Chapter 2 Whispers from block d: chapter 3

The courtyard of Block D was unusually quiet. The rumor of the scratch had already begun to spread, whispered between hostel blocks like wind through dry leaves.

Some students claimed it was a lizard. Others said it was a spiritual attack. One girl insisted she saw a shadow with no feet gliding past the window last night.

Zainab sat under a jacaranda tree, sipping Lipton with extra sugar. Amara joined her, careful not to make eye contact.

"You didn't tell them," Zainab said.

"Tell them what?"

Zainab looked straight ahead. "That it's not the first time you've felt something like this."

Amara tightened her grip on her cup. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Zainab scoffed softly. "Fine. Keep lying to yourself."

Before Amara could reply, a voice rang out across the courtyard.

"Amara Okezie?"

A woman stood near the hostel entrance, in an olive-green staff uniform. Her face was expressionless, eyes hidden behind black-rimmed glasses.

"The Vice Chancellor's office needs to see you. Now."

---

🏢 The Office with the Red Door

The woman led Amara through winding campus paths, past blocks she hadn't seen before. Finally, they stopped in front of a faded red door that didn't look like it belonged in any official building.

"Inside," the woman said, and left without another word.

Amara entered.

The room was dimly lit, its walls lined with old university yearbooks and dark wooden shelves. Behind a desk sat a man with silver hair and piercing grey eyes.

"You're Amara Okezie," he said, not asking.

"Yes, sir."

He nodded slowly. "You're a legacy."

Amara's throat went dry. "Excuse me?"

"Your grandmother studied here. 1972. And her mother before that. You come from a line of... gifted women."

Amara didn't answer. Her fingers tingled again.

"You're in danger," he continued. "Not just from what walks Eluwon's halls - but from those who want to use you."

She stepped back. "I think you have the wrong person."

He chuckled, but it wasn't friendly. "You think the whispers are a coincidence? That your nightmares don't mean anything?"

"How do you know about-"

"There's a war coming, child. And it always begins in Block D."

He slid a folder across the desk. "Read this. Burn it after."

Before Amara could ask another question, the door creaked open behind her on its own.

"Go. Quickly. Before she knows you were here."

---

🕯️ That Night – Unveiled

In their room, Zainab was sharpening a hairpin with a stone. Victor and Chuka were watching football clips. Tola hadn't spoken since the scratch.

Amara read the folder in silence. Inside were faded newspaper clippings.

> 1996: Student Found Burned in Block D 1983: Fire Outbreak in Female Hostel - Five Missing 1972: Promising Student Collapses During Orientation. Cause: Unknown

Each article ended the same way: "No foul play suspected. University declines comment."

Amara looked up. The wind outside had picked up again.

This time, everyone heard the whisper.

It wasn't outside.

It was inside.

A voice slithered through the room like smoke:

"She must choose."

The light flickered. Tola screamed again. Victor jumped. Chuka dropped his phone.

Amara stood slowly.

Zainab's eyes narrowed. "Okay," she said. "It's time we talked."