Spotlight Challenge

Spotlight Challenge
An Hour Earlier...

My heart thumped steady as we waited for the presentation to start, the room buzzing low, my fingers tapping lightly on my knee, Ruby whispering last notes beside me.

Why hold back now? The coincidence of this moment, right after how I have been feeling in recent times, felt like fate arming me for battle, sharpening every sense.

"Excuse me," I said soft to Ruby, standing quick, my steps light toward the restroom, needing a moment to breathe.

Inside, water ran cool over my hands, splashing my face, when voices drifted clear from the stalls.

"Heard only projects with a reporter and presenter get approved," one lady said, tone excited.

"Perfect! I'm presenter, you're reporter, we match great!" the other replied, laughter following.

My breath caught sharp. That's it. They left, heels clicking away, and I stepped out slow, my mind racing.

Ruby and I, both reporters. They'll block us. Back in my seat, worry gnawed, but resolve hardened. I have to fight this.

Back To Present...

Now, shock rippled as my words hung, "I will be the presenter!" Director Quinn's eyes widened, displeasure clear.

"What? You, live on television?" His voice dripped doubt, astonishment thick.

"Yes, sir. I'll do it," I replied, courage blazing, my gaze locked firm. Ruby pinched my arm quick, panic in her eyes, urging me back, but I shook my head slight. I know my strength.

"How manage shifting from reporter to live presenter? No prep time?" Quinn pressed, impatience rising.

My smile stayed calm, testing him. "Forgot my start here, sir? Or skipped my portfolio?" Everyone shifted, breaths held, Blake silent but his presence steady, rooting quiet in his mind. Why defend me earlier?

Quinn leaned forward, patience thinning. "What so you mean?"

"I was employed as a top presenter. Handled live shows plenty. You know. Loved investigative work, so switched to reporting myself." Confidence flowed, my voice even.

His scoff came quick. "Ages ago, Matilda. We need extraordinary, not experiments!" Anger flashed in him, pissed tone sharp.

"Who said experiment? I am a professional here. You know that. Doubt me? Dry run now. Compare to your best." Bold words spilled, heart pounding but steady.

Sofia's the top presenter. I can match her. A panelist cut in, stern glare. "Time for games?"

Blake's voice rose calm, commanding. "Time for all that lifts SCN. Ms. Lawson,you fail, your project's done permanent." His condition froze me, stakes sky high.

Ruby opened mouth, but I stopped her hand gentle. "Good presentation, our project flags SCN reality shows as number one!" I shot back, eyes on Quinn.

He paused long, nerves steadying, then grinned sly. "Very good. Let's do it."

That grin screamed doubt, believing my fall. Wrong. I'll prove it to every one. A chair slid in quick, cameras angled sharp, setup ready.

Ruby knelt near, eyes pleading. Nail it. For her work. For us. I won't waste it. Breath deep, I sat tall, lights warm, gaze sweeping faces, Sofia's venom, Blake's quiet strength, Quinn's smirk. Heart surged.

"On reality shows today, we discuss what concerns the whole society, because society comes first and that is you and me. I am Matilda Lawson!"

★★★

\-Harrison-

My eyes snapped open to morning light, body heavy with fatigue, muscles aching from yesterday's endless hours, the chase still burning in my mind.

Why can't I shake this off? The coincidence of those animals lying dead mess turning up right after spotting McAllister felt too perfect, the universe mocking my every move, urging me deeper into obsession.

Phone buzzed sharp on the nightstand, my hand grabbing it quick, voice rough as I answered.

"Good morning. What'd you find?" Anxiety twisted my gut, breath held tight.

"Single fingerprint on those animal bodies. Come see," the forensic tech said, tone clipped.

Optimism surged hot, my heart pounding fast. Finally. "On my way!" I ended the call, swinging legs out of bed, feet hitting floor cold, pulling on shirt and pants hasty, buttons fumbling slight.

McAllister's done. I grabbed keys, stormed out, engine roaring to life, tires screeching as I sped to the station, mind racing ahead.

This print matches. He'll crack today. Parked crooked, strode through doors brisk, no time wasted, straight to Mark's office, pushing in without knock.

"Mark, what you got?" Excitement laced my words, eyes eager.

He turned from screen, nodding calm. "This fingerprint I mentioned." Image glowed clear, ridges sharp.

"Good. Match it now." I thrust my sample forward, pulse thumping loud, leaning close.

Fingers flew over keys, system humming soft, then beep, mismatch total. My breath stuck.

This can't be true, I was sure about this and it was not supposed to play out like this.

"Harrison, different prints. You know this," Mark said, stress etching his face, voice tired. No. Impossible. These should align.
McAllister's mark, clear as day.

"Harrison, drop the chase. Theories wild. Animal marks only," Mark pressed, turning screen my way. Disappointment crashed heavy, chest tight, fists clenching slow.

"What do you mean?" Voice cracked slight, forcing calm.

"Bloodthirsty hunt among them. Attacked each other. See marks, no human strength does this."

Images filled screen, bites deep, claws raking brutal. Curiosity sparked faint through defeat.

"Then whose print did you called me for?"

"Yours. From scene yesterday." Shock hit like slap, face burning hot, looking foolish instant.

Mine? How? Stared longer, patterns animal pure, chaos wild. But gut screamed McAllister's hand, invisible pull.

No one buys it. Say it, they lock me in psych ward. Insane cop chasing ghosts. I'll dig alone, deeper, until truth breaks.

I was tired of chasing , but the reality of leaving the investigation and watching people die was too much for me to ignore.

"Thanks, Mark," I muttered soft, standing slow, turning for door, shoulders slumped.

"Harrison, wait." His voice stopped me, concern deep in eyes. "Great man, great officer. Quit shadows, silly ideas. You're above this."

Words stung true, pathetic clear now, nodding faint, smile forced thin. Exited quiet, hallway empty, steps echoing hollow.

Pathetic indeed. Mark sees it. But fire reignited slow, resolve hardening steel. McAllister, you wait. I'll unearth every secret, drag you where you belong!