₦airaland Forum

Hydronium:
Many thanks Pabon.
I see you're a writer too. I reckon we could exchange materials sometime eh?

13

The morning address saw Mr. Dumebi introduce her as the new manager of the sales department. The workers gave her a resounding applause to which she gave a hearty smile and a wave in response. Mr. Dumebi also introduced Curtis as a friend to their late employee. He also made it clear to everyone that he was sibling to their new manager.
The unexpected action forced Tasmine to smile. Deep down, she boiled with rage. The address ended with Mr. Dumebi informing them that a review was in the works and that those who weren’t performing up to expectation had a short time to buckle up.
Tasmine found it difficult piecing herself together. Mr. Dumebi hadn’t mentioned what Curtis was there to do. She hoped it was just a casual visitation.
Why would he even allow a non-employee to be present at a briefing?
She wondered if that was the way they did business in Nigeria, having not worked here before.
Tasmine was a shadow of herself as one after another employee came to submit task reports. She didn’t want to appear a sadistic manager but she couldn’t just help carrying a gloomy expression.
The lunch break did well to calm her nerves. She did what she was supposed to have done earlier in the morning, summoning all the workers in her department for a brief introduction. She apologized that she wasn’t feeling too well in the morning and they all seemed to accept her. At least they pretended to.
One name seemed to strike her though. It was like she had heard it mentioned before.
Enechie Desmond.
It was a name she came across not too long ago. She decided she would go through his file critically. She told them she was ready to work with them and that they should give her the same reception they gave her father.
Tasmine noticed Desmond squirm but her expression was noncommittal. He was behind the other and thought she hadn’t seen him. He was wrong. From her peripheral vision, she watched his every reaction.
Maybe she had used the wrong words.
Did they actually work well with her father?
She dismissed them hurriedly and went back to her office. In the security of her office, Tasmine went through the file cabinet and filtered out Desmond’s. She went through his profile. He was good and had graduated from one of the best universities in the country with top grades. He was also good with his work. He had been working with the company for four years and had been promoted once. Tasmine still couldn’t understand why his name had stood out in the introduction but she knew it had to mean something. She kept the file aside as a call came through from Mrs. Dorcas. She wanted Tasmine in her office.
Tasmine found her way to the office and met the ever cheerful lady. Mrs. Dorcas offered Tasmine a seat which she took with courtesy. Mrs. Dorcas asked her how her first day had been and Tasmine told her it had been good.
“Your father was until his death an asset to our company. Many of the existing deals we have were the result of his effort.”
Tasmine let out a weak smile. She had no doubt about her father’s capabilities when it came to making people do what he wished. She wondered though why he hadn’t been able to charm his way out of the problems that faced him.
Well, not every problem comes with the chance to impress.
She contemplated asking Mrs. Dorcas if her dad had had issues with any member of staff but she couldn’t say Mrs. Dorcas was as trustworthy as she seemed. People could pretend, especially ladies. She would have to give it time.
Mrs. Dorcas filled her in on the requirements of the job; the people she had to check up on, the deals that they were expecting, contracts to be fought for and all. She was overwhelmed when she got back from work but it wasn’t anything she wasn’t used to. She met her mother frying dodo when she returned.
“Good afternoon, mummy.”
“Good afternoon, Tassy. How was your first day at work?”
“Well, it wasn’t all that bad! It was as I expected.”
Her mum gave her a worried look, but she quickly brushed it off. She took a slice from the saucer containing the already fried plantain and tossed it in her mouth.
“Remember your manners, Tas,” her mom scolded. “Your hands may be filled with germs.”
“Alright mum. I’m going upstairs now to refresh myself. I’m coming right back down.”
She turned to pick her bag that she had slid to the floor at the doorway. She had begun taking the stairs when she remembered Curtis.
“Is Curtis in, mom?”
Her mother didn’t reply immediately. She turned back and slowly came down the stairs. She got back to the kitchen.
“Where’s Curtis mom?”
The look on Mrs. Taribo’s face was that of sadness. “He’s moved out with Cherry to his own apartment!”
Tasmine didn’t know what to say. She just stared at her mom. When she gained herself, she moved to her mom’s side slowly. “Did he say why?”
“Yes, he said Cherry wasn’t comfortable staying here with us.”
Tasmine heaved her hand into the air in silent protest.
Cherry? Her best friend not comfortable with her presence?
This, definitely, wasn’t the Cherry she’d known and taken as a best friend.

