Horrors At Midnight Part 10

The persistent knocking forced the old man, who had retired to bed less than an hour before, to stand up. He felt around his bed for his torch and made his way to his door with its dim light. “Yes? Who is it that will not let me have a rest at this time of the night when men sleep and spirits meet?” he asked as he got to his wooden door and unlocked it without waiting for a reply. Actually, Pa Ahigbe was used to such intrusion from spiritualists as he happened to always be the last resort when things went wrong within that part of town.

He opened the door and saw Linda’s mother sprawled on the floor with her daughter. "Prophet Light! What brings you here?” he asked, surprised to see her.

“Oh Indestructible one, this is my daughter. She needs your help,” Linda’s mother lamented.

Pa Ahigbe took a closer look at Linda and touched her forehead with an armlet on his left wrist that was stringed with lizard skulls. He frowned like someone seeing something sinister and then turned to her mother and asked, "Why did you go to the river tonight of all nights? Are you not aware the Masters of Darkness meet tonight?"

Linda's mother put her hands on her head as realization dawned on her, exclaiming in her dialect.

Pa Ahigbe stepped back into his house and said, "Woman, I'm sure you know what you have brought upon yourself. Take your daughter away and let me have my rest."

Linda's mother took her daughter back to the car and returned to her house. She would wait until morning to see, she decided.

***********************************

"Aren't you waiting to go with us so we can drop you off?" Stacey's father asked as he came into the living room and saw his daughter all dressed and heading for the door.

"No Daddy. I'm leaving now because I need to see my friend before the service begins," she replied hurriedly and then said in a low tone, "I have something she needs to put on."

Her father smiled. "Then hurry it's almost eight," he said and walked toward the kitchen while she left through the front door. She came out of the gate in time to meet a cab just in front of her gate. She flagged him to stop.

"Are you going?"

He replied in the affirmative.

"OK. I'm going to OWMI church at old GRA opposite Juanita Hotels," she said, "How much is it?"

"One thousand Naira."

"I'll pay seven hundred."

The taxi man started his cab and then said, "Madame pay eight hundred make we go."

She quickly entered the car because she was running late.

★    ★    ★

Jason had woken up feeling totally refreshed. The first thing he remembered when he woke up was that his night was undisturbed: no nightmare, no dream, not even waking up to use the toilet. It was a miracle indeed. Now he was dressed and ready for church, wearing a black Jacket, a white Armani shirt, a nice pair of jeans and a new Italian loafers he got the previous week. Today was the first sunday he was willingly attending church. It felt good.

Mrs Duke and her sons stepped into the car as one family heading for church. It really was remarkable having her sons together with her on a sunday morning going to same church. This was one miracle she'd prayed for earnestly and here it was, happening. Her only regret was that her husband didn't take the chance when it came for him until it was too late. Thinking about that reality reawakened the pain she carried with her until her encounter with One Way Ministries - Duke was gone forever. Could that really be? She looked at her sons and the good news of the moment brought a wave of peace that swept away the pain. She had a lot to be grateful for afterall.

Bernard decided to drive the car. This was unusual considering the fact that he still had a bandaged arm.

"Why don't you let Jason drive?" their mother asked.

"Mum, don't worry. I can handle it." Bernard wasn't about to buy Jason's new disposition to church. In fact, he felt something was up and after the accident he had courtesy of Jason, he wasn't about to put his life on the line by allowing him drive.

The gateman opened the gate and they left the house. They had only driven a short distance when Mrs Duke realized she had left something at home.

"Oh! Se se usong annam (ee what old age has done to me). Please can we go back and get a document I forgot. It's pertaining to the yesterday's meeting," she pleaded.

Jason laughed at her comment to herself. His mother had always made that statement for as long as he could remember even though she was young and still looked young at fifty-five. So they turned back and Bernard waited at the gate while he came down and went into the house to get the document. Just as he stepped out of the house, he saw a stain on his shirt. Where did that stain materialize from, he wondered. He quickly dashed to his apartment behind the house and took of the shirt. He opened the wardrobe and randomly selected another shirt to wear, then joined his family in the car.

Bernard was the first to speak sounding irritated, "What took you so long? See the time."

