The BASTARD - A Paranormal Novella By JOHN HAVEN
Nairaland Literature
Copyright (c) 2019 John Haven

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persona living or dead, events, or localities, is purely coincidental.

The right of John Haven to be identified as the author of this oeuvre has been asserted by him in accordance with Nairaland and Copyright laws.
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No parts of this oeuvre may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission in writing from Nairaland MODs or the author.

About the author:
JOHN HAVEN is currently an Educational Management student of the University of Benin, Benin City.
He almost obtained a Mass Communication OND certificate in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Abeokuta in 2013, but the 'force' was not in support. He moved to the National Open University of Nigera (NOUN) for the same course in 2014, still the 'force' didn't reckon with the idea.
Presently, alongside his studies in UNIBEN, he is the principal of a very private secondary school in Agbado, the outskirt of Lagos State.
He is a part-time writer who has written countable 'unfinished' pieces: "The Journey to the Sun", "BH-0000", "The Designer", "Destiny's Pathway", "The Dead Ringer", "Man Magnanimous", "Tony Thrall", "Blood Clamp", and "The BASTARD".

Y'all Nairaland ancestors, Lalasticlala, Divepen1, SmartestPopQueen, PrinceOfPrince, ChumzyPinky, PamelB, Fiyah, RawGurl, SamyFreshSmooth, Dfo12, Annie939, BimBerry1307, RinceSamuel93, SpiceyBae, Vicchi12, RoseyGold, Ashiat39, RachealFst, BelleFidel, Percentile, Ritvin, LeMubs, YorhmieNerd, OpeOluwa99, MissUniverse, Ewawumi, StalWert, Oracle2, Lleigh, TeedeeChian, DatJohn, Ridwan1821, AgentOfAllah, Crowniey, CountryGirl, Honourable356, Ojuolu, Abuklaw, DannyBeau, Olatex25, Dat9jaKid, Ritvin, PJSmart, Siralabai, Yinks89, Angelsss, OchyGlowsGlows, RolaDiva, D9ty7, MissRelly, Mhiztee, RichieBrown, Keeyah, Sashaa, MhizIszy, CirPhrank, OluwaBuqqyYolo, Greyce, Percentile, DokitaG, Agbaoyega, MaggieLovely, Idrhas, MissNazzy, BoyBreezy, WackyRichy, Osjaay, BlessyTee, Elmogaji, Bornita, JohnAdeDavid, 49cents, MzLizaBelle, Melonny, KhaliPharrel, FlakkyDagirl, LarrySun, Johnflowey1738, TGold1, OpeOluwa99, Flow1738, RachealFST, WizSolzy, Ikombe, LitQueen, and CyndyLove64.
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Don't be a ghost reader...abeg!
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Sit Down, Relax and Stay Tuned for the commencement of The BASTARD!

On Tuesday, at 6am, Makinde, like someone who had a nightmare where he was almost killed, sharply woke up from his bed in his bedsitter apartment that was heavily furnished. 19 years old Makinde was a fresher, an 100 level Mass Communication student of the Lagos State University (LASU). Staying in the university hostel was a no go area for him. He was tired of living in school hostels. The bullying and bullies he faced all the way from his primary school life till he finished his secondary school at the boarding school was something that must stop. His life was one of 'needle-in-the-haystack'. Always different from the rest. Always reserved his thoughts due to the fear of being bullied; at the end he always got what he feared. It's either he was being bullied or he personally isolates himself to avoid getting any of his mates in trouble. Amarachi, the only girl and friend he was social with in his primary years, helped him from these bullies. The intimidation of the bullies reduced for him, and was entirely dished to her. In Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1, she was transfered to being a day-student on her mother's request as she noticed boarding students were always bullied and her daughter was no exception. In JSS 2, her mother withdrew her from the school and they relocated to India where her father worked. Then the persecution continued for Makinde. He went back to his isolation status. Within him, he cursed his parents for not enrolling him in the uncountable boarding schools in Lagos, but in the heart of Aguata in Anambra State where majority of the students were Ibo speakers. His becoming a student of LASU was something he didn't understand as he didn't pass through any procedure of writing any Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, Post JAMB examination, nor the usual clearance where he was meant to submit his credentials. Everything was settled. Sometimes, he is marvelled at his parents and took into episodes of reminiscence. What kind of parents bore him? How did they live without him, except during holidays - the midterm breaks were no exception, for complete 12 years? The times he was with them during the holidays they didn't go to work, Church, Mosque, nor shrine. When he was in Senior Secondary School (SSS) 2, during the 2nd term holidays, he ensured he ransacked his Father's study who was at the Verandah with his Mother. He didn't know what his parents did for a living and he didn't bother asking them as he was used to their secretive lifestyle. He found out that his father and mother were stinking rich mogul; he had no relatives; he was the only son and child; there was no house help nor gateman in the big mansion they lived in at Ikoyi; and there was no single soul in sight except himself, his mum, and his dad. While he searched for further details, behind him he heard someone clearing the throat. He looked back and stood up immediately facing the intruder. It was his father. Makinde's body shook with his face ashen. He saw that his father was not too different from bullies he experienced way back in secondary school. His father, who was middle aged and was physically a fine man, turned back and walked away leaving a word at Makinde's ear: "BASTARD!" What?! Bastard?! Makinde was confused. He didn't know if his father was refering to him as an illegitimate person, someone unpleasant, or despicable. He may be very unpleasant as he keeps himself isolated, but despicable or illegitimate?! Who would he confide in to convince him of his present state of confusion? No one. His Mother or Father would never indulge him. He swallowed everything as usual.
Now that he was in the University he would be quite different, but he must keep his fingers' crossed to avoid disappointments. He must break that bullying jinx.

