Severine - A Young & Daring Adventurer

By Moronke Oluwatoyin

Severine was whisked off into a dark forest when she was twelve months old. She ran away from home and went into the world at age ten. Severine knew she had some complicated decisions to make as she seeks answers to her parent's sudden disappearance. A daring and amazing adventure of a young girl.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716663277

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Severine – A Young And Daring Adventurer

            By Moronke Oluwatoyin

©2016 Moronke Oluwatoyin

ISBN – 978-1716663277

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any mean electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, and mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission in writing from the publishers.

Printed in United States of America

DEDICATION

To GOD ALMIGHTY

Severine was whisked off into a dark forest when she was twelve months old. She ran away from home and went into the world at age ten. Severine knew she had some complicated decisions to make as she seeks answers to her parent's sudden disappearance. A daring and amazing adventure of a young girl.

ONE

My name is Severine Sebo I'm the only child of my parent. We lived in Charles Town Street in Madagascar. It was a shanty town twenty-five miles away from the bubbling city. I've lived in the outskirts of the woods for ten years. The woods were the same, the villagers drew their water from wells and do their cooking on kerosene stoves, cows still low and hens cluck inside the village huts. When I was twelve months old, still tender and fragile, my mother put me in a pram and wheeled me off to the market for window shopping. She'd a short memory and left me alone in the busy town while she gossiped with a friend about their husbands. However, a mischievous man came along and gave the pram a hearty push. I smiled when the pram dashed off and rocked on the rough un-tarred road. Nobody paid attention to my plight except an old tall hoary man. He took to his heels and ran fast to prevent the pram from crashing into a magnificent maple tree with broad shady green leaves. His shriveled hands dragged the pram behind the tree. He smiled under his heavy breath as his heart began to race. He raised my body up carefully and used his wrinkled index finger to caress my cheeks. When he tossed me up and down in the air my entire body made tender movements. I was happy I didn't fall off from his hands.

Next, he placed me back in the pram and whisked me off into a dark forest, straight to his clumsy thatched house at the sea side. I was a baby and didn't have the slightest idea that I was kidnapped by this old man and didn't set my eyes on my parents again.

Weeks, months and years rolled by and I grew up to believe he was my biological father. He named me Severine Sebo and I called him father but his real name was George Sebo, a downright poor, but honest and hard working man. Whenever I asked about my mother he stammered and didn't talk much. His usual response was cold, "Oh dear, she was taken away by the sea tides when she went swimming.''

I believed his story because he was my father. Anyway, George didn't like visitors. He was a reserved dull old man but a staunch believer in GOD. He wasn't literate but he taught me good Christian principles. One fine morning, I set out to look across the rocky massive stones on the higher peaks. The salty sea water lingered and gleamed wonderfully bright in the intense sunshine. When I strolled barefoot to enjoy the beauty of nature, the balm of the breeze brushed my face with their fingers and devoured my being. I was full of excitement when I saw half-naked boys playing football.

For ten years, I was locked in and restricted from playing with other children. My heart leapt for joy when I saw the lads. I couldn't resist the temptation to join the fun but unfortunately, my happiness was cut short. One of the boys pushed me away and I slipped. 

"This is not your stuff, round head! Get lost before I do something you'll regret.'' I backed off and ran towards the hut which I'd called my home.

A terrible feeling of loneliness and disappointment swept over my whole being. I needed love, I mean motherly love which was absent at home. I lowered my head and entered the hut to tell George what happened but I halted. I heard a strange voice conversing with George.

"Who's talking?'' I peeped and saw a rugged man in black coats. His great lowering forehead and enormous wicked- looking eyes lashed at my father. I was frightened.

"You know quite well she isn't your daughter. Man you must be thrown in prison for hiding her so long,'' said the man.

It ain't my fault you mischievous devil! You're to blame,'' George lashed back violently, you pushed the pram first, you swine!'' shouted George. He eyed and slammed his fist on the broken table.

"I heard her mother died when she knew her baby was gone, forever. But you dirty man kept her to yourself. Yea, you dirty pig kept her secretly.''

George rose and shook the man violently, "at least I raised her up in a godly way, not like you poisonous...hmn…ugly  viper.  You ain't  a  saint.'' 

