“Don’t make me come find you. You’re the one I came for.”

Nyah’s head whipped toward Bette. “He knows. He’s not guessing.”

Bette didn’t hesitate. “Go,” she said. “Quarantine pen. Wake Kamau and Elijah. Get them moving. No questions, just go.”

Nyah’s mouth opened to protest, but Bette was already striding toward the compound’s centre, toward the sound of Chang’s voice. Nyah peeled off in the opposite direction, disappearing into the darkness like smoke.

Bette emerged from behind one of the staff sheds, stepping into the open with her spine straight and hands empty. Her eyes locked onto the man standing in the compound like it belonged to him.

Chang turned the moment he saw her, smiling faintly, predator to prey.

“I knew you wouldn’t run,” he said, tilting his head. “You don’t know how.”

“I was busy,” Bette replied, voice flat. “Making sure your fire doesn’t touch the ones who matter.”

Chang’s eyes flicked to the brush, where shadows moved, handlers guiding baby elephants, the quiet rattle of supplies being carried away. A soft trumpet from a calf echoed across the night.

“You’re predictable, Porter. Always throwing yourself between others and the blade.”

“You’re not a blade,” she said. “You’re a coward hiding behind gasoline.”

He smiled again, colder now, and slowly raised a rag soaked in accelerant, holding it between two fingers.

“You’ve harboured traitors. You’ve cost me resources, alliances. Men. But not tonight. Tonight will cost you instead.”

He nodded to his men, hidden, spread throughout the compound. Each positioned with a jerrycan. Each ready. Fires would rise everywhere at once, if he gave the signal.

“What will you save first?” he asked, stepping closer. “The elephants? The clinic? Your friends?”

Bette didn’t answer. Her body was still, taut with fury, eyes burning as they locked onto his.

“You’ve built something beautiful here,” Chang continued, voice softening with cruelty. “Let’s see how it burns.”

Bette’s reply came low, calm, dangerous. “Touch one calf, one inch of this place, and I swear… whatever happens to me, I will take you with me.”

For a beat, they stood like statues under the weight of the moment.

Then Chang let the rag fall.

It fluttered like a slow-moving moth before it touched the ground then the world convulsed.