Song: Stonebwoy – Falling Again ft. Kojo Funds (Why was I laughing when writing this?)

*Unedited* (My people, I just read some of the starting chapters and I'm so ashamed, I want to cry)

Dedicated to Dessy_Strange for being a Ghanaian 😊

He groaned and shifted his head weakly, perhaps to let me know that he was still alive. Wolfgang was heading for the flat, and I couldn't get out to call him because I was injured.

"Hey," I slapped him softly, "I thought you said it wasn't poisonous."

"...isn't," he coughed.

His whole body seemed to clench as his hand automatically flew to his stomach. I frowned, confused as to what was happening when he fell back into my arms. He was breathing heavily on my jaw, his whole body warm to the touch and his hair sweaty.

I shouted Wolfgang's name, but he didn't hear me. He was just standing in front of the building like an idiot, waiting for us to come after him. Was asking why he didn't help Kofi so bad that he didn't even want to talk to me again?

"I... fine," Kofi muttered, just before his whole body clenched and his hand flew to his stomach again.

"You're not fine. It must be the venom," I said, grabbing his arm and turning it to face me.

The wound had stopped bleeding, but blood and dirt were caked all over it. He groaned, obviously trying to say something, but he just slumped onto my chest.

Luckily, Wolfgang started heading for us, probably wondering why we were taking so long. When he entered the car, he just frowned at the scene until I leaned forward and grabbed his hand then used it to touch Kofi's head.

"What the–"

"We need to take him to the hospital right now. I think he was wrong about the snake not being poisonous."

Wolfgang shook his head. "No. Those snakes aren't poisonous. Help me take him upstairs."

I glared at him pointedly when Kofi groaned and tried to remove his head from my chest.

"I think I know what this is, and if I'm right, he just needs some water. I'll take him upstairs." Wolfgang told me.

He grabbed Kofi's arm and flung it over his neck, then lifted his whole body so that he was somehow bearing Kofi's entire weight on his shoulders.

I never realised that he was that strong.

"Do you think you can come along? We'll be taking a lift to his flat."

"No, just hurry and put him in bed, he looks so uncomfortable in that position," his whole face was red and he was drooling slightly, "I'll come up in my own time."

"If you're thinking of running off, I want to promise you that you'll be much safer with us."

I smiled sadly. "I couldn't even if I wanted to." I gestured to my leg.

He nodded. "I'll be back, but if you want to come alone, we're on the third floor."

"Hurry," I told him.

I watched as he disappeared with Kofi. I waited until I was sure that he was in the building, then I grabbed the crutches and pushed the car door open. Getting out of the car with the crutches was hectic, but I managed it with a minimal amount of pain.

It was a posh area; as soon as I got off the car, people started looking at me like I didn't belong there. Like I was an intruder or a beggar.

I took a deep breath and practiced a few small steps, hoping that I wasn't wasting time. I began taking bigger steps and soon, I was walking at a reasonable albeit slower pace.

It was a much longer walk to the doorman with the crutches than walking with my two legs would've taken. Funny how I now have three legs and I'm slower instead.

"Excuse me? Where can I get a phone?" I asked.

He appraised my attire and looked at me strangely. "Are you a guest ma'am?"

Yes or no? I felt like he'd be more likely to let me use the phone if I was a guest. "Yes."

"Head to the receptionist's desk please," he said.

No. No. No. I'm not supposed to go into the building. "Is there any other phone I can use?"

"There are telephones installed in the houses." He told me.

I couldn't go into the flat either. I sighed disappointedly. "Thank you."

So much for an escape attempt. If I wasn't so battered, at least, I would've tried harder to escape. I couldn't imagine having to walk aimlessly with my leg and ribs, plus my swollen face made me look like a hobo. Besides, I wasn't in any immediate danger.

I nodded gratefully and hobbled into the building.

My mouth instantly fell open. Inside was a burst of luxury, from the people to the décor. They'd decorated the place in the richest colours; red, purple, and black, and used expensive wood like mahogany with glamourous finishes. It wouldn't be so bad staying here if I was alone or here willingly.

Kofi had given me my freedom, but if I was fine, I'd be on my way to Michael, since he had the wrong idea of me at the moment and he was practically an orphan. Wow, he really has no one left with him.

