Citadel of Hope Read online

  Citadel of Hope

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 1

  The almost endless journey came to an end. Part of the sun disappeared behind the horizon and birds began to birds began to migrate in droves. Sunday Bassey fell asleep in the back seat of the vehicle after enduring a nine and a half hour journey.

  The vehicle was a relic which refused to break down. The air conditioning system packed up long ago although the engine still remained as good as new. This used to be his father’s favorite property before luck smiled on him and he purchased two luxury cars.

  Sunday was travelling for the first time in his life. He was born into an extended family, and grew up in Lagos. His uncle, Eke, a burly man sat in the front seat with the driver. When they drew closer to their destination, he turned to tap Sunday hard on his hand. Sunday jerked as if woken from a nightmare. His uncle gave him a stern look which spoke more than words. Eke was twelve years younger than Sunday’s father. Sunday’s father was also responsible for Eke’s upkeep when their parents could not go any further.

  Sunday arrived at his new school, Hope of St. John’s College in Rivers State. The journey took longer than necessary because of the inexperienced driver and the rough terrain. Most times Eke scolded the driver at the slightest mistake or he resolved into cursing and swearing. Apart from the state of the car, the bad road and the weather, Eke made the journey longer than twenty four hours. Whenever he did not swear, scold or curse, he took booze of alcohol.

  Sunday felt great relief when the journey came to an end. On the school gate was inscribed, “Hope of St. John’s College 1894”. One of the three security men stationed at the gate came out from his post and inspected the vehicle. He saw Sunday dressed in green check shirt and green shorts. He gave the driver a gate pass and ushered them in.

  They drove down, along a paved road canopied with large trees all the way to the Administrative Block. They saw bats flying along the trees and heard the hooting owls and chirping crickets. The cloud became moisture laden and the leaves of the trees made rustling sounds. It appeared the trees spoke to each other. They were more than a hundred years old and may be they had been around during the Continental drift. They had grown roots reaching the core of the earth.

  Sunday began to feel like a lost soul, more like a stranger in another man’s territory. He didn’t know how to explain what he felt. It wasn’t a pleasant emotion but a despondent feeling. His heart raced hard. He tried to close his eyes to dispel his fear.

  After a minute of driving, they came to a final stop at the Admin Block. For the short period they drove, not a soul was seen on their way. The Admin Block, built similarly to a Cathedral had a modern car park by its side. The driver parked in the parking lot and they alighted. They did a little bit of stretching and snapping of joints. Eke brought out a lighter and a cigar and then saw a notice on the wall, “DO NOT SMOKE”. He swore and returned his lighter and cigar.

  “You have to wait here let me see what can be done,” he said.

  Sunday nodded. Eke stood up and walked into the Admin building. Sunday sat close to his luggage in deep thought while the driver sat next to him.

  “You are beginning to feel homesick,” the driver said.

  “Is that what it’s called?”

  “Yes. I use to experience it before, but now everywhere is like home to me.”

  “Lucky you,” Sunday said but he turned away from him and went into thinking. Sunday learnt to find solace in himself. He understood his disposition better than anyone else. His detachment often offended close friends.

  His uncle came out in the company of a middle age man with protruding stomach who chewed bitter kola on his way. He wore slippers and dragged his feet as if they were too heavy to move.

  “Hey,” Eke said in a brusque tone, “there’s someone important you should meet”

  Sunday stood up and bowed to greet the man.

  “Young boy, how are you today?” the man said revealing sets of discolored teeth as he smiled.

  “Fine, thank you sir,” Sunday said but his expression betrayed his words. He didn’t want to look at the man’s fat oily face.

  “You have no choice than to be fine,” his uncle said. “He’s going to be your house master. I’m sure you don’t know what that is….”

  “Eke, you have not changed that much. You are still the same old guy I knew back in the days,” the man said and chuckled. “Why are we standing here…let’s have a sit inside,” he said. He showed them the way into the Admin block. Most of the doors were locked. A few sturdy looking security men patrolled the corridor. They sat on a long pew along the hallway.

  “Young boy, lest I forget I don’t even know ya name. You can call me Mr. Wilcox, I am a friend to this man you call ya uncle,” Wilcox spoke in a thick accent characteristic of the Easterners. He and Eke had known themselves for more than twenty years, way back in secondary school. They enrolled at the Defense Academy the same year before conscripted into the Army. Eke was a bright and diligent soldier until he got involved in a row with a superior officer which led to a fisticuff. Although Eke won the fight, he got court-martialed and was dismissed just after five years service which also included a stint in the Liberian Civil war. Wilcox resigned to serve his community.

  “I am Sunday, sir.”

  “A very interesting name,” Wilcox said. He brought a piece of kola and threw into his mouth. “You mind some,” he said offering to his guests.

  “You know I’m not a kola person,” Eke, Sunday’s uncle said. “If you don’t have whisky, then forget it.”

