They didn’t go into details, just made sure I fear talking about it again. Losing my parents was incentive enough. And I’ve never heard them talk about the regime ever again.

A few months later, in December of ‘89, as more and more cities around the country were revolting, my parents suddenly took me to my grandparents’ in the countryside, and they went back to town. I didn’t know why. A few days later I saw on TV the “we’re free” news, with footage from around the country and the new “National Salvation Front” political party taking over. I didn’t understand much then, but I remember being proud that they finally “arrested the guy” (they executed him and his wife by firing squad, on Christmas day).