KWAH: “Journey to Destroy Evil”

By Deneen Elise, Char Turner and Sade' Ave'

During the American Inhumane Black Slavery Era, three immortal West African sister Angels are dispatched from Heaven's Angel Headquarters to North America on a divine mission to safeguard their enslaved people. However, their purpose faces disruption when one sister becomes possessed by an evil slave from a dark world tribe, seeking to exploit her powers as part of a plan to expose her to his Massa in exchange for his freedom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9781669876014

Deneen Elise

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Deneen Elise crafts captivating stories across multiple fictional genres, drawing readers into a world of suspense that is impossible to resist. Originating from Far Rockaway, NY, this Queens native began writing at the age of 14 but only embraced publishing at the age of 50. Her works include "Measures of a Bitta-Sweet Life," "The Right Wish," "Parker Steps," and her latest creation, "KWAH." In addition to her writing talent, Deneen Elise, alongside her husband, professional saxophonist Frankie Addison, manages the live band, Signature Live!, performing at various venues and special occasions. As a versatile artist, showcasing her skills as a vocalist, actress, and screenwriter (https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm15179192/ ref_=instant_nm_1&q=Deneen%20Elise), Deneen Elise's ambitious plans are to adapt each of her novels for the screen, successfully scriptwriting several treatments, and releasing a final novel in 2025. Char Turner (Intern Fictional Writer) The native New Yorker, raised in Queens, has always been a high achiever throughout her education and has enthusiastically embraced crafty challenges, particularly mastering the art of quilting. Fictional writing has become her latest endeavor. The wonderful friendship with author Deneen Elise has elevated her abilities and imagination, significantly contributing to the joy and creation of ‘KWAH’. Char, the mother of a wonderful daughter and two adorable grandchildren, not only loves quilting but also enjoys listening to music and exploring various genres through reading. Sade’ Ave’ (Intern Fictional Writer) Straight out of Brooklyn, NY, Sade' Ave' is passionate about reading fictional books, particularly in the supernatural genre, and also happens to be the niece of author Deneen Elise. Since the unique creation of the novel 'KWAH,' she has been ecstatic yet filled with shyness about being publicly exposed. Sade' Ave' is the proud mother of a young teenage son and holds a degree in Liberal Arts & Social Science. Having achieved her dream of working with her aunt, her next goal is to delve into the art of culinary.

Book preview

COPYRIGHT © 2024 BY DENEEN ELISE.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 01/11/2024

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

853041

CONTENTS

In memory of

Dedicated To

Special Thanks

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

100

101

102

103

Epilogue

In memory of………………….

Kathy Pettis, Aunt Sissey, TiTi Ruby, Uncle

Jackie Boy and loving cousins Valerie, Veronica and FiFi. A very special acknowledgement to Jason Cummings. RIP dear long-time friend…….you always encouraged me to keep going forward.

Dedicated To………………….

Our enslaved ancestors that fought pain and never forgot their faith in God!

Special Thanks

My husband - (Saxophonist) Frankie Addison

Words cannot fully express the depth of our love and my immense appreciation, gratitude, and blessings of you, your music, and your unwavering support in everything I undertake! xoxo

My Family –The heartbeat of my many blessings

Fee, Gina, Weeze & De’De’---Special Thanks for reading

Leslie & Sonya – What a special connection of love we have!

Jazz & Frankie II – support and patience and believing I could write this type of genre!

Michael Broughton (Actor) – Big brother 4 life indeed!

Never thought I would get this far, especially with my challenge of screenwriting, praying to turn my novels into film someday. If it weren’t for you talking me into it, I would have never started this challenge! :) Grateful for our Far Rockaway, NY Queens Housing upbringing with its challenging life obstacles. Thank you for your continuous encouragement!

Donna Burns (Screenwriter/Novelist/Director)

You are amazing! I’m so glad to know you and grateful for our sisterhood-friendship. Thank you for sharing your talent and teachings.

Tressa Azarel Smallwood (CEO – Access Granted)

God blessed you with the greatness of a big heart, skills, talent, and positiveness! It was God’s plan for us to meet!

Access Granted Lifetime Mentees who have become extended family and are credited to my writing-drive!

Constance Minor - (CMinor Media) Girl you’re just sooo cool! Fun! Glad God connected us!

Deidra L. McEachern - (Novelist, Scriptwriter/Film Director) What a beautiful person! xoxo

Reginald Mason - Thank You.

Darlene Brent – Weeze your beauty truly adds an allure to this book cover of African Angels-----amazing! Xoxo!

