Codes of Silence

Chapter Seven – The First Betrayal

They waited until Friday prep ended.

That night, Korede and Adaora followed Samuel as he left the dorms and headed toward the staff quarters. He moved fast, like someone who didn’t want to be seen.

Korede signaled Adaora to stay hidden while he crept behind Samuel, staying low. Samuel entered Miss Kemi’s office. The light flipped on.

Minutes later, Korede watched from a window as Samuel handed her something—a thick brown envelope.

She didn’t look shocked. She smiled.

And then, she burned it in a metal bin.

Korede took photos with his phone, heart racing.

By the time he returned to Adaora’s hiding spot, she was gone.

He found her standing outside the main building, tears in her eyes.

“My father saw me,” she said quietly. “He followed me. He’s waiting at home.”

“Come with me then,” Korede said.

But she shook her head. “I have to go.”

He watched her disappear into the staff block.

An hour passed.

Then he got the text.

“I told you to stop. This is your last warning.”

The next morning, Adaora didn’t show up to class.

When Korede finally saw her, she had a red mark on her cheek.

But this time, she didn’t hide it.

When he asked if she was okay, she looked him in the eye and said:

“I’m not. But I won’t let him silence me anymore.”