SABRINA

Chapter 3: Concussion

In “The City” — whose name was never spoken — it was believed that its very name was tied to “The Killer.” Legend had it that those who lived long ago called upon the name and never lived to tell the tale of what they saw.

In The City, the Elites were called Sirs. They oversaw companies, districts, and streets.

The Lords acted as magistrates or middlemen — handling the Elites’ affairs, hearing complaints, and settling disputes for the people.

And then there were The Royals. Because they were royal, they were naturally at the top of the food chain.

Bex? Bex was the model of The City. The one most citizens believed was an illusion.

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THIRD PERSON P.O.V

Sabrina got home and slipped off her shoes, the exhaustion of the day pressing down on her. The burial had been as predictable as ever — pitiful glances, flowers, grieving parents and friends, and everyone hurrying home early to respect the curfew. No one wanted history to repeat itself.

Still, she wanted to help her company. Mrs. Hudson had been distracted all day, her focus drifting in and out. Being rejected was painful enough — being insulted on top of it was worse. Luckily for Mrs. Hudson, it had been done privately; if it had been public, the consequences would have been far harsher.

The Hudsons had been handed over to the Lords for copyright infringement, theft, and forgery. They were ordered to pay a fine so large that no one dared speak the amount aloud. Rumor had it Mrs. Hudson wept, but her husband stepped in. They said he kept a neutral face — no tears, no apologies. He just sat there and took it like a man. Like a freaking man.

Public apologies would be made after the fine was paid.

Mrs. Hudson might seem cold, but Sabrina wanted to believe she was kind at heart. The woman always kept to herself, leaning on her ever-devoted husband.

That night, Sabrina followed her usual routine — bath, skincare, hot cocoa, and a book by the window, enjoying the cool evening breeze.

Then the wind shifted, followed by a soft whoosh. Something moved. Something was lurking in the shadows. No one in their right mind would be outside after curfew. Unless…

“The Killer,” she whispered.

She shut the book, pulled back from the window, and closed it quickly. A part of her wanted to see it. Another part was terrified. She couldn’t die — she was the last of the Maeve family.

Sleep wouldn’t come. Her body stayed still, but curiosity eventually pushed her forward. Hoping the darkness would hide her, she leaned toward the window. She saw it again — movement.

She gasped and jumped back, pressing a hand to her mouth. Slowly, she peeked again. This time, it was still… until she saw them. Eyes. Yellow eyes. A thin fog curled around them, and then — in an instant — they vanished.

The hair on her neck stood on end. She felt it. Someone was behind her. Breathing down her neck.

Slowly, she turned.

Yellow eyes. Inside her room. Just the eyes.

It hit her — no one had ever lived to tell what happened next.

Before she could scream, her foot slipped. She struck her head against the wooden frame at the foot of her bed.

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Sabrina was gone.

Or so she thought.

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Waking to the sound of an annoying beep was… not fun. The bright lights above forced her to hiss and squeeze her eyes shut again.

“Oh! She’s awake!” Voices whispered urgently. Some sounded far away, others too close, as if her ears were stuffed with cotton.

A man in a white coat approached, flashing a light in her eyes. She flinched away — what was it with people and blinding lights? Her head throbbed.

Her hearing slowly returned.

“Sabrina? Can you hear me? How many fingers do you see?”

“…Five?”

“She’ll snap out of it,” the man said.

“How long have I been out?” she asked.

“Two days,” he replied, scribbling something down. “Yes, note her dosage… we’ll review that later…” the doctor spoke to an unidentified person

“Why?” she pressed.

“What?” He returned to her side.

“What happened?”

“You suffered a severe concussion, Sabrina…”

Why was he so loud? Did he think she’d gone deaf too?

“…You were found around noon the next day, thankfully.”

“How are her vitals, Miguel? ” the man asked.

So this unidentified person was Miguel.

"Good. Um Mrs Sabrina do you remember what happened? Before you went out?" He turned to give her attention

"No I..I don't-" she rubbed her forehead as she attempted to stand

"You are experiencing a slight headache and discomfort, partial hearing loss too due to your concussion. I'd advise you eat and rest. Is that alright. When you're done I'll be back. Is that ok? Sabrina?"

"Yes"

"You're people are outside, would you like to see them?"

"Yes sure" she offered distractedly taking in her surroundings. A plain room of course, she had neighbors also they were all divided by a curtain, nothing much.

"Rina?" Bren's dry voice came with a hint of concern

"Oh Sabrina" The ever dramatic Amara and Andrew. Those were the people she liked at at work and some maybe just didn't care

"Hey bren, hey Amara, Hey Andrew"

"Hello" A collective response

“What happened, girl?” Amara acted it out, tongue out, arms limp. “You were gone. Gave us a scare.”

“I didn’t see that million-dollar smile when I walked into work so I had to ask Bren over here,” Andrew teased. His voice was hoarse and deep, reminding her of a certain green-eyed Elite.

Sabrina turned to Brenda who was seated quietly, she knew she had scared her only friend, best friend.

"Till noon we thought you were running errands.I called Rina, I called. You didn't call back or reply any of our text and I thought.. I thought..."

She didn’t say it, but Sabrina knew. She thought The Killer had taken her. Ironic, really.

Sabrina couldn’t remember anything after her normal evening routine.

“What happened, Rina?”

“I don’t know.” She sighed, and they let it go

“Let’s get you something to eat, alright?”

"Yeah" she managed a smile

Sabrina was discharged early — curfew rules — but she was too shaken to go home. Bren wouldn’t let her stay alone anyway.

She followed like a lost puppy to Bren’s SUV. White exterior, red interior. Off to the First Six section. Her heart skipped. She’d only been there a few times, but now she was aware. Well aware.

Bex lived in that district. His name starts with A "B" and so was Brenda and that’s exactly where they were headed.

Sabrina swallowed her hands followed on her lap. The journey there was quiet. On very few occasions had she been here and going bet there felt.. magnetic? comforting? At least she wouldn't be alone, not tonight, until her break lasted

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Sabrina’s Note:

Dearest readers, in The City there are districts. Districts are arranged alphabetically: A–F, G–L, excluding Q and Y. In these sections, Elites and Lords whose names fall under these alphabets, live apart from the common people. We live in flats lined up in rows. They have vast estates — or “Quarters” as we call them. The Elites live closer to the people than the Lords because they oversee and give reports to the lords

And Bex? I have no idea where his place is. But you know what they say.. Curiosity kills the cat.

If you wait a little longer, you might find out. If ...you can keep it a secret.