Akib kicked.
"What the…!" the players exclaimed.
The shot from him had just hit the building in front of the football pitch, and a crack was formed around the spot on the wall.
Every one of his friends who saw how Akib had unleashed all of his energy on the ball knew he had acted unfairly. It was obvious he had something troubling him, and he played in frustration—plus the opponent had scored two goals ahead.
The wall, which had been there for immemorial years, had been broken up by his powerful kick.
Every time they came here to play, Akib had been concerned about this building and had wanted to know what was behind the wall. There were different difficult stories which could cause fear. Even at this time, the reaction of his friends was that of panic.
According to a rumour which was not verified, this old-fashioned house had once been a special place which had housed powerful warriors. Battle controllers of renown who had lived and ruled had stories related to the sacred house.
Another piece of information said this house was the place of armoury which was employed by the warriors at the time of war, and it had been set aside as the only powerhouse for the land. They said all the villagers had to do was to get all that would be used for their victory from this very place.
But with the look of things, this culture had been abandoned and history had phased out such memories of occurrences. The present generation didn't know about them. Only a few elders could tell about ancient incidents and fighters of the time, but the house still stood there.
Not far away was situated a field which
brought happiness to young ones. It was in this field that Akib's ball broke the wall.
The boys, one after the other, left the field as they felt danger was looming.
As for Akib, their reactions weren't a bother. In fact, he was waiting until he would be alone so that he could satisfy himself. He wanted to find out a lot.
Raph was the only one around. Akib was waiting for him to run like the others. He had caused the crack, and he should be the one to face the consequences.
"What are you thinking? Let's run," Raph said.
Akib didn't say any word. The presence of Raph was an obstacle to him, and he had to think of what to say to let him go away. But before he could say anything, Raph walked back to him.
"I know what you're thinking, Akib. You shouldn't try any fuss," Raph held on to him.
But Akib stood motionless. The muscle of his arms was stiff and resisting. His face grimaced and undaunted. He was not going to follow him.
Raph had more knowledge of the house from his grandma, who practised sorcery.
She had spoken about some blood-suckers who had taken over this house to perpetrate evils. Lost souls had been traced to this same house, and various victims had been reported missing.
"I need to talk to you about something first. You need to hear some important information for your adventure," Raph said, as if he truly knew his thought.
Akib smiled.
"Adventure?" Akib said.
"Let's go then." Both of them left the arena.
Akib had lost both parents, so he lived with a caretaker who made life miserable.
Lewis would scream.
"Where is this bastard? He should be in the farm."
Helen would join her husband, "One day, I'll kill this boy."
"If you're tired of living, don't you think someone cares?" Raph said to show his concern.
Raph had always been the one who made him hold on to life. He knew how to relate well with Akib, and he saw him as the only family he had.
Lewis and Helen were at the frontage of the house with a vast veranda. He had inherited this property from his parents, and he was proud to have it.
Helen was a plump woman with a light complexion. She had a hoarse voice which amplified her vocality when she was annoyed. Lewis was of mid stature, so he fit in for not-too-high or low exercise. His voice wasn't so loud, but his look showed much of his expression. When his face was distorted, he definitely was in a foul mood. At such times, staying away was the best for him.
Both of them were waiting for Akib.
"This bastard, where could he have gone? I'll cut him in pieces," Akib could hear Lewis talking in annoyance.
This was not his first time seeing them like that. Whenever the couple came together in the evening like that, there was something up their sleeve.
He felt the reason they could not have a child of their own was as a result of punishment for their brutality. They had been married for a decade without any child, and Akib had thought they should be happy to have him.
When Akib was brought home, they had vowed to take care of him. But this didn't last a year before they started to show their true hidden colour.
"That boy was a terrible gift," Helen said. She had spoken about Akib as if he were some kind of animal.
Truthfully, the coming in of Akib into Lewis's family was supposed to be a gift.
No one wanted to have him, as they felt he was somehow related to the demise of his parents. When they died, Akib was the only witness, and they didn't believe his strange story.
As they were taken to their burial, it was noticed that there was a palm drawn across the chest regions of both of them. That spot had the impression of fire palm on the deceased. According to Akib, he said his parents were attacked by a creature with a fire appearance. Though his word tallied with the evidence, no one accepted it.
The only family who offered to take him in was Lewis and Helen.
The words of his foster parents cut through his heart. He didn't know what to do.
He had been out later than the time allowed. He had violated another rule this evening, and the punishment was waiting. He sat by the corner and had to think. He was lost in thought when a hand jerked him up. Lewis had seen him, and he had come to get him. Akib pushed his hand so as to escape. He could not withstand the strong hand of Lewis.
"Somebody, help," he yelled.
He yelled so that people around could come, but he realised that his effort would not yield results, even if he cried nonstop.
Inside Lewis's house, there was a long table, and on it were tiny metallic nails all over. The table was a new piece of furniture at the centre.
Lewis motioned him toward the direction of the nails.
"Is it what I'm thinking?" Akib's heart raced faster.
The sharp edge of the nails made him behave wildly. He fought hard for freedom, yet he could not get it.
He had to think Lewis was much more than he had thought. How could he prepare this kind of punishment? Why would he think of dealing with him using nails? But this had not been the usual style. Usually, Akib knew he would be tied, and many lashes would come to his back, but this new development was harsher.
As they reached the nails, Lewis laughed with mischief. At that time, Helen threw a rope to him. That one fell to the ground, and he bent to take it.
It was clear they had made this arrangement ahead. That was wickedness. The moment Lewis bent to take the rope, Akib was going to execute the idea that came to his mind. That was the opportunity he needed and would never miss in the world for anything.
Right on time, Akib pushed him forward. Helen yelled as she saw the direction of the push. Lewis was devastated because before him were nails waiting to pierce through his flesh.
"This is called, 'as you lay your bed, so you lie on it.'"
Akib dashed out of the house.
The only place he had in mind was to return to the football field. He had to continue what he left some hours ago. Good enough, there was no one to hold him back, and there was no home nor family to return to.
Akib adjusted his shirt in position.
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