Against all odds

This book is dedicated to everyone who believes in the power of love, forgiveness, friendship, courage, perseverance and hope.The beauty of family, the appreciation of culture, the importance of selflessness and sacrifice, most importantly second chances. Against all Odds should always be a reminder to the world that despite the evil that haunts us, there will always be a flicker of light somewhere, somehow to brighten our lives.  And so I dedicate this book to my family, friends, readers and everyone who has taught me the above mentioned. I'll continue living, loving and learning.  Lastly this book is dedicated to my maker. 

 The rains had flushed memories of the tales away from the children's minds as they ran around throwing mud at each other. Chukwudi had ended up with more bruises on his body than a mountaineer who fell off a cliff after his running fiasco. His mother must have been pleased with the outcome because she brought Mma a whole box of her favorite snuff the next day. 

    Obi walked into her classroom with a thankful heart and a cramp free stomach. Her cramps must have noticed her distress earlier and decided to let her suffer one at a time. On top of the entrance to her class was written J. S. S. 3 B and the noise that emanated from the classroom assured her that she was at the right place. Some of her old classmates had been moved to the same class she found herself and she could clearly see that the witches she needed to avoid were still present. 

 Obi was restless throughout the first three lessons which were held that day. Thankfully her teachers didn't notice because she was staring at them and at the board while her mind wandered aimlessly like a broken compass.  

   The sun had almost been swallowed up by the skies, birds were migrating to their homes after the day's journey. The soft wind that caressed the leaves on the trees especially under the mango tree in the backyard where they sat peeling the cassava tubers often made the work bearable as it made contact with their skins at instances keeping them dry.