As Kunle came outside to the front of their compound, he notice how the entire street was empty. Everyone went to church that night, even Mr. Bello who often sent Kunle on cigarette errands was not in his usual spot. Kunle thought of how funny Mr. Bello would look if he went to church that night as he was never sober and moved around with the tight embrace of the smell of tobacco. Kunle was about to go back inside to continue playing the game he had paused when he heard the growl. His eyes went straight to Mr. Jack’s compound which was opposite their compound. As he saw the gates wide open, goosebumps covered his skin and he started turning slowly to see what was making that noise behind him even as his instincts already knew.
As it was dark, Kunle didn’t see what it was just a silhouette, which he thought was bigger than what he imagined the beasts Mr. Jack kept to be. He didn’t move an inch until the figure started to latrate. He felt his heart jump and so did his legs as he began to run. He could hear the cracking sound of claws on the coal tar as he ran for anything which to his surprise was nothing. Everyone in the street had gone to church. Each house or shop he passed in quick successions were either locked or lights turned off. His nemesis behind him got a few meters closer as the chase continued.
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Andrew too didn’t go to church. He had been moping all day about the canceled flight he got which has now forced him to spend the new year with his aunt. He went out to dump the refuse and as he was about to shut the gate he saw this lad running from a wild dog. His first instinct was to shut the gate for his safety but he ran outside and immediately regretted it as the dog made a hasty stop causing him to fall this gave Kunle and Andrew time to run into the safety of the compound which Andrew closed immediately as they heard the deep barks behind the gate. Kunle was extremely relieved as he was invited in by Andrew.
It was when he got into the house that he saw that he was without his slippers, he had lost them during the chase. That didn’t bother him now as he waited to drink a cup of water from Andrew which Andrew watch as he ended each gulp with a heave of breath.
“Where did you see that thing,” Andrew asked as Kunle calmed down a bit.
“Our neighbour left his gate open,” Kunle said wiping some sweat from his face. The two watched TV until they heard the firecrackers that signified a new year.
“Happy New Year,” Kunle said as he shook hands with Andrew.
As soon as he heard voices on the street he stood up to leave.
“They are back from church,” he said as he stood up to leave. Andrew lent him a pair of slippers escorting him to the gate.
Kunle joined the now crowded street and headed home.