Dawn 6

Emenike was numb all through the burial proceeding. He appeared to be cold and unfeeling but he was crying inside his heart. He knew without doubt that he was a member of a secret cult, the Shepherds secret cult, modernised.

Chuks and other Shepherd members stormed the carnival-like burial in Owerri. There was plenty to eat and drink. Villagers who came ate to bursting and carted away several takeaways.

After the burial ceremony, there was a family meeting after which Emenike and family came back to Lagos.

Emenike wished he had heard his mother’s last words, the reason she had sent for him on her dying bed. Did she know he was indirectly responsible for her sudden illness, did she know he was the one that had snuffed life out of her, inadvertently?

He suffered severe insomnia. His heart was heavy and he took to staying out late at night, drinking in the Shepherds club.

A year afterwards, Nash was delivered of a set of twins, a boy and a girl. He took solace in them, especially the girl who looked so much like his mother, whom he named Nneka: mother is supreme

The nightmares had stopped and Emenike buried himself in his import, export business like never before. 

A few years passed by and Emenike's wealth increased. He bought more properties, home and abroad and was thinking of relocating his family to Canada when the nightmares started again, this time with vengeance. It was no longer every three days, but every other day. As soon as he closed his eyes to sleep, he would start running in one spot in the same tunnel. He would  wake with a start, a headache and a raised blood pressure. The only day he didn’t have the nightmare was when he was very drunk, but he found drinking didn’t exactly agree with him because he would always be sickly afterwards.

He sought out Chuks, with the determination to get a solution at all costs, without anymore ‘sacrifices’. He was so tired of it all.

He met with Chuks at his house. A palatial mansion on the island. He was ushered into Chuks study by the Butler. Chuks had at this time relocated his family to Canada and he was all alone in the house with the butler who doubled as the cleaner and a cook.

Chuks was behind his desk, the strong smell of his trade mark cigar filled the room which had muted lightening. Emenike could not see his face as he sat down across him in one of the thick leather chairs.

‘Emenike…..you wanted to see me' Chuks enquired in an oddly distant tone

Emenike was taken aback by the tone but he refused to be deterred

‘The nightmares are back and I am so bleeding tired!’

The spiral of Chuks' cigarette smoke was all Emenike could see, no matter how hard he tried to see the expression playing on his face

The silence stretched on for over a minute and so Emenike was forced to say ‘Chuks, you’re not saying anything?’

Chuks sighed

‘What would you have me say?’ in the same distant tone. ‘The pathway to wealth is strewn with thorns and thistles. Nothing good comes easy'

Emenike was enraged ‘Please spare me! Did you tell me I’d have to sacrifice my mother, my own mother for money?! What stupid wealth causes grief, heartache and insomnia all at once?! If you had told me I would suffer such colossal losses, would I have agreed? You introduced me to a cult without my consent. Chuks that is the greatest deception ever!’

Chuks stubbed out the cigar on the ash tray and lit another, inhaling deeply.

‘Are you done? I picked you up from the gutter and brought you into a life of abundance and you dare talk to me about your mother’s passing?! I ask again, did you think there would not be a price to pay? You are in and you are in for life!

‘ You lie! I’m getting out, infact I’m no longer interested in your Shepherd club or cult. I am so done, so very done!’

A cruel laughter erupted from Chuks throat. Suddenly, the office was bathed in light as Chuks had put on the light switch on the wall beside him. His face looked gaunt

‘ Read my lips. Once in, forever in. Only death can separate you from the Shepherds club. If you dare try to dissociate yourself, Nash and the kids will die before your eyes, you will lose all your wealth right in your presence and you’ll run mad, eventually'

A cruel smile appeared on Chuks face as he continued ‘Fancy running mad along the street, butt naked?’

Emenike was speechless. Chuks switched off the light and continued smoking steadily

‘ You think you’re the only one that suffers. I lost the wife that struggled with me, married me when I was a nobody. I lost her and the twins she was carrying at child birth. I lost my father and mother within a spate of a month! All these sacrifices I made without complaint for the Shepherd hood. What the hell have you lost?! For your good information, your immediate younger sister, yes, your sister, Chioma in UNN is next in line to be sacrificed!’

Emenike was defiant ‘God forbid!’ Chuks uttered a dry ‘time will tell', as Emenike walked out on him

To be continued…