[Mombasa Hospital – Corridor Outside Children's Wing | August 26, 2005 – Afternoon]
Msemo didn't sit.
He never liked sitting in places like this.
Too many blind spots.
Too many unknowns.
Instead, he stood near the wall across from Dhalik's room.
Not close enough to draw attention.
Not far enough to lose sight.
Old habits.
They didn't leave.
Not even after years.
His arms were relaxed at his sides.
But his eyes—
were working.
Tracking movement.
Nurses passing.
Visitors walking in and out.
Doctors moving with purpose.
Nothing unusual.
But that didn't mean everything was normal.
His gaze shifted toward the door.
Dhalik's room.
He had seen the boy before the accident.
Running around the neighborhood.
Carefree.
Reckless.
Like any other kid.
But the boy he carried into the hospital…
wasn't that same child.
And the one inside that room now—
Msemo frowned slightly.
Something didn't sit right.
The door opened.
Dr. Mwenyeji stepped out.
Their eyes met briefly.
"You're still here," the doctor said.
Msemo nodded.
"How is he?"
A short pause.
"He's recovering," Dr. Mwenyeji replied.
"That's not what I asked."
The doctor studied him for a moment.
Then—
"He's recovering faster than expected."
Msemo's expression didn't change.
But his mind noted it.
"Faster… how?"
"Faster than his injuries allow."
That was enough.
Msemo glanced toward the door again.
"…Can I see him?"
Dr. Mwenyeji hesitated briefly.
Then nodded.
"Keep it short."
Msemo stepped past him without another word.
Inside the room—
Dhalik looked up immediately.
Before Msemo even spoke.
That alone—
was enough.
"You're awake," Msemo said.
Dhalik nodded.
"I've been awake."
Msemo stepped closer.
He didn't smile.
Didn't soften.
He observed.
"You remember me?" he asked.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
"…You carried me."
Msemo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Do you remember anything else?"
A pause.
Dhalik looked at him.
"…Not everything."
That answer was careful.
Too careful.
Msemo leaned slightly against the wall.
"Good," he said.
Dhalik frowned slightly.
"Good?"
"You don't need to remember everything," Msemo replied. "Just enough."
Silence.
Then—
"…Enough for what?" Dhalik asked.
Msemo didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
he asked his own question.
"You've noticed it, haven't you?"
Dhalik didn't respond.
But that was answer enough.
"The way things feel different," Msemo continued. "The way you see things now."
A pause.
"…Yes," Dhalik said.
Msemo nodded once.
"Then don't ignore it."
Dhalik's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…What is it?"
Another pause.
Msemo looked at him—
really looked this time.
Not like a guard.
Not like a neighbor.
Like someone assessing a situation.
"…I don't know yet," he said.
That was the truth.
"But I've seen enough to know—"
He pushed off the wall.
"…it's not normal."
Silence filled the room.
Dhalik didn't look surprised.
"…I figured."
Msemo gave a small nod.
Then turned toward the door.
"Get better," he said. "You'll need it."
He stepped out.
Leaving Dhalik alone again.
But this time—
something had changed.
Because now—
it wasn't just him noticing the difference.
Someone else had seen it too.
And that meant one thing.
Whatever was happening to him…
was real.
And sooner or later—
it would demand to be understood.
To be continued…