Mermaids of Calabar ( Beginning)

at had survived the war, Calabar was yet to recover back to it's former glory. Not only was the city struggling to rebuild but it was also facing the worst economic decline it's ever had,

control. With no means of getting a decent living, some of the pe

ormed. Every week, there were news of stolen goods at sea or reports of illegal contraband found in some docks in Calabar. There were occasion where the warehouses in the city were broken into and robbed

he pirate gang wars that constantly breaks out. Since the smuggling was so successful, there was a lot of intense competition and that brought a lot of enmity and hatred. The pirates who were all gre

d counsellors from the state districts organized a meeting and finally came up with

t only have his/her assets confiscated but they will also hand and if the pirate is clean of any loss of life then, he/

raband goods will not only lose his property and asse

10 at night without tangible evidence/evidence will be fined heavily a

ritual and other rites. Apart from the traditional worshippers, smugglers also used this opportunity to conduct their businesses without being detected but not all of the

ocal government area discussing about the pirate incident. The men who are also influential figures i

and nearly wiped everyone out of existence! What's the point of

something that you'll come to regret! At

not the one who has shipments out on sea. The cost of

ing that is happening

you say this is the will of God? Our ordered produ

one another won't solve the issue. However, I do

➡ You'

Ambrose ➡

rose, do you know who'

but we have a s

JOSE

e. I always knew that youn

saying that Joseph, that fish se

n't like that fellow but come on. Let's not forget that we ha

the Intel we've gathered, your shipment get

moh ➡

wimming at the docks or some river late at night. Can't you see the pattern here? What if Joseph is the p

That young man doesn'

ean. I'm telling you Joseph is behind this. Can't you see? Ever since he was brought int

e women of course. S

ey're fascinated and turned on

e saying is that Joseph stealing

a young man living with a poor woman

ou don't have proof and we can

d blame Chief priest of Ananse, his followers have done doing all sorts of

pears at the scene and blasts Asibong for his slanderous co

your foul mouth! How dare

n! Enough with this your Ananse

!! Ananse has been the protector of this nation long

progress with the sacrific

ur nation will face more greater crisis but there is a salvation and it lies in th

This is

ally expect us t

ictions should not be taken lightly. Also, that boy Joseph should

nd continue with your sacrifices. We wil

k my words. This is just the beg

ng themselves to be mislead by Satan.

t a pirate but if you're still insisting on it In

. I wonder what that

ch discussing the death of a neighbor's daughter whose body had been torn in half. Despite the trag

those that think that their actio

for her parents. She has brough

's nothing that can be done for he

going to marry her after she's done serving h

s a christian and nobody is an exception from temptati

becomes a lesson to all youngsters. Ou

Mine are not that bad. Besides th

ing of youngster

mm, still

boy of yours has grown into a fine male

h a good help. Yesterday he cleared out my husband's garage

im. That's why I encourage their friendship. Young men of this era ar

corrupted. May God save t

Is your son seeing an

much about his social life but I've seen

s). I hope Joseph is not interested in he

he girl? She's just a ca

rtainly interested in Joseph. I

a is a dedicated catholic and a good christ

at you're trying to do but that's not up to me

the way, w

always disappearing like a ghost. Josep

I just hope he's not at the

old that boy about going to the river, he never seems to listen. Th

may ask, what's

res of the sea. If you check his journals, you'd see the amazing drawings he had done about

did this obs

r since he

strange habit. Doe

s) I just hope he does

isn't that Josep

their way to their house and seeing the worried look on the face of the old man , Nkese knew that her son had done some

od evening

Evening

s somethin

. Your son was caught swim

Ah Josep

just working

stupid research!? What'

u wouldn't

ions are getting out of hand. Our local government chairman are getti

sey. I'll try talking

oseph. Don't ruin your life because

ss. If you'll all excuse me, I'l

son of yours

Because it's not normal for somebod

your mouth Francine. In fact, I'd like y

ure of her neighbors, Nkese enters her house to talk to Joseph. Here inside his bedroom, Joseph confines himself to his read

➡ Jo

h ➡ Y

ecial about it that you can't do away from it. You know the cris

ing my time in the river. It's a feeling I can't resist n

ee that it's gettin

Besides I'm not doing a

u please. Stop going to the river. Don't you

m. I won't change my ways just to please some peo

attracts the attention of Joseph who disliked seeing her like this. Keeping asid

hurt your feelings mom

know you're not involved in any smuggling but don't you know t

om, God is

tell you something that I sh

➡ What

ese proceeds to tell her son the truth about his existence. Listening to his foster mom with rapt attention, Joseph stares at the gem with renew

now you're n

t!? How did

her told me every

! I knew i shoudn

er saw who brought m

e ➡

his mean that my p

our blanket was covered in blood. The only t

didn't you te

was worried about your strange habit. It's obvious that your parents died in the crisis that occurred 10yrs ago and I was afraid

alright mom.

the river but please promise me that

romise mothe

be starting your degree tomorro

Everyth

his scholarship of yours so please use your time well and study. Don't was

easily swayed by women. You

nly going to be qui

hool doesn't mean I won't come and see you every

n but I'll be fine. Just co

her makes it back early.

man has spoilt you already.

you miss hi

'll be heading to my room now

anks mom. G

➡ Good