The man shrugged his coat off George's hand, "what are you going to do if she finds out you ain't her real father,'' said the mischievous man, laughing outrageously. He threw a newspaper at him.

Look there, you filthy man, that's her father's picture on the front page with missing baby Severine...whatever you call her, Severely, Sanderly or Silly.               

To hell, she's never going to discover the secret of her life, I swear to that and if you dare say a single word to her, I'll smash your brains out of ya body!'' My countenance became distorted. My thoughts troubled me and my knees started to knock one against another. My life and heart was shattered and torn in pieces after I discovered that George wasn't my real father. I knew my world had come to an end. I ran out to the seaside and covered my face that was flooded with tears. What should I do?'' I was just ten years of age and now, danger lurked in my destiny. I just couldn't hold back the tears. I could hear an inner voice assuring me my father was alive. At that moment, I summoned courage and made up my mind to find my real father, no matter the cost.

It was getting dark as I sat near a heavy rock and stared into eternity, oblivious of the time. I turned and saw a figure walking towards me, it was George. His heavy hands rested heavily on my shoulders. I could see he was worried sick I’d not returned home.

He spat and tried to clear his throat but his trembling voice couldn't let him say a word.

I was stiff like a stick and afraid, I didn't want him to suspect that I knew everything about my past so I pretended it was well. I tried to smile when I looked at his dull cold face and eyes. George sensed that something was wrong.

One early morning, I crowded my clothes in a small bag hewn tight with palm leaves. It was a special gift from George. I peeped to see what he was doing. Thank goodness he was drowned in his deep sleep and smiling in his forty winks. I tip-toed to the table, picked the torn newspaper and ran far away from my home. Again, the strange voice I heard earlier whispered in my mind. It echoed several times.

The down hills were covered with tropical forest from the sandy shores. I was confused. I ran to the cliff of the mountain where a ship dropped anchor at the coast shrouded in deep fog. Four men stood there watching the depth of the sea. I walked in haste to join them. After an hour of silence, we laid down at the peak of the dark mountain drinking in its beauty and majestic height. I felt nervous and overwhelmed but excited at the same time that I was free. Suddenly, one of the men in blue knickers jerked his body up and counted four paces forward. He halted when he reached the edge of the cliff. Next, he  turned and looked sharply towards our direction. My eyes switched to the long distance from the mountain peak to the valley and hills. "No, .don't!'' said the guy next to me.

The man hesitated and struggled with himself. In a sudden, he committed the gravest sin against GOD.  He flung his body off the cliff like a kite and his body hit the ground. I screamed when I heard the cracking of his bones.  I straightened and fled the scene, racing down the huge grassy mountain. My body quaked and I was covered in drops of sweat. I was scared to look back because I felt sick inside. I followed the strangers until we reached Charles Town.

Life was different in the town. Many people rushed and bumped into each other. I was scared when the men I followed vanished without saying a word. I trekked to the next bus-stop and entered a bus, it  was filled with passengers especially market women.

After twenty minutes drive, a short round-hipped woman stood up, a basket of potatoes was on her head. She brushed my side and pushed me. I thought she wanted to get off the bus. When our eyes met, a strange powerful sensation flowed through my brain. I couldn't control myself. It was kind of a magnetic force that pulled us together. She raised her long twisted thumb finger, jerked it up and down at me then pointed northwards. I didn't know I was hypnotized so, I followed her.

We walked quietly without exchanging words. As she grabbed my hand harshly, a burning sensation filled my mind. Next, she stopped and then entered an old tattered building. My eyes widened in its socket when my brain sent a sharp electric signal through my body. I screamed and trembled. She pushed me into a spacious room where a weird man was dancing and singing. He'd a brown pony tailed wig at the center of his skull. His chest was bare but decorated with long gold chains. His blue short knickers had black patches with small bells and red ribbons stitched round its edges. He was bare footed. His right foot was bigger than the other. He kept singing and dancing. After some minutes, the woman carried her basket on her head, eyed me and walked away. I was left alone with this strange man. I followed her but she pushed me so hard my body hit the adjacent wall. The crazy man smiled. I was confused and frightened. He must be insane,'' I thought. Who're you mad man?''

