Hostel 7 had always been Presso's stronghold—a place where fear walked barefoot and laughter from juniors was forbidden. It was where punishments were invented, and suffering was an art.
But now, Mr. Ogbemi's list stood on the notice board outside the hostel door. At the top, in bold red letters: Presso – Major Offender.
Inside, tension hung heavy in the air. Presso paced like a trapped lion, his jaw clenched. Dankaka sat in the corner, sharpening a stick into a point. Big Mouth whispered to two SS2 boys, eyes flickering with unease.
"They wan disgrace us," Presso growled. "Dem think say one soldier go change the order?"
Dankaka didn't respond, but his eyes said enough. War was coming.
Big Mouth spoke, voice low. "If we no act now, we lose control. Juniors dey feel bold."
Presso's eyes burned. "Tonight, we remind them."
That night, Kalu Egbe walked to the borehole with Nedu. His heart beat fast, his mind replaying the note from his locker.
"You sure we suppose fetch water tonight?" Nedu asked.
"No choice," Kalu replied. "Big Mouth dey wait."
At the borehole, juniors gathered silently. Fireboy arrived last, carrying two buckets.
"Any sign of seniors?" Kalu asked.
"None. But I no trust the silence."
They fetched in shifts, watching the shadows. The line moved slowly; tension thickened.
Suddenly, a whistle pierced the air. Presso's voice echoed from Hostel 7.
"All of una, bring water now! Or I enter dorm myself!"
Fear surged. Some juniors ran. Others froze.
Kalu gritted his teeth. "Let's go."
Back at the hostel, chaos exploded. Seniors stormed into Dorm C, flipping beds, grabbing buckets. Fireboy resisted—he swung a bucket, hitting a senior in the chest.
"Run!" he shouted.
Kalu and Nedu fled into the night, dodging shadows and flying slippers. Behind them, screams and curses filled the air.
One junior tripped, falling hard. Kalu turned back, helped him up. "Hurry!"
Suddenly, a whistle again—but not Presso's. This one was sharp, loud, commanding.
Moments later, heavy boots thundered. Mr. Ogbemi and his men arrived, torches blazing.
"Stop!" Ogbemi roared.
Seniors halted, caught mid-attack. Presso stepped forward, blood on his shirt.
"This na our hostel! You no fit stop tradition!"
Ogbemi's eyes narrowed. "Then you leave with your tradition."
He turned to his staff. "Escort him to my office. Now."
Presso tried to resist, but two staff seized him. Dankaka didn't move; his stick dropped to the ground.
Juniors watched, stunned, as Presso was led away.
For the first time, Hostel 7 was quiet.
Fireboy breathed hard. "He fall."
Nedu whispered, "One by one, dem go fall."
Kalu nodded. "Old FGC no go ever be the same."
To be continued...