THE LOOK BEHIND THE SMILE

THE FRIENDLY UNION

I got into the university with a trembling heart and a feeling of discomfort I could not explain.

As I walked through the gate of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, people were moving in different directions. Some students were laughing with their friends, others were dragging their luggage toward their hostels, while some were already rushing to lecture halls.

Everyone seemed happy.

Everyone except me.

I held my admission letter tightly in my hand and stared at the university buildings.

This was supposed to be a dream come true.

But instead of excitement, fear followed me like a shadow.

The question that kept disturbing my mind was simple but difficult to answer.

**What have I done to this man called Edwin?**

What was so special about my existence that he had sworn never to leave me alone?

Why me?

Why had he chosen me?

Even until that moment, I still did not understand what I had done to him.

I wondered whether I should accept the admission or forfeit it altogether.

Perhaps leaving school was the safest option.

Perhaps I should return home and tell Mama everything.

But immediately I imagined Mama's reaction, I shook my head.

“No… no, no.”

Mama would not be at peace.

She would panic.

She would probably stop sleeping.

She might even come to the university herself to find out what was happening.

And I did not want to put her through that.

So I made a decision.

I would keep everything to myself.

At least for the moment.

I did not know that keeping that secret would later become one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

### A NEW FRIEND

University life began gradually.

I met many people, but one person stood out among them.

His name was Fred.

Fred was a brilliant and handsome young man. He was the kind of student who seemed to understand everything effortlessly.

Whenever lecturers asked difficult questions, Fred always seemed to have an answer.

His academic results were excellent.

His scores were impressive.

Even students who barely knew him admired his intelligence.

I became friends with him.

At first, I considered myself lucky.

I thought I had found someone who could help me adjust to university life.

Fred was confident, intelligent and friendly.

But there was something mysterious about him.

Sometimes, he would disappear without explanation.

Sometimes, his phone would ring and he would move away before answering.

Other times, I noticed certain students greeting him with unusual respect.

I never thought much about it.

Until the day I decided to tell him about Edwin.

We were sitting together after lectures when I finally gathered the courage.

“Fred,” I said.

He turned toward me.

“Yes?”

“There is something I want to tell you.”

He looked at my face.

“You look worried.”

I sighed.

“I am.”

He waited.

I told him everything.

I told him about Edwin.

I told him about the threats.

I told him about the strange things that had happened before I came to the university.

I even told him that I sometimes wondered whether accepting my admission had been a mistake.

Fred listened quietly.

When I finished, he remained silent for several seconds.

Then he said something that confused me.

“You need protection.”

I looked at him.

“Protection?”

He nodded.

“There are people who can protect you.”

“Who?”

Fred smiled.

“Our friendly union.”

I frowned.

“Friendly union?”

“Yes.”

I laughed nervously.

“What kind of union is that?”

Fred leaned backward.

“You don't need to worry about that.”

“How can I not worry when you're telling me that I need protection?”

He smiled.

“You'll understand.”

His answer made me uncomfortable.

“What exactly does this friendly union do?”

Fred looked at me carefully.

“We protect our own.”

Something about those words made my stomach turn.

“From whom?”

“Anyone who wants to harm them.”

I became quiet.

Fred continued.

“If you're with us, nobody will touch you.”

I looked at him.

“Who are *us*?”

He smiled again.

“I'll introduce you to my friends.”

“When?”

“Don't rush.”

I nodded slowly.

But the conversation stayed in my mind long after we parted.

That night, I could not sleep.

I kept repeating his words.

**Friendly union.**

What kind of friendship needed protection?

Why did Fred speak about the group with such confidence?

And why did he seem so certain that nobody could harm a member?

Then a thought suddenly entered my mind.

I had heard stories about secret groups in universities.

Groups that students joined for protection, influence and recognition.

I immediately dismissed the thought.

“No,” I whispered.

Fred couldn't possibly be involved in something like that.

He was too brilliant.

His academic performance was excellent.

How could someone who performed so well academically be involved with a secret cult?

That was where my naivety deceived me.

I had wrongly assumed that intelligence and involvement in wrongdoing could never exist in the same person.

I was wrong.

### THE THINGS I HID

Mama still knew nothing.

Whenever she called, I tried to sound cheerful.

“How is school?”

“Fine, Mama.”

“Are you eating?”

“Yes.”

“Are you attending lectures?”

“Yes.”

She would then bless me and remind me to remain focused.

I would smile after every call.

But the moment the call ended, the smile disappeared.

Even Steph checked on me regularly.

Steph had always been concerned about me.

Sometimes she would call unexpectedly.

“Stanley, how are you?”

“I am fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

She would pause.

“You don't sound fine.”

I would laugh.

“I'm just tired.”

That was another lie.

I was not tired.

I was afraid.

But I did not know how to explain my fear.

I had become an expert at hiding what was happening inside me.

