The Creeping Palms: A Novel

By Victor Ehighaleh

The discovery of the secret identity of Maxi Obinna’s friend had gravely hunted him and his circle of friends until the unfolding drama left in its trail – intrigues, suspense, bitterness, revenge, and the unexpected.
A tale of the hidden truth with some tragic lessons.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Victor Ehighaleh
• Release date: May 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222403014

Victor Ehighaleh

Victor Ehighaleh is a writer and an apostle of the gospel of Christ by calling. He is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God who is passionate about sharing the word of God and winning souls for Christ.Apart from being a minister of the gospel, he engages in the written craft to bless humanity and improve the lives of people who read and share his books.He has written books in multiple genres which includes novels, short stories, motivational & inspirational, poetry, religion, etc.He is married with children.

Book preview

THE

CREEPING

PALMS

A Novel

VICTOR EHIGHALEH

THE CREEPING PALMS: A Novel

Copyright ©2019 by Victor Ehighaleh. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction.

All the characters, localities and names in this book are products of the author’s imagination. It has nothing to do with any living or dead person.

Published by Esthom Graphic Prints

First Revised Edition [pbk] August 2022

ISBN – 13: 978-9-78595-896-6

Cover concept by Victor Ehighaleh

Cover design by Esthom Graphic Prints

To my angels Oseremen and Oseiwe

CONTENTS

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

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

CHAPTER ONE

As Obinna Junior, a regular sleep-walker woke up from bed, he looked through the dusty window that has never left his bedside since the age of Twelve and a half. Suddenly, he discovered a strange black pole a few meters ahead of his father’s house. Surprisingly, he instinctively observed numerous strange looking glowing pin-heads on top of the pole. In fact, the desire to explore the strange pole and its heads had overwhelmed him. Soon, he left his bedroom and tiptoed to the living room en route the pole. A short moment later, he had found himself standing by the side of the towering pole.

As expected, he touched the pole and wiped his face with his palm before looking towards the sky of the pole, to be sure he was not hallucinating. Meanwhile, on top of the pole are glittering bulbs enclosed in strange tubes which had attracted him. Luckily, the serene atmosphere had reminded him of his childhood dream of embarking on a visit to the sky to touch and count all the stars in sight. Soon, he began to count the pin-like strange lights in the sky of his bewildered eyes.

As fate would have it, his small mouth enclosed an array of sparkling-white but beautifully structured teeth. Surprisingly, like a remote machine, he had begun to utter feeble words in quick succession. One, two, three, four, five… and after the count of thirty two, his incantation had hit an abrupt end before he began to wonder aloud about the miraculous existence of the towering pole.

Expectedly, after he had achieved his purpose, he decided to embark on a return journey home. Strangely, as he looked ahead of him, the sight of a heavily-bearded, moon-faced, and well-built man in black apparel, walking towards him had frightened him to his marrow and after a very short while that seemed like forever, he discovered he was not daydreaming. Luckily, as fate would have it, after another shot at careful observation, he wittingly embraced reality, and instinctively realized that the approaching strange man was his father. Nevertheless, his eyes, being so determined, had travelled faster than his brain to behold a coiled rope made from animal skin – conspicuously talking and dangling on his father’s right hand. Suddenly, the strange but life-changing discovery made him begin to palpitate like a man on his way to the gallows. Unfortunately, at this point, his stone-faced dad had roared at him.

Obinna, why did you leave the front door open to the extent that twelve neighborhood goats had been able to enter and litter the living room with their droppings.

As expected, he betrayed the usual cry and screamed.

Daddy please, I am sorry.

Instantly, Maxi Obinna, in a fit of rage, moved so ferociously absentminded and hurriedly engaged his biceps until the horsewhip began to sing its usual song. Unfortunately, the horsewhip had landed so powerfully on Obinna junior’s body in multiples until he began to see stars descend on his head while wriggling in pain. Soon, the young Obinna had found himself in endless pains before the walking and talking pains directed him to instantly borrow the shoes of a cheetah.  Luckily, as he heeded the call, he discovered he had outrun his danger breeding but panting father.

