1001 Horror Story

Grudges from the Grave Realm Part 2

Now, it has been more than twenty years since the first time Agnenaga tried the black fog trick to trap prospective victims. The secret is still safe because Agbenyaga makes the victims as if they had an accident or robbery.

It is also like being eaten by wild animals. Victims are usually found a few hours after death so it is natural if they are considered dead due to blood loss.

There are times when Agbyaga is lucky, gets more than one victim. Like when a car contains a family that rolled over. Four people died instantly, while a baby was still alive. The agency chose a small child and a young woman whom he believed was the mother of the child and the baby. After completing the desire, Agnenaga brought the baby to her home.

However, little by little the residents of Hiamankyen began to be suspicious because now more and more often occur ‘ mishap’ in locations that are not too far apart. The condition of Agbenyaga's body that has begun to age does not allow him to walk tens of kilometers like when he was in his 40s.

Agbyaga had thought of moving to another place, but which village would give him the same protection as in Hiamankyen. He was born here, and so was his ancestor. At least the villagers would never dare to accuse him blatantly, let alone to the point of crowding his house. So, the most important thing now is to be more careful and remain patient.

A few more days the dead moon will come. Agbyaga began to prepare all the necessities for his routine ritual. His hands were busy pounding potions, while his eyes looked at the children who had just returned to worship on Sunday afternoon. Agbyaga was not enjoying the plain joy and the carefree chatter of the children, he was watching them.

A few weeks ago, a boy managed to sneak up quietly and throw a clover leaf right in front of the entrance. As a result, Agbyaga was trapped inside the house, and had to wait for the wind to blow the clover leaves out of his yard. He was lucky that night it rained heavily so that it washed away all the clover leaves.

Agbyaga kept the boy's face in his memory. One day, he will have to accept his actions. But now there are other things that also disturb the mind of Agbenyaga. Something more important.

Earlier this afternoon, Agbenyaga caught a man staring from outside the gate. From his movements, Agbenyaga was sure the foreign man was observing his house. He waited until the man was no longer visible at the new gate then exited the house, and ran towards the fence.

Agbenaga opened the gate, then watched his surroundings. The man was no longer there, like disappearing in the wind. Sighing in annoyance, Agbyaga twisted his body and intended to go back into his yard.

“Excuse me, mistress. Good day.” A bass-pitched voice suddenly emerged from behind the back of Agbyaga. Want to not want Agnenaga to turn her body back.

In front of him stood a man about 25 years old. His handsome face at a glance reminded Agnenaga of someone. I don't know who.

Agbyaga's eyes looked at the man from head to toe. He wore a straw boater hat, a white shirt and trousers, and sandals made of leather webbing. At first glance his appearance is similar to a teacher... or a missionary?

“What's the need, young man?” Ask a ketus agent, without further ado.

The man smiled and replied politely. “I just want to talk to madam.”

“Speaking with me?! Why do you think I would be interested in what you are talking about? Sorry, I'm busy!” Answer Agbyaga in a spicy tone.

It seemed like the young man did not care about the rude attitude that Agnyaga showed. He still smiled politely. “I get it, madam. I'm sorry if I've interfered, but what I'm about to say should not be heard by the crowd. Let me in, we're talking inside.”

Agbyaga looked around. Quite a lot of people passed the afternoon under the hot sun. Agbyaga's eyes looked back at the man before him suspiciously.

“No. I won't let you in, even if it's just up to the yard. So, whatever you want to say, say it right now.” Agbenyaga's tone remained high and taut while continuing to stare sharply. Generally people will look down if they look at Agbenyaga, but not this man.

He remained calm returning the gaze of Agbyaga's eyes. “Good madam, I will not waste a very precious mistress' time. Here's what I want to say..”.

The man moved his index finger, hinting for Agbyaga to approach. The agent understood that what the man was going to say was apparently not allowed to be heard by anyone else. Moreover, people have begun to be interested in the presence of foreign men in front of the house.

“You don't mess with me, young man. Watch out!” Said Agbyaga while approaching slowly to the mysterious man.

“Quick say!” Agbyaga's orders.

But until ten seconds passed, not a single word came out of the man's mouth.

Agitation peaked. “Good. Thats enough. I won't be serving you anymore.”

Agbyaga turned to the man. She's surprised. The man's mouth was still open so wide that his child's throat was so clear. She was confused as to what the man was going to do.

