The Next One

I didn’t go home immediately.

I couldn’t.

My legs were moving…

But my mind was still inside that building.

“People have died because of this.”

That line kept repeating in my head like a broken speaker.

“Omo… what did I just carry?”

I walked past the junction without even realizing it.

My heart still beating fast.

My chest tight.

Everything around me felt normal…

But nothing was normal anymore.

My phone buzzed.

I stopped instantly.

Checked it.

Unknown number.

“Why are you still outside?”

My breath caught.

I turned slowly.

Looked around.

People were moving.

Cars passing.

Nothing strange.

But now I knew better.

They are always watching.

I typed quickly:

“I’m going home.”

Reply came immediately.

“Good.”

Pause.

Another message.

“Don’t think too much.”

I let out a dry laugh.

Don’t think??

How do you NOT think in this kind of situation?

I finally entered a bike.

This time, I didn’t talk.

Didn’t look around.

Didn’t even check anything.

I just wanted to get home.

Fast.

When I got back…

Everything looked the same.

My compound.

My room.

My bed.

But somehow…

It didn’t feel like my space anymore.

It felt like somewhere I was being monitored from.

I locked my door immediately.

Sat on my bed.

And just stared at my hands.

Because one truth was clear now:

I had crossed a line.

And there was no going back.

My phone buzzed again.

I checked it.

Another message.

“You did well today.”

I didn’t reply.

Another message came in.

“So we’ll trust you with more.”

My chest tightened.

“No…”

I whispered.

But my voice had no power.

Then—

The small black phone rang.

I froze.

Looked at it.

Ringing.

Loud.

Sharp.

Like it was calling me on purpose.

I didn’t want to pick.

But I already knew…

I didn’t have a choice.

I answered.

Slowly.

“Hello…”

Silence.

Then—

“You’re settling in.”

That voice again.

Calm.

Controlled.

Dangerous.

“I don’t want this,” I said immediately.

Straight.

No fear this time.

Or maybe… I was just tired.

“I didn’t sign up for this.”

Silence.

Then a soft exhale.

“Everybody says that at the beginning.”

My chest tightened.

“Beginning of what??”

No answer.

Just silence.

Then—

“Tomorrow… we test you properly.”

My heart skipped.

Test??

“What do you mean?”

Another pause.

Then—

“This one is simple.”

My grip on the phone tightened.

“You’ll collect something.”

Pause.

“And you’ll keep it.”

I frowned.

“Keep it?”

“Yes.”

Silence.

Then his voice dropped slightly.

Lower.

Heavier.

“For 24 hours.”

My heart started racing again.

Because somehow…

That sounded worse than delivery.

Way worse.

“What is it?” I asked.

No response.

Just breathing.

Then—

“You’ll know when you see it.”

Call ended.

I pulled the phone away slowly.

My hand shaking again.

“Omo… what kind life be this?”

Before I could even calm down—

My main phone buzzed.

Message.

Unknown number.

“Check your door.”

My body went cold instantly.

I turned slowly.

Stared at the door.

Closed.

Locked.

But now…

It didn’t feel safe anymore.

I stood up.

Walked slowly toward it.

Each step heavier than the last.

My heart pounding.

I reached the door.

Paused.

Listened.

Nothing.

Then slowly…

I unlocked it.

Opened it.

Just a little.

And froze.

There was a bag on the floor.

Black.

Medium-sized.

Just sitting there.

Like it had been waiting for me.

I looked left.

Looked right.

Nobody.

No footsteps.

No sound.

Nothing.

My chest was rising fast now.

“Omo…”

I picked it up slowly.

It was heavy.

Too heavy.

I carried it inside immediately.

Locked the door.

Dropped it on my bed.

And just stared at it.

For a long time.

Because deep down…

I already knew one thing:

Whatever was inside that bag…

Could change everything.

My hands moved slowly toward the zip.

I hesitated.

Because something inside me was screaming:

“Don’t open it.”

But I was already too deep.

Too far gone.

I took a deep breath.

And opened the bag.

Inside…

My entire body went cold.

To be continued…