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2024-10-29 19:42:56"I suggest we go back home. This storm is a bad omen," the oldest among the pair announced, scratched his scanty fluffy white hair and groaned louder.
"No...Why did you always look for signs and omens? We will proceed as planned, and let heaven rain pellets if it wants."
"I am feeling a kind of premonition about this storm. Please let's go back home and come when this weather cleared."
"Procrastination is a lazy man's apology. Don't forget, tick says the clock-."
"Tick-tick. What you have to do, then do it quickly."
The men giggle uncontrollably for a while, put on their headlights, and promptly stepped into the violent body of water and wobbled closer to their large boat.
"Are you coming with us, or not?"
"Of course, I am coming. I won't forgive myself if you all get yourself killed because am not there with you."
"Thanks, senior Ajay," one of the fishermen smirked back as the tall and aged man leapt into the water and swim closer to them.
After pushing their boat to the deeper side of the river, they hopped inside and began to paddle into the open sea.
"This storm is getting more violent... I suggest we do our fishing closer to the shore, instead of rowing into the interior side of the sea."
"Stop dissuading our effort. We won't turn back until we catch enough fish for tomorrow's sales. Have you forgotten we have outstanding mortgage bills to pay?"
Ajay snickered louder, placed his palms over his chin and gawked at the dark sea.
"Let's try our luck here."
"Oh no. To the middle of the sea."
"Hey! Look up."
Far off, a sudden light shines from nowhere and illuminates the dark sea. And the dazzling was so bright that it immediately blinded the stunned men, then disappeared shortly after.
"I warned you... Please let's turn our boat back."
"Take it easy, buddy. Why are we running when we don't see what is after us?"
"Don't you see that mesmerizing light... Did anyone else see it or my eyes just played a prank on me?" Ajay was feverish from the sudden terror that paralysed his mind, and his hand shakes as he gripped the body of the boat and cried out, "turn now or I will leap into the sea and swim back."
"It's okay... It's okay. I wonder when Ajay becomes a sissy."
"Old age is cruel to him. Please be kind."
"Should we cast our net into the sea here?"
"No. Let's find out what caused that blazing light first."
"Is that necessary? The storm is over and the day is getting brighter. High time we start fishing."
"We have the whole of today to do our fishing, but whatever caused that light will be gone in a few minutes."
"He is right. Let's row closer."
"What about Ajay?"
"Let him jump into the sea if he likes. He is a good swimmer and will be back at the shore before us."
"Goddam you... Before all gods, this is the last fishing I will be going with these dummies."
Having no choice, Ajay placed his palms on his chest, gawked as the boat was paddled closer, and his heart was about to pull out of his chest when one among the fishermen shrieked out.
"Look out."
"What is that?"
"Over there," he pointed at his left side, jerked his hand violently and announced, there is someone inside the water over there."
"Impossible. It may be lumps of dirt dropped into the sea."
"Or someone who went overboard during a voyage."
"Let's row a bit closer."
"Please don't. I can feel a kind of negative energy since we saw that blinding light. We need to get out of here now."
Ajay was ignored, and no one seemed to notice the moaning man who was already immobilized because of fear.
"It's a corpse of a little girl. I wonder how she ends up here."
"She may have some gems with her. Swim closer and check."
"Not me. The smell of carcass doesn't usually sit well with me."
"What about you? Alan."
"No, boss. I have cold feet."
The bulky man who had taken the position of the leader pointed at Ajay, smirked when he shakes his head as a sign of rejection, growled and let out, "since none of you is ready to go, don't expect me to share any valuable thing I see on her with you."
Saying this, he leapt into the water and landed with a splash, then emerged a moment later, and then swim closer to the immobile girl in the middle of the sea.
"Be careful, Danny!"
"As always."Danny swims closer to what he believed was a dead body of a little girl, pulled it closer then screamed out instantly.
"Danny!"
"Are you okay?"
"Get me out of here."
"Shut up, Ajay... Danny!"
