chapter eighteen

Adaora's pov

My breath came in short, uneven bursts as I pushed through the school corridor, ignoring the curious glances thrown my way. My skin felt too tight, my heart pounding so loud I could barely hear my own thoughts.

The voice it had been real. Not a memory, not a stray thought, but something that had been spoken to me, directly in my mind.

"If I were you, I would avoid him… so I won't hurt him."

What did that mean? Hurt him?

I stumbled into the nearest empty bathroom, gripping the sink with both hands. My reflection stared back at me, wide-eyed, tense. My fingers hovered over the golden necklace, trembling slightly.

I wanted to take it off.

But I already knew what would happen.

It would come back.

No matter how many times I removed it, no matter how far I threw it, it would return.

My fingers curled into a fist, frustration bubbling beneath my fear. I forced myself to breathe, to think.

What was happening to me?

Who was he?

I took another deep breath and stepped out of the bathroom, my heart still hammering. The hallways were thinning out as students hurried to their classes, but I barely noticed them. My mind was still stuck on the voice—the warning.

"If I were you, I would avoid him… so I won't hurt him."

What did that mean? Hurt him how?

I made my way back to class, moving on autopilot. As soon as I stepped in, my friends were still chatting, barely noticing I had left. Ifeoma was laughing about something, while stella leaned in, whispering with exaggerated expressions. Their voices were a dull hum in the background.

I slid into my seat, staring blankly at my desk, my fingers brushing against the necklace again. It felt heavier than before, like it was pressing into my skin.

Then, movement in the doorway.

Jude.

He was walking past the class, but when he saw me, he slowed down, offering a small, easy smile.

"Hello," he said.

My mouth opened to respond, but suddenly—

The air shifted.

My chest tightened.

And then I heard it.

"If I were you, I would avoid him… so I won't hurt him."

The same deep voice, smooth as the ocean waves, but this time it was closer, whispering directly into my ear.

I whipped around so fast my chair scraped against the floor.

No one.

Just my classmates, lost in their own conversations.

My breath hitched. My hands felt cold. I looked at Jude again, standing there, waiting for my response.

I couldn't speak.

I couldn't think.

All I knew was that I needed to get away.

Now.

I shoved my chair back and bolted out of the classroom, barely noticing Jude's confused expression as I rushed past him.

I barely registered the sound of my classmates calling after me as I pushed past the doorway. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning everything else out. The corridors felt too long, the air too thick.

I needed to breathe. I needed to think.

I kept walking, ignoring the stares from passing students. My hands shook as I clutched my necklace, the once-cool gold now warm against my skin, as if alive.

"Avoid him… so I won't hurt him."

What did that mean? Hurt him how?

Jude was just a normal boy, someone I had seen around but never paid much attention to. Why would being around him be dangerous?

I reached the courtyard and leaned against a pillar, inhaling deeply. The school compound was busy students moving between classes, teachers chatting under the shade of trees but I felt isolated, like I was stuck in a different world from everyone else.

"You cannot reject what has always been yours, Nkem."

The whisper slithered through my mind again, sending a chill through my spine.

I clenched my fists. No. No. I refused to let this consume me.

I had to get a grip.

But just as I tried to steady myself, the wind shifted. The leaves rustled, the air cooling unnaturally.

And then—

A presence.

Something unseen, but there.

Watching.

I stiffened, my skin prickling. My eyes darted around, scanning every shadow, every flicker of movement.

Nothing.

But I felt it.

I turned sharply, my breath catching—

And then, just as suddenly as it came, the weight lifted.

The wind returned to normal. The voices of students filled the air again.

I swallowed hard.

I wasn't alone. Even when I couldn't see him, he was there.

Watching.

Always watching.

I moved through the house like a ghost, barely aware of anything but the weight pressing down on me. As soon as I stepped into my room, I shut the door and leaned against it, exhaling shakily.

What is wrong with me?

I ran my fingers over my arms, trying to shake the lingering chill. Everything felt too much—the whispers, the necklace, the presence I couldn't escape.

With trembling hands, I reached for the chain around my neck and unclasped it. The moment the pendant left my skin, I felt lighter. I set it down on the table carefully, almost afraid it would move on its own.

For a few seconds, I just stared at it.

The golden pendant glowed faintly under the dim light, looking completely normal. But I knew better.

I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away. I needed to act normal.

I left the room and headed to the kitchen, focusing on the familiar comfort of cooking. The scent of seasoning and frying oil filled the air as I moved, trying to find peace in the simple task.

But even as I cooked, I couldn't shake the feeling.

My mum and dad came home in the evening, their voices filling the house as they talked about their day. I barely responded when my mum called my name. I just mumbled something and went straight to my room, shutting the door behind me.

I curled up on my bed, pressing my hands against my stomach. The pain had started earlier dull at first, then sharper, twisting deep in my lower abdomen. I tried to sleep it off, but the discomfort only grew worse.

At some point in the night, I woke up with a strange wetness between my legs. My stomach still throbbed, a deep, pulsing ache that made me curl in on myself. Confused, I reached down, my fingers brushing against something warm and sticky.

My heart pounded as I threw off the covers. The dim light from the window barely illuminated my bed, but I could see it.

Blood.

A strangled gasp escaped me.

"Mama! Mama!" I screamed, panic flooding my voice.

Within seconds, I heard hurried footsteps, and then my door burst open. My mum rushed in, her eyes wide with alarm.

"Blood, Mama!" My voice shook as I pointed at the stained sheets.

For a moment, she just looked at me, then at the blood. Then, her face softened.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," she said, sitting beside me and rubbing my arm gently. "It's your period, dear. Nothing to be afraid of."

I stared at her, my breathing still heavy. "My period?"

She nodded. "Yes, Adaora. Your first one. It's normal."

I swallowed, trying to calm down, but the fear didn't completely fade. The pain was still there, deep and twisting. And something about it something I couldn't explain felt wrong.

My mother stood. "Let me get warm water so you can bathe. You'll feel better."

As she left the room, I sat frozen, my hands gripping the sheets.

Then, slowly, I turned my head.

The golden necklace still sat on my table.

And for a brief moment, I could have sworn it glowed.