Chapter Nine – My Life First
"Unknown" was eerily calm. For a child to kill someone and remain so composed, without a shift in facial expression, was something beyond comprehension.
But if Ibrahim were here, he would have noticed something that might—just might—explain "Unknown's" behavior.
If you looked closely into "Unknown's" eyes, you'd see a glimpse of something inhuman, a hint of a will emerging from a depth no human mind could grasp. It seemed that this strange calmness stemmed from that. Perhaps "Unknown" wasn't aware of it yet, but one day, when the time is right, he will understand.
But that moment is not now.
Back to the present.
"Unknown" looked simply at the man's body lying before him, then turned quietly and followed his memory to leave the alley. He walked the usual path toward Ibrahim's house. But suddenly, and without warning, he collapsed at the doorstep.
Inside the house, an hour after sunset had passed, Ibrahim could no longer contain his worry. "Unknown" always returned home before sunset. Today only, Adam's mother had called to inform him that "Unknown" would stay until sundown and might be a bit late.
But now the sky was pitch black.
Ibrahim couldn't hold back any longer. He called Adam's mother and asked, filled with anxiety:
– "Hello, Umm Adam. When will 'Unknown' return? It's getting really late."
She answered, surprised:
– "What? He left at sunset!"
– "What?!" Ibrahim cried, fear gripping his heart. He tossed the phone aside and rushed to the door.
He had come to truly see "Unknown" as his son. And this reaction was purely paternal instinct.
As he opened the door, relief and dread struck him at once. There lay "Unknown", unconscious.
Ibrahim scooped him up quickly and carried him inside, laying him gently on the bed and trying to wake him.
– "Wake up... please, wake up!" he called repeatedly, to no avail.
Just as he was about to call an ambulance, a sudden scream pierced the silence:
– "Nooooooo!"
"Unknown's" eyes shot open, filled with tears and terror. Ibrahim sat beside him, trying to soothe him. It took several minutes, but eventually, the boy calmed down.
And then, he began to speak.
He told him everything.
About the fear, the alley, the thug, about that moment when time seemed to freeze, and the strange blow he delivered—something he'd never learned but had executed with perfection, as if he'd been training his whole life.
Ibrahim listened in heavy silence, trying to make sense of the impossible.
How could a child land a strike only professional fighters could achieve?
Not only that—the punch had landed on the "Adam's apple", a highly vulnerable spot known to combat masters. Unreal.
But right now, more than anything, "Unknown's" mental state was the priority.
His face was still consumed by terror and blankness.
Ibrahim spoke in a low, steady tone:
– "Listen carefully, 'Unknown'."
The boy turned toward him, his face still void of emotion.
– "You said that man chased you and wanted to harm you, right?"
"Unknown" nodded silently.
– "Then what happened to him is his own doing."
It was as if a gear within the child's mind finally turned. Something clicked.
Still, he stammered:
– "B-but I was the one who pro—"
Ibrahim cut him off firmly:
– "Enough. Anyone who intends harm must accept the possibility of retaliation. Think about it: if you hadn't moved... if he had struck you and you died—what would have happened? To you? To me? Would you be okay with dying over something that trivial?"
"Unknown's" eyes began to widen, awareness dawning.
"I don't want to die... I don't know why, but... I don't."
At that moment, a new spark ignited in his eyes.
Still uncertain, he asked:
– "But… killing… isn't it wrong?"
Ibrahim took a deep breath and spoke with weight:
– "You must always put life first. Your life must be your highest priority. Everything else—death, other people's lives, rules, systems—all secondary. They can be regained. But death... death is the end.
Imagine a man who successfully steals a fortune, only to be killed while escaping. What use was the money, if he died?
Now apply that to yourself.
Let's be honest," Ibrahim added, locking eyes with him:
– "What's more important to you—your life or that thug's?"
"Unknown" didn't even need to answer.
My life comes first.
Ibrahim saw the return of color to his face and smiled internally.
Had this realization not come early... "Unknown" might have spiraled into guilt for a lifetime.
But before the moment could settle, "Unknown" asked:
– "So... what do we do now? I killed that man, and there was no one else in the alley."
Ibrahim chuckled bitterly:
– "Don't worry. No one will suspect you. You look far too weak to have done anything like that. And more importantly... that alley is known as a den of crime. Bodies show up there every week. I never told you that before so you wouldn't be afraid, but it's the truth.
Still, just to be safe, don't tell anyone. Got it?"
"Unknown" nodded silently in agreement.
But before Ibrahim could say another word...
Knock, knock, knock!
A loud banging echoed from the door, slicing through the quiet.