Unfortunately, after Obinna Junior had outpaced him, Maxi Obinna had noticed strange drops of blood, flowing almost endlessly by the side of his head. As expected, his otherwise bewildered heart had already transited to his mouth before he began to echo a monotonous song - Ewuoo, Ewuoo, Ewuoo...

Fortunately, as he made progress, the sorrow-laden song had reminded him of the need to go back home. Luckily, as he towered towards his house, his funny but strange cry had woken up his snoring wife who had instinctively regained consciousness and rushed to the front door like a body set on fire. Expectedly, she had begun to ascertain the reason behind her husband’s strange outburst.

Maxi – What is wrong with you? You are bleeding.

I suggest you ask your son. Maxi Obinna replied so harshly.

You have lost much blood - we need to stop the flow.

Why are you still standing – get the first aid box! Maxi Obinna exclaimed.

Okay sir.

Ifeoma, a registered nurse had reappeared in a jiffy with the Ten years old first aid box. Soon, she had succeeded in curtailing the flow of blood. Afterwards, her bewildered husband, like a parrot, had begun to recount his strange experience.

Ifeoma, this is rather strange. I honestly do not have a cogent explanation to give. In fact, I am too bewildered to be able to understand the source or reason behind the sudden outburst of life from my head.

Ifeoma interjected.

Don’t you think someone hauled a stone at you or you hit your head on something?

Instantly, Maxi Obinna’s face contracted like the body of a frog who had suddenly found itself in ice-cold water. As expected, Maxi Obinna roared at his wife.

Ifeoma, stop the joke, do you think I am a kid?

Okay, Maxi, let us allow the sun to dry the clothes. It is too early to start forcing a lion to eat bananas. I guess I’m naturally concerned about your well-being. You know I hate needless quarrels. You must not allow me to break our rule. I am sure you are aware we are already running late for work.

As expected, Maxi Obinna remembered they had jointly agreed not to be angry at the same time. In fact, he knew Ifeoma had almost broken the agreement. So, going forward, he had decided to be calm – to avoid unnecessary aggravation of the incident and being late for work.

A moment later, Obinna Junior had fearfully emerged from his forever hideout after fifteen minutes of solitude. As expected, he had looked right and left before he hurriedly made the decision to proceed home and hide under the shadow of his mother. Fortunately, in a short while, he had moved so close to their front door.

However, as the pain talked and moved all over his body, he had felt uneasy after he had remembered the fifteen minutes old incident. Soon, he had found himself, eavesdropping on his parents who were busy debating over his whereabouts. Luckily, he had noticed his mother’s desperation to unite with him – because he needed to get ready for school.

Going forward, as a result of the green light shown by his mother, he suddenly realized that a shot of adrenalin had been released into his fragile system. So, he had no choice but become a captive of boldness. Fortunately, as expected, his whole body and hands received strength and he knocked on the front door while he awaited his mother’s response. Luckily, as fate would have it, the response arrived before he had knocked a second time.

Expectedly, Ifeoma screamed.

Who is by the door?

It’s me mummy. Obinna Junior replied.

You must not come into this house. Maxi Obinna responded.

Please daddy I am sorry.

Luckily, after a brief moment of silence, the man in him had pushed him to enter the living room. As expected, instantly, he had appeared crestfallen before he scooped on his knees while pleading for forgiveness.

Surprisingly, Maxi Obinna’s face had become numb and forlorn while crying for response until Ifeoma volunteered to bridge the gap. Soon, father and son were reconciled. However, as fate would have it, a moment later, Obinna Junior’s ever probing eyes had observed something unusual on his father’s head. So, he said:

Dad, what happened to your head? I can see traces of blood clots.

Unfortunately, the visibly agitated and infuriated Obinna senior instantly made a brisk but native remark.

Obinna, I suppose the answer resides in the habitation of Amadioha – only the gods have the answer

As expected, the bewildered and lost in thought young lad had instantly decided to embrace the god of silence. Fortunately, as seconds began to climb themselves – shortly before reaching the minute point, a gentle knock at the door had elicited the disappearance of Maxi Obinna into the bedroom while Ifeoma inquired.

Who is by the door?

Good morning mummy Obinna, it’s me Ifeku.

