By Segun Durowaiye

After the Prophet’s statement and spiritual revelation, Seun was completely lost for words and obviously overwhelmed with shock and bewilderment.

Deep down within Seun Atolagbe’s mind, he was afraid, really afraid. To be on the same spot for seven odd days was suicidal to say the least. Come rain, come shine, under the heavy dew of the early morning, night and day will break and he must not leave the spot, on a strange mountain! All these terrorised his mind and he became more worried, hopeless and afraid that death was actually playing tricks on him. This, he thought, was a big sacrifice to pay for his freedom and survival, but he wondered what would happen to him during those seven odd days he would be alone with his God and destiny.

It was a great trek to the mountain called Okeigbala. It was a long and bushy path they trudged. The path was also very windy. There were tall trees and thorny shrubs surrounding the path, which bore the footprints of animals such as monkeys and other wild beasts of the jungle. Birds of different species perched on trees, chirruping and twittering in an ominous manner. The Prophet of God was leading in front, while Seun followed behind with his heart filled with fear and anxiety. “God, where is your face?” he mumbled in desperation.

About 40 minutes later, they were now at Mount Okeigbala. Seun was extremely tired and weak. The two people climbed up the rugged mountain. The Prophet was chanting and reciting some powerful spiritual quotes when they ascended the high mountain, and the weather was getting colder. A couple of minutes later they got to the top of the mountain. Seun was really fagged out.

“Seun, kneel down here and let me anoint you with the Holy Spirit,” the Prophet said. Seun knelt down instantly, but with trepidation.

“I’ll do your bidding holy one,” he replied in total submission and obedience. The Prophet stretched his hands wide apart and raised it towards the sky.

He then placed his right hand on Seun’s head and repeated some Psalms while gazing at the sky. Seun, all the while, was just saying, “Amen! Amen!! Amen!!!” repeatedly.

“Now, Seun, lie down on your belly on this spot. This is where you’ll stay for the seven days of the great dry fasting. You must not leave this spot, no matter what,” the Prophet warned, “I’ll take my leave now, Seun. Don’t leave this spot, no matter what, I repeat.”“I heard you, holy one…It’s okay,” Seun replied gently, tears almost dropping from his eyes. The prophet took three steps backward and walked out of sight, leaving Seun all alone. The first day went by on Mount Okeigbala, and so was the second. Seun was still on the same spot. Then, on the third day something spectacular happened! It was around 1p.m. The scorching sun was very harsh on Seun’s skin.

Suddenly, smoke started coming out and oozing from the mountain, very close to where Seun placed his head. It was a thick smoke that engulfed the whole area. And like a bolt out of the blue, an albino man emerged from the ground. The albino man was putting on a black clothe. Seun was transfixed and electrified with morbid fear! “Ha! Haa!! Haaa!!!” the albino erupted in an evil-foreboding and ominous laughter.

“You think by doing this, the curse I placed on your great, great grandfather would be lifted? Take a look at my hands. This is your Success and Joy! I am the one who has been tormenting your generation with troubles. Your great, great grandfather by name Chief Atolagbe II ordered me to be sacrificed to the gods just because I was apprehended by his team of cultists and ritualists during their procession. And I was buried alive despite the fact that I begged and pleaded for mercy and leniency! I was buried alive! That very day I placed a terrible curse on his family and generation yet unborn, that they will continue to suffer untold hardship. There’s nothing you can do; even the Prophet has no power over me! Ha! Haa!! Haaa!!!” the evil albino continued to roar with frightening laughter…

To be concluded.

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