"Yeah... Am okay," Danny swim till he reached half of the distance before answering back, and he immediately dipped his head inside the water and emerged beside the boat a second after."Why did you scream out.""She is not dead. She immediately opened her eyes as soon as I touch her.""You are joking... Right?"
"No, am not. I saw a beautiful black pearl on her neck, jerked her closer, and was about to remove it when she opened her black eyes and stare at me."
"Let's row closer to her. We can't leave a poor girl in the middle of an ocean to drown."
"YOU GUYS ARE INSANE. SHE IS NOT A GIRL!"
"Then what is she? I think Ajay is losing it."
"No, Alan. The eyes that peered back at me don't belong to a human child."
"As long as you are sure what you saw on her neck is gems, then I won't leave here without it."
"What about the girl?"
"If she is alive, then we have no choice but to take her back to the island with us... I'm sure she won't mind giving us her jewel in exchange for her life.","Sure. What did you think, Ajay?""Am not part of this... Please excuse me."
"Oh... Don't-. That chicken just leapt out of the canoe."
"Let him go. The two of us will share the plunder."
"Ajay-, please don't get drowned."
"Fuck off!"
The two fishermen rowed closer, picked the mysterious girl up, removed her pearls and placed her at the back of their boat, and then rowed back home.
Sadly enough, that was the last time they will ever see Ajay. The miserable old man was lost among the vast body of water, and the carcass of the famous fisherman probably end as feed for the fish.
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LAYLA ONE MURDER AND ONE SUICIDE
One of the most difficult careers on this island is the work of the police. And the fact that all of the male officers, except the chief of police, were placed on compulsory night duties every week, may be part of the setback that made few of the dwellers embrace the dangerous job. Even though this is a peaceful island with few records of burglars and petty thieves, the sleeplessness attached to the job is enough to scare a chicken-hearted man. And this and many more were the outcomes of why there were few police officers in the service of protecting over a million citizens of Cumberland. To keep boredom away, officer Acharya left home earlier, and picked up a novel at the local library. And then head to the headquarters for his night duty. "Hey... What did you have in your hand?" "A novel. I rented it from the library as I was coming to work." "How many times did I have to remind you to always come with a novel for me as well?" "Apology, I keep forgetting... I'm a fast reader a
LAYLA A FAIR BARGAIN
The twilight appeared before Alan and Danny reached their island, and the pair hide the jewel, and then carried the black-eyed girl to the village clinic. "What is this?" A white-dressed female nurse gawked at the unconscious little girl, and her shabby dress. "Your question should be who is this, and not what is this." "We found her like this in the middle of the sea and brought her here. You can take care of her, can't you?" "Of course. But because she is a minor, we need to know her relatives in case any unforeseen occurrence occurs." "We don't know her family or relatives. As we said earlier, she was seen in the middle of the sea, and it is our charitable character that made us bring her back." "Please come with me. Perhaps the doctor in charge will give her special consideration." "After you, Miss." As soon as the nurse turned and stepped into the intensive care unit, the two fishermen looked into each other's eyes, gestured and promptly take to their heels. And were la
LAYLA THE EVIL ONE AMONG US
"Did you hear about a black-eyes girl that was found in the middle of a sea, ten years ago?""Heard about it, but dismissed it as housewife's tale. What did she have to do with this?""Everything. Am afraid the death is connected to her.""She came to the limelight and suddenly disappeared and was never heard of... At least, that was what they made us believe.""Sad enough, she is alive or to be precise, she was alive and fell into the hand of a writer who wrote about her and her forbidden knowledge.""And the title of the story is LAYLA. Am I right?""Yes, you are. I want to travel down to the island where she was found, then asked around if anyone remembered anything about her.""Can I come with you?""If you wish. I hope the journey will not be too stressful for you?""Am stronger than I look. Don't be deceived by my fragility.""I agree. I have informed all my boys to go into all the bookstores, and libraries. And removed all the copies of that cursed book from the reach of the
LAYLA TODAY OR TOMORROW?
