UNKNOWN LAND - STRANGERS ON THE HIGHWAY

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LENXXU4Wz

Chapter 7: Strangers on the Highway

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpXclqM0qq

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmAmvpaC2z

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP9VckKP8Q

The storm had passed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqRoTMtEmJ

The air smelled fresh.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftjBApQ5uN

Birds sang from nearby trees.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFZah9KmTn

For a brief moment, the world seemed peaceful.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gmkIofWDR

But their journey was far from peaceful.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQtxe57BzP

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATHHg6QuqF

The highway stretched endlessly before them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8DdXsupPj

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Tf8L5vmM

Trucks thundered past.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR6A3fgU4w

Buses raced by in clouds of dust.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7R0wXbzeR

Motorcycles weaved between vehicles.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR4xy1CNMp

The noise was overwhelming.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kigvC1ncJ

Musa stared in amazement.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqed3d6suop

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2ko5RzgLq

Tunde nodded.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqlHVLZvlF

"It feels like the whole world is traveling."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDm85AJBpT

Emeka remained silent.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlYgUM6IT8

His eyes studied everything carefully.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut5rPr3HVt

Every traveler.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Si0iEK25G

Every vehicle.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaoXkNIdqe

Every face.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhRzXDqWbn

The road was teaching him an important lesson.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhRs0j94xz

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVLtvFec3a

Hours passed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk10ccqVuHL

The sun climbed higher.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OhCHtHbet

The traffic increased.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NyUU1x818

And with every passing moment, they encountered new people.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LOyv5Gsbp

Some were friendly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIiS5t3JTa

Others were not.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEjqMHJEu3

Some carried stories.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hsi1IHq0Y

Others carried secrets.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFqvav8JW5

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS6TGT04nj

The man greeted them warmly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDBpcRNYPd

"Good afternoon, young men."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9xuBF5fy9

"Good afternoon, sir," they replied.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL2AJ23EIT

The trader smiled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJZxmaMxGi

"You look tired."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDreO54OgQd

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5OULhEkbH

The man nodded knowingly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYRJ1fy2hN

Then he handed each of them an orange.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LqgZn62lf

The boys exchanged surprised glances.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dU6RNy4QH

"Thank you, sir."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dkyeFspcU

The trader waved dismissively.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwXp0xS8p6

"One day you may help someone else."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXCMybDXTi

As he continued on his journey, Tunde smiled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ3JNas4Mi

"There are still good people in the world."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgoyQQuCPC

"Yes," Emeka replied.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7Z0zAci7y

"But not everyone."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSYF9Lihln

The warning would soon prove true.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrVjuKRMG0

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxuna3hxPV

Dozens of travelers filled the area.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODoUbfwrir

Vendors shouted loudly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LGTua9Ov8

Children ran between stalls.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXoGDFbdPc

Vehicles stopped briefly before continuing their journeys.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz9ZMwUgc1

The place buzzed with life.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP0FhNwIhd

The boys decided to rest.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOXs4Dx2As

They sat beneath a tree and watched the crowd.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5AcFFq9Mx

That was when a well-dressed man approached them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk9Gteanfq

He appeared friendly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbwZmUTkBu

Confident.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4OBxmgw42

Successful.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjXp738tEY

His expensive shoes immediately caught Musa's attention.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCSqdKlb8v

The stranger smiled warmly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc2gNxWcLA

"You boys look new to the road."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPYMrgeI4D

Tunde nodded cautiously.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCFZdd2u09

"We are."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVPnkZbitW

The man sat beside them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkqAWRKrBD

"Traveling to the city?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQYsGMZmQ0

"Yes."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGziFVsBUS

The stranger's smile widened.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVPDazsB6H

"Perfect."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY1qsH1qUE

The boys exchanged curious glances.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO15yzHHo7i

The man introduced himself as Chief Benson.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h5bodFBH4

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVWXXkToAE

As the conversation continued, his promises became increasingly attractive.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdF2FpTQri

"I can help you."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcRYMcSOeI

The three friends listened carefully.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyakYL43dv

"There are jobs available."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqH1cqgydp

Their eyes brightened.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNoRWRdDS1

"Good jobs."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8n1ngrerk

Their hope grew stronger.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKIViIUdaO

"Accommodation too."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s2bxyrZso

Now they were fully interested.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGXhs7xxCM

Everything sounded too good to be true.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y8uQzKhX1

And that was exactly the problem.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMEaMDFEvZ

A Yoruba proverb says:

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduYdAPlALj

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq8y4VwLsB

But hope has a way of silencing wisdom.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwioRdu7uk

The stranger continued speaking.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vJ6l1uK23

"You seem hardworking."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRPwwrYdPn

"We are," Tunde replied.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xGS1GoKwy

"Excellent."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwIBiuDMLO

Chief Benson smiled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYhxupIQ5C

"I can arrange everything."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ1XhkrjIt

For a moment, the future seemed brighter.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUeOfCXDuC

