Mercy coughed back tears she didn't want to cry. She knew she didn't have much time left in this world. She had gone through a series of complications during pregnancy and had lost a lot of blood. Every breath she drew took effort as her blood pressure was dropping drastically at an alarming rate. Mr. and Mrs. Henry shaded tears silently as they held her hands.
"I'm so sorry mum. It's my prayer answered by the eternal ones themselves. I couldn't just restart my life as though nothing happened", Mercy cried out softly and silently as her eyes got caught in her newborn baby sleeping peacefully in her mum's arms. Mr. Henry was crying heavily as the thought of losing Mercy wrecked his mind.
"Daddy, don't cry", She reaches out and slowly and gently squeezes his hand. "Forgive Mike for my sake", she added, knowing she was assigning him another difficult task. Leaving him behind was already difficult.
"Mummy, I want you to give this letter to Honor. There are eight letters each to be given on his birthday but the last letter should be given on his 16th birthday. She handed the letters to her confused mum who she really knew was probably wondering what she wrote in them.
''You will create a hole in our hearts baby", Mrs. sharoh sobbed. Doctors and some nurses watched from the window with sadness written on their faces. One of the hardest tasks of being a medical professional was not being able to save lives. They had tried all their efforts in the theatre to save Mercy but all to no avail. She had suffered internal bleeding during the operation. They watched as Mercy's parents busted out in tears as their daughter gave up the ghost. They moved in quickly to contain the situation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The heavy rain droplets splashed against the closed windows of the big mansion. Flashes of lightning quickly run through the dark clouds, making it roar at every minute. Outside the mansion was a newly dug pit waiting to bury his victim. Chibuike was busy cooking in the kitchen. The knife swung down with full speed, dissecting the chicken meat on the chopping board.
He froze.
He saw something because he raised his knife again and saw an image of a young lady on it. It was a reflection possibly of someone physically present behind him. He would count to three and spin around quickly at the mention of three. Chibuike thought.
One. Whispered Chibuike as he tightened his grip On The knife.
Two.
Three! Chibuike quickly spun around with his nine-inch knife. Nothing. No Lady was visible to the surprise. He was still recovering his five senses when the kitchen door slam shut. Paranoia quickly possessed him as all hairs on his body stood in unison. He knew he was having one of those dreams he usually had when he slept. The flicking of the kitchen lights snapped back his attention. His instincts had told him to grab a flashlight and so he did. As soon as he grabbed the flashlight, the mansion lights went off. Fear tugged at his body as he reassured his grip on the kitchen knife he held at his right hand. He went to the kitchen door and placed his ear against the cold mahogany wooden door. The only sound his ears were picking up was the splashing of rain against the bullet proof windows. This Mansion was specifically built as a protective home for Russian oligarchs. The large kitchen was connected to the dining room through a massive bulletproof door. The dining room was extremely large alone. It had a very long decorated glass dining table with twenty seats. Nine seats each sat on the opposite side of the table with one each on the opposite end of the long table. On the table were neatly arranged ceramic plates with cutleries prepared as though the owner of the mansion were expecting company. Chibuike stepped into the dining room and flashed his touch lights at the corner end of the dining room but couldn't find any lady in a wedding dress. He started to walk away until his ears caught those words that froze his body to a halt.
"It's all your fault. It's all your fault", The voice echoed around the room but its source could be traced from under the table. The voice quietly changed into sobbing and weeping. Every part of Chibuike's body rocked with fear. He felt the voice claw at his face as intense horror hyped up his adrenaline to prepare for a quick sprint.
"Why do you keep doing this to me", Chibuike felt himself yell out aloud. "I said I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I wish none of it ever happened. Please, I'm begging you...."
"I had a life, a fiancée", the voice responded, quickly cutting him off. "Everything was so perfect until you messed it up. I wish you were never born. All your friends are dead and you will be joining them soon", She added with sobbing. Chibuike felt tears wield up in his eyes because he knew she was right. Scorpion and the whole gang had died in a gun battle in a robbing heist they underwent after he left the group. Nemesis was knocking at his door and was coming to get him. The young lady started laughing, her laughter sending fear to Chibuike.
