CHAPTER THREE
Tunde burst out of the bush like a startled goat.
โHoly Ghost fire!!โ he screamed as he tore down the street. โI go read sign next time! I swear!โ
Behind him, the Stranger strolled out calmlyโฆ before flickeringโblinking, as if skipping through spaceโand appearing just a few steps behind Tunde. โWhy the rush?โ he called, almost kindly. โYour offering is still warm!โ
Tunde ran faster.
He darted around a parked tricycle. The Stranger was suddenly inside it, honking the horn with a wide grin.Tunde yelped and sprinted away, shoes flying off his feet as he ran barefoot.
He dove behind a bench.The Stranger lifted the entire bench with one hand, peering under it.Tunde shrieked like a wounded animal.โOkay okay!! I go clean am!โ he babbled while running again. โI go plant flowers! I go build toilet!โ
Behind him, the Stranger chuckled. โItโs not that kind of soil, my friend.โ
By the time they reached the corner of the lot, Tunde had lost a shoe, a sock, and possibly part of his dignity. He collapsed onto the ground, panting like a chased animal. Sweat drenched him like he had been baptized by fear.
The Stranger stood over him, arms folded behind his back, expression as smooth as polished marble. โWhat did you learn?โ he asked.
Tunde held up an imaginary book and read dramatically from the air. โLesson One: No peeing on strange land. Lesson Two: No copycat behavior.โ
The Stranger nodded, impressed. โAnd if you forget?โ
Tunde clutched his chest. โI swear, I go glue pampers to my skin, boss.โ
For the first time, the Stranger smiled warmly. He reached into thin airโliterally into nothing, and pulled out a small white handkerchief. He handed it to Tunde.
โFor your next emergency,โ he said. โIt isโฆ blessed.โ
Before Tunde could ask what โblessedโ meant, the Stranger stepped backward and simply vanished.
No sound. No smoke.
Justโฆ gone.
Tunde blinked. Twice.โAh!โ he gasped. โNa spirit I just chop joke withโฆโ
Tunde shuffled back toward the street like a war survivor returning from the battlefield. He muttered to himself, shaking his head. โI go start NGO,โ he said weakly. โYes. Pee At Home Foundation. Our motto: If e no flush, no go near bush.โ
As he passed the sign again, he stopped.
It was no longer faded.
Now it gleamedโlit with bright electronic colors.The message scrolled smoothly:”THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. GO WITH GRACE AND A STRONG BLADDER.”
Tunde screamed. He didnโt look back.
Shoeless, belt hanging, one sock missingโHe sprinted down the road like a man escaping destiny.
THE END
…The Copycat series will be back
Get real time update about this post category directly on your device, subscribe now.
