He returned to the case of the battered 8-year-old. "Kamilek's face was with me the whole time."

Krystyna Romanowska: It's hard to read about children being abused and murdered. I imagine it's even harder to write about them. Was there a moment when you wanted to stop writing a book about Kamil?

Bartosz Wojsa: No. I wanted to believe—and I think I still do, perhaps naively—that if this book changes the consciousness of even one person, it means it was worth writing. I'd like this book to lead to some kind of change. I'm not saying it has to be a huge breakthrough, because many books and reports have already been written about child abuse in Poland. But I believe it will at least bring about a social change in terms of awareness. And that it will spark discussion.

I tried to maintain a professional distance from this matter, but Kamil's face was with me the entire time I was writing and I can still practically see it.

While I was writing, my child was born, which gave this book a completely different meaning. As a father responsible for the little man's life, the injustices experienced by little Kamil resonated deeply with me.

You went to Częstochowa to see the house where the boy and his family lived. But when you arrived, you found an empty playground and an abandoned building…

When I first stood in front of this building, I got chills. The building was already empty; it had been in poor condition, and after the tragedy, the decision was made to evict all the residents. It was symbolic, in a way, that no one wanted to live there anymore. The windows were covered with tape, and the walls were riddled with air rifle bullets. This was how the residents of Częstochowa demonstrated their dislike for the perpetrators of the boy's abuse and subsequent death, but also for those who, through their inaction, contributed to the tragic outcome. What I remember most vividly was the solitary slide next to the empty building. Old photos showed that the place was bustling with life, with countless children playing there. Today, only that single, empty slide remains – an image that, for me, has become a symbol of the entire affair. That's why it's featured on the book's cover.

Is this a symbol of shame for Częstochowa?

I think it's not just for Częstochowa, although residents do feel the stigma. It's a symbol of shame for all of us adults who failed in this matter. Because the truth is, the boy was indirectly killed by a lack of action – a lack of action by institutions, but also a lack of action by society as a whole. The shame and desire for reparation are clearly visible at the cemetery. Flowers and candles regularly appear on Kamil's grave. The grave is very well cared for. It's a quiet gesture, their way of remembering, but also of atonement, even if only in a small way.