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Two Flames on a Candle (Episode 2)

Miriam lost her peace since her husband Chima first had a violent nightmare. More nightmares followed in the subsequent nights and Miriam was all the worse for it. Chima on his part said little about his nightmares, but from the little he said, she could guess they were all gory. All Chima would say was that he had nightmares about war and would ask that they pray against war. 

The nightmares took their toll on Chima, sudden sounds startled him and he winced whenever he heard gunfire on TV. Miriam was surprised when Emeka his younger brother called her to report Chima. Chima had visited their mother and then seized his game console because Emeka was playing violent games. Surprisingly, it was Chima who had bought the particular game for Emeka. 

"I don't know why he is acting that way but it is strange" Emeka complained.

"I think he is just stressed. I will talk to him" Miriam replied. Emeka was a mild-mannered young chap who was like the brother Miriam never had. Emeka was in his third year at the university, studying to become a lawyer. This made her fond of him as she was a lawyer.

Chima's nightmares were generally of the same theme; gore. They'd be at war, bullets would be flying, men would fall and the enemy will gain on them. It was either they were overwhelmed by the enemy, or worse, they were captured and lined up to be executed. Chima always woke up just before being shot. The mysterious experience was taking a toll on him. Miriam was already making a big deal out of it and was already talking about talking to their pastor. 

Chima knew something had to be done before his issues became a story on some blogger's site.

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