The magic power and Devin Power

Chapter 11:The Curse of Clement

An hour later, they arrived at the pastor's compound. Joy knocked on the door, and a familiar voice responded from inside, "Yes, come in." She immediately recognized it as the pastor's.

She opened the door, and they all stepped in. The goat tried to follow, but Clara turned to it and firmly instructed, "Stay outside." To their astonishment, the goat obeyed. Inside, they greeted the pastor politely.

"Pastor, one of our friends transformed into a goat after picking up a thousand-naira note from the ground," Joy said, her voice heavy with urgency.

The pastor raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Where is the goat?"

"It's outside," Joy replied.

"Alright, bring it in," he instructed. Joy stepped out and called the goat. It obediently trotted into the room.

"Let us pray," the pastor said, bowing his head. He led a brief but heartfelt prayer. When it ended, he gestured for everyone to sit. They all took their seats—except the goat, which leapt onto a chair.

The pastor's frown deepened. "Get off that chair! Did I tell you to take money that wasn't yours? You shouldn't have taken it!" The goat jumped down instantly and stood quietly on the floor.

The pastor studied the animal for a moment. "Is it male or female? And what is its name?"

"She's female, sir. Her name was Clement," Clara answered.

The pastor nodded, his expression contemplative. "In a vision, I saw that the money was a trap meant for someone else. Unfortunately, your friend fell into it."

"What can we do to help her?" Joy asked, her concern evident.

The pastor sighed. "Here's what must be done: I will take the goat to the river and perform a cleansing ritual over seven days. During this time, her parents must fast and pray. Once the ritual is complete, she will return to her human form. However, her parents need to provide twenty thousand naira to cover the ritual's expenses."

Joy turned to Clara. "Can you try to get her parents' phone number?"

Clara crouched near the goat and spoke softly. "Clement, you heard what the pastor said. Can you give me your dad's phone number?" To everyone's amazement, the goat murmured a sequence of numbers only Clara could hear. She quickly dialed the number.

After a few rings, a man's voice answered. "Hello, who is this?"

"Good afternoon, sir. My name is Clara, and I'm a friend of your daughter, Clement. Am I speaking with her father?"

"Yes, you are. What's going on?"

Clara hesitated, then explained, "Sir, something unusual happened. Your daughter picked up some money at school, and… she turned into a goat. We're at the pastor's house now, looking for a solution."

"What?" Clement's father exclaimed, disbelief thick in his voice. "A goat? Is this some kind of prank? Can you send me proof?"

Clara ended the call, recorded a short video of the goat, the pastor, and Joy, and sent it via WhatsApp. Moments later, Clement's father called back.

"This is unbelievable," he said, his voice trembling. "How could this happen to my daughter?"

"I understand how it sounds, sir," Clara replied. "But it's true. If you doubt us, we can release the goat. When your daughter doesn't return, you'll know it's not a joke."

The pastor took the phone and spoke firmly. "Sir, this is no prank. This is a serious matter and a lesson about the consequences of taking what doesn't belong to us. If you want to save your daughter, come here as soon as possible with your wife. Bring twenty thousand naira for the ritual, or you risk losing her forever."

After a long pause, Clement's father sighed. "Alright, we'll come tomorrow."

"Good," the pastor said. "We'll keep the goat here until you arrive. Safe travels."

Clara and Joy thanked the pastor and left, leaving the goat behind.

---

The next day, Clara was in her department when her phone rang. She answered quickly.

"Hello, who's speaking?" she asked.

"It's Clement's father," came the voice on the other end. "Where are you right now?"

"I'm in my department," Clara replied.

"Please meet me at Clement's department. We need to talk."

"Okay, sir," she said, ending the call.

Clara made her way to Clement's department and called him once she arrived.

"Hello, I'm here. Where are you?"

"I see you. I'm coming over," he responded.

Moments later, Clement's father appeared, his wife by his side.

"Let's step outside to talk," he suggested, leading them to a quieter spot.

