To the shrine

After a few minutes of contemplation, Bassy finally decided to embark on her journey to the mysterious shrine, accompanied by her son Gabriel. She liked having him around whenever she had the opportunity to go out.

She used her phone to call the number tagged with the shrine post, which looked more like an advertisement, informing them that she's on her way to the shrine. They directed her once again on the way she should follow, leading her to the shrine happily.

While Bassy was on her way, at first, it felt like a normal road in the busy streets of Abuja. But as she and Gabriel ventured deeper into the heart of the thick, dark forest, the towering trees seemed to start looking scary, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers to ensnare the unwary.

Bassy's heart raced with a mixture of fear and anticipation, each step forward feeling like a leap into the unknown. Yet, she pressed on, her determination to seek justice for herself and her son outweighing her apprehension.

The path twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the shadows, where the sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense canopy above. Gabriel clung tightly to his mother's hand, his wide eyes darting nervously at every rustle in the underbrush.

Despite her own fears, Bassy drew strength from her son's unwavering trust in her. With each step, she whispered words of reassurance, promising him that everything would soon be fine, although she wasn't so sure of it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of winding through the labyrinthine forest, they sighted a clearing bathed in an eerie, otherworldly glow. At its center stood the shrine. Bassy let out a heavy sigh, uttering, "Thank goodness we are finally here."

A weathered structure adorned with intricate carvings and faded symbols greeted them. Bassy's heart pounded in her chest as she approached the ancient altar, the air thick with the scent of incense and the distant sound of chanting. She could feel the eyes of unseen spirits watching her every move, their presence a tangible weight upon her soul.

But she refused to falter, her resolve as unyielding as the roots that twisted beneath her feet. With Gabriel by her side, she nervously greeted the priest who was sitting at the center of the shrine, a trace of fear evident in her eyes. She made her offering to the spirits by bowing down, her voice trembling but resolute as she spoke.

As Bassy stood before the ancient altar, frightened and nervous of what to say or do next, the priest emerged from the shadows where he was seated at the center of the shrine. His presence exuded an aura of ancient power, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light, his body painted with white chalk and wrapped in red silky fabric, adding to his mystique.

Widening his eyes painted with black and red chalk, he spoke as his voice dripped like honey laced with venom.

"Poor, lost soul," the priest intoned, his words echoing through the clearing like the whispers of the damned. "What brings you to my domain, seeking solace in the darkness?"

Bassy swallowed hard, her throat dry with fear. "I seek justice," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "For myself and my son."

The priest's lips curled into a sinister smile, revealing gleaming teeth that seemed to glint in the dim light. "Ah, justice," he purred, his voice like silk wrapped around a blade. "A noble pursuit, indeed. But justice comes at a price, my dear."

Bassy's heart sank as she braced herself for his demands. "What price must I pay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The priest's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through her like a dagger. "There are two paths you may take," he said, his voice low and hypnotic. "You may offer up your son as a sacrifice, his innocent blood paving the way for your vengeance. Or you may pay a hefty sum of money, enough to sway the very balance of fate itself."

Bassy recoiled in horror, her mind reeling at the monstrous choice laid before her. "I could never harm my son," she whispered, her voice choked with tears. "Please, there must be another way."

But the priest only chuckled darkly, the sound sending shivers down her spine. "There is always a price to be paid, my dear," he said, his voice like a serpent's hiss. "Choose wisely, for the clock is ticking. In less than twenty-four hours, you will witness your tormentor begging for mercy at your feet. But whether it is through blood or gold, that choice is yours alone."

Bassy's heart sank like a stone as she weighed the priest's words, the weight of his ultimatum pressing down upon her like a suffocating blanket. She took a shaky breath, steeling herself to face the unthinkable.

"How much are we looking at here?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. "How much money can I offer to spare my son? He's my only source of happiness, and I've suffered very much to train him up to this age."

The priest's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Ah, money," he mused, his voice dripping with mockery. "Such a paltry currency in the realm of the divine. But for you, my dear, I shall name my price. I'm collecting nothing less than a million naira."

Bassy's heart hammered in her chest as the priest uttered a figure so astronomical it made her head spin. She felt her knees weaken beneath her, the weight of the word crashing down upon her heavily.

"No," she gasped, tears streaming down her cheeks. "It's too much. I can't... I can't sacrifice my son, and I don't have that kind of money."

But the priest's expression remained unchanged, his eyes cold and calculating. "Then you have made your choice," he said, his voice like ice. "Leave this place, and may the fates have mercy on your soul," he said, using his hands to direct Bassy out of the shrine, his eyes widened while pivoting his gaze to the exit of the shrine together with his hands.

Bassy begged and pleaded, her voice cracking with desperation as she pleaded for a reprieve. But the priest remained unmoved, his gaze as unforgiving as stone. "You have less than a minute to take your feet off the shrine before I bore my wrath on you and your child."

With a heavy heart, Bassy turned away from the shrine promptly, her spirit broken and her hopes dashed upon the rocks of despair. She clung to Gabriel's hand as they stumbled through the forest, their path shrouded in darkness.

But even as she wept for the future that had slipped through her fingers, a fire burned within her heart. She would find another way, she vowed, no matter the cost. For she would not rest until she had her revenge, and the monster named Edu would definitely be on his knees, imploring for mercy. She didn't know how to go about it this time, but that hunger for revenge was definitely still burning.