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BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 24
The woman still stared with anger, then stepped outside her house, shocked by the larger number of people. "What is this!? What are you doing?!" She turned back to Arthur and asked, "Who are you really, and what is your purpose?!" In the midst of the chaos, a woman in a wheelchair appeared from inside the house. The woman had pale skin, sunken eyes, and an extremely thin body. Her eye circles were also blackened, as if she had never found a nutritious meal in her life. "Okay! This is really clear!" Arthur shouted loudly. He grabbed one of the reporters and pushed him to focus the camera on the woman more closely. "Look at how terrifying the consequences of excessive drug use are! Let me guess, Meth, Coke, I’m sure there are plenty of injection marks under that cloth covering her body!" Arthur shouted with satisfaction. "What the fuck!" The brown-haired woman shoved the reporter hard, sending him crashing into the wall. The situation became tense, and Joey imm
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 25
The young woman stepped forward, her hands steady despite the weight of the moment. She began to speak, her voice calm yet imbued with a quiet intensity that silenced even the most skeptical of listeners.“My father,” she started, her eyes scanning the crowd, “was a soldier—a man of honor who gave everything for this country.”Her words hit the gathered reporters and onlookers like a thunderclap. The murmurs faded as her story unfolded. She explained how Samuel Hayes, a man often accused of villainy, had established this neighborhood to care for the families of fallen soldiers and severely injured veterans who didn’t qualify for government support.“For years,” she continued, her voice unwavering, “we struggled in silence, forgotten by the very country my father fought to protect. The government turned us away, citing confidentiality and red tape as excuses. But Samuel Hayes… he didn’t see us as statistics or liabilities. He saw us as human beings who deserved dignity.”Her words carr
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 26
Arthur paced nervously in his office, the weight of the recent scandal pressing heavily on his shoulders. The photos of Samuel with the community residents, smiling and shaking hands, had gone viral. The media painted Samuel as a selfless man who prioritized the well-being of the underprivileged. Arthur, on the other hand, was now under intense scrutiny, labeled as cold and indifferent by the same reporters. His reputation, the company’s stock, and his image as a respected businessman were all on the line. With no other choice, Arthur decided to take a different approach. He adjusted his tie, forced a smile, and stood in front of a crowd of reporters who were eager to hear his response to the growing controversy. “I’ve recently come to understand the importance of continuing Samuel’s work,” Arthur said, his voice calm but practiced. “I will personally take over the responsibilities he started and ensure that the community receives the support and resources it needs to thrive. This i
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 27
Lisa’s father sat in his lavish office, staring at the screen in front of him with a growing sense of rage. The live stream that had been circulating online was filled with praises for Samuel. The comments were overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their belief that the state would fall apart without Samuel's support. It was clear that Samuel had garnered a loyal following, and that thought gnawed at Lisa's father.For years, he had held the reins of power in the state, his influence stretching into every corner of society. He had built an empire, both in business and politics, and his name was synonymous with authority. Now, it seemed that Samuel, the outsider, had come out of nowhere and was threatening to take it all away. Lisa’s father didn’t trust him—he believed there had to be a hidden agenda, some dark secret behind Samuel’s charity and benevolent acts. How else could someone gain so much support so quickly? There had to be a catch.As he scrolled through the live stre
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 28
Samuel’s chest tightened as Sarah’s words echoed in his mind. "I’ve got your back. I always have." It had been years since he’d heard anything like that from her, and it stirred a mix of emotions he wasn’t prepared to face.Sarah folded her arms, leaning against the table as she observed his reaction. She wasn’t one to mince words or let silence linger for too long. “Look, Samuel,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “I know this is a lot to process, but you don’t have to do this alone. You’ve got a whole community rallying behind you, and now, you’ve got me too.”Samuel nodded slowly, still struggling to find the right words. “I appreciate that, Sarah. I really do. But...why now? Why come back into my life at this moment? And how did you even get involved in all this?”She chuckled, the sound warm and familiar, easing some of his tension. “Well, it’s a long stor