Since the chief was dead, he'd have to go back to the village to rule, no questions asked. They would let him become chief even though he's single, yet put pressure on him to find a bride to rule alongside him.

There was no way he wasn't marrying Diamond now.

I sighed heavily and waited in front of the lift with five other people, knowing that it must've been dropping someone off. When our turn came, I was the last one in because of how slowly I was moving and the embarrassment was killing me. They were all looking at me too, most of their expressions showing revulsion.

I must've really looked a mess.

The lift began to rise, and I had no idea how I was supposed to know how to get to the third floor. A woman stood beside me, but I was too ashamed of my clothing to ask for help, so I just kept quiet while the people dropped off one by one.

When it was left with a certain teenage boy and me, he looked at me curiously and asked, "Where are you going to? I'm heading to the upmost floor and I know that is not your destination." He was standing in front of that glowing panel on the wall that the people had taken turns in pressing.

"I–" I fumbled for the next few seconds.

"Do you even live here?" He sneered.

His rudeness suddenly found my confidence and shoved it back into me. I wasn't going to allow an annoying snob to walk all over me. "Yes, I most certainly do. It wouldn't make sense for me to be in the building if I didn't."

He frowned. "I haven't seen you here before."

"And so? Do you need to see me for me to be a resident? Do mind your own business, kind sir." I told him. I hobbled forward and pushed the number 'three' on the panel, which should've been obvious.

I promise, I don't think sometimes.

"We're already closer to the top floor," he glared at me.

"Oops." I replied sarcastically.

When the lift stopped in front of the flat and the doors parted, I told the rich boy, "You should really get some manners to go along with that pretty face. Masks don't last, but the person underneath does."

I went into the flat, and the doors quickly closed behind me. I immediately headed for the sofa and plopped onto it, resting my aching ribs and catching my breath. All the time I'd spent waiting for everyone to drop off had worn me out.

I was just about to close my eyes when Wolfgang rushed down the long spiralling stairs, shirtless. "Wha–"

"Stop staring," he interrupted.

I averted my eyes ashamedly.

"I was right. I rang up the doctor and it looks like Kofi has been infected by salmonella." Wolfgang said.

"What?"

"It's a bacterial infection. I got it once when we were younger so I recognised the symptoms quickly."

"How did he get it? Is it contagious? He was all over me, I–"

"It's not air-borne, don't worry. Just try not to use his spoons or drink from his cup. I suspect he got it from the snake bite. The snake didn't have venom but unfortunately, it was carrying the salmonella bacteria."

"How can you be sure that that's what it is? Is it serious?"

"I told you," he rolled his eyes, "I've been infected before, and I called Doctor Obeng. There's no need for a test because it'll be gone in a few days; before the test results arrive. I guess that answers your question."

"So," I frowned, "what now?"

"Both of you will be on bed rest until he's fine again. Then, we'll see." Wolfgang told me.

"Are you sure he'll be okay?"

He grimaced. "He will be. You will be too if you get some rest. Maybe we can go out for ice cream or something else later, yeah?"

I looked at him. "Why? You just said I should rest."

His mouth formed a small 'o' as he stared at me like I just grew two extra heads.

"What?" I asked, looking around. Had I forgotten something?

He smiled, lifting his watch and practically shoving it into my face. "Merry Christmas."

I gasped. "No! The flat hasn't even been decorated! What a horrible Christmas!"

He lifted both brows. "Did you even use to decorate back at your village?"

"No," I smiled shyly, "which is why I can't spend another Christmas without decorations!"

"Keep it down, will you?" He laughed.

I wrinkled my nose. "You smell." I had just caught a whiff of his smell and... it was repulsive.

"Kofi's diarrhoea." He replied with a smirk.

"Ew," I crawled away from him as he laughed, "you're telling me that he's pooping on himself right now?"

"It's calmed down for now, but yes. He was a while ago. And vomiting."

"That's nasty," I made a gagging gesture, by pointing my index finger to my throat.

"I'm the one who got sprayed with faeces," he laughed.

"You're joking," I replied.

"I'm not. That's why I took off my shirt."

I plugged my nose. "Go and take a shower right now!"

He shook his head. "There's no need for that."