  “You know I have stopped drinking a long time ago, even though I still have other vices.” He chuckled. “A man must have at least one of the three vices: alcohols, smoking and….” He looked at Sunday and the driver and hesitated. “There are some things I am not permitted to say, but I’m sure you know what I’m passing across.”

  “Of course I know. You’re still as randy as ever,” Eke said and smiled. They laughed out loud.

  The sky grew darker than before. A flash of lightening appeared in the sky followed by a shattering thunder. The wind grew stronger sweeping dust and dirt. The shrubs swayed to and fro, the waste bin by the entrance fell on the ground and the dirt scattered all over the surface.

  “The rain has been very terrible…we need to find a shelter,” Wilcox said getting up from the seat. “Come over to my place.”

  They stood up and scurried into the parking lot trying to avoid splash of rain water the strong wind blew their way. Another lightening flashed and then, thunder. The driver opened the front seat and pulled out the knobs to the other doors. They jumped into the vehicle and slammed the door behind them.

  “It’s always like this when it rains,” Mr. Wilcox said looking through the window. Darkness covered the sky and the rain made visibility poor. The trees and shrubs appeared to wobble when viewed through the window. The driver turned on the ignition and revved the engine. “My house is not far from here. I’ll direct you,” Wilcox said.

  The driver reversed and made a U-turn. He put on the headlamp to the fullest. The car wipers worked overtime, wiping off fusillade of rain drops beating the windscreen. The sound of the drops intensified as they hit the metal roof of the vehicle.

  “Is the world coming to an end or what? ”Eke raised his voice to say but he could hardly hear himself speak.

  “Welcome to Aluu town, welcome to River State…it doesn’t get better than this,” Wilcox said. “Please slow down and take the second turning.”
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  Eke swore under his breath. He slotted in an audio cassette into the stereo before he remembered it had gone bad. The vehicle was given to an auto electrician to work on, but he ended up damaging the audio player. Eke began to detest the car. In fact he already disliked it before the trip. It was all about performance but no luxury. He once joked about the vehicle being best for conveying livestock or farm products and not humans. But presently he meant what he said.

  They drove along a tapered tarred road surrounded by clusters of trees, shrubs, creeping plants and elephant grasses as tall as humans. The road looked empty of life. Even as the light shone, one could still not see if anything lurking beyond.

  “Slow down and turn there,” Wilcox said pointing to a compound whose fence had a blend of white and reddish brown. Spirogyra grew freely spreading across its surface. The driver hooted and waited for a response. The gateman came out with an umbrella and opened the rickety gates. The driver shifted the gear and drove carefully as if on egg shells. Darkness covered the vicinity but the powerful beam of light provided by the vehicle was enough for visibility. The driver found an old dilapidated shade constructed with wood and rusty aluminum roofing sheet where he brought the vehicle to a final halt.

  Mr. Wilcox opened the door and hopped out of the vehicle. Water splashed as he thrusts his foot into the pool. “Wait here a minute…” he shouted. “Please leave your light on…let me see road to put on the generator.” He scrambled behind the building fiddling with some tools.

  “Oh, what on earth is he trying to do?’ Eke said hitting the dashboard. “He knows we are coming today...” he wriggled in the car and hissed. Eke wanted to jump out but could not do so. It wasn’t advisable to, when he couldn’t even locate his feet how much more finding his way around.

  Not up to five minutes, Wilcox came out with an umbrella and a flashlight. He searched for two concrete blocks and placed them in the pool of water, one beneath the car and the other close to the door step. They would need to maneuver their way into the house without dipping their legs into the pool of water or get drenched in the rain. Wilcox opened the door to the car and handed the driver the umbrella. He directed him to step on the stone. When the driver was done, the umbrella was handed over to Eke. Finally, Sunday’s luggage was taken out from the trunk and he scaled the pool of water.

  They entered into the house through the kitchen. Kerosene lantern was used to provide light just enough to keep one from stumbling. He led them into the sitting room which had a candle light and a lantern. It was brighter compared to the kitchen but pale and gloomy. They sat on the sofa while the luggage was taken into one of the rooms.

  The three guests sat on clammy, stained sofa observing the house. They saw charcoal stains on the wall resulting from the use of kerosene stove. The cardboard ceiling was green from mildew and spirogyra. The little they saw from the dim light spoke volume. The appearance had little to do with privation, but more of disorderliness.

  Wilcox came out sweating profusely and breathing heavily. “Gentle men, make yourselves feel at home,” he said. He sat on the couch next to them and sank into it.

  “I’m very sorry about…the light…you know how things work over here…any way, your military instincts will guide you,” Wilcox said wiping his forehead with his sleeves. “The power plant that serves the school went bad after a rat ate up a wire.”

  Eke sat up and hissed. He unbuttoned his shirt and fanned himself with his hanky.

  “I perceive you will be hungry…let me prepare…”

  “Forget about it for now,” Eke said. “We may sleep quite early.”

