A STRANGE LAND

The creation of man divide and rule. The system got us here. Feed us like dogs, kill us like dogs. There are key moments over the course of life that shape who you are. I've watched so many things happen; children die of hunger, people being sold into slavery, r**e, people suffering sins they didn't commit.... Why? I ask myself again, why? "Shakes his head", "Remembers how Odogwu was tied to the tree and flogged mercilessly. Tears ran through my eyes as I thought on how I would make a change. Drawing in a piece of paper when the teacher called my name, Okpalaeze, could you please answer the question on the board, looking lost, errrmmm, "the students laughed at me... It's that simple, What is a noun? Young man, "walks up to me angrily and looking directly into my book", what are you writing, is anything bothering you, why is your mind not here? Still looking confused and couldn't utter a word, Okpalaeze, you must come to my Office on Friday, since you've refused to talk in front of your classmates, am I cleared?, "Mr Clinton asked, staring right into my eyes. Alright sir, still looking lost. Can someone please help the lost soul out, "Uche raises his hand and answers the question. The student clapped for him and I was asked to sit down. Alright class, it's already 1:30pm and it's almost time for dismissal, "bell rings and the whole student stepped out for prayers"......... Hey guy, what happened back there, you couldn't even answer the question said Amaka.. Uche, hits Amaka's head, have you forgotten, the dude is a dumb ass. "The four friends laughed so hard"... Enyinnaya, have you ever done an assignment on your own, "Okpalaeze asked"? I practically do everything for you guys. "In a calm voice", we know, we love you, and we do care about you. Can you please tell us what the problem is? Don't bother, you won't understand. Then Make us understand, " Amaka walks up to him, holding his hands. Okpalaeze stops walking, and starts crying, I'm tired of the whole thing, oneday we might all be killed too, we might all be sold into slavery, things might get worse.. I've really been thinking about the same thing, since the white men arrived we've known no peace said Uche. The principal punished Udodimma severely just because she fought with Harry, what did he do to Harry, nothing, he did absolutely nothing to Harry. Okpalaeze listen, for now, you can't do anything about it, we just have to pray to Chukwuokike( God) to help us... I believe everything will be fine. Amaka hugs him... Let's go home, we've wasted a lot of time here, my mom will be worried by now... Nneoma, Nneoma, Nneoma, "sitting down on a wooden chair helplessly with his long chewing stick in his mouth", "holding his hand fan", Mr Amadi's calls his wife. Walks out of the hut, Ee nnanyi(my husband), "you called me",yes, can you please come and rub my back, I feel pain all over. Nnaanyi(my husband), you have to stop over working yourself, even though we're slaves to the white men, we mustn't kill ourselves. Obika died the other day just because he had to dig coal for so long without resting. Nneoma, also remember that, Echezona was killed because he asked for him to rest.. We must be obedient or do you want to loose your husband? "Asked calmly, with a smile on his face"... No Nnanyi( my husband), but this whole thing has to stop. It's becoming unbearable and the Chiefs have done nothing about it. Then Nneoma you must pray for a savior to come. I can't wait Nnanyi, we will wait for a savior to come.... Where are these children, Nnanyi ( my husband), they're not back, probably they're on their way home. Ok then!. Good afternoon mama, Good afternoon papa,. Walks past his parents.. Hmmm, What's wrong with your son? "Mr Amadi's wondering why his son's face is not normal". I don't know, maybe he had a quarrel with a white man's child you know how he hates his teacher, Maybe Mr Clinton annoyed him or something... "Amobi entered happily with an Antelope caught by his trap", Mama, papa, I told you my trap never fails, look at how big this Antelope is, "throws it to the floor". My son, I'll make a good soup with this, "Nneoma tries to touch the meat", No mama, I learnt this from the white man's church, man shall not live by bread alone. I'll sell this for money, Amobi picks it up immediately... My son, since you attend the white man's church, why don't you want to go to their school, atleast, "trying to complete his sentence when his son cuts him short",eeeeemm papa, papa, I want to be a hunter, besides I hate the white men, I attend the same worship place with them because I like the teaching and not because of anything else... Mama I'm going to sell this, see you later. "Feels a touch on his shoulder", Amobi quickly opens his eyes, shhhhh! "Okpalaeze covers his brother's mouth", did you hear that sound? "Amobi listens carefully", yes, "removing his brother's hand from his mouth", that's Odilichukwu's voice, I've been awake, the white men are in their house, they r***d her and took his took his Younger brother to serve them. She's been crying ever since. What if they come to our house"Amobi asked", you have a point, let's hide.. Okpalaeze jumped out of the window while he helped his younger brother out, a bright light shinned on them, behold, it was the white man's torch. Amobi tried to run but Okpalaeze pulled him back" why are you awake you black monkeys? "The first soldier asked, he didn't get any reply. The white man gave Okpalaeze a punch and asked for the younger one, Amobi raised his hand and was dragged out. The second soldier gave Amobi a punch on his face. Hey you, are you gonna let your kid brother go through torture or are you ready to say why you're outside? Okpalaeze starred at the soldier's face without saying a word. "Drags Amobi's close to himself, pulls his clothes and starts flogging him"... Amobi cried so hard that Okpalaeze couldn't stand the cry of his brother and said we're out because my little brother wants pee. Then the white man leaves Amobi and smiles at Okpalaeze and both of them walked away... The taller one came back and took Amobi with them, he turned and to Okpalaeze and whispered" this is for keeping us waiting for so long... Amobi cried deeply but the white men dragged him away, Okpalaeze struggled but he couldn't rescue his because they were armed.. He went back to the hut crying " his mother cried because she knew her son won't come back to". Okpalaeze blamed himself all through for bringing up escaping from the house.. He's couldn't hold himself. It was a sad night for the family.. Truly, the system got us here, there are key moment over the course of life that who you are, Okpalaeze couldn't believe it was his brother's turn that night.. But he told himself he would get his brother back..