Joyce Glover – Wow! Your beauty holds a sense of true sci-fi fantasy on this book cover of African Angels----outstanding! Xoxo!

Donna Stevens – (Kwah Model) You put your shyness aside and allowed your beauty to shine as a true angel on this book cover! Xoxo!

Love You All

Thank you Lord for your continuous blessings!

Thank you Char & Sade for allowing me to demonstrate the wonders of fictional writing, a unique multi-fictional way without the help of a gummy or brownie (lol)! It’s been fun allowing you to be the first audience and critic to this storyline!..................Deneen Elise

Special Words from the intern co-author /proof editors

Char Turner

In memory of Mommy, you were my sister, and my best friend. You will always be the love of my life who taught me to be who I am now.

Dedicated to my daughter, my grands, my elementary school teachers, Ms. Lambie and Ms. Veidt. Without teachers like you, life would have no class.

Sade’ Ave’

Aunt Neen thank you for this special opportunity! You mirror greatness! I love you!"

My ENTIRE FAMILY!! You all have been there for me! I love you all!

Auntie B, I miss you so much! Your memories will always be with me.

What an experience this project has been!………………Char & Sade’

76751.png

West Africa

TURRUNDEE TRIBE

75017.png

NUNU

NUNUPHOTO.jpg

Early 18th Century

West Africa

Turrundee Tribe

1

This chapter has Swahili to English translation.

The lively sounds of harmonious singing fill the air in a small West Africa village, home to the Turrundee Tribe.

The voices are Lola Mutombo, an energetic 80-year-old, and her three granddaughters: Kwah, an 18-year-old, the most beautiful of the sisters; Zuri, a 16-year-old handling chores with diligence; and a silly, overly playful 13-year-old, Afiya.

Kwah skillfully scales fresh fish outside their bamboo mud-plastered hut, while Zuri hangs loose clothes on a flimsy clothesline.

Afiya, having completed her chicken-feeding duties, gleefully chases the clucking birds around the hut, singing along with Lola and her sisters.

Observing Kwah’s leadership, Lola affectionately strokes her face, proud of the vibrant atmosphere they create together in their close-knit tribe.

Ah! Mtamu wangu, mtamu, Kwah! Wewe ni shujaa mzuri zaidi wa Lola!

Ah! My sweet, sweet, Kwah! You are Lola’s most beautiful strong warrior! Lola hums as they continue singing.

Secretly insulted by her grandmother’s comment, Kwah stops singing.

Hapana! Hapana! Hapana! Mimi sio shujaa Lola! Sitaki kuwa shujaa! Nataka kuwa mke!

No! No! No! I am no warrior, Lola! I don’t want to be a warrior! I want to be a wife! Kwah proudly announces.

HUTAKUWA MKE KWAH!

YOU WILL NOT BE A WIFE KWAH! Lola yells, causing Zuri and Afiya to stop singing.

A heavy silence blankets them as Kwah struggles to conceal her tears. This isn’t the first instance of Lola reacting strongly whenever the topic of their future as wives arises.

When Kwah was 16 years old, a young man from a neighboring village asked to marry her, as his parents proudly stood by his side.

Lola’s disapproval turned into a furious rage. She chased the young man away and even attacked his mother by hitting her with bamboo sticks.

Lola’s anger shifts to Zuri and Afiya, who avoid eye contact and lower their heads.

HUTAKUWA MKE ZURI! NA WALA HUTAFIYA! KAMWE! Imeandikwa kwa mtu yeyote usiwahi kuolewa.

YOU WILL NOT BE A WIFE ZURI! AND NOR WILL YOU AFIYA! EVER! She gently lifts Zuri’s head, kisses each of them then softens her tone. It is written for none of you to never marry.

Nani ametuandikia tusiwahi kuoa?

Who has written for us to never marry? Zuri boldly breaks the silence.

MUNGU!

GOD! She smiles.

Mungu ni upendo na upendo ni mzuri, na ndoa ni nzuri.

God is love and love is good, and marriage is good. Kwah wipes her tears, joining Zuri in challenging Lola.

Ipo siku utaelewa.

Someday you will understand. Lola folds her arms smiling as she studies the sisters.

Afiya breaks the odd moment by imitating the chickens, clucking, and strutting around them, causing them all to laugh.

Ninapenda ndege!

I love birds! Afiya laughs.

Ndiyo! Ni viumbe wazuri! Moja ya uumbaji bora wa Mungu.

"Yes! They are beautiful creatures! One of God’s best creations." Lola agrees.

Ndio maana nakataa kula kuku! Na ndiyo maana ninalia unapowaua!

