UNKNOWN LAND - STRANGERS ON THE HIGHWAY

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsbv2dt1Sg

Chapter 7: Strangers on the Highway

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BcOEFggMW

"Not every smile hides kindness, and not every warning comes from an enemy."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUSYePzI01

The first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds as Tunde, Musa, and Emeka woke inside the abandoned hut.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YoBUHLs4f

The storm had passed.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDGusl7EBV

The air smelled fresh.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPGw81RrP6

Birds sang from nearby trees.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQZA62psc3

For a brief moment, the world seemed peaceful.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYMP2jSkSI

But their journey was far from peaceful.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxDPzzDClk

After sharing the last pieces of bread they had, the three friends packed their bags and returned to the road.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1VwiFk6aK

The highway stretched endlessly before them.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkiFxb4lTP

Unlike the quiet paths near Ajanaku, this road was alive.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHPJ0zvOjw

Trucks thundered past.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQdUPgVBEB

Buses raced by in clouds of dust.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXr3lE0a7J

Motorcycles weaved between vehicles.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHy3C9BshN

The noise was overwhelming.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEoJ6z6STg

Musa stared in amazement.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2bI2Kj5e5

"I've never seen so many people moving at once."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeuzttToHN

Tunde nodded.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9cwPVQKdC

"It feels like the whole world is traveling."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EEsVubDae

Emeka remained silent.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCmgn3Jnvu

His eyes studied everything carefully.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8MfimjXdn

Every traveler.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS8eHfe1fw

Every vehicle.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDLvpQ3Qze

Every face.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbZMedOt6N

The road was teaching him an important lesson.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrGycTgAXz

The world beyond the village was much bigger than he had imagined.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm2ryxQo3x

Hours passed.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNuY2s2OYu

The sun climbed higher.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiR0D9tqlu

The traffic increased.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WgXINMOm9

And with every passing moment, they encountered new people.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK6AKAkyhG

Some were friendly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2FWvuUq0D

Others were not.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pMBX8qnFh

Some carried stories.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiP8WVTgk6

Others carried secrets.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxfHVduGnN

Near midday, they met a middle-aged trader pushing a cart filled with fruits.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDMjVwMXkW

The man greeted them warmly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKA8QMlvHP

"Good afternoon, young men."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVd3CW44l3

"Good afternoon, sir," they replied.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JkpE2PyYr

The trader smiled.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINOLYtrsO3

"You look tired."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5686f7OE5

"We've been walking since yesterday," Musa admitted.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq1YzJDxRV

The man nodded knowingly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG8zzcXNKt

Then he handed each of them an orange.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTnx1m5dtw

The boys exchanged surprised glances.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv46VWidMp

"Thank you, sir."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxIklVcd2O

The trader waved dismissively.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZkxWJ0UPo

"One day you may help someone else."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuojxXq0IZQ

As he continued on his journey, Tunde smiled.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgdtVqRBng

"There are still good people in the world."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpM1qG21Ve

"Yes," Emeka replied.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZB8GZB8yK

"But not everyone."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs5UGFf630

The warning would soon prove true.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgfUWwCp2u

By late afternoon, the three friends arrived at a busy roadside market.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP63ehMpGX

Dozens of travelers filled the area.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAhIrSrwgr

Vendors shouted loudly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh8Df2n0eS

Children ran between stalls.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XqLAXZmDs

Vehicles stopped briefly before continuing their journeys.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx6Etazdrj

The place buzzed with life.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7oagUPiei

The boys decided to rest.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUNufBlBM4

They sat beneath a tree and watched the crowd.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMvokCLpxd

That was when a well-dressed man approached them.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ85rZYUnAB

He appeared friendly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxBvuVpIdP

Confident.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqDKseNFkt

Successful.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFzP1q1pYw

His expensive shoes immediately caught Musa's attention.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh95MgyGpjN

The stranger smiled warmly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ3ZppfHtn

"You boys look new to the road."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDoCkBPSqr

Tunde nodded cautiously.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wYgWxVQtr

"We are."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l2P4X0St4

The man sat beside them.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1m6s4u6VC

"Traveling to the city?"

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp0B5QSWJP

"Yes."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCudBeM4iUC

The stranger's smile widened.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NxBqoIOZm

"Perfect."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hjOYvepkB

The boys exchanged curious glances.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkp9R5wBr6

The man introduced himself as Chief Benson.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQLz2pOxmj

According to him, he owned several businesses in the city.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiID4ckvtP

As the conversation continued, his promises became increasingly attractive.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkKuzgt0U9

"I can help you."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGbQZSrLzK

The three friends listened carefully.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8DmJJR5FT

"There are jobs available."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGAxfIjleA

Their eyes brightened.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLvkIGpNxH

"Good jobs."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrl9Tzx5Wa

Their hope grew stronger.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJwGeF7zkA

"Accommodation too."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsu2WlN7oW

Now they were fully interested.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcRSeBMEQD

Everything sounded too good to be true.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplP2HAd2MC

And that was exactly the problem.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVHVLO8adg

A Yoruba proverb says:

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvALSKiPErU

"The fish that rushes toward every bait often ends up in a basket."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqVDHEvKt8

But hope has a way of silencing wisdom.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcp1dMoDUQ

The stranger continued speaking.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdoNtx7Q7I

"You seem hardworking."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLNcKALumh

"We are," Tunde replied.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyACzvc8DWj

"Excellent."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXuPsOOesZ

Chief Benson smiled.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC20z3fP3Vj

"I can arrange everything."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6H7s03EM6

For a moment, the future seemed brighter.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIt1JJZeuO

