Gun Powder, Introduction To Pain and Hope
As I peered out of the window, the warm sun was setting over the city of Yenagoa, casting long shadows across the buildings. The sky was a brilliant orange, painted with streaks of purple and pink, creating a breathtaking canvas. The palm trees swayed gently in the wind, rustling their leaves with a soothing sound. The air was filled with the scent of salty sea water, as the city sat on the banks of the Atlantic Ocean.
But the idyllic scene was shattered when the sound of gunshots pierced the peaceful evening. The once serene streets of Yenagoa erupted into chaos, as people ran frantically in every direction, trying to escape the violence. The air became thick with smoke, as buildings burned in the distance. The sound of screams and shouts filled the air, as people cried out for help.
I watched in horror as a group of men, dressed in black, stormed through the streets, brandishing guns and machetes. Their faces were twisted with anger and hatred, as they wreaked havoc on the city. The sound of gunfire was deafening, and I felt my heart race with fear.
As the men broke into our small house, I saw the fear in my mother’s eyes. She tried to protect me, but they overpowered her, dragging me outside into the midst of the violence. The world around me was a blur of smoke and chaos, as the sound of bullets rang in my ears.
Amidst the chaos, I saw my father’s body lying on the ground, blood pooling around him. The sight was like a punch to my gut, and I felt tears streaming down my face. The world felt like it was crumbling around me, as I realized that I had lost him forever.
Despite the danger and the fear, my mother held onto me tightly, leading me through the streets towards safety. As we ran, I looked up at her, and I knew that we would never be the same again. The violence of the cult war had left an indelible mark on us, and I knew that the memories of that night would haunt me for the rest of my life.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Goodluck, Joyce and Emmanuel are all members of The Yellow House Library in Yenagoa, the teens started writing in 2021 and has since write three short stories together.
