“Where is here?

What is this space of emptiness?

Why am I here?” Cosmos wonders.

Cosmos could feel the presence of another being, a greater being roaming in the deep of the space filled with darkness and emptiness.

“I can feel the presence of a greater being. If I can perceive another being here, is it really an empty space?” He thought.

While he was wondering, a voice echoed in the deep;

“Let there be light!”

It was thunderous, emitting sound waves so enormous that it shakes everything in its path. And in an instant, there was light. The waves swept Cosmos off his feet. He lift up his face to get a glimpse of what is happening. Then came a presence, so confident, so powerful, it emits enormous energy, a reflection of himself standing upright looking down on him. It scared the shit out of him. Then, he woke up. He was actually dreaming. He has been experiencing the same dream for as long as he can remember, each time more detailed than the last.

Cosmos graduated the University of Benin, where he studied physics, a course of four years. He is currently in Borno for his NYSC program, a state in the northern part of Nigeria. Within the next three months, he should be done. Today is the first of October 2017, Nigeria’s independent day. It’s an holiday, but when is Sunday never an holiday? He should be resting at home he thought, but do you believe he was going to stay indoors on this day? He had just the perfect plan for the day. He is to visit the Borno zoo; the Tyanaba Artemis Animal Park, a facility named after some divinities from ancient greek and fulani mythology, said to be the only public facility in Borno which houses and displays wild animals to visitors, tourists, researchers, as well as conversation of endangered species.

He is now at the zoo, a nice place to spend a few hours, he thought, with the wilds of nature. He saw different species of animals, many he had never seen before. Well, except you would include in the movies. He thought these to be an experience where everything slows down, including time. A true example of steal the moment, a feeling of inner peace. While he was observing the animals, a man walked up to him. He had been around a while, a tourist like him he presume.

“Hello! You’re not from around here are you?” The stranger asked, with a smile on his face.

“No, I’m not. This is temporary,” Said Cosmos.

“One could tell from your energy. It’s different from most people here. I’m Ibrahim,” Said the stranger while stretching forth his arm for an handshake.

Cosmos smiled, it’s just a tourist meeting another. He then shook hands with him, and introduced himself;

“Thank you, is it that obvious?

I’m Cosmos by the way.”

Ibrahim a little more relaxed now;

“it’s easy to spot someone who is not from around here. Anyways, do you know the Tyanaba Artemis facility’s center of attraction, is the cat? If you would study them you might come to understand why the cat is so special to this establishment,” Said Ibrahim.

“I see, I would take note of what you had said. I love cats anyways… Nice to meet you. I should be on my way now,” Cosmos said to him as they pathways.

It’s two hours to dusk, Cosmos wouldn’t want to still be out, by the time the sun goes down. He knows things could get really nasty around here real quick. Little did he know, he is to witness something that would come to change his life. Right outside the Tyanaba Artemis facility, as he was about finding his way back to his lounge, a white van zoomed in, parked in front of him. Before he could get a glimpse, they blind folded him from behind and whisked him away. At least that was all he could recall before he woke up in the middle of nowhere. It all happened so fast, he can’t say he had come to fully understand what truly happened, except that it actually happened, he has been kidnapped. When he tried to move he noticed that he had been cuffed to the bed. It’s a green tent, with lot of tools; he think it is, it wasn’t very clear. Or, perhaps something would have to explain for how he feels right now, he thinks he has been drugged. But those are what he could observe from the tent’s conner.

In a moment, a person walked in, and headed for the table with tools. Cosmos couldn’t hear him speak, but he knew he said something. They came like flashes, his lips were moving. He grabbed something that looks like a needle, that was all he remembered before he blacked out again. He could hear voices, footsteps, whispers. His hands were numb, but he could feel the needle penetrating. He had blacked out again, and when he woke back up, a person was standing right next to him, perhaps it was a doctor.

“You are not a prisoner here,” He said to Cosmos.

“Then, why am i the one chained to a bed? How long have I been here?” Cosmos murmured.

“It’s for my protection, I need to be sure you would not attack me. Time does not matter,” Said the stranger.

The stranger left. He appeared to be of a familiar face, but right now, he isn’t sure of what he sees, he just know he sees images. For the first time in his life he longed for something so badly, one he never did in the past, Morningstar, but he would not hear him. Could it be the drug? He could only wonder.

A lady came in, covered in black veil. She brought with her a bowl of warm water, and a towel. She looked at him and said;

“You should clean up!”

Cosmos tried talking to her while chained to the bed, he looked disoriented;

“What is this place? How long have I been here?” He asked.

“You ask too many questions. Here, that can get you killed,” She whispered.

In desperation he begged of her for answers;

“Please! I need to know where I am?”

She then approached slowly, sat next to him on the bed where he laid. She stares into his eyes for a moment, he could see her pain, a reflection in those beautiful eyes. She lifts her left arm, touching his sores, and whispered;

“You have been here for over a week now, I come here every day to care for you. We are in a camp somewhere in northeastern part of Nigeria, the Kuzimu forest. They call themselves Liberators, Bringer of Light,” Said the woman.

“What is a woman doing in a place like this?” He asked.

“Do you think I have a choice? You don’t seem like you are from around here. If you are to survive, there is one thing you must know. Here! Choices are made for you. I’m pregnant, would you say that is my choice?” She giggled.

“Who is the father?

How many of us are here?

Help me get out of here, we can leave together,” Cosmos said to her.

“I’ve said too much, we are not friends. Do not dream of ever leaving this place. I have been here long enough to know that here changes people. Friends turn on one another. Here, everyone is a beast. The quicker you understand that, the easier it is for you,” She said, then stood up quickly…… continue reading

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©️ Victor E. Ojei, 2023.