ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 12

Gianna sat crouched at the little space left,close to her dressing table;still wearing the pink stilleto and the black cotton dress she had worn a few days back when she had decided to confront Flora. Her hair damp from perspiration dangled at each side of her face,her eyes staring back vacantly,while her face was as pale as a sheet.The short man wearing the police uniform continued to speak quietly on his mobile phone, while two other people a man and a woman moved cautiously around the bedroom. The man was picking some items and putting them in to a transparent cellophane bag while the woman took pictures as she moved.suddenly the short man glanced towards them growling 'why is it taking forever, for the paramedics to get here,it's been tan minutes already' They both stopped for a moment he shook his head disgustedly."Sergean­t Umeh"he turned to the young man bagging the items 'go and speak to the press out there"the young man stared back bewildered. "I mean it"he continued "give them an excuse they can't come in here.trampling all over evidence"he barked. As he rushed out the short man yelled after him 'sergeant no pictures,there would be a press conference after we moved the body,one more thing" the sergeant stopped in his tracks "don't over do it". He took up the phone again "we are moving this one too to the facility it would be like a re-union from hell,the other one is there too,the goddamned thing is like a virus,maybe they caught something,both of them,he laughed at his own joke. Then he bent down towards her "yeah that doc of yours, sure got her hands full this time,I would get back to you as soon as we start the evacuation Director" Suddenly he heard her breathing her eyes fluttered open "help me"she gasped. He stared back "I will be damned,she's alive........

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 11

According to forensics there was no sign of a struggle,no visible marks of contentions either;but her spine and parts of the bones in her ribs were broken,there is also the situation with her skull,it's cracked' However the patient's pulse is maintained but her entire anatomy is devoid of any kind of movement,her eyes where the most intriguing they peer out hauntingly. The petite woman with the close cropped hair wore a thick rimmed spectacle,her dark jacket sitting well over the knee length flowered dress, she wore an ankle length black booth which made her look a few inches taller. She continued to nod her head at the frail looking man in a grey tweed jacket,he looked above sixty,he continued to study the sheaf of papers in his hand they both stood close to a tall green plant in a huge silver pot by the elevator,oblivious to the staff and visitors of the hospital. 'Doctor' he raised his head looking at her' such mystery' 'this is no coma I assure you sir' she responded too quickly,apparently disconcerted. 'Everything is in order I presume' he handed her the documents and started to walk off,she took a glance. 'Director' she called quickly he stopped in his tracks. 'You did not sign the authorisation section,I would require an immeadiate transfer,to enable me make a thorough research,I have everything I need at our facility' she held her breath he hesitated for a mili-second 'alright do what you deem necessary,my concern is simple;I want results in the next 72hrs' he strodded off quietly as his shinny black shoe clinked with his departure,she stared after his back.......

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK)PAGE 9

Gianna was devastated she sat at her desk muling about the incident preceding the activities of the past few days.The judge had died before arriving at the hospital,she had gone with them in the ambulance saying she was a relative.she held his hand as he continued to repeat thesame words incoherently 'Confutatis Maledictis' she had thought it was some password for one of his hidden case files,but had decided to google it anyway;'while the wicked are confounded' strange interpretation she muttered under her breath.Her colleagues occassionally cast sideways glances at her direction,knowing full well that she had wanted to be left alone.Gosh! She thought,she had actually liked the man,had wanted to advance to the next stage. She gazed over at Flora's desk, still vacant,hadn't showed up for days.Flora would definitely get a visit this time she concluded.... Gianna pulled up at the make shift parking lot,in front of Flora's flat,all the shutters were drawn,it was already dark,she took out her note pad and a pen from her purse,using her phone as torch,she quickly scribbled a few lines showing her anger and dissappointment,she got out of her car locking it.she got to the front door and bent to pass the note underneath it.To her amazement it budged opening slowly.'Couldn't even put a lock on her door,before rushing off with who knows who' she stomped in holding the note in her left hand. She stopped to think for a moment 'Flora must be with Seyi that sworn barchelor' Gianna laughed no wonder Flora had been solemn and distant assuming she would condemn the relationship,as if she cared. She heard a chuckling sound then silence.The house was pitch black she continued towards the living room and found the light switch,she had been here several times that shouldn't be a problem she thought.'Flora' she gasped sitting in an arm chair face pale ,eyes shut Flora wasn't alone,the two headed creature glared at Gianna with huge eyeballs,ready to pounce........

