The day was unusually bright for early winter, the sunlight sharp and glaring as it bounced off the stone pathways of the campus. Marriam stood near the entrance of the Humanities Building, her fingers nervously twisting the strap of her satchel. She could feel the anticipation thrumming through her veins, a pulse that grew louder with every passing second. Today was a day for confrontations, for truths that could no longer be buried beneath the weight of secrecy.
Jay had asked her to meet him here. She hadn't seen him since their hurried meeting in the library the previous night, where plans were made and alliances forged. There was something different about him in that moment—a determination that had replaced the weariness in his eyes. She could sense that he was ready to face the storm head-on, and she was ready to stand by his side.
But now, standing alone, the quiet tension was beginning to unravel her resolve. She checked her phone for the third time in as many minutes, hoping for a message or a missed call, but there was nothing. Just as she began to pace, the door swung open, and Jay emerged, his expression intense and focused.
"Marriam," he said, his voice clipped. "We need to talk, but not here."
She nodded, sensing the urgency in his tone. "Where?"
He glanced around, then took her by the elbow, leading her quickly toward a secluded courtyard at the back of the building. The moment they were out of sight, Jay turned to her, his face inches from hers, his eyes dark with emotion.
"We don't have much time," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Richard knows we're onto him. He's starting to make moves. I've seen him speaking with Dlamini twice this morning, and whatever they're planning, it's happening soon."
Marriam felt her stomach drop. "What do you think they're going to do?"
Jay shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think they're going to try and publicly discredit us—maybe even push the university to act against us. If Dlamini has enough sway, he could influence the board. They'd suspend me, maybe even expel you."
Marriam's heart pounded. "What do we do? How do we stop them?"
Jay's expression hardened. "We need evidence—something undeniable that links Richard and Dlamini to this conspiracy. And I think I know where we can find it."
Marriam's eyes widened. "Where?"
"Richard's office," Jay replied. "He's been careless lately, and if we're lucky, there's a paper trail—emails, documents, something. We just need to get in there."
Marriam hesitated. "That's risky. If we're caught…"
Jay nodded. "I know, but we don't have a choice. This is our best shot."
She swallowed hard, steeling herself. "Okay. When do we do it?"
Jay glanced at his watch. "Tonight. After hours. The building will be locked, but I have a way in. Meet me here at 9 PM."
Marriam nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "I'll be there."
Jay squeezed her hand briefly, then turned and left, disappearing around the corner. Marriam stood there for a moment, feeling the cold wind bite at her cheeks, before finally turning to head to her dorm. There was no turning back now.
---
That evening, the campus was eerily quiet. Marriam waited in the shadows near the Humanities Building, her breath fogging in the cold night air. The minutes ticked by slowly, each second stretching into eternity. Finally, she saw Jay's silhouette approaching through the gloom.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice low.
She nodded, swallowing her fear. "Yes."
Jay produced a small keycard from his pocket. "I borrowed this from a colleague. It should get us inside."
They moved swiftly, slipping through the side entrance, the door clicking shut behind them with a quiet finality. The halls were dark, the only sound the distant hum of the heating system. Jay led the way, his steps sure and silent, until they reached Richard's office.
Jay bent over the door, inserting a small tool into the lock. After a few tense moments, there was a soft click, and the door creaked open. They slipped inside, closing it quietly behind them.
The office was dark, lit only by the moonlight streaming through the window. Marriam's heart pounded in her chest as Jay moved to the computer. "Keep watch," he whispered, and she nodded, turning her attention to the door.
Minutes passed in tense silence. Jay's fingers flew over the keyboard, his eyes scanning the screen intently. Marriam felt her nerves fraying, every tiny noise magnified in the stillness. Just as she was about to ask how much longer, Jay let out a small, triumphant sound.
"I've got something," he whispered. "Emails—lots of them. All from Dlamini. And documents, too—financial records, transactions… This is it."
Marriam felt a surge of relief. "Let's get out of here."
Jay nodded, transferring the files to a flash drive. But just as he finished, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Marriam's breath caught in her throat.
"Someone's coming," she whispered urgently.
Jay's eyes widened. "Hide."
They ducked behind a tall bookshelf just as the door handle rattled. The door creaked open, and Richard stepped inside, his eyes sweeping over the darkened room. Marriam's heart pounded so loudly she was sure he would hear it.
Richard paused, seeming to sense something was off, but after a moment, he moved to his desk, grumbling to himself. He fumbled with a stack of papers, oblivious to their presence.
