APPLE COVEN: All I Took Was A Bite

Christiana kept yanking her hair. All she's feeling right that moment is to beat the hell out of her. How could she,how could she do something unspeakable. Being a step sister to someone like her disgusts her to the core.

"Sophie, do you think momma is gonna be happy about this?" She yelled, sitting on her as she laid on the cold ties.

"Christiana get off me." Sophie snapped.

"Don't you have any guilty conscience, I have desired to be in college, but you, what did you do, you went and now what's the results"

"Pregnancy"Sophie said with a scoff.

"Are you really kidding, you got pregnant and you think it's a joke. The opportunity you got some helpless people out there don't have, same as me Sophie" Christiana yell ruffle her hair.

"Can't I get pregnant with someone I love, and it's not that I didn't want you to study, you were the one that said I should go first"Sophie snapped.

"Is it not because things were tight then, the money was not enough for the two of us, well it's good you are pregnant now, I will be able to go school"Christiana said storming out of the room.

"It's just a mistake, I didn't know it would lead to pregnancy. Ohh God" Sophie said, placing her hand on her head.

She continued,

"I need to see Jeffery,"she thought while shaking hands.

************

Her heels kept making a rhythm in cool beats.

"Jeffery!, Jeffery!,"She screamed.

"(She thought) Where could he be, that's why I don't like coming to his house. It's too big, Jeffery!" She called again.

"Could he be sleeping?"she thought.

Jeffery keeps snoring lazily. Sophie pushed his door angrily.

"Jeffrey!!!"she screamed throwing her hand bag at him.

He flinched back to reality"what's that for" Jeffery said with a sleepy voice.

"Don't you wanna hear it,"she screamed, collapsing on the bed.

"Sweetheart, come over. "Jeffery said, wrapping his hand around her waist.

"Jeffery, please open your eyes,"Sophie said with a teary voice.

"Sophie ee, what's wrong, you know I don't like seeing tears on your face, come on sweetheart tell me what's going on" Jeffery said, pulling her close to his chest.

"Am pregnant Jeffery"she dropped the bombshell.

"You,, are, pregnant,,"Jeffery shuttered a little.

"Don't worry we're gonna abort it"Sophie said wiping her tears.

Jeffery looked at her as if she suddenly grew two horns on her head.

"You wanna abort my first child"Jeffery said still can't believe her words.

"I thought you wanted to abort, sorry Jeffery,"Sophie cried loudly.

"Hey! Hey! don't cry you gonna stress the baby."Jeffery said with a soft voice, hugging her tightly to himself.

"Christiana heard of it, and she's pissed a little"Sophie said, raising her head up.

"Christiana isn't a problem, but your Mom"Jeffery said worries.

"She's against our relationship" Sophie murmurs.

"Yeah, I don't know why she's against it. Same as my Mom, she doesn't like you"Jeffery said with a sad voice.

"I don't want you to be in a bad mood because of our parents, what matters most is our relationship,our love, about us Jeffery. We just have to make them understand."Sophie said, trying to encourage him.

"That's it,"Jeffery said with a smile.

"That's what" she asked, still lost between their conversation.

"Your intelligence, you will always find things to say no matter what"Jeffery said, staring at her beautiful face.

"Jeffery, don't you think our parents knew each other from somewhere"Sophie said.

"You mean they know each other?"Jeffery asked, trying to digest the whole conversation.

"Yeah, they know each other but not on good terms"Sophie said with a pout.

"This is not good, "Jeffery said.

"Because I don't understand, the moment I showed her your picture, she smiled and asked of your name and I told her your name including your surname, she asked if I have your mom's pictures and I told her yes, the moment I showed her your mom's picture her got angry at me "Sophie cried.

"Same, but I only mentioned your full name and she got pissed," Jeffery said, resting his head on the soft pillow.

"The universe isn't supporting our relationship" Sophie cried loudly.

"No more tears left to cry, I will support you in everything Sophie, I won't let the hatred they have for each other come in between our love" Jeffery said, biting her ear.

"That's ticklish,"Sophie laughed.

"You are always ticklish on your tummy, ear and the bottoms of your feet" Jeffery said with a smile.

"Jeffery, I am starving,"Sophie said with a pout.

"Why don't you stay here, I am gonna prepare something for you." Jeffery said, laying her head gently on the pillow.

"Let me assist you Jeff."

"No," he snapped and continued "stay here. I don't wanna stress the baby."Jeffery said, taking a perfect back turn.

