Chapter 2
533 Words
Silence and Shadows
The streets were never quiet.
But Nii was.
Leaning against a cracked wall, hands in his pockets, eyes low under his cap—he said nothing.
He didn’t need to.
People understood silence differently on the street.
Sometimes… it was louder than words.
---
“Chale, you dey think too much.”
Abu’s voice cut through the noise as he approached.
Nii didn’t respond.
Abu stopped beside him, eyeing him carefully.
“You hear me?”
A slight nod.
That was all.
---
Abu exhaled. “The thing dey ready?”
Nii reached into his hoodie and pulled out a small wrapped package.
No expression. No explanation.
Just business.
Abu glanced around nervously. “You sure say this one safe?”
Nii finally spoke.
One word.
“Move.”
---
They crossed the road.
A motorbike waited.
The rider didn’t remove his helmet.
No greetings.
No time wasted.
“Money,” Nii said quietly.
The rider handed over an envelope.
Nii checked it—quick, precise.
Then passed the package.
Done.
The bike sped off.
---
Abu let out a shaky laugh. “You see how you do am? No fear, nothing.”
Nii walked ahead.
No reply.
---
“Sometimes you dey scare me, you know that?”
Still nothing.
Abu shook his head and followed.
---
A group of girls passed.
One slowed down.
“Hi…”
Nii stopped.
Looked at her.
Silent.
The girl shifted awkwardly. “You won’t talk?”
Nii’s gaze held hers for a second longer…
Then he moved.
Just like that.
Left her standing there.
Confused.
---
Abu burst out laughing once they were a bit far.
“Ah! Today you no go do your ‘sweet boy’ thing?”
Nii spoke without looking at him.
“Not today.”
---
They reached their usual spot—a broken structure, half abandoned.
Nii sat down, pulled out the envelope.
Counting.
Always counting.
Abu leaned against the wall.
“You no dey tire?”
No response.
“I mean… this life. Running, hiding, doing things we no even understand.”
Nii paused briefly.
Then continued counting.
“Eat first,” he muttered.
Abu frowned. “That one too be answer?”
Nii looked up—just once.
“Survive first.”
Silence.
That was the end of the conversation.
---
Across the road…
A black car passed slowly.
Inside—
Sakina rested her head against the window, bored.
Her eyes drifted lazily across the streets…
Then stopped.
On him.
Nii.
Still. Quiet. Different.
Not loud like the others.
Not trying.
Just… there.
Something about him felt off.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
“Driver, slow down,” she said.
The car reduced speed.
But not enough.
They passed him.
Gone.
---
Back on the street—
Nii’s head tilted slightly.
Like he felt eyes on him.
He looked up.
Nothing.
Just traffic.
Noise.
Life.
He stood up.
“Abu.”
“Hmm?”
“Let’s go.”
---
Abu nodded, pushing himself off the wall.
As they walked away, Abu glanced at him again.
“You talk small… but the small you talk dey heavy.”
Nii said nothing.
---
🔥 End of Chapter Two
- Writer
