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2024-10-29 19:42:56His first day at the university revealed yet another secret. This is where the real meaning of freedom was viable and put to action. Unlike in high school, here there were no uniforms for the students. That was one barrier broken but it did mean something else too. The fact that there was no uniform was yet another sign of every man for himself and God for us all. James was fine with that. This he could handle perfectly.
Having spent the last year depending on himself was a jog to his memory that he was no longer the mother’s boy. On the other end, university life can be traumatizing for those without proper cause of joining it. This is where the laws of nature are defied most for its only here that you find the daughter of a minister and that of a peasant sit in the same room in battle with a common enemy, illiteracy as they say.
James could not get bored with this. To him, having an opportunity to meet this diverse group of people and to be an engineer was all
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AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape Chapter 9
James had no clue whatsoever of what was happening back at home. He continued his studies well through to the end of the semester.As usual, the semester was over and he went home. Later, the results were out and he gave his parents. Upon giving them, this time they did not congratulate him as usual and had many questions to ask him.James could not understand why his parents reacted in that manner and why the many questions. Nonetheless, he just assumed they were having a bad season. As James was enjoying his holiday, he noticed that something was not quite right with his parents.He noted that his relationship with his parents was slowly by slowly beating the bush. He was happy that his parents appreciated him and his efforts once again and could not let that go away. He could not live with this and he had to ask about it. Upon asking about it, they hardly said anything. All they said was that everything was fine.James did not bother to ask anymore but
AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape Chapter 10
On the other hand, Sofia was watching. Seeing what had become of her nephew and the chaos she had caused in her sister’s family was a successful mission. Not that she wanted to make things right but to make sure James and his parents do not come to a consensus.On returning to school the following semester, James could not stop his habit. In fact, this time he went further and cared less about anything in relation to books or classes. At the end of the semester, he even failed to sit for the exam, which got him a free ticket out of school. He was rusticated from the university.This did not mean much to him. He took the letter back home to his parents and gave it to them telling them that they had succeeded in pulling him out of school. He said that, finally, their dream and wish had come true and they did not have to pay school fees anymore.After delivering this letter, he went to his apartment and packed all his clothes. He left home and promised
AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape Chapter 11
One day as James and his friend were at their best at Matiku Bar kissing bottle after another, James happened to collide with a new friend in his life. As known, inside the four walls of a bar, there is no one older. In other words, the etiquette of the young and the old does not apply here.This man was no youth but claimed to know James quite very well. This caught James' attention and wanted to know more about this man. They sat on the same table to have a drink together as they talked.On the other end, James’ friend Joseph had left to be with one of his women and so he was not around as James was meeting this other friend.For James, it was time to get to know this new friend in-depth.“Yes my friend, you said that you know me very well. As it seems I do not know who you are, or at least I do not know your name. How about us starting there; what is your name?”James asked the man.“Okay, my man. I will tell you my
AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape Chapter 12
Joseph did not seem as one pleased by seeing this man. They both looked at each other like those that knew each other or seemed to have met before. Were it not for the fact that James had requested Joseph to accompany him, he definitely could have left long ago.For Mr. Japheth, he seemed as one who expected to meet Joseph. It was as if Japheth knew that Joseph was James’ friend. James could not wait to be told that their meeting was making each of them uncomfortable.Mr. Japheth sat on this table. Without much ado, the beers were coming. James introduced them to each other though he was certain that they must have met before and, as it seemed, not in pleasant conditions.After this introduction, James was willing to continue with his story as he had promised but Japheth told him to preserve it for the following day. He said that day they were to talk about general things and just have fun.James did not go against it or ask any questions. He knew t
AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape Chapter 13
James and Japheth were at their best and making the best out of this day. On the other end, Joseph was also at his best. For him, it was working out perfectly for he had the two things that normally made his day, women and booze.With his thirst for women and incapability to keep away from them, having both at his disposal was the true definition of a fun moment. It was getting better and better for James and Japheth as well. As much as it was their wish not to part ways, they had no option but to do just that.Apart from the fact that it was getting late, they were getting quite drunk; this was a bad omen for both of them. Not only did they need themselves sober for the journey to their respective homes, they needed not to be drunk the following morning as they were to go to work.Without much ado, they had nothing else to do but be grateful for the day and bid each other goodbye. They parted ways and James headed to his apartment. On arrival, he met Joseph was
AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape Chapter 14
Without wasting much time, James hurried back to lock his office and join Maxine for the drink. After he locked his office, away they went together. That day was special for James; that soda that Maxine had agreed to had to be special.Since he wanted them to have a special time together, he could not go to his house. He called his friend Joseph and notified him of this and away they went together. James took her to one of the best restaurants around town.They spent the whole time they were together talking about what had happened to their relationship and about each other’s endeavors. James gave her his experience of how his aunt ruined his life.She felt sorry for him and tried to talk him into having a talk with his parents but James was not for it. Apart from the talk about his experiences, James was so much interested in them rekindling their previous relationship but Maxine told him that no matter how hard they tried, they could never be together ag
AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape Chapter 15
James proposed a toast for him to being his own judge of things and the continuation to have a good time. On the other side, Joseph was having the best but still, it was not doing the magic. For someone who knew Joseph, he could tell there was something that was disturbing him seriously.This was not any other but the fact that James had become so close to Japheth. This could not get off his mind at any moment. On return to their apartment, he asked James of whether he had met Japheth again. When James told him the truth about him not willing to part with Japheth for a lame reason, this became the source of their break up.Joseph was not happy about the fact that James could not let this friendship with Japheth go. James too was not willing to let it go without a reason enough. As it seemed, he had his life messed up so bad he wanted nothing more. Joseph too could not open up to tell him the reason he insisted to convince him to keep off Japheth.Since none of t
AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape Chapter 16
Once more, James’ life was getting back on track. It was not long after and he got an admission letter into college. This time, he was willing to do everything within his might to get his degree. As you all know, colleges are avenues to very many things and meeting all sorts of people. Even with James being an introvert, he found himself friends. Among these friends was one special friend.He had found himself a girlfriend. Even after all that James went through in his life; it seemed that his heart was still working well. He found in it to fall in love again. Apart from this relationship helping him get over Maxine, they would do studies together with this girl. Life could never be better again for James. This time, he had changed his course to an easier one. He was pursuing a degree in business.From what he had learnt when he was out of school, he found out that business was a very good course and did not entirely depend on employment. Besides this, studying b
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- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Somewhere, in one of the great and iconic countries of East Africa was a small town. It was in this small town that two among God’s wonderful creation met and fulfilled one of the greatest commandments. They fell in love. Not too long after, a miracle happened and a boy child was born. No amount of effort could fade the joy and smile on their faces upon holding him in their hands. It was a miraculous and glorious moment.As it turned out, they surely had a reason to praise God in thanksgiving for the special gift. Years later, he grew… no, wait a minute… well, I grew to fulfill my destiny, as it was the will of God. The name of my Country is Kenya, and, that of my town, the great Meru. It was after very many years of challenges and what some might refer to as ignorance and failures that I finally figured myself and the true purpose of my birth.God Almighty brought me to this earth as a messenger of his True word to his p
- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
Chapter 29
This was hard for him to accept but promised to do something about it. He was also advised on maintaining his cleanliness to avoid being mistaken for someone he was not. He was to shave his overgrown hair and beard as well as shower regularly. He promised to do all this. Finally, the officer was done and she left. James was so much astonished by the fact. He could never comprehend an officer caring so much about anyone. He realized the world still had people with humanity and doing the right things the right way.All day long, he just thought of what the lady officer had told him. To some point, it all made sense to him to get in touch with his loved ones. In fact, this being away from them made him even worse. He decided to head to the bar and have a drink as he thought about it. He sipped bottle after bottle. This day, the beers would not cut it. He decided to go for a stronger choice. He decided to take spirits. After draining two bottles of this direct injection, he switc
- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
Chapter 28
James did not respond to any questions she asked. He was in a bad state of hangover. The officer did not mind and just kept at asking the questions. Finally, James got himself together and started answering the questions. She wanted to know why he would waste his life so bad. James gave lame answers all the time. He did not tell the officer anything about his life nor why he did whatever he was doing. Every time he would tell her that, it was his destiny and that life was not always fare.This got the officer even more interested in knowing more about James. She finally released him. James could not comprehend why an officer would care about his life. It was not in the nature of police officers to care about the wellbeing of the people to that level. He could not get the reason for her interest and that is why he answered questions in a lame manner. As it seemed, the only time a police officer would care to know about someone is if the person is in trouble or has caused some
- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
Chapter 27
A few years later, Vero graduated from college. She had not gotten herself another boyfriend because she was still in love with James and was willing to keep on hoping he would come back. Carol too and her friends graduated from school but had not done as well as Vero. Most of their time in college was spent on partying and exploiting whomever they could for money to pay for their parties. James’ parents had already given up hope of their son ever coming back home or getting in touch with them again.For James, his money was no more. He had nothing from his land sales. He was now depending on odd jobs for money to pay for his companion. One day, he took a little too much. He also mixed it with the stress from his life. Normally, when alcohol and stress are mixed inside one’s system, things do not go so well. It becomes a very explosive and deadly mixture. This is what James had done. The mixture did give in and he decided to get it out on people. He fought one of
- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
Chapter 26
After the two weeks were over, it was time for the verdict by the jury. James, Vero and Jude went to the court for the listening of the verdict. Carol and Timon too were present for the hearing. The results from the hospital had been done and given to the court. This day, there was no listening of the case anymore but the final verdict by the jury. After a short while of waiting, the judge entered and the hearing session began. The judge read the jury’s verdict.JUDGE: The final hearing of the case of Caroline Njema Mutuku against James Mwendi Kaburia. The test results from the hospital were forwarded to the court as requested and the jury was able to come up with the verdict for this case. From the testimonies that were given against James in this court, it is clear that, none of the witnesses actually witnessed the incident. Therefore, it was hard for the court to prove that in deed James forced himself on Carol. However, the results from the hospital sh
- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
Chapter 25
JAMES: It is because no one was in the rooms. Being on a weekend, they had all gone out to various places. If I had escaped, how then did the police find me in the room when they arrested me?TIMON: How then did your shirt end up torn and with bloodstains in the hands of Carol.JUDE: Objection your honor.JUDGE: Objection overruled. Answer the question please.JAMES: I cannot know how she got the shirt blood stained and torn but what I do know is I had left it with my girlfriend Vero when I visited her.TIMON: You say you did not force yourself on her but the results from the hospital indicate otherwise. How is this, James?JAMES: Well, I did say that I slept with Carol but she claimed to love me and begged me to do it. What I did not do is force myself on her. Whatever that happened after I left the hostel, I cannot explain.TIMON: Are you saying that Carol is lying to the court?JAMES: No. I have not said such words. What I a
- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
Chapter 24
After Carol gave her side of the story, it was time for James to give his side of the story too. The court clerk read him his rights and he decided to cross over to the other side to the witness stand. At this stand, he was sworn and he was viable to be asked questions. He was sworn by his counselor and on he went to tell his story.JADE: Can you please tell the court your full name as indicated on your I.D Card?JAMES: My name is James Mwendi Kaburia.JADE: Can you tell the court where you were and what happened on the afternoon of Friday last week?JAMES: Yes. I had just come from my morning classes and had no other lesson that day. Since it was a weekend, I decided to surprise my girlfriend by visiting her without telling her. I left my hostel and walked to Vero’s hostel. When I arrived in their room, I knocked and the door was answered. I met Carol, who was busy doing her tidiness. I greeted her and asked her of Vero’s ware bouts. She told
- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
Chapter 23
After Susan and Damaris finished giving their testimony, it was time for Carol to give her side of the story. She was the plaintiff. The prosecutor called her to the stand. As usual, she started by saying her names and swearing that she was to tell the truth. She placed her right hand on the Bible and went ahead to swear. After she was done, it was time for her to give her story.TIMON: Can you please tell the court your official name as it appears on your I.D card.CAROL: My name is Caroline Njema Mutuku.TIMON: Carol, can you tell the court what happened on Friday afternoon.CAROL: I had just finished my classes and got back to my hostel room. My friends and roommates had gone out and therefore, I was alone in the room. As I was tidying our room, I heard a knock at the door. I went forward to open. It was James. I welcomed him inside. He asked me of Vero’s ware bouts and I told him that, she had gone out. He tried to call her but her
- AFTER THE SHADOWS: A Thin Escape
Chapter 22
JUDGE: Objection overruled. You may proceed with the question.JADE: Thank you your honor. So, Susan, you say that, you believed what Carol told you because she was your friend and hurt, right?SUSAN: Yes. Carol is my friend and I believed her every word. She also looked to be in pain and she was half-naked with her inner clothes torn.JADE: Did you notice anything apart from what you have just told the court?SUSAN: No, that is all that I saw.JADE: So, there was no blood on Carol’s clothes or torn inner wears?TIMON: Objection your honor. It is obvious for the victim who is Carol in this case to bleed after James forced himself on her.JADE: Your honor, it is necessary for the witness to state whether she saw the blood on any of Carol’s clothes when she met her.JUDGE: Objection overruled. You may proceed with the question.JADE: Thank you your honor. So… Susan, did you see any blood on Carol&r
