Chapter 2: The disappearance

Several days passed. Alabi had ventured into the sacred grove with a small group of young men, including Daramola, Oriola, and Akinkunmi, all of whom were eager to prove their courage. The village waited with bated breath, but when two days passed without any word from the group, panic began to set in.

Rolake brought food to Farounbi's hut, hoping for any insight the oracle might have. "What is happening, baba? Where are they?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Farounbi looked at her with eyes that seemed to carry the weight of ages. "The forest does not easily give up its secrets. They are somewhere between this world and the next. But there is still hope."

It was that glimmer of hope that kept the village from spiraling into complete chaos. Funke, Alabi's wife, refused to leave her home, praying day and night for her husband's safe return. The others who had ventured with Alabi had families too, and soon the council convened again.

"We must form another search party," Osabunmi suggested. But Ogunshola could see the reluctance in everyone's eyes. Fear of the unknown was far more dangerous than any wild animal.