4 CHAPTER THREE REFORMED BAYO

Ohi was walking in the street, filled with nothing but ruins, there are still some houses burning, smoke filled the air, hurting his eyes and making him cough, tears started rolling down his cheeks because of the smoke and his breathing became difficult, he quickly ran out of the area to enter another street, the houses and shops are destroyed, he saw a red coloured liquid flowing down the alley, as he bent down and touched it, his eyes widened, his throat became dry, he clutched his chest with his right hand, he started sweating as he was trying to breathe normal, his body shook like he was left in a refrigerator for days, he raised his hand to see the red liquid, "this is blood he said to himself. He heard a child sobbing, he turned around he was surprised to see that the little boy in his dream his not alone. He was with a little girl their cloths are torn dirty and stained with blood. There was tears rolling down the children's red painted faces as soon as his eyes met the boy's. He grapped his sister hands and started running dragging the poor girl in the city ruins. " wait" Ohi started chasing them, the children kept running until they reached a old looking hut, he looked dumbstruck, why was there a hut in a city and this particular old hut that he has been seeing in his dreams, the dry grass on the conical mud house was either incomplete or missing, it has so many cracks on it. The children went into the hut, he started walking towards the hut every step he took his heart beat increases so was the sweat rolling down his skin, He reached the hut but he stood still at the entrance, he didn't know why he was hesitating, he mustered some courage and decided to walk in, bang!, bang!!, he turned around wondering where the sound was coming from. He finally opened his eyes he was back to his room but the banging hasn't stopped, he was still sweating and he body was weak, "Ohi, Beni voice sounded concern and she banged the door harder. " Ohi, wake up, he groggily dragged himself out of the bed, he walked to the door and opened it, Beni hurried in. "Is everything OK" her voice sounded unease. But Ohi stood looking stupefied, "I had a horrible dream, he blultered out startling her. " "Did you pray she asked looking straight into his eyes to see if anything is wrong, she also placed the back of her hand on his forehead to check his temperature, he slapped her hand away. " I had a bad dream, am not sick", "just checking she shrugged her shoulders, " I will be a good sister and wash your cloths, have breakfast and clear your room" she turned and left to the laundry, Ohi was left dumbstruck, he knew that Beni was kind but he never knew she will help him with his laundry. He had his breakfast and started cleaning his room, his room is painted blue and is filled with wallpapers of Starwars, one punch man and naruto. His bed is in the center of his wardrobe and study desk and chair. His father and Asipitar left for the restaurant, Ozovehe runs a large restaurant that is popular in Illorin, while his mum took his grandma to the hospital.She's a nurse working in one of the best hospitals in illorin. Every now and then his mind wonders back to his nightmare. He was still cleaning his room when Bisi bashed in, "You have an unwanted guest" she rudely said to him. Ohi furrowed his brows, unwanted guest he thought to himself as he kept the mop and made his way to the living room. He was dumbfounded, What was Bayo doing here he thought to himself, Bayo was sitting with a beautiful lady, that was not what surprised him, it was Bayo's attire, he was Wearing a brown pants and a milk shirt, his hair was cut low, the earrings on his ears were gone, he looked like a total gentleman. "Bayo, I was not expecting you" he said as he sat on one of the couch opposite them. "Yes, I came to apologize, I was really a horrible friend, I also came to apologize to your parents", he said as he bowed his head in shame. Ohi was left in a stupor, unsure of what to say. " Hello" the alluring voice got his attention. "Am Belle, she said as she straightened her hand for a shake, he stood up and walk over to her as he shook her hand. Her coral-black hair tumbled down her shoulders, her smooth lossy skin was expose because of her off shoulder dress. She looked innocent and kind as she gave Ohi a warming smile. " She changed me" Bayo's voice echoed in his ears as he turned and stared at him, "She talked to me and made me realized that I will never get a friend like you, I also joined her study group" he said with the most genuine smile. Ohi was still shocked. " I must be in a dream" he thought to himself. "Excuse me, he quickly stood and walked to the backyard, that was now turned into a vegetable garden. I should call dad he said to himself.

Ozovehe was still trying to keep things in order, is the naming ceremony of one of the most popular celebrity's baby. " We need to order more yams, sir. One of his workers rushed over to inform him, his restaurant is big and the tables are arranged to form a flower, each table is decorated with a blue and white material and fresh flowers that are replaced every morning, the spoons, fork and knives are arranged horizontally, before entering the restaurant a receptionist will check if you have reserve a table. He was still talking, when a young female staff, gave him his phone. "Is your son sir. He face palmed himself " I didn't even know that I carelessly left my phone. He picked the call. "Boy, this better be important" "Bayo is here he said as he impatiently paced back and forth. His father couldn't hide his displeasure, " If his there to cause trouble, tell him to leave ". " Actually he looks different and he even apologized to me and wants to apologize to you" Ozovehe was beyond surprised "Are you sure his not pulling a trick" his father made his way to his office because of the noise. "I don't know, he showed up with a beautiful looking girl about our age" his father's face looked puzzled. "Observe them, if he does anything stupid kick them out". " yes boss, your boy won't disappoint you".