That’s why I refuse to eat chicken! And that’s why I cry when you kill them! She mopes.

"Afiya, imeandikwa ndege wawe mlinzi na kiongozi wako. Utaimba pamoja na ndege na kuwaelewa kwa ufasaha.

Afiya, it has been written for birds to be your protector and guider. You will sing with the birds and understand them fluently.

The sisters inconspicuously roll their eyes, annoyed with Lola’s crazy babbling.

Unamaanisha nini Lola?

What do you mean Lola? Afiya hides a smirk.

Lola ignores her and begins singing, taking a seat next to Kwah to help with scaling the fish.

Ninaamini Lola anakuwa wazimu!

I believe Lola’s going mad! Afiya whispers to Zuri.

Dada, bibi yetu mpendwa anazeeka, na lazima tujaribu kuwa na subira naye.

Sister, our sweet grandmother is getting old, and we must try to be patient with her. Zuri sighs.

While Lola sings, urging them to join, she’s suddenly struck by a sharp pain in her side. In agony, she screams, and her granddaughters quickly rush to her side, calling out for help.

76763.png

Lola’s body weakens by a burst appendix, resulting in poison coursing through her veins. Emotionally fighting back tears, Kwah, Zuri and Afiya stand over her, as she lies bedridden in her last hours.

Forbidden to tell what God has in store for her granddaughters, she looks at Zuri then lets out a soft cry, leaving the girls confused.

Mbona unanililia?

"Why do you cry at me? Zuri disrespectfully startles her in a quivering tone.

Lola remains silent with her eyes fixed on Zuri.

Zuri! Usiulize maswali!

Zuri! Do not ask questions! Kwah whispers harshly.

ANANANIANGALIA MIMI TU KWA HUZUNI!

SHE LOOKS AT ONLY ME WITH SADNESS! Zuri challenges her.

Labda analia kwa sababu Zuri ni mjukuu wake anayependa! "

Maybe she cries because Zuri is her favorite granddaughter! Afiya jokes.

Nakupenda nyote kwa usawa!

Lola manages to smile. I love you all equally!

LOLA TAFADHALI TAKUKURU KWELI KWA TIMU ZAKO!

LOLA PLEASE SPEAK THE TRUTH OF YOUR TEARS! Zuri demands.

UNAHITAJI KUONDOKA! TONI YAKO HAINA HESHIMA

YOU NEED TO LEAVE! YOUR TONE IS DISRESPECTFUL! Kwah causes Zuri’s eyes to well up with tears as she leaves.

Afiya also leaves, fighting tears, certain that her grandmother may not make it through the night

Kwah, wewe na dada zako lazima mkae safi. Hakuna mwanaume atakayevunja ubikira wako. Ikiwa yeyote kati yenu ataruhusu hili kutokea, atakuwa anavuruga kumbukumbu za Mungu na adhabu itafuata.

Kwah, you and your sisters must stay pure. No man shall break your virginity. Lola warns. If any of you allow this to happen, you will be disrupting God’s chronicles and punishment will follow. She slowly drifts off to sleep, leaving Kwah shaken and confused.

76797.png

As Zuri storms away from her hut, she is greeted with a kiss by her secret boyfriend of two months, 18-year-old, Santu.

Blushing, she gently pushes him away while avoiding eye contact from onlookers.

Every time Zuri laid eyes on Santu, her heart fluttered. He was strikingly handsome. At 6ft. 5in., Santu is slim with visible muscles and no body fat. His teeth are pearly white, with thick lips and a brim smile. Although he has no facial hair, his eyebrows are thick, and so is his hair, which he wears tightly packed with mud; a style worn by Turrundee young men.

Despite the magnetic pull between them, Zuri resists Santu’s advances, captivated by his dreamy eyes but is reminded of Lola’s disapproval.

Strangely, whenever Santu attempts to kiss Zuri on the lips, her nose starts bleeding, causing both frustration and embarrassment. To avoid awkward moments, Santu settles for kissing Zuri on the cheeks.

Convinced by the strange occurrence, Zuri shared with Santu her belief that it was a sign from God, indicating that they should refrain from kissing until they were married someday.

81697.png

SANTU! Ninaona upendo umekufanya mjinga! Bibi yangu atakuwa na sehemu zako za nyuma na migodi pia, ikiwa alijua tunaendelea! Hiyo ilikuwa ujinga sana kwako kunibusu kama hivyo!

SANTU! She whispers. I see love has made you stupid! My grandmother would have your hind parts and mines too, if she knew we were carrying on! That was very stupid of you to kiss me like that!

