Andrew and May June were in a Halloween party hosted by Andrew's business partner Goodman Harris. Goodman was a flamboyant man with a sense of humor. He loved throwing parties, and his Halloween parties were the most extravagant of all. This year, the theme was "Fairy Tales Gone Bad." Guests were encouraged to dress as their favorite fairy tale characters, with a dark twist. Bella, Andrew's secretary was dressed as a Cinderella gone bad kind of goth vibe look. Her dress was a torn and tattered version of the classic blue ballgown, and she had smudged black makeup around her eyes. She was chatting with May June, who was dressed as Snow White, but with blood-red lips and nails, and dark circles under her eyes.As they talked, Goodman made his way over to them, dressed as an evil version of the Mad Hatter. He had a crazed look in his eyes, and his costume was covered in stains and rips. "Ladies". He greeted. " Now where's my friend don't tell me he ran away before the part

Two: GiftThe day started out like any other day. It was a hot day in Awelima village. Everyone had their summer outfits on. Kids were playing games on their way to school. While young adults were arguing about one thing or the other. This was all normal.But what happened next was not. In fact it was all quite jaw shattering to all."God heavens what have I done to deserve you as a son?! What is all this?!" These were the wails of Xolo's mother as she herded him along the path. Everyone who was either close to them or was just curiously watching them. Everyone knew whose house they were headed to just by the direction they headed to. They were going to the priest's house.All the gossiping parties of the village were already on toe with them ready to know what drama it was this early morning.MamXala held her son by his ear as she dragged him along. He just silently followed her. Without any fight. It was like he had already submitted himself to the punishment or

Four: KeepXolo sat down in class. He was still thinking about this morning. What Lindani told him. That he couldn't stay away from him. That he wouldn't. What did that mean? Xolo always saw Lindani as this very calm and collected person at all situations. It was surprising and mostly shocking to see him like that. He was both angry and possessive. Of who? Me? But how?Things were so complicated. They all threatened to throw Xolo to the highest point of stress. He scratched at his chin. A habit he had taken from his father. He only did it when he was either nervous or thinking. And right now he was doing both those things."Mr Jacobs don't you need to leave class now?" Mr Williams chested. It was normal for Xolo not to even attend the first period. He was always going to Lindani's. At first it drove the teachers crazy. But then they started to accept the reality of it. There was no changing Xolo. No amount of shouting or punishments from his teachers or his parents

Six: ManyLindani had a headache. He knew that even before he could wake up properly. He opened his eyes. His vision immediately assaulted by the brightness of a light bulb right on top of his head. He closed his eyes again covering them with his arm. Just from that he knew this wasn't his room.So where was he? He turned to his side on the bed too soft to be his own bed. He opened his eyes again. Only to see someone's back.He blinked trying to figure out what he was doing in a room that wasn't his with a naked girl beside him. His memory led him to the kiss he and Xolo had witnessed last night. And then to the fight he had with Xolo.He remembered not being able to do anything but hit his head on the back of the house. "Stupid! Stupid!" He yelled at himself. Why did he do that? Why did he disagree with Xolo?He felt like going to find Xolo wherever he was. Just apologize to him. So that everything could go back to normal.But that was just the thing. There was no normal.

Eight: RunningXolo wrapped himself in Lindani's arms. His breathing uneven as he kept on crying. His hiccups being a blade stabbing at Lindani's heart. He still had not told him why he had come back like this. He still had not told him what had happened.Lindani's left hand brushed Xolo's back. "What happened?" He asked, "what did your mother say? Is she the one who has made you cry like this?"Xolo gulped down yet another hiccup. Lifted his eyes up in order to be in eye level with Lindani's. "My mother said a lot. A whole lot of things I don't understand. Things I don't get. If I could I would run away right now. To a world that all of this endless confusion doesn't exist. But running wouldn't help anything right? It would still be the same."Lindani's hands went to wipe at Xolo's eyes. "Don't you cry. I'm here. I always be here with you. Forever. Now tell me what happened. Mh? Make me understand."Xolo sighed sitting up on the bed. He ruffled his dreadlocks. Making a m