Chapter 3

“Is this a dessert?” I asked myself out loud because that is what this place is looking like at the moment.

It was dry, sandy, and lack any form of civilization. There isn't even a road, to begin with, and it makes me wonder how I was able to find my way here.

What made me glad was that it is dark and I do hope I can get to civilization before it gets dark.

I began walking in a direction I am not familiar with but at least I am moving from the spot I was in. I had walked for some time when I started feeling thirsty already and the slightly hot sun did no good to keep me hydrated.

I had no water with me and it made me cough a few times as I walked. The only thing I hope is to see someone… anyone who could offer me a drink of water first before asking where I am and how I could get out… if they would help me though.

Then I saw a road upfront and a smile crept its way to my lips as I felt a bit of hope that someone was around here so it kept me from relenting and urged me to go further with the hope of finding someone.

I noticed that as I kept walking in the way of the road, it seems to be going further away from me… just like I am on a treadmill.

Walking but actually not going anywhere.

‘That wouldn’t stop me from pushing further, if I can see the road then I can get there’ I assured myself and kept walking even though it seems the same way.

It could be just a figment of my ima-

My thoughts were interrupted when a wave of wind blew and that caused some bits of sand to penetrate into my eyes so I stood still so I could clean them out of my eyes.

I was able to get some of them out even though it hurt while removing them. I blinked several times and when I saw that I was able to open my eyes clearly I wasn’t expecting what I opened my eyes to.

It was dark… and not the evening dark but midnight dark which I consider strange.

“How is that even possible?” I asked aloud and threw my hands up in the air in frustration.

First I found myself in the middle of a desert-like place with the sun trying to dry up everything liquid in me then a wave of wind blew some sand in my eyes and when I opened them… tada, its midnight dark.

Weird.

“Do I have my phone with me?” I asked myself and felt my pocket to check if I had it on me and thankfully it was in my back pocket.

Thank you, GOD

I thanked GOD in my mind and pressed the power button so that it could show the lock screen but nothing, I tried again and nothing… again, nothing and so I put more pressure on the power button and it didn’t switch on so u concluded that the battery had died.

Really? At this time? When I needed it so much, it baled on me.

“This can't be happening to me” I muttered and when putting much pressure on the power button wasn’t helping, I called it quits and pocket my phone.

“Now where do I go?” I asked myself as I hugged my torso and rubbed my arms due to the cold brushing lightly against my skin and slowly creeping its way to the inner layer of my skin.

I stood there and looked around to see if there was anything that can hint at the presence of a living human around aside from me but saw nothing or no one and it was slowly getting under my skin.

I heard a small bang sound and turned in the direction it came from then saw a ray of light at a distance. It looked like it was coming from one of those street light stands but there wasn’t any pole indicating that it was I didn’t bother because I could see light.

I began my way towards it and after some time of walking, I could see a black painted bungalow in my sight of vision and the building had little shrubs surrounding it… weird.

I didn’t let that stop me from approaching the building to see if there is someone in there that could offer me some kind of help.

When I started getting closer to the house, I felt a presence behind me, and slowly the hair at the back of my neck stood up, a cold chill ran down my spine, and… that meant danger.

I took a side peep to see who was following me but saw no one and decided not to let that make me feel scared and continued walking to the building in hope that whoever was following me would see that I was getting help and would leave me.

The cold wind brushed against my skin and I hugged myself tighter all the while rubbing my arms to keep me warm even though I felt nothing called warm but at least I try.

I increased my pace and guessed that the person too noticed they increased theirs too. I couldn’t help but feel scared already knowing that this person wasn’t scared of coming closer to me.

I am but a little girl out in the cold and in the middle of nowhere with strange things happening around me and with the knowledge that a psycho might end me now.

It was the fear of not knowing what would happen once he got a hold of me that made me madly scared to the core.

In no time I reached the house and climbed the three little stairs that lead to the brown-colored front door before banging eagerly on the door with the hope that someone would answer on time.

I knocked again when I didn’t get a response the first time and still didn’t get a response the second time so I kept knocking and had the courage to look back to check who it was but saw nothing nor anyone in sight.

Strange because I do remember feeling a presence behind me and now nothing but just a dark quiet night.

I let out the breath of relief I didn’t know I was holding then thought I was just being paranoid for nothing and placed my palm on my chest to calm my insides.

Maybe I was still not over those nightmares yet, that might be why I have these strange feelings.

Releasing another air of relief, I turned back around to knock on the door since the other attempts were failed.

When I turned around, I wasn’t met with the brown-colored front door, instead, it was something black… and it looked like it was a person standing there due to both black glove-covered hands on each side of the person.

I came here because I needed help to be away from the cold night and from the person who I was convinced was following me but instead, I felt like I needed help to be away from this person who is standing right in front of me.

I managed to swallow the lump in my throat and took in deep breaths before letting them out and raising my head to look at who was standing in all-black attire.

My eyes met with stubble on his chin area and I know it a man that is in all-black attire with the dark and creepy aura he was carrying around him… it feels so familiar but I can't put a name to it.

When I was able to get a full look at his face, I saw a smirk on his lips as he bore his eyes down at me and he seems familiar, so familiar… even his presence tells me he is 'danger', a familiar kind but I couldn’t place how or when I did meet this scary looking man.

