Yaw stepped off the plantain cargo truck, his legs shaky from the long, grueling journey. The early morning sun cast long shadows over the bustling city of Accra, its noise and energy overwhelming him. With no plan, no money, and no idea where to go, Yaw wandered through the crowded streets, his heart heavy with the weight of everything that had happened.

As he roamed, Yaw’s mind was consumed with thoughts of his family. He had to know if they were safe. His wandering brought him to a market, where he spotted a small shop selling second-hand electronics. Using some of the money he had transferred to Eno’s mobile money account, he purchased a cheap phone and a laptop.

The first call he made was to his home in Kumasi. His heart pounded as the phone rang, and when his mother answered, the flood of emotions nearly overwhelmed him. She told him about the tragedy—the arson that had destroyed their home, and the narrow escape they had thanks to her insistence on attending an all-night church service.

But Yaw’s heart shattered when he learned about his sister Mavis’s fate. She had trusted her boyfriend, Charles Asem, only to be betrayed, tortured, and killed. The news left Yaw devastated, but also more determined than ever. With a renewed sense of purpose, Yaw focused on his studies. He enrolled in an online Junior High School course, pouring all his energy into his education. For three months, he lived a life of isolation, rarely leaving the abandoned building where he stayed. While the other kids went out begging, Yaw stayed indoors, studying with a determination that bordered on obsession.

The other kids thought he was weird, too mature for his age, but Yaw didn’t care. He had a goal, and nothing would deter him. Within three months, Yaw completed the Junior High School program, passing with distinction. But he didn’t stop there. He immediately enrolled in an online High School program, driven by a desire to rebuild himself and his life.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

The long hours of study, the sleepless nights, and the relentless focus paid off. He passed the High School program with flying colors, proving to himself that he could rise above the challenges life had thrown at him. After receiving his High School certificate, Yaw applied to Harvard University. It was a long shot, but he knew he had to try. When the acceptance letter arrived, he was overwhelmed with a mix of disbelief and joy. He had made it. Harvard was his ticket to a new life, a chance to leave the shadows of his past behind. With the money he had carefully saved and transferred, Yaw bought a passport and a visa.

The day of his departure was bittersweet. He had spent almost a year with Eno and the street kids, and they had become like a second family to him. Saying goodbye was hard, especially to Eno, who had treated him with kindness and care.

On the day of his departure, Yaw gathered everyone in the abandoned building. He thanked them for their support and care, his voice choked with emotion. They had given him a place to stay when he had nothing, and he would never forget their kindness. “Take care of each other,” Yaw said, his eyes misty. “I’ll never forget what you all did for me.” Eno hugged him tightly, her eyes brimming with tears. “Go make something of yourself, Yaw. We’ll be rooting for you.”

With a heavy heart, Yaw bid farewell to the only home he had known for the past year. As he boarded the bus that would take him to the airport, he looked back one last time. He was leaving behind the life of a fugitive, a life of fear and uncertainty.

Ahead of him lay a new beginning, one he had fought hard to achieve. Yaw knew the journey wasn’t over, but he was ready for whatever came next. The road to Harvard and beyond awaited, and Yaw was determined to walk it with the strength and resilience he had built within himself.