3

Philip and Esther sat in front of their parents, you could tell from the look of the siblings that they were ready to object to whatever their parents had to say.

"I am at fault. I didn't tell you of this family history because I thought it wasn't important, I trusted you both. I didn't know you would make this…" Philip's dad paused trying to think of the most suitable description "...deadly mistake."

"Deadly indeed." Mom supported.

"What are you guys not telling us? There is more to this than just the fact that Philip is having a child out of wedlock."

"Esther, Philip, do you know why I have been in this wheelchair ever since you were born?"

"You got into an accident," Philip replied casually.

"That was just a lie."

"Then what's the truth?" Esther was irritated that their parents could keep such truth from them.

"My father did this to me. He paralyzed me"

"Why would he do that?"

"Because he was cursed." Dad sighed heavily, "Centuries ago, one of our great great grandfathers impregnated a woman from the West.

"A Yoruba woman" Philip emphasized.

"Yes. But the tribe is not the issue here" Mom interfered.

"And all of our relatives were against it. They hated and treated her badly when she went down to the east to stay with him. She suffered to the extent she went to our shrine crying. It was strange then that the gods of our land would listen to the cries of a foreigner but they did.

She requested that the child be born extraordinary if it is a male, if not she sacrificed herself. Turned out the child was a male. Had superpowers, was able to read minds, and killed anyone who thinks evil of him or his mom. There's this dangerous fury that comes with the ability and it is passed on to every male child born out of wedlock."

"Wow!" Esther adjusted herself, interested in the story. "Are you sure you aren't telling us this story based on a movie you watched, Daddy?"

"My father almost killed me when I started grooming bad thoughts about him after I heard of all the terrible things he did to people from my classmates at school. He beat me up till I damaged my spine and was unable to walk again."

Philip sighed; he didn't believe any of it.

"It happened in three generations and my father was the third and last. Tope's son, Odenghene 2, and my father, Odenigbo. They were all killed the same way by the people of Umunevu. You didn't know the story because you didn't grow up in the village, I was warned severely but I trusted you guys, I didn't know you started having sex" he glared at Philip "That's why I need you to please, abort the pregnancy for the sake of our lives and others"

"What an interesting myth to murder an innocent unborn child." Philip smiled as he stood up.

"Philip, this is not a myth! Your father is telling the truth." Mom emphasized.

"So, if Philip's girlfriend gives birth to a boy, the child would be able to read minds?" Esther asked.

"No one has been able to break the curse so… I think so," Dad replied, in a husky voice.

Esther laughs "If that's the case then the child would be a superhero"

"My father killed my mom because he read her thoughts that she was tired of the marriage and regretted marrying him" Dad tried to convince them but they weren't getting any of it.

"We will all be doomed because if that child is born, he will kill us all if we ever have negative thoughts against him" Mom was almost crying.

"That's ridiculous. We are in a modernized world now. It's all a matter of training, from a child we could train him to use his powers for something... "

"Oh shut up! That child is not going to be born!" Dad screamed.

Philip was calm, "Even if what you are saying is true, Grace is already six months gone. She can't get an abortion. She discovered late, and it took me time for me to summon the courage to let you guys know"

It's been six months already. She figured it out four months ago and I have been looking for ways to go about telling you guys.

"Jesus Christ Philip oooo, this boy has killed me" Mom burst into tears.

"I am sorry, Mom but how could you both keep such family information from us? It's too late Dad. She is giving birth in May."

"One last thing, if she gives birth to a girl, she dies as a sacrifice to the gods." Dad wheeled himself away while Mom followed him still crying.

Esther sighed, "It's fine, Philip. Everything will be fine"

Philip shook his head and tears dropped from his eyes.