Must Read: The Claw, The Tail, And The Cross. - Season 1 - Episode 13

7 years ago

Must Read: The Claw, The Tail, And The Cross. - Season 1 - Episode 13

We hurried out from the air conditioned Airport lounge into the field and the hot sun.

we approached cautiously as the Leopard remained as still as a statue, looking on ahead, its whiskers blowing in the hot early afternoon breeze.

Around us, activity continued as people and goods moved around, oblivious of things going on beyond the veil of physical vision.

“You are seeing this, right?” I asked Jenny, not taking my eyes off the beast for a single moment.
“I am not hallucinating right?”
Jenny nodded slowly. she looked quite frightened as if she expected the beast to turn and charge us at any moment.

It sat on its haunches, its two beautiful tails swishing excitedly behind it. It looked tense, hungry, as if it were out on a hunt.

but i reasoned that couldn’t be possible, it was just a manifestation. Our man-animal had still not fed since last night.
“There you are!” We heard a voice coming up behind us.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for both of you.”

We whirled around to see Mr. Obi walking towards us. I turned back and saw that the Leopard had vanished.
“Where did you go?” Jenny demanded.

Mr Obi raised up something wrapped in a piece of newspaper.
“I didn’t see anything i would like in the restaurant and i remembered a woman was selling roasted plantain by the side of the road, so i decided to stroll out and get some for myself. Hope i didn’t take too long?”
I looked at him. The yellow fire that had encompassed him earlier had been dying down on our way to the airport but right now it was back in full force.
“Are you sure its only bole you want to eat?” i asked.

He smiled at me.
“Okay, honestly after i came out of the men’s room i went to ask the cook whether they had any chicken and he said it’s only fried goat meat they have and i don’t like the taste of goat meat. I also bought some suya along with the bole but i wanted to devour it myself later. Do you think that was selfish of me?”

The look on Jenny’s face was scary.

she seemed to want to say something and i quickly cut her off.
“Nah, not scary at all. I like keeping some things to myself too, we all do right Jenny?”
“Y…Yeah.” Jenny said.

Mr. Obi looked at her. “Jenny? Are you alright?

You look scared.” He turned back to me. “What happened while i was away?”
“Nothing,” i said. “Let’s go back to the car, I’m sure the driver will be waiting for us now. That would be a nice change for once abi?”

Obi and I laughed and as soon as he turned his head i pinched Jenny on the arm. she yanked her arm away.
“The bastard!”
“Calm down Jenny,” I said,
“We still don’t know if he is the one.”
“How can you say that?” Jenny cried,
“He is here, the leopard appeared, of course it’s him!”
“Or it may be he is in contact with the creature, maybe he just got off a call with him, maybe he was thinking about the creature, these manifestations are not usually straight forward you know.”
“You are letting your likeness for him cloud your judgement…”Jenny said.
“And you are letting your hatred for the creature cloud yours!” i said.
“It looked like you were about to confront him here and now! What if he had denied having anything to do with the leopard?

Then we would have alerted him or his accomplice that we know what they are doing and we still wouldn’t have any solid proof.

Calm down Jenny. The man-animal is hungry, and hungry people make mistakes. We’ll tail him back to his house and see if we can catch him in a more compromising position.

Make absolutely sure that he is the one, before we take any action.”

Jenny remained quiet and i could see she was struggling within herself to follow my logic.

The truth was that i was disheartened that Mr. Obi seemed to have something to do with the creature after-all and i fervently wanted to believe he was the accomplice and not the blood thirsty beast itself, not that it would have made it any less of a crime on his part but maybe he was being coerced against his will.

Also i didn’t want Jenny doing anything rash like attacking him in full view of everybody around, it would be awkward explaining the reason for the fight. We had to get him at a more opportune time.

Jenny sighed and followed me as i went to catch up with Mr Obi. I was right, the driver was waiting for us this time.

During the ride back, Jenny hardly said a word and i had to keep up lively conversation with Mr,Obi so as not to arouse any suspicion. i vainly sought to see another manifestation but all that came out were what i had seen before and that yellow flame. It was definitely a suppressant of sorts.

“So, Mr. Obi, this one we are in Asaba, where are you staying? Do you have family here as well or are you staying in a hotel?”
“Oh, I don’t have any family near here,” Mr. Obi said.
“I’m staying in a hotel. It’s quite close to yours actually. The one at the junction just before your own.”
“How come you didn’t stay in my hotel na?” i asked him
“Ha! That your hotel is expensive oh; and the firm is footing your bill. Me, I’m paying for myself and besides i like the place, it is nice and quiet. One can do what he wants there without much scrutiny from people around.” And he winked.

We drove on back to the city and the driver dropped Mr Obi off at his place. It was true, his hotel was a mere fifteen minute walk from my place. the car dropped me off and before i left i said to Jenny.

“Meet me at my place tonight by 9pm. We are going to do all-night. Jenny’s face lit up a little.

“Now of all times that i am in a bad mood and you finally cave in. Should i bring a change of clothes?”
“It’s not what you think,you naughty girl.” i said.
“Tonight we are going to spy on Mr Obi.

I believe he will go out hunting with his friend and when he does we’ll be there to catch him in the act.”

“You mean, like a stakeout?” Jenny said smiling.
“That’s right,” I said.
“You watch the right movies. We are going on a stake-out.”