FOUND YOU.

"Bisi scolded, 'Why didn't you ask him?' as she rolled her eyes, earning a glare from Ohi, who was visibly upset. 'I was too stunned by his transformation, the way he diligently studies and manages group assignments,' he exclaimed loudly, fixing a piercing gaze on Bisi. 'Belle appears to be both intelligent and kind,' commented his mother, taking a bite of her bread and egg. 'Bayo is online,' Ohi mentioned, swiftly drinking tea to aid the food's descent down his throat. Suddenly, their grandmother's voice broke the dining room's silence. 'Do you have to leave?' she asked, a sense of paranoia creeping in. 'Grandma, it's just a study group. I'll be safe,' he reassured her with a smile, though her expression remained unchanged. He texted Bayo for the location, and his reaction was one of shock. 'What's wrong?' inquired his father, sipping his tea."

"The location is near the haunted forest."

"No, you're not going there," his mother objected firmly, shaking her head in complete disagreement.

"Come on, mum, I've been there countless times, and besides, there will be ten of us," he reasoned, finishing the last of his tea in one gulp.

"If anything happens, be sure to call me," his father pointed a spoon at Ohi.

"Noted," Ohi said cheerfully as he cleared his plate and cup. Meanwhile, their grandma remained worried, while her daughter continuously cast furtive glances at her; even her husband noticed that something was troubling Ewatomi's mind.

*************************************

Ohi readied himself to meet Bayo, excited to finally join their study group. As he stepped out of his room, he accidentally collided with Ewatomi. "Sorry, Grandma, I didn't see you," he apologized, checking to ensure she wasn't injured. "Don't worry, I'm fine," she assured him with a smile, offering him a protective bracelet. "Here, wear this. Don't take it off," she cautioned as she slid the bracelet onto his wrist. "Grandma, this looks like a girl's bracelet," he remarked, his face displaying a hint of confusion. "Well, since it's from your grandma, better keep it on," Eniola teased him with a smile. "Seriously?" Ohi pouted slightly. "Yes, seriously. Don't take it off," Ewatomi warned him emphatically.

Ohi waited at the junction leading out of their neighborhood for Bayo. Soon, Bayo arrived in one of his luxurious cars, and his driver promptly opened the door for Ohi, leaving him astonished by the sight: Bayo engrossed in serious study. "Hey, Ohi, hop in, or we'll be late," Bayo urged, his attention back on his book. Ohi complied, immersing himself in his own study material until they reached their destination. Exiting the car, Ohi proceeded while Bayo engaged in conversation with the driver.

Under the brilliant sun and amidst the serene breeze, Ohi observed the vast emptiness surrounding them, with only the towering expanse of the nearby forest in view. He wondered if the vegetation within the forest ever received adequate sunlight. Turning, he noticed Bayo approaching. "Where is everyone? You mentioned the lesson starts at 2:00 P.M., and it's only 1:55 P.M. now," Ohi inquired. "They'll be here," Bayo reassured, pulling out a large mat from behind a massive rock. With Ohi's assistance, they spread out the mat, settling down as they awaited the arrival of the others.

A piercing female scream echoed from the forest, startling both Bayo and Ohi, causing them to react with shock. Bayo sprang up, darting towards the forest's direction. "Where are you going?" Ohi's voice halted him mid-stride. "To help the girl," Bayo replied urgently. "Wait, let's call for help or wait for the others," Ohi suggested, pulling out his phone. "By then, she could be seriously injured," Bayo argued, ready to continue towards the forest. "What if she's dangerous or something supernatural? This is a haunted forest," Ohi countered. "I don't believe in such things. You stay here; I'll go help her," Bayo stated, moving toward the forest, prompting Ohi to pause momentarily before rushing after Bayo. "Let's go together," he urged, joining Bayo's pursuit.

Inside the dense and fog-laden haunted forest, the darkness prevailed despite the time of day. The thick foliage blocked out the sunlight, casting an eerie night-like atmosphere.

Meanwhile, back at the Ahmed Ozovehe residence, a sense of unease consumed her thoughts. "What's wrong with me? How could I let Ohi venture there after what I witnessed? I know they're not there now, but still..." She muttered to herself, pacing anxiously in her room. Although she had given him a protective charm bracelet, a lingering sense of dread persisted. She feared that if he encountered the forest's malevolent entities, the bracelet might not safeguard him for long. Determined to seek assistance, she decided to summon Oya, recognizing her as the only one capable of providing aid.

