Zarah kept her pace steady, her every instinct screaming at her to run. The black SUV's engine rumbled to life, its headlights flickering on as it began to follow her. She turned onto a side street, her breath quickening as she scanned for escape routes.
A marketplace sprawled ahead, bustling with vendors and shoppers. Without hesitation, she slipped into the crowd, weaving between stalls laden with colorful fabrics, fresh produce, and handmade goods.
Behind her, the SUV came to a halt, and two men stepped out, their eyes scanning the throng of people.
Zarah ducked behind a stall, pulling a scarf from a rack and quickly wrapping it around her head to blend in. She grabbed a pair of sunglasses from her bag and put them on, transforming her appearance just enough to buy time.
She moved deeper into the market, her heart pounding in her chest. The men were still searching, their movements methodical. One of them spoke into a phone, and moments later, another man appeared at the far end of the market, cutting off her exit.
Zarah's mind raced. She needed a distraction.
Spotting a vendor selling fireworks, she quickly approached. "How much for these?" she asked, her voice calm but urgent.
The vendor looked at her skeptically. "Depends. What are you planning?"
"Nothing illegal," she said, forcing a smile. "Just a quick show."
She handed over some cash, grabbed a small bundle of fireworks, and ducked behind a nearby stall. Using a lighter she kept in her bag, she ignited the fuse.
The fireworks erupted in a burst of color and noise, startling the crowd. People screamed and scattered, creating chaos.
Zarah used the distraction to slip away, darting down an alley and emerging onto a quieter street. Her phone buzzed in her pocket—another message from Ayodele.
**Ayodele:** "The meeting starts in 30 minutes. Are you safe?"
She quickly typed back: **"Safe for now. On my way."**
---
Back in Lagos, Ayodele sat in front of his laptop, preparing for the call. Dr. Yusuf stood behind him, reviewing notes and organizing the data they would present.
"This is our chance," Yusuf said, his voice steady. "If we can convince Interpol and the UN to take this seriously, we'll have the momentum we need."
Ayodele nodded, though his thoughts were with Zarah. He hadn't heard from her in over ten minutes, and the silence was gnawing at him.
---
Zarah arrived at an internet café, her adrenaline still pumping. She paid for a private booth and locked the door behind her, quickly setting up her laptop. The secure link Ayodele had sent was already open, and she joined the call just as it began.
The faces of Interpol agents, UN representatives, and the London journalist filled the screen. Ayodele's face appeared a moment later, his expression brightening when he saw her.
"Zarah," he said softly, relief evident in his voice.
"I'm here," she replied, her voice steady despite the chaos she had just escaped.
The journalist began the meeting, laying out the evidence Zarah and Ayodele had compiled. Spreadsheets, maps, and memos appeared on the screen, each one painting a damning picture of the corporations' actions.
Zarah and Ayodele took turns explaining the links between the contamination and the malaria resistance patterns. The Interpol agents listened intently, occasionally jotting down notes.
When they finished, one of the agents leaned forward. "This is compelling evidence," she said. "But it's also dangerous. The people behind this will stop at nothing to protect their interests. Are you both prepared for the consequences of going public?"
Zarah glanced at Ayodele. He nodded, and she did the same.
"We are," she said firmly. "This isn't just about us. It's about the communities being poisoned, the lives being lost. Someone has to stand up to them."
The agent smiled faintly. "Good. Then we'll proceed. But we'll need to act quickly before they can cover their tracks."
---
As the call ended, Ayodele felt a surge of hope. For the first time, it felt like they were on the brink of a breakthrough.
But Zarah's expression was more cautious. "They're not going to back down easily," she said. "We need to stay vigilant."
"We will," Ayodele promised. "Together."
Zarah nodded, her determination unwavering. The fight was far from over, but they were no longer alone.
---