Jay motioned to Marriam, signaling for them to leave. They moved silently toward the door, slipping out just as Richard turned his back. The door closed behind them with a soft click.
They hurried down the hall, not daring to breathe until they were outside, the cold night air hitting them like a slap. Marriam felt her knees go weak, but Jay steadied her.
"We did it," he murmured, a grin breaking across his face. "We got what we needed."
Marriam exhaled, her relief palpable. "Now we just need to make sure it sees the light of day."
Jay nodded. "And we will. I promise."
As they walked away from the building, the night air sharp with cold, Marriam felt a sense of hope she hadn't felt in weeks. They had taken a huge risk, but they had won this battle. Now, they just needed to win the war.
But neither of them saw the figure watching from the shadows, a phone in his hand, the dim glow of the screen illuminating a sinister smile.
♧
Marriam stood at her desk, the phone pressed tightly against her ear. She could hear the faint rustle of papers and the soft murmur of voices in the background on Jay's end. He seemed distracted, as though something had caught his attention, but she could sense the urgency in his tone, the way his words were clipped and hurried.
"Jay," she whispered, feeling the anxiety coil tighter in her stomach, "what's happening? You sound… tense."
There was a pause on the other end, a brief moment of static that crackled through the line, and then his voice returned, softer now, almost a whisper. "I'm in Richard's office," he said, each word deliberate, careful. "I couldn't wait, Marriam. There was a window of opportunity, and I took it."
Her breath caught. "You're there now? Alone?"
"Yes." A heavy sigh followed. "I think I've found something—emails, documents, transactions—everything that ties Richard and Dlamini together. But there's more… Marriam, I think they've been monitoring us, watching us closely. There are notes, dates… even your class schedule is here."
Her heart raced. "What do you mean? They've been spying on us?"
"Exactly. There's a folder labeled 'Morado-Mayo'… It's not just about the rumors or the conspiracy; they've been compiling evidence, maybe even to use it against us."
Marriam felt a chill run down her spine. "Jay, you need to get out of there, now."
Another pause. She heard the faint creak of a door in the background. "I know," he muttered. "But I'm not done. If I can copy everything… I'll have enough to expose them both. I need a few more minutes."
"Jay," she pressed, her voice trembling slightly, "you're not safe. What if they come back? What if—"
Before she could finish, she heard a faint click, then a shuffling sound—footsteps, closer, approaching. Jay's breathing quickened. "Someone's coming," he whispered. "I need to hide."
"Jay!" Marriam's voice broke, a mix of fear and desperation. "Please, be careful."
"I will," he whispered back. "Stay on the line."
She heard him move, the rustle of fabric, the quiet creak of a chair being shifted. The footsteps grew louder, a steady rhythm approaching closer and closer. Marriam's heart pounded in her chest. She held her breath, listening intently, praying silently that Jay wouldn't be discovered.
Then, the footsteps stopped. She heard a door open, the hinges groaning in protest, followed by a low, murmuring voice. "Richard?" It was Dlamini. "Are you here?"
Jay's breathing was barely audible now, his voice a mere thread of sound. "I'm behind the desk," he whispered, almost inaudible. "Stay quiet."
Marriam clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle her own breathing, her body tense, every muscle taut as she strained to hear what was happening on the other end of the line.
Dlamini's voice grew louder, closer. "I thought I heard something… Richard?"
There was a long, agonizing pause, and then the sound of footsteps again, retreating this time. The door closed with a quiet thud, and Marriam let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Jay?" she whispered urgently. "Are you okay?"
His response came, breathless and shaky. "I'm fine. He's gone. But I need to move, now."
"Get out of there," she urged, her voice firm. "We have enough. Just get out safely."
"I will," he promised, his voice steadier now. "Meet me at the usual place in fifteen minutes. Don't go anywhere else."
"I'll be there," she replied, relief mingling with the lingering fear. "Just… be safe, Jay."
He paused, and for a moment, there was a softness in his voice that caught her off guard. "Marriam… thank you. For everything. I don't know where I'd be without you."
She smiled, despite the tension in her chest. "We're in this together, Jay. Always."
He exhaled softly, the sound almost a sigh of relief. "I'll see you soon."
The line went dead, and Marriam stood there for a moment, the phone still clutched in her hand, the reality of their situation settling in around her. She had to stay calm, had to focus. Jay was counting on her, and she would not let him down.
Grabbing her coat, she headed for the door, determination in every step. The night was far from over, and the storm had only just begun.
But this time, they were ready for it.