Ohi and Bayo came across a distraught girl, perched on a large branch, weeping inconsolably. She wore a pink gown adorned with beautiful purple and white floral patterns along its edges. Her damp coral-black hair cascaded down her back and over her shoulders. "Hello, miss," Bayo greeted cautiously as he moved closer to her. When she turned to face them, her eyes, the deepest shade of brown, left Ohi speechless. What was he thinking? This was Belle. Yet, the vulnerable visage suddenly morphed into something menacing. Slowly rising to her feet, she exuded an unsettling aura, leaving Ohi stupefied. He tried to move, but it felt as though his own body had betrayed him. "At last, our paths cross. I was beginning to think I'd have to forcibly extract you from your abode," she remarked with an evil grin. Ohi attempted to speak, but his voice failed him; it was as if his mind had shut down. She advanced toward him with deliberate steps.

"Once upon a time, a boy sat in his father's car and witnessed a creature swimming in the sea," his eyes widened at the memory. "It doesn't matter if he could see us; who would believe him?" She disregarded the incident, but the boy unexpectedly encountered her kind at a party," Ohi struggled to breathe, "the girl whose touch is as chilling as ice," he whispered to himself. "You remembered," she exclaimed, throwing her head back in laughter that sounded unhinged. "That girl can foresee the future," he looked at her uncertainly, "she foresaw you capturing us, and I knew someone like you shouldn't roam free. Hence, I decided to offer you as a gift to the queen," he gasped as he observed her nails elongating. "Then I encountered sweet Bayo here, discussing you, narrating to his acquaintances what a fool you are!" She directed her gaze at Bayo, who stood frozen in place like a statue. "Bayo, dear, go and sit by that tree," she instructed, and Bayo obediently complied, taking his place by the tree, silent and still. Ohi was overwhelmed with surprise, fear gripping him so intensely that he felt lightheaded.

"I was exhausted, couldn't even return home. Do you realize the torment I endured because of you?" she yelled at him, her eyes ablaze with a thirst for revenge. He swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat, and began to retreat slowly. His legs felt as if they might buckle under the weight of his body. "I'll deliver you to the queen, and she'll be immensely pleased with me," she declared, spinning around like a child who had discovered a new toy.

At Ahmed Ozovehe's residence, Ewatomi meticulously prepared shea butter in a pristine bowl before heading into her hidden chamber. Holding the shea butter aloft, she muttered incantations under her breath. Gradually, a crimson hue materialised into a stunning woman standing beside her. "What's the cause that brought forth my summoning? There must be trouble," Oya inquired, casting a concerned glance toward Ewatomi, who remained seated.

Deep within the forest, Atika roamed in search of Belle, determined not to let her succeed in presenting the boy to the queen—a task the queen herself had entrusted to Atika. Sensing a presence trailing her, Atika feigned ignorance. Suddenly, a figure leaped from a tree, launching a fierce attack. Swiftly evading every strike, Atika remained composed. "Well, hello, Omotola. What a delightful surprise," Atika greeted sarcastically. "Any final words before I end you?" Omotola poised herself for another attack, ready to strike. "Those should be my words," Atika sneered, darting toward Omotola with determination.

******************************

Ohi sprinted desperately, feeling as if time itself was slipping away. Meanwhile, she twirled through the forest like a princess, but a voice within Ohi urged him to flee. Amidst the dense fog and darkness of the forest, Ohi found himself disoriented, uncertain of his location. In his haste, he stumbled over a protruding branch, resulting in a tear on his knee. Fear overwhelmed him, yet he ignored the pain, swiftly picking himself up and continuing to run. The forest was shrouded with towering, serpentine-like branches sprawled across the damp earth. Racing on, he sought refuge behind a tree, his heart pounding so loudly that it seemed to echo throughout the entire forest. The hoots of owls and the caws of crows filled the air, adding to the eerie atmosphere surrounding him.

He tried to steady his breathing when he felt a sharp pain in his knee, His injury was bleeding but Ohi didn't care, all that mattered to him was getting out of this hell and he had no idea how he lost his phone. He placed his hand that had the charm bracelet close to his heart like it was wishing for it to protect him. He must have lost her, he didn't hear her footsteps or scary voice. He peeped at the left side but he saw nothing but fog, then he peeped at his right side. It was nothing but fog. He laid his head on the large bark of the tree he was hiding at, as he breathed the sign of relief with his eyes shut. He opened it, Ohi couldn't breathe he was in shock, the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was the devil advocate Belle with an evil glint that flashed across her face. "Found you".