Ochieng sat in class, staring at the board but not truly seeing it.
His mind was elsewhere.
The encounter last night confirmed what he had feared.
The Elders weren't just watching. They were moving.
And when they moved, people disappeared. Cities crumbled. Fortunes were wiped out overnight.
If they had decided to reclaim him, it meant only one thing—
Something big was coming.
But what?
Why now?
Ochieng exhaled silently, gripping his pen.
He wasn't going back.
No matter what they tried, no matter what they sent after him—
He would never be their pawn again.
---
Across the room, Brian leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
His gaze never left Ochieng.
That cocky, self-assured look had returned.
It was irritating.
Brian had spent years being the center of attention.
He had the best cars, the richest father, and the most feared goons at school.
Yet now, he was nothing in comparison to Ochieng.
And the worst part?
Zariah was noticing.
She spoke to Ochieng more. Laughed at his jokes.
She barely even acknowledged Brian anymore.
It was unacceptable.
A girl like Zariah belonged with someone like him.
Not a nobody.
Brian's fingers tapped the desk rhythmically.
It was time to remind Ochieng of his place.
---
As soon as the bell rang, Ochieng stood to leave.
But just as he reached the hallway—
A figure blocked his way.
Tall. Dressed in black.
Expressionless.
Ochieng's heartbeat remained steady.
This wasn't a school thug.
It was something else.
The man spoke in a low, controlled voice.
"Your resistance is noted. The Elders are patient. But patience is not infinite."
Ochieng smiled faintly.
"So, what? You're here to drag me back?"
The man tilted his head.
"No. Just a warning."
Then, he pulled out a silver pocket watch and held it up.
Ochieng's smirk faded.
The air around them seemed to drop in temperature.
He recognized it.
That watch…
It belonged to someone who should have been long dead.
---
A flicker of something dangerous passed through Ochieng's eyes.
"Where did you get that?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
The man gave a small smile.
"The Elders said to tell you—some things are never truly buried."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Ochieng stood there, staring at the pocket watch in the man's hand.
His fingers clenched into a fist.
So that's their game?
They wanted to shake him. Distract him.
But they had no idea—
They had just awakened something they should have left buried.
If they wanted him to return…
They would regret it.
--
As Ochieng stepped outside the school gates, Brian was waiting.
He leaned casually against his sleek, expensive car, arms crossed.
A group of students had already gathered, sensing something was about to happen.
Brian smirked.
"Oi, Ochieng."
Ochieng didn't even glance at him.
But Brian wasn't going to be ignored.
"You think you're something special?" Brian taunted. "Walking around like you own the place?"
Ochieng finally stopped. He looked at Brian with mild amusement.
"Did I say something to hurt your feelings?"
The crowd snickered.
Brian's smirk twitched.
"Oh, I don't care about you." He tilted his head toward Zariah, who had just stepped out of the building.
"I care about her."
Ochieng's expression didn't change, but his eyes darkened slightly.
Brian continued, his voice dripping with arrogance.
"You see, I don't like people touching what's mine."
Silence fell.
Even Zariah's eyes widened in disbelief.
Before she could respond, Ochieng chuckled.
"Yours?" He raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked, she wasn't a property up for sale."
The crowd murmured in agreement.
Brian's jaw tightened.
He stepped forward, standing just inches from Ochieng.
"You're new here, so I'll be nice." His voice lowered, threatening. "Stay in your lane. Otherwise…"
Ochieng didn't even blink.
"Otherwise, what?"
A heavy silence.
Brian searched his face, looking for any sign of fear.
He found none.
For the first time, a strange feeling crept into his gut.
Something wasn't right about this guy.
It wasn't just arrogance.
It was confidence.
As if…
Ochieng had seen worse than him. Far worse.
Brian forced a grin, stepping back.
"We'll see," he muttered, turning toward his car.
But as he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling.
Something about Ochieng wasn't normal.
And that made him dangerous.
---
Ochieng exhaled slowly, watching Brian leave.
Trouble was coming.
From school.
From the Elders.
And from something deeper in the past.
One way or another…
Everything was about to collide.
And when it did—
There would be no turning back.
---