Siwezi kusaidia! Zuri, nakupenda! Hei, nasikia Lola hayuko vizuri. Samahani kusikia habari hii! Zuri, tafadhali ujue kuwa ninakupenda na mimi niko hapa kwako!

I cannot help it! Zuri, I love you! Santu laughs, then becomes serious. Hey, I hear Lola is not well. I am sorry to hear this news! Zuri, please know that I love you and I am here for you! He attempts to kiss her hand, but she jerks it away.

Santu, unajua hatuwezi kuonekana hivi kwa jicho la watu wa kijiji chetu! Lola hatakuwa nayo!

Santu, you know we cannot be seen this way in the eye of our village people! Zuri frowns. Lola will not have it!

Santu folds his arms, disappointed.

Sijawahi kuelewa kwanini hataki nikupende! Turrundee ni kabila la watu wenye upendo Na tumekuwa kwa karne nyingi! Lola ni Turrundee! Kwanini yeye ni mbaya sana? Je! Hiyo inawezaje kuwa? Je! Yeye anachukia upendo?

I never understood why she does not want me to love you! Turrundee’s are a loving tribe of people and we have been for centuries! Lola is a Turrundee! Why is she so odd? How can that be? Santu huffs. Does she loathe love?

Zuri gazes into his eyes, dumbfounded, longing for an answer. She feels flattered that Santu’s parents approve of her and wish for him to marry her. However, Lola’s strict rule against her granddaughters dating or marrying is a source of embarrassment for Zuri and her sisters. Lola has made it clear to everyone, and this rule has stirred controversy in the village, with some finding it offensive, accusing Lola of thinking the sisters are too good for their children.

Zuri promised Santu that one day she would be his wife and that she was certain it will be God’s blessing. However, since her strange encounter with Lola during her hours of transitioning; Zuri has a strange feeling that Lola’s tears may have been a secret warning about Santu.

Zuri? Je! Kuna kitu ninachoweza kufanya?

Zuri? Santu breaks her daydreaming. Is there anything I can do?

Ndio! Acha niwe! Sina hamu tena na wewe!

Yes! Let me be! I no longer have an interest in you! She storms away leaving Santu speechless.

81668.png

The next morning, Lola’s condition deteriorates, and she can no longer speak. Zuri and Afiya are seated on each side of Lola, weeping, as villagers enter the hut to bid farewell.

Kwah cannot bring herself to say goodbye to Lola and helplessly weeps outside the hut, resting on a tree stump.

Lola, siwezi kuendelea bila wewe! Siwezi kuwa matriarch kwa dada zangu! Nahitaji familia yangu mwenyewe. Mume, watoto, na furaha. Umekuwa ukikubaliana na ndoto hiyo kila wakati. Kwa nini? Je! Kwanini hautaki bora kwangu, Zuri na Devon? Nina miaka eighteen. Naweza kuwa mke mzuri! Ikiwa sitaoa, nitapotea! Nahitaji mtu atunze .......

Lola, I cannot go on without you! I cannot be the matriarch to my sisters! I need a family of my own. A husband, children, and happiness. You have always disagreed with that dream. Why? Why do you not want the best for me, Zuri, and Afiya? I am 18 years old. I can be a good wife! If I do not marry, I will be lost! I need a man to take care of……. She comes to a halt once Lola moans, realizing that even near-death, Lola disagrees.

Teary-eyed, Kwah sits outside of the hut as people of the village continue to visit. It is not long before Kwah hears her sister’s screams, confirming that Lola has passed. Kwah tightens her fist then lets out a loud scream but comes to a breath-taking halt. She witnesses an angel with Lola in its arms, floating out of the hut and ascending to the sky. Lola looks down at Kwah, smiles, then drops one of the angel’s feathers towards her.

Nitakutazama kila wakati.

I will always watch you! Lola assures her, smiling as she places Kwah in a trance, instructing her on what to do with the feather.

Santu’s parents exit from the hut; unaware of Kwah’s trance, interrupting her and expressing their condolences.

Lola alisema jambo lisilo la kawaida, sekunde chache kabla ya pumzi yake ya mwisho. Alisema, ‘miaka 300.’ Unafikiri alimaanisha nini?

Lola said the oddest thing, seconds before her last breath. Santu’s mother shares. She said, ‘300’ years of torture!’ What do you think she meant?

Kwah shrugs, clueless.

TWO DAYS LATER

It is the eve of Lola’s burial. As the sisters sit by her corpse mourning, they allow guests to traditionally drape their grandmother with beautiful jewelry and love trinkets, until sunset. However, Kwah surprises everyone when she breaks the tradition by ending it early.