In a blink of the eye, Jeffery is already out of the room. Sophie chuckled.

"I love you Jeffrey Gold '' Sophie said dozing off.

************

"Don't you have the red apples "Christiana asked.

"No I don't have any, I only have the green apples, " the fruit seller said.

"Why isn't my personal fruit seller around?"Christiana cried.

"But it's still the same dear, just a different colour " the fruit seller said trying to persuade her.

"You are not getting it, there's a difference in the taste, the colour is useless"Christiana said, walking out of the store in anger.

"Why today of all days, I crave it badly,"Christiana cried.

"Christiana!" Someone called her name

"That sounds like Mary's voice" she thought

"(She gasps) is she back with my apples." Christiana exclaimed happily.

She turned back, yes she's right, Mary is back but empty handed. With full speed she ran down to her store.

"Where are the apples, "she asked anxiously.

"Too addicted, not even a good morning Tiana." Mary pouted.

"Am sorry, Good morning Mary" Christiana greeted.

"Your apples aren't ready, sorry for the inconvenience."Mary said, trying to hide her laughter.

Tears streamed down her face,

"The,, apples,, aren't ready,,"she stuttered .

"What hell, can't believe a grown up lady can cry because of an ordinary apple" Mary exclaimed.

"Are you teasing me Mary?" Christiana asked.

"Yeah. I was teasing you earlier"Mary laughed.

"Where are my apples?"Christiana growls loudly.

"They are inside the store,"Mary said, trying to avoid her anger by walking out of her sight.

Christiana stood impatiently outside the store. Pacing to and fro.

"Here is your--- Mary couldn't finish her words when Christiana snatched the bag from her.

"Oh my gosh, thanks for this, use the remaining change to get me some apples " she said and zoomed off ..

Christiana kept chewing the apples happily,

"Finally got it, I can finish a whole bag tonight, probably tomorrow morning. Gosh I can't wait to put them in the refrigerator. " Christiana was still in thoughts when a power bike crushed the bag full of apples from her hand.

"Did my apples just fall off from my hand?" Christiana thought angrily.

She was still staring at the apples which were scattered around, some rolled inside the nearest drainage. With angry glares Christiana looked at the young guy who rode the bike.

"You are dead!" She thought angrily.

TBC....

Somebody should tell the the stranger to pick his heels

(Christiana is also known as Tiana).

"Finally got it, I can finish a whole bag tonight, probably tomorrow morning. Gosh I can't wait to put them in the refrigerator. " Christiana was still in thoughts when a power bike crushed her bag full of apples from her hand.

"Did my apples just fall off from my hand?" Christiana thought angrily.

She was still staring at the apples which were scattered around, some rolled inside the nearest gutter. With angry glares Christiana looked at the young guy who rode the bike.

"You are dead!" She thought angrily.

She pulled his Jean jacket angrily, pulling him off his bike.

"Gently miss, let me take off my helmet first" the stranger pleaded.

"Are you blind, didn't you see me walking?"Tiana yelled.

"Why did you back the vehicles coming, don't you know that it's not appropriate to back moving cars. It's your fault not mine. Moreso, I have never seen a grown up chewing apples hungrily, not even in a restaurant or home but the road side.

His words hurt Christina deeply, she turned him around continuously.

The stranger lost his balance and fell hard on the ground. Christiana didn't know when she sat on him. Her hands were doing perfect wonders on his face and body.

"(He thought) How can a lady get strong bones, ahhhh" he screamed out.

"Remove your helmet and let me see your face, " she yelled, trying to pull out his helmet.

"Gently miss, do you wanna break my neck? "He said, trying to pull his helmet. He finally did but Christiana got the shock of her life.

"Jeffery!!" She called with full surprise.

"Do you know me?" Jeffery asked, still clueless.

"You silly brat! You got Sophie pregnant" Christiana yells angrier the more.

"Oh! yeah, Christiana right" he chuckled

And continued,

"I can't even recognize you, the first time I saw you was the day Sophie got drunk, and I called your number on her phone to pick her up , I couldn't get a glimpse of your face very well."

"Oh! really. Well save those cheap talks,I want my apples"Christiana asked.

"I want to ask a question from you Tiana" Jeffery said, still scared to ask.

"Go on."

"What did you see in apples, what I mean is, why are you addicted to it? Because Sophie said you can eat apples on a death day"Jeffery said still worried.

"So you also think it's abnormal right?" she asked and crouched.

