“You two are my heaven and hell,” Captain Whitlock explained. “Spencer, you have influence in many business spheres. Your firm has been involved in several building projects all over the city. Use those connections. We need as many influential people there as possible.” “Got it,” Spencer nodded. “Alex, you have influence in the underbelly of the city. Sort of the prince of the underworld. I want those big players involved. I’m sure Robert has ruffled more than a few feathers.” “I don’t know…” Alex hesitated. “Listen. I know you want your friends back. But this is bigger than that. Robert Stewart is a big fish, and we’ll need an even bigger net to catch him. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of… your people weren’t after him too.” “Watch what you say,” Alex warned. “Just do it.” Alex sneered at him but nodded. “How about me?” Sabrina asked. “You’re going to call every major new outlet. We need every channel there. Every single one.” “Shouldn’t Will’s PR department be involve
“I’ll be stationed in a covert position. You’ll be in my full view,” Captain Whitlock said as he prepped Will. “You’ll be able to hear everything I say with this earpiece.” Will pushed it into his ear. The captain tested it and they ensured it worked. “Police are on the way to the location tracked from the phone call. But they won’t move in until the press conference is live. A few undercover agents will be posing as press to watch out for any suspicious persons. Now remember, Will. You need to do this right. Everything hinges on this. Getting the hostages out and bringing Robert Stewart along with all of his accomplices to justice.” “Is there anyone on Robert’s house?” Alex asked. “There are people ready. But we won’t send anyone until your friends have been secured. With everything we have, thanks to all of you, we have enough for a search warrant for his home and to arrest him.” “You work fast,” Sabrina commented. “I’ve been doing this a while. It also helps that I have some
Jess was feeling delirious from lack of food or water. Voices from beyond the door sounded frantic and panicked. But that couldn’t be true. They were in control. If they were scared, something bad had to be going on. The voices got louder and more demanding.“Emma,” Jess rasped. “Emma, wake up.” Emma had been out for a while. Jess did her best to wiggle her way over to her friend. “Em, please wake up.”“Mmm,” Emma mumbled. Both girls were on the cold, hard, dirty floor. “Why?”“Something’s wrong. Listen.”They went silent as they listened to the upheaval outside. It was pandemonium. The world was ending just past the door, and they would be left behind. “What happened?” Emma asked, her throat felt raw as though someone had forced her to swallow nails.“I don’t know.”The door flew open, and they were met with a frightening sight. In the doorway, bathed in darkness, but silhouetted by light was Grace. She stepped towards them, and Emma gasped.“This is the dress I wore the day we got
(trigger warning: suicide)“Now!” Captain Whitlock’s signal came through. “All units move in!” The skilled battalion of officers converged on the building. It was an abandoned office building that had been slated for demolition. It was four stories tall, along with a basement. Dripping pipes, hungry rats, and silent darkness made for the perfect horror movie setting. The officers could only hope that what they found didn’t further that narrative. The thundering of their boots echoed throughout the building, bouncing off of the walls. There were only about fifteen of them, but they sounded like a force of hundreds.They burst into every room, every storage closet, and scoured every floor. Captain Whitlock had provided them with photos of their targets. But other than the rats, not a living soul inhabited this building. They made their way to the top floor. A partially completed office suite drew their attention. The lead officer smashed his way through the door, hopeful to find the wom
Before anyone could react, Grace pulled the trigger.“NO!” Will shouted and ran towards her. She was dead before she hit the ground. Will fell to his knees and froze. The gunshot echoed in his ears, obscuring all other sounds. Officers ran past him, yelling commands at each other. The smell of blood, gunpowder and burnt flesh assaulted him. His stomach rolled over, and he could feel all of its contents wanting to come up.Hold it together. Hold it together. Hold it together, he chanted. His breath came in struggled, tattered pants. The air couldn’t get into his lungs fast enough. The commotion swirled around him, making him dizzier and dizzier. He felt drops of water on his face and vaguely wondered if it was raining.What just happened?“Hey! Hey!” Captain Whitlock rushed to his side and knelt beside him. “Stay with me, kid. Snap out of it!”“Did she… is she…,” Will managed.“Yeah. I’m sorry. I know what she meant to you.”“Is it… my fault? Did I… do that to her?”“No. No, it’s not.
