'Up All Night' by Fu'ad Lawal

The past eight days had been the best days of her life.

Finally, someone appreciated her. Loved her. Respected her. Said all the right things. Did all the things that made her feel good. Even though she was only seventeen, she knew this was real.

Everyday during school, she’d spend class periods looking forward to seeing him after school.

And when night would come, she’d rush to bed so morning could come quicker.

By the eighth day, her heart could wait no more.

“Will you come and see me tonight?” she asked.

“I don’t understand,” he clearly looked confused, “how is that even possible?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll leave that backdoor open,” she added with all confidence.

They went back and forth on the plan till they had a foolproof tactic.

And so she went home and waited. Made dinner for the folks. Made sure daddy got extra. Just enough yellow eba to knock a grown man out.

One by one, everyone went to bed Except her of course.

At 12am, her heart couldn’t take it anymore. She sneaked into the kitchen, sat in the tiny corner beside the refrigerator, and waited.

She didn’t have to wait for long.

The door open gently. A leg came in first, then an arm, a left one.

She jumped in quiet excitement.

Then a head. Not her fair skinned lover’s head.

No no. Its a masked head, with only the eyes and mouth visible.

She froze.

That’s not all. Someone else came in. And someone else. And someone else. All six someone elses. All armed.

She knew she was in for the longest night of her life.

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