MERMAID OF CALABAR

Episode 3: Joseph Affiong

🧜 MERMAIDS OF CALABAR (SEASON ONE) 🔞

Author: Sadiq Infinity ( Lewis )

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural, Romance, Adventure

Chapter 3: Joseph Affiong!

WARNING: This story contains mature themes and is not suitable for anyone under 18. Do not copy or reproduce this story without the author's permission.

---

🐠 JOSEPH 🐠

Change is necessary in every aspect of life. Without change, there can be no growth, and a life without growth is meaningless.

For as long as I could remember, I had lived with my foster mother, Nkese. She was the person I loved most in the world, and leaving her wasn't easy. Still, I believed going to university was the right step for me.

Only a handful of people in my community truly cared about me. Most disliked me because I was different.

People had always questioned my existence. My foster mother's refusal to reveal anything about my biological parents made them suspicious, while my unusual appearance only fueled their curiosity.

But what made me even more noticeable was my strength.

Ever since childhood, I had possessed physical strength far beyond the average person. At fifteen, while working as a pickup boy, I could effortlessly carry two huge sacks of rice at once. I had the strength of several grown men, and that made some people uncomfortable.

A few boys had tried bullying me because of it, but after I publicly defeated one of them, nobody dared challenge me again.

Then there was my popularity with women.

Older women appreciated me because I was helpful and hardworking, while younger ladies were often attracted to my appearance. I never considered myself a womanizer, and I always maintained my boundaries, but that didn't stop other men from becoming jealous.

For years, people had tolerated me until I began breaking the curfew.

My reason was simple.

I was obsessed with the aquatic world.

My foster mother's lover, Christopher, was a sailor. When I was young, he often took me to the waters of Calabar and told me stories about ancient legends, mermaids, sea creatures, and mysterious civilizations beneath the ocean.

Those stories awakened something inside me.

I began researching aquatic myths and legends from around the world.

Eventually, I found two people who shared my obsession: Sofia and Ben.

Sofia was fascinated by underwater treasures. She had collected countless maps based on rumors that European settlers had buried treasures somewhere beneath the waters of Calabar.

Ben, on the other hand, cared about protecting aquatic life. He created a blog and organized small seminars to raise awareness about pollution and the destruction of marine ecosystems.

With friends like them, I stopped caring about what people thought of me.

My dream was to travel the world and explore the mysterious waters beyond Calabar. I wanted to discover whether something truly extraordinary existed beneath the surface.

University was my first opportunity to make that dream a reality.

---

🐠 A NEW BEGINNING

That morning, I stood on the front porch with my luggage, preparing to leave for university.

Nkese looked happy for me, but I could see the sadness in her eyes.

Nkese:

Joseph, before your transport arrives, there's something I want you to remember. You're a man now, so you must be responsible. Don't get carried away by worldly pleasures. Make good friends, study hard, and use this opportunity to build a better life. Understand?

Joseph:

Yes, Ma. Don't worry. I already have good friends, and you know I'm responsible.

Nkese:

I know. Just don't let people's opinions get to you. You'll meet many people at the university, including some from our community. Ignore anyone who tries to bring you down.

Joseph:

I will, Ma.

Nkese looked at the necklace around my neck.

Nkese:

You're still wearing the necklace I gave you.

Joseph:

Yes. How does it look?

Nkese:

Nice. Whatever happens, don't lose it.

Joseph:

I'll guard it with my life.

She laughed.

Nkese:

Silly boy. Your transport is here.

Before I could leave, she handed me some money.

Joseph:

Mom, you need this more than I do.

Nkese:

No. Take it. I'll be fine.

I sighed and hugged her tightly.

Joseph:

Thanks, Mom. I'll come home every weekend.

Moments later, my transport arrived.

It was a small pickup truck driven by Mr. Joshua, one of Nkese's friends. I had worked for him before, helping transport cargo from the port.

Joshua:

Good morning, Nkese!

Nkese:

Good morning.

Joseph:

Good morning, sir.

Joshua:

Morning, Joseph. So you're finally a university student?

Joseph:

Yes, sir.

Joshua:

Good. Your mother doesn't need to worry. I'll get you there safely.

I climbed into the truck, waved goodbye to Nkese, and we drove away.

Leaving home was painful, but I was excited. I had never traveled outside Calabar, and university felt like the first step toward discovering the world.

After almost an hour, we reached the campus.

Joshua:

Good luck with your studies, Joseph. Don't waste this opportunity.

Joseph:

Thank you, sir. I won't.

Joshua:

And if you ever need a side job, call me.

Joseph:

I will.

Joshua drove away, leaving me standing at the university gate with my luggage.

---

🐠 OLD ENEMIES

The campus was crowded with new students.

I waited for Sofia and Ben, who had both been admitted the previous year.

While waiting, two familiar faces appeared.

Uwem and Ekaette.

Uwem had been my classmate since primary school. He hated me because he believed I was better than him at almost everything. His only advantage was that he came from a wealthy family.

