Prologue

Daniel woke up hours before his alarm rang. At first he laid awake, looking at the ceiling in confusion. Then he remembered. He wasn't at home in his room; the different ceiling pattern reminded him of that. Plus, his room didn't have two bunk beds with four people in them. Furthermore, his room wasn't this small and crampy. Nope, this was definitely not his room. It was, however, his dormitory at his new boarding school. He continued to stare at the ceiling. It reminded him of the ceiling patterns in his room back home. It reminded him of how much he missed it. He always thought about his neighbourhood, his friends, even if he didn't have a lot, and most especially, his room. It was his sanctuary, his escape from the outside world. It was as neat as he wanted, whenever it wasn't, his Mom was suddenly on his neck.

"I don't understand why a 16 year olds room looks like a 6 year olds play ground," she'd say on such rare occasions. She'd also go ahead and scold him for living like a pig. But he didn't care. Those were times he wanted to be left alone in his messy room.

Mom...

Daniel thought about her all the time. He wondered how she fared, how she was able to keep it together back home. He never thought he'd miss her so much; he had often taken her company and attention for granted. Now, all he had were memories. At least until she makes the long trip from Bayelsa to Lagos to see him during visiting days. He still couldn't understand why she couldn't find a school closer to home. She just had to thrust him far into the Badlands.

"Lagos is a wonderful place, dear," she said the day they left for the airport.

"Great scenery, an amazing beach. And the people there are very hospitable as well." She smiled mischievously.

"It's where I met your father."

And I guess it's where you want me to meet your future daughter-in-law, thought Daniel. He only smiled back at her. But Mom knew him better.

"I know you're nervous. I am too. You're going so far away, and I won't get to see you everyday. How do you think that makes me feel?"

"It didn't have to be like that," retorted Daniel. He obviously didn't like the idea.

"I know," his Mom replied. "I just want the best for you. And even if I have to go to the world to get it, I will."

Daniel didn't look convinced.

"Hey," she tilted his head so that he could look at her.

"It'll be okay." She smiled again.

"I'll visit you as often as possible. And whenever you want to come home, just let me know. I'll be there in a flash." She snapped her fingers to buttress her point.

"That's reassuring," he said sarcastically.

Daniel's Mom just laughed. She knew her son would adapt nicely. He was the kind that was stronger than he looked. And he had been through a lot worse, so a boarding school was child's play in her opinion.

"I love you." That was the last thing she said before she left him here. Now, he wished he had hugged her a little more. Maybe told her that he loved her too. Oh well, he thought. There'll be another day.

His alarm finally rang.

5:45am.

It was loud enough to startle his roommates; one almost toppled out of his bed.

"Oboy! Wetin dey occur na?" A lanky, dark skinned boy drawled from the lower bunk underneath Daniel.

"It's almost 6am. You asked me to set the alarm, remember?" Daniel replied. He had already climbed down from his bed and made for his towel. He then fumbled in his drawer looking for his toothpaste and toothbrush.

"Na wa," lamented the thin boy.

"No be you wey talk say make him put alarm?" another complained.

Daniel grinned as he walked to the door. A typical Monday morning.