INTRIGUE

l compound. Then came a sudden knock on the door. "Come

ing, Sir. The principal asked me to inform you that she'll be holding

opher, I hope you're still d

s,

entered the office. He greeted the man and walked past him. Something intriguing caught his atte

The vice princi

k and answere

his uncle is here

He kept hi

u." He referred to the man as Christopher over

eavesdrop the conversation between the

ming in rage. "Matthew Usen! What are you waiting for, huh?" Mr. Ekong barged a book on the table making him jerk, Matthe

I'm assigned a post, it may be easier to lure the students." He took a deep breath and continued. "Make me the basketball captain, Christopher can

his hands and slapped him, he kept his balance not falling on the ground. Matthew clench

e that his skin had cut inside his mouth and blood oozed out making it hurt. He was b

*

n a few uncompleted sentences, managed to make such a mess of things? She didn't want

ft his eyes to meet hers anymore. Turning, she gazed blindly around the kitchen. The room was almost in complete darkness now. The table and chairs were dark shadows. S

r more than a week." Her younger brother rubb

my g

ear," He

have you b

don't kno

that again. I'll

e things from me, Theres

sn't trying to hide anything, Mike." She shrugged, turning to watch Mich

ing her evasion. " That's important to me. You haven't gott

eyes on him. "Oh no, Mike

id simply, "I

nk." She shook her head

they were nearly the same height, there eyes were almost at the same level.

ny of them," Sh

w. "I didn't need to men

nderstood the male theory. She sighed, knowing evasions and half-truths were useless when he wa

ewd student," He said with a gentle

n't want to be late for chemistry class." Theresa murmu

*

he park. "...Basketball coach wants to replace Christopher with Matthew. Says Matthew's got better grades

r students in the locker room at the appearance of Chris

" He dragged a hand through his hair. "I've tried my best to keep

r own good. Focus deeply on your studies. Unshac

of sight, then hauled themselves. He has the devil's own temper when

opher would be when he's sad. She walked slowly inside. The church was quiet, which was why he preferred to spend his time here. Instinct told her immediately that p

id others from hearing. Her eyes on the

ing it up again. It's annoying. I hate being held back by my emotions

sit up. His eyes lingered on her form, then slid up slowly to b

t I have, before time makes me appreciate what I had." He ro

*

his parents were home, fast asleep, the car was there and the door had been unlocked. There was a cup and plates in the sink. They had spilled some soup dirt on the counter and neglected to wipe it up. He r

and a flash of crim

ontinued doing the dishes. Something moved in the bushes. T

of a person outside his house, through the window. He composed himself, moving his hands deliberately to the counter to get his phone. Precious stopped at the

g and started to run pushing down cups

at the back. Precious protested, but his mouth was bleeding profusel

the boy was, he turned to see his mothe

pains. His mother woke up a

*

ed to gaze at the prominent basketball captain. Cutting across the school's lawn, he marc

ch for one of the boys and ask what happened. As he turned to leave, a low mechanical device fr

students," the

Ma'am." All s

out a student of this school that is being hospit

a senior in his last year. He was tanned, a deep honey gold that glis

s for quick recovery." The principal said dismi

out in the boys' room and no matter where the laughter came from, it bounced around all the walls, all the rooms. Arguments rose quickly and fell just as quickly. Af

e light of the day. The coach, the players a

her schools?" coach Ekemini asked. "

oach, who was speaking rushingly wit

st enough. Utibe, Utibe

e sighted Christopher on a bench reading a book: he couldn't s

ling well, can I ta

exploded; the room's windows shattered, they could hear as the light

One of the stu

e building; at least no one was injured. All students sat on the verandah

l. And the were so many clothes close to where the iron was plugged in. It started with Sparks, then smoke, before the iron explod

brother, Michael, she stayed for a few moments before she raised her hand, and as she stoo

he said

a few questions, is

butterfly dip up and down, and its black-spotted yellow wings flapped slowly, as if teasing him. Theresa was back, seated on

He asked. Everyone turne

et, he looked away. Half of his lower lip disappeare

ng their way to the gate awaiting the arrival of their parents or guardians. When it was all clear, he st

He turned around in both confusion and curiosity to see who it was. He didn't know what happened. All he remem

when he felt the cut on his head. Oh no! No! No! Please, don't be bl

ame out of nowhere as he held out a hand for him. Chri

ned to look at Matt

. I tried to warn you

say something when he was rude

the kid an

y in a height way. He was tall, taller than Matthew, who stood at a solid 6'0. Muscles that no seventeen

t the liquid trail down the side of his head. The liquid fell on the floo

king so angry. He looked at Christopher a

a ball. That's unsettling." Matth

e walked off. Christopher used the sleeve of his shi

about that." C

time Matthew made mention of his brother, he told them that his brother was at the University of Del

ked as they rush through the empty ha

d. It was obvious they

el his eyes bearing holes into his eyes. He grippe

fire explosion." He said as he wiggled his arms. He knew. He

d, purely out of curiosity