The tragic news of Chief Mulo being netted by police and rumours of pending trial were the talk of seven horns of Mu. Madam Mbalu, chief's wife, walked allover her compounds and made several trips to the station. She also visited Danilo's homestead several times, atleast to beg for out of court settlement. She reached DCI through her connections but everything was rolling so slowly that betrayed her patience and understanding of justice.

The foul mouthed neighbors didn't give her a mustard seed of peace. They gathered around her main gate hurling all sorts of insults at her without sparing her children and the family. She kept her bold and indomitable presence just for none but her children. The revelations of her husband's escapades with a school girl hit her below the belt. There are many things a woman would take lightly and swallow whole with gusto, but that was a bitter pill and a punch in a delicate below. It hit her where it pained most. All bloggers and drunkards in Mu pointed their guns towards her family.

At Danilo's homestead, the parents were absorbing the news of Alo's night escape by boat . The most amusing part of the news was the mastermind of the whole thing, Matar. Amidst parents and girls' depression lashed with positive publicity from mainstream and social media news outlets, their hands remained closed for their boy Matar.

Danilo: Where's Matar?

Lunch had been served and everyone in the family was present except Matar and Alo.

Cumo: Matar will not be coming home until the case has reaches a conclusive end. He's under police protection.

O'king: I saw them, Matar and Pa, police told me they're guests and friends of the state until the case is concluded. They were eating chicken and chips. I still don't understand what the police meant.

Mama Any: who cooks chicken for those in police custody. Eat and charge for fake news. Finish eating, prepare to explain how you went to West at night and back. Talking with food in your mouth,what do you know?

Mel: Matar is a witness. He's under state protection. He needs security. You see that wife of Chief shedding crocodile tears, she can disappear with him before you know it. Something tells me that woman is very bad.

Cumo: Not just disappearing and scaring him, this case is very sensitive. Very many heads will roll. I still wonder what's wrong with this kid. He's always in the frontline in every matter.

Danilo: Now you can talk. I have been complaining about this boy but you've been supporting him, aren't you the one who has been teaching him some of those thing. Which college or school as he attended apart from your cottage?

Del: It's true. That boy knows more than his age. I have never seen a child in nursery who can read the bible, newspapers, name it. Mel at what age did you begin reading eloquently?

Mel: Reading isn't bad, he should have started schooling years ago. I'm only worried about his misadventures. Let this case come to an end. I think we need to talk seriously, mama and dad.

Gal: Sis reading even me I can read. Matar and I read together. I want to go and see him, can we go together bro Cumo?

O'king: I can take you there. Just few meters walk from school. I saw brother Alo's pictures. He was wearing football jersey. People were calling him Ronaldo of Mu!

Everybody laughed amidst tension

Mama: Forget about going anywhere, Gal. We need to be together. I can't afford to have you scattered like that for security reasons. I think I know all of you. I think everyone here began reading from home. I still have a lot to observe from Matar. I can't explain how he saved brewery after it had been dismantled, same night without sleeping he managed to cruise to west and back. What kind of a child does that?

Danilo: I still blame Cumo. Nothing can that boy do without sharing with Cumo. If anything happens to that boy you'll carry the blame.

O'king: They're two. People in school were calling him young spiderman and spider woman. Other were calling them spy kids. Pa is the baddest. We were told she reported her uncle to Police. She had all their voices recorded.

Everyone laughed amidst damning revelations. As Cumo was getting late for school, he excused himself and walked away amidst dull laughters from the rest of the family following dad's assertion of fear and O'king's feedback. Mel prayed for the family as they dispersed for other activities.

Val and her brothers were devastated by events that unfolded. Things stirred like whirlpool as they sneaked back home to avoid the gloating of marching and chanting pupils. Everything was too much for them to bear. At the boundary gate, Guard Randa was restless, he was called to step in for his colleagues who were prime suspects in the case.

At Chief Bula's home. Alo returned from school for lunch. This is the first time the two were meeting. Alo greeted him as he got seated under the tree. They had a brief conversation before Chief Bula responding to a phone call. He excused himself before walking for a five minutes call.

