Olamma

Episode 13

Olamma held her mouth in fear as the first scream gave way.

She tried to create a distance and was mindful of the swamp.
But the man’s eyes was fixed on her as he suddenly began to change into some strange beast.

Olamma couldn’t make sense out of the strange ugly animal that Onrah’s friend was being transformed to.

At first, she thought it was a snake but it’s head was growing bigger and bigger in size until it fully transformed into a mighty crocodile.

Instead of it to jump into the awaiting brown lake and go deep into the scary swamp with horrifying noise it started moving close to her.
Olamma thought she was blocking the way of its exit and quickly ran off from there but the ugly looking crocodile with a big head, Sharp teeth, long tail and scary body followed her.
Olamma cried out to Onrah who was still standing in the same spot.

“Onrah… please help me. Your friend wants to eat me. Onrah…. Onrah… I’m pleading, please save me… Onrah.

She screamed out in terror as the crocodile jumped on her, and tore open her skin.

It tasted her blood, nodded it’s head affirmatively.

Olamma try to crawl away while still screaming but the crocodile open it’s mouth wide and was about digging deeper into Olamma’s leg when Onrah came to her rescue.

Onrah called the crocodile’s name twice and it pause.

“Zikiza…Zikiza. why are you so much in a rush to start eating the food while it’s still on fire. I know you taste for a good meal, especially one as fresh as hers but learn to be patient my dear friend. I promise you that in due season I will send in your share. She belongs to me, allow me to take her home in whole not in pieces or bones. She will grow bigger so that everyone can have a good taste. Zikiza, go home now. Your home calls out to you. She is not yet a meal for all. She is Just a mouthful for you and I. Do as other friends did and go home. With the taste of her blood you already have something to look out for. Farewell my friend and I won’t forget your share in due season.

The crocodile became calm as it began to move back, licking it’s tongue like one who had a sweet taste in it’s mouth.

It gracefully turned away from Olamma before jumping into the swampy water and disappeared.

Olamma was bleeding from her legs, face and hand.

She was weak and tired.

She began to wish for death because it appears she was going to become food for the animals and for Onrah too.

She was weak to get up from the ground where she lay helplessly breathing hard.
“Get up my bride, look out. After the last sea then comes Ozulu your home abode. I paid a great price for your head, is time to prove to me that you are worth it by being a good and obedient wife to me. Get up, home calls out to us. Can you hear it… take this and clean off any sign of blood on you so that it doesn’t attract the soldier ants”.