I dragged Uncle James to Ruth's bed, locking the door behind me before heading downstairs to keep Ruth away from him. As I descended the stairs, I saw Ruth standing in the hallway, her gaze sharp and full of fury.
"Where's my Father?" She demanded, her voice cold and unwavering.
I didn't have time to argue with her. I needed to prepare some porridge. Without answering, I walked past her into the kitchen. I felt her glare burning into my back, but I refused to acknowledge it. Her footsteps echoed on the stairs, but I knew the door was locked.
I opened the fridge and smiled when I saw the corn dough. The thought of preparing morikoko again lifted my spirits. I took the dough amd sifted it, watching it become light. I turned on the gas and stirred till it Became thick. As it began to boil, I lowered the heat and added sugar and finally negro pepper for a fragrant touch. Just as I walked out to check on uncle James, I shivered when I saw Ruth opening the door.
My heart slammed against my chest as I bolted upstairs. Ruth quickly entered and locked the door behind her. My stomach dropped.
Frantically, I patted my pockets. No key. My mind raced—I had left it on the kitchen counter. Without hesitation, I dashed back downstairs, grabbed the key, and sprinted up again praying it wasn't too late.
I threw the door open and froze.
Ruth was lying on the floor, unconcious. Her skin was clammy, her breath shallow. Her forehead burned with headache, and she murmured something barely audible.
Kneeling beside her, I checked her pulse. She was burning up.
"Somebody….. save me," she whispered, her voice fragile and trembling. "I'm tired of being under control, I want to think for myself.
Her eyelids fluttered, her lips parting in a broken sob.
"I don't want to hurt Anaya, Uncle! Please stop controlling my brain…"
I stiffened. While staring at her waringly. Was she being genuine, or was this another trick?
Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, her voice barely holding together.
"I gave the grapes juice to Anaya, but I guess she didn't drink it , I gave the handband you gave me to my father. Can you leave me now? Please… let me think for myself. It hurts… my head aches so much….."
Ruth look very pitiful, I hesitated. My heart aching hearing those painful words, but I couldn't afford to be careless. What if it was another manipulation? If it's Ruth's mind now, then I have to quickly ask her a few questions before she slips back to Assey's hold.
I gently shook her shoulder. Her lashes fluttered, her gaze weak as she looked at me.
"Ruth," I said slowly, choosing my words carefully. "What's is your Uncle Assey's next move? What does he want from me?"
She blinked sluggishly, her lips barely moving. "Ah….Uncle Assey, why do you sound so feminine?" I frowned when I heard her call me uncle Assey, then it dawned on me that she thought I was her uncle assey. When she saw me frown, she replied "ok don't get angry uncle, I'll tell you. Have you forgotten you told me there's a prophecy about Anaya? Don't play pranks, okay? My head hurts so much."
My breath caught "A prophecy?"
She swallowed hard, as if the words themselves were too heavy to bear. She rolled her eyes and whispered, "A prophecy tied you to and Anaya." Her voice dropped even lower, so I had to bend down to hear what she had to say. "To stop it… you'll have to kill her before the prophecy day comes. Do you remember you told me this?"
A cold chill rushed through me as I knelt frozen. The room felt smaller. The air becoming heavier.
Ruth's eyes rolled shut again, and she slumped into unconsciousness. I sat down thinking about all Ruth said. I hadn't known about any prophecy. But my Father had.
And I think he feared it.
After a long moment, I lay a blanket on the floor and pulled Ruth to lie on it. I went downstairs forgetting the porridge was still on fire. I rushed to the kitchen and turned off the stove. The porridge was a little thicker and smelt good but my mind was elsewhere.
A prophecy?....
A sharp pang of sorrow hit me. My father had used Ruth and almost succeeded in using uncle James as pawns in his ruthless game. Ruth was just a victim, controlled and manipulated to serve his will. But I wouldn't let him win.
With GOD by my side, I will not allow him to succeed. I would break these chains and end all his demonic entities. I had faith.
And with faith, I would fight until the very end.