TEENAGE TRAUMA

Chapter 21-Another discovery

"You're covering it up", said Amber, initiating a conversation with her dad on the next Monday morning.
"Don't say that" He answered as he took a seat, eyes fixed on his laptop.

"But that's exactly what you're doing"

"How do you think it reflects on us as a school if the public finds out that a criminal burst in here and attacked a student. They don't need to know so you keep your mouth shut about it as well".
"But the school could at least do a follow up on the case"

"It's no longer our business. And there's nothing to follow up on. She's been thrown in jail anyway"
"No, she wasn't. You all lied to us that she got months in prison but she didn't"

"Yes she did, Amber"

"Then she escaped?"

"She's currently serving her time in jail. Forget it".

"No, she isn't!", Amber said, raising her voice at her dad.

"You saw her?"
As a matter of fact, I did.
"When?" Mr. Moon asked curiously, putting his laptop away and finally looked at Amber.

"Last week Friday. I saw her leaving the school during the Parent&teacher meeting. You didn't know about this, you actually believed she was in prison all this while". Amber answered, taking a strep back from her agitated father.

"Maybe she was released. Not that big a deal" trying to convince himself that everything was okay.

"Not that big a deal? Really?

"What exactly is this conversation about?"
"It's about the fact that the school lied to us about Aunty. And apparently, the workers you hired in a school YOU own, lied to you as well".

"How do you even know that's what she's called?"

"I just know" she answered.

"Get to school. And I don't want you talking or even thinking about this anymore. I'll find out why the school gave you all false news" Mr. Moon said. "And what the hell she was doing in my school again", he continued to himself, walking out of the living room angrily.

.......

Later that day, Kevin and I rushed to the counsellor's office immediately after school to ask her a few questions.
"Ma'am we need to know exactly how you're related to Aunty. It really could help us a lot" Kevin started, walking into her office. "So we're going straight to the point..I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect you here anyway but I have nothing to tell you" she answered.
"Please, I don't think you know what this woman has done to our friend. We just need to get to the bottom of it all and find a way to punish her for her crimes" I added.

"First, you can't punish Aunty. The sooner you accept that, the better. Secondly, I don't see how this is any of my business. She hurt your friend and she hurt me. We're completely different people" Miss Ope told us, packing her bag.

"Okay, just tell us the story of how Aunty got your kids, at least".

"Why?" She asked.
"I don't know, because it could help us a lot. And we could help you as well" Kevin answered her.

"Okay. It's a really short story actually. When I gave birth to a boy, about 20 years ago. Aunty took him, she said if I didn't agree to her conditions, she'll kill him. I of course, called the police immediately. All to no avail. They didn't help. And Aunty killed the boy. She made me watch as she held him down in a bucket of water for minutes. He drowned and I had to bury my 3 day old son. Four years after that, I gave birth to another child, a girl. Aunty came back and took the girl too. She asked me to do the same thing she asked me to do years ago. And this time, I had learnt my lesson so I agreed and did it. She said she'll probably need me to do it again so till this day, sixteen years later, she still has my daughter. Making me do different things for her, over and over again. But soon, as she promised, I'll have my daughter back", Miss Ope answered us with a smile.
She seemed so used to the story, she didn't even breaks tear and was able to narrate it so casually to us. I on the other hand wasn't able to hold back my tears for her.

"If you're going to cry, get out of my office to do that. Even I am not crying so why are you? You'd didn't even know the child" She cautioned me.

"And why did she do that? Why did Aunty take your kids, what does she want from you?" Kevin asked.

"No way. I'm not telling you that"

"Why not? You've told us so much already anyway", he argued.
"Because I did what she asked me to do. You kids will go to the police and tell them everything. That's for sure. And I do not want to be in jail while I'm supposed to get my daughter back" Miss Ope answered. "Whatever you're planning to do to Aunty. Don't do it. Please. I can't miss this opportunity to see my child again. Just give me some time. She'll return my daughter in two weeks and after that you can do what you want. Till then, I will protect her with all I have. I'm not trying to let the same hung that happened with Ayomide happen to my daughter" she continued.

"So that was his name, Ayo?" I asked.
"Yes".

Kevin got up, tucking his chair back into place, he said, "Thank you ma'am. A lot. And we hope you get your daughter back. Till then, we won't do anything. I promise" Saying that, Kevin took my hand and we left. "Do you think Aunty has actually kept her daughter alive all this while?" I asked him, getting into the car in which his driver had been waiting for us. "No, not really. But all we have to do is wait two weeks to find out, right?", He answered.

"Yeah..and why wasn't Tricia in school today though?" I asked as we drove out of the school compound.
"She's been really dejected since last Friday. I think it's because Aunty mentioned that she knew her mum", he answered.

"So what do we do now?"
"We wait" Kevin replied me, laying back on the car seat with his eyes closed.

.......

"You can forget about seeing your child for at least two more years" Aunty said, walking into Miss Ope's room.

"What, why?" Miss Ope replied, hopping on her feet.

"Why? Are you seriously asking me why? You just told those small children the whole story about how I did this and that. Who asked you to open your mouth, eh? You'll learn to shut up the next time somebody asks you about your relationship with me"

"Wait, but I didn't know I wasn't supposed to say that. But I didn't tell them why you did it though. I..please it.." Miss Ope stammered, trying to defend herself.
"Are you trying to argue with me?" Aunty interrupted with a frown, watching Miss Ope whimper and put her hand over her own mouth. "I better not see you with any of those kids, ever again! And be at Paragon's the day after tomorrow, at exactly 2:15pm, immediately after school. That's the time and day of the week you'll be showing up there from now on. There's been a change of plans", she continued, walking out of the building.