The story follows their escape attempt after Ìyábọ́'s broadcast coup, with helicopter searchlights slicing through the night as they try to reach the Makoko bridge meeting point. As they're spotted and forced to split up, Rírì runs into an open space where she's fully exposed to the authorities.

As specified in your prompt, the searchlight illuminates Rírì's teal hair, making it shine "like mermaid scale for underwater kingdom" - a powerful visual image that transforms her distinctive feature into something almost magical. Aṣàkẹ́ narrates how her heart drums "kpọlo-kpọlo" in fear and anticipation as she watches her cousin stand alone in the spotlight.

When confronted by police and a loudspeaker demanding surrender, Rírì responds by raising her hand in a peace sign - standing defiant yet non-violent before the overwhelming force. This simple gesture becomes a catalyst as ordinary citizens who had been singing from their windows during Ìyábọ́'s broadcast begin forming a human shield around her, each raising their own peace signs in solidarity.

The chapter builds to a powerful climax as these everyday people begin humming the sorrow-anthem, creating a large peaceful protest that confuses the authorities and transforms Rírì from a targeted individual into the centre of a community standing together. The final image of her teal hair still visible above the crowd, glowing in the searchlight, becomes a symbol of collective hope and resistance.