by Chuks Gerry
However callous your action was today, I applaud your courage. It reeks integrity,’she began. To be able to stand for your siblings assured me I’ve done a great job as a mother and I’m sorry for being angry with you, you’ve———
No no no please mum, I should be the one apologizing for almost getting myself killed,’he interjected. Just imagine if that kid had pulled the trigger, I’d have been toast and you all would be devastated. It’s never my intention to hurt you ma.
Don’t you think I know that and I’m so proud of you, all of you. None of my kids will die young because the Lord of host who watches over Zion is doing same for me and my household.
Amen,’they replied with a resounding chorus.
CHAPTER EIGHT
For four days and night Aliyu holed up indoors, shut off from the outside world, impervious to physical communication. He was scared to the bone and hurt just as much, though the pain from the gash in his head had subsided immensely enabling him to sleep properly. Every other day more people were brought to the building which looks like a poorly constructed warehouse and some taken away. As he slowly recover from his injuries, he became more apparent of where he was, the wailings, miseries and fears of the other hostages which at night became more severe striked him as nothing different from hell. The stark cryptic nature of his new abode was made even more glaring when on the third day he was pounced upon in the middle of the night and mirthlessly beaten for over an hour. He cried a lot pleading for his life to be spared. After they had beaten him to their fill, he was half pulled and dragged as they headed further down the plains in the darkness until they abruptly came to a halt. He didn’t know why they stoped but he was glad they did because his body and feet was both weary and sored from the trekking but his joy was short lived when he felt a jolt from behind him and off he went tumbling down a slope. Inside the sump he found himself he didn’t know which to worry about the most, weather it was the awful stench that had entrapped the oxygen or the vermins scrawling and creeping all over him or death. All combined made him conclude hell couldn’t be worse than this. It wasn’t until dawn the next day he got a better view of his surrounding. The pit he was is filled with dead rotten bodies of both animal and humans. His stepped on a decomposing skull and his screams went a pitch louder. Sighting a condemned tyre in a corner he lifted it to a much dryer portion where he climbed onto it shuddering in fright. He close his eyes, praying silently that this was nothing but a horrible nightmare that will faze off upon opening his eyes but it was all real, not a figment of illusion. He stood on that spot all day until dusk when he finally accepted his fate that this was the end for him when suddenly he heard his name. Again and again the person or people called out to him as if wanting to know if he was still alived and hadn’t surrendered to being maggots’ meal. He struggled to reply but the words were stiffled by the dryness in his throat caused by the hot stuffiness of the pit. A rope was thrown down which he yanked onto and pulled up with. Immediately he was out, several slaps landed all over his face which he tried to dissuade with his hands which only infuriated them even more resulting to full time pummeling until he fainted. Water was used to resucitate him afterwhich he was further dragged across the plains for another quarter of a kilometer. Anytime he stumbles and falls a dry wooden plank was used to beat him mirthlessly. At last after what seemed like an Isrealite journey finally came to end when he was ordered to sit. He looked around him, his eyes having gotten accustomed to the darkness, noticed about six scrawny guys not looking any different from him sitted, head bowed. A couple of minutes later they were asked to remove their clothes and form a straight line. Aliyu thought this was it, the final moment has come and he prayed for his soul to be accepted into heaven upon his expected death. As they were being led, he looked around for the pit where their bodies will be buried when he heard gushing sounds, just ahead of them was a stream, the sight of which gladdens him. They were given ten minutes each to wash and get cleaned up, their clothes flunged at them. The effect of water on his skin almost felt alien to him because he hasn’t had a bath in three days and he stink worst than a skunk. He lay still in the cool water absorbing the soothiness on his arching body, reliving, strengthening and refreshing his sore nerves. He was able to make out the outline of other persons in the stream somewhere in the distance. With every part of his body all wet and moist scrubbing the dirt off was made easy, he gargled a lot of water in between to freshen his breath, before proceeding to drink a lot more to to deal with his thirst not caring whether it’s suitable for drinking. After they were through showering and dressed up in their wet clothes, they file in a single line and escorted back to base. By the time they got to camp it was already early hours of the morning. Aliyu went to his corner in feverish pain. He still have the pain relievers he bought several days back when he’d hurt his ankle escaping from Alhaji Nasiru’s residence but he won’t dare drink them on an empty stomach so he got up and went out. Everywhere was quiet still pitch black except from tiny flickering of lights here and there. He walked on aimlessly, directed by his hunger until he came across a figure sitted on the floor resting on a neem tree. He pauses and observed tentative in his approach, seeing it was a lady he came stealthly from behind and tapped her gently on the shoulders. She sprouted, almost making a bolt for it but for his gentle pleas. Still startled she hesitantly came forward, pointing a dim torchlight on his face as she wasn’t expecting anyone lurking around by this time of the night.
Yes what can I do for you? She asked looking him over as if he were some evil ghoul like ceature which had appeared from nowhere.
My name is Aliyu ma’am and I’m sorry to perturb you,’he said in a husky whispering tone.
Ok, what is it you want? She asked rather impatiently.
Food ma’am. I haven’t had anything to eat in days and I’m famished.
