It's been 20yrs since the battle of Witches and the world which was oblivious of what had happened was still recovering from aftermath of the supernatural war. Being amongst the cities that had survived the war, Calabar was yet to recover back to it's former glory. Not only was the city struggling to rebuild but it was also facing the worst economic decline it's ever had, there was less jobs, and the inflation was very high and the population was growing faster thanks to the immigrants coming from other states that were destroyed in the supernatural war.
For 15yrs, the situation grew worst until things spiraled out of control. With no means of getting a decent living, some of the people turned to crime especially smuggling so as to make ends meet.
Smuggling soon became a major headache in Calabar, it was so rampant in the state until it became impossible to get rid off. Before long, pirates groups emerged in Calabar and a criminal underground was formed. Every week, there were news of stolen goods at sea or reports of illegal contraband found in some docks in Calabar. There were occasion where the warehouses in the city were broken into and robbed by these same pirates who sold off the goods to people outside Calabar. The Smuggling business had become so successful that almost everybody was involved in it but the business came with some consequences.
Some illegal contraband or goods smuggled into the state were hazardous to people's health especially illegal or fake drugs. Lots of people died as a result of this but this was nothing compared to the pirate gang wars that constantly breaks out. Since the smuggling was so successful, there was a lot of intense competition and that brought a lot of enmity and hatred. The pirates who were all greedy and self centered didn't want to lose their gains and profits so they decided the best way to get rid of the competition is wipe out the other rivaling party and that brought a lot of bloodshed.
Seeing that there was no end to this nightmare, the State government, LG chairmen and counsellors from the state districts organized a meeting and finally came up with the law known as the * Condemnation act*. This act has three laws which states that ;-
- Any Pirate caught and investigated that he has taken life while he/she carries out his/her illegal operations will not only have his/her assets confiscated but they will also hand and if the pirate is clean of any loss of life then, he/she will be shipped off to the cargo prison outside Calabar where they'll spend the rest of their days in confinement.
- The second law states that, anyone caught with contraband goods will not only lose his property and assets but they will also spend 10yrs in the cargo prison.
- The third law states that anyone seen at docks or river/sea side past 10 at night without tangible evidence/evidence will be fined heavily and failure to pay will result to them spending 5yrs in the cargo prison.
Despite passing out this law there were some that disregarded this law especially traditional worshippers who insisted on making sacrifice to Ananse, the river goddess for ritual and other rites. Apart from the traditional worshippers, smugglers also used this opportunity to conduct their businesses without being detected but not all of them get to come home alive. For 5yrs, the law prevailed and Calabar gained some stability and order but it was long before things started to get a little bit out of control.
Presently one chilly evening, a group of elderly men assembled inside the community center of Ibeno local government area discussing about the pirate incident. The men who are also influential figures in the community talked at great lengths trying to find whatever means to end their long term crisis.
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Chief Asibong ➡ 20yrs has passed since the great cataclysm came and nearly wiped everyone out of existence! What's the point of surviving that great disaster only to end up going through this
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Pastor Edet ➡ What are you saying? You say something that you'll come to regret! At last this is not as bad as the cataclysm.
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Chief Asibong ➡ Easy for you to say that pastor! You're not the one who has shipments out on sea. The cost of living is high and nobody can afford this kind of loss.
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Pastor Edet ➡ Everything that is happening is the will of God.
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Chief Akanimoh ➡ My friend shut up there! How can you say this is the will of God? Our ordered products are being stolen and you say it's God's will.
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Custum Ambrose ➡ Enough Gentlemen! Bickering with one another won't solve the issue. However, I do have a lead on this nightmare that you're facing.
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Mr.Etim ➡ You're sure?
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Inspector Ambrose ➡ Of course.
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Chief Asibong ➡ So Ambrose, do you know who's behind these piracy?
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Inspector ➡ No but we have a suspect. Joseph!
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All ➡ JOSEPH!?
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Pastor Edet ➡ That imbecile. I always knew that young man is not to be trusted.
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Chief Akanimoh ➡ Hold on.. You're saying that Joseph, that fish seller is a pirate? This is absurd.