Oh, Good morning, you can come right in my dear.

Ifeku – a diminutive but stout damsel, entered the living room and after the exchange of pleasantries, Obinna Junior did the needful by retiring to his room to thank his God for delivering him from his father’s wrath.

Meanwhile, a short moment later, Ifeku’s bear-like nose and prying eyes had observed an unusual odour and its source in the living room. So, she decided to inquire.

Mummy Obinna, your living room is littered with animal droppings. Do you breed goats here?

Not quite my sister. Obinna left the front door ajar and a group of neighborhood goats made their way into the living room – that explains the droppings.

Oh, I am so sorry. Ifeku remarked.

That’s alright. Let me beckon on Obinna to take care of the mess while we go outside to continue our discussions.

As expected, Ifeoma had screamed.

Obinna. The animal droppings are begging for your attention!

Apparently, Ifeku’s visit was short-lived. In fact, she had exited Maxi Obinna’s residence in less than five minutes. Thereafter, Ifeoma retired to the kitchen to prepare breakfast while Obinna Junior had crossed over to the bathroom after he had obliged his mother and carried out the needful.

Going forward, as soon as breakfast was ready, Ifeoma had dashed to the bathroom to have her bath.

As fate would have it, a short moment later, she was united with her son on the dining table.

Surprisingly, forty minutes later, Maxi Obinna returned to the living room after he had escaped from a hot bath to the warm embrace of his wife and son who were already having breakfast.

Soon, Obinna junior had studied and decided to engage his father.

Dad, you are almost late for work.

I still have about twenty-five minutes left before resumption. Hopefully, breakfast should be over in less than ten minutes and as soon as that happens, we should be on our way.

Okay Dad. Obinna Junior replied.

A few minutes later, due to compassion, Ifeoma had glanced at her husband’s head-injury and had impulsively decided to give advice.

Maxi, you should be mindful of the injury on your head while at work. If necessary, I suggest you ask for one-day-break to enable you have proper rest.

I am okay Ifeoma, that won’t be necessary. Maxi Obinna replied.

Meanwhile, Maxi Obinna’s response had elicited another moment of silence occasioned by the fact that Ifeoma does not want to drive away the fragile peace that had existed only for a short while.

Going forward, as fate would have it, Maxi Obinna works as a retail manager in a blue chip supermarket holding located on the ever busy Stone Street. He had arrived just in time before resumption and immediately proceeded to his office to behold a list of receivables lying angrily on his desk. Mr. Nsofor, the managing director, a few minutes before, had instructed his secretary to deliver the list of receivables to Maxi Obinna’s office. The truth is, he was obviously not pleased about the huge debts owed the company. In fact, he had opined that the debt profile was capable of threatening the liquidity status of the company.

Unfortunately, as soon as Maxi Obinna sighted the list on his desk, he became so apprehensive and instantly knew he had swallowed more than the capacity of his stomach. Therefore, as expected, immediately, he summoned the sales team and rightly ordered them to prepare to welcome more dust on their shoes and also get their clothes ready for the absorption of large amounts of sweat because the managing director was already dangling a sorrow-breeding sickle before the retail department.

However, after dispatching the sales team, he remembered his wife’s advice and instinctively knew he could not afford to ask for one-day-break because the atmosphere at Triple Bongo Limited was too charged for comfort. Luckily, he had reasoned that any attempt to seek for one-day-break will undoubtedly lead to untoward repercussions. In fact, he had assured himself that it will be easier to recover a tiny pin from the bottom of the sea than for the managing director to grant his request. Thereafter, he resolved to manage the situation – professionally.

A moment later, as expected, he was summoned to the managing director’s office to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him as a result of the huge debt that has bedeviled the company. Fortunately, the fact that he had already dispatched the sales team to recover the debts saved him from outright disciplinary action.

Luckily, a few hours later, the atmosphere at Triple Bongo Limited had changed so dramatically. The sales team had succeeded in collecting seventy percent of the outstanding debts. This singular action had saved Maxi Obinna from ending up like a fish out of water.

