A few days after Mira's death, a police van rolled into the school compound. It didn't go unnoticed.
Students watched from classroom window, whispers spreading even before the officers stepped out. Something was about to happen.
Inside the principal's office, the atmosphere was heavy. Mira's parents were already seated. Waiting.
The lead investigator stepped forward and placed a file on the table." Mr and Mrs Smith..."he began carefully, "we have the autopsy results."
For a second, no one moved. Then Mrs. Smith broke. "What crime did my daughter commit?" She cried, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face.
"Who would do this to her? I swear they won't get away with it!
"Please calm down " the officer said gently.
"We will get to the bottom of this."
"Officer, go on" the principal urged.
Our investigation will focus on the grade 12 students. Interrogation will begin immediately. We ask for your patience while we handle this thoroughly"
"Patience?" Mrs Smith snapped, rising to her feet. " My daughter is dead and you're asking me to be patient?"
" Please," Mr Smith said softly holding her arm. This won't bring her back. Let's go home. You haven't eaten since yesterday".
The principal said quietly." It's best you get some rest."
Mrs Smith grabbed her bag and walked out without another word.
The room fell silent again.
Meanwhile, in the classroom. Angel sat frozen in her seat. Her heart pounded violently against her chest.
"What if they find out?"
"What if I go to jail....?
Her fingers trembled beneath the desk. Halima noticed. She walked over calmly and a finger on Angel's shoulder.
"If you keep acting like this," she said quietly.
"You'll drag attention to yourself."
Angel swallowed hard. " I'm scared...."
" I know, " Halima replied.
"But fear makes people careless. When the question you, stay calm, breath, think before you speak. "
Angel nodded weakly.
Before she could respond, the classroom door opened.
Officer Yemi stepped in.
" Listen carefully," he said, his voice firm. We will be calling names according to the class register. When it's your turn, report to the vice principal's office, for questioning. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir" the student replied in unison.
One by one, they were called. The hours dragged on. Over eighty students were questioned. Some nervous. Some confused. Some pretending not to care.
When it was Elisa's turn, she walked in slowly. Her eyes were swollen. She had clearly been crying.
She sat across from the officers.
" Who was Mira to you?" One of them asked
Elisa hesitated.
"She was my best friend "
"Be honest " the officer continued. " Did she bully anyone?"
A pause.
Then.
"Yes "
" Who was the last person she had a conflict with? Elisa exhaled slowly. " Venita."
" Mira was caught kissing her boyfriend. They fought badly."
The officers exchanged a glance. " Did Mira ever hurt anyone unfairly? Elisa hesitated again. This time longer.
"Mira... wasn't a good person," she admitted quietly. She hurt a lot of people. Then she added. " But there's one person she hurt the most.
"Who?"
Elisa looked down
"Angel "
FLASHBACK
When Angel first joined the school no one paid attention to her.
Quiet. Reserved. Different. But that changed quickly.
By the end of her first semester, her intelligence made her impossible to ignore especially in Mathematics.
Then the school announced a competition. The owner would earn a scholarship abroad.
Angel became the top candidate. And that was when Mira noticed her.
"I don't want you competing" Mira said one afternoon. Her tone cold. Angel met her gaze.
"Why? Afraid you'll lose?
The next moment. She was on the floor. " Know your place" Mira sneered. " You're nothing but a lowlife." From that day on, it didn't stop.
The insults. The humiliation. The quiet toment when no one else was watching. Even Elisa had joined in. Still Angel endured.
And when the results were announced. She won. For the first time, people noticed her. Praised and celebrated her.
But behind that happiness. Fear remained because she knew Mira wasn't done.
The same day, Mira went home in tears. Her mother found her in her room, eyes swollen, face buried in her pillow.
" My princess," Mrs Smith said softly, sitting beside her. " What happened?". "I lost...." Mira whispered. " That girl.... she took everything.
Mrs Smith pulled her into a hug. " You did your best."but Mira pulled away.
"No" she said gripping her mother's hands.
"You have to fix this." Her mother frowned.
" Fix what?"
Mira leaned in and whispered something into her ear. Mrs Smith expressions changed.
The next day, she went straight to the principal's office.
"I need you to replace the scholarship candidate she said calmly.
The principal blinked. " That's not possible"
" Tell the ministry she's sick. My daughter will take her place.
" I can't do that," he replied firmly. " That girl earned it. Mrs Smith leaned forward. " I'll give you ten million Naira."
Silence. The principal hesitated. Then slowly smiled.
"Consider it done."
END OF FLASHBACK
Back in the Interrogation room, Elisa lowered her gaze. "Mira took something important from Angel," she sat quietly.
The officers exchanged another look.
And in the classroom. Angel sat still. Too still. Her face calm.
But inside.
Everything was unraveling.