They are many.
-Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell (get all his books if you can). You won't regret it.
-Stephen King's On writing is another great book.
-What Editors do by Peter Ginna
-The first five pages by Noah Luke
- Story Grid by Shawn Coyne (this guy is a master storyteller)
-Element of style (can't remember the author)

They are numerous. Get the ones you can get especially those by James Scott Bell and Shawn Coyne.

As for videos, I'd have to search YouTube for them. There's one a lady from prowriting aid did that's top notch. I'll find them later.

10


Although he could easily squash Nathan like a worrying bug, Vince knew he had to play his cards well. This troublemaker wasn't worth the effort.
“What are you doing here, too?” Vince asked.
Nathan flashed a permission card. “I took permission to come out for some pee. Now, what were you doing when I interrupted?”
The same anger flashed past his eyes again. He entertained the thought of punching this foolish boy, but he taught himself some restraint. Nathan wasn't worth it. Heck, the boy was looking for someone to hang his funeral on. Vince would never take that bait.
“Look, can you just leave me to mourn my parents in peace?”
Nathan looked him down; from Vince's brown leather sandals up to the collar of his shirt.
“Do you think I'm as foolish as the teacher or the other students? Which parents do you have that are dead?”
It shocked Vince. How did Nathan know? He struggled to hide his surprise. “Where are you driving towards, Nathan?”
He extended a finger at Vince, bony and long-nailed. “Don't you dare give me that facade. Don't you dare.”
Again, Vince contemplated punching the bloke. What were the odds of someone hearing them and reporting him?
It wasn't worth it. Simple.
“Nathan, you know I don't have your time. I'd rather you kept to yourself and not let something bad happen to you...”
“Again? Were you about to say again? I bet you. I would finish you up should we get that chance again.”
Vince laughed. It seemed to infuriate Nathan.
“You think it's a joke, right? You just wait till I get that to happen again. You won't believe what will happen to you.”
“I can bet my soul, you can't do anything to me, not when I can help it.”
Nathan pointed the finger again at Vince. “Wait and see. I'd watch my back if I were you. You never know when it will happen to you,” Nathan said, walking away.
Vince heaved a sigh of relief. Nathan was a pain in the ass, like a pimple growing where no one likes it. He wondered how much longer he could endure the arrogance.
Vince had to wait for a little over fifteen minutes. Every moment he waited was time wasted, time that he could use doing better things.
At last, he saw Mabel coming out of the classroom. He wasn't happy with her delay and told her about it.
“We were meant to go and return before the end of recess. Why did you delay? You know we don't have all the time in the world to go about this business. Or are you having a change of mind about this?”
“I don't know why you'd think like that. It wasn't easy getting out of the class. Mr. Pravat was teaching a topic he said was very important. He said everyone had to be present throughout to ensure that they all got it right.”

