Please, what's chasing us? Grace asked breathlessly. Why are we running? James asked, almost choking as the five friends stopped running after thirty minutes of running. They were breathless and unstable because of the “run for your dear life” kind of run.


The Strongest Deity
The Strongest Deity 



                       

I can't believe that you two do not even know why we were running and yet you guys started running without asking questions. Mercy asked while laughing at them. 

What exactly do you mean? James was almost irritated by Mercy mocking the question. Should I stay without running when Mark of all people with you guys were running? Mercy asked them while laughing with a poker face.

But that's true, Mark what exactly was chasing you that made us to run with you, even when we clearly to not know who or what was chasing you? Mercy asked Mark who had been quiet for a while now.

Wait a minute Mercy you didn't even know why he was running and yet you are calling a pot black. Ima asked Mercy mockingly. Don't mind her, James interjected. She's good at running her mouth. James badmouthed Mercy.

Can we not quarrel, please? Mark pleaded while trying to calm himself from what he saw and ran for his dear life. No problem, you can tell us now what you saw. Mercy trailed off.

Wait a minute, what a twiny love. In my next life I will surely have a twin. Ima remarked with a smile. Mark stared at Ima with a confused look. I don't understand, what do you mean Grace asked in confusion.

Are you not seeing the lovey dovey attitude they usually displayed in front of us. Ima responded, still looking at Mercy and Mark.

Ima, I can't believe this. The lovey dovey attitude is supposed to be there because they are twins. Grace said thoughtfully. Please Ima don't be such a drama queen now, the situation we are in doesn't call for such. James interjected, already irritated by her behavior.

Ima glared at Mercy and Mark one more time and raised her hands in surrender. I rest my case. She mumbled. Mark on a serious note, why were you running? What was chasing you? James asked on a serious note.

 A p…pregnant woman who was pretending to be in labor disappeared with two women who thought she was truly in labor and rushed to her side to help her. It was a huge horror sight to behold. Everyone present ran for their dear life, including me. Some people were shouting Udeku is at it again as we continued to run. 

I was confused on why they would be calling names on our dear deity who had done nothing but to protect and provide for us. Mark narrated in a shaky voice with fear written all over his face as he recalled what he had seen a while ago.

Wait a minute, did you say that they were accusing Udeku to be involved in such a wicked act? Mercy asked, seeking for confirmation.

Hmmm… this can't be a coincidence. This confirms what I heard, she said knowingly. And what did you hear? James asked impatiently.

I heard that Udeku the great deity has been thirsty for his annual food. And we are behind time already. He had given extra time and grace and yet they have been adamant to his request. They are delaying this sacrifice for no reason unlike the other years. Mercy narrated.

Wow, this is huge, but how did you gather all this information? Ima asked impatiently. Have you forgotten that our parents are also true worshippers irrespective that they didn't bother to involve us? Mercy responded with a question.

Yes I know. What about it? Ima asked yet again. I overheard my mom and her friend discussing it a day before yesterday but I didn't know it was this serious. Mercy replied thoughtfully. 

I hope the chief priest finds a solution to this as fast as possible. Mercy mumbled. This is indeed very serious and scary James and Ima said in unison.

But why would Udeku our great deity take innocent souls who are his followers irrespective of the “good” deity he was? Grace asked sardonically.

He was once a great, kind, and loving deity. What changed? She asked no one in particular. Even if there was a delay in offering the sacrifice, can't he be patient and wait? She asked in anger. Then what makes him a “good, kind and loving “ deity? Mark asked in anger too. We are in big trouble. Ima muttered.

But I still can't believe that Mark of all people ran for his dear life today. James said mockingly as he stared at Mark and started laughing. Mark glared at him angrily. I still can't believe that the almighty and fearless Mark ran for his dear life today. Ima mocked as she laughed till she was teary. All except Mark joined her and laughed at Mark's expense.

You guys can laugh all you want, but know that, if the situation was not scary I wouldn't have run at all, you guys should have known by now. He snapped. So, you all should stop laughing like roasted goats. He snapped at them. They stopped laughing abruptly and glared at him. 

Thank goodness at least you guys had stopped laughing. He muttered to himself with a small smile. Can we leave now? He asked them as he began to walk away from them almost immediately. Although he was still slightly annoyed with them, he decided to mask it with a small smile. He wished that they were the ones that saw the horrible scene, maybe…. Just maybe they won't have the cause to laugh at all.

They followed suit silently, each on his own train of thoughts. 

Ima couldn't believe what she had heard. There had been rumors already but the one that happened today was an eye opener. She wondered why the priest and the circle of five had decided to delay Udeku's sacrifice unlike other years.

They never delayed his sacrifice. It was always given to him on time and they always gave him the best. If there was a delay, it means one thing, which is: there's something he was asking of them that they can't give him or was hard to give out. Either way, ime will tell. She said to herself.