Chapter 11

Kenny tossed and turned on Chidi’s worn mattress, his mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions. What was Chidi doing out so late? The vague “work” excuse didn’t sit right with him. He slipped out of the cramped bedroom and into the dimly lit living room.

Chidi’s mother was asleep on a decrepit sofa, her face etched with weariness. Two younger boys, Chidi’s brothers, trying a game of hit or miss, giggling as they try to slap each other's arm.

“Hey,” Kenny whispered, trying not to wake their mother. “Do you know where Chidi work?”

The boys exchanged a sly glance. “Yea, if you call it work” one of them said, a smirk playing on his lips. “On Elm Street.”

Kenny’s stomach dropped. Elm Street. It was a well-known location, a place of desperation and exploitation. A wave of sadness washed over him. He’d always known Chidi’s life was tough, but he hadn’t realized…

He decided to go to Elm Street. He needed to see Chidi, to..., to make sure she was okay? He wasn't sure.

The street was a stark contrast to the rest of the neighbourhood. Lamps flickered, casting a lurid glow on the women standing in doorways and leaning against lampposts. Chidi was among them, her face hard, her eyes shadowed.

She saw Kenny approaching and her expression hardened. “What are you doing here?” she hissed, her voice low and furious. “Go home, Kenny.”

“I was worried,” he said, his voice soft.

“Worried?” she scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness. "About what?"

"I mean" Kenny trailed as Chidi focused intently on him. "I don't know"

"Well, go home, and we will talk about it once you figure it out"

Kenny stammered, "Why are you doing this?"

“Why? Why you ask? What do you expect?” she snapped, her voice rising. “People like me end up doing two things: robbery or prostitution. It’s not like we had so many choices.” She looked away, a flicker of shame in her eyes. "You don't get to judge me."

“I'm sorry, I'm not, I ... argh.”

“Go home Kenny, just go home,” she repeated, her voice weary.

He nodded, turning to leave.

Back at Chidi’s house, the boys were still playing their game. They snickered as Kenny entered. “Look who’s back,” one of them said, a cruel grin spreading across his face. “Did you find your girlfriend?”

Kenny’s anger flared. “Shut up,” he said, his voice sharp and dangerous. The boys’ grins faded. He went into Chidi’s room and shut the door.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his mind racing. He has spent the entire day talking about himself, but things has not been fairer for Chidi too, yet, she been quiet and let him dump all his problem on her.

A moment later, one of the boys knocked on the door. “Hey, Kenny,” he said, his voice unusually subdued. “Someone came looking for you.”

Kenny’s heart pounded. “Who?”

“A lady,” the boy shrugged. “Asked for you. We told her where you went.”

"What did she look like?"

"Dunno, real tall and muscular"

It was the lady who had knife to his throat! A cold dread washed over Kenny. He had to get to Chidi.

Panic surged through Kenny. He looked at the painting of Chidi hanging on the wall. The stranger knows what Chidi looked like. She knows where Chidi is.

He bolted out the door, his feet pounding on the dirt floor. He had to get to Chidi before it was too late.