A HOME TURNED TO HELL

A HOME TURNED TO HELL.

Sophia’s eyes lit up as she saw her father’s car pull into the driveway. She excitedly called out to her twin sister, “Peace, Dad is back!” The two girls quickly ran to the car park at the corner of their house, eager to greet their father.

Mr. Tony, a warm smile on his face, stepped out of the car and scooped up his two little angels in his arms. “Dad, welcome back!” Peace and Sophia chimed in unison, their faces beaming with joy.

“How are my angels doing today?” Mr. Tony asked, his eyes twinkling with love.

“We’re fine, Dad,” Sophia replied, her pigtails bouncing as she nodded.

Mr. Tony handed each girl an ice cream cone, which they eagerly accepted. “Thank you, Dad!” Peace and Sophia chimed, their eyes shining with delight.

Just then, their mother, Sandra, emerged from the house, a warm smile on her face. “Welcome, honey,” she said, greeting her husband with a kiss.

“How are you doing, sweetie?” Mr. Tony asked, setting his daughters down and embracing his wife.

The family of four shared a warm moment together, basking in the joy of each other’s company. It was a simple yet precious moment, one that they would treasure forever.

“Let’s get inside,” Mr. Tony said, ushering his family into the house. Sophia and Peace raced ahead, their excitement palpable as they made their way to the dining room. They couldn’t wait to enjoy the ice cream their dad had brought them.

Mr. Tony and Sandra walked into the parlor, where they settled in for a relaxing moment together. Sandra snuggled up close, laying her head on her husband’s lap. “How was work today?” she asked, her voice gentle.

“Oh, work was fine, sweetie,” Mr. Tony replied, stroking her hair. “Just a little stress, but nothing to worry about.”

As they chatted, they gazed over at the dining room, where Sophia and Peace were savoring their ice cream with glee. The parents exchanged a warm smile, happy to see their children enjoying themselves so much.

Their conversation turned to the topic of education, and they began discussing the possibility of transferring the twins to a missionary school. They wanted to provide their children with a strong moral foundation and a quality education.

As they talked, they watched their daughters laughing and enjoying each other’s company, their bond as twins evident in the way they interacted. Mr. Tony and Sandra felt grateful for the joy their children brought into their lives, and they knew they would always cherish moments like these.

When dinner time arrived, the family gathered around the table, and Sandra served each member of the family, starting with her husband, then the twins, and finally herself. However, she soon noticed that Peace and Sophia were not eating, and their usual enthusiasm for mealtime was missing.

“Why are you both not eating? What’s wrong, my angels?” Sandra asked, concern etched on her face.

After a moment of silence, Peace spoke up, “Mom, I want to use the same spoon as Sophia.”

Sandra’s eyes widened as she realized her mistake. She had inadvertently put different spoons in their food, disrupting the twins’ special bonding ritual. She quickly rectified the situation by replacing the spoons with identical ones, and the girls’ faces lit up with joy.

With the crisis averted, the family enjoyed their meal together, savoring the warmth and love they shared. After dinner, the twins bid their parents goodnight, “Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Dad.”

“Goodnight, my darlings,” Sandra replied. “Come give your dad a hug before bed.”

The girls eagerly embraced their father, and then skipped off to bed, their hearts full of happiness. Later, Mr. Tony joined his wife in bed, and they snuggled up together, grateful for the love and harmony that filled their home.

It was 5:00 a.m., and Mr. Tony and his wife, Sandra, were getting ready to leave for morning mass. They dressed quietly, careful not to wake the twins, who needed their rest for school. They locked the house and drove off in one of Mr. Tony’s cars, heading to the parish.

As they approached the church, disaster struck. A trailer ahead of them lost control due to failed brakes, and it swerved into their lane. Mr. Tony, an experienced driver, tried his best to avoid the collision, but it was too late. The car crashed into the trailer, and the impact was tremendous.

Despite his efforts, Mr. Tony couldn’t control the car, and it was too late.

The sound of the impact echoed through the quiet morning air, a haunting scream of metal and glass.

The parishioners who had gathered for morning Mass heard the deafening crash and rushed to the scene, their hearts racing with fear. They found the mangled car, and their worst fears were confirmed. Mr. Tony and Sandra lay lifeless, their bodies trapped inside the wreckage.

With heavy hearts, the parishioners carefully extricated the bodies from the car and gently placed them in a van. They quickly drove to the mortuary, their minds filled with shock, grief, and prayers.

As they returned from the mortuary, the reality of the tragedy began to sink in. The church was filled with somber faces, tears streaming down the cheeks of friends and family. The morning Mass had turned into a mourning Mass, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.

They couldn’t shake off the feeling of sadness and grief.

Mr. Tony and Sandra’s sudden passing had left a void in the community, and their thoughts were with the couple’s two young daughters, Sophia and Peace.

As they were discussing how to break the news to the children, one of the parishioners remembered finding a key to Mr. Tony’s house inside his car.

They decided to go to the house, hoping to find someone who could take care of the girls.

As they approached the house, they could hear the sound of crying and whimpering coming from inside. They inserted the key into the lock and slowly opened the door.

Sophia and Peace, who just turned 9 years last week were sitting on the couch, their faces red and puffy from crying. They looked up at the parishioners with tears in their eyes, calling out for their parents.

“Mummy! Daddy!” Sophia wailed, her voice trembling.

The parishioners’ hearts broke at the sight of the distraught children. They knew they had to console them, but they didn’t know how to tell them the devastating news.

They approached the girls slowly, trying not to startle them further.

“Hey, Sophia, Peace, we’re here for you,” one of them said softly.

The girls looked up at them, expecting to see their parents.

“Where’s Mummy and Daddy?” Peace asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The parishioners exchanged a sorrowful glance, struggling to find the right words.

They knew they had to tell the truth, but they didn’t want to hurt the girls further.

“We’ll explain everything later, okay?” one of them said, trying to stall for time. “But for now, let’s just focus on taking care of you both.”

Sophia and Peace nodded, still sniffling and crying.

The parishioners sat down beside them, holding them close and trying to offer what little comfort they could.

As they sat there, they knew they had to find a way to tell the girls the truth, but for now, they just held them and let them cry, trying to process the tragedy that had befallen their family.

The news of Mr. Tony and his wife’s tragic death spread like wildfire across the village, leaving a trail of shock, grief, and disbelief in its wake.

The villagers were devastated, for they had lost a true benefactor and a selfless helper.

Mr. Tony’s kindness and generosity had touched many lives, and his passing left a gaping hole in the community.

Among the villagers, Mr. Nelson’s family was particularly affected. They had a personal reason to mourn the loss of Mr. Tony, as he had saved their daughter’s life just a month prior. She had been involved in a terrible accident, and Mr. Tony had rushed her to the hospital, ensuring she received the medical attention she needed. His quick thinking and kindness had given her a second chance at life.

Now, as they grappled with the news of Mr. Tony’s passing, they couldn’t help but ask themselves a haunting question:

“Why did no one save Mr. Tony and his wife, just as he had saved our daughter?”

The irony and injustice of the situation weighed heavily on their hearts, and they struggled to come to terms with the loss of a man who had meant so much to them.

Mr. Nelson’s family was not alone in their grief. The entire village mourned the loss of a true hero, a man who had always put others before himself. As they gathered to pay their respects, they shared stories of Mr. Tony’s kindness, his compassion, and his unwavering commitment to helping those in need. His legacy would live on, but his absence would be deeply felt, and the villagers would never forget the debt they owed him.

Nduka’s actions were motivated by a sinister intention. He had always been jealous of his brother’s success and the love he received from their family.

Now, with Mr. Tony gone, Nduka saw an opportunity to exact revenge and make his nieces suffer.

He parked to Mr Tony’s mansion pretending to care about the kids, but deep inside his heart is full of evil.

As he moved into the house, Sophia and Peace felt a sense of unease. Nduka’s children, though around the same age, were rough and unruly, and they quickly began to bully and intimidate the grieving girls.

Nduka turned a blind eye to his children’s behavior, even encouraging them to be cruel.

Sophia and Peace were trapped in a living nightmare.

They had lost their parents and were now at the mercy of their vengeful uncle. Nduka’s mission was to make their lives a living hell, and he was determined to succeed.

The once peaceful and loving home was now a battleground, with Sophia and Peace facing torment and cruelty at every turn. Their parents’ memory was being dishonored, and they

were left to suffer at the hands of their own flesh and blood.

Nduka’s wickedness had indeed reached new heights. Despite his brother and sister-in-law’s passing, he had taken over their home and treated their children, Sophia and Peace, with cruelty and disdain.

The twins were forced to eat only twice a day, while Nduka’s own children indulged in lavish meals.

One day, Sophia, with her bravery and intelligence, approached Nduka in the sitting room.

“Uncle, why do you treat us like visitors in our own father’s house? Is it because our parents are gone? What have we done wrong?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Nduka and his wife were taken aback by Sophia’s boldness, and their anger was ignited.

Nduka lashed out at Sophia, beating her mercilessly, leaving her injured.

He then summoned Peace, accusing her of conspiring with Sophia to insult them.

“You fools, listen to me,” he growled, “if you dare to speak up again, you’ll face the consequences, and probably end up like your parents”

As the days passed, Sophia and Peace suffered under Nduka’s tyranny, their spirits crushed by his relentless cruelty.

They sat in the backyard, their tears falling like rain as they cried out for their parents to come and rescue them from their uncle’s cruelty.

“Mommy, why did you leave us? Daddy, please come, Uncle wants to kill us!” Peace wailed, her voice breaking with despair.

Just then, Ngozi, Nduka’s wife, appeared in the backyard, her face stern and unyielding.

“You fools, what are you doing here when all my children’s clothes are dirty? Since you don’t have any work, I’ll give you some.” She went inside and returned with a pile of clothes, dumping them at the twins’ feet. “Wash these, and don’t waste any time!”