As expected, at the close of work, Maxi Obinna drove his red colored saloon car out of Triple Bongo’s car park. Soon, he had made his way out of the ever busy Stone Street and headed for the East circular road. Going forward, after navigating through the road so filled with brightly colored luxuriant trees lining both sides of the road, he turned right after the police post. Soon, in less than twenty minutes, he was already on Keys Lane – a street that consists of well-structured homes. His house, a fenced three bedroom cream-colored bungalow was apparently open to anything that can move because it lacked a gate. Luckily, being the season, a welcome fragrance emanates from the luxuriant flowers in front of the house a few meters from the fence.

Expectedly, the usual seasonal high number of brightly colored petals had littered the floor of the compound before the front door. Interestingly, Obinna Junior had once joked that even the blind would notice the presence of hibiscus flower plants that filed round the compound almost endlessly like soldiers undergoing pre-battle-briefing.

Finally, the masquerade was home. As it were, the injury on his head had gone on a recess – courtesy of the pressure at work.

Maxi Obinna had happily drove through the narrow path leading to his front door before switching off the ignition after parking the red saloon car at its normal resting place. Fortunately, as he proceeded to the living room, he had heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the sound of agitated water and fats hissing and protesting violently – away from the frying pan in the kitchen. This usually happened whenever Ifeoma was frying fish or meat. Therefore, he was sure of a fabulous dinner. In fact, he had said to himself:

This would make up for the rather queer experience at work.

Unfortunately, Obinna Junior as usual, was busy with his school assignment and did not notice the arrival of his father who had strolled in and went straight into the kitchen.

As expected, a highly surprised Ifeoma had happily embraced her husband at a safe distance – away from the angry battalion of airborne hot water and oil that had brazenly occupied the airspace of the angrily hissing frying pan.

CHAPTER TWO

Maxi Obinna woke up to meet a bright new morning. In fact, he was so refreshed and had obviously gotten rid of the dry and unfriendly glassy-clouds that had so menacingly hovered over his head the previous day. As far as he was concerned, he was not yet out of the gutter but was sure of a better beginning beyond the huge calabash pot that was so brazenly left across his path the previous day.

As he prepared for work, his childhood friend, Idemudia, suddenly arrived at his doorstep. Surprisingly, a characteristic hard knock and a subsequent group of voices – speaking intermittently in hushed tones had tampered with his airspace. A moment later, his front door was so forcefully let down and before he could utter the word – Johnbull, his living room was overwhelmed by an army of distrust looking ruffians.

Expectedly, he instantly realized that the gods are angry.

As expected, his distant wife and son were not bold enough to come close to the invading army of mannerless creatures. In fact, the air of violence had so conspicuously smiled over the house to the extent that the sound of thunder had comfortably sat upon the roof uninvited.

Unfortunately, as the leader of the gang approached, Maxi Obinna’s sense of comfort had been taken over by chickens and soon, he was already lying on the floor like a hundred years old cadaver.

Surprisingly, soon, the gang leader began to hallucinate and in a jiffy the invaders had disappeared like a piece of meat in the mouth of a famished slave.

Apparently, as fate would have it, Idemudia was the only one left standing and as soon as his brain escaped from the hibernation mode, he had screamed so loudly to the extent that all human legs in the neighborhood had appeared and filled Maxi Obinna’s house and its surroundings.

Fortunately, the neighbors had engaged their compassion-radar after they discovered the almost lifeless Maxi Obinna. Subsequently, he was rushed to Life-Line hospital by his childhood friend and neighbors.

The truth is, the hospital predates Maxi Obinna and Idemudia. In fact, legions of Doctors work at the two hundred and fifty beds well-structured hospital situated on a very large expanse of land on East circular road.

Somehow, the hospital premises have a peculiarly segmented car park that was tailored to meet the specifications of its management.

As expected, Maxi Obinna was admitted and given first class medical attention. Luckily, two hours later, he had regained consciousness and had begun to ask strange questions in quick succession.

What happened to me?

What is my offence?

Who wants me dead?

Are you sure I am alive?

Ifeoma, Idemudia, and Obinna Junior who were sitting by his bedside had been looking so morose. Apparently, Idemudia had not been able to get over the shock that had affected his ability to think well. In fact,