Chapter One
Stella was Trapped
Stella was a hardworking hairdresser, devoted to providing for her young daughter, Samba. She spent most of her days in her modest shop, braiding and styling her clients' hair. Life wasn't always easy, but she took pride in her work and appreciated every customer who walked through her door.
One day, a new client, a well-dressed woman, visited Stella's shop and was pleased with her service. Before leaving, the woman asked if Stella could come to her house the next day to braid her hair and the hair of her two daughters. Eager for the extra income, Stella agreed.
The following morning, Stella arrived at the woman's house as promised. She spent hours carefully braiding the woman's hair, as well as that of her two daughters. When the work was complete, the woman handed Stella an envelope as payment, smiling warmly. Stella thanked her but didn't open the envelope until she got home.
Upon opening it, she was shocked to find 20,000 naira inside—a much larger sum than expected. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Stella immediately called the woman to express her thanks.
The money came at the perfect time. Stella had been saving to buy a special outfit for the end-of-year celebrations, something she could wear with pride. With this unexpected windfall, she went straight to the market and bought the finest clothes she could find, excited for the festivities ahead.
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### **The Prophecy**
A year passed, and Stella continued her work as usual. One hot afternoon, while walking home from the market, she encountered a prophet. The man seemed to appear out of nowhere, speaking with an intensity that sent chills down her spine.
"Do not leave your house on the 18th of September," the prophet warned. "Danger awaits you if you step outside on that day."
Startled, Stella thanked the man and hurried home to tell her husband about the strange encounter. Her husband, a cautious and devout man, advised her to take the warning seriously. "You should listen," he said firmly. "There's no harm in being careful."
Although unsettled by the prophet's words, Stella soon pushed the warning to the back of her mind.
On the morning of September 18th, Stella received an unexpected call. It was the same customer who had generously paid her the previous year. The woman requested Stella's services again, asking if she could come immediately to plait her hair.
A wave of conflicting thoughts flooded Stella's mind. The prophecy loomed large, but the temptation of earning more money—especially from such a generous client—was hard to resist.
"I'm busy today," Stella lied, hoping to postpone the appointment. "Can I come tomorrow instead?"
"I won't be in town tomorrow," the woman replied, her tone insistent. "It's best if you come today."
Stella hesitated. Her husband's words echoed in her mind, but she dismissed the prophet's warning. *It's probably just a coincidence,* she thought. *Besides, I need the money.*
Without telling anyone, Stella left her home, convinced the prophecy was meaningless.
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### **The Trap**
After finishing her work at the customer's house, Stella was handed another envelope. Relieved, she thanked the woman and hurried to find a taxi to take her home.
A taxi soon pulled up, and Stella climbed in. As they drove down the road, the driver struck up a conversation.
"Madam, may I know your name?" he asked casually, though his tone held an underlying curiosity.
"What do you want with my name?" Stella replied, a little uneasy.
"I just like to know my passengers," he said with a strange smile. "You won't have to pay for the ride."
Thinking nothing of it, Stella answered, "My name is Stella."
"Nice to meet you, Stella," the driver said. He paused briefly before adding, "Wait a moment. My phone is ringing."
He pulled the car to the side of the road. Stella watched as he reached into his pocket, but instead of a phone, he pulled out a small paper packet. Before she could react, he opened it and blew a fine powder into the air. The powder filled the car, and within moments, Stella's body began to stiffen. She couldn't move. She couldn't speak. Her mind was alert, but her limbs felt like lead.
"Stella," the driver called softly, as if testing the powder's effect. She could hear him, but she was powerless to respond. She was trapped—frozen within her own body.
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### **The Ritual**
The taxi driver took Stella to a remote house deep in the forest, where a weathered old herbalist awaited him. The house was dark and foreboding, with three large trees standing eerily in front. Tied to one of the trees was another woman, her face lifeless, just as Stella now felt.
The driver dragged Stella from the car and tied her to one of the trees, leaving her under the herbalist's watchful eye.
"You've done well," the herbalist said in a gravelly voice that blended with the forest's sounds. He nodded toward Stella. "Bring one more, and the ritual will be complete."
The driver gave a short nod and sped off. Moments later, he returned with another woman. She, too, was bound to one of the trees, her expression vacant, eyes dull with fear or resignation.
The herbalist emerged from the shadows, carrying his oracle—a bundle of worn objects and mystical tools—and placed it carefully on a wooden table. He sat on a nearby bench, preparing to begin.
"What is the name of this woman?" the herbalist asked, gesturing toward Stella.
"Her name is Stella," the taxi driver replied, his voice flat, emotionless.
The herbalist nodded. "Good." He consulted the oracle, muttering Stella's name repeatedly under his breath. After a few tense moments, he looked up. "The oracle says we must cut a lock of Stella's hair and place it in the pot. Then, you will take her where she cannot be found—deep into the forest."
He handed the driver a razor blade. The driver hesitated but only for a moment. He cut a small section of Stella's hair and passed it to the herbalist, who placed it inside the traditional pot, setting it carefully on the table.
"Take her," the herbalist instructed. "Leave her in the forest where no one will find her."
The taxi driver untied Stella from the tree, lifted her limp body into his car, and drove deep into the forest. When he reached a remote area, he laid her unconscious body on the grass and sped away without looking back.
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### **The Escape**
Hours later, the driver returned to the herbalist's house. The herbalist handed him the pot containing Stella's hair. "Bury this at exactly 3:00 a.m.," the herbalist commanded. "Recite the incantation I will teach you before you bury it."
The driver took the pot and placed it in the trunk of his taxi, then returned to the herbalist, who had already shifted his attention to the other woman tied to the tree.
"What is this woman's name?" the herbalist asked.
The taxi driver furrowed his brow, confused. "I don't remember."
"No matter," the herbalist replied. "I can consult the oracle without it."
As the herbalist began his incantation, a deafening roar echoed through the trees. Both men turned to see a lion charging toward them.
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