Book Note 2: THE SEVENTH FLOOR
Book by Praise Adeola
“I kept running around the hallway, the elevators wouldn’t open. I began racing down the stairs. I was breathing heavily, terror was written all over my face, I was sweating profusely. He kept chasing me down the stairs. I missed a step and fell breaking one leg of my stiletto. I got up almost immediately despite the pain I was in, picked my shoe and kept running down. My speed slowly diminished. He soon caught up with me on the 3rd floor. He was all dressed in black; he had this mask on. He pushed me against the wall and started caressing me all over. I kept resisting him. I screamed loud, no one seemed to be around. He tore open my shirt and started kissing my neck. Tears flowed down my cheeks.
I jumped out of my nightmare. “Where am I?” I echoed. I was confused. I could see Christopher yawning as he gradually opened his eyes…
I don’t think I want to meet the man of my dreams, because in each of my dreams, he seems to want to devour my life and I’m not ready to face that reality.”
In times and days like this, when [it looks like] the law isn’t just anymore, it’s soothing to know how much threat we can be to perpetrators of this evil and the great change we can make happen when we decide to stand up for the victims of this evil in our little way, if we don’t bear in mind the series of challenges we might encounter.
Projects, (I use the word “project” instead of “story,” because these aren’t just stories), like this very one, The Seventh Floor, are reminders that we are all bearers of a prophecy. And prophecies don’t come to pass if we don’t allow them to happen. The change we desire for a (sexual) abuse free society, for both the boy and girl child, is a prophecy that hinges on our shoulders for fulfilment. And it’s our collective responsibility to make it come through, first of all by individually being the change we desire.
Kudos to Praise for taking the bold step to write a great masterpiece like this in a time so controversial and sensitive as ours. It shows that despite the darkness in our world, there are a few people who still bear the lights of change, hope, and a better tomorrow.
Bolu Animashaun TCW
