The girls left with D, clinging to the fragile hope that the nightmare of tonight was over, that the danger would not follow them into the fragile safety of their homes.
Elsewhere, in a secluded lounge draped in velvet shadows, Elliot and Andrea sat back in their chairs. The room smelled of expensive cigars and aged whiskey. Their glasses caught the dim light, reflections dancing on their faces like fire—two predators basking in the silence after the hunt.
"He won't stay silent after being humiliated like that," Andrea finally spoke, his tone calm but edged, as if tasting the weight of those words. His hand swirled the liquid in his glass, eyes cold and calculating.
Elliot leaned forward, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk. His gaze was sharp, almost predatory. "I know. That's exactly what I want. The Andrason family has started to believe this city belongs to them. They've forgotten whose blood paved its streets. I'll remind them."
Andrea studied his friend—the boy he'd grown up with, who had become something far more dangerous than any of their fathers. "So… what's your plan?" His curiosity was tinged with anticipation, as if he already knew the answer would be soaked in blood.
Elliot's voice lowered, deliberate and steady, carrying the kind of confidence that made men follow him without question. "We'll strike as we always do—swift, unseen, and final." His smirk widened, the kind that promised ruin.
Andrea raised his glass in silent agreement, a smile ghosting his lips. "It's good to be back."
The night outside whispered with an eerie stillness. A sleek black car cut through the wind, its headlights splitting the darkness. Inside, the atmosphere was thick, suffocating.
"Are you alright, Ella?" Anna's voice cracked through the silence, trembling yet steady enough to pierce the moment.
"Y-yes… I am," Ella stammered, her voice betraying her fear.
Her heart raced. She had never been this close to danger, never brushed against death itself. Her life back home had been simple—quiet streets, familiar faces, parents who were both teachers, their world revolving around her. She was the only child, raised in warmth and love. Tonight, that innocence shattered. She was now staring at the underworld her parents had only spoken of in hushed warnings.
"It's okay… don't worry. Nothing bad is going to happen now," Anna said, her smile trembling like glass about to break.
But Ella saw through it. She saw the regret shadowing Anna's face. "I shouldn't have thought of going out tonight…" Anna whispered, her voice heavy with guilt.
"It's not your fault," Ella said softly, her hand reaching for Anna's trembling fingers.
"Yeah, it's not. Don't sweat it," Lindsey added, trying to sound brave though her voice betrayed her own fear.
"Thanks, guys…" Anna's voice cracked, tears spilling as relief rushed over her. In that moment she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, clutching Ella and Lindsey as if they were her lifeline.
"I thought I'd lose my friends again," she choked through tears.
"You won't. We're not going anywhere," Lindsey whispered firmly.
"Yes… we're here," Ella echoed, her voice gentle but resolute.
The car drove on through the night, carrying their broken silence until home finally came into view. Dawn was threatening the horizon, painting the world in pale gray.
Knock, knock.
"You're late! And why the hell weren't you answering your phones?" Emily's voice cut through the air like a whip.
"The club had network issues, Mom," Anna muttered as she slipped inside, eyes downcast.
"Sorry, Aunt Emily," Ella added politely.
"It's not your fault, kiddo—it's this monkey's fault," Emily scolded, smacking Anna lightly on the head.
"And why the hell do you look like a clown?" Emily burst into laughter suddenly.
Anna's mascara and makeup had smeared into a grotesque mask, making her look half-comical, half-tragic.
Click.
"Dad! Did you just take my photo?!" Anna shrieked, chasing after her father.
"You look hilarious," Liam laughed, dodging her attempts to grab his phone.
"Delete it!" Anna screamed.
"Nope!" he grinned.
"Both of you, shut up!" Emily's voice boomed. "Anna, go freshen up. And Ella, dear, don't get dragged into their circus."
Anna stormed off, and Ella followed after, washing the night off her face. Later, they sat together with Liam in front of the TV, the morning news droning in the background. Then, a name struck the air like a gunshot.
"The well-known business tycoon William Andrason was found dead in his mansion, alongside his wife and children."
Ella froze. Her breath caught in her throat. Just hours ago, she had seen him—breathing, furious, alive. Now he was gone. Wiped out in a single night. Questions clawed at her mind: What happened in those missing hours? What force could erase an entire family so swiftly?
Her eyes flicked to Anna.
"Don't ask anything now," Anna whispered quickly, her face pale.
Ella stayed silent. Liam and Emily were watching the news too closely.
"Man… who the hell could've done that?" Liam muttered, his brow furrowed.
Ella and Anna exchanged a glance, their thoughts identical.
The answer was simple, terrifying, inevitable.
It could only be him.
Elliot Galician