Once I reached the bottom of the cliff, I knew I had to move quickly. I followed the winding dirt road that led to the village, my heart pounding in my chest. I could hear the watchman’s footsteps growing closer, and I knew I didn’t have much time.
Just as I was about to burst out into a run, I heard a shout. “Usijaribu!. Simama hapo?”
I froze in my tracks, my blood running cold. The watchman had spotted me. I turned to face him, my hands raised in surrender.
“Tulia,” he said, his voice filled with authority. ” Leo nimekupata!” What does he mean ‘leo amenipata’ and this is actually my first time sneaking out?
I tried to think quickly. I knew that if I was caught, I would be in serious trouble. The school was a military institution, and the consequences of sneaking out were severe.
Just as the watchman was about to grab me, I heard a voice from behind.
“Alex! bring the boy here.”
I turned to see a group of army officers approaching. That was it, it’s over for me!
The watchman looked at them, his face filled with confusion.
“But sir,” he stammered, “he was trying to escape.”
“I know,” the officer replied. “We will deal with him from here. Hand him over to us and go back to work.”
Terror gripped me as I realized I was in the hands of the very army officers who manned the barracks where the school was located. My heart pounded in my chest, and my palms were clammy.
I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. I was still terrified of what they might do to me.
I knew that was the end of my school life.
The watchman nodded and handed me over to the officers.
The watchman turned and walked back towards the school. As soon as he was out of sight, the officers burst out laughing. I looked at them in confusion, wondering what was so funny.
Then, they pulled off their uniforms and masks to reveal their true identities. I gasped in disbelief. They were my friends from school – Teddy, Olal, Dale and Muss dressed in stolen army uniforms and masks (Balaclava’s) they picked from the hanging lines within the barracks.
They had planned this together, and they had managed to fool the watchman. I wasn’t part of this plan. They surprised me.
I was filled with a mixture of relief and amusement. I had been so scared, and now it was all just a funny memory.
My friends let me go as they walked back towards the school. I knew that I had gotten away with something, but I also knew that I would never forget the night I had almost been caught. Remember what I told you about my friends earlier? that they would risk anything for me? They had risked their own safety to help me, and I would never forget their kindness.
The only part I will never forgive them is the part that I had to change my trouser immediately they left. I will not explain why . Respect yourself guys.