"Some were born evil, destined for evil, practice evil and live by it. Some messed with evil, tampered with evil and then are bound to it. Others notice evil, fear evil and then go along with it. More choose evil, even with a troubled conscience, because the crowd does so lead. A few refuse, reject and are reborn. And Then there are those, that evil itself seeks. For by their very existence, darkness the incubator of evil is dissipated and dissolved. Wickedness is targeted, troubled and threatened...." Chioma Onwudiwe/2019
Do you see what I see?:
Reinah gently brushed back the hair on her mother's forehead with shaky fingers. She then watched, as her mother's fingers twitched slightly. That must have been comfortable, thought the girl who was glad to be of any use. "Do you want me to tell them, mother? It might help protect the king and Amil, if they are in danger." No reaction. "Is it time for me, to leave the palace? The girl's brow was now furrowed in deep concentration. A twitch. "Okay then mother, I will set out right at the break of dawn. Do you think I should....."
The door to the room creaked open in Reinah's mid-sentence, as the distraught girl looked up. No one was expected at this time. The healer had already paid his visit for the day and so had the king and prince Amil. "Oh there you are announced the healer cheerily, I have not seen you for a while. How are you doing dear one?" The very concerned tone on the healers voice, was unmistakable. Reinah had stayed away, while there were people visiting with her comatose mother. Since most were not really certain of their relationship, she did not want to detract from any care or attention her mother might receive by people sympathizing with her instead.
"I had forgotten to hand over these herbs, to the overnight nurse." Continued the chief healer, as he stepped forward. Attempting to hand over a wrapped piece of cloth, to Reinah with a kind smile. Reinah was not looking at him, neither did she hear a word he had said. And she was definitely not reaching to receive, the wrapped cloth from his hands. She was staring at the hideous beast, standing right behind the older man. The half snake, half man, caused the hair on her arm to stand up. As chills, crawled up her tender spine and a scream got caught in her throat. And just as well, the bed where her mother lay began to rock slightly. When the senior healer, saw that the girl was distracted by something behind him. He turned back quickly. And then with a very broad and proud smile, announced to Reinah; "Oh please allow me to introduce my son Bronid...."
Comatose Debeh grabbed her daughter's hand, howbeit weakly. Then began to convulse, voilently.
For better or for worse?:
Debeh's convulsive reaction to the ominous presence in her room, when the senior healer and his son walked in had mysteriously awoken her from a comatose state. Everyone was ecstatic, at the miraculous turn of events. The kind old healer happily took the credit, as it all happened when he walked into her room with his son. No one knew or mentioned the fact, that Reinah the princess was also present in the room that day. Now that the near-death phase was over for Debeh, the process of complete recovery, was immediately set in motion. The hunt for the babaric assailant however, went up another notch.
Culled (With Permission), from 'The MONITORS' a fiction (somewhat) by Chioma Onwudiwe/2015