Easier.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrelxywYb3

Almost magical.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI2vLqCBzG

Then something unexpected happened.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkeEIILgeF

An old woman selling roasted groundnuts nearby suddenly interrupted.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bfdFvUZGc

"Young men."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJomYkniHFm

The boys turned toward her.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9JzQEa8Lg

The woman looked directly into their eyes.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlGj18kbIe

"Be careful."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPybX1d7ku6

An uncomfortable silence followed.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MlbGAUheh

Chief Benson's smile vanished instantly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGOkzEM9IF

The old woman continued.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aDnqf0qMc

"Not every path leads where it claims."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU0eh70uPt

The stranger stood abruptly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZFnhm21mn

His friendly appearance disappeared.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp4r3VX76S

"Mind your business."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hTysjYOmQ

The woman refused to look away.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniVWOuUlfN

"I am minding my business."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWOvbA81Jw

The tension was immediate.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnFniTPJbP

The boys exchanged nervous glances.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsStWVn1UFC

Something felt wrong.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7nZCgfsp5

Very wrong.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvYewse4d9

Chief Benson forced another smile.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0SCHCsXVy

Then he turned back to them.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKD3pTgO6Y

"Think about my offer."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfyUZ28iUb

Without another word, he walked away.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyrMU1vuql

The old woman watched until he disappeared into the crowd.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoyeVvi0b9

Only then did she approach them.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzXWEDIacT

"Listen carefully."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKThr5VGRs

The three friends leaned forward.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3Y9hpjKHp

"I've been selling here for twenty years."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJS5xvWOlc

Her voice was calm.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhugHQ6OAN8

"I have seen many young travelers."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OffzM3vC8

She pointed toward the road.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVhfIvUWEL

"Some reached their destination."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJF5fDErPX

A pause.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2CZ2zCqh1

"Others disappeared."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuz9L1XatW

Fear crept into Musa's chest.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgJvwG3ypU

The woman continued.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1iRIeD904

"That man approaches young travelers every month."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPiL3QIgUc

"What does he do?" Emeka asked.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqFAnUeYhv

The old woman shook her head.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFxkRZpSpZ

"Nobody knows exactly."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlxCW1WdPM

The answer was frightening.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZJsNOEwUi

"But many who follow him never return."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHAsbev98l

Silence followed.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg6ixIeidg

A chill ran through the three friends.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaQnfYTPVs

They had almost trusted him.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRawl1TO3z

Almost followed him.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNogGStoKCv

Almost walked into danger.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT7793oNZl

The old woman sighed.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V0iqHxAUL

Then she spoke another proverb.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEsNx2LTDD

"The stranger who offers you a crown before knowing your name often hides chains behind his back."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4dmBaWTrb

The lesson was clear.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAT8Fx5OAP

Not every opportunity was genuine.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuZJYFzHDW

Not every smiling face was trustworthy.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPywg59rD1T

The boys thanked her sincerely.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwu1Fs2blr

As they prepared to leave, she handed them a small bag of roasted groundnuts.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWFMX818Jb

"For the road."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWFNocPWtk

Musa smiled.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4ysQ4lqWh

"Thank you, Mama."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Mlwv2D8X5

The woman nodded.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7aUaYe1ya

"Travel safely."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXrY1HQveo

As evening approached, the friends continued walking.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSprRNLwcw8

The highway slowly grew quieter.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8I9xiEMPS

The market faded behind them.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVr56BRb8j

The encounter with Chief Benson remained fresh in their minds.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGSbwtzlsy

Finally, Tunde spoke.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI2ahEmHJB

"We almost followed him."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LdE0dkItP

"Yes."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHuo1rdx0W

Musa shivered.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMVRkj7Pwv

"Imagine where we might be now."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7iNWX25hr

Emeka looked toward the horizon.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MZtfSSkpO

"Or what might have happened."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGYqfBa3y7

Nobody said anything else.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfUVlvUTbl

The thought was terrifying.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc57EjVM1bo

As darkness descended, they found shelter beneath a large tree.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJzMLILRCK

Exhausted, they sat together.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K6nfiNfgq

The events of the day replayed in their minds.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlo1UquUjb

The kind fruit seller.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRbhpP03Gc

The suspicious businessman.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM4YLgSrKs

The wise old woman.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uyjpCMcSG

Three strangers.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn21xj7EKM

Three lessons.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4aK3JBaXd

Three reminders that the world was far more complicated than they had imagined.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEBNKTqMnm

Before sleeping, Emeka opened his notebook.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa4zIUu2Nj

By lantern light, he wrote:

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4p5k4kh4V

"Today we learned that the road contains both helpers and hunters. Wisdom is knowing the difference."

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9scQeBgg0U

He closed the notebook slowly.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhrFl9dPIh

Above them, stars filled the sky.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSut95W3HkN

The same stars that shone above Ajanaku.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J29O6HEsh

The same stars their families might be looking at.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Q6SoWVqC

For a moment, the distance between them and home felt smaller.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pNjlzQ8KL

But only for a moment.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Z8Z1SCTe

Because tomorrow would bring another day.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCybX1Z0fV

Another stretch of highway.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIaRQ1mjgw

Another test.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P73Hber8Y

Another lesson.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpizkFIAYl

And somewhere ahead, hidden beyond countless roads and endless miles, the Unknown Land continued to wait.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc3fn4WfbF

Patiently.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1s5BUAwul

Silently.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpabksMyzjg

Watching them come closer.

68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdnqceu7tn
68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCb8WcLw3K

ns216.73.217.139da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically