MAYOR'S PRIVATE CHAMBER – NIGHT
The atmosphere was stiff and dark. The thick curtains were drawn, and the only source of light came from a burning chandelier, its fire casting flickers across the walls. The mayor stood behind his desk, veins visibly pulsing beneath his skin, jaw clenched. His fingers drummed the surface like a metronome of fury. His mask was gone.
"You told me she'd be gone by now," he said, his voice low but loaded with venom.
Across from him stood his daughter – the masked lady, now without her mask, revealing her sharp features and cold poise. There was a flicker of something in her eyes. Doubt? Guilt? Fear? It was gone before it could settle.
"She's tougher than I expected," she admitted. "More persistent, more clever. She's not some ordinary girl."
She answered her father while playing with the bracelet on her hands.
The mayor slammed his hand against the table.
"No excuses! You promised me results! After what happened two years ago, I thought you'd learned."
She flinched, just slightly. Her eyes dropped for a split second.
"Don't bring that up," she muttered.
The mayor rounded the table, now standing inches from her.
"Why not? Scared?" he sneered. "You think I forgot? You think any of us forgot? If it weren't for your reckless mistake, we'd never have had to kill Harper's father."
Her eyes sharpened, turning to ice.
"I did what I had to do. He got too close. I did it for you."
'Oh really? For me?'
'Yes. For you , father. I did it to prove myself to you that I am worthy of your trust'.
The Mayor sneered.
"You killed him," the mayor said. "And from then on, you killed everyone who stood in your way. Don't forget that. And don't forget what she knows."
The lady crossed her arms.
"She doesn't know anything. As long as she believes you were the one who killed her father, I'm safe. All those news reports? Her doing. She's trying to rattle us. But I have my own cards to play."
She snapped her fingers.
A tall, lean man in dark clothing stepped forward from the shadows. An assassin, face covered, only his eyes visible.
"Since the wife of the police officer is dead," the lady said, smiling darkly, "then the officer should join her in hell. Mark must die."
The mayor's face paled. "What exactly are you trying to achieve with all this?"
She stepped closer to her father, the confidence in her voice chilling.
"I'm going to wreck Harper. Mind, heart, soul."
She turned and picked up a sleek phone, dialing a number.
"Get ready to receive a call from me. When I call you, release Sophie."
The mayor narrowed his eyes. "You're letting Sophie go?"
She shook her head.
"Not exactly. I want Harper to think she's getting her back. But instead of taking Sophie, I'm going to take something even more precious."
'This time, you better do it right '
'I will father'
*********MORNING
***** HARPER
Sunlight filtered through the blinds as I sat at the table, still half-asleep, slowly eating my toast. My head rested on my palm as my other hand lazily stirred a spoon around a mug of tea.
Footsteps echoed down the hall.
"Good morning!" Maisie called cheerfully, skipping into the kitchen, her backpack bouncing against her shoulders.
I perked up immediately, a smile breaking across my face.
"You're up early," I smiled at her.
"We have our school trip today!" Maisie said, beaming. "We're going to the wildlife reserve. I promise to take lots of pictures for you."
I chuckled, brushing a stray lock of hair from Maisie's forehead. I leaned in and kissed my little sister on the cheek.
"Alright then, explorer. Make sure to stay with your teacher and don't wander off."
Maisie giggled. "Yes, mommy number two."
From behind, Elias entered, carrying his own mug of coffee. His eyes were tired but wary. He glanced at me briefly and said nothing.
I noticed he didn't have his studs anymore.
He is a person of interest but I'm still so caught up with the mayor and his stupid daughter.
*Your brother....* Chris trailed off.
*I can see it too Chris but what do I do? I'm still so busy. I need to find Sophie first*
*The relationship between the both of you, has it always been this way?*
*No*
Our once-close bond had grown stiff, fragile like old glass. I turned back to Maisie.
"Have fun, okay?"
Maisie nodded and waved enthusiastically as she left for the waiting school van.
As the door shut behind her, I stood still for a moment, a heavy, strange pressure on my chest.
Something didn't feel right.
I stared at the door long after Maisie was gone.
The air felt heavier.
A storm was coming.