Sophia and Peace looked at each other, their eyes filled with tears and despair. They knew they had to find a way to escape their uncle’s cruelty, but for now, they were trapped, forced to do endless chores and suffer in silence.

But they held onto hope, knowing that their parents would want them to be strong and brave, and that one day, they would find a way to break free from their uncle’s tyranny.

The twins, Sophia and Peace, struggled to wash the clothes, their small hands raw and sore from the harsh soap and cold water.

They had never been allowed to do laundry before, and it was clear they were in over their heads.

Just as they were starting to cry, Stella, Nduka’s daughter, appeared, laughing at their struggles.

The twins’ anger and frustration boiled over, and they rushed at Stella, beating her mercilessly.

She cried for help but seems no one is around to come to her rescue.

“Please forgive me, let me go, please!” Stella begged, but the twins were unforgiving.

“You must vomit all the food you ate this morning before we’ll leave you,” Peace demanded, her voice cold and hard.

The beating continued until Stella was unable to speak, and the twins finally left her lying on the ground. They stormed back into the house, not caring about the consequences of their actions.

They had stood up for themselves, and they knew they would face their uncle and aunt’s wrath.

Stella, battered and bruised, managed to drag herself into the house, where her mother, Ngozi, rushed to her side.

“Who did this to you? What happened?” Ngozi asked, her voice filled with concern and anger.

Stella struggled to speak, but finally managed to whisper.

“Sophia and Peace… they beat me up… they said you gave them clothes to wash.”

Nduka, enraged by his daughter’s condition, called out the twins and punished them severely, hanging them up by their arms and having his wife administer 12 strokes of cane to each of them.

Sophia and Peace cried out in agony, but Sophia’s eyes flashed with determination.

“We’ll pay them back tonight,” she vowed. “I have a plan.”

Peace looked at her twin sister uncertainly, wondering what Sophia had in mind.

But Sophia just gave her a knowing glance, and Peace trusted that her sister would come up with a clever and daring plan to exact their revenge. The twins’ bond was unbreakable, and they would face their uncle and aunt’s cruelty together, always.

Nduka returned home late at night, exhausted and hungry, and asked his wife, Ngozi, to bring him his food.

Unknowing to Ngozi, Sophia and Peace, had snuck into the kitchen and added an excessive amount of pepper to the soup, knowing that Nduka had a stomach ulcer and was specifically advised by his doctor to avoid spicy food.

Ngozi, unaware of the twins’ mischief, brought the soup to Nduka, who devoured it hungrily, not noticing the excessive pepper until it was too late.

Enraged by the pain and discomfort, Nduka lashed out at Ngozi, beating her mercilessly and leaving her with a severe wound.

Ngozi barely made it to bed that night, her body battered and bruised from the violent beating she received from her husband, Nduka.

She was vomiting blood, a stark reminder of the severity of the abuse she just received.

Meanwhile, Nduka was also writhing in agony, his stomach ulcer flared up by the excessive pepper in the soup, which he had devoured unknowingly.

The pepper had exacerbated his condition, leaving him in excruciating pain. The household was filled with the sounds of suffering, a stark contrast to the peaceful night that should have been. The consequences of the twins’ revenge and Nduka’s uncontrollable anger had left both Ngozi and Nduka in a state of physical and emotional distress.

Sophia and her twin sister, Peace, were reveling in the suffering they had caused their uncle and his wife.

They felt a sense of vindication, believing that Nduka and Ngozi were finally experiencing the same pain and hurt that they had inflicted on them.

Peace praised Sophia, “You’re great, sis! I’m so proud of you for coming up with such a clever idea.”

Sophia smiled, confident in her own cunning, “Trust me, I never fail. My brain always comes up with the perfect plan. And this time, we got them good!”

The twins continued to gloat, feeling empowered by their successful revenge plot.

As the morning dawned, Nduka and his wife, Ngozi, departed for the hospital, seeking medical attention for their respective ailments.

Sophia and Peace were left in charge of their three cousins, Stella Amarachi and Stanley.

However, the children were terrified of the twins, fearing their wrath and unsure of what they might do next.

In a show of defiance and self-protection, they locked themselves inside their room, hoping to avoid any further confrontations or retribution from Sophia and Peace.

The atmosphere in the household was tense and foreboding, with the three children cowering in fear and the twins reveling in their newfound power and control.

The stage was set for a potentially explosive confrontation, as the children’s fear and resentment simmered just below the surface, waiting to boil over.

Nduka returned home, exhausted from his hospital visit, only to be met with the sight of his son Stanley, pretending to cry.

“What’s wrong, my boy?” Nduka asked, concern etched on his face.

Stanley sniffled, “Peace beat me up, Daddy. She didn’t want me to play with them in their room.”

Nduka’s expression darkened, and he stormed into the house, his anger boiling over.

He dragged Peace out of the room, his belt already in hand.

“You wicked girl! How dare you lay hands on my son?”

Peace protested, “Uncle, it’s not true! Stanley is lying!”

But Nduka wouldn’t listen.

He began to flog Peace, his belt striking her skin with a loud crack.

“You will learn to respect yourself!”

As the beating continued, Peace cried out in pain,

“Uncle, please! It’s not true, I don’t touch him, uncle please.

Nduka’s anger and frustration got the better of him, and he lashed out at Peace, inflicting physical harm and pain.

He then forced her to lie in the scorching sun as punishment, ignoring her cries and pleas for mercy.

As the day wore on, Peace lay there, her body burning from the sun’s intense heat, her injuries throbbing in agony.

Her twin sister Sophia stayed by her side, tears streaming down their faces as they cried together, feeling helpless and trapped.

In their despair, they questioned the very purpose of their existence, wondering why they had been born into a world filled with so much pain and suffering.

The once vibrant and lively twins were now reduced to mere shadows of their former selves, their spirits crushed by the cruelty and injustice they had endured.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the scene, Peace and Sophia’s tears finally began to dry, replaced by a sense of determination and resolve.

Nduka finally call the twins into the seating room.

His harsh instructions pierced the air, as he ordered Sophia and Peace to hold their ears in humiliation. He then commanded them to vacate their beloved room, which held countless memories and sentimental value.

The room had been specially designed for them by their parents on their 9th birthday, and the thought of leaving it behind was unbearable.

As they packed their belongings, tears streamed down their faces.

The twins had always cherished this space, and the thought of Stanley taking it over was too much to bear.

Sophia’s determination ignited, and she vowed to find a way to reclaim their room, no matter the cost.

With a fierce resolve, Sophia whispered to Peace, “We can’t let Stanley take our room. We have to come up with a plan to stop this from happening.”

Peace nodded in agreement, and the twins began to brainstorm, their minds racing with ideas and strategies to reclaim their beloved space.

Stanley was over the moon with excitement, finally getting the beautiful room that was once Sophia and Peace’s sanctuary.

The room, decorated by late Mr Tony for the twins’ 9th birthday, held so many fond memories for the sisters, and the thought of losing it was heartbreaking for Peace. She wept, feeling like she was being stripped of a part of her identity.

But Sophia, determined and resourceful, consoled her sister,

“Don’t worry, Peace, Stanley will never have this room. I have a plan.” And with that, she outlined her strategy.

They would wear white clothes, hide under the bed, and when Stanley entered, they would start talking like ghosts, scaring him away from the room forever.

Meanwhile, Stanley was oblivious to the twins’ plan, busy watching TV with his parents, feeling triumphant about finally getting the room.

He bid his parents goodnight and rushed to his newfound treasure, locking the door behind him, unaware of the eerie surprise that awaited him.

The stage was set for a spooky showdown, as Sophia and Peace lay in wait, ready to unleash their ghostly prank on Stanley, determined to reclaim their beloved room.

The night wore on, and Stanley drifted off to sleep, unaware of the twins’ mischievous plan.

Sophia and Peace put their plan into action, speaking in a strange, unintelligible language, their voices echoing in the room.

They emerged from under the bed, one on each side, their white clothes glowing in the dim light.

Stanley’s eyes snapped open, and he was met with the terrifying sight of two ghostly figures.

Panicked, Stanley invoked the “blood of Jesus” and managed to stumble out of the room, frantically calling for his parents.

Breathlessly, he told them about the two ghosts he had seen, but when they returned to the room with him, there was no one there.

The eerie feeling lingered, and they couldn’t shake off the fear that the twins’ parents might be haunting the room.

As soon as Stanley and his parents fled the room in terror, Sophia and Peace emerged from their hiding spot, beaming with triumph. They embraced each other.

Peace thanked Sophia for her bravery and quick thinking.

She expressed gratitude to God for blessing her with a clever and resourceful twin sister like Sophia.

The twins’ plan had worked, and they had successfully reclaimed their beloved room.

They had outsmarted Stanley and even managed to spook their parents, all while maintaining their mischievous grins.

The fear of the unknown had taken hold of Nduka, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling of being haunted by the ghost of his brother, the twins’ father.

The incident with Stanley had left him shaken, and he couldn’t bear the thought of being targeted next.

So, he sought refuge in the safety of his son’s company, having Stanley sleep with them that night.

The next morning, Nduka’s fear and anxiety got the better of him, and he called out to Sophia and Peace, instructing them to pack their belongings and return to their original room.

He couldn’t bear the thought of the twins being in a different room, away from the one that was supposedly haunted. By having them return to their room, Nduka hoped to appease the spirits and avoid any further paranormal encounters.

The twins, triumphant in their successful prank, smiled knowingly as they packed their things and returned to their beloved room.

They had outsmarted Stanley and their parents, and they knew that their room was once again theirs to cherish.

As they settled back into their familiar space, they couldn’t help but feel proud of their cleverness and teamwork.

As the day went on, Sophia and her twin sister Peace were diligently cleaning the parlor, while Nduka, his wife, and their three children were engrossed in watching TV.

The peaceful atmosphere was suddenly disrupted by a knock at the gate.

Nduka, without looking up from the TV, instructed Sophia to quickly check who was at the gate, reminding her of the tasks she still needed to complete.

