Chapter Two – A Message No One Believes
290 Words
Korede didn’t sleep that night.
He kept staring at the message. No name. No clue. Just a cold warning that crawled under his skin.
Who sent it? What did they mean? Why Gbenga?
In the morning, the school was quiet. Too quiet. The principal announced a moment of silence during assembly. Gbenga’s photo was displayed on a projector screen. Flowers. Condolences. Fake tears from students who never liked him.
Korede clenched his fists.
After assembly, he approached Mr. Dada, the principal.
“Sir, something’s wrong. I don’t think Gbenga—”
Mr. Dada raised his hand. “I understand you’re grieving, Korede. But now is not the time for wild theories.”
“I got a message,” Korede whispered. “Someone’s hiding something.”
The principal frowned. “Delete it. Don’t cause panic. If you love your friend, let him rest.”
Korede walked away, his heart beating faster.
That afternoon, someone broke into his locker. Nothing was stolen—but everything was scattered. Books ripped. Diary torn. A warning.
Then, on his way back to the hostel, he saw her.
Adaora.
She was being pushed against the wall by two girls from SS3. They slapped her books out of her hand and laughed.
“Look who thinks she’s special now,” one girl sneered.
Korede walked up and calmly picked up Adaora’s books.
The bullies scoffed. “Stay out of this.”
Korede looked them dead in the eye. “Touch her again, and try me.”
The girls walked off, annoyed.
Adaora stared at him, shocked.
“No one’s ever… done that for me,” she whispered.
Then she said something that made Korede freeze.
“I saw someone with Gbenga. That night. After everyone left.”
- Writer
