9 CHAPTER SEVEN A TALE OF THE PAST 2

They looked around and saw nothing so they continued their gist " I SAID YOU SHOULD ALL LEAVE" the alluring voice shouted making their boats shake. "I think we should go back" one of the men stammered, "nonsense, why should we leave, we are here to fish," another man said puffing out his chest. "Am going to warn you one more time LEAVE" She shouted and the entire river started vibrating shaking the boats. Some of the boats including Emeka's team started paddling back to shore but Obinna and some other fishermen were still being adamant about not leaving. Soon they heard a scream, it felt like it was about to burst their ear drums, many of them covered their ears due to the unbearable pain. Soon the boats started flipping, Emeka and the rest were paddling as fast as they could, his heart was beating so fast and loud and he started feeling woozy due to fear. He quickly jumped off the boat and landed on the sand, three other men were able to jump out before their boat completely turned upside down, they waited to see if any of them will come out but nothing happened, none of them turn up, soon a female creature came out her upper body is a human form while her lower body is a red like fish tail she leaned on a large rock that was in the river, her fishtail flapping in the water she was the most beautiful being they have ever set their eyes on. "Mamiwata," one of the men said as he pointed at her his whole body shaking like he has seen a ghost. "None of you should ever return to these places, or you will meet the same fate as your friends" with that she went back in the water leaving them utterly dumbstruck and in fear.

Emeka was weeping as he remises what happened people started whispering among themselves. "I heard from my papa that MamiWatas abducted peoples so that they can use their legs to walk on land," A boy said to them with so much confidence "that's absurd said as he looked at the boy who spewed out the nonsense, "what do you mean by that, is the truth or can you explain how they have legs" A young girl frowned at Topa as she rebuked him. "Topa what they say is true" Zaira quickly covered up as she flickered her eyes to signal him. "Ahh, your right, I meant to say they should stay in the sea and stop trying to steal our legs" he pretended to be angry and stumped his feet. " I also heard that they don't have eyebrows so they steal it from humans" another girl chimed in. Topa was pissed off but he couldn't show it. "That's why our parents warned us not to go to the riverside," the boy said again "am scared of them" Atika the seven years old cute and plumpy girl clutched onto Zaira, She held her close. That's the secret that was kept from her the poor Atika doesn't know that she's part mermaid.

Flash back

Bibi a young orphan now lives alone in her father's compound he died two days ago she's still in her mourning period. the chief was now providing her with food and other necessities.

poor man, those Mami Watas are heartless the people whispered among them when they found his body he looked really white and completely swollen, she tried swallowing the lump in her throat, every time she remembers the condition of her father, she felt a whole new kind of pain.

the dispute between mamiwatas and humans has been on for decades, they killed each other mercilessly. if the humans catch a mermaid they tie them to a tree and burn them, when mamiwata find a human they drown them.

thanks to her father, they were able to get rid of the mamiwatas in the south river, "thanks to the gods blessing we also have the red poison that we thought was a curse, it killed many of us because we once thought of the red round seed as food and now it has become our saviors from the mamiwatas and from now on I will take care of Bibi until she is of marriageable age" after the announcement everybody went home. Bibi also entered her empty hut tears started trickling down her cheeks.

SIX YEARS LATER

Bibi has grown into a fine lady and has reached the marriageable age. suitors from all over the village always came to woo her. not only is she is beautiful she's well mannered and the daughter of the village hero with that she has a lot of men hovering around her. she made her way to the chief's house, when she was younger, the chief and his third and favorite wife tried to convince her to stay with them because they didn't want her to be lonely or reminded of the pain of losing her father, but the young girl was adamant about staying in her father's hut.

The chief's compound is large and has a total of fifteen huts, he has three spouses but is completely smitten by his third wife and hardly spend time with his other wives, she walked into the compound and the chief's youngest child came and hug her ''how are you Dare, where is your father'' ''is in is ut'' the young boy has a problem pronouncing H. the chief was informed of her arrival, he came out of his hut and entered the visitor hut where Bibi was seated, he smiled at her and sat opposite her, ''To what do I owe these visit'', the chief looked straight into her eyes. ''Well, I want to start a business'' he looked utterly surprised.

MINI DRAMA

Banju: Hi, it is I Banju the great, yeah I know what your thinking who is this handsome and dashing looking man talking ( he licked his lips). Well am the coolest guy in the whole of GODS IN TIME, if you all agree then vote for me #Banju the coolest guy in GIT.

well, I want to show my fans the collections of nails I have collected from my victim. ( he went to a case filled with different nails starched in different collections and is protected by a show glass). *he licks his lips again* this nail I got from a monster I defeated, (he showed a broad brown looking nail), this belongs to my ex-girlfriend I told her it was over but she kept clinging to me and telling me how should die without me, she even threatens to kill herself if I leave her can you believe it ( he licked his lips and sigh soon an evil smile appeared on his face) so I helped her and kept her beautiful nails ( he present the nails with dry blood stains on it). He was laughing and was startled when in saw Black and Atika's scrunched-up faces.

Black: you're disgusting and annoying ( she shook her head and walk away).

Atika: creep ( she followed Black, Banju lowered his head and held his chest he felt like an arrow pierced his heart).

Banju: this is so unfair ( he sobs).