The Last Attempt.

Dotun is staring at the river. The water looks cold. No, freezing. He had intentionally picked this day. The weatherman had predicted a very cold night."very convenient" he thinks to himself.
Dotun glances around to check if anyone was in sight and sees no one. Its already 2am in the night and this is much expected.
That phone call had changed his life. The caller had asked; 'Do you know a Miss Seyi Lawal?'
'Yes' He had answered 'how can i help you?'
'I'm very sorry to tell you sir, but her body was found on the University Road last night.' the caller paused
'a stray bullet hit her'
His head had spun fast
'are you there sir?'
'Yes' He answered weakly
'We would like you to come and identify her body. It has been taken to Tejuosho Morgue'

He had dropped the call and wept. Wept for all he had lost. Everything he ever lived for was gone.
He might not have cried that much. If he hadn't just buried his wife and only son, he might not have cried that much. If he hadn't been the driver and only survivor of the accident, he might not have cried that much. Maybe if he had not sent his dear daughter to Lasun, his shoe maker.

Dotun bends down to tie the weight around his leg. He had come prepared. No mistke is to be allowed this time.

This is not his first suicide attempt. The first time, The rope he had hung himself with broke just as he 'pushed the stool'.

The second time, his nosy neighbor, Baba Elebijo had rushed him to the hospital just after he had shot himself. The bullet narrowly missed his heart and all he had was a bruised rib cage.

At the third attempt, he downed s glass of shaving powder and had thrown it all up 3mins later

The fourth attempt made him believe that there were forces against him. Mama Tope from down the street's house had been burning and he had sneaked in quietly when everyone was too busy shouting 'ohhhh' and 'ahhhh' and 'oma seun ooo'. The whole house had burnt down to ashes, and he had had a beautiful sleep.

Dotun glances round for the last time. He is breathing faster and the air is very cold.He crosses over the railing, takes a deep breathe and jumps into the river. Just as he jumps, the weight he had tied round his leg breaks away.


Two unmarked policemen that were on patrol nearby sight him and jump in after him. They rescue him and say "you are hearby arrested in accordance to section 327 of the criminal code. You are hereby advised to keep quiet...'

" I ask for only one thing' Dotun cuts in, 'A death sentence'.