The news of the appearance of a black-eyed girl soon spread around the village and the rumours mongers are no one but the nurses who found the girl too creepy for their liking. "She insists her name is Layla and she is a demon sent by Lucifer to the earth as punishment for her betrayer to the dark lord," one of the white-dressed nurses whispered into the ear of her comrade, peeking at the deep-in-sleep girl on the patient's bed and resumed her gossiping, "she is an evil entity and must get rid off as soon as possible.""How are we going to get rid of her? Those who brought her had taken to their heels, and I was told she has no family.""Some young men in the village are planning to invade here and snuffed life out of her.""Oh my gosh. That is murder.""No. You can only murder humans and not demons. That is not murder but cleansing the world of every evil.""Won't there be any legal repercussions if she was assaulted?""They will come under the cover of darkness and not in broad day
LAYLA EMOTION DISPLAYED
A young boy in a white shirt and blue shorts stepped out of a brown-painted duplex and walked on a tarmac for some miles. He stopped beside a large field, stood arms akimbo, and peered at his mates playing football on the grassland far off. His courage seemed to be leaving him as he walked closer, halted some miles off and stood with a fixed smile. "I wish am tough and not a sissy." His voice was filled with sadness and he wasn't aware of the footsteps at his back. "Hey. I always see you standing alone. Why don't you join them to play football?"The boy turned about and was immediately mesmerised by the beautiful young girl in a bikini."They hate me and always called me a sissy.""Don't mind them," the girl paused her speech, jerked her new friend's arm and dragged him towards the shade of a mahogany tree beside them. "They are all bullies. Especially, Lang."The boy nodded his agreement, and the contentment of being held by the pretty girl made him redden. "Let's seat here and
LAYLA PRINCESS OF DARKNESS
Just like fire in harmattan, the news of the black-eyed girl spread around the island of Arkansas, and the tongues of those who heard about her were tied in shock. Since we fear what they don't understand, and hatred always comes after fear, the inhabitants became fearful of her."That which is the source of the excess rain that is destroying our plants.""My farms were destroyed by erosion, and it's all Layla's fault.""My cow died overnight, and I suspect witchcraft is involved."At last, plans were put in place to exterminate the evil one among them, and D-day promptly arrived sooner than expected. As soon as the world was pitched in darkness because of the starless and moonless sky, some group of young men in black uniforms and hoods over their heads were seen gathering under the bridge to Arkansas general hospital."I hope we are all here?" "Aye. Let's be on our way now.""Are we returning her to the middle of the sea or we are killing her?""Killing her, of course. Who has th
LAYLA WELCOME TO YOUR PAST
Six people were crammed inside a minibus, and the driver drove around the neighbourhood for a while."Over there. That is their lair," the young girl announced from the back of the car.Zuma drove closer to the uncompleted building on the left side of the road, parked and was out of the car as soon as the ignition was turned off. "Hey. I need to talk to you. Where is Lang?"Six lads were smoking cigarettes and gambling when one among them noticed the officers in uniform, signalled to his comrades, and they all scampered out of the back door and were soon lost among the numerous buildings."Wait. Am not here to arrest you. I just want the novel you collected from her.""Get lost!""Come after us, if you dare.""Damn kids. I am trying to save them from untimely death," Zuma raised his two arms and shrugged."We can't leave them to their fates. Please let's look for them," Isabella let out. "Did you know where they usually gathered apart from here?""No." "Did you know their house?""