Unathubutuje kudharau amani ya Lola!

How dare you disrespect Lola’s peace! Afiya frowns embarrassed.

Nyamazeni dada wadogo! Ni lazima tuifanye LEO! Lola anataka ifanyike kabla hajazikwa.

Hush young sisters! We must do it TODAY! Lola wants it done before she is buried.

Unazungumzia nini? Lola anataka nini kifanyike? Unasemaje Kwah?

What are you talkin’ about? Lola wants what done? What are you saying Kwah? Zuri frowns.

Nifuate!

Follow me! She demands as she leads them to a restricted area of open grassland.

Dada, kwanini tuko hapa? Sio salama hapa! Wanyama wanaweza kuja! Hatuna silaha!

Sister, why are we here? Afiya frowns. It is not safe here! Animals may come! We have no weapons!

Kwah ignores her sister’s whining, pulling the feather from the lining of her dress.

Hapana! Kaa sawa! Lola alipopita, alielea nje ya nyumba yake akiwa ameshikwa na malaika. Alipoinuliwa angani, alinipa hiki! Na yeye alisema ...

No! Stay put! When Lola passed, she floated out of her home in the arms of an angel. As she was lifted to the sky, she gave me this! Kwah explains, waving the feather back and forth. And she said….

Unyoya? Hii ni mzaha? Ikiwa ni, sio ya kuchekesha! Huu ni wakati wa maombolezo sio wakati wa ujinga! Ninarudi kijijini!

A feather? Zuri rolls her eyes. Is this a joke? If it is, it is not funny! This is a time of mourning not a time for stupidity! I am heading back to the village!

SUBIRI! Akina dada naomba mnisikilize!

WAIT! Sisters, please listen to me!

HII NDIYO JAMBO LA UPUUZI KULIKO WOTE AMBALO NIMEWAHI KUSIKIA!

THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF! Zuri snatches the feather as Afiya burst into laughter.

Kuna nini Lola na ndege? Aliniambia nitaimba na ndege!

What is it with Lola and birds? She told me I would sing with the birds! Afiya cracks up.

Angry, Kwah snatches the feather back.

Unatuambia kuwa huu ni unyoya wa Malaika? Au Lola alichuma ndege mkubwa?

Are you telling us that this is the feather of an Angel? Or did Lola pluck a large bird? Zuri laughs.

HAKUNA TATIZO KWA LAUGHTER! Ndio, hii ndio manyoya ya malaika. Na Lola anasema lazima tuguse wakati huo.

THIS IS NO TIME FOR LAUGHTER! Kwah snaps harshly then lowers her voice eyeing her sisters. Yes, this is the feather of an angel. And Lola says we must touch it at the same time.

Na kisha tunageuka kuwa ndege, sawa?

And then we turn into birds, right? Afiya snickers.

Nitaweka manyoya haya ardhini, na tutafanya kama alivyoamuru!

I will place this feather on the ground, and we will do as she instructed!

Becoming sensitive to her seriousness, Zuri and Afiya agrees.

As soon as they touch the feather together, it illuminates, frightening them. It then rapidly disintegrates.

Nini kitaendelea?

What happens next? Zuri pants.

Embarrassed and disappointed, Kwah shrugs, then heads home as her sisters follow.

81639.png

When Kwah, Zuri and Afiya arrive back to their village, they are surprised to find it in flames with malicious white men torturing and killing their people. Kwah lets out a loud cry and quickly covers Afiya’s eyes as she witnesses one of the invaders rape a young girl.

The sisters’ intentions are to run and hide but find themselves located in the center of the chaos. They wail in distress, huddled together with the men running past them never harming them.

Zuri screams as she witnesses Santu being savagely beaten. She breaks away from her sisters to rescue him. Kwah runs after her as Zuri picks up a rock with intentions of killing the man beating Santu. Afiya hides behind a tree, scared for her sisters. As Zuri stretches her hand out to strike him, Santu’s mother jumps on the man’s back and bites his ear. She is then stabbed in the back by another man. Santu screams out his mother’s name horrified! Too weak to stand, he crawls towards her crying. Zuri attempts to grab Santu to comfort him but comes to a halt when a horse startles her, standing on its hind legs neighing.

SANTU! Zuri screams as two men hauls him onto a wagon, then rushes off.

Zuri runs behind him devastated, calling his name until she drops to her knees out of breath. Kwah races to her sister’s aid, embracing her and trembling. Afiya dashes from behind the tree saturated with bird poop, clinging onto her sisters.

The sisters have no idea that by touching the feather, they have become immortal, invisible to the living.

