ong in Andoni, Rivers State, and things

his remote island. Poverty was widespread here, leading to high rates o

ncis, the first son of Mr. and Mrs. Chima Paul

simply stared at the strange surroundings in confusi

r Samuel to sleep in order to avoid an

hed as she pul

ill be fine. Let's go inside,

ll looked u

Mum

e cut him off sharply, tryi

" their father said from behind them

r belongings, they a

I made. Maybe we can get something out of

hile the children s

tely the children tu

oing?" they as

still serving as a corporal. You don't expect him t

is replied, leanin

er mum wasn't telling them the whole truth, bu

r to Samuel and gently

all to eat before your father arrives," Mrs

, she accidentally bum

't mean to!" she ap

ay," the old man w

over to see who her

ong. Clara watched him closely, feeling

l," he said, flash

he strong smell of snuff and alcoho

er while the old man kept staring at he

asiness, Mrs. Chima

rd, how is y

e now. My wife is dead, and my childr

un through her body

so creepy,

Mrs. Chima re

back into the room and c

with the door shut, she couldn't shake off th

ll doing there

hrough the w

e landlord was stil

d on the door. His lips moved rapidly as thoug

rs, but she couldn't

Landl

voice sudde

hough he had been caugh

ving," he stammered befor

d him disappear i

ook he

never know me or my children," she whi

Clara quickly left the wind

y praying under her breath whi

inner w

children, and they all ate while

excitedly. They poured all kinds of sea creat

le should come outside! Your da

ren rushe

" Anna exclaim

ely smacked the

n't eat it la

irritating," C

sorted yet. Come on, join them. Separate the fish, octopus, crayfis

down to help. They sorted the sea creatures alongside

g, they we

erved it to the men. The children watched w

r mother served the

meat than this?" Annabella comp

p complaining and eat yo

ut herself was that she wasn't picky when it came to foo

e Annabella continued whining

Mr. Chima's friends returned to their vari

-

... m

eyes sna

diately and looked a

was no

she lay

... m

nd came

ood of

mother's fri

et and immediately began pr

atched

at sound co

nd they had heard in their

t happeni

ght unse

another round of

pound had been t

darkness. Mysterious lights flashed around their roo

ed tenants would gather f

t want any

anted

anted

ace they moved t

inued praying f

e strange soun

ara drifted

xt Morni

rning prayers, which they observed toge

rs. Chima greeted warmly as

d glared at her befor

with him?" she mu

dlor

greeting! Ah-ah!"

hima f

ling?" she ask

d himself in his chair and

lp me," she sighed

gathered inside to watch movies on their fa

d listen," Mrs. C

is gr

with me again, I'll slap

Francis replie

out now to see if I can locate our church around here. M

ildren

o outside until I ret

m," they

I'm goi

t immed

ed looks before retu

re was a knoc

use?" came their

mmediately, but Cl

t go outside, remembe

s hesi

oing to ignore h

he best idea,"

d hurried to the door bef

open

body was at home. Where are yo

side," Hele

st wanted to check

her cheek lightly,

d gi

he

shut the door, Cla

Helene, ar

at's the big deal?" Helene huffe

answer the door, did

t h

iet?" Annabella c

ene whispered, l

l Mum," Clara d

e sco

head while Annabel

rward, Mrs. C

ked?" she asked immedia

the landlord!"

hima f

t under

lene opened the door and talked to him

s expressio

tell you bef

answer, a sharp slap

I'm

ngrily. "You people don't know anyone in t

urst int

first and last time

ed the nylon bag she

re severa

a bowl, some wa

Helene, who sat quietly

quickl

fruits and shared th