"Even a skunk won't stand this! Go now!"

He came closer to me. "No."

"Get away," I yelled, shielding myself with my arms.

"Elorm, I'm kidding," he laughed, "I got sprayed with vomit. Not poop."

"Because that's so much better!" I said sarcastically.

"The man's in pain right now. Cut him some slack."

"Serves him right," I replied.

Wolfgang eyed me like he wanted to remind me why Kofi was sick in the first place. "We need to keep him hydrated so I'm setting a schedule."

"Excuse me? You and your shadow?" I asked, blinking innocently.

He glared. "You and I. If we don't, he'll die."

"You're saying that like it's the worst thing that could happen."

He scowled.

"I'm just saying, aliens could come down from Mars and enslave the planet!"

He kept scowling.

I rolled my eyes, "Okay. But I can't promise to be of much help until I get some painkillers."

I didn't expect him to jump up and rush into a room, then come back with a packet of Paracetamol. "Do you need water?" He asked.

"It's fine." I was learning how to swallow pills without water and this seemed like a good time to practice. I took two pills, and he didn't take his eyes off me for a second. "Stop staring."

He smiled and turned away. "So, mine lasted four days, but I'm told that it can take at least seven days to fully recover so we have a whole week of caretaking to do."

"Will you get on with it? I want to catch some sleep." I rolled my eyes.

He pouted. "Don't be so unenthusiastic. It would've been you in his place if he hadn't fought it off. Just think what would've happened if that snake wrapped itself around you, especially with your broken ribs."

I rolled my eyes again. "One good deed doesn't right his numerous wrongs."

"I know, but he's saved you from possible death okay? That's not a debt that's easily repayable unless you can do the same thing for him."

I sighed. "Saving someone from death is amazing and all, but not after trying to kill them multiple times."

He scowled. "Kofi has never tried to kill you."

"That time with Fluffy," I deadpanned.

"Nathan always checks on Fluffy – multiple times in a day – and Fluffy wouldn't have killed you. He isn't a murderer, and even if he wanted to kill you, the time you spent in the stable was ample."

I grimaced. "How about when he left me in my birthday clothes to battle the elements?"

"I... I didn't know that." He stammered.

"See?"

"He brought you back inside anyway, didn't he? If he wanted to kill you, he has loads of guns. He could easily be done with you in the blink of an eye."

If looks could kill, Wolfgang would be dancing with the devil in hell right now. "He made me overdose on pills."

"Nine, after you gave him three." Wolfgang countered.

"How did you know that?"

"He told me. He tells me a lot about what goes on."

The thought of that made me feel sick, for some reason. "So, what, he's a gossip tabloid now?"

Wolfgang giggled. "No, I call almost every day."

"What?"

"Yeah. I like talking with him. He's fun."

I burst into laughter and nearly coughed my heart and ribs out. I winced, holding my ribs yet still shaking slightly from laughter. "Yeah, right."

"I'm serious. He likes to abruptly hang up on me whenever he's tired and sometimes, he just refuses to talk, but when he's in the mood, he brightens my whole day."

I started laughing again – hard – and I was soon wheezing, clutching both arms around my ribs.

He wrinkled his nose. "I don't see what's so funny. He talks about you a lot."

"Wait, what?" The laughter died in my throat.

It was his turn to laugh. "He talks about how annoying and stupid you are. He says you snore at night."

"What? I don't!"

"He said you do," he laughed, "and loudly too."

He started laughing harder and I crossed my arms in annoyance. "He snores too."

"Lies. He said he was thinking of adding a room to the mansion for you because there's only one spare one but it's at the men's side and he doesn't trust them, but then he was sure he'd let you go so he didn't."

I lifted my eyes to stare into his. It's harder to lie when you're making eye contact with someone. "Are you for real?"

If he wasn't pulling my leg, it would make more sense than my original reason for why Kofi was letting me stay in his room.

"Realer than China."

I paused. "He was thinking about letting me go?"

Wolfgang nodded. "Quite recently though. He was saying something about you being too unbearable."

I smiled a little. "Is that all?"

"He said you were just confused and so annoying, he feared he might decide to toss you in a landfill. Plus, "You didn't deserve what you were going through," I quote. I guess he felt pity for you or something."

