Chapter 92: A Revelation Through Art
1672words
Eki had a feeling like an invisible force always pulling her back to Nok Valley. It felt almost magical, similar to how a magnet works, attracting Eki towards the centre of Nigeria's very old and skilled art from many years in the past. Among remnants of a vanished society, she wanted to rediscover her life's purpose again here.
She spent her time wandering through the valley, often letting red soil cover her hands. She watched local artists shaping raw clay into detailed forms, their hands moving in a well-known rhythm they learned from many years of tradition.
From these watchings, Eki suddenly understood. She found herself very interested in how sculptors can make their creations look alive, putting all the unique details of each figure into just one shape. She realized she searched for this connection in her art, a deep sharing, for a very long time.
Eki feels much excitement and begins to play with clay. She starts making simple shapes using only her hands and fingers. She gave the land's spirit different shapes because she wanted to show it this way. As time passed, Eki made her creations more and more detailed. She started adding symbols from Yoruba mythology to her art. Olorun, the main creator god, interested her a lot, so she began drawing shapes that represented his power and kindness.
Weeks turned into days, and Eki devoted herself completely to the new art she found. In the peaceful valley, she could focus on her creative work without any distractions. Her hands moulded the clay nonstop, creating figures that mirrored her deepest emotions.
One day, while she was busy with her artwork and struggling to finish a difficult piece, an old lady came close to her. The face of the old lady had many wrinkles that showed wisdom from living a long life, and her eyes looked like they had seen many things over a very long time.
"Your hands talk in the olden language," she whispered.
Eki looked up, surprised. "Thank you," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude.
The woman smiled. "I have watched you work. You have a gift, child. A gift that comes from the heart."
Eki felt a surge of emotion. This was the validation she had been craving.
With time going by, Eki's bond with the people became more solid. She spent much time talking with the craftsmen, picking up their methods and sharing thoughts back and forth. As she spent more time with the community, a feeling of belonging, which she had never experienced before, started to grow within her.
One evening, when the sun slowly went down, Eki stayed near her sculptures by the campfire. Soft light from the fire made long shadows everywhere; it gave her artworks a strange and magical appearance. She has this feeling of peace and happiness that she has not felt for a long time.
But, as night grew darker, she began to feel more and more uneasy. She remembered the dangers they had already encountered and worried about unknown threats that could be hiding ahead. She realized one truth: she can't run from her past forever.
As she was about to finish her evening, a far-off noise came to her ears. This sound she recognized clearly, and it caused her heart to beat quickly. It was the noise of a car coming close.
Eki's heart beat very fast. She recognized that sound. It was the car linked to when someone broke into her house. She felt very scared as she understood that her safe place was not secure anymore.
Eki's heart was beating very fast, and the car's lights shone through the dark. A cold fear went down her back. She knew that noise well. It came from the same car which was part of the burglary at her house.
Her mind quickly becomes full of plans to save sculptures, her works. They are not only art; they also hold part of her soul inside them. She picked up a tool close by and got ready to protect herself.
The car makes a loud noise and stops suddenly. In the quiet night, the sound of doors closing becomes more clear. Steps on the gravel made crunching sounds as people emerged from dark places.
Eki stopped her breathing, and her body became very tight. She could hear many voices nearby; they were quiet but scary.
"There she is," one voice said.
Eki felt a sudden rush of energy in her body. She knew must do something fast. Eki moved quietly near the edge of the clearing, looking out into the darkness. A sudden rush of adrenaline went through Eki's body, pushing her to move quickly. She sneaked close to the clearing's boundary, her sight scouring in the darkness.
"Let's get her," another voice said.
I hear footsteps getting nearer, and Eki knows she must do something. Using her power, she hurls the tool towards the coming people. The tool flies through the blackness, followed by a quick grunt.
There was a fight, and in the night you could hear noises from it. Eki took this chance to escape while everyone was busy, hiding himself in darkness. She ran as fast as she could, feeling her heart pound in her chest.
She ran and kept running until there were many big trees around her. Then she sits down on the ground, breathing hard as the excitement slowly goes away; her body shakes with fear.
She escaped, but she knew they would return. She needed to discover a way to protect herself and her work.
When it became day, Eki left her hiding place. Her body was aching, but her spirit remained strong. She comes back to the camping place with much worry in her heart. Her sculptures stay untouched, which is a small win after a night of fear for her.
She used the time to make new art, her fingers moving quickly. Making things was how she managed; it helped her feel in charge again.
When the sun goes down, Eki sits near the campfire with many thoughts in their head. She needs some way to protect herself and what she does, not let fear take over her life.
When she nearly was ready to stop trying, an idea suddenly came into her mind. It seemed dangerous but appeared like the only opportunity remaining for her.
She would face her fears directly. She would face the threats made to her.
Eki, with strong determination in her heart now, collected all of her things. She needs to leave Nok Valley because it is not safe for her anymore.
And when she goes, there is one more thing. She comes back to the place where an old lady says nice words to her and puts a small terracotta figure under the tree. It was an acknowledgement, saying goodbye to somewhere from which she had gained something.
Eki turned and walked away, feeling sad. She does not have a plan but she knows one thing for sure: I will not let fear control me.
Eki put her things in a bag, feeling very unhappy. The Nok Valley had become a safe place for her, where she found herself once more. But now danger is getting nearer, so she needed to leave this safe place. She could not take the risk of staying here any longer.
When she started driving, a heavy feeling in her throat made her turn back to look at the valley. It felt like some part of herself stayed there; but even so, she understood it was important to be strong. She had to confront what frightened her.
Lagos, the city she used to want to leave behind, now filled her mind. She needed to go there - find Dapo and clarify everything fully, so they could decide together what actions should be next.
Eki, when she arrived at her apartment, suddenly felt worried. She did not know what would be inside; was Dapo there or not? Could those individuals who assaulted them be waiting for her?
She put the key in lock, feeling her heart beat very fast. The apartment looks dark and quiet when she enters inside. She called out Dapo's name, but there was no answer.
A sudden terror entered her. Something was not right, this was certain. To fight the dark, she carries a lamp and its light makes long shadows move on room walls. When she walked into an apartment, one drawer was open and things from it spread all over the floor.
She felt fear, her heart raced and noises came. Who has arrived? With their heart pounding loudly in her ears, she carefully looks around the flat. She finds no signs of anyone breaking in. However, the room was in enough disorder to persuade everyone.
At the moment when she almost feels like giving up, her eyes see a note on the kitchen counter. When she takes the paper in hand, deep sadness comes into her heart. This handwriting I know so well.
"We know where you are," the message read. "Coming back is pointless, Dapo will not come for you again."
A cold dread washed over Eki. They had Dapo. They knew where she was. She was alone, scared, and hunted.
She must save Dapo, but how can she do it? She feels alone and does not know the correct choice to make. The people chasing them were strong and ruthless.
Eki's brain was thinking very fast. She had to come up with a plan, and she needed to do it quickly. But then, standing in the quiet of an empty apartment, she suddenly feels it hit her hard - this is what scares her the most.
