MARA POV
I walked towards the water dispenser at the hospital hall and drank water. Then I headed back to my sister ward, by the time I got there she was already at sleep.
"My little angel." I sat beside her then gave a a peck on her scalp. I looked at her condition and it broke me into pieces, tears ran down my eyes. I cried so bad but yet I made no sound. I held the pillow beside her burying my face while I poured out my pain into it—the feeling was unbearable.I didn't know how long it went but then I fell asleep.
The next morning, I walked to the office. My head was light from hunger. When I got inside, I went straight to my boss's office.
"I have the photos from yesterday beat," I said. I placed my camera on his desk. "I caught the face of the man who was running the shipment. Now, give me my pay. I need it for my sister."
My boss, Mr. Vance, didn't even look at me. He scrolled through the photos. "These are okay. But the lighting is bad, Mara. These aren't worth the full price."
"What?" I slammed my hand on the desk. "I almost got killed for those! My sister needs her treatment today. Give me my money!" I yelled a little.
He leaned back and smiled. "I'll tell you what. I won't pay you for these yet.
"But this wasn't the agreement?" I flinched.
"The client change their mind, they have a better job." He said with a greasy smile.
"We are reporters, we gather news, we don't follow instructions of filthy politicians." I said, glaring at him.
"The public doesn't pay us, these men do. He tilted his head with confidence, "if we can find information on this big fish, there's an underdog that's willing to pay sixty thousand dollars.
"But why?" I leaned forward. "Why pay so much for him?" I whispered in shock.
"He is a big fish in corruption. Everyone believes he controls 90% of the illegal operations in the country." He replied. Biting the cover of his pen.
"That's crazy!!… If no one could catch him all this while, what makes you think, it will be different?" I asked, grabbing a seat in front of him.
"I have a lead on the Ghost. He's moving goods through the East Dock warehouse tonight. Get me a clear shot of him. If you do, I'll pay you half of the money. I'll give you three thousand dollars."
"Three thousand dollars ?" I breathed.
"Yes, and you also get a promotion." He smiled again.
"But I need the money for her treatment now." My fist clenched.
"Then you better be fast tonight," he said, his jaw tightened. "No photo, no pay. For either job. Now get out." His smile had vanished, replaced by a cold glare.
"But sir…you know my situa….,"
"Get out!!." He screamed, cutting me off and a vein stood out on his neck.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. But I just turned around and said, "I'll do it." I replied.
"Get to work then, I need a result tonight."
"Sure." I left.
I went home and sat on the floor of my tiny apartment. I pulled out my laptop and studied everything I could find about the Ghost. He was a shadow. No face. No name. Just a trail of bodies and money.
If he caught me, I was dead. But if I didn't go, my sister will die. I wore a hoodie, then used balm to massage my legs.
"Come on Mara, you can do this." I took a bandage and wrapped my legs, then I took some pain relief.
At midnight, I snuck into the East Dock. I moved like a ghost myself. I found a high spot. Below me, men were moving sealed boxes. Then, a man stepped out of the corner. He was tall, wore a long black coat and mask. Even from up here, I could feel the power coming off him. His face was masked.
I raised my camera. Click. I snapped a package and some of the men without mask moving it.
"Very good girl." I said to myself. Suddenly, a bright light hit my face.
"Got you!" a voice shouted.
I tried to run, but a hand grabbed my ankle and pulled me down. I fell hard. My camera flew out of my hand and shattered on the concrete below. Two men grabbed me and tied me to a chair in the center of the floor. They had tied my hands behind my back with thick rope.
"Who do you work for?" one of the men asked, punching me on my stomach.
I gasped, the air leaving my lungs. I fell to the side, coughing. "I... I'm just a student."
He hit me again, this time across the face. My lip split open. "Liar! Talk! Who sent you?"
I stayed silent. I thought of my sister, her hair falling out. If I talked, they would find her. I would never betray her.
"Hit her again," the man said.
"Stop."
The voice was deep, it filled the whole warehouse. The men immediately backed away.
A man stepped forward. He stood in front of me, his face covered with a mask. He looked at my bruised face and my torn clothes. He looked at the ropes tied to my wrists.
"Leave us," he ordered.
The men disappeared into the darkness. I was alone with him. He pulled up a chair and sat across from me. He looked at me for a long time.
"You're quite tough for a little girl," he said. His voice was low and husky. "They hit you twice and you didn't say a word. He tilted his head, "Why? Is the pay that good?" he added.
"I didn't do it for the money," I lied, my voice cracking.
"Everyone does it for the money," he mocked. "You look like you're starving. Your skin is pale. You're trembling."
"Let me go moron." I tried to set my hand free. Right then, my stomach let out a loud, long growl. It was so loud in the quiet warehouse.
"F*ck you." I cursed myself.
He chuckled. It was a dark sound. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, wrapped sandwich. He unwrapped it and held it to my mouth. It smelled like fresh bread and ham. My mouth watered.
"Eat," he said.
"I am not hungry." I replied. I bite my lips to stop my stomach from growling.
"If you don't eat , you will die and your reason for coming here will be futile." He replied, flicking a lighter on and off.
I hesitated. My mind told me to be careful, but my body was screaming for food. I took a bite. Then another. I ate the whole thing in seconds, swallowing hard.
When I finished, I looked at him. "Thank you."
He leaned back and a slow, cruel smile spread across his face.
"Don't thank me yet, Mara," he whispered.
"Mara?" I shivered. "How do you know my name?"
"I always know the names of people who cross me."He said it without blinking. He shifted his weight a little, his eyes fixed on me like he was reading my next move.
"You're… you're not killing me," I said. I tried to sound bold, but my voice shook anyway. "If you do, people will come for you. I'm connected." My fingers trembled behind me. I kept rubbing my palm together, trying to steady myself, but it didn't help much.
"You talk too much." He leaned closer, slow and calm. His shadow covered part of my face.
"You have three hours," he said. "The poison is already in your blood." He paused, his eyes dropping to my lips as they parted in shock.
"Talk… or die quiet."