"When was this?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Just that it was recent. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that he was actually sympathising with you."

But it's Kofi we're talking about.

"Oh," he snapped his fingers, "it must've been when Elikem arrived. He has a soft spot for kids."

That made more sense, but I still had a hard time believing that he was thinking of letting me go. "Do you think... maybe he planned the chief's death to... set me free?"

Wolfgang lifted a brow in disbelief. "No offense, but you're not that important to him. The chief's death was an accident."

"Yes, of course. Elikem–" I froze.

"What? Hello," Wolfgang sang, waving at me.

"Elikem. Oh my gosh, I forgot about Elikem!" I sat up quickly but I immediately slumped, holding my ribs and wincing in pain.

"If you keep damaging those ribs, they're never going to heal. Go to bed."

I turned to him sharply. "How can you tell me to go to bed when I just realised that I completely forgot that my baby brother exists?" I bellowed.

"Someone is going to sue you for noise making. This isn't your village." Wolfgang laughed. He quickly sobered up when he saw the lethal look on my face. "Relax. You forgot, but we didn't. He's fine. We made sure he's with a babysitter and Nathan too, at the polo club."

"When? I want him here."

"Kofi called Nate yesterday after your X-ray, I think. He's there now."

That was the call he was making that night. My heart warmed at the thought of how kind-hearted he could be when he wanted. "But I want him with me."

"No, you're hurt and Kofi is contagious. He's a child, we can't risk it."

I blew out a breath and leaned back, "I will be the most terrible mother ever."

He frowned. "Most people haven't been through what you've been through. Give yourself some credit, Elorm. How many people have watched people die and had multiple of their bones broken in one night?"

"That's not an excuse. If it wasn't for Kofi, Elikem would've been stolen or something. I–"

"Enough, I'm not going to let you trash talk yourself. Go to bed, you'll feed and hydrate Kofi in the morning, at eight am, okay?"

"That means I have to wake up in like seven hours." I pouted.

"You better get to bed now." He laughed.

I groaned. "Where am I sleeping?"

"I know you won't want to climb the stairs so I gave you one of the ground floor rooms. Come on," he said.

I followed slowly as he took me to a tastefully decorated room. It was black, but in a classy non-horror kind of way. The sheets were Louis Vitton. "This is nice."

"Shut up and sleep."

I laughed. "Clothes for tomorrow?"

"Ah," he frowned, "will you be fine in one of Kofi's shirts?"

"I can't wear his clothes," I glared at him.

"Well," he shrugged, "I guess I'm going to be seeing some ass."

I laughed and threw a pillow at him. "Okay fine. But just shirts okay?"

"I hope it's windy tomorrow," he winked and ran away as I threw another pillow at him.

When he left, I dropped on my bed and fell asleep within minutes.

* * *

I woke up to the annoying ringing of a noisy alarm clock, feeling like a zombie. I turned around slowly, glaring at the machine. Underneath it was a note which was there probably due to Wolfgang's existence. I grabbed it.

Just so that you won't oversleep. Pretend I am artistic enough to draw a smiley face, and that the note ended that way.

I laughed, wondering who couldn't draw a smiley face. My breath horrified me so I went to the bathroom and on finding a packaged toothbrush, I brushed my teeth. I went back to the hall, then wandered a little before I found the kitchen.

Wolfgang was eating from a tin foil pack. "Merry Christmas!" He greeted, smiling cheerfully.

"There's nothing merry about this Christmas, but go off."

He was surrounded by so much food that my mouth was watering at the sight of it. "Before you even think about eating, you need to feed Kofi first."

I frowned. "I don't want to go into that poop room."

"I had someone clean up, don't worry," he handed me a pack of fried rice and grilled chicken.

The smell of the food wafted its way into my nostrils, making my mouth water. Annoyed, I asked, "How am I even supposed to walk with this in hand?"

He pursued his lips and smiled slightly. "I forgot. I'll take you there, come on."

I thought he meant that he'd hold the pack. He didn't. He picked me up swiftly, eliciting a surprised scream from me, and carried me all the way to Kofi's room.

I slapped his chest when he put me down. "You could've given me a warning at least."