This was his second week at his new apartment located at a distance that was trekkable to his school within 15 minutes. He looked at the time. It was 6:05am and he was yet to sleep. While he laid down the previous night he was all turns thinking about his meeting with Amarachi. The same Amarachi that got his heart beating during his primary school days till JSS 2. How happy he was when he saw her. He came in contact with her during his first lecture in the University which was the previous day - Monday. He was not able to attend lectures the past week since he was busy with reorganising his room to his taste which was previously arranged by either of his parents to be similar to his room at home. He wanted something different now that he was in the University. Early in the morning, on Monday, he ensured he got to school early so he can meet up and borrow the note of one of his course mate. He planned he would approach anyone at first sight. His plan went as expected that he was even permitted to return the note the next day. After lectures for the day, a paper rolled up as a ball landed on the back of his head. Without thinking he turned his neck back at the direction the paper came from. The culprit who was a beautiful girl, didn't look Nigerian, and was seated four seats behind him, he noted, apologised and asked him to assist her touch the lady who was seated at the front of his seat. He hesitated then remembered he wanted change. He touched the lady without looking up at her, but sensed the lady he was asked to call had turned back at his touch. He gestured to the lady raising his right hand up with all his fingers bent except his thumb and waved it to the back to tell her she was called by the person behind him.
"Manky?!" The lady he was asked to call called him. Makinde looked at his book where he wrote the name. Why was the girl calling the name that no other person calls him except the bullies in his secondary school? He was used to the name despite its offensive meaning. Instead of looking at the lady, he looked back at the lady that asked him to call the lady at his front. She was waving frantically and called out since her signs were not working to call her friend's attention, "Rachi!"
Makinde positioned himself on his seat, looking back at his book, then grumbled within that it was no use assisting the girl who needed his assistance. If she knew she was still going to shout her name she shouldn't have asked for his assistance. Though his effort wasn't bad. This was the first time of his noticing someone that beautiful.
"RACHI?!" The beautiful lady was now shouting. Makinde looked back to notice the face of the beautiful lady as she shouted. She scrambled away from the seat which was as long as a pew. She must probably be coming over to her deaf friend. He thought again within. No wonder she needed his assistance to call her. What does a deaf need here? LASU wasn't a school for specials. What's the use of knowing how to talk without hearing? He scoffed within him. He decided looking at the deaf Rachi. As he looked at her, he saw that she was still staring at him. Wow! He took his eyes off. What a beauty! Beauty seems to be the order of the day in this school. She was more beautiful than the beautiful girl that was approaching them. With the way she looked one would think she had read his mind concerning her deafness. But why was she fixedly staring at him?! He looked back at her to vindicate his thought. He stared at her from eye ball to eye ball.
"Manky Iwu, the inferior, worthless, and unpleasant boy!" Rachi stated without losing her eye grip on him. She noticed his pupils narrowed with eyes opened wide.
Who is she? His fears came back. That was the name his bullies gave him.
"Do not be afraid!" Rachi broke his thoughts. Her eyes were glitttering. He could see himself in her eyes. This is who he is. Change is impossible for him. He believed changing his room to his taste would relieve him of his fears, but here it is at his front staring at him. How come he is scared of a girl? Maybe because she was a deaf. He didn't even know her. Sweat was now forming on his forehead and was streaking down the sides of his face.
"Whhu...whhu...who are you?" He shakily found his voice which was lost when she called him Manky Iwu. He remembered that in his secondary school, deaf people were easily angered when a wrong symbol or gesture was transmitted.
"Do not be afraid!" She said again.
Wow! His face brightened up a bit. She was not deaf. She understood when he asked who she was. He saw her opening her handbag which was on her seat. She brought out an handkerchief and looked at his worried face.

