Chapter 111: If there's a problem, we remove it, right?
Night time, down town. The time when certain parts of the city came alive. The time perfect for creatures of the night to go to work. Meandering through the darkness rather too graciously.
Reggie, Gunther, and Randal stood at the edge of a rooftop, a trio of dark silhouettes against the backdrop of the city skyline.Dressed in all black attire, Reggie and his brothers stood at the top of the roof, their figures cloaked in long overcoats that billowed in the wind like shadows come to life.
Each wore a fitted black shirt and pants underneath, with hats pulled low over their brows to conceal their features in the dim light. Their attire lent them an aura of menace and authority as they surveyed the world below, their silhouettes blending seamlessly with the darkness of the night.
Reggie, the leader of Rose's three most trusted aides, turned to his brothers, his gaze intense and unwavering. Their skin, illuminated by the moon's ethereal glow, seemed to shimmer like freshly fallen snow as they stood in silent solidarity.
"Brothers," Reggie's voice cut through the night like a blade, commanding attention and respect. "Tonight, we stand on the precipice of destiny. The fate of our master, Rose Shelly, hangs in the balance, and it is our duty to ensure her protection and success."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in, the gravity of their situation palpable in the cool night air. "Rose may not be in the position to take decisive action at this moment," Reggie continued, his voice steady and unwavering. "But we cannot afford to falter. The vampire council's restrictions on evidence for Blake's restitution may hinder our efforts, but we must not be deterred."
With each word, Reggie's conviction grew stronger, his resolve unshakeable. "It falls upon us, her loyal servants, to watch, to wait, and to act when the time is right," he declared, his voice ringing out with authority. "We will make the decisions that Rose may be too jaded to make, and we will do so without hesitation."
As Reggie spoke, his brothers nodded in silent agreement, their allegiance to their master unwavering. "We will protect her with our lives, even if it means defying the council," he proclaimed, his voice echoing off the surrounding buildings. "For Rose Shelly is our lord and master, and her will shall be done."
With their mission clear and their resolve steelier than ever, Reggie, Gunther, and Randal turned their attention to one of the houses across the street. Through the window, they could see a brunette seated at a table, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scribbled words onto a piece of paper.
As Tessa sat at her dining table, surrounded by a chaotic array of names, objects, and interconnected patterns, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her like a heavy fog. As an investigative journalist, she was skilled at deciphering cryptic clues and uncovering hidden truths, but recent events had left her more cautious than ever before.
The visit from Randal, Reggie, and Gunther to her family home had rattled her to the core. Their presence had left an indelible mark on her psyche, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they were still watching her, lurking in the shadows just out of sight.
With trembling hands, Tessa traced the lines on her makeshift investigation board, each thread representing a potential clue or lead in her quest for answers. But even as she worked to piece together the puzzle of her father's past, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.
Paranoia gnawed at her sanity, threatening to unravel the carefully constructed web of evidence she had painstakingly gathered. Every shadow seemed to hold a hidden threat, every tap on her shoulder sent a jolt of fear racing down her spine.
Sometimes walking amongst people in the streets, she would often feel a tap on her shoulders but no one seemed to be responsible.Other times, for a fleeting moment, she could swear she saw a flash image of one of the three men that paid her and her mother a visit.
As she continued to map out her research, she heard the knock on the door, scampered to hide the crucial pieces she didn't want anyone to see. She walked into her room to take a good look at herself. She had eye bags underneath her eyes and appeared generally sleep deprived with disheveled hair like a newly mental patient.
"Hmmm!" Tessa cleared her throat, walking towards the door. "Yes, who's there?" She asked approaching the door.
She was basically running mad at this point. She hadn't been to work in two days, locked up in her house, trying to map out all she had gathered from what her father left behind of his working days at Shelly technologies.r.
Josh stood at Tessa's front door, oblivious to the watchful eyes observing his every move, a sense of trepidation gnawed at his gut.
He had come here with the intention of discussing their next move, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.Meanwhile, high above the city streets, Reggie, Randal, and Gunther watched intently from their vantage point on the building opposite Tessa's apartment. Gunther's imposing figure loomed over the others as he voiced his instinctual reactions to Josh's presence.
"This is the one we are to keep the most eye on? He seems totally harmless. I can smell fear and a man controlled by his balls straight from here," Gunther, the hulking figure amongst the three equally huge men said.
"He is more than that. According to our lord, he is the snake in the lawn," Reggie the one with the most insight replied to Gunther.
"Then let's take care of him before he bites anyone," Gunther simply laid out the option on the table. Gunther's blunt proposal hung in the air, reflecting his instinctual approach to challenges.It only made sense to him that the next line of action whenever there was an obstacle in their way was to "remove" it
Yet, the solemn gazes of his brothers caught him off guard. Confusion marked his expression as he sought clarification. "Have I misspoken?" he ventured, realizing that his suggestion hadn't been met with the immediate agreement he expected from Reggie and Randal.