Must Read: Sunrise in Makoko (A Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 2

6 years ago

Must Read: Sunrise in Makoko (A Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 2

Surprised Diran asked, "With your gaunt physique, I don't think you stand a chance with that barrel-chested dude. You know you are just 13 years old. Even Tade, who's 14, can't dare raising his fingers in the scaremonger's presence."

"I will give him a throat stab. You can use your index finger and middle finger to 'stab' your opponent in the throat."

Bolu staggered as he continued his explanation.

"Aim your fingers toward the dent located between your offender's left and right collar bone ..."

While Bolu was still speaking, Tade entered and said, "The opportunity is here."

"What is the gist, man? No dulling!" Said Diran.

"My father confided in me and revealed the whereabouts of the missing Adeife to me. You guys want to see the ancient crown?" Tade asked.

"Who won't? Whoever finds that will be given heroic welcome in the palace," Layode said.

Diran's eyebrow was raised, "It's suicidal for kings to intentionally behold the inner part of that crown, I learnt."

"But we aren't kings. So we are not going to break any taboo," Bolu said.

"The probable location of the crown is Papa Baalu, a plateau-like landscape just beyond the government teak reserve," Tade continued.

"You got the map?" Layode asked.

"It's about 45 kilometres to Ife-Odan. Distance between teak forest boundary and Papa Baalu is about 5 kilometres and west of it," Tade explained.

Layode surveyed the faces of his friends and said, "Men, this will be a big time adventure. It will be an opportunity to see the grave of that white geologist that died at the top of Isero mountain."

"They said he was looking for gold, and the mountain killed him," Bolu interjected.

Tade smirked, and said, "When did a mountain become a living thing that can claim a treasure? Make name for your selves, and leave behind the shores of Naija. You can then dwell in beaches like Maine or Miami, Florida."

"And one can later erect a mansion in his home town. Concerning the mountain killing the white man, that is the elders' way of naming a fictitious character."

"You should mind what you wish for your self, Layode. Once I'm out of this hellhole of a country, it'll be a journey of no return. Instead of coming back here, I'll rather pray to end up in war-torn South Sudan or Napoli," Tade maintained.

"They said that is why the mountain makes fire every morning to keep its offspring warm," Layode added.

"That's garbage, man. It's humid air climbing up the mountain that you people call smoke," Diran explained.

"We have been arguing about the country of origin of the man. Let's just go and see for our selves. Leave Diran and Layode to the humid hair and smoke rhetoric," Tade advised.

"Guys, let us start planning before we miss this chance. The ancient crown is somewhere out there. All of us belong to Man'O War paramilitary organization. Let's lie to our parents that we are camping out tonight," Diran suggested.

"That's a good idea. I'll be back," Bolu said, and ran away.

Tade and Layode stood up from their rocky seats as they prepared to leave.

Within minutes, Bolu rushed inside, and brought out a short Dane gun.

"Diran, I have brought the nemesis of any scaremonger."

Diran opened a box, brought out gun powder from it, loaded the gun, and pointed it at an entrance. Then a gun shot was heard.

Tade scanned the surrounding quickly, and said, "Neighbours will raise eyebrows at the sound of gunshots."

"This is a blacksmith shop. My Father often tests completed dane guns."

Tade, Bolu, and Layode left as Diran told them to meet him at a crossroad.