Chapter 33: Confronting the Past
1398words
She had many problems with her fear because she wished to protect her friend. It seemed like time was moving very slowly and quickly all together. She holds the old leather book close, finding in it a quiet anchor among her many emotions.
"Tell her, drop the book or he will die," the figure whispered intensely, voice cold like ice and with no human emotion.
Eki swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. The book. It was the key. But could she sacrifice the truth to save Kunle? Her mind raced, searching for a solution, a way out of this deadly stalemate.
"Who are you?" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "Why are you doing this?"
The person moved his head to the side, and the moonlight showed a silver pendant on their neck. It looked the same as the feather Eki had seen before on the security guard's uniform.
"We are the Guardians," the figure spoke, voice icy and resolute. "We must safeguard Olumide's legacy, even from those who bear our same name."
Eki's heart pounded like a trapped bird in her chest. The Guardians. The very protectors Kunle had mentioned. But why would they threaten him? Maybe he was a betrayer, just another piece in the difficult puzzle she worked very hard to put together.
"But what about Kunle?" she pleaded, her voice trembling. "He's my friend. He wouldn't do anything to hurt the Olumides."
The person stays silent, their eyes glued to the book Eki is holding. They step nearer to Kunle, and it seems like they might have some bad plan in mind. The sharp blade they have keeps looking very scary.
Eki knows she must move fast. In a hurry, she throws the book down the hallway with all her strength. The book, having a leather cover, jumped one time before it made a loud noise when hitting the floor close to another wall.
"There!" she shouted, her voice hoarse with a mixture of fear and defiance. "The book! Take it and leave him alone!"
The person stopped for a moment, looking from the book to Kunle who was sleeping. Eki watched silently, holding her breath and feeling very nervous with anticipation.
At that moment, it felt like time stopped. Suddenly, the person jumped to grab the book.
Eki took a deep breath, adrenaline surging through her veins. This was her chance. With a desperate cry, she leapt fast and caught the person just in time before they almost touched the book.
They tumble to the floor, limbs all tangled up, books scattering far from them. A fierce battle starts; it seems like a wild dance where they must keep going but feel very desperate.
Eki, despite her not being very tall, fought with all the strength she had because of fear and strong will. The hallway became noisy from their fighting sounds and quick movements, only interrupted by their heavy breathing while they clashed.
Suddenly, a loud noise comes from a hidden door. The sound makes them stop right away. In that quiet but intense moment after, sounds of footsteps from far away started echoing off the stone floor.
The person talked in a soft voice, using bad words that made Eki feel uneasy. They stood up quickly, picked the book from the ground, and vanished into the darkness after looking at Kunle who was lying passed out.
Eki stayed without moving for some time, her heart beating very fast and noisy like wild drums. Slowly, she stood up with much effort, feeling pain all over from the tough fight. Her eyes quickly moved to Kunle, and she felt much relief when she saw his chest go up and down gently with soft breathing.
She rushed towards him, feeling for a pulse. His skin seemed cold and sweaty; still, his heart kept beating like usual. Eki breathed out a trembling sigh, sensing relief and fear blending inside her stomach.
"Kunle," she called out, her voice barely a whisper. "Kunle, wake up!"
Slowly, Kunle's eyes start to open. He looks around with confusion in his expression, and his hand instinctively goes to his head where he notices a painful bump forming.
"Eki? What happened?" he mumbled, his voice thick with confusion.
Eki helped him to sit up, talking quickly about the scary encounter with the Guardian and stressing how crucial it was to keep the book safe.
Kunle listened intently, his expression a mask of bewilderment. "The Guardians?" he repeated, his eyebrows furrowed. "This doesn't make any sense. They wouldn't attack me. Not unless…"
He stopped talking, a little sign of doubt showing on his face. Before Eki can ask him why he acts like this, there is a loud knock from the metal door that breaks the silent and tense moment.
They both stopped moving, eyes quickly looking at where the noise came from. Who would come so late like this?
Eki, with handshaking, struggled much to locate the homemade key and at last succeeded in opening the big door which made a noisy creek. The dim light from outside in the corridor created a shadow of somebody entering inside.
"Eki?" Dapo's voice cut through the darkness, laced with concern. "What are you doing here? And who's that with you?"
Eki blinked, feeling much better when she saw her very close friend. But before she could speak, Dapo made a surprised noise that grabbed her attention and made her turn her head towards him. His eyes opened very wide with a mix of surprise and... something else? Fear, maybe?
He looked again and again from Eki to the book she was holding very tight in her hands. For a brief moment, his face showed he remembered something important, but then quickly it changed into a fake smile.
"Uh… Eki," he stammered, his voice tight. "Is that… what do I think it is?"
Eki paused for a moment, unsure if he should tell Dapo or stay silent. Deep inside, Eki wanted to share but felt increasing doubt because Kunle behaved very strangely around the Guardians.
"Maybe," she said finally, her voice guarded. "Why? Do you know anything about it?"
Dapo moved slowly ahead, watching the book closely. "Eki... you should not take it."
His words sent a jolt through Eki. Why the sudden change in demeanour? What was he hiding?
Before she could ask more questions, something shifted at the very end of the hallway and grabbed her attention. A person was standing in deep shadows, staring at them with such intense concentration that it made her feel a chill inside.
It was Yemi, her housemate. She normally looked very calm and easygoing but now had a strange mix of curiosity and... something different on her face. Eki could not quite understand it, but it made her feel uneasy inside.
"Yemi?" Eki breathed, and her voice was very quiet. "What are you doing here?"
Yemi kept silent, her eyes fixed on the book Eki was holding. Gradually, a strange and uneasy smile slowly appeared on her face.
"So," she speaks in a soft tone, "the rumours are true. The Olori's Promise remains there."
The famous name, Yemi, spoke with much wisdom in his tone, which made Eki feel uncomfortable. At that moment, it appeared like everyone nearby was hiding a big secret from her—an essential part of the mystery she had to solve soon.
"What rumours?" Eki demanded, her voice laced with suspicion. "What does Yemi know about all this?"
Dapo and Yemi exchanged a glance, not speaking at all. It felt like they were having a conversation without any words being said. Eki began to feel more lonely, with growing concern that the true tale about Moonlight Lease and Ayana's disappearance was tied to matters beyond just the Olumides.
It was about all the people around her. And when she looked more closely, she found that it was hard to know who could be trusted.
