"Memory erasure?" Edward's brows drew together.
"What do you mean by that?"
Untangling her arms, Anita shifted in her seat.
"I mean... why else do you think you have gaps in your memory?"
Edward frowned.
"What makes you so sure? I've never even heard of something like that happening. Isn't that—impossible?"
Mdachi scratched his head, equally puzzled.
"Yeah, Anita. Why are you so confident about this?"
"Just... trust me, okay?" Her voice dropped, serious now.
"It might be impossible in the normal world, sure—but not in the supernatural one."
That shut the boys up. They exchanged glances, eyes wide and uncertain.
Mdachi cleared his throat.
"Anita... did someone maybe hit your head during the cafeteria chaos?"
She snapped.
"I'm not crazy!"
Eyes shut tight, she took a deep breath, grounding herself.
"You just have to believe me."
Her gaze flicked from one boy to the other, desperate.
Mdachi gave her a careful nod.
"Okay, Anita. We believe you. But I also believe... maybe we should get you checked out at the hospital after school. Just to be sure you're okay."
"For the last time, Mdachi—I'm not nuts!" she barked, then turned to Edward.
"Do you really think what's happening to you is just... normal?"
Mdachi raised a hand.
"I get your point. But we can't just assume it's supernatural. That's a big leap. What if it's a medical condition? Edward's dad could probably figure it out with a proper check-up."
Anita's eyes narrowed.
"Then how do you explain the text Edward sent us?"
Mdachi opened his mouth, then hesitated.
"I... I don't know. Maybe he was just—" He trailed off.
Edward had been quiet, eyes fixed on the wall, lost in thought. Finally, he spoke.
"Hey, Anita... if you're so sure this is supernatural—how can your mom help?"
Mdachi's head snapped toward him.
"Seriously, Edward? You're buying into this?"
Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I don't know, Dachi. But what's the harm in listening? And now that I think about it... some of what she's saying does make sense."
Two reactions hit instantly.
"Really?" Anita's voice trembled with hope.
"What?!" Mdachi looked like he'd been slapped.
Edward leaned forward.
"Lately I've been seeing these... flashes. Strange things. Stuff I can't explain. And I know it's not normal. You feel me?"
Before anyone could respond, the door to the principal's office swung open.
Natasha stepped out.
Her eyes scanned the trio like they were gum on her designer shoes—until they landed on Edward.
She sneered.
"You're such a freaking loser. Get a life."
Then she turned to walk off.
Anita stood like a fired bullet.
In a blink, she reached out, grabbed Natasha's arm, and shoved her back.
Natasha stumbled, caught off guard.
"How dare you, Anita!" she screamed.
"I didn't know you were just as pathetic as they are—but clearly I was wrong."
Anita walked toward her—slowly, deliberately—like a predator circling prey. A smirk curled her lips, something cold gleaming in her eyes.
Natasha stepped back. The boys didn't move. They were just as frozen.
This wasn't the Anita they knew. This version was...
Terrifying.
Anita lunged. Grabbed Natasha by the cheeks, squeezing until the girl gasped. Forced her to look into her eyes.
Natasha trembled.
She'd seen Anita bold. She'd seen her sharp. But this?
This was lethal.
Anita's voice dropped.
"Listen carefully, bitch, because I won't say this again."
"Never—and I mean never—insult my friends again or treat them like trash."
Her grin darkened.
"If you even try it again... well, let's just say people might start hearing things. About your home. About your parents."
Natasha's breath caught. Anita knew.
Anita let go with a shove. Spun around like a queen finished with her judgment.
She paused. Looked over her shoulder.
Brow raised.
Smirk dangerous.
"Oh—and darling?" Her voice was sugary sweet.
"Consider this your one and only ULTIMATUM. Now scram."
Natasha didn't need to be told twice.
She ran.
Mascara streaks. Shaking sobs. Full speed.
Anita watched her go, arms crossed, eyes like fire cooling into embers.
Mdachi swallowed.
"Wasn't that a little too harsh?"
Anita turned to him calmly.
"Sometimes, 'a little too harsh' is exactly what's needed. Trust me—she won't mess with you again. Not even if she wants to."
Edward chuckled awkwardly.
"I'm glad you're my best friend, Anita. Just... please don't ever do that to me, okay?"
