THE BECKONING

My friends and I amble out of the library and head back to our class, except Jadiel who has to go to her class.

I do my best to concentrate, although my head is pounding with a small headache, which is understandable considering what we've been through. Besides, the calculus problem our maths teacher gives us as an exercise isn't helping matters.

I can't stop wondering what will be the fate of Vera and the rest of my classmates. My heart yearns to shake them out of the stupor of lies the enemy has them wrapped in.

During the penultimate period-an elective vocational subject-a torrential rain starts to fall.

Each student's personalized AI advises its ward to be patient till the rain is over.

From AI intel, we understand that the rain is slightly acidic and there are reports that spurts of hail have been spotted in some regions of the Lagos Peninsula.

My stomach tightens at the report that Harry gives me. Oh no! I do hope my mom and dad are safe wherever they are.

But, there's a tiny problem. If it doesn't stop soon, the rain will delay us, meaning we won't be able to meet up with the time that the automated train has been set to take us home.

By the time the school alarm chimes that it is time to go home, the rain still hasn't stopped. Drat!

I tell my buddies that we can read in preparation for our fast-approaching exams.

Meanwhile, I go to get Dart from Mr Demesi. Though Dart isn't as active as he was this morning, at least he is now up and about to an extent.

Mr. Demesi offers to take me and my newly converted friends in Bible study every day during whatever free time we can spare.
I am thrilled by his generous offer and agree to it.

When the rain eventually stops, Oscar suggests that instead of walking home, which will take several minutes if not hours, we should board a public bus.
That means we should be ready to pay to be cramped like Sardines because almost every student in Lukan High is in the same plight as we are. Well, except those who are rich enough to have their chauffeur.

As we walk together to the bus stop, I wonder where Jadiel is at. Then I remember that she is the principal's daughter. Of course, she must be with her mother or something.

As we wait for the next bus to come along, a nice but small-sized VonCruise-X car parks directly beside us.

The window winds down. Jadiel shoots us a bright smile, her hand on the steering wheel, and asks us all to hop in.

I am not surprised that she knows how to drive and has a portable ride. Her mom is the principal of the most prestigious school in this state, so it makes sense.

Other students stare at us as we enter her car but I don't care what they have to say.
Our experience and faith have bound us together. Now, these unique individuals seem more to me like soul siblings than friends.

Inside, the car is warm and cosy and the cool background instrumentals she plays through the car's stereo-which is largely coordinated by Jadiel's personalized AI-is the perfect catalyst for our vibrant chatter.

I use this opportunity to tell them about Mr Demesi's offer. They are all excited and grateful for it.

"Jadiel, did we even tell you that today is Naomi's birthday?" Cordelia, seated at the front beside her, asks.

I am happy those two seem to have discarded the initial animosity between them.

Jadiel looks at me through the rear mirror, an eyebrow raised and says, "Wow! I didn't know. Happy birthday!"

I give a nervous chuckle. "It's nothing."

Oscar, who is seated right next to me, nudges me. "Hey, maybe we should go get that ice cream I promised you this morning?"

He winks and I feel my neck and cheeks heat up. Dang, these teenage hormones!

Cordelia claps. "Great idea! We could get snacks too. I'm famished; didn't eat lunch well."

Jadiel smiles, her eyes still on the road, and says, "I know a sick place."

She makes a turn while I wonder at my luck.
God has blessed me with amazing friends. So, even though I'm kind of broke, I am covered.

It's my birthday after all. I figure it'll be alright to have a little bit of fun after all the trauma we endured.

My mouth hangs open when Jadiel makes a stop at X-trim Deli.
That's like the best, most insanely expensive snack spot in Lagos.

I almost protest at the money we will be forced to spend, but I see Jadiel and Oscar checking their wallet balance via their AI tablets so I shut my mouth.

As we file into the beautiful interior, I whip my head around in fascination and look at the android robots that are designed and stationed to serve us. Even Dart seems intrigued. I'm happy he is almost fully recovered.

We take a table at a nice spot and beckon on one of the android waiters to take our order.

I am pressured to order anything I want so while my friends ask for their preferred flavour of ice cream and jam doughnuts, I have the luxury of ordering a three-layer flavoured icecream-Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry-and one extra large hamburger with sprinkles on it.

As I enjoy the treat and my friends make jokes about our trapped experience after singing me an off-tune birthday song that makes me teary-eyed, I sigh in contentment.

My sixteenth birthday has been the most eventful and fulfilling so far.
I make up my mind to take my spiritual life more seriously.

There is a flat-screen TV overhead that has both sides projecting the news. A phrase that the newscaster says catches my attention and I focus on hearing the rest of his statement.

"...slums of Lagos Peninsula has experienced its worst hit yet due to the most recent acidic rain. The government is doing their best to curtail the spread of poisoning of unknown origin as that could lead to a catastrophic epidemic. Citizens are advised to..."

In the background, the scene shown is of the dirty slums and sickly-looking people who are sprawled on the floor, some still gasping for life. One of two medics clad in Personal Protective Gear (PPG) and face masks are seen trying to salvage through the chaos, obviously looking for survivors.

My face pales and my head spins. I vaguely hear my friends shaking me slightly and asking me what's wrong.

Isn't that where Mom went for her morning shift?
The probability that she is still there is high.
Oh, God, please!

~~~

Author's note: I intended this to be the last chapter, but it seems the story has developed a will of its own, so we will wrap up this story with one more bonus (sorta of) chapter.

Seeing things are getting worse in their version of Nigeria, what are the chances they will survive?

Do you still believe that Nigeria has hope of getting better in the future?

Now, this story projected a sort of utopian-dystopian mix of Nigeria, but believe me it is in no way what I want Nigeria to be.

That aside, please vote, comment and share this story. It makes me glad.

God bless.