your mind?” Ezinne asked.

Ogadi took a deep breath and laid her cup on the table, “Grandmother, do you remember that concert I told you I wanted to attend?”

Ezinne remembered but feigned ignorance, “No. Which concert?”

Ogadi sighed, “I told you about it. It's going to hold here in Owerri, at Democracy stadium to be precise.”

“Ok.” Ezinne said, her eyes widening, “I remember it now. What about the concert?”

“It's happening in two days' time.” Ogadi revealed joyfully.

“Really?” Ezinne remarked.

“So, I just wanted to let you know that I want to attend the concert.” Ogadi pressed on.

Ezinne dropped her spoon next to her half-eaten bowl of pap.

“You know I can't let you attend that concert.”

“Why?” Ogadi asked, her countenance changing drastically.

“First of all, it isn't safe. Who knows when Dike Aru will come? I want to know you're safe at all times. Secondly, we have a very important duty as Gate Keepers to ensure that Dike Aru doesn't resurrect. Are you actually going to leave that duty and go to a concert?” Ezinne queried gently.

Ogadi growled under her breath, “Sure, guilt trip me death. I'm not leaving my duty, I just want a break. Like you said, Dike Aru could come at any moment. Why can't you let me just enjoy the things I love for the last time?”

Ezinne rose up and slammed her palms on the tabletop, “Young lady, you will pay me the respect I deserve!”

Ogadi looked away, “Fine. I'll give you the respect you deserve but you'll give me the freedom I deserve. I'm twenty-two years, not twelve, I can go wherever I like, whenever I like.”

Ezinne gritted her teeth and winced when it made her jaw hurt. And to think almost an hour ago, she'd thought Ogadi had become mature.

“You're right. You have your freedom, do whatever you will with it.”

* * *

Ejike burped quietly and threw away the banana peel as he surveyed his surroundings. He was at one of the busiest places in Owerri which was the Owerri mall. The shopping mall was frequented by teens in absurd clothes who took pictures of themselves near expensive wears.

Ejike shook his head as he lazily watched them. Little did they know that the world as they knew it could end at any time.

He looked at the amulet on his wrist and wondered for the millionth time if it even worked. After all, he'd been fooled by Ekere once. What stopped the crafty demon from tricking him a second time?

He smiled at the cashier of the grocery store he was in, “Could I have another bunch of bananas, please?”

The young woman smiled politely and asked another attendant to get him a bunch of bananas.

Ejike gazed out of the grocery shop as he waited for his purchase. Suddenly, a crowd began to pass the store.

“Where are all these people going to?” He asked the cashier.

“To the cinema. They're showing the latest DC installment. Those movies always draw a huge crowd.” The cashier replied conversationally.

The attendant brought a nice bunch of ripe bananas and the cashier checked it out.

As he was about to collect it from her, he felt as if he'd been electrocuted.

“Hey!” He shouted as the hairs on his arms rose and his body shook with the force of the shock.

“Sir! Are you okay?” The cashier asked worriedly.

Ejike looked at his arms to assure himself they were still intact. Outside, the throng of people slowly moved to their destination.

“I'm fine.” Ejike replied as he wondered what had happened. Had he touched a naked wire or what?

As he stretched his hands to take the bananas again, he felt another shock rack his body. This time it was more painful. His arms tingled and he gave a yelp that was equal parts surprise and pain.

“Sir, is any—”

“What the hell is wrong with me?” Ejike asked, interrupting the cashier.

He examined his body again, feeling his head, shoulders, and arms. When he got to his wrists, he was startled. The skin beneath the amulet had taken a blackish hue.

That was when Ejike came to the realization that it was the amulet trying to warn him. The person who'd offered the sacrifice was probably nearby.

He looked around, wondering if it were the cashier or the shop attendant who were responsible.

He dismissed them because he'd been in their shop for a long time and the amulet hadn't warned him. He looked outside and saw the crowd.

“Yes. The culprit is among the crowd!” He exclaimed as he turned to leave.

“But sir, your purchase.” The cashier said, still holding the bunch of bananas.

“Keep it.” He answered hurriedly as he left the shop and joined the crowd of cinema goers.

As he surveyed the faces of the expectant movie goers, Ejike wanted to put a call across to Phillip and Ogadi, just in case he needed backup but he didn't, because he didn't want to lose the trail of the perpetrator.

If he lost them now, he didn't know that he'd ever find them again.

He shoved people aside, looking at their faces. What did someone who wanted to bring back an evil god look like? Did they look tall? Short? Muscular? Slim? Evil or innocent?

He didn't know.

“The amulet will probably warn me again when I'm close.” Ejike muttered under his breath.

Soon, the crowd thinned to single file, with people pushing, shoving, and arguing over their position in the line.

Ejike left the line and two bespectacled teenagers quickly squeezed themselves into his spot.

Ejike began to walk along the line, prompting some bitter words from people who thought he was skipping the line.

He ignored them and raised the wrist the amulet sat on as he passed people. He prayed he'd be shocked by the amulet again because as painful as that was, it was nothing compared to what Dike Aru would do to everyone if he ever resurrected.

He was about to reach the beginning of the line, where some old man was paying for his tickets when a hand clamped on his shoulder and forcefully twirled him around.

Ejike found himself looking up to a menacing muscle-bound man in a black t-shirt and jeans.

“Either you join the line or you leave!” The man whose tag proclaimed him cinema security ordered.

After facing two feral demons earlier that week, Ejike wasn't in the least intimidated by the security man.

“Look Steve,” Ejike replied, calling the man by the name on his tag, “I'm not here to watch the movie. I'm here for something more important.”

“Which is?” Steve asked, his hand still clamped on Ejike's arm.

Ejike scratched his head. If he told Steve why he was really here, the man would probably laugh his head off and send him out.

“I'm with the police,” Ejike improvised, “I have reason to believe that a murderer is here.”

“Really?” Steve asked disbelievingly.

“Yes. It is imperative I find this murderer.” Ejike replied seriously.

“If you're with the police, then you won't mind showing me some ID.” Steve queried.

“I would, but I'm undercover. Having an ID card with me would blow my cover.” Ejike said.

“I see.” Steve nodded.

Ejike heaved a sigh of relief, “Thank you for being so understanding. Now, could you please release me so I could continue my search?”

Steve's response was to tighten his hold on Ejike's arm and say quietly, “You either join the queue or you leave.”

With that, he began to march Ejike to the end of the queue.

Ejike growled angrily under his breath. He didn't have time to be manhandled by a sinewy oaf.

Taking Steve by surprise, he hit the arm holding him as hard as he could.

Steve released him with a grunt, rubbing the aggrieved part of his arm.

He belatedly realized the foolishness of his actions when Ejike turned around and ran towards the beginning of the line.

Steve didn't give chase. He shook his head and brought out a whistle from his pocket. Placing it to his lips, he blew loudly.

Instantly, two other security men made a dash for Ejike, successfully tackling him to the ground and pinning his arms behind his back.

The people in the queue laughed and cheered, happy to have something to distract them from their dreary waiting.

Steve walked up to where Ejike lay trying to wriggle out of his captors' hold and said, “We're taking you to the police. Let's see if they'll recognize you as one of them.”