ONE CHNACE It was a cool evening in Gwarinpa, and I had just finished a long, frustrating day. The city lights flickered as I stood by the roadside, waiting for a taxi to take me to Wuse, a green and white painted cab slowed down beside me. The driver, a middle aged man with tribal marks, leaned out. “Wuse?” I asked. “Enter, na one seat remain,” he replied. The back seat had three women, well dressed and chatting casually and that put me at ease. I settled in beside them, The car smelled of air freshener mixed with something else, something I couldn’t place. As we drove, the driver started a conversation about the state of the country. “This Nigeria don spoil finish,” he said, shaking his head. The women hummed in agreement. I wasn’t interested, I just wanted to get home. The next thing I knew was that I woke up with a pounding headache, my body weak, my clothes were still on, but my wrists and ankles were sore. I tried to move but I was chained. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood. I turned my head, and my stomach clenched, Human skulls stacked like firewood, limbs, torsos, and flesh hanging from hooks like a butcher’s shop. My breath came in shallow gasps. A man in a dirty apron walked past, carrying a severed arm as if it were a piece of goat meat. In the dim flickering light, I saw buyers, they pointed at different body parts, negotiating prices. I was in an abattoir for humans. Panic sets in, my mind screamed, but my mouth couldn’t, the air felt thick, suffocating. I wasn’t alone, beside me others were chained, some unconscious, some awake but too weak to fight. Then, I saw her. One of the women from the taxi, She was standing freely withno chains, she whispered something to a guard, then walked toward me. “You’re awake,” she said. Her tone was casual, as if we were discussing the weather. “You…you were in the taxi…” My voice cracked. She smirked. “Of course. We needed a full car.” I wanted to scream, to curse, to cry but what was the point? Just then, a commotion broke out. A man in a white kaftan stormed in, his voice booming. “Where is my order? I don’t have time”. The butcher hurriedly brought a tray, the man examined a severed head, poked at the limbs, and then suddenly frowned. “This is not fresh enough” He shouted. “I need someone alive” My heart stopped. “Bring that one,” the butcher pointed at me. The butcher grabbed my arm, his grip ironclad. My body was weak, my limbs barely responding. The man in the white kaftan studied me, his eyes cold and calculating. “This one is fresh. How much?” “Alive, 15 million,” the butcher said, tightening his grip on my wrist. “Dead, we process it and give you parts.” “Alive,” the man said without hesitation. Terror swallowed me whole, my breath came in ragged gulps, this was it. My body was about to be sold like a piece of meat. The woman from the taxi smirked, leaning against the blood stained wall. I clenched my fists, I refused to die like this. Suddenly, the lights flickered. The generator sputtered, the momentary darkness was enough then, gunshots. The entire room erupted in chaos. A group of armed men stormed in, shouting, the captors scrambled, some running, others pulling out weapons. A bullet shattered a lantern, and flames erupted. I felt hands on me, firm but urgent. “Move Move” I was yanked up and pulled through a narrow passage, legs barely worked, but I ran. Outside, I gulped fresh air, coughing. The night sky stretched above me like salvation. I was thrown into a waiting van, surrounded by people, some crying, some unconscious. It was later I learned the truth. The police had been tracking them for months. A syndicate, selling human parts to the highest bidder ritualists, organ traffickers, the worst of humanity. They raided just in time, I survived but many didn’t. I sat in silence, staring at the city lights through the van window. Abuja looked normal and peaceful . But now I knew the truth, Some taxis aren’t taxis. Some passengers aren’t victims and some roads lead to places you never return from. Bilkiss writes #fiction

🪐🪧🙌 You're overthinking because you really care what happens next-you don't want to fail, and you don't want to let people down. But no amount of planning, worrying, or over-analyzing can give you control over what happens next. Breathe. Loosen your grip. Experience life as it comes. #overthinker #overthinking #grip #planing #happens #experience #planing #people #inspiration #moti🪐🪧🙌 You're overthinking because you really care what happens next-you don't want to fail, and you don't want to let people down. But no amount of planning, worrying, or over-analyzing can give you control over what happens next. Breathe. Loosen your grip. Experience life as it comes. #overthinker #overthinking #grip #planing #happens #experience #planing #people #inspiration #motivation #inspire #motivational #motivationalquotesvation #inspire #motivational #motivationalquotes

