LAH'

I've been trying to

while I was working. Didn't

ried. You sound... off. Are y

ngering tears. "No, Mom, I'm fi

love. Have

ing to keep her fr

ed a bit off too. Are you

e held my tongue. "Everything's fine, Mom. Tyra's j

care, love. I lov

hung up, tossing the phon

ng to eat here. I quickly ordered food from a nearby hot

ck

With a sigh of frustration, I blocked his number. Maybe, once I was rea

val of my food. I paid the delivery dr

tarted faintly, like a tap on the door, but grew lo

, halfway to the door, the scene playing out like the start of a horror movie. Seeing as it had been a while since I visi

across the dimly lit room. Step by step, I approached the door, each creak of the wooden floor h

symptoms of movement, perhaps someone

I had left it, and outside seemed normal. But as my eyes trailed low, I noticed something unus

t for a better look. It became faint, but however unmistakable-a

ection with my gaze. It led directly to the si

ced with possibilities, however before I could think properl

e, readying myself as I moved cautiously closer to

it open with the vase, peeking outside. The fluoresc

of a chunk of cloth snagged on the railing. It w

ry step. Getting to the lowest, I observed smudges on the wall, dark and wet, like a pa

int at all.

the vase with a loud clang. The sound echoed,

and quickly I bolted back up the sta

porting the bloodstains and suspicious movements. They assured me

d me, thinking the police had arrived. But as I peeked out through the window, I caug

but I was so scared t

ow, and I didn't want to alarm her. So Instead, I stayed up with the li

lephone's ring jolted me con

ell

emaker?" Tyra's voice chir

"Good morning, Tyra. Well, your tr

t work today? I actually have

hung up, placed my smartphone at the so

o the office, although this time

e, inflicting my bag to fall. He didn't even care to e

I yelled, but he did

ered, picking

le suit leaning in opposition to the wall, and further dow

Was I being followed? Does this hav

moved quickly inside, stealing o

the men positioned himself outside, staring directly at the bu

to myself, shaken from my thoughts when

he stated, his tone d

im, standing from my space. "Go.. good morning

ting, throwing me a disapprovi

nd their pay was high, it was still difficult dealing with sir Mateo as my boss. It seems like he doesn't like me

ut, I headed straight for the palace. I had no intentio

gers following me, I was certain that they wouldn't be able to monitor my movement i

n to ease. This was my sanctuary, my fortress. Whoever th

lah," the head guard greeted

"Thank you, Izo.

council chamber with the minist

ermined to push the previous

hambers, I heard a fami

with her usual energetic bounce. "You didn

share. "Nothing major. Just a bi

ened. "Drama

ng about. Just some noise, a

it drop. "Alright, fine. But you o

mall laugh, grateful sh

in my chambers, the weight of

f the men in suits, their col

re they connected to the blood outside my

all my father. If anyone could get

d, his voice warm and steady on

ong?" he asked, con

ight and the strange men I had seen today. "I don't know

oming back to the palace. I'll have the guards look into this immedia

ing a sense of relief. If anyone