That night, Ekene found himself tossing and turning, unable to escape the haunting memories of the student's tragic demise. Each time he closed his eyes, he would see chilling scenes of the cobra's attack replaying in his mind. Sleep eluded him as guilt and sorrow weighed heavily on his heart
The following morning, news spread across campus like wild fire – Divine Gift University had recorded a staggering ten new deaths due to snake attacks during the night. Shockingly, eight of the corpses were nowhere to be found, leading to the grim assumptions that they had been swallowed by their ruthless predators
"What the hell? Ten deaths?!" Samuel exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief
"That means we have to sleep with our eyes opened from now on," Cynthia said, her concern growing with each passing moment
"Can we even sleep at all?" Grace chimed in, echoing the fears of her friends
"Guys, I experienced one of those deaths," Ekene revealed, his voice trembling as tears streamed down his face, "I tried to save him, but I couldn't. I couldn't save him"
Grace, her heart aching for Ekene's pain, pulled him into a warm embrace, consoling him as he rested his head on her chest
"This is getting out of hand," Samuel said, anxiety lacing his words
"If we do nothing, we will be wiped out slowly. If we investigate, we'll be expelled. What do we do?" Cynthia asked, her fear and frustration mounting
"It's scary. Really scary," Samuel agreed, the weight of their predicament setting heavily upon them all
Like any academic institution, Divine Gift University was home to a diverse range of students, each with their own priorities and goals. These individuals could be broadly categorized into four distinct groups, each shaping the social fabric of campus life in their own unique ways
There were those who lived for the thrill of conflict and chaos. These students derive pleasure from instilling fear in the hearts of the weak, often engaging in brawls and causing trouble on campus. Their presence was marked by a palpable tension that kept their fellow students on edge
Then, there were those who reveled in the vibrant social scene. Parties, clubs, and romantic conquests were the lifeblood of their existence. Dating multiple partners without remorse, these students were the embodiment of carefree living. Their primary pursuit of pleasure often led them to neglect their academic obligations, and when they did attend classes, they would invariably arrive late
On another end of the spectrum, there were the studious few who were solely focused on their academic success. These driven individuals prioritize their grades above everything else, meticulously surrounding themselves with like-minded peers. Their determination to excel academically, set them apart from the rest of the student body, and their influence on the campus culture are undeniable
Lastly, there were those who dedicated their lives to their faith. To these devout individuals, pleasing God was of the utmost importance, and their daily routines revolve around religious practices. Their devotion sometimes led them to prioritize spiritual activities over their academic pursuits, and they could be found reading their Bible even during exam seasons
Divine Gift University was no exception to this social dynamic, and each group played a vital role in shaping the school's identity. Among the fourth category – the faith-driven students – was Chidinma, a young Accounting student, and friend to both Grace and Ekene. Like Grace, Chidinma harbored feelings for Ekene that extended beyond friendship. However, her strong religious beliefs led her to suppress these emotions, creating an internal conflict that she struggled to resolve
Despite the emotional turmoil surrounding their love triangle, Ekene, Grace, and Chidinma shared an enduring bond. The strength of their friendship shone through even in the face of adversity, providing solace amidst the mounting challenges and dangers that loomed on campus
With an important test coming up, Chidinma's priority remained firmly grounded in her faith. When Ekene questioned her decision to attend fellowship instead of studying and getting ready for the test, Chidinma responded with a gentle smile and a Biblical reference: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Ekene, concerned for her well-being, asked, "Okay, have you eaten at least?"
Chidinma, unfazed, replied, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.' See you later, guys."
With that, she left Ekene and Samuel in Ekene's room, steadfast in her convictions
"Why is it so difficult to convince her?" Ekene asked
Samuel, noticing Ekene's frustration, offered his advice: "Dude, she said she's fine. I suggest you leave her alone."
Unbeknownst to them, Chidinma's journey to the church would soon take an unexpected turn. As she walked, she evangelized to passersby, encouraging them to embrace salvation through Jesus Christ
Suddenly, a snake slithered onto her path, its menacing presence impossible to ignore. Strangely enough, Chidinma showed no fear. Standing her ground, she quoted scriptures, likening the venomous creature to the devil: "The devil is a liar! This was how he tempted Eve in the garden of Eden. He thinks he can stop me from attending this program. Sorry, Satan, but you picked the wrong person to mess with. I must attend this fellowship. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil. Because God is with me, I won't fear any evil, even if it's in the form of a snake!"
Chidnma's fervent words gave way to speaking in tongues
Ekene, having changed into a fresh set of clothes, gave the impression that he was about to embark on an outing. Samuel, his ever-present companion, inquired about his destination. "Dude, where are you going?"
"I want to buy something. I'll be back soon," Ekene replied, keeping his response brief and cryptic before exiting their room
As he made his way through the campus, Ekene stumbled upon a peculiar sight – Chidinma was fearlessly speaking in tongues in front of a snake
"What is she doing?" Ekene muttered under his breath, concern mingling with confusion
The snake, poised to strike, lunged toward Chidinma. In a split second, Ekene leapt into action, wielding a stick in a baseball-bat-like stance. The force of his swing sent the serpent flying, creating a safe distance between it and Chidinma
"Chidinma, what was that? Why didn't you run?" Ekene asked, his voice tinged with worry and exasperation
"The Lord has chastened me severely, but He hasn't given me over to death. Therefore, I shall not die, but live to declare the works of the Lord," Chidinma replied, her faith unwavering
"You're weird, you know that," Ekene remarked, shaking his head in disbelief
The snake, undeterred by Ekene's initial intervention, prepared for another attack, advancing toward Ekene and Chidinma with deadly intent. Undaunted, Ekene struck the serpent repeatedly with his makeshift weapon until it lay lifeless on the ground. To ensure its demise, Ekene lifted a large, heavy stone and dropped it onto the snake's head
"Now, you can go, Chidinma," Ekene said, a sense of relief washing over him
"Thank you, brother Ekene. I hope you'll join me and serve the Lord someday," Chidinma said, her gratitude sincere and heartfelt
Chidinma resumed her journey to the Church, the melodic sound of worship songs accompanying her footsteps. Ekene, having witnessed Chidinma's profound faith, continued on his way