Daniel's phone vibrated, and a message flashed across his screen: General Emeka Nwachukwu. His stomach turned. He knew what the call would be about. He took a big breath before he spoke.
The general's voice crackled, calm yet full of authority. "Captain Okoro," he said. "You've made a risky choice."
Daniel's eyes got smaller. "General, I'm not backing down." The truth must come out.
There was a halt on the other end of the queue. "Bringing to light the corruption in the military will cost you more than your rank." You will lose everything. Your family, your future, and your life. Daniel, think about it. "Once you cross that line, there's no going back."
Daniel's fingers were wrapped around the edge of the table. "I've already made up my mind. I'm going to do this. People need to know what's been going on.
"You'll regret this," Nwachukwu said, his voice getting colder, like a serpent poised to bite. "The military doesn't like traitors." And don't get me wrong, you're a traitor.
Daniel let out a short breath to try to calm his racing heart. "I'm not a traitor. I'm telling the truth. And I will make sure that people hear it.
The quiet between them was dense with threats that weren't said. Finally, the general spoke again, and his words were full with hate. "Then get ready for what will happen, Daniel. Things are going to become a lot worse before they get better.
The call ended, and Nwachukwu's comments hung in the air like a heavy weight. Daniel's heart raced in his chest, but there was no way to go back now. The struggle was on.
Daniel sat in his dark apartment, running his fingertips down the corners of the screen. His phone buzzed again, and a news alert sprang up on the screen: "Daniel Okoro, a former soldier, is accused of treason." The military says he is a threat to national security.
His blood froze. The counterattack had begun.
"What did I say?" Amina's voice came through the phone with a mix of worry and anger. "This was going to happen."
Daniel said under his breath, "They've already started," as the weight of the situation hit him. "They're making me look like a traitor."
Amina remarked, "You have to stay ahead of them." "You can't allow this smear campaign work. Daniel, you have the proof. "Keep going."
Daniel ran his fingers through his hair and looked at the television. "Now it's not just my reputation at stake." "It's my life."
Amina's voice got softer, but her words were firm. "If they're coming for you, Daniel, they're also coming for me." "We're all in this together."
A cold stillness hung between them as he realised what was really going on. The military was doing everything it could to shut him up. His reputation was ruined, and the whole country was watching, ready to tear him apart.
Daniel finally responded, "I won't stop." His voice was steady but full of determination. "They can try to ruin me and smear me, but I won't stop." No matter what, the truth is coming out.
At that moment, his phone buzzed again. The message came from a number he didn't know: "You're making a mistake, Okoro." "Don't say anything, or you'll lose everything."
Daniel stepped out of his flat, feeling like the whole world was on his shoulders. As he walked to his car, the sun had just set, making lengthy shadows on the roadway. He looked around uneasily, thinking that everyone who walked by may be a threat.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. The screen lit up with Amina's name. He answered right away.
"It's getting worse, Daniel," Amina stated in a tight voice. "They're following you." I've been getting news from our contacts. "The military is keeping an eye on everything you do."
Daniel's grip on the wheel got stronger. "I know. I can sense it. "Someone is always watching me."
Amina's voice got lower, and it was clear she was worried. "You need to stay out of sight. This is no longer just a smear campaign. "People are coming after you."
Daniel's mind was racing and his ideas were all over the place. "I can't stay hidden forever. I have to keep going and keep spilling the proof. People need to see it.
There was a pause on the other end. "It's too risky, Daniel. We've already gone too far. If you don't go away, they'll come after you harder. "You know what they can do."
Daniel's eyes quickly moved to the rearview mirror. There was a black PEUGEOT behind him, just a few cars behind. His heart raced. "They're already here."
He hung up the phone, and his mind was racing. He had to keep going. He had to stay one step ahead of the troops as they closed in.
Daniel didn't like how silent the safe house was. It smelt like old air and dust. He had been hiding here for the past few days, hoping the storm would pass. But tonight, everything felt different. A chill ran down his back.
His phone rang. Amina sent a message that said, "Be careful." They're getting closer.
The room was so quiet that it made it hard to breathe. He put the phone down on the table and stood up, pacing. His military instincts alerted him that something was off. He went to the window and looked out through the blinds.
A black PEGEOUT slowly drove by the building, and its headlights got dimmer as it got to the corner. Daniel's breath got stuck in his throat. He was no longer alone.
His fingers were hovering above his rifle, but the front door burst open before he could do anything. Military personnel stormed the little flat with guns drawn.
Daniel swore beneath his breath and jumped behind the couch. He took his phone and texted Tunde. "They're here." I need help.
He could hear the sound of boots trampling through the flat. He couldn't stay here for much longer. The operatives were getting closer, and the only way out was the back.
A familiar person arrived at the doorway just as Daniel was going to run away. Tunde. He waved Daniel to follow.
"Get moving!" Tunde yelled and pulled Daniel into the hall. The two men ran through the tiny area, just missing the operatives.
"Get in the car!" Tunde yelled.
Daniel's pulse raced as they ran down the alley. Tunde was breathing hard and looking back over his shoulder. Tunde's face was pallid as he remarked, "We're not safe yet."
"Do you think they'll stop?" Daniel questioned, his voice hoarse from being tired.
Amina didn't answer right away. Instead, she typed on her laptop and read the newest news stories about how he had betrayed her. "The military's response is harsh. They've already called you a traitor. The slander effort is picking up speed.
Daniel ran a hand through his hair, feeling angry. "I assumed people would see once the truth came out. But now... it's all lies.
Amina's eyes softened. Daniel, the truth is out. You can't expect a war to end easily when you start one like this.
Daniel's phone buzzed, and a message popped up on the screen: "Military Cracks Down on Daniel Okoro." More and more people are calling for an immediate arrest.
He slapped the phone down on the table and made fists with his hands. "Now I'm the enemy."
Amina's voice got stronger. "This isn't just about you anymore. Daniel, our friends are terrified. Some of them are backing out."
At that moment, a shadow went by their booth. Daniel's instincts kicked in. He looked up and saw Kofi, one of their trusted friends, standing by the door. But something wasn't right. Kofi's eyes moved about anxiously, avoiding their attention.
Amina became rigid. "Why is he here?"
Kofi turned around and spoke softly before Daniel could answer. "They're coming." "You're not safe here."
Kofi's phone rang out of the blue, and he went outside to answer it. Daniel watched him leave, and he started to feel suspicious. This wasn't right.
The discomfort set in. They only trusted Kofi. Daniel looked after him, but something warned him that trust was about to be broken.