CHAPTER 8: THE PLAN AND THE PAST
519 Words
Damian paced back and forth in the small living room of his rented apartment. The walls were bare except for one crooked clock ticking too loudly. Eliana sat cross-legged on the couch, her hair damp from the rain, her eyes fixed on him.
He had changed. Not in a bad way, but in a way that showed he was no longer just the quiet artist with a troubled smile. There was something burning in his eyes now—purpose.
"I know someone," he finally said. "Someone who used to work with Marcus before he turned into... whatever he is now."
"Can you trust him?" Eliana asked.
"I think so. He owes me. Saved his sister once, back in university. He works in a lowkey IT lab now. If anyone can help us expose Marcus, it's him."
Eliana leaned forward. "What do we need?"
Damian exhaled. "We need proof Marcus is still laundering money into fake foundations, ghost companies. If we get into those records, we'll have leverage."
"And what then?"
"We make it public. Maybe even get the press involved. Or the right authorities."
"And if Marcus finds out before then?"
He looked at her and gave the smallest shake of his head. "Then we disappear. For real this time."
She nodded. "Okay. Let's start with the lab guy."
They met him the next evening—his name was Tunji, a quiet man with round glasses and fingers that never stopped twitching. The lab was in a dusty corner of the city, tucked between a car workshop and a betting shop.
Tunji didn't even greet them properly. He just raised a brow and said, "You're really doing this, huh?"
"I have no choice," Damian said.
Tunji sighed. "I told you, once you cross Marcus, you don't get second chances."
Damian glanced at Eliana. "Maybe not. But this isn't just about me anymore."
Tunji nodded, then turned to a desktop covered in wires and screens.
"I'll try. But you need to give me something—passwords, bank names, keywords. Anything."
Damian reached into his jacket and pulled out a flash drive. "Everything's on here. It's not all, but it's a start."
Tunji took it and got to work.
Hours passed. Eliana stayed beside Damian, watching, waiting, hoping. She was tired, but there was something oddly thrilling about it all. Like she was stepping into a life that mattered.
At 11:43 p.m., Tunji turned around.
"I found something. Offshore account, linked to one of Marcus's foundations. The money's moving monthly, huge amounts. I can trace it."
Damian leaned forward. "How long before we can prove it's illegal?"
"A few more hours. Come back tomorrow. I'll have it."
They left the lab and stepped into the night. The streets were quiet. But not silent.
Behind them, a car engine purred.
Damian stiffened.
"Eliana, get in the cab."
"What is it?"
"Go!"
A black car rolled slowly past, its windows tinted. It didn't stop. But it didn't have to. The message was clear:
We see you.
Eliana's heart thundered. Damian placed a protective arm around her.
"Tomorrow," he whispered. "It all starts tomorrow."
- Writer