"I'm not here to bully you, I am not a bully, neither will I allow you to be bullied." She stood up from her seat and fully stood facing him. She stooped her body to his seating face level and held his chin with her left palm. She brought her right palm with the handkerchief and dabbed his forhead cleaning the sweat away.
He scrutinised her as she did her good Samaritan work. "Who are you?" He now asked firmly bringing her arms down carefully to his seat's table.
Rachi smiled, shook her head then said, "After 5 years of being away from you and that school were bullies are trained we meet again. Your face hasn't changed one-bit." She concluded and with her two palms lightly tapped Makinde thrice on his cheeks.
"After 5 years of being away from me?!" Makinde asked withdrawing his face which was obviously confused with her little hint. "I've never set my eyes on you neither was there any star-scenario making me remember who you are." He ended.
With his words she was clearly disappointed with his statement and was too tired from almost 12 hours spent receiving one lecture to the other to give further hints. "I'm Amarachi!" she stated flatly.
Without leaving enough time for Makinde's reaction, Rachi's beautiful friend zoomed in angrily, "What's your qualms Rachi? I've been making every effort to call you, but you decline this efforts. All the way from the lodge. You didn't pick my calls neither did you reply my text messages." All the while she ranted and gestured at her unpleasantness, Amarachi just stood and looked at her calmly till she was done and gasping for breath.
"Anjali, meet Makinde, Manky for short; Makinde meet Anjali, my bosom friend!" Amarachi introduced them to each other without replying Anjali's rant. Anjali looked at Makinde and then at Amarachi. She decided to let the matter be until they got to their lodge before she released hell on Rachi. She offered her palms to Makinde. Makinde looked at it wondering what she was showing him. Amarachi knew what was holding Makinde back. "Shake hands with her Makinde." Amarachi revealed to Makinde what Anjali wanted. Hastingly, Makinde took her palm into his and released it.
Wow! How smooth and soft the texture of her palm was. Is this how freedom can be? The change could work out after all. Makinde thought. He must be born again. That name, Manky Iwu, must not stick if he really wanted this change. He must stop Amarachi from calling him Manky. How could he achieve this feat? As long as he can remember, she of all people should know how he avoided the name before it got stuck. She was the only one that called him rightfully. He only got used to it and forgot the meaning when she was...
"A penny for a thought Manky!" Amarachi broke into his thoughts grinning widely. Makinde looked at her then to Anjali. Anjali wasn't watching or heard what Amarachi called him.
"Don't call me that! Your friend may get used to it." He disgruntled whispering into Amarachi's ear.
"Are you guys planning coup against me?! Why are you whispering?" Anjali, whose previous attention was on a poster on the wall, snapped at them.
"He said he wants to take us out that we can't be here after the lecture stress we've gone through today!" Amarachi defended happily. She picked her hand bag and gave it to Makinde without looking at him. He obliged. She wrapped her arms on to his left arm and looked at him. Makinde looked at her using his eyes to deny saying that, but she looked away dragging him forward towards the class exit.
"Yippee! Oh yeah! I'm farmished myself! You guys should lead the way and I would follow." She rejoiced.

As they headed for the new school's student's mess, Amarachi briefed Makinde about her stay in India. She revealed that Anjali was her cousin from her Aunt's side. She stated how she detested living in India and decided to leave India to come further her studies in Nigeria. Anajli was the one that kept her sane throughout her stay there. For Amarachi's sake, Anjali volunteered she would convey, stay, and study with Amarachi in Nigeria too. Anjali revealed how Amarachi never stopped talking to her about Makinde despite the fact that her Dad feigned that she would never leave India for Nigeria.
Before Makinde could speak about himself, they got to the Student's mess and loud music from Falz the Bahd Guy, "This is Nigeria" blared out. The student's mess was an enclosed building with uncountable students purchasing and buying their needs and wants from different food vendors and other goods traders. They found an empty spot, dusted the seats, and sat down to make orders. The waiter of the spot they were in approached and collected their orders. Within 10 minutes, their orders were brought to their table. While they ate and continued their gist. Both Amarachi and Anjali were 200 level students under the department of Business Administration. Makinde questioned how they got to be in his class after he disseminated that he was an 100 level student in the Mass Communication department. Anjali clarified that the last class was a new general course mandatory for 100 and 200 level students in every department which was the reason behind the multitudinous numbers of student and why the lecture was held at the school's largest hall.
While Anjali spoke, Makinde noticed three guys coming towards their spot. Their gut-wrenching look scared him. He prayed within that they would pass by. Before he knew what was happening, they each snatched his dish, Anjali's, and Amarachi's.
"What the bleep has gotten into you Ahmed?" Amarachi stood up boltingly with a shrieking sound of iron on tiles that came from her seat and loudly thundered facing the one that took her dish.
"Here is another of your toys ughn?!" Ahmed scoffed pointing at Makinde. "See how scared he his." Makinde looked like someone who was at the height of defecating on himself. Ahmed looked at Anjali and rubbed her chin. "What's up damsel?" She squirmed from his touch, "You did well bringing her here. I knew you were bluffing when you told me to go to hell the other day. But you over did it tagging someone that shakes like a leaf."

