I took my phone and dialed his number. At first, it didn’t ring. I called again and a neighbour answered the call.

Me: *with hope and prayer* hello ayo!!

Caller: *silent*

Me: hello ayo are you there?

Caller: *silent*

Me: please say something na please!!

Caller: this is not ayo but chinedu his neighbour.

Me: please give the phone to Ayo

Caller: i can’t

Me: why?

Caller: because he is dead.

“GBIM”

The world “dead” struck me like a spear aimed at the heart. I lost my grip on the phone and it fell down scattering all over the room.

Mysterious death all over the city and the worst thing is that two of my friends are dead including my neighbour.

I couldn’t eat that whole day. Food wasn’t in my agenda, i couldn’t do anything but to think about this cruel world, this wicked and cruel world.

The next day, i got up early, did the morning rituals and headed to my working place without eating, i guess my appetite is yet to return.

I arrived at work early and was thinking on my desk with my head between my palm when tobi came in…..

Tobi: haa alhaji idris how far?

Me: *silent*

Tobi: no be you i dey greet?

Me: please i want to be left alone, please!!

Tobi: iyeee, this one wey you speak English for me so wetin happen na?

Me: *silent*

Tobi: well maybe na the death case. Two boys for our street die too.

Me: *shocked* you say wetin?

Tobi: see as your ear don stand, two boys for our street die too..

Me: chaii, my close friend and one of our neighbour don die oo.. Just like that.

Tobi: but what is the cause of this mysterious death self?

Me: na me you dey ask?

Tobi: hmm, well if world wan end na so things dey happen.

Me: *silent*

Tobi: anyway, just be careful because my body just dey shake anytime i dey near you. I still get that bad feeling over you… Be prayerful and all will be well.

He said and left. This time i took his word seriously because i too was feeling this strange, unusual and unidentified feeling over myself. I guess i was scared over my life. If i die who will take care of my family and Anita i asked.

Mama T came in late as usuall. Her eyes were red and swollen. It was obvious she had been crying since. We later learnt that her sister and cousin were also involved in the death spree. We went to her office and greeted her hugging her one by one. I looked into her eyes and she looked into mine, i could feel she was hiding something. Maybe she knew more of something i don’t know but i just know that those eyes were not pure, not at all.
After greeting her for the deceased, i went to my office and sat down. It was not up to forty five minutes when she came into my office with her eyes completely black, no white spot at all.

Mama T: meet me in my car!!

She said and left. I just stood up and followed her against my wish. I could feel as if she was inside of me, controlling me to do her every will and i couldn’t stop. I just followed!