"I can taste your fear", her voice echoed. The room was dead quiet for some minutes. The only sound that could be heard was the tick-tick-tick of the massive luxurious clock on the wall and Chibuike's heartbeat. Before he could even make a move to run for it, the door slammed shut. He ran to the door and struggled to open it but it wouldn't accept his command. He spun quickly at the sound of creeping noise coming from under the table. He directed his flashlight at the table and felt his body move towards it against his will. When he reached a reasonable distance, his legs applied massive breaks. Slowly he bent down to see what was beneath it. Immediately he was thrown off balance and scrambled backwards, his torchlight still pointed at the emerging creature. The young lady's head popped out and then her body. She was the complete definition of a horrible nightmare. Her fingers are covered in long claws like those of a polar bear and had dirty fangs in her mouth. She wore a wedding dress which appeared to initially have a striking beauty but now was covered in dirt and thick mud water. The make-up on her face had slightly washed away and her neatly packed ponytail was in a total mess like those of a homeless drug addict victim. You could tell she was once the center of attraction and very beautiful. Not anymore. One could debate that the devil was even more attractive than her. She was a complete epitome of disaster. Chibuike managed to get up on his feet and run to the door while she crawled out. With a little sunshine of hope, he gave the doorknob a forceful twist and it opened. The overcharged adrenaline in him took him running to his heels as soon as the door opened, without him even looking back for a second. As a black man, he knew better. Only white people look back to check on their enemies. He dashed through the hallways of the mansion and for the first time, he acknowledged how massive it really was. He quickly ran downstairs and found the exit down to the mansion and tried opening it but it wouldn't open. Right outside the door he tried opening was a large padlock installed on it. Whatever was hunting him didn't want any distraction. He quickly found another staircase and ran upstairs in his quest for an escape. He opened and entered the first bedroom on this right in his hallway, making sure he firmly locked it behind. He looked around and frowned, confused by his new surroundings. He found himself in what looked like the master's bedroom. His attention was brought back by the sound of the staircase footsteps and whispers. Without a little option, he scrambled up under the bed and
hid. With a beating heart and pumping blood, he went still quiet and watched in horror as he heard the footsteps in the hallway.
"I will find you", the voice echoed through the hallway. "What's the matter? Last time you were the one chasing me, I guess it's payback time", the footsteps finally stopped at the door of the master's bedroom. Chibuike could see her shadow underneath the door. The doorknob twisted left- right-left and right again but the door didn't open.
Silence.
Boom! A huge blast came right after a few seconds that left a large hole in the door. Chibuike watched in shock as her hand passed through the hole and pulled the doorknob out, forcing the door to obey and open. Tears wielded up in his eyes. He covered his mouth to prevent it from screaming as he wished he would wake up to find out it was just a dream. The same lady on the wedding gown walked in. She was more terrifying this time around because her eyes were white and glowing this time around and accompanying her in her right hand was a shovel. To call this thing a woman was an insult to all women out there. A creature, that's what she was. She investigated her new surroundings for a piece of clue to where her prey was. Moving from corners to corners, her shovel dragged against the beautiful granite tiles. Her prey found it profoundly very difficult to breathe and swallow saliva to prevent getting her attention. She moved around and finally stopped in front of a massive wardrobe. Confident enough that this was her prey hideout, she ripped the door of the wardrobe off its inches. The door of the wardrobe flew across the room, crashing right into a beautiful massive dressing mirror.
