Chapter 8: My City, My Home, and the Dark Alleys

Today, my heart feels heavy. Sometimes I wonder—has "safety" just become a word in the dictionary for people like us? Today, I had to walk through that same lane again, where darkness and silence felt like they were stalking me.

It’s ironic, isn't it? I live in a "VIP Zone." My neighbors are powerful Ministers, elite businessmen, doctors and high-ranking officers. From my window, I can see the glittering lights of their mansions, but just a few steps away, the reality is a nightmare.

Those vacant plots next to my house have turned into a literal jungle of garbage and wild bushes. But Diary, it’s not just about the filth. That mess is a sanctuary for criminals. They intentionally turn off the streetlights, plunging the road into darkness. Why? So they can have their liquor parties in peace, or hide behind the bushes to snatch a phone or harass a woman.

The most painful part is the mockery of justice. When those criminals—the same ones who stole my phone—get out of jail and laugh in my face, it breaks something inside me. Their laughter seems to say, "See? Nobody can touch us. We have 'Political Connections'." Is a common citizen’s dignity worth less than a criminal’s reach?

People advise me, "Don't step out after dark." But why? Aren't these streets mine too? Doesn't this city belong to me? Even when the authorities occasionally clear the bushes, these goons retaliate by throwing even more filth there, just to show their "power." This rot isn't just on the ground; it’s in their mindset.

I don’t want a war with anyone. I just want a system—a law—that holds people accountable for these vacant plots and punishes those who treat public property like their personal playground. I want to step out of my house without checking the clock or feeling a knot of fear in my stomach.

I hope, someday, someone will actually listen.

Despite all the struggles, I refuse to give up on my city. I hold a deep, unwavering hope that we will evolve beyond these issues. I truly believe that with the right actions and better laws, our city will develop into a place that is not just modern in infrastructure, but also safe and respectful in spirit. I dream of a city that grows every day, ensuring that every citizen can walk freely and proudly in the light.