Chapter 33

Chapter 33 – Traces in the Shadows

Ariana clenched the photograph tightly. A chilling sensation crept down her spine.

"We're being watched..." her voice barely a whisper.

Richard snatched the photo from her hand, his jaw tightening. "Damn it. This isn't just a warning. They know our every move."

Nathan clenched his fists. "We need to find out who's behind this before they make their next move."

Ariana took a deep breath. "Daniel and Clara are getting too bold. They want to make sure I never escape their twisted game."

Richard nodded. "Then we strike back before they trap us any further."

Nathan started the car, his eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously. "We need to get out of here before they send someone else."

As the car rolled forward, Ariana couldn't shake the feeling that unseen eyes were still on them.

---

A Chase Through the City

They had barely driven a few blocks when Richard spotted something in the rearview mirror.

"We're being followed," he said grimly.

Ariana turned to look. A black, unmarked car trailed them at a suspicious distance.

Nathan tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "Get ready. If they try anything, I'll find us a way out."

Ariana swallowed hard. "What if this is just a scare tactic?"

Richard shook his head. "Daniel never does anything by accident. If they’re following us, it means they have a plan."

Suddenly, the black car sped up, trying to cut them off.

Nathan cursed under his breath. "Brace yourselves!"

The pursuing vehicle swerved aggressively, attempting to ram them. But Nathan reacted swiftly, yanking the wheel to the right and narrowly avoiding the collision.

Ariana clung to the seat. "We need to get off the main roads!"

Richard quickly checked his phone map. "Left turn ahead! There's an alley we can lose them in!"

Nathan took the sharp turn at full speed, tires screeching against the asphalt.

The black car struggled to follow, losing momentum in the narrow passage.

Richard glanced back. "I think we lost them."

Ariana exhaled heavily. "For now. But they’ll be back."

---

Hunting for Zeke

After ensuring they were safe, they focused on tracking down Zeke—the man Jonas claimed was handling Daniel’s secret communications from prison.

His last known address led them to a run-down apartment complex on the outskirts of town.

Nathan carefully checked the door before knocking.

"Zeke! We need to talk!" Richard called out.

Silence.

Ariana strained her ears. Nothing.

"He’s not here," she murmured.

Then—rapid footsteps. Someone was making a run for it.

"He’s escaping!" Nathan shouted.

Ariana and Richard took off, sprinting down the dimly lit hallway toward the fire escape.

Zeke, a lanky man with disheveled hair, leaped over a small fence at the back of the building. But Richard was faster.

He grabbed Zeke’s collar, yanking him back.

"Let me go!" Zeke struggled.

Ariana stepped forward, her expression cold. "Talk, or we turn you in to the cops."

Zeke's panicked eyes darted between them. "I don’t know what you’re talking about!"

Richard tightened his grip. "Don’t play dumb. We know you’re handling Daniel’s calls from the inside."

Zeke hesitated, but Ariana’s piercing gaze told him they wouldn’t let him off easy.

Finally, he exhaled sharply. "Fine! Yes, I work for Daniel. But I only relay messages to someone outside."

Ariana narrowed her eyes. "Someone? Who?"

Zeke swallowed. "I don’t know his real name. He just calls himself ‘Shadow’."

Nathan frowned. "Shadow? Who the hell is that?"

Zeke shook his head. "All I know is that he’s dangerous. Daniel trusts him more than anyone. If he’s involved, you’re in serious trouble."

Ariana’s pulse quickened. "So ‘Shadow’ is the one orchestrating the threats against me?"

Zeke nodded. "He’s no ordinary man. If I were you, I’d stop digging before it’s too late."

Richard scoffed. "Too late? No, this is exactly when we strike back."

Ariana’s gaze darkened. "Where can I find Shadow?"

Zeke’s face paled. "I don’t know! He always contacts me from different numbers. I’ve never seen his face."

Ariana’s hands balled into fists. "You must know something. Give me a lead."

Zeke hesitated, then finally whispered, "There’s a place… downtown… an abandoned building in the old district. That’s where they meet."

Nathan nodded. "Then that’s where we’re going."

Ariana exchanged glances with Richard and Nathan, determination burning in her eyes. "This might be our only chance to take them down."

---

Walking Into a Trap?

Hours later, they arrived at the old district. The abandoned building stood in eerie silence, its broken windows and graffiti-covered walls casting long shadows in the dim streetlights.

Ariana studied it carefully. "We need to be ready for anything."

Richard nodded. "Stay sharp. If this is a trap, we have to get out fast."

Nathan took a deep breath. "I have a bad feeling about this place."

Ariana straightened her shoulders. "We can’t back down now."

They stepped inside, moving cautiously through dust-covered hallways.

Footsteps echoed from the darkness.

Ariana stiffened. "Someone’s here."

Suddenly, overhead lights flickered on, flooding the room in harsh brightness.

From the shadows at the far end, a figure emerged.

A man dressed entirely in black, his smirk chilling.

"At last, we meet, Ariana," he said.

Ariana’s breath hitched.

Nathan tensed beside her. "Is that… Shadow?"

The man’s smirk deepened. "You’ve been meddling in things you shouldn’t have."

Richard’s eyes sharpened. "So you’re the mastermind behind this?"

Shadow shrugged. "I only follow orders."

Ariana’s fingers twitched. "From who? Daniel?"

Shadow chuckled. "No… from someone far more dangerous."

Ariana’s heart pounded. "What do you mean?"

Shadow gazed at her with a knowing smile, his voice a chilling whisper.

"You’ll find out soon enough, Ariana. But when you do… you may wish you had never searched for the truth."