Welcome to LLEH

Sade squealed with excitement as the car pulled up to the estate gates. Finally, their dream home was ready! Moving from Ajegunle into the newly built LLEH-Lagos Luxury Elite Homes was nothing short of a dream come true. She and Tayo had worked and saved for years to make this moment possible. In fact, they had opted for a small wedding and put having children on hold because they wanted to secure a home before starting a family. Their working-class backgrounds had not deterred them. Sade was a hairdresser, while Tayo worked as a mechanic, but they had always been determined to rise above their humble beginnings and build a more comfortable life. When they eventually had children, they wanted them to grow up in a decent neighbourhood, far removed from the struggles they had experienced growing up. The opportunity had come through one of Sade’s customers. Mrs O, as everyone called her, had been coming to Sade’s salon for over two years. She was a quiet, classy woman who always turned up in designer outfits, carrying the latest iPhone 18 Duo. Whenever she made an appointment for her braids, she paid generously and never complained about the cost. Sade had often wondered why someone like Mrs O, who clearly had money to spare, preferred to travel all the way to the mainland to make her hair when she could easily afford any of the expensive salons on the Island. However, she was not about to risk losing her most lucrative customer by asking questions that might be considered intrusive. Besides, Mrs O was hardly interested in small talk. She spent most of her appointments on her phone, either texting, scrolling through social media or watching YouTube videos while Sade worked on her hair. Then, something changed the previous year. Mrs O had come in for her usual appointment, and Sade was halfway through installing her braids when the older woman suddenly commented on an advert playing on her phone. “Have you seen this new estate they’re building on the Island?” she asked, turning the screen slightly towards Sade. Sade glanced at it briefly before returning her attention to the hair she was braiding. “No, ma. Which estate?” “LLEH- Lagos Luxury Elite Homes. Look at it. Beautiful houses, modern facilities, 24-hour security, swimming pool, gym, everything you could possibly want. And the prices are surprisingly reasonable.” That caught Sade’s attention. “Really? On the Island?” “Yes, my dear. They’re taking bookings already. You should look into it.” Sade laughed. “With what money, ma? Those places are for rich people like you.” Mrs O smiled in a way that Sade could not quite interpret. “Don’t be so quick to rule yourself out. Sometimes, all you need is the right opportunity.” She then went on to explain that the developers were offering flexible payment plans for selected buyers. According to the advert, interested families could secure a property with an initial deposit and spread the balance over an agreed period. That evening, Sade told Tayo about the estate. At first, he dismissed the idea. They had spent years saving, but buying a house on the Island still seemed like an impossible dream. However, after studying the advert and making a few enquiries, he discovered that the offer was genuine. Or at least, it appeared to be. The houses were magnificent, the payment plan was attractive and very affordable, and the estate promised a level of security and comfort they had never imagined they could afford. Within weeks, they had visited the site, met with the representatives and signed the necessary documents. Everything happened so quickly that Sade sometimes wondered whether they were dreaming. Now, standing at the entrance to their new home, she could hardly contain her joy. The estate was everything the brochures had promised and more. Rows of immaculate houses lined the paved streets, their cream and white facades gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Neatly trimmed hedges bordered the driveways, ornamental lamps stood at regular intervals, and the communal gardens were so perfectly maintained that they looked as though nobody had ever stepped on the grass. The security gate slid open smoothly, and their car rolled into the estate. “Welcome home, madam,” the driver said with a grin. Sade laughed and clapped her hands like a little girl. “Our own house, Tayo! Can you imagine? Our own house!” Tayo smiled at her excitement, although his attention was drawn to the estate gates closing behind them. For a moment, he thought he heard a strange metallic sound, almost like a heavy bolt sliding into place. He looked back. The gate was perfectly still. “What’s wrong?” Sade asked. “Nothing,” he replied, turning towards her. “I’m just thinking about how much we have to do before we can settle in.” She squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry. We will take everything one day at a time.” Neither of them thought about the date they moved in—October 24th. The first night felt like heaven. Sade was too nervous to sleep. She kept pinching herself, wondering if she and Tayo had really achieved the impossible. Their own house on the Island! A beautiful three-bedroom duplex with a fitted kitchen, spacious bedrooms and a little garden. She had spent the better part of the evening walking from one room to another, admiring everything as though the house might disappear if she stopped looking at it. Tayo had laughed at her