Whoever dies first

PTE

was Rita and her boys. The boy

his robot,"

mum. It is not f

early grave, boys. Get out

d and rolled

grateful for, was that most nights when she closed her eyes; she immediately drifted to a sweet and balmy world of sleep. It didn't matter how the day was, the day's worries

ys wake her with a slap. "Get out of that

ing slap that usually landed on her cheek, mo

acts. Evil lurks when darkness is reigning. Prominent men are brought down by their mistresses at night. That's when they sign cheques and transfer money from their accounts.

wned an iron box. To minimize creases on her blouses, she opted for hangers. She loved her place clean, and clothes clean, although arranging and folding them was a strain. All the same, she f

. Her father used to say that even thieves asked God for guidance before undertaking a robbery. Furthermore, demons know Him as well and tremble. Who was sh

were full of aura and unique warmth. On Sundays, she would go to church and join Sunday school service without fail. She was at times stunned by the power behind the round, innocent, and curious eyes of the children. Their innocence though, was not to be trusted f

Many occupants were family people. Her immediate neighbor was a nuclear family, made of four; Rita, her husband, and two boys. O

and the burgeoning green everywhere displayed hope and life. It was an ideal day. She wore a knee-length blue dress. She matched the outfit with black high heels. She looked splendidly beautiful. She loved her ha

I will be one of the flower girls at your wedding," she added, smiling innocently, exposing little white teeth. Sh

of you will be page boys and flower girls," Wangu replied. She held h

handling. Mrs. Waiganjo taught the very young ones where she used to narrate stories, and most of the time play games while Wang

eprived of a very crucial aspect; role models. All they saw were women. She was of the opinion that they needed men to look up to. So unfortunate that the disease had escalated and overflowed from the church to homes, schools,

gant to help in Sunday school and the

nage to help clean their noses and assist them to t

ir. We do more than that in the

ngs and repeating yourselves a hund

me one day and ob

" he blat

presentation session most. She was always amazed by the talents and uniqueness every child possessed. It was incredible. The unfortunate thing was

rtain parent whose kid had s

are brilliant. You must be a proud parent. It is a

son will grow to be an engineer just like his gran

share of delight was a rebuke. She grabb

could prevent Dani from becoming an engineer. After all,

. She perpetuated her mission of discovering and nurtur

st, but whatever they did was from the heart. She loved the authenticity

pite partaking in the Holy Communion. Women adorned in costly clothes, faces in expensive make-up, looking beauti

ourse, not all, for some indeed came for they were thirsty and wanted to be quenched by the word of God. Others came b

arents. Some were orphaned, and some had no parents in the pictu

nguish. His parents were separated. The mother left after multiple cases of abuse by the father.

e to bring him or pick him up after the church. She was prompted to

which made his mother leave to never look back.

look in his eyes and some unmistakable trepidation. She could tell he was a disturbed child. Sh

k into sobs. She could feel the pain in his voice as he narr

into the house and the longest they would stay was a fortnight. According to Lewis, every woman treated him di

. Not a single woman left that house unscathed. "The on

tooth?" she asked in shock. "Th

egan in the eveni

y to relate with authority. No matter the magnitude of his crimes, he got away with them. He could bribe his way out. Rumors had it that he was a drug peddler and had a lot of money hidden in holes

ing a tooth. That particular woman Lewis was talking about, had moved

et melodies all day. She was happy. Life was good unti

the burning jiko. At the speed of lightning, Ngware snatched the packet of the cigarette which was already burning, and threw it on the floor. He then slapped the little girl

I scurried to the

brewed tea, and threw it at Ngware. He managed to duck quickly. The thermos missed him narrowly

de down. He jumped across gr

y father, she retaliated. She was brave. First, she

to unfold the acc

over him, grabbed the injured girl who had been crying and yelling the whole time as she observed the fight. The other girl was nowhere to be seen. It is in the process of trying to look for her that Ngware recovered a little bit from the shock and pain. He jumped at her and hit the woman on the head with his clenched fist. She lost her balance and fell over. This time he was wise enough to reduce the distance between him and the woman. Wangu could tell this

sed to screams and shouts from the house. They were also afraid to he

help?" Wangu a

ighbors standing o

s the fight was going on? Those are cow

her, once he is done with the victim, he th

O

tuation was dire. It was not the n

t she was almost losing consciousness. They pushed Ngware away but not without a fight. The

blood was oozing from her mouth," Lewis

e matter to the po

ed. He blew air softly on his left arm, close to the elbow. That is when Wa

God," sh

better," Lewi

uldn't be wearing a long-sleeved sweater on bu

to see it. My father would kill me," L

o this to you?

