Fear doesn't begin when you commit the crime. It comes when someone discovers it.
"So that's what happened. But I still don't think she did it," Elisa said softly. "She's too innocent for something like that."
Officer Yemi closed the file in front of him. "Alright, Elisa. We'll contact you if we need anything else." She nodded and walked out of the office.
A few minutes later, the door opened again. Angel stepped in quietly.
Her long skirt was neatly pressed, her glasses resting perfectly on her face. She looked exactly like the kind of girl teachers trusted, blindly calm, intelligent and harmless.
But beneath that composed appearance, terror slowly consumed her. Every step towards the chair felt heavier than the last.
She sat across from officer Yemi. The Interrogation began immediately.
" Who was Mira to you? He asked. Angel kept her voice steady.
"She was my classmate."
Inside, her thoughts spiraled violently.
"What if they already know?"
"What if the cameras captured everything?
" What if , this is a trap?
Her palm became damp beneath the table. For one dangerous second, panic nearly broke through her expression. Then she remembered Halima's warning.
"Never let fear speak for you "
Angel slowly inhaled and forced herself to remain calm. Officer Yemi studied her carefully. Most suspect avoided eye contact. Angel didn't, that alone unsettled him.
" What kind of person was Mira? " Angel's eyes darkened slightly.
" She was arrogant, rude and the type of person who enjoyed hurting others."
"Did she ever hurt you personally? A bitter smile almost appeared on Angel's lips.
"Ever since I transferred here."
"Can you give an example? The room suddenly felt cold. Angel lowered her gaze briefly before speaking.
"She ruined things for people just because she could. But there's no point talking about it now." Officer Yemi leaned back in his chair.
"But according to several students, she stole something important from you."
Angel's heart skipped for the first time, silence stretched between them.
"It's in the past," she replied carefully.
"Really?, officer Yemi said. "Because everytime Mira's name comes up, your expression changes.
"Angel's chest tightened. "Are you accusing me of something?"
"I'm asking questions."
"Well then, ask everyone else too," Angel snapped quickly controlling herself. " She made enemies everywhere. A lot of people suffered because of her and....."
She stopped abruptly. Her blood ran cold. She had almost said too much. Officer Yemi noticed immediately. His eyes narrowed. Angel stood up suddenly.
"If there's nothing else, I'd like to return to class. The officers stared at her for several seconds.
Then finally.
" You may go."
"Thank you sir."
Angel turned and left immediately. The moment she stepped outside the office, she released the breath she had been holding. Her legs almost gave out beneath her.
Venita was called in next.
"I didn't kill her," she said firmly. "Yes, we fought before, but I would never go that far."
After her, came Halima. Unlike the others she showed no fear sitting across from officer Yemi."
"How do you feel about Mira's death" he asked her. She crossed one leg over the other.
" I think she deserved it." Officer Yemi raised an eyebrow. "That's a strong statement."
" She destroyed people's lives for fun " Halima replied coldly.
" Someone like that was bound to meet a terrible end sonner or later."
Officer Yemi leaned forward. " Do you think Angel is capable of murder?" For the first time, Halima laughed softly.
" My Angel? She asked
"Never." Then the smile faded slightly. "She's quiet like a dove... but smart enough to survive wolves."
Something about the way she said it. Unsettled him deeply. " That'll be all for now, he said. Halima stood gracefully.
"Thank you."
Later that day, officer Yemi met with the principal, Mr Kenneth.
"My team would like access to the school's CCTV footage he stated.
The principal immediately called the security manager, Mr Bernard. But the answer wasn't what Yemi expected.
"Sir..... there's a problem with the system,"
Bernard explained nervously. "The cameras stopped working. The engineer said, the should be fixed by Thursday."
Officer Yemi jaw tightened. "A malfunction now?"
Convenient.
"Fine" he said coldly. "We'll return on Thursday. Make sure everything is ready"
Back in class, tension exploded almost immediately.
The moment Elisa saw the police leaving the compound, rage consumed her.
She stormed towards Venita and punched her across the face. " You killed Mira because of your stupid boyfriend!" She screamed.
The classroom erupted into chaos. Venita slapped her back hard. "How dare you accuse me?!"
The two girls grabbed each other violently as desk crashed around them.
Students shouted. Some tried separating them others recorded everything "
And through it all. Angel sat quietly in her seat, watching. A faint smile touched her lips.
Still a part of her almost fell sorry for Venita. She was suffering for a crime she never committed .
"You really know how to hide well "
Angel looked up sharply. Standing beside her desk was Favour, a grade 12 art student.
Angel frowned immediately." What do you want?" Favour's expression remained unreadable.
"I'm curious " she said calmly. " How does it feel watching someone else take the blame for murder?"
Angel entire body froze. The air around her suddenly felt suffocating. " You're insane."
Angel whispered.
"Am I? Favour slowly brought out her phone." I saw you enter the restroom with Mira."
Favour smirked. Then she pressed play. Angel felt her stomach drop. The video clearly showed her entering the restroom after Mira, their argument and finally when she walked out alone.
Her hands began trembling instantly. The color drained her face.
No. No,no,no. This couldn't be happening.
For the first time since Mira's death, real fear consumed her completely.
"Delete it." She whispered. Favour stepped closer.
"I'll give you twenty four hours to confess to the police," she said coldly.
"And if I don't?"
Favour's smile sent chills down Angel's spine.
"Then I will " she walked away.
Angel remained frozen in place. Her heartbeat thundered painfully inside her chest. Thursday suddenly felt too close.
Without wasting another second, she rushed out of the classroom to find Halima. Because everything was falling apart . And somewhere deep inside her. She knew this was just the beginning.