The school stank of death, you could see it in the despaired eyes of the teachers. The monotony in each class sent students with more dread than they were usually accustomed to.
Only one class survived the deathly vibes emitted, philosophy.
Madame Mizinga strolled round the class full of energy and her unwavering joy. She was a tall pear-shaped lady more suited for modelling than for teaching. Her hair was long combed out in an afro and her eyes were covered behind her red glasses.
Mulenga, Kezipe, and Mbunji sat, attentive and astounded. Mulenga couldn’t help but send a note
“How could one make dying seem like not a big deal?”
“… We are all equals in thinking about death, we all begin and end thinking about it from a position of ignorance…”
Madame Mizinga then started to write on her whiteboard, fully utilizing all the rainbow hues she possessed.
” If it is real, then the end of one’s life is a simple termination. If it is not real, then the end of one’s embodied life is not true death, but a portal to another life.”
She made the portals blue, the string representing life glowed a bright orange turning into a yellow. “There are no experts on death, for there is nothing to know about it.”
Madame Mizinga dismissed the class but asked the trio to stay behind a short while. Not long after Samm let himself into the classroom, sitting beside Mbunji.
“I don’t know how Mbunji found out, but I’ll answer as much as I see fit” her smile replaced with a tense gaze.
They were excited she had chosen to help in their search for answers but her strange gaze Left them feeling uncertain about their choice.
Madame Mizinga had a skeleton screw key hanging around her neck, that opened up a drawer containing a leather-bound diary. Dusting the book and unclasping the hook, Madame Mizinga’s finger ramaged the pages of the old book until they stopped moving.
“Ahhh, to the warriors we travel. An eclipse blocked out the sun in celebration the day your people revolted leaving Barotseland heading for the east. As royal guards, it was your duty to protect the Induna and the rest of the land but when the day came for your seat to produce an Induna they grabbed it from. Afraid that as warriors you’d be savage brutes being handed power, or so they said. Your people found it a disgrace, rather than fight, they peacefully walked away. still, some stayed.” Madame Mizinga read.
Lifting a card represented by water, placing it on the table behind her.
“Kezipe, your a human being there is no such thing as demons. Though your people are very active in the dark arts.” Madame Mizinga continued.
“Last year alone the Moyo’s, North of Zambia put a small Chinese operation south of China out of business buying the piece of land. Little else is known about the Moyos, most of which is speculative.” Madame Mizinga read.
Holding up a dark card and placing it on the table with the other card.
“Mbunji, a newspaper could easily tell you who you are, so how may I help you?” Madame Mizinga asked.
“Lastly Samm, if I knew your last name I would be able to help you but as it is, Samm is a name we gave you I’m unable to help you without further to go on. Do come back if you stumble upon a clue.” Madame Mizinga said. Standing up putting the dairy back in its drawer and locking the drawer.
You four best get to lunch before a search party is instructed to find you.
Mbunji ditched the group, opting to go prepare with his team for a tournament. The locker room was empty, metal cabinets with locks provided security for each student. At the end of seemingly endless lockers were communal showers.
The shower turned off revealing Theo from his scrub session. Theo had an athletic build with scars meandering his body but leaving his face unscathed.
“Why are you here rant? If you don’t practice you don’t get to use this place.” Theo asked. Standing in front of Mbunji, his body a towering figure intimidating anyone he stood next to.
“I have only come back to school recently. Couldn’t practice without being here.” Mbunji said.
Taking off his clothes, getting changed into shorts and a tank top.
The pink shorts paired with his mocha skin caused a stir as soon as the rest of the team saw Mbunji.
“Same senseless brutes, no matter the income gap,” Mbunji thought.
Everyone stopped to watch Mbunji with Theo following closely behind.
“Don’t walk away from me, I have given you, your marching orders as sports captain!” Theo shouted.
“I’ll play you for it, Mr Sports Captain” Mbunji chuckled.
Controlling a football in mid-air with fancy skills, and careless laugh.
“You are banned from here if you lose the game” Theo challenged. Picking his best six players.
“I’ll pick all my players from the grades below. Can’t trust your guys” Mbunji shouted. Clearly infuriating the sports captain even more.
Mbunji and Theo stood in the centre pitch with only the ball separating them.
“Let us make it more interesting, one goal wins the game, you can even start,” Mbunji shouted.
Turning to give all those gathered a show.
Theo kicked the ball to his keeper, as both teams got into formation. Theo’s team used a 3-3 formation while Mbunji’s used a 2-2-2.
Every player on team Theo could hardly hold the ball as every touch attracted two charging players from team Mbunji. When team Mbunji won the ball, they isolated one part of the field, forcing all the players into a corner which opened space for Mbunji to run into to receive a beautifully weighted pass from the Junior sports captain, before rounding the keeper and slamming the ball into the empty net.
The lower grades were ecstatic with celebration, some of them ran the field continuously celebrating.
Mbunji grabbed the ball, hunting down Theo in the locker room.
“This may be your ball Mr captain, but don’t you go giving me orders,” Mbunji said. Walking out of there proudly with his pink shorts and honour intact.
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