"Oops!" The lady exclaimed at her magnificent throw and damage. Finding nothing to her dismay, she turned around to leave. She had worked right to the door when Chibuike, subconsciously gasped out a loud sense of relief. He instantly regretted and cursed inside because she walked right towards the bed. Understanding how futile it was to believe she wouldn't check the bed, he quickly crawled out and made a dash at the window attempting to smash right through it. The lady creature hurled herself at him, and knocked him out with her shovel.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mike knocked very hard on the gate. He looked like he had been left outside for over an hour because he was pacing around restlessly. He was so scattered and disorganized; the once handsome face had turned out pale with battered stress and anxiety. He had lost his job and got divorced two months after his wife conceived their first child. She ended up taking almost all his assets and his child. As if that wasn't enough, he lost his mom that same month. He was certain his world had crashed and he had hit rock bottom. The only person he wanted to see was Mercy. Flood of regret had evaded his mind and it drove him insane. He regretted why he chose his mum's decision and tradition over what he truly wanted and cared about. The same tradition had made him abandon an angel to settle down with a witch in human clothing who had done nothing but tear him apart from limb to limb in an attempt to destroy him. Another thought came to his disorganized mind. Would Mercy accept him? Would she even still love him? Even though it's been nearly ten months since he last saw her. Last time he saw her was in a shopping mall. Judging by the size of her stomach, he could tell she was in her 7th month of pregnancy. He wanted to approach her but he couldn't because he was with his then ex-wife who was also pregnant at the time. He also could read the sadness in her eyes. It was almost as if she could have collapsed at any moment because the wine she held onto and was ready to purchase, slipped out of her hands in shock. While he was recalling his thoughts and memories, the door jacked open and a tiny looking gateman popped his head out. Without uttering a word, Mike rushed in and moved straight into the duplex building seated on the two plots of land. The gateman let out a shout and followed him swiftly while nagging around. He managed to grab Mike's belts and pull him back.
"Who are you?" The gateman asked angrily. "Is that how you behave when you get into other people's homes? And who do you want to see...
"Linus!!" Mr. Henry shouted suddenly appearing from the entrance door of the house. "Is that how you treat a visitor?" He added softly. The ranting and commotion must have brought him downstairs, his wife accompanying him behind.
"Ah! Thank the stars for the both of you", Mike exclaimed happily. I don't even know where to start", Mike said and approached them.
"I am so sorry for everything I have caused and the harm I have inflicted on Mercy....."
A loud slap found its way to his face. It came with lightning speed because Mike couldn't tell where it came from. He only figured it out a few seconds later because Mrs. Sharoh held her husband's hand and begged him to be patient with him. Mike used his palm to cool his hot red face.
"Get out! Get out of here!!" Mr. Henry shouted. Mike knelt down, announced and pleaded for more slaps if that would soften his hearts and allow him to see Mercy. At the mention of their daughter's name, Mrs. Sharoh broke down in tears. Mike was completely at sea. He was already too late. Mercy was gone, gone forever.
"Mike, don't you know? Mercy is...
"Behind the house", Mr. Henry cut his wife off. Mrs. Sharoh stole a glance at her husband and immediately understood the message. True pain is felt intensely when it comes with a surprise. They all knew that and decided Mike needed that. It was now his turn to break down psychologically and he wanted it to happen perfectly. He had known mercy since secondary school and fell in love with her ever since then. Learning his childhood lover and best friend was no more due to his selfish decisions, would tear him apart.
"Thank you so much. I'm so grateful", An unalarmed Mike stood up quickly. He felt a piece of a puzzle was already solved and now all that remained was to get Mercy to forgive him. He moved into the entrance but was blocked halfway by Mr. Henry.
"She's in the backyard", He said.
Backyard? He thought. Oh! Now he remembered. Mercy loved flowers. Her parents knew just that and constructed a little ornamental garden for her. She also had one in their previous house and he had seen her there a lot of times. Without any delay, Mike followed her parents behind to the backyard. It was very decorated with a lot of ornamentals. He could tell why Mercy fell in love with it. He began recollecting his thoughts when Mr. & Mrs. Henry stopped in front of a marble gravestone.
"Hey Mercy. Mike is here. He came to say hi and you were right once again about him coming around anytime soon", Mr. Henry said with hot tears streaming down his eyes as he struggled with his words. His wife hugged him.
"I don't understand....", Mike's voice trailed off. His eyes caught the inscription on the marble gravestone as he knelt down slowly.
"In memory of a loving daughter who died of heartbreak".
Mercy Henry.
1990 - 2015.
Mike felt a spear of despair and guilt pierce his heart. His eyes fixed on the marble gravestone in horror. He felt a piece of him suddenly dying off.
"She had complications during and after pregnancy. She also had heart failure. We call it heartbreak. I'm sorry but you already missed the train. She's gone Mike", Mrs. sharoh said, wiping off her tears. Mike slid his hands into his pocket and brought out an object visible only to him.
