THE VIBE: Episode 1
The trailer was approaching at full speed, throwing up dust behind it like a hurricane. Fred was wondering if the driver had lost his mind, then it
dawned on him; the driver had not lost his mind, he had lost control of the vehicle!
Fred wanted to shout, to alert people around of the imminent danger, but he could not utter a word. He stood transfixed, like a spectator in an Olympic game, and watched as the trailer made its way into the ever busy “Strum” street and crushed vehicles, hawkers, street side market women and pedestrians alike. It was like a nightmare as Fred watched the whole thing unfold.
There was pandemonium everywhere. Mothers were calling out for their children, the wounded were crying, horns were blaring, the atmosphere was struck with panic.
From the cacophony, Fred heard someone call his name. It sounded like it was coming from another realm, another planet.
The voice continued impatiently, “Fred! Fredrick!”
A hand tapped him and Fred jumped out of his reverie.
“What is wrong with you Fred? Are you daydreaming of Prisca again?”
It was no other person than Chris, Fred’s long time buddy. People often said they look alike, some referred to them as twins, but Fred could hardly see the resemblance. Both of them just graduated from high school and were sorting themselves out, preparing for college.
“Its not Prisca, Chris. It just happened again”
Chris was a little confused.
“You mean the …”
“Yes”, Fred cut in. “Yes, I just had another one. This time, very clear and vivid”
The only one who knew about Fred’s visions or “vibes”, as he chose to call it, was Chris. He was the only one Fred could ever confide in.
“It was surreal, yet so real”, Fred continued. “Something deep inside keeps telling me not to ignore this”
“Don’t you think you have to see a doctor?”
Chris trusted his friend, he knew Fred couldn’t be lying to him or making things up, but he was still concerned that his friend might be sick; not crazy though – but perhaps slightly sick.
“Am not sick Chris”
“Then maybe you can go see a man of God, perhaps a pastor or …”
“For goodness sake Chris, I am not having a spiritual attack!”
Regardless of the fact that he grew up in the locality, Fred did not share in the trait of attributing every little incident to spiritual attacks and that entire superstitious hullabaloo.
“I wonder how you guys find it easy to be so superstious!”
Chris laughed. “Call it whatever you want, I just want you to be fine”
“I am fine!” Fred retorted.
“Anyway, I just thought I should drop by and remind you of our visit to Felix on Friday. I know you may probably end up forgetting again”
Chris was teasing Fred again, and Fred knew this, so he smiled.
Fred had a wonderful memory, and if anybody were to forget anything amongst the both of them, it will definitely be Chris!
“You’re crazy Chris! How could I ever forget? Don’t worry; I know what you’re indirectly asking for. You want me to remind you when the time comes and I will. After all, what are friends for?”
“Silly you!” Chris laughed.
“I’ve got to go now. I need to catch up with some stuff. See you later man”
“No p bro”
‘No p’ was a slang they used among themselves. It means ‘No problem’
Fred watched Chris as he sauntered away. He often wondered how Chris could make light of every problem. Here he was, burdened with the images he has just seen, and Chris was strolling jauntily, as if he had no care in the world. Sometimes he wished he could have that kind of emotional stability.
Fred decided at that moment to go and see what he could accomplish with his power project. He was from a country that was suffering from acute economic meltdown. Poverty was a common thing, but what pissed him off the most was the epileptic power supply.
His friend once lost one of his elder sisters to childbirth years ago.
It happened that she had gone into labor but the doctors said she could not give birth to the baby via conventional means, so they had to carry out a caesarean section on her. Halfway through the operation, there was a power outage, and before they could get the backup generator to work, one thing had led to the other and she was gone.
The pains and devastation was what moved Fred to begin the power project he was currently working on. If the project eventually meets his expectations, the power sector will be changed for good.
He got to his workshop and started working, running calculations at intervals. He was a typical geek!
He must have dozed off; for once again, he started seeing those flashes. It was the same scene from the earlier vision. The trailer – black and blue in color – was still on rampage, crushing vehicles and pedestrians. Eventually, it crashed into an electric pole. Next thing Fred knew, it seemed like he was standing right next to the trailer and he could see the driver’s face quite clearly.
Then it all started to fade away, like a painting that is being erased, it all disappeared, and there he was once again, resting his head on the desk in his workshop. He had a terrible headache and sweat was dripping from his forehead.
*********************************************************************************
Felix lived at no. 74 Strum Street, one of the busiest parts of the town. He was a colleague to Fred and Chris, but the distance between his domain and theirs made it difficult for them to hang out often, so whenever they got the opportunity to hang out, they made sure it was always worth he while. This Friday was not going to be an exception.
Fred looked at his watch for the umpteenth time, he was getting impatient and traffic was almost at a standstill. Their cab driver had even turned off his vehicle to preserve the little petrol he was running on.
“How many hours more do you think we have to spend in this gridlock?” Chris asked.
His question was directed to Fred who was sitting beside him but another passenger answered him, “it will soon clear”
Fred was wondering what could have made the man speak with so much confidence, but then he looked up and noticed that the soldiers whose vehicle were a few spots ahead of theirs, had disembarked from their vehicle and were now moving forward with stern looks on their faces.
Fred did not need a soothsayer to tell him what was about to happen, and indeed in a matter of minutes, vehicles started moving and the gridlock was broken.
He often marveled at the authority and power the gallant men of the military wielded. He sometimes toyed with the idea of applying for a military school, but he always ended up waving the idea. He knew he was meant for greater things.
They finally got to their bus stop, paid the driver and alighted. Strum Street had double lanes, just like every other major road in the town.
They were about to cross to the other side when Fred saw it.
A big cloud of dust was forming at the far end of the road. He paused and looked harder; lo and behold, a black and blue colored trailer was racing down the other lane….
Watch out for episode 2.
Constructive criticisms, encouragements and corrections are always welcome. Please make use of the comment box.
Thanks!
#DEVA