Sophia hastened to the gate, opened it, and was met with a terrifying sight: three giant men, armed with guns, stood before her.

She attempted to flee, but they were too close, and in an instant, they grabbed her and dragged her away.

The men swiftly got into their car and sped off, leaving Sophia’s cries for help echoing in the air.

Nduka, oblivious to the danger, heard Sophia’s distressed voice from inside the house and rushed out to investigate. But by the time he reached the gate, the car had already disappeared into the distance, leaving behind only the faint sound of screeching tires and Sophia’s fading screams.

Peace was consumed by despair as she wept uncontrollably, her heart heavy with grief.

The kidnapping of her twin sister Sophia had left her feeling lost and alone, like a part of her had been ripped away. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing their cruel uncle, Nduka, without Sophia by her side.

Memories flooded her mind, remembering how Sophia always came up with clever ideas to get them out of trouble.

But now, with Sophia gone, Peace felt helpless and vulnerable.

Who would come to her rescue? Who would protect her from their uncle’s wrath?

As the day passed, Peace’s tears never dried, her eyes red and puffy from constant crying. She went through the motions, doing her chores and tasks, but her mind was elsewhere, thinking of Sophia and wondering if she was safe.

At night, she lie awake, staring at the ceiling, praying for Sophia’s return.

She missed her twin’s warm presence, her comforting words, and her clever ideas.

Without Sophia, the world seemed darker, and Peace felt like she was walking alone in the shadows, waiting for a glimmer of hope to appear.

She only hold on to hope and the memories of her beloved twin sister.

Peace, still reeling from Sophia’s kidnapping, was an easy target for Stella and Amarachi’s cruelty. They sensed her vulnerability and pounced, eager to assert their dominance.

Stella sneered, “Now that your precious sister is gone, do you still have the nerve to speak up in this house?”

Peace remained silent, her eyes cast down, trying to avoid provoking them further.

But Amarachi wouldn’t let it slide. She slapped Peace, demanding,

“Answer my sister when she talks to you! You think you’re so special just because you’re twins?”

Peace’s eyes welled up with tears, but she refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Meanwhile, Stanley, still shaken by the “ghostly encounter” in the room, opted to stay away, fearing another paranormal experience. He didn’t want to get involved in his sisters’ bullying, especially not in that room, which now seemed haunted by more than just ghosts.

The sisters’ cruelty intensified, feeding on Peace’s helplessness.

Stella and Amarachi gleefully left Peace’s room, eager to share the news of their triumph with their brother Stanley.

They burst into his room, giggling and snickering.

“You won’t believe how Peace cried like a baby when Amarachi slapped her!” They mocked and teased, relishing in Peace’s misery.

Meanwhile, Peace’s tears continued to flow like a river, her heart heavy with worry for Sophia’s safety. She prayed fervently.

“God, please have mercy on us, Protect Sophia from those evil kidnappers, Keep her safe and bring her back to me soon.”

The more she prayed, the more tears streamed down her face, her anguish and fear for Sophia’s well-being overwhelming her.

As she wept, Peace couldn’t help but wonder what horrors Sophia might be facing. Was she being treated cruelly? Was she scared and alone?

The thoughts tormented Peace, fueling her desperation and determination to find a way to rescue her beloved twin sister.

Nduka kept quiet and refused to do anything concerning his niece kidnapped.

Peace decided to go and seek for his help.

“Uncle please we need to inform police about the kidnap of my sister”.

Peace said while crying unconditionally.

Nduka who wasn’t moved by Peace’s cry, kept quiet.

“Please Uncle help me, Sophia is the only sister I have”.

Nduka was provoked, he gave Peace a resounding slap.

“Are you mad? Did I in any way resemble your weak father who couldn’t even survive just an accident? Listen if you ever disturb my rest again, you will see the bad side of me”.

Peace recoiled, her face burning from the slap and the venomous words.

She retreated to her room, her sobs echoing through the halls. Nduka’s cruelty and indifference had left her feeling shattered and alone.

Sophia’s eyes were sunken, her skin pale, and her spirit worn out. She had been held captive in an empty, cold room for what felt like an eternity.

Every day, tears streamed down her face as she thought of her twin sister, Peace, who was suffering alone in the clutches of their cruel uncle, Nduka.

Sophia’s heart ached, longing for her sister’s presence.

She wished that the kidnappers had taken both of them together, for she knew that united, they would have found a way to survive and escape.

The thought of Peace facing their uncle’s cruelty alone was unbearable.

As she lay on the floor, Sophia’s mind raced with memories of their past, their laughter, and their unbreakable bond.

She remembered the way they would whisper secrets to each other, the way they would finish each other’s sentences, and the way they would stand up for each other against all odds.

Sophia’s determination grew with each passing moment.

Sophia’s tears continued to fall as one of her kidnappers entered the room with a tray of food.

“Hello, angel,” he said, his voice attempting to be gentle. “I brought your food. Please eat and stay healthy, okay?”

But Sophia’s sobs only intensified as she begged him.

“Please, let me go! I want to be with my twin sister. She’s all alone, and I can’t bear it. Please, have mercy!”

The kidnapper’s expression remained unyielding, his voice firm.

“I can’t do that, Sophia. You’re here for a reason, and you’ll stay until it’s over.”

Sophia’s eyes widened in desperation as she pleaded, but he turned and left the room, leaving the food behind.

Sophia’s gaze fell on the tray, but her appetite was gone.

She couldn’t bring herself to eat, knowing that Peace was suffering alone, under their uncle’s cruelty.

Her heart ached, and her tears continued to flow, as she whispered.

“Peace, my dear sister, I’m coming for you. Hold on, please hold on.”

The food remained untouched.

The self-proclaimed Boss kidnapper entered Sophia’s room, concern etched on his face.

“Sophia, listen, you need to eat. We can’t have you looking weak and frail. Chief Omego won’t accept that. You must stay healthy for this to work.”

He paused, but before Sophia could respond, his phone rang. He answered, his expression changing from concern to surprise.

“Hello?… Yes, Chief… No, she’s not eating… I know, I know… Okay, I’ll make sure… Yes, Chief.”

He hung up, his eyes fixed on Sophia.

“Chief Omego is not happy. You need to eat, Sophia. Your life depends on it.”

The Boss’s tone was firm, but a hint of worry crept into his voice. Sophia’s refusal to eat had set off a chain reaction, and the stakes were higher than ever.

Just as he was about to force Sophia to eat, she spotted a dangerous snake slithering out from behind him.

Her eyes widened in terror, and she shouted.

“Run! Oh, please run for your life!”

The Boss kidnapper was taken aback, confused, and hesitant at first, but Sophia’s urgency was contagious.

He turned around, and his eyes met the terrifying sight of a massive snake descending from the ceiling, its piercing gaze fixed on him.

The snake’s body was as thick as a man’s thigh, its scales glistening in the dim light.

His face turned pale, and he froze, paralyzed with fear.

Sophia’s warning had saved his life, but for a moment, he forgot about his captive and his sinister plans.

He sprinted out of the room, his fear replaced by adrenaline.

He yelled to his team.

“Get the guns! Now!”

His cohorts rushed to his side, weapons in hand. Together, they burst back into the room, ready to face the serpent.

The snake had inched closer to Sophia, its forked tongue darting in and out, sensing its prey. The Boss kidnapper aimed his gun, his hand shaking slightly.

He fired multiple shots, the bullets piercing the snake’s body.

The snake thrashed about, its death throes violent, but ultimately, it succumbed to the wounds.

Sophia, still trembling with fear, gazed up at her captors with a mix of relief and gratitude.

The Boss kidnapper approached her, his expression softening for a moment.

“You’re safe now,” he said, his voice almost gentle.

But Sophia knew better. She was still a captive, and her ordeal far from over.

The Boss kidnapper’s mind raced with thoughts, a moral dilemma unfolding before him.

He questioned himself, “If Sophia, my captive, could save my life without hesitation, despite knowing I’m her enemy, doesn’t that make her a good person?”

He thought about how she prioritized his safety over her own well-being, and a spark of conscience ignited within him.

He made a silent decision: Sophia must be set free.

But, he pondered, how could he do it without alerting the others? If they discovered his plan, they would surely inform Chief Omego, putting his own life in jeopardy.

The Boss kidnapper knew he had to tread carefully, devising a secret plan to release Sophia without arousing suspicion.

His thoughts swirled with strategies, weighing risks and consequences, as he struggled to reconcile his criminal nature with the newfound sense of decency Sophia’s selfless act had awakened.

Nduka and his family always beat Peace whenever they pleased, and assign her tasks that were far beyond her capabilities.

Every day, Peace would wake up with a sense of dread, wondering what new suffering awaited her.

She would be sent to fetch heavy buckets of water, walk miles to the market, and do chores that left her tiny hands raw and sore.

If she failed or complained, the beatings would ensue.

Nduka’s family took great pleasure in making Peace’s life miserable. They would mock her, call her names, and make her feel like a worthless burden.

The house, once a place of love and warmth, had become a torture chamber for Peace.

Despite her young age, Peace had learned to endure the pain and suffering.

But deep down, she longed for freedom and love.

She held onto the hope that one day, she would escape the clutches of her cruel uncle and find a home where she would be cherished and loved.

Peace continued to suffer in silence, her heart crying out for a chance to be free from the tyranny of Nduka and his family.

Peace’s eyes welled up with tears as she thought about her twin sister Sophia, who had been kidnapped months ago. She couldn’t understand why her uncle Nduka refused to do anything to help find Sophia.

It was as if he didn’t care that her sister was gone, leaving her all alone and scared.

Every time Peace asked Nduka about Sophia, he would dismiss her concerns, telling her to focus on her chores and not bother herself with things she didn’t understand.

But Peace couldn’t shake off the feeling that Nduka knew more than he was letting on.

She remembered the day Sophia was taken, her uncle wasn’t bothered much about Sophia’s kidnap.

It seemed like he was involved in her sister’s disappearance, but Peace couldn’t fathom why.

