Chapter 1

Johnny woke up this morning only to find a distinct contrast of town and village life.He had been away for six years and now his father decided to bring him to the village to undergo a cultural rite.His community would hold an initiation ceremony just after every five years.During this, young boys would be transformed into young adults as the culture dictated.
Johnny and his father had been living the city while his mom and brother in the countryside. Johnny had now a task to adapt to the new style of living in the countryside.His brother Philip was now responsible for taking Johnny around the village and help him adapt to this lifestyle.
After taking a heavy breakfast, which was the norm of the rural natives, the two boys decided to take a walk down the valley.They got engaged in a striking conversation spiced with intermittent loughters."How do you see the village life?" Philip asked. "Really cool and there are also very hard-working people here.I can see that group over there in the thick plantation." added Johnny."But you need to be like us.Here we work pretty hard.And food is also abudant.You need to eat heavily before starting work."
" And girls?"asked Johnny as two young girls passed carrying bundles of firewood."There are here also.No difference from the city, only that our culture does not entertain relationships of your age" advised Philip.
Before they reached the river,Bonny, their cousin joined them from a nearby homstead. The trio continued their journey down to the river. Bonny had hatched an idea that they spend time swimming.Philip was a competent swimmer and so the others emulated his moves.while swimming, Bonny would occasionally hold Johnny's leg in attempt to drawn him.Poor Johnny who had no idea of what was going on and took it as part of swimming.
It was not long before Philip heard his younger brother coughing pathetically.Johnny had been chocked by the water while Bonny was left in stiches.Other than being bweeb, Bonny was also cheeky that he didn't realize he had pushed Johnny right into the jaws of death.Exersperated, Philip almost sent a blow to Bonny.He also noticed some tinge of envy in Bonny following this act for he was a poor swimmer.

Chapter 2
A week after Johnny's arrival to the village has been tough as he try to adjust himself to the poeple here.Within this week he had been at loggerheads with Bonny thrice while Philip did the reconciliation.One of the days Bonny had a second attempt to 'kill' Johnny.This day they were in a mango tree enjoying the delicious fruits.Suddenly, Bonny frightened Johnny that a snake was right above his shoulders that were covered in thick foliage.Johny was brave enough and turned his head around only to find no snake.Bonny was shocked that his target did not fall from the tree. The next thing he opted was to shake vigorously the branch that Johnny sat.Poor Johnny fell to the ground with a thud . This made Bonny to laugh as usual while Johnny cried in pain. He broke his hand and one of the bones potruded outside the flesh soaking his white pullover in red fluid.
It took a couple of weeks before Mr and Mrs Mugambo, Johnny's parents to realize the rivalry between him and his dear cousin.Mr Muga as he was known popularly, was a humble man with sedate characteristics. He was known for his outstanding faith in Christianity.He therefore took it that they are just friends who were too young to discern their behaviors.He willingly took care of all the costs of medical attention that Johnny needed to recover his hand.
Muga's father Wayeke had two sons, Mugambo and Welo. Wayeke had died a year before leaving an acre of land to be inherited by Mugambo, the elder son.This constituted an additional acre to an equal share that each had received.Wayeke was also a legendary prophet and had happened to predict Johnny's future."Mugambo my son," the old man had said "Thy son Johnny would have a brighter future.He shall conquer the city inhabitants.He shall be the leader of this country.He shall collect wealth from every corner of the world.'Nyasae arombe ndyo.' Thou shall enjoy what thy son will bring to thee" Mugambo only bowed in acceptance of these mighty prophetic utterances.

