Victor flung his body into one of the armchairs, a grin stretching from one ear to the other. Enoch felt as if his heart had skipped a beat. "Victor? What in God's name are you doing here?" His voice quavered more out of fear and surprise.He leaned back, crossing his legs as if he had never been away. "Is that how you address one of your own breed within his own walls, Enoch?"Enoch squinted his eyes slightly, but the quick return didn't come. His throat visibly gulping, realizing he had nothing in return. "I. I'm sorry, I didn't expect you." He needed a moment to compose himself. "I'll just be right back."Enoch went to the wine rack, hands a little shaky as he topped up two glasses. He needed time, time to work out what Victor wanted. Time. He turned back, forcing a smile. "Wine? You look like you could use some."Victor’s eyes followed Enoch’s every movement. “No, thanks,” he said, his tone casual but with an edge. “I’m more interested in what’s been going on around here. Like thi
Charles was seated in a dimly lit room, the rain pounding on the window without pause. Heaviness hovered above the night, one of those nights that seemed to choke someone and seemed as if everything was closer. Physically, he felt it gnawing at his skin. Victor hadn't come back home from the search for Stephen, and now silence in the mansion grated at his nerves, bit by bit.He unlocked his phone; the light beamed back into his face, an eerie sight in the dim light. Charles hesitated for a second, his thumb hovering over the call button. Just maybe—just maybe—if he could get Stephen on the phone, he might know where he was. He had to know. The unknown was tearing him apart.If Stephen wouldn't, someday someone else must. But just as his thumb extended to push the call button down, he remembered that last look in Stephen's eye. Something about the look obsessed Charles-desperation laid over determination. He was quite sure Stephen wouldn't be cooperative. All the same, he had to try. H
The tension was alive in the dimly lit room in the way Victor and Charles were standing facing each other. Victor's eyes held some type of definite tension, just waiting for any lead. Charles slowly paced the floor, his mind racing with possibilities."What should we do?" came out finally from Victor and broke the silence.Charles stopped and turned towards him. "First we need to find Stephen. It is the only way we're going to get to him before Clarke does.Victor nodded, but his expression remained dubious. "And how do we plan on doing that?"Charles ran a hand through his hair, thinking hard. "We'll follow Marriane. She's bound to have contact with Stephen, either directly or through someone who knows where he is."Victor's eyes lit up slightly. "I think I know where Marriane lives. But it's going to be risky just walking in there. If she sees us…""I know. We have to be careful. If she spots us, everything could fall apart."Victor crossed his arms, thinking. "What's the plan if we
Clarke sat at the back of the van with his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Two of his guys, Tony and Rico, sat at the front in deep thought, their minds caught up in theirs, silently focusing on their mission. The van crept along at a snail's pace, maintaining a safe distance from the one man who had continued to walk on the sidewalk and look over his shoulder every few steps."Don't get too close," Clarke ordered, his voice low but firm. He leaned forward, squinting down at Stephen through the windscreen. "He's paranoid. He'll know if we're tailing him."Tony nodded, adjusting the speed of the van. "Got it, boss."Suddenly, Stephen cut across the road and headed into a narrow alley. Clarke tensed. "Follow him," he commanded. But as they reached the mouth of the alley, Tony hesitated."Boss, the van can't fit through here," Tony said, looking back at Clarke for instructions.Clarke cursed under his breath. "Stop the van. I'll go on foot. You two stay here. Keep an eye out in case he cir
As Marianne came out of the building, just like that, the principal was at her elbow, face concerned. The oppressive soupy air was thick with the day's remains, and the late afternoon sun was edging its way across the parking lot."Mrs. Marriane," she started with a soft but serious tone, "I used to feel some disturbing symptoms of late in Ariane's behaviour; she always used to lag behind in studies, but it was pronounced after she lost her dad. She is inconvenienced; I feel it to some extent because she misses a father figure.She gave Marianne a peculiarly sharp look. Marianne stopped by her car, thinking over what the principal had said. "What do you propose to do?" she asked, her voice not quite so even at the effort to keep concern from revealing itself.The principal sighed, her arms busy folding. "I think she needs more of your time. She is really trying to manage, and with your presence, she might feel safer. Maybe consider spending more time with her in finding ways at home t
Enoch smiled uncomfortably and handed him the box. "I just thought you deserved something nice, you know, for all that you do.".He took some time in answering the question, and all that while, she looked at him as if trying to read something from his eyes. It just did not really add up, but she could not point the finger at it. She nodded and took the necklace, her fingertips brushing the cool metal. She didn't really trust him, but for now, she would play along with him."Thanks, Enoch," she replied, and he had at no time been other than courteous. She pocketed the necklace without attempting to try it on. "To work," she said.She brushed past and by to the building, filled suddenly with many questions. Why had Enoch given her the necklace?Enoch was breathless at Marianne's parting, but such words, he finally gave it to her. He had given her the necklace—not just anything but the one Victor insisted on. Nothing more did Enoch do than let a big sigh out in the case that the weight w
Stephen's heart raced, putting Yuna one step at a time toward the terminal. Every step seemed to reverberate in his brain, reminding him of the decision he had just made. A war waged in his mind-half of it screaming to turn back and join her, while the other half begged him to walk away-to finally let go of this living nightmare he was dragging her through.Yuna turned once to him-her big, innocent eyes were wide with trust. Stephen forced a smile and gave her a little wave. He fought the tightness in his chest-he was terrified, could not let her see this, not now, not when all was at stake.She hesitated in the entrance, as if expecting him to change his mind. For one tense moment, Stephen almost snapped. But he knew this was the only way to keep her safe. If Clarke catches up with him now, then Yuna will be in a worse danger than ever. This is the last gift he can give her: a chance at life free from the chaos that's consumed his own."Go on, Yuna," he muttered under his breath, alm
"Stephen," Charles yelled in a hollow voice into the empty space. "I know you're here. Come on out. Let's end this peacefully."Stephen remained hidden as his mind dragged him into a frenzy. He couldn't believe that he had actually trusted Charles, even for a moment. Now, his only option was to think fast, find a way out before Clarke's men cornered him."Search the place," Clarke barked, a cold tone to his words as if shot from a stutter gun. His team spread out, ready for action, weapons out and loud shoes beating against the concrete.The pulse in Stephen's throat quickened. He had to do something now. If they found him, it was all over. He cursed himself inwardly at the lack of forethought, at letting his guard down. He scanned the factory for any signs of something that would give him an escape. The factory was like a maze, filled with old machinery and stacks of crates since time immemorial, but there were few alternative doors. And certainly not the main door—it was always unde