The entire estate scattered as neighbors ran toward Block C where the woman screameda's heartbeat raced.
Chidi held her hand tightly as they pushed through the crowd.
The woman, Mama Uju, was on the ground crying uncontrollably.
"My daughter was in the parlour! I just stepped inside the kitchen for two minutes—two minutes! When I came out… she was gone!"
People tried to calm her, but something strange happened.
A boy from the compound pointed toward the gate and shouted:
"Aunty! See Uju!"
Everyone turned.
Little Uju was standing outside the compound gate… barefoot… staring into space like she didn't know where she was.
No tears.
No fear.
Just empty eyes.
Her mother ran to her, shaking her shoulders.
"Uju!! Where did you go?! Who carried you?! Talk to me!!!"
But the child didn't speak.
Her eyes were fixed.
Still.
Frozen with fear.
The vigilante ran to the security post.
"Did anybody carry this child out?!"
The gateman raised both hands.
"I no see anybody, sir! I swear, nobody passed me!"
Ada felt her knees weaken.
Again…
no adult was seen.
No sound.
No footsteps.
No trace.
Just a child appearing out of nowhere.
The chairman tried to calm the crowd.
"Everyone please return to the hall! We must continue the meeting. Something is seriously wrong."
But as people walked back, little Uju suddenly grabbed her mother's hand tightly and whispered:
"Mummy…
the man said…
I should come back before they notice."
Her mother froze.
Ada's entire body went cold.
Somto's voice echoed in her memory:
"He talks like someone we know…"
Slowly, very slowly…
everyone turned toward Mr. Dike again.
He remained seated.
Expressionless.
Silent.
But his eyes…
his eyes were glistening with something Ada had never seen before.
Fear.
Regret.
Or guilt?
No one could tell.
The hall became quiet again.
The chairman took a breath.
"Mr. Dike… it is time you explain what is happening in your flat."
He looked up.
"I knew this day would come," he whispered.
---