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 8

They where both caught up in a close embrace the tall man with the greying hair ,held the slim woman with the long braids in a tight embrace as they swayed to the soft lyrics of the 60's ballad.other people where on the dance floor oblivious to each other.Gianna turned her left eye and saw the tall woman standing alone in under the tree shades,her very short grey dress shimmered,only Flora could pull this one off,she thought quietly walking in at the last minute,standing there as if she had paid every one else to wait for her.very soon all the men would start asking questions about the un-chaperoned female 'the old geezers'she scoffed judge Benoni lowered his head 'what did you say my queen' I only asked if you wanted more wine my Lord' 'oh sorry I will get us some' he started towards Flora's direction 'of course not,you have waited on me hand and foot all day' 'all right then my little woman,next time you won't win' he laughed his deep throaty laugh as he set her off parting her bottom 'hey don't' she giggled he watched her as she sauntered away staring at her endless legs under the emerald dress. He was afterall a widower who is willing to take the best shot at a second chance.Gianna had braced herself to give Flora "The I told you the party was going to be a bomb speech" but Flora had left maybe she had been dragged to the dance floor she thought,she went off to the drink stand got two glasses of champaigne and trudged back he wasn't there so she sat down in a corner of the pool placed the glasses down her feet felt stiff.suddenly she heard a thud from the men's room a few feet away a male attendant quickly went towards it,she followed the judge laid on the bare floor clutching his throat 'mr chief'the elderly attendant tugged at his arm the judge tried to speak his voice was a little above a whisper 'Confutatis Maledictus' the attendant tried to perk him up.Gianna stood transfixed then she started to run out in to the yard towards the main house screaming 'is there a doctor in attendance,a doctor please ,someone.....

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 7

She walked unsteadily out of the door tugging at her white colar she felt as if it was choking her,the dizzy spells were becoming more consistent.  'Flora' she heard her name but continued towardS the car,Gianna walked as fast as her high heels could carry her.They had been best friends for years Flora was acting weird not picking her calls,they had both been excited to attend the chief judge's house warming ceremony but when their dresses had arrived Flora had been distant.she caught up with her friend as she was about to enter the car 'where do you think you are going' she asked her apparently irritated.'All you have done is stare in to space all day'Gianna stood facing her, hands on waist 'you are disgusted right? seeing me in the arms that craddle snatcher weeks back' she giggled 'well dear saint Flora I have decided to advance my career'Flora hsitated for a second then slowly got in to her car,while Gianna walked confidently back towards the entrance of the office....

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 6

 ‘Don’t touch me’ she screamed as the man wearing the face mask peered in to her eyes flashing a small touch, she shoved his hand away as he touched her face again.

‘What part of don’t touch me is hard for you to comprehend?

‘I see you are finally awake ‘he countered without answering her question.

She continued to eye him suspiciously ‘this part where you become aware of your surroundings feel better and get discharged’

‘I know I am at the hospital, isn’t that lucid enough for you ‘she tried to get up oh my head hurts ‘she exclaimed he tried to lower her down

‘Does this mean I am also a prisoner? She inquired peering at him

‘You are a real chatter box, aren’t you? He laughed taking off his mask revealing a short beard and a well trimmed mustache on his dark features.

He smiled at her ‘high time I guess’ she murmured ‘pardon me, didn’t get you’

She let out her breath ‘I simply meant it’s high time I saw the face of my jailor’

He bursts in to laughter you have a good sense of humor too, well this particular jailor won’t let you leave until you are well over ok’

‘Now Flora? She nodded ‘how do you feel now?

‘A little bit hazy, that’s all; I can’t seem to imagine why I got here in the first instance’

‘It was majorly a nervous breakdown relating to stress; in future I will advise that you rest more’

‘The men who brought you here ’relatives I presume? She didn’t say a word.

‘Well’ he continued they are waiting outside your door, have a good day Flora’

‘Back at ya doctor’ he smiled at her once again as he went out.

