CHAPTER SIX - I AM... DEAD-ISH!

Flashback 

No 454, Onozutu Drive 

Division C, 

Otite, Okene,

Kogi State, 

Nigeria.

Sunday, February 13

10:21 AM.

Victoria

Mama hummed softly as she cracked and sorted her freshly fermented melon seeds on her chair in the parlor while I lay on the floor beside her and continued reading my favorite novel. Judith and Jessica had gone to grind tomatoes for our dinner soup while we waited.

"Vicky..."

"Ma?"

"Si bowl hu ni store awor va mi."

That's Ebira for: "Please get me a bowl from the store."

"Ok, ma," I grunted as I picked myself from the floor.

I almost reached the store when my ears perked in alarm as I heard groaning coming from the parlor.

"Mama!" I shrieked, rushing towards her. She was kneeling on the floor, clutching her chest in pure agony as tears flowed from her eyes.

"Mama?!"

"I'm fine!"

"Mama, I'm scared..."

"I'm fine!"

"Mama, you are crying and you say you are fine?! Where does it hurt? Wait, let me get Mama Joke to take you to the hospital." I said, in a rush, and tried to rush out but she held me back firmly.

"I'm fine! It's time you learn some things about our family, my last born."

"What do you mean...?"

"She's back!" gasped Mama, clutching her chest again. "I feel it now more than ever."

"Who?"

"We've waited for so long..." she continued, oblivious of me bedside her. "And now she's finally here!"

"Mama, who's here?" I asked, getting her attention this time.

"Who else but the..."

Mama was interrupted by five simultaneous peals of thunder followed by the whooshing of pregnant clouds. We were still in the same position when Jessica and Judith returned back

 home shortly before the rain began to drizzle.

***

At the same time,

Somewhere in the spirit dimension,

Angeline 

"Jiro!" I screamed, waking up with a start as I pushed myself off the smooth stone cold floor. 

My head felt wooly as I looked around wondering. I was in some sort of large dim glass dungeon or hall with a lot of stuff piled up around the edges and glass pillars. Unlike my curious nature, I was more focused on finding the exit than checking them out. After a minute or two I heard something creak. 

"Hello?" I called. "Who's there?" My voice echoed across the room. 

I couldn't see well as the only source of light came from a purple pea-sized flaming orb held in a scaly claw in the middle of the room. Apart from my footsteps, it was eerily quiet. 

"How am I ever going to get out here?" I thought aloud. 

"If only my guardian angel was here..."

"So, now you need my help!" a disembodied voice said.

"Hello?" I said looking around to see who it was. 

"I don't blame you; this is just the first time you've decided to visit ME," it said, the voice sounding like it was in between childhood and adulthood. 

"Hello? I don't who you are but I could use your help..."

"The world needs YOUR help more..."

"Really? How? Wait, how did I get here who are you and where are you?" 

"I'm right behind you!" 

"Ah!" I shrieked, jumping away, a little disappointed. I was expecting a wised sage or wizard but all I saw was a tiny purple floating dragon, the size of a mouse, grinning toothily at me.

"After all the great things you've done, I didn't know you'd be scared of me..." it laughed. 

"I wasn't scared!" I protested, nettled. "I just thought you'd be human!"

"If you say so 'Fraidy-Cat!" he chucked, rolling its eyes. 

"No, I'm not!" I snapped, slightly embarrassed. "I didn't expect you'd be..."

"...so small? Yeah, I get that a lot!"

"I'm sorry...but are you a kwomi?"

"Me...a kwomi?" It scoffed. "What do you think this is, Angie, Miraculous: Ladybug?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to ... wait, how do you...?"

"I'm your Spirit Guide and I've been watching you since you were a baby." it said, showing me several TV screens in black and white, which I had earlier failed to notice. All of them were showing me spear eagled on the floor.

"Is that me?" I gasped. "Am I dead? Where am I? Am I dead?"

"Relax, Angie, we're just in the Spirit Dimension which is in between the land of the living and the dead." 

"So, I'm dead...OMG! Can I see...?"

"No... I'm sorry but you can't see her because you're not dead...yet"

"Oh, ok!" I said, swallowing my disappointment. "So, how do I leave here?" 

"By embracing your destiny!" it sang, flying towards the claw. 

"My destiny? Wait what's my destiny...errm".

"I don't have a name."

"Why?"

"According to the Guardian Handbook, Rule 5 states: ''every guardian is to be named by their ward.'' 

"Oh, look, I'm sorry..." I said, briskly "...but I don't have time to name you but I promise I will when I get out of here. My friends are in trouble and I'm the only one that can save them." 

"Yeah, no kidding. You really saved them earlier, but don't worry!" he added, with a bow on seeing my glare "I'm here to help."

"So, you said the only way out is by embracing my destiny, right?"

"Yes!" 

"And I guess it has something to do with the fire in that claw."

"You're smart but that's not just any fire it's a flaming pearl."

"A flaming pear?! As in a dragon's pearl?"

"Yes!"

"Then, why haven't you used it?"

"I can't! It doesn't work on spirit guides... believe me I've tried!"

"Why didn't it work?" 

"Isn't obvious?" it sneered. "You're the only one meant to have it." 

"So, it's magical?"

"One of the most powerful objects in the cosmos!"

"But if I go back, what about you?" 

"I guess I'll just get remain here forever..."

"But you'll be lonely here all by yourself!" I cried, when I got a light bulb.

"What's wrong with your face?" it asked on seeing my enlightened look. 

"Is there any rule that prevents you from leaving here?" 

"No, not really...why do you ask?" 

"What if I take you with me?" 

"I don't know..." 

"I really need your help and guidance, in the flesh..." 

"Well, I HAVE been quite lonely here and she DOES need my help and I AM her spirit guide..." it contemplated loudly, pacing back and forth in the air. 

 "So?" 

"Fine, let's go!" 

"Yay! Here, stay here in my breast pocket."

 "Why does your gown have a pocket?" 

"Because I like pockets. So, how do we get out of here?" I asked, eagerly rubbing me palms. 

"Carry the pearl with your right hand and the pearl will project its message. Don't worry!" it said on seeing my skeptical frown. "It won't burn you." 

"Ok, and whatever you do don't come out!" I warned. 

"Got it!" It said, diving into my pocket. 

"Alright, here goes nothing!" I said, going towards the claw. 

Taking a deep breath I took the pearl and to my surprise it didn't burn me though it was a bit hot. I felt scared as it glowed brighter before projecting its message on the wall. I cleared my throat, my voice echoing, as I read it:

A Serpent's tail,

Whiskers of a Rat;

A Carp's scale,

Wings of a Bat.

The goatee of a Goat,

Belly of a Rabbit;

The heart of a Clam,

A Monkey's wit.

The face and horns of an Ox,

Teeth and claws of a Tiger;

The legs of a Horse,

Crest of a Rooster.

Ears of a dog, 

Eyes of a demon

And snout of a pig;

Come together and make me a dragon.

As I began to read the things began to move around the room leaving me in the eye of the tornado. All the animal one by one entered the pearl as I called the softly making the animal's sound when I felt like my hand was on fire but I couldn't let go of the pearl. 

The pain was so intense I sank on my knees as I cried. Through the pain, I saw my little dragon turning to dust and entering the pearl causing the flames to rise higher. Suddenly, with the force of a bullet, the pearl shot into my chest knocking me backwards unto the floor.

What's up with Mama?

Will Angie be ok?