UNKNOWN LAND - CHAPTER 23: THE FUNERAL OF A DREAM

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85TMcLE6IS

Chapter 23: The Funeral of a Dream

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDK4kni6nv

"Not every funeral is for a person. Sometimes, the hardest funerals are for the dreams we once believed would save us."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTMaCynIBR

The night after receiving the warning felt endless.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CXGDpQoz8

Tunde and Musa sat awake until dawn.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE15I1b8WZJ

The rain continued to fall.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YLEc9mgqU

The wind howled against the windows.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDxdMhU0SX

And fear sat silently between them.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnXF8eGTfX

Tomorrow.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cmZTGiXFE

The word echoed in their minds.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0CQROVIbH

Tomorrow, Emeka could disappear forever.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9XwcrjSd1

Tomorrow, every clue could vanish.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCqOtBKA9h

Tomorrow, hope itself could be buried.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEkXtgF8l6

Yet as the morning arrived, another battle was taking place inside both men.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLZfA7Soax

A battle between reality and dreams.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZqgKP0XrM

For years, they had carried a vision in their hearts.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVVqSHYAqo

The vision of success.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcP0OSw1gG

The vision of wealth.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XmZOYO9LD

The vision that had pulled them away from Ajanaku.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV3vMy22Lk

The dream that had convinced them to leave their families behind.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigFvcmnC2D

The dream that had promised them a better life.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkImeokXs8b

But now, looking back, that dream seemed broken.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8WJbLBMZh

Almost dead.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNWpeDVPAH

A Yoruba proverb says:

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWoQY21Jh3

"The child who chases a rainbow may forget the warmth of the sun behind him."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzg4DYsAOm

In chasing distant promises, they had lost many things.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXwJrHMBmF

Peace.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0duV04kdy

Security.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJOmIb0sUL

Innocence.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmarR0EVAld

And now perhaps even a friend.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT4qItS4b2

The realization was painful.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUIJK9ly7w

That afternoon, Tunde received a letter.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MohEU1oQ2

A real letter.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8QQj5S1Uk

Handwritten.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PWxTXFtjV

From his father.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FjZfws8tQ

The envelope was worn from its long journey.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j5tuBkwvN

His hands trembled as he opened it.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mCyu14Ogh

Inside were simple words.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmyNVFQdCg

Words written by a farmer whose hands knew hard work better than writing.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoSdQADG4P

"My son,

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylhILBFUSY

We miss you.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE1i3WemEI

Your mother prays for you every morning.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKK4hL4PTG

The village is not the same without you.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT4DeSfCao

The old mango tree finally fell during the rainy season.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUhVOtsg9c

The farm survives.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOodXJt7rh

We survive.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsYpbQvnCv

But we miss your laughter.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lRnPJJwP5

Remember this: success is good, but a good heart is better.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPWCl4KfZJ

Do not lose yourself while searching for what you do not yet have.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sl9wIcqTh

Your father."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLcgMinI5C

Tunde stared at the letter for a long time.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24ceYtsAvy

Then tears filled his eyes.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX5U0cc366

For the first time since leaving home, he allowed himself to grieve.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhnpcQnZbg

Not for money.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3V0Y6GmkK

Not for failure.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh2LOEZn5P

But for everything he had left behind.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSRdY7YqPB

Meanwhile, Musa was having his own awakening.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8wxyXd8lQ

While cleaning the room, he discovered an old photograph.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFcq6ZmMJv

Three young men.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcPyErhTQY

Standing beside the dusty road leaving Ajanaku.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb29lIIzk2

Smiling.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwXm0ZuQbi

Laughing.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zezooJNhv

Dreaming.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm0xlkoI73

The day they began their journey.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrakhquJFcx

The photograph felt like a message from another lifetime.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAndBn7VrVW

The young men in that picture looked fearless.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6oEF3Ljxt

Hopeful.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX3Iil62Nf

Certain.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CULcmWlKl

They believed the city would welcome them.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPk2n4npFy

They believed success was waiting.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKQlejD3O9

They believed life would become easier.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWq0PKbLLx

How little they knew.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQqALk0qLx

Musa sat quietly staring at the image.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCa207avIP

Then he whispered,

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5aVuv6PaN

"We buried our innocence the day we left."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXIvQYzTwM

The words carried a painful truth.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhAFaAM13Z

Dreams are beautiful.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGEHUUvCYd

But reality often asks a price.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubFba0Gxt9

And they had paid dearly.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IiD4uTlNf

Across the city, Emeka sat in darkness.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeUc7EF2Zq

The guards had become more nervous.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuxoyt5r9y

More aggressive.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXSCdmWvqe

Something was changing.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1lL8wGnXe

The atmosphere felt different.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVaufQttiJ

Dangerous.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhSmMRrYNO

Even without being told, he sensed it.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Sr9h0eqh1

A storm was approaching.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO4RXlUiaY

That evening, one of the younger guards secretly brought him extra food.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1xz7JDYMV

The same guard who once told him to stop hoping.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgoZ10WcIz

This time, however, the man's eyes looked troubled.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoJ2cqOFWY

Deeply troubled.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbZZzRmbJ5

"You should eat."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNYPPtT26X

Emeka looked at him.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgGMk7CtYf

"Why?"