The faint smell of bleach was familiar to him now. Hospitals always seemed to smell that way. Like refrigerated bleach. Spencer and Sabrina sat on either side of him. Spencer was still, like a statue in a park. The only signs of life Will could even detect was an occasional blink and his shoulders moving with each breath. How could someone be so still? Sabrina on the other hand was a fidgety mess. Her legs bounced, and she wrung her hands together. A violent shiver would run through her body from time to time. “Are you cold?” he asked. His voice was like a thousand shattering plates in the silent waiting room. Sabrina jumped, clearly startled. “Sorry.”“No, I’m sorry. I get really jumpy when I’m nervous. Yeah, I guess I am a little cold.”“Here,” Will shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it around her shoulders.“Thanks,” she gave him a tight smile and her small hands clutched it close to her body. Spencer looked over at Will, the first time he’d moved during their wait. It was e
“Excuse us,” a voice came from the doorway. Everyone looked over and saw two police officers walking in. “We’re here to get Miss Royce’s official statement.”“Right,” Jess sighed, not wanting to deal with this part of things. “Can my friends stay?”“As long as they don’t interfere with our questioning, it should be fine,” one of the officers said. “Great. Ask away. What would you like to know?”“Please give us your version of the events. We’ll ask for clarification if needed.”“Okay,” Jess took a shaky deep breath. Sabrina sat down next to her, taking her friend’s hands.“I’m right here, okay? You’re not there anymore. You’re here, and you’re safe.”“I know,” she said with an unsure smile. “I just didn’t think I’d have to relive it so soon.”“We can come back if this too difficult,” the other officer offered.“No. I’d rather do it now. And once. Please promise me that I won’t have to do this again.”“Unfortunately, we can’t promise that. You may be called into questioning for more sp
The officers asked a few more questions and excused themselves. It was clear that Jess was shaken and trying hard to keep from falling apart. Sabrina still held her hand, trying to offer her some support. Will and Spencer glanced at each other, feeling useless. Spencer watched the scene unfold around him. He was a fish out of water. There was nothing he could do, nothing he could offer. There was no place for him in that room. “What’s wrong?” Will asked when he noticed Spencer looked off. “I want to help. But I don’t know what to do.” Will looked at him for a moment. The wheels turned in his mind. From what he knew of Spencer, he was an intelligent man. The solution would come to him, but now wasn’t the time for solutions. They needed to focus on getting Emma and Jess recovered and home. He understood him, though. It was everything Will could do to remain standing. The crushing oblivion loomed closer and closer. And no matter what, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t
Six months later “Stewart Industries Landmark building construction was completed today. The twenty-story building boasts retail, commercial, and event space. The impressive building has already become a hallmark of the city with a silver tower as its crown. Glass windows glisten in the sun. And anyone in the city can enjoy the gorgeous public park that surrounds it. It is a gorgeous and shining collaboration of the best and freshest minds in the city. William Stewart has named the structure, ‘The Conrad Tower,’ in honor of his beloved late grandfather. The city awaits now for the building to open and for all the new opportunities it will create. This has been Susanne Winters for Channel 16 news.” They all cheered and toasted the completion of the building, gathered around Will and Emma’s living room. “Here’s to The Conrad Tower!” Will raised his glass. “And to all the people that helped make it possible! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you all. Thank you.” They raised
The high from the success of the show had worn off, and Will felt himself spiraling. His pulse quickened; a sheen of cold sweat sprouted on his forehead. He held it together the best he could while around others. But alone, with nothing but his memories to accompany him… it was always the worst.As he arrived home and prepared himself for another lonely night, he was greeted by something unexpected. A large truck was parked in front of his home. Men moved in and out of it, bringing things inside.“…The fuck?” he muttered as he parked his car. “Excuse me,” he called out to them. “This is my home. What are you doing here?”“I hired them,” a voice said from the doorway of the house. He looked over towards the familiar voice, not daring to believe it. But there she was, bathed in the light from inside the house. “Hi, Will. I’m sorry if I startled you, but I w
Their days were filled with appointments. Every time they turned around, there was somewhere to be. Will had been discharged and had the company to take care of. With the building finally underway, Stewart Industries was thriving again. It was a rare moment that he got time to himself. And even when he did, everyone else was busy with their own hectic lives. Will floated around his giant, empty home. He went to work, came home, did his physical therapy exercises, and went to sleep. Alone. He found, in recent days, that alone was not a good place for him to be. Nightmares plagued his sleep, and he jumped at the slightest noises. Monsters had moved from under the bed and in the shadows to inside his mind.He hated it.Emma hadn’t been able to make good on her promise to move back. Things were hectic, and no one had time for anyone anymore. It had been almost two weeks before he saw anyone. They all called and messaged each other, but it wasn&rs
