When The Walls Watch: Chapter 4 (Sins of the Past)

The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the Ibadan sky in a fiery palette of orange and purple. Bisi, a young woman with a gentle smile and eyes that missed nothing, maneuvered her rusty old Peugeot through the bustling streets. The backseat was laden with bags of groceries – plump tomatoes, fragrant peppers, and a whole chicken for tomorrow's stew.

As she turned onto the familiar dirt road leading to the Briarwood Estate, a sense of unease settled over her. The imposing mansion loomed ahead, its silhouette a stark contrast to the vibrant colors of the evening sky. The estate had been eerily quiet since the Briarwood family had departed for their annual vacation in Dubai a few days prior, leaving Bisi alone to maintain the vast property.

She parked the car and gathered the groceries, the plastic bags rustling in the still air. As she made her way towards the back entrance, a faint sound caught her attention. Music, laughter, and raised voices drifted from the upper floors of the mansion. Her heart quickened with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She had heard rumors of teenagers sneaking into the house while the family was away, using it as their own personal playground.

Bisi hesitated. She could ignore the commotion and continue with her chores, pretending not to notice their illicit gathering. But a sense of duty, a responsibility to protect the Briarwood's property, compelled her to investigate.

She cautiously made her way through the darkened corridors, her footsteps barely audible on the plush carpets. The sound of laughter grew louder as she approached the drawing-room. Peering through a crack in the door, she was greeted by a scene of youthful revelry.

A group of teenagers, four in total, were engaged in a raucous game of truth or dare. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and expensive perfume, the remnants of a lavish dinner that had long since been abandoned.

From her vantage point, Bisi studied the teenagers, their faces illuminated by the flickering candlelight. There was the tall, lanky boy with a mischievous grin, the confident leader of the group. The beautiful girl with the cascading braids, her laughter echoing through the room. The quieter boy, his eyes filled with a melancholic intensity. And the girl with the brightly colored headwrap, her nervous energy palpable even from a distance.

As the game progressed, the atmosphere shifted. A heated argument erupted, the boy with the mischievous grin taunting the quieter one. Bisi's heart pounded in her chest as she witnessed a scuffle break out, the teenagers' laughter turning into shouts and curses.

Suddenly, a figure stumbled backwards, their hand grasping at the crumbling balcony railing. Bisi gasped as the figure plummeted over the edge, their scream piercing the night.

Frozen with shock, Bisi watched as the remaining teenagers rushed to the balcony, their faces etched with horror and disbelief. A wave of nausea washed over her. She knew she should call the police, but she was paralyzed with fear.

As she hesitated, the teenagers began to whisper amongst themselves, their voices hushed and urgent. Bisi heard words like "accident," "cover-up," and "blame." Her heart sank as she realized they had no intention of taking responsibility for what had happened.

Gathering her courage, Bisi pulled out her phone to dial the emergency number. But before she could press the call button, a hand clamped down on her shoulder.

It was the tall boy, his eyes cold and menacing in the dim light. "Don't even think about it," he hissed, his breath hot against her ear. He pressed a wad of Naira notes into her hand, his voice dropping to a low growl. "This is between us. Understand?"

Bisi nodded, her body trembling with fear. The boy released her and disappeared back into the drawing-room.

Later that night, when the house was silent and the shadows danced menacingly in the moonlight, Bisi ventured back to the drawing-room. There, tucked beneath a cushion on the sofa, she found a glint of gold – a necklace, the same one the boy had dared his friend to steal.