A doctor returns to clear his mother's name. In Zwenshambe, she sells fried dough by the road while Halima-healer, bully, neighbor-takes cash for "protection," and elders warn him to stop digging. Lightning strikes on a sunny day. The village turns into a search party. A donkey cart rattles past the kraal with the only witness who can break the spell of rumor-or disappear before dawn.