They studied for hours in Ohi's room, his mother served them their meals and praised them for studying as she tried her best not to show her shocked expression. "Is 5:00 PM, I have to leave", the girl's angelic voice made them raise their nose from the book they were studying from. " even I should go home, Bayo stood up stretching his body. He gave Ohi some questionnaire's while Ohi escorted them to the door. He waved to them as he closed the door. The first thing he saw was his mum and sisters curiously waiting for an explanation "truth to be told, even I don't know what's going on", they all glared at him " Are you being serious, his mum asked with her eye brow raised as she suspiously looked at him. He sighed "truely". " The young lady is a true beauty, Beni said as she left for her room and Bisi followed. "Where is grandma, I haven't seen her all day" he plans to tell her about his dream. His mother looked sad. " I don't know, she looked really worried, like something is on her mind but no matter how many times I ask, she won't tell me. Don't disturb her today ok" She hugged Ohi, "let's wait for your Dad and Asipitar, she went to the kitchen while Ohi decided to go to his room he stopped at his grandma's door, he stood there for a while then headed to his room.

In the dining room, everyone was talking about the reformed Bayo, but their grandma is having deep thoughts. " So Dad can I join the study group ", " Well I have observed him for a week, his clean so you can join the study group ". " Where is the location, Eniola asked as she sets the table, their father made the breakfast today so everyone was eagerly waiting. Ohi scratched the back of his head. " Well I didn't ask he said in a low voice as the delicious scent of the fried egg made it way to their nostrils making their stomach grumble. As the children and father took their share of slice bread and egg with their tea, Eniola served Ewatomi that wasn't paying attention to the conversation. "Dummy!, why didn't you ask him, Bisi reprimanded as she rolled her eyes. Ohi was angry at her " I was too shocked at his transformation, the way he studies and always gives the questionnaires of their group assignments " he yelled at the top of his voice. As he glared at Bisi. "Well seems like Belle is a very intelligent and kind girl, his mum added as she bite her share of bread and egg. " Well Bayo is picking me up, he said and he drank his tea to help the bread and egg pass down his throat. "Do you have to go, their grandma's voice bought a sudden silence at the dining. She doesn't know why but she has been feeling paranoid. " Grandma is a study group, I will be safe he smiled to ease her worries but he could see that nothing changed from her expression. He texted Bayo to send him the location, he was shocked. "What is it ? his father asked as he sipped his tea. " the location is close to the haunted forest" "No, your not going there, his mother said shaking her head in total disagreement. " Common mum, I have been there like a gazillion times besides there will be ten of us" he said and he gulped down the rest of his tea. "And if something happens, make sure you call me", his father pointed his spoon in Ohi direction. " noted" Ohi happily stood Up as he packed his plate and cup. While their grandma is still worried, her daughter kept on throwing a surreptitious glance at her, even her husband noticed that something is going on in Ewatomi's mind.

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Ohi got ready to meet Bayo, he was finally going to join their study group, he walked out of his room just to collide with Ewatomi. "Sorry Grandma, I didn't see you" he apologized as he checked to see if she is hurt anywhere. "Don't worry am fine, *she smiled at him* here this is a protective bracelet, don't take it off" she warned him as she slide the bracelet onto his wrist, "Grandma, is looks like a girl's bracelet" he said with his face scrunched up. "Well since your grandma gave it to you, you better not take it off" Eniola mockingly smiled at him. "Seriously". Ohi pouted his mouth. " Seriously, don't take it off" Ewatomi warned him. He waited for Bayo at the junction that leads out of their area. Bayo arrived in one of his fancy cars as his driver opened the door for Ohi. Ohi's mouth went wide at the scene he saw, Bayo was seriously studying. "Hi, Ohi get in or will be late" he said as he buried his nose in his book again. Ohi joined him as the driver started driving he too opened his book and started studying until they reached their destination. Ohi and Bayo got down. Ohi went ahead as Bayo talked to the driver. The sun was very bright and the breeze was clean and peaceful, he looked at the large area and was no one there except the humongous forest that stood tall. He wondered if the plants in the forest ever got sunlight. He turned to see Bayo walking towards him. "Where are the rest, you said the lesson starts 2:00Pm and is 1:55 Pm. " They will be here, Bayo dragged the large mat from behind a huge rock. He spread it with Ohi's help as they sat and waited for the rest.