Title: The Shadow in the Mirror" Season: 1 *Episode 3: "Trapped"* I woke up in a dark, damp room. The shadow's grip was gone, but I was trapped. The walls were cold and unforgiving, with no windows or doors. I stumbled around, desperate to find a way out. But every step I took led me back to where I started. Suddenly, I heard whispers. Faint, raspy whispers that seemed to come from all around me. "Get out while you still can," the voices whispered. I spun around, trying to see who was speaking. But I was alone. Or was I? To be continued...

Title: The Shadow in the Mirror Season: 1 *Episode 2: "Shattered"* I struggled to free myself from the shadow's grip, but it held tight. As I looked up, I saw the shadow's face, twisted in a malevolent grin. Suddenly, the lights flickered and died. I was plunged into darkness, the shadow's grip still wrapped around my ankle. I heard footsteps, heavy and deliberate, coming from the shadows. The grip tightened, pulling me down into the darkness. And then, everything went black. To be continued...

🔴𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗘 1. As a lady, you are at least 21 years old and the man is at least 25 years old. 2. You have a job/ business that can take care of you, your wife and at least a baby. 3. As a man you have your own apartment and you pay all your bills by yourself. 4. As a lady, you can take good care of yourself and another person without any stress. 4. You love children and hope to have yours. 5. You enjoy cooking and do house chores without being told. 6. You can live at least a thousand miles away from your parents. 7. You can make major decisions about your life and face the consequence. 8. You are no longer under the control and command of your parents. 9. You do not yield to peer pressure. You do what needs to be done regardless of what anyone feels. 10. You are sexually responsible. You know how to say NO to premarital sex and mean it. 11. As a lady you have a good relationship with your dad and you are submissive to authorities. 12. As a man, you love your mum, sisters and treat women generally with respect and dignity. 13. You know how to make and multiply money. 14. You are spiritually sound. You pray and receive answers to your prayers. You know how to hear God. 15. You are generous. You give with pleasure. 16. You have a healthy sexual desire. 17. You know exactly what you want in life and you pursue it daily to attain it. 18. You have a strong desire to love, bond with and help another person be all what God wants them to be. 19. You do not have destructive bad habits. 20. You are in full grip of your emotions. You are not hot tempered, lustful and possessive! These and more are the signs you are ready for marriage. Marriage requires all round maturity: physical, social, financial, mental, emotional, psychological. It is not compulsory you must marry at 25. Wait till you are mature or your immaturity will destroy your marriage. I see it happen all the time. May the Lord grant you understanding.

Luck is like sand in hands.it will sneak out through fingers,no matter gripped firmly or held loosely.only hands in the praying posture can save it.

Motivation leads to a madness gripping you to achieve your dreams.

The air crackled with anticipation. The crowd roared, a wave of sound that threatened to drown out the pounding of my heart. My fingers tightened around the hilt of my sword, the cold metal a reassuring weight against my palm. This was it. The moment I had trained for, the moment I had dreamed of. The final showdown. My opponent, the notorious Black Knight, stood across the arena, his armor gleaming like polished obsidian in the flickering torchlight. His mask, a menacing skull with glowing red eyes, hid his expression, but the glint in his eyes spoke of a fierce determination. He was a legend, a warrior feared throughout the land, and I, a young knight barely out of his apprenticeship, was about to face him. The crowd was a blur of faces, their cheers and jeers blending into a deafening roar. I focused on the Black Knight, his movements a blur of steel and shadow. He charged, his sword a flash of lightning, and I met his attack, the clang of steel echoing through the arena. We danced a deadly ballet, our blades clashing, sparks flying, the air thick with the scent of sweat and steel. I felt the sting of a blow on my shoulder, the pain a sharp jolt that momentarily distracted me. But I pushed through it, my adrenaline surging, my movements becoming faster, more precise. I parried a blow, a swift counterattack, and the Black Knight stumbled back, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. The crowd erupted in a frenzy, their cheers a wave of sound that seemed to lift me up, to fuel my courage. I pressed my advantage, my sword a blur of motion, a whirlwind of steel. The Black Knight, his movements now slower, more hesitant, seemed to falter. He was tiring, his strength waning. With a final surge of energy, I launched a final attack, a swift, precise thrust that found its mark. The Black Knight staggered, his grip on his sword loosening. He fell to his knees, his armor clanging against the stone floor. Silence descended upon the arena, broken only by the sound of my ragged breaths. The crowd, stunned into silence, watched as I stood over my fallen opponent, my sword still raised, a symbol of victory. I had done it. I had defeated the Black Knight. The roar of the crowd returned, a thunderous wave of applause that washed over me, a wave of recognition and respect. I had proven myself, not just to the crowd, but to myself. I was no longer just a young knight, but a warrior, a champion, a legend in the making. And as I stood there, bathed in the light of the torches, I knew that this was just the beginning. My journey had just begun.