The uncertainty and helplessness gnawed at her, making her feel like a tiny boat adrift in a stormy sea.

Peace longed for Sophia’s return, for the comfort and security of having her twin by her side.

But with Nduka’s refusal to help, she felt like she was fighting a lonely battle to find her sister.

Peace’s once bright and curious mind began to unravel, like a thread pulled from a delicate fabric.

The relentless cruelty of her uncle Nduka, combined with the agonizing uncertainty of her twin sister Sophia’s fate, proved too much for her young heart to bear.

As the days passed, Peace’s thoughts became cloudy and disjointed.

She struggled to concentrate, and her memories began to fade like sand slipping through her fingers.

Nduka’s abuse and neglect had taken a devastating toll on Peace’s mental health.

She became detached from reality, her mind retreating to a safer place to escape the pain and suffering.

The tiny young girl was lost in a world of confusion and fear, her thoughts consumed by the dread of losing Sophia forever and the terror of her uncle’s cruelty.

Ngozi met Peace thinking on her room, she called her out and asked her to go to the kitchen and wash plates.

She has been warned by Nduka concerning the plates. And Peace has always been careful not to brake the plates.

As Peace stood at the sink, her hands moving mechanically to wash the plates, her mind wandered to her twin sister Sophia.

She thought about the last time they played together, the way they giggled and shared secrets.

The memories brought a mix of sadness and longing, and tears began to flow down her face.

Lost in thought, Peace didn’t notice the plate slipping from her hand until it hit the floor with a loud crash.

She froze, her heart sinking. She knew she would be in trouble for breaking the plate.

Tears continued to flow as she gazed at the shattered pieces on the floor.

She remembered Nduka’s warning:

“If you break anything, you’ll face the consequences.”

Peace knew she would face his wrath, and the thought sent a chill down her spine.

With a heavy heart, she knelt down to pick up the pieces, her mind racing with thoughts of Sophia and the hell she would face at the hands of her uncle. The tears wouldn’t stop, and Peace felt like she was drowning in a sea of sorrow and fear.

The Boss kidnapper entered the dimly lit room where Sophia was being held captive.

He approached her slowly, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt.

Sophia, with tears streaming down her face, looked up at him with desperation in her eyes.

He bent down beside her, his voice low and gentle.

“My name is James. Thanks so much for saving my life from the snake.”

He paused, his expression softening.

“Please help me, I’m dying here, please save me,” Sophia begged, her voice cracking with emotion.

James’s face contorted in a mixture of confusion and empathy.

“Please calm down, Sophia. I will try my best,” he promised, his voice filled with a newfound sense of responsibility.

The Boss kidnapper’s tough exterior began to crack, revealing a glimmer of humanity beneath.

He continued to speak in a hushed tone, his words filled with a newfound sense of determination.

“Sophia, listen to me. I will save you tonight, when everyone is calm and distracted. I’ll make sure no one notices that I’m the one setting you free.”

He glanced around the room, ensuring they were still alone, before focusing on Sophia’s desperate eyes.

“I know I’ve been a part of this cruel game, but your bravery and selflessness have changed something within me.

I can’t just stand by and watch you suffer anymore.”

James’s voice dropped to a whisper, filled with urgency.

“Tonight, when the others are asleep or occupied, I’ll come for you. We’ll make our move, and I’ll get you out of here, safe and sound. Trust me, Sophia. I won’t let you down.”

James then stood up and tries to leave the room before anyone could notice that he visited the young girl.

Just then, Sophia came up with a question âť“

“Who is Chief? And why did he asked you to kidnap me?” Sophia asked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of desperation.

James hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh, Chief… he’s my Oga, I have been working with him for long. His name is Nduka Mbakwe,

He wants to sale you for slavery.”

Sophia’s eyes narrowed, her mind racing with connections. “He wants to sell me for slavery?”

James nodded, his expression grim.

“Yes, Sophia. I’m so sorry…. I didn’t know what else to do rather than to obey his commands.”

Sophia’s face contorted in shock and disbelief.

“My uncle? You mean my uncle asked you to kidnap me?” she repeated, her voice rising in outrage and pain. “Nduka Mbakwe, my own uncle, wants to sell me into slavery?

Sophia’s eyes widened in disbelief as James’s confession unfolded. She felt like she was living in a nightmare, with no escape from the horrors that surrounded her.

“Now I regret working with him,” James said, his voice heavy with remorse.

“He even sent me to kill his own brother and wife with a trailer on their way to church.”

Sophia’s mind raced back to the tragic accident that had claimed her parents’ lives.

She had always wondered how such a horrific thing could have happened.

Now, the truth was staring her in the face.

“You mean… my uncle Nduka was behind my parents’ death?” Sophia asked, her voice trembling with rage and grief.

James nodded, his eyes filled with tears.

“I’m so sorry, Sophia. I didn’t know the full extent of his evil plans until now.”

Sophia’s thoughts swirled with the realization that her own uncle had orchestrated such a heinous crime. And now, he was trying to sell her into slavery and leaving her twin sister, Peace, to suffer and die.

The weight of his cruelty was crushing her.

“How can someone be so evil?” Sophia whispered, her voice barely audible.

James shook his head, his face etched with sorrow.

“I don’t know, Sophia.

But I promise to make it right. I’ll help you escape from here.”

Sophia’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude as she pleaded with James to help her escape.

“Please sir, help me out of this place.

I can’t take it anymore.

I have to find my sister and make sure she’s safe.”

James nodded, his expression determined.

“I’ll help you, Sophia.

I promise. I’ll come back tonight, when everyone is asleep, and release you from this room.

I’ll show you the way out of this place and make sure you get to safety.”

Sophia’s face lit up with hope, and she grasped James’s hand, her grip tight with desperation.

“Thank you so much sir.

Thank you for having a conscience. I won’t forget this.”

James smiled and patted her hand.

“Just be ready tonight, Sophia. I’ll come for you. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

With that, James turned and left the room, leaving Sophia to count down the hours until her escape. She felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in months, and she knew she had to hold on to it, no matter what lay ahead.

Ngozi stormed into the kitchen, her anger blazing like a wildfire. She had been looking for a reason to unleash her wrath on Peace, and now she had found it. The young girl was gathered around the broken plates, her eyes cast down in a futile attempt to hide her tears.

“What is this I see?” Ngozi thundered, her voice echoing off the kitchen walls. “You careless child, you’ve broken all the plates!”

Peace trembled, knowing she was in for a beating. She tried to explain, but Ngozi wouldn’t listen

She began to beat Peace, her blows raining down on the young girl’s body.

Peace cried out in pain, pleading for mercy, but Ngozi showed no compassion.

When she finally stopped, Peace was left bruised and sobbing.

Ngozi’s anger had not subsided, and she declared,

“You’ll go without food for the entire day! You’re worthless, just like your sister.

She left Peace crying like a Baby for the entire day.

It’s already weekend and Nduka has made a preparation for his three children to embark on trip to spend a weekend at the City of Abakaliki which is the most beautiful city in Nigeria.

They were happy that at last they’re going to see the new Abakaliki with their eyes.

The sun was shining bright as Stella, Amarachi, and Stanley eagerly boarded the bus, their faces beaming with excitement.

They had been waiting for this trip for what felt like forever, and finally, they were on their way to the city of Abakaliki.

The stories they had heard about its beauty and wonders had sparked their imagination, and they couldn’t wait to experience it all for themselves.

They got to the city and the three siblings started making memories, marveling at the scenic views and chatting excitedly about what they would do first.

They had planned their itinerary meticulously, from visiting the famous Ebonyi shopping mall and probably Abakaliki Museum to trying the local cuisine at the bustling markets.

As they arrived at the entrance of the shopping mall, they were struck by its beauty and vibrancy. The fly over was lined with colorful lights with different designs, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

They spent their days exploring, laughing, and making new friends, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

It’s already time for them to go back to the village,

They boarded the bus to return home, they were still basking in the joy and excitement of their adventure.

Laughter and chatter filled the air as they relived the highlights of their trip.

But in an instant, their happiness turned to horror.

The driver, who had been navigating the winding road, lost control of the bus as it collided with a Dangote truck carrying cement.

The sound of screeching tires and crunching metal filled the air, followed by an eerie silence.

Despite the driver’s valiant efforts to regain control, the bus careened off the road, crashing into a nearby ravine.

The impact was devastating, and the siblings’ laughter was abruptly silenced.

As the dust settled, it became clear that none of them had survived the tragic accident. The once-vibrant bus was now a twisted wreck, a grim reminder of the fragility of life.

The devastating news of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of Stella, Amarachi, and Stanley spread like wildfire, reaching their parents, Nduka and Ngozi.

The shock was too much for Ngozi to bear, and she collapsed, fainting from grief.

Her husband, Nduka, and the others present rushed to her side, trying to revive her. But she was unresponsive, overcome with the unbearable pain of losing three children at once.

In a state of panic, they quickly rushed her to the hospital, praying that she would recover from this emotional collapse.

The medical team worked to stabilize her, but the trauma of the news had taken a severe toll on her physical and mental health.

Sophia’s heart raced as she waited for James to arrive, her hopes of freedom hanging in the balance.

She had trusted him, believed his promise to set her free, but as the night wore on, he didn’t show up.

She tried to stay positive, thinking maybe he was delayed or couldn’t find the right moment to come.

But as the next day dawned, and James was nowhere to be seen, Sophia’s doubts began to creep in.

Had he changed his mind? Was he just playing with her emotions?

The thought sent a chill down her spine.

She had forgotten that James was, in fact, the leader of the group that had kidnapped her.

His promise of freedom might have been just a ruse to keep her calm, a clever manipulation.

Sophia’s anxiety grew as she wondered if she had been foolish to trust him.

Was she doomed to remain a captive forever? The uncertainty was suffocating, and she couldn’t shake off the feeling that James had played her like a fool.

