Chapter 1: Arrow for the Heart

I use my last eye beg the spirits, tie General Musa heart make e no fit see any woman except me. But this kind juju only last one day. Each time the curse clear, the way he dey look me, e be like say if to say na knife, I for don scatter for ground.

That look eh, e heavy. Him eyes dey red like burning coal, and if no be say I quick run another prayer, na there dem for write my obituary. Sometimes when our eyes jam, I dey feel the hate enter my bone like cold harmattan. I dey ask myself, which kind heart strong like this one? But Naija man no dey gree when e believe say you betray am, especially soldier wey don see blood before.

Later, dem catch me put for top city wall. Dem fear say I go recite curse again, so Musa no even let the enemy finish talk before arrow fly from him hand enter my chest. I try catch him eye, hope say maybe e go show small mercy, but all I see na cold, stone resolve. My blood dey drip slow for arrow, red like palm oil, and for the first time, I smile, teeth white for all the wahala.

The sky that day red like palm wine stain, and the crowd wey gather dey make noise but na only my own heartbeat dey beat loud for my ear. Na for that moment I realise, life no balance at all. Even inside pain, person fit still see small peace. My smile weak but stubborn, like say I dey tell the world e no fit break me finish.

System, abeg, I fit go now?

[Awaiting system calculation of rewards. Estimated completion in ten days.]

I just sigh.

Ten more days... Shebi na suffering dey wait me again, or I go finally see peace?