Chapter 12: Weakness Behind Power

Nobody expect say na Chief Olumide go dey curl for stairwell, under strong white light.

Omo, big man wey people dey fear, now dey weak like fowl wey rain beat.

He wear pure black shirt and trousers, chest broad, body strong—but now, he just look weak.

All the power for the world nor fit help am now. I dey pity am, but fear dey catch me too.

As I open emergency exit, he turn quick. Sweat full him forehead, pain dey show, but him eyes cold, dey guard.

E quick turn like soldier, eye dey shine.

—I don jam something I no suppose see.

I freeze, but under him eye, I talk. “...You want make I call doctor?”

My voice shake small, but I gats try show courage.

Chief Olumide just dey look me, no talk.

E dey size me up, like say e dey decide if I go waka come out alive.

I raise my hand, press the white mask wey cover my face. Because of my scar, I dey always wear mask for outside so I no go scare people.

The mask dey help me blend, at least for street.

Him eye dey heavy, dey press me.

I wan waka comot, but as I see the veins for him head, lips pale from pain, pity catch me.

Even tiger get the day e need help. My heart just dey soft.

So I move close, bring out painkiller wey I always carry. Since I no fit treat my wound well, I dey used to chewing painkiller when pain too much.

E dey help me survive long shift. I get used to the taste.

Finally, e help me.

I just stretch hand, drop the medicine, no talk too much.