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Chief Asibong ➡ I agree with Akanimoh! It is ridiculous. I don't like that fellow but come on. Let's not forget that we have smugglers and ritualist who perform sacrifices to Ananse.
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Custom Ambrose ➡ Hear me out! According to the Intel we've gathered, your shipment gets robbed when it's about to get reach shore.
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Akanimoh ➡ So?
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Inspector Ambrose ➡ So, we all know that Joseph doesn't follow the third law. He's been seen many times swimming at the docks or some river late at night. Can't you see the pattern here? What if Joseph is the pirates informant. He could be the one letting them know the time and day the shipment are going to arrive.
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Asibong ➡ It can't be. That young man doesn't look like a pirate.
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Ambrose ➡ Appearances are deceiving and besides a pirate doesn't need to look scary or mean. I'm telling you Joseph is behind this. Can't you see? Ever since he was brought into this community of ours, all he's been getting his scorn and hatred. Nobody likes him.
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Akanimoh ➡ Except the women of course. Some of them like him.
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Pastor Edet ➡ That's because they're fascinated and turned on by his handsome looks and charm.
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Asibong ➡ So Ambrose, what you're saying is that Joseph stealing because of how people treat him.
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Ambrose ➡ Sure! Can't you see? He's a young man living with a poor woman whose financial income is pitiful.
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Akanimoh ➡ Even if it's true you don't have proof and we can't just arrest the young man.
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Asibong ➡ I don't believe it's Joseph but if I were to blame anyone, I would blame Chief priest of Ananse, his followers have done doing all sorts of sacrifices lately.. I wouldn't be surprised if they're the ones behind this.
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Shortly after that statement, The Chief priest of Ananse appears at the scene and blasts Asibong for his slanderous comment and sternly warns him not to blame him for the crisis.
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Ekanem ➡ May Ananse curse your foul mouth! How dare you accuse me of such acts?
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Edet ➡ The devil spawn has shown! Enough with this your Ananse. She's not real. Only Jesus is.
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Ekanem ➡ TAHH!!! Close your blasphemous mouth priest!! Ananse has been the protector of this nation long before the white men brought their religion to us.
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Akanimoh ➡ So Priest, any progress with the sacrifices that you've been making?
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Ekanem ➡ I do and believe me, the worst is yet to come. Ananse has shown me that our nation will face more greater crisis but there is a salvation and it lies in the hands of unnatural union. Only through that, our nation will finally find peace.
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Edet ➡ This is absurd.
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Asibong ➡ You really expect us to believe this?
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Ekanem ➡ I do not care what you believe but mark my words, my predictions should not be taken lightly. Also, that boy Joseph should be left alone, I have a feeling that he'll be the one to save us.
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Akanimoh ➡ Enough talk priest! Go home and continue with your sacrifices. We will deal with this crisis in our own way.
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Ekanem ➡ Suit yourselves but mark my words. This is just the beginning of our nightmare. (Leaves)
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Edet ➡ It's sad watching people allowing themselves to be mislead by Satan. May God guide them to the right path.
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Asibong ➡ So back to our discussion. Joseph is not a pirate but if you're still insisting on it Inspector, you'll have to find hard concrete proof.
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Ambrose ➡ That I will. I wonder what that rascal is up to now.
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Meanwhile somewhere in Calabar, Joseph's foster mom Nkese chats with her neighbors in her front porch discussing the death of a neighbor's daughter whose body had been torn in half. Despite the tragic death, nobody felt a thing for the deceased cause she was known to be a cold and a mean person.
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Agatha ➡ This is what happens to those that think that their actions are not being watched by God.
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Catherine ➡ Although, I feel sad for her parents. She has brought shame upon their family name.
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Nkese ➡ It's unfortunate but there's nothing that can be done for her now. All she needs now is prayer.
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Francine ➡ You can say that again. No man is going to marry her after she's done serving her time. No one would want a thief as a wife.
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Nkese ➡ Stop saying that. It's not proper. That girl is a christian and nobody is an exception from temptation. All we can now is pray for our younger generation.
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Catherine ➡ Nkese is right. I know this becomes a lesson to all youngsters. Our children are getting worst everyday.
