---
The noise of the party pressed in again, but the question stayed, echoing quietly in his chest.
Tolu glanced up at the wall clock above the TV. 10:17. Somehow, the night was only just beginning. He grabbed a cold soda from the cooler, the fizz hissing when he cracked it open, and went searching for Leke.
He found him a few steps away, leaned casually against the wall, making Amaka laugh at one of his jokes. Tolu couldn't help the thought that slipped through his head.
'Well, this night went well for both of us.'
Leke spotted him immediately and waved him over, grinning wide. "Amaka, this is Tolu. Tolu, Amaka."
Tolu extended his hand, his smile polite but curious. "Nice to meet you."
It was the first time he was seeing her this close. Amaka stood around 5'4, her hair neatly plated into two long braids that brushed past her shoulders. Her round, dark eyes were striking, the kind that softened her whole face, giving her that unmistakable "cute girl" look.
But Tolu knew better than to be fooled. Amaka had a reputation. More than one boy in school had learned the hard way that she didn't hesitate to throw hands if anyone tried messing with her.
'At least he won't cheat,' Tolu thought dryly, suppressing a smirk.
She wore a short black dress that hugged her frame, subtle but enough to draw attention to her small yet defined curves.
"It's nice to meet you too," Amaka replied, her voice warm, her handshake firm.
Tolu offered a polite smile. "So… Leke's been talking about you."
Amaka raised a brow, amused. "Oh really? Should I be worried about what he said?"
Leke grinned, holding up his hands innocently. "Relax, I only said good things."
Tolu smirked. "That's debatable. Knowing him, he probably exaggerated half of it."
Amaka laughed, shaking her head. "Sounds about right." She looked back at Leke. "You didn't tell me your friend was this funny."
"I didn't tell you a lot of things," Leke said smoothly, making her roll her eyes.
Tolu sipped his soda, deciding not to interrupt whatever rhythm his friend was working. Still, Amaka turned back to him with genuine curiosity.
"So, Tolu," she asked, "do you come to parties often? I don't think I've seen you at one before."
He chuckled softly. "That's because I don't. I usually stay home."
"Ah, the quiet type," Amaka teased. "That makes sense."
Leke clapped Tolu on the back, almost making him spill his drink. "Don't let him fool you—this guy can surprise you when he wants to."
Tolu shot him a look but kept his smile. "Depends on what you call surprising."
Amaka tilted her head, eyes narrowing playfully. "Now I'm curious."
Leke leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was about to share a secret. "Trust me, Amaka, if you knew what happened tonight by the lake—"
Tolu immediately cut him off, clearing his throat loudly. "And that's my cue to grab another soda."
Amaka burst out laughing at their back-and-forth, shaking her head. "You two are something else."
Amaka was still chuckling when Tolu's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, the screen lighting up with a message from his mum.
Mum: That's enough for one night. Be home before it gets too late.
The words settled on him heavier than he expected, grounding him back in reality. He slipped the phone away with a small sigh, scanning the crowd instinctively. His eyes searched for Ore—by the snack table, near the dance floor, even the corner couches—but she wasn't anywhere to be seen.
For a moment he debated staying, waiting just a little longer. But another buzz from his phone reminded him of the risk.
Tolu typed out a quick message, his fingers pausing before he hit send.
Tolu: Got to go. Had a great time tonight.
He stared at the screen a second longer, hoping for an instant reply, but nothing came. Pocketing the phone, he turned back toward where Leke and Amaka were still talking, their laughter mingling easily with the music.
'If I tell him I'm leaving, he'll convince me to stay. And that's how trouble starts.'
He smiled faintly, shook his head, and slipped quietly through the crowd.
The music faded behind him as he stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against his face. The lake house lights glowed warmly in the distance, but with each step away, they grew dimmer, swallowed by the dark.
For the first time that night, the noise, the laughter, the chaos—all of it—felt far away.
The shortcut home was darker than usual. Tall trees lined either side of the narrow path, their branches twisting into jagged shapes that swayed against the night sky. Tolu shoved his hands into his pockets, his steps slow, heavy with the kind of tiredness that made every sound blur into the background.
But as the minutes passed, he realized something.
It was too quiet.
No crickets. No distant hum of frogs near the stream. Not even the rustle of leaves in the night breeze. Just silence.
His skin prickled, but he was too exhausted to quicken his pace. Instead, he muttered under his breath, "Almost home… just a few more minutes."
That was when he heard it.
Rustling.
Sharp, deliberate, close.
Tolu froze, his ears straining. The sound stopped. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to keep moving.
Probably a stray dog. Or a goat. Or—
The rustling came again, louder this time. His heart kicked against his ribs.
And then he saw them.
Two red lights in the darkness. No—not lights. Eyes.
They glowed unnaturally, like burning coals set deep into the shadows.
Tolu's breath hitched. He wanted to run, but his legs felt cemented to the ground. His body refused to obey.
The thing stepped forward, out of the trees, and his heart nearly stopped.
A wolf. No, a beast. Towering, monstrous—its size rivaled a polar bear. Its fur bristled like daggers under the moonlight, saliva dripping thick and heavy from its jaws. Each drop sizzled against the dirt like acid.
And those eyes—those hellish eyes—were locked on him.
For one impossible moment, the world stood still.
Then the beast lunged.
Before Tolu could even raise his hands, its fangs sank deep into his neck, white-hot pain exploding through his body. His scream was strangled, drowned in the wet sound of tearing flesh.
Blood poured, warm and endless, soaking into his shirt, his hands, the earth beneath his feet.
His vision blurred. His knees buckled.
'This… can't be happening…'
The last thing he saw was the creature's gleaming teeth, dripping red, before the darkness swallowed him whole.