Will’s recovery was slow. The doctors had informed him that taking that bullet as such close range did a lot of damage, but it was the reason he wasn’t dead as nothing major was hit. He wasn’t out of the woods yet and would need a good round of physical therapy. The medical staff agreed that he needed to stay in the hospital for at least a week so they could monitor him. Emma and Alex fussed over him, making sure he listened and did everything according to the doctor’s orders.On the fourth day, he was restless and just wanted to leave. Alex was in the room with him, telling him off for not listening.“You’re being a brat,” Alex scolded him.“I just want to get out of this bed,” Will whined.“Try getting out again, and I’ll break both your legs.”“How very Mafia of you,” Will smirked.“Shut up,” Alex swatted at
Chaos exploded around them. Shouts and screams filled the air as Captain Whitlock ordered that Ghost be apprehended and an ambulance be called. Ghost dropped his gun and raised his hand in surrender as his fantasy came to life right before his eyes.“Beautiful!” he said over the din. “It’s more beautiful than I could ever imagine.”“Shut up,” Captain Whitlock spat as he wrenched Ghost’s hands behind his back. “You’re going to go away for a very long time. They may even make a case for the death penalty against you.”“I hope they do,” he said with a contented sigh. “I’ve done all I have ever wanted to do.”“Take this vile piece of shit. And read him his rights. This arrest needs to be perfect. I swear if this fucker gets out on a technicality, I’ll fire the lot of you!”An officer took Ghost a
Will turned around and the world moved in slow motion around him. About ten feet away from them, there he stood. Ghost. Denis. The man responsible for all the pitfalls in his life stood ten feet away from them, the sunlight glinting off the barrel of an ornate silver gun. How could he have been so careless?“Surprise,” Ghost sang.“How…” Will began to ask.“How did I get so close?” Ghost finished. “Without anyone noticing. Hmm…” he used the gun to scratch his temple for a moment and then pointed it back at them. “I’m the monster in the dark. The one under your bed. The one your parents warn you about. Oh wait… your parents wouldn’t warn you about anything. They’ve been trying to sacrifice you to the darkness for years,” he said with feigned contrition.“What do you want?” Will asked. His eyes darted around, looking for
They really thought they were smart, huh? They thought he would fall for their little traps. However, he couldn’t deny that they had presented him with the perfect opportunity. Will was serving himself on a silver platter. It would be so easy to just take care of him then. His ultimate fantasy could play out the way he’d always dreamt of. The very public murder of William Stewart was just something he couldn’t pass up.What reason was there even to hide anymore? They had revealed his identity. Everyone knew who he was. So, what purpose did the shadows serve him anymore? Perhaps it was time to come out into the light and end this charade. His last card against Will had been used up. He’d run out of games.“Let’s play,” he chuckled, loading his gun. “No plans. No backups. This is it.” His heart raced with elation as he envisioned a bullet ripping through Will. Hearing his loved ones cry as his body crump
The interview was a smash. The city was on high alert, and Ghost’s name was on everyone lips. The few times Sabrina went out, it’s all she could hear anyone talk about. She couldn’t help but feel a little proud. Captain Whitlock received dozens of calls and tips. Many people said how they knew Denis, and how there was no way he could be Ghost.Others said that they’re surprised they never saw the signs. Some offered clues and places that Denis used to frequent. He traipsed the city, following these clues. Most led to nothing. Just traces of an old that Ghost himself probably wouldn’t recognize. But there was one call…“Um… hi. Is this Captain Whitlock?” It was hesitant man’s voice.“Yes, how can I help you?”“I’m calling about Denis Ratcliffe.”Captain Whitlock received so many of these calls he was numb to them.
Will let the water wash over him as he tried to steady his frenzied heartbeat. The truth was that they were terrified. For Ghost to be so brazen as to just waltz into the police station and open fire did not bode well for any one of them. It was clear that Ghost was just as ready to end this as they were. He leaned his forehead against the cold tile, letting the rhythmic beating of the water of against his back soothe him.Soon enough, a shower wouldn’t be such an event. At least not the ones he took alone, anyway. Steam rolled off of skin as he emerged from the shower. Emma had laid out some clothes for him. Just a white t-shirt a pair of gray sweatpants. He laughed. Now that he was free and clean, he wanted to hold his baby.He went downstairs, back to the dining room where everyone was gathered.“Where is Lizzie?” he asked.“Right here,” Emma said. She stood behind him, holding a