CHAPTER 6

Elena's heart was racing as if it would burst out of her ribcage as she and Marcus emerged from the park. The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, long, sinister shadows strewn on the ground. She replayed that call in her mind, a razor-sharp, menacing voice on the other end telling her to stop rummaging through Lucas's life. The warning stung her mouth with a bitter taste.

Did you hear that? They know we're looking into him," Elena said, barely louder than a whisper.

Marcus just walked beside her, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I did. It's unsettling. But we can't just back off now, can we?

Elena watched him, divided between the excitement of the chase and the fear that something horrible might happen. "I don't know, Marcus. Perhaps we really ought to stop. It's getting dangerous."

He stopped walking and faced her. "But what if Lucas is in some kind of danger? What if he's mixed up in something much larger than we fathom? We can't just leave him there.

Elena let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the decision tugging on her shoulders. "I understand it, I do. What if we are putting ourselves into some circle of harm? That call, it sounded so real."

Marcus nodded gravely. "Let's talk somewhere more quiet. We can't figure this out here in the open. There's a diner a couple of blocks from here; we could get a cup of coffee and talk about it.

Elena gave ground begrudgingly. They walked in silence, each lost in his thoughts until they reached the small diner sandwiched between a hardware store and a florist. The neon sign above the diner quivered its greeting against the early evening chill.

Inside, the diner was a mix between retro charm and frying bacon. A smattering of patrons in the booths, deep in their conversation. They picked a booth in the corner where they could see the entrance and kept one eye around them.

They collapsed onto the vinyl seats, and Elena turned to Marcus. "What are we doing here? What if we just get in deeper?

He leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "I need you to listen to me, Elena. I know things are difficult between us right now, but I have my reasons for wanting to find out more about Lucas. My sister was involved in a similar situation, and it didn't end so well. I just can't let that happen again."

Elena's brow furrowed, really taking in his words. "What happened to your sister?"

He'd stumbled over his words, a flicker of pain dancing across his features. "She got too close to some project she was working on. She vanished into thin air, and nobody cared. I don't want that to happen to Lucas or us."

"I hadn't realized," Elena said gently. "I'm so sorry.

"Thanks," he replied, his tone dripping with gratitude. "I just don't want to feel as though I should have done more. If we don't at least try, then who will?"

A mix of awe and fear tightened in Elena. She was proud of Marcus for his daringness, but the thought that they were versing whatever danger still awaiting them did frighten her. "Okay, but we need a plan. We can't just jump in blind.

Right," Marcus said, "let's sort out what we do know from what we don't. We can go back to Lucas and just ask him straight out. He might be willing to talk more if the approach is right.

But as they were talking over further action, Elena's nerves somewhat dissipated. She was reassured she was not alone in it. Just at that moment as they were concocting a scheme, a shadow passed by their booth.

She turned to see the figure step into the diner-a tall woman, garbed in a dark coat, her hair pulled back into a sleek bun. There was something off about her, an alarm going off in Elena's head. The woman looked around the room before her gaze settled on Antonina and Marcus. It was like some scene out of a thriller movie.

"Do you see that?" Marcus whispered, his voice barely audible.

"Yeah," Elena said, her heart racing all over again. "She's watching us."

The woman went to the counter to order, but she continued looking at them. Elena felt a cold trickle go down her spine. "What if she is somehow connected with Lucas?"

Marcus looked grim. "We need to get out of here."

"No, no wait. We need to see what she's going to do," Elena insisted, always curious despite the danger.

She turned from the counter, drink in hand, and made a beeline for their booth. Elena's heart stuttered as she forced herself to hold the woman's gaze. What did she want?

"Mind if I join you?" the woman asked; her voice was smooth, yet commanding.

Elena and Marcus exchanged glances. Marcus shrugged then gestured to the empty seat across from them. "Sure, why not?

She slid into the booth, her eyes piercing as they settled on Elena. "You two are quite brave, I must say. Digging into Lucas's life isn't recommended."

Elena's throat went tight. "Who are you?"

"Just a friend of Lucas'," she said, her smile cool. "But I'm here to give you a warning."

Elena's stomach plummeted. "What kind of warning?"

Questions have consequences," she said, her body inches closer. "You should back away before it's too late."

Marcus clenched his jaw and annoyance contorted on his face. "Why are we supposed to take your word?

"You shouldn't," she returned, her eyes unbending. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm trying to save you. Lucas is into something no one can comprehend. Some influential individuals want those secrets to stay buried.

Elena swallowed. "You expect us to just take your word for that?"

The woman replied still, her voice tinged with a shade of concern, "No, I expect you to be very keen with what you are doing. I would not like to see you hurt. Perhaps your curiosity will lead to some dangerous results.".

Elena's mind was reeling, attempting to grasp the enormity of this woman's words. What had Lucas gotten himself into? Was this some crazy woman trying to terrorize them, or was she telling the truth?

"I appreciate your concern," Marcus said calmly, "but we cannot just walk away. We need to know the truth about Lucas."

The smile fell away from her lips, and she was nothing but serious. "Sometimes, it is the truth that proves to be more dangerous than the lies we live."

With this, she slid out of the booth and left Elena and Marcus gobsmacked. The ambience turned sombre, and an eerie silence engulfed them.

Elena looked over at Marcus and her mind raced. "What shall we do now?

Follow her," Marcus said, eyes flaring with determination. "We need to know what she knows about Lucas. We can't let her slip away."

Just as they rose to follow the woman, Elena's phone buzzed on the table, vibrating against the diner's worn surface. She picked it up-her heart racing once more at the unknown number flashing across the screen.

A text read: "Stop digging. You're already in too deep."

"Marcus, it's the number from before," she whispered, fear crawling its way back in.

He stared at her then, the gravity of the situation now wide in both their eyes. "We need to get out of here. Now."

Adrenaline coursing through their veins, Elena and Marcus quickened toward the exit, looking back one last time. The woman was now gone, the atmosphere of the diner no longer comforting but claustrophobic.

One thing Elena did know: They were in over their heads, so far over their heads, more than they had ever expected. Now, somehow, they needed to work out a way to make it through the darkness up ahead without losing themselves along the way.