FALLEN VEILS(episode 9)

By the time Chris regained consciousness, it was dark already. He began to panic concerning the life of his beloved wife. He remembered also that his son Dan was still at the hospital and yet to be discharged; he probably could be feeling lonely.

As Chris walked alone down the road in frustration, a car stopped by him. Three hefty guys came out,bundled him into the car and sped off. Chris struggled to free himself from their grip but to no avail. While in the car, he was blindfolded,tied arms and legs. When they got to their destination, Chris was taken to a separate room and locked up.

Some hours later, Chris heard an approaching footsteps. One of the boys who kidnapped him came in and loosened the cloth piece tied around his eyes. Chris looked around the strange room and it seemed familiar to him. He recognized the room as the one he has been to when Chief Eneh asked him to sacrifice his son.

As much as Chris was worried about himself, he thought of his wife who he anticipated would have been dead by then. Chris looked up and saw Chief Eneh and Ken, his friend walking in majestically. Both on seeing his countenance divulged into laughter.

"You evil and heartless beings! What do you want from me?" Chris cried out.

"Well, young man, since you ran out, unwilling to sacrifice your son so as to put an abrupt end to the shackles of poverty engulfing your family, someone enthusiastic and more willing has to sacrifice you in that stead" Chief Eneh stated.

"You cannot harm me nor do anything to me" Chris bellowed with a wave of obstinacy.

"Maybe you're right; neither Ken nor I can but she can" Chief Eneh said and pointed towards the door as a lady walked in. Lo and behold it was Nora.

"Nora" Chris shouted in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, Chris. I'm no longer the Nora you used to know. I'm a changed person now. You have to die for Dan and I to experience a better phase of life. Ever since I got married to you, my son and I have been living in absolute wretchedness. We both need a change"

"What are you saying, Nora? Are you drunk? I thought you were kidnapped and..."

"No, I wasn't. It was all a setup. I tried to blackmail you, get the money and travel abroad with Dan. Truth be told, Dan is not your biological child. Ken here is his father but this has been kept secret"

"What?" Chris yelled in heartbrokeness.

"I deem it necessary to let you know this since you are going to die; that being the only way for my son and I to survive"

"How can you be so callous and insensitive? Do you know the nearly 24 hours of frustration I faced all because of you and Dan? You can't do this to me, Nora. It is an irony of life and you know I love you so much" Chris said

"I'm so sorry, Chris. I can't help it. I hope you find a place in your heart to forgive me. Goodbye Chris" Nora concluded and raised the dagger to stab Chris.

"Nooooo!!!"

NEXT EPISODE: Back to Reality.