In the Shadow Of Memory

Chapter 37

Mia held her breath, the figure's grip still tight as she listened to the chaos unfolding outside. Phillip, Daisy, and Dennis were desperately searching the house, their voices echoing down the hall.

"Where did she go?" Daisy shouted, frustration lacing her words. "She can't have vanished!"

Dennis bolted out the front door, scanning the perimeter to ensure Mia hadn't escaped. "I'll check outside!" he yelled, leaving the other two to continue their search within the house. He pulled out his gun ready to shoot.

Daisy ran down the stairs, rechecking every room with growing panic. Meanwhile, Phillip remained silent, his eyes darting around, trying to piece together where Mia could have slipped away.

Mia covered her mouth tight, she was afraid to breathe out loud. Her heart was beating fast and she felt her body shake. She heard footsteps in the room and and froze holding her breathe. Tears streamed down her cheeks. 

"There you are," She heard a voice behind her. She jumped scared of bumbling her head against a shelf that was on top of her. The pain was sharp and she fell down. A smirk curled on Phillips lips as he stepped closer. "Well, well, look who we have here," he taunted, inching toward her. His hand reached for her and pulled her out by her hair. He dragged her out of her hiding spot and threw her on the floor. "Why you hiding princess?" He laughed. 

Mia looked at him. Chills went up her spine and her heart was beating so fast like she almost got a heart attack. 

"Aw, don't be scared," he said, his voice too calm, too smooth. He knelt in front of her, the warmth of his breath against her skin sending a wave of disgust through her. His hand reached up, brushing a tear from her cheek, as if he was wiping away something insignificant. Like he owned her.

Mia flinched, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't want to feel his touch. She couldn't stand it. Before she could think, her hand shot out and slapped him hard across the face.

He didn't move. Didn't blink.

His lips curled into a smile—a chilling, almost amused expression. "That's cute," he said, wiping the blood from his lip where her slap had connected. The smile never left his face, and it made her stomach churn.

But the fear was already sinking in. She could feel her body trembling. "I didn't do anything wrong!" she said, her voice shaky with desperation. "Just please... please let me go. Daisy doesn't understand."

His eyes darkened, no hint of sympathy in them. "Tell me, how should I kill you?" he asked, his tone almost... casual. Like he was asking her for her opinion on something trivial. "A gunshot to the head would be quick, but too easy. No... I think I'll take my time."

Her breath hitched. Kill her? She wanted to scream, to beg, but the words wouldn't come. The reality of what was happening was too much.

"I swear I don't deserve this," she gasped, tears welling up in her eyes. "I swear, I haven't done anything to your sister..."

He raised an eyebrow, looking at her like she was something to be studied, not listened to. "Your role isn't to beg," he said, voice turning colder. "It's to listen and nod. Understand?"

Mia's mouth went dry, her throat closing up as his words cut through her. There was no escape. No chance to fight back. He was too calm, too in control.

Then, slowly, he reached inside his coat and pulled out a knife. The blade gleamed in the dim light, sharp and unforgiving. Mia's pulse quickened. The sight of it made her stomach drop.

He twirled the knife between his fingers, watching her face carefully, as if waiting for her reaction. "I don't care about your excuses," he said, almost lazily. "I just want answers. Why does my sister want you dead?"