"Or me!" Mdachi added, voice half-joking, half-scared.
"Man, you were scary."
Anita raised her hands in mock surrender, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"You don't have to tell me that twice."
At that exact moment, the door to the principal's office swung open once more, and out stepped the man himself—Mr. Maundu.
His face was as stern as ever. Without even sparing them a glance, he commanded, "Mr. Tuweku, Mr. Viteso, and Mrs. Queen. In my office. Now."
The trio exchanged wary glances, then rose and stepped inside, feeling a strange mix of apprehension and relief. Finally, after hours of watching other students go in, give their statements, and leave, it was their turn.
Mr. Maundu held the door open until all three were inside. Then he closed it behind him with a quiet click.
To their surprise, Brandon and his goons were already in the room, standing stiffly by the wall, their hands clasped before them in a mockery of innocence.
The moment Mdachi and Anita saw them, they almost burst out laughing—but managed to hold it in.
Edward, alert to their struggle, discreetly elbowed both of them. They got the message.
If Mr. Maundu so much as smelled amusement from them, they'd be in serious trouble.
Luckily, he didn't.
The two masked their laughter just in time.
"So," the principal began, settling into his chair, "after reviewing all the statements from those present during the chaos, I have concluded that Mr. Grayson and his associates were the instigators of the melee. Therefore, the three of you are not to be held accountable."
He paused.
"You may leave—but stay out of trouble."
Just like that, they had dodged a bullet.
The trio let out a collective breath of relief and left the office, grateful.
---
Back at House 254, Ngong's Flora Estate...
Miridald sat on the living room armchair, stirring sugar into her tea. Legs crossed, she pointed the remote at the TV, and it blinked to life. Classic Luxury Lifestyle was starting—her favorite.
Then, she heard the front door click open.
From where she sat, she couldn't see who had come in.
"How was your day, son?" she called out, assuming it was Edward.
No response.
A knot of tension formed in her chest.
She placed the cup on the table and tried again, this time with a different guess. "Jarold, honey? Is that you?"
Still, silence.
Then came the soft click of the door shutting.
Miridald was on her feet instantly. She scanned the room, looking for something—anything—to defend herself with.
Bingo. A flower vase.
Gripping it tightly, she crept toward the hallway, ready to swing.
"Boo!" shouted Renee as she jumped into view.
Miridald didn't even flinch. She simply stared, puzzled at her —and the luggage at her feet.
"You?" she asked flatly.
"Me? That's how you greet your sister, Miri?" Renee asked dramatically, hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry, Renee. But what are you doing here? You didn't say you were coming." The vase was now safely back on the table.
Renee suddenly leapt forward and wrapped her arms around her. "Ohhh, I missed you too, siz!"
Miridald gently peeled her off. "No, seriously. Why are you here?"
Renee stood tall, arms crossed, in dramatic defiance. "You know why I'm here. Now, where's my room?"
---
Meanwhile, Edward, Anita, and Mdachi were on their way to Anita's apartment.
The walk from school to the estate took about twenty minutes. Not too far. They often preferred to walk.
Anita didn't live inside the estate, though. Her apartment was just across the road, where she lived with her mom and younger brother.
"So, Anita," Mdachi began, his tone deliberately vague, "if this really is a supernatural case… how exactly can your mom help?"
Anita tensed.
She bit her lip, clearly uncomfortable.
"That's actually… something I've been meaning to tell you guys for a while," she murmured. "I'll explain once we get to my place."
Then she gripped her backpack straps tightly and picked up her pace, putting distance between her and the boys.
Edward and Mdachi exchanged glances. Her behavior made no sense—but they followed anyway.
---
They stepped out of the elevator onto the third floor in awkward silence. It was thick, suffocating.
Anita was a handful. She always had been. Sometimes they didn't get her—like now—but they still loved her just as she was.
Trying to reclaim her usual sass, Anita swung the door open and tossed her hair. "Welcome aboard, baby boys."
Her performance was paper-thin.
"What is she hiding?" Mdachi thought. "Is her mom a voodoo priestess or something? That would explain the supernatural stuff... I guess we'll find out."
The boys dropped their jackets and backpacks on the coat rack and headed straight for the couch. Anita's sofa was heaven.
"Mom, I'm home!" Anita called down the corridor.
