Scene – Brentford Academy, Auditorium – 10:00 AMThe hall was packed again—only this time, it wasn’t just curiosity that filled the seats.It was conviction.The energy was electric. Students whispered. Phones were already recording. Teachers leaned forward, unsure of what was about to unfold.At the front, the projector glowed with a single slide:“The Voices They Tried to Erase”Helena stood at the side of the stage with Greg, Tessy, and Miriam.She turned to Miriam. “You don’t have to do this if—”“I do,” Miriam interrupted, her voice calm but firm. “She was my sister. She deserves this.”The lights dimmed.Helena walked onto the stage.The room fell silent.Scene – OnstageHelena’s voice rang out clear, unwavering.“Two years ago, a girl died. They called it suicide. But we know better now.”Murmurs spread.“She left behind a voice. Evidence. Warnings. And they buried it. People who were supposed to protect us chose silence. We’re done letting that silence win.”She stepped aside.
Chapter Sixty-Two: A Sister's VoiceScene – Miriam's Apartment, Edge of TownThe morning sun streamed through gauzy curtains as Helena stepped into a quiet apartment with a beating heart and steady feet. The place smelled faintly of paper and jasmine tea.Miriam sat cross-legged on a couch, a laptop open beside her and a yellow file on her lap.She looked up.They studied each other in silence.Helena saw the resemblance immediately—Sophia's eyes. That same fierce warmth.“Helena,” Miriam said softly, as if tasting the name.“I’m sorry it took me so long,” Helena whispered.Miriam shook her head. “You were fighting your own war. And you didn’t stop. That’s why I’m here now.”They sat down, side by side.Helena gently placed a flash drive on the table. “This is everything—footage, statements, the anonymous fund transfer files Greg traced, and... Sophia’s last audio recording.”Miriam reached into the yellow file and slid out a folded document. “And this is the scholarship offer letter
Scene – Helena’s House, Saturday MorningSunlight filtered through gauzy curtains, casting golden stripes across Helena’s bedspread. For the first time in what felt like years, she woke up without a racing heart. No anxiety clawed at her chest. No weight of secrets pressing on her lungs.She stretched, yawned, and smiled.Today, there were no battles to fight.Just life to live.Downstairs, the scent of fresh akara and pap wafted from the kitchen. Her mom, Tricia, was humming an old tune from her childhood. Helena padded down barefoot, her hair in a messy bun, and leaned against the doorframe.Tricia turned and gasped playfully. “Is that the face of my heroine or just my sleepy little girl?”Helena rolled her eyes. “Both.”They laughed.Tricia slid a plate toward her and kissed her forehead. “You deserve peace, baby.”Helena nodded. “I’m starting to believe that.”Scene – Brentford Park, Later That AfternoonGreg had spread out a navy blue blanket beneath the old baobab tree near the
Scene – Brentford Assembly HallThe podium stood empty beneath the gleam of spotlights, flanked by banners of Brentford’s school crest and rows of students whispering, waiting.The whispers ceased when Helena stepped onto the stage.Dressed in her school uniform with her blazer buttoned sharp and her hair pulled back neatly, Helena stood taller than she ever had before. She wasn’t here as a victim. Or a fighter.She was here as a voice.Behind her stood Greg, Tessy, and Dean Whitaker—who, for once, gave her a respectful nod before stepping aside.She gripped the microphone, took a breath, and began.“Good morning, Brentford.”A hush fell across the hall.“These past months have changed everything. Not just for me… but for all of us.”“We saw things we weren’t meant to see. Heard voices we were told to forget. And many of us… stayed silent.”A few students shifted in their seats. Some lowered their eyes.Helena continued, her voice steady.“But silence is what let the rot grow in this
The sun peeked through Tessy's bedroom blinds, streaking golden light across her pillows. Her alarm buzzed softly in the background, but for once, it didn’t feel like a jolt into chaos.Tessy stirred, stretched, and smiled.For the first time in weeks, she felt like herself again.She rolled out of bed and made her way into the bathroom. The cool splash of water on her face refreshed her completely. She brushed her teeth, then stepped into a hot shower, humming softly under her breath.Today felt different.Lighter.Stronger.By the time she stepped out, steam curling behind her, Tessy was already thinking of Helena. Of Greg. Of everything they’d survived—and what they were walking into next.She slipped into her freshly pressed Brentford Academy uniform, a neat white shirt tucked into a navy pleated skirt, her polished black shoes clicking softly as she moved. Her blazer hung perfectly on her shoulders, the school crest shining like a badge of honor.Downstairs, she grabbed a banana
The assembly hall buzzed with disbelief, shock rippling through Brentford Academy like a tidal wave. Moments earlier, the video of Sophia and Miriam had played again—this time followed by newly surfaced evidence of financial corruption, illegal cover-ups, and misconduct that stretched all the way to the upper levels of the school.And then the doors burst open.Detective Adebayo entered, flanked by officers in navy-blue uniforms. Their presence silenced the murmurs instantly."We have warrants for the arrest of several individuals connected to the Brentford cover-up scandal," he announced, voice firm.Gasps rang out.Henry, seated at the front row, stood up sharply. Bianca beside him turned pale."Henry Obiano," the detective called. "You are under arrest for obstruction of justice, coercion, and involvement in attempted sexual assault."Greg stood from the back row, eyes fixed on him. Henry didn’t resist—he was too stunned. The crowd parted as the officers approached."Bianca Martins