Ds story is doin me tin-rin-rin
.
We'll done bro!

JigsawKillah:

u still recall one 'dareezyn'?
I am him


SAW

yeah,l remember that moniker why you change your name na?

JeffreyJamez: On some cultist things na......

you know na....

kayjuu: Wow!!!...one word. Captivating!!!

thank you kayjuu!

adebayo201:
now I know that Ayo is/was a cultist but a pretender at home.

I can't wait oh my boss!

Loading...100%, thanks for your patience

Meddler: Your writing has improved tremendously from when I started reading your stories. I'm just blown away. I still love the Chukwudi stories but this is just on a whole new level! Well done mate! Keep it coming. I'm a big fan.

And thank you ma'm. I hope to improve even more

tohero: Ds story is doin me tin-rin-rin
.
We'll done bro!

hopefully it will end up doing you ten-ren-ren too
thanks man.

adebayo201:

You'll get used to me dont worry. I'm an acquired taste

[size=16pt]DAY 5: THE FIRST TEAR[/size]

I woke up with a sense of foreboding. In fact, I couldn’t remember when last I felt so generally sad. The events of the previous night had left me feeling depressed and anxious.


I looked at the time, it was 7 o’clock. I had forgotten to set my alarm clock and yet I had woken up early by my standards. Sleep didn’t seem to carry as much interest for me these days. I struggled out of bed, catching my flowing pink nightie on the door handle as I shuffled out of the room like a zombie.


I walked to the bathroom and opened the door without knocking. Deji was the only one inside, brushing his teeth although the smell of iodine in the room told me Ayo had just left. I shuffled to the bathroom mirror, collected my toothbrush as Deji handed me the toothpaste, poured some of the gooey red stuff on the bristles of the toothbrush and went to work on my teeth.


“No snide remarks today?” Deji said jovially although his face remained strained.


“You have to tell me what’s going on.” I said, spitting out some of the foamy toothpaste from my mouth to make myself more comprehensible.
“I’m his sister, too. I’m not a little kid.”


“You really want to know what’s going on, you greet me first.” Deji replied with a smirk.


“Good morning bro Deji.” I said and he jumped back in mock fear.


“Ah! No fight from you this morning? So tey you add bro inside!”


“Stop it Deji, I’m serious.” I paused, “and also scared. Why is Ayo covered in machete cuts and bruises?”

Deji finally stopped his feeble attempt at playful banter. He sighed and went back to vigourously brushing his mouth. It looked like he was going to brush out his teeth with the way he was going.

“Ayo is in trouble.” Deji said, between mouthfuls of toothpaste. He spat out and rinsed his mouth and sat on the bathroom sink. I continued to brush my mouth as I paid attention to what he was saying.

“He was approached by a cult group in school some time ago. I’m not sure when but I will hazard a guess of about 3months ago. “


“That was about the same time he started skipping classes!” I exclaimed and Deji nodded.


“I noticed his change in behavior too,” he said. “I tried to ask him what was wrong but he refused to tell me anything. Mom and dad have been so busy they don’t seem to have noticed the changes in Ayo. The silent retreat into himself and away from family discussions, the constant physical activity as if he is training for something, the skipping of classes…I was thinking of reporting him to dad but decided it would be better if he did it himself. I wasn’t very sure it was what I was thinking it was, you know?”


I nodded. I had also noticed these changes but initially felt it was a passing phase, maybe academics were getting to him, or maybe even a girl at school since I had caught him once or twice making midnight calls in secret. It wasn’t until a few days ago I had started becoming worried.

“Well, after the bruise on his stomach the day before, I got worried. I told a friend of mine in campus to have him followed, to know where he went, if he was still going to classes.” Deji sighed. “He told me Ayo had walked into one of the notorious student halls and come out less than an hour later holding his stomach. And then he came home and said he had been clearing the bushes.”

“Your friend waited for him until he came out?” I gasped. “Are you paying for his services?”

Deji grinned. “You don’t know Bolaji. He considers himself to be Nigeria’s Sherlock Holmes, always talking about how he will go into crime fighting and detective work. It was all fun and games to him. Anyway, I confronted Ayo about it when he got home but he refused to say anything so I had to let it go. Now I wish I hadn’t.”

I noted the sadness in his voice and a chill ran down my spine. Had Ayo already been initiated? Deji looked so forlorn I reached out and touched his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, you did the best you could.” I said. “Remember, you are his junior brother. He is supposed to be the one looking out for you.”

“Yeah but, who looks out for him? Dad is just happy he’s into physical activity and I can imagine him dreaming of Ayo becoming a soldier. And you know how mum is, too sweet to notice the ills in others.”

