Chapter 3
969 Words
The Dangers of Dante
I had trouble falling asleep. I couldn't get the note out of my head. Who left it? "Run before it's too late." What were they aware of that I was not? As I strode down the hall into Raymond's office, my mind was racing.
Raymond's face was bland when he looked up from a pile of papers as I walked in. It's late, Helen. What is it?"
Frustrated, I held up the note and shook it. "This! This was left in my room by someone. Are you attempting to trick me?"
With a scowl, Raymond grabbed the note. His jaw tensed as he read it. "Your room is accessible to anybody else?"
You ought to be telling me that, right? I yelled. "Your folks, this is your mansion!"
"Slow down," he murmured bitterly as he got to his feet. Despite his intimidating presence, I was not going to back down.
Do you believe that I feel secure here? Someone is attempting to frighten me!"
With a groan, Raymond squeezed the bridge of his nose. "I'll take care of it. Marco will be monitoring you in the meantime.
"Marco? I sneered. The man who appeared on the verge of passing out when you accused him of spying?"
"He's faithful," Raymond asserted. "And he'll ensure that you don't suffer any harm."
Even though I didn't like the idea, I had no other option.
Marco followed me about like a second shadow the following morning. As I walked around the house, I tried to ignore him, but it was impossible to avoid him.
Marco answered the door when someone knocked. Shortly after, he came back with a box and gave it to me.
"From whence is it? I hesitated before asking.
"No idea," he said, giving it a cautious look.
I cautiously opened the package. There was a picture of my father in there, looking young and unkempt, holding a blood-stained ledger. I felt sick to my stomach.
"Like father, like daughter" was written in bold, jagged handwriting beneath the picture.
"What is this? With a trembling voice, I whispered.
Marco took a quick look behind me. "Dante. He's attempting to enter your mind.
With shaking palms, I confessed, "Well, it's working." "What made him send me this?"
Marco had a serious look on his face. "He wishes you to have doubts about everything. Including ourselves.
But I wasn't just doubting "us." I was plagued by my father's face. How could he have caused this mess?
I ended up sitting on one of the smaller couches that night and gazing out at the large garden. I was unable to appreciate the majesty of the sky as it was painted in shades of pink and orange by the setting sun. I had too many questions running through my head.
Raymond entered, moving more subtly than I had anticipated. "Want me to accompany you?"
I gave him a quick look and shrugged. "That's your home."
He was very casual when he sat next to me. We sat silently for a while, gazing up at the sky.
"Do you think I'm trustworthy? He broke the silence with an unexpected question.
It was a surprise question. I honestly said, "I don't know."
As though anticipating that response, he nodded. "Just. I'm not the most trustworthy dude.
I tried a tiny smile and added, "No kidding."
Raymond looked away as he slumped back. "Loyalty is an oddity. People claim to have it, but most will turn on you to protect themselves when the stakes are high.
"Is it the reason you're so... cautious?"
“Perhaps,” he muttered. "Misplaced trust has cost me a lot of things."
After a moment of hesitation, I said, "But you're still helping me." Why?"
His eyes were impenetrable as he gazed at me. "I see something in you, let's say. Something to be protected.
I was bewildered but strangely reassured by his remarks, which lingered in the air.
The mansion was abnormally silent now that night had fallen. A tremendous smash reverberated through the hallways while I sat in my room, attempting to make sense of the Dante note and photo.
With my heart racing I leaped to my feet. Then there were shouts and the distinct sound of gunfire.
The door sprang wide, revealing Marco with a dull face. "Remain here," he commanded. "Close the door."
Hold on, what's going on? I made a demand.
He said coldly, "We're under attack," and then he slammed the door.
I was filled with panic. With trembling hands, I struggled to close the door. Outside, the sounds of violence intensified heavy footsteps thumping the floors, glass breaking, and more gunfire.
Hours seemed to stretch into minutes. Then my door was suddenly pounded.
"Leave it open! It's me! The voice of Marco yelled.
I paused. Was he the one?
"Now, Helen! He let out a bark.
His face reddened, he forced his way in once I unlocked the door. "We must relocate."
"What's happening?"
"Our location was leaked," he whispered, taking hold of my arm. "You must be taken to safety."
The mansion felt like a battle zone as we made our way through the dimly lit passageways. I saw victims stretched out on the ground, and men were yelling commands.
When we got to a side exit, Marco abruptly halted and turned to look at me. "How did they find us?"
"How am I supposed to know? My voice rose in panic as I spoke.
He squinted his eyes. "The only foreigner here is you. You were aware of the note. Have you told anyone?"
"What? No! I objected, appalled.
Marco, however, tightened his hold. "You're telling lies. Admit it!"
The door behind us burst open, and a shadowy figure stepped into view, aiming a gun straight at us.
- Writer
