MERMAID OF CALABAR

Episode 2 : FEAR AND OBSESSION

🐠🐠 MERMAIDS OF CALABAR (SEASON ONE) 🔞

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

CHAPTER 2: FEAR AND OBSESSION

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.

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🐠 WRITER'S POV 🐠

Twenty years had passed since the great battle between the witches and the supernatural forces that nearly wiped humanity from existence.

While the world slowly recovered from the aftermath of the cataclysm, Calabar remained one of the cities struggling to rebuild. The city had survived the war, but its economy had been badly damaged.

For fifteen years, unemployment increased, inflation became unbearable, and the population continued to grow as immigrants arrived from states that had been destroyed during the supernatural war.

With few opportunities available, many desperate people turned to crime, especially smuggling.

Before long, smuggling became a major problem in Calabar. Pirates emerged, criminal groups took control of the waterways, and an underground network began operating throughout the city.

Every week brought reports of stolen shipments, illegal contraband, and warehouses being raided. Some of the stolen goods were even sold outside Calabar.

Unfortunately, the business came with deadly consequences.

Fake and dangerous drugs entered the city, causing numerous deaths. Worse still, rival pirate groups began fighting over territory and profits. Their greed eventually resulted in violent gang wars and countless deaths.

Desperate to restore order, the state government, local government chairmen, and community leaders introduced a law known as the Condemnation Act.

The law contained three major rules:

First: Any pirate proven to have taken a life during an illegal operation would have their assets confiscated and be sentenced to life imprisonment in the Cargo Prison. Those who committed no killings would also be sent to the prison for the remainder of their lives.

Second: Anyone caught possessing contraband would lose their property and serve ten years in the Cargo Prison.

Third: Anyone found near the docks, rivers, or coastline after 10 p.m. without a valid reason or evidence of lawful activity would be heavily fined. Failure to pay would result in five years in the Cargo Prison.

For five years, the law brought peace and stability to Calabar.

However, some people refused to obey it.

Traditional worshippers continued visiting the rivers at night to perform sacrifices to Ananse, the river goddess, while smugglers secretly used the darkness to conduct their illegal business.

And not everyone who entered the water returned alive.

---

THE COMMUNITY MEETING

One chilly evening, several influential men gathered inside a community center in Ibeno Local Government Area to discuss the increasing pirate attacks.

Chief Asibong:

Twenty years have passed since the great cataclysm nearly wiped us out. What's the point of surviving that disaster only to suffer like this?

Pastor Edet:

Be careful what you say, Chief. This situation is terrible, but it is nothing compared to the cataclysm.

Chief Asibong:

Easy for you to say, Pastor. You're not the one losing shipments at sea. The cost of living is unbearable, and nobody can afford these losses.

Chief Akanimoh:

Exactly. Our goods are being stolen, and you call this the will of God?

Pastor Edet:

Everything that happens is according to God's will.

Inspector Ambrose:

Enough, gentlemen. Arguing won't solve anything. However, I may have a lead.

The room became silent.

Chief Asibong:

Do you know who's behind the piracy?

Inspector Ambrose:

Not yet, but we have a suspect.

Mr. Etim:

Who?

Inspector Ambrose:

Joseph.

Everyone stared at him.

All:

Joseph?!

Pastor Edet:

That boy? I always knew he couldn't be trusted.

Chief Akanimoh:

You're saying Joseph, the fish seller, is a pirate? That's ridiculous.

Chief Asibong:

I agree. We have smugglers and traditional worshippers performing sacrifices around the rivers. Why accuse Joseph?

Inspector Ambrose:

Because our intelligence shows that the shipments are usually attacked just before they reach shore. And Joseph has repeatedly violated the third law. He's been caught swimming around the docks and rivers late at night.

Chief Akanimoh:

So what?

Inspector Ambrose:

What if he's working as an informant? What if he's giving the pirates information about when the shipments arrive?

