Chapter 4: A Mother’s Choice

After hearing Ifedike’s story, I said, “It’s truly rare. The Ibeku Assembly Plant you mentioned is nearby, abandoned for years. But I can’t be sure if this is your real experience; the story itself sounds a bit strange.”

He asked, “What’s strange about it?”

“You said your mother brought you here, so she must have worked at the assembly plant. I just can’t believe any mother would let her child face an execution ground every day. Was she really unaware?”

“No, she knew.”

He said it with a finality that left no room for doubt, and for a second, I saw something cold flicker behind his eyes—something like pride or maybe accusation. Some wounds never scab over; they just keep bleeding inside.