Chapter 15: The Willow and the Grave

As I dey pick place, shadow from tree just cover me, my body begin dey somehow. I look the shadow, see say behind some bushy grave, willow tree full there, two or three tangled together.

The wind blow, the willow dey shake, like say e dey wave hand. For Naija, we dey fear that kind tree—people dey say if you see willow, e mean spirit dey near.

I remember the address Ngozi write: Okeji County, Odo-Ofu Bridge, end of Umuagu Hill Road. Umuagu Hill Road na the mountain road we just pass—so the end?

I dey use my sense dey calculate, "End of the road, near willow tree, lanterns..." My spirit begin dey rise.

I waka go the willow side, push the branches. Na there I see one strange grave hide for shadow. I rush reach there, see say the tombstone still get faint "Liu" for body.

As I touch the stone, cold catch my hand. For village, dem dey say if you see grave wey cold for afternoon, e mean e get power.

Wetin shock me pass be say the tombstone get carved beams and painted roof. Under the eaves, two big lanterns dey carved for there.

For my mind, I dey shout, "Na here!" I quick run back, call the others.