By Famoroti Oluwatoyin

SAFACS 2023 ENTRY 6

Kunle looked through the rear mirror. He was right, the car behind him was on his trail. Shaken with fear, he began to pray while searching his spirit for what it could be, suddenly he remembered the conversation he had with Wallace the previous week.

He had walked into his apartment after a hectic day at work. Nothing prepared him for the sight he saw; his house was a mess. Different thoughts raced through his mind. He began to hear footsteps. He made a quick turn and, came to face with the intruder.

Kunle stood glued to the spot as Wallace walked past him and perched on the couch. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead; this wasn’t a good sign. Wallace’s voice jolted him to reality.

“This Pastor lifestyle isn’t all that bad; I mean, look at you”. He began to take a few steps toward Kunle.

Kunle took quick steps backward and answered,

“What do you want?” Wallace smiled.

“You already know, the brotherhood misses you”.

Kunle raised his brows, “I said I wasn’t going to have anything to do with y'all anymore.

That still stands.” Wallace continued undeterred, “50 million naira and we have a deal. What do you say?”

Kunle knew Wallace's scheme; the only thing that could change the old Kunle’s mind was money. He declined.

“No Wallace, the Kunle you could buy over with money is dead”.

In split seconds, Wallace’s countenance changed.

He pointed at Kunle, “The brotherhood made you. Don’t let those church gimmicks deceive you. It's either you come back or you are finished”.

Kunle smiled, he was familiar with the devil’s strategy, fear. He countered, “Wallace, as I said, I belong to Jesus now”.

To his surprise, Wallace just shrugged and walked out of his apartment mouthing a silent, “I tried my best”.

He also didn’t hear any more from the brotherhood until now, he was sure the Blackhut was behind this trailing.

“Lord, what do I do now?” Kunle thought to himself.

“Slow down, and park”. Kunle had never been so unsure of God's voice. After much back and forth, he obeyed. He parked, called his friend, David, and alighted from the car. Wallace and another guy from Blackhut walked toward him.

The other guy pointed a gun at his head. Still, on the call, Kunle tucked in his phone.

He felt courage surge through him and said loudly, “You can't kill someone already dead. The life I live now is Christ's, it's no longer mine so, there is no going back.” Wallace signaled to the guy to pull the trigger.

As the guy made to shoot him, Kunle felt a force pin him to the ground, and the bullet flew past his head. Thankfully, David got to the scene with some policemen in time to whisk Wallace and his ally away.

Still, on his knees, his voice rang in his head. “The life I live now is Christ’s, and it's no longer mine”.