City of Wolves: Shadows and Conspiracies

CHAPTER 17：Hidden Martha and a New Puzzle

The factory was quiet now. Empty. Except for the mess—broken crates, scattered papers, and that faint, chemical smell that always seemed to linger after chaos. Sebastian was gone, cuffed and led away by police, but Martha… Martha was still out there. A shadow, a weight pressing down on everyone’s chest. Alicia stared into the darkness where she had disappeared, fists clenching, heart hammering.

“Can’t just let her slip away,” Lucas muttered through gritted teeth. His fists were tight, white-knuckled, and he flexed once—enough to make the old wound on his arm seep blood again. He cursed softly under his breath, muttering something that might have been a swear word… or an apology.

The mysterious officer’s expression didn’t soften. He nodded sharply. “I’m doubling forces. Full city search. She won’t get far.” Without another word, he hustled off, radio crackling in his hand, urgency dripping from every gesture.

Alicia’s gaze dropped to the box. Heavy in her arms. Dangerous in its silence. Her stomach twisted. So many battles. So much blood.

And yet—here it was, still intact. But danger doesn’t just leave, does it? She couldn’t help imagining Martha’s smirk—what’s next?

Another trap? Another death wish hiding up her sleeve?

Rosalind came over, hand brushing Alicia’s shoulder, light but not reassuring. “Don’t worry… we’ll find her.” But even her voice wavered a little. Eyes darted to the shadows. Just in case.

Hours passed. Nothing. Not a whisper. Not a lead. Martha was gone—like she had melted into the air. Police returned empty-handed. Alicia and Lucas trudged back to her office, exhausted, tension knotting every muscle. Not one of them relaxed.

“She won’t stop,” Alicia muttered, fingers drumming the desktop. Soft taps at first, then faster. Harder. Impatience bleeding into panic. “That box… she’s obsessed. Obsessed! She’ll do anything to get it back.”

Lucas paced, restless. Leather creaked. He rubbed his jaw, thinking out loud, trying to sound calm. “We need defenses. Secure everything. Maybe… maybe it’s time we tell the world what’s in the box. If people know… she can’t just take it without everyone watching.”

Alicia blinked, mind spinning. “Publish it? Really? What if people panic? Humans… can they even handle knowing… what we’ve been hiding?” Her hands fiddled with a pen, twisting it nervously.

“But keeping it secret only gives monsters like Sebastian and Martha the advantage,” Lucas said softly, eyes catching hers. “We risk it. For peace. For safety. For… preventing more blood.”

Rosalind nodded, almost enthusiastically. “I’m with you. If it’s out there, people will know. Truth matters. I’ll report it. Every word.”

Alicia exhaled slowly. Nodded, tentative. “…Okay. Let’s do it.” She hugged the box a little closer, almost apologetically, as if it were a child she couldn’t leave behind.

Then—phone buzzed. Her stomach dropped. Unknown number. Panic clutched her throat. Trembling fingers swiped to answer.

“Alicia Morgan… You think having the box makes you safe?” The voice. Low. Cold. Fanged. Recognizable. Sebastian.

She froze. Tongue caught. Heart stuttered. “…Sebastian?” Voice steady, but too calm, trying to hide the terror. “You… you can’t escape. Police are already after you.”

Cold, humorless laugh. “Chase? You’ll never find me. But I can… find you anytime. Listen carefully—if you want her alive, take the box. One person. The location in the photo. Otherwise… the next one dead… will be someone you love.” Click. Silence.

Alicia went pale. Phone almost slipped from her grasp. Panic tightening every limb.

Lucas was at her side in an instant, voice sharp. “What happened? Who is it?” He saw the photo. Face went iron-hard. “Is that…

Isabella?”

Alicia’s hands shook, tears pricking eyes. “Martha… she kidnapped Isabella. She wants me to bring the box. Alone. To… save her.”

Lucas slammed his fist on the desk, paper and pens rattling. “That damn woman! How—how dare she…” His breath came in ragged bursts. Rage tangled with fear.

Alicia’s eyes hardened. Decision flashing, sudden and sharp. “I… I have to go. I can’t… I won’t let Isabella die because of me.”

“No!” Lucas intercepted, grabbing her arm. “It’s a trap! You’ll be in danger too. We involve the police—let them handle it.”

“Too late!” Alicia snapped, nearly yanking free. “She said—if I call them, Isabella dies! And police haven’t found her yet. I can’t gamble with her life!”

Lucas exhaled slowly, jaw tightening, finally accepting the stubborn fire in her eyes. “…Then I go with you. We do it together.”

“No.” She shook her head fiercely. “Martha said… I go alone. You coming will just ruin it. Make it worse.”

Lucas grabbed her hands, rough and insistent. Fingers pressing, grounding. “I won’t let you go alone. We figure this out—together.

We save Isabella. And we get Martha.”

A pause. Alicia swallowed. Heart hammering. Hesitation flaring like wildfire. Then—a nod. Small, careful. “…Okay. But… quietly.

She can’t know you’re here too.”

Plan set. Alicia, box in arms, would go. Lucas trailing unseen. Unknown dangers ahead. But choice made. No turning back.

At the warehouse, she stopped, inhaled. Air thick, pungent with rot. Shadows hunched over broken crates. Silence—like the walls were listening.

“Martha… I’m here!” Her voice cracked, bouncing off concrete. Tremor hiding under courage.

From every dark corner—laughter. Sharp, cruel, echoing. “Alicia… I knew you’d come. Put the box down. Obey… maybe I spare you.”

She scanned the shadows, only black stretching infinitely. Empty? Or waiting? Breath caught. Muscles tensed. Step forward. Another. Shadows shifting. She didn’t know which were walls, which were traps.

And somewhere in that darkness—Martha smiled.