now how he came to realize I was the o

r name

Y

he could not come to terms wi

eeds dressing

ling." He was not about to allow Wang

o the dispensary immed

n he finds out I told you or I

n't have an idea of what she was saying. But Lewis was adamant. He was not going to allo

The pharmacy was right opposite the church building. She rushed there. She wondered how many such kinds of atrocities were committed in wh

nd it was. He gave her some ointment and tablet

swallowed some pills. She handed over the remaining table

e before bed and tom

very much

alled she had not cooked anything. Sometimes she didn't cook at all. She decided to buy the boy s

said, holding Lewis' hand. Muriuki was a hot

n effort to stand u

gu knew there was a bigger problem than she had first thought. She sat down again, and this time she held the boy in her arms li

wrong? Why is the boy crying?" H

e been conversing for a while, and there is

k without disruptions? In case you need me, I

, Sir." The Pastor left. Wangu watched him walk back with calculated strides on the way to his o

But I know you are a strong boy, you shall overcome th

u feeling pain somewhere else?" S

s no

, let me help you

y...my... father

impatient. "What

ed, faint voice. Wangu was speechless. She had never felt so helpless in h

questions appropriately or was asking the right questions anyway. The boy remained quiet for a whil

and Televisions. Never in her life had she been confronted with one. In her service as a Sunday school teacher, she'd encountered children with diverse issues. She had helped teenagers living on drugs, who ha

young boy she had slept with at one of her friend's birthday parties or the Motorbike guy who used to give her fr

e would soon wake up from it. No, it wasn't a dream, Lewis was there saying it and in pain. She fel

replaced by indignation and she felt a rush of hysterical strength. At this point she was fully convinced that Firida was justified to have given Ngware the 'family attack', she actually felt that

d felt ashamed for having such though

abuses you? He is a pervert who is not fit to be

ut it. It will lead to greater trouble. This time he will

er could murder him and he was actually capable of doing

ought for a while. I should talk to the pastor right away. She

father will not harm you anymore," said W

g to sinful people, perishing souls. And years of solving difficult issues like the one Wangu was about to throw

ing as per Lewis' explanation. She did it as if she was the victim, wi

women and children and nothing is done about it. He is a beast who

ways surprised by what the devil

Pastor began to advise the young boy on discipline and how the man who abused him remained to be his father. And

houted at the pastor, rising from her seat. The man of God was shocked. He met a woman in rage who didn't care a fig how heavy her words were or how

lest you forget we are in God's sanctuary, Wan

tter," Wangu said, calming down. She knew she couldn't fight this alone, she needed support. However, she still

person was infallible, includin

is to take the boy to the

, I am free for at lea

felt b

ind of you." She was happy that the Pastor was t

ould see fear written all over his face. He was lost in thoughts. What happens to me

re living in," the pastor said. The

perilous times,"

they found a ve

Tell the whole truth to the doctor. No one will

o me after that?" he as

horrible man any other time. Promise, y

" he p

close to half an hour. Wangu and the pastor sat at the administration

of this boy will come to know Christ someday," the pastor sa

g good. He deserves to die." Immediately she sai

r's turn to look

God's mercy," he sa

the pastor's perspective of her. Like Herodias' daughter in the Bible, she wou

done with the boy, the woun

t back again for dre

Wangu said. She pulled the lady and

found out?" W

ecome rampant. We have been receiving many cases of child molestation. The most depressing fact is that some morbid cases of sexual abuse never get to the authorities. The matters get solved at kangaroo courts

such difficulties, most never rise to conquer

hat that beast deserves another chance? but she dared not say it. She had observed the agitation on his face when she had said that Ngware d

erved. An hour later, at the police station, things were complicated. Wangu noticed a lot of reluctanc

at the church at four p.m. Call me in case of anything," he

already Pastor, th

an eternity, Wangu stayed at the police stati

ewis asked with great concern

bout?" asked Wangu. Sh

find us here? I don'

tter is with the authoriti

-kilometer walk to Ngware's house wasn't a big deal to Wangu or so she thought. After walking for a while, her calves began growing sore, and she could see Lewis was struggling to

rified. It wa

give up that quickl

Lewis shaking. "I have seen hi

l happen. Whoever dies first

doubt about that," said Lewis,

. She pushed the wooden narrow gate and entered. Wangu looked at the squalid and

aunted. Sh

m. The woman sat on his lap. They were cuddling, she was laughing carelessly. Wangu wondered whether it was the same home the of

m. The lady jumped fixing her hair and arranging her skirt. Ngware looked at Wangu with amuseme

r might. That caught him by surprise. He stood soaked all over. Before he could collect himself Wangu hit him with the bucket with such a force that she staggered backw

eeth. The lady stood there dumbfounded, watching the drama, pale as a corp

ch. You thick-head. A shameless busybody. I'm killing you right away. How dare you attack me

die first," Wangu yelled.

