The Slave

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 19

For seven days Bruise remained without food nor water. Everyday they bring him out, tie him to a tree and flog him mercilessly. Master Tom had ordered that he be flogged continuously for ten days. And no one dared argued with him.

On the seventh night, Bush crept to where he was lying down very weak and tired. He was still tied on both hands and legs and the screw was still in his mouth. Bush wept when he saw Bruise his friend lying half dead.

“I wish I can help you my friend Bruise. I wish I really can.” He lamented.

Just then he heard movement and he tried to hide but it was too late. He turned to see who had caught him talking with Bruise whom the master had warned that no one should talk to. He knew he was in serious mess. He turned and luckily for him it was little Tom.

“Bush what are you doing here? Do you realize you will get into serious trouble if my father catches you here” he asked.

“Well I thank the gods of my father land that he hasn’t caught me” Bush replied.

Tom took a look at him and then to Bruise. He felt really sad looking at Bruise suffer.

“I am sorry Bruise, I really wish I can help you? Please forgive me”

Bush looked at him and saw him crying. He was surprised.

“Little master, please help talk to your father. Let him show mercy to Bruise he is dying please. ” Bush appealed to Tom.

“My father is a wicked man and he will not escape the wrath of God. I have begged him to reconsider and show mercy but he has refused. He is heading for destruction and I am scared for him. His do is near.

Suddenly he stands up and raises Bruise head and began to unscrew the bolt and nut that was screwed in his mouth.

“Quickly Bush get me water pleae.” And Bush ran inside to get some water which they both have to Bruise who could not even drink much. He managed to speak despite the pain from his body and mouth.

“You are a good man Tom, unlike your father. Thank you for helping me.” He turns and looked at Bush. “Thank you my friend, thank you for everything. I know I am not going to make it out alive. But I want you to promise me. Please do not allow my body to be thrown away like a slave. Please make sure you burn my body, put it in a small bottle and take it back to Africa, You must get to ikot village in calabar, and spread my ashes on the rivers of my father land. Promise me Bush.

“But how can I do that, I do not even know if I will make it out of here alive or even go back. I don’t know if I will find my sister, u don’t know if I can fufill a promise I made to an old dying man and you want me to make another promise? How do I do that? Bush asked

“You will make it out of here alive and you will return to Africa. Take my ashes with you, only then can I find peace. I am not a slave and I will not be buried in a strange man’s land. Promise me Bush.”

And once again he made another promise.

“Bruise, Bruise my friend , Bush cries.

But he smiled and urged him not to weep.

“Itoro, Itoro, that’s my name, not Bruise. Don’t cry my friend, be happy for me, for I will finally be free. Now tell me your real name given to you by your parents. Let me carry that in my heart and know the name of the man who will take me back home. What is your name?” He asked

“Ukeh, my name is Ukeh,

“Ukeh, my friend, they may call you Bush but never you forget who you truly are. Your name is your weapon. Ukeh.”

And little Tom holds his hand and wept too.

“Listen Bruise, sorry Itoro, there is someone I will like to introduce you to. He will guide your path and Grant you everlasting life He is Jehovah God Almighty” Tom said.

“Oh little Tom, I appreciate your kindness, I know you are different but I don’t want tohave anything to do with the white man’s God. Absolutely nothing” Bruise said.

“No no no, you are wrong, He is not the white man’s God. He is the God of all flesh. Black and White. His name is Jesus, and if only you will accept him now…..

But Bruise stopped him..

“Enough Tom, I don’t want to hear it” I don’t

And then they heard footstep coming. Tom and Bruise quickly hid themselves and Master Tom came and saw Bruise on the ground

“Aha, I knew I heard a voice. Oh Bruise you will never change. Even in your state you still talk. You haven’t learnt your lesson. Now tell me which of the slaves removed the screw from your mouth. Tell me and maybe I will spare you. ” Master Tom said.

“Go to hell….” Bruise managed to say.

This really got Tom angry as he woke up the other slaves that night and asked that they watch while Bruise is flogged again. This time they tied him up so high and twelve men, flogged him repeatedly, and when they were tired, master Tom granbs a small knife and stabs him in his stomach and in a twinkle of an eye, Bruise swung on the tree dead.