Around that period, I also joined a church group.

My grandmother had always encouraged me to take the things of God seriously.

She would often tell me that a person could lose everything in life but should never lose faith.

Unfortunately, I had been inconsistent.

I could attend church today and skip the next day.

I could promise to become more serious, then return to my old habits.

But university was changing me.

Perhaps fear was teaching me lessons comfort had never taught me.

I started attending the church group more often.

I prayed more.

Sometimes, I would sit alone after church and ask God questions.

“Why is this happening to me?”

“What have I done?”

“Please protect me.”

I did not know that I would soon need those prayers more than ever.

### THE DAY FRED RETURNED

One afternoon, I was in my lodge when I heard a knock on the door.

I opened it.

Fred stood there.

“Stanley!”

I smiled.

“Fred, what are you doing here?”

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he stepped aside.

I looked behind him.

My smile disappeared.

Five men stood there.

They were older students.

Their bodies were heavy, their expressions serious, and their presence immediately made my room feel smaller.

I looked at Fred.

Then at the men.

“Fred…”

He walked inside.

The five men followed.

My heart began beating faster.

I forced a laugh.

“What is happening?”

Fred looked at me.

“Sit down.”

I frowned.

“Why?”

“Stanley, sit down.”

His voice was different.

The friendly tone was gone.

I slowly sat down.

The men remained standing.

Nobody spoke.

I looked toward the door.

It was still open.

For one brief moment, I thought about running.

Then Fred turned toward one of the men.

“Capo.”

My blood ran cold.

The word echoed inside my head.

**Capo.**

I had heard that word before.

Suddenly, everything began making sense.

The protection.

The friendly union.

The mysterious friends.

The secrecy.

My heart sank.

I almost lost control of myself.

**Oh God. What have I done?**

I looked at Fred.

“You…”

He stared at me.

I could not complete my sentence.

The man called Capo stepped forward.

He looked directly at me.

His eyes were cold.

I felt my palms becoming sweaty.

My heart began pounding.

“Fred,” I whispered, “what is this?”

He did not answer.

Capo stopped a few feet away from me.

“Stanley.”

My throat became dry.

“Yes?”

“Fred tells us you have a problem.”

I looked at Fred.

“You told them?”

Fred remained silent.

Capo continued.

“Something about a man called Edwin.”

My eyes widened.

“How do you know Edwin?”

No answer.

I stood up.

“I don't want this.”

Capo looked at me.

“You don't want what?”

“This.”

I pointed toward them.

“I don't want to be part of any group.”

One of the men laughed quietly.

Capo raised his hand.

The laughter stopped.

He looked at me again.

“You are frightened.”

“Yes,” I admitted.

For some reason, telling the truth felt easier than pretending.

Capo took another step.

“Fear can make a person make foolish decisions.”

I swallowed.

“I just want to live my life.”

He stared at me.

“You think Edwin will allow that?”

I became silent.

That question struck me deeply.

Capo knew about Edwin.

Fred knew about Edwin.

How?

I looked at Fred.

“Who exactly are you people?”

Fred finally spoke.

“We're trying to help you.”

“No!”

My voice shook.

“You should have asked me before bringing them here!”

Fred's face hardened.

“You don't understand what you're facing.”

“And you do?”

“Yes.”

His answer came immediately.

I stared at him.

“Then tell me.”

Fred looked away.

“Not here.”

“Then where?”

He said nothing.

Capo stepped closer.

“Stanley.”

I looked at him.

“Do you want protection or not?”

I could not answer.

My mind was racing.

I thought about Edwin.

I thought about Mama.

I thought about my grandmother.

I thought about the church.

I thought about the future I had imagined for myself.

Was I really about to lose everything because of a problem I did not understand?

Capo's face suddenly appeared closer.

His eyes were fierce.

My breathing became irregular.

The room began spinning.

I heard Fred call my name.

“Stanley!”

I tried to respond.

But my strength disappeared.

The last thing I saw was Capo's intimidating face.

Then everything went black.

### THE SECRET

When I opened my eyes, everything was blurry.

I tried to sit up.

A voice stopped me.

“Easy.”

I looked around.

Fred was sitting nearby.

I immediately moved backward.

“Don't come near me.”

He raised his hands.

“Relax.”

“Relax?”

I could barely believe him.

“You brought those men here!”

“I brought them because I wanted to protect you.”

“I don't need your protection!”

Fred sighed.

“You don't know what Edwin is capable of.”

“And you do?”

He became silent.

That silence told me more than his words could.

I stared at him.

“Fred.”

He looked at me.

“Tell me the truth.”

He hesitated.

“What truth?”

“What exactly is this group?”

He looked away.

I knew then.

He was hiding something.

“Fred.”

He finally looked at me.

“Stanley, there are things you don't understand.”

“Then explain them.”

He remained silent.

I stood up.

“I trusted you.”

His expression changed.