2

*This chapter has Swahili to English translation

3 MONTHS LATER

Lying on the sandy shore of the Niger River, just minutes away from the traces of their once-thriving home, Kwah feels the gentle touch of a light breeze caressing her skin.

Her gazing is fixed on the sunny sky, an odd sight as the sun doesn’t blind her as it would to the human eye.

In a daze, she lies there, missing Lola and hoping for a sign from the heavens.

Her mind drifts, and she cringes as the memory of seeing white men for the first-time replays in her thoughts. The hatred simmers within her for the horrors they have inflicted on her people.

Strangely, with the sound of crashing waves, Kwah can still hear the desperate pleas of her people begging to be set free.

Overwhelmed, she covers her ears, trying to block out the haunting echoes.

A voice breaks through the chaos, calling her name.

The unexpected sound pierces through Kwah’s disoriented state, and she lifts her head, searching for the source of the voice.

A mix of confusion and curiosity fills her as she listens, hoping for a connection to the world beyond the devastation that surrounds her.

Kwah! Tafadhali Msaada! Kwah!"

KWAH! PLEASE HELP! A voice haunts her shouting directly in her ear, causing her to scurry to her feet, frightened. KWAH!

Kwah covers her ears then speaks aloud for it to stop as she trembles.

KWAH! The voice cries out in an underwater gurgling sound.

She then hears gulping as if the person is drowning.

HAPANA! HAPANA! HAPANA! Ni shetani anayepiga jina langu! Ninakemea .........

NO! NO! NO! Kwah whispers harshly, then shuts her eyes praying the voice would go away! It is the devil calling my name! I rebuke………

Surprisingly, she finds herself underwater, navigating the currents, and battling to rescue a man and his young son from the clutches of drowning.

Despite never having been taught to swim, Kwah challenges strength and determination, to save them.

In an astonishing turn of events, she envisions herself effortlessly carrying both the man and the boy to the safety of the shore. Although their clothes are drenched, Kwah remains completely dry, untouched by the water and she is dressed in all white attire.

The young boy, no more than four years old, appears lifeless as Kwah gently touches his face.

In a miraculous moment, he chokes and awakens, with the spark of life returning.

Asante! Wewe ni Malaika wa Mungu!

Thank you! You are an angel of God! He attempts to hug her but stops.

Afiya startles Kwah by shaking her with excitement.

Kwah opens her eyes, shocked to find herself lying back in the sand on the river’s shore, dressed in her dingy gray dress.

She whistles, allowing a bird to land on her shoulder.

LOLA ALIKUWA SAHIHI! NIMEUNGANISHWA NA NDEGE! WANANIPENDA!

LOLA WAS RIGHT! I AM CONNECTED WITH BIRDS! THEY LOVE ME! Afiya giggles then whistles causing two more birds to land on her.

AFIYA! NILIWAONA! Lola amenipa ishara kwa kunipeleka kwenye safari isiyoelezeka. Afiya niliona watu wetu! Watu wote wazungu waliwachukua kutoka kijijini kwetu! Nilikuwa na nguvu! Nilimuokoa mwanamume na mtoto kutokana na kuzama majini! Anatazama angani na kuanza kupiga kelele kana kwamba anazungumza na Mungu na Lola. TAFADHALI NIRUDISHE HUKO!

AFIYA! I SAW THEM! Kwah’s heart begins to flutter. Lola has given me a sign by taking me on an unexplainable journey! Afiya, I saw our people! All the people the white men took from our village! I was strong! I saved a man and a child from drowning! She looks to the sky and begins shouting as if to speak to God and Lola. PLEASE SEND ME BACK THERE!

KWAH! NITAKUWA NA BIRDS!

KWAH! I CAN SING WITH THE BIRDS! She joyfully claps her hands for more birds to land on her.

NINASEMA! NITUMIA HAPA! NIMEKUHUSA KUSAIDIA! NILIKUWA STRONG! NILITUMIA KABLA Sijui NILIKUWA NINI!

I SAW THEM! Kwah’s heart continues to flutter. TAKE ME BACK THERE! I NEED TO HELP THEM! I WAS STRONG! I FOUND THEM BUT I DON’T KNOW WHERE I WAS! She continues shouting towards the sky.

Zuri sadly looks out at the river, praying for Santu to return. The day the white men took him away, put a dagger in her heart. Curious to know what her sister is raving about; she prances towards them. Seconds before reaching them, Zuri’s eyes widens, and she begins to scream frantically as her body begins to float in the air.

Kwah and Afiya are flabbergasted.

OH MUNGU!

Zuri continues to scream frantically. OH GOD!