"No!! That's not what I meant, just wondering how you got addicted"Jeffery explained.

"First promise me, you will get me double of my lost apples "she pouted.

"I promise,"he said.

"I can't tell you here, " she whispered.

"Uhmm, let's visit a nearby restaurant then,"he said, hopping on his bike.

"Let's go to Subway restaurant," she replied, beaming with smiles as she hopped on the bike.

************

Subway Restaurant

************

"Give me some Rissoles,"Christiana said, placing her order.

"Get me omelette rice. Jeffery said, giving her his credit card.

"I don't know why I am addicted to apples, I didn't like it before but ever since my nanny fed me a bite at the age five. I got addicted to it. I do dream of being fed most especially apples."Tiana sniffed back her tears

"Where is that nanny of yours?" Jeffery asked.

"She's dead, her death was strange back then. I can still remember her words vividly at the point of death." She explained

"Get the antidote or you die, "

"Those were her last words to me, I still can't put her words together, if I don't chew a bite from an apple a day, I do feel somehow. I feel uncomfortable, dizzy, restless, scary flashes,images."

"That nanny of yours does chew apples right, "Jeffery asked.

"Yeah, she chews a cartoon a day. Mine is still better, just a small bag of apples is enough for me a day." She said,

"This is scary, didn't you tell anyone?" Jeffery asked.

"I did Jeffery, I told my dad before he died back then but his death is somehow strange, same with Sophie dad when my mom married her dad. I told my mom after my dad's death but no one believes me, including Sophie." Christiana cried.

"It's fine, I believed you. Did you visit the doctors "

"I did Jeffery, I tried all I could but they kept saying nothing is wrong with me, they kept on saying the same thing" Christiana cried lightly.

"This is serious, because I have a cousin that loves apples. She feels restless without taking a bite but hers is the colour Green. "Jeffery said, looking sad.

"Oh my gosh, the green antidote" Christiana exclaimed.

"I don't understand."Jeffery asked.

"Nanny Rose said something like that, she said I should stay away from the Green antidote", Christiana explained.

"Do you mean the green apples are the real antidote?" Jeffery exclaimed a little, trying to hide his excitement.

"I'm not sure. Christiana doubted.

"Why don't we go and visit Roy?"Jeffery asked.

"Is that her name?" Christiana asked.

"Yeah, why don't we get going?" Jeffery asked.

"Not yet, I wanna have my Rissoles before leaving,"she said.

"Hahaha" Jeffery laughed.

************

Few hours later

************

"Do you think she's around?" Tiana asked.

"Am not sure" Jeffery said using the spare key she gave him to unlock the door.

"Why didn't you knock?" Tiana asked, still pissed.

"It's pointless, I am sure she's in the sitting room chewing apples as usual." Jeffery said, opening the door widely for her to come in.

They passed a passage that links the entrance of the door to the main sitting room. As usual Roy was sitting chewing apples with her legs crossed against each other.

"Roy" Jeffery called.

"Ahhhh , are you crazy Jeff. You startle me " Roy pouted, still having her heart beating faster.

"I can see you are enjoying alone."Jeffery said, slouching on a single chair.

"Who is Jeff?" Roy asked.

"I am just like you," Tiana replied sharply.

"I don't understand." Roy said.

"I'm an apple eater like you."Tiana replied.

"Oh my goodness" Roy exclaimed and went on her knees. Tiana shifted back and little.

"What are you doing"Jeffery asked, looking at her strangely

"Am greeting her, can't you see" Roy yells.

"You,, are, greeting,,,me,," Tiana shuttered.

"Yes mama" Roy said, still having her head bowed on her knees.

"Mama???Are you sick, Roy?" Jeffery asked, standing up on his feet.

"Roy, you can stand up," Tiana said.

"As you wish mama,"Roy said, standing up on his feet.

"I want you to stop this mama thing, who am I?" Tiana yells in anger.

"You are the Red's leader, Red apples are the seniors, they are more powerful than Green apples. Unfortunately they don't have much time on earth." Roy explained.

"Oh I see, can you explain more." Tiana asked curiously.

"The Red Apples are superior, how did you get that position mama?" Roy asked.

"I was fed with a red apple. From my nanny." Tiana replied

"Nanny Rose," Roy asked.

"How did you know that?" Tiana exclaimed.

"Nanny Rose was my nanny leader then, my nanny fed me also but she was still a junior. Nanny Rose was a nice and great leader."Roy explained.

