Kelechi sat alone in her apartment, the device from Malik in her hands. It was late, and the city was quiet, but her mind was far from peaceful. The night felt thick with danger, as though something was lurking just beyond her reach.
The truth was, she didn't trust Malik. But the way he spoke, the confidence in his eyes—it was as if he already knew everything she was thinking.
Her phone buzzed again. Ayo.
She hesitated, but this time, she answered.
"Ayo," she said softly, her voice sounding more fragile than she intended. "I didn't mean to… push you away."
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"You don't need to explain. But Kelechi, you've been so different lately. I don't recognize you anymore. I'm worried."
"I'm fine," she lied, her voice hardening. "I've got everything under control."
"No, you don't," Ayo countered. "You're slipping. You're losing yourself."
The words struck her like a punch to the gut. She clenched her jaw, trying to suppress the hurt that threatened to rise up.
"I'm doing this for Seyi," she said, her voice shaking. "You wouldn't understand."
"I understand more than you think." Ayo's tone softened. "But you don't have to do this alone. I'm still here, Kelechi. I'm not giving up on you."
But Kelechi's mind wasn't on Ayo. It was on the files, on the people she had to destroy. She couldn't let herself be pulled back. Not now.
"I can't keep dragging you into this," she said, her voice cold. "I have to do this alone."
"I won't let you," Ayo insisted. "You don't have to fight this battle by yourself. Let me help you."
Kelechi didn't answer. She couldn't. Not when everything inside her told her that her path was already set, that there was no turning back.