"She was heartbroken, Mike. You did this. Now you know the consequences of messing with someone's heart. Especially that of women who are known to be soft hearted and emotional. You really do not know what you have until you lose it ", Mrs. sharoh continued. Mike let out a loud terrifying scream like that of a pregnant woman in labor. A scream filled with pain, rage and guilt. Tears bubbled up his eyes.
"She always prayed for you and has always loved you to the end of times", Mr. Henry said, handing the engagement ring back to Mike, the rightful owner. "She held onto that until her death, always REMEMBER THAT".
Mike took the ring and squeezed it tightly in his palms. He could feel Mercy finally letting go to rest.
"I'm so sorry for making you go through hell. I cannot live without you Mercy. I have been foolish and selfish to you, my angel. If I could give up everything in the world in exchange for you, I would. I will do anything to be with you again. Anything my love", Mike said softly to the surprise of her parents. It was the instant was a smooth flawless transitioning from pain, anger, grief
and finally, to calmness, was indeed striking. He had gone through the five stages of grief instantly.
"Mr. and Mrs. Henry, would you forgive me?" Sobbed Mike softly.
"We have to do so. After all it was our daughter's last dying wish", Mr. Henry replied.
"Perfect", Mike replied back. "I will be with you soon mercy", Mike said to the engagement ring. He pointed the object he took out of his trouser to his chest. Mercy's parents were behind him, paying less attention to
the sobbing young man. Without hesitation, he slowly slid the pocket dagger right into his chest. He grunted softly and gnashed his teeth as it sunk deeper and deeper. His blood poured out of his skin and soaked his white T-shirt.
"What is life?" Mike coughed out blood quietly. His breathing decreased rapidly.
"Life is breath", Mr. Henry replied. Without breath there is no life'', He added.
"How can I justifiably live when Mercy is gone?"
No response.
"Promise me when I die you will lay me beside your daughter", Mike added finally and took his last breath, still kneeling with his face bowed.
"You are not dying anytime soon", They both replied nonchalantly. Few minutes passed with intense silence. The silence got awkward and Mr. Henry had to break it.
"You can have your quiet moments and then leave", He said calmly.
No response.
After about five minutes, Mr. Henry made a bold move to pick Mike up from the ground. As he got closer to Mike to grab his hands, he froze in horror as he saw blood all over his body with a dagger hanging on his chest.
"Christ!" Mr. Henry let out a yell which attracted his wife and his security man. As soon as he made contact with Mike's lifeless body, it fell. Mrs. Sharoh phoned the estate security for an emergency and quickly joined her husband to try to revive Mike. They all knew it was already too late as Mike had gone to be with his lover. He was quickly taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The doctors had discovered the victim had died peacefully but wouldn't believe he died in a static position on his knees and maintained that position for the past ten minutes before Mr. Henry made contact. They were all shocked when security camera footage was shown to them to debunk their doubts. The story had gained media attention and every journalist hopped on o write a story about it. All charges against Mr. & Mrs. Henry were cleared as the evidence proved them innocent and not assisting in the death of the victim. It took them weeks to recover from the shock as this was the second time someone precious to them had died in their presence. Mike's request was fulfilled as he was laid to rest next to his lover, Mercy Henry, that same month.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chibuike could feel himself being dragged against the ground. He felt a striking pain and grip at both his hands and feet. He opened his eyes yet couldn't capture an image making. Everything looked blurry to him. He could only see himself being dragged outside the mansion and that was it, he blacked out. A few minutes later, the creature lady wasted a bucket of water on him. He woke up in shock to his surroundings. He was well bound with ropes in a six feet newly dug pit.
