CHAPTER ONE: TORTURED EMOTIONALLY
AUTHOR'S POV:
Sophia and John Peterson, a renowned journalists, sat in their office, pouring over documents and recordings. Their latest investigation targeted the beleaguered De La Cruiz Company, whose airline had suffered a catastrophic plane crash, claiming hundreds of lives.
when a mysterious package arrived, addressed to them.
Sophia gave her husband a surprise and inquisitive look "in audible response John replied" I am also not expecting any package today hon".
where's this from then? and who sent them?
we won't know Hon, "unless we find out john replied" while opening the package.
inside, was a modem and a cryptic note written:
"Look deeper. The truth lies within."
The modem contained explosive evidence that self disrupt when an upload is completed and luckily enough Sophia, also a computer freak was intelligent enough to always keep a backup record of every task performed on her laptop.
the evidence contained emails, financial records, and audio recordings. They revealed the Cruiz company's younger brother's son, Alexander De La Cruiz, had embezzled millions.
Alexander had manipulated safety protocols, prioritizing profits over passengers' lives. The plane crash was no accident; it was a calculated risk.
Sophia and John knew they had stumbled upon something massive and needed to confront Alexander Cruiz.
The following day Sophia and John arrived at De La Cruiz's headquarters, their confidence bolstered by the damning evidence. They requested a meeting with Alexander, who agreed, seemingly unfazed.
In his office, Sophia and John confronted him.
"We know what you've done," Sophia said, her voice firm. "Embezzlement, safety protocol manipulation, and now, hundreds of lives lost. We have proof."
Alexander smirked, but a hint of unease flickered in his eyes.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
John slid a folder across the desk.
"Emails, financial records, audio recordings. The modem sent to us was quite... enlightening."
Alexander's facade crumbled.
"You can't prove anything," he snarled.
Sophia leaned forward. "We don't need to. We'll send this evidence to every major news outlet. Your reputation, your company, will be ruined."
Alexander's face paled. "What do you want?" he asked, defeated.
"We want the truth," John said. "Come clean to the media. Admit your wrongdoing. Make amends to the victims' families."
Alexander hesitated, weighing his options.
"I'll consider it," he said finally.
Sophia and John exchanged skeptical glances.
"Ok, We'll give you 24 hours," Sophia said. "After that, the story breaks."
They said their goodbyes and left his office.
.............
The following day Marks Eva's fifteenth birthday, filled with promises and happiness. Her parents, Sophia and John Peterson, had planned a surprise family party. The cake, gifts, and laughter filled the air.
As they sang "Happy Birthday," Eva beamed with joy. Her parents had always made her birthdays special.
Now, as they celebrated Eva's birthday, asking her to make a wish and blow off the cake candle, a knock at the door interrupted the joy.
Sophia checked the CCTV, her expression changing from delight to alarm.
"John, it's the police," Sophia whispered urgently.
Eva's eyes widened, sensing something was wrong.
John's face turned serious.
"Stay calm, Eva. We'll handle this."
Sophia checked the CCTV again, her eyes scanning the feed. she sensed something amiss about the police as they were all strangely wearing nose mask that covered part of their faces
"There are three strange looking officers out there babe" Sophia said
Mom what do you think they could want Eva asked, fear creeping in as if sensing something amiss.
Sophia consciously and swiftly took Eva to her room and hiding her in the wardrobe.
"Take this," Sophia said, pressing a necklace with an odd-looking pendant into Eva's hands.
"put it on and Keep it safe, Eva. No matter what happens."
Don't ever forget that Mama and Papa love you always princess "bending over to place a kiss on her forehead". I love you too mama!!!
Eva's eyes locked onto her mother's.
"Mom?"
Sophia's voice was firm. "Stay quiet ok. Don't move."
EVA'S POV:
Eva watched through the keyhole, as her mom went over and sat on the bed, calm and resolute, probably trying to cover up her tracks.
A minute later, My dad was ushered into the room already beaten to stupor, behind him was one of the officers, his gun pointing behind my dad's head, as they both entered the room.
"Noooooo My mom screamed in horror" from seeing my dad's condition as she went over to him for a passionate hug that seemed to be the last hug they will ever feel in this present life.
"Where's the modem?" the same officer demanded.
My mother's defiance was palpable, what do you mean? she asked intentionally
the office chuckled, I can see woman, are you trying to play smart with me right now?
I ask again, where is the modem?
"We won't give you anything." because it's obvious even if we do, you will probably still kill us, "my Mom replied".
The officer's face twisted. "You're making this harder than it needs to be." giving me the evidence this minute will probably compile me into giving you guys an honorable death "he smiled devilishly".
My dad stepped forward. "We have the evidence and We'll expose the truth."
The officer sneered. "Not today hero."
"A gunshot shattered the silence". as my dad crumpled to the floor.
My mom screamed in pain, frantically throwing herself towards my dad's killer, asking him to kill her too, if not, she promised he will never see another day.
my heart shattered in pieces as I uncontrollably cried silently while covering my mouth to suppress my voice.
The officer turned to my mom, asking again "Tell me where the modem is."
she spat on the officers face, eyes blazed in anger "fool, Never."
Another gunshot echoed and my mom slumped to the ground, laying beside my dad.
My body went limp from emotional torture, as if been buried in a coffin with no oxygen.
all I could think of was getting away from this darkness while praying for all this to just be a dreadful dream I never wish to have again.
I was about to open the wardrobe door when I saw my mom's almost lifeless body, her head nodding towards me to stay a little longer in here.
I cried, watching as blood spluttered out of her mouth, seeing she was even choking on her blood.
the sight increased my torment, seconds after which her body went limp.
the other officers rushed in- boss We have searched the entire house but we found nothing.
"cursing, f**k", where did this useless couples kept the evidence, as he pulled off his nose mask to wipe away my mom's blood plastered around his face.
I could clearly see his face now, "the face of a devil" a face now embedded deep into my soul.
Guys pack up, let's leave this premises immediately, he said.
what should we do now without the evidence we came for boss? "Burn the house to the ground" the devil instructed.
