A Collection of Short Stories
Tales-from-the-Other-Side-2015 Tales-from-the-Other-Side-2015
Hymar David Angels of Redemption “I am just thinking,” you blurt out. “About what?” Usman asks in that grown-up voice he has adopted since the march began. You shrug, but no shoulder work. You look at the trees, sensing the eyes of the other boys boring qustions into your back. Already you can see a stretch of makeshift tents made of parched grass and bamboo shoots, figures moving in the distance, black kaftans, faint smoke clouds. A black flag flutters a welcome in the wind. Apprehension grips your chest. The chatter picks up. You hear mallam Ibrahim’s name bandied about in reverential tones.. He’s the prophet’s right hand of justice. He’s the man who was marked by Allah for the Cause. He’s the Saviour. Redeemer. A hush hovers your troop as you approach the camp. You see smoke and smell the faint aroma of something cooking. Conversation fades as your troop pass sentries wielding menace like the machine guns they tote. They have straw hats and some wore army camouflages most likely stripped off dead soldiers . Nobody is talking anymore. Mallam Ibrahim is sitting on a chair, wearing a white turban, white kaftan and marching boots. He is fondling prayer beads with both hands. Two men flank him, their machine guns pointing skywards. The wind carries jollof rice aroma to you. It brings memories laced with nostalgia. 5
Angels of Redemption Hymar David Sallah memories; a goat roasting on a spit, fascinated children watching and pointing, motherly voices scolding children playing too close to the fire, Your little sister Maryam’s beautiful new dress complete with the plastic sunglasses she lost later in the day, the raucous laughter of the men skinning the goat. Alfa walks towards Mallam Ibrahim and bows when he comes to a stop before him. Mallam Ibrahim makes a gesture that looks dismissive. Alfa rises and turns towards the troop. “ Durk usa!” he barks. Obediently, you fall on your knees before Mallam Ibrahim. You watch the Mallam’s eyes sweep through the troop of about fifty little boys and teens; survivors of Boko Haram raids on Jasia and Girawa villages that had left their parents and siblings and childhoods dead. You remember the thunder that woke you up the night of the raid. The way the sky lit up in bright, furious red. You remember the patter of frenzied footfalls, your lungs suddenly filling with smoke, the fear that stripped the bass from your father’s voice when he called your name. You remember standing outside, alone, watching your house burn, the warmth from the inferno offering a queer comfort from the cold. You remember a hand on your shoulder then a blow across your face. Then you remember nothing but stars and dark clouds. For a while. Mallam Ibrahim rises and walks towards your troop. He looks each boy in the eye as he passes them. When he reaches you, you notice the black dot on his forehead, souvenirs from periods spent in prayer, temple repeatedly kissing the earth. Your father has the prayer dot too. His was even 6 Tales from the Other Side
- Page 1 and 2: A Collection of Short Stories
- Page 3 and 4: First Published as an e-book in 201
- Page 6 and 7: To the one who made it against the
- Page 8 and 9: He turns around. It’s been callin
- Page 11 and 12: Angels of Redemption Hymar David An
- Page 13: Angels of Redemption Hymar David an
- Page 17: Angels of Redemption Hymar David To
- Page 20 and 21: Eketi Ette Behind The Scene Be care
- Page 22 and 23: Eketi Ette Behind The Scene not bee
- Page 24 and 25: Eketi Ette Behind The Scene In this
- Page 27 and 28: Birthright Miracle Adebayo
- Page 29 and 30: Birthright Miracle Adebayo *** The
- Page 31 and 32: Birthright Miracle Adebayo was burs
- Page 33 and 34: Birthright Miracle Adebayo “I won
- Page 36 and 37: Cracks Sibbyl Whyte
- Page 38 and 39: Sibbyl Whyte Cracks customary famil
- Page 40: Sibbyl Whyte Cracks baby-snake and
- Page 43 and 44: Double Promotion Shittu Fowora Spre
- Page 45 and 46: Double Promotion Shittu Fowora She
- Page 47 and 48: Double Promotion Shittu Fowora week
- Page 49 and 50: Double Promotion Shittu Fowora For
- Page 52 and 53: Fourteen Years Bankole Banjo
- Page 54 and 55: Bankole Banjo Fourteen Years speak
- Page 56 and 57: Bankole Banjo Fourteen Years But he
- Page 58: Bankole Banjo Fourteen Years rolled
- Page 61 and 62: Jibril Olisaeloka Onyekaonwu Hide u
- Page 63 and 64: Jibril Olisaeloka Onyekaonwu I groa
Angels <strong>of</strong> Redemption<br />
Hymar David<br />
Sallah memories; a goat roasting on a spit, fascinated children watching and pointing, motherly<br />
voices scolding children playing too close to the fire, Your little sister Maryam’s beautiful new dress<br />
complete with the plastic sunglasses she lost later in the day, the raucous laughter <strong>of</strong> the men<br />
skinning the goat.<br />
Alfa walks towards Mallam Ibrahim and bows when he comes to a stop before him. Mallam Ibrahim<br />
makes a gesture that looks dismissive. Alfa rises and turns towards the troop.<br />
“ Durk usa!” he barks.<br />
Obediently, you fall on your knees before Mallam Ibrahim. You watch the Mallam’s eyes sweep<br />
through the troop <strong>of</strong> about fifty little boys and teens; survivors <strong>of</strong> Boko Haram raids on Jasia and<br />
Girawa villages that had left their parents and siblings and childhoods dead.<br />
You remember the thunder that woke you up the night <strong>of</strong> the raid. The way the sky lit up in bright,<br />
furious red. You remember the patter <strong>of</strong> frenzied footfalls, your lungs suddenly filling with smoke,<br />
the fear that stripped the bass from your father’s voice when he called your name. You remember<br />
standing outside, alone, watching your house burn, the warmth from the inferno <strong>of</strong>fering a queer<br />
comfort from the cold. You remember a hand on your shoulder then a blow across your face. Then<br />
you remember nothing but stars and dark clouds. For a while.<br />
Mallam Ibrahim rises and walks towards your troop. He looks each boy in the eye as he passes<br />
them. When he reaches you, you notice the black dot on his forehead, souvenirs from periods<br />
spent in prayer, temple repeatedly kissing the earth. Your father has the prayer dot too. His was even<br />
6<br />
Tales from the Other Side
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