"Christ!" Chibuike screamed out aloud at this pending horror. He knew a few seconds from now, he would be buried alive. "Please I'm begging you, please forgive me I didn't mean to hurt you", He struggled with the rope. The lady creature started pouring sand into the pit. Chibuike struggled even more. The more he struggled, the more his wrist hurt. But he didn't pay attention to that. It would be preferable to lose both hands than to be buried alive six foot inside the ground. The lady creature continued pouring sand on him until his lower abdomen and legs was fully covered. She proceeded to pour on his chest and face. Chibuike stopped struggling. He knew his time had finally reached. This was it. He deserved it and convinced himself that this was indeed his judgement. He made people suffer for no reason and now nemesis had caught up with him. He gave a last glance at the lady creature as tears found their way out of his eyes. The creature smiled, and covered his face with sand.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chibuike woke up, screaming and yelling. He was quite surprised that he was alive and kicking because he poked himself with a pocket knife beside his bed. Blood flowed out and he sucked them off. It was a nightmare. He was fully convinced it was one of those terrible nightmares he has been getting for weeks. He decided he needed to see a priest about it because he got up from the bed and walked to his dressing mirror by the corner of the room. He stood in front of it for a while and let out a yell. "I hurt someone. Why!!" He threw a punch at the beautiful dressing mirror. Fragments of shattered glass peacefully found their way through the air for a few frozen seconds and came crashing down to the floor. He walked back to his wardrobe in anger and picked out polo shirt and trousers to change into. Minutes later, he was out of the house. He avoided eye contact with anybody as much as he could until he accidentally ran into an old friend.
"Chibuike, is that you?" The man said, a beaming smile.
"Henry my brother, how are you?" Chibuike shook the man's hand. Henry was his primary school classmate and childhood friend. It's almost been a decade since he saw him.
"What about Francis?" Henry asked. In a split-second, Chibuike's mood changed. Henry quickly picked up the new expression.
"He is gone. He is dead", Chibuike replied.
"What happened...."
"I have somewhere to be so if you don't mind", he turned to leave.
"I've been looking for you Chibuike", Henry said, finally acknowledging how beautiful the sky was as he looked up. The sky was as blue as the ocean and the hot sun radiating as ever.
"Why? Any reason?" Chibuike said, still walking away.
"I know you have been getting terrible dreams lately"...
Stops.
Chibuike turned around and smirked.
"Everyone seldomly has bad dreams", he said. "I really don't know what you're talking about", he added. Henry had become impatient because he replied.
"Good luck finding the solution. I hope you can survive the next haunt from the lady on the wedding ground. Greet her for me", He started walking away too. Chibuike's body stood paralyzed on hearing this. Quickly he snapped out of his paralysis and ran after Henry.
"How do you know about this?" Chibuike held him the moment he caught up with him.
"I thought everyone seldomly has bad dreams?" Henry said nonchalantly, still held by Chibuike.
"Look. I'm sorry I treated you like a fool. forgive my rudeness. Now tell me why I'm having these dreams", He squeezed his hand even more tightly. Henry could see fear and restlessness in Chibuike's eyes.
"Look. I'm a desperate man in search of help. This creature tries to kill me every time. Whatever injury I get in this nightmare reflects in reality", He showed his wide cut on his stomach to Henry.
"If you die in the dream....
"I die in the real world", Chibuike completed. He gently let go of his friend. Henry took a breath and sighed.
"You need to tell me everything that happened to you. There's a bar nearby", Henry said. They both walked towards the bar to talk.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chibuike drank his beer with tears and sobbing. He had narrated the entire event as far as he could recall.
"I didn't mean to ruin an innocent life", he wiped his tears with his shirt. "I just want everything to go back to normal. I wish I could take back the hands of the clock", He continued. Henry listened closely and carefully, without interruption. He felt sympathy for Chibuike.
"What exactly happened to Francis again?" Henry spoke after Chibuike was done.
"He died in the last operation. Every one of them," Chibuike said. His listener shook his head in disappointment and sadness.
"Chibuike, you have lived a very terrible life. You still have a chance. I believe the eternal ones are trying to clean up your mess.
"Damn the eternal ones! "Chibuike laughed with disgust. "Where were they all these whiles?"
"They have been. They will reveal their faces at an appointed time....
"They are already too late", Chibuike cuts him off.
"I have a question for you. If there's a way to correct your mistakes and it will cost you your life, will you sacrifice it?" Henry asked coldly.
No response. The question had him thinking because he couldn't reply.
"I know what to do to make things right", He stood up to leave.
"You didn't give me an answer", Henry called out. Chibuike looked back at him with piercing eyes.
