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CHAPTER 20: THE DIGITAL SIEGE
publish date:
2026-04-27 19:39:18
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LOOM OF THORNS INTERLUDE: HARVEST OF THORNS
MARY’S POVThe air in the fellowship hall was stagnant, thick with the scent of damp concrete and the desperate heat of forty bodies. I stood at the edge of the Choir barricade, my floral-patterned skirt was a little too tight, my eyes scanning the choir like a general looking for a traitor."From the bridge," I commanded, my voice thin and sharp. "And this time, let the altos find their keys. We are singing for the Almighty, not a local drinking parlor."The keyboardist, a lanky boy named Ayo, struck a chord. The voices rose, but they were hollow. As they hit the transition—the soaring, complex harmony that Becca had composed during last youth retreat—the sound faltered. It didn't lift; it dragged."Stop!" I shrieked. The silence that followed was deafening. "What is this? Are we mourning? Why is the energy so low?"In the second row, Sister Blessing, a fresher with wide eyes and a heart too honest for her own good, lowered her h
LOOM OF THORNS CHAPTER 20: THE DIGITAL SIEGE
BECCA’S POVThe bungalow felt different now. The tension between us hadn't disappeared, but it had shifted from a frantic, physical heat into a cold, focused energy. We were no longer running; we were hunting.Josh was behind his laptop, the glow of the screen casting sharp, angular shadows across his face. I sat beside him, my own tablet open. I wasn't a coder, but I was a pattern seeker. While Josh handled the technical bypasses, I was cross-referencing the names from his father's old ledger with current NUAT staff and Ogun State political appointments."Josh, look at this," I whispered, my finger tracing a line on the screen. "The contractor who built the new five thousand capacity lecture hall—the one that’s already cracking? It’s a shell company. 'Oman & Sons.' And guess who the 'Sons' are?""The Vice-Chancellor's cousins," Josh leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. "And the silent partner is my father’s holding firm."We didn't start with a police report. We started with
LOOM OF THORNS CHAPTER 19: FOUNDATION OF THORNS
BECCA’S POVThe morning sun in the bungalow was unkind. It didn't bring warmth; it only highlighted the thick layers of dust and the abandonment of the house. While Josh was in the backyard to see if the old generator had any life left in it, I was exploring. I felt drawn to the study—a room filled with heavy mahogany bookshelves that hadn't seen a book in years. On the desk sat a leather-bound briefcase, cracked and grey with age."Josh," I called out, my voice echoing in the empty hallway. "Come look at this."He walked in, wiping grease from his hands. I pointed to a stack of loose photographs that had spilled out from a side pocket of the briefcase. Josh picked one up and his face went pale. The photo was grainy, from the early 90s. It was Vice-chancellor Olayinka and a tall, handsome man with the same sharp jawline as Josh. Chief Collins Adeyemi. On the back were the words: "The Foundation of the Enforcers. 1992. We own the future."As we dug deeper,
LOOM OF THORNS CHAPTER 18: THE BRANCHES OF DEVOTION
BECCA’S POVThe bus arrived at the bus stop, Josh said this was a village called "Ẹ̀lẹ̀gun mẹfa" which literally means the tree with six branches, named after a huge tree with six branches in the centre of the little village.We both walked into the village. Josh carrying our luggage and I was holding on to the Packed Ofada rice and Ayamase sauce in the polythene bag. Of course we attract curious stares and weird glances, we greeted people as we went with Josh leading the way. I saw lots of kids scantily dressed, playing with the sand, looking dirty but very contented. I saw women under a thatched shed frying Garri, some sweating heavily while pounding cassava.... they all look contented; I envy them.As we got closer to the African Baptist church, which was the only church in the village, we were stopped by an old man probably in his late sixties, who demanded to know the purpose of our visit. Josh greeted him while prostrating, while I went on my knees,
LOOM OF THORNS CHAPTER 17: DUST OF THE HIGHWAY
BECCA’S POVJosh drove the car aggressively, disregarding traffic and pedestrians. The SUVs were hot on our trail. I checked the side mirror and panicked every time. I began to read Psalm 91 loudly in the car.”He who dwell in the shelter of the Most high; shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He's my refuge and fortress', my God in whom I will trust.”"Josh hurry!" I cried after looking at the mirror again. "They're catching up.""SHIT!" Josh shouted, hitting the steering wheel in frustration as he slowed down."What is it?" I shivered as I asked."We have to get down, the fuel is almost finished and—""Jesus!!" I cut in. Tears coursed down my cheeks.The world became a blur of grey asphalt and stinging dust. My lungs felt like they were filled with crushed glass. Every step was a battle inside of me, my sandals slapping rhythmically against the dirt as we dove into the chaotic belly of Osiele Market."Don't look back, Becca! Just keep moving!" Josh hi
LOOM OF THORNS CHAPTER 16: HOLLOW EXCHANGE
JOSH’S POVThe drive to the abandoned Works Department was suffocating. My knuckles were white as I gripped the steering wheel, my eyes darting to Becca every few seconds. The "King" was gone; in his place was a man terrified of the silence between them."Becca, please," I whispered as we pulled into the overgrown lot behind the abandoned building. "Stay in the car. I’ll go in. I’ll tell them I have it. I’ll lead them away. Just... take the car and drive to the police station in town. Don't look back.""I can't even drive" Becca mumbled to herself. She didn't look at me. She was staring at the small, silver USB drive on the dashboard."You’ve lied enough for both of us, Joshua," she said, her voice like cold marble. "Now it’s my turn. But I’m not doing it for power. I’m doing it so we don't end up as corpse or dropouts when the Vice-chancellor starts dealing with us for your folly.""Becca, I love you," I blurted out. The words hit the windshield and bounced back, unacknowledged. "I d
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