One Wrong Turn

Episode 14

The usual traffic in Benin city ensured that i was almost late for school. My mum Droped me off exactly 2 minutes before 8 0’clock. She handed me a hundred naira note for lunch, and zoomed off.

As i walked through the gate, i took time to examine the entire school compound. And kept wondering how i would be able to make it out without being noticed.

The entire compound was tightly secured. The perimeter fence was high, and lined with barbed wire. It was impossible to jump over.

The school had 2 entrances, and 2 security posts. One in front and one behind. Each had stern looking men manning the gates, with strict warning not to allow students out of the compound till the school closes.

The security arrangement in the school, coupled with the hostile nature of the gatemen made the school look more like a federal prison than a learning center.

I walked straight to the assembly hall with my bag firmly hung on my shoulders, as i was already late.

The morning assembly was like every other one. We sang some hymns, recited the national anthem and performed other daily routine.

The principal made an announcement, reminding all SS3 students of the commencement of waec and JAMB registration, we were to part with the sum of 25thousand
naira in all.

The annoucement was greeted with some happiness, it meant we would soon be out of secondary school. I can’t wait to be in the university, it would mean one thing…..Freedom!

We marched to our various classes, singing along.

As soon as we sat in class, i moved to Ruth’s seat. I couldn’t contain my excitement. I
wanted all the details of the escape plan. How exactly I’m i going to leave this school compound?.

Ruth and Hannah looked at me with surprise and laughed hysterically. My naivity must have amused them. I looked like a curious lamb perhaps.

” Did you bring extra clothes?” Ruth asked

“why? What for?” I asked, genuinely
surprised.

“Haba you can’t be walking outside with your school uniform na, you want to tell the entire Benin that you escaped from school?”
Hannah replied, a little irritated.

“i didn’t know i had to, so what do we do now?” I asked, with a worried look

“Ruth will give you her own”

“will you?”

Ruth obliged, she always comes in handy for evil deeds. She was like the devil’s assistant to me.

I was about to ask other questions, when the class suddenly became quiet. Our class teacher had just walked in.

I turned around and headed for my seat.

“last period before break” Ruth wispered to me. As I approached my seat.

The morning lessons went by slowly. I barely understood anything that was said in class, thanks to the fear and excitement building up inside me.

The bell rang, to signify the end of the third lesson of the day, and the beginning of the last lesson before break.

The subject was geography, which i don’t offer. I got up and hurried left the class before the teacher arrives. Ruth and Hannah were right behind me. They were both holding their school bags, mine was still on my seat.

They led me towards the security post behind the school. I kept wondering how we were going to walk past the gateman.