Death Wish

FLASH BACK

At midnight, joyfully, Judith walked into her mother's room on a pyjamas. The mother rolled over from her bed staring at her daughter who stood at the door like a sheep with shepherd. Already, there was a dim light in the room that enabled the visibility of the things.

"Judith, any problem? You should be in your room, sleeping." Mrs. Jacob broke the silence.

The girl began to twist her fingers without knowing how to express her request.

The mother sat up surprisingly. "Express yourself my daughter. One who can't express herself is half dead."

Judith swallowed hard, still with her fingers clutched with another. "Mother, I want to sleep beside you."

The mother stared.

"No, not that I'm scared. Just that for all my life.."

"Come my dear" the mother interrupted her. "I know how you've missed motherly love and care. Come and lie with me." she tapped on the bed.

Judith happily jumped on the bed. One could see them lying down and facing each other. "Tell me a story, mother." Judith began amusingly. "Like how you met my father." she added.

The mother smiled. "I was so beautiful like you that men started running around me like flies."

She giggled. "You're still beautiful, mother."

"No, I don't think.."

Judith jumped out from the bed to the bathroom which interrupted the mother. She could hear her throwing up in the bathroom, so she cautiously sat at the edge of the bed, waiting for her to come out. Within a twinkle of an eye, Judith walked out reluctantly like a tortoise, wiping off her mouth with the back of her hand. Her eyes jammed with her mother's, so real that both couldn't utter a word.

"Here" Mrs. Jacob tapped beside her on the bed as a sign for, not only for Judith to see down, but also an indication that they have a very long discussion to make.

Judith sat down. At that point, the mother wasn't looking at her eyes anymore but her breast which aros more suspicion and tranquillity in the room.

"Mother?" Judith called dryly.

"You're pregnant, Judith." the mother said.

"Me? How do you know? I'm not pregnant, mother."

Mrs. Jacob shook her head. "I'm a mother. I passed this stage. Tell me, who's responsible?"

Judith looked at her stomach in disbelief. When she raised up her head to reply, tears rolled down from her eyes. "It's Dave, mother." she knelt down instantly. "I'm sorry for disappointing you." she pleaded....

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CONTINUITY

Same night at the white house, the brighter star was the topic at hand. Murphy needed to know who he was, so desperate to know that he couldn't wait till day-break. He stepped away from everybody, thinking very fast while others watched silently.

"If the man-owl isn't the brighter star, that means we have two people to defeat." Murphy spoke up.

"I suggest we leave this brighter star for now. Let's know how to end this suicidal death." Dave spoke up too.

Obi nodded. "I support him."

"But how?" Ada asked.

Another tranquillity creeped in among them. Only few guards could be seen at the door carrying their duties regardless of two of their men that went down that night. Already, the orphans had become speechless without knowing what to say. Suddenly, a male voice said from a staircase, "A clever man works with two ideas for he doesn't believe in failure."

All directed their eyes to the place to see teacher Nwachukwu in his glory!

"Teacher!" Obi first exclaimed before others.

"Teacher?" Judith started walking closer to him with tears in her eyes. "I miss you so much teacher." She climbed the first step as others watched the drama to know, if actually she would get hold of him.

"I miss you all." Teacher replied with a smile and began to step back from Judith. His eyes glued on hers as he was making the backward movement. "I wish you could beat me on a mortal combat game again. I really miss you too Judith." he gradually disappeared.

"Teacher!!!" Judith broke down on the staircase, crying her eyes out thereby rising others emotions. Dave rushed to pull her up, while Obi consoled Ada at a corner. Vivian couldn't help it too.

However, Murphy had located the map of the city which hung on the wall. With tears, he placed it on the table and began to study the Jungle of Agura which was marked 4 4 3. He looked up at others at different angles.

"Teacher just told us the answer we needed!" he said. His voice did not only dwindle their cry but also brought their attentions.

"How did you decode his statement?" Obi asked him.

"Simple! 'A clever man works with two ideas..' The man-owl is the clever man. Since he wants me to enter into the jungle of Agura to die, don't you think he must have another plan to take me there if i should refuse go? So the only way he thought he could take me there again is.."

"By capturing Daniella to the same Jungle." Dave smartly figured out.

"Bingo!" Murphy stepped out. "I also believe Ella has an answer to the problem of this suicidal death."

"What makes you think he can not killed her since she has the answer?"

"The same reason he can not kill me because Ella and I, I guess, are sisters or from the same place. Our parents were close, I believe. I decoded this from teacher's statement days ago."

All looked at one another. They all gradually clustered the map on the table as Murphy was illustrating and explaining the Jungle.

"Every component of this Jungle; the water, trees, leaves, animals, even the land you match on is connected with deep knowledge and wisdom that you must decode at every circumstances otherwise die. Not even the most clever person has come back from it alive." he substantiated, looking up at them all. "And i do not want to go alone." he added.

'I will go with you." Dave suggested.

Surprised, Judith glared at him. "Why you?" she asked.

"Does it matter? We're all in this together."

"I'm saying because I'm pregnant!" she lowered her voice, staring at Dave. "I'm pregnant for you, Dave."

Hearing that, all mopped at Judith. Her statement was like the eruption of a volcano which after silence returned to the room like a grave yard. Dave walked to her but never said anything. He could see tears circulating the girl's eyes.

"Well, aren't you gonna say something?" Judith broke the silence.

"I'm.. I'm.. thrilled! Come here." he hugged her and continued. "In you my dreams are achieved. Loving you is one of the best decision I've made." he looked into her eyes. "I shall go the jungle and come back for my baby." he kissed her.

Meanwhile, Obi and Ada had held their hands, smiling at the impromptu romantic moment likewise Vivian. Only Murphy showed no emotion.

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The next morning, teacher Murphy addressed the country saying, "Hear the words of my mouth; Death is inevitable! But to die is to begin another life, hence life supersedes death. But it must come naturally at the stipulated time by God. Any death other than that must be stop! Be watchful! Be your brother's keeper for in twenty-four hours I shall stop this suicidal death by journeying to the jungle of Agura. If i don't return, know that I've become what i was before i was born." he allowed reporter to ask questions.

His voice was heard by any being in the country. People lived in terror and tension because they knew the mysterious jungle to be cleverly deadly. Nevertheless, Dave and Murphy matched into the jungle through several miles. Stepping into it, they stopped before a stagnant water and looked at each other.

"Every component has deep knowledge and wisdom." Dave reminded Murphy.

The boy smiled. "Judith is lucky to have you." he said.

"Vivian is luckier"

Murphy shook her head. "I don't think so." he looked up into the sky as Dave wondered what he was talking about. "I wish my life ends here. I wish I meet my death here." he added still staring into the sky.

Dave became confused....