Chapter 4 Something bad is coming

Chapter 3

The sun stood far above into the sky, watching as a swift wind blew, throwing papers here and there, nylons waving their flags in the sky. The roads were empty of moving vehicles, the monthly sanitation exercise kept motor commuters at home. Their obedience to the sanitation wasn't because they liked it-nobody wanted to face the wrath of the government. The major roads and streets smelled of silence, as also the Craig's apartment. The only difference was that their silence was heavier than words.

'Y-yy-you mean like an actual t-trip?' William finally broke the icy silence.

'No, a factual trip,' his father replied sarcastically. His wife flashed him a long harsh grin and he knew it was a wrong time to be sarcastic.

'Yes my dear', his mother replied. 'It's a two weeks trip and we can't wait to leave. We're both excited already,' she moved closer to her son who now sat addled, bewildered better still, his left palm resting on his forehead as he gaze the white dump ceiling. He didn't like the idea of the trip for reasons unknown to him, the twitching on his skin was odd, mysteriously odd, but there was nothing he could do.

'Mum,' William called intone. 'This trip of yours is out of the blue. I'd be lying if I say I'm not surprised with this new development.'

'I knew it!' Joseph berated. 'This is what you get for spoiling your son.' He shifted his gaze on his wife, with both hands arrogantly folded to his chest. 'He now questions your authority?'

Mrs. Bolu let out a cheerful grin. She wasn't willing to involve herself in another of his petty quarrel over their son this morning. She turned to her son. 'Will, this is your father's birthday gift to me. Or do you not want me to be happy?'

'Of course I do,' William retorted. 'It's just that all this is happening soon... your birthday isn't till next month.'

'It's an early birthday present.'

'It's just the coincidence of...

'It's just like you say, coincidence,' she flashed him a grin.

There was a gloom in William's eye, a sudden fear over his countenance impeding his thoughts.

'This is about your dream, isn't it?' she asked.

Claire's eye widened. The look on Williams face betrayed and she put two and two together, and this time it gave four. His dream was the topic of worry when she had earlier walked in.

William looked at his girlfriend knowing he had an explanation to make afterwards.

'It's just a dream, dear.'

Mrs. Bolu turned to her husband and flashed him an ambivalent look. That was his cue to contribute to ameliorating his son's fears.

'Dreams are dream, nightmares are nightmares, they never come true,' said Mr. Joseph.

'There are a number of people whose dreams in this life has come true. Joseph the dreamer in the bible is a good example.'

His father went quiet, he was unsure if there was pun intended in his example. 'But you won't be lonely you know,' Joseph was saying. 'You will have Claire all to yourselves.'

William let out a sheepish smile and stole a quick glance at his girlfriend. Her smile radiated.

'Or what do you think, Claire?' Mrs. Bolu enquired.

'It'll be fun ma,' Claire answered politely.

'Well, that settles it then.'

Mrs. Bolu pats William on the back.

They stood to leave. His mother got to the door and remembered something.

'O! We forgot to mention, we're leaving on Monday.'

They left and William fell on the bed