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 29
Samuel sat in the dimly lit corner of the police station, staring at the worn-out table before him. The faint hum of the fluorescent lights overhead made the room feel even more stifling, but his mind was far too preoccupied to care. Across from him sat Sarah, the woman he had last seen years ago, now standing before him with a certain familiarity that made his heart skip. Her presence stirred up emotions he hadn’t thought about in ages. And beside her, Joey was pacing back and forth, glancing at them with curiosity. Samuel could feel the unease in Joey’s eyes as he studied Sarah. The younger man didn’t know her, and it was clear from his gaze that he was perplexed by the sudden appearance of this woman. Joey had been Samuel’s closest ally for a long time, yet this new dynamic clearly threw him off. However, Samuel didn’t feel the need to explain. He knew that some things were better left unsaid—at least for now. “So, Samuel,” Sarah began, breaking the silence that had hung thick
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 30
Samuel sat across from Sarah, his eyes narrowing as he processed her words. It was already shocking enough that she had appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be here on behalf of her late grandfather. But her next statement left him completely stunned.“I’m here to bail you out,” Sarah said calmly, her voice carrying an air of certainty as if this was no big deal.Joey, who had been leaning against the wall, froze mid-step. He stared at Sarah, his expression a mix of disbelief and confusion. “Wait a minute,” Joey said, stepping forward. “You’re here to bail him out? Do you even know how much his bail is? It’s seven hundred million dollars.”He let out a laugh, but it was more out of incredulity than amusement. “Lisa and Arthur set that amount so high because they knew no one could pay it. Not even the richest people in the country could come up with that kind of money overnight.”Samuel remained silent, studying Sarah’s reaction. He was curious to see if the mention of such an astronom
BENEATH THE MASK: REVENGE OF SAMUEL HAYES 31
Samuel exhaled deeply, his fingers drumming on the table as he processed Sarah’s unwavering stance. Despite his protests, it was clear she wasn’t taking no for an answer. The bail was already paid, and the decision was made. "Fine," Samuel said at last, his tone laced with resignation. "I’ll go. But not yet. There’s still unfinished business I need to take care of in City A." Sarah frowned, her eyes narrowing. "Unfinished business? Samuel, you can’t keep delaying this. You know how my grandfather worked—his plans are meticulous and unforgiving. If you miss the deadline to retrieve what’s waiting for you, there won’t be a second chance." "I know," Samuel replied firmly. "But I have responsibilities here. Loose ends to tie up. If I just leave without addressing them, everything I’ve worked for will crumble. You have to understand." For a moment, Sarah said nothing, her piercing gaze fixed on him. It was a silent battle of wills, and Samuel could see her frustration bubbling bene
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Vincent, still clutching his gun, scanned the perimeter of the room before finally lowering it. "We should be safe here for now."Evelyn rubbed her temples, her fingers trembling. "For now? That's not exactly reassuring. Those echoes... that wasn’t normal. Not even for this."Thorne stood near the doorway, his gaze distant. "It was an aftershock. The Devourer may be bound, but its influence lingers. The echoes were proof of that."Sophia crossed her arms. "Great. So what do we do? Just sit here and wait for another nightmare to show up?""No," Thorne said simply. "We need to sever the last ties."Samuel looked up. "Ties? You mean, there’s still something linking this place to the Devourer?"Thorne nodded. "The remnants of its presence don’t just vanish. The echoes were drawn to us because we disrupted something ancient. If we don’t finish what we started, this will happen again. And next time, we might not be able to outrun it."A heavy silence settled over the room.Vincent finally s
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The group moved quickly through the desolate landscape, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on them. The air still held the remnants of the Devourer’s presence, thick and suffocating. Samuel kept a firm grip on Mercer’s arm, making sure he stayed steady.Mercer, though exhausted, still managed to crack a weak smile. “You planning to hold onto me forever?”Samuel scoffed but didn’t let go. “You can barely stand.”Mercer sighed but didn’t argue. His body was covered in bruises, his clothes tattered, and his skin was still marked with faint traces of the dark tendrils that had bound him to the Devourer.Vincent led the way, his gun still drawn, eyes sharp and scanning the area for any threats. Evelyn walked beside him, her hands trembling slightly, though she tried to hide it. Sophia was a few steps ahead of Samuel and Mercer, her grip still tight on the dagger, ready for anything.Thorne, as always, was eerily calm, his presence steady. “We need to move faster,” he said.