Amarachi looked at Anjali's face to confirm Ahmed's word on Anjali setting her up. Anjali's reflection was of someone that was confused. She shook her head at Amarachi. Amarachi looked round her vicinity like she was searching for someone. The students' mess that was almost filled up was scanty. Obviously, those that were standing to watch were Ahmed's goons. Right there, Amarachi discarded the thought of Anjali betraying her when she remembered she initiated their being at the students' mess. "Don't talk to my baby like that!" Amarachi shouted and pointed at Ahmed like she was warning him.
"What?!" Ahmed exclaimed surprisignly. "Your baby?! This leaf is your baby?!" He laughed hysterically and seized it that one would think he wasn't laughing moments ago. He walked up to Makinde with Amarachi's dish still in his hands. Amarachi tried stopping him, but the one with Anjali's plate stopped her from moving forward. Makinde who was still visibly shaking with his teeth chattering looked at Ahmed who was now sitting at a spare seat he dragged from another table towards him. He took a spoon from Amarachi's dish and tried feeding Makinde with it. Makinde tried adjusting his seat away from Ahmed, but he couldn't move. It was like his body was personally scared of Ahmed. The highest was for him to take his face away from the spoon Ahmed pushed at his mouth. "What kind of baby are you? Won't you eat what I'm offering you? Or is it Akamu that you want to drink?" Ahmed shouted at Makinde. He then looked at Amarachi grinning widely, "Mummy, your baby does not want to eat again. Does he not want daddy to feed him? Did you not teach him how to talk?" He looked back at Makinde still trying to feed him.
"Leave him alone." Amarachi whispered with teary voice. What was wrong with this Ahmed? Does he not understand simple NO? Yes, he might have helped her and Anjali during their clearance process in their 100 level and even helped them get their apartments, but it wasn't by force to date whoever she had no dating interst in. Abi is it his boys that is shacking his brain? She just doesn't want to reveal herself, she was also a bad ass when it comes to things like this. She looked at Anjali who stared at her and was shaking her head to her thoughts. She now understood why Anjali was shaking her head at her. Anjali was throwing a signal at her not to do what she was thinking of and that may leave lot of people dead at initiation. She wondered what kind of person Makinde was. All these years and he didn't change at all. She would ensure she stood with him always. She would make him a man who should be able to face and challenge his fears. "Leave him alone!" She shouted wriggling free from her captor who on trying to hold her threw Anjali's dish to the ground breaking the glazed plate. She hastened to stop Ahmed's taunting. She was held again by the captor of Makinde's dish who readily dropped the dish before holding her. She tried wriggling free, but her captor was a bear with his grip.
"Didn't you hear her?! She said you should free me." Makinde whispered.

"Didn't you hear her?! She said you should free me." Makinde whispered. Amarachi's action to be freed from Ahmed's taunting and the way she was held down spurred him to action. He wasn't feeling feverish anymore. The look on his eyes was dark. He wouldn't want what happened when he was in primary school to repeat itself. He doesn't want Amarachi to replace him again.
"What?" Ahmed brought his ears closer to Makinde's mouth trying to decipher what he thought he heard. He turned his head side ways looking at Amarachi smiling. "Baby can now talk. There's something he just said. Lemme ask him again." He turned his head back to Makinde. "Repeat what you said again."
Makinde gathered that courage again to repeat what he said, "I said you should..." Before he could complete his words, Ahmed raised the glass dish and forcely dropped it down on Makinde's head breaking the plate to fragments with the dish scattered on his bushy head.
Makinde was on the floor holding his head and pleading for mercy. Thank God for his bushy hair which he started maintaing as soon as he was promoted to SSS 3. This was the heighest bully he ever has encountered. How would he continue facing this kind of life with this height of bully which he believed was just a beginning. He would die before he graduates.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish!" Ahmed stood up forcefully. Anjali sat where she was indifferent at the whole scenario. Amarachi tried every physical effort to wriggle herself free from the bear grip." I heard you the first time and you tried repeating it again." Ahmed continued, "What guts from a leaf." He paced about looking at the trio with his neck veins protruding from its skin. " Henceforth, I would set my eyes on you, you, and you," he made signs with his index and middle fingers pointing it to his eyes and on the three of them, "what I want I get, nobody can stop it. You, leaf, I don't want to see you close to the ground." He fumed and went out of the mess with his entourage following behind him.
Crying profusely, Amarachi ran to meet Makinde checking his head for any injury or blood. There was a gash at the side of his head. She hoped it wasn't serious.
Anjali stood up from her seat, looked round. She saw the waiter that took their order who was taking a peek at them. She made a catcall to the waiter and raised her hands giving the 'come' signal to the waiter. The waiter was sceptical to the call, but went anyway. Anjali instructed the waiter to call the nurse who was at the back of the students' mess building. As the waiter left to do the bidding, she called at his back that the nurse should come with her first aider.

