The False Ones Walk Among Us
Chapter 1: The Prophecy of Okpoko
We discover twelve giant bronze pillars deep inside the Okpoko Hills. Everything we find dey point to one ancient warning wey dey shake everybody for bone:
"For the year 2012, the false ones go come, and humanity go finish." (Dem talk say for 2012, fake people go show face, and we humans go end.)
As we gather round those pillars, dust still fresh for our boots, the weight of those ancient words press my chest tight like wrapper for harmattan. The air for Okpoko no dey ever still, but that day, the wind just stop, as if the bush dey listen with us. Some of the elders among the porters cross themselves, one even mutter, "Abeg, make this wahala pass us o." The smell of sweat and old palm oil hung in the air. Nobody laugh.
Wetin really disturb us be say, one scientific expedition team wey disappear for Okpoko Hills also leave the same kind message behind:
Humans no be humans again; dem dey right beside us.
That message, e dey ring for my head, like church bell for Sunday morning. The way the elders dey look each other, eyes sharp, na so everybody start to dey ask silent question inside them mind. Who we dey live with?
That year na exactly 2012, the year wey the prophecy talk about. Because the situation serious, my oga order me make I join the army help investigate wetin dey happen. That time, I no know say humanity fate don already dey follow road wey person don arrange since...
Even as they give me the order, I look my mama face for the small parlour, her eyes dey beg me, "No go do pass yourself." She touch my shoulder, voice low, "You be my only pikin, Chima. Remember say family dey wait for you." But as soldier pikin, I no fit run. For my mind, I talk, "If wahala dey road, na man wey ready dey survive."