Ahhhhhhhhh! They heard a female voice screaming and it was from the forest. They both shrieked at the sudden sound. Bayo stood up and started running towards the forest. "Where are you going, Ohi's voice bought him to a halt. " to save the girl, "are you crazy, let's call for help or wait for the others" Ohi said as he pulled out his phone. "She will be seriously hurt by then" Bayo said as he raised his leg to continue. "And what if she's a witch or something, remember this is a haunted forest" Ohi rebuked. "Well I don't believe in such nonsense, you can wait here while I go save her" Bayo headed to the forest, while Ohi thought for awhile before he ran over to Bayo. "Let's go together".

The forest was dark, and foggy and due to the large leaves sunlight cannot pass through, making it look like night time.

Back at the Ahmed Ozovehe resident

" What is wrong with me, how can I let Ohi go there after what I saw, I know they aren't there right now but still" she talked to herself as she paced around her room. She gave him a protective charm bracelet but she was still having a bad feeling, if he met with those monster that bracelet will not protect him for long. She decided to summon Oya, she is the only one who could help her.

In the haunted forest.

Ohi and Bayo saw a girl leaning on a large branched as she cried, she was Wearing a pink gown with beautiful purple and white flower design at the edges. Her coral-black hair was a little wet as it rolled down her back and shoulder. "Hi, miss, Bayo said as he slowly approached her, when she turned around she has the brownest eyes ever, Ohi was dumbstruck. What is he thinking, this is belle. The vulnerable looking face suddenly looked menacing. She slowly stood up Ohi was in stupur he wanted to move, but it was like he was not the master of his own body. "Finally, we meet. I thought I will have to drag you from that house of yours" she said as she smiled evily, Ohi opened his mouth but he could not make a sound is like his mind has shut down. She slowly walked to him. "Once upon a time, a boy was sitting in his father's car when he saw a creature swimming in the sea, his eyes widened, "it can be" he whispered. "The mermaid thought to herself, it doesn't matter if he can see us, who will believe him, so she ignored it but the boy bump into her kind at a party, Ohi could not breathe, " the girl whose body is cold as ice. "You remembered" she threw her head back and started laughing like someone who has lost the srews in their brain. "That girl she can see the future, *he looked at her not sure of what to do* she saw you trapping us and I immediately knew that someone like you shouldn't be left walking free, so I decided to gift you to the queen" he gasped when he saw her nail growing out, "then I met sweet Bayo here, talking about you, describing to his new friends as he told them what a fool you are" she looked at Bayo, Who was standing like a statue. "Bayo dear go sit over that tree" he obediently walked to the tree and sat there quietly. Ohi was too surprised, the fear building inside him made him dizzy. "I was so tired, I couldn't go back home, do you know how much suffering I went through because of you" she shouted at him with so much bloodlust in her eyes. He gulped down the spit in his throat at he slowly stepped back, his legs feels so weak it was about to give up supporting his upper body. "I will present you to the queen and she will be so proud of me" she said twirling like a little girl who has found a new toy.

At Ahmed Ozovehe's resident

Ewatomi prepared sherbutter in a clean bowl as she made her way into her secret room she muttered some words holding the sherbutter above her head. Soon a burgundy colour formed a beautiful woman standing close to her. "What must the reason that made you summon me something most be wrong". Oya said looking down at Ewatomi who hasn't stood up.

In the other side of the forest.

Atika was walking around the dark forest looking for Belle, she can't let Belle succeed in presenting the boy to the queen the queen gave her the mission on finding the boy. She could sense someone trailing her, but she pretended to not notice. The figure jumped down the tree as it fiercely attacked her but she quickly dodged all the attack. "Hi Maja fancy seeing you here, Atika sarcastically greeted her. "Fancy seeing you too, any last word before I kill you". Maja said as she balanced her legs on the ground ready to launch at Atika. " I should be saying that" Atika sneered at her as she ran towards Maja.

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Ohi was running like there was no tomorrow, while she was twirling like a princess the little voice in his head told him to run and his body responded, the forest was so foggy and dark Ohi was not sure where he is, he tripped over a branch, he fell and got a tear on his knee, Ohi was too scared to feel the pain he quickly picked himself up and ran again, the branches were tall, large and look like snakes laying on the moist sand, he kept running until he found a tree to hide behind, he hid there as his heart was beating loud and fast his sure the whole forest could hear it. The owls kept hooting while the crows were cawing and flying around the forest. He tried to steady his breathing, when he felt a sharp pain on his knee, he injury was bleeding but Ohi didn't care, all that matters to him was getting out of this hell and he has no idea how he lost his phone. He placed his hand that had the charm bracelet close to his heart like it was wishing for it to protect him. He most have lost her, he didn't hear her foot step or scaring voice. He peeped at the left side but he saw nothing but fog, then he peeped at his right side it was the same nothing but fog. he layed his head on the large bark of the tree he was hiding at, as he breathe the sign of relief with his eyes shut. He opened it, Ohi couldn't breathe he was in shock, the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was the devil advocate Belle with a evil glint that flashed across her face. "Found you".