55 The shallow grave (1/2)

”Alright, continue what happened next?”

”Three nights ago, when she had traveled, I went into the hut. There was no money but disappointingly, I saw a strange looking bird locked up in a cage. I wondered why Ego would have a bird heavily secured. I knew it must be of great importance to her, maybe it is what is producing the money. I unlocked the cage and caught the bird; then something strange happened. As soon as I touched it, it was no more; like it disappeared”.

”How come there was another bird?”

”Knowing the aftermath of what I have done, the next morning I went out with a large amount of money to market going about from one magician to another promising a handsome reward to whomever that would replicate the bird. Of course, I met someone who did it for me after I presented a detailed description of the missing one. I brought it back and kept it back in the cage.

”Why would you want more? You already have what anybody would pray for” Okemmiri asked confused as to why this young man who had everything life could offer would want more money.

”Because I was no longer sure how much time I had left to remain here” he replied.

Confused further he asked, ”You wanted to leave?”

He nodded before responding ”Yes”.

”Why?”

”Not long ago, I overheard Oluchukwu and Chinasa discussing Ego's dead husband and the mysteries surrounding his death. Curiosity got a hold of me; I asked questions to find out more about this young man. I previously did not know how he died and never asked Ego as it was not my concern. It was all interesting till they told me his name; at the mention of his name I became scared of what Ego would do to me when she finds out”. He said and kept quiet.

”Find out what?” the dibia yelled.

”I am going to tell you everything right from the very beginning”.

”Go ahead!” he ordered.