Chapter 2 - the new Arrival
670 Words
Night settled over Douglas Military School like a warning. The air felt colder than usual, carrying the kind of silence that made every footstep echo louder than it should. The boys’ dormitory stretched across the yard, its windows glowing dimly, its old walls humming with whispers from generations of students.
Jabari walked slowly toward the lodge, his small bag hanging from his shoulder. He had expected noise, laughter, maybe the rough kind of welcome boys gave new students—but instead he met only stares. The boys in the corridor watched him the way people watched a stray animal: curious, cautious, and a little suspicious.
A tall student blocking the doorway crossed his arms. “You new?”
Jabari nodded.
“What’s your name?”
“Jabari.”
The boy stepped aside without a smile. “Stay out of trouble. This place has rules.”
Inside the dorm, the beds were lined neatly in rows. Jabari chose the one nearest the window. The moon was bright enough to see the courtyard, and for a moment he felt comfort in its silence—until footsteps approached.
A slim boy with sharp eyes dropped his pillow on the bed next to Jabari’s. “I’m Idris,” he said simply. “Don’t talk too loud at night. They hear everything.”
“Who?” Jabari asked.
Idris didn’t answer. He only climbed into bed and faced the wall.
The next morning, a loud whistle tore through the building. The boys scrambled out, forming lines in the courtyard. The instructors stood waiting, their faces unreadable.
“Good morning, students!” one of them shouted. “Welcome to a new day of discipline.”
After a short devotion, drills began immediately. Jabari struggled to keep up—running, crawling, climbing—but he pushed through, determined not to appear weak. Every mistake earned a shout, every hesitation a glare from the instructors. Some of the boys whispered that those instructors weren’t normal, that they watched even when their backs were turned.
During breakfast, Jabari noticed something else: the absence of teachers. Students served themselves, cleaned up themselves, and moved from place to place as if guided by invisible orders.
“Where are the teachers?” Jabari whispered.
Idris leaned close. “There are none. Not anymore.”
Before Jabari could ask more, a heavy voice rose behind them.
“Given to us by the Government of Africa,” the man announced. “We are here for one purpose—to shape you into men of strength, courage, and excellence.”
Captain Dogo stepped forward, tall and intimidating. His presence alone silenced the courtyard.
“You are the future defenders of this nation,” he continued. “You are expected to show loyalty, discipline, and maturity at all times. If you fail…” He paused, letting his stern eyes sweep through the crowd. “Then you are not needed here.”
The boys stood stiff, afraid to breathe.
After the address, Dogo walked away with Sergeant Miles by his side. The remaining instructors herded the boys back into activities. Jabari noticed that even though Dogo was the highest officer here, he rarely stayed on campus long. His visits were quick, controlled, almost forced, as if he too feared something within these walls.
Later that evening, while the others played football in the courtyard, Jabari wandered behind the dormitory. He had barely stepped into the shadows when he heard it—a faint whisper, drifting like wind through old branches.
Jabari…
He froze.
The whisper came again, softer, almost pleading.
Come closer…
A chill ran down his spine. He stepped back quickly, heart pounding, then ran toward the lodge without looking back.
When he entered the hallway, Idris appeared from the darkness.
“You heard it, didn’t you?” Idris whispered.
Jabari swallowed. “What was that?”
Idris looked toward the courtyard, then back at him with fear in his eyes.
“Welcome to Douglas School,” he said. “Where the dead don’t rest.”
- Writer