Kwah and Afiya comes to her rescue by pulling onto her long dress, weighing her down.

NI SHETANI! SHETANI AMEKUFANYIA PUTO YA SHETANI! KAA MBALI NA SISI ZURI!

IT’S THE DEVIL! THE DEVIL HAS MADE YOU A DEVIL BALLOON! STAY AWAY FROM US ZURI! Afiya trembles as she throws a handful of sand at her.

Suddenly, the birds begin to circle around Zuri’s head, chirping. Although they sound like ordinary birds to Kwah and Zuri, she can hear the birds laughing and telling her that it is all God’s doing and that the devil has nothing to do with what is happening to them. Afiya appears in a trance as the birds educate her.

AFIYA! Kwah and Zuri tries shooing the birds away.

Afiya takes a deep breath then smiles. She begins speaking in English, a language she and her sisters have never known.

We are lifeless! She speaks with a heavy tone.

Afiya’s heavy tone frightens Kwah and Zuri. They are also stunned that Afiya has spoken a foreign language unknown to them. However, they are amazed that they can clearly understand her.

Sisters! We are lifeless! Afiya continues. We are immortal! When Lola died, so did we, the very day we touched the feather. It is our duty to protect our enslaved innocent….

AFIYA! ZURI! WHAT’S HAPPENING TO……. Kwah panics as she begins to slowly vanish.

Afiya faints in Zuri’s arms, exhausted from the powerful possession. Terrified and lonely, Zuri cups her little sister in her arms.

GOD PLLLLLLLLLLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! HELP US! Zuri’s voice echoes throughout the lonely shore.

She screams frantically as she witnesses Afiya disintegrate into a pile of ash.

3

Kwah trembles as her body slowly drifts into darkness. The sounds of clanking chains echo around her and soon becomes unbearably loud, along with an offbeat rhythm of a drum. She attempts to cover her ears, but a powerful force prevents her from doing so. Soon the floating comes to an abrupt stop followed by silence. Kwah then sees a hologram of herself and Zuri, at ages 9 and 11, showering their beautiful mother with hugs and kisses. She smiles as her comical father is seen making faces and tickling 6-year-old Afiya. Enlightened by the scene, Kwah wishes time could go back.

As the hologram fades, she experiences rumbles of thunder, lightning, and flashing images of how her parents became victims to a virus that swept through their village. Teary-eyed, her heart sinks. Startled, she feels a presence embracing her for comfort. Kwah begins to cry helplessly but then tries to remain calm by telling herself that it must be God, his angels and Lola comforting her. Grateful, she tries to speak aloud to thank them, but her voice is muted.

Kwah’s body begins to rapidly descend before coming to another stop. A strong stench of feces, urine, and vomit causes her to gag. She tries to cover her nose but is still unable to move her hands or arms. Light appears and Kwah finds herself standing at the bottom of an empty ship. It is filled with screams and cries, but she sees no one. As her eyes shifts around in disbelief, her heart sinks at the sight of human bondage, evidence of inhumane shackles and chains. Suddenly, ghostly images of her people appear, overcrowded, and shackled. They were speaking languages unfamiliar to Kwah, overwhelming her. Within minutes, silence surrounds her before they resumed speaking. Surprisingly, they were now all speaking one language, English.

She remains silent as she witnesses the disturbing scene. One of six white guards are whipping a Togolese woman, just for asking to be unshackled to breast feed her child. Another slave is being scolded for sneezing and coughing, then strangled because a guard feared other slaves would become sick; a threat to expected slavery sales. The guards then carries three dead bodies to the ships upper level. With the request of the captain, a Ghanaian priest is unshackled to pray over the bodies before they were tossed overboard. The priest is then escorted back downstairs and shackled.

Kwah is unaware that she’s invisible and attempts to approach the beaten woman but is forcibly paralyzed, preventing her from doing so. The priest slips out of his shackles to comfort the woman. He then sadly informs her that her baby has died from starvation and was tossed overboard. The woman’s painful scream echoes throughout the ship. It pierces through Kwah’s heart, causing her to also scream, unmuted with a strong reverb.

Frightened by the reverb, the slaves go into a panic, their screams echoing through the air in a desperate plea for freedom and salvation. Annoyed by the noise the guards descend back to the bottom level, savagely beating them. Kwah lets out another reverbing scream, shockingly causing the guards to scurry back upstairs.

Two of the guards are forcibly pulled back down the stairs, by an unknown force. Kwah has no idea that her anger was the source of the violent energy that manifested around her.