I was teaching my neighbour's children maths this evening when Obinna came and pulled me one side. He told me he wanted me to accompany him to go and collect money from his uncle, that this his uncle is owning him 10k, Me I told him I am busy that I'm teaching my neighbor's kids maths. "Which kain maths? The one wey you know abi the one wey you no know? you Flovictor wey no sabi anything when we dey school, you better stop deceiving innocent children" he said. I got offended and asked him to leave since sey na insult he come to my house to insult me but he told me he no mean am like that, that he really need my help. I made him understand that I'm teaching these children maths so that their mother's food go sure for me, anytime I teach them, their mother will bring food for me as an appreciation and that woman sabi cook well well, that me I can't miss that chance oo. "See Flovictor, forget that your neighbor and her food, if you accompany me go collect this money, I will give you 3k from it" Immediately I heard 3k, I didn't waste time to tell him let's go.. I folded the exercise book in my hand into my pocket and we left, I even took the lead without knowing where we are going.. Just imagine how 3k made me turn He took me to the uncle's the place, and I neva go that side before, the house was rounded with tall gate and fences, As were about to go in he told me to I should go alone and pretend the money was mine... "Why??" I asked. Which he replied that it will make the uncle give provide the money quickly, believing that he borrowed the money from me and to give him and I'm on his neck to pay me back my money. I became suspicious as I sensed he is scared of going to collect the money, but before I could talk he then convinced me that if I get the money, he instead of giving me 3k he will now give me 5k and take 5k that is sharing it 50 50... Heating this, I agreed... I entered the gate, I come carry the matter for head like say na me the man dey owe true true, "who dey here!!!... Who dey for this house???, come out... I'm here to collect my money" I was shouting and knocking when one hefty man came out, "Hey you! , who are you and what are you doing here? Which money were you shouting that you want to collect?" Boom! Fear grip me, I look I no see Obinna for gate again, If una see this man, his muscles are so big that you might think he trained Anthony Joshua the boxer, you won't doubt it if someone tells you he is a ten times heavy weight wrestling champion. Looking at this man only a slap from him can land me in coma, that's when I knew what Obinna's fear was all about, he was scared to ask this man for his money and he brought me here for him to killl me, but my God pass am. I quickly brought out the exercise book I put in my pocket earlier and told him I am here to collect Akawo money, that I'm collecting daily contributions from people and I came to see if they will start their daily contributions with me. He hissed and told me he has no interest in daily contributions, that he keeps all his money by himself, I said okay say and turned walking toward the gate, hoping he doesn't chase me, as I walked out of the gate I saw Obinna hiding nearby, "Flovictor did you collect it?" I just looked at him, shook my head and ignored him, I realized that sometimes when your village people want to set you up, they will use your friend. I now considers him as agent of my village people.. Because of him I miss food wey I been dey hope on, now the 3k I no see, 5k I no see, my neighbour's food I no chop. But at least I have testimony. I escaped the man. Thankiu 🚶🏾‍♂️ © Flovictor Eze #Flov99