The Island of Shadows

 The Island of Shadows

                                                               By

                                                        Olisa Okigbo

Once upon a time, a man named Ethan lived in New York City. Ethan was an adventurous man, always wanting to do something thrilling like climbing tall mountains or cave diving. One day, while browsing through an old bookstore, he stumbled upon a dusty, ancient map. It talked about an undiscovered island, far off in the sea, surrounded by legends and mystery. Intrigued, Ethan decided to embark on a journey to this mysterious place.

After weeks of preparing, Ethan set sail on a small boat, navigating through dangerous waters. The journey was long and difficult, but his excitement to arrive on the island kept him going. Finally, after days at sea, he spotted the island on the horizon. It was beautiful and green, with towering palm trees and dazzling beaches. Ethan felt a surge of delight and excitement as he stepped onto the untouched sand.

As he explored the island, Ethan marvelled at its beauty. The air was filled with the sweet scent of exotic flowers, and the sound of birdsong echoed through the dense jungle. He felt like he had discovered paradise. However, as the sun began to set, a sense of unease crept over him. The island seemed too perfect, too peaceful.

Ethan decided to set up camp near a freshwater stream. As he gathered wood for a fire, he noticed strange markings on the trees. They were complicated symbols unlike anything he had br

ever seen. Curiosity took advantage of him, he followed the trail of markings deeper into the jungle. The path led him to a clearing, where he stumbled upon a village of primitive huts.

To his horror, Ethan realized that a tribe of cannibals inhabited the village. The villagers were gathered around a large fire, chanting and dancing in a frenzied ritual. Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the tribe start a ceremony. There was a man and his wife tied to a thick metal rod stuck deep into the ground. There was a red liquid traced into a big circle around them. 

The other villagers danced and sang loudly in a weird language. He knew he had to leave the island immediately, but the way back to his boat was risky and full of danger.

As he turned to flee, an old villager with white markings all over his body emerged from the forest. In his hand was a massive knife; he walked slowly towards the victims, swaying from side to side and speaking quietly to himself. The couple screamed for him to stay away. The older man didn't listen; the man even offered him money while his wife cried for help, but it was no use. The man raised the butchering knife into the air and beheaded the wife and husband in seconds. Ethan was so shocked he jumped back into Terro, accidentally stepping on a twig and snapping it loudly. The chanting stopped abruptly, and the villagers turned their heads in his direction. Panic poured through him as he sprinted through the jungle, the sound of footsteps closing in behind him. He could hear the villagers shouting in a language he couldn't understand, their voices filled with anger and hunger.

Ethan's lungs burned as he ran, his mind racing with fear. He stumbled and fell, scraping his hands and knees on the rough terrain. Desperation fueled his every move as he pushed himself to keep going. Finally, he burst through the trees and onto the beach, his boat in sight.

Ethan untied the boat with trembling hands and pushed it into the water. He jumped in and began rowing with all his might, afraid that they would capture him, glancing back to see the villagers emerging from the jungle, their eyes filled with rage. They beat their bellies and screamed out words from a different language. The boat drifted away from the shore, and Ethan collapsed in exhaustion, his heart still pounding.

As he sailed away from the island, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of dread that lingered in his mind. He had escaped with his life, but the memory of the cannibal tribe would haunt him forever. The island of shadows had revealed its dark secret, and Ethan knew he would never return to its shores.