"I'll go and bring your crutches. Sit down." He handed me the pack and left.

Kofi was asleep. Pale lips, mildly sweaty hair, and flushed skin. I shifted closer to him... and took a whiff of his scent. He smelt clean, like he'd showered, which was good. I couldn't have done it if he was smelling like poop.

"Are you awake?" I asked, poking his cheek.

After a short silence, he grunted in reply. His hand reached out, and I spotted a glass of water on his bedside table.

"Let me get that for you," I took it before he could knock it over.

He opened one eye and I nearly cringed due to how red it was. "This... your, fau–" He coughed.

"I never asked you to do what you did, so don't you dare come and point fingers." I retorted. "Open your mouth." I cut him off before he could kill himself trying to talk.

I tilted his head back and helped him drink. He grabbed onto my hand, controlling the pace at which he was drinking the water.

I took a deep breath, hating the feel of skin against skin, but I wasn't heartless enough to pull away. "Wolfgang told me what you did for Elikem. Thank you." I said.

"Not... for you," he replied, swallowing hard and closing his eyes.

I wasn't surprised because that is what I expected him to say. I refrained from rolling my eyes, then grabbed the pack and put it on his chest. "Merry Christmas."

I sat there and folded my arms, waiting for Wolfgang to bring my crutches so that I could leave.

"Yo... bitch," he croaked.

I bit my lip to stop the smile, because it sounded like he just said 'yo' plus that word in a black American accent. "There are no female dogs here." I replied. "Even if there were, they don't speak English."

He grunted. "You."

"Me?" I turned around. "Well you should've just said my name! What can I do you for?" I asked cheerfully.

"Feed me."

The audacity of this man. I looked at him, ready to give him a huge chunk of my mind, but then I stopped on seeing a small smile on his face. So he was sick, and he had the gull to try and play games with me? I was ready to pour all the food on his face, but then I remembered when I was famished and he had to feed me.

"Okay," I smiled, seizing the opportunity to exact my revenge.

He opened one eye. "Really?"

"Yes." I took the pack and peeled the cover off. "Fried rice and grilled chicken."

He opened both eyes. "What... waiting fo–"

"Open up!" I fetched a very tiny portion of rice on the spoon.

He looked at the spoon, then he looked at me.

I smirked at the irritated look on his face. "What? Won't you eat?"

He kept looking at me, and I wasn't about to back down. Finally, he averted his eyes in defeat and swallowed, then looked at the spoon. I assumed he was swallowing his pride.

He opened his mouth, and I fed the rice to him. I gave him a total of five spoons with the same quantity, then I put the pack back on the bedside table and covered it. "That's enough."

He glared at me.

"What? Do you want chicken?" I asked with innocent wide eyes.

He looked uncertain for a while before he nodded.

"Is that so?"

He nodded again.

"I don't feel like giving you chicken, and since you can't do anything about that, no chicken for you!" I laughed.

He stared at me with an unamused face. "I'm sick."

"So? If you can feed yourself go ahead."

He kept looking at me but I just started laughing. "This feels so good!" I giggled, clapping my hands excitedly. "Remember when you were half starving me to death?"

"Ex...aggera...ting." He replied.

"Vomiting and simultaneously pooping must've been so arduous, weren't they?" I laughed. "You can't even talk!"

"...get you." He croaked.

"We'll see if you'll survive a whole week of torture," I giggled.

He exhaled, then closed his eyes. "Go."

"You don't control me." I told him. I eyed the spoon, remembering what he did to me. When he was tired of feeding me, he started eating my food. He did that once but he still did it. "Let me taste the chicken and give you a review.

He opened his eyes. "Don't."

"Shut up." I leaned forward and cut a piece of chicken, then covered it with rice. "Bon Appetit!" I brought the spoon close to him as if to clink and cheer – like they do with glasses – but I didn't see his hand coming as quickly as it did.

He slapped the spoon away and everything poured.

The sight of the food on the ground made my blood boil. The fact that my family was in the village, starving even on this holiday and he was wasting food out of spite made me so angry. "Aren't you supposed to be weakened?" I asked crossly. I grabbed his hand and shoved it.

He grimaced. "You're hurting me."

