Chapter 17: New Life, Old Pain

Hope dey drag me. Even if death dey wait, I dey wish say last moment go be with her. For our land, to die with loved one better pass to live alone.

Even if na to die, make I die for her side.

The fear of death small, compared to the fear of being forgotten. I dey pray say my spirit go find her, even if this world no gree us rest.

I stay for army camp five days dey recover. The wound for my back no touch my organs. As e don scab, as long as I no move anyhow, e no go tear again.

The mat dey hard, but the smell of herbs dey give small peace. Night dey cold, but old man go always cover me with extra cloth. The pain dey reduce, but fear still dey my chest.

The old military doctor treat me well.

His hand gentle, his eyes soft. He dey talk to me like human being, not like animal. He go hum small song as he clean wound, the kind song wey only old people sabi.

First day, as he see say I too dirty and my clothes no fit stop cold, he use him best cloth sew one warm jacket for me.