The Martyrs

By Igwe Ikechukwu

Martha has been forced to cast aside her life, dreams and goals, and sacrifice herself and become a nun. It was the only way her mother would conceive again, and bear a son, that would be the heir to her fathers multi-billion dollar empire.

She was gradually beginning to accept her fate, but when she met Moses -- Reverend Graces adopted son -- everything changed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Africa
• Release date: May 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781482809749

Igwe Ikechukwu

Novelist, Poet, Writer and teacher. Igwe Ikechukwu is a writer with the touch of conjuring fictions that grips the mind. He tells his stories with a passion that transcends them from the realm of the imagined to the unimagined.

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© 2016 by Igwe Ikechukwu.

ISBN:              Softcover               978-1-4828-0975-6

                        eBook                    978-1-4828-0974-9

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Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Dedication:

To God who is the giver of all knowledge and the source of all inspiration.

To my father whose memories and light has never faded in the face of adversities.

To my sweet friend Ekwemoha Sopuruchukwu whose a million smiles still shines in the sky.

To my brother from another mother Lukpata Moses whose memories are forever young on my mind.

To my family whose support is immeasurable.

Acknowledgments

I am mortally grateful to those whose support and belief in me pushed me to achieve this lofty feat. My sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Igwe Peter Friday, my elder brother whose love has refused to die. To Mr. Igwe Nnadozie whose love, support and prayers have been massive. To my Mom and siblings that have been there for me. To my sweet aunt, Mrs. Molokwu Nnenna whose love and support never grows thin. To my uncle, Mr. Igwe Fidelis who stood by me like a father, thank you for being that father figure when I needed you the most. My countless friends: Miss Ibeabuchi Obie Precious, Ihediwa Donald, and Miss Ibe Grace, Onyinyechi Dike, Alaoma Chiamaka, Mark Onyekachi Zubby, Nwokpoku Jonah, who also took out the time to edit the manuscript. Obinna Shedrach and to all whose belief and motivation has been a propeller to me, thank you, and I love you all!

Chapter One

I t was still the earliest hours of the morning, with the chickens still roosting in their sheds, and the rest of humanity still deep in sleep. Abagana, the sleepy and backwater town was already awake, and watching in silence, the inhuman act that was in the offing.

A shadowy figure was seen emerging from the foggy morning, just as the piercing cry of a baby was heard; shattering the still morning air. It was Mercy, the orphan girl, trudging in the cloak of darkness, and with a load neatly wrapped in her hands, that ordinarily, would never have been cumbersome, but light and joyous. And as she stalked in the cold morning, precariously, evading her own shadow and scanning for prying eyes, tears streamed down her bony cheek. She was now a mother, but the one that was not ready to be saddled with such a weighty, and a burdensome responsibility. And of course, she had needed not to be schooled on the intricacies, and the backbreaking job of raising a child. She already knew all about it. It was a difficult and onerous task, and a one that was even harder when one was a single parent.

And as she walked slowly, dragging herself closer to the nunnery, the weight on her conscience seemed heavier. What she now carried on her hands was a pretty creature that does not deserved an ounce of the downright treatment that she was on the cusp of meting on it. She had first felt drawn to it, creating room for sentiments, as a mother would a child. But her willpower and the convulsive hatred for the innumerable mistreatments she had received in her life deeply fuelled her, and were apparently exerting a better control on her to finish the act. But that was not all, what had exacerbated it was the circumstance in which the creature had been conceived -- that horrible and painful experience of the brutal rape. She could still recall it all. As it was always fresh like a wound, and ready to be summoned, each time she felt sorrowful and wanted to recount the unfairness and the callousness of the world to her. That eventful night was as brutal and unfair as it was, and she could clearly remember it with horror and tear-filled eyes.

She had returned late that day, in the gathering gloom, because the bus she boarded had broken down in a long distance from her home. And having neatly kept aside her aunt’s money for the day, it would have been suicidal should she had attempted to take from it to board another bus. She lived with a woman who fed fat on cruelty. And over time, she had truly come to know why it was said that an orphaned calf licks its own back. Her aunt had at several times, sounded it into her ears that she does not play with her money. Taking her into her home, and catering for her -- a wretched and helpless orphan, was a luxury that was not easy to come by. Hence, the least she could do to show gratitude was to hawk the apples her aunt dealt in, and bring home the money with not a dime missing from it for whatever excuses.

She could recall when she had once defied her, and had spent a measly sum on Paracetamol, because she had felt too enervated and queasy, and had wanted to find the strength to finish the apples that day. She had returned home and told her, and hell broke loose. She had kicked and flogged her, with no ounce of pity, and had starved her of food that night. And since then, Mercy had learnt her lesson -- never tamper with the apple’s money.

And drained and famished as she had felt, that fateful day, she had contrived to find the fortitude to walk home. She had walked stoically, dragging herself on the lonely road with the little strength she could gather, and with her mind trying hard to find something that would distract her thought from dwelling on her piteous condition. She was now twenty years old, and the life she lived was a mess and in total disarray. And most times, she had wished she had died with her parents in that fatal automobile crash. Yet, sometimes, she had also felt mad at them for yielding far too meekly to death without giving a thought about her.