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Agatha ➡ Ah, speak for yourself. Mine are not that bad. Besides there's no such as a perfect child.
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Francine ➡ Speaking of youngsters, how's Joseph?
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Nkese ➡ Hmm, still the same.
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Francine ➡ I wouldn't say the same. That boy of yours has grown into a fine male specimen. He's so handsome and strong.
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Agatha ➡ There's no doubt but besides good looking, he's such a good help. Yesterday he cleared out my husband's garage all by himself. He lifted those heavy junks all by himself.
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Catherine ➡ Such a wonderful young man. I wish my son could be like him. That's why I encourage their friendship. Young men of this era are so lazy. All they think about is women and quick ways to earn money.
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Agatha ➡ Their minds are corrupted. May God save them from the devil's toys.
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Francine ➡ So Nkese, Is your son seeing any young lady recently?
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Nkese ➡ I'm not sure. Joseph doesn't talk much about his social life but I've seen him talking to Nene's daughter, Sofia .
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Francine ➡ That girl! Heh heh (claps hands). I hope Joseph is not interested in her cause that girl is too vain and selfish.
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Agatha ➡ Can you blame the girl? She's just a carbon copy of her mother!
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Catherine ➡ Well, my Gina is certainly interested in Joseph. I bet they'll be a perfect match.
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Francine ➡ (laughs) In your dreams. My Erica is a dedicated catholic and a good christian. Nobody deserves Joseph more than her.
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Nkese ➡ Please ladies, enough. I understand what you're trying to do but that's not up to me, it's up to Joseph. After all, he's a man now.
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Agatha ➡ By the way, where is he?
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Nkese ➡ My sister I have no clue. He's always disappearing like a ghost. Joseph is a good boy but he has his issues.
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Catherine ➡ Don't they all? I just hope he's not at the river side again. It's night.
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Nkese ➡ My sister that's what I'm worried about. No matter how I scold that boy about going to the river, he never seems to listen. That's his only fault. I'd give anything to make him stop going there.
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Francine ➡ If I may ask, what's he doing there?
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Nkese ➡ I honestly don't know. He spends his time studying about aquatic legends and treasures of the sea. If you check his journals, you'd see the amazing drawings he had done about fishes . He even remembers all their names and their nature. His memory is extraordinary.
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Agatha ➡ When did this obsession start?
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Nkese ➡ Ever since he was little.
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Francine ➡ Such a strange habit. Does he go to church?
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Nkese ➡ He does. (sighs) I just hope he doesn't get arrested again.
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Catherine ➡ Wait, isn't that Joseph with Mr. Bassey.
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Looking at the direction her neighbor pointed at, Nkese gasps as she sees her foster son and an old family friend making their way to their house and seeing the worried look on the face of the old man , Nkese knew that her son had done something wrong again. As both men approach in front of her house, Nkese approaches them calmly and asks what the matter was.
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Nkese ➡ Good evening, Bassey.
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Bassey ➡ Evening Nkese.
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Nkese ➡ Has something happened?
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Bassey ➡ I'm afraid it has. Your son was caught swimming in the rivers again.
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Nkese ➡ Ah Joseph! Why?
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Joseph ➡ I was just working on my research.
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Bassey ➡ Research!? What stupid research!? What's the point of it anyway?
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Joseph ➡ You wouldn't understand.
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Bassey ➡ Nkese, this is the 20th time that I caught your son. His actions are getting out of hand. Our local government chairman are getting restless about him. He has to stop this or he'll regret it one day.
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Nkese ➡ Thank you Bassey. I'll try talking some sense into him.
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Bassey ➡ You're a good individual Joseph. Don't ruin your life because of something minor and worthless.
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Joseph ➡ What I do isn't worthless. If you'll all excuse me, I'll be heading to my room. (leaves)
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Bassey ➡ That son of yours is strange.
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Francine ➡ I hope he isn't cursed. Because it's not normal for somebody to be going to the river always.
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Nkese ➡ My son isn't cursed. Better watch your mouth Francine. In fact, I'd like you all to leave. I need to talk to my son.