At 7:36pm of that Monday,only few minutes after the Ahmed's incident, the gash was treated and bandaged.
Makinde requested from Amarachi and Anjali that he be excused to go home to rest. They escorted him home after he had insisted to make payments for the wasted dishes and damages.
As he got home, he went straight to his bed and carefully laid down with his stomach facing the bed and his face turned side ways to the left. He waited for sleep to come to his aid; while he waited for sleep's chariot, he flashed back to his childhood days with Amarachi. She was a Godsent. She was his saviour who relieved him from isolation's shackles. He remembered how strong headed she was with the bullies that transfered their aggression from him to her. "You must to kill me today" was her mantra when the bullies were on duty. She was just a 'david'; while they were 'goliath', still she fought her way through till JSS 2; while he wouldn't do anything, but watch how the boys taunt her with no one coming to rescue her. He now turned facing the ceiling. The movement made his head throbbed. He squeezed his face revealing the pain he felt from his head. He closed his eyes to invite the sleep forcefully. He kept turning and shifting his positions on the bed at intervals. The night seemed like it was there to stay. He opened his eyes to the dark and looked up at the direction of his digital wall clock whose details were luminous. It was just 3:46am. Damn! He cursed within. He closed his eyes and repositioned himself balling himself sideways to the right with his hands coiled under his head. He shrieked and yanked his hands back to his body as he mistakenly touched the injured part of his head. Change is unchangeable. He reflected. He couldn't afford to remain in this feart state of his. This change he is yearning for must be harnessed. He was happy at how boldly he spoke at fear's face, though the result was deadly. The same action or something much more worse is something he could also do. That change he wanted must reign supreme. He stretched is body to his full height with his hands at his sides and staring at the darkness of the ceiling. He smiled at the darkness that was slowly spreading within him. The smile disappeared immediately he remembered his dad's only word that pestered him since SSS 2. He knew he was not an illegitimate child. His parents were not his parents, they were his birth-parents. Their blood ran in his veins. But being called a bastard by his own father marvelled him. Bastard was related to manky in an unpleasant way. Both the external and internal world were against him. He would create his own world. And thanks to Amarachi, she would be there for him just as she promised. His father really thought him a bastard? He scoffed. Unbeknownst to anybody except himself, when he was to resume for 2nd Term in SSS 3, his father dropped him off with his luggages at the Murtala International Airport as usual. His father bade him farewell when there was the flight announcement that the plane he was booked for was ready to be boarded. As soon as his father left, he left his luggages and trailed his father. The security personnel who guarded the entrance to the runway where aeroplane that were boarding, ready for take off, and ones that have just landed, called at Makinde to come catch up with his flight that would be on air between 10 minutes. Makinde continued with his trail, but looked back signalling to the security personnel that he was coming back. He looked ahead without waiting for the security personnel's reply. He couldn't see his father's backside anymore. He cursed within. There was no way he would get to know what his father or mother does while he is away. He then decided to go back home to continue the search for any hint he started a year ago. If he was lucky enough he may not meet his father nor his mother at home as they were both putting their luggages in the trunk of another vehicle when he was preparing to leave for school. Hours later of Lagos traffic in the bus and trekking to the mansion as motorcycle were not allowed into the estate their mansion was, he got home, but the gate was locked. A sure sign that his parents weren't home. He dipped his left hand into his right jean pocket. He brought out a key which was a spare to the gate. The gate's key was the only key he saw and kept the last time his father caught him at his study. He prayed the mansion's main door won't be locked not to mention his father's study. As he entered through the main gate he locked it back for security consciousness purpose. He hastened to the mansion's main door and turned the knob. The knob didn't budge. Damn it! He cussed. He paced about frantically and stopped just as he started. He lifted the foot mat. How happy he was to find the key there. He took it and plugged it into the keyhole on the knob. He opened the door and ran straight to his father'study which wasn't locked. He continued his search carefully in order to leave the place unturned. There was nothing to inform him of his parents' profession. He looked round the study, printed books was neatly arranged. He wondered if his father do read these books. After a while, he was tired of searching and decided to rest for a while. He sat on the only chair in the study which was at the centre of the room. He rose his legs up, crossed it, and dropped it on table that was filled with books and a desktop computer. He thought of powering the system up, but thought against it as it may be passworded. There's no harm in trying he thought. He dropped his legs on the ground and rose to power the system on. He pressed the switch on the electric socket then the study hummed to life. The study was bright with white light. He clenched his eyes shut. The light was too bright. Slowly, the light dimmed.

