Sunday, the 15th, 9:24 AM.
The large metallic bells of the church rang out through the city like an alarm to the heavens. Parents yelled at their children to stop running in the pews. The crowd thickened. Priests adjusted their stoles, choirs tuned their voices, and soft instrumental hymns played from the old organ.
In the middle of this organized chaos, Jase and his father entered the church and took a seat at the front bench. Both were silent. They opened freshly purchased Bibles, still crisp with the scent of new paper.
The priest stepped forward and began the service with a Psalm:
"I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.I will be glad and rejoice in thee:I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High."(Psalm 9:1–2)
Then, with solemn reverence, he continued:
"Let us come before the Lord with joy, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.Let every heart prepare Him room, and every voice give Him praise."
The prayer followed:
"Heavenly Father,We stand before You aware of our brokenness.The world bears the curse of sin — born from our arrogance and rebellion.We see the signs of the end, the trembling of creation, and the pride of man rising still.Yet, in Your mercy, You sent Christ — not to condemn, but to redeem.Through His blood, the curse is shattered.Through His cross, we are humbled and made whole.Forgive us, restore us, awaken us.Let our worship today be true, and our hearts be turned fully to You.In Jesus' name we pray,Amen."
As the priest continued, the back doors of the church creaked open.
A teenage boy entered with a younger brother and sister in tow. He sat quietly at the front, not far from Jase.
"Shhh, quiet," he whispered to the children.
Jase turned slightly.
It was Emmanuel.
Jase recognized him instantly.
Emmanuel glanced at Jase and silently scoffed: "Did he come here to beg God's forgiveness after slapping his invigilator?"
Jase, ignoring the look, focused back on the sermon.
10:11 AM. The service ended.
As the faithful began to disperse, Emmanuel stood up, checking his watch. While gently waking his siblings, he tried to sidestep any conversation about yesterday's infamous slap.
He leaned toward Jase."What are you doing here? First time I see you in church."
Jase replied with a faint smile,"I came to beg for the love of God."
His father, already standing, called him:"Be fast."
Jase followed his father toward the altar and approached one of the priests. His voice was calm but uncertain:
"Can you cast out demons?"
The priest studied him.
"Do you have a demon inside you?"
Jase hesitated."I think... because..."
The priest interrupted,"Follow me."
They walked through a quiet corridor behind the altar. Jase glanced around nervously, wondering what was about to happen. His father looked hopeful — convinced this was what Jase needed.
They reached a small prayer altar.
"Kneel," the priest instructed.
Jase's father knelt first. Jase followed.
The priest dipped his hand in holy water and gently poured it over Jase's head.
"Hold thy peace, and come out of him."
Silence.
The corridor held its breath.
Then, softly, the priest spoke again,"I did my best. May you be well."
Jase stood up slowly. His body felt different, lighter—but not free. Not yet.
His father handed the priest a coin — just 20 FCFA — all he had left.
"May the Lord be with you," said the priest.
On the way home, Jase sat in the bus silently. His thoughts, however, raged louder than bells.
"Is the devil inside me real?Or am I just imagining it?Maybe... maybe I'm the devil.I asked Dad to bring me to church because I don't understand why I slapped that guy yesterday.Maybe nothing really changed.Why would God accept me when I only pray to Him when I need something?Maybe it was a waste of money.We're already poor..."
He laughed bitterly and closed his eyes.
Later, just five meters from home...
Jase and his father walked the final stretch. His father handed him the wallet.
"Buy some bread."
Jase opened it — shocked to see only 3 FCFA remaining.
He gave almost everything to the priest… for me…
Jase went to the small shop nearby.
"Wassup Franky, two loaves of bread."
Before Franky could respond, a tall guy walked in, speaking into a phone. He brushed past Jase.
"Gimme the usual," he said.
Franky slid a cigarette across the counter. The guy — McLarence — lit up and leaned against the wall, still on the call.
"Seriously, we need someone new to replace him."
A pause.
"McLarence, find another one fast or we lose our clients," said the voice on the other end.
McLarence grunted."I will. Let me sell what I got first."
He left his wallet on the counter, distracted.
Jase looked at it.
If I take it… maybe I could help Dad...
Franky was watching a movie. A customer walked in.
Jase slid the wallet into his pocket and left with the bread.
Minutes later.
Jase lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He finally opened the wallet.
Inside — drugs.
His heart stopped.
"I'm in serious danger."