Rise of the Ratmen

zzling meat and spices wafted through the air, drawing him closer to his destination as he moved with carefree abandon. H

atter of customers, and the wail of sirens in the distance. His senses were o

skipped a beat as he quickened his pace, his stomach rumbling with hunger. He ha

l of Lagos!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining

aming dish onto a plate. The scent of the rice fille

g. His thoughts drifted back to his childhood, when he would help his mother cook

pped over, spilling scalding hot rice onto his chest and arms. The burning sensation was immediate and excruciating, making him scream i

e his pain. The smell of burning flesh and rice filled the air, making his stomach

riends in the streets. He remembered his mother's laughter and the carefree d

-

e

in its warmth. The air was still, almost unnaturally so, and the silence was deafening. He blinked, tr

he asked, his voice

onded, "You are between world

to the void. "Ah, Femi...yes, that'

, allowing Femi to proces

marveling at their ghostly transparency. "I'm really gone,

t a pang of regret, a longing for the life he had lost. But before he could dwell o

the voice sneered, followed

ng to locate the source of the voice. But th

powerful voice intervened. "Stay out of this,"

with malice. "You lied...no, I've chosen!" it excla

ision blurred, and his senses reeled, the world spinning around him. The light began t

" Femi cried out, his vo

in the growing darkness. He felt himself falling, tumbling

there wa