After three agonizing days, James finally appeared in the dead of night, his eyes fixed on Sophia with a sense of urgency.

Without a word, he swept her into his arms and made a run for it, dashing out of the house into the darkness.

But their escape was short-lived.

One of the kidnappers, alerted by the sudden movement, peered out of the window and spotted their boss fleeing with the valuable hostage.

A loud shout echoed through the house, and the other kidnappers sprang into action, grabbing their guns and firing wildly from the window.

The bullets whizzed past Sophia’s head, and James’s body jerked as he was hit.

He stumbled, his grip on Sophia loosening, and she felt herself falling.

But with a final surge of strength, James pushed her away, shouting,

“Run, Sophia! Run as far as you can!”

Sophia stumbled forward, her heart racing, as James’s body crumpled to the ground.

She didn’t look back, didn’t dare to, as she sprinted into the unknown, the kidnappers’ shouts and gunfire fading into the distance.

She ran for her life, her freedom, and her future, leaving behind the chaos and the man who had tried to save her.

James’s body lay still, his struggle for life finally ending in defeat.

The other kidnappers, enraged and betrayed, gave chase, determined to capture Sophia and reclaim their valuable hostage.

They combed the forest, searching every nook and cranny, but Sophia was long gone, vanished into the darkness.

Their shouts and curses echoed through the trees as they frantically scoured the area, but Sophia had managed to escape their clutches.

She had run far and fast, fueled by adrenaline and fear, until she was sure she had left her pursuers behind.

As the kidnappers finally gave up their search, their anger and frustration were palpable.

They returned to their hideout, empty-handed and defeated, their plans foiled by James’s unexpected betrayal and Sophia’s quick thinking.

The kidnapers picked up their phone and call Nduka to inform him about what happened.

Nduka’s voice was laced with venom as he spoke to the kidnappers over the phone, his anger and frustration palpable.

“You fools! How could you let her escape? I instructed you to keep her safe until the ransom was paid!”

The kidnapper on the other end of the line trembled, knowing they had failed their boss.

“We’re sorry, chief. It was James, our leader, who betrayed us. He helped her escape.”

Nduka’s anger turned to rage.

“Find her! Make sure she doesn’t come back to my house. If she does, my life will be in danger. Do you understand?”

The kidnapper nodded, even though Nduka couldn’t see him.

“Yes, chief, We must fetch her before morning. We won’t fail again.”

Nduka’s menacing tone sent chills down the kidnapper’s spine.

“You’d better not. I’ll be waiting for your call. Don’t disappoint me.”

The line went dead, and the kidnappers knew their mission was far from over. They had to capture Sophia before dawn, or face the wrath of Nduka.

The forest, once again, became a hunting ground, and Sophia was the prey.

Sophia’s weary eyes fluttered open, her mind foggy from the exhaustion of the previous ordeal.

She had fallen asleep, hoping that dawn would bring a new chance at escape.

But as she stirred, she noticed a faint light dancing through the trees.

Her heart sank as she realized the kidnappers had returned, their flashlights scanning the forest floor.

Panic set in as Sophia scrambled to her feet, her eyes darting around for a place to hide.

She spotted a large tree trunk behind her and dashed towards it, pressing her back against the rough bark. She held her breath, praying that the kidnappers wouldn’t think to look there.

As the lights drew closer, Sophia closed her eyes, her lips moving in a silent prayer.

“Please, God, save me. Don’t let them find me.”

The lights flickered across the tree, casting eerie shadows on the ground. Sophia held perfectly still, her heart pounding in her chest.

The kidnappers’ voices grew louder, their footsteps crunching through the underbrush.

Sophia’s prayer became more urgent, her mind racing with thoughts of escape.

But for now, she remained frozen, relying on the tree’s bulk to shield her from her pursuers.

“Sophia, what are you doing here? I have missed you so much, please come let’s go”. Peace said as she gets close to her twin sister.

” Peace, I have been looking for a way out, I’m lost here. Thank God you’re here”. Sophia said rushing to hug her sister.

Both of them were happy that at least they had found each other again.

But, the joy was short-lived.

Peace was abruptly awoken by her uncle Nduka splashing cold water on her face.

She realized that she was dreaming about her kidnapped twin sister. The harsh reality hit her like a ton of bricks – Sophia was still missing, and she was still trapped in her uncle’s clutches.

Peace’s eyes fluttered open, and she was met with the cold, hard stare of her uncle.

She was a prisoner in her own house, and her only comfort was the memory of her twin sister.

The dream had felt so real, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Sophia was still alive, and if they would ever be reunited again.

“So you’re happy now that my three children are dead abii?

I will make sure you suffer and die in this house”.

Peace couldn’t understand why her uncle is treating her so badly just because her parents are dead.

Peace’s eyes welled up with tears as she shook her head, trying to make sense of her uncle’s cruel words.

“Why, Uncle? Why are you treating me like this? My parents are gone, and my twin sister is still held captive by the kidnapers, but that’s not my fault. I’m your family, your brother’s child. Why do you want me to suffer?”

Nduka’s expression turned even more sinister, his voice dripping with malice.

“You think you’re innocent, Peace? You think you’re just a helpless orphan? You’re wrong. Your parents took everything from me, and now you’re all that’s left. You’re a reminder of their betrayal, and you’ll pay for their sins.”

Peace’s mind raced as she tried to understand her uncle’s twisted logic.

She couldn’t fathom what her parents could have done to deserve such hatred from her uncle.

She felt a surge of anger and defiance, determined to prove her uncle wrong and escape his clutches.

Nduka went back to the hospital to see how his wife is doing.

He entered the hospital room, his eyes fixed on his wife Ngozi, who lay in the bed, her face pale and drawn.

The machines beeping around her seemed to echo the fragility of her condition.

He approached her bedside, his expression a mix of concern and guilt.

“Ngozi, my dear, how are you feeling?” he asked, his voice softer than usual.

Ngozi’s eyes fluttered open, and she gazed at him with a hint of sadness.

“I’m trying, Nduka. But the pain…it’s still so much to bear. Losing our children, and now being motherless…it feels like my heart is shattered into a million pieces.”

Nduka’s face twitched, his eyes avoiding hers.

He couldn’t look at his wife in the eyes with such situation.

The machines around Ngozi began to beep faster, her blood pressure rising again.

The nurse rushed in, concern etched on her face.

“Sir, please, you need to calm her down. Her BP is spiking again.”

Nduka’s eyes snapped back to his wife, and for a moment, he saw the woman he loved, the mother of his children, the one he had hurt so deeply.

He took her hand, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Ngozi, my dear, I’m here. I’ll stay with you. We’ll get through this together.”

But the damages has been done.

Ngozi’s eyes filled with tears, and she turned away, her body trembling with sorrow. The machines continued to beep, a constant reminder of the fragility of life.

Nduka ‘s wife slowly closed her eyes and gave up the ghost.

Nduka cried and weep like a child.

He didn’t know where to start from.

Nduka’s world crumbled around him as he held his wife’s dead hand, his body shaking with uncontrollable sobs.

The weight of his actions crushed him, and the realization of his losses hit him like a tidal wave.

His brother, his brother’s wife, his children, and now his wife – all gone. The mortuary, once a place of distant sorrow, now held the bodies of his entire family.

He wept like a child, his mind reeling with thoughts of what could have been.

He thought of Peace, his niece, still trapped in the house, a constant reminder of his cruelty.

He thought of his brother,his brother’s wife, his children, and his wife, all victims of his own hatred and bitterness.

Nduka’s cries echoed through the hospital corridors, a haunting lament for the family he had destroyed.

He fell to his knees, his body wracked with anguish, as the reality of his solitude hit him.

He was alone now, left to face the consequences of his actions.

Nduka went home and sat at the parlor weeping.

Peace came out from her room and saw her uncle in such a condition that seems too heavy for him.

She approached him to console him.

Nduka’s grief and anger boiled over, and he lashed out at the one person who tried to comfort him.

He struck her with a fierce blow, and she crumpled to the ground, tears streaming down her face.

“Get out of my sight!” Nduka bellowed, his eyes blazing with a mixture of sorrow and rage.

“You’re the reason for all my pain! If it weren’t for your parents, my family would still be alive!”

Peace cowered, her small frame shaking with fear. She knew her uncle’s cruelty all too well, but she had hoped that in his moment of grief, he would find some shred of compassion. Instead, she faced the same hatred and anger that had haunted her for so long.

With a heavy heart, Peace slowly got up, her eyes fixed on the man who was once her uncle, now a stranger consumed by his own darkness.

She turned and fled, leaving Nduka alone in his misery, the sound of her sobs echoing through the empty halls.

The house seems so empty for Peace, everyone is gone except her wicked uncle.

She wandered through the desolate halls, the silence deafening.

She felt like a tiny boat adrift in a stormy sea, lost and alone.

The absence of her family was a palpable ache, a constant reminder of the tragedy that had befallen them.

Her heart yearned for the warmth and love of her twin sister Sophia, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she was still alive.

With every step, Peace’s prayers grew more fervent.

“Please, God, keep Sophia safe. Don’t let them hurt her. Bring her back to me, please.”

The words became a mantra, a desperate plea to a higher power to reunite her with the one person who made her feel whole.

As she roamed the empty rooms, Peace’s thoughts were consumed by memories of her family.

She recalled the laughter, the smiles, and the countless moments they had shared with their parents.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at the photos on the walls, the faces of her parents who just died on the same time.

The only sound was the creaking of the old house, a haunting reminder that she was truly alone.

In this bleak world, Peace clung to hope, her spirit refusing to be extinguished.

She held on to the belief that Sophia would return, that their bond would conquer even the darkest of evils.

And so, she waited, her heart heavy with sorrow, her soul yearning for the reunion that would bring light back into her life.

Sophia knew the kidnappers were closing in on her, their voices and footsteps getting closer and closer.

As she hid, Sophia closed her eyes and prayed with all her might.

“Please, God, protect me. Don’t let them find me. Keep me safe.”

