All Chapters of Echoes!: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Few days later, Richard was fully set to embark on his journey. He woke up as early as 4:00a.m, and started preparations. His mother who had woken up much earlier was busy praying and after that, she began to pack his personal effects into his bag.She was oblivious of the fact that it was just getting to 4:30a.m, she stopped for a while to glance at the clock, then she realized that her brain had been absorbed in too much presumptions to a length that she did not bother to observe the time she woke up from bed.After a little hiss to taunt her negligence, she glowingly resumed her task until she decisively lodged the remaining pair of trousers into the bag and zipped it scrupulously.She sat dolefully on the edge of the bed, waiting for Richard who was having his bath at the backyard.When she noticed that Richard was talking too much time in the bathroom, she stood up from the bed and stayed by the doorstep to inform him that time was running out.

The driver decided to continue the journey once more, with feeble hands, he tried to turn on the ignition, there was no response, he tried the second, third, fourth and then the fifth time before the engine reacted to the magnestism of the ignition switch.It appeared like the vehicle would also swallow them, having been hit by the armed robbers, that would have amounted to a double tragedy. Meanwhile,by the time the bus started again, everybody heaved a sigh of relief."Eh-o-o-o, thank God that the bus did not break down in this place," the woman who was carrying a baby remarked to Richard."It is both ridiculous and amazing, imagine, they were even chatting with some of us and and we did not know they had an ulterior motive. One has to be extra careful these days, it beats me how wicked and vile human being could be, perpertrating such vicious act on their fellow human beings.How can a man strive all his life to carve a niche for himself, only for thos

Thanks you very much, he smiled to himself and proceeded directly to where he was directed to knock, when he got to the door to Fred's room, he knocked at it gently.Who is that tapping at my door? a voice responded from the room. It was no other than his friend's voice.It's me-o-o-o-o."Who are you now,""Richard,"Fred opened the door and chuckled with glee when he sighted his friend."Welcome, when did you arrive?""I am just coming.""I hope you did not find it difficult tracing this place."    Well! Not as difficult as climbing a mountain, Richard said as he yawned rubbed his hand over his eyes.Fred patted him on the back and helped him carry his bag inside his room. He then shut the door behind them."You look extremely tired. Sit down and relax.i will prepare something for you to eat.""I will like to take a bath first."Okay, I will get you some water from outside.Meanwhil

Richard spent a long time reflecting on his past. He was equally not so sure of what the future had in store for him. One thing kept him going, though; and that was the resolve to make it in life and then make his mother happy. Yes! I must live to make her happy.No circumstances shall deter me from actualizing my dreams. Besides, I must always thread the path of hard work so as to become a successful man. Richard was thinking as he lay on the bed.He got up from the bed, threw the coverlet aside and limped towards the mirror to catch a glimpse of his face. As he limped, his feet made a crunching sound with each step he took. When he intensely gazed at the mirror, he was overtaken by a sorrowful mien at the sight of his cracked and blistered face."My God! This is terrible! I wonder how long it would take me to recuperate fully," he snarled and took a few steps away from the mirror. His next step would have landed him on the bed were it not for the interruption

There was no other person on the surface of this earth, apart from his mother, that inspired him like Fred. That was the reason why he was always praying to God to reward him bountifully. For the little period he had been with him, he had done for him what a brother probably wouldn't have done for a brother.He knew very well that, if he had more than that, he would perhaps had gladly done mightier than that for him. Besides the fact that Fred had been a very nice person, he had as well taught him so many things he never knew in life. All through his life, he had taken himself to be a man of principles, little did he know that he would come across somebody who would be more principled than himself.Fred was totally a different man, who was never given to perversity. He was always honest, gentle and easygoing. Fred would prefer not eating at all when he saw somebody who had nothing to eat. He would be satisfied going about in an empty stomach, inasmuch as t