Overpaid writer

Mumbo's latest chapter had spread like wildfire. His vivid storytelling and raw depiction of struggle had captivated readers across the country. His fans weren't just casual readers anymore; they were devoted detectives, piecing together clues from his writing to figure out who he was.

Among his admirers was Amani, the daughter of a wealthy tycoon. She wasn't just intrigued by the story, she was obsessed. There was something hauntingly familiar about the author's words, as if he had lived through struggles she could only imagine. From her luxurious penthouse, Amani began combing through every detail, determined to uncover the identity of this mysterious writer.

Meanwhile, in Mumbo's village, trouble was brewing. His family's sudden success had not gone unnoticed, especially by their jealous neighbors, who were also relatives. Whispers about where the money had come from grew louder. Some claimed it was a stroke of luck, others accused them of dealing in illegal activities.

The rumors reached the ears of those willing to act on envy. One morning, a convoy of police vehicles roared into the village, dust swirling in their wake. They stormed onto Mumbo's family's land, claiming they had received reports of illegal activities.

"You've been hiding cattle without proper vaccinations," one officer barked, pointing at the three cows Mumbo had recently purchased. "That's against agricultural regulations."

Before anyone could protest, the cows were seized, dragged away as his father shouted in vain. The officers didn't stop there. They began tearing through the fields, claiming they were searching for hidden drugs allegedly planted on the property.

The chaos was unbearable. Mumbo stood helpless as their once-flourishing land was reduced to a wasteland. The rows of crops he had nurtured with care were trampled, uprooted, and left in ruins. His mother sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face, while his father stared blankly at the destruction, his fists clenched in silent rage.

Hours later, the police left, taking the cows and leaving nothing but devastation behind. They had found no drugs, no evidence of any wrongdoing. It was clear to Mumbo that the entire operation had been orchestrated by someone who wanted to see his family suffer. But in the village, the poor had no voice. They couldn't fight back.

What should have been a profitable year had turned into a disaster. The crops were gone, the land was ruined, and the cows that were meant to bring a steady income were confiscated. Mumbo sat in his room that night, the weight of his failure crushing him.

He opened his laptop, his fingers trembling as he began to type. This time, his words carried the raw fury of injustice. He wrote about the raid, the destruction, the powerlessness of the poor. He didn't hold back. By the time he finished, his hands ached, but he felt a sliver of relief.

When he published the chapter, the response was immediate. His readers were outraged on his behalf, flooding the comments with messages of support. Among them was one from a lawyer named Kendi.

"I'm a big fan of your work," the message began. "I've followed your story from the start, and I can't stand by while this injustice happens. I'd like to help. But we need to meet in person to discuss how."

Mumbo stared at the message, his heart pounding. He had spent so much effort keeping his identity hidden, protecting his family from the scrutiny that fame would bring. Meeting Kendi meant risking it all.

But the stakes were higher now. The land was ruined, his family's livelihood was gone, and the people responsible would get away with it unless he fought back. He couldn't do that alone.

His mind raced with the possibilities. Revealing himself could change everything. His fans would rally behind him, and the truth would come out. But it would also bring attention he wasn't sure he was ready for. Could he handle being in the spotlight? Could his family?

That night, as he lay in bed staring at the ceiling, Mumbo wrestled with his decision. On one hand, staying anonymous meant safety, but it also meant accepting defeat. On the other, stepping into the limelight could bring justice, but at what cost?

His phone buzzed with another notification. It was from Amani.

"Your words have changed me," it read. "I want to know the person behind them. The world needs to know."

Mumbo's hands tightened around his phone. The world was closing in on him, and he knew he couldn't stay in the shadows forever.

As the first rays of dawn broke through his window, Mumbo made a decision. He would meet Kendi. He would fight for his family, for the land, and for justice.

But deep down, he couldn't shake the fear of what would happen next.