"I will sacrifice my own life if it comes to that"
"So be it", Henry said, getting up too. He passed an envelope to him.
"Go to this address and find Reverend Charles. He will help you. I wish you the best, my friend", He walked out. Chibuike took his leave and walked away.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chibuike stood in front of a beautiful house. He gave a knock at the metal gate about three times before someone answered it. An old man in clerical clothes came out. He clearly looked in his late sixties because he had grey hair. He had a very bright face and wore medicated glasses. The old priest smiled at him.
"You must be Chibuike. I have been expecting you for a long time", the old priest said.
"How do you know who I am?", Chibuike asked quickly. "Father", he added, reminding himself he was in the presence of a priest.
"I've been expecting you for a very long time. Please come in", He gestured to him to come in. Chibuike was surprised and stepped into the compound.
"Come with me please" the old priest smiled and led the way into the house, his visitor following him behind.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chibuike gave a long sniff to the smell he was perceiving in the sitting room. His nose was on the quest to locate the origin of the scent. He looked around the room. His attention was stolen away by the five-foot large cross hanging on the wall. Picture frames of family and friends were spread out on the wall. The sitting room was decent, nothing close to luxury. His attention was taken by the priest's reappearance, carrying with him a tray of soft drinks and snacks.
"This was by no means necessary", Chibuike quickly moved in to assist the old man. The priest gave a loud laugh as both of them settled down.
"What is this smell?" Chibuike asked.
"Oh that?!!" That's a burning incense", the priest pointed at something above the ceiling.
"You don't go to church, do you?"
"I don't".
"Make sense. It's popular scent and easily identifiable"
"Right. It didn't cross my mind", Chibuike opened his soft drink and took a gulf.
"How do you know so much?"
Silence.
Chibuike helped himself to some biscuits.
"You really want to know?" The priest replied, taking off his glasses.
"Yes, I do".
"Okay. First of all, the man you met at the bar...
"You mean Henry? Chibuike politely interrupted.
"That was not your friend Henry. I Know he looks like your friend but he isn't. That was an angel you met earlier". Chibuike chuckled softly and seconds later busted into a loud laugh.
"An Angel? You're kidding me, right?"
"I am not", the priest replied. He wore a serious face. At least that was the only convincing factor to Chibuike.
"You didn't tell me humans can turn into angels", Chibuike replied, sarcastically with side chuckles.
"Not that I did".
"Tell me about it", More chuckles.
"Angels can assume any form they so desire. It could be your loved ones, friends or even a total stranger".
"Okay. That's a new one. I mean not that I believe in any of this stuff".
"Did you not notice anything odd when you were with him?" The priest asked. Chibuike became serious. He thought about it and did realize that Henry for some weird reasons could tell him what his problem was.
"Not really", He finally said.
"Did he drink?" The priest asked again.
"No. I don't think he did. But that doesn't make him an angel", Chibuike immediately pointed out. He was growing weary of the discussion now. The priest took a bite off his own biscuit and gave Chibuike a disappointing look.
"What? Angels have rules on what to eat and drink?"
"They are scrupulous in their actions. Didn't you at least feel peace with him, peace beyond human understanding?" Asked the priest.
"How could you know? You weren't there", replied Chibuike. Deep within, this question got him reflecting. Indeed, he felt warm and peaceful around Henry or so-called angel to the point he busted out in tears in anguish while confessing.
"You are being disingenuous Chibuike", the priest stood up.
"I can tell you felt something different just like you are feeling now", the old priest added. Chibuike felt his pure and frightening aura grip him as he fell to his knees.
"I am indeed one of them. My name is Tobirah, seventh Angel of light, guardian of the seven dimensions", The priest spoke, his voice now deep and echoing. A radiant light shone over his face and body as he transformed into his real angelic form. A crown of gold appeared over his head as his clothes changed into a long silky sparkling white robe. Chibuike could only sneak a peek at him for a few seconds until he became temporarily blinded as the room was exceedingly bright. It was so bright that shadows could not be found.
"The eternal ones will show you the way and walk with you. Remain in this house and learn the ways of the eternal ones", the angel said.
"As per sins, the eternal ones have forgiven you of them", The Angel disappeared, his voice echoing