Fractured Bonds

Mama Nnenna's frantic voice echoed through the kitchen, "It's my husband, something has taken hold of him!"

As she watched Ochekawo rush out of the kitchen, Agaba burst in with Nnenna by his side.

"What's happening here?" Agaba demanded, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene.

"Go upstairs, quickly! Your father needs your help to subdue Nnenna's father. He's under some kind of dark influence!" his mother urged.

Agaba's eyes widened in alarm. "What!"

Nnenna rushed to her mother's side, relief washing over her face as she saw her mother was alive.

Her mother's tears of joy were a stark contrast to the horror that had unfolded.

Meanwhile, Ochekawo was halfway up the stairs when Nneka's father came stumbling down, his eyes vacant, his clothes stained with blood, and a knife clutched in his hand.

Ochekawo's whisper was laced with a mix of fear and determination. "This is the work of a demon".

"Mr. Chinwe, please, drop the knife. Let's talk this through", Ochekawo coaxed.

But Agaba knew better. "That won't work, father. We need to act fast!" with a swift motion, Agaba knocked Nnenna's father unconscious.

Ochekawo's face fell, disappointment etched on his features. "Son, you should have waited. That was our only chance to gather information about the enemy's hideout. You've blown our only lead".

As they tied the unconscious Mr. Chinwe to a chair, they rushed upstairs to rescue Nneka, who was shaken to the core, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

Ochekawo's eyes locked onto the unconscious Mr. Chinwe, his voice low and mysterious.

"It seems, son, that mr. Chinwe was also a victim of those malevolent forces".

Agaba's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean?"

Ochekawo's gaze drifted back to his son. "His wife told me that they were having a family discussion when he recounted his encounter with an old, unsavory thief at the market. The thief, despite his age, possessed unnatural speed and agility, allowing him to escape".

Agaba's eyes narrowed. "And that's when everything changed?"

Ochekawo nodded. "It seems so. The poor man was conjured, forced to commit unspeakable acts against his own family".

As they spoke, Agaba's mother tended to the injured Mrs. Chinwe, carefully binding her wounds.

"Hold still, ma, let me secure this bandage".

Meanwhile, Nneka sat in stunned silence, her eyes haunted by the memories of her father's brutal attack.

She whispered, her voice barely audible, "Mum, did Dad do those things on purpose?"

The question hung in the air like a challenge, leaving the injured woman speechless.

Agaba's mother stepped in, her voice soft and reassuring. "NO, dear, he didn't. I'm sure of it. Your father would never intentionally harm you or your mother".

Nneka's eyes searched for answers. "Was he…controlled?"

Agaba's mother hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I don't know, dear. But we'll find out. Just stay positive, and remember that your father loves you both dearly".

In the sitting room, Nnenna sat alongside the two men, their eyes fixed on the unconscious figure bound to the chair.

Nnenna's curiosity got the better of her. "So, you're saying the robbery drove him to madness?"

Ochekawo's expression turned guarded, unsure whether to reveal their suspicions to Nnenna.

Agaba, too, seemed hesitant to respond, fearing his father's wrath if he disclosed his secret.

The air was thick with unspoken tension.

Nnenna, sensing the unease, and luckily, the power was restored swiftly changed the subject.

"let me turn on the TV", she said, reaching for the remote.

As the screen flickered to life, the last channel her family had watched appeared: TVC News channel.

Nnenna's eyes widened, remembering how her father's fascination with the news had driven her to boredom, prompting her to sneak out to Agaba's compound.

But this time, the channel displayed a breaking news report, grabbing their attention.

The reporter's voice was urgent and grave.

"Tragedy strikes in Otukpo, as thirteen individuals embark on a simultaneous rampage, leaving twenty dead and twenty six injured in their wake, among which the commissioner of Health for Benue state was shot dead by one of his security men. The police received frantic calls from multiple locations, describing the perpetrators as 'running loose and killing sporadically".

Nnenna's eyes widened as the reporter continued,

"twelve of the perpetrators have been apprehended, but one remains at large - an army veteran armed with an AK47 rifle, shooting indiscriminately at anyone in his sights. Security personnel are exercising extreme caution, deeming it 'too risky' to approach. The DPO assures us that the rifle will soon run out of bullets, and we'll definitely apprehend him".

The reporter's voice took on a more ominous tone.

"citizens are advised to remain indoors, as suspicions arise of another serial killer on the loose. We will keep you updated on this developing story. Stay tuned, this is TVC breaking news".

As the reporter concluded, Ochekawo swiftly turned off the TV.

"Son, let's talk outside", he said to Agaba, his expression serious.

Agaba exchanged a knowing glance with Nnenna before responding, "Okay, sir, I'm right behind you".

The two men stepped out into the night, leaving Nnenna and Nneka alone in the parlour.

Ochekawo's eyes burned with a sense of destiny as he spoke to Agaba.

"Son, fate has entrusted us with a burden that spans generations. We must act, or risk losing everything we hold dear. You know the consequences of inaction".

Agaba's jaw set in determination. "I'm ready, father. We must act now, before it's too late".

But Ochekawo's expression turned grim. "The problem is, we don't know where these monsters are hiding. They're like ghosts, striking without warning".

Agaba's mind was already racing strategies. "We'll start searching, then. We'll leave no stone unturned until we find them".

