The dining hall was not just a place to eat—it was a place where fear walked in with shoes polished and belts drawn tight.
Kalu Egbe sat on the edge of a long wooden bench, his plate of rice barely touched. Around him, hundreds of juniors murmured quietly, stealing glances at the entrance.
"Dem go come soon," Nedu whispered. "Today, na Senior Tega dey on duty."
Fireboy scooped garri into his mouth. "Tega? Na him sabi big grammar pass."
Suddenly, the metal door flung open. Three seniors strutted in, heads high, boots echoing.
Senior Tega raised his hand. "No noise!"
Silence.
He stepped forward slowly, voice sharp. "I said no noise."
Juniors froze mid-bite.
Tega continued, "As for tomorrow morning jogging, once you hear the bell, move straight to the sports area. If you don't, you will have yourself to blame."
He paused, surveying the hall. "When you see me coming, start running. When you see me running, start flying. When you see me flying... evaporate."
The hall was silent. No spoon clinked. No whisper dared escape. Even the ceiling fan's hum seemed louder.
Fireboy muttered, "Which kind wahala be this?"
Kalu's hand shook as he spooned rice. "Tomorrow go bad."
Senior Tega turned. "I hope you hear me clearly. If I catch anybody slack tomorrow, you go beg to crawl."
One of the other seniors added, "And if I hear noise from this table, everybody kneel down. Even if na fly make am."
Kalu glanced at the doorway. Two more seniors appeared, strolling along the side, inspecting plates.
"This rice too plenty. You dey waste food?" one senior barked at a junior. "Finish am now!"
The boy nodded quickly and shoveled food into his mouth.
Another senior slapped a spoon from a junior's hand. "You no wash this spoon? You wan die?"
Fear spread like cold wind.
The seniors finally exited as suddenly as they came. The hall breathed again.
Nedu exhaled. "I no sure I fit sleep tonight."
Fireboy scowled. "Dem just like show power."
Kalu nodded slowly. "In Old FGC, even food come with fear."
They finished eating in silence, the echo of Tega's threats ringing in their ears.
To be continued...