THROUGH THE HEAVENS

Walking through the forest, the path seemed strange, unlike what she passed through, was it 30 minutes ago? She couldn't remember. The path, however, wasn't strange, she was. And no, it hadn't been 30 minutes, in fact, it had been 4 hours, the sun itself told the story as it began to set.

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The story of how a young lady of 24 found herself in the heart of a thick forest would amaze you. The forest had no name, so she had been told, and the stream flowing through its heart connected to no ocean. She knew it was pure bull, but she nodded in fascination when they told her.

Her skin had become pale from the torture she had passed through for the last 4 hours, but you'd wonder why she smiled as walked towards the white Toyota Hiace bus with the 'Church of the Living God' written boldly on both sides. Oh, what a joke she thought if only the people knew. But that wasn't her cup of tea. She had gotten what she came for and she was ready to try out her newfound self. 'Wait till the girls get a load of this!' she thought and smirked.

Linda knew she couldn't get through the rest of her twenties in such a bore, and she had a feeling there would be a sacrifice involved. She had never been one to give much of a damn about her religion in the first place, at that point, she just needed to get out there and make stuff happen.

Then comes Anna, her childhood friend with the 'God did it!' caption every other day. Yeah, God did it alright! thought Linda.

Approaching Anna was simple. She knew Anna was up to something unnatural. All she had to do was sign a silly NDA and the information came pouring. The cars, the houses, the hairs, the phones, no job, and no business (at least not one that pays enough to fund that lifestyle).

Anna took her over to see her 'pastor', and that was how it all began. He started off with the customary prayer and church invites, which she adhered to with no stress. She heard members praying to the 'God of pastor Jerry', oh but if they know, or maybe they do, and they don't mind.

The religious torture lasted only a month, after which they got down to business.

Pastor Jerry had his way with the spirits, Anna had said, and he knew exactly how to access the ones who bring wealth. It wasn't wholly unbiblical, however, it was best to just keep it on a low, you know, don't want to upset the spirits. Anna had not always been the brightest, Linda thought, but her ignorance was no matter here, all Linda needed was the lifestyle at all cost.

Raised as the 6th child in a home with 12 children, Linda was fortunate to get a university education. Save for the aunt who took pity on her and paid through her schooling at the University of Nsukka, Linda was poor through and through.

Now, only a week after her National Youth Service program, she's ready to take the plunge to become 'an influencer'; that's what she's going to call herself, it had a nice ring to it.

The strangest thing was the fowl blood. It had a foul smell and brought back memories of her days in the village when her grandmother would take no pity on her and send her off to catch and kill one of her many hens in the village to entertain guests. It was rather strange for the people of Nangi-ama for a lady to own hens, and even stranger for a little girl of 5 running around the village asking if they say any white hen with a red ribbon.
Her mind wandered to those fond memories of her past to distract her from the matter at hand, as she took a sip from the fowl blood inside the calabash. It tasted just as awful as it smelt. The things we do for the fame and fortune, she thought.

Being fingered by Jerry was not new. They had had a number of rendezvous during her 1-month membership at his church. But the nasty thing was the stream water he fondled inside her. He stared into her eyes when he did it, daring her to moan, but she felt no pleasure. This was not the time or place.

The final act was the coffin. How comfortable it felt. She paid no mind when he said it was dug from the nearest graveside and previously had an occupant. She smelt nothing, and it was probably just said to creep her out.

The words, saying them felt strange as she could barely recognize the voice. It wasn't hers.

'Return and be in abundance' were the last words of Jerry as she and the other females walked towards the bus that would first take them to the church, as they were considered candidates for 'baptism', and then take them home.

Linda smiled to herself in wonder and marvel of her guts. She had done it, and she would live life to the fullest. She never exactly wanted a child of her own in the first place, she could live with that sacrifice.

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