A young man's stomach growled with anticipation as his lean frame navigated the winding streets of Lagos. The scent of sizzling meat and spices wafted through the air, drawing him closer to his destination as he moved with carefree abandon. His bright brown eyes scanned the crowded market, taking in the vibrant colors and lively chatter of the vendors around him.
As he walked, the sounds of the market grew louder, the clang of pots, the chatter of customers, and the wail of sirens in the distance. His senses were on high alert, absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling market.
He turned a corner, and the sign "Auntie's Jollof Rice" came into view. His heart skipped a beat as he quickened his pace, his stomach rumbling with hunger. He had been craving Auntie's jollof rice all day, and finally, he was about to indulge.
"Auntie, your jollof rice is the best in all of Lagos!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement as he approached the stall.
Auntie smiled, ladling a generous portion of the steaming dish onto a plate. The scent of the rice filled the air, making his mouth water with anticipation.
"Ah, you're too kind. Come, take a plate," Auntie said, her voice warm and inviting. His thoughts drifted back to his childhood, when he would help his mother cook jollof rice for special occasions. The smell of the rice brought back fond memories.
Just as Auntie handed him the plate, the generator powering the stall suddenly malfunctioned. Sparks flew, and the pot of jollof rice tipped over, spilling scalding hot rice onto his chest and arms. The burning sensation was immediate and excruciating, making him scream in agony. He dropped the plate, the sound of shattering ceramic echoing in his ears as he stumbled backward, clutching at his burning skin.
Vendors and market-goers rushed to his aid, trying to extinguish the flames and ease his pain. The smell of burning flesh and rice filled the air, making his stomach churn. He fell to the ground, unconscious, as the sounds of the market grew fainter.
As he lay on the ground, he saw a vision of his childhood, playing with his friends in the streets. He remembered his mother's laughter and the carefree days. But soon the vision faded, and he was left with the pain, then darkness.
---
The Void
Femi found himself in a vast, empty space, surrounded by a soft, white light that seemed to envelop him in its warmth. The air was still, almost unnaturally so, and the silence was deafening. He blinked, trying to make sense of his surroundings, but the light was everywhere, pressing in on him from all sides.
"Where...where am I?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
A gentle, ethereal voice responded, "You are between worlds, Femi. Your life has ended."
Femi's eyes widened as he stared into the void. "Ah, Femi...yes, that's my name. I remember now. I'm dead."
The voice remained silent, allowing Femi to process his newfound awareness.
Femi's gaze fell to his hands, and he flexed his fingers, marveling at their ghostly transparency. "I'm really gone, aren't I? My life, my friends, my family...it's all over."
The silence that followed was oppressive, weighing heavily on Femi's spirit. He felt a pang of regret, a longing for the life he had lost. But before he could dwell on it, a new voice spoke up. It was low and menacing, sending a chill down his spine.
"Yes, you will do nicely," the voice sneered, followed by a cold, mirthless laugh.
Femi's heart raced as he looked around, trying to locate the source of the voice. But there was nothing, just the endless white light.
Before the voice could continue, a second, more powerful voice intervened. "Stay out of this," it commanded, its tone firm and authoritative.
The malicious voice laughed again, its tone dripping with malice. "You lied...no, I've chosen!" it exclaimed, its laughter growing louder and more maniacal.
Femi felt a strange sensation, as if he were being pulled apart and reassembled. His vision blurred, and his senses reeled, the world spinning around him. The light began to dim, replaced by shadows that stretched and twisted into strange, unfamiliar shapes.
"What's happening to me?" Femi cried out, his voice trembling with fear.
But there was no answer. The voices faded, leaving him alone in the growing darkness. He felt himself falling, tumbling through the void, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear.
And then, there was nothing.