Easier.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdaj0PfULU

Almost magical.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARm7ZnM9JR

Then something unexpected happened.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AwVjKbKKN

An old woman selling roasted groundnuts nearby suddenly interrupted.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUduhOqEzLg

"Young men."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRk13gNbPj

The boys turned toward her.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkJjoyFT19

The woman looked directly into their eyes.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73gCRuEkQQ

"Be careful."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxTH1TKWAc

An uncomfortable silence followed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNweV88XPXP

Chief Benson's smile vanished instantly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge8TECleaU

The old woman continued.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vxUR7lrNb

"Not every path leads where it claims."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7YksQd72B

The stranger stood abruptly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLWKNdyx5Q

His friendly appearance disappeared.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DXJlhKy0Q

"Mind your business."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jL0ok9cxI

The woman refused to look away.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RopjWK6KK

"I am minding my business."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uYpeKz7cv

The tension was immediate.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6CTQDpuDv

The boys exchanged nervous glances.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLUZXwhdHz

Something felt wrong.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2BrwjAQq0

Very wrong.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaqP06NrJl

Chief Benson forced another smile.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsWr3uMrKA

Then he turned back to them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYImvZ6yti

"Think about my offer."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8rI8Tts15

Without another word, he walked away.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBHvyJmyf9

The old woman watched until he disappeared into the crowd.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjOLvOP3rW

Only then did she approach them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ai8HoxpJC

"Listen carefully."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFNeI2qjkU

The three friends leaned forward.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYXFvRL9Hg

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzghGK9cNq

Her voice was calm.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3hxEl8zQ8

"I have seen many young travelers."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVpYxs0meT

She pointed toward the road.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAcYlVom0z

"Some reached their destination."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsgPNxGfBx

A pause.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAehKp3KQZ9

"Others disappeared."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshWceMp43S

Fear crept into Musa's chest.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPBKJpbgX9

The woman continued.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0BC8KOBR2

"That man approaches young travelers every month."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEWkoIJiwU

"What does he do?" Emeka asked.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6Rn1N3eSX

The old woman shook her head.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD4VnabL3U

"Nobody knows exactly."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG3KFcCaFY

The answer was frightening.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGRv0oMjjS

"But many who follow him never return."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GAnj6X4iL

Silence followed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4U2OrffP6

A chill ran through the three friends.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpZxzJSXiK

They had almost trusted him.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSwl1XPf5p

Almost followed him.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkjpbE3oEO

Almost walked into danger.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdjdttpYWm

The old woman sighed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn81QM0DvU

Then she spoke another proverb.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksGLS0z0mE

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVi05PVblQ

The lesson was clear.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxQPRC1EX2

Not every opportunity was genuine.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc3rxpYycT

Not every smiling face was trustworthy.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPkOquuKWp

The boys thanked her sincerely.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQcQ2jCHCV

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUFKDhrR7f

"For the road."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwldftxQvz

Musa smiled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRQE6jkDYD

"Thank you, Mama."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mK1UxxNB2

The woman nodded.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI4IMb6bgr

"Travel safely."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65JR9L7qHW

As evening approached, the friends continued walking.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQXSHkSCFy

The highway slowly grew quieter.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVMXGMep5L

The market faded behind them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASwTcWl07Z

The encounter with Chief Benson remained fresh in their minds.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6QZWj5S6z

Finally, Tunde spoke.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtR0NSCBOH

"We almost followed him."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT0UOggCtk

"Yes."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0b5RCqwiI

Musa shivered.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlevlHxP2w

"Imagine where we might be now."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT1u5pRbml

Emeka looked toward the horizon.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnlbIc1Jz4

"Or what might have happened."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwkh1NOc4p

Nobody said anything else.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19NslqH5aA

The thought was terrifying.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAvEMu96bA

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3NrXYQ88l

Exhausted, they sat together.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vo7am78aI

The events of the day replayed in their minds.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohJbpDdK8w

The kind fruit seller.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuk9ZYd5zz

The suspicious businessman.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFiRZUKpf5

The wise old woman.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt4KxMWyaj

Three strangers.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVLhmyjTSN

Three lessons.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds6QXuD73c

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKQi8Vvc9r

Before sleeping, Emeka opened his notebook.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn6lzXrOae

By lantern light, he wrote:

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYesDRkKhy

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF8lNbvGxp

He closed the notebook slowly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JIFrbzGZf

Above them, stars filled the sky.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9i3o6bmMH

The same stars that shone above Ajanaku.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt8zDrU8jH

The same stars their families might be looking at.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3cIHyIGLe

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlStaGs6Vsg

But only for a moment.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12zLpg9l7h

Because tomorrow would bring another day.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOae3t0AdWU

Another stretch of highway.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGbBB4jep5

Another test.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuncIxn1iu

Another lesson.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdmFaXSBMh

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

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QHpe4kPLy

Patiently.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqfKCL86kh

Silently.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1UYIo8lYj

Watching them come closer.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1SAygs5TC
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf03zU2PYgF

ns216.73.216.208da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically