<p> </p><p>Zeenatu sat alone in her room, tirelessly writing.</p><p>It was late at night, almost two o'clock. The town was silent; the only sound was the rumbling of an approaching storm.</p><p>Zeenatu, a brave and fearless journalist, never hesitated to take risks to achieve her dreams.</p><p>After writing for a while, she paused, looked up at the ceiling, then continued.</p><p>Suddenly, the door creaked open, and someone entered.</p><p>She quickly looked up to see who it was.</p><p>It was her aunt, Gwaggo Sa’a.</p><p>“So, you’re still awake, Zeenatu? Still busy with this exhausting writing of yours? Don't you ever rest? Honestly, I’m starting to hate this job of yours because you never take a break, and you don’t even consider the dangers involved. Why are you doing this?”</p><p>Zeenatu smiled and said, “Please, Gwaggo, don’t worry yourself. I’ll stop now and go to bed. Just keep praying for me; nothing bad will happen to me, Insha’Allah.”</p><p>"That’s true, may Allah protect you," Gwaggo sighed. “But I get scared when I hear about how journalists go through hardship and danger. I would be happier if you left this job and found something else.”</p><p>Zeenatu laughed. “Oh, Gwaggo! Do you think I would give up the job I worked so hard for? I love journalism too much to quit. Have you forgotten how I struggled to complete my studies? Even you felt sorry for me when I was tirelessly fighting to graduate. Since I was a child, I’ve always dreamed of being a journalist.”</p><p>Gwaggo took a deep breath. “I don’t know what to do with you, my child. But honestly, I’m scared. You stay out so late, and sometimes you can’t even find a ride home. Remember those men who tried to follow you some nights ago? If Allah hadn’t protected you, who knows what could have happened?”</p><p>Zeenatu sighed. “That’s in the past, Gwaggo. Let’s not dwell on it. Just keep praying for my safety.”</p><p>"Amin, amin," Gwaggo responded. “Now, go to bed.”</p><p>Zeenatu put down her pen. “Yes, Gwaggo, I’m going to sleep now. I have to wake up early for work.”</p><p>After Gwaggo left, Zeenatu lay on her mattress, recited her bedtime prayers, and within five minutes, sleep overtook her.</p><p>An hour later, she woke up in terror, reciting prayers.</p><p>She had a frightening dream.</p><p>She saw herself in a dense forest, running barefoot with her head uncovered, clutching a CD in her hand.</p><p>It seemed that the people chasing her wanted the CD.</p><p>When she reached a large rock, they caught up to her. They demanded the CD, but she refused.</p><p>They tied her hands behind her back and bound her legs, took the CD, and left her in the dark forest.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