Slowly, a voice came from inside the man's throat. His voice was very slow and low, similar to the growl of a savage beast. The agent was hypnotized, listening carefully even though his instincts told him to leave immediately.

Over time the sound changed. The more clearly heard in the ears Agbenyaga. The look on Agbenaga's face changed instantly. “Whataa...?!”

Agbyaga was sure he had not misheard what had just come out of the foreign man's mouth.

The voice was so real, to the point that it involuntarily covered her face with her hands. He was terrified, as if a motorbike or car was about to hit him.

Agbyaga still remembered exactly when and where he heard the voice. Yeah, that's the sound of a tire squeaking over a tarmac road in the dead of night deserted over twenty years ago.

The man closed his mouth. At that moment the voice disappeared and the situation went back to silence.

“That's all I want to say, madam. Good day,” said the foreign man while smiling flatly. His face was flat, showing no emotion. He turned his body and passed without saying anything more.

Agbyaga stood glued, as if bewitched by a voice from his past and immersed in it. The sound of children laughing and making fun of him jolted Agnenaga back from her daydream.

Agbyaga's eyes stared fiercely at the children who surrounded him. One by one the children ran away in fear. There's one who yells, “Your time will arrive soon, bad guy!”

It is like not hearing that word. He went into his house to pick up the potion and sprinkled it around the fence. He felt he had to protect himself even more. Not from the village children, but from the mysterious man earlier.

Since that incident, Agbenyaga has increasingly confined himself in the house. He no longer works on a chocolate plantation, and only goes out of the house if it is really urgent. Shopping for kitchens is only done once a week.

But tonight he has to leave the house. The time is almost here for Agbenyaga to find new victims. This time he had planned to go a little further than usual. Therefore, Agbenaga went 2 days early to get to the destination on time of the dead moon.

As always, Agbenyaga always leaves when it's dark. He headed to Binda Highway – Kete Krachi by breaking through shrubs and trees. The dark path is no barrier to Agbyaga. The ability to see in the dark helped him find a path that only wild animals would normally cross.

Kreeks…

Agbenya Kuping captures the sound of dry leaves or branches being stepped on something. He slipped between trees and shrubs to hide. Hunters may be on the prowl looking for a night animal catch. From the hiding place, Agbenyaga watched his surroundings.

Blank. There's nothing. Only twigs and leaves were twitching in the cold harmattan breeze.

During the trip, Agbenyaga repeatedly looked back. He could not shake the feeling that he was being followed. However, Agnenaga saw no one, except trees, shrubs and the wind. Even the beast of the night did not hear his voice.

Finally Agbenaga arrived at the side of the highway. He was waiting for the bus that would take him to Gbungbaliga village. Agbyaga watched the vehicle coming from Kete Krachi's direction, but the corner of his eye caught a shiny object not far from where he stood. Agbenaga walked up to the object, and picked it up from the ground.

Agbyaga's eyes were wide open, his heart beating twice as fast. The small thing in his hand continued to be closely observed. His fingers clenched, clasping the thing tightly.

“Xetas..” Whisper Agbenyaga. Sure enough, that thing is the talisman that used to be used by Xetta.

But how did this talisman get here? Wasn't it when Xetas was burned by villagers that he was still wearing it around the neck? Agberyaga was convinced because when he saw Xetta's body, the talisman was still attached to his neck.

The agent hurriedly threw the talisman away, and instantly grasped his own talisman while chanting a spell that would protect him from the evil forces.

The bus that was waiting finally arrived. Agbyaga got up and sat in the window seat. Before the bus drove off, Agnenaga turned to the place where she threw the talisman. He felt his heart beating again. He closed his eyes to calm himself by reciting the mantra. Agbenaga did not get to see someone take the amulet and keep it in the bag.

Arriving at the destination, Agbyaga searched for a cottage that was usually used by hunters to rest. He found an empty one. The lodge is located between Wulensi and Gbungbaliga, only about a half-hour walk from the highway.

After hiding his luggage inside the cottage, Agnenaga walked towards Blinda – Kete Krachi Highway. He had to first observe the situation since this was his first time choosing this area.

The awaited time has arrived. By midnight, Agnenaga left the hunter's lodge, and slipped between the shadows of trees and shrubs. He should still avoid meeting humans, especially the locals as he is a stranger who will definitely provoke suspicion.

