"Pick up the pace, and raise your legs higher." Uncle Kayode ordered as Timi carried two heavy buckets of water into a stall at the back of the house.
It had already been a week and all Uncle Kayode had taught Timi was to do house chores. Fetch water from a far distance although there was water running in the taps, chop firewood although he had a gas cooker, and help him fix his motorcycle.
Timi was getting frustrated because he wasn't learning how to use his fists to inflict damage to a person but his deal with his uncle prevents him from questioning his teaching methods so Timi had to endure it because if anything, the chores were keeping him physically fit.
"Uncle, I know I agreed not to question your methods but when will I start learning, you know..."
"How to be a killer?" His uncle cut in with a tone of disapproval.
"Yes. That. When can I start learning how to kick and punch and shoot a gun and all the rest?"
"All in due time boy, but as for now, I feel like eating pounded yam tonight, so get the mortar ready so you can start pounding."
"Ugh!" Timi groaned angrily.
The next day at school, there was an oral pop quiz in Timi's class. One by one, the students reluctantly got up to answer their questions and most of them failed miserably much to their teacher's surprise. When it was Shade's turn, she was spot on and missed only one question earning her the highest marks in the class.
"Next we have.....Timi!" the teacher said.
Timi stood up and his teacher gave him his questions and one after the other, Timi answered correctly. His classmates were shocked because ever since Ayo was killed, Timi stopped being serious with school. After the quiz, the teacher announced that Timi was the only one who got full marks and the class gave him a round of applause. Timi smiled proudly and exchanged a look with Shade, playfully teasing her that he finally did better than her in school.
"It looks like you've been studying," Shade said to Timi as they walked home together after school.
"Yes, I have."
"Why the sudden change of heart about school, I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad but what made you decide to focus on your studies again?" She asked.
Timi was quiet for a while before he answered.
"I realized that I had to move on with my life and not let what happened prevent me from being or becoming the best version of myself."
"I am very happy to hear you say that Timi. It's good to have you back," Shade said and kissed him on his cheek.
As Timi got home, he was very happy about Shade kissing his cheek and was considering calling her tonight when he noticed someone in his room through the window. He couldn't see the person clearly so he walked in and went to his room. He opened the door and lo and behold, there was no one in his room.
"Mom?" He yelled.
"Yes, Timi, what is it?" His mother responded from the kitchen where she was preparing dinner.
"Are you the only one at home?"
"Yes, I am. Your sister is at her friend's house for a playdate."
"Ok, but were you just in my room, like a minute ago?"
"No, I've been in the kitchen for hours and I haven't been anywhere else, why do you ask?"
"I thought I saw someo..... You know what? Nevermind."
Timi was sure he saw someone in his room but decided that he must have been mistaken. As he changed his clothes, a picture fell from his desk and he reached for it. It was a picture of him and Ayo, the last picture they took together.
Seeing this picture brought back happy memories and Timi smiled. But quickly, his smile turned into sadness and then, anger. Here he was, seeing stars and butterflies, thinking about Shade, instead of his promise, his revenge. He had not even thought of that for the entire day and he was angry with himself.
"This is Uncle Kayode's fault," he said to Ayo in the picture.
"He has me doing chores and focused on school, making me slowly forget about avenging you.
"But don't worry brother, I won't let him trick me, I'm going to go to him and demand that he starts teaching me like he said he would."
And so, Timi finished getting dressed and made for his uncle's. When he arrived, he found Uncle Kayode in his small garden, trimming plants and weeding out roots.
"Ah, Timi, you're here. Perfect timing. Get that hoe and come and clear this portion of weeds."
"I'm not going to do that," Timi answered defiantly.
"It's part of your training, now get the hoe and get to it," his Uncle said.
"Training?" He laughed. "Training my foot.
"You've just been wasting my time, making me do useless tasks and concentrating on school. Trying to make me forget my revenge but I've had it." Timi was outraged.
"We had a deal, Timi, you agreed not to question my methods."
"And you agreed to teach me how to kill people but it's been more than a week and I don't know the first thing about violence."
He walked up to his uncle and looked him straight in the face. "Are you going to teach me or will I have to go somewhere else?"
"Fine, you want the tough and gruesome stuff? Then let's do it!"
Uncle Kayode walked a few paces away from Timi and took off his jacket.
"What are you waiting for? Attack me, try and land a punch."
Timi wasn't sure of what to do and he was frozen where he stood.
"You want to be a killer right, then try to hit me." His uncle yelled.
Mustering up the courage he needed, Timi moved towards him and threw a punch but missed and Uncle Kayode threw one of his own, catching Timi right in his stomach. Timi fell in pain but quickly got back up and attacked again.
He tried his hardest but his uncle was just too fast for him, blocking, dodging and deflecting all his blows. Again and again, his uncle knocked him down but he kept getting back up until it became harder to get up. Timi was out of breath and couldn't stand up.
"Come on, get up. Get up and keep fighting until you win. You think you're ready to go out there and kill a man who is bigger and stronger than you when you can't even hit me once, an old man," he said trying to provoke Timi.
"You're not ready, you'll never be ready because you are and will always be just a little boy."
In anger, Timi launched himself at his uncle and hit him with an uppercut, right on his chin and he fell to the ground. Timi was shocked by what he had done and rushed to help his uncle up.
But Uncle Kayode kicked Timi's legs, knocking him down to the floor, he rolled up over Timi, pulled out a knife from his boot, raised it in the air and brought it down to the wooden floor, mere inches away from Timi's face.
"A killer doesn't show mercy towards his opponent, he is ruthless and he never hesitates to take a life. If you want to be a killer, you have to be ruthless. No mercy, No hesitation, No fear, otherwise you will die."
Uncle Kayode got up and went inside leaving Timi on the floor, completely stiff and consumed by fear, a fear of not being courageous enough to avenge his brother.