“So, did they…” I held my breath.

Deji shook his head. “I don’t know. I tried talking to him last night but he wouldn’t say a word. He didn’t even acknowledge my greeting this morning.”


“You should tell Dad,” I said. “It’s the only thing to do.”


“Dad is travelling today, don’t you remember? What’s the point of telling him if he isn’t around to enforce anything?”


We stood there in silence for some time before Deji got up without a word and left the bathroom. I finished up and had my bath and went to my room to get dressed. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to going to school today after yesterday’s incident but it seemed stayig at home wasn’t that condusive either. I got dressed and went into the parlour for my breakfast.

Mum was seated at the table, thoughtfully eating baked beans and bread. Deji was at the table too, picking through his breakfast aimlessly. Dad kept bustling in and out of the parlour carrying some documents, fixing his tie, wearing his uniform and mumbling under his breath. I couldn't see Ayo anywhere and assumed he was either still in the boys’ room or had dashed out before any of our parents could see his wounds.
I went to the kitchen, served myself breakfast and came to join my mum at the table. She looked somehow worried.

“What’s the matter mum?” I asked

“Eh?” She looked up at me and smiled, “Oh, nothing. Eat your food, I want us to get to your school on time so I can speak with the principal. I tired calling his number yesterday but it kept saying ‘busy’”.


I gasped. I had totally forgotten about our school principal. I went on to tell mom about his accident.


“What? What’s happening? What kind of accident is that?” Mom exclaimed. She genuinely looked like she was going to cry now and I immediately
regretted sharing the story of the incident with her.


“First your father is being called for an emergency meeting for goodness knows what; Ayo is stuck in his room with a fever…” She shook her head,
“And now I can’t even feel safe that you are going to school with accidents happening left and right…what is all this?”


“Take it easy mom,” I said, trying to encourage her with a reassurance I hardly felt. “I’m sure it’s all right.”

“Let’s put on the television,” Deji suggested, getting up and walking to the TV.


“No, not CNN again,” Mum groaned. “I tell you, those people know how to give somebody high blood pressure. I want to relax.”


‘Who’s putting CNN?” Deji said with a smile as he surfed though the channels. He finally stopped at a channel showing something on fashion and left it there. It was mom’s favorite show and she laughed when Deji came to the dinner table and forced her out of the chair.


“Watch this for a few minutes, I know how you like Debra lane,” He said with a grin. “This slowpoke of a sister will need another fifteen minutes before she finishes her breakfast, at least you would have relaxed a bit by then.


Mom gave the slightest hint of a protest but obviously liked the idea as she sat down with a smile and Deji grinned. I mentally made up my mind to slow down my eating as much as possible so as to allow her enjoy herself before we left. Deji came and sat beside me.


“Ayo is in bed sick?” I whispered, alarmed.


“He just said that to have an excuse to stay in bed until they both leave.” Deji whispered back. “He’s fine. Refused mom checking him out and pulled the bedsheet covers over him to cover his wounds.”

Dad came out, looking very smart in his uniform.


“I have to leave now.” He said. “We are all to gather at headquarters and then we’ll take a flight down to Abuja. Everything is being paid for by the government. It must really be something important.”


“When are we expecting you back, Dad?” Deji asked trying hard not to look anxious.


“Oh, they said the meeting will just be for a day.” He said, “I should be back by tomorrow evening latest.”


“Alright then,” Deji said, and went back to picking at his breakfast.


“Is anything the matter,” Dad asked. His eagle eyes had caught Deji’s uneasiness.


“It can wait, Sir.” Deji replied. “When you come back.”


“I hope it’s not another handout?” Dad replied, his eyes narrowing. “The way schools demand for money these days is something else…”


“It isn’t handouts dad. I just want to discuss something with you.” Deji replied and glanced at me meaningfully. “Man stuff.”

I glared at him indignantly and dad chuckled. “Oh. Okay, no problem, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

There was a honk outside and dad nodded.

“That’s my transport. You people be responsible while I’m gone. Deji, where is Ayo? You all should look after yourselves and mum…”

“Honey, you are only travelling for a day!” Mum said, getting up to hug him. “We’ll be alright.”

“Okay o.” dad smiled and mum escorted him out of the house.

“Why’d you say manstuff?” I said, facing Deji squarely.

“I didn’t want dad to suspect anything, you know how he can get if he feels there is any unresolved issue in the house. Don’t worry, I’ll tell him when he comes back.”


“Tell him what?” Ayo said as he suddenly entered the room.

