Stranger things
1170 Words
"So we should wait for everything to erase or what?", Stanley asked, scratching his head.
"No, I think you have to wait for us to join you here", Joe explained. "It's happening in the real world so we are the ones dying"
"Neron was probably smiling while he showed you the vision", the old man said.
"Why would he smile? He won't be gaining anything either"
"Yea, maybe so but he's pretty obsessed with life in the real world. Since he can no longer live again, he probably wants the same fate for everyone."
"That's crazy", Joe said and stood up. "Now I feel like staying here".
"Sorry but there's a limit", Toby said. "You'll soon feel yourself fading".
"I guess I have to find life, out there, then", he replied.
"You should not give up. Everything still seems strange".
The old man and the woman stopped talking.
"I should be more confused... and I am", Joe stood up. "I am not willing to go through hell, saving a part of the world, and fade along with the rest of the world"
They all went outside as Joe prepared to go back.
The cold satisfactory breeze blew again, as beautiful as it always has been in Daylight.
"This skies make me want to change my mind", Joe said. "One day, I'll end up here".
"Or the gates will be opened and you'll be getting a straight judgement", the old man said, finally. They laughed.
"Look!", Toby said and pointed. There were many people watching from a far distance.
"Who are they?"
"They are your soldiers", Toby said. "They'll still help you if you continue your journey".
Joe laughed as the 'soldiers' saluted him.
Joe raised his hand, looking at his palm. "I think it's happening already". His body seemed to be blown to dust by the wind. He was erasing, from the bottom, upwards.
"Goodbye", Stanley said, waving his left hand, with a fake smile on his face.
"Goodbye", Joe replied, as he completely erased.
"I guess there's space for more to come, is there?", Stanley asked.
They walked in. "There's more to Daylight than this place", Toby replied. "We can't meet everyone".
"Do you think Joe will give up the fight?", Stanley asked.
Lola walked out of a room. "He has left?"
"Just now", Toby replied. "We shouldn't let him give up. Neron probably created the illusion".
"If the world is ending, then we should be scared too", the old man said. "Daylight is like a whole new world and if the end of the world is God's plan, the gates should open, very soon. We are on the sweet side of afterlife but where we end up is still not sure..."
★★★ ★★★ ★★★
"Why are you here with us?", Tanna asked. "Why telling us this?"
"It's because I am human too", Kenny replied. "I can imagine myself locked behind the gates without the power to fight for my rights and guess what! I don't love it so much."
"Ok, that's cool", Idris said. "That's not meant to make us feel comfortable, right?"
Alex smiled and whispered. "You better not feel comfy or you'll forget which soldier is who and jump at one of those lunatics".
Kenny laughed. "Oh, you can.... if you can dodge bullets for the rest of your life".
"Either ways, your life becomes shorter", Chuma giggled. "While we're eating, you'll be busy dodging bullets. Unfortunately, you don't have a big stomach like mine".
They laughed. Ada moved closer to Chuma and whispered softly in his ears, "you are getting free with him, already. it's sweet".
"Yea", he whispered back. "He means no harm. Everyone is getting free with him".
They all seemed to like him. No one was forced to stay composed.
"I should go, now", Kenny said, winked at Tanna, and gave Chuma a thumbs_up. "It was nice talking to you all. I will be a friend, listen to your complaints and help you when I can.... it's a promise".
"That's cute", Don said, indifferently. "and unbelievable, too". Kenny had gone already.
"He definitely doesn't mean any harm", a girl defended him.
"I know", Don replied. "It's just crazy 'cause... I'm confused.... Odogwu is saying 'stranger things'. Whatever the 'stranger things' is, it's probably Kenny... and his plots, if he has any"
"I've heard and seen atrocities of Nigerian soldiers", Tanna said, with so much admiration. "but this man is acting differently... like a new being"
"Hmm", Alex and Idris chorused and looked at each other. They moved closer and whispered gossips.
"What's she talking about?", Idris said.
"I want to know", Alex replied.
"Are you going to ask?"
"If I want to know"
"Ok, ask her... since you want to know"
"Why would I want to know?", Alex said
"Because you already said so"
"I can't remember ever talking to you"
"I know.... just testing if your short-term memory was still there"
"Alex turned his face, looking at him. "what's the result?"
"It's worse"
"What's worse?"
"The test I just told you about".
"I am pretty sure we never discussed that"
Ada watched, with her lips apart and an awful look on her face. "Are you guys serious?"
"Were you listening?", Alex asked as they laughed.
"Come on! We're just joking", Idris said.
"Let them be. They're dumb", Chuma said.
"I can already see that", Ada replied.
"Hey!", Chuma called Tanna's attention. "Lotanna!"
"Hi", she replied.
"You like him?"
Tanna smiled. "Why would I?"
"I don't know... but I'm pretty sure he already likes you"
She smiled and nodded impulsively. "Okay"
★★★ ★★★ ★★★
He didn't know who or what he would meet but he 'found no life' so he was going to take the soldier's advice.
He hid behind the cars and watched. He definitely couldn't sneak in so he didn't want to see anyone but the soldier who made the promise.
Two soldiers were sitting, out there. They were chatting, silently, unarmed. None of the two soldiers resembled the one he needed to see. He must not be seen by anyone else. That would lead him back to the grasses where he had luckily escaped from.
After waiting for as long as he could possibly endure, the soldier appeared. He said something to the two soldiers and they quickly rushed in, leaving the other soldier out there. That was his prayer; getting to speak with the soldier alone.
"Hello, sir!", he quickly shouted as loud as the man could hear and low enough to prevent other soldiers from hearing.
The soldier quickly turned. He didn't say anything as he pulled out his gun.
"It's me! it's me!", the guy quickly came out. "I'm Akeem. You released me, that..."
"I remember", the soldier, Uthman, said, looking around carefully. "Ok... if anyone asks you anything, you are a new soldier and you just got posted here... I will get my people in on this".
"Thank you very much, sir".
"You can call me Uthman... let's quickly go and get you the clothes"
- Writer