The two men who had visited her apartment before she collapsed came in looking grim.

The short man hovered at the doorway while the young officer advanced towards her.

Without preliminaries he spoke up

‘Your car is back at the parking lot, in front of your flat we would advise that you report any suspicious happenings in future ‘he reached for his pocket and brought out a business card.

They both stepped out of the room as quietly as they came in. she felt the movement again in her stomach and patted it softly.

‘I would definitely be a worthy vessel ‘she whispered looking down at her stomach…………………………….

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 5

She could hear the blare of the siren but,her lids felt heavy she couldn't open them,she mustered enough power and fluttered them open.The masked man in green clothes was yelling at the woman in similar apparel,he held two flat metal in his hands the woman kept passing him objects each time he dropped the metal.

Flora stood beside them staring at her own lifeless body.The silence was deafening suddenly she heard a loud wailing,some murmured as they walked past her oblivious to her presence,she could see a woman wailing crumbling to the floor the man beside her patting her back,pulling her to her feet as he made an attempt at consoling the woman with the grey hair.Then she saw the cloaked figure at the other side of the corridor the hood firmly knotted round it's throat she felt a tingling sensation in her body,she looked back at the man's direction,this time she heard a slow beeping sound from the machine close to her bed.
"We are losing her" he snapped at the nurse irritatingly this time she heard him clearly.she turned back and the figure was standing in front of her,it slowly lifted the hood from it's head,fear knotted at her chest as she looked on.it was a young girl with dark brown skin and long hair and well chiseled features "Save Yourself" she whispered as she began to age before Flora her skin cracking and falling †o the ground.Flora stood eyes wide,then she felt as if a huge object had hit her.The man stood smilling "Thank goodness,we got her back" he muttered quietly as he began to take off his glove.
"Where am I? Flora asked as she stared right back in to his deep set eyes...

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 4

They stood there facing her,then she slowly ushered them to the sofa close to the shelve. "Sorry to barge on you like this madam" the man spoke again but,we have to ask some questions to clarify issues" "where were you last night between the hours of 8.00 and 9.00". "I was here watching TV"she answered cautiously "was anyone with you? "No ofcourse not" she scoffed waving her hand around the apartment "I live alone" she added sacarstically. "Where did you park your car" he asked her. "Right in front of this building,where I park it every night"she interrupted cutting him short. "Well your car was found on an accident site,where two lives were lost"he stated matter of factly,she stared at them with disbelief "that's a lie" she countered "its parked right outside,she replied walking to the window they stood behind her waiting. "It isn't there anymore" she whispered quietly. "That's what we have been telling you,all this time madam. "It must have been stolen while you were inside" suddenly she felt the pain. In her abdomen again,this time it was much more pronounced,eyes wide she screamed as she collapsed un to the floor they both hurried to break her fall....

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 3

Information has reached us that a fatal accident occured last evening,close to Iba some few kilometres away from Agbara,two persons dead,one identified,a car parked at the middle of the high way was said † have been the sole cause of crash,experts say as at.....
Flora stood in front of the TV set mug in hand,wearing a red robe her curly hair in a bun,she continued to stare at the screen with disbelief, that was her Toyota Camry how on earth did it get on that lonely road,she scanned her brain as she continued to stand there motionless. Then she felt a lurch in her stomach she placed a hand on her abdomen then it moved once more,the sound of the door bell startled her dragging her out of her reverie she walked towards the door clutching her stomach her face contorted in pain..she swung the door open carelessly and saw two men wearing police unforms one short with a large frame and the other much younger with close cropped hair,bushy eyebrows and a few inches taller than the short man who raked her from head to foot with piercing dark eyes.
"Goodday m'am" the short man apparently the spokes person of the two addressed her the younger officer only nodded at her direction. "May we come in"he finally whispered in a conspiratorial tone. Flora stood blocking the entrance then she noticed Seyi her neighbour the man who occupied the house across the road he stood in front of his front door waving at her smiling, she waved back as she quickly ushered the men in,hoping that no one had noticed them.....