Are you new here?
He nodded.
A little satisfied with his response, she relaxed after assuring herself he means no harm.
Then you should’ve been informed hostages are fed twice daily. By twelve pm and eight pm, only force men and officials are afforded round the clock welfare and hospitality. But you’re in luck, wait here,’she said disappearing into the darkness and returning just as swiftly as she left.
Take these,’handing him a bowl and a cup of water. Eat quickly,’she avowed.
He took the dish from her and immediately pounced on it without even observing its content. To his dismay it was beans which he naturally detest combined with it being poorly cooked made it worst but since it is what is available, he sucked up his ego and voraciously consumed the entire content within the brieftest minutes that it even amazed him, handing back the bowl.
Thanks.
Glad to be of help, anyway I’ve to be going. Don’t want to be caught lurking in the dark with some stranger.
Okay but what’s your name?
Mariam.
And how can I see you again Mariam?
You can’t, men and women don’t associate except on rare occasions. But tommorrow is a burn fire night maybe just maybe we can see.You can keep the cup,’she responded disappearing into the shadows away from his gaze leaving him behind. He remained sitted where he was, gulping down a couple of pain killers with the water she provided him, wondering what to make out of his life at this point. Apparently he’s being held hostage in the stronghold of a powerful terrorist sect which is a far cry from what his life was a week ago. Prior to now he’d lived a normal life with great espectations surrendered by a loving caring family but now his chances of existing is rather slim and depends on some very difficult choices he would have to make sooner than later. He finally concluded that as soon as its dawn if he feels better, he’d begin unraveling his new environment and possibly source an escape plan. He got up scramblng off into the darkness but soon got lost, with a little bit of focus on his part he was able locate the large wooden structure with a thatch roof that has been his home the past several days. He was
walking towards it when suddenly a voice followed by the cracking sound of a trigger halted him on the spot. Bright lights flickered all over his face blinding his sight with footsteps approaching. One of them asked him of his whereabouts but before he could mutter a word, another drove the butt of his gun into his stomach forcing him to buckled up on the floor almost spewing the contents of his stomach. He belched severally on the floor trying to catch his breath, his sorrows knew no bound. His theatrics only seems to infuriate the gaurds even more as they quickly concluded between themselves he was a hostage looking for an escape route and should be terminated asap. One of them cracked his gun and pointed it at him, seeing this Aliyu screamed pleading that his life be spared. His voice rattled through the stillness of the night alerting other gaurds nearby as more footsteps approach. The gaurds threatening to shoot him began explaining to someone who obviously is a higher ranking officer the situation befalling them.
Hey mister, explain yourself this minute, where were you coming from by this time of the night? The senior guard barked at him. Finally he raised his head up, steadying himself on his knee as several torch light illuminates his face forcing him to wince in pain, blinding him partially so he couldn’t make out the faces of those around.
My name is Aliyu Danbaba,’he stuttered. I only stepped out to urinate because I was press.
Liar,’one of the gaurds yelled at him pointing out they’d watched him approaching from the direction of the storehouse which is located further south, and since no hostage is allowed movement unescorted from 12am anyone found wanting is shot dead on the spot. Unfazed by their explaination, the senior officer ordered them back to their various duty posts. When they’d left he dismissed Aliyu. He got up thanking him profusely; staggering off until he reached his corner where he lay down gently, every nerve in his system ached. As he rested he’d wished he won’t awake when day breaks as depression overwhelmed him. Sanni did this to him, he wanted him and he made sure he got him. But the almighty question he kept asking himself is why him, what has he to offer for Sanni to have pulled all strings into ensnarling him into his bloody cult. He prayed for mercy, crying himself to sleep.
After stirring a couple of times he opened his eyes to brilliant morning sun rays filtering through crevices in the shaft. He shut it closed blinking severally to adjust his sight to the beaming rays. Feeling a light shuffle on his behind prompted him to spring up. To his surprise a kid not more than eight year stood by his side watching him curiously. Startled by his presence, he braced himself up properly to inquire who he was. The kid ignored his questions, handing him a bowl of food and a cup of water then took off. The bowl was filled with jellof rice and a tiny piece of fried meat. Though he was quite hungry he ate slowly because of the pain riveting all through his body. He took some more pills when he was through eating and slept off for several more hours, when he awoke he felt much better. Reaching for his watch which he’d kept hidden under a stack of sacks he slept on, it was past midday and a lot of noise could be heard coming from outside. Bracing up without much difficulty, he took slow steady strides outside. The sun was in full gear accompany with an equally hot scorching wind, their combined impact was dreadful. After taking a pee, he saw some people discharging items from a large truck a several metres and decided to proceed towards their direction. As he got closer he observed the truck was loaded to capacity with numerous non perishable food items but what piqued him was the bloodstains all over the truck and the items, the shattered windscreen and busted tires, but all these didn’t seem to faze the men discharging the load.
Why are you just standing there staring? A guard yelled at him. Join them immediately before I beat you up,’he commanded approaching menacingly with a matchete; his dark sweaty frame glistened under the intensity of the heat.