She repeated the words over and over, her lips moving silently as she begged for divine intervention.

The kidnappers searched the forest, their flashlights casting eerie shadows on the trees.

They called out Sophia’s name, their voices echoing through the silence.

But Sophia remained still, holding her breath and praying for God to keep her hidden.

As the minutes ticked by, the kidnappers’ search grew more half-hearted.

They were tired and frustrated, their anger and disappointment palpable.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they gave up and turned back, their footsteps fading into the distance.

Sophia let out a sigh of relief, her body trembling with fear and exhaustion. She knew she couldn’t stay here forever, but for now, she was safe.

And she knew that God had heard her prayers and kept her hidden from harm.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Sophia emerged from the forest, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

She had been so focused on escaping her captors that she hadn’t paid attention to her direction, and now she was lost.

The landscape before her was unrecognizable – rolling hills, fields, and trees stretched out as far as the eye could see, but she had no idea where she was or which direction to go.

Panic began to set in as she realized she was alone, with no idea how to find her way back home.

Sophia’s heart raced as she looked around, searching for any sign of civilization – a house, a road, a landmark – but there was nothing.

She felt like she was in the middle of nowhere, with no escape from the vast, open space.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she thought of her twin sister, Peace, and her family.

Were they still alive? Were they looking for her? Sophia’s mind was a jumble of questions and fears, and she didn’t know which way to turn.

With a deep breath, she started walking, hoping to find a path or a landmark that would lead her back to safety.

But as she trudged through the fields, the silence and isolation only added to her growing sense of desperation.

She was truly alone, and she had never felt so lost in her life.

The kidnappers went back to where they kept James’s body, they dig grave and buried him.

They stood around the makeshift grave, their anger and frustration boiling over.

They had been so blind to Nduka’s manipulation, and now they realized that James had been trying to protect Sophia from the very beginning.

His attempts to save her had ultimately led to his own demise, and the weight of that knowledge was crushing.

As they looked at each other, they knew they had to make a choice.

They couldn’t continue working for Nduka, perpetuating his evil deeds and living in fear of his wrath.

They had to break free from his grasp and start anew.

“We can’t keep doing this,” one of them said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“We have to get out before it’s too late.”

The others nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.

They knew it wouldn’t be easy, but they were willing to take the risk.

They would leave Nduka’s employment and start fresh, free from the shackles of his tyranny.

As they turned to leave, they couldn’t help but glance back at James’s grave.

They knew they had wronged him, and they vowed to make amends by living a better life, one free from violence and fear.

The memory of James’s bravery and selflessness would stay with them forever, a reminder of the consequences of their past actions and the importance of doing what was right.

Nduka’s face twisted with rage and anxiety as he repeatedly dialed the kidnappers’ number, only to be met with silence.

He paced back and forth in his lavish room, his eyes fixed on the phone as if willing it to ring.

With each failed attempt, his panic grew.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breath came in short gasps.

He couldn’t understand why they weren’t answering.

Had they betrayed him? Had they been caught?

Nduka’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios.

He thought of Sophia, still out there, a loose end waiting to be tied up. He thought of James, whose fate he had callously sealed.

And he thought of the kidnappers, who now seemed to have vanished into thin air.

His anger and fear boiled over, and he slammed his fist onto the table, making the phone jump.

He glared at it, as if it were the source of his troubles. Nduka’s world was crumbling around him, and he knew he had to act fast to maintain control.

But for now, he was trapped in a vortex of uncertainty, his power and influence hanging by a thread.

Nduka stormed out of his room, He drove to the kidnappers’ hideout, his mind racing with scenarios and threats.

As he arrived, he expected to see the familiar faces, but instead, he was met with an eerie silence.

The usual hub of activity was now a ghost town, with no sign of life anywhere.

Nduka’s anger turned to dread as he realized the truth – the kidnappers had betrayed him.

They had taken his money, his secrets, and his trust, and now they were gone, leaving him exposed and vulnerable.

He stormed through the empty rooms, searching for any clue, any hint of where they might have gone.

But there was nothing. No notes, no messages, no signs of struggle or fight.

Just an empty, haunting silence that echoed Nduka’s own fears.

He knew he had been outsmarted, outmaneuvered.

The kidnappers had played him like a pawn, using him for their own gain.

And now, they were gone, leaving Nduka to face the consequences of his own actions.

As he stood there, surrounded by the remnants of his failed schemes, Nduka knew his empire was crumbling.

His power, his influence, his very reputation – all were at risk.

And he had no one to turn to, no one to trust.

The silence was deafening, a stark reminder of his own isolation and defeat.

Nduka went back home, his mind reeling with the weight of his troubles.

He had never felt so lost and alone.

He collapsed onto the couch, his thoughts consumed by the looming threat of tradition.

In his culture, the burial of his brother and sister-in-law took precedence over his own family’s needs.

But how could he raise the money to bury them when his empire was crumbling around him?

Nduka’s eyes wandered to the family photos on the walls, the smiling faces of his loved ones now a painful reminder of his failures.

He thought of his own wife and children, whose fate hung in the balance.

The weight of his responsibilities crushed him.

He had always prided himself on being a provider, a protector, but now he felt like a failure.

The traditions that had once brought him strength and identity now seemed like a burden, a constant reminder of his inadequacies.

As the darkness closed in around him, Nduka knew he had to act.

But for now, he was trapped in a prison of his own making, unsure of how to escape the crushing weight of his traditions and his own failures.

Nduka’s eyes narrowed as he made the difficult decision.

He would sell his brother’s two cars to raise the funds for the burial.

It was a painful choice as he knew that he will be going out without a car, but he saw no other option.

The tradition of burying his brother and sister-in-law first was too important to ignore.

He would swallow his pride and sell the cars, no matter how much it hurt.

With a newfound determination, Nduka began making phone calls, arranging for the cars to be sold quickly and discreetly.

He knew the buyers would come, eager to purchase the luxury vehicles at a fraction of their worth.

And he knew that with the money, he would finally be able to lay his brother and sister-in-law to rest.

The thought brought a mix of emotions: sadness, guilt, and a hint of relief.

The date for the burial of Mr. and Mrs. Tony was announced, and Peace’s world came crashing down.

She had been holding on to hope, praying that her twin sister, Sophia, would be found before the funeral.

But now, the reality hit her like a ton of bricks – Sophia would not be there to say goodbye to their parents.

Peace couldn’t stop crying, her tears flowing like a river as she thought of her sister, alone and frightened, somewhere in the hands of kidnappers.

She felt a deep pain, a sense of loss and helplessness, knowing that Sophia would miss the funeral, the final farewell to their beloved parents.

As she wept, Peace’s mind raced with thoughts of her sister.

Where was Sophia now? Was she safe? Was she thinking of their parents, too?

The uncertainty was suffocating, and Peace felt like she was drowning in her grief.

She remembered the last time they were all together, the laughter, the jokes, the love they shared.

And now, their parents were gone, and Sophia was taken away, leaving Peace alone to face the darkness.

The funeral preparations went on, but Peace was lost in her sorrow, her heart heavy with the thought of her sister’s absence.

She longed to see Sophia, to hold her close, to mourn together, but fate had other plans.

As the day of the burial approached, Peace’s tears never dried, her pain never subsided.

She knew she had to find a way to keep her parents’ memory alive, to hold on to hope for Sophia’s return, and to keep her heart from shattering into a million pieces.

But for now, the grief was all-consuming, and Peace was left to face the darkness alone.

As the burial date approaches, friends and well-wishers began to visit their home to offer condolences to Peace. They came with sympathetic words, warm hugs, and tears of their own, hoping to comfort the grieving daughter.

But Peace, overwhelmed by her emotions, couldn’t bear the thought of facing anyone.

She appreciated their kindness, but the pain of her parents’ loss and the uncertainty of her sister’s fate were too much to bear.

As the visitors arrived, Peace would nod politely, thank them for coming, and then excuse herself, locking herself indoors, away from prying eyes. She couldn’t pretend to be strong, couldn’t put on a brave face, not when her heart was shattering into a million pieces.

Alone in her room, Peace would collapse onto her bed, surrendering to her tears, her sobs echoing off the walls.

She prayed fervently to God, begging Him to bring Sophia back to her, to reunite them before the funeral, to give her the strength to face the burial without her twin by her side.

“Please, God,”

she whispered, her voice hoarse from crying,

“bring Sophia home. I can’t do this without her. I need my sister, my best friend, my other half.”

As the hours passed, Peace’s prayers became a mantra, a desperate plea to a higher power, a cry for mercy, for comfort, for the return of her beloved sister.

And with each tear, each sob, she held on to hope, the hope that Sophia would come back to her, that they would face the darkness together, as twins, as sisters, as one.

Nduka’s thoughts were consumed by a sense of urgency and practicality. He had no intention of honoring his brother and sister-in-law with a grand funeral celebration.

His sole focus was on acquiring a casket to lay them to rest, a necessary step before he could attend to the burial of his own family members.

To him, the funeral was a mere formality, a hurdle to clear before he could move on to the more pressing matter of burying his wife and children.

He was driven by a sense of duty and obligation, rather than grief or sentiment.

As he made arrangements for the casket, Nduka’s mind was already racing ahead to the next step, the next task to be completed.

He was a man on a mission, driven by a singular purpose, and nothing would stand in his way.

The thought of celebrating his brother and sister-in-law’s lives, of honoring their memories with eulogies and tributes, was far from his mind.

For Nduka, this was a time for action, not reflection; a time for efficiency, not sentiment. He would get the job done, no matter the cost to his own emotional well-being.

As the of the burial reached, Nduka’s face turned red with rage as he surveyed the scene before him.

He had wanted a simple, low-key burial for his brother and sister-in-law, but the parishioners and friends had other plans.

The abundance of food, the lively music, and the presence of celebrities were a stark contrast to the somber funeral he had envisioned.

“How dare they?” Nduka thought to himself.

“My brother and his wife were not some kind of celebrities to be honored with such fanfare!”

