Thinking of getting lost she remembered the incidence of two days ago and decided to go back there.

The compound was quiet as the last time she'd been there. She quickly made her way to the woman's hut, hoping that she was doing the right thing.

She was still lay on the mud bed and unmoving. The young girl rushed to her side. 'Are you okay?' She gasped as a thought crossed her mind. 'Or . . . have you been adultnapped?'

The woman raised her gaze to the younger girl's, her eyes were filled with pain and tears. She sniffled. 'Not really, it's just the pain coming back.'

'Are you okay?' Eniiyi asked again. 'Why didn't you go to the hospital?'

The woman smiled at the girl, her right eye leaked a single trail of tear down the side of her face at this. 'It's no use, I'm going to die soon, anyway.'

Eniiyi gasped at this. 'Don't say that, ma!'

'It's okay, I know. I've had cervical cancer for a long time now, I only came to the village to die peacefully.'

'Where have you come from?' the girl wanted to know.

'I used to live and work in Abuja. So when it was discovered I had cervical it was already in it's late stage and I won't survive it, I decided to come back to the village to die in peace. Only those people won't let me, they brought me here to be healed by the shaman. As if!' She winced at this and then cried out as pain took over her whole body.

Eniiyi stared on awkwardly, wishing she could help ease the woman's pain but knowing there was nothing she could do. She placed a small hand over the woman's. God, she's so young! she thought. The woman looked to be in her early forties, if her estimation was correct.

'But a hospital is better!' she said. 'Who's a shaman, by the way?'

'A native doctor, he . . .'

'What! Not one of those people who dress like mads and kill people for sacrifice and worship sticks and stones and idols!' she relayed all she'd heard about them since her stay in the village.

The woman smiled sadly, Eniiyi could tell it cost her to do that. 'I didn't know you would say that. I'm a Christian myself, so I don't believe in things like that, but it's not like I can take myself away from here.'

Eniiyi frowned. 'I'm not a Christian, but I don't believe in voodoo things. I wish my parents were here, they'd know what to do.'

'Where are you from?' the woman asked.

'My name is Eniiyi, I'm not from here, I'm from Osogbo, but I'm staying with my grandmother here.'

The woman said nothing at this, she looked strangely still and Eniiyi thought she'd fallen asleep.

'You probably shouldn't bother yourself with me, kid. Don't worry, I'm going to die very soon, I can feel it.' She finally said.

Eniiyi started to shake her head but light footfalls caught her hearing. She did have very sharp sense organs than normal.

She knew it must be the man. She stared in horror at the woman.

'Go.' The woman gave her hand a light squeeze and released it.

Eniiyi gulped and knew she must obey, she had to escape before the man got too close.

'I'm sorry,' she said solemnly and made for the door.

'Thank you, Eniiyi.'

It was whispered so softly that she almost didn't catch it. She turned back and stared at the woman, feeling intense pain and anger for her then turned on her heels and left.

* The Pidgin word for butt. Used in this context means one seat ( for one butt) left.

**Synonym for Lagos State.