Meanwhile Alo went around the homestead to greet the rest of the family including five stepmothers in their respective houses. He winded up by going to Ofafa's house where he left his luggage. Ofafa was not in the house but the door was left open.

It wasn't long before chief Bula called Alo. His countenance changed immediately after the call. Every woman was peeping through the opening to get clearly what had annoyed the Chief.

Bula: Why haven't you told me what happened. Do you have your dad's phone number ?

Alo: Big Baba sorry . I just learnt about....

Bula:( Interrupting) you want to say you learnt the issue now. Is that what you're trying to tell me? Dial that number here!

Alo: (Saving the number in Bula's phone) No sir. I left immediately dad communicated be transfer decision.

Bula:( Gets the contact. Places a call) hello Danilo. You allowed this boy to come here despite being aware he has a case to answer. How do you expect me to keep a fugitive in my home?

Danilo: He's just a victim it was my case bro. It was unfortunate.

Bula: How do you you're son here is accused in Boy girl relationship and you say he's a victim. Do you know the real culprit?

Danilo: He has taken his share of the punishment, the main reason why he's at your place. Didn't I tell that before. Where did you get the information?

Bula: Do you want to tell me that you're not aware of charges labelled against Chief and your son? When did you talk to Mr. Gor last?

Danilo: No. Did he report?

Bula: You should be telling me. According to the caller, whom I shouldn't be sharing with you, the parent referred the case to the police after being advised by a teacher and other Children Rights Watch Group.

Danilo: That's not secret anymore. There's damning evidence against Chief. It is in the news, Matar is just escape goat.... Don't buy their propaganda.

Chief Bula cut the call after Danilo added the last part of the call: 'Don't buy their propaganda', that kept ringing in his mind as he sat under tree.

Chief Bula is a ruthless fighter against illicit brew in territory and beyond. Many chiefs depended on him to fight what they termed the Chief menace in the region lately, a decision that was contrary to long passed tradition as contained in Makers and other decrees.

Madam Mbula had just called chief Bula informing him her husband was being blackmailed in a case his nephew, Matar was the key suspect . She pleaded with him to mobilize other chiefs for intervention before the case kicked off.

Chief Mulo and Bula had the best working combination. Apart from sharing working relationship as Chiefs for Mu in their respective territories, they're running many private businesses together since they took office. Their guards have deeper working alliances to protect their business interests. He understood what such a case would portend to their business empires within and outside Mu, both in Air, Water and Land.

Ofafa had just arrived when chief Bula saw him entering his cottage. Meanwhile Alo was preparing to go back to school after lunch. Chief's mood had been foul all through lunch particularly after the damn call that ruined his appetite and all was blamed on Alo and his father. 'How dare they touched Chief without letting me know. What is Danilo upto with his son?'

Bula: ( To Alo ) Call for me your brother Ofafa before you go to school. And... Anytime you can be collected there anytime from your class to help in a case. I'll call your teachers.

Alo: Okay uncle

Alo met Ofafa at the door of his house where he gave him the information after sharing pleasantries.

Ofafa: (On his way to his dad) Bro I saw your pictures in social media. I celebrate you. You're becoming our Ronaldo. You've brought so much happiness to Abal Primary and West community .

Alo: (Salute him back joyfully) Thank you very much bro. I cherish you big bro!

All chiefs wives and son's wives left their rooms to witness what the two cousins were sharing joyfully. Chief Bula looked at them with downcast face which couldn't be hidden to his wives.

Ofafa: Just go. I have a plan we must share before end of the day.

Ofafa was a known joker to the community and his own family never took him seriously. What he did and never did never bothered anybody in the neighborhood. His father, chief Bula even used him for dirty jobs. He's the informer behind intelligence gathering behind all illicit liquor raids in the west and entire Mu. Even the latest and other raids meted by Chief Mulo against his cousin brother Danilo were majorly instigated by Chief Bula after Ofafa's spy work.

Ofafa handed his smartphone to his dad. He looked at it with mixed love-hate reaction but the loathing was too much. Chief's wives moved closer.