"WELCOME YOUNG MASTER MAKINDE." There went a female metallic voice that sounded like that of the female computer voice that notifies every individual who was short of airtime on his or her phone that he or she had one minute remaining. Makinde looked round him searching whence the voice that welcomed him came from. There was no one. "FOR YOUR INFORMATION, HUMBLE SIR, YOU WON'T FIND WHAT YOU ARE IN NEED OF UNTIL YOU GIVE THE COMMAND." The voice concluded.
"Who are you?" Makinde fearfully asked still searching for the voice. When the voice welcomed him the direction of its sound came from different sources he couldn't see nor trace.
"I AM WEB. WARFARE EQUANIMITY-DEFENSE BENEFACTOR. I AM AN ARTIFICIAL SUPERINTELLIGENCE MACHINE REMOTELY CONTROLLED FROM YOUR FATHER'S PERSONAL MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. I HAVE BEING INSTRUCTED TO NOT REVEAL ANY OTHER INFORMATION APART FROM THESE THAT YOU HAVE KNOWN ABOUT ME UNTIL YOU ARE YOUR FATHER. I AM TO ANSWER FROM YOU ONLY WHAT IS MUCH MORE PERTINENT TO YOU FOR THE MOMENT." The voice ended point-blank.
"Until I am my father?" Confused Makinde asked sitting down on the only available seat in the study. "How can I get to be my father?"
"YOU ARE MEANT TO FIND THAT OUT YOURSELF SIR. LIKE I PREVIOUSLY OPINED, I HAVE BEING INSTRUCTED TO ANSWER FROM YOU ONLY WHAT IS RELEVANT TO YOU." The metallic voice warned, " IF THE NEXT QUESTION YOU ASK DOES NOT RHYME WITH WHAT IS GERMANE TO YOU WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY YOUR OBJECTIVE FOR BEING HERE, YOU WOULD REMAIN IGNORANT AND FIND YOURSELF AT YOUR SCHOOL'S HOSTEL WITH NO MEMORY OF HOW YOU GOT TO ANAMBRA STATE AND OF OUR CONVERSATION, AND YOU WOULD BE HAPPY EVER AFTER HUMBLE SIR." The voice ended.
"And how would you do that?!" Makinde flatly asked the voice scoffing at the sarcasm he noticed. "Don't answer that!" Makinde shrieked as he remembered the voice's warning. "I was soliloquising. Please give me a second to reflect on everything you have said." What has he gotten himself into? He reflected. He has never come across this WEB thing before. He thought this kind of scenario happened only in movies. If at all it exist, but in Nigeria. So his dad was in the military all these while. What about his Mother? Is she in the...
"15.3 SECONDS HUMBLE SIR." WEB's voice cut short his thoughts. Makinde looked up to the direction he thought he heard the voice, but remembered it was untraceable. It would have been better if, at least, he saw a speaker.
"Who is my father and mother?" Makinde dropped the question standing up. He was expecting an hidden shutter to open up filling the room with gas just as it always happen in foreign movies. But nothing happened. Makinde looked round then below his feet moving from direction to direction. He felt like the ground may slid open to swallow him to one room or the other whereby WEB's threat would come through.
"THIS WAS THE QUESTION EXPECTED OF YOU THE FIRST TIME I INTRODUCED MYSELF. BEFORE I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, DO KNOW THAT YOUR FATHER IS AWARE YOU ARE HERE IN HIS STUDY. WE WERE ON THE LOOK OUT IMMEDIATELY YOUR FATHER LEFT YOU AT THE AIRPORT. AND WE KNEW YOU TRAILED YOUR FATHER WHICH MADE IT MORE EASIER FOR YOU TO MISS HIM. THE GRIDLOCK YOU EXPERIENCED ON YOUR WAY TO THE MANSION WAS INITIATED BY ME UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF YOUR FATHER'S CLEAR INSTRUCTION." WEB's voice went static.
All the while WEB spoke, Makinde was astonished with his mouth wide open. His father knew about his movement and didn't stop him? Probably his father wanted him to know what he didn't know.