"Thank you, son. I'm sure you didn't find it where I said I kept it," their mother quickly said.

Jason knew she was trying to defend him tactfully and so did Bernard. "No. Actually I had to change my shirt. It had this wicked stain that appeared from no where."

Bernard hissed in response to that, shaking his head. Mrs Duke on the other hand complimented the shirt, "Wow, that's a nice shirt you have on. Isn't this one of the shirts Bernard bought you as a gift?"

Bernard turned to look at his brother. It was the stripped colored TM shirt he gave him on his last visit quite alright. What was this guy really up to this morning, he wondered. Whatever it was, he was not going to be taken unawares. He brother was now a Christian one week to their Dad's will being read. He now chose to wear shirt he'd never worn since he gave him. Recounting the events of the week, he had reasons to further suspect Jason. He had watched enough movies to not be naive about certain moves when it had to do with family members and sharing inheritance. He'll have to be pretty careful this week.

***************************

Prophet Light stayed awake until morning waiting for her daughter to wake up. It was about eight am when Linda stirred. She was laid on the bare floor in the middle of her mother's prayer room. Her mother had stepped out of the room when she eventually  stood up from her stretched out position. She looked around and at herself; there was a circle drawn with white chalk around her, her feet were stained with blood, her body was marked with some awfully smelly substance, she almost injured herself jumping up and running out of the room screaming for her mother as she did so.

"Linda! You're awake!" her mother shouted and ran out from the inner room to see her daughter. They met each other half way and her mother embraced her before realizing herself and bowing down before her daughter, greeting, "Your Majesty."

Linda was confused. "Mami, what is this all about? she asked looking suspiciously at her mother. It was bad enough that she couldn't recollect anything that happened after the bath at the river, and that she woke up at broad daylight looking like a sacrifice about to happen, now this greeting from her high and mighty prophet of a mother made her feel like she was living an epic nightmare. She hadn't removed her eyes from her mother while waiting for an explanation.

There was tears in Prophet Light's eyes as she raised her head up to look at the being before her. She knew her daughter was somewhere inside that body, but a greater, dreadful spirit had taken possession of her body and way not leaving anytime soon.

★    ★    ★

The church service at One Way Ministries International was really awesome and well organized . Jason thought he enjoyed every bit of it and didn't hesitate in showing it when new comers were asked to stand up. Although he wasn't new, he stood up with the rest and in fact there was only one other person around him that stood up with him when he looked around - Stacey. She was as surprised as he was and it was obvious to everyone around that they knew each other.

Immediately they announcement was over, Jason went over to greet her.

"Hey. You attend this church?" he asked bringing out his hand for a handshake.

She shook it and shook her head as well, "No I just visited. And you?"

"I've been here a couple of times before. Not really new."

"So why did you stand up?" she asked smiling. He was still holding her hand and she hadn't noticed, neither had he.

"Today's really my first genuine Sunday-" he was saying when someone called his name and he turned to see the elderly man who brought him to the Lord walking toward him.

That was when Stacey realized he'd been holding her hand. Feeling embarrassed, she slipped her hand from his and clutched her Bible with both.

Mr Sanni gave Jason a firm hand shake, brimming with smiles. “Hope you enjoyed the ministrations, Son?” he asked.

“Absolutely sir,” Jason replied returning the smile. He couldn’t even believe it himself that he actually enjoyed being in church and was acknowledging it.

“Thanks be to our father,” Mr Sanni said and turned to Stacey, stretching out an arm. “You’re welcome sister. I hope you also were blessed?”

Stacey was charmed by the old man’s gusto. She gave him a handshake, replying, “Oh yes I did. Thank you.” This old man and other members she’d encountered since her arrival made her desire something they had that she wasn’t getting in her place of worship.

Mr Sanni turned to Jason again, “And how about your brother? I thought I saw him around?”

Jason looked around hoping to spot Bernard in the dispersing congregation . “He should be somewhere around.”

“Well extend my greetings to him.”

“I will sir.” He watched the old man leave then turned to Stacey but she was gone.

