"l had to taste this," l assured myself. l forgot about every other and focused on her. l reached a hand at her back and started stroking it and my other hand moved between her thigh.
She resisted, holding my hands from exploring her body.
"What is your problem?" l asked.
"What if someone sees us like this? What will you say?"
"See, l locked the door firmly; so we are safe." she protested, trying to get off the bed.
"Hey, be still," l shouted, pulling her down.
"l will scream oh, William, leave me alone. l said leave me alone, because l will shout oh."
"Scream, you said? After screaming, you will explain what you are doing in Father's room." l forcefully removed the wrapper that was on her; she tried to stand, but my strong hands held her firm. l had to do it by force, since she refused doing it the easy way. She tried to scream, but l carefully covered her mouth to make sure that she didn't make a sound.
l was almost done before l heard a knock on the door. l stood instantaneously and walked hurriedly towards the door. l opened the door and stared in amazement. it was Father; he wore khaki shorts and a long-sleeved shirt that was barely buttoned.
"William!" Father exclaimed raising an eyebrow.
"So, that explains why Crystal is on display in your room, eh?"
"Which Crystal? What will Crystal be doing in my room? Has she lost her mind?" His eyebrows furrowed and he walked briskly into his room.
"How could Father think so low on me, did he think l could easily be fooled?" l asked myself.
Father entered his room but Crystal was already out. "Where did you say Crystal was?"
"ln your room, of course," l replied sharply.
Silence hung over the living room like the blue black clouds. Our voices were frozen in place like that of a plaster statue in an abandoned corner of a museum. Father entered Crystal's room minutes later and stayed there.
Another knock was heard later on. Mother and Blessing came in. As soon Blessing saw me, she left out a cackle, her teeth flashing against her dark skin.
"Where were you last night?" Mother said vociferously.
"And what business of yours is that," l replied, scowling at her.
"How dare you talk to me in that manner? Are you nuts?" She barked; her eyes hardened.
"it's your husband that has gone mad," l said.
"Seems you are mad eh? Should you insult even your parents because you are now eighteen years old? l just walked out on her and went towards the corridor. l saw Father ran out of Crystal's room as soon as Mother came into the living room. He beamed his winsome smile on Mother and tried hugging her.
Mother drew back, hissed and entered her room quietly. Father got dressed, minutes later, and left with Crystal, in his Toyota Camry.
It was around 4:00p.m. l had gone to see James at 22 Faulks Road where he lived.
"Where is the beer l told you to buy?" James voice rumbled like thunder.
"Arusi, come on, let's go get a crate of beer,"
Scorpion said quickly. They nickname me Arusi, saying that l was small god, even though l had never seen myself as one before.
l hurriedly followed Scorpion to go and buy a crate of beer for the gang. At Asa Road junction, we stood waiting for a clear road before we could cross. immediately, a motorcycle stop in front of us and two huge men came down. Both of them wore a black T-shirt and a black trousers. One of them was fat and his head was unusually big. One of his eyes was closed and he opened his mouth to reveal a set of brown teeth.
"Guy, na this one, abi the other; which one?"
The other asked his partner, pointing a gun at both Scorpion and me.
"Omo, l no sure oh, let's just eliminate one of them," he replied. "Hey, don't move or l blow your head," One of them shouted as Scorpion attempted to pull out his gun.
"Guy, l need a clean job, which one em be, make l clear am now?"
Scorpion and l stood still as a gun was pointing at our heads. My heart pounded wildly, my cheeks were frozen and hot urine trickled down my legs.
Just then, one of them shot at Scorpion, "If it is not this guy, then it will be the other; let me clear this other guy," he said after he shot at Scorpion."
"Chairman, let's leave here sharply before any problem," the other said. They zoomed off in their motorcycle seconds later.
A film of sweat coated my entire body, like a transparent second skin. l gazed at Scorpion; his body was still, his entire body was soaked in his own blood. my knees were frozen in the earth and my mouth flopped open. l began to shake like an agitated ant. Then, l took to my heels, my heart thumping so fast that l thought it was going to pop out.
some boys who saw me running chased after me, some throwing stones at me. "Holla m! Catch am! He is a murderer. Catch him!" their electrifying voices rising in pitch.
l ran as fast as my legs could carry me, but the stones did not elude me. To my surprise, a car stopped beside me; the driver gesticulated that l should enter the car. l didn't ask questions, but entered into the car immediately. The car zoomed off in a second.
On looking very well, l found out that it was James driving the car. At that point, panic mixed with relief made my voice to constrict. "James, are you really the one?" l asked, still panting. It was as though my head was turned upside down. Everything seemed to appear double before my eyes. My heart kept beating so hard, like the base drum in my school was being beaten. Seconds later, l fell unconscious.
To Be Continued....