Chapter 11.

I wandered around the house, going in and out of each room every five minutes, bored. I wondered why Henry wouldn't let me go outside and get some fresh air; I felt like a prisoner in there, and it sucked. I went back to my room and lay down on my bed, not realizing how much time had passed.

I was back in an empty field, but this time there was a beautiful house in front of me. I decided to go in because it was the only place nearby.

"Hello, anyone in?" I said as I pressed the doorbell. The door immediately opened, and the "beautiful sad woman," as I called her, stood there. "Come in," she spoke to me for the first time, which surprised me. I entered the house and heard the door close behind me. When I turned to look behind me, I was shocked not to see her there. She must have gone outside, I reasoned. I looked around the house and thought it was lovely. A flat-screen TV mounted on the wall was playing a movie. I was delighted because Henry forbade me from watching TV for a long time.

I sat down on the couch and concentrated on the film. A man was seated in the back of a white Mercedes that was parked in front of a grocery store and had a lit cigarette in his mouth. I couldn't get a good look at the young girl's face since her blonde hair was pulled back in long braids as she walked to the side of the automobile. I observed her as she walked around the vehicle to the back seat on the opposite side.

I exclaimed aloud to myself, "Must be one of these Lagos females who hang out with rich married men." When the camera finally captured her face, I gaped in disbelief. Anita!! She was so private when she was alive that I had no idea she was also an actress. In any case, I kept watching.

So, have you given our deal any thought? the man asked.

Anita retorted angrily, "I won't be responsible for anybody's death." He nodded and smiled.

"You know, after killing your father, my friend ,I would have killed you a long time ago. But, since you are his only child, he deserves a legacy "He took a brief pause. "I'm making you this generous offer because I don't want to end your father's lineage, but if you continue to be stubborn, I'll have to take your life." He went on.

"No, I'm not going to do that; you're evil and wicked. Instead, why don't you murder me instead "She screamed at him. As I fixed my gaze on the television, I reflected on how talented she was as an actress.

He smiled again as he reached into his pocket , pulling out a small picture. I watched as Anita opened her mouth in shock as she gazed at the picture in his hands while he let out a wicked laughter. "Your little cousin sister is a really pretty girl, and I've heard she's very special to you. Do you want to see her blood spill? "With a solemn expression on his face, he stated.

"Please don't hurt her okay, I'll do whatever you want, but don't just hurt her," Anita begged, tears streaming down her cheeks. This man was such a wicked man, I thought to myself. I gasped as I suddenly realized he looked familiar, "Yes Dike!", I exclaimed aloud, the one who murdered his mother. "he was also bad in movies", I rolled my eyes as I thought.

"All right," he said.

"Bring me human blood tomorrow morning. If you do not provide what I require, your cousin and her parents will be killed "Before asking her to leave, he issued a warning. The TV abruptly turned off, which surprised me because I was the only one in the room. As I rose up to leave, I noticed Anita standing behind me. I was terrified because I assumed I was the only one in the room.

"Sorry if I scared you. And I apologize for attempting to murder you as well ", she explained.

"What are you on about, Nita?" I inquired, surprised.

"That wasn't a movie," she said, pointing to the television, "it was what killed me."

I paid close attention as she described her confusion about the situation. She considered fleeing at first, but when she saw me walk into the compound that night, she realized I was her only option as the other students had gone for a graduation party together that night. "She killed me," Anita said, pointing to the beautiful sad woman, and it was then that I noticed she was also in the room, standing at the door.

"She did it to keep you safe, Mary. That man is going to kill even more people in order to get what he wants ", she went on.

" What does he want" I asked, perplexed.

"Dike discovered a soccererer who taught him how to bring his artworks and paintings to life, but he needs the blood of a thousand souls to do so, and he has so far gathered seven hundred souls. When he's done gathering the souls, he will start to paint humans in whatever form he wants and bring them to life. He wants to control the world Mary, we are running out of time".

"But I don't even know what to do. How am I supposed to help ?", I queried.

"He has a box hidden somewhere where he collects the blood of those he kills.", she continued, "you need to find that box and destroy it, then we can be free". I stood there in silence, trying to process the shocking news I had just heard. I wondered why life had to be so cruel. This man had to be very dangerous, and I kept wondering how I was going to get the box without running into him; after all, Henry was locking me up in a house with no windows.

"Don't you think you should find someone else to do this?" I suggested, "I'm currently locked up in a house and I bet I'll be there for a long time."

"Remember Mary, close your eyes and breathe, and let your peace and calm prevail," she said as she walked away. I was suddenly back on the empty field, and the house had vanished.

As the driver halted the vehicle in front of a posh hotel, Sofia's train of thought came to an abrupt end. She paid the driver as soon as they exited the vehicle. She told Henry, "I couldn't drive because I feel a little ill."

He asked, "What's wrong Sof," feeling worried.

She grinned and said, "Just a little fever, but I'll be fine. Sorry about last night, it won't happen again." As they entered the hotel, Henry simply nodded and touched her shoulder.

She offered, "We should watch a movie; you'll love it. There's a big cinema on the left."

1hour later.

They were both seated in a restaurant eating a meal. When they were done with the movie, she had complained about being famished, luckily, the hotel had a large restaurant.

Sofia paused and took a glass of water before continuing her food. "You know, they make the best pastas here in Lagos", she said and he agreed. She noticed he had barely eaten anything as his eyes were fixed on the food, something was definitely wrong, she concluded as she put down her fork and turned to face him. "You seem worried, what's the matter". "It's personal Sofia, I'm sorry but I can't share this with you", he responded. She smiled within her knowing she would get the truth out of him sooner or later. "Just know you can always talk to me if you feel bothered about anything", she smiled and he nodded.