🪘🪘🪘

THE HUT

The moon was bright in the sky, close enough that it felt like I could actually touch it if I reached out. The sound of keys jingling made me redirect my gaze from the moon I'd somehow gotten lost staring at and to mum in front of me, who busied herself unlocking what would be a small rusty gate. I looked around. We were at the back of the house, slightly farther from the building, the area deserted because there's never anything to do this side and they had always warned us against coming here. Strangest part, an eerie feeling hovered around. Maybe because there was no electricity overshadowing this section of the compound and the darkness freaked me out. I didn't understand why there were no lamppost on this side. It was obvious they had intentionally done it.

The short walls adjoining with the gate stood firm, and I wasn't sure if they went around or stopped somewhere behind. This was familiar. I remember coming across this structure when I was younger. After, dad had properly reprimanded me and since then, this part of the compound was no less than a ghost to me.

Finally, she pushed the door open as hard as she could because of its stubbornness to let us in. Perhaps it was old and rustier than I thought. She stepped in first, paving her path with the illumination from the torchlight in her hand. Then she held the gate on my behalf as I stepped in. Mum left the gate once I was in and took the lead forward. I followed her and eventually drew to a stop once she did. It was dark, and I wasn't sure about what we were staring at, but she raised the torchlight and I could see a strange hut in front of us.

Gradually, I furrowed my brows. A hut. I looked around; it was a deserted premise and this structure in front of us was the only thing here. Now that I think about it, I realised I've never stepped into this premise, not even as a child. Why haven't I seen this hut? Why wasn't I told about the existence of this space? Mum fixated the light on the small entrance without a door. It was pure darkness in there and I stared a bit intensively like someone waiting to see something happen. The longer I stared, the more it felt like I was being drawn towards it.

"This is it." Mum's voice pushed me out of my thoughts and I shifted my eyes to her.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, and she shifted her eyes to me.

"This is the deity's hut."

"What?" I shifted my gaze back to the structure. Nothing moved. I could barely hear a sound, but the feeling... something was definitely wrong. No wonder I'd felt a little creeped out earlier.

"Why would we have this here? It shouldn't... it shouldn't be here." I stated, somewhat in panic.

"It has been standing here for so many years. I do not know exactly when they had it built, but the idol lives inside and as long as it's here and we play our own part of the deal, our family will have anything we want."

Steadily, I drew in a deep breath. "I thought... I thought the idol would be in a shrine at Kamalu's home.

"We're not in a movie... Our world is actual. Our lives are real... I brought you here because I want you to realise the importance of your decision... I understand this might be too much for you to handle, but it's your fate. It's your destiny."

I watched her look away from me. "The deity is an ancient god. It has fed off us for a long time and it won't stand for disobedience... Kasie, this is bigger than us."

Mum shifted her eyes back to me. This time, they were softer than a few seconds ago. A sigh left her lips before she placed a hand on my arm. "Please... think harder about the decision you're making. Our lives truly depend on it." She said, then turned away to leave.

"Did you know about this before getting married to dad?" I asked. The question suddenly popped up in my mind and I couldn't help but let it out. Mum was a very understanding person. I couldn't imagine living my life in a family that I know harbours such a deadly secret. It was unbelievable.

She turned to me and was hesitant for what felt like a few seconds. "Yes."

Her reply left me surprise and as I followed her, walking behind, back to the main house, I still couldn't understand why she would go ahead with her marriage even after knowing what she knew. That was jeopardizing her future and yes, maybe I won't be here today if not for her decision, but at least, she would have been safe.

"I understand. Why did you marry him if you knew the truth? Weren't you scared or didn't you believe him?" I asked once we were on the verge of going up the stairs, unable to restrain my curiosity anymore.

She turned to me. "Of course, I believed him but I was also in love with him and... that was enough for me to sacrifice my entire life... when you love or care about someone, nothing else makes sense except their happiness and the time you share with him." She explained, then flashed a simple smile before turning away and continuing her steps up the stairs.

