EYES IN THE WOOD

By CHIKA VICTOR ONYENEZI (Nigeria)

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CHAPTER SEVEN
A HAPPY REUNION

Ikem and Chijioke were taken by the police force; they were now safe. The police officer picked up his telephone and called Ikem’s parents.

“Hello, this is Mr. Oduka” Mr. Oduka said at the other end of the line.

“This is Owerri divisional police. It’s about the case you reported. We think we have your kid. Could you come over to the police headquarters immediately?” Officer said, and dropped the receiver. He opened his drawer, brought out a bottle of hot drink and drank. He looked at the children and smiled.

“ehe you?” he pointed at Chijioke.

“You got your papa number or any of relatives?” he asked.

“No sir” Chijioke replied.

“I will go to your school, or even put you on air,” Officer said. Chijioke nodded in approval. At least they are now in safe hands. Ikem regretted ever going to the wood. He regretted not concentrating in class. But at least God has rescued them from the hands of kidnappers.

“Do you want to eat?” Officer asked.

“No sir,” they both answered.

“Didn’t copra give you bread?”

“No sir,"

“Ah copra has eaten my money. Let me get you something to eat”, He went outside and bought a loaf of bread for them. The children hungrily ate the loaf of bread. Officer sat on his seat and slept off.


Mr. and Mrs. Oduka walked up to the counter.

Ikem saw them, ran and embraced his parents. He felt peace inside.

“Mummy! Daddy!” Ikem shouted

“Ah my son, God has done it – thank God oh!" His parents praised God.

The police officer wake up, smiling – and came over to meet them. It was the same officer they reported to.

“Ah madam and sir welcome oh!” officer greeted them.

“Oga police thanks oh!” Mr. Oduka greeted the police man smiled, his head swelling with pride.

“It was a dangerous investigation finding these children. I devised every investigative technique. I combed every hideout, later I still found them” Officer praised himself.

“Well done oga police.” they greeted.

He continued telling his adventure,
“Yes, they where kidnapped by the most dangerous guys in town. He was on the run when my boy intercepted him. I nearly shot him on the spot, but I left them for the angry rioters. At least I found them”

“Thank God oh!” Mr. Oduka said.

“Come and sign here.” Officer gave them some sheets of official papers.

“Here” he instructed Mr. Oduka.

They signed every document presented to them. Ikem was very happy. At least he would be going home. Chijioke sat quietly on the floor as Ikem prepared to follow his parent’s home. Officer filed the signed documents. His eyes caught with Chijioke’s own he pitied the small lad.

“Can you please drop me at their school?” Officer requested.

“Yes sure” they replied.

“This is another boy, he was kidnapped along with your child,” Officer said, pointing at Chijioke.

“Oh my god, come my son! Come” They called the poor boy.

Chijioke joined them in their car. Officer sat in the back seat with the two lads. Teasing them – telling them funny stories of his escapades in line of duty. He also told them how determined he was to crack their case. At least with his success, promotion is near.

They parked in front of the headmistress’s office. Chijioke’s mother on sighting her son, she ran, throwing away one of her wrapper unknowingly, and embraced her son. Chijioke’s father came out to meet his son. He stroked Chijioke’s head and embraced him.

“Thank God,” Chijioke’s father said.

The families with their lads, danced happily into the headmistress office. The headmistress couldn’t hide her joy. She danced around with them. The school teachers ran to headmistress office, to share in their joy. Officer proudly stood in the office. He repeated his story of heroism. The headmistress sang loudly after listening to the whole story. Chijioke’s parents drove the officer back to station in their own car, to sign the necessary papers. While Ikem and his parents joyfully went home. From the car Ikem sighted Emmanuel, he was waving at him, and he waved back.

There goes the chicken-hearted Emmanuel, strong, healthy, and unhurt. The brave Ikem and Chijioke nearly lost their life. Is it not better to be a coward and live? Ikem learnt his lesson, always to listen to his parents. Their voices were his beginning. The charm of disobedience lures you into death. The woods taught him a lesson. Ikem never did such a thing again. He went back to school as a new person. He started shining again.

As for chairman and Danga; their carcasses were feasted upon by fowls of the air, and worms of the earth.

They decayed, smelled and decomposed in the bush. Once again Owerri laid still, quiet, peaceful.

Kidnappers and ritualists fled out of the town.