Akeh trudged through the dump yard, sidestepping mounds of garbage and heaps of rusting metal, his mind already dreading the stench that assaulted him at every breath.
He muttered to himself, "I can never get used to this."
Despite his distaste, he knew he had no choice but to push through. The recent loss of his father weighed heavily on him, and with his mother still hollowed by grief, Akeh found new resolve. He settled on a spot with slightly less trash, crossed his legs, and began to meditate.
The hours ticked by slowly. The stench of decay filled the air, with Akeh focused on his breathing. He meditated deeply, his mind lost in memories of his father and the life he had left behind. The fire of the burning coffin lingered in his thoughts. He had to do better...for his mother.
Suddenly, the quiet of the dump yard was broken by approaching voices. Lekan and Taiwo strolled into the dump yard, free to roam without Trinity's supervision.
"I heard Altine brings him here,"
Lekan said, glancing around the filthy surroundings with a smirk.
Taiwo chuckled. "Maybe they come here to have sex," he said, his voice full of whisper.
Lekan shook his head, rolling his eyes.
"Why is everything you say about sex? And, really? A dump yard? They should know better than to do it here."
They rounded a corner and spotted Akeh, sitting still in meditation.
"There he is," Lekan said with a sneer.
"So it's true. She brings him here to train. I guess it suits him...trash belongs with trash."
They approached him, their eyes filled with mischief.
"Hey, Akeh!" Lekan called out.
"Juwon's not around anymore. I need someone else to massage my back. You up for it?"
Taiwo laughed at the comment, but Akeh remained still, completely unresponsive.
"Is he ignoring us?"
Taiwo asked, flicking Akeh in the forehead. Still, Akeh didn't move. Lekan folded his arms, annoyed.
"I know you can hear me. You can't be fully immersed in your meditation, since you're still trying to locate your soul."
Taiwo squinted. "Or maybe he really is."
"Doesn't matter, though. Let's leave him a little present for when he wakes up then."
Lekan said with a grin.
Deep in his meditation, Akeh had no idea what was happening around him. The world inside his mind was silent. No smell of rotting trash, no flies buzzing near his skin, no sensation of the wind or the coolness of the dark clouds overhead. There was only stillness...stillness and darkness.
Then, he felt something. It wasn't sight but a feeling, like an energy wave that wrapped around him, like fabric slowly coiling over his body. Could this be the awakening Altine talked about?
Suddenly, Akeh broke from his meditation. His body ached as if he had been in a fight. His arms and legs were wrapped tightly in some kind of fabric, his skin bruised. Confused, he tried to free himself from the binds, his eyes scanning the dump yard. There was no one around.
Wincing, he managed to unwrap himself and limped back toward the dormitory, his mind racing. What had happened? He couldn't remember being attacked, but his body told a different story. As he limped along the narrow wooden pathways, a girl noticed him struggling and hurried over to help.
"Are you okay?"
she asked, offering her shoulder for support.
"Come with me. I'll take you to the infirmary."
Akeh nodded, too weak to argue. She guided him to a small room where she gently laid him on a bed.
"I'm Ifeoluwa," she said, introducing herself.
"I'm the nurse here in Makoko. I'll take care of your wounds."
She examined him, her brow furrowing.
"What happened to you?"
Akeh, still confused, shook his head.
"I don't know. I woke up like this. I was meditating, and then… this."
Ifeoluwa nodded, her expression sympathetic.
"You're lucky I found you. These injuries look bad."
She gently removed his shirt to assess the damage, revealing Akeh's bruised and well-built body. The room seemed to grow quieter as she worked, the cold rain pattering lightly against the windows outside.
Ifeoluwa paused for a moment, her fingers lingering on his skin, mesmerized by the sight of his muscular frame in the dim light.
Quickly regaining her composure, she continued treating his wounds, but the image of Akeh stayed with her, even as the cold rainy evening dragged on.
To be continued...