Two weeks later....

Sirens were heard from a distance, but Kech and his crew couldn't be bothered. They were stoned.

Lying around in their usual spot at the uncompleted building. The police easily apprehended all of them and soon news was spread in town about their arrest.

Many came out to thank God for the deliverance. They had been tormented long enough.

'Mummy are you hearing what Mama Adaobi is saying? Police stormed that uncompleted building and arrested all those cult boys. Esther I think that guy that threatened you was part of the people arrested-',

'What guy threatened who? Eh Esther? What guy threatened you? You children will not kill me o! You won't kill me!! Esther who threatened you?!', Esther leveled her brother a look. He didn't know when to shut up.

'Mummy it's those cult boys, their leader. I mentioned it-',

'Enwero ihe ikuru gbasara ihe ahu!! You didn't say anything about it! So that's how they would have kidnapped you or done something to you and I would be here blaming myself not knowing the genesis of the problem!!! Esther!! Esther!!!',

'Mummy it's not like that-', a slap landed on her face

'My friend will you get inside the house before I descend on you this hot afternoon!! Kedu ihe ina ekwuputa na oni gi? It's like what then? Leave my presence before I do what I really want to do to you!', she ran to her room and locked the door.

She sat on the door behind the door, drew her knees to her chest and began crying.

Crying about everything.

Not telling her mum, her mum finding out the way she did, the slap and of course being grateful that God had finally intervened on her behalf. As well as that of the community.

'Esther I'm sorry I didn't know you haven't told her', Chima said from the door moments later.

'Chima please leave me alone, I've heard',

'Sorry na, it was an honest mistake',

'I've heard you then. Go I've heard you', she heard shuffling of feet and decided to go lay on her bed. She knew she was going to be in big trouble when her mum was ready.

***

School resumed for the third term and NECO was rounding up the second week after resumption.

SS3 clearance was to begin by the third week.

Daniel came of the exam hall. This was his final paper, and boy was he glad he was done with secondary school. Stretching he began to walk back to his spot at the library which was coincidentally the same place they would get their clearance form from.

He just knew that the witchy librarian would try to make life difficult for him. But no worries, after now nothing linked them.

Piling his now old books into his bag something caught his attention. A note sticking out of one of his books. Glancing through it he went to find Esther. That girl was really something.

I wanted to ask if you would mind giving me your past question papers.
Hope your exams went well.
Esther

He shook his head, the last time she had asked him for them he told her he'd get them all for her. Including subjects he wasn't offering, he didn't know why she felt he needed a reminder.

Checking her class he discovered that she was among those assigned to clear the grasses at the back of the senior's block.

Normally he would ask the labour prefect the shade of his problem, but now he didn't know if she'd like it.

Spotting her wasn't a hassle, like 98% of the class her white shirt was long taken off. Leaving her in a white tank top.

She smiled at something that was said before she screamed like her life depended on it. Someone had dropped a dead snake on her.

She was paralysed with fear, Daniel walked briskly towards her. The said joker quickly removed the snake and became scarce before Daniel reached them.

'Collins you're a bloody idiot for doing that!', Shola shouted as she ran towards Esther.

'Its okay calm down', she tried to calm her down alongside some of her classmates. Even those that were laughing had stopped laughing.

'Shhh',

She kept saying Jesus over and over till she was pushed into someone's arms.

Daniel lead her out of the field but not without informing the labour prefect that she was done for today. Ebube the labor prefect agreed without a fuss and Esther was taken from the vicinity.

Even when she was safely in his class she was shaking.

'Hey, look at me. It was a dumb joke. It's dead-',

'I need a bath', she cut him off. She was too shaken up to remember he was her senior.

'Sure, come let me take you to the female rest room. Though I think you'll only be able to wash your legs', the restroom was locked to deter students from hiding in there. So he took her to one of the taps where she washed her legs thoroughly.

'That was totally disgusting', she said when she had calmed down.

'I know, are you feeling better?',

'Yea. Thank you. How was your exam?', she asked as she sat on the chair he gestured her to.

'It went well, this is my last paper and my last day in school till we start clearance',

'Oh',

'Yea',

'Is Snr Kasper done as well?', she asked to fill up the silence.

'Yes, say what you want to say', he prompted her.

'Its just that I'll miss you guys, school won't be the same without you guys around-',

'Who exactly are you calling you guys?',

'Umm, you and Snr Kasper', she said looking confused.

'Interesting',

'Did I say something wrong?',

He just looked at her without saying anything. She knew what the problem was but she didn't think she was in any position to say what he wanted to hear.

'I'll definitely miss you Snr Daniel -',

'Don't say it like you're saying it just because. And don't call me Snr Daniel again',

'Okay, I'll miss you. Daniel', she added as an after thought. Daniel shook his head and handed the past questions he had gathered for her.

'Wow thank you!',

Daniel watched her quickly glance through the pages while he stood up. She too stood up but was focused on the papers in her hand.

He pulled her to himself and hugged her. He was definitely going to miss her. At least he wasn't going to NDA anymore, so normal schooling would give him time to pay attention to her.

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