Ten minutes passed and we continued to stare at each other. The silence was broken when he advanced towards me. He rushed to grab my waist but I dodged. Quickly, I removed my shoes and ran but he gave me a  hot  chase.  My legs  were  skinny.  The echo of his laughter made me have goose pimples. He was utterly toothless and looked more like a demon. I stretched my legs and doubled my pace longer as I ran. I couldn't figure the way out.

Suddenly, I saw a dark narrow passage with a small opening, it was the way out. But he continued his hot chase and laughed and laughed until his laughter gave me goose pimples. He stretched his hands to grip my shoulders, I floated across the floor and he tripped. His head hit the wall. I straightened and dashed out. I turned to see what had befallen him. His wig had fallen off and part of his brain had popped out. He started to laugh again and his eyes became red like fire. Fear gripped my heart. I continued to run until he was out of sight.

Finally, I reached the bus-stop speechless, perplexed and breathless.                   

''What's happening?'' I didn't realize my woes had just started. I roamed the streets for days and weeks eating stale foods from rubbish bins. My home was a tiny shed under a bridge where criminals lodged. Time meant nothing to me. 

On a warm afternoon as I curled my feeble body in deep thought, two young women trudged in the sunset along the path I slept. My thin and weak figure caught their attention.

"Look, Winney,'' said the thinner lady. 

She's homeless,'' said Winney. Her body trembled when she stared at me. They asked me a couple of questions. Well dear, you're a child. We want the best for you. Come and live with us,'' said Meryl.

Like a whipped child, I obeyed and packed my clothes. I thought living with them would be rosy but it was hell on earth. I was beaten and treated like a doormat. Actually, these two wicked wolves in sheep clothing almost killed me. Sometimes, Winney smacked me so hard with a ladle until I had marks on my back. She said I was a thief and liar.

I'd no choice but to accept my fate.

After they left for work one early in the morning,

I dragged my tired body and stumbled into a big room adjacent to Winney's bedroom.

I peeped. Beautiful clothes were displayed on the floor. I tip-toed in and picked two blue and black trousers with red flowered tops. Next, I packed my belongings and left their house.

I walked to a dark quiet spot and changed my clothes but I didn't know I was been watched by two rugged men and a dirty woman. They clasped their hands and smiled at me.

They walked to me and asked we hire a cab to take us on a tour to the city. "No!'' I insisted.

They sneered, whispered and formed a circle round me, ooh please come with us, it's just a tour nothing else, we aren't kidnappers.

After much cajoling and pestering, I couldn't resist their temptation. We eventually got a cheap cab that drove us to a strange town. I looked apprehensively at the strangers. Their behavior was queer and funny.  They seemed to giggle like kangaroo rats. "This is Silver dark town, it's full of trouble. There is no ease in its streets,'' said the cab driver.

I looked hard. From its looks, Silver Town had lost its beauty.

The cab driver drove through the parking lot and stopped abruptly. It jerked forward hitting my head on the side window. We alighted and walked into a four-squared bungalow with thatched Chinese roofs. There was a party going on. As I turned to leave, a tall dark hairy man blocked me. He was dressed in cream laced attire. I tried to squeeze myself past him but his strong arms enveloped me. This is Silver Town we sell our pillars for brass and our bodies for money, he sneered.

I shoved his hands away but he smiled. I didn't know his intention but I guess he wanted a woman desperately. My goodness, I was only ten years plus. He was old to be my grandpa. I slipped away after he gave up. I searched for my companions in vain. When I couldn't find them I gave up and looked for a place to rest. I was fortunate to see a bedroom. I slumped on the bed and dozed off.

Fifteen minutes later I heard a sharp female voice. ''Hey you rat, you look like a thief. You stole my golden purse, I'm going to cut your ugly throat!"

"No, that's not true?'' I screamed.

She dragged and flung my body on the floor. I'd to beg for mercy then she let go off my neck.

My eyes were tired and I continued my sleep. Again, the creaking of the door jolted my mind back to reality. The same man I tried to avoid stood, leaning against the door. He grinned, closed the door slowly and advanced towards me. I straightened and my heart began to beat faster. I couldn't scream when he grabbed my ring finger and tried to slip a ring on it. My hands pounded on his chest but he wouldn't let go. He was stronger just like a beast.