BACK at the house,after Paschal had left, Mr and Mrs Davidson had a wild argument which made Joey hear the worst nightmare of her life. "You said what?" Joey said as she missed her steps and it was then Mariam realized she had said the dreaded secret.
"Rachel was raped mum?" Max asked shocked as Chloe grew puzzled.
"Who's Rachel?" Joey asked in despair.
And with tears, Mariam let out the whole secret.
"She's your eldest sister" Mrs Mariam replied.
Paschal and Wilson were back now with the luggages and joined them in the room. Paschal sensed the suspense in the room and went near Joey, holding her closely.
Okay. That does it. Wilson couldn't help but jealous the sight of them together.
"I... Don't... Understand. What do you mean by Rachel is my eldest sister?" Joey asked again.
"I'm sorry. I. We couldn't tell you. We were afraid you'll get hurt and-- " Mariam couldn't help the sobs that came out of her throat. "You couldn't tell me that my elder sister got raped?!" Joey was stunned. Mariam wept bitterly.
"Rachel was raped mum?" Max asked again doubtfully.
Mariam was trying hard not to tell the children but Joey could see it in her and couldn't let that happen. She was bound to hear the whole truth now. Maybe, God brought her to this house for a purpose. Maybe,it was to hear the whole story and that,she will do.
"Aw... Now this topic is closed. We'll talk about it in a more conducive time" Davidson tried to cover up.
"No--" Joey muttered then said aloud; "tell me the truth,the whole story and nothing but the truth!" She screamed at them.
The whole house was tensed and listening ears were listening carefully as David poured out the whole story thus;
"Yes. She's your sister. I-- i-- i-- didn't know what came over me! I swear I didn't mean it to happen... It's just that I was...I was mesmerized by her beauty. I mean I really, truthfully, didn't want to do it. I'm sorry. I....I raped her...I'm sorry...and she died in the act" he concluded sweating profusely.
Sorrow struck the whole building.
"...just as the wind sweeps the land... brotherhood began to sing..." Joey suddenly sang in tears. Surprisingly, Chloe joined in; "...go Mary! Go Mary!... The brotherhood is singing...you don't have to fret...or shake...the brotherhood is singing...just as the wind sweeps the land...."and Mariam joined in singing with them; "... brotherhood began to sing...go Mary! Go Mary! The brotherhood is singing"
Simultaneously,Joey ran towards Rachel's room non-stop and opened the door briskly.