Disclaimer This narrative incorporates references to real-world events, but certain elements have been deliberately exaggerated for dramatic purposes. The characters depicted are entirely fictional and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. This story is a work of fiction, and any similarity to real persons, entities, or situations is unintentional and not to be construed as factual. By continuing to read, the reader agrees and acknowledges that this narrative is hypothetical and intended solely for entertainment purposes. The authors and publishers disclaim any liability for any actions taken or not taken based on the content of this story.

A curse was placed on the boy at birth as retribution by the local Obeah man. When his father, the King, neglected to submit a winning number for him with the local number man, the number hit, leaving the Obeah man robbed of his fortune and feeling like the King’s court jester. Enraged by this betrayal, the Obeah man cast a curse on the newborn—one that would evoke the spirit of forgetfulness. He told the King that from that moment on, anyone who dared utter the boy’s name would gradually lose their memories and part of their life span, their words replaced only by the dreaded term, “Ting-um.” News of the curse spread swiftly throughout the tiny settlement on Acklins Island. The inhabitants began to dread and despise the newborn, seeing him as a harbinger of doom. He was thus forever ostracized. The boy lived under this dark shadow, known only as "D," a letter that hid his true name, a secret known only to him.

His mother warned him never to reveal it to anyone. An awkward child, D longed for the love and attention of his father, the revered King and root cause of his curse. Yet, the King remained distant, a ghostly figure on the edges of D’s life. Over time, the King descended into a vagrant life, obsessed with music. His Raucous Knights—a noisy band of friends—entertained themselves while annoying the community with their loud, crude rake-and-scrape performances. D, feeling invisible among his peers, haunted the edges of their laughter. His dusty afro became the target of relentless ridicule, and he was forever left out of games of marbles and spinning tops, trapped in a world of loneliness. Weighed down by isolation, D found solace in the stories told by his grandmother. She spoke of the mythical Chickcharny, a mysterious bird said to dwell deep within the dark pine forests of Andros Island but with a spiritual presence near Lovely Bay. Legends claimed the Chickcharny could grant wishes to those brave enough to seek it out.

D clung to this hope, dreaming that this creature could grant him the acceptance and love he so desperately craved. One fateful evening, a spark of determination ignited within him. Armed with a flickering kerosene lantern, he embarked on a daring journey toward the bay, navigating the treacherous honeycomb rocks that threatened to shred his flimsy flea-market tennis shoes. Exhausted, dehydrated, and alone, he pressed on, driven as much by his longing as by the relentless mosquitoes and sandflies tearing him apart in the still air. Just as he was about to give up, his little body barely able to continue, he heard a soft, enchanting laughter echoing from a hidden opening in the rocks. Heart racing, D followed the sound and found himself before a sight beyond his wildest dreams. There, standing before him, was the spirit of the Chickcharny, its eyes wide and shimmering like stars, exuding an aura both mesmerizing and terrifying. Trembling with awe, D poured out his heart, confessing his deepest wish: to be accepted by his peers and recognized by his father, the King. The Chickcharny listened intently, its ancient wisdom radiating with power, and agreed to grant his wish—with a grave warning: he must always remain humble, help his community, and avoid the treacherous waters of Bahamian politics.

Ignoring this advice, the Chickcharny warned, would seal his doom and curse his people. The allure of acceptance was too strong, and he hastily agreed to the Chickcharny’s terms, sealing his fate. When he returned to the settlement the following day, he found himself transformed. A radiant aura surrounded him, drawing the people of the settlement in like moths to a flame. His once-dusty afro was gone, replaced by a bald head glistening with an oily sheen. This change earned him the nickname “D Sheen,” and he was suddenly the center of attention, admired, and accepted by all. As he grew, D Sheen blossomed into an intelligent, promising young man. However, his ego and arrogance grew with him. A powerful grassroots political faction noticed him and, eager to exploit his charm and allure, swiftly thrust him into the nation’s political arena. Ignoring the Chickcharny’s warning, D Sheen allowed his growing ego to cloud his judgment, diving headfirst into the murky waters of politics. The curse of Ting-um descended upon the Bahamian people like a dark storm cloud, lingering as menacingly as Dorian over Abaco. The curse robbed people of their memories during crucial conversations. They would forget important names and details, left only with the frustrating refrain of “Ummm, Ting-um.” Meanwhile, scandals erupted around D Sheen like a violent storm, with whispers of affairs with celebrities, bribery, and corruption swirling around him. The captivating aura that once surrounded him was now dimmed, and the oily sheen on his head grew only shinier, a mocking reflection of his fall from...

Then, on one dark day, a bribery scandal came back to haunt him, leading to his arrest. Desperate to reclaim his tarnished reputation, D Sheen pleaded for forgiveness but clung to his lies. One night, as he lay in his cold prison cell, the Chickcharny appeared to him in a vivid dream, offering him a final chance at freedom and redemption if he would utter the word...

The Bahamas Is Bursting with Scandals—Don’t Miss What Happens Next!