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24
24THE MOHLALA HOUSEHOLD
The bishop wakes up from a banging headache and dehydration only to realize that he’s binded to a chair. He looks around, recognizes the place and spots The Master looking directly at him. He wiggles in his chair trying to break free from the hold but can’t. He looks at the creature with anger written all over his face.
Bishop: so this is what things have come to? You tying me up and treating me like a hostage in my own damn house!!?
The Master: correction you're in my vicinity now. Remember? The basement is mine.
Bishop; get me out of this!! Untie me now!!
The Master: and there’s the temper... the tone I don’t like. I thought we understood each other on that. what are you so mad about? It’s not you didn’t know things would be like this.
Bishop: why are you doing this? Why?
The Master: because you saved me an unwanted trip. You know I had my doubts about you at first... but after you told me about what Mfundo had planned, I began to trust you just a little bit.
Bishop: and no? Where did that trust go? When did the flame go out? Its still me. Please...
The Master: I have somewhere to be today.
Bishop: I promise to behave. I won’t act stupid. I’ll stay home all day.
The Master: and that’s why I don’t believe you. I can’t risk you making a stupid decision ...
Bishop: get me out of this goddammit now!!
In a flash his hands lands on the bishop’s neck choking the living daylights out of him. The chair falls backwards and he gets on top of him as he keeps his hands there digging his nails deeper into the skin while his tongue finds its way into his mouth with his fangs out excretion a slimy liquid that goes into the bishop’s mouth making him scream his lungs out.
The Master: things didn’t have to come to this but you deliberately provoked me!!! You did this to yourself!!! The tone of your voice!!! I don’t want to have to remind you who I am to you every time we talk!!! It ends here, right now and today!! Hell!! See what you made me do?!
Bishop: please... just untie me...
His voice comes out coarse and harsh and as a pleading cry.
The Master: no, thank you. I won’t.
He pulls the chair back up to its original position and looks the bishop directly deadly into his eyes.
The Master: we won’t have this talk again. This won’t happen again. I have somewhere to be, behave!!
Before leaving the basement he armours himself and changes form to that of the bishop’s appearance just in case he runs to one of the workers. He ascends the stairs whistling and completely ear blind to the man he leaves behind who screams for help. He gets out of the house and on his thoughts to look more human, he gets one of the cars and drives out while on the phone with his date.
THE NCUME HOUSEHOLD
Namisa dusts a box and opens it while everyone else watches with intrigue and curiosity of wanting to know what exactly is inside the box. After an hour long conversation taking them on trip down memory lane on her days at Holy Grail Ministries, her friendship with Kwanele’s deceased sister, Akhona and how things fell off one evening, she looks much more better and more stable now. She opens the box and retrieves a diary from, a small memory card and some old documents. She puts the stuff on the table and starts typing on her tablet.
Namisa: the diary belonged to your sister, Akhona. She started entering some events after the bishop started violating her. She’d heard about stories of other girls before her, hence these old documents. The grand bishop, Nomfundo’s father started all this. It was not until later that the current bishop was initiated and instated after the old one fell ill.
Reitu: there were other girls?
Namisa: yes... there were.
Kwanele: and where did you get these? Why have you been quiet all these years? Why now?
Namisa: because I still dream of that day. Because that man attacked me and left me foe dead. Because I was afraid for my life. It was better to lie low than try to do anything when I knew that those people have connections everyone and would hunt me down if they knew I was alive.
Reitu: I’m so sorry. I can’t lie and say I relate but I know your pain. My sister died the same way.
Namisa: my condolences.
Kwanele: the memory card? What’s in there?
Namisa looks at them with tears glowing in her eyes. She looks traumatized and in pain, again.
Namisa: a video. Footage of Akhona’s murder.
She says those words and bows her head letting tears fall without shame. Reitu looks at Kwanele who’s holding tears back and feels a lump on her throat too. Things are going so well but the pain that comes with uncovering old wounds is impeccable. They’re all sitting here for one cause, they’re victims of sorcery and dark forces. What are the chances that she even got to meet these people and actually be able to trust them and go this far with them, Reitu wonders to herself.
Namisa: I kept all this all these years knowing such a day would come. I’m sorry that this brings unpleasant memories. I know it’s like putting salt on a wound but—if that’s what it will take for us to bring those people down and heal, I’d rather deal with the temporary pain. I’ve been through a lot, you’ve been through a lot, we’ve been through a lot. Now is our time—let’s take them down and make them regret to have ever settled here.