LAYLA LIFE IS AN ILLUSION
A young man stepped out of his cottage, glanced at the dagger in his hand, descended the steps and raced into the midst of the mobs. "Make way... Make way, and let me see his face." "Take it easy, boss. He was caught red-handed and will be handed over to the sheriff." "Impossible. The last criminals we handed over to them were released immediately after. He must be made a scapegoat to serve as a deterrent to others that the Seaview territory is not to be stepped by a bandit." "I... I am not a bandit," a voice chipped out of the mobs, and the man with the dagger shoved the men out of the way with his shoulder and glared at the naked man on the ground. "Please don't kill me. I am a foreigner and lost my way-." "Be silent and say no more. You are a bandit and should be killed." "Take it easy, Banjo. Let's verify his statement before delivering our judgement." "What is there to verify? He was caught among our grains and had ten filled bags on a wagon. What is there to confirm again
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THE BLACK PASSOVER
The sun raged in the sky through the day, then the atmosphere became chilly as soon as the sun retire from its duty. A moment later, a twilight appeared from the east, and its eerie brightness kept the darkness away. When nighttime comes some hours later, a big cloud from the east overshadowed the stars and moon, and the gentle wind evolved into a whirlwind, followed by lightning and thunderstorms. "I think it's about to rain," Zuma muttered with a straight face, turned towards the slumbering officers beside him, and let out, "you guys should wake up, we need a plan."The taller among the officer stretched his arms and yawned out loud, and then let out, "you are the boss. Tell us what you have in mind."Zuma bit his lower lip and looked lost in thought for a while. "I can't seem to think straight. I won't ask you for a plan if I have one I ground.""No idea, boss." The officer answered back, and then close his eyes."We will part as soon as we enter Adam's Creek. You guys should kee
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NUMBERS 666
The bullet passed Isabella's face in an inch and she smelled the scent of her burnt flesh before feeling the pain from her roasted flesh. "Ouch!" She cried out, and then muttered in anger, "that's too close, John.""I can't shoot you, Bella. My bullet is for that bastard," John yelled, then leapt forward and shoots the dying robber in the forehead twice."He is dead. Stop wasting your bullet," Sampson said."You nearly split my skull. Why don't you push me off the way?" Isabella stood up from her kneeling position and glare at the smiling officer in her front."But I don't. He was about to shoot, and I did the first thing that came into my mind... I thought you will thank me for saving your life?" "Thank you, but don't ever try that with me again. What if I move my head in fright?" Isabella asked."You didn't. The end justifies the means, isn't it?""Of course, it does," Sampson answered back, then peered at the wounded officer and asked, " what are we going to do about him?""Drive
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GATEWAY TO HELL
The unexpected arrival of the man in a police car disrupts the armed men's plan, and the four men open fire on the incoming car as it approached them. The leader of the gang is a tall man with a patch over an eye, and he immediately dived for cover when the man beside him grunt out loud and fell dead. "Shoot that bastard now," he cried out, and then shot several times at the incoming car, but the driver swerve to the right, and then, to the left to evade the bullets. "Ouch! One of the robbers who was shot in the breast where his heart was located looked stunned for a while, staggered backwards and fell with a loud thud."Race for cover and don't stand and get yourself killed," the leader cried out as he raised his hand to clean the sweat off his forehead, and then peered out of cover, shot the man who dived out of the police car door and looked grimly when his shot missed. Zuma was out of the car instantly, and he immediately rolled to the back of a jeep parked beside him and was f
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MY WIFE FROZE HERSELF TO DEATH
A wise man once opined that 'humans are the greatest threat to their fellow human.'This saying proved to be the truth when Arkansas island was used as a case study. A few days ago, the island was known as one of the safest places on earth. But now, the opposite is the case. Yet, the reason is not far-fetched. Evil men are now using the disorder on the island to perform their evil deeds. Funny enough, most of the recent death had little to do with Layla, and it seemed the demon girl had decided to take a break for a while and watch as humans bring the awaited destruction on themselves.Isabella's opened her mouth in astonishment during their short drive to the seaside, and she was only able to speak when the youngest officer among her team patted her on the shoulder and asked, "did you think we will win against this evil?" "Yes," she answered back, shakes her head and resumed her speech, "though it will never be the same again. The scars will always remain in the people's minds."
