Forgotten daughter

chapter 16 8pm

*7:59PM. SUV. TINTED. LAGOS ISLAND.*

The laptop was burning my thighs.

Kyle’s hand hadn’t left mine since Apapa.

Number 1: “30 seconds, Ma.”

My phone buzzed. Unknown number.

`“You shouldn’t have opened that.”`

I didn’t reply.

I looked at Kyle instead.

He looked back. 10 years in his eyes.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

I nodded. “I’ve been ready since I was 8.”

*8:00PM.*

Number 1 hit post.

Lisa Group Official.

`‘This is why I came back from the dead.’`

Video attached. Clare’s voice: `“Kill the girl. Kill Kyle.”`

For one second. Silence.

Then my phone started screaming.

Calls. Texts. Notifications.

50. 100. 1000.

I didn’t look.

*8:02PM.*

Kyle’s thumb brushed over my knuckles.

“You don’t have to watch it,” he said.

I shook my head. “I’m not watching numbers.

I’m watching you.”

He exhaled. Like he’d been holding his breath for 10 years.

And then... he cried.

Just one tear. Down his cheek.

“Rest, dearest,” he whispered. Same words from when I was 11.

“Rest now.”

I reached up and wiped it.

“I’m not tired anymore.”

*8:05PM. MY PHONE RANG.*

Auntie Katie.

I answered.

“Baby?” Her voice was shaking. “The whole world knows.

The news. i********:. Twitter. Baby, are you okay?”

I smiled. First real smile in days.

“I’m okay, Auntie.

I’m finally okay.”

Through the tinted windows, Lagos was still moving.

People didn’t know yet.

But they would.

*8:15PM. KNOCK.*

Not on the SUV. On my heart.

Number 1’s radio crackled.

“Unit 3, be advised. Daniel and Clare’s jet just left MMIA.

Destination unknown. Warrants issued.”

They ran.

Good.

Kyle pulled me closer.

“They’re scared now,” he said.

“Let them be.”

My phone buzzed again. Not a call.

Email. No sender.

Subject: `THREAT 5`

I opened it.

`You killed Clare’s career. You ruined Daniel’s name.

But you forgot about us.

Folder 3 had 47 names.

You just made 47 enemies.

See you soon, Ghost.`

The SUV went cold.

Kyle read it over my shoulder.

His jaw locked. Hand went to his gun.

“Ma,” Number 1 said from the front. “We have movement.

Black SUV. 2 cars back. Been there since VI.”

I closed the email.

Looked at Kyle.

Looked out at Lagos lights.

“They posted me,” I said quietly.

“Now I post them.”

I leaned my head on Kyle’s shoulder.

“Day 3 wasn’t about bonuses.

Day 3 wasn’t about survival.”

My voice didn’t shake.

“Day 3 is about war.”

_TO BE CONTINUED..._

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