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“I’m… managing.”
“I’ve been where you are. Similarly enough anyway.”
I lift my eyebrows
“I got drawn into the Scarlet Vipers because of my husband.”
Her voice carries a weight of vulnerability, and I listen intently, sensing the painful history that she's about to unravel.
“He… He forced it on me, really. I had no choice. He was abusive, Olivia, long before I found out, and I had to do what he asked of me, but one night… it got so bad that I thought it might be the end for me. He… He almost killed me. That's when they approached me—the Obsidian Shadows. They offered protection, a way out. I turned turncoat to survive.”
The revelation lands with a profound impact, and the weight of Cara's confession resonates within the dimly lit space. In the shadows, we share a bond forged by the common thread of survival, of navigating treacherous paths to escape the clutches of those who sought to destroy us.
“Cara, I had no idea,” I say softly. “I'm so sorry you had to go through that.”
Her smile is tight and grim. “We all have our demons, Olivia. It's what brought us here, to this world of shadows, but now, we have a chance to expose the truth and bring justice to those who exploit the vulnerable.”
The unspoken understanding between us deepens, as the shadows that shroud our pasts become bridges that connect rather than divide. Together, we carry the weight of our histories, determined to confront the Scarlet Vipers and the corrupt forces that entangle us in this intricate dance of shadows and secrets.
She gets up to go, but I pat her hand.
“Cara… Are the Obsidian Shadows better?”
“Better, yes,” she says softly, “but that doesn’t mean they’re… we’re… good. It’s a dark world out there, and we say we’re a light in the shadows, that we’re doing good, and that’s true to some extent, but…”
I nod, my stomach tightening. I already knew this.
I can’t leave if I want to.
Honestly, I don’t want to leave. There’s no life for me outside anymore. All I can do is try to make my life here as good as it can be.
Which means if I get another chance for a kiss, I’m going to take it.
Each day might be my last, and I’m not going to miss out on any more chances for moments of stolen happiness.
eighteen
The glow of my laptop screen illuminates the dim room as I navigate the intricacies of the dark web. A connection request materializes, a digital thread reaching out from the shadows. Intrigued and cautious, I accept the connection, uncertain of what secrets or dangers may lie ahead.
“Greetings, seeker of shadows,” the encrypted message reads. “I've heard whispers of your quest. Are you prepared to delve deeper?”
Intrigued and cautious, I consider how to respond, my fingers dancing over the keyboard to respond.
My message is also encrypted. “Who are you, and what information do you possess?”
“Names are transient in this realm. Call me Cipher. I possess fragments of the Scarlet Vipers' secrets, threads that lead to the heart of their darkness.”
A shiver of anticipation runs down my spine. No one offers information without wanting something in return. Not only that but how can I trust this information?
“What do you want in return for this information?”
“A symbiotic alliance. Your skills and my knowledge. Together, we can unveil the truths that the shadows conceal.”
“Allow me a moment to consider this.”
I sit back. Can this enigmatic Cipher become both an ally and a potential adversary in the quest to uncover the dark truths that bind the Scarlet Vipers and the government?
Eager to glean any information that might help unravel the mysteries surrounding the Scarlet Vipers and the government, I decide to confide in Leo. In the confines of his office, where shadows dance across the walls like silent observers, I share the development.