"YOUR FATHER IS THE GENERALISSIMO TO THE PRESIDENT. HE STANDS AS THE INTERMEDIARY BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE ARMY, NAVY, AND AIR FORCES, AND ALSO FOR NIGERIA AT THE UNIVERSAL ARMED FORCES. HE IS PRESENTLY IN CHARGE OF THE UNIVERSAL ARMED FORCES SUB-COMMITTEE THAT PREVENTS WORLD TERRORISM AND TERMINATES GROUPS WHOSE OBJECTIVE IS TO PRECIPITATE THE WORLD WAR 3. THE NEXT VOICE YOU HEAR WOULD BE YOUR FATHER'S." WEB's voice dropped like it was a phone call.
For reall?! Makinde seem thougtful. This WEB lady is meant to understand Makinde's grammar capacity. No wonder it speaks in such manner. He perfectly could decipher everything communicated to him since he had the extremely above average intelligence quotient, but he felt like if it was his age grade that was presently in his position he won't be able to understand about 30% of WEB's morphology. Besides, since when did his Dad got to be in these numerous and highly elated positions? No wonder his facial expression was expressionless. Another awkward issue was the use of his fathe's word on him a year ago. The use of 'your father this; your father that' was already becoming a mantra to WEB. That is enough sign that he is not a bastard as his father had called him. Now, what does his Dad have for him this time? He hoped it will be more than one word, but an article of words eventhough it's a rain of humiliation since nothing good comes from the man. Once his father is done humiliating him, he promised to serve the same dish to his father. Schools, with the help of teachers, weren't the only institutions where children are taught; Homes, with the intercession of parents, are also institutions of learning, but his parents were failures in that...
WEB came online again disrupting his thoughts. "DO KNOW THAT IT IS NOT A LIVE MESSAGE WHEREBY YOU CAN DIALOGUE. IT IS AN OFFLINE VOICE MESSAGE LEFT FOR YOU FEW MINUTES AGO. THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ABOUT YOUR MOTHER WOULD BE DELIVERED TO YOU PHYSICALLY FROM HER." WEB dropped it's voice again and another voice came up.
"How do you feel about me BASTARD?" Makinde's dad's voice erupted. Makinde flinched and one of his eye twitched furiously in anger as he couldn't decipher the status of his father's tone between formidable and indifference. "Listen boy, how you feel about me is something I can never change as it is your choice and not something I would ever be worried about. Trying to make you feel anything about me wastes my time. The best I want from you is for you to be yourself and not act like you are one of my subordinate. You are quick-witted which is more reason you were able to manipulate one of your classmates to replace you when you were bullied without knowing it as a child. You got your traits from your mother including your fear, but she was able to subdue her fear by channeling it to manipulating people to do her biding. It is no extra-ordinary phenomenon. She is just talented and blessed...just like you. She designed WEB. In fact, you're more talented which was my reason for tagging you as a BASTARD. I noticed your facial expression the first time you thought I called you that. At infant you usually responded happily to the acronym until you were two years old; you cry as if you knew its literal meaning. BASTARD is my personal acronym for Best Abled Sprog Turned A Reputable Daemon; while I called your mother CUSTARD which refered to CoUrSe To A Reputable Daemon. Do not bother the childishness of the acronym, but just like John to Jesus, she was the route to you. She would explain the rest to you herself at your next vacation. Now, back to your being bullied, just as I've seen it from one of WEB's numerous surveillance trained on you, though since your only female and friend transfered in J.S.S. 2, you've being absorbing every molestation against you thinking the world would later be fair to you since you're being fair by not fighting back. Being like this shows you're on a stray part. It's just like expecting a lion not to eat you because you don't eat lion. You must be prepared at all times. A moment is awarded to you to buttress within your head these information." The offline message dropped like it was never there with the study seeming deathly silent. Makinde stood up from the studies' seat and paced about thoughtfully. All the while Makinde's father spoke undivided listening attention was made.
What a funny combination? Makinde thought with his left hands akimbo and his right hand stroking an invincible beard. BASTARD's CUSTARD. CUSTARD's BASTARD. He gave a confused smile as he kept on pacing. His mother was a CUSTARD and he was a BASTARD. Wow! What a childish invention! How did his dad really get to acquire his present elated positions? If it was him, he sure could have been more constructive with his words. Apart from these constructive hullabaloo, his dad called him a natural supernatural being whose path have already being laid out for him to effectuate by his mum. And WEB happens to be a machinery to that effect. But how does that relate to his using Amarachi to do his bidding while he was younger? There was nothing like that. He couldn't remember how he happened to be the one to approach Amarachi. She made the move, besides, they were kids then. Anything could have possibly happened. Truly, he knew he was quick-witted which made him stood out amongst his peers. He could have been made the head-boy or the hostel representative of his boarding school, but he was not worth it due to his social status. He always played a lone hand. Even at school's project, it's either he does it alone or he does not participate. Due to this, his project team mates were simpletons who were excellent at only social activities and knew what was trendy as they were master sneakers of mobile phones that was considered a contraband in the school and were veterans and ultimate members of the 2go social network. These simpletons preferred Makinde to any other person despite the fact they never dialogued. Makinde stopped pacing and stood still, but kept stroking his beard. His eyes glittering bright showing enlightenment. He understood his father's reference of manipulation. Amongst these simpletons who were his project team, three were amongst the major bullies that frequently molested him and every other frail minded students, but at the end stood to take turns in looking out for him against every other bully in the school and that was two terms after Amarachi's transfer. But that wasn't his doing for he was only lucky to be in the same team with them. They loved him and took to protecting him which is nothing close to manipulation, but pure love and loyalty...
"The thoughtful moments are over for your kind." Makinde's father's voice returned in its unexpressable formidable voice cutting short Makinde's thought . "Your being here was an expectation. In lieu to this expectation, necessary plans are already initiated and in place to prepare you on your journey to be better than who I am like WEB announced to you.