Chapter 3
Mr. Welo, father to Bonny, is having a conspiracy with seven of his friends.These men have a characteristic of massive heavy built bodies.They are infamous of their notorious behavior , raids and murder cases in the village." Just after they have gone to sleep is the perfect time for us.I will beckon you after I have secured a right opportunity.Two of you are to stand at the gate and keep a watch.Three of us will break in while you three will guard the back door." instructed Welo.
After a clear plan,the gang followed Welo as he led them to Muga's house.One would think that he is the governor being escorted by his retinue .He strotted into the compound after giving a vicious kick to a thin and unhealthy dog that was probably guarding the homestead.It fell some distance away and never woke up again.
Barely had the Mugambos switched off the lights when a deafening bang was heard from the door.Heavy mallets and crowbars were working on the front door. Amidist screams and wailings ,these adversaries entered the house. Poor Johnny and Philip who were bruised mercilessly. Johnny was broken his hand again for it had not yet recuperated.This was after a heavy leg trampled over the wound deliberately.Mr Muga was tied up and let to witness his dear wife being molested and defiled sexually.This was a great emotional pain to Mugo.He wasn't aware of the assailants as they had disguised themselves completely in halloween musks.Only Welo knew what he was doing and actually took pride in it.Indeed man's meat is another man's poison.
Faithful and empathetic neighbours came in to help Mugambo take his family to hospital.Mrs Muga was found to have tested positive of HIV virus.Philip was unconscious and had a crack on his skull for the enemy had landed a heavy club on his head. Johnny was broke his leg and hand while Muga himself was only wounded emotionally.
After the police and other administrative forces came in, it was clearly drown that Muga was attacked by his own brother.Mugo could not believe. How could it happen? Why Welo ? How can Welo violate and change the whole meaning of the proverbial statement that blood is thicker than water?
It didn't sink well into his mind that his own younger brother can turn against him.Is it because of the only additional acre of land that father gave him?Or his prediction on Johnny's life? Meanwhile he was left consoling his wife and advising her on her medication.The incident has now left them as a discordant couple.What of Philip who was now in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital?And Johnny who had now been made a cripple?
Chapter 4
Two months after the excruciating incident, a celebration of Bonny's birthday is held.Johnny struggled with his crutches to Bonny's home to celebrate his cousin's birthday party.Mr and Mrs Mugambo had gone to hospital to collect the anti-retroviral drugs.
Many of Bonny's neighbouring friends attended this celebration.Welo had hired a cook to do the cooking while he enjoyed an illicit brew with his friends.After the hubbub quieted and the music was switched off, everybody sat down.It was time for Bonny to blow the candles and share the cake.He blew the candles and was congratulated amidist hearty claps. The people were then served with delicacies of every kind. Johnny was brought a heap of ugali with a well cooked beef stew. Before he could dip a moulded piece of ugali into the stew, something nearly stopped him.He momentarily experienced a mild blackout after looking at the food.A certain unstoppable force pulled his hand from putting the food in the mouth.It was a habinger of something bad.
Despite all these , Johnny gathered courage and ate the food as many had started wondering why he delayed. Everybody ate to his full.Mouths and stomachs were overworked this day.Welo turned out to be the main entertainer.This reveller shouted carelessly as he danced to the tunes that played in his mind.He had become more drunk than his friends.Jonny said ironically that his uncle was enjoying his youth. A forty years old man enjoying his youth? Or is it that the word youth had changed it's meaning?
Hours passed and everyone departed to their respective homes.Johny was feeling a little bit dizzy after the ball. A stream of sweat was visible dripping down his temples.Fortunately he managed to reach home after a tiresome work with the crutches.Father and mother had arrived and supper was ready.

Chapter 5
"Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!" called Mrs Mugambo as she shook Johnny vigorously.He had fainted abruptly after complaining of a stomach ache.Father was busy contacting his friends so that they can help take his son to hospital.Philip lay on the bed as he had become deranged from the bruise on his head caused by the enemy.
Father succeeded in finding a friend and carried the boy to hospital.He was quickly taken to the ICU ward."Two IV injections but still no change" a nurse was heard telling a doctor nearby. Stethoscopes and all the doctor's tools accompanied by several tests, all confirmed that Johnny was no longer living.This was a grave matter for the doctor to broach the news to the hopeless parents.Tears were already welling down on Mrs Muga's cheeks."Johnny has left us my dear.There is nothing left for us to do." Muga told his wife who could not believe.
****
After some days before the burial, the autopsy results were released for the pathologists were working on the body.Muga went to collect the results.After the greetings one of the pathologists talked to Muga."Fine Mr Mugambo your son was poisoned.He was poisoned by what is know as compound 1080.It is a tasteless substance that when ingested blocks your cellular activities leading to death.We suspect that it was taken through food.We are very sorry for that my brother" the pathologist concluded as he patted Muga on his rigid back.He could not believe that. Who could have done that? Why only Johnny?
****
That day, after disclosing the discomforting news to his wife, Muga resorted to go to bed early.Wife was also heartbroken and slept early. Johnny came wearing his usual white pullover and navy blue pair of shorts.'Mommy don't again let Welo and his family into ours. Don't let Bonny to come near my brother philip.' He then disappeared mysteriously as he had appeared.Mrs Muga woke up deeply touched by this horrible dream. Sweat trickled down her temples.She was shivering vigorously. Muga woke up only to find his wife greatly distressed.Mrs Muga explained to her husband what has just happened.It was then that she remembered that Johnny told her how he had enjoyed Bonny's birthday party when they were away.Only one thought rang in her mind.Jonny was poisoned in the party."My son was killed by that murderer you call your brother" She told her husband." Your blood brother attacking you.The killer is in the blood!"





The End

nyasae arombe ndyo--May God
make it
happen



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