LAYLA

FREE AT LAST

As soon as Zuma left the presence of the Cumberland state governor, the bearded man was seen smirking at his back, then picked up the novel fling at him and gaped at the picture of the black-eyed girl on the hardcover. 

He agreed the picture is spooky, and the gawking of the black cat on her shoulder seemed to be boring into his soul. Nevertheless, it's just a novel and there is no reason to be scared

" Put the book somewhere and attend to today's chore!" 

A warning voice sounded in his mind, and the governor smirked for the second time in a few minutes, tossed the book on his hand to the far side of the long table, picked one among the heaps of files in his front and was immediately engrossed in it when a piercing sound of the telephone shattered the serene environment.

His hand dashed towards it, picked up the receiver and muttered, "hello."

The voice on the other side was weird and sounded like a giggling of a girl, and he shortly banged the receiver on the body of the telephone, hissed and his eyes fell on the novel.

"I put this book away from me, how come it's here staring in my face?"

Without giving it a second thought, he picked it up and opened the first page, sneered at the author's warning and turned to the next page.

"Stop and don't turn the page!"The voice in his head screamed, but he was past caring. 

"What information could be so powerful that will make my heart to be beating at this insane speed?"

Having no one to answer his concern, he flung to the next page, paused, peered closer and muttered, "this is strange!"

'YOU MUST AGREE TO FORFEIT YOUR SOUL BEFORE YOU HAVE THE ACCESS TO READ THE KNOWLEDGE IN THIS BOOK.'

"This writer is playing with the reader's emotion," the governor grinned louder, turn to the next page and read out loud," THIS KNOWLEDGE WILL REMAIN HIDDEN UNTIL YOU AGREE TO FORFEIT YOUR SOUL IN EXCHANGE FOR IT!"

Although not an addicted reader, the governor had grown up in a home with a large library and his Grandma's mantra of 'leaders are readers is the reason why he read few among the lumps of novels, occultic and motivational books.

He had no interest in what information lies in this fiction, and the reason why he keeps turning the page was his present feeling of deja-vu.

"It has happened before,"  he muttered to himself, and the memory of his past life came flashing into his mind. But unlike now, he is the mugger and not the victim.

"THIS KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE YOU FROM MISERABLE REINCARNATION. DID YOU AGREE TO LET GO OF YOUR SOUL IN EXCHANGE FOR IT?"

The governors gawking became hard when he realized each page he turned was responding to the thought on his mind.

"Yes, I agree!" He exclaimed, at last, turned to the next page and read out loud," YOU ARE FREE AT LAST."

Zuma and Isabella were admitted into the governor's office, and the picture before them made them freeze on their movement.

"He was seen like this some moment after you left!" The deputy governor exclaimed at the sight of the two police officers, turned and pointed towards the naked figure on the floor and mumbled, "he cut his manhood and tried to eat his two balls."

"Oh my goodness!" Isabella was out of breath at the remain of the number one citizen of Cumberland, and the sick smile on the corpse's face made her nauseous and threw up.

"I suggest you leave this place. Go out and take a fresh breeze for a change."

"I am okay. Thanks, boss."

"Have you checked the CCTV recorder?"

"Sure. Come with me... I heard you throw a copy of a cursed book to him before leaving. Did you think he died because he read it?"

"Yes. I do not doubt that. All the death on this island is connected to that book."

"Why did you give it to him even though you know it will probably bring about his death?"

"Apology. But he was full of taunts and keeps reminding me that my appearance is the cause of the suicide rate on this island."

"Why is it a coincidence that the book appeared some weeks after you? Did you have any connection with the author or publisher?"

"Nay. But the truth is, I have stopped believing in coincidence, and I think everything is connected. The book, my presence, all the death, and even the conversation we are having now," Zuma announced as he released the breath he wasn't aware of holding.

"Can you tell me the connection, please? All the dead people had nothing in common except your claim that they read Layla... My suspicion is why everything started going haywire as soon as you step your leg on this island."

"I have no answer to your suspicion."

They reached the security room and were welcomed by two unhappy men in blue and white uniforms.

"Play the video to this lady and gentleman here."

"Okay, sir!"

The man dressed in a white suit and pants stood up abruptly from his seat and began to remove all his clothing. Moments later, he formed a hole with his right palm and began to masturbate, while his other hand caressed his two nipples.

"Did you  notice the complete backness of his eyeballs?"

"Yes, boss. Just like Layla's black eyes."

The man seemed to reach organism in a second, smiled with satisfaction at his despicable act, and promptly pulled his manhood out with his two palms.

"This is the worst of all the suicide scenes have ever seen in my life," Isabella exclaimed immediately after they were back in the corridor that lead back to the Governor's Office.

"Each always looks like the worst until we see another scene. But I agree, the governor suffered the worst fate among all the victims of this rave suicide."

"I want you to find out everything we need to know about the author of this book and how to remove this from the large market," the young deputy governor who had suddenly aged in a few hours announced as he offered a goodbye shake to the two officers.

"It will be done, Sir."

"I don't have to emphasise the abruptness of this mission. Did I?"

"Nope. I will set to work immediately."

"We all relied on you, Mr Zuma. This island had never witnessed any kind of death like this... Please help, before we all go insane."

"Before all gods, I will do my best."