He was wearing a light blue jeans and a cotton long stripped long sleeved shirt that covered his skin completely and effectively. No one who looked would be able to see a single cut. He walked with an effort but generally kept a straight gait and his face was blank.


“Tell Dad what, Deji?” Ayo repeated.


“Nothing much, just that his son is being cut to pieces under his very nose.” Deji replied.


“And what will you gain from telling him that?” Ayo said, coming closer. “Do you think I’m still a kid that will start to cry if he shouts on me? This is a matter I can handle myself, I’ve told you already…”


“Listen bro…” Deji began,


“No, YOU LISTEN!” Ayo shouted suddenly. His voice rang out so loudly that I thought I heard the windows rattle. “My business is my business! What do you think he’ll do, huh? He’ll probably get me transferred to another school! Or maybe you think he’ll send armed security men to follow me to school everyday? Do you realize how that will affect my reputation, my schooling? I’ll be viewed as an outcast!”


“If you join them then you are already an outcast!” Deji yelled back. “You are an outcast to your family! And family should always come first!”


“You better keep your mouth shut, brother..!” Ayo shouted, coming even closer. I stood up from my chair in alarm.


“Or else what ‘brother’!” Deji said, also getting up, his fists clenched .


“What’s going on here?”


We all turned and saw mum at the door.

I was here first. I've this scary feeling that Dad would not come back as expected cos of another strange happening*shrugs*. Prove me wrong Roy. Nice update too

good job Royver .thanks much

Royver:
yeah,l remember that moniker why you change your name na?

na NL crash cause
dis ur story con dey do me like say make i no comot


SAW

Royver!!!!!!!!!! U no go kill person o

This Ayo is just a goat!!!

JeffreyJamez: This Ayo is just a goat!!!

I tell u. He's a he-goat!

apologies. I have test today.

Royver: apologies. I have test today.

You are doing a good job here, keep it up.
#I'm your beggest fan!

I don catch up @last.
Well done dear Royver, u re awesome.

Hmmm...dad isn't coming back as planned o...I don't think so.
Nice as always royver

Royver where's u??


SAW

what is going to happen? Will ayo join them?

adebayo201:

I tell u. He's a he-goat!

he is no only a he-goat but a stubborn goat

“What’s all this, what is Deji saying?” Mom shrieked looking very alarmed. “Who are you joining Ayo?”


“Good question!” Deji said, turning back to Ayo.


And then it happened.


Ayo’s fist came out flying so fast all I saw was a blur and Deji’s head snapping backward. Mom and I screamed simultaneously as Deji recovered and charged Ayo, knocking him to the floor. As they scuffled on the ground Ayo’s shirt came loose and his skin exposed to show multiple ugly linear scarifications, like the type our Further Maths’ teacher inflicted on students with his whip, only a hundred times more horrible looking. Mom went down into the melee and dragged Deji off Ayo, while I continued to scream at the both of them to stop fighting. Deji finally got to his feet, firmly held on to by mom, Ayo was on his knees and rose slowly, a devilish grin on his face.


“First blood, brother.” He said.


“Bleep you!” Deji shouted, “I don’t care if you are my elder brother, I’m not letting you join any stupid cult! I’ll fight you all day if I have to!”


“Fine words from a man whose mouth has been cut open.” Ayo said quietly.


It was then we noticed Deji’s upper lip. A deep gash beneath his nose oozed blood slowly and Deji wiped it off.


“First blood indeed,” he said smiling although his whole body was still trembling from rage. “I’ll definitely pay you back…”


A resounding slap from mom almost knocked him down again. We were all so stunned even Ayo took a step back. Mom looked at both of them her eyes blazing, I didn’t think I had ever seen her so angry.

“What the hell did I do?” Deji cried in protest.

“Shut up!” What do you want to pay back? Is it your elder brother you are talking to like that? Come’on go and sit down!” Mom screamed.
Deji stared at her in shock for a moment, then quietly obeyed.

“Mom, you shouldn’t have slapped him, I was the one who…” Ayo began. It was as if mom had been waiting for him to say something, anything. Her hand came down again hard but this time on Ayo’s cheek. The sound was so loud I knew it must have stung badly but Ayo hardly flinched. He just stood to his full height, which was a head above mom’s and remained silent.

“If you like grow to the size of an Iroko tree, I’m still your mother!” Mom was still shouting. It was quite upsetting for me seeing her in such a mood, it seemed so…not her. “Now you stand there and explain to us what has been going on with you! Temi…”

“I want to stay mom!” I said quickly.

