The Hyena Code — Continuation 4
2012. Ibadan, Oyo State.
The roar of the Lion vibrated through the air and the birds fled the trees. The thick green scenery that was on either side of the road leading from the University gates to the hostel made it seem like the Lion could suddenly pop out in front of them. It was in the Zoo on the other side of the campus but it sounded close. Yemi nervously looked around as the car came to a halt in front of the boys’ hostel at the University of Ibadan. He knew the Lion was under lock and key, but hearing the roar was still scary. He glanced at the man beside him who was at the wheel.
Kolade switched off the engine, turned, and watched the teenager as he studied the environment. The boy was now about five feet eight inches tall, no fats, all muscle. He was wearing a black tee shirt, grey combat trousers, and black boots. “You good?”
Yemi looked at him. “Yes Uncle.”
“You ready for University life?”
“Definitely.”
“You know your training and skills are not to be used carelessly.”
“What if I’ve to defend myself?”
“I want you to keep a low profile. Don’t draw attention to yourself. So walk away, if you can.”
“Okay sir.”
“And if you can’t. Strike first, strike hard.”
Yemi smiled. “Okay sir.”
Kolade smiled back. “Sha just be careful. I’ve great plans for you.”
“I know sir.”
“Oya off you go.”
“But Uncle, how do I stay prepared? How do I maintain the killer instinct? I’m itching to put my training to effect. You know most universities are now known to have cult groups, right?”
Kolade looks at him thoughtfully. “Hmm, campus cults are now like street gangs. They are also dangerous and illegal. Besides, it might dilute the training and values we gave you.”
Yemi smiled. “Think of it as me working undercover. I gain the experience. I also get to grow my network in organised crime. Trust me, they will be useful in the future.”
“Okay. Join a cult. Hone your skills, and grow your network. But stay in the shadows.”
The boy nods. “Understood.”
“Do you have your gun with you?”
“No sir. You insisted we don’t carry any weapons”
“Just checking. Besides you don’t need to carry a weapon. What the juju priest did for you is all the weapon you will ever need.”
“I know Uncle, but the priest also warns that there are consequences for such powers.”
“Good, so use it sparingly and wisely.” Kolade switched on the car engine. “No communication unless it’s an emergency. Your account will be well funded so money won’t be a problem. If there is trouble, find your way to the Red House and stay there till you hear from me. “
“Okay sir.”
Kolade popped up the car boot. Yemi got out of the car and picked up his bag in the car boot. He came to the car window and saluted.
Kolade smiled. “We fear no one…”
“We dare everyone…”
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
“Hey jambito, was that your father that just dropped you off?”
Yemi looked at the guy wearing green Ankara attire and seated by the entrance to the boys’ hostel. The four-storey cream and peach building looked old but it was still imposing. The guy got up and walked to Yemi with a smile. He was an inch shorter than Yemi, but he was bigger.
Yemi smiled back. “No, my Uncle.”
The guy nodded and stretched out his hand. “Hi, my name is Paul. Economics Department, year two.”
Yemi shook his hand. “I’m Odeyemi. Sociology. Jambite.”
The two guys laughed.
“Do you have your hostel allocation papers? I can help make the registration process easier and faster for you,” said Paul.
“Is this free or for a fee?”
They laughed again as they walked into the hostel together.
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Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
The female hostel room was dimly lit by the rays of Sunlight emerging behind the curtains. Most of the girls in the hostel room were still lying down on the bunk beds and protested when the room lights were switched on. Intermittently, different heavy objects landed on the floor with a thud as a few other girls stuffed their belongings into various bags and suitcases. There were about fifteen bunk beds in the room. The hostel was popular among the female students, so it was usually overcrowded.
Fatima sat on the large suitcase that she had placed on her bottom bunk to force it to close. She quickly fastened it as both ends met. She wiped her brows with her hands and moved the suitcase from the bottom bunk to the floor. She grabbed a large traveling bag from a nearby cupboard and placed it on the bed. Then she adjusted and retied the wrapper across her chest before sitting down to catch her breath.
She had spent the early part of the morning gathering and packing her stuff from the wardrobe and cupboard. The university’s academic session was over and the school authority had insisted all hostels must be vacated so the rooms could be reallocated on a first come, first serve basis. The university’s academic calendar was lagging behind most other schools due to the incessant strike action by lecturers, so the holiday period was going to be short to enable the school to resume as soon as possible.
Fatima looked around the room that had been her home for the past nine months. It had been a new and interesting experience to be away from the family house for so long. She had stayed back in school during the first-semester break. There was no joy for her in the family house and she was not looking forward to going back. Her uncle’s place would have been a place of refuge but it was not a safe place due to the high-profile investigations he was always involved in. He called her regularly but what she really wanted to talk about was not something she felt she could do on the phone.
Someone shoved Fatima aside with her butt, sat down beside her, and wrapped her hands around her. “I’m going to miss you.”
Fatima turned to see the person’s face. It was Esther, her bunkmate, and best friend. “I will miss you too.” She hugged her back.
Esther had become more than just her friend. She was like her twin sister. They had studied together, trained together, and shared personal secrets. They had the same low haircut and the same stocky athletic build. They both stood at about five feet five inches tall and were beautiful enough to have attracted the attention of a fair share of guys on campus. She was the only one Fatima had told about her sexual trauma. Her mother had been of no use, she was in denial. Probably she was scared to lose a second husband. So her mother had refused to believe her.
Esther drew away and looked into Fatima’s eyes. “What are you going to do if he comes for you again?”
“Grab, throw, break, and smash.”
Esther gave her a small hammer. “He is the monster, not you. Don’t hold back.”
Tears filled Fatima’s eyes. “I won’t.”
To be continued??? Leave a comment if you want it to continue.
Signed
Olumide Holloway (King Olulu)
