Chapter 4
832 Words
Three months passed by . . . The police couldn't pin point where the criminals went, and the jury didn't find enough evidence to indict the culprit. He was let go. The press hinted that M was actually behind the lack of evidence, as without his testimony, nothing would really stick.
M disappeared. Natalie hadn't heard from him in months and couldn't find him, even searching the places he would hide in when he was in need of privacy.
The issue got out of hand so quickly that the people of the city demanded an answer for everything; they wanted to know exactly what went on. They just couldn't feel safe with the risk that the three prisoners caused.
The mayor of Ganea City quickly held a press conference, but was later on convinced by others to hold the conference in the public forum; where the citizens are invited to attend and witness everything.
Word spread quickly like fire, almost to the point where it rivalled the burning rage that dwelled within Natalie over the death of her brother, the loss of her home, and M, as well. She attended with her questions ready.
The place immediately filled to its last seat. People wanted to be reminded that they were kept safe, and the mayor spared no time to address the issues at hand.
“Good people of Ganea City. My heart bleeds with you and I aim to answer your questions transparently as to what exactly happened three months ago,” he said in an attempt to ease the crowd.
Soon, people started shouting insults at the mayor and his lack of ability to sustain the situation.
“How could three criminals have escaped and none were found, or even indicted?” A journalist said.
“Look around you people. All the important personnel of the city have attended this press conference and we all want to get to the bottom of this.”
“Where is M?” Natalie shouted from the crowd. She garnered support and people kept shouting M's name.
The warden came and sat next to Natalie. “You're going to see him soon.” He said.
Natalie turned towards him and in an instant daydreamed about the moment where she could fall in M's arms again. She didn't know what he meant by that.
“M's disappearance . . . has been troublesome, I agree. But we are sparing no—“
The mayor was interrupted by a cab that entered the premises. M paid the driver, came down from the cab, and walked right to the table of the mayor.
“Do you mind if I say some words?”
“Just who the hell do you think you are? Security!” The mayor called for his removal. None could blame him, after all. None, save for Natalie and a few who knew what M looked like.
“I. Am. M,” he said, as the approaching security halted.
“You're M?” The mayor asked.
M wasted no time and pulled the microphone towards him to address the crowd.
“Ganea citizens, my wonderful countrymen. I am M,” he said.
The crowd soon started to whisper, they did not know the meaning of this. M, after all, never showed his face in public.
“A couple of months ago, three criminals escaped prison and went on to cause arson, murder, and much more. And I am here today to tell you that the reason why there was no arrest concerning the matter nor a verdict is very simple.”
The gathered journalists wasted no time in asking numerous questions with their cameras all fixated on M.
“The reason is: I was the mastermind behind all of it.”
Natalie felt a chill run down her spine. Could it be that her protector and lover was the mastermind behind the assassination of her brother, the prisoners escaping, and her house burning down?
“What is he doing . . .” She asked.
“Wait, don't jump to conclusions, yet,” the Warden said.
Every politician and person of note jumped at this reveal; they could not believe what they had just heard.
“There's more. I have secretly been governing a secret society that has controlled almost all your daily procedures. From government, insurance, elections, and more. Basically, you are all mere puppets at my whim,” M continued.
The security guards caught him by his arms and started to shake him. “What the hell are you saying?” They shouted.
“Don't shout when you're next to me idiots. I hate that.”
The shocked security guards left him alone after hearing his response.
The mayor then pulled away from his chair and faced M. “Well, M, you've always been a nuisance. There you have it people. The truth. From the mouth of the culprit himself.”
“Wait, would you allow me just a final word?” Asked M.
- Writer