And deeply immersed in her thought, she had taken the left bend, and was now unto the road that led to her house when a gang of robbers scampered out of the bush and surrounded her. The night was very quiet and dark, and the road was the loneliest in the area. Mercy felt gripped with fear, as a sudden cold shiver swept through her bones. It was not going to be palatable, she thought to herself. And with a clear sign of resignation, she burst into tears; pleading with them to spare her.

Please, please, let me go. I don’t have anything that you’ll want. She moaned at them in tears. Let me go, she muttered again, rubbing both hands together as a show of further plea and capitulation.

You don’t have money huh? A tough looking, and brutish fellow who seemed by all indication to be the kingpin of the gang asked her in a raspy voice. That’s okay, we believe you, but we’ll only have to make sure of that, he finished, groaning at her. And suddenly, like a purring engine which life had been killed, he paused and signalled to the others. Bring her in, he ordered, and strutted into the bush and into the uncompleted building, with a disdainful smugness. The others showed clear acquiescence, and quickly began to drag her towards the building. Mercy put up some resistance that only petered away as quickly as it had come. She had walked a long distance, and wasn’t just famished, but screamingly knackered. And lifting her up, the burly fellow placed her on his shoulder and marched mechanically; beating his way through the bush. Mercy kicked out, screamed and squirmed but all was a vain effort.

Inside the building, the air was filled with smokes of marijuana, puffing out of the mouth of the robbers. She was heaped on the ground, whilst the others cackled in utter relish. It was impeccably clear to them, as they needed no hindsight to know that it was going to be a feast, and tonight was going to be a long and a good night.

Please remind me of what you said earlier, the robber resumed, after puffing out the smoke of the last draw of his neatly wrapped marijuana. You said you have no money huh?

No! Please, I do, Mercy muttered, and dug her hand into her brassiere to collect the money. Please take all of it. Just don’t hurt me. Spare my life, I am only an orphan. She implored again, with scalding tears pouring on her cheeks. The leader stretched his hand and took the money from her, and passed it to the others. But the money was not all there was to Mercy. She was a curvaceous and a beautiful young woman, that stirred the blood. And whilst she tried to produce the money, she had further shown to them how ravishing she was. Her breasts were full and firm, and stood erect like an overripe orange, just as it wriggled and shimmied invitingly in front of them. It was a marvel to behold, and only a cold blooded animal wouldn’t look her way. And with her pretty face, and round hips that turned heads, it was incredible for her not to have prepared for the worst. Hence, standing transfixed, with his eyes ogling upon her, like a man transmuted to a different planet; the robber’s mouth hung open, as he salivated at her breasts. He had been swallowed in apparent lust.

We won’t kill you, and neither will we hurt you. You’ve been a good girl all this while and have cooperated with us. It will be unwise to hurt such a nice girl like you, the robber assured Mercy, in a voice that only sounded more sinister. But willy-nilly, we’ll just love to play with you a little before you go. Mercy was lost at sea, and could not understand what he meant when he said that they would love to play with her. But it was what she had first feared, and now, there was no mistaking the fact that they would want to defiled her.

I love your face, but in this moment, I do not wish to remember if it is the most beautiful face that I have ever seen, he moaned gently into her ears. And is not just your face, your whole body turns me on. My blood is boiling, and it needs to be quenched. I like you a lot, and I am sure you’ll like me too, or don’t you like me? he asked her. Don’t worry, you’ll like me. I am a master of the sweet act. He peeled off his shirt and trousers, and Mercy could clearly see the beast in him. The robber’s eyes flickered with a sinister and a menacing thought. And in that moment, she knew she was in deep trouble.

Mercy rose from the ground, and tried to make for the door, but one of the robbers leapt on her, and pinned her to the ground. And the leader climbed on her, like a lion on its prey, and scratched her pretty face with his dirty paws. Mercy screamed, as a sharp pain swept through her body, and her face oozed with blood. He torn off her blouse, and stared at her breasts as it wiggled invitingly, in a tempting dance of seduction, like the red cock wooing mother hen in the roosting shed. He cackled wickedly. The others stood by the corner, watching, and giggling at each other. The robber reached below, and rent her skirt, and flung it recklessly in a corner, and Mercy squeaked in a loud and painful tone.

Please! Please stop! You’re hurting me! she cried out painfully.

Don’t worry! You will love it. You’re going to see it, the robber replied, and pushing his parted lips; he caught hers, and they locked in a fierce and forceful kiss. And brutally, like a wounded lion, he violently raped her, with no modicum of pity, with the others also taking their turns. And deeply satisfied; they cackled and spat on her, and swaggered out of the building, whilst Mercy was left in a near dead state, and in the pool of her blood.

