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Chapter 7 - Bloodlines And Schoolbags: Kasi Loyalty Ain't Cheap

Chapter 7: Code Red Assembly

Tuesday started like any other day — grey clouds, loud taxis, and the smell of vetkoeks near the school gate. But by second period, the energy inside Thuto-Lerato Secondary felt off.

Too quiet.

Then it hit.

"All learners must report to the school hall immediately. This is a mandatory assembly. No exceptions."

The announcement echoed through the corridors. Learners looked around, confused. No one had done anything — no fight, no stolen phone, no drama.

Yet.

Kgosi zipped up his blazer. His eyes locked with Naledi's across the classroom. She nodded. They both knew this wasn't a normal assembly.

It was a trap.

---

School Hall – 9:15 AM

The entire school was packed in the hall. Windows shut. Teachers posted at every door. Even the deputy principal looked shaken.

Then he walked in.

Principal Mokoena.

Clean-shaven, expensive cologne, suit ironed like he was going to court. He stood in front of the mic, eyes scanning the crowd.

"Learners, something dangerous is happening in our school."

The room fell dead quiet.

He continued, voice calm but heavy: "Last week, illegal items were found near the school fence. Police have informed us that our school may be a drop-off point for criminal activity. If anyone knows something, I advise you to come forward — privately."

He paused.

"We will be conducting random bag checks, locker inspections, and device scans. Anyone caught protecting criminals... will be expelled. Or worse."

Lethabo leaned toward Kgosi and whispered, "Why's he acting like a gangster trying to sound professional?"

Kgosi didn't laugh. He couldn't. Because he saw it:

Ngwenya was standing at the back of the hall — hand on his belt, earpiece in, eyes locked onto him the entire time.

---

Break Time – Behind the Library

"I don't trust that assembly," Naledi said, pacing.

Kgosi nodded. "That wasn't a warning. That was a shot fired."

"I saw something else," she added. "My dad didn't write the speech. I know his style. Someone gave him that script."

Kgosi clenched his jaw. "Ngwenya."

Naledi shook her head. "It gets worse. One of the teachers found this under the staffroom table."

She pulled out a piece of paper. Old. Faded. On it was a list of names:

Molefe, K.

Mokoena, N.

Spura, T.

Lethabo, R.

Radebe, S.

Kgosi's voice dropped. "These are all people connected to the file."

"And they're being watched," Naledi said. "We're not the only ones digging."

---

Later That Day – Kgosi's Locker

He opened his locker slowly, heart beating heavy. Inside?

A red folder. One word printed on the front in black marker:

"TRAITOR"

No books. No pens. Just that file and a small plastic bag containing a single bullet.

---

That Night – New Message

Burner phone buzzed. New number.

Unknown Number:

School's a gameboard. You're the king. But kings fall first.

Kgosi didn't flinch.

He replied:

"Checkmate is coming."

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