## Chapter 1: The Beginning of Kalaba's Path
Kalaba was born in the small, unassuming village of Chikuni. From a young age, he was known for his mischievous nature and his quick fingers. While other children played innocently, Kalaba was always looking for ways to outsmart them. His mother, Mwansa, worked tirelessly in the fields to provide for her family, but Kalaba’s father had disappeared long before he was born, leaving Mwansa to raise her son alone.
Kalaba’s journey into the world of crime began innocently enough. At the age of seven, he stole his first sweet from Mrs. Kalunga’s store. It was a small, brightly colored candy, and he had wanted it desperately. The thrill of taking something without paying for it gave him a rush unlike anything he had ever experienced. From that moment on, Kalaba was hooked.
### Chapter 2: The Escalation
As Kalaba grew older, his petty thefts became more frequent and daring. By the age of twelve, he had graduated from stealing sweets to pilfering small amounts of money from unattended purses and pockets. The villagers of Chikuni began to notice that things were going missing, but no one could pinpoint who was responsible. Kalaba’s skill at evading detection was growing along with his ambition.
At fifteen, Kalaba’s crimes took a darker turn. He began breaking into homes at night, stealing anything of value that he could find. Jewelry, money, and even food were fair game. The village was thrown into a state of fear and suspicion, with neighbors turning against each other as they tried to identify the thief among them.
Kalaba reveled in the chaos he was causing. He loved the power he felt when he outwitted the villagers and the thrill of danger that accompanied his nightly escapades. He was becoming bolder and more reckless, convinced that he was untouchable.
### Chapter 3: The Turning Point
One fateful night, Kalaba’s luck ran out. While attempting to steal from the home of Kapembwa, the village elder, he was caught red-handed. Kapembwa, an imposing figure with a stern demeanor, dragged Kalaba out into the village square and called for a meeting. The villagers gathered, and Kapembwa revealed Kalaba’s crimes to the shocked crowd.
Mwansa, Kalaba’s mother, was devastated. She had tried her best to raise her son properly, but his actions had brought shame upon their family. The villagers demanded punishment, and Kapembwa decided that Kalaba would be sent away to a reformatory school in Lusaka. The hope was that strict discipline and a change of environment would set him on the right path.
### Chapter 4: The Reformatory School
Life at the reformatory school was harsh and unforgiving. The days were filled with grueling work and strict rules, and the nights were spent in cramped dormitories under the watchful eyes of the guards. Kalaba hated every minute of it. He felt trapped and angry, and his resentment towards authority only grew stronger.
Despite the school’s efforts to reform him, Kalaba’s criminal tendencies were only being honed and refined. He learned new techniques from other boys, many of whom had their own tales of theft and deceit. Kalaba quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a leader among his peers and orchestrating small heists within the school.
By the time Kalaba was released at the age of eighteen, he was more cunning and ruthless than ever. The reformatory school had failed to reform him; instead, it had turned him into a more efficient and dangerous criminal.
### Chapter 5: The Return to Chikuni
Kalaba returned to Chikuni with a hardened heart and a steely determination. The village had changed little in his absence, but Kalaba was a different person. He quickly fell back into his old ways, but this time, his crimes were more calculated and ambitious.