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The second eye blinked open, followed by a third, then a fourth. The Devourer’s presence spread, a suffocating force pressing down on Samuel’s chest. The symbols on the ground pulsed in response, flickering like a heartbeat.Sophia’s grip tightened on the dagger she held, ready to intervene if things went wrong. Vincent and Marcus stood at the edge of the ritual circle, their eyes locked on Samuel, prepared for anything.The Devourer’s voice slithered through the air. “You… are tethered to the one we hold.”Samuel swallowed hard. “Yes.”The entity’s gaze burned through him, its presence creeping into the depths of his mind, sifting through his memories, his emotions, his very essence. A wave of nausea rolled through him as the connection strengthened.“You offer yourself?”Samuel’s fingers curled into fists. “I do.”Evelyn’s chanting shifted, the cadence growing sharper, more forceful. The mimic ritual had to remain convincing, and that meant making the Devourer believe it was getting
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The weight of Thorne’s words settled over them like a suffocating fog. A willing sacrifice.Samuel’s fingers curled into fists as he stared at the page in front of him. The ancient symbols meant nothing to him, but the implications were clear. To sever the Devourer’s connection to its feeding ground, someone had to die.“That’s not an option,” Sophia said, shaking her head. “There has to be another way.”Thorne leaned back in his chair, watching them with a measured gaze. “If there was, I would tell you. But Devourers are ancient creatures, bound by deep-rooted laws of existence. To break their hold, something of equal value must be given in return.”Vincent scoffed. “So you’re saying the only way to save Mercer is for one of us to die? Not happening.”Thorne sighed. “I understand your reluctance. But this is not a simple monster you can kill with bullets or fire. Devourers are entities of hunger and power. If you go in unprepared, you won’t just lose Mercer—you’ll all become part of
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Marcus kept one hand on the wheel while his other gripped his phone tightly. “We need to move fast,” he muttered. “The Brook family won’t just sit back and let us find Mercer first.”Samuel exhaled slowly. “Then we beat them to it. Whatever’s up there in that village, it’s dangerous. But Mercer is still alive. I can feel it.”Vincent scoffed from the backseat. “Feel it? Or just hoping?”Samuel ignored him. He wasn’t about to explain the gnawing pull in his chest, the unshakable certainty that Mercer was still out there, barely clinging to life.Sophia shifted uncomfortably beside him. “That thing in the village… It wasn’t human, was it?”Evelyn, who had been silent the entire drive, finally spoke. “No. It wasn’t.” Her voice was unusually quiet. “I’ve read about things like this before, but seeing it in person is something else.”Marcus frowned. “Read about it? What was it?”Evelyn hesitated before answering. “There are stories of ancient beings bound to certain places, creatures that
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The wind howled through the ruins, carrying an eerie whisper that sent a chill down Samuel’s spine. The inhuman eye within the darkness remained fixed on them, unblinking, filled with a hunger that made the air itself tremble.Sophia gripped Samuel’s arm, her breath shallow. “Samuel… what is that?”Vincent stepped forward, drawing his gun. “I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”Marcus cursed under his breath. “We need to get out of here. Now.”The trembling man on the ground clutched at Samuel’s sleeve. “You can’t fight it,” he rasped. “You can only run.”Evelyn narrowed her eyes at the shifting darkness. “No. We don’t run. We face it.”As if responding to her defiance, the shadows coiled like living tendrils, stretching toward them. Samuel barely had time to pull Sophia back before the darkness lashed out, striking the ground where she had just been standing. The impact left a deep crack in the earth, radiating an unnatural heat.“That’s not normal,” Vincent muttered.The villagers had
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The moment they stepped onto the tarmac, a biting cold wind greeted them, carrying the scent of damp earth and something else—something older, almost metallic, like the air before a storm.Samuel adjusted the collar of his coat, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar terrain. He wasn’t the only one on edge. Sophia wrapped her arms around herself, glancing toward Marcus."Are you sure your contact knows where Mercer is?" she asked, her voice hushed.Marcus checked his phone, his fingers typing rapidly. “He says Mercer was last seen near a village deep in the mountains. But it won’t be easy to reach. The roads are dangerous, and the locals avoid that area.”Vincent scoffed. “Of course they do. Let me guess—ghost stories? Cursed land?”Evelyn, standing slightly apart from the group, tilted her head. “It’s not just stories,” she murmured. “There are things in these mountains older than any of us.”Vincent rolled his eyes. “Great. More cryptic warnings. Love that.”Marcus ignored him and motione
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Samuel knew they were far from safe. His palm still ached from where his blood had sealed the cracks, but that pain was nothing compared to the weight of what they had just done.Vincent leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “So what now? We just sit around and wait for it to wake up again?”Samuel turned to Evelyn, whose gaze remained fixed on the stone. “How long before the Leviathan tries to break free again?”She didn’t answer immediately. Her expression was unreadable, but there was something almost… distant about her, as if part of her wasn’t even in the room. Finally, she murmured, “It depends.”Sophia frowned. “On what?”Evelyn’s eyes flickered toward Samuel. “On him.”Sophia stepped closer, her patience wearing thin. “Enough with the riddles, Evelyn. If you know something, say it.”Evelyn’s lips curled slightly, but it wasn’t a smile. “The Leviathan is bound to the Blackthorn bloodline. That bond was weakened over centuries. But tonight, it tasted his blood again.”Vincent s
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Evelyn stood motionless, her hollow eyes locked onto Samuel’s.“The Leviathan will rise,” she had whispered, and those words still hung in the air like a curse.Samuel exhaled slowly, forcing himself to push past the fear curling at the edges of his thoughts. He had spent his life ruling over boardrooms, manipulating billion-dollar deals, ensuring he remained untouchable. But now, he wasn’t dealing with business rivals or power struggles. This was something primal. Something ancient.Marcus stood at the edge of the room, watching them carefully. “You wanted answers, Blackthorn. Now you have them.”Samuel’s jaw clenched. “That wasn’t an answer. That was a warning.”Vincent crossed his arms, his usual sarcasm absent. “We’re not just going to sit here and wait for some monster to crawl out of the ground, are we?”Sophia’s fingers hovered over her phone screen, but she knew there were no quick searches that could prepare them for this. “There has to be something in your research, Marcus.
