Chapter 43 My beast again

Chapter 43 My beast again

The next morning, I woke to the sound of silence. The mansion felt heavier somehow, like it was holding its breath. I dressed quickly, keeping my movements quiet, and made my way to the office. The notebook was tucked under my arm, every page memorized and ready. I didn’t know if Charles would notice, but I couldn’t wait any longer.
The hallway was empty, just the faint hum of air vents above. I moved slowly, listening, careful not to alert anyone. The guards’ rotations were predictable, and I had memorized them from the shadows last night. One wrong step, and everything could collapse. I pressed on, keeping my nerves steady.
When I reached the office, Charles was gone. The chair behind his desk still swiveled slightly, and the glass of whiskey from yesterday had been replaced with a small cup of coffee. I felt a small rush of hope. Maybe he was occupied elsewhere. Maybe I had time.
I opened the door fully and stepped inside. My hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but from anticipation. I needed to find something, any clue that could help me locate my parents. My eyes scanned the shelves, the drawers, and finally, the filing cabinet in the corner.
I knelt beside it and pulled open a drawer carefully. Files were stacked neatly, labeled with codes I didn’t immediately recognize. I rifled through them, careful to stay quiet. Some were shipment records, others were communications. I paused on one folder that caught my eye. The label read “Old Demraco Captive House.”
I froze. My heart raced. Could this be where my parents were kept? I flipped through the pages carefully. The address was listed, along with notes on security and routines. Every detail was precise. My pulse thumped in my ears as I memorized each point. This could be the key.
Suddenly, the office door opened, and Charles stepped in. I jumped slightly, but quickly composed myself, standing straight.
“You’re up early,” he said, his tone neutral but sharp. “Looking for something?”
I forced a smile, hiding the adrenaline rushing through me. “I… just wanted to organize some things. I thought maybe I could help.”
He studied me, his eyes calculating. “You’re bold,” he said. “But careful. You need to remember your place.”
I nodded quickly. “Of course,” I said softly. I could feel the fire inside me, but I had to hide it. Now wasn’t the time for recklessness.
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, but I didn’t step back. “I’ve been watching you,” he said quietly. “You think you can move without me noticing? You think you can act on your own?”
“I… I’m just trying to help,” I said, voice calm, hiding the determination building inside me. “I want to understand, to see everything.”
He tilted his head, studying me. “And you think understanding will protect you?”
I met his gaze steadily. “Maybe not,” I said. “But knowledge is power. And I need power to keep them safe.”
His eyes flickered, but only for a moment. Then he turned away and sat back behind his desk, his tone calm again. “Fine. Learn what you can. But remember, if you overstep, there are consequences. You understand?”
“I understand,” I said firmly.
I turned back to the filing cabinet, my mind racing. This was my chance. I needed to memorize everything, record everything, and plan my next move carefully. Every piece of information mattered. Every detail could bring me closer to my parents.
Hours passed. I stayed in the office quietly, moving through files, taking mental notes, memorizing addresses, routines, and codes. Charles left at some point, and I took the opportunity to write down a few things in my notebook. I could plan, prepare, and anticipate. Tonight, I would take the first real step.
As evening approached, I left the office carefully and returned to my room. The notebook lay open on the desk, filled with details I had memorized. I ran my fingers over the pages, reviewing, making connections, planning. Every small detail was a piece of the puzzle, and I intended to solve it.
Later, when Charles returned, he didn’t speak. He observed me quietly, his eyes sharp. I forced myself to remain calm, to act as though nothing was different. But inside, I was ready. I had a plan, and I was determined to follow it.
He handed me a new phone, sleek and simple. “This is for communication only,” he said. “Do not use it to contact anyone without my permission. Understood?”
“Yes,” I said quietly, hiding the excitement building inside me. This phone would be essential. I could use it to gather information, track movements, and document everything without drawing attention.
After he left, I tested the phone. It was functional, simple, and secure. I smiled faintly to myself. This was the first real tool I had to take action, to plan my steps carefully, and to prepare for what I had to do next.
I spent the rest of the night reviewing everything, committing addresses, routines, and codes to memory. I imagined every step I would take, every possible scenario. I planned escape routes, methods of infiltration, and ways to protect my parents. Every detail mattered, and I refused to overlook anything.
By the time dawn approached, I had a clear plan forming. I wouldn’t act recklessly. I wouldn’t let emotions make me careless. Every move would be calculated, precise, and deliberate. This wasn’t about revenge yet; it was about preparation, survival, and finding my parents.
I looked out the window at the quiet streets below. The city seemed asleep, unaware of the storm building inside the mansion, inside me. I clenched my fists, feeling the determination harden inside me. I had survived Charles, I had survived fear, and now I was preparing to survive everything else.
The notebook, the files, the phone—they were my tools. My mind was sharp, and I was ready. For the first time, I felt like I could take control, like I could shape what happened next. I wasn’t powerless anymore. I had learned, observed, and planned. And I would act.
I whispered to myself, quietly but firmly, “I will find them. I will save them. And I will make sure nothing stops me.”
The mansion was silent, but I could feel it shifting around me. I wasn’t just following orders anymore. I wasn’t just obeying. I was planning, preparing, and becoming someone capable of more than survival. I was ready for the next step.
Tomorrow, I would act. I would take the first step toward saving my parents, and nothing not Charles, not Matteo, not anyone would stop me.