Amina woke up with a tightness in her chest, the kind that told her the world wasn't done testing her yet. The house was still dim, the early morning light barely slipping through the cracked walls. She blinked slowly, trying to ground herself, but her heart was already racing. The memories of the night before—those harsh knocks, the shadows moving outside—hadn't left her mind for even a second.
Her grandmother was already awake, sitting on her mat with her prayer beads. The old woman's fingers trembled slightly, though her eyes remained steady. Amina could always tell when she was worried; she went silent, too silent.
"Good morning, Mama," Amina whispered.
Her grandmother looked up, tried to smile, but the cracks showed around her eyes. "You should eat something before work," she said softly. "Your body needs strength."
Amina nodded, but food felt like a stone sitting in her throat. Her ankle was still tender from the injury she'd gotten at work—thanks to Mrs. Bello—but she refused to limp. She had learned, painfully, that showing weakness around her stepmother's family or at her workplace only made things worse.
There was a sudden thud outside the house, sharp enough to make them both freeze.
Amina's grandmother clutched her beads. "Ya Allah… not again."
Amina rushed to the window, moved the curtain just enough to see outside. Two men stood at the corner of the compound, pretending to talk but looking far too interested in their house. Her pulse kicked hard.
Not thieves again. Not today.
She stepped back from the window and grabbed her bag. "I need to leave early."
Her grandmother frowned. "Are you running away from fear, my child?"
Amina swallowed. "No. I just… don't want trouble to find us here."
Her grandmother sighed. "Then walk with courage. Fear comes, but you don't bow to it."
By the time Amina reached the office, her nerves were still rattling. Zainab spotted her at the entrance and immediately noticed something was off.
"You look like you didn't sleep," Zainab said, falling into step beside her.
Amina forced a smile. "Just a rough night."
"Is it the thieves again?" Zainab pressed.
Amina didn't answer, which was answer enough.
Zainab's expression softened. "Amina… you can't keep living in that kind of danger."
Amina looked away. "Where should I go? My grandmother is there. I won't abandon her."
Zainab nodded, understanding more than she let on.
Inside the office, the atmosphere was unusually sharp. People whispered in small groups, glancing toward the conference room where the department head had called an emergency meeting. Amina sensed something heavy brewing—another challenge, another blow.
When everyone settled, the head of HR stepped forward.
"There has been an incident," she announced. "A field report submitted under the engineering unit has been flagged for misconduct."
Amina stiffened. She had submitted her field report two days ago… after struggling through Mrs. Bello's impossible expectations.
HR continued, "The report appears incomplete and contains inconsistencies that violate company standards."
A cold wave washed through Amina's body.
"For now," the woman added, "the responsible staff member will be placed under review."
Amina felt the entire room glance at her. No one said her name, but the implication was clear. Her stomach twisted.
Zainab leaned close. "Amina… tell me you're not in trouble."
"I submitted everything I was asked to," Amina whispered, voice shaking. "I know I did."
Before she could finish, the door opened. Mrs. Bello walked in.
And she was smiling.
Amina felt her knees weaken. That smile was not innocent. It was the kind of smile that said someone had already set the trap and was waiting for her to fall into it.
"May I speak?" Mrs. Bello asked politely, though her eyes gleamed with something else.
HR nodded.
"I reviewed Amina's report personally," she said. "I found several errors that should not come from someone aiming for leadership in future projects."
Amina's breath caught.
She had double-checked everything. She had worked late. She had endured pain, humiliation, and exhaustion to get it done.
She knew she hadn't failed.
Unless… someone had tampered with it.
Mrs. Bello continued, her tone soft but sharp enough to cut. "I think it would be wise to consider a temporary suspension—just until the investigation clears."
Whispers filled the room.
Amina felt herself shrinking. She fought to keep her expression calm, but her heart felt like it was breaking in slow motion.
Zainab whispered angrily, "She set you up. I know she did."
But Amina couldn't speak. Her throat closed up.
Then, unexpectedly, a voice cut through the chatter.
"I disagree."
Everyone turned.
It was Mr. Idris, the senior engineer. Quiet, observant, respected.
"I reviewed the same report," he said. "Before the final submission."
Amina blinked.
She didn't know he had checked it.
"I found no inconsistencies," he continued. "Unless someone made changes afterward."
Gasps scattered around the room.
Mrs. Bello's smile faltered.
HR glanced between them, suddenly unsure.
Amina slowly exhaled, feeling her strength return, inch by inch.
Idris folded his arms. "I suggest we check the system logs. Every edit is recorded."
The room went silent.
Even Mrs. Bello didn't respond.
HR cleared her throat. "We will review the logs before taking any further action. Meeting dismissed."
Amina nearly collapsed from relief.
As the room emptied, Idris approached her quietly.
"Be careful," he murmured. "Some people want you gone. Don't let them succeed."
Amina nodded, trying not to cry. "Thank you… for speaking up."
He shook his head lightly. "I didn't speak for you. I spoke for the truth."
Idris folded his arms. "I suggest we check the system logs. Every edit is recorded."
The room went silent.
Even Mrs. Bello didn't respond.
HR cleared her throat. "We will review the logs before taking any further action. Meeting dismissed."
Amina nearly collapsed from relief.
As the room emptied, Idris approached her quietly.
"Be careful," he murmured. "Some people want you gone. Don't let them succeed."
Amina nodded, trying not to cry. "Thank you… for speaking up."
He shook his head lightly. "I didn't speak for you. I spoke for the truth."
After work, the sky was heavy with clouds, the kind that promised rain. Amina hurried home, wanting nothing more than to reach her grandmother.
But the closer she got to their compound, the more her steps slowed.
Something felt wrong.
The gate was unlocked.
Her chest tightened. "Mama?"
She rushed inside.
The living room was in disarray—chairs knocked over, curtain rod bent, one of her grandmother's prayer mats tossed aside.
And there were muddy footprints leading toward the back door.
Amina's heart rattled violently.
"Mama!" she screamed, running deeper into the house. "Mama, where are you?!"
Silence.
Amina's knees nearly gave way. Tears welled in her eyes as she forced herself into the last room—
Then she heard it.
A soft cough.
She spun around.
Her grandmother was slumped against the wall, trembling, breath unsteady.
"Mama!" Amina fell to her knees, pulling her close. "What happened?!"
Her grandmother tried to speak but winced. "They… came… looking for something… or someone."
Amina felt the blood drain from her face.
Not thieves.
Not random danger.
This was targeted.
"Mama, did they hurt you?" she whispered urgently.
Her grandmother shook her head weakly. "I'm just… shaken."
Amina held her tighter, heart breaking and boiling at the same time.
Whoever had come wasn't finished.
And Amina knew—deep in her bones—that the real storm was just beginning.