Visibly distressed, Clement's father began, "I went to her hostel, but she wasn't there. I also checked her department, and they said she's been absent. Now I believe what you told me. Please, where is the goat she turned into?"

"It's at the pastor's house," Clara explained.

"Please take us there," Clement's mother said, her voice breaking as she began to cry.

Clara hesitated. "I'm really sorry, but I have a lecture to attend. Once it's over, I'll take you there."

"Alright, we'll wait for you," Clement's father said, consoling his wife as they both wept.

Clara felt their pain. "I'm so sorry, sir, ma. Please be patient," she said before leaving them.

The couple followed Clara back to her department and waited until her lecture ended. When it did, Clara called Joy, and together they escorted Clement's parents to the pastor's house.

---

When they entered the compound, they saw a goat munching on rice and beans. Upon spotting them, the goat bolted, running to hide.

"Is that the goat you were talking about?" Clement's father asked.

"Yes," Clara confirmed. "Don't worry. We'll lock the gate so it can't escape. Let's go meet the pastor."

They walked up to the door and knocked, but no one answered. Clara turned to Joy. "I think the pastor is out. Let me check where Clement is hiding."

Clara approached the goat's hiding spot. "Why are you hiding from your parents?" she asked softly.

"I don't want them to see me like this," the goat replied, though only Clara could hear her.

"Clement, I understand, but if you don't surrender yourself, you'll remain a goat forever. It's either you face this now and be saved, or stay a goat for life. The choice is yours."

As Clara spoke, Clement's parents edged closer to the hiding spot.

"Where is the pastor?" Clara asked aloud.

"He just stepped out," the goat replied, though only Clara understood her.

Clement's mother broke into tears. "Why did you do this to yourself, my child?" she sobbed.

Clara turned to her. "Madam, don't stress yourself. You can't hear what she's saying, but the important thing now is finding a solution."

Through her tears, Clement's mother nodded. "Okay."

"Please, Mum, don't cry. Just thank God I'm alive," the goat said, and Clara relayed the message to her parents.

The goat then suggested, "Clara, ask Joy if she has the pastor's phone number so you can call him."

Clara nodded. "Alright." She turned to Joy. "Do you have the pastor's number?"

Joy checked her phone. "Yes, I do." She called out the number, and Clement's mother dialed it immediately.

After a few rings, the pastor answered. "Hello, who is this?"

"It's me, Clement's mother—the woman whose daughter is with you."

"Are you talking about the goat?" the pastor asked.

"Yes, sir. We're at your house to seek a solution."

"Alright, wait for me. I'll be there shortly," he assured her before ending the call.

---

A few minutes later, the pastor arrived. He walked through the gate and greeted everyone warmly. The goat stood quietly beside Clara.

The pastor unlocked the door, and they all went inside, including the goat. While the others sat, the goat stayed on the floor.

The pastor began, "I've prayed about your daughter's situation, and the Lord assured me she can return to her human form if you follow my instructions."

"Please, what do we need to do?" Clement's father asked.

"First, you must pay twenty thousand naira for the deliverance ritual. Then, you and your wife must fast and pray for seven days. During this time, I will take the goat to the river and perform the cleansing ritual daily. After seven days, your daughter will be restored."

Clement's mother clasped her hands together. "Please, can we pay ten thousand instead?"

The pastor frowned. "No. If you're not ready to pay the full amount, you can take the goat back with you. I won't proceed with the deliverance."

"Sir, please don't be upset. Can we pay fifteen thousand?"

"The price cannot be reduced," the pastor said firmly. "You must pay what I asked for."

Clement's mother sighed deeply. "Alright, we'll pay the twenty thousand." She reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and asked for the pastor's account number. She transferred the money immediately.

"Good," the pastor said, his tone softening. "Will you be able to start the fasting and prayer tomorrow?"

"Yes, we will," they replied in unison.

The pastor stood up. "I'll go to the market now to buy the items needed for the ritual."

They all followed him out of the house, hopeful that Clement's ordeal would soon come to an end.