He gulps some air then ran towards the truck, removing his shirt and using it to make a pad which he place on his head just like the others as two cartoons was thrown at him. He carried them into the building which is a warehouse and the largest structure in the camp. He walked pass another guard taking inventory, following the step of the others he went further during which he observed the warehouse was divided into massive compartments with someone stationed at the entrance of each compartment giving directives and taking notes.
When he reached where they were to discharge the items, it was huge like the others filled with every sort of unperishable food supplies he could possibly imagine. Instantly he knew everything he beholds was stolen and pitied the victims who might have paid dearly with their lives. A lady directed them to where they can offload the items since the previous space was already stocked to capacity.This little delay in finding a space to discharge was telling off on Aliyu who finally heaved a sigh of relieve after placing the cartons on the floor, lift himself up to stretched, turning to see her starring at him. His mind did a flashback and there it was, Mariam. He attempted to approach but she gestured shaking her head simultaneously, signaling he keeps his distance. He understood as gaurds abound everywhere and went back to work.
An hour later he was sweating profusely from every orifice in his body; his clothing both outer and inner dripped with sweat and stuck to his skin. Never in his life has he been engaged in such magnitude of manual labour and he felt sick to the bone, he paused to get a drink from a large basin of water provided nearby. The sun was blazing with all its fury which made matters worse, that even after drinking to his fill and drowning himself with some more he still felt hot and sweaty. Worst the trailer was only halfway done to his dismay meaning they still have a lot of work at hand. Three hours later they were through. How he managed through to the end transcends him because he was tired like never before, exhausted and drained infact he was finished. Little did he know it would the first of numerous onerous tasks he would be engaged. He took a break under a shade with the other guys and was almost dosing off when four gaurds approached, dividing them into two sections. His group followed two of the guard while the others remained with the other guard. They trekked on in silence, meekly like sheep led by their shepherd until they came before a vast pastureland catering to numerous herd of livestock. Going down a bush path, they walked in single file until they came arrived at an abbatoir with two huge bulls tied to a pole about to be slaughtered. The instruction given was for them to assist the butcher kill and dissect the animals into bits. Aliyu was furious; this was the last straw he decided, his mind made up. He wouldn’t have anymore of this gibberish as his ego set in. Even if he can’t fight for his freedom, he rather dies than live such degenerate live which was far beneath him, defiantly he went to sit on a huge stone by the corner. No sooner had he settled a guard approached welding a matchete, ordering him to join the others which he bluntly refused. After series of heated argument, the guard left and went to inform his superiors of the issue at hand. Soon Aliyu saw another guard welding a rifle coming his way, his lean frame exuding anger, his bloodshot eyes meant he means business, but still Aliyu remained adamant. He gave Aliyu the option of either joining the others or die by his rifle but he refused, his disobedience even astounds him but he was past caring, he was fed up with life and wanted it to end. The guard warned that by the count of three he will shoot if he didn’t captulate. One he yelled, Aliyu didn’t move from where he sat resting his face on his palm, facing downwards. Two he continued even louder, at this point everyone nearby were now alert, cautiously watching the scenarios but Aliyu wasn’t deterred. The guard clicked his rifle, pointing it behind his head with every intention of blowing his brain to bits. But instead of the last number which Aliyu expected with an accompany bang, he heard swearing instead. Listening without raising his head, someone had intervened on his behalf and was receiving serious rebuttal for doing so but the person pleaded on persuasively despite the insults and threats to his life. Finally the person whom Aliyu guessed was a fellow hostage somehow manages to convince the guard to let him be and returned to his post. With an impeding tragedy averted, the tense atmosphere soon dil
uted as everyone focused back on their chores. The first bull was killed under the directive of the butchers. Several minutes later when the animal was being dissected into bits, Aliyu watched slightly amused at the dexterity and craftiness exemplified by the experience butchers. An hour later and they were through with the first animal and onto the second, leaving the minial task of washing and cleaning of the meat to the rest hostages. One of the butchers went ahead to untie the bull from its post when he suddenly loses his grip under the creature’s struggle. The bull charged at him fiercely but he quickly regained his balance and dodge, still it charged on relentlessly towards Aliyu’s direction. With the animal only a few feet away he caught a glimpse of it and threw himself on his feet, running and falling down severally in fright as he did. Everyone watching burst into laughter at his clumsiness even the gaurds, as the butcher quickly overpowered and constrain the animal bringing it to face the inevitable. He stood watching breathlessly as a sharp blade was drived into the throat of the bull and blood spluttered into a small pit dugged in the soil, shaken from the thought of almost being mauled by those pairs of sharp swordlike horns. All of a sudden he saw another pair of horns emerged from behind him, he shrieked leaping forward in frantic flight. This was followed by another round of thunderous laughter, looking behind it was a pranked pulled on him by one of the hostages using the head of the previously killed beast. Going back, he attacked the guy with the bull head, shoving him forcefully until he tripped backward before sauntering away but it did little to mitigate their laughters which even geared a notch higher much to his indignation, he hated being the subject of mockery. The fella dropped the beast head and went over to where he was brooding with a broad mischievious smile on his face.