"Doesn't it feel good? All the times you hurt me, you must've thought I was enjoying it. Enjoy!" I grabbed his other hand and flung it away.

He winced.

"You're able to slap my food away but you can't take a little manhandling." I laughed.

Wicked thoughts were running through my mind. There was so much I could do to him now that he was invalid.

I grinned.

I bit my bottom lip and reached for his hair. Once I had the curls in my hands, I yanked. His head moved to the side and he grunted while I laughed.

"You..."

"I what? I what!" I laughed. I don't know why that was so funny. Maybe it was because the tables had turned so drastically.

I grabbed his nose with my thumb and index and squeezed. I let go and started laughing when he groaned, squeezing his eyes shut.

He opened his eyes. "Stop," he said, moaning weakly.

"Nope," I replied, "I'll keep doing this until you recover." I eyed the snake bite coyly.

He followed my gaze, then looked at me. "St–"

"Beg me." I smirked.

He scowled. "No."

I bit my bottom lip again in that violent childish way, then pinched the wounded flesh.

He gritted his teeth and groaned, arching his back a little.

I smiled. "Had enough? Beg me and I'll stop. Admit that you tried to kill me thrice."

He glared at me.

I gathered the wounded flesh between my fingers. "Admit it."

"I saved you." He coughed.

"I could've saved myself. Now talk!"

He coughed again. "No. Right... now. The," he wheezed, "spoon."

"What are–" I cut myself off, feeling the blood rush into my cheeks due to embarrassment.

"Just try not to use his spoons or drink from his cup." Wolfgang had warned, yet I was stupidly about to eat his chicken with his infected spoon.

"Oh my gosh." I backed away from him, realisation dawning on me. If I'd eaten the chicken, the salmonella bacteria would've infected me too. He...

"Can... you go? I'm tired." He said. He looked at me for a few seconds and he closed his eyes. "I think..." he coughed, "diarrhoea."

"Why..." I sat there like an idiot, watching him.

He wheezed. "It hurts."

I looked away, ashamed. The worst part was that I wasn't just playing. I was really thinking about hurting him. Maybe taking a knife and carving my name into his chest. Okay, I wouldn't have done something that wicked but I was thinking of doing some real damage.

"I... I don't... I would've let you use the spoon." I said, truthfully.

He opened one eye and said, "Maybe... I'm better... than you."

At that, I frowned. "Don't kid yourself. You're in no way a better person than I am."

He smiled a little bit and closed his eye. "Diarrhoea incoming."

"You haven't eaten yet, you have nothing to excrete. Let's try this again, yeah?" I picked up his spoon and wiped it clean with the edge of his bedsheet.

He glared.

"What? I can't walk to the bathroom. When Wolfgang comes, just ask him to change it." I said, smiling sweetly. Then I frowned and added, "About that one too, I thought he was going to get my crutches. Where is he?"

He shrugged. "Feed me. Reasonably."

"Big talk for someone who can't even speak a sentence." I frowned, cutting his chicken into pieces.

"Shut up." He was eyeing the chicken hungrily.

It was honestly so tempting to just leave the food there and let him be hungry, but I couldn't. I felt bad, especially after he stopped me from using the spoon and contracting the illness. "Just eat slowly so that you don't choke."

He nodded.

He didn't eat much because halfway, he lost his appetite. He claimed eating made him feel like he was going to vomit, then he started laughing at the thought of vomiting all over me.

"You're laughing? Then you're not sick."

"Idiot," he said, then he laughed some more.

"Even when you're sick, you're unbearable." I told him.

He smiled and said, "I got you a gift for Christmas." His voice still sounded weak but at least, he could form sentences now.

"I don't believe that."

He shrugged. "Okay."

I pouted and crossed my arms, feeling too stubborn to ask what it was, but my curiosity soon got the better of me. "What is it?"

He smiled mischievously. I was about to ask where it was so that I could see it for myself, but then he opened his mouth and showed me remnants of disgusting half chewed foods. "This."

"Ew, you jerk!" I exclaimed, grabbing a pillow and whacking him with it.

He laughed so hard that I started to believe that he was faking his illness. Eventually, I began laughing too because it was funny.

* * *

Was not a filler chapter! Important stuff! 😉 (Get ready for some Michael in the next one 😊)

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