Check Mate ( Book 2)

Chapter Ten🌻

DU

A/N - Happy New Year

Track - Young Blood by 5 Seconds of Summer

All monkeys cannot hang on the same branch - Kenyan Proverb

Monday arrived as a gloomy day with a subtle chill in the atmosphere. Classes were to begin today- effectively and every student tried to psych themselves for the beginning of a very long cycle of receiving knowledge and undergoing various tests and exercises. The teachers were literally going to make them jump through hoops. At least Ms. Botchway, the P.E mistress would.

The academic field of Padmore could be likened to a battle field. Andrew Whitmore found himself settling in Padmore just fine. He had faded into the background. People had stopped giving him grief for who he was. The gossip wolves of Padmore had busied themselves with a girl who had contracted syphilis and may or may not have given it to the entertainment prefect.

Elorm seemed to be in a cloud of his own and had totally forgotten about him and that was fine by Andrew. He woke up, went to the library to read, attended class, skipped dining and repeated the process every day. Today, his first subject was biology and he was not sure if the teacher would arrive. It was almost time for the lesson to begin and the students were chatting and doing what Mrs. Afriyie would call, 'gallivanting around'.

Immediately Mr. Kumevor entered the form three science class, it fell as silent as a cemetery. Mr. Kumevor doubled as a biology teacher and the senior house master. Any student in their right mind would be afraid of Mr. Kumevor. He had once been a military man and was the cadet patron. He was also Elorm's friend yet Elorm felt himself sitting upright immediately Mr. Kumevor entered the class. Andrew's eyes spun with amusement at what was going on. He was not scared of Mr. Kumevor, he was not scared of the beating everyone was so afraid of receiving from him. He grew up with prison wardens. He had met far more intimidating men.

"Good morning class." He greeted dropping his large text book on the teacher's desk.

"Good morning Mr. Kumevor." The class responded getting up to greet him.

He indicated for them to sit down.

"We are going to deal with the brain today."

He began, not bothering to ask how their holidays went or easing them into the topic like telling them a great story. That was not Mr. Kumevor's style.

The class groaned that real academic work had began but one look from their teacher and all complains was shoved down as they reluctantly opened their books to begin taking notes.

"Who can tell me any recent news regarding the brain?" Mr. Kumevor asked whipping out his cane.

The class fell silent as some girls began to look desperately round the class room for a route of escape. There was obviously nowhere to pass without encountering Mr. Kumevor. He always did things like this when he wanted to prey on a target and lash the said person mercilessly. Like the time he had caught Mercy- the beautiful girl at the back of the class who was now shivering- making out with a boy behind the cupboard after church service. He did not punish her when he caught her. Instead, he let her believe she had gotten off unscathed. Mercy went as far as to run her mouth about it. That Mr. Kumevor had caught her with her tongue stuck down a boy from Visual Art's throat and had let her off the hook.