When the skeletons come out

Regret, rage and pain he never thought was humanly possible to endure. Everything hit him all at once. Perhaps his true misery was that to the rest of the world he was living his best life while in all honesty he never meant for things to go as they did.

Ntsika raised his hand in an attempt to shield his bald shiny head from the summer wrath of the African sun. Though the rumble in his stomach made him question his choice he knew better than to leave school, he told himself he would just have to endure it a little longer.

Koloti spotted his brother from a distance. The thick brown layer on his school shoes proved to Koloti just how long his brother had to walk, and his cracked white lips were a great assurance to Koloti that he had indeed made a wise decision by staying home.

As always Koloti clothed and fed his brother, making an effort to sneak any extra food past their drunk father.

Soon after the boys were on their way to find their father's lost herd as Koloti had no luck trying alone in Ntsika’s absence.Somehow these boys always knew they could count on each other. Ntsika with his intelligence and Koloti with his bravery, together they were a formidable duo.

That day it would not be long before the boys found their livestock. Delighted, they set on a returned journey, impatient to share the good news with their father and witness his pleased and proud face. Laughter and cheer was all that could be heard as the boys maneuvered the familiar paths of the forest behind their herd of cattle.

Just as they were about to reach home, an old, frail man approached seeking directions which they were more than obliged to give. The old man walked past them before looking back and calling out to them once again. A

The boys turned around and the old man asked!

“ What if one of you had both? What if only one had both bold and smart eyes?”

And with that a seed was planted. Sensing the confusion in their young innocent eyes the old man scurried off, knowing very well it wouldn't be long until they understood him.

On the third morning since the boys’ encounter with the old man, the village swirled with news of the disappearance of one of the famous brothers.

Shocking enough, the city life looks good on him. As he would put it, he was made for glamour and finer things, he could not ask for more.It has been years since he left his dull village where he always felt out of place, here he has made a new home, where he feels happy and welcome. He was the golden boy, the nation's beloved and in everyone's eyes he could do no wrong. It was a pity those without a pair could not share the same sentiment but he would not concern himself with ghosts especially from his past.

In order to flaunt his wealth well he had made sure to build to impress. At first glance his house gave the impression of one grand British castle or maybe it really was, the resemblance was quite striking.

On that particular evening the calmness of the great castle alarmed the guards as they would soon fill merely a quarter of their master's living room. They all beamed and giggled while speaking in hushed voices but their happiness was short-lived as it would appear their misery was only delayed, as if on cue everyone let out a groan of frustration while hurrying to the master's room.

Upon arrival their master was on the floor, the agony in his cries was enough to pierce through the faint-hearted. His right-hand man carried his corpse-like body to bed as soon as the screaming seized. Making sure to wipe his drip while he was at it.

As days went by, their master's condition only got worse, it was becoming too painful to watch. To their amazement, his days were as swift and fruitful as before yet all hell broke loose at night, but they knew better than to ask any questions and so they lived with curiosity. Little did they know they would not be curious any longer.

The morning three days after his nightmares had started, he woke up with chills running down his spine and he knew the day for his night and daytime to be one was upon him. He managed to tremble his way into a suit while his heart was beating out of his chest.

Soon enough his routine was interrupted just as he walked out of his grand palace. The loyal guards watched as their big boss melted like jelly to the ground as his joints went cold at the sight of the figure that has been tormenting him in his dreams.

Right there was a scene that had replayed itself in his head countless times.

The figure approached slowly, making sure to take in his prey’s reaction. When he saw him fall to his knees earlier he was pleased, knowing his arrival was felt, but nothing gave him greater pleasure than the chokes that escaped his enemy's mouth at the realization of who he really was.

Choking and on his knees,he could not believe his eyes. His betrayal came rushing back into his mind, the old man's words,all the nights he convinced himself it was for the best, his brother's lifeless body as he watched him float in the great Thakadu River. Yet here he was, cloaked in nothing but vengeance and the young king knew he would soon meet his maker.