Getting Used To The Chains
1010 Words
"Like a horse?", Ada laughed, loudly. Her white set of teeth were revealed, and her dimples too. She was one of the most beautiful girls there but no one had time to confirm that. She had a long dark hair, hazel eyes and a pointed nose. She wasn't endowed with enormous boobs and backsides as many would desire but her beauty was compelling.
"Yes. He looks like a starved horse... horrible thing", Stanley said, watching her laugh.
"I'm really grateful", she stopped laughing. "I'd have been defiled like the others"
"You're a virgin?"
"Yes, I am. I am barely noticed. The only guy who seemed to notice me was taken, about two months ago."
"Taken?"
"The soldiers took him to God-knows-where and didn't bring him back".
"Really? Just him"
"No. Many others have been taken... probably freed"
"Ok, that remains a mystery.... if you ever got out of here, what would you want to do?"
"Things can no longer be the same. There's no hope of getting out of here, soon".
Stanley took her hand. "Look up. What do you see?
"Stars , the Moon, the sky....".
"They never cease to remain what they've always been. We can't change who we are. As long as the sun gives light to the Earth, there's hope"
They both fell asleep on the spot. Everyone had to sleep under the open skies. No cover cloth or mosquito repellent nets.
"Joe!", Alex said. "You said something was going to happen. What's it?
"It's nothing... We are all going to see but for now, let's sleep. Troubles never end..."
★★★ ★★★ ★★★
They formed queues, on the command of the soldiers, and collected new clothes as they went to the river to bath. The sharing of new clothes, only happened once in a while. A selected few were separated to provide cloths, foods and other necessities.
"Welcome, bro", Joe greeted Stanley. "Seems like it's your first day".
"It is... and I'm still wondering how you guys survive here. What if I wanted to pee?"
"There are makeshifts in the jail they put us in..... so crazy". They got to the river and took turns; six boys at a time. The girls took their bath in another river.
"Soldiers have black buttocks, you know?" Idris said, nudging Alex gently. He's the small clown among them.
"Have you been spying on them?"
"I don't have to. it's simple logic. Black face equals black butt... Have you seen a naked female soldier?
"No", Alex replied. "Have you?"
"No... but I think of it. The black face and the SCARY WIDE ASS", Idris said, emphasizing the last three words and illustrating with his hands.
"Shut up!", Chuma said.
Stanley looked around, seeming to have noticed many chances of escape. "Why hasn't anyone thought of escaping?"
"Many ones have tried escaping", Joe replied. "The rest is history."
They got into the river and took their bath.
"Who else is wondering what happened to the old men and women?", Idris asked.
"There are many camps... or jails, out there. You didn't think we are all of Nigeria, did you?", Chuma replied.
"Many people died, though. That's probably half of Nigeria's population. who knows?"
★★★ ★★★ ★★★
"Thank you", Idris said, slightly bowing his head, as he collected his food and entered the camp.
They had formed six queues and food was shared to them.
"Who cooks this food?", Idris managed to ask with a mouthful.
"You should have asked them", Chuma replied. "So they can shoot you in the head for talking."
"Uhn! Come on, shoot for talking?", Stanley asked, perplexed.
"Yea! They could shoot you for sneezing", Joe replied. ".... even, for chewing loudly."
They burst into laughter. "That's if they hear you," Chuma said, mimicking the soldiers. "The i***t with the black bald head is gon' be like 'Hey! see that guy's mouth; he must be chewing loud. Tch-kkk! ptoom!"
One of the 'inmates', among Don's pack, was running round the field with his food, as a thousand people ran after. That was the daily morning ritual; the last to finish his meal is joined by the rest.
"Ada!", Stanley called, waving his right hand. She smiled and waved back, vigorously. Her friends laughed and teased her.
Ada walked over to Stanley and they moved aside to talk.
"I used to have a love story, man!", Idris commented, mimicking the duo in a silly way.
"Tell me about it...", Alex replied.
"She's a white girl", Idris began.
"Where d'you meet?"
"She acts Bollywood"
"Indians are not white"
"Uhn!?", Idris exclaimed. "Have you seen her? is she your girl? is it your story? No... she's white"
Stanley held Ada's hands. She was blushing like a novice. She was a novice, though.
"How are the girls?", Stanley asked.
"They're okay", Ada replied. "Things get less awkward, everyday. They are like family now"
"Cool", Stanley smiled. "These guys are funny. I'm just getting to know them but they seem like pretty good people."
"Tracy told me the old and the gifted people are kept in a special place. Still wondering how they're treated"
"Yea... and those who were hospitalised for one sickness or the other".
"They were probably left to die".
"Or left with some of our doctors. I guess we'll never find out", Stanley said. Ada looked startled and giggled.
"Now that sounds like 'HOPE'", she commented, sarcastically.
"Come on, I'm hopeful", Stanley replied. "We will leave here. I believe!", he added, dramatically.
"So what happened to her?", Chuma asked Idris.
"She left the tv screen", Idris replied. They burst into laughter.
"You guys never met?"
"Well, we saw each other. There was love in my eyes. There was love in her eyes, too"
"She saw you?", Alex asked, still laughing.
"Well, she was looking at me.... and there was love in her eyes so... I think she did"
Joe suddenly stood up, like he saw something.
"Joe!?", Stanley exclaimed.
"What's wrong with your friend?", Ada asked.
"It's happening again", Idris commented.
"The ghosts?", Alex asked.
Chuma answered, unsurprised, "They're back"...
- Writer
