Captivating Beauty

The Journey

Chapter Three

Loneliness

The night is as darkness as coal, almost impossible to see anything on your path, yet they seemed to know their way. Most people lack guts to travel by the sea at this time of the night with a paddling canoe, but it was normal for these strangers Ego thought. They do not look threatened, the sea seemed to be like home. They do not talk to each other, but they seemed to understand themselves. Could it be that these men are communicating in such a way that my kind of person won't understand? she thought. They do not feel cold, but here I am almost frozen. There are so many things that is not normal about these people. The boat man has never for once stopped paddling since we started the journey yet, he does not look tired. How I wish I can just tell them I want to go back, but am scared. Who knows if I do, they may start acting mean and been hard on me. Or should I escape by swimming back home? I don't think I can sustain that. We are already far away from home and am going to freeze. What have I got myself into? she asked herself " HAD I KNOWN" always comes at last. If I had accepted Zaki's proposal today, I wouldn't be in this situation. Zaki is such a nice person, who is at least comfortable and capable of taking care of me. Why on earth did I reject him. Where exactly are these men taking me to? She thought as tears covers her eyes. It is really not good to underestimate people. I so much underestimated most of the young men in Ugwu. At a point I thought non of them is worth me. Look at me now as common as nothing, fell so cheap for a man I do not know what he intend to do with me right now. How I wish I can rewind the hands of time to rewrite my wrongs.

Ego woke up with the drop of thick blanket on her body. How come I slept of? Thank God am still alive, I will try not to sleep again and who dropped this blanket on me? she said within her mind as she turns to check around.

Why is your heart troubled?

Oh my god, Ego screamed! immediately she twisted around. Jazz is that you?

I got you a blanket to keep you warm for the night. He said, as he stood up to leave.

Wait wait please Ego beckoned. Please, you don't want to talk to me, you don't want to stay close to me. Please can you tell me at least where we are going because we have spent hours on this boat and yet we are still moving?

We are going home Jazz replied as he walks away.

Home? What kind of home? Please tell me as she sobs.

Now I believe nothing is normal here. Even as we talk, the others acted like nobody was talking. How they got the blanket they gave to me is still a mystery. What does these people want from me? Why would they take the stress to move all these distance down to my village, to marry a girl they did not actually need. I hope this is just a bad dream, that will vanish immediately I wake up. But this doesn't seem like a dream. Is this how my life is going to end? I won't see Chudy my brother no more, I won't see my father and mother and I won't see my best friend Nekky again.

Series of thoughts keeps flashing through her mind as the boat sailings.

Within a short while, we will arrive the border gate, I need you to comport yourself or you will not be allowed inn. The eldest said to Ego.

Perhaps, I will not be allowed inn if I constitute nuisance. therefore, I will scream to ensure that, Ego thought within.

Do not be deceived, and do not carry out what you have in mind. Any human who get to this point, is never going back. There is just two options, is either you go inn peacefully or you will be put to death by the people at the gate. The middle aged man said.

What!, how come he knew what I had in mind? This particular man hasn't spoken a word since they arrived my house till now, this is his first statement and it is a warning she said to herself.

But sire, what do you mean by no human is ever going back when they get to this point? What are you guys? Are you not humans?

At this point, Ego was scared to death when she got no reply.

What does he mean, so these men are not humans. If this is true, then am lost forever. Since no human can come here, that means no one can ever come to rescue me. Oh my god am lost, is this how it is going to end for me? God please help me.Tears rolls down her chick as she thought within herself.

Ego watched in amazement as one of the men lifted himself so high and dived straight into the water as they got to a place. At this point She was confused, as she looked upon the other two men expecting them to jump too.

No need of asking them what the problem is because they will not respond. Are you sure that man is still alive? she asked herself. for more than five minutes, that man has been under the water. I have never seen a man do that, and remain the same.

When it seemed to Ego that the man is dead and gone. she was so shocked when the man jumped into their boat from the water still looking dried up and holding a big key on his hand. She could not hold back the fright as she screamed.

Oh my god, how is that possible?

he is still alive, and he does not even look like he came out of water, he is still looking dry. for real, these people are not humans.

Ego was shivering like a c**k about to be slaughtered.

He plucked the key he was holding straight on air and twisted it like he was going to unlock a door. Behold, a different view of the supposed direction surfaced, a well lighted up area.

Ahh! so there was a gate here all along. This should be the border gate they spoke about earlier. So am about to leave my world. What will happen to me if I cross over to the other side? That gate was invincible. How I wished this is a dream, I will just wake-up. What mess did I put myself into? So I will never see my family again. I put myself in this. Ego said as she wept quietly.

If you want to be alive, don't dare to do anything stupid. There are sea warriors in their hideout, ready to attack. Jass said as he touches her nose, eyes and ears.

Ego looked with surprise. What was that for, she asked.

You will Understand soon. jazz said as they move into the gate.

Ego managed to hold herself from screaming to avoid attack from the sea warriors.

So this is the kind of husband I married, a mermaid? So you guys are mermaid. She said as she cried calmly.

Jazz draged her by the hand, and they both fell into the water, as Ego try to free her hand from his grip. They all swum straight deep down.

What, how is this possible. I can breath in the water Ego said, Oh my god, I can even talk. What happened to me?

Ego's fright was mixed with gladness, when she found out she can actually breath in the water, Because drowning has always been her fright. Seeing that she can breath gave her little relief.

Ego was marvelled to behold more beautiful structure under the water, then what they have in the island.

A handsome Aged man in a position of a king, pointed nose, all white hair with a crown on, masculine physique smiling as they approach, with much jubilation from the inhabitants of the aquatic community as though they have caught a big fish. The three men went straight to bow before him in respect.

Welcome home my daughter, the man said.

Home? this is not my home. I was kidnapped by your people in the guise, they came for marriage, I was deceived, I want to go home, Ego sobs.

Hmm! there is no need to cry, this is your home. Everything you need is here, what ever you want, name it. The buildings magnificent, good food, protection, name it. We have them in abundance an also to call to your notice, no human comes to this place and leave alive.

Ego was in tears as the man speaks.

I beg you, I will never disclose the way to this place to anyone if you let me go, I cross my heart it will be my secret for the rest of my life. Please, I want to go back to my family.

Raven, please take her to her place, provide her with what so ever will ensure her comfortability. With time she will understand, the man said.

I will never understand, I want to go home Ego cried as Raven leads her.

You haven't touched your food, don't you like it? Does it not taste like what you eat out there? Trust me, try one out and thank me later.

Raven is trying everything to make sure Ego feels at home. Changed her cloth, weave her hair, tell her things even when she looks uninterested.

Can I ask you?

Raven nods in consent.

Why was I kidnapped?

No don't say that, you were not kidnapped, the prince loves you that's why he married you, Raven said.

Oh! he is the prince? Ego cuts inn. No wander he thinks he can get what ever he want any time he wishes. How dare he pick me from my home to dump me under the sea.

At this point Raven watches her silently with a look of pity, as she cry.

Raven is soft hearted, she finds no delight in seeing people suffer. she tried to console her.