Edge Of A knife

Episode 8

On our way, we had series of conversations, I wasn’t that scared of him anymore, he seem calm, when i askes him, how he knew i was in danger, he told me ‘‘that’s what brothers do, they watch each others back, Join the creeds Josh, and no one will ever bully you again, you will have access to any thing you want, including money and women. Because Joining the creed, commands great respect’’.

Me: was that why you joined? I asked, i knew that question was foolish, but before i could stop it, it already out of my mouth, Potoki noticed my reaction after saying the word, he only placed a hand on my left shoulder, patting me and giving me a reassuring smile, which brought hope back to me.

Potoki: It was a cold night at Obode a long time ago, we were coming back from church, after a vigil, my parents were deep Pentecostal Christian, so they insist on we always attend every church activities, including all nights, so on our way back, we got attacked by armed robbers, and they made to collect our belongings, but My elder brother, who 7yrs older than me then, attempted to be a hero, he fought back at the robbers, because he didn’t want them to collect anything from us, in the process of doing that, he was already gaining an upper hand, when one of the robbers reached out to a loaded pistol, and shot him right dead, we all screamed and wailed, as we watched him drew his last breath, the robbers didn’t stop at that, they tired us bound, and made us watched as they slaughtered my brother like meat, with sharp cutlass and knife, blood spilled and everywhere, the stench smell, circulated around us i remained numbed for hours, even when the police came to pick the pieces remaining of body, and carried us home, my mother’s side of the story was worst, she died of shock after a few days, and this have left me with a paralyzed dad, who is now abroad taken treatment, i just hopes he survive for me he said as tears tricked down his face. I could tell his eyes were as red as an iron placed in a furnace, as he told his story, i was pricked too, i felt bad for him.

Me: such a pathetic story you’ve got bro.

Potoki: I still remember how much my brother loved me, he was strong and brave, he was a member of the Nigerian Cadet, i still remember him in his paramilitary uniform, how he always mention he will soon enlist into the nigerian army, how he taught me many self defence move, oh Saye, he lamentes his brothers name. I regretted ever asking him that question, it really has open old wounds.

Me: Am sorry Potoki, I shouldn’t have asked. I said, after realising my mistake.

Potoki: it’s ok brother, ever since then, i vowed not to be defenseless again, and in a bid to honour my brother’s memory, i had accepted when Samba intorduced me to the creed. You are intelligent Josh, join the creed, you will have nothing to regret Like me the creed gave me life, when i had no mother again, i struggled to enter this school, with nothing, but now look i have my father, who was almost dying and decaying at the village taken abroad for treatment. He said firmly, as if he never told me about his family, every atom of grief, Brotherhood give liberation to the oppressed, we fight for the defenseless, and protect the good course of the black race, he said and all this pep talk captivated my interest he had left him, he patted me and walked away. I was just few steps to my door.