Dual Episode 1.

Like a hunter, my eyes were on full vision. I swept the entire perimeter of the school field and playground from my inconspicuous position. The shrubs had grown so tall in front of the science laboratory and the molded artwork of a huge compass stood beside either of its stalks. And it was in-between one stalk and the artwork I had pitched, leaning against the base of the molded compass and blending with the fading colors unnoticed.

I stooped there, carefully scanning the open spaces and obscure corners I could manage to unconcealed from my position. And just when I was going to breathe easy and convince myself I wasn't a concern, I saw them. Freda was in their company. They didn't move casually, they moved like they had a mission. They were on the lookout. My heart started to race, the cool Harmattan breeze coursing through the air couldn't prevent the array of sweat forming on my body. Bruno, Mike and Ahmed were not boys to ruffle, they went for the 'kill'.

'What mistake have I made' I repeatedly questioned myself. I have always fancied Freda but I had never let it show, I knew better until this afternoon. Bruno was the class biggest bully and by extension, the whole school's. Him and his screw always bragged about their gang activities. They were alleged members of a cult group, though theirs wasn't affiliated to the notorious confraternities propagating carnage across the city. They operated within the secondary school system and were not as lethal as the infamous ones.

Everyone knew Bruno and Freda were an item. Although many rumors made the rounds that it wasn't a union of choice. A large portion of the students who made it their business had formed the opinion that it was borne of threat and coercion. But who would meddle? when the supposed victim had not sought help. Besides, it was nobody's battle to fight.

Until this afternoon, my admiration for Freda had always been from a distance. We had our moments. Sometimes it was in the exchanged glances, other times it would be the instinctive moment either of us could turn to witness that intensive stare(those stares were more from me, although she wasn't too far behind in keeping up). On some days I would dare to smile at her and she would oblige with hers or so I thought. Anything could look like a reciprocated gesture especially when it is perceived from a crush. That was our routine for about two years until this afternoon.

It was during the midday break. Normally, I would spend better part of that period in the library sorting some new novel to read or returning the ones I had exhausted. I was a loner these days. I didn't mingle much, only when it was necessary. I didn't have any prominent friend. The only person I managed to bond with was Munachi and she had left the school. So my life in school had become a very predictable bore; class to library, back to class, then exit.

But this fateful afternoon, I didn't step out for break neither did I go to the library. I was caught up in one of those fantasies that had consolidated my introvertedness. I guess I had zoned out into my superhuman alter ego.

We had biology as the last class before the mid break. The biology instructor was usually too self-absorbed. She seemed to like the sound of her voice or maybe she admired her impeccable handwriting too much to notice who payed attention in her class. She would smile all through her sessions, explaining with enthusiasm and so much vibe without really checking if anyone was following. And she would just leave with that same smile on, when she was done. No statement made, no questions asked, she was one queer one.

So I guess I had left her to herself and I was in my own element; Soaring across skylines, beating up 'bad guys', rescuing people in distress and getting my hero's adulation. And I was in the middle of a rescue spree when a hand intercepted my vision.

In one atmospheric spin, I was back to my vulnerable form. Biology instructor absent, the class scanty with occupants and then the shock; Freda was beside me. Could this be real? I shook my head and slapped my chin just incase I was still halfway-illusion.

I opened my eye, full cycle and she was still there. She looked a bit confused. The same way I would too if I was the one watching me. Now convinced it was for real, I looked at her searchingly, trying to ask questions with my eyes as my mouth had gone on leave. My heart racing fast, the whiff of her cologne collaborated with my nerve to shut off my reasoning. She smelled delicious but not edible so.

"Are you just going to stare?" her voice hit me. She looked at me intently, I could swore she bit her lower lip. And she spoke so quietly only I could hear. I instinctively looked around, other students were barely present. The few ones in the hall seemed to pay us no mind. "Hi... Hi, sorry, Hello" I puked some will power as I struggled to free my tongue from whatever had held it. My shivering right hand gestured for a handshake on its own, because my brain had not instructed it. I tried to withdraw it at the same time she squeezed it softly leaving a piece of paper in its hollow.

My gaze fell on the paper and then returned to her. She let me see her smile and then she was up and heading for the door, she didn't turn, not even for a second glance. Still bereft of reasoning I popped up from the chair like a zombie and picked the pace behind her.

Self awareness began resuming. Mental faculties reversing to full operation. I moved with suave and caught up with her just as she turned the corner away from the hall. "please wait..." I reached out for her arm. My hand had just made contact with her upper arm when I caught sight of Bruno a few steps away.

Our eyes met momentarily. I was electrocuted in the moment. Freda didn't realize I was following behind so she had turned to see who had touched her. Seeing me in my frozen state, seeing what had frozen me, she froze as well. Bruno who was shadowed by Ahmed smiled sinisterly, as the duo closed up on us.

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