Ochieng sat in his usual seat at the back of the classroom, his eyes scanning the students as they whispered among themselves.
The tension in the air was palpable.
He didn't need to ask—he already knew what they were talking about.
That message.
"Who really is Ochieng?"
It was an innocent question on the surface.
But in reality… it was a ticking bomb.
And whoever had posted it wasn't just playing games.
They were looking for something.
Something they shouldn't be looking for.
---
Brian sat at the front of the classroom, acting like he wasn't paying attention.
But Ochieng knew better.
That guy had been on edge ever since Zariah Wanjiru had shown up.
Because for the first time, Brian was losing control.
He wasn't the center of attention anymore.
And that… was dangerous.
Brian wasn't the type to accept defeat.
And Ochieng had a feeling that his little game was just beginning.
---
Zariah Wanjiru – A Different Kind of Danger
She sat near the window, as calm and composed as ever.
If she was concerned about the rumors swirling around Ochieng, she didn't show it.
But that didn't mean she wasn't aware.
Zariah wasn't just a pretty face.
She had grown up in one of the most powerful families in the country.
She understood power.
She understood influence.
And most importantly…
She understood secrets.
And yet—she had approached Ochieng.
Despite the fact that he was keeping his true identity hidden.
Why?
What did she see in him?
What did she know?
---
The day passed in a blur, and soon, it was lunchtime.
Ochieng was making his way to his usual spot when someone stepped in front of him.
Zariah.
She smiled slightly. "Walk with me."
Ochieng studied her for a moment.
A girl like her never made casual requests.
This was calculated.
Deliberate.
Still, he nodded.
As they walked down the school corridor, students stared.
Whispers followed them.
Brian's eyes burned with jealousy.
But Ochieng ignored them all.
Right now, only one thing mattered.
Why was Zariah Wanjiru suddenly interested in him?
And what did she want?
---
They reached a quiet area behind the school.
Zariah turned to face him.
"You're not who you pretend to be, are you?"
Ochieng's expression didn't change.
"Everyone pretends to be someone they're not."
She smiled at his answer.
"That's true. But in your case… it's different."
Silence.
Then she leaned in slightly.
"I'm not here to expose you," she murmured. "I just want to know the truth."
Ochieng met her gaze.
A challenge.
A test.
He had been in situations far more dangerous than this before.
And yet… something about her felt different.
For the first time in a long time, he was intrigued.
But intrigue was dangerous.
Because the more someone knew about him…
The harder it became to stay hidden.
---
Meanwhile, in the Shadows…
Unbeknownst to them, a black car was parked outside the school.
Inside, a man in a dark suit watched the two of them through tinted windows.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"He's made contact," he said quietly.
A pause.
Then a voice on the other end responded.
"Good. Keep watching. And when the time is right…"
Another pause.
"Bring him back."
The call ended.
The man put his phone down.
And in his eyes…
A cold, knowing glint appeared.
Because Ochieng wasn't just anyone.
He was someone important.
Someone who had once belonged to a world far bigger than this school.
And whether he liked it or not—
That world was coming for him.
---