ACROSS THE WALL

THREE

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over Kisumu Boys High School as Juma slipped quietly out of the dormitory. The familiar thrill of nighttime exploration coursed through his veins, igniting a sense of freedom that was hard to find during the day. He had always been drawn to the mysteries that unfolded under the cover of darkness, and tonight was no different.

Navigating through the shadows, Juma carefully avoided the watchful eyes of teachers patrolling the grounds. He had perfected this routine over time, knowing every creak in the floorboards and every flicker of light that might signal danger. As he approached the wall separating his school from the girls school on the other side, he felt a rush of excitement mixed with apprehension.

The wall towered above him; its rough surface marked by years of graffiti and whispered secrets. It was a barrier that kept two worlds apart, yet it also held the promise of adventure. Juma had heard countless stories from older students about hidden meetings and secret societies that gathered near this very wall, sharing tales of rebellion and dreams that transcended their confined lives.

Tonight, he intended to uncover those secrets.

As he reached a secluded spot near the wall, Juma paused to listen. The night was alive with sounds—the rustle of leaves, distant laughter, and the faint hum of crickets. He pressed his ear against the cool surface of the wall, straining to hear anything unusual. It was then that he caught snippets of conversation drifting from beyond.

"Did you hear about tonight's gathering?" a voice whispered from nearby.

"They say it's going to be different this time." Juma's heart raced.

Gatherings? What kind of gatherings were they having? His curiosity piqued as he leaned closer, trying to catch more details.

"Yeah, they're planning something big," another voice replied, laced with excitement. "If we can get enough people together, we might finally break through."

Break through? The words sent a thrill down Juma's spine. What were they planning? He had always felt a pull toward rebellion—an urge to challenge the norms that dictated their lives—but he had never imagined being part of something larger than himself but not like this not this soon anyway.

Just then, a flicker of movement caught his eye. A group of figures emerged from behind a nearby tree—students clad in dark clothing that looked both serious and excited. Juma quickly ducked behind a bush, heart pounding in his chest as he watched them gather near the wall.

"Are we ready?" one figure asked, glancing around nervously.

"Let's just hope nobody sees us," another replied, their voice barely above a whisper.

Juma felt a mix of fear and exhilaration wash over him. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. He wanted to join them, to be part of whatever was happening beyond this wall.

But as he contemplated revealing himself, doubt crept in. What if they rejected him? What if they got caught? The thrill of adventure battled with his instinct for self-preservation.

In that moment of hesitation, one of the figures turned slightly toward him, and Juma's heart skipped a beat. He recognized one of them—it was Karanja, known for his weird theories about secret passages all over the wall that connected both schools.

"Did you hear something?" Karanja asked, looking around cautiously.

Juma realized he couldn't stay hidden any longer. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out from behind the bush and called out softly, "Hey!!"

The group fell silent as they turned to face him, eyes wide with surprise and suspicion.

"What do you want?" Karanja asked cautiously.

"I want in," Juma declared boldly. "I've heard about your gatherings... I want to help."

A tense silence filled the air as Karanja exchanged glances with his friends.

"We don't just let anyone join," he said slowly. "You need to understand what this is about first."

"I can handle it," Juma insisted, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "I've been listening—"

"Listening is different from being part of it," another student interjected sharply. "We don't trust newcomers easily."

Juma felt his heart sink slightly at their wariness but pressed on. "I'm not just anyone! I want to be part of something bigger than myself."

Karanja studied him for a moment before responding. "We'll think about it," he said finally. "But don't expect us to just take you at your word."

With that promise hanging in the air like an unspoken challenge, Juma nodded reluctantly. "Alright... just let me know."

As the group resumed their hushed discussions about their plans for tonight's gathering—what they hoped to achieve and how they could challenge the status quo—Juma knew this was just the beginning. He would have to prove himself worthy if he wanted to be part of their world.

With excitement still coursing through him despite their skepticism, Juma felt determined not only to uncover secrets but also to earn their trust. Together with Karanja and his friends on this side of the wall, he would navigate challenges that could change everything —and perhaps even more for themselves.

As the gathering continued, Juma listened intently, trying to absorb every word. The group huddled close together, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of a flashlight one of them had brought. Juma's heart raced with anticipation; he was finally getting a glimpse into a world that had long been shrouded in mystery.

"Tonight is crucial," Karanja said his voice low but firm. "We need to discuss our plans for the upcoming cultural festival. It's our chance to make a statement."

"What kind of statement?" Juma asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

Karanja glanced at him, weighing his words.

"We're tired of being told what we can and cannot do. This festival is supposed to be about unity, but it's just another way for them to control us. We want to show that we can stand together—boys and girls, despite the wall."

As the meeting wrapped up, Juma lingered for a moment, watching as the group dispersed into the night, each member slipping back into their respective shadows. He felt invigorated by what he had learned—their desire for change resonated deeply within him.

With newfound purpose, Juma headed back toward his dormitory, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew he needed to talk to Amani and share what he had discovered about the group's plans for rebellion against conformity. Together, they could be part of something bigger—a movement that transcended barriers and challenged societal norms.

As he climbed back into bed that night, Juma's heart swelled with excitement at the thought of what lay ahead. The wall might separate them physically, but it would not stop him from forging connections.