Ofafa: Come and see. It has attracted 1M likes 900k comments and more than 750k shares in less than a day.

They all swam forward fearfully to see Alo's pictures shared in different social media accounts. Ofafa and his dad left the shed entered into the room as Chief Bula led the way. Cheers could be heard as mothers, nieces, cousins marveled at their own.

Cousin 1: This is Alo
Cousin 2: When did he go there. He just came today

Niece 1: This is his picture
Niece 2: When did they get his pictures. I also want to go to school and play football?

Mother 1: (Amidst laughter) People go to school to read not play football.

Mother 2: By the way, when was this picture taken. Didn't he come just at night?

Niece: Everything is digital

They both laughed as they continued watching the Pictures attracting admiration and hate in equal measure.

Bula: Who posted those pictures?

Ofafa: The school, Education officers everyone Baba. Alo has become a celeb. But let me ask you wasn't that too fast baba. Alo just came here late night?

Bula: you've not answered my question. Let me ask again who posted those pictures. What I saw, and those you've mentioned only shared. Didn't they?

Ofafa: Baba you know me I don't do cyber security I was sent out of school you've never cared to convince the school the said girl is my wife to be and she's pregnant for me. So how do you interrogate me like a criminal?

Bula: Close that your dirty mouth. Who asked you about those nonsense you're spewing this ungrateful child. Do you know you would have been taken to jail were it not for the interventions of Madam Mbalu, Chief Mulo's wife? Don't take me back to that trash. Let's talk about this: Pictures and favour for Chief Mulo.

Ofafa: About pictures I think it was Duma who shared them from what his sister, Bubble told me. Which favor are you talking about. Chief Mulo if at all he had such a bad motive should be arrested and serve long jail term and hard labor. This time baba try to be on the people's side. This case is sensitive.

Bula: I have always been on your side. Don't you represent the people?

Ofafa: I do. But you know you've always voiced the voice of authority and mostly unpopular. You're scaring my friends away from me. Have you seen anybody visiting this place lately? I'm glad my cousin brother has come, atleast he'll keep me company.

Bula: Be careful with that boy. I suspect he's using some unusual but very powerful charm that can harm you.

Ofafa: (Threatening to leave) What baba? Since when did you become this superstitious about your very own. I can't take this from you.

Bula: (Restraining Ofafa) Experience Ofafa. That is what age has denied you. There's a lot about our family that I'm yet to tell you only when you cooperate. But first, would you do an errand for me?

Ofafa: Which one. I have no bait for today's work. It should be around to enable me go for earthworm before late.

Bula: You can kill a bird with two stones: Go to Mrs Chief, Mbula, she has an assignment for you. You'll proceed to collect earthworm after signing the deal with her.

After sharing other sensitive stories about the family, meant to put a wedge between him and his cousin brother Alo, Ofafa went back to his room after taking his lunch and collecting his smartphone. He was more confused and in total disbelief following what his own dad revealed about his uncle's family.

Ra Primary, led by Mr. Leo and games Team have prevailed upon Headteacher, who was released after the protest to press charges against Abal Primary for poaching their valuable player, Alo. The morale his low. The school was bogged by legal spat and an embarrassing scene that pitted two Headteachers against each. HT Tiacha knew he overreacted during the melee and he had no better way out of it but to wait patiently to respond to show cause letter awaited him and disruption of public gathering allegations labeled against him. No teacher would imagine how embarrassing it was except his Deputy and his senior teachers. The rest of Headteacher within Mu and beyond knew before leaving the venue that Mr. Tiacha was in the redline because he transgressed by attacking fellow headteacher before ministry and Regional officials.

Abal Headteacher received a kingly reception alongside his senior Team of senior teacher,Mr Tuoche and deputy madam Apaka. They assembled all the learners. Mr. Zex had mobilized the school board and the whole community for this grand welcoming. The headteacher promised to throw a party for his staff the following day. The board chair Mr. Kudho and PTE chair Mr. Quota have mobilized enough resources to throw a party for the whole school Community. The community leaders, appointed and elected leaders have been invited to join the school in launching their sports and Academics Strategic Plan for that year and beyond. Most school heads across Mu pledged to attend, atleast to borrow a leaf from his plan for games and Academics.

