The Ilorin Shock Episode 11

Episode Eleven: The Day Ilorin Shook

We endured the hunger.

We endured the rules.

We endured the quiet suffering.

Life in Ilorin had taught us how to manage pain silently. Days were hard, but at least they were predictable until one day, everything changed.

That morning started like any other.

We woke up.

We prepared for school.

We carried our hunger with us like usual.

Nothing warned us.

While we were in school, whispers began to move faster than lessons. Teachers started stepping outside classrooms. Students stopped listening. Fear moved through the school like invisible smoke.

Then suddenly

Noise.

Not normal noise.

Shouting.

Running.

Panic.

A fight had broken out in our area.

Not a small fight.

Not the kind that ends quickly.

This one shook Ilorin itself.

Before we could understand what was happening, the school authorities rushed in with urgent voices.

“Everybody should go home!”

“Holiday starts now!”

“No movement! Go straight home!”

We were confused.

Holiday?

Just like that?

There was no celebration in it. Only fear.

As we were released, we realized the truth Ilorin was not moving. Streets that were always busy became quiet. Shops were locked. People disappeared indoors. It felt like the city was holding its breath.

We couldn’t go home immediately.

Movement was dangerous.

So we hid.

Somewhere close. Somewhere quiet. We stayed there, crouched, listening to distant sounds shouting, running, things breaking. Time slowed down. Every sound made our hearts jump.

Hours passed like days.

When evening finally came and things seemed slightly calmer, we didn’t walk.

We ran.

We rushed back home, not looking left or right, not stopping for anything. Our feet moved faster than our thoughts.

But when we got home, fear followed us inside.

The fight didn’t stop.

It continued.

Louder.

Closer.

And then we remembered something that made my stomach drop.

Behind our house…

Was the boys’ headquarters.

That place had always been there, but that day, it felt different. Dangerous. Alive. Like the center of everything going wrong.

Shadows moved. Voices rose. The night felt restless.

As darkness settled, my heart told me something I didn’t want to accept:

This was no longer just a fight.

This was the beginning of a nightmare.

And it was happening right behind our house.

To be continued…Episode 12