38 Who is the father? (2/2)
The next morning, Ego, Oluchukwu and some of her men were all in the evil forest heading to the old lady's hut. Ego's retentive memory led them straight to where the hut was located. In less than thirty minutes, they had already assembled in front of the hut with all the goodies they brought. The environment surrounding the hut was still void of life and activities. From amidst her men, she called to the old lady ”Nne! Nne! It is Ego your daughter oh!”
She waited for a reply of any kind but none came from inside or outside the old hut. She repeated her call for over three times but got back nothing in return. Wondering aloud and walking towards the hut she said ”Maybe she went to get firewood, this one she isn't responding” she said aloud. Ego went to the dwarf door and pushed it open. It gave way to the unpleasant smell of decayed food items and dust. Spider and other rodents had long invaded the hut with the spiders leaving their trademark on everything. Rats were not left out, those made their own contributions too.
”This place is a mess, I personally don't think anyone is residing her,” Ego said coughing as some dust particles have found their way into her nostrils.
”The place looks like what has been abandoned for ages now”. Oluchukwu said as she pulled her away from the door to further avoid the dust pumping out from the hut.
”Onumara!” Ego yelled
”Nda!” A deep male voice replied from behind. He is currently the wrestling champion of Nekede and the one in charge of her security.
”Take some of the men and search around. Don't return till you have useful information concerning the where about of the old lady and her dog Ogologo” She ordered. He nodded, got three men and went out as ordered.
Addressing Oluchukwu, ”I don't understand oh. They are supposed to be here. I spent two days with them in this hut. What could have happened to them? She asked with panic evident in her voice.
”Nda don't worry, they will find them”. She assured her, then asked after a long stare at the hut ”But are you really sure this is the hut?”
”Oluchukwu, this is the place, I'm sure. She went closer to the hut, pointed at the clay pot outside and said: ”This pot and stool were exactly here that particular day”. She went beside the hut ”This is where I kept the firewood I helped the old lady with”. Back to Oluchukwu, she said, ”You don't believe me?”
”I do Nda, I do”. She further assured her.
”But the look on your face indicates otherwise. I had dinner with the old lady in this hut”.
”You keep referring to her as the old lady, don't you remember her name?” Oluchukwu asked.
”I do. No, I don't remember her name because she never told me” she said sounding unsure.
”Nda, Onumara is returning already and he is not alone”.