“Who is driving you? You think I want to send you off to that your school where people are dying anyhow? I intend to follow you and talk to your principal so don’t worry about lateness! Go and sit down beside Deji. I’m sure your elder brother whom you used to look up to as a mentor would be proud to tell you about his plans of being an armed robber or cultist. Sit down, Let’s all listen to him!”

And so saying, she sat down on the chair closest to Ayo who was still standing tall and unmoving. There was silence in the parlour for some time.

“Temi, go to the kitchen and get the first-aid kit.” Mom said, her voice calmer than it had been a few seconds ago. I jumped up and rushed off, brought the first- aid kit from the kitchen cabinet and rushed back. I didn’t want to miss anything.

“Mom I’m not a cultist and…” Ayo began but mom cut him short.

“So what are all these cuts and bruises on your body? Is that belt-mark? Has your father started flogging you with belt? Or were you flogged in a dream as a kind of spiritual attack? Tell me let me hear! I may not be of your generation but that doesn’t make me stupid! Now talk true or beat me up since you are now ready to fight everybody!”

She turned her attention to Deji, cleaning up the wound on his upper lip

“And you, Deji, instead of you to see how you can support him, it’s to start threatening him with ‘First blood’? Tears started streaming down her cheeks. “I thought I raised you boys better. What will your father say?”

“You did, Mom!” Ayo said suddenly coming out of his still-life posture and kneeling at our mother’s feet.

“These aren’t initiation marks,” He cried, tears welling up in his eyes now, “They are punishment marks! They flogged me because I refused to join their group! I just wanted to handle things my way, prove to them that I’m a man without having father interfere. Don’t you understand? They’ll respect me more!”

“Bullsh-ow!” Deji yelled as mom pressed hard on the wound. “Mom, wait let me talk! Is this something he should be keeping a secret, even from me? I’m supposed to be the closest person to you bro, and you couldn’t confide in me?”

“So that you’ll do what?” Ayo interjected,glancing at him.

“So that I can support you! I would have sent them a strict warning, I would have used my fellowship head, he has experience with such things.
Or we would have told father so he can send some soldiers out to deal with them. We would have made them all know you are untouchable!”

Ayo smiled ruefully. “And that, dear bros, is the reason why I didn’t confide in you. Who wants all that attention? I want these guys to know it’s my decision not to join!”

“You have been watching too much of Spartacus!” Deji shouted but mom shushed him and turned to Ayo.

“My son, are you telling us the truth that you haven’t been initiated?” She asked him quietly.

Ayo looked at the ground. “Yes ma.”

“Alright then. I understand your wanting to handle this like a man and I applaud your effort. But now that I know you don’t expect me to keep out of it. I’ll tell your father as soon as he returns tomorrow. In the meantime, you are not setting a foot outside this house today.”

Roy! After dis long absence, make u drop anoda update ooo

I could not help holding my tears back as i read through- its quite touching.

Though the update ain't much, i just love it.....i love that mum too.
Well done Roy, u re good. More power to ur elbow.

gennysq: Roy! After dis long absence, make u drop anoda update ooo

Done

Lawconfessor: I could not help holding my tears back as i read through- its quite touching.

Though the update ain't much, i just love it.....i love that mum too.
Well done Roy, u re good. More power to ur elbow.

Thanks! And the flowers are lovely!

Mom was silent all the way to the school. I imagined she was thinking of Ayo and how he could have gotten himself involved with cultists. I tried making random conversation but she wasn’t interested so I finally gave up and busied myself watching the landscape and other cars go by.

The time was 8.30am. This was the latest I had ever come to school and I wondered what the prefects would say. At least my mom was here with me, she would do all the explaining.

As we got closer to the school compound I saw a large number of cars parked around at the school gate. More vehicles came in through the gate with us and we struggled to find a good parking spot.

“What’s going on?” I thought to myself and then saw that Admin office was surrounded by parents. Angry parents. My mom sighed and grabbing my hand, steered me towards the principal’s office. As we approached I looked around and realized most of the classrooms were empty.

Apparently it wasn’t only my mother that had been alarmed by yesterday’s happenings. Parents were sitting in the corridor with their children, talking in agitated tones while their wards strolled around aimlessly. Some of the teachers were there as well but none dared caution the wandering students.


“Where is he? He should have been here by now!” One of the parents, a big fat man, said.


“Ever since the last teacher’s strike this school has gone to the dogs!” Another one growled.

It looked like they were going to start a riot soon. The security guards came and stood at the principal’s door to prevent any mishap but this only angered the crowd further. They shouted and screamed until finally the vice principal came out. There was a sudden hush.


“Good morning Sirs and Madams. You are all welcome to our school…” She began timidly. Her nervous disposition infuriated them and soon they began to complain again.

