E❌ tension

Chapter Thirteen

"Sinful feelings I have, feelings the world would not understand," Goldie read out the piece of paper Chidinma had handed to her. "Do you remember the verse?" she asked.

Chidinma shook her head, staring at Aize's empty bed. She took back the paper, realizing the killer was skilled at forgery – her handwriting stared back at her.

"We're going early in the morning," Goldie said.

Chidinma's confusion pulled her out of her turmoil. "What are you planning, Goldie?"

"You're planning on ambushing the principal, right?" Chidinma asked, concern etched on her face.

Goldie grinned mischievously. "Of course not. When she leaves, we'll break into her house, grab our phones, and call our parents to get us out of this hellhole."

Chidinma pinched her nose. "You can't go to staff quarters on foot; it's like a forest. You could get lost. Our school doesn't have walls, so it's easy to get lost. Goldie, don't go. Even when Mr. Obidike drove me there, I couldn't map it out."

Goldie sighed. "In case I die, please don't come near my body."

Chidinma's eyes widened. "What are you talking about? Why are you saying this?"

Tears foamed in her eyes as Goldie gave a sad smile. "If you come near my body when I die, I'm afraid I won't be able to wipe your tears anymore."

"Goldie, please stop saying nonsense. You're not going to die," Chidinma reassured, trying to calm her.

Goldie looked out the window, gritting her teeth. "I've prayed to God; I want to talk to my dad more than anything right now." She turned to Chidinma. "I may be brave fighting for that stupid crush I had with Ajmal, but I'm a coward in the face of death."

Chidinma rushed to hug her. "You're wrong, Goldie. You're braver than you think. We're going to get through this."

4:00am
Saturday Morning

'I'm sorry Chi, this may be the last time I get to talk to my dad.'

"Are you sure you know where we're going?" Ebosetale asked, interrupting Goldie's thoughts.

She nodded but she had uncertainty written all over her.

Abeo scoffed. "It doesn't seem like you do," he stated.

Goldie's gaze burns through him. "We've been working for only fifteen minutes, but if you know the way, why don't you lead?"

"I never said I did."

"It's okay, abeg stop fighting," Ekaete started. "We need to work together if you want us to get out of here alive."

She glanced at King. "Do you know the part?" He shook his head.

"I remember a bit of it," Ajmal spoke up. "I'm not that sure."

"Goldie wasn't that sure either.",Bem said, touching the hem of his shirt

"Can we just go? Need I remind you, our lives are at stake here?"
Moses said, adjusting his backpack. "Goldie or Ajmal, lead the way."

He sat in the middle of the classroom when she walked in. "What are you doing in class on a Saturday?" she said.

"I had to escape from Victor. He's been on my neck since Moses left with the others," he answered, parting a seat beside him, which she gratefully took.

"Goldie left with them too," she said, her eyes watching Zite move closer to her and place his hands on her shoulder.

"Chidinma, she will be fine, and so will the others," he said.

She nodded and looked away and back at him slowly.
"I need your help, but this thing stays between us. No one else should know about this."

He nodded.

"Who do you think the killer is?" Idara asked as she wrapped her palms around his bicep.
He pushed his glasses in a bit. "I'm not sure it could be anyone really."
"I think it's Moses she told Kayode who glanced at her startled.
"Why would you think it's him?" he whispered, although they were the only ones in that area.

"Because," she said, as if it was the most obvious thing. "All the girls who have died were connected to him somehow." Kayode paused for a while pondering about her theory. "I mean, Berakah was his secret girlfriend, Aize was his real girlfriend, and his side chick was Emerald." Her voice trailed away. Kayode gave her hand a sympathetic squeeze, to which she smiled at him.

"Kayode, I see you're shooting your shot now, abi?" Toro's voice interrupted whatever moment they had.

"You didn't join the others?" Idara impatiently said. "And die in the forest like an animal?" Toro's sharp tongue retorted. Suddenly, his face became serious. "They shouldn't have left." Both Kayode and Idara stole glasses glances at each other and nodded.

Thank you for correcting me.

Here's the continuation, written out exactly as you provide it:

She pulled out the little white piece of paper that had filled her with so much dread. Zite took it from her and read it, his face contorted with confusion.
After what seemed like an eternity to Chidinma, he spoke. 'You really don't remember this verse?' He was looking at her with fear. She shook her head and said, 'I really don't remember.'

'Senior Kosarachi...' Zite folded the piece of paper and placed it on the desk near him. She blinked her eyes rapidly.

'What did you say?' 'I remember clearly in JS3, Senior Kosarachi wrote this verse in a poem,' he explained.

Chidinma thought about what he said and replied in an unsteady voice, 'Senior Kosarachi committed suicide. She is dead. What does her poem have to do with me?'

Zite gave her a sad look. 'It has everything to do with you, because she wrote that poem to you. She wrote that poem for you.'