“Is that the reason why you wouldn't come out, or it's because you enjoy the class too much to miss it?”
Mabel rolled her eyes. “I don't know what you're driving at, Vince. I promised I was going to help in this case, and I meant it. So, quit your babbling and accusing, and let's get on with it. The one hour won't last forever.”
Vince sighed. He was angling to go on; to talk her down on what he thought was reluctance on her path. Yet, she was right about time.” Alright. Let's go.”
Vince led the way with Mabel playing catch-up. They rounded the block of classrooms and scampered towards the library.
“First up, we have to approach this with extreme caution,” Vince said when they were in front of the building.
“Ya ya, like I don’t know that already.”
“I just needed it to be clear,” Vince said.
Mabel ran a hand through her hair. “Look, you're wasting time. I want to do this fast so I can return to class. Unlike you, I don't like to miss classes.”
“Whatever rocks your boat,” Vince said.
They entered the library. It was empty as they'd expected. Throughout class hours, no one went outside, another change in the school that Vince had met. Before the current principal, it was not unusual to find one or two students outside of the classroom doing idle chatter. With the new principal, all that had changed. While he looked welcoming, he stood firmly for discipline and a sense of responsibility. He ensured the students took their studies seriously.
Vince couldn't be sure, though, that all of the changes were because of the principal. Maybe it was just the passing of time. After all, history said that time changes everything.
At the library counter, Mr. Lapwing slept snoring lightly. It had to be a deep sleep because he hadn't noticed when they'd entered, and when Mabel's leg had brushed against a chair.
Vince couldn't help wondering what kind of dream Mr. Lapwing was having that he couldn't notice their presence despite Mabel's negligence.
It was to their advantage, anyway. They could get what they wanted and leave without his notice.
Vince spoke in a whisper. “He's having one helluva deep sleep. I say we go right now and do the search. I believe we can get all the information we need.
“Vince, I feel there's something wrong here. I don't know, I can't place it quite well, but I think we should go for caution. We don't have to go on with this.”
Vince bit his lip. “Quit being a baby, Mabel. Do you know that I am at equal risk as you? Maybe more. Whatever happens here, we will both get the punishment. In the meantime, we have to rise to the challenge. Crayon is our brother.”
“Friend.”
“What?”
“Not brother. Friend.”
“Okay. I know Crayon may not have been that close with you, but he was more than a brother. And I can't just not do anything. I think it's my responsibility to ensure that I find him. Whatever way I can. This is just the first step.
“Hmm?”
“Yes. I think it would be a multiple of steps.”
Mabel looked up at Mr. Lapwing, who had saliva drooling from his mouth. “Alright, alright. You don't have to preach it to me. Now we're sure he's here. Let's get to the quarters already.”
Getting to the quarters took fifteen minutes. The place wasn't far from the school, but having to apply stealth meant that they spent more time than necessary.
When they got to the compound, they met the gate opened. Vince was grateful for this. If they had needed to draw the bolt and opened the iron gate, it would have creaked and given them away. Someone discovering they were students in the quarters would be disastrous.
Coming to the staff quarters was prohibited for students, more so when it was school hours.
“I'm scared,” Mabel said.
“You don't have to be.”
“But I am.”
Vince sighed. “Nothing will happen.”
“Whatever happens, the blame will never come to me. Promise me that.”
“Jeez, Mabel. I promise.”
“I'm doing this for you, and therefore I will not share in the blame. It will be your duty to cover me if something happens.”
She was full of petty. “Is that what you want? I thought you agreed to help?”
“I didn't say we'd share responsibility, whatever happens.”
“I don't think you are fair here.”
“Let's get on with this and pray nothing happens.”
They entered and got to the front of the quarters where a row of houses stood.
Red Marigold and Red Acalypha covered the front of each apartment.
That was the next problem
The four houses looked identical. They had similar structures, the same wooden chair in front, and the same flowers. Which was whose?
“Damn,” Vince said under his breath.
“This is bad.”
“I didn’t anticipate this problem before.”
“How then do we get inside?”
“If you ask me who am I supposed to ask?”
Mabel hissed. “How come you didn't see this beforehand? I can't believe all of that was a waste of time.”
“Don't talk like that.”
Mabel was frowning now. “Can we go back now?”
“How come you now sound so cowardly, Mabel?” You know, I never thought of you like that, but with what you're displaying right now, it’s shocking to see.”
“I don't want trouble.”
“Then, let's go back.”
Immediately he said it, they heard footsteps from outside the gate.
“Shit. We're toast.”
Mabel was going to have a panic attack.
“Calm down, Mabel. Calm down. No one's seen us yet. There's still something we can do.”
“What are we doing?” she asked, fisting and un-fisting her knuckles, and then slapping the side of her leg.
“Be quiet. The person isn't here yet. You keep talking, and you will get caught with me.”
“You think we're going to be caught?”
“No. I've not said anything like that. Just be quiet, and let's see if we can avoid any confrontation.”
Luck was on their side as the person still hadn't pushed open the gate. Maybe it was a lady. Perhaps, she was checking her bag for something.
They couldn't take another way. The compound had one entrance, and that was the one they'd used. The one someone was going to come through soon.
The person pushed open the gate that had swung close a bit. Vince held Mabel's hand, and together they ran towards the back of the row of houses.
From there, Vince took a peek. He was surprised to see who it was. Mr. Lapwing.
Vince was surprised. How could he be so fast?
How could he have woken from a deep sleep, walked here within such a short time?
It just didn't add up.
Or was there some sort of alarm system that had alerted him when they'd stepped in.
“How's this possible?” Vince asked.
“I don't know about that. What are we going to do now?”
“We need to get out.”
“We are going to be caught.”
Vince pressed hard on her hand. “We won't be caught.”
They waited until he had walked to one of the houses. “There it is.”
Mr. Lapwing walked to the first apartment on the second row of houses. He didn't waste time inserting the key into the lock.
“Yes,” Vince said.
Mr. Lapwing got inside, leaving the door ajar. He was in such a hurry that he didn't even care about someone tailing him.
“Let's go,” Mabel said, tugging him.
They sprang for the gate, getting out as quickly as possible, and then ran back to the school.

zaidavargas:
Here are a lot of happy birthday wishes from me.