  Wilcox stood up and opened the windows a little bit to let in some cool breeze. “You see, I am just managing this place. This is not where I hope to die and be buried,” he said with a chuckled.

  “No need for further explanation, we understand,” Eke said. He sat on the tip of the couch to avoid getting stained. He also feared bedbugs and suspected they were present in large numbers. He looked at the ceiling and saw water sipping through it. He bowed his head not knowing the right words to say.

  “It’s funny how a little rat could sabotage a whole generating plant supplying this school,” Eke said with a sardonic smile. “What about your tiny 3KVA generator? Was it a rat or a cockroach?”

  Sunday giggled. He dared not laugh aloud in his uncle’s presence. The driver had to fight the urge to do same. Even though their relationship with Eke wasn’t cordial in any way, Sunday’s giggle turned into a laugh. Wilcox smiled to hide his embarrassment

  “It sounds funny, but listen,” Wilcox said in quiet tone. “The rat was sent by a witch to cause damage to the plant. I’m quite aware that you are all ignorant about witchcraft because you’ve never experienced it before.”

  “I know you as a superstitious man years ago, it would rather be a surprise if you change,” Eke said.

  “This is very much different,” Wilcox said chewing his bitter kola. It’s a habit he picked up in old age.

  The rain subsided after half an hour. Wilcox opened the window completely and drew the curtains apart. A rush of fresh air blew into the sitting room. It was invigorating as well as tender. Sunday and the driver fell asleep.

  Wilcox called Eke to the dining area. They sat opposite each other with a thick mahogany table separating them. Wilcox looked into Eke’s face with those bloodspot eyes of his. Eke was taken aback by the macabre sight of Wilcox. His appearance and mood changed to some extent. His bloody eyes turned dim and ghostly like those of a corpse. The partial light created an indistinct silhouette which had the resemblance of a gnome. But as the light wavered, Wilcox face became clearer. Eke became stiff as he held his breath.

  “Why do have to bring your nephew to this school?”

  Eke stuttered and raised his eyebrow. Wilcox voice sounded tremulous and as low as a whisper. After the rain ceased and everywhere became still—cold and quiet—except for the hoot of an owl, loud enough as if it stood by the door. The kerosene light from the lamp grew weak and the candle light flickered until it went off.

  “What…do you…mean by that?”

  “I told you not to come at all. I knew what I was saying when I asked you not to…there’s so much that goes in here that I wouldn’t want your nephew to experience. Of course we try to brand the institution as one of the best in the country, but we know the deep secrets.”

  Eke shrugged like it didn’t matter. “There’s nothing life threatening in it,” he said. “He needs a different environment.”

  “But not this place at all, you wouldn’t understand. What about his father, your brother?”

  “He’s been very sick,” Eke said with a wave of hand. “He’s been bedridden like a weak vegetable for some months now. All he does is to eat and shit, he doesn’t even make decision—it’s so pathetic. And no one knows what will happen to him next.”

  Wilcox gazed into his eyes without flinching as if in search for something new. “Do you love your brother? I mean your nephew’s father?”

  Eke paused for a moment, he bowed his head and hissed. His eyes constricted and he rolled up his fist. He grabbed hold of Wilcox shirt and pulled him. “What… are you getting at?” He said under gritting teeth but he let go of him after he saw Sunday and the driver move.

  “From your response, you don’t need to tell me the answer,” Wilcox said.

  There was silence and tension between them. They looked into each other eyes without backing down.

  “I don’t have to be cross examined by you. This is the school for my nephew and that’s final,” Eke said.

  “From the look of things…”

  At an instance, a loud piercing shout erupted from inside the room. Stunned and frightened Sunday woke up from sleep and sprang to his feet. Eke made a sharp turn and gasped at what he saw. Someone or something clobbered the door with two blows that brought it down. A man—or a beast—more like half man half beast emerged with fetters of iron round his waist and feet which were broken.


  It was the most horrifying creature they had ever seen. It had furs and wings folded at its back. It was over 7 feet tall and it possessed the strength of a stallion or perhaps a matured ape. It had no weapon or a sledge hammer but two massive fists twice normal. Wilcox anticipating his action raised his hand and spoke a word at it.

  The seething beast man became less agitated. His breath like flush of heat wave from an oven subsided. With deep red eyes and fangs sticking out of his mouth, he stared into the eyes of Eke. Eke cringed standing behind Wilcox holding him tight and looking away from the beast. Sunday and the driver froze. They hid behind the chair even though it could not shield them. The beast drooled watching the strangers quiver. Wilcox spoke quietly and slowly repeating words which didn’t make any sense. The beast turned away with slouched shoulder like a child denied candy. They watched him leave for the room angry and disappointed.

  “Just a minute,” Wilcox said to his guests as he left for the room. The next thing they heard were sounds of wire lashing the surface of a flesh and the cry of a hyena followed. “I told you never to come out…why did you scare my visitors…huh?” More lashes of wires and the cry continued. When Wilcox came out he was drenched in his own sweat.