Chapter 5: The Second Knock

I no even know how long I sleep before—

Knock, knock, knock.

I just jump wake as I hear knock.

I carry my phone check time.

2:00 a.m.

My body cold.

The corridor quiet like graveyard. Even generator don off.

Who dey knock for our room for this kind time?

Same time, Morayo nightlight on, I see Efe don sit up.

Morayo voice dey shake for dark.

"Wh-who dey there...?"

Next thing, we hear familiar voice from outside—

"Na me, Halima."

For that small light, I see as Efe face lose all colour. Morayo jump down come hug me, her body dey shake.

All of us get the same thought—

Na awake Halima dey, or she dey sleepwalk?

I just hold my wrapper tight, shout, "Why you dey here?"

Outside quiet small, then she laugh soft.

"I just finish cut one correct ripe watermelon. Una wan chop?"

Efe whisper, "If I chop that watermelon, make I bend."

Efe just dey signal me with eye, like say make I go call matron again. Even Morayo dey mutter Psalm 23 under her breath.