Interesting

This is another one o. This 'oeuvre' shouldn't be tagged as plainly PARANORMAL. As long as Sci-fi is involved!

Bluehaven:
About the author:
JOHN HAVEN is a part-time writer who has written countable 'unfinished' pieces:
1. "The Journey to the Sun";
2. "BH-0000";
3. "The Designer";
4. "Destiny's Pathway";
5. "The Dead Ringer";
6. "Man Magnanimous";
7. "Tony Thrall";
8. "Blood Clamp"; and
9. "The BASTARD".

Oh my word!
Here are mouth-watering titles...
Please, I wanna believe these stories are as heavy as its names? And I hope it's on here?

You are the reason I've sign up with Nairaland...
Please Bluehaven, I've checked your profile and I've followed "The Designer", but I can't find the rest.
Please, direct the link to these other pieces of yours.

There is this other piece I glanced through amongst your topics, "Ghost Readers and Ridders", you didn't add it amongst your collections?

Gr8 work.patiently waiting for updates.

ObehiD here it is.

Oga Bluehaven, no show anymore?!

Bluehaven:
Y'all Nairaland ancestors, Lalasticlala, Divepen1, SmartestPopQueen, PrinceOfPrince, ChumzyPinky, PamelB, Fiyah, RawGurl, SamyFreshSmooth, Dfo12, Annie939, BimBerry1307, RinceSamuel93, SpiceyBae, Vicchi12, RoseyGold, Ashiat39, RachealFst, BelleFidel, Percentile, Ritvin, LeMubs, YorhmieNerd, OpeOluwa99, MissUniverse, Ewawumi, StalWert, Oracle2, Lleigh, TeedeeChian, DatJohn, Ridwan1821, AgentOfAllah, Crowniey, CountryGirl, Honourable356, Ojuolu, Abuklaw, DannyBeau, Olatex25, Dat9jaKid, Ritvin, PJSmart, Siralabai, Yinks89, Angelsss, OchyGlowsGlows, RolaDiva, D9ty7, MissRelly, Mhiztee, RichieBrown, Keeyah, Sashaa, MhizIszy, CirPhrank, OluwaBuqqyYolo, Greyce, Percentile, DokitaG, Agbaoyega, MaggieLovely, Idrhas, MissNazzy, BoyBreezy, WackyRichy, Osjaay, BlessyTee, Elmogaji, Bornita, JohnAdeDavid, 49cents, MzLizaBelle, Melonny, KhaliPharrel, FlakkyDagirl, LarrySun, Johnflowey1738, TGold1, OpeOluwa99, Flow1738, RachealFST, WizSolzy, Ikombe, LitQueen, and CyndyLove64.
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Don't be a ghost reader...abeg!
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Sit Down, Relax and Stay Tuned for the commencement of The BASTARD!

I am here

Following. Sounds really scary. Makinde should stand up to bullies.