Chief Asibong:

Joseph doesn't look like a pirate.

Inspector Ambrose:

Appearances can be deceiving. Besides, a pirate doesn't have to look dangerous. Joseph has always been treated badly by this community. Perhaps he's angry enough to seek revenge.

Chief Akanimoh:

Even if that's true, you have no proof.

Chief Asibong:

I don't believe Joseph is responsible. If you ask me, the followers of Ananse are more suspicious.

Suddenly, the door opened.

The Chief Priest of Ananse, Ekanem, stepped inside.

Ekanem:

May Ananse curse your foul mouth! How dare you accuse me?

Pastor Edet:

The devil's servant has arrived. Enough of this nonsense about Ananse. She doesn't exist. Only Jesus does.

Ekanem:

Close your blasphemous mouth, Pastor! Ananse protected this land long before your religion arrived.

Chief Akanimoh:

Enough. Have your sacrifices revealed anything?

Ekanem's expression became serious.

Ekanem:

Yes. And believe me, the worst is yet to come. Ananse has shown me that our nation will face an even greater crisis. But there is salvation.

Chief Asibong:

And what is this salvation?

Ekanem:

An unnatural union. Only through such a union will our people find peace.

The men exchanged confused looks.

Pastor Edet:

This is absurd.

Ekanem:

Believe me or don't. But mark my words. This is only the beginning of our nightmare.

He turned toward the door.

Ekanem:

And leave Joseph alone. I have a feeling that boy will one day save us all.

Ekanem left.

Chief Akanimoh:

Enough of this prophecy. We'll deal with the pirate crisis ourselves.

Chief Asibong:

Ambrose, if you still believe Joseph is involved, bring us concrete evidence before arresting him.

Inspector Ambrose:

I will. I wonder what that boy is doing right now.

---

NKese'S HOUSE

Meanwhile, in another part of Calabar, Joseph's foster mother, Nkese, sat outside her home with several neighbors.

They discussed the gruesome death of a young woman whose body had been found torn in half.

Although the death was tragic, some of the women admitted they found it difficult to sympathize with her because of her cruel behavior.

Agatha:

This is what happens when people think their actions aren't being watched by God.

Catherine:

I feel sorry for her parents. She brought shame upon their family.

Nkese:

Whatever she did, she's gone now. All we can do is pray for her soul.

Francine:

Speaking of young people, how is Joseph?

Nkese:

Still the same.

Francine:

That boy has certainly grown into a handsome young man.

Agatha:

And he's strong too. He helped my husband clear the garage yesterday. He lifted everything by himself.

Catherine:

He's a wonderful young man. I wish my son were like him.

Francine:

Is he seeing anyone?

Nkese:

I don't know. He doesn't talk much about his social life. I've seen him talking to Sofia, Nene's daughter.

Francine:

That girl? I hope he's not interested in her. She's too vain.

Catherine:

My Gina likes Joseph. I think they'd make a perfect match.

Francine:

In your dreams. My Erica is a devoted Catholic. Nobody deserves Joseph more than her.

Nkese smiled.

Nkese:

Ladies, enough. Joseph is an adult now. The decision is his.

Agatha:

By the way, where is he?

Nkese:

I don't know. He's always disappearing like a ghost. He's a good boy, but he has one strange habit.

Catherine:

The river?

Nkese sighed.

Nkese:

Exactly. No matter how many times I warn him, he keeps going there. He studies aquatic legends, treasures, and different species of fish. His journals are filled with drawings.

Francine:

When did this obsession begin?

Nkese:

When he was very young.

Catherine:

I just hope he's not at the river tonight.

Before Nkese could answer, Catherine suddenly pointed toward the road.

Catherine:

Isn't that Joseph with Mr. Bassey?

Nkese looked up.

Her heart sank when she saw Joseph approaching with the elderly man.

She immediately knew something was wrong.

Nkese:

Good evening, Bassey.