excitement, but she could see the satisfaction in his eyes too. They had worked hard for this, saving every last naira they could. She had never thought their incomes could afford something like this, but thank God for Mrs O, who had gone above and beyond to make it possible. By midnight, they were exhausted but happy. Sade lay in bed with her head on Tayo’s chest, listening to the unfamiliar quiet of their new neighbourhood. Unlike Ajegunle, where the streets were rarely silent, with generators rumbling, neighbours arguing, and the occasional sound of a passing okada breaking into the night, LLEH was eerily peaceful. There were no blaring horns, no shouting vendors, no music from a neighbour’s speaker. Nothing disturbed the silence. For the first time in years, Sade felt she could finally breathe. Their struggles were behind them, or so she believed. She closed her eyes, smiling as she imagined the future they would build in their beautiful new home. Neither of them knew that their dream home was about to become their worst nightmare. The following days were a blur of unpacking, arranging furniture and exploring the estate. Everything was immaculate. The roads were clean, the gardens beautifully maintained, and the security was excellent. Their neighbours were polite, although strangely reserved. By the end of the week, Sade was convinced they had made the best decision of their lives. Then came October 31st. Halloween. An invitation to an exclusive residents’ gathering at the clubhouse had been delivered to every home. Attendance was compulsory, and all residents were expected to be present by 8 p.m. Sade was excited. It was the perfect opportunity to meet their neighbours properly, and she persuaded Tayo to attend. At precisely eight, the estate siren sounded. The residents gathered in the clubhouse, where the estate manager stood beside a long table laden with food and drinks. Mrs O was there too, dressed in an elegant black gown. Sade hurried over to greet her. “Mrs O! I didn’t know you lived here!” Mrs O smiled. “Oh, my dear. I’ve been here much longer than you think.” Before Sade could ask what she meant, the lights went out. A bloodcurdling scream pierced the darkness. When the lights came back on, the windows had turned black. The doors refused to open, and the food on the tables had transformed into heaps of writhing insects. Panic erupted. “What is happening?” Tayo shouted. The estate manager stepped forward, his face twisted into a grotesque grin. “Welcome to your new home,” he announced. “We trust you’ve enjoyed your first week with us.” The walls began to crack. Beneath the cream paint, dark, pulsing veins spread across the plaster. The elegant gold lettering above the clubhouse entrance rearranged itself, one letter at a time. LLEH. Sade stared at the letters. Then she read them backwards. HELL. WELCOME TO HELL! “No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “No, this can’t be happening.” Mrs O began to laugh. Her skin stretched unnaturally across her face, her eyes turned completely black, and two curved horns emerged from her forehead. “You should see your face, my dear,” she said. “You were so happy when I told you about this estate. You and your husband worked so hard for your little dream.” Sade stumbled backwards. “You did this? You sent us here?” “Of course. Who do you think recommended the estate to you? Who do you think made sure you could afford it?” Mrs O’s smile widened, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. “We have been building this place for a year, preparing it for tonight. Every house, every road, every gate. All designed for one purpose.” The ground shook violently. “To collect the souls of those who willingly walk through our gates.” The residents screamed and rushed towards the exits, but the doors had disappeared. Through the windows, Sade could see the estate transformed into a landscape of fire and darkness. Shadowy figures crawled across the rooftops, and the sky glowed blood-red. Tayo grabbed her hand. “We need to get out!” They ran towards the main gate, pushing past terrified residents. But the gate was sealed, and beyond it lay nothing but a bottomless abyss. The estate manager appeared behind them. “Your contracts are complete,” he said calmly. “You purchased your homes, and in doing so, you surrendered what was required. The documents were quite clear.” Sade remembered the papers they had signed. She remembered how quickly the agent had urged them through the process, how eager she had been to secure their dream home. They had never read the fine print. The ground opened beneath them. Tayo clutched Sade’s hand as invisible forces dragged them down. She screamed, fighting to hold on, but his fingers slipped from hers. “Tayo!” His final scream echoed through the darkness. Then Sade was swallowed whole. By sunrise, LLEH had returned to its former beauty. The roads were spotless, the gardens immaculate, and the houses stood gleaming in the morning light. A fresh advert appeared online. LLEH — LAGOS LUXURY ELITE HOMES Your dream home awaits. Affordable luxury. Unmatched security. A better future for you and your family. That same morning, a young couple saw the advert and booked an inspection. At the estate gates, a smiling agent welcomed them. “Welcome to Lagos Luxury Elite Homes,” he said. “Where your dreams become reality.” Behind him, the gates swung open, wide. Welcoming Waiting.