"How come you know all this?"Jeffery asked, feeling scared.

"I do join our coven at night," Roy said.

"But I haven't seen things like that at night, " Tiana said.

"Yeah, that's because you haven't bitten the boundary apple that's between the earth and our coven." Roy explained.

"This is thrilling," Jeffery exclaimed, wiping his sweat.

"Can you excuse us, Jeffrey? I would like to talk to her privately. "Tiana asked.

"Yeah mama," Jeffery jokes.

"He's out mama, what will you like to ask?" Roy asked.

"Is Nanny Rose behind my dad and step dad's death." Tiana asked feeling terrified

"Yeeee mama, same thing will happen to you, everyone will die because of you, it will be death upon death" Roy explained

"Are you not dying also,"Tiana asked.

"Hahaha, the greens can't die, we can undo ours but the reds can use a life to save another, but being the leader is death upon death. So I suggest you stay away from love and don't fall in love, don't love your friends and family. If you want them to live. The reason why your dad and step dad died is because nanny Rose cared for them." Roy explained.

"But she cared for my mom and I,"Tiana asked with a teary voice.

"She cares for you, that's why she made you the leader, but your mom was not in support of you having a nanny back then. That's why she developed hatred towards Nanny Rose, same with Nanny Rose, she doesn't like your mom either. That's how your mom escaped death. Roy explained further.

"I will save my family, my friends and my lover. I will change everything when it is my turn." Tiana said with determination.

"A word is enough for the wise, don't love, don't fall in love mama" Roy said, taking her hand into hers.

TBC.....

This is serious

******************

"I will save my family, my friends and my lover. It will change everything when it is my turn." Tiana said with determination.

"A word is enough for the wise, don't love, don't fall in love mama" Roy said, taking her hand into hers.

"Jeffery you can come inside."Tiana yells.

"Yeap, I am already" he said, taking his seat.

"I want to ask a question," Tiana asked, staring at Roy.

"No delay mama," Roy replied.

"If I have a bite on green apples, what will happen?" she asked.

"I don't know mama, I am not in the grade yet"Roy explained.

"So do you have schools over there?"Jeff asked.

"Not at all, it's---no I can't say anything"Roy said, resting her back on the chair.

"And why can't I know?" she asked.

"Am sorry mama, but I can't go against the rules of the greens." Roy said, picking up a green apple.

"To be sincere, I can't believe all that I am hearing. So this whatever coven is real."Jeff asked, still finding their conversation amusing.

Roy and Tiana gazed into contact, they kept staring at each other, all of the sudden they burst into a round of laughter.

"Did you find my question funny?" Jeff asked as he crossed his hand below his chest.

None of them replied him,

"But this will be a problem, why did Nanny Rose do this to me. Am not happy about this, I just hope mine isn't death upon death. Tiana said with a worried face.

"Who is dying?Which one is death upon death?" Jeff exclaimed, storming on his feet.

"Calm down Jeffery, it's ours not yours" Roy said with a long eye roll.

"So you are hiding things from me, you are hiding death from me" Jeffery pouted.

"What the heck? Am not hiding death from you Jeff, you can invite it. Furthermore , I am not hiding anything from you Jeff, can't you just relate and mind your business." Roy shunned.

"Ohh! It has got to this, right!" Jeff scoffs.

"Do you have Red apples at home," Tiana asked looking around.

"I don't, but I can contact my fruit owner for you. Will you place an order" Roy asked.

"Yeah place an order, Jeff will take care of the bills" Tiana said turning her face sideways

Jeff said his brows " are telling me to take care of the bills" he asked.

"Yeah, you are, did you forget what you did earlier?" She asked.

"I didn't," he admitted.

"That's good, don't worry Roy, he will take care of it" Tiana replied.

"I will drop my credit card, I am off."He said, rushing out of the house.

Seconds passed. No one had anything to say, which made the living room look awkward and void.

Tiana sighed heavily and speak

"My younger sister is pregnant,"Tiana said, trying to come up with something.

" I knew about it, Jeff did," Roy said, chewing the tenth apple.

" You knew about it," Tiana asked.

"Yeah, see Mama, Jeff loves your sister a lot, he texted me about it and he's ready to take responsibility for it. Don't do anything to destroy their relationship. Am begging mama" Roy pleaded.

"Okay, but my mom needs to know this, I don't keep things from my mom." Tiana said, feeling uncomfortable.

"You are having cramps, don't worry, your delivery will be here soon,"Roy assured.

