Chapter 6 Old Enemy, New Eyes
The workshop was unusually quiet the next morning, or maybe it just felt that way because everyone was watching him. Manny kept his head down under the belly of another danfo bus, spanner turning slowly in his hands,and sleep had refused to come again last night.
The glowing cracks on his arms were worse now, spreading toward his collarbone like angry spiderwebs under his skin, he had worn the longest shirt he owned to hide them, but the heat still leaked through, making his whole body feel like it was running a low fever.
Mr. Segun had not said much when he arrived, just gave him a long look and pointed at the broken buses,no customers were talking to him today,they all kept their distance,smart people.
He was tightening a loose exhaust pipe when he heard heels clicking on the dirty concrete. Sharp, confident steps. Not the usual flip-flop or bare feet of the area.
“Manny Okoye.”
The voice cutting through the noise in the workshop like a blade,he froze for a second, then slowly rolled out from under the bus. When he stood up, wiping grease from his hands, he found himself staring at a woman he had hoped never to see again.
Adaora Eze.
She looked almost the same as she did twelve years ago, but harder,sharper,natural braids pulled back tightly, a simple blouse and jeans that said she wasn’t here to impress anyone. There was a small scar on her jaw now that wasn’t there before,her eyes though were the same. Cold and judgmental,like she could see every rotten thing he had ever done.
“You’ve got some nerve showing your face in public after that alley video,” she said, voice low. A few mechanics nearby pretended to work but were clearly listening.
Manny stared at her. “Adaora. What do you want?”
She stepped closer, arms folded. “I want the truth, I’m the one who helped put you away back then, remember? I wrote the articles that made sure the judge saw exactly who you were,the monster who ordered that family burned alive and now here you are, walking free, burning people in alleys and calling it a miracle?”
Manny felt the heat rising in his chest again. He fought it down hard. “I served my time. Twelve years. I’m trying to live quietly,why can’t you people just leave me alone?”
Adaora laughed, but it was a bitter one. “Quiet? You burned three men alive last night and the video is everywhere, churches are calling you prophet, people are saying God has forgiven you, but I know who you really are, Emmanuel Okoye. Men like you don’t change, you just find new ways to destroy.”
The words hit him harder than he expected,he looked away, jaw tight, as the glowing lines under his shirt started to burn hotter,the Voice stirred, curious.
She carries pain too. Deep pain.
“Leave,” Manny said, voice rough. “I don’t want trouble with you.”
But Adaora wasn’t done,she stepped even closer, eyes flashing. “My brother is dead because of people like you, street boys fighting over territory, burning houses, killing innocent people. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and you… you were one of the worst,so tell me, how does a murderer suddenly become a holy man? Did prison really wash all that blood off your hands?”
Something snapped.
Manny felt the Godspark surge upward without warning,his throat grew hot, his mouth opened slightly, and words came out, wrapped in that terrible power.
“Tell me about your brother, Adaora.”
She froze. Her body jerked like someone had poured cold water on her, her eyes widened in shock and sudden fear as the truth began forcing its way out of her mouth.
“I… I blame myself,” she whispered, voice shaking. Tears filled her eyes against her will. “He called me that night,said he was in trouble with some area boys. I was chasing a big story,and I told him I was busy, and told him to handle himself. If I had gone to get him… if I had answered properly… he would still be alive, I failed him, every day I wake up knowing I failed my own blood.”
Tears rolled down her face,she looked horrified, like she couldn’t believe what she was saying. The black veins appeared under her skin for a moment, thin, dark lines of guilt and grief spreading across her neck.
Manny staggered back, fighting the power with everything in him. “Stop. I didn’t mean to”
But the Godspark wasn’t finished. It pushed one more truth out of her.
“And I’m scared,” she continued, voice breaking. “Scared that if this power of yours is real… then maybe God really can change monsters and if He can change you, then I have no excuse for still hating the world.”
Adaora clapped her hand over her mouth, eyes blazing with anger and humiliation,she stepped back quickly, breathing hard.
“What did you do to me?” she demanded, voice trembling with rage. “What kind of devil trick is this?”
Manny stood there, shaken. New glowing cracks had appeared on the back of his hands, visible now. “I’m sorry. I can’t control it. It just… happens.”
Adaora wiped her face roughly, trying to regain control. But the damage was done. She looked at him differently now not just with hate, but with confusion. Fear. Maybe even a little awe.
“You’re dangerous,” she said quietly. “Whatever this thing is inside you, it’s not clean. I’m going to write about this. About you. And when I do, I’ll make sure people see the truth, not the prophet bullshit.”
She turned and walked away, steps no longer as steady as when she arrived. But before she disappeared around the corner, she glanced back once. Their eyes met.
Manny felt something twist in his chest. Not just guilt. Something more complicated.
He sat down heavily on an old tire, staring at his glowing hands, the power was getting stronger, it didn’t care what he wanted. It took what it wanted.
And now the woman who had helped destroy his old life had seen the new monster growing inside him.
Worse still… part of him wanted her to come back.
The Voice whispered softly in his mind, almost amused.
She will be useful, they always are.
Manny closed his eyes tight, exhausted.
This thing inside him wasn’t just burning sinners anymore.
It was starting to burn his chances at any kind of normal life.
