Writers 
### THE BOY WHO FORGOT TO PRAY
African Spiritual Thriller — Part 1
In Abeokuta, there lived a handsome young man named Damilare, popularly called Dami. At twenty-three, he was intelligent, tall, strong, and full of promise. His parents were devoted Christians, but Dami rarely prayed or attended church. He believed success came from hard work, not prayer.
One Friday, his friend Tunde introduced him to a wealthy man named Victor Black, who promised to make him rich and powerful.
"Join our brotherhood, and your life will change forever," Victor whispered.
Dami hesitated, remembering his mother's warnings about bad company. But the promise of wealth was too tempting. He agreed to attend their secret meeting.
Three days later, Dami returned home late at night. His mother, Mama Grace, asked him to pray before sleeping.
"Mummy, tomorrow," he replied, walking into his bedroom.
That night, Dami had a terrifying dream.
He found himself outside his house, urinating. When he finished and tried to enter the house, something strange happened. He couldn't lift his legs. No matter how hard he tried, his feet remained fixed to the ground.
Suddenly, a voice came from the darkness.
"Damilare, you accepted the invitation. Why are you running away?"
A tall figure dressed in black appeared near the fence.
Dami tried to scream, but his voice disappeared. Then he heard his mother's voice calling from inside.
"My son, call upon your God!"
He struggled desperately until he finally woke up, gasping for breath.
But something was terribly wrong.
He couldn't speak properly, and blood suddenly poured from his mouth. His parents rushed him to the hospital.
Doctors tried their best, but his condition continued to deteriorate. His family took him from one hospital to another. Soon, Dami could neither walk nor sit up without assistance.
Mama Grace prayed beside his bed every night, begging God to spare her son.
One evening, Dami suddenly opened his eyes.
"Mummy," he whispered weakly. "The man in black has followed me."
His mother trembled. "Who is he, my son?"
Dami stared at the dark corner of the room.
"He wasn't the real person. He was only a messenger."
His breathing became difficult.
"Mummy, tell Daddy I'm sorry. I should have listened."
Tears rolled down his mother's face. "Please, my son, don't leave me!"
Dami gripped her hand and whispered his final words.
"The person responsible is someone we know."
Before he could reveal the name, his eyes slowly closed. Despite the doctors' efforts, Damilare died.
That same night, Tunde woke up screaming. He had dreamed of the same dark figure standing beside a doorway.
The figure smiled and whispered:
"Damilare was only the beginning. You are next."
Tunde jumped out of bed, sweating.
Then his phone rang.
The caller's name was Victor Black.
"Meet me tomorrow," Victor said coldly. "There is something you must know about Damilare's death."
The line went dead.
Tunde stared at his phone, shaking.
TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 2…
Lesson: Be mindful of your choices and the people around you. If prayer is part of your faith, make it a daily habit, and never let the desire for wealth lead you into dangerous situations. Serious symptoms such as vomiting blood or difficulty speaking require urgent medical attention.