Ofafa boarded the bodaboda to the marshy areas neighbouring Chief Mulo's place. He purposed to finish the task before embarking on Madam Mbula's said deal. He notified his dad who placed a call to madam Mbula before Ofafa left the compound. He sped fast and never stopped within town center. He didn't even drop at his uncle's place to greet. Before he could negotiate corner to the marshy place where he was harvest earthworm, he saw madam Mbula with a group of three, among them was a notorious and most wanted criminal, Adada. On closer scrutiny he saw and identified the other two guards, Olwete and Smoke. Adada was from East, the rest were from central and south east and attached to respective chiefs.

Ofafa scanned the area before he sped off. His next stop was in marshy place surrounded with coconut trees and swamps full of lush pasture. But he was not there for pasture. He could see chief's home from a distance. As he was digging and scooping the mud in the process of digging earthworm, Val saw him and quickly ran to the main gate. She locked the behind her took a run before negotiating a turn to her left. She walked stealthily towards ofafa who sensed somebody was following him he could see because Val kept hiding anytime Ofafa stood up to see her. Ofafa spotted her where she was hiding. He pretended he was digging. He studied her keenly, they were almost age mates, Ofafa noted.

Val was a beautiful child. Everyone feared her because of father's men and the class around such a family.

Ofafa:( Wondering silently) what does she want?

Val: (Silently) He's too cute. Dark and muscler. Very handsome!

Ofafa was built beyond his age. Many people who didn't know him mistook him to be above 20s but he was just 14 years. He was handsome handsome young boy that was exposed to the danger. Many older women bayed for his love, to make the matter worse he was out of school and engaging in both shallow and deep water fishing.

Realizing what was ahead of him, Ofafa finished earthworm harvesting very fast. He sneaked by pretending to be going back to his motorcycle before turning a bushy place where he ran and turned and approached val from her back slowly. Meanwhile val walked hurried targeting Ofafa's bike, not minding to look her back. She sensed somebody was following, Ofafa jumped into the bush where she was hiding before. She was getting anxious, she walked to the bike with alot of unease. Ofafa closed and before she realized she was looking at him face to face, he lost her balance and fell backward in a soft grass. Ofafa nearly fel on her but he restrained himself. They looked and admired each other for about a minute without a word .Ofafa held and lifted her to motorcycle.

Ofafa: This place is dangerous. You should never come here alone.

Val remained silent. She just laughed and admired Ofafa's cologne as he carried her like a weightless feather.

Ofafa: What's your name?

Val: Val. Val Mulo. And you, are you from around?

Ofafa: I'm Ofafa Bula. I'm not from around. I'm from west.

Val: Do you usually harvest earthworm here?

Ofafa: Yes. Why do you ask?

Val: I know everyone who has stepped here. You're not one of them.
Ofafa:(Smiling )You're partly right. If I had seen you before, I would becoming everyday.

Val:( Smiles) Why would you do that?

Ofafa: I can't tell you today. Maybe another day. Do you have any contact, for cousin, sister or brother?

Val: (Moves closer) Of course. Bring your phone.

Ofafa:(Gives) Ok. Here!

Val: (Dial & saved) okay. It's that one.

The two moved to close the gap between them as they held each other's hands. They were almost exchanging saliva before guard Randa cleared his throat. Val ran away leaving Ofafa with no option but climb and turn on the bike before he sped off.

Randa returned to duty post that evening. Val never went to she school that day but was incharge of family chores the better part of the day before that incident. On the other hand his brother Yul went back to school. Cal was following a program in the television.

Val was unconsciously meditating over Ofafa. She deep in love reveries and smiling and fantasizing about having Ofafa as a boyfriend.

Randa:(Clears his throat) Val, are you okay?

Val: ooh, you again soldier. Why you always?

Randa: You should be careful. Let that not repeat itself. You know I respect you so much. Ain't I?

Val: You also know I'm not a bad girl. So make sure you don't tell anybody. Do we've a deal?

Randa: Just promise it won't repeat then we seal it. Deal?