The Unveiling
Precious Balogun is a strong-willed young man in his early twenties. He just moved out of his parents' apartment, where he had lived all his life except when he was away at school. As a young man, he recently got a job as a sales representative at a microfinance bank on Lagos Island. His job involves going out to meet clients interested in taking loans for personal or business reasons.
Precious loves his job because it enables him to interact with people. On this particular day, while on his usual routine, his team lead asked him to bring in a new portfolio of clients to improve his performance. So he went prospecting in Bariga with his colleague Chucks, who is also his closest friend at work.
On that fateful day, he saw something he couldn't comprehend.
"Chucks, did you see that?" he asked.
Chucks looked in the direction Precious was staring, smiled, and said in broken English, "Guy, you don start again. You and this your nonsense play. Make we go find clients jare."
What his friend didn't understand was that Precious had seen a being who appeared to look like a woman — but wasn't. It frightened him, but he kept his cool to avoid causing a scene.
That evening, when Precious got home, he sat on the couch in his small apartment. Let me call my mom, he thought. He picked up his phone and dialed her number.
"Hello, dear," said Mrs. Balogun.
"Hello, Mum," he replied.
After exchanging pleasantries, he said, "Mom, I saw something today… a woman who looked human, but in split seconds she changed into something else. It felt like those stories you used to tell me when we were young. It feels unreal, Maami."
He stopped talking and noticed she was silent.
"Mom? Aren't you going to say anything?"
His mother took a deep breath. "My son… it's strange it has taken you this long to unveil."
"Ma, unveil? What do you mean? It doesn't sound strange to you."
"My son, in our family, when you reach a certain age, you begin to see the world for what it truly is. It's called the Unveiling. You come from a long line of hunters. We have been preparing you for this. You already know more than you think — but come home so we can talk more."
"Okay, Ma. I will."
As he dropped his phone, memories from his childhood resurfaced. He remembered family gatherings that always felt strange — the ghost stories, the tales of creatures, and how his father told them so vividly it felt like he had lived through them. It suddenly occurred to Precious that those stories might have been real.
Deep in thought, he remembered one creature that terrified him — the Mujemuje, beings that drink blood like vampires. Unlike vampires, they aren't harmed by sunlight, but they are extremely ferocious. He wondered how easily they could disguise themselves as normal humans. His parents had always warned him to be mindful of strangers who seemed too nice.
That weekend, Precious went to his parents' house. He knocked, but there was no response. He reached for a small figurine, knowing the spare key was hidden underneath. As he walked in, he called out, "Mom, I'm home!"
She was in the kitchen preparing one of his favorites — poundo yam with soup. He inhaled deeply and smiled.
"I'm glad I came home today," he said.
That evening, Precious asked, "Mom, what did you mean by Unveiling? It sounds frightening."
His mother smiled and recited a Yoruba proverb reflecting his innocence. Then she said, "My son, it only seems scary at first. After you fight enough damned creatures, it becomes second nature."
"These creatures are tricky. Many want to live peacefully, just like humans. Some are good, some are bad — they're simply harder to read. And the smart ones… those are the most dangerous."
She paused, then added, "One more thing. The meal you ate today contained a traditional concoction. When the gift — or curse — is first awakened, it must be consumed."
"A curse?!" he shouted. "What do you mean, a curse?"
"Some see it as a curse because it overwhelms them. But with the concoction, it becomes a power beyond your wildest dreams."
The next day, his mother revealed the family's biggest secret — the vast wealth accumulated over generations had funded a hidden organization. This organization maintained a global information network, though his assignment would focus on protecting a specific region.
"You understand what this means," she said. "You'll soon be assigned a territory to protect. The day you called about your Unveiling, I told your father. He has already taken the necessary steps."
"What about my job, Mom?" Precious asked.
"I think you're smart enough to know what to do," she replied.
"The concoction will take about a month to fully activate your powers. In the coming days, your senses will sharpen. You'll be able to tell humans from creatures. You'll also gain strength and speed — but remember, some creatures will still surpass you. Your willpower will determine your survival."
"The most important rule is secrecy. No one must know. This secret protects the lives of those who cannot protect themselves."
"Wow, Mom… how have you kept this hidden for so long? Secrets aren't exactly my strength."
She smiled. "This one will come naturally. And there's still much I can't teach you. As they say — experience is the best teacher."