Eugene, Chisom lives in Ojo, Lagos. TYWA stories may be slightly edited for grammatical accuracy and to better serve TGF readers. The originality of the story is 100% intact. - TYWA 2025
Editor’s Note:
There are tales that entertain, and then there are tales that gnaw quietly at the edges of our conscience. This short story does both. On the surface, it is a ghost story with all the trappings of a nightmare, but at its core, it warns of the destructive hunger for wealth at the cost of human connection.
With expressive detail and an eerie cadence, the writer ushers us into a room heavy with guilt, regret, and supernatural consequence. The ending, dark, surreal, and unforgettable, leaves us with a haunting question: How far will one go in pursuit of riches, and what might be waiting on the other side?
I sat down on the cushion with my jaw cupped in my hands. I was lost in thought. From my facial expression, you could tell how worried I was.
Right in front of me, the television displayed a drama that I wasn't obviously interested in. Just beside me, a table carrying some used dishes stood lifeless.
I had just finished eating dinner.
Despite the fact that there was a supply of electric power, I turned off all the lights and managed to view things around with the light emanating from the TV set.
You might be wondering if I lived alone. No, I didn't. I lived with my best friend.
I was still lost in thought, thinking about my past actions, the repercussions, and where my best friend could be, when all of a sudden, the door to my room flung open! It was so surprising because I had closed the door from inside before taking my dinner.
While ruminating on the eerie experience that had just occurred, the TV went off and everywhere became as dark as a shadow.
My heart flew to my mouth!
I quickly reached out for the bulb switches and turned the lights on.
Immediately, the bulbs shattered and scattered all over my bed. I became still. I could only hear the sound of my archaic, creaking fan.
I dashed outside with the speed of lightning. I didn't just stop there; I continued running till I found a group of students, burning their night candles beside a compound, in preparation for an exam.
I proceeded to join them, and just then, all the burning candles went out.
We were all startled!
The students turned on their flashlights and we found a very scary lady with blood spilled all over her face. She stretched her hands towards me and plucked out both my eyes! I screamed in anguish!
Everyone scurried into their houses, leaving me behind to my fate.
Before my eyes were plucked out, I stood transfixed to a spot and peered into the eyes of the ghost lady.
It was my best friend.
I knew she would keep haunting me till I joined her over there in the land of the dead.
After all, I was the cause of my misfortune. I shouldn't have eaten my best friend for dinner as a result of my insatiable quest for wealth!
That twist at the end chilling! And
Very insightful