the jaw. He wailed like a wounded hyena. She could not wait any longer, she grabbed Lewis who at that time had flinched at the far end holding her purse. They ran ou

lice station to alert them

I swear I know the commissioner's office,

that?" the police o

his home right now. He should be in a ce

are a taste of his own medicine. Wangu was happy, she felt relieved somehow. Things

could know what to do next. In any case, she was not sure of Ngware's arrest. Who knows, Wangu reckoned, N

t to school the following day but didn't have a

a way we can get your uniform?" Wangu asked Lew

go back there," h

n came and went in intervals. She narrated to Wangu how she whistled like a shepherd boy, created songs, and came up with tunes. It was no

ran away and left his son in the hands of an abuser. A woman whose

police station to enquire whether Ngware had been arrested, and if so, seek information about Lewis' mother or any r

indifferently towards her. One police officer said tha

n a fight. He is a known bully," replied Wangu feigning

tacked him," th

lly. But her heart was b

How can a mere woman like me attack such a gig

n to me how you did it," the office

uys the day you went after him," Wangu said. She knew

simply sho

ct but Ngware gave contacts that belonge

on. She was eager to know the reasons which made her run away and leave the boy to a monster. Th

pare at least an hour to come and ch

d there is no way she can live with a litt

ing for reasons to run away from her resp

right," K

ed to live with Wangu but she was not in a position to do so. Wangu felt guilty and inadequate. She

stay with you

e to be visiting often." They made an arrangement

year, so he was able to join a school

ring. Do children deserve to suffer? A child? A symbol of innocence. For instance, her ni

l, the face was of a grown-up but the body was small and frail, like for a ten-year-old. He was whimpering strangely. The old woman placed him carefully on the grass, a lawn near the administration block. The look on her face di

threw herself on the ground and rol

s streamed down her wrinkled face. She tore her dress in a mad rage. Two women ran with a leso to cover her, but it was an effort to futility

t."Even adults are someone

. It was heartbreaking. The ground that she stood on had heard such cries, many of them. The

her tired face. She had been in the hospital for close to a year. When she saw Wangu, she jumped on her feet and hugged her ti

e back. There is a disconnection at

bout it much later. A severe type of spina bifida where the spinal c

" She as

he equated suffering to doing evil. And so, in her younger years, she was very keen and cautious. She remembered the times Puree her cousin, would collect some coins on the road and then b

ys work like that. It treats everyone with brutality. Pain and suffering happen to all, just like day and night happen to all. When the day dawns, the light shines on murderers

surgeries and I can't see any change," her cousi

ill recover, I know that for sure," said W

his pregnancy to term, He allowed me to give birth safely, only for Him to take her away." She had lost all hope, she couldn't

b like He has always done...and killed me as well. I'm tired of this life and it

. She felt dry and useless. She tried quoting

such is common to man- but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that y

h God would take that child, He would later give her many children. But her cousin's condition was beyond s

d was lying. Wangu followed silently, with her hands folded at the back. She realized her encouragement was akin

ay the next day af

hear anything to do with God. It was obvious she was wounded and the God she denied, Him alone had the power to heal her. She

ocent children suffered. They did no wrong and hence deserved no wrong. But it took life lesson

ess burnt down in Chicago. And all he had to say was, "Someday I will understand why." Wangu r

*

bought his way out. She was afraid the man in his evil dealings could be roaming out there, waiting for an opportune time to avenge himself. Luckily, the case had been embraced by one God-send

ourt. The child protection officer took a report given by Lewis and presented it to the court alongside Doc. Betty's report. A picture of the

e, a criminal, a destroyer of the innocent. By a mere look, one

sat on the front row and did not spare him either. She even made faces at him when the ju

thought he saw him doze off at some point. But she was glad the case was handled very

ried her level best to remember every small detail from the conversation they had with Lewis. She explained to the court how she accidentally saw the burn wound on the boy's hand which

point, she thought the questions were many and unnecessary, but she answered t

houghts. She wondered if her testimony would match with that of

t before the opening hours. She hoped that a verdict would be read on that day and the matter put to rest once and for all b

of the sort, and that he had been a good father to

ned to the court and this

neglect, abuse, and assault. He

ack to the society, even after the sixteen years, was not pleasant.

life imprisonment. Some people are a thre

n. Wangu couldn't really tell her age, probabl

poke unless

finish his medicatio

s you. He said you should com

ng him for his therapy. Remember it is very c

me each morning about it," Kabia said. She ran her tongue over

Lewis," said Wangu to Kabia as t