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HELL IN A FEW DAYS
Adam's creek is located at the extreme side of northern Arkansas, and the journey from the police headquarters to the creek is over two hours by road. Because of the fear of the unknown, the two officers looked sadly as they walked through the lobby. "They expect you to be there in the next two hours, I suggest I should go with it some officers by a speedboat, while you drive by road and try to delay as much as you can," Isabella announced when the pair emerged at the grassland in front of the main building. "How many hours will it takes you by speedboat?" Zuma asked back. "One and a half hours, if the weather is good.""Then you need to move now. We dont know if they were already waiting for us, or on their way," he paused his speech as they emerged closer to the officers in line, waited till Isabella stepped beside him and asked in a whisper, "how many men did you plan to go with?""Four men, with lots of weapons. You need to go with a gun as well.""I have my weapons inside my
- LAYLA
THE END OF THE WORLD
From the port until they reached the police headquarters, the whole street was filled with the corpses of Layla's victims. And the two officers gawked with grief-striking faces when they see the numerous deaths awaiting them.Shockingly as it seemed, the safe island had suddenly turned into a death trap, and the corpses were so many that the municipal authority have no more places to put them. "Wake up, honey. Please wake up." A woman nude except for her black underwear, lay over her dead husband as tears flowed down her pretty face."Repent all mortals. This is the end of the world and the end of all mortals. Come to God now before it is too late." A man in a flowing white gown raised the Bible in his hand and cried out with a loud voice, leapt into the front of the passerby and then resumed his preaching. "The Lord is on his way, and he will soon appear like a thief in the middle of the night... Repent, before it is too late.""My son is dead! Somebody help me please." One hysteric
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TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS
Her name was Sheila, and she was his first love. After years of courtship, they decided to get married, and that was when tragedy struck. "Everything is ready. The bride's gown, the cake, the hall and the decoration. I hope you have gotten our wedding rings?" The woman nestling into the chest of her lover asked as she peered into his face. "Of course, honey. They were delivered some hours ago, and it's safe inside my locker." "I pray we don't forget anything," the woman muttered as she raised herself into a seating position, wore her white scandals and stood up with a fixed smile. "Take it easy. I know the wedding is once in a lifetime experience, but that doesn't mean we should go crazy over it... And where are you going?" "To my dad's home. I am not yet your wife until I say I do on the altar tomorrow." "You can't leave me like this, honey." "I will, dear. I need to make sure everything is done to my taste." The man on the bed moaned for a while shrugged and stood up. And a
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WILL YOU LIKE TO BE AT PEACE?
"DID YOU AGREE TO LOSE YOUR SOUL FOR THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL SET YOU FREE FROM SEVERAL REINCARNATIONS?" The man seating on the grass cock a smile when he read the first page, shakes his head and mumbles, "what a way to raise the reader's curiosity. Now I am intrigued."He turned to the next page and read out loud."YOU ARE YET TO AGREE!""Hahaha!" Steve burst into uncontrollable giggling and exclaimed, "no wonder they believed this book is cursed. The writer did a marvellous job in increasing the reader's curiosity."Saying this, he turned to the next page, then cursed out loud when the previous message displayed. "Well... Well. Since you want me to say it loud," he paused his speech as the smile on his face became huge. "I agree," he muttered as he turned to the next page, then read out loud. "WELCOME TO YOUR PAST LIFE...!"A man in blue and green scrubs stepped into a large theatre and was welcomed with the smell of drugs, sweat and blood. "Welcome surgeon. We have twenty emerg
- LAYLA
TERRIFIC STAGE
"I have heard many unbelievable things in my life, but the thought of getting killed by reading a book baffles me," one of the officers on duty announced as soon as their August visitors were driven out of their presence.""You won't be surprised if you were on this island some years ago. I grow up here and I can tell you much about the power of that evil girl.""You have my ears, though I don't think you will be able to convince me. As I said earlier, I am a sceptical person when it comes to supernatural things," the man announced."Steve is running his mouth because he is a stranger on this island... Let me tell him a story that will give him goosebumps.""You have my ears," the man named Steve answered as he peered into the eyes of his comrades, and the daring glare on his face made them giggle among themselves."If you are as bold as you claimed, then go and read her book.""Of course, I will. I already removed the one inside that chopper, and it's here with me.""You are crazy!"