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Realizing that Nkese was in a bit of a foul mood, everyone soon leaves her house heading to theirs as well. After the departure of her neighbors, Nkese enters her house to talk to Joseph. Here inside his bedroom, Joseph confines himself to his reading table taking his time to work on his assignment and while he was doing that, Nkese enters his room and sits on his bed.
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Nkese ➡ Joseph.
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Joseph ➡ Yes ma.
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Nkese ➡ Why won't you stop going to the river? Why? What's so special about it that you can't do away from it. You know the crisis we're facing and I don't want anything bad to happen to you.
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Joseph ➡ Mom, nothing makes me feel more alive than spending my time in the river. It's a feeling I can't resist no matter what I do. I find solace spending my time there.
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Nkese ➡ Can't you see that it's getting you into trouble?
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Joseph ➡ I don't care. Besides I'm not doing anything dubious there.
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Nkese ➡ (sighs) Please Joseph, I'm begging you please. Stop going to the river. Don't you care about what people say or think about you?
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Joseph ➡ Mom, I don't care and I like the way I am. I won't change my ways just to please some people. If they don't like me, that's their problem.
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Seeing how stubborn her son is , Nkese starts sobbing quietly and her low cries attracts the attention of Joseph who disliked seeing her like this. Keeping aside his assignment, Joseph heads close to his foster mom and tries to console her.
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Joseph ➡ I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings mom but this is the fact.
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Nkese ➡ But Joseph I'm afraid something will happen to you. I know you're not involved in any smuggling but don't you know that innocent people get locked up for something they didn't do.
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Joseph ➡ Mom, God is with us.
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Nkese ➡ Joseph, it's time I tell you something that I should have told you long ago.
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Joseph ➡ What is it?
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Taking a brief moment of silence, Nkese brings out a gem from her wrapper and hands it to Joseph who stares at it with curiosity. After that, Nkese proceeds to tell her son the truth about his existence. Listening to his foster mom with rapt attention, Joseph stares at the gem with renewed interest and after Nkese was done telling her foster son everything, the young man keeps quiet for a while before speaking to his foster mom.
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Joseph ➡ I know you're not my mother.
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Nkese ➡ What!? How did you know?
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Joseph ➡ Christopher told me everything years ago.
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Nkese ➡ That dog!! I knew i shoudn't have told him.
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Joseph ➡ So, you never saw who brought me to your door step?
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Nkese ➡ No.
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Joseph ➡ So does this mean that my parents are alive?
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Nkese ➡ I don't know but when I found you, your blanket was covered in blood. The only thing you had in your possession was this gem.
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Joseph ➡ Why didn't you tell me before?
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Nkese ➡ I had to. Sooner or later you'd find out even if I didn't tell you. Besides the reason why I told you this is because I was worried about your strange habit. It's obvious that your parents died in the crisis that occurred 10yrs ago and I was afraid that whatever that lead to their death must be the reason behind your obsession towards rivers. I'm sorry Joseph. I really am.
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Joseph ➡ It's alright mom. It's alright.
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Nkese ➡ I can't stop you from going to the river but please promise me that you will be careful. Promise me Joseph.
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Joseph ➡ I promise mother, I will be.
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Nkese ➡ Don't forget that you'll be starting your degree tomorrow. I hope your things are ready.
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Joseph ➡ Everything is.
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Nkese ➡ Good and please remember what I told you. It wasn't easy getting this scholarship of yours so please use your time well and study. Don't waste your time following those cheap and materialistic ladies in the campus.
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Joseph ➡ Relax mom, I'm not easily swayed by women. You have nothing to worry about.
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Nkese ➡ It's certainly going to be quiet without you here.
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Joseph ➡ Just because i'll be boarding in the school doesn't mean I won't come and see you every weekends. Besides you need me to fish for you.
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Nkese ➡ God bless you my son but I'll be fine. Just concentrate on your studies.
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Joseph ➡ I hope Christopher makes it back early. This house needs a man.
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Nkese ➡ Silly boy. I see that man has spoilt you already. Don't follow in his footsteps.
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Joseph ➡ But you miss him don't you?
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Nkese ➡ Mind your business. I'll be heading to my room now. Your food is in the kitchen.
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Joseph ➡ Thanks mom. Good night.
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Nkese ➡ Good night.
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