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The cool sound of breeze rushed into Nkem's room from both sides of the windows, and the curtains could be seen flapping uncontrollably. This chilling weather was all we needed for a peaceful night's rest, after experiencing a long summer season throughout the beginning of the year.
Even in the peaceful realms of sleep, Nkem wouldn't stop rolling from one end of the bed to the other under his fuzzy blanket woven from the threads of yesteryears.
"Wake up sons! it's time for school" Mum called out at us.
"I had another bad dream again Mum, and this time I was tied to a stake after the Taliban leader told his bo...."- "Shut up with your bad dreams talk again, you are late for school already, get up from that bed and go take your bath" Mum interrupted as she walked out of the room.
Nkem is my senior brother and I have grown to know him to be a brave young boy, but lately, I have been seeing signs of fear and distress in his eyes, especially whenever he wakes up from sleep.
"This is unlike you brother, what's really the problem, it seems like your bad dreams are becoming more constant and scarier these days."
"I think I know where all these bad dreams are coming from brother, and that's the more reason am scared. Am afraid the consequence of my action is about to lead to my death" Nkem said sadly with tears dropping from his eyes.
"Action? Death? Brother! what are you trying to say, and what are you hiding from us?"
I had never seen my brother cry before, because he was the Apple of Mum's eyes, and she had spoiled him with affection and care throughout his lifetime. Mum would always tell us that Nkem reminded her of our Dad who had died many years ago.
I wasn't opportuned to get to know my Dad because he passed on when I was only about 1 year and 6 months. Nkem has been like a father and brother to me at the same time. He was all I had apart from Mum, and I couldn't see him in such pain.
I rushed out to call Mum who at this time was happily preparing our breakfast, as she sang and slightly danced while dishing the food.
"why are you not dressed for school yet? It seems you boys don't want to go to school again"- mum said angrily as she saw me approaching.
"Mum, come quickly oo, I do not understand what Nkem is saying, come and talk to your son. I think there's a big challenge oo.
Before I could continue talking, Mum pushed me and ran towards our room. I picked up the big spoon that fell from her hand to the ground, and I joined them in the room.
"What's the matter son, what could be bothering you that you could tell me your mother?".
"Mum, I think the gods of our land are after my life"
"Why would you say such a thing son? what do you even know about the gods of our land? and what do you mean by after your life? talk to me!- mum shouted angrily as she was becoming impatient.
Nkem was literally shivering as he began to tell us about how his best friend and him took their cheeky adventures to the shrine of Ikenga (the spider God).
"3 weeks ago, Festus and I went to destroy the shrine of Ikenha because we felt he was powerless. We killed that greenish spider (which was believed to be the child of Ikenha)"
"Abomination! What have you done to yourself, son? Ah, you have finished me"
"Is it not Festus that died last week?" I interrupted anxiously with this question.
"Yes, Festus died last week, and just like me, he was complaining of nightmares and bad dreams a few days before his death."
"For how long have you been having these bad dreams, son?"
"I have been having these dreams for over 1 week now, and everyday the dreams kept getting scarier. I do not want to die now mum, please help me"- Nkem began crying loudly as he held his mother's leg.
I couldn't help myself as I discovered I was crying along with them. I can't afford to lose another father figure in the house. Mum would be miserable for the rest of her life if anything bad happens to Nkem. Crying wasn't going to solve the problem, so I suggested we go confess and appease the gods of the land.
The juju priest demanded that we should bring 1 full-grown cow for sacrifice. Nkem's life is more important than 10 cows put together. So Mum sold our only land to buy the cow and perform the sacrifice.
"The bad dreams might continue because It's not within my powers to stop them." "However, I would recommend a dream catcher for you son" - the juju priest added.
The priest brought a spiderweb-like object that was designed with feathers and beats around it, and the priest handed it to us, as he said "This was going to protect us from bad dreams".
It was all smiles and a feeling of relief as we all walked home together. It was a tale of life and death for Nkem, and now he is feeling like the Lord of good dreams. Every night Nkem would place the dream catcher in front of his bed before sleeping, and when he wakes up it would all be a testimony of good dreams. The dream catcher filters all the bad dreams, and only allow the good dreams to come to him.
4 months have passed, and Nkem has grown even bigger. It seems like the dream catcher has been giving him too much peace of mind, lol. The magical effect of the dream catcher was spread throughout the land, as Nkem now enjoys all his dreams. This was how all the villagers of Ikom created their dreamcatchers just to feel the magic of a good dream.
THE END