Bassey:

Evening, Nkese.

Nkese:

Has something happened?

Bassey:

I'm afraid so. Your son was caught swimming in the river again.

Nkese turned toward Joseph.

Nkese:

Joseph! Why?

Joseph:

I was working on my research.

Bassey:

Research? What's so important about swimming in the river at night?

Joseph:

You wouldn't understand.

Bassey:

Nkese, this is the twentieth time I've caught him. The local authorities are becoming restless. He must stop before he gets himself arrested.

Nkese:

Thank you, Bassey. I'll talk to him.

Joseph walked into the house without another word.

Bassey:

That boy is strange.

Francine:

I hope he isn't cursed. Nobody should be this obsessed with the river.

Nkese's expression hardened.

Nkese:

Joseph isn't cursed. Now, please leave. I need to speak with my son.

---

THE TRUTH

After everyone left, Nkese entered Joseph's room.

He sat at his desk, working on his assignment.

Nkese:

Joseph.

Joseph:

Yes, Ma?

Nkese:

Why won't you stop going to the river? You know how dangerous things have become. I don't want anything happening to you.

Joseph:

Mom, nothing makes me feel more alive than being in the river. I can't explain it. I feel at peace there.

Nkese:

But you're putting yourself in danger.

Joseph:

I'm not doing anything wrong.

Nkese sighed.

Nkese:

Please, Joseph. Don't you care what people think?

Joseph:

No. I like who I am. I won't change myself just to satisfy people.

Tears filled Nkese's eyes.

Joseph immediately softened.

Joseph:

I'm sorry, Mom.

Nkese:

I'm afraid something will happen to you. Innocent people can be arrested for crimes they didn't commit.

Joseph:

God is with us.

Nkese stared at him for a moment.

Nkese:

Joseph, there's something I should have told you a long time ago.

She reached beneath her wrapper and brought out a strange gem.

Joseph stared at it curiously.

Nkese:

This was the only thing you had when I found you.

She finally told him the truth about his past.

Joseph listened quietly.

When she finished, he surprised her.

Joseph:

I know you're not my biological mother.

Nkese's eyes widened.

Nkese:

What? How?

Joseph:

Christopher told me years ago.

Nkese:

That fool! I knew I shouldn't have told him.

Joseph:

Did you ever see the people who brought me to you?

Nkese:

No. I found you alone. Your blanket was covered in blood, and this gem was the only thing you had.

Joseph stared at the mysterious stone.

Joseph:

So my parents could still be alive?

Nkese:

I don't know. I always assumed they died during the crisis ten years ago. I was afraid whatever happened to them might explain your obsession with the river.

Joseph remained silent.

Nkese:

I'm sorry I kept this from you.

Joseph:

It's okay, Mom.

Nkese:

I can't stop you from going to the river, but promise me you'll be careful.

Joseph:

I promise.

Nkese smiled faintly.

Nkese:

And don't forget that you start your degree tomorrow. Your scholarship is a great opportunity. Don't waste it chasing girls or getting into trouble.

Joseph:

Relax, Mom. I'm not easily distracted by women.

Nkese:

We'll see.

Joseph smiled.

Joseph:

I'll still come home every weekend. Besides, you need me to fish for you.

Nkese:

God bless you, my son. Just focus on your studies.

Joseph:

I hope Christopher returns soon. This house needs a man.

Nkese laughed.

Nkese:

That man has certainly spoiled you.

Joseph:

But you miss him, don't you?

Nkese:

Mind your business. Your food is in the kitchen.

Joseph:

Thanks, Mom. Good night.

Nkese:

Good night, my son.

Nkese left the room.

Joseph remained alone.

His eyes slowly returned to the strange gem lying on his table.

For some reason, the moment he touched it, he felt a strange sensation.

A distant sound echoed in his mind.

The sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Joseph froze.

Then, somewhere far away in the darkness, something beneath the water opened its eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED...