Annie
"I don't even believe that," I say, picking up my spoon.
"There were these girls in my high school." she start, her eyes cloud like she could see what she's about to say. "One was Kiara and the other, Annie. These girls were best friends for as long as I knew. They were practically sisters. Rumours had it that Kiara was from a wealthy family while Annie's parents were struggling to survive."
"But that was before Annie met Kiara. Annie was to be kicked out of high school that year because her parents couldn't afford the fees and it was a government school. So Kiara made her parents pay her school fees. From then on, Kiara's parents took Annie as theirs as Annie's parents lived very very far away in the isolated village they came from. Kiara's parents usually gave Annie extra money and each time they did, Annie would send a huge percentage to her parents in the village. Her parents were equally both grateful that Annie had found such a loving friend." By this time, I finish eating and stay seated, listening on intently.
"This treatment continued on till they completed high school. After their graduation and all, Annie's parents invited Kiara to their village so they could finally see the guardian angel that was sent to them. It was also the burial ceremony of one of Annie's elderly relative."
"What was the name of the village?" I ask, interrupting her flow.
"it isn't ethical to interrupt people," she scolds a bit, "but I cannot remember. I think it started with an 'F'. It is a strange name though" I quickly nod my head, gesturing that I understand and she should quickly continue her story.
"When Annie's parents saw Kiara, they were instantly filled woth praises for her. 'Oh, you're so beautiful', 'How did you get such beautiful, clear skin?', 'You have such pretty eyes'. This was people's natural reaction to Kiara for she was such a beauty to look upon." she says, smiling a bit at another distant memory I wasn't part of.
"On the night the burial ceremony was concluded, Annie's mum called her and gave her two dresses. 'This one is for you,' she said, giving Annie a dark blue plain gown, 'And this one is for your friend, Kiara', she gave her a light blue frilly dress with soft patterns. 'Both of you should wear it to sleep'."
"Now Annie hadn't been in the village for many years, but she remembered vaguely what was to happen. So she went to the room she shared with Kiara and told her everything. Then she gave Kiara the dark blue dress and wore the light blue dress. She gave Kiara directions on the easiest way to leave the village and begged her not to make a noise, should anything happen in thier room that night. With this, they laid down and cried together till they had no more tears to shed. With knowledge of the impending doom about to befall Annie, neither of them could sleep. So they lay quietly side by side. It was very dark into the night when they heard the door open. As it was a core uncivilised village, there was no artificial light source. The person who came in silently picked up the unmoving Annie and left. As soon as Kiara couldn't hear the footsteps anymore, she quickly took the directions Annie had given her and escaped."
"Rumours had it that they had covered her mouth with a cloth to muffle her screams as they slaughtered her. They had cut her up into sections. They'd roasted her and in the dark of the night and left the head for the last, as their custom was. The family ate her up together, as the day was about to break. Then, they brought the head to roast in open fire. When the head was brought amd unwrapped, Annie's mother fell to the ground screaming. Quickly, people were sent to bring Kiara out, but she was not inside. By the time they just began to figure out what may have happened, the police had arrived."
"This story was on the headlines for 2 consecutive weeks," Aunt Clara concluded, gathering our plates to the kitchen's sink.
"What happened to Kiara?" I ask
"I've never heard of her since then."
