Adrian didn't sleep that night, again. He just laid in bed thinking about everything Lara showed him. Every time he closed his eyes, he kept seeing that one file—the one with the government official's ID. It wasn't just random people. This thing was bigger than anything he expected.
By 5:45am, he was already outside. The sky still looked sleepy, with clouds covering half the city like a blanket. The streets were quiet, just few okadas and tired looking people getting ready for their hustle. He walked fast, even though he didn't know where exactly Lara wanted them to meet.
Then his phone buzzed.
"Food Place. The one behind our office. 6am."
He sighed and started heading there. His hands were cold. He knew today could change everything.
---
Lara was already waiting, wearing a hoodie and dark jeans. She had no makeup on, and her hair was tucked under a black cap. She looked completely different. More serious. Like someone who had stopped trusting anyone.
They sat at a corner inside the place. The shop owner wasn't even done setting up. He just waved at them and left them alone.
"You saw it all, right?" Lara asked, voice low.
Adrian nodded. "Yeah. I saw enough."
She looked at him for a moment, then whispered, "I think they're on to me."
His eyes widened. "What?"
"I got called yesterday, after work. Just a casual talk, but they kept asking if I've noticed anything strange, or if anyone's been acting suspicious in the team. They were watching how I'd answer."
"Did you lie?"
"Of course. I acted dumb. Smiled the whole time like I didn't even know what finance department means."
Adrian ran a hand through his hair. "So what do we do now?"
Lara leaned in. "We have to do something with what we have. Either we report it… or leave the city before things go bad."
"Report to who? What if the person we report to is also part of it?"
She nodded slowly, like she already knew he'd say that. "Then we do what they fear most. Go public. Anonymous."
Adrian blinked. "Like… leak it?"
"Yes. But not in a stupid way. No shouting online or posting it on social. We send it to someone who can actually cause noise. A journalist maybe."
Adrian stared at the table. This wasn't what he signed up for. He just wanted a quiet job, a few friends, maybe fall in love if he got lucky. Now he was planning leaks and watching his back like he was in some spy movie.
"I'm scared, Lara."
"I know. Me too."
They sat in silence for a while. The shop owner finally turned on the TV. Music played softly in the background. Nobody else had come in yet.
Then Lara brought out a piece of paper and slid it across to him.
"What's this?"
"A name. A reporter I trust. We don't give them everything, just enough to start the fire. If they dig more, they'll expose it themselves."
Adrian read the name and nodded.
Then she added, "And if anything happens to me… give them everything."
"Don't talk like that."
"I'm just saying. You saw what these people are capable of."
Adrian swallowed hard and pocketed the paper.
---
Work that day felt like walking through a warzone. Every word, every look, felt fake. Adrian kept thinking someone would call his name, drag him into some office and ask him questions.
But nothing happened.
Then, as he was about to leave in the evening, he saw Tayo standing by the reception desk, talking to one of the HR people. They both looked in his direction for just a second, then looked away. It could've meant nothing. Or it could've meant everything.
He didn't wait to find out. He walked straight out of the building, didn't even take his usual bus. He just kept walking, blending into the city crowd.
Later that night, he sat in his small room, laptop open, heart beating fast. He opened the flash drive again and copied a few files onto a new folder.
Then he opened his email and started typing.
---
To: hiddenvoice@protonmail.com
Subject: Something You Need to See
Hi. I don't know who you are or if you'll even open this, but if you're a real journalist like they say, then this might be the kind of story that changes things. These files show things happening in a company. Big things. Bad things. Dangerous things.
I can't say more now, but please look through the files and if you think it's real, then do something with it. People need to know.
Don't try to find me. Just do what you do best.
– A silent friend
---
He clicked send.
Then sat there in the dark, not sure if he did so
mething brave… or something really stupid.
Either way, it was done.
There was no going back now.