That night, I turned on the bed for the what should be the fifth time. I couldn't fall asleep. My mind kept replaying the entire day repeatedly, and mum's words echoed the most in my head. She loved him, so she sacrificed her life for him. Finally, I sat up and stared into the darkness for what felt like forever before sparing Lota by my side, a look. She was already fast asleep, sleeping as soundly as ever. The thought of this peace ripped away from her made me feel disturbed.

Lota was too young to die, and it was unfair that things turned out this way for a lot of us. We never asked for this. We never asked to be born into a family with such a crazy secret. I looked away from her and stared into darkness, nothing in particular. Did I perhaps take a selfish decision by saying I won't marry Kamalu? Don't I love them enough to sacrifice my entire life?

I sighed. Of course, I do. Even if they can be a little hard to deal with most of the time, they're still my family and I would hate for anything to happen to them, especially when I can prevent it, but I didn't. Maybe that's it... maybe this is what I need to do. I love them and I want to protect them. I laid down once more and stared at the dark ceiling. In the end... this is my fate. I'm not destined to live a normal life, especially to be with the person my heart yearns for.

An image of Cergio flashed across my mind, and I felt terrible. From the beginning, Cergio had always been too good for me and I was too blind to see it. By the end of this holiday, he might hate me and I can't blame him for that. I'm the worst, and maybe it would have been easier if we'd never met.

It had to be a dream. It couldn't be real, but it felt too real that I'm not sure anymore, which was the truth. I'd found myself on my knees right outside the gate and I'm crying nonstop, the pain in my heart unbearable, like I was being torn to pieces from inside repeatedly. I'd never felt such intense pain as I stared at the house I've always known as our ancestral home flamed up with fire. It was burning nonstop, from down to the top. Even the gates were on fire. I'd never seen so much fire at once. Somehow, I knew my family had been in there before the fire started. I didn't how it started but it just did and now, they're burning away inside. Somehow, I knew it was my fault. I stared down at my shaky hands. This... I did this... I killed them all.

Instantly, I woke up with a startle, panting and drenched in sweat. My heart raced fast against my ribcage. The only emotion I largely felt was fear. Somehow, I still felt the same pain I'd felt in my nightmare. I looked at my side and realised Lota was still asleep. Everything was fine... it was just a dream. I tried to console myself, but really, it didn't feel like that anymore. What did that mean? Could the dream be a warning? Is that what it is?

I looked out through the window. The sun was rising, and the night was gradually slipping away. Quick, I got off the bed and hurried into the bathroom to have my bathe. Quietly, I slipped out of the house holding a car key even though I heard light voices coming from the kitchen. I knew someone could've woken up earlier than I did, and it was probably because of the event holding today. There was something important I had to attend and be back home before the wedding starts by ten this morning.

The early morning breeze was chillier than I thought because of the harmattan and I wrapped my arms around myself, the sweater I had on wasn't doing much of a justice. I pressed the key fob, the headlights blinked, and I walked towards it. I'd tiptoed into Chidera's and Jachi's room and picked up the key fob off their bedside table. Chidera went out more often than I did, so she held onto the car key. The others were in mum's room and I knew she might already be awake so I had to make do with this. I got into the car and shut the door right away. Before I could start the engine, the other door opened and Cergio got in. I stared at him in surprise and watched as he shut the door before turning to me.

"W-what..."

"Don't do it." He was quick to say, interrupting what I had to say. I stared at him, then blinked a few times than normal. He's here. I know it has barely been two days since I last saw him, but seeing him right now brought back the feelings I was trying to bury.

"Don't do what you're about to do." He repeated, his statement a little clearer than his first. I stared at him, unsure about what to say. He had to be talking about something else. There's no way he would know about what I'm about to do or where I'm going.

"Kasie." He called as he quietly reached out for my hand and held it in between both of his. He stared into my eyes and I couldn't look away, or rather didn't want to.

"You're about to do something terrible and he sent me to tell you not to do it."

I blinked a few more times than normal, slightly scared and somewhat confused. I gulped down. "Who... who sent you?"

His gaze was consistent with mine and I searched in his eyes for what might be the answer, or maybe he was up to something entirely different.

"God. God sent me." He said, and it was impossible not to widen my eyes at his words.