The Fight For Survival: A Short Story By ThankGod Peterside (Talking_Pen)

 

THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS 

BY: THANKGOD PETERSIDE (TALKING_PEN)

The war had just ended and silence was now the only sound in the atmosphere. Some of the survivors who ran away from their domicile made their way back, apparently each family right now was likened to a dealate having lost some of their relatives. The aftermath of the war rocked a huge havoc in the society as lot of historical monuments, properties and valuables were annihilated respectively. Everyone has been reduced to square one regardless of their status in the pre-war period and now comes another red rider "The Fight For Survival". 

Young Dede decided to go over to Bonny Island with his uncle to start up again with his hustle but this time around he wouldn't be fishing, assisting traders by paddling canoes or moving goods, he worked as a labourer with bricklayers and later took up a job in a hotel as a service personnel. Also, preparation of intercontinental dishes was annexed to his local cooking skill his mom had taught him, courtesy of Lady B his boss. Sooner he was sent out to the street by his new boss to hawk cigarette, most times the buyers would have him taste his products out of his will before they could patronize him. 

Its the month of June and the rainy season is here again, Young Dede crossed over to Finima to market his cigarette due to high demands of the season. With the sunset came the rumbling of distant thunder the rains are here, Young Dede and Ada, a trader, he just met crossed over the Finima river to return back home. Upon dropping off the canoe he realised he hadn't passed through that place before, Ada was very much familiar with the route so she led the way. We must have to pass through the forest she said, going through the forest Young Dede's mind kept playing tricks on him what if a snake comes out? What if a Lion comes upon us? So many wild thoughts and questions which ended up being rhetorical in his mind. Sooner they became travelers with no direction, they kept on wandering around the forest for hours when it seems like they were on the brink of finding their way out of the forest. They end up discovering they had just explored the furthest reaches of space. Darkness was beginning to spread it's blanket over the forest. Feeling exhausted they sat down to rest, with the hoot of the owls sounding like a lullaby, adding to other cacophony of spooky night time this wasn't the right time to pick up nature's call because like wild animals they were constantly on the alert for predators.

Hope finally came upon sighting the sunrise, they continued tracing their way out after long hours of walking to no avail. Now, its sunset, does it mean we will pass a second night here again knocking on heaven's door? Ada asked in awe, Young Dede was on the edge of his seat pondering deeply, does it mean I won't see my parents and siblings again? Does it mean I won't have the opportunity to return back to school to study and become a Professor? No I can't end up this way, finally he spoke and said a prayer of resolution to offer God 10 Shillings if he makes a way for them out of the forest. It was the morning of their second day in the forest, they continued with their walk through the valley of the shadow of death to find their way out, after walking for some hours they finally saw some group of people from afar producing palm wine from fermented sap of palm trees upon approaching them, they narrated their terrible experience. You two should have screamed out for help they said, but thank God you both survived and made it out. Young Dede finally returned back home with great joy and offered the money just as he had promised although he kept this a secret from his parents. Now comes the big question when you are yet to achieve your greatest dream in life and you get caught up on the horns of a dilemna, would you fight for survival? or would you call on heavens to await your arrival?

©Talking_Pen