Mercy remained there almost unconscious, as she gazed and stared at nothing in the dark sky. The world tumbled and turned inside-out in her bleary eyes. And yet unable to cry, or rise up, her body oozed with blood, and convulsed with pain. And when she finally mustered the strength to drag herself home, it was almost midnight. Her aunt was still awake with her husband. They had been waiting impatiently and anxiously for her. And finally, her aunt caught the glimpse of her as she hobbled in pain in the cloak of darkness. She gasped and ran to her, and with her husband following in hot pursuit.

What happened to you? Why are you coming back so late? Where is my money? she asked her, with a thousand questions facing the shattered and devastated Mercy, who was yet unable to speak. The encounter had been painful and jarring, and it was not the time for her to answer questions. Mercy only remained mute, and stared unflinchingly into her aunt’s face, and collapsed on the ground. Her aunt and her husband hurriedly carried her inside the house, and poured water on her, reviving her of her fainting. And when she woke up, Mercy merely continued to stare at them. Her aunt and husband remained nervous for her ordeal and the barrage of questions that would greet her. And finally finding strength, Mercy rose from the ground.

Where am I? she mumbled in sheer strength to them.

Mercy, you’re at home now. Calm down, now tell us, what happened to you? her aunt asked.

I was robbed and brutally raped, she said, resuming her painful cry.

Ah! You were raped? How? Who did it? Where? What about the money? her aunt asked, showing an apparent and utmost concern for her money, and a clear impertinence of her niece’s misfortune.

Leave her alone! She was raped and you still have the heart to ask about money? her husband interpolated. She needs to be treated, she needs a doctor. Her aunt’s face contorted almost immediately, and flushed with a strong disgust and fury.

She needs a doctor? And with whose money will she be treated? she asked, in a clearly high-pitched voice that showed her unfettered ire, from her husband’s imprudent words. This girl has been careless; she must have been the cause of this. Haven’t I warned her to come back home early? But she had defiled me, and strayed into the night, and here is the consequence of it all, the whole money has been taken from her. How then, will I pay my suppliers? This girl is indeed worthless! she cursed Mercy, in a loud scream that shattered the silence of the deep and quiet night.

Peace! Peace! Your niece was raped, and this is all you have to say? her husband snapped, and gripped with shock that clearly filled him with goose bumps.

And don’t you dare scream my name in that manner! Yes! That is all I have to say. What did her parents do for me while they were alive? I have since clothed and fed her after their deaths, and is that not enough to give to a people that never really cared whether I lived? Peace replied, in a rude and uncouth voice. And planting her hands on her waist; she wriggled it in sheer anger.

Oh! I see? That has always been your grudge. That bitterness and hate that you felt for your sister has refused to die, and up till this day, you still exact your revenge on this helpless orphan. Peace! You’re a stone-hearted creature! her husband screamed.

Me? You called me a stone-hearted creature? You said that to me, all because of this worthless girl? Okay, I see you have clearly taken sides with her. You have always wanted her, and you can’t deny you have desired her. I have seen it in your eyes, and in your words and actions towards her. But, I’d rather die than see that happen. And tonight is the end of my charity; she leaves my home this instant! Peace screamed, in sharp and angry tone.

Her husband swallowed hard, and quickly gathered himself from the momentary shock of that stark revelation. Peace may have been right, that he had always desired Mercy, but in that moment, all he felt for her was pity, and nothing fleshly.

You can’t do that! I don’t mind your shitty accusations and spurious claims, but I won’t watch you kick her out! She won’t leave till I say so, he blustered back at her.

Oh! You think I am bluffing? Now, you watch me, Peace ended bitterly, and storming into the inner room, she grabbed Mercy’s bag, and returned and heaped it on her.

Leave my house! You devil! she screamed at her. Mercy sprung up weakly from the ground, and dragged her wobbly self towards the door.

You’re not going anywhere! Come back here! Her aunt’s husband ordered behind her. Mercy stood dead with fear, and halting in shock at the doorstep, she stood there, confused on whom to obey.

You witch! Leave my house at once! her aunt screamed again and made for her, and reaching her, she descended on her with furious spanks. Mercy groaned deeper in a great stream of pain. Her aunt’s husband couldn’t stand such cruelty. He leapt on Peace in deep anger; hitting her in sheer hatred. The altercation snowballed into a fiery fisticuff. And in the midst of the heated fight, Mercy sneaked out into the ill-fated night.

And since that day, Mercy swore never to see her aunt’s face again. And whilst she lived in her friend’s house, she had contemplated abortion, to take out this seed that had only caused her pain and reminded her of the coldness and cruelty of the world. But good reason had prevailed, and she had kept it. She wouldn’t take the life of an innocent child, and neither would she condemn it unjustly for being a product of rape. It would have the chance to live and have a taste of this merciless and cold world. She had been guilty of the crime of being an orphan, and had lived with it all her life. It was not right to find her unborn child guilty too, for a crime it knew nothing of. But beside all of that, the life she had lived, and the things that she had seen. She would never wish them on anyone, and let alone a child that was born by her.

However, it was axiomatic that nursing a pregnancy was easier than raising a child. And having carried it and put it to birth,