Nemesis

By: Olamide Santos

A father tells his only daughter
‘Stay home tonight, don’t go out’
She argues back with a loud shout
And for an hour they rain like thunder
This won’t be the first time
It’s all a ritual, like the other time before
She climbs down her bedroom window
And over a high fence
Into the hands of awaiting friends
She thinks she has escaped sorrow
She will be home before he knows
This will not be the first time

In the dead of the night
At the time appointed
At a time when even men show fright
He leaves the comfort of his bed
He sneaks away from the house
Like a hungry mouse
His angel is safe snuggled up in safety
He has had his way today
He has won just like other days
These rituals have corrupted his sanity

The price is paid
An innocent child becomes pray
Men of a cult at a summoning
Gather to devour another virgin
A monthly payment for demonic favours
Wealth, influence, fame and honour

Her face covered with black cloth
Her mouth taped, she cannot talk
Her hands tied  at her wrist over her head
Her legs are tied too but separated
She is as naked as she was at her birth
Her bare back lays on the cold dirt
But she can feel the heat from candle sticks
Causing her bare frame to soak in sweat
She tries not to focus on the chants
Last she remembers she was at a dance
She shared one too many drinks
And suddenly fell into a deep sleep

She is awakened by thrusting and heavy breathing
How many men, she cannot count
But she is certain that all will mount
Through her veil none can see her crying
The deed is done, the final blow is struck
The veil is taken off, a father falls in shock

This story might not relate to you
You might even assume it not to be true
But all the evil deeds of men
Will haunt them and one day destroy them