Jesse, her little brother, peeked his head out from the kitchen at the sound of voices. Seeing the boys, he stepped out, a sandwich in hand.
He was short, talkative, adorable—and nine years old.
"Hey guys," he greeted cheerfully, waving.
"Hey, Jesse," Edward and Mdachi replied in unison.
Jesse turned to his sister, shook his head like a disappointed parent, and took a bite of his sandwich.
Anita rolled her eyes. "Ugh."
Typical.
Edward smiled at the exchange, wishing he had a sibling. He never had one.
Mdachi, on the other hand, always wondered why Anita and Jesse fought so much. He got along just fine with his sisters.
"Hi baby, how was school?" asked Jenevive, appearing with her bag while digging for something in it.
When she looked up and saw the boys, her face lit up. "Well, look who decided to visit!"
"Hi, Mrs. Atieno," Edward greeted politely.
"I told you not call me that," Jenevive reprimanded softly. "It makes feel old. Just call me...mama? Or whatever you are comfortable with. Okay?"
"Okay," answered Edward.
Mdachi nodded, speechless. He had feared this woman ever since she silently punished him at Anita's eighth birthday party for nearly ruining it. Over time, that fear faded… mostly.
"All of you are a mess," Jesse declared after giving them a once-over. "Did you get hit by a garbage truck?"
"Yeah, what happened?" added their mother. "You guys look rough."
"It's a long story, Mom," Anita sighed. "I'll explain later."
Then she did something strange.
She grabbed her mother's hand—tightly.
Then turned to Jesse.
"Give me your hand," she said.
"What? No!"
"Just do it, Jesse."
Jesse looked confused, but their mom intervened. "Jesse, it's fine. Just give her your hand."
He obeyed.
Anita stood before the boys, holding hands with her family, and gave a nervous smile.
"Okay, guys. What I've been meaning to tell you is…"
A beat.
"…my family and I are witches."
Jesse quickly added, "I'm a warlock, actually. Because I'm a boy."
Mouths dropped. Edward. Mdachi. Even their mom.
"Baby?" Jenevive said gently.
Anita met her eyes. "It's okay, Mom. It was time."
Mdachi burst out laughing.
"What a joke!" he wiped tears from his eyes.
Edward was too stunned to speak.
Then Jesse stepped forward, cleared his throat, and said, "Allow me to demonstrate."
He popped the last bit of sandwich into his mouth, raised his hand, chanted something—and flung Mdachi into the air.
Mdachi screamed.
He floated, arms flailing, until Jesse moved his hand again—swinging him left, then right—then finally dropped him back onto the couch.
Mdachi landed hard, frozen, glasses askew.
Edward, pale with fear, shrank into the corner of the sofa.
Jenevive just slapped her forehead. "Jesse!"
Anita roared. "Jesse!"
"What?" Jesse asked, grinning. "They didn't believe me."
Anita rushed to her friends. "Guys, I'm so sorry!"
She squatted in front of them, adjusting Mdachi's glasses and speaking softly. "It's okay. Please don't be scared."
"Well...I knew that one day you will eventually come to find out. But I never expected it to be via mid air trauma," Jenevive finally managed to talk.
Mdachi finally found his voice. "Wow… supernatural stuff is real…"
Mdachi seemed thrilled all of a sudden.
Wow! How fast he changed! Almost like the weather.
Anita turned to her mom. "We need your help. Edward's memories were erased. You can bring them back, right?"
Jenevive nodded. "I can try. Edward, sit here."
He hesitated, then moved beside her.
"Don't be scared," she said gently. "We don't bite. And no, we don't do creepy rituals."
Edward relaxed—a little.
"Give me your hands."
He did.
She closed her eyes and began chanting.
Suddenly, she gasped, threw his hands away, and jolted backward.
Everyone jumped up.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Edward," she said, shaken. "I didn't mean to react like that. I was just… surprised."
"By what?" they all asked.
Jenevive looked at him, wide-eyed.
"Your memories have definitely been erased. But I can't reverse it. Whoever did this… they're very powerful."
" I can't undo their magic."
Edward's heart sank. "So there's no hope?"
"There is," she said. "You can undo it."
"What?"
"You're a warlock, Edward. A powerful one. But you're more than that."
She stared deep into his eyes.
"Your encounter with the supernatural… wasn't random. It was destiny."