The Boy Who Wore Orange

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'Alaye, be like you dey ment! Na me you dey talk to like that abi…take your time o' said Itopa.

He brushed past his social studies teacher and went outside the class. He was followed by Saliu, Caleb and Ike.

Mr. Ahmed stood there, shocked. 'So you've grown wings Itopa. I will ensure this matter gets to the Principal. Yaro Banza. Let's continue, class'.

This was the new Itopa. He used to be quiet and respectful. Now, he was a terror in Liji Senior Secondary School, Dei-Dei. He had a gang of rough-looking boys who followed him around.

No one could understand what had happened to him.

'That man no know who you be for this school sha'. Said Saliu. 

'Na to use am do example o. Make others fear. Because these teachers them too dey do.' Said Ike.

'Leave them. Now ehn, anyone wey do anyhow go see anyhow'. Scoffed Itopa. 

All three went behind the school block. Brought out wraps of marijuana and started smoking. They remained there until school was over.

The next day, Itopas's parents were called to the principal's office.

'Mr.and Mrs. Onume, I have gotten several bad reports about your son,' complained Mrs. Gladys, the school principal.

'He disrespects teachers, beats up his fellow students, and skips classes. The next bad report I get of him will lead to suspension. I hope you understand sir and ma?

'No na madam Principal. It has not gotten to that. I will talk to him about it. Please ehn'. Answered Itopa's mother.

The Father shook his head quietly. Then he said to the Principal, 'Madam, please do anything you like to him. If it will make him more responsible.

He faced his wife, 'if you like continue pampering him. One day, you will reap it.' He hissed and left the office.

Mrs. Onume knew her husband was right. But what could she do? Itopa was her only son after four girls. She had prayed and fasted for a male child. After being threatened by her inlaws to bring a second wife for their son.

God answered her prayer. She would not allow anyone to hurt Itopa. After 12 years of waiting. 

Itopa got home by 6 pm. Looking unkempt and red-eyed.

'Where are you coming from? asked his father, putting down his newspaper.

'From school na' answered Itopa, roughly.

'Which school? By 6 pm! All your schoolmates have since returned.

'Leave my son alone abeg. He said he is coming from school. Can't you see he's stressed?' shouted his mother while coming out of the kitchen.

'Welcome my son. My precious gift. The plan of satan has failed o. They want me and your father to be against you but it will not work! She hugged Itopa.

'Will you keep quiet! yelled Mr. Onume. 

'Sit down', he gestured at Itopa.

'Your principal told us today of your misbehavior at school. You are now bold to insult teachers and fight. Is that true?'

'Papa I'm always on my own. But anyone wey find my trouble go get double', Itopa said boldly.

'Let me warn you, I will not tolerate that in this house. When did you become like this? You had better stop this madness because it won't take you anywhere. 

If you get suspended from school, just know that I'll send you packing from this house'.

'That will never happen. Leave my son alone for me haba! Interrupted his mother.

'Nonsense' blurted the father. 

And walked out of their one-bedroom apartment in Kagini.

Mr. Onume was a taxi driver. Calm and hardworking.He wished his son was like him and not the mother.

A nice but quarrelsome woman he must confess. He loved her anyways. He understood her protecting their only son but wished she wasn't so supportive of Itopa's bad behaviour. 

Rumor had it that his son was in a cult. Though he never believed it.

On Friday night, Itopa dressed up, wearing an orange shirt and cap.

'Mummy, I dey comot. I fit come back tomorrow morning.' 

' Where are you going to this Friday again? Asked his worried mother.

'Don't worry mummy, tomorrow we go see.'

He couldn't tell her Fridays were the meeting days of his cult group. They had to renew their powers or initiate a new member.

His third-term exams were fast approaching. But that wasn't his concern now. He had a group to protect. He would use kwili. Also called an 'expo'. 

He would be graduating from SSS 2 by September. He smiled at himself. Consumed with pride at the thought of his achievements. 

At 15, he was not just the leader of a cult group. He was untouchable. But he wasn't always like this.

One year ago, he was a timid teenager. Smart but reserved. He had no friends. He could not begin a conversation because he felt inadequate.

He was always mocked in class for being lily-livered. He didn't like it but felt there was nothing he could do about it. He admired the big boys in his class and secretly wished to be like them. They were fearless.

Maybe he would have spoken up if he had someone to talk to. Not his mum. She believed her pamperings were enough. His dad was rarely at home. His sisters were all in the university.

During one lunch break, a classmate from SSS 2C deliberately bumped into him, spilling his food. Everyone laughed at him as he cried helplessly.

At the close of school, a tall dark student met him. Uzor was his name. 

He said to Itopa, 'I hear wetin happen to you during break time. Na because you weak. If you get power nobody fit fall your hand'.

'I want the power', responded Itopa desperately.

'You go do anything we ask you? Uzor asked.

'Yes' Itopa agreed.

'Meet me for Zuba junction this night by 8 pm. Make we cook you. If you survive, everything don set be that' said Uzor slyly and walked away.

That night was the turning point in Itopa's life. He met around 50 of his schoolmates all wearing orange shirts and caps. They belonged to the Valiant cult. 

For a strange reason, Itopa wasn't scared. Rather, he felt a strange excitement at the thought of being initiated.

They nearly beat him to death. Using cutlass, heavy wood and whips. He bled until he passed out. The process was completed after he drank the mixture of their blood.

He returned home three days later, lying that he was attacked by hoodlums. His overexcited mother quickly forgot about her worries.

His sudden behaviour change was shocking. His courage to do unimaginable evil quickly raised him to the highest rank. 

He became the next in command after Uzor graduated. Leading his team against rival groups during fights, harassing staff and students. He smoked and took hard drugs as a lifestyle.

Today, he was going to renew his powers. He had heard that the green wizards were going to attack at the end of the term. He 

had a duty to protect his members.

He hurried quickly as he remembered that Baba Elere the witch doctor, was waiting for him.

To be continued…