LOVE BEYOND SCARS

SCHOOL PLUS DREAD

Grace

1:55 am

I awake the 2nd time this morning in hot sweat.

The terrifying dream I had earlier locates me the 2nd time, determined to wreck my day even before it began. I use my hand to search for my Torchlight where I usually keep it on my bed but I couldn't find it. It was still dark and I could hear the frogs and crickets from outside.

The whole situation was giving scary vibes. “Where is this stupid torch when I need it?” I groaned in frustration. Finally, one of my pats felt the torch and I immediately grabbed it, turning it on.

The room came alive immediately as the rays poured out to chase the darkness. I sighed and tried hard to remember the dark dream.

‘I was standing at the edge of a cliff all of a sudden. How I got there and why eluded me. Looking down, I could see the water below, rushing angrily like it had been offended. People were behind me, hailing and cheering. They urged me to take a leap and free myself of the burden called life. Somehow, their encouragement got to me, and jumping started to make sense a little. After all, what I lived was not qualified to be called life. While I was on the last lap of making my decision, I was pushed.

The hard jolt I felt that threatened to rip life out of me even before the sharp rocks below did, the descending motion to my obvious death and my blood curdling screams were the last I heard before I woke up.”

I sigh, snapping out of it. It obviously didn't mean anything, I thought. Standing up, I headed for the door, the urge to pass urine suddenly becoming demanding. I struggled with the bad lock, twisting and turning and silently begging the key not to break. The lock itself was worn out, as well as every other thing in the entire old dusty house no amount of cleaning can save.

I have recently resorted to locking my door before sleeping. Since my father discovered his new found love for alcohol, he's mistaken my room for his 2 times. I couldn't take chances anymore as it was risky to have a drunk man in a female's room, father or not.

Finally, the door opens and I rush out with my laps pressed tightly to avoid the urine from spilling.

When I was done in the toilet, I went to the kitchen to check if there were leftovers.

My stepmom had starved me the night before as a punishment for not ironing the laundry, despite my explanation that there was no electricity.

Getting there, I searched the unwashed plates in the sink to see the leftovers dunked in a bowl of water. My strength left me and tears filled my eyes.

Sonia!

I knew it was her handwork. The younger of my stepsisters. A wench like her mother. Ever since she caught me a fortnight ago scavenging for the scraps, she's resorted to throwing the leftovers in the bin or putting them in water.

“Grace!!” Someone behind me shouted. I jerked immediately, not expecting to hear my name at that ungodly hour. When I turned, I saw my stepmom and Sonia with a mischievous smile.

“Ma?” I responded in fear, bracing myself for the slap or knock to follow.

“What are u doing here by this time of the morning? Eh? So you've joined the rats and roaches that infiltrate my kitchen, destroying things?” She asked in quick procession.

I opened my mouth to answer but no words came out. I bent my head in resignation, accepting the hurtful words yet to come from the duo.

“See? Mom I told you she always comes to the kitchen to feast every night when everyone's asleep, but you thought I was joking. Thief!” Sonia said with contempt.

I was filled with rage when I heard her say that, I looked up immediately and glared at her. When she saw the anger on my face, she immediately withdrew, hiding behind her mother.

“Grace!” Flora said menacingly. I drew two steps backward before answering.

“I never want to see you here when everyone's supposed to be asleep. Unless you want me to suspect you of witchcraft. Am I understood?” She roared. I could only nod in response.

She left after glaring at me for a minute, making sure to communicate the seriousness of her warning. Sonia left too, hot on her heels, snickering at me.

I sighed in relief. That's a first. The session was usually accompanied with some amount of beatings.

Today is going to be a great day, I thought to myself.

6:30AM

“Grace!!” The voice echoed in the entire house, communicating the maleness. My dad was probably looking for his snuff box for the upteenth time, and Grace has to get it. I quickly took one more look at the broken mirror wedged between the space in my window protector, admiring the school uniform I had on.

One more thing to be happy about on this blessed day.

“Where is that girl I just called?” my father bellowed angrily. I rushed out from my room to the verandah where he had called from.

“I'm here sir, I was dressing up” I replied hastily, hoping that would appease him.

He glared at me, annoyed that he had no excuse to remain angry.

“Find my snuff box, I don't know where I left it” he said, looking around like he had been searching at all. I sighed tiredly, went straight to the spot he usually keeps it, and there it was.

“Here” I said, stretching it to him. He took it, barely muttering his thanks. I didn't mind.

All I thought of was how I'd be out of the house in no time before my stepmom comes back from her morning supply. If I didn't leave in time, I sure would be the next hawker of butter bread in the streets till 10 AM.

Daddy I'm going to school now, I'll see you later…. I told my dad as I hurried off without hearing his consent. I was already late, so I hurried like my life depended on it. My step sisters were already in school from my guess. Their mother had them taken to school by a contract driver everyday. They were also brought back the same way. Obviously, Grace wasn't good enough to ride the taxi ... .so I had to trek.

I recoiled as I imagined the strokes of cane those mean seniors at the school gate would only be too happy to dish out to my back. Those bullys! The fairly healed cane marks there would soon be getting neighbors, I thought sadly. I snapped out of the encroaching stale mood as quickly as it had come, reminding myself that today was going to be a good one. The moment I saw the eye-catching school banner from a stone throw away, dread immediately filled my body and sweat broke out from everywhere; my armpits, under my breasts, a thin line even started to trickle down my thighs. I took 3 deep breaths in and out to calm my frayed nerves but it didn't work. Finally I approached the gate, bracing myself for the worst….which came to meet me itself, like it had been waiting.

“Hey! Hideous face. C'mon will u stop walking like your father owns the school and run” Snr Christy, my one nemesis in the school bellowed from the gate the moment she saw me. s**t!!!😔😔