“I know.”

“No, you don't.”

I walked toward the door.

Fred stopped me.

“Wait.”

I turned.

“What?”

“You shouldn't leave yet.”

“Why?”

His eyes suddenly moved toward the window.

Then toward the door.

I became nervous.

“What is it?”

He lowered his voice.

“Someone is here.”

My heart began pounding.

“Who?”

Before he could answer, there was a knock.

Three slow knocks.

**Knock.**

**Knock.**

**Knock.**

Fred froze.

I looked at him.

“Who is that?”

He did not answer.

The knock came again.

This time, louder.

Fred walked slowly toward the door.

He looked through the opening.

Then immediately stepped backward.

His face changed.

“What happened?”

He whispered,

“It's Edwin.”

My blood ran cold.

Edwin.

Here.

In the university.

I looked toward the door.

“Maybe he doesn't know I'm here.”

Fred stared at me.

“He knows.”

“How?”

Another knock.

Then Edwin's voice came from outside.

“Stanley.”

I covered my mouth.

The voice was unmistakable.

“Stanley, open the door.”

I looked at Fred.

He shook his head.

Then Edwin laughed softly.

That laugh sent a chill through my body.

“I know you're inside.”

Silence.

Then he spoke again.

“You cannot hide forever.”

Fred moved toward the window.

“We need to get out.”

Before we could move, Edwin spoke again.

“But before you run…”

A pause.

“…you should know something.”

Fred stopped.

“What?”

Edwin's voice became quieter.

“Stanley doesn't know why I chose him.”

I stared at the door.

“What does he mean?” I whispered.

Fred didn't answer.

Then Edwin said something that made my entire body freeze.

“Ask your grandmother.”

I felt as though the ground had disappeared beneath my feet.

“My grandmother?”

Fred looked at me.

Edwin continued.

“She knows the truth.”

The footsteps outside began moving away.

I rushed toward the door.

But Fred grabbed my arm.

“Don't!”

“Let me go!”

“Stanley, listen to me.”

“What does my grandmother know?”

Fred stared at me.

“I don't know.”

“You're lying!”

He said nothing.

“Fred!”

He finally looked into my eyes.

“You need to understand something.”

“What?”

“Edwin didn't choose you by accident.”

My heart pounded.

“Then why did he choose me?”

Fred opened his mouth.

But before he could answer, his phone rang.

We both looked at the screen.

An unknown number.

The phone stopped.

Then a message appeared.

Fred read it.

His face became pale.

“What is it?”

He slowly turned the phone toward me.

The message was from Edwin.

**Tell Stanley the story has only just begun.**

I stared at the screen.

Then another message arrived.

Fred's hand trembled as he opened it.

There were only a few words.

**He should ask what happened years ago.**

I looked at Fred.

“What happened years ago?”

He said nothing.

I knew then that the answers I was searching for were not in university.

They were somewhere in my past.

Somewhere in my family.

And perhaps, somewhere in the history of Edwin.

That night, I made a decision.

I would call my grandmother.

I needed answers.

I needed to know what Edwin was talking about.

I needed to understand why my life had suddenly become a battlefield.

I reached for my phone.

But before I could dial her number, my phone vibrated.

Another message.

This one was sent directly to me.

I opened it.

My heart stopped.

**DON'T ASK YOUR GRANDMOTHER ABOUT EDWIN.**

I stared at the words.

A second message appeared.

**SHE ALREADY KNOWS.**

I could not breathe.

My grandmother?

The woman who had always told me to trust God?

The woman who had always protected me?

What could she possibly know about Edwin?

My hands began to tremble.

I looked at Fred.

He was staring at me.

“What did he send you?” he asked.

I slowly lifted my eyes.

“My grandmother knows Edwin.”

Fred's expression changed.

“What?”

I showed him the message.

He read it.

For several seconds, he remained silent.

Then he whispered something that made my heart sink.

“Stanley…”

“What?”

“You may not like what you are about to discover.”

I stared at him.

“What are you talking about?”

He looked toward the window.

Outside, the campus was quiet.

But somewhere in that darkness, I knew Edwin was watching.

And for the first time, I began to understand that the mysterious man who had entered my life was not simply after me.

He was after a secret.

A secret my family had kept from me.

A secret that had existed long before I was born.

And somehow, I was now standing at the center of it.

I looked down at my phone again.

Another message appeared.

This time, there was no warning.

Only a single sentence:

**“Stanley, tomorrow you will learn why you were chosen.”**

I stared at the screen until the words blurred before my eyes.

The university I had entered with dreams of a better future had suddenly become a place filled with questions.

Fred was hiding something.

Edwin knew something.

My grandmother knew something.

And I was the only person who knew nothing.

But one thing was certain.

The story was no longer about escaping Edwin.

It was about discovering the truth.

And I was terrified that when I finally discovered it, I might wish I had never asked.