February Contest Shortlist

Her target wore Armani. She winked at her partner, he returned it; they were ready for the kill. She fell into character and slumped to the ground. Her target rushed to help, while her partner, whistling, snaked his hand in…

“My book.” Ginnika whines. “Go and get it. Biko don’t annoy me this morning.” My father hisses, starting the car. “But I’ve worn my seatbelt. Can’t Amara get it for me?” she asks. “Are you stupid?”, I reply. “Amara nne,…

“I will only ask one more time. Where is the third piece of meat I left this morning?” I look up from the floor at my mother, “I ate it.” Oyin’s face is a mask of disbelief. WHAM! The slap…

"Gba" the baba says, handing me the banana leaf wrap. I turn to Deolu. He nods. "Will it work?" I ask. Deolu relays it in throaty Yoruba so the baba understands. The baba sucks his teeth, eyeing me, spitting out…

Baba Adura's around again. I’m not sure which of the seventeen children, Iya Ibeji the third wife plans to deliver this time. It’s the fourth time this week, its only Tuesday. It’s Aderonke, the second wife’s daughter. I watch completely…

I had another dream. This time, the sun was rising: bright and beautiful. The roof dissolved and darkness fled. Mother got out of bed and walked again, her garment was a shiny silver velvet. Her hair grew again. She smiled;…

When he slides down the middle of her thighs; relief overwhelms her as she catches him so that he doesn’t hit the bare floor. Although he is limp, cold and lifeless she cradles him as though he were a live…

The air hung heavy with the putrid stench of death and desperation. Bodies seared with scars writhed in agony, and lips quivering like wet butterflies beseeched Amadioha, God of justice, love, thunder and lightning. ...Still, they sang. Ah, they hurled…

"OK" and she moved aside adjusting the wrapper almost falling off her dangling breasts. She made her way towards the kitchen, the lobes of her buttocks in synchronizing claps. 'Zim zim' 'up down' on the kitchen wall. No heartbeat. She…

Mammy had just given birth to another baby boy, the poor child. In six months, he would be ready to join others on the streets, little babies draw more compassion you know. I look at myself, at 16, I was…

Ronke heard their grunting from behind the door, and tightened her grip on the knife. Kunle had finally abandoned discretion. At first, he had been mindful of her feelings, waiting till she went to bed at night before going to…

I danced every night. A hundred punches to the pillows, countless tosses and turns: face up, foetal position, on my tummy, spread-eagle… no sleep. Music on. Off. Chimes, calming sounds. Warm milk, camomile tea, a stiffer drink. Three hundred thread…

Amani scrubbed her skin harder that evening despite knowing it wouldn't make her lighter. She was attending culture festival and would finally have a chance to talk to Otis .She liked him. Zumi picked her up at 7pm as planned.…

You dare say, “no mind am, na woman she be.” Don’t mind the harbinger of life? one who molds a generation? don’t mind a solicitor, a mediator, a powerhouse? Don’t mind a universe, a galaxy, a world unending. For in…

When Enotse lost her mum, the essence of life was somewhat lost on her. One year later she birthed her daughter and her husband named her Agbenu, after her Late mother, which made her love for him grow by an…

She was to stay with him overnight, proof she was not guilty of his death. He who had died in another city, in another woman's bed yet she was the witch. Maybe it was so that her "chi" had defended…

The third man pumped as the others cheered on holding me down "nyinyi!!! tutawamaliza wote! kabila wajinga!!" i was weak from screaming and trying to fight them off. He finished, got up and spat on me and left me there…

Big Man’s watch went missing; it happened in room nine-fourteen. Small woman was never formally schooled in numbers, but she knew each threadcount at Hotel Douala intimately. At sixteen, a signpost read "domestic ladies only need apply"; papa bartered domestic…