“The Hill of Echoes”

I woke to Nneoma's cryptic message: "Meet me at the Bauchi junction's old baobab tree at 5 am. Come prepared." The darkness swallowed me whole as I made my way to the tree. Nneoma's eyes gleamed with excitement and nerves as she handed me a backpack.

We set off into the unknown, our footsteps echoing off the buildings. The air was crisp, scented with eucalyptus and damp earth. As we climbed higher, the terrain grew steeper, the sun rising over the horizon.

At the top, the wind howled, and the sun beat down on us. I felt exhilaration wash over me, pride and accomplishment. Nneoma's eyes shone with tears.

As we stood there, the wind whipping our hair, I felt a deep connection to Nneoma, the hill, and the university. It was as if we shared a secret, one that only we understood.

Nneoma's gaze turned inward, her eyes holding a deep sadness. "I'm remembering," she whispered. “Why we're here, why we do this.”

In that moment, I understood. The hill was a place of solitude, where fears and doubts were confronted. Our footsteps echoed through the stillness, a testament to the unspoken bond between us.