Kwanele: it’s gonna take a lot. After today, we’ll be closer than we were yesterday and it’s all thanks to you. Thank you very much Miss.
Reitu: truly, we’re immensely grateful to you.
Namisa: I’m grateful that people like you finally found your way to me. This weighed on my heart for so long. I feel a little better to have met you.
Reitu: we’ll be fine. We will be okay, this is only the start.
Reitu scoots closer to Kwanele and holds his hand tighter as if ensuring him they’re almost there and everything is okay. She feels his heartbeat stabilizing at her touch and a warm feeling fills her chest. She feels assured too and calm.
THE MALEKA HOUSEHOLD
Seipati gleams with joy as she sees a car halt at the front gate. After texting back and forth with Ntando she couldn’t wait for him to finally come. Being in the house with Boipelo was not very encouraging let alone bright, she was sick and getting worse day by day. Weirdly enough she had the perfect facade to hide everything when Reitu was present. She has been taking tons of pain medication that she dosed herself to sleep a fee minutes ago. Before the car beeps, Seipati writes a note and leaves it on the table. She steps out of the house and sighs with relief.
She meets Ntando halfway and he opens the door for her. She gets on the passenger seat a little nervous but steadily calms herself down and she settles and the car starts moving.
Ntando: where to Miss?
Seipati: our hearts desires.
Ntando: affirmative.
He brings the engine to life leaving nothing but dust behind as they set off to their “heart’s desires”.
SOME RESTAURANT IN TOWN
Ntando plays with his food as he waits on his date to finish eating so they can leave. He was never devoted to this, he never wanted to do this. He’s forcing himself to do this.
Seipati: the food not do your taste?
Ntando: no, I just have a lot on my mind.
Seipati: you know I can help with that.
Ntando: yeah... but not here
Seipati: I wold have loved it better here but, if you say so... let’s leave.
Ntando: are you sure?
Seipati: a 100.
Ntando: well then...
He hails a waiter into their presence and settles the bill while Seipati packs her stuff up after asking for her unfinished meal to be packed also. The wiater leaves the table and comes back with her take away and hand in hand, they leave the place.
Seipati: your hands are cold... are you sure you’re okay?
Ntando: sure.
Seipati: you know my mother used to tell me that people with cold hands and feet are dying soon. It’s people whose death is calling them since blood doesn’t flow in their bodies anymore.
Ntando: really now? So you think I’m dying?
Seipati: not you, I’d die. You’re not just any human—in fact you’re not human---
He stops on his tracks and lets go of her hand perturbed at the sudden comment about his nature. Seipati looks at him a little confused and continues talking since she was rudely disturbed.
Ntando: what?!?!
Seipati: you’re more like a dream come true to me.
His nerves subside and he exhales the breath he was holding. He looks at her one more time and open the car.
Seipati: oh, it is a little cozy here, don’t you think? The restaurant was a little cold... or maybe it was just me.
Ntando: it was just you.
Ntando presses some buttons and the car’s windows suddenly go opaque. Seipati looks at him with a mischievous look. He turns to look back at her with his eyes changing to that of his true form.
Seipati: your--- your eyes... are you—
She faints before she can even finish her sentence. Ntando raises her bowed head and elongated his tongue deep into her throat. She comes back to consciousness, he looks her deep in her eyes and subdues her before he begins questioning her.
Ntando: your cousin?
Seipati: she’s been acting sorta out of pocket, I think she has some secrets.
Ntando: what secrets?
Seipati: I don’t know... but she always talks to someone on her phone every night. But I dint think it’s her boyfriend—the speech is always formal.
Ntando: and your aunt?
She sniffs and tears escapee her eyes. A suppressed voice from within comes out as a dry cry. Tears fall involuntarily confusing the creature with her.
Ntando: your aunt?!!
He raises his voice this time annoyed and not knowing what to do. Seipati wails louder at the question again. Even though she’s subdued and put under a spell, the pain and emotions of reality come through. Damagedone to the soul surpasses the degree of the spell she's put under. Ntando looks at her growing livid each second. He starts the engine and drives like a madman out of the parking lot with complex thoughts.
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