Edna being gone, Thomas's usual solitude returned. This time, he had gone out without his personal driver... His double life was a secret, even his wife had no idea.
The bounty on Elliot's head wasn't very high, just a few tens of thousands of dollars. In truth, Thomas knew he was a hypocrite... Killing the squatter was morally easy — after all, he was an aggressor, a pedophile — the worst humanity had to offer…
But Elliot, morally — at least by his own morals — it was more complicated… So he tried to convince himself that he was going to kill him for the money. He kept trying to convince himself — Look! He'd be dead anyway, there was a price on his head! Deep down, the bounty, the one in charge — it was him.
He got into his Cadillac V-16 and followed the road back home.
Thomas loved cars — jewels of technology, according to him. He owned three: a Cadillac V-16, a Duesenberg Model J, and an Auburn 12-160 — a luxury Thomas could afford.
His gift for seeing spirits had followed him his whole life. The shock he had when he found out he was the only one who could see them — it was hilarious. He had to live with that weight on his heart, impossible to talk about it without being labeled insane. Thomas didn't want to end up in a nut house.
At the end of a street in a fancy neighborhood, a big beautiful house stood in front of him. Despite the night, from the outside you could still see a room lit up. Dorothy, his wife, must've been waiting for him…
'I told her not to wait for me…' thought Thomas.
He went to open the gate, the house staff was inactive at night unless called. He parked his car next to the other two.
Once in the entrance hall, he went to clean up and changed into casual clothes before joining Dorothy.
"I'm home…"
Dorothy smiled.
"I thought I'd be alone tonight, what was that emergency in the middle of the night?"
"Some raw materials got blocked for who-knows-what reasons… Real mess!"
Thomas clicked his tongue.
"It's fine, it happens…" Dorothy said, hugging Thomas tightly.
"Julia wouldn't stop complaining though! Ahahah!"
Thomas smiled in return.
"Such a little scamp."
Lying to Dorothy tore him apart — but did he have a choice? She wasn't part of that world, and he… he was trying to get out. But that was easier said than done. Once you're in the shadow world, you never really get out — a bitter reality…
The night passed and the birds sang a sweet melody in the early morning.Sunlight filtered through the thin spaces between the curtains, slightly lighting up their bed.
Dorothy still asleep beside him, his loneliness resurfaced. He was tired — not physically, but of everything. He had succeeded in life, but that success had a bitter taste.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in!"
A young man entered — Larry, the house valet.
"Breakfast is ready to be served."
"Alright, we'll be right down…"
Once Larry left, Thomas woke up his wife. The two of them got ready and went downstairs, reaching the dining room.
"DADDY! Hihihih!" Julia shouted.
He hugged his daughter tightly, beaming with happiness. Julia was more important than anything. She wouldn't have to face the dark reality of the world. She would be a princess.
Julia pouted.
"Where were you yesterday? I didn't get my cuddle bedtime."
"You'll get two cuddles tonight."
"Daddy! Daddy! Can I have a dog?"
"No, sweetheart, I already told you, no pets in the house — think of the staff."
'Surprise for you tonight.' thought Thomas, smiling.
"So lame…" she mumbled.
Breakfast was truly delicious. Eating something good while chatting with his family — Thomas was in heaven.
"Darling, I received an invitation. One of my friends is inviting us to a party."
"Oh yeah? Who?"
"Rose, she's the daughter of the Hurtchton group. It's in two weeks."
"I'll put it in my schedule then. It's been a while since we've gone out. Also, last night I dealt with the factory's logistics issues."
"Can I come too, Daddy?"
"My love, ask your friend Rose if kids are allowed."
The life he had always dreamed of — yeah, now he had it.
***
Julia and Thomas were in the car, with the driver at the wheel. Julia never stopped talking, commenting on everything the landscape had to offer.
Arriving in front of the school, Thomas gave a big kiss on his daughter's forehead.
"Go on! Sweetheart, I'm proud of you. I'll be home late tonight."
"But! Again?! You promised double cuddle!"
Thomas sighed.
"Actually, I'm going to get you a nice surprise!"
"What?! A surprise?! Daddy is the — best!"
"Go on — see you tonight!"
Giving a light pat on her back, he watched her walk off with kids her age.
"Where to next, sir?" asked the driver.
"To the factory."
***
The large factory Thomas ran was swarming with activity due to a big contract recently signed. For him, the routine hadn't changed — at least not for now. His workdays usually went like this: morning meeting with management, signing documents, appointments, and field rounds.
Come evening, the driver was waiting at the entrance. Getting into his magnificent Duesenberg Model J, the driver took him to the breeder who had received good recommendations.
'You're gonna get your doggy, sweetheart.' thought Thomas, proud of himself.
The dog had already been chosen in advance and today was the day the puppy was old enough to leave its mother. He had picked a beautiful Italian greyhound for his beloved little princess. His social circle had strongly recommended this breed for its elegance and rarity.
Arriving at the kennel, he chatted with the breeder briefly before picking up the puppy.
"Alright you, you're coming with me!"
Surprisingly, the puppy was super calm in the car — totally the opposite of what he'd been told. He wasn't super comfortable but would surely get used to it soon.
Arriving in front of the house, he saw something very strange. It wasn't late in the evening, so why were all the lights on in the neighbors' homes, except his?
Thomas frowned and looked at Marvin, his driver.
"Why is it so dark?"
"No idea, sir."
"Stay here, by the gate. I need to check something."
Marvin nodded.
Thomas had a very bad feeling. Was someone playing a trick on him?
"Also, give me the gun in the glovebox."
The driver turned, confused, and frowned.
"Just for safety, come on, hurry!"
"Uh! Y-yes sir, right away!"
"If I'm not back in an hour... call the police."
Gun in hand, leaving Marvin puzzled, Thomas headed toward the house. Someone wanted to hurt him, or was this just a bad joke?
The house, seen from the outside, looked the same as yesterday — but something felt off to Thomas. Probably instinct. He fully trusted his instincts — they'd saved his life more than once.But this time, the situation involved his family. His family had already been threatened from afar, but never this directly.
The entrance hall, as silent as a cemetery, chilled him to the bone.
"Larry?!" Thomas shouted.
No response.
A horrible thought crossed Thomas's mind — the image of his daughter beaten to death.
'Is my family in danger?'
'No… I mustn't jump to conclusions just yet.'
Taking a deep breath, Thomas calmly advanced and checked each room one by one. Only his footsteps echoed through the house. Reaching the dining room, he saw a plate of food on the table. The food was cold to the touch.
Thump! Thump!
His heartbeat quickened.
'The kitchen, I have to go… I need to check the kitchen.'
Still no one in sight, Thomas headed for the kitchen. Opening the door, he started inspecting it. The kitchen was large for a family of three, but it had to accommodate the household staff and the social events sometimes held here. It made sense to have a large kitchen and several cooks.
What didn't make sense, though, was how everything had been left — abandoned — just like that.
'Hey! There's water overflowing from a pot over there!'
Rushing to turn off the heat under the pot, Thomas finally noticed someone — no, a body lying on the floor.
Something crazy was going on.