1

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE2

He reached for her thigh and she immediately slapped the back of his hand "Obinna don't touch me,get me home quickly,I do not wish to die by papa's hand" she watched him by the corner of her eyes.
"You are so up-tight tonight"he reached for her again,she un-strapped her seat belt
"don't touch me again or else"
The slim girl wearing the very short jean skirt and tank top reprimanded the burly man.
"Okay what's the problem" the man asked concerned.
"Just shut up and drive,since you have decided not to contribute in the preparation for my jamb exams". Obinna smiled showing his gap tooth. "Fade you are a handful...hmmm I have changed my mind, I will pay for the clothes you will be wearing to the hall". "No that's not all"she pouted arms akimbo
"I will be needing shoes too"
"settled! gosh! Looking out the window
" I wish we would win,I will pull up at the nearest bar I need †o see the match" smiling at Fade
" I need To get home....and I need a kiss angel"
with one hand he held the steering wheel with the other he pulled her close kissing the back of her ear as he watched the road she kissed him giggling
" you won't get away with this"she giggled some more. Suddenly Fade pushed him away yelling "Obinna look! he almost hit Flora's car but swerved away from it hitting the culvert and plunging in to a ditch the construction workers had planned to fill.
Fade popped out of her seat hitting her head on the windshield blood spluttering out of her mouth Obinna hit his chest against the steering wheel he gasped eyes wide as his lungs collapsed in death......

He reached for her thigh and she immediately slapped the back of his hand "Obinna don't touch me,get me home quickly,I do not wish to die by papa's hand" she watched him by the corner of her eyes.
"You are so up-tight tonight"he reached for her again,she un-strapped her seat belt
"don't touch me again or else"
The slim girl wearing the very short jean skirt and tank top reprimanded the burly man.
"Okay what's the problem" the man asked concerned.
"Just shut up and drive,since you have decided not to contribute in the preparation for my jamb exams". Obinna smiled showing his gap tooth. "Fade you are a handful...hmmm I have changed my mind, I will pay for the clothes you will be wearing to the hall". "No that's not all"she pouted arms akimbo
"I will be needing shoes too"
"settled! gosh! Looking out the window
" I wish we would win,I will pull up at the nearest bar I need †o see the match" smiling at Fade
" I need To get home....and I need a kiss angel"
with one hand he held the steering wheel with the other he pulled her close kissing the back of her ear as he watched the road she kissed him giggling
" you won't get away with this"she giggled some more. Suddenly Fade pushed him away yelling "Obinna look! he almost hit Flora's car but swerved away from it hitting the culvert and plunging in to a ditch the construction workers had planned to fill.
Fade popped out of her seat hitting her head on the windshield blood spluttering out of her mouth Obinna hit his chest against the steering wheel he gasped eyes wide as his lungs collapsed in death......

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK)

In a little dark town along badagry expressway,not far from agbara estate a figure clad in a long garment,hurriedly walked towards the road the hood of it's garment firmly knotted under it's chin. It's movement was as if it was wadding through air,firmly in it's left hand it clutched a basket as it proceeded towards the road,the movement of it's went right then left again to see if any motion was made towards it. A few yards from the figure a car sped towards the driver swerved to the other side of the road but,too late she ran head long in to the cloak. After Flora regained control of †ђξ wheels she quickly got out and ran towards the figure lying on the ground,she had never being a bad driver she thought to herself as she examined the dead woman with the aid of the headlight of her vehicle.she staggered back feeling sick at the sight of the blood oozing from a large gash on the woman's head.she heard a soft chuckling sound coming from the basket which had been thrown farther down the road.she slowly moved towards it,and rolled off the blanket to her dismay, a two headed baby stared back at her with a pair of dark red eyeballs.she screamed and then fainted.....

saturday 23rd 2012

Just as I promised a few weeks back I would be publishing a page by page version of my book starting from 23rd,I shall be re-telling a story exactly ‎​​how it was un-folded.I do wish you would find time †☺ follow my blog,for these revelations which would intrest you.

I plan †☺ publish a page †☺ page account of my book in the weeks to come,I promise it would be certainly entertaining,follow and feel.

OUR STORY;THE TRUTH

I will re-tell exactly as I was told bit by bit I reckon,I shall be free it will be a relief to un-burden my spirit un-to yours I think?