***HARPER
The rain had only just stopped when I arrived at Uncle Mark and Aunt Samantha's house. The sky still rumbled above, gray and threatening, much like the mood inside the house. I stepped in and found them seated at the kitchen table. Tension hung in the air.
Uncle Mark rose to his feet the moment he saw me. "Harper."
I nodded stiffly. "Did you read the letter?"
He gave a heavy sigh and slid the torn envelope across the table. "Yes. And I've made up my mind."
I glanced at Aunt Samantha, whose expression was unreadable. I waited.
"I'm going to be fully involved in this case," he said. "Government approval or not."
I blinked. "Uncle… are you sure? That might—"
"I've let this go on for too long. They took my daughter. And now they're taunting us." His voice shook, but his eyes were steady. "They'll regret it."
I felt a surge of admiration for him. I reached out, clutching his hand. "I'll find Sophie, Uncle Mark. I swear it. Even if it's the last thing I do."
There was a long pause.
And then, Aunt Samantha scoffed.
I turned toward her slowly. "What?"
"You couldn't even protect her when you made all the promises of the world," she said sharply, rising from her chair. "What's the point of more promises now?"
"Samantha," Uncle Mark said, his voice laced with warning.
"No. Let her hear it. Every day you run around playing secret agent, making speeches like some savior, but where is Sophie now? Still missing. Still scared. While we sit here holding empty letters and empty hope."
The words stung. I froze.
Uncle Mark stood between us, his tone low. "That's enough."
"I'm sorry," Aunt Samantha muttered, brushing away a tear. "I didn't mean it. I just—" She turned and walked out of the room.
I looked down at my clenched fists. "It's okay," I murmured. "She's hurting."
Uncle Mark gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We all are."
'I have a plan uncle'.
'What plan?'
'Let's make this known'
'Known? How?'
---
The sun was beginning to set as I returned home. The wind was cold against my cheeks. When I entered the house, it was quiet, too quiet. Chris's voice finally broke the silence.
*That was... a lot.*
I nodded, dropping my bag beside the couch. *Yeah.*
*You're not mad at Aunt Samantha?*
*She's in pain, Chris. I don't blame her.* I sat on the arm of the chair and looked toward the ceiling. *I'd probably say something worse if I were her.*
*You're growing*, Chris said softly.
*Growing into a sponge*, I snorted. *Just soaking in everyone's anger and pretending I'm okay.*
*What now?*
*Well, I'll go through with the plan and bring Sophie back home*
*It's going to be a long fight*
*Yeah Chris*
Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted . My mom entered, holding a familiar piece of paper.
"Another letter?" I asked wearily.
My mom tossed the paper onto the coffee table.
"This has to stop, Harper," she snapped. "I don't know what game you're playing, but it's going to cost you."
'Please mom, just give me some more time, all these will be sorted out'. I tried to explain to my mom but she wasn't ready to listen.
'When?! When will it be sorted out?! You're being as foolish as your father right now! I can't believe you're.....'
That was it.
I've had enough .
"You think I'm doing this for fun? That I enjoy risking my life while people vanish and die?"
"You're not thinking straight. All this danger, this obsession. You're going to pay dearly if you don't stop."
"Do you think I want all of this! I can't back out now whether you like it or not"
My voice rose. "You think I'm risking my life for nothing?! No. I'm doing this so you can save up for your surgery, so Maisie can grow up safe, so Sophie can come home!"
My mom looked stunned.
"I'm tired, Mom. But I'm not weak. And I'm not stopping!."
"Then go ahead and lose yourself!" My mother spat, and stormed off.
I breathed heavily, tears forming in my eyes. I went after her to the living room but she was gone.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Elias. Quiet, still, watching.
"Back to your silent act, huh?" I muttered to him.
He looked away, his expression unreadable.
I headed back to my room.
---
Later that night**
Someone entered my room.
It was Maisie and she had entered without knocking.
She tugged my blanket and crawled into bed beside me.
I ruffled her soft hair.
"What would I do without you, Maisie?" My voice came as a whisper.
"You'd be really sad and lonely," the little girl answered honestly.
I chuckled weakly and held her close. "You're the best thing about this place."
We laid together under the dim light of my nightstand. Eventually, Maisie's soft breathing lulled me into sleep.
---
But my dreams were anything but peaceful.
First, I was standing in a dimly lit room — unfamiliar, smoky. A drunken man towered over me, slurring his words.
My biological father. The one I had ran away from.
"Pretty girl like you'll fetch a good price," he said, and my blood ran cold.
The scene changed — Natalie was whispering to the masked girl. "She's our target. Get rid of her quietly."
The masked girl — younger, uncertain — nodded, fading into the shadows.
Another shift.
A bloodied battlefield. Screams in the distance. I stood, trembling, my gun heavy in my hands.
Bodies.
Everywhere.
People I knew. People I loved.
And at the center — a little girl, soaked in blood, her face hidden.
I reached out. "Who are you?"
But the girl vanished.
I woke up with a start, my heart hammering in my chest.
Chris's worried voice echoed softly. *Harper…?*
*I'm fine,* I whispered not wanting to wake Maisie. *Just a dream.*
But my hands were shaking.
What was that about?
Something was coming.
Something I didn't understand yet.
And I had to be ready.