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjh3F4V9zO

The guard hesitated.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8boWqRSOY

Then lowered his voice.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHM3PmMJ4I

"Because tomorrow may be difficult."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXImxx1GYKU

The words sent a chill through the room.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBTpAINpvA

"What happens tomorrow?"

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEvG1C8B6N

The guard remained silent.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo1MAhlWH2

Fear flashed across his face.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1U4EWLlc1

Then he quickly left.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkq91DMDNE

The door slammed shut.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhHvmURFO0

The lock clicked.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSfs7pPanS

And Emeka was alone again.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLUOzpSwaf

But now his heart raced.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD50eQ0iBE

Something terrible was coming.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCXbC0bQV5

That same night, Tunde, Musa, and the former warehouse employee met secretly.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuED8oekuUT

The man had gathered more information.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfn8Co32Bu

Not much.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNktJt5X0G

But enough.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QttEsp9PZ

"They're moving goods out of the factory."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X2UNgmhlq

"And Emeka?"

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MCiCPi9Xx

The man looked down.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8EeQkth0c

"I heard someone say he is a problem."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Coiuln7CH

Silence filled the room.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkN6qVMnaM

Nobody needed further explanation.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9nUbQOcmd

The meaning was obvious.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJTbesP9fW

Terrifyingly obvious.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNXDkDkxNH

If Emeka remained a threat to their operation, his life was in danger.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqim9i59fb

Real danger.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXjNjheDDj

Immediate danger.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlDqUWH8AS

Musa clenched his fists.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjyhgJruEu

Tunde stared into the darkness.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX0z7x3mpb

And in that moment, something inside them changed.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKlgBTBPZh

The dream that brought them to the Unknown Land suddenly felt meaningless.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIGMMffEqf

The dream of wealth.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSffvfZdDa

The dream of status.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouaIeqPRzI

The dream of success.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9mHSCvTAw

None of it mattered anymore.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXajsju7X4

Not compared to friendship.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo09e5Gfhkt

Not compared to loyalty.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6gcjYo4dR

Not compared to life.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDVIWbDdTn

A Yoruba proverb says:

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4us0OiaCOd

"When fire enters the house, nobody argues about the color of the curtains."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4EsnXGwyT

Some things become unimportant during a crisis.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAXSvB5Qjq

The future.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlDJ582ack

Money.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYgcQk44Yf

Ambition.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkTjoBUy0l

All of it faded.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwtpnTbHjV

Only one mission remained.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0NNTucJS1

Save Emeka.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EBs7TgTju

Nothing else mattered.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJjSpl7NKn

Late that night, Tunde opened Emeka's notebook.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K50xPFLYx

One final time.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MOHPZh00t

He turned through the pages slowly.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqgMmZOpNV

Then stopped at a passage written months earlier:

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYE3E311eE

"If we ever lose our way, may we remember why we started. We did not leave home only to become rich. We left to become better men."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8xE6Cmrvb

The words struck him deeply.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQTNPKvK47

Because somewhere along the journey, they had forgotten.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIHcF3Bv7V

Forgotten what truly mattered.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB7eqDLChU

Forgotten who they wanted to become.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD9yvzdA1F

Forgotten that success without character is failure in disguise.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPbvk7Cgwb

Tunde closed the notebook.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLejPs5o4zS

Then looked at Musa.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqIGLw9ysK

His voice was steady.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQlCdxEnYs

Firm.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9pNoiXDDU

Resolved.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlDmJyeV1o

"Tomorrow changes everything."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEqtpUVqmW

Musa nodded.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY1IOLGNY4

"No matter what happens."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1NSeTVj4N

"No matter what happens."

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb3DskA7Eq

Outside, the city lights shimmered beneath the darkness.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2aCWpAfIK

Beautiful.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmcZ5vdQZk

Cold.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w7UN4SCn2

Indifferent.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBpGdYrMr6

The Unknown Land had taken much from them.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62WYJU9fsJ

Their innocence.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5nUu2c8Ke

Their certainty.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchKNdvrwB0

Their old dreams.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkjOEz7xnn

And now, as dawn approached, it seemed ready to demand even more.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrVDk3ulOP

Because some dreams do not survive the journey.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDG5kc9aLf

Some dreams must be buried.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkf1yo80eB

Some dreams must be mourned.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFZU7yVb0n

And before a new dream can be born, the old one must first be laid to rest.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxBxAN68pf

The funeral had begun.

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOjw1UL8k4

45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfORdlAgBAL
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpHxlZP99M

ns216.73.217.114da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically