Stella was worried

Chapter 3: Stella Was Worried 

"Why did you disobey the instructions not to go anywhere today? How did you end up in an unknown forest? And where is this forest located?" Mr. Jack inquired.

"I'm sorry, dear," Stella began to explain. "All I remember is that a customer called me to do her hair and her children's hair at her home. I went to the location she described, and then I found myself in the forest. I can't recall anything else."

Mr. Jack was puzzled. "You don't remember anything else? This is strange! Perhaps someone has cast a spell on you!"

"God forbid!" Stella exclaimed.

"You need help," Mr. Jack insisted. "Tomorrow, I will take you to the sorcerer. He will consult the gods to determine what happened to you and find a solution."

"Okay, thank you," Stella agreed.

Later that night, around 3 AM, Stella woke up from her sleep, crying out in pain. "My head! Please help!"

Mr. Jack, who was in bed with Stella, immediately woke up. "What's wrong with your head?" he asked.

"Ahh! I have a terrible headache, and my head feels incredibly hot," she cried out. "Please, I need to go to the hospital," she added.

"You'll have to wait until morning; it's too late now," Mr. Jack replied.

"Okay, I'll try my best to wait until daybreak," she agreed.

"Good. But if you disturb me again, I'll push you out. Don't make me angry; let me have some peace of mind. And remember, I didn't tell you to disobey the prophet's instructions."

"I'll bear it," she promised.

Mr. Jack lay down again to sleep, while Stella, in pain, blamed herself for going out for money the previous day. The headache kept her awake until dawn, and her head felt increasingly hot to the touch.

******

Stella glanced at the wall clock; it was 5:00 AM. She got up and left the house.

After walking a mile or two, she found a large bag and opened it. Inside, she discovered thousands of Naira.

Suddenly, a man's voice spoke, "Now, carry the bag." She obeyed and lifted the bag, disappearing instantly.

She found herself in a strange room with a woman who instructed her to place the bag on a table behind a bed. As soon as she complied, she vanished and reappeared on the street.

"Oh my God! It was a dream!" she exclaimed. "I've gotten myself into trouble; they've used me for a ritual." She wondered whether she should tell her husband but decided against it.

"Ahh! My head!" she cried again, as the headache intensified.

Mr. Jack woke up again. "What's happening now? Can't you let us have some peace?"

"Sorry, the headache got worse," she apologized.

"It's alright. It's after five now; let me take you to the hospital for a checkup."

"Thank you so much."

Stella thought, "Oh my God, this isn't an ordinary medical issue. I think I need serious deliverance. I won't tell him about the dream I had. Likewise, I pray the doctor finds a solution for this headache, so my secret remains safe."

Mr. Jack and Stella got dressed and went to a nearby hospital. Upon arrival, they found many patients waiting for the doctor.

They collected a card and were asked to wait patiently for their turn. After about an hour, they heard the doctor call Stella's name, and they proceeded to the doctor's office.

The doctor listened to their complaints and then asked Stella to follow him for some tests.

After running a series of tests, the doctor came out and sat down. He informed Mr. Jack that despite conducting multiple tests, they couldn't find anything wrong with Stella's health.

"Thank you, Doctor. We'll be on our way now," Mr. Jack said, and they left the hospital.

When they got outside, Mr. Jack expressed his frustration.

"I've tried my best, and now I'm fed up. Ever since you mentioned not knowing how you ended up in the forest, I've suspected that you were used for blood money, but I ignored it, hoping it wasn't your fate."

"Please, don't think that way…" Stella pleaded.

"Don't think which way? We went to the hospital, and the doctor said there's nothing wrong with your body. Yet, you're still disturbing me with this headache…"

"Okay, I thought we should go to the sorcerer and seek his help," she interrupted.

"Alright, let's go there now."

With those final words, Mr. Jack and Stella got into the car and drove away.

Stella regretted not listening to the prophet's instructions and blamed herself for her disobedience, which she attributed to her love for money.

"If only I had known, I would have listened to the prophet. I disobeyed because of my greed. Money is the root of all evil," she thought.

"Oh no, the headache is back again," Stella cried out as Mr. Jack continued driving.

"Sorry, we'll be there soon," Mr. Jack said.

A few minutes later, Mr. Jack arrived at the area where the sorcerer lived. He parked his car in front of the sorcerer's house.

The sorcerer was asleep in his room when he heard someone knocking.

"Yes, who is it?" he called out.

"Hello, sir," Mr. Jack greeted.

"Hello, how are you doing?" the sorcerer asked.

"Fine, sir," Mr. Jack replied.

The sorcerer noticed Stella's troubled expression and asked, "Why does your face look so distressed?"

"Sir, I'm facing a challenge, and I've come to you for help," Stella explained.

"Okay, what problem are you facing?" the sorcerer inquired.

"Sir, I've been suffering from a severe headache since yesterday. I went to the hospital for a checkup, but the doctor couldn't find any cause. Please, sir, I'm still in pain," Stella pleaded.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Let me see your hand," the sorcerer said.

Stella extended her hand, and the sorcerer examined her palm for a few seconds. He nodded and said, "Your issue is critical. They have used you."

"Please, sir, is there any solution to my problem?" Stella asked, her eyes filling with tears.

The sorcerer, moved by her despair, said, "Don't cry, Stella. There is a solution, but you must do what I ask of you."

"I'm ready to do anything," Stella said, desperate for a solution.

The sorcerer explained, "The only solution is a sacrifice that you must carry out within the next seven days. However, it will cost you a significant amount of money. Once completed, you'll be free from the ritual's influence."

"How much will it cost?" Stella asked.