Tendai doesn’t argue about going to join the library, it’s the only way to keep them preoccupied. Scar is always watching them like a hawk. He wanted to tell Warder Luke about Scar’ threats but he fears being seen with him.

Innocent prefers reading over woodwork. He registers to write Matric. The subjects aren’t hard. The syllabus is different from the one in Zimbabwe. He has grown a passion for reading so he spends two days doing woodwork and the rest to reading.

Tendai just disappears leaving Innocent in the library. Innocent doesn’t see him walk away. He continues to read enjoying the flow of the book, ‘Awakening Dawn’. He isn’t aware that Scar is staring. As he’s busy reading he sees Scar.

He is shaken that he stands up looking for ways to run away but Scar isn’t alone, his gang is with him. He walks slowly away from them until he bumps onto Scar with his back. He turns to look at Scar and he is so close, he could feel the mbanje smell from his breath.

Innocent’s heart beats faster and he is nervous. He lifts his hands up shaking from his hands to his toes. He is frightened but the gang laughs and whispers behind him.

“He looks like a mouse,” he laughs louder. The gang fist-pump laughing and pointing at him. Innocent looks at them as they form a circle. He can’t run until he sees what they want. He is still shivering as they get closer to him.

“Your protector isn’t with you,” says Scar pointing a knife to Innocent.

His eyes are full of tears, his mouth shudders with fear. He tries to be calm but one thing that he’s scared for is his life. Scar is a cold-hearted murderer.

“Where is the gruesome one?” he asks as he marks his face with the knife.

It rubs and doesn’t cut. Innocent tries to stand as a robot, only his eyes rolled over. Scar looks at one of his gang who is a big man like him. He blinks twice then the big man hits Innocent in his stomach.

Innocent wails bending his head on his belly.

“Please forgive me, I will do anything…” he begs spitting blood from his mouth.

“You will do anything?” he pulls him up and puts the knife on his throat.

Innocent nods but Scar stabs him and he falls down holding his belly. He feels something warm. He looks at it and sees blood coming out from the cut. They leave as he falls on the ground. Two prisoners who witnessed everything call for help, but don’t tell who stabbed Innocent. It’s either they don’t tell and live, or they tell and die.

“Please, I need to see him,” pleads Tandai.

“I can’t! It’s against our safety policy,” Warder Luke said calmly.

“He is my brother, please help me,” Tendai wipes his face with tears.

“Don’t worry he will be fine and be back soon”.

Tendai only wants to see how much pain his friend is in. He also wants to know who did this. Tendai is sad. He wants to avenge for Innocent but he knows it’s Scar. Scar is dangerous he would never be able to fight him alone he has to, for his friend.

Tell us: What do you think about Tendai’s desire to avenge for Innocent?