But Ochekawo's response caught Agaba off guard. "Son, I want you to stay out of this. Your mother needs you by her side. We don't know what these demons are capable of, and I won't risk losing you. Look at what happened to Nnenna's father - we can't let that happen to our loved ones".

Agaba's face darkened, his voice rising in protest. "How can you say that, father? These people are our friends, our neighbors, co-workers and in all, they are humans, and they deserve to live. We can not just abandon them to the mercy of these monsters. I'm the only one who can protect them, and I won't back down. I'm one with the Echur now - I have a duty to fulfil".

Ochekawo's voice was laced with a mix of determination and desperation .

"So you'd risk the lives of our loved ones simply because you possess the Echur within you? Son, as much as you're the chosen one, I'm still your father, and it's my duty to protect you. I can still fight, and you'll only intervene when necessary. Do you understand me?"

Agaba's eyes welled up with tears, his face etched with disappointment and frustration. "But why did you reveal our lineage secret to me? What was the point of all this? You had me train tirelessly, only to bench me now? Dad, I'm your son, and I'm also the one destined to save the world…"

Ochekawo's expression turned stern, his voice rising in a passionate outburst. "stop this chosen one, world savior bullshit and listen to me, yes you're my son, but this is beyond what I anticipated! You can't die before me, Agaba. Your priority should be to protect our family, our loved ones. If I fall in battle, you must ensure their safety. You're powerful, but family comes first. The bond of blood that unites us is the same blood that flows through our veins. Understand me, son!"

Agaba's eyes widened in shock, his face pale with disbelief. The father who had spent years preparing him to save humanity had, in the final moments, chosen family over the fate of the world.

The weight of this revelation left Agaba reeling. His words cut through the night air like a dagger, his tone resolute and unyielding.

"what made you say that Dad? You can't stop me. I was born for this purpose, and I'll see it through. If you try to stand in my way, I'll have no choice but to take you down".

with that, he turned and walked away into the darkness, leaving Ochekawo stunned and speechless.

Ochekawo watched, frozen, as his son disappeared into the night. He didn't try to stop him, didn't call out or give chase.

Instead, he turned and walked back into the house, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions.

Inside, he found Mr. Chinwe still bound to the chair, fast asleep.

Nnenna approached him, concern etched on her face. "What happened between you and Agaba outside? Why didn't he come back with you?"

Ochekawo brushed off her questions, attributing Agaba's absence to a sudden work commitment.

The night wore on, with Agaba's parents staying in Nnenna's house until morning.

As Nnenna and Nneka prepared for school, Mr. Chinwe stirred, his eyes fluttering open.

"Aargh, why am I tired up?" he growled, struggling against his restraints.

Ochekawo, who didn't sleep, kept a close watch on Mr. Chinwe all through the night, replied calmly, "Ah, you're awake. I hope you're yourself again?"

Mr. Chinwe's face twisted in outrage. "What do you mean? You've tied me up in my own house! I demand an explanation!"

His voice rose to a yell, echoing through the room.

"Honey, please calm down", Mrs. Chinwe soothed, her voice a gentle balm to her husband's frazzled nerves.

"This man saved us. If not for him, you'd be waking up to a gruesome scene - two lifeless bodies in your own home".

Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and Mr. Chinwe's eyes widened in horror.

"What…what happened?" he stammered, his mind reeling with the implications. "I tried to…to…no, that's impossible!"

Mrs. Chinwe's expression was grim. "You were conjured by a demonic spell, babe. You went berserk, attacking us all with an inhuman strength".

Ochekawo adjusted his glasses, his voice measured. "Yes, a demonic spell. I know it sounds far-fetched, but the evidence is overwhelming.

Not only did you lose control, but over 19 people were killed last night, including two military personnel stationed at the barracks, and the health commissioner.

This morning, the death toll rose to 28, with many more injured. This was no ordinary event, Chinwe. It was demonic".

Mr. Chinwe's face paled, his eyes wide with terror. "What…what have I done?" he whispered, his voice cracking with despair.

"Where are Nneka and Nnenna? Are they…are they okay? Did I harm them?" his heart racing, he awaited the answer his very soul hanging in the balance.

Just as Mr. Chinwe's anxiety reached its peak, the two girls descended the stairs, their backpacks slung over their shoulders, ready to face the day.

Ochekawo's voice was a welcome reassurance. "As you can see, they're both fine".

with a gentle gesture, he untied Mr. Chinwe from the chair.

As soon as he was free, Mr. Chinwe rushed to his daughters, embracing them tightly, tears of relief streaming down his face.

"I'm sorry, my babies. I'm so sorry". his daughters, sensing their father's distress, comforted him in unison, their voices a soothing balm.

"it's okay, Dad. We know you'd never hurt us. It's okay, Dad".

With his daughters' forgiveness, Mr. Chinwe turned to Ochekawo, shaking his hand and thanking him profusely for saving his family.

As the emotional reunion came to a close, the two girls bid the family farewell, heading out to school.

At the gate, they were surprised to see Agaba, already on his way to school.

Nnenna rushed out, calling his name, but Agaba didn't respond, his expression somber.

Nneka raised an eyebrow. "What's up with him this morning?"

Nnenna's voice was barely above a whisper. "I think he and his dad had a fight last night. That's when he left our house".

The two sisters walked together, a rare coincidence that brought a smile to Nnenna's face.

Despite the tension between Agaba and his father, the morning sun seemed to hold a promise of new beginnings.