Ekaette had her own reason for hating me.

She was beautiful and used to getting whatever she wanted from men. She had tried to add me to her list of admirers, but I rejected her.

She never forgave me for it.

Together, they had become my biggest enemies.

Ekaette:

Well, well, well. Look who's finally a university student.

Uwem:

University student? Look at his clothes.

I ignored them.

Joseph:

Please leave me alone. I don't have time for this.

Uwem:

Better watch your back, Joseph. This is a different environment. If you mess up, I'm going to—

I stepped closer and stared directly into his eyes.

He immediately became nervous.

I grabbed his collar.

Joseph:

Listen carefully. I don't take kindly to threats. I'm here to study, not cause trouble. But if you get in my way, I'll dismantle you, and you know I can.

I pushed him away.

Uwem fell to the ground as several students stopped to watch.

Humiliated, he quickly got up and left with Ekaette.

Not long after, Ben arrived and helped with my luggage.

Ben:

Joseph, my guy! Sorry I came late.

Joseph:

No problem. Where's Sofia?

Ben laughed.

Ben:

That girl had an interesting night.

Joseph:

What happened?

Ben:

Let's just say she was busy.

I shook my head.

Joseph:

That girl will never change.

We entered the campus and headed toward the male hostel.

---

🐠 THE STRANGE ROOMMATE

The hostel was crowded with students unpacking their belongings.

Ben showed me my room.

It was surprisingly neat and comfortable.

Ben:

What do you think?

Joseph:

It's nice. Where are the other roommates?

Ben:

You'll meet them soon. Pick a bed and unpack. I'll return later and show you around.

Joseph:

Alright.

Ben left.

Minutes later, another student entered.

The moment he stepped inside, I felt something strange.

A dark, overwhelming presence seemed to surround him.

He was about my height, light-skinned, and had an unusually empty expression.

What caught my attention most was the cross around his neck.

Then I noticed the writing on the back of his shirt:

I LOVE EVIL.

My instincts immediately warned me to stay away.

Instead, I approached him.

Joseph:

Greetings, bro.

Ade:

Are you talking to me?

Joseph:

Who else? Nice to meet you. My name is Joseph Affiong.

We shook hands.

The moment our hands touched, a strange chill ran through my body.

Something was definitely wrong with this guy.

Ade:

You're quite strong for a...

Joseph:

For a what?

Ade:

Never mind. You must work out a lot.

Joseph:

Not really. I'm naturally strong.

Ade:

Looks like we're roommates.

Joseph:

You're not from Calabar, are you?

Ade:

No. I'm from Ibadan.

Joseph:

I've heard Ibadan recovered quickly after the Cataclysm.

Ade:

It did. The city is thriving.

Joseph:

I'd love to visit someday.

Ade:

I hope you do.

Joseph:

Why come all the way here to study?

Ade:

I wanted to get away from home and experience something new.

Joseph:

Same here. I want to explore the unknown.

Ade looked at me curiously.

Ade:

The unknown?

Joseph:

I've always been fascinated by supernatural things.

Ade chuckled.

Ade:

You believe in the supernatural?

Joseph:

Don't you?

His smile disappeared.

Ade:

Be careful what you wish for. Some things aren't worth discovering.

Joseph:

That's a risk I'm willing to take. What are you studying?

Ade:

Engineering. You?

Joseph:

History, although I'm interested in marine biology.

Ade laughed softly.

Ade:

You remind me of my uncle. He had the same obsession.

Joseph:

Did he find what he was looking for?

Ade's expression suddenly became serious.

Ade:

Yes. More than he bargained for.

He paused.

Ade:

Let me give you some advice. Don't take your obsession too far, especially in a place like this. Don't let the friendly atmosphere fool you. This place has a very dark history.

Joseph:

Cultists?

Ade shook his head.

Ade:

Something far worse than cultists.

He stared at me.

Ade:

Just be careful.

Joseph:

Thanks.

Ade:

You're welcome.

I watched him walk away.

Something about Ade disturbed me.

I didn't know what it was yet, but I was determined to find out.

---

🐠 U WEM'S REVENGE

Meanwhile, Uwem was still furious about his humiliation.

He paced angrily while his friends, Chiwodee and Terence, stood nearby.

Uwem:

That Joseph! I hate him! I absolutely hate that bastard! How dare he embarrass me like that?

Chiwodee:

Calm down. We'll deal with him.

Terence:

Exactly. If you want, we can finish him tonight.

Uwem shook his head.

Uwem:

No. I don't just want to hurt him. I want to humiliate him. I want him to suffer.

Chiwodee:

So what's the plan?

A wicked smile appeared on Uwem's face.

Uwem:

Don't worry. I have a plan. By the time Joseph realizes what's happening, I'll be the one having the last laugh.

He laughed quietly.

But none of them knew that something far more dangerous was already watching Joseph from the shadows.

TO BE CONTINUED...

NEXT EPISODE: BENEATH THE WATERY DEPTHS 🌊