"I'm going to brag in our fruit coven, that the leader of the Red's will visit me, and she's also my sister in law, oh my gosh this is unbelievable, I can't wait." Roy giggled

"Can you tell me more about this coven?" she asked.

"I don't know much about the Red Apples coven, but the green mama. Said it in our last gathering that the throne is empty. But there's a vice under you mama. You have the authority and power to control the Red's and the Greens, in fact you can control the Green mama." Roy explained.

"Really, can I make you leader of the Red's"

Roy didn't let any silence come between them.

"No mama, I don't wanna join. I don't like the coven. It's always death upon death. No one lives. Don't worry about the throne mama, there's a vice under you. She will be taking perfect control of it till you chew the right apple." Roy explained.

"Hope you aren't angry about my silly questions" Tiana pouted.

"Not at all mama, infact am very happy to know that you are the mama of Red's."Roy giggled.

"Seriously, I can't believe I'm stuck in between a silly coven. Am going crazy. Why did you have to do this to me Nanny Rose. Geez," Tiana cried.

And continued, " no wonder my mom didn't want a nanny back then. Dad should have listened then, oh shit. Tiana cried painly.

"I developed hatred towards my Nanny the day I found out, so to have a trustworthy Nanny will be scarce." Roy cried.

"Where can I get this apple, how will I even get to know this is the apple. Because it's just like the Red Apples I chew."Tiana said and sighed deeply.

"Don't think too much mama, everything will be fine,"Roy said.

*Ding Dong*

The doorbell caught their attention.

"Apples," Tiana exclaimed and rushed to the entrance. She unlocked the door and opened it widely enough for two people to enter.

"Sophie" Tiana called with widened eyes.

"What are you doing here Tiana?" Sophie asked with a soft voice filled with fear. She had those fears for her sister.

"Nothing, Roy and I are friends, I didn't know she's your sister in law."Tiana said, ushering her in. "

"You are not angry with me again,"Sophie asked

Tiana's lips curve up a beautiful smile" am not Sophie, but I'm not gonna drop the news to momma, you gotta do that yourself." Tiana said, taking back her seat.

"Hello preggy, "Roy greeted, pouring out the juice in a wine cup.

"Am good, have they sent you an email" Sophie asked.

"Not at all, mama would you like some,"Roy asked.

"Mama???, Who is mama????" Sophie asked, staring at the two.

Roy stammered, not knowing what to say or reply.

"Uhm,, hmm,,well,,mama,, well,,"Roy stammered looking at Tiana who looked fearless.

"She gave me that nickname, she said I looked aged,"Tiana replied sharply.

"Oh! Hold on, did you just say she said you looked aged" Sophie asked with widened eyes those big eyeballs if hers, but got those full eyelashes and eyebrows, with a deepest dimples

Those features made her look special and beautiful.

"She's the most beautiful woman and young lady I have ever seen. "Sophie praised.

"Oh! really!"Tiana exclaimed.

"You are very pretty in Red,"Sophie said. She wanted to continue her discussion but the sound of it distracted them.

*Ding Dong*

"It's the delivery man," Tiana exclaimed.

She rushed to the door at full speed. She couldn't open the door.

"Roy, your door isn't opening, I think it got stucked " Tiana cried.

"Hold on, I'm coming," she yelled to her hearing..

"I will be back Sophie" Roy informed and left.

"Gosh those apples"Sophie exclaimed, licking her lips.

Why am I craving it? I don't really like apples. Or does Jeffery like it? Gosh I am craving it badly. With that she stood up and picked up Roy apple.

"It looked rinse, " she thought, still checking it out.

She danced crazily to her seat. slouching her body on the soft and fur chair. She looked at the apple with a long stare.

"Why did the two of them like apples? Roy likes the Green one, Tiana likes the Red one. Hmmm, that's none of my business" Sophie thought and took a bite and chewed gently.

Immediately she chewed and gulped down the chewed apples down to her oesophagus. She felt the urge to throw up. She stood up lazily, she hadn't taken a step when fell on her knees spilling out blood from her mouth.

Roy paid the delivery man with Jeff's credit card and sighed. Tiana left Roy to finish up the rest, she exhaled lightly and picked up the bags full of Red apples and Green apples. The moment she stepped foot in the living room, the bags fell off from her hand.

"Sophie,, Sophie,," she stammered, murmuring her name repeatedly with trembling lips.

"SOPHIE!!!!" Tiana screamed.

TBC...