He scowled at the DJ spinning tunes, the people laughing and chatting, and the long tables groaning under the weight of food.

The cows, goats, and meats seemed like an excessive display of wealth, and Nduka’s anger simmered just below the surface.

As the ceremony progressed, Nduka’s displeasure only grew.

He felt disrespected, as if the people were mocking his family’s memory with their joviality.

He couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t just let him bury his brother and sister-in-law in peace, without all this…this…fanfare!

Peace’s room had become a refuge, a sanctuary from the chaos and grief that surrounded her.

As the burial ceremony unfolded outside, she remained resolute, refusing to budge from her position.

The mourners, concerned for her well-being, tried to coax her out, begging her to come and pay her last respects to her parents.

But Peace was adamant, her determination fueled by her desperation to be reunited with her twin sister, Sophia.

“I won’t come out without Sophia!”

she sobbed, her voice hoarse from crying.

“I need my sister by my side!”

The mourners tried to reason with her, explaining that Sophia was not present, but Peace would not be swayed.

She clung to the hope that Sophia would appear, that she would somehow magically materialize and join her in her grief.

As the minutes ticked by, Peace’s cries grew louder, her anguish echoing through the room.

The mourners, helpless in the face of her distress, could only stand by and offer what little comfort they could.

Outside, the burial ceremony continued, a solemn reminder of the loss that Peace and her twin sister had suffered.

But for Peace, the only reality was her sister’s absence, and she would not rest until Sophia was by her side once more.

Some friends managed to persuade Peace to come outside.

She later followed them outside but immediately she steps at the compound.

She saw her twin sister Sophia stepping in from the gate, her hand reaching out to open the creaky gate, the metal screeching as it swung open, and she saw Sophia coming inside the compound with fear in her eyes….

Peace’s eyes widened with joy and relief as she saw her twin sister, Sophia, coming close. She sprinted towards her, tears of happiness streaming down her face.

The two sisters embraced, holding each other tightly as they both burst into tears.

Their reunion was a moment of pure joy, a release of all the anxiety, fear, and uncertainty that had gripped Peace since Sophia’s disappearance. They held each other for a long time, crying and laughing simultaneously, their hearts overflowing with love and gratitude.

As they clung to each other, the mourners around them erupted into cheers and applause, celebrating the reunion of the twin sisters. The sorrowful atmosphere of the funeral was momentarily replaced by a sense of hope and redemption, as if the sisters’ reunion was a reminder that even in the darkest moments, love and family can bring light and happiness.

Peace and Sophia eventually pulled back, still holding hands, and looked into each other’s eyes, their faces radiant with happiness. They exchanged soft words, their voices barely audible over the sounds of celebration, but their love and connection were palpable, a reminder that their bond was unbreakable.

Peace and Sophia, hand in hand, went inside the house, their faces still etched with the joy of their reunion.

They quickly freshened up, taking a shower and changing into new clothes, symbolizing a new beginning.

As they emerged from the house, they walked with a sense of purpose, their steps steady and determined.

They made their way to the funeral ceremony, where they took their places beside the casket, ready to pay their last respects to their parents.

Their eyes, though still red-rimmed from crying, shone with a sense of peace and closure, knowing they had each other to lean on. They held hands, a gesture of unity and strength, as they gazed upon the casket, their hearts filled with love and gratitude for the parents who had given them life.

With a deep breath, they began to say their goodbyes, their voices barely above a whisper, but filled with emotion. They shared stories, memories, and tears, honoring the legacy of their parents, and the love that would forever bind them as sisters.

Nduka’s eyes darted around the crowd, his mind racing with unsettling thoughts.

Sophia’s sudden return had brought him a sense of unease, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling that she might know the truth about his involvement in her kidnapping and their parents’ death.

He fidgeted in his seat, his discomfort growing with each passing moment.

What if Sophia had been told about his role in the tragic events?

What if she had come back seeking revenge or justice?

The possibilities swirled in his head, making him increasingly agitated.

As the funeral ceremony progressed, Nduka’s anxiety intensified.

He couldn’t focus on the proceedings, his attention consumed by the fear of being exposed.

He kept glancing at Sophia, searching for any hint of accusation or anger in her eyes, but her expression remained inscrutable.

The weight of his secrets threatened to suffocate him, and Nduka wondered how much longer he could keep up the charade.

The tension inside him built, waiting to be released, as he struggled to maintain a composed exterior amidst the mourning crowd.

Rev. Fr. Nelson, the parish priest, stood at the altar, his eyes filled with compassion as he gazed out at the mourners. He raised his hands in a blessing, his voice booming out across the crowd.

“My dear brothers and sisters, today we gather to bid farewell to two beloved members of our community, Mr. and Mrs. Tony.

But even in the midst of sorrow, we find hope.

And so, I make a promise to their daughters, Peace and Sophia.

I commit to supporting your education, to guiding you both through your academic journey, all the way to university level, in Dubai.”

The congregation erupted into a chorus of

“Amen!” and “Thank you, Father!” as Peace and Sophia exchanged a look of disbelief and gratitude.

Tears of joy streaming down their faces, they knew that their parents’ legacy would live on through them, and that they would have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

Rev. Fr. Nelson’s promise was a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always a chance for a brighter future.

And as the funeral ceremony continued, the sisters felt a sense of peace wash over them, knowing that they would always have the support of their community, and the guidance of the parish priest, to help them navigate the path ahead.

As the final prayers were said and the coffin was lowered into the ground, Sophia and Peace collapsed into each other’s arms, overcome with grief.

Their wails echoed through the cemetery, a heart-wrenching expression of their sorrow.

They clung to each other, their bodies shaking with sobs, as they bid their final farewell to their parents.

Meanwhile, Nduka hung back, his eyes fixed on the grave from a distance.

He seemed frozen in place, his fear and anxiety palpable.

He dared not approach the grave, unsure of what might happen next.

His secrets and guilt weighed heavily on him, and he feared that Sophia and Peace might confront him at any moment.

As the mourners began to disperse, Nduka’s unease grew.

He knew he needed to escape, to get away from the scene of his crimes.

With a nervous glance around, he turned and hurried away, leaving the grieving sisters and the freshly dug grave behind.

The sound of Sophia and Peace’s tears lingered in the air, a poignant reminder of the pain and suffering Nduka had caused.

His cowardly departure only added to the sisters’ distress, leaving them feeling abandoned and betrayed once again.

Nduka returned to the house, unaware of the storm brewing against him.

Sophia and Peace had spent the past two days processing the truth, and their anger and hurt had solidified into a resolve for justice.

As Nduka entered, Sophia’s eyes locked onto him, her gaze piercing and accusatory.

Peace stood beside her, a united front against the man who had brought them so much pain.

Nduka, oblivious to the danger, greeted them with a casual smile.

“Hey, my dear nieces. How are you holding up?”

Sophia’s voice was low and even, but laced with venom.

“We know what you did, Uncle Nduka. We know you killed our parents and kidnapped me.”

Nduka’s smile faltered, but he tried to maintain his composure.

“What are you talking about, Sophia? You’re confused, my dear.”

Peace stepped forward, her eyes blazing.

“We’re not confused, Uncle. We know the truth. And we promise, you will pay for what you’ve done to us.”

The air was heavy with tension as the twins’ words hung like a threat, a warning that Nduka’s secrets would not remain hidden forever.

The stage was set for a reckoning, and Nduka’s fate was all but sealed.

Nduka was taken aback by the twins’ boldness, their words piercing his conscience like a dagger.

But he kept his composure, hiding his guilt and anger behind a mask of calmness.

The next day, Nduka summoned the twins to his presence, a sinister plan brewing in his mind.

He handed them each a cane, his eyes gleaming with malice.

“Flog each other,”

he commanded, his voice dripping with cruelty.

“Let the one who endures the most blows be the winner.”

Sophia and Peace exchanged a horrified glance, their minds racing with disbelief.

But Nduka’s eyes revealed no hint of mercy, only a ruthless determination to crush their spirits.

The twins hesitated, their hearts heavy with fear and uncertainty.

As the twins stood firm, refusing to inflict pain on each other, Nduka’s face turned red with rage.

His eyes blazed with fury, and his voice grew menacing.

“You foolish girls!” he bellowed. “You think you can disobey me? Both of you will learn in a hard way, so that next time you will learn how to respect me!”

With that, Nduka stormed into the kitchen, his heavy footsteps echoing through the house.

The twins exchanged a fearful glance, sensing the danger that was to come.

They knew they had to escape, but their legs felt like lead, frozen in place.

The sound of Nduka’s footsteps faded into the kitchen, leaving the twins in a state of terrified suspense.

Nduka’s evil plan was foiled in an instant! His aim was to put pepe on the twins’s eyes.

As he reached for the pepper, his hand brushed against the uncovered salt container, causing a torrent of salt to pour out and flood his eyes.

The sudden, intense pain made him shout in agony.

“Aaargh! My eyes! Oh, the burning!” Nduka cried, stumbling backward, his hands instinctively covering his face.

He staggered around, blinded by the salt, his eyes streaming with tears.

The pain was excruciating, and Nduka’s cries echoed through the room.

“Aaargh! My eyes! Someone help me! The pain! Oh, the pain!”

Peace’s initial instinct was to help her uncle, despite his cruelty, but Sophia firmly grasped her arm, holding her back.

“No, Peace, let him suffer the consequences of his own actions,”

Sophia whispered, her eyes blazing with determination.

Together, the twins swiftly moved to the kitchen door and locked it, trapping Nduka inside.

Then, they rushed to the sink and turned off the water tap, ensuring that Nduka would not be able to wash out the salt from his eyes.

The sound of Nduka’s anguished cries and futile attempts to open the door were music to their ears, a sweet revenge for the pain he had inflicted upon them.

The twins stood firm, their hearts hardened against their uncle’s suffering, knowing that he had brought this fate upon himself.

The salt had done its damage, and Nduka’s eyes had paid the price.

