Run!

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Me and Kemi were known as the night class guru and first class goddesses. We got the nickname from our first year. It all started with the habit of reminding each other we had to read a night before the next day, till it became a part of us not to miss any night class. We had carried the same energy till our final year; you could always see the dedication when it comes to reading in us, while our other friends found going to their boyfriend's house or going to parties more pleasant. We took pleasure in being serious, and why wouldn't we, Kemi and I, only had single parents? It was already hard on them trying to pay our school fee; imagine failing after all that hardship and advice from our parents. We both couldn't risk it, so we focused on what was really important. Studying.

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It was on a Saturday, Kemi had called me in regards to our night class, I was pretty tired and worked up because I had just gotten back from home after helping with house chores. My body was screaming at me to allow it to rest, but I couldn't take that risk as we had our final exams for the first time in the morning on Monday. I had to carry my beaten-up and tired body up. I took a quick shower to relieve some stress before carrying my books and school bag. It was going to be a long night because I didn't plan on sleeping until morning. I meant Kemi, and we exchanged our pleasantries. She too wasn't up for reading, but since we had an exam coming, she had to motivate herself.

We got into our usual classroom, looked for our seats, and got settled for the night. We were sitting so close to the window that the fresh wind of the night didn't go unnoticed. 60 minutes into the night class, my head was swinging from side to side like it was tired of my neck. After fighting all the battles sleep brought to my path, I finally gave up and laid my head to rest for some minutes before continuing reading. Not less than 20 minutes, I felt someone tapping me harshly to get up.

"Kemi, let me sleep. Nah, only 5 more minutes, then I will get_." I wasn't even given the opportunity to finish my statement when I heard gunshots.

"Pack your things! People are running back to the hostel; do fast, fast!!"Kemi said. She looked so frightened, and that was enough to get me packing and running out of the classroom with my friends.

The whole school was on fire; apparently we weren't the only ones running for our lives; everyone was dashing out class to the hostel; on getting to the hostel, we found it opened as students were running out; our ultimate and only escape plan now was to run out of school because the hostel that was supposed to be our hiding place; at this point wasn't safe, no where was safe; gunshots were coming from all angles; and to make matters worse, electricity went off; everywhere was pitch black; this was an imperfect time for a blackout. It was so dark that Kemi had fallen into a gutter without looking, and her asthma started. We had no time to check for her inhaler because everyone was running towards the gate. I had to carry her on my back, as well as our stuff. I ran so fast that I couldn't feel my legs. I ran till I saw a nearby pharmacy that was still open.

"Ma, please help us, please, my friend!" I didn't finish my statement before the pharmacist rushed out with other of her assistants to help out. They helped carry Kemi as we quickly looked for her inhaler. Kemi's eyes were already rolling into the back of her head, and she was gasping for air rapidly. It felt like she wasn't getting enough air into her nostril or mouth. Finally, after giving her the inhaler a few times and rubbing her back gently, she finally regains consciousness of herself and her surroundings.

"Omo, you scared me; I thought I lost you." I sighed, so relieved that she was finally okay.

"Why were you even running like that, if I may ask? you were running like you were being chased by thieves, I almost closed my pharmacy from fear of being rubbed." The pharmacist asked, looking worried as she checked Femi's wounds which she got from fall.

"Ma, we heard gunshots while reading in class, I was even sleeping when it all started. Before you know it, everyone in school is running for their dear lives." I responded. Glaring at the light that just came back on, A typical Nigeria problem when it comes to electricity; they take the lights, leaving people in blackout for days, weeks, even months.

"When it started initially, I heard that it was a rivalry between two cultists. Something about a cheating girlfriend." Kemi said, somehow giving us an insight into the problem.

That night we later called Kemi's aunt that came to pick us; she was so worried and happy after she saw we were saved. The following week, which was Monday, we got an announcement about school going on strike. I thought it was a joke till we got to school, and we were told to pack our stuff from the hostel and leave the school premises in less than an hour. Though it was later revealed that the gunshots were actually caused by some rascals, the school ensured that they were going to double the security. What was more important was that no student died In the process—just injuries here and there. That was enough to put my mind at ease. I was just really grateful to God that we weren't caught up with any bad news. And that pharmacist—I just felt God really did send her to help us out.