Chapter 23: Operation Ghost Map
The Kasi didn't sleep the same after Kgosi's blog post.
It trended on Mxit clones, WhatsApp statuses, and even on the secret gang message boards Lethabo hacked into.
But now the real mission began.
Zone 7. The final X. The ghost factory.
Kgosi stood with Naledi, Zodwa, and Lethabo at 4:45 AM in the mist, right outside the broken gate.
"No turning back," he said.
Naledi just smiled. "When have we ever?"
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š§ Plans & Pressure
The plan was simple:
1. Zodwa jams the CCTV feed.
2. Lethabo uses the drone to scan the inside.
3. Kgosi and Naledi sneak in through the delivery shaft.
4. Take photos. Copy files. Get proof of B&Y's location.
But it wasn't just them anymore.
Other kids ā ones who lost brothers, uncles, cousins to "mysterious disappearances" ā started volunteering.
"I'll keep watch by the scrapyard," said Thabang from Grade 11.
"Say the word if things go south."
The revolution wasn't just about Kgosi now.
It was for every kid who never had a choice.
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š The Factory of Shadows
Inside, it smelled like old blood and oil.
Kgosi crouched behind a stack of metal sheets.
They saw crates ā not of meat ā but guns, burner phones, stacks of money wrapped in school test papers.
"They're moving through the school system," Naledi whispered.
"Hiding in the marks and paper trails. It's genius."
They took photos. Snapped video. Even stole a ledger with drop-off times and names.
Thenā¦ a noise.
Footsteps.
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š§š½ Face to Face with a Ghost
A man in a suit walked in. Bald. Scarred face. No nonsense.
It was Mandla 'The Vulture' Biyela ā a man Kgosi only knew from his dad's diary.
"Thought I smelled rats," he growled.
"Didn't expect the rat to wear a school blazer."
Kgosi stood up slowly. "You knew my dad."
"I buried him," Mandla smirked. "He made the mistake you're making now. Loyalty to the wrong people."
Naledi whispered, "Runā"
But it was too late. Security rushed in from the sides.
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š„ The Escape
Alarms blared. Floodlights flashed.
Zodwa screamed into the earpiece, "RUN! RUN! They're onto you!"
Lethabo launched the drone at one guard's head ā bam! ā enough time for Naledi to grab a wrench and swing.
Kgosi hit the fire alarm, creating more confusion.
They slipped through the drainage shaft, crawled 100 meters in sludge, and collapsed behind the scrapyard wall.
They made it out.
Barely.
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šø Uploading Truth
That night, from a secret WiFi router hidden in a toolbox, Lethabo uploaded everything:
The factory footage
The photos
The ledger
To a public Google Drive link.
Zodwa attached it to every status, burner blog, and fake teacher email she could find.
It was only a matter of hours before people in Kasi started connecting the dots.
B&Y's quiet game was now a public war.
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š The Warning
But with fire comes danger.
Kgosi got a text that night:
> "Strike one. You're playing with fire.
Your school won't protect you. Your crew won't save you. You've opened a door you can't close."
He stared at the screen.
Replied:
> "Then let it burn. š„"
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End of Chapter 23