James Hackett

The action continues as we get closer to the Graduation. What is in store, what bacchanal lies ahead? Can Kayla compete with smallie? Will Rhonda meet David? It all unfolds as we head to the big event.

Keston sat waiting on smallie-strangely, he thought, he never got her name. However, she entered the living room with her two friends and he quickly forgot everything that was in his head.

“Girl, you look real good. I might as well walk with protection.”

“Protection…?” A playful smile slowly spread across her face.

“Protection from them fellas that go be fighting me to get you-What protection you was thinking about?”

She looked at her two friends, and both grinned back at her. Smallie hugged Keston, “Babes, you really don’t want to know right now.”

Wait we going… I ain’t see your parents.” Smallie stammered a reply: “Umm they had a dinner meeting to go to.”

Rhonda looked behind her and clapped. “Girl you looking better than me.”

Rhonda turned from the mirror in earnest: “You think so? You really think this looking  good?”

Rhonda wore a silky, flesh-toned dress that draped from her neck. Kayla wore a black chinese-style outfit. Preparations for graduation had both excited and they giggled as they put on their make-up. Kayla’s father offered to drop them to the dance as they had foregone dinner.

As Kayla’s father turned in the driveway they looked out the window at the students that were already there talking and liming. Kayla froze, nervously looking at the crowd. Rhonda leaned over and whispered in her ears, “Aye at least they is not Redman.” Kayla eased a little. As she stepped out of the car, Rhonda immediately put on her ‘hater’ face. It intimidated people and she needed that power now as everyone was looking at her and Kayla, who was starting to regain self-confidence – some of the fellas were checking her out. The girls were the centre of attention until a car screeched into the driveway. All eyes turned to see Keston, Smallie and her two friends step out of his car.

Dub styles blasted from the speakers in the room and Adrian went back to the party outside. He felt guilty for what he was about to do but he had no choice. He was powerless against the Fire woman. Candace, the girl he met when he was first seduced, told him about the Fire lady’s evil mission.

A flash of light escaped from the room. The deed was done; she had taken more children like she did him. Would he ever be able to stop the madness? He pushed the thought out of his mind as he entered the back room. The boys were all afraid , confused, more lost than they ever were.

“Children, there is work to be done,” Madame’s eyes were blazing fire itself. Adrian felt as though he was looking into hell itself as he caught her stare.

“Adrian, the bikes.”

The boys were led down a back staircase. The path they chose eventually ended at the East dry river. There a twin and a girl stood guarding a bunch of BMXs. Adrian instructed the boys they were to pick one each. One boy complained that he could not ride and Madame, looking even more fearsome in the dark, took him with her. Adrian could feel here power, she had the children ina trance so that they would not fear her.

“Tania, you know what the mission is, Adrian, you know who I want.”

Adrian mounted his blue Mongoose obediently. All was silent except the trickling green water. He looked at Candace wordlessly. He did not speak to her, she knew  his feelings. He bit his lips and toughened his resolve. His heavy voice echoed in the tunnel.

“Roll out.”