Not every junior could hold in the pain. One day, a boy named Emmanuel—slim, quiet, always alone—was beaten so severely his back showed red welts for days.
Kalu Egbe saw it all. Senior Okechukwu had lashed Emmanuel for not bringing water fast enough. Then another senior joined, then another. By nightfall, Emmanuel could barely walk.
Whispers spread: "He go report."
The next Visiting Day, Emmanuel's guardian came—a tall man with a thick voice and military walk.
"Who touch my boy?" he bellowed in the hostel. "Who dare beat Emmanuel like this?"
Seniors watched from corners, silent.
Kalu stood with Nedu and Fireboy, eyes wide.
"Na real wahala today," Fireboy muttered.
The guardian stormed to the principal's office. Voices rose, anger clashed. But the principal could only promise to "look into it."
Later, as the guardian prepared to leave, he warned loudly, "If una touch Emmanuel again, I go come back. And next time, I go enter this hostel with cane."
That night, seniors called a meeting. Presso wasn't around anymore, but the spirit remained.
"So, this Emmanuel wan disgrace us?" a senior said. "E dey carry people from outside come warn us?"
Kalu's heart sank. He knew what would come.
The next day, Emmanuel's bucket was seized. His mattress flipped. Three seniors flogged him in the bathroom.
"Go report again!" they hissed.
Kalu helped him clean his wounds. Emmanuel's eyes were red. "I no tell my guardian again," he whispered. "I dey survive now."
Fireboy shook his head. "Sometimes, help bring more wahala."
Old FGC taught lessons harshly. Emmanuel learned his. So did his guardian.
To be continued...
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