Chapter 6: Cold Pass Night, Fear Pass Cold
By now, time don pass midnight, even moon sef don hide. Cloud dey thick, stars small. The darkness for here na real darkness—e fit swallow shadow.
This mountain road far, na only my truck light dey shine. The beam long, cut through bush and broken guardrail, reflect off stone.
Suddenly— The kind cold wey grip the truck fit make old man pray. My body goosebumps. The air get smell of cold earth and bitter agbo, like something just waka pass grave.
"Person dey there!" the girl scream. Her voice sharp, high—like goat wey dem tie for Sallah. I shock, step brake small.
Kemi and Uncle Musa rush look window, but dem no see anything. Both of them dey stretch neck, their eyes red from sleep and worry.
Kemi pat her head. "Nobody dey for here this kind night. You dey imagine things." She try make her voice calm, but I see say her hand dey shake.
"No!" The girl insist, "I see am well—na one girl for flower dress, just stand for roadside, dey look us!" I glance side mirror. For Naija, pikin no dey lie for night matter. Fear catch me small, but I no show am.