In the eyes of the guards, Kwah’s form appeared distorted, a raging and floating figure, something they couldn’t comprehend. The fear in their eyes was palpable as they helplessly witnessed their bodies being lifted off the ground and then brutally slammed against the cold metal walls of the ship.

The slaves are traumatized as they witness the guards being tormented by an invisible force. Their uproar from the chaotic scene causes the remaining ship’s crew to race from the upper level. Kwah frowns as they try to escape.

As they scream for mercy, an evil practicing slave, Odom Ouayeeo, chants in a whisper, fearless and curious to see who the violent presence is among them.

Instantly, Kwah becomes visible to his eyes only, seeing her as half human and half creature. He stands to his feet grinning, amazed that she has come to save them. Within seconds, he is knocked out after being struck by the creature’s tail. Kwah begins to feel tightness around her neck with her body ascending, fading away from the scene.

Darkness surrounds Kwah for the third time as the tightness around her neck causes her to frantically gasp for air. Frightened, she feels someone tying her hands behind her back. A bright light begins to speed towards her then explodes with daylight appearing. Shocked, Kwah sees herself dangling from a tree, naked, with a noose around her neck. She is then cut from the tree as a white man begins beating her savagely.

A bright ray of light blinds her as her body begins to spin in circles before it rapidly ascends into darkness among the stars. Her body stiffens as a glowing white fabric embraces her naked body, with a shorter piece slowly wrapping around her head. Her eyes bulge in astonishment as she feels the roots of her hair mysteriously sprouting and extending all the way to her shoulders, creating a surreal and otherworldly transformation. She trembles as a presence, dresses her wrists and neck with gold. The sounds of a beating drum begins with a melodic dancing rhythm, accompanied by a joyful choir-like harmonic oohs. A reflection of herself is deliberately revealed to her. She witnesses herself transform from a skinny, ashy 18-year-old to a 35-year-old dark-chocolate beautiful mature woman.

You must never disobey the 6th Commandment of God! Lola roars before making herself visible. Come with me! You will learn of the powers you need for your journey! But first we must wait for your sisters to arrive. She smiles as a beautiful summer day falls upon them.

81610.png

The crowing of a rooster awakens Afiya in a panic. She finds herself dressed in all white lying in a chicken coop.

About time you wakes up! I am ’bout crowed out!

Afiya eyed the rooster stunned, almost certain that it spoke. She regained her composure with her eyes shifting around the coop, confused; wondering where she was and how did she get there.

A skinny, 11-year-old slave girl startles her when she sticks her head in the coop, frowning.

I sees you be finally decided to wake up! She huffs. This is the second time Mrs. Beck sent me out in this here coop to get some eggs and you be in my way! She lowered her voice to a whisper. If I makes up another excuse, I be get myself back sided by Mrs. Beck and then back sided by my Ma-Ma! And Lord knows I will die if I gets it from Sir Massa Beck!

Afiya stares at the girl, speechless.

Where did you run away from? The girl pats her hips impatiently.

Afiya gives the girl a blank stare then attempts to crawl out of the chicken coop.

NO! The girl stops her in a panic. You must stay put til we figures how to get you back to ya……. She lets out a loud cry after being whacked on her backside.

NUNU, QUIT TALKIN’ TO THOSE CHICKENS AND FETCH MRS. BECK A BASKET OF EGGS LIKE SHE TELLS YA TO! Her mother struck her backside a second time.

Afiya climbs out of the chicken coop then throws her hands up to stop the woman as she attempts to hit her daughter a third time. The woman’s mouth flies open with fear as she experiences something forcing her arm to stop in midair. Unable to see Afiya, she backs away, terrified, then accuses her daughter of being a devil.

No Ma-Ma! Me’s not be’s a devil! NuNu cries, confused as her mother runs into the house.

Afiya ignores the woman’s fleeing; fascinated by the size of the house. She had never seen a house before other than the ones back home. She then turns her attention to NuNu who is quickly placing eggs in a basket, sniffling.

I understand your language. How can that be? Afiya finally speaks. And the words of your language is coming from my mouth! How is this? Who is responsible for this devil work? What is happening to me? Where am I?

I AM NO DEVIL! GET AWAY FROM ME! NuNu snaps in a harsh whisper, shooing her away as she heads towards the house with Afiya at her heels. I SAYS GETS AWAY FROM ME! YOU CAUSED ME A WHIPPIN’! STAY AWAY ‘FORE I TELL MRS. BECK THAT YA TRESPASSIN’! GO BACK WHERE YA RUN FROM ‘FORE YA FIND YA-SELF HANGIN’ FROM A TREE!"

"I run from no place! Where