*                             *                             *

Bari, her friend and former school mate had pulled her away, taking her towards a part in the auditorium where some choir members were gathered. “Babe! I saw you o’,” she teased.

 “You saw me what?” Stacey asked her, trying to keep up with her pace as they meandered through the crowd that was still yet to disperse considerably.

Bari turned back and gave a questioning stare, before responding while still moving on, “You want to snatch our handsome brother and crash the hopes of our single sisters’ right?”

Stacey busted into laughter. “You no well. Oh I’m sorry I said that. But if I want to snatch Jason I had all week to do that now.”

 They had just arrived the meeting of the choristers which was rounding up. Bari signaled her to reduce her tone then whispered with a surprised look, “You know Jason?”

Stacey whispered back, “Of course I do. We work in same company.”

“Wow. That’s my fiancé’s best man now,” Bari said to her while trying to pick what the unit leader was saying.

Stacey was confused at the news she was hearing, “You mean your CJ is Jason’s friend?”

Bari leaned closer to her replying, “Let’s continue the gist later.” She wanted to catch everything their leader was saying especially since she had been away.

Stacey just sat there befuddled and trying to put pieces together. Bari had informed her in the morning that she wanted her to be her chief bridesmaid because the lady that was supposed to be, pulled out a few days ago and now Jason was the best man? How does that coincidence even happen? Perhaps he was even aware, she thought, the reason he was apparently chatty and holding her hands a little too long. The fact that he even came to church was another bolt from the blue she was yet to recover from. She looked around checking to spot him in the crowd. There was really no big deal he being the best man and she the bridesmaid, except that the whole thing felt so movie-like.

Bari waved a hand inches away from her face, bringing her back to the moment. “Helloooo, are you day-dreaming about him already?”

“You mean your husband?”Stacey replied knowingly with a smile.

It was Bari’s turn to laugh. "Come let's go, please. We have to see my tailor today," she said, pulling Stacey up.

"Wait. Let me ask," Stacey said as she got up to follow her friend, "is he aware I'm your chief bridesmaid?"

"No. He's not. I haven't even told CJ yet."

"Well do me a favour, please," stacey said as they found their way out of the church.

"What?" Bari asked.

"Don't even bother telling anyone of them if you can help it. Thank you." That should settle it, she thought. She wasn't ready to stand the awkwardness it could create for them as neighbours and colleagues at work if he also knew.

"My husband-to-be, I will. But I'm sure he can handle the information."

"Fine."

* * *

Linda was back in town. She had pressured her mother into divulging the details of the previous night and somehow she felt satisfaction with her new status. If being found worthy to be possessed by such a dreadful being would give her a chance to deal with that boyfriend snatcher and the stupid boyfriend himself, then she was all game. She leaned on the railing in her balcony and lit the fourth stick of cigarette, something she hadn't done in a long time. She was seductively dressed in a white pair of trousers with slits up to her thighs and a white tank top. Perhaps she should pay him a visit, she was thinking, and let him know how much of what he was missing that the boyfriend snatcher couldn't give him. Good idea. She went into the house and came out a few minutes later with her car keys.

* * *

"Apophis?!"

"Yes, yes your evil lordship," they chorused, trembling before Leviath. "We were right there when it happened," Wickedness spoke. "It was his very self and not another."

But this was never discussed in the meeting, Leviath pondered. If really Apophis was sent on assignment and had taken possession of that being, then his own assignment was more or less completed. He would simply place monitoring spirits around to watch and seize every opportunity to bring that soul down as an alternative option. This was what he existed for - to hinder the manifestations of the sons of God, of which Jason was a key catalyst, destined to come out in the same spirit as Moses and lead the people of this age out of the spiritual bondage of ignorance that the Kingdom of Darkness had fought so much to keep them in.

Leviath smiled as he opened his eyes stretched out in a white circle with hands and foot covered in blood. He too had taken possession of a body. He stood up and entered the bathroom to shower. Few minutes later, he heard a knock on his door. It had to be his neighbour.

"James Anang! Are you in there?" the neighbour called.

Troublesome nosy neighbours. Always looking for cheap gossip. He came out of the bathroom and went to the door to confirm it was locked. It was. Then he return to the bathroom without saying a word.