The mansion glowed like a beacon in the night. Chandeliers spilled golden light across the marble floors, laughter echoed through the halls, and Clyde's name still shimmered above the city in blazing fireworks. To the guests, it was a night of triumph — the return of the young heir after two years away. To Clyde, it was a dream come true, his parents' arms wrapped around him, his mother's tears soaking his pale cheeks.
But beyond the gates, the night was stirring with menace.
In a narrow alley, hidden from the glow of the estate, a black‑tinted car idled beneath a broken streetlamp. Around it stood masked figures in long coats, their voices hushed but urgent. They were the Obsidian , a gang whose name carried whispers of fear across the city.
Inside the car, the boss spoke. Her voice was feminine, smooth, and chillingly calm. "Midnight," she said. "That's when the lights go out. No mistakes. No mercy."
The gang nodded, their eyes glinting beneath the shadows. Engines roared to life, and the car slipped into the darkness, leaving only silence behind.
Back at the mansion, the celebration reached its peak. Guests toasted with crystal glasses, musicians played lively tunes, and Clyde's parents beamed with pride. The rooftop was alive with chatter, the city skyline stretching endlessly beyond. Clyde's siblings, exhausted by the excitement, had already gone to bed, their laughter fading into dreams.
Then the clock struck twelve.
A thunderous explosion ripped through the night. The rooftop trembled, chandeliers shattered, and glass rained down like deadly stars. Screams pierced the air as smoke engulfed the mansion. Guests scattered in panic, gowns and tuxedos flashing through the haze.
Clyde froze, his heart pounding, his voice trapped in his throat. The world around him dissolved into fire and ruin.
"Master Clyde!" Albert, the loyal butler, seized his arm. "We must go — now!"
"But my siblings—" Clyde's voice cracked.
"They are asleep, safe in their rooms," Albert said firmly, though his eyes betrayed fear. "If we stay, none of us will survive."
Another explosion shook the building, forcing them forward. Albert dragged Clyde through the smoke, weaving past falling beams and fleeing guests.
Down below, the chaos was worse. Those who had escaped the rooftop found themselves trapped in the courtyard. Armed men in black flooded the grounds, rifles gleaming under the moonlight. They opened fire without hesitation, bullets tearing through the night. Guests screamed, stumbling over overturned tables, hiding behind shattered fountains. The once‑beautiful party had become a battlefield.
Albert pulled Clyde toward a hidden passage near the east wing. Behind a tapestry lay a narrow door, almost invisible to the eye. He pushed it open, revealing a stone stairwell that led downward.
"This way," Albert whispered urgently. "The secret tunnel. Your father had it built for emergencies."
Clyde stumbled after him, his pale face streaked with ash. His mind spun — his parents, his siblings, his home. Everything was burning.
The tunnel was cold and damp, its walls lined with old bricks. Torches flickered faintly, casting shadows that danced like ghosts. Clyde's footsteps echoed, his breath ragged.
"Where does it lead?" he asked, his voice trembling.
"To the outskirts of the city," Albert replied. "Far from the estate. You'll be safe there."
Above them, the mansion collapsed. Flames licked the sky, and the cries of terrified guests echoed into the night. Clyde could still hear the gunfire, the chaos, the destruction. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
"I should have stayed," he whispered. "I should have protected them."
Albert stopped, turning to face him. "You are only nine, Master Clyde. This is not your burden. Survival is your duty now. One day, you will understand why."
Clyde's deep blue eyes burned with tears. He nodded weakly, though his heart was heavy. He was only a boy, yet fate had thrust upon him a burden far greater than his years.
Far away, in the tinted car, the boss of the Obsidian Vultures watched the flames rise. She smiled faintly, her voice a whisper. "Phase one... complete."
The city burned, the mansion crumbled, and Clyde's world shattered. But in the ashes of that night, new paths were being carved — paths that would lead him to Maddie Hamelton and Brianna Shaden, two souls whose fates were forever bound to his.