I have been awake since 3 a.m. Sindi has sent me six text messages complaining that she can’t sleep. Those texts are the reason I can’t sleep. 

 

Hi Andile, I’m struggling to sleep. I keep seeing myself peeing on Smiley Face’s grave over and over. 02:58 AM

Andile, this time I was peeing blood, and it felt real. 03:05 AM

Andile??? I feel like someone’s watching me in my room. A minute ago I felt a hand touching my thighs. 

I saw Smiley Face in a dream! He cursed me and said he’s coming for me. He said I took what’s his. Andile! I’m not Joking! I’m serious! I swear on my life! 03:25 AM

Andile!!?? Do you believe in ghosts? Could he possibly live again? … as a ghost? 03:45 AM

Bruh, Please Reply as soon as you see my messages. I’ve been calling but you’re not answering!? 03:58 AM

 

My bedroom suddenly feels hot. Could it be possible that Smiley Face is haunting Sindi? Or is it just manifestations of her guilt for what we did to Smiley Face’s tombstone?

I wake up in the morning, not knowing when I fell asleep. There are many messages and missed calls from my friends. We are to meet at Toni’s house as soon as possible. I take a quick shower and make my way there.

I find them on the veranda at Toni’s home. They are in tears.

“What’s wrong, guys?” I ask.

“Sit down, Andile,” says Toni.

I do as told. I realise that Sindi is not here.

“Where is Sindi?” I ask.

Charity wails. 

“That’s why we called you here. Sindi passed away,” says Zola before losing composure and sobbing.

“What did you say!? It can’t be! She texted me a few hours ago!”

“We don’t know the details, but her sister said Sindi was found in her room covered in blood. She had cuts on her legs, on her mouth, but there was a smile on her face,” says Toni.

“Nobody heard Sindi scream. There are no signs of forced entry and no blood trail. It all just sounds strange,” says Zola.

I hold my head in my hands and wail. 

“Her parents want to see you. They saw that you were the last person she texted before she died,” says Zola.

I hand my cell phone to my friends. They gasp in shock and fear as they go through the texts. Charity is trembling from head to toe.

“It’s not possible! There has to be another explanation, right guys?” Kabelo blurts out.

“It must be true, Kabelo. What other explanation could it be?” I say.

“Do you mean to say Smiley Face came back from the dead and killed Sindi!?” says Zola.

“The mere mention of his name makes me tremble in fear, guys. What have we done?” I say.

“Are we going to die too!?” Kabelo shouts.

“I’m scared guys. I don’t want to die.” Charity sobs.

“We need to go see Sindi’s family and tell them everything,” says Toni.