CHAPTER 72: HISTORICAL SHADOW
"Did you miss me, Elena?"
The voice, as smooth as silk and as keen as a sword, slithered through the darkness.
I opened my eyes. My mind was racing. The tight cuffs hurt my wrists. The smell of something worse
than rust permeated the moist air.
That voice seemed familiar to me.
I also detested it.
"Elias," I said in a whisper.
A sluggish laugh. Then there was the sound of slow, casual footfall approaching.
He said, "You sound surprised," "I thought you'd be expecting me."
The bile rose in my throat, and I swallowed it.
Mercer, Elias. The one name I believed would never resurface because I had buried it so deeply in my
past. But he was here. Standing directly before me.
If he was present, it indicated that I had finally been caught up in my past.
The Ghost Is Back
"What do you want?" My heart was pounding, but I spoke steadily.
Elias studied me like a puzzle he couldn't quite solve while crouching in front of me and tilting his
head.
"Want?" He hummed. Coming from you, that's an intriguing question. You are the one who initially
took something from me, after all."
I tightened my jaw.
"You were supposed to be dead."
He grinned. Additionally, you were expected to be faithful. I suppose we both let people down.
I struggled against my shackles, testing their strength. They didn’t budge.
"If you’re looking for an apology, you’re not getting one," I replied.
Elias laughed. "Oh, Elena. I don’t want an apology. I want retribution."
The Past Unfolds
The faint light flickered above as Elias rose, walking slowly.
"You don’t remember, do you?" he questioned. "The night you betrayed me?"
I remained silent.
"Let me remind you."
He brought a chair closer, sitting across from me, entirely at ease.
"Five years ago, we were meant to meet at the docks. The package, you, and me." His eyes did not
meet his smile. "But when I got there, all I found were cops and a bullet in my shoulder."
I took a deep breath.
"Elena, you set me up. Then you vanished.
I inhaled deeply. "Elias, you were careless. You were apprehended due to your greed.
His face grew serious. "No. You sold me out, so I got caught.
I balled my fingers into fists.
"You have no proof of that."
Elias shook his head and chuckled. "You haven't changed at all. Constantly believing that you can talk
your way out of any situation.
His voice was low as he leaned forward.
Here's the thing, my love. I don't need evidence. All I have to do is make you pay."
The Risks
I made myself maintain my composure. Elias enjoyed being in charge. Power appealed to him. He
would thrive if I instilled fear in him.
"If you wanted me dead, I’d already be bleeding out on this floor," I said.
A sneer formed on his lips. "Wise girl. I've arranged something better for you.
I squinted. "And what’s that?"
Elias extracted a little black gadget from his pocket.
He said, "Do you know what this is?"
Yes, I did.
A detonator.
My blood became icy.
"You always did have a soft place for people, Elena. That’s your biggest weakness." He pushed the
button and a screen flared to life, displaying live surveillance video.
I felt the air escape my lungs.
Because I knew that building.
Inside, I knew those folks.
I muttered, "You bastard," if Elias had rigged it.
He grinned. "Now you’re catching on."
The Option
"Here’s the deal, Elena," Elias said, twisting the detonator between his fingers. "I don't have to murder
you. All I have to do is watch you lose.
Panic rose, but I swallowed it.
"Let them go," I commanded.
"Not yet." He reclined. "You wish for their survival? Then, this is what will occur. I have one final task
for you to do. No gimmicks. No treachery. Just a fresh start, you, and me."
I scowled at him.
"And if I say no?"
Elias smiled and pointed at the TV.
"Then you get to watch them burn."
The Gamble Begins
The space seemed more intimate. Tighter. The walls crowd in.
I had been avoiding my history for years.
And now?
It was requesting money now.
Elias got up and threw the explosive into the air, then caught it again.
"So, what’s it going to be, Elena?" he said, his eyes looking bright. "Are you willing to gamble
everything... or are you finally out of luck?"
I inhaled softly, my head racing.
There has to be a way out.
But time was running short.
And for the first time in a long time— I wasn’t sure whether I would win.