I guess this was it. He is finally going to take me and there is nothing that would stop him, even if I did sprint from his front, he would still catch up with me in no time.

Just as he reached out to grab me, I felt a tap on my shoulder and I aggressively shook my shoulder and opened my eyes, immediately my eyes were attacked by how bright everywhere looked so I shut my eyes for some minutes before slowly opening them and adjusting to the brightness of the day.

‘Where am I?’ I questioned myself as I looked around the interior of the car I was in then I looked outside to see some cars passing by and the one I am in was moving.

I looked down at my body and saw my uniform then it hit me. We are on our way to school and mum was dropping us off.

I looked at the person who tapped me and met my twin’s worried-looking face with her mouth twisted to her side. Something she does when she isn't pleased or is really worried.

I didn’t want anyone worrying about my account or giving me sympathizing looks… it is something I hate and the last thing I want from my siblings or mum.

She gave me space to stretch and yawn from the unpleasant journey I unknowingly embarked on.

“Brace yourself, we are almost at school,” she said and I nod my head then looked out of the window.

“Everything would be fine with you okay?” she said after a moment of silence.

I turned to look at her smiling eyes and lips and couldn’t help but smile too then gave her a nod to assure her that I was okay.

I love how supportive and patient my mum and siblings has being with me since I started seeing these things. They made sure I was not left out of anything and would try their best to act normal around me, even though I do feel like they know something that I don’t.

It didn’t bother me that much since they are there to make me feel better and would sometimes protect me from dad’s silly comments about me.

“Thank you” I whispered and she grinned then relaxed back on the seat.

“It's no ish, you owe me five thousand nairas though” she wriggled her brows and I chuckled.

A little game we play with each other whenever we make sure we are okay. We don’t actually pay the money, it's just our twin thing, and it's exclusive to us alone.

Just then the car stopped and both Elle and Daniel said goodbye to mum and made their way out of the car while I sat there in my seat with my eyes looking at my fingers playing with the hem of my skirt.

I let out a sigh and took my bag that was sitting on the floor of the car then placed it on my lap before reaching for the door handle to open it.

“Are you okay Ella?” I stopped myself from reaching for the handle before my hands dropped to my side and let out another sigh then looked up at my mum with a frown etching my face.

I nodded my head and opened my mouth to talk but didn’t find what words to formulate so that I can answer her question. I dug into my bag to grab my bottle of water to clear up my throat.

“I am fine mum,” I said after taking two large gulps of water and flashing her a smile to confirm what I told her.

“You will be good, by GOD’s grace… I don’t know how you will be able to get over all these traumas but I am rest assured that GOD will walk you through this and bring you out victorious” she told me one of her very helpful motivations she tells me almost every time.

“Thank you, mum,” I said and she nod her head so I opened the door and slung one of my bag straps on my shoulder then closed the door and waved at her before walking to the school.

“I wouldn't be picking you up, hope you guys can find your way home?” she asked and I nod my head then entered my school building after telling her ‘goodbye’ for the third time.

Hilvert Secondary School is one of the best and most popular schools here in G.R.A Ikeja. Our school has quite a large compound but not large enough for a field.

The field is somewhere along the street.

It is well equipped and has great teachers who are keen on making sure we get a quality education that is why we have the most excelling students graduating from here.

Getting the right teaching technique to make learning fun for the students so they will be eager to learn more and be better than when they started.

 We also have great athletes who win many competitions both at home and abroad.

When I got in, I was greeted by the sight of my brother’s girlfriend who goes by the name Rebecca Alice Davis.

Rebecca is a kind-hearted, sweet, lovely, gentle, humble, beautiful girl who is also in the same class as he is.

She is seventeen ‘a years older than me and my twin’, has light skin, is a 5’8 model, has full pink lips, a slightly pointed nose, a heart-shaped face, and has this natural brown curly hair that she braided in ‘bob marley’.

She naturally has long hair that is almost her bum length when she straightens it.

I and Becca are models for a fashion brand called ‘De’lite clothing store’, it's her sister fashion brand and we model for them there. My twin works with Rachael her older sister once in a while and when she isn't doing school-related stuff.

Becca in all is nice, courteous, has a beautiful personality, funny, beautiful, well mannered, and all those goodies. She is our school head girl while my brother is the sports prefect.

Her dad is one of the school's most important people (by that, I mean that he is one of the school’s pioneers who contributes to the great success and sponsors almost all projects the Hilvert work on).

Her dad is also a senator and that makes her one of the most popular and richest students in Hilvet Secondary School the amazing thing about it all is that she never let it gets to her head and would always try in her own way to help others.

“Everyone is human and humans are meant to be treated nicely and with kindness. Treat people with kindness today” was her speech when she was elected head girl.

I am so glad she ended up with my brother and how they met, became friends, hung out with each other before officially started dating is a very long and worthwhile story but it isn't for me to tell.

Mum too approves of their relationship even when she said she prefers us to be eighteen and above before we start dating anyone.

Daniel and she were holding each other’s hands and she shifted her gaze to me before walking to come to give me a hug that I accepted with open arms.

“Hey Daniella”  we parted and I grinned.

“How are you, Becca?” I asked.

“Nothing much, just balling” she answered and I laughed.