Chapter 3: Shadow for Wall

That same night, again, I wake up say I wan use toilet.

My mouth dry as I open eyes. The air for room heavy, like when rain wan fall. I no wan stand, but my bladder no gree.

Na so the man show face again.

I choke for throat, cold sweat dey my back. The man waka slow this time, no even look my side. E shadow long for wall, like masquerade for new yam festival.

Sharp sharp, I carry my phone, wan record evidence.

My hand dey shake, but I manage press record. My heart dey beat kpim kpim kpim.

But this time, the man climb another person bed—Zainab bed.

Zainab roll over like say she dey chase for dream, but e be like say nothing wake her.

I shout, on the light.

My voice crack. “Wake up! See am!”

All my roommates wake up.

Everybody dey look round with confusion, eye still dey heavy with sleep. Light dey shine for every corner—no man dey.

No man dey inside room o.

Na only four of us dey. The man no show for anywhere, no sound, nothing.

I check my phone for the video wey I just record—nothing dey there.

Screen blank, just my own panicky breathing dey inside the audio. My hand dey shake as I drop phone for bed.

Everybody begin talk say I don dey craze.

Zainab hiss, “Abeg, Ngozi, no start. Sleep dey hungry person.” Big Sis just eye me from her top bunk, like say na madness dey worry me. I wan cry.