“What have you done to ensure the safety of our children?!”

“See this woman oh, does she think we came here to play?”

“Where is the principal?!”

The crowd got louder and the vice principal’s words could barely be heard over the noise.

“I assure you we are doing everything in our power…it wasn’t our fault…a contract has already been sent out to fumigate the school…” Her voice kept getting lower and lower as the crowd grew angrier. One of the male teachers walked forward and tried to calm them but was pushed violently away by the big fat man. They started exchanging words and pretty soon it looked like they were going to progress to exchanging blows.

A loudspeaker crackled and came to life, its high pitched whistling sound drawing everyone’s attention. We all turned around to see the School Principal, Mr. Adedeji. His head was still in a bandage but he looked far better than the day before. He stared stoically at the crowd and they all fell silent, except for the big fat man.


“Where have you been Oga?” The fat man bellowed.”Is this how you behave in this school? I have a good mind to remove my child...”


“What’s his name?” the Principal said, interrupting his tirade.


The man paused. Then, “Akin, Akin Shittu.”


“Mabel,” Mr. Adedeji barked. The vice principal jumped like she had been electrocuted and came to his side.


“Pull out Akin Shittu’s file. If his school fees have been paid please refund it. Do the necessary paperwork. He is no longer a member of this school.”


“Yes Sir,” The vice principal said and hurried back into the office.


The other parents gasped. The big fat man, Mr. Shittu, seemed disoriented.


“Wait, you can’t do that…I didn’t mean I wanted to remove…”


“Then what did you mean, Sir?” Mr. Adedeji asked, staring straight at him. Mr. Shittu wanted to say something else but the woman by his side, probably his wife, jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow and he kept quiet.


“I lost a staff yesterday.” Mr. Adedeji said abruptly, now facing the crowd of parents. “A promising young woman whose fiancée has been crying on my neck since then. Three more teachers are lying critically ill in hospital. They were hit by vehicles and bitten by animals as they tried to save your children from the unusual incident that occurred yesterday. I am aware that three children lost their lives and I have gotten up from my sickbed, discharged myself against the doctor’s advice to personally visit the parents of these unfortunate children one after the other.”

“Do you think we are happy with what happened? Do you think we couldn’t have avoided the ugly incident if we could? It was an unforeseen circumstance, an accident, one in which I myself nearly lost my life in as I believe what happened to me and what happened at the school was related somehow. Do you think we like it knowing that we were responsible for those children when they died yesterday? Please if you want to remove your children from the school, then do so. It would ease the burden on us. I would however have you know that the same thing happened in nearly all the schools in the district. More lives were lost, more casualties happened. What saved our students was the fence which prevented a lot of them running into the streets.”


“It’s true.” One of the parents spoke up. “My neighbor’s children go to Ampoko secondary school. They said no less than five students and three teachers lost their lives.”


There was an audible collective gasp from the crowd.


“The same thing happened at Emeto and Supreme College.” Mr. Adedeji said, shifting his glasses. “So you see, it wasn’t peculiar to our school alone. The local authorities have called a meeting for all the community hunters to ask if any of them is using illegal methods in their hunting practices. So things are actually getting done.”


“I cannot commiserate strongly enough with the families of those who died or were injured. I can only imagine what you are going through and I feel terrible for your loss. I can however let you know that I am not sleeping on my job. I will continue to ensure the safe keeping of those you place under my care to the best of my ability. You know who I am. You know what I can do.”


By now the whole gathering was listening with rapt attention. Mr. Adedeji had this air of authority around him, you could almost touch it. He looked from one parent to the other, straight in the eye, his gaze unwavering, and slowly the confidence of the parents that had eroded the day before sprung back to life. One by one they dispersed, getting into their vehicles and zooming off. I escorted mom back to the car, casting a final proud glance at my brave principal as he was accosted by the Shittus earnestly pleading for their son to be reinstated.


“Your Principal is a strong man.” She said and I nodded.


“He reminds me of your father. I hope he comes home soon so he can fix this your senior brother’s issue.”


“It’s all right mom,” I said. “And don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Our Principal is a sturdy and trustworthy man.”


“Yes, I can see he is quite…principled.” She said, and then laughed. I laughed along with her, relieved that she had finally relaxed. I waited until
she had entered the car and waved as she drove off. Then I rushed to my class eager to see and talk to my group of friends. I hoped Deji and Ayo wouldn't do anything to upset mom until I got back.




Little did I know that I wouldn’t see her again, not for a long while.

ahhh!!! What happened to our mummy o!!

Wetin do mom?
Make i no read ma ooo


SAW

Mummy