California. "America."I muttered, looking through the window of the taxi. It seemed to too real to believe. I didn't know why I kept doubting whether or not twas true. My experience in the plane had been extraordinary also. Feeling yourself floating amongst the clouds you had always thought to be an illusion. The clouds being your only neighbors. "Your first time?"The taxi driver looked at me through the rearview. I looked away from the window to the tough but hospitable face of the driver with scanty beards. I was trying so hard to compare him to the car drivers back in my country. "Yes. My first time."I nodded, trying to convince myself. I was the only one in the taxi. I tried to remember boarding a car from Onipanu to Mushin back in Nigeria, we always have four passengers at the back, two at the front. But nah! I'm riding solo in this Taxi, how refreshing. "You want me to

    Morning.  ~Dare Ofegu~ "Wakey Wakey!" I heard the call from outside the door of my room. I rolled in bed mumbling inaudibly.  "Mr Dare, are you awake yet?" The call came again. I fisted the duvet in my hands, trying to knock off the intrusion but then there was little I could do.  "I'm coming in now." That was the final call. I turned over, my face to the white ceiling of the room which seemed endless. The duvet half-tucked into my chest. I was in pajamas.  I heard the doorknob bothered and the door creaked. Then came a sequence of barking.  "Morning, Mr Dare." The woman called again but even before I could stand up, one of the dogs had jumped on the bed and climbed on me, licking my face with his wet tongue. I could feel my chest wailing for help. Its 130 pounds almost capable of digging up my intestines.  "Shit." I wrestled with the dog and ma

   Big Basin Redwoods State Park ~Dare Ofegu~ "What's this place?" I have been meaning to be quiet all along but I just couldn't help it anymore. Who would had been able to help keeping quiet, when you're being led by a strange lady through the woods. Through thick barks, unusually tall trees, dry path stalked by fallen dried leaves and twigs. A kinda creepy forest.  At first, I'd been quiet also because Theo was. I have always believed that if anything is wrong, a dog would be the first to figure it out. And since Theo had been indifferently playing along, I found no need to be jumpy.  But now, I couldn't help it anymore.  "It's been over 20 minutes since we've been walking through this place. Are you taking me for sacrifice or what?" She stopped walking at the accusations. She was at the forefront, myself and Theo behind her. Then suddenly, she spun around and cracked up, "Is that what your bl

     Samantha's Hood. ~Dare Ofegu~"Here we are, Theo."It felt like yesterday standing before the gate like this. And a week had just passed. I looked around me as though I was expecting to see someone walk out either the forest or the thick well painted wall. I looked down at Theo who had his dancing tongue caught between his paved jaws. He looked up at me and tossed his need. "Of course, now."I muttered as though I knew what he had meant by that. But you know, twas usually a basic step in reasoning. Somethings are mainly tied to reflexes. "As Sarah had explained."I took a deep breath then looked back at the gate. "Come Theo."Theo hurried behind me as we walked towards the gate for legs. "Here we are. Dare you've got this."I huffed and puffed sequential loops of air. Of course I had an idea of why I was jumpy, but then I could use a little lace