SPIRITS short story series

SPIRITS [psalm 104.4]...A legacy of light Third mainland bridge. 7.10 a.m. The driver saw the trailer at the last moment. It was on its side with its crane-like neck twisted at an angle across the path of oncoming traffic. Its contents were disgorged haphazardly all over the road. Kemi Briggs hit the brakes and screamed at the same time as the car went airborne. It sailed in a neat arc over the heads of a handful of people around the broken down trailer and hit the road with a deafening crash. Splinters of metal and plastic filled the air as the 800-pound projectile finally screeched to a halt and landed upright a few meters away from the trailer. SURULERE. A few hours earlier… Kemi Briggs was running late again. She applied a generous portion of makeup on her face and mumbled a prayer at the same time. No time for any kind of grand prayer today. She dashed for the car door balancing her handbag and car keys in one hand and her laptop in the other. She switched on the car radio as she swerved out of the garage narrowly missing a man standing by the road. “She’s on her way boss.” GRAVITY FM radio station Above the roof of the radio station building, atop its metal communication mast a slimy figure climbed quickly, making for the top. Its scale-like hands were riddled with claws and its skin oozed a slimy substance. The figure was invisible to the human eyes and so no one noticed as it slowly severed the network cables on the mast. The radio station was suddenly plunged into darkness. **************************************************************** Kemi adjusted the radio dial and frowned. No sound. Just static. She hissed. This crazy radio stations were always dyeing on you when you needed them the most. She tried other radio station frequencies. No traffic report. She decided to take the third mainland bridge route. It is usually free this time of the morning. **************************************************************** THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE Two figures landed silently on the third mainland bridge. Their bodies fizzled with light as the six foot wings attached to their backs retracted and disappeared. They stepped into the incoming traffic as cars sped thru and around them. They were finely structured; ageless sentinels clad in ancient battle armor with sword holsters attached o their sides. They reached a spot on the bridge and stopped. “We will have to start from here.” They quickly looked up as a 20-foot trailer carrying a metal container sped past them with two bat-like creatures on top of the driver’s cabin. The creatures, invisible to the human eyes were hacking away furiously at the trailer engine. Suddenly the trailer swerved crazily and the tyres screeched in protest. The driver tried to regain control of the vehicle but the 20-foot behemoth groaned and toppled over with a deafening crash. The contents of the container spilled all over the road. The angels stared at the fallen trailer thoughtfully. “It’s starting.” ***************************************************************** Kemi Briggs frowned. There was a strange noise coming from her car engine. It rattled fiercely as she drove towards third mainland bridge. Not again. The mechanic just gave me this car yesterday. What is wrong with it now. She picked up her phone and dialed the mechanic’s number. ***************************************************************** ALABA MARKET Mechanic section “How much for your brake pad?” “Original or tokunbo?” The mechanic smiled wickedly as he studied the rusty brake pad in his hand. “Why I go buy original brake pad? i dey mad?” Both the mechanic and the seller broke out in laughter. ****************************************************************** “Hello? Mechanic! Mechanic! Wetin you do my car? e dey make noise o!” “Madam, I no do anything to your car o! Na original parts I use for am! I swear!” “Kasim are you sure? Kasim I don’t believe you o! See as the…” She looked up at the last moment, saw the trailer, hit the brakes and screamed. **************************************************************** The angels moved swiftly. Abanon crouched and ran into Kemi Briggs advancing car. With a nudge of his massive shoulders, he heaved the car into the air and hurled it forward. The car spun over the trailer in a slow somersault. The demons saw what was happening and advanced drawing their swords. The other angel launched himself into the air, drew his own sword and engaged them. With lightening speed, he ducked the first demon’s sword attack, grabbed its wings and hurled it into the other one. Then in a swift movement launched his sword like a spear into both demons. They exploded into tiny bits of spiritual dust as they screamed in protest. Abanon followed the airborne car, caught it in mid air, and slowly put it on the other side of the road with a soft thud. Kemi Briggs finally opened her eyes and slowly looked around. Her car was upright and stationary. The broken down trailer was behind her and she was unhurt. CULLED FROM THE BOOK ‘SPIRITS’ BY HENRI YIRE-A CHROMA360 PUBLICATION 2012. [HENRI YIRE IS A WRITER, MUSIC ARTISTE AND AN ENTREPRENEUR] www.chroma360.com.ng, chroma360@gmail.com