Finished with the ritual of setting up a trap for his would-be victims, Agnenaga waited behind a grove of banana trees that grew tightly on the roadside. That night was completely deserted. Only occasionally heard the rustling sound of banana leaves blown by the wind or piqued kalong who was looking for ripe fruit.

Agberyaga heard the sound of a motorbike from a distance. He's hunkering tighter and tighter. The sound is approaching. Agenda get ready because soon the bike will surely arrive in front of him.

The sound of the motor is getting clearer, followed by a loud tire squeak, then followed by the sound of falling objects thumping and metal friction on the asphalt. Agbenaga came out of hiding to complete his mission.

But when he arrived at the location, Agnenaga found the streets empty. He was stunned, there was nothing there. There was no motorbike rolled over, no victim lying around. Just asphalt and the dense black fog of his creation.

As if not believing his own vision, Agbenaga checked his surroundings again.

Totally empty, nothing. What's the matter?

Not to mention the curiosity of Agberyaga, his ears caught again the sound of motor sounds. Agbenaga got off the highway, and went back into hiding. The same thing repeated. Agenda immediately watched her surroundings, in case someone was working on her. Still no one.

His instincts as a voodoo shaman say something is wrong, especially since the source of the sound is now coming from above his head. Agbyaga is getting ready to run away and will be back tomorrow after he prepares better.

Too late! An invisible but powerful entity hit Agbenyaga until he floated 10 meters high. The agenaga slammed violently on the asphalt, followed by cries of pain. His left shin was broken, while his right knee was sprained. However, Agnenaga is a voodoo shaman who is full of knowledge and experience. He's not easily taken out.

While enduring the intense pain, Agnenaga limped back to the hunter's cottage. There were stored some of his luggage that he hoped could treat his injuries.

The sound of motors, tire squeaks, falling objects thumping and metal friction on the asphalt continuously heard the ears Agbenyaga. He felt that if the blow was not able to kill him directly then these sounds would drive him crazy, and die slowly.

The hunting lodge is already visible in plain sight but Agbenyaga is no longer strong. He fell down. Agbyaga sat leaning against the trunk of a banana tree, gathering energy to continue his journey.

The Agberyaga break was interrupted by the sound of footsteps walking over. He saw sandals of woven leather, and feet clad in white pants. Agbyaga raised his head.

“You...?”

The handsome man Agbenyaga had met a few days ago was now standing before him. The man then squatted until his eyes were level with Agbenaga. Lips smile. “Ya, right. I.”

The man reached into his pocket, took something and put it into the hands of Agnenaga. Without having to see it, Agbenyaga knew exactly what was in his grasp. The amulet of Xetas. He looked at the mysterious man who was still kneeling before him.

“Who are you?” Ask Agbyaga slowly.

“I Kpodo.” Answer the man.

For more than forty years as a voodoo shaman, only this time Agbyaga knew the name of his victims. But that's not what Agbyaga meant. He wanted to know who this man really was, what did it have to do with Xetas until he could have his sacred talisman?

A memory suddenly slipped in, a memory that brought Agbenaga to the usual events decades ago. Ordinary, because there is nothing too special about a birth event, just like the thousands of other births that occur in Hiamankyen. Agbyaga tries hard to remember what is special about birth besides it happens exactly on the day of the dead moon.

Agbyaga looked at the mysterious man's face. Like a deja vu, his delicate and handsome face reminded him of someone. Agbyaga squeezed out his memories. Another face appeared in Agbenyaga's mind.

Could it…?

No, this is impossible!

Agbyaga observed once again the face of the man before him. Not wrong anymore. Agbenaga head immediately feels pain, his brain feels like it is being squeezed.

“You guys... twins?” Ask Agbenaga while enduring extreme pain.

“Betul, I am Kpodo. Xetch is my brother. His small name is Dofi,” he answered while taking the Xetas amulet that is still in the grasp of Agbenyaga. The talisman was then gripped tightly.

The pain in the head of agberyaga is becoming. His head was like a stone weighing hundreds of kilos, his neck was stiff and the entire nerve knot in his body like it stopped working.

With the remnants of his strength still in his possession, Agnyaga shouted with all her might. His voice sounded very heartbreaking and slashing. Agbyaga's cries weakened and finally stopped.

The mysterious man in white clothes stood up and disappeared along with a gust of harmattan wind.

**SAI**