The intense pain had given way to an eerie silence, as Nduka’s world went dark.

He stumbled around the kitchen, his hands outstretched, but there was nothing to grasp.

The salt had blinded him, leaving him in a state of perpetual darkness.

Nduka’s cries of pain had turned to wails of despair, as he realized the full extent of his punishment.

He was now a shadow of the man he once was, a man who had reveled in the suffering of others.

His own cruelty had come full circle, and he was left to face the consequences.

Sophia and Peace felt a sense of relief and vindication wash over them as they heard their uncle’s cries of despair. They had finally found freedom from his tyranny, and his blindness was a fitting punishment for the pain he had inflicted upon them.

For the first time in their lives, they felt a sense of empowerment and control.

They knew that their uncle could no longer harm them, and that they had the opportunity to rebuild their lives and create a brighter future for themselves.

The twins also felt a sense of justice, knowing that their uncle’s blindness was a direct result of his own cruelty.

They had often dreamed of revenge, and now it seemed that fate had taken matters into its own hands.

As they walked inn to the kitchen door and unlocked it, they left immediately leaving their uncle to his darkness, Sophia and Peace felt a sense of hope and liberation.

They knew that they still had a long way to go, but they were ready to face the future together, free from the shackles of their uncle’s cruelty.

Nduka, still blinded by the salt, stumbled into the parlor, his hands outstretched, begging for mercy.

He cried and pleaded with Sophia and Peace to forgive him and take him to the hospital, but the twins were unmoved.

They sat on the couch, their eyes fixed on the TV as cartoons played, their faces expressionless.

They knew that their uncle was responsible for their parents’ death, and they felt no pity for him.

Nduka’s cries and pleas fell on deaf ears as the twins continued to watch their cartoons, their minds hardened against their uncle’s suffering.

They had waited too long for justice, and now that it had finally come, they were not about to show any mercy.

“You should have thought of that before you hurt us, Uncle,” Sophia said coldly, her voice devoid of emotion.

“Yes, you deserve to suffer,” Peace added, her eyes still fixed on the TV.

Nduka’s cries grew louder, but the twins just turned up the volume on the TV, drowning out his pleas for help.

He was left alone, blind and helpless, a shadow of the man who had once terrorized them.

He desperately tried to make his way to the front door, hoping to escape and find help.

But Peace was too quick, and she rushed to lock the door, trapping him inside.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Peace sneered, her voice cold and unforgiving.

“You can’t leave this place until we’re sure that the salt has caused you everlasting blindness.”

“As from now on, you will be eating once in a day in this house, just as you did to us before, so that you will know how it feels.” Sophia added.

Nduka’s face contorted in anguish as he realized the twins had turned the tables on him.

The same cruel treatment he had inflicted upon them was now being meted out to him.

“You can’t do this to me!” Nduka protested, his voice weak and desperate. “I’m your uncle, your family!”

“You were never a family to us,” Peace replied coldly. “You were a monster, and now you’ll face the consequences.”

Two months had passed since the burial of Mr and Mrs Tony.

Fr Nelson has finally processed the necessary documents for the twins to travel for their study.

Fr Nelson sent a trusted messenger to the twins’ residence with instructions to inform them to prepare for their journey.

“Tell them to pack their bags and come to the parish in the evening,” Fr Nelson instructed.

“They will sleep over here tonight, and we will depart for the airport first thing in the morning.”

The messenger nodded and set off to deliver the news to Sophia and Peace.

Sophia and Peace exchanged a mischievous glance when they received the news.

They had been relishing in their uncle’s misery, and the thought of leaving him behind was not appealing.

But Sophia’s calculating mind quickly came up with a solution.

“We can’t just leave him like this,” Sophia said, a sly grin spreading across her face.

“We need to make sure he doesn’t escape or cause any more trouble.”

Peace nodded in agreement, and Sophia continued,

“We’ll lock him in the house before we leave. That way, he’ll be trapped and helpless, just like he did to us.”

Peace’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Yes! Let’s do it! We can finally leave this place and start our new life in Dubai, knowing that he’s stuck here, suffering like he made us suffer.”

With a shared nod, the twins began making plans to secure their uncle’s imprisonment, eager to start their new adventure, free from the shackles of their painful past.

The twins, Sophia and Peace, had finally left for Dubai, leaving Nduka to his fate.

They had locked the house door behind them, taking the key with them, ensuring that Nduka would remain trapped inside.

Blind and helpless, Nduka struggled to survive on his own.

He fumbled around the kitchen, trying to cook his own meals, but his lack of sight made every task a daunting challenge.

One day, as he was attempting to boil water to make garri, his luck ran out.

He mistakenly poured the scalding hot water all over his body, causing excruciating pain.

Nduka’s cries of agony echoed through the empty house, but there was no one to hear his pleas for help.

He stumbled around, desperately trying to find relief from the burning sensation, but it was too late.

The damage was done, and Nduka was left to suffer alone.

Nduka’s body lay still on the bed, the scalding hot water having taken its toll on his fragile skin.

The pain had been too much to bear, and he had finally succumbed to his injuries.

As the days passed, Nduka’s body began to decay, the stench of death filling the empty house.

But there was no one to notice, no one to mourn his passing.

The twins, Sophia and Peace, were far away, living their new life in Dubai, free from the shackles of their painful past.

Nduka’s once-feared presence had been reduced to a mere memory, a cautionary tale of the devastating consequences of his wickedness.

His body, once strong and dominant, had been left to rot, a grim reminder of the ultimate price he had paid for his actions.

And so, Nduka’s story came to an end, a tragic tale of a man who had brought about his own downfall, his legacy one of pain, suffering, and ultimately, death.

Sophia and Peace, the twins who had once suffered at the hands of their wicked uncle, Nduka, had finally achieved their dreams.

After 18 years of hard work and dedication, they graduated with first-class honors from the School of Nursing in Dubai.

With their degrees in hand, they returned to Nigeria, eager to make a difference in their home country.

They were soon employed at the prestigious Federal Hospital in Abuja, where they began their careers as registered nurses.

As they donned their crisp white uniforms and tended to their patients with compassion and care, Sophia and Peace couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that had brought them to this point.

From the darkness of their childhood to the brightness of their future, they had overcome countless obstacles to achieve their goals.

Sophia and Peace, with tears of joy and gratitude, returned to their village, eager to express their thanks to those who had supported them on their journey.

They first visited Rev. Fr. Nelson, who had played a instrumental role in securing their scholarship to study in Dubai.

“Father, we can’t thank you enough for believing in us and giving us this opportunity,” Sophia said, her voice trembling with emotion.

“We are forever grateful for your kindness and support,” Peace added, as they both hugged the priest, tears streaming down their faces.

After expressing their gratitude, the twins made their way to their parents’ grave, they knelt down, holding hands, and began to cry, releasing all the emotions they had held inside for so long.

“Mother, Father, we did it!”

Sophia exclaimed, her voice cracking with emotion.

“We made you proud! We studied hard and became nurses, just like we always dreamed!”

“We are living our best lives, and we owe it all to you,”

Peace added, her tears falling like rain.

“Rest in peace, dear parents. Your twins have made you proud.”

As they cried, the twins felt a sense of closure, knowing that their parents were smiling down on them, proud of the strong, capable women they had become.

They stayed there for a long time, cherishing the moment, and finally finding the peace they had been searching for all these years.

As Sophia and Peace opened the door to their childhood home, a wave of nostalgia washed over them.

But as they stepped inside, they were met with a grim reminder of their past.

In the bedroom, they found the skeleton of their uncle, Nduka, still lying on the bed where they had left him all those years ago.

The twins were overcome with shock, grief, and regret.

They had never intended for their uncle to meet such a fate, and the realization of their actions hit them like a ton of bricks.

“Oh, Uncle Nduka, we’re so sorry!”

Sophia cried, tears streaming down her face.

“We were so blinded by our anger and hurt that we forgot about you.

We should have forgiven you and set you free.”

Peace nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with tears.

“We were so consumed by our desire for revenge that we lost sight of our humanity.

We’re so sorry, Uncle Nduka. Rest in peace.”

The twins stood there, holding each other, and wept for their uncle, for their past, and for the pain they had caused.

They knew they couldn’t turn back the clock, but they could learn from their mistakes and strive to be better, more compassionate people.

In that moment, Sophia and Peace made a vow to always choose forgiveness over revenge, and to never let their anger and hurt consume them again.

They buried their uncle’s remains with a heavy heart, but also with a sense of closure and a newfound appreciation for the importance of mercy and forgiveness.

As Sophia and Peace reflected on their past, they also remembered their cousins, Stella, Amarachi, and Stanley, who had suffered a tragic fate.

The twins recalled how their uncle’s wickedness had led to the children’s deaths, and how their bodies had been abandoned in the mortuary for years.

Filled with regret and a sense of responsibility, Sophia and Peace decided to take action.

They went to the mortuary and claimed the bodies of their cousins, as well as their uncle’s wife, who had also been a victim.

With a heavy heart, they arranged for a dignified funeral and burial for all five family members.

They wanted to give them the respect and peace they deserved, and to finally lay their troubled past to rest.

As they stood by the graves, Sophia and Peace spoke words of apology and forgiveness, acknowledging the pain and suffering their family had endured.

They vowed to keep their memories alive and to work towards healing and reconciliation.

The twins then laid a wreath of white flowers on the graves, symbolizing hope, peace, and new beginnings.

They knew that their actions couldn’t erase the past, but they hoped to create a better future, one where love, compassion, and forgiveness would reign supreme.

With tears of sorrow and tears of joy, Sophia and Peace bid farewell to their loved ones, knowing that they would always carry their memories in their hearts.

They left the cemetery with a sense of closure, ready to face the future with courage, love, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Their story was a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the unbreakable bond between twins.

Sophia and Peace were living proof that no matter what life throws at you, with hard work and perseverance, you can overcome anything and achieve greatness.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY 🙏🙏

THE

END