The Witness
895 Words
Morning sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows of the Kingsley Estate, but no one in the mansion paid attention to its beauty.
For the first time in fifteen years, they had a living witness.
If the elderly priest truly knew what had happened on the night of the fire, he might finally unravel the mystery that had haunted the Kingsley family for over a decade.
Adrian stood at the head of the conference table, a map spread before him.
"The monastery is about two hours from here," he said.
He looked at Ethan.
"How many security officers can we spare?"
"Eight," Ethan replied. "Four in the lead vehicle, four following behind. I'll drive the second SUV."
Adrian nodded.
"Good."
James Carter adjusted his glasses.
"I've already contacted the monastery."
"What did they say?" Eleanor asked.
"The priest still lives there."
"But..."
James hesitated.
"He hasn't spoken to visitors in years."
---
Aria stood near the window, quietly listening.
A strange feeling settled over her.
If the priest recognized her...
Would he finally tell her who she really was?
Or would he reveal something she wasn't ready to hear?
Eleanor walked over and gently squeezed her hand.
"Whatever happens today, you won't face it alone."
Aria smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
---
An hour later, three black SUVs left the Kingsley Estate.
Adrian sat beside the driver in the first vehicle.
Aria and Eleanor occupied the second with Ethan.
James followed in the third SUV with the security team.
As the convoy left the city behind, the scenery changed.
Towering buildings gave way to rolling green hills and quiet forests.
The silence inside the car was broken by Ethan.
"How are you feeling?"
Aria looked out the window.
"Nervous."
He smiled reassuringly.
"That's understandable."
After a brief pause, he added,
"When I first joined the Kingsley family's security team, I was nervous every day."
"You were?"
He chuckled.
"I accidentally spilled coffee on Mr. Adrian during my first week."
Aria laughed despite herself.
"What happened?"
"He stared at me for a full minute."
"And?"
"I thought I was going to be fired."
She looked toward Adrian's SUV ahead of them.
"Were you?"
"No."
"He simply handed me another cup and said..."
Ethan imitated Adrian's serious voice.
"'Try not to waste the next one.'"
Aria couldn't help laughing.
The sound was soft, but genuine.
From the front vehicle, Adrian glanced into the side mirror.
Seeing Aria laughing with Ethan stirred something uncomfortable inside him.
He quickly looked away.
---
Nearly two hours later, the convoy arrived at St. Gabriel's Monastery.
The ancient stone building stood quietly atop a hill overlooking a peaceful valley.
Bell towers reached toward the sky, while colorful flowers lined the pathways.
Everything about the monastery radiated peace.
It was hard to believe it held answers to such a dark mystery.
An elderly monk welcomed them.
"You must be the Kingsley family."
James stepped forward.
"Yes."
"We came to see Father Benedict."
The monk's warm smile faded.
"I'm afraid Father Benedict has been expecting you."
Everyone exchanged surprised glances.
"Expecting us?" Adrian asked.
The monk nodded slowly.
"He said the day would come when two little girls returned."
Aria's heart skipped a beat.
---
The monk led them through quiet stone corridors until they reached a small wooden door.
He knocked gently.
"They're here."
A calm voice answered from inside.
"Please... let them enter."
The door opened.
Father Benedict sat beside a large window overlooking the mountains.
His white hair and long beard reflected his age, but his eyes remained bright and alert.
The moment he looked at Aria...
Tears welled in his eyes.
He slowly rose to his feet.
"It really is you..."
Aria froze.
"You know me?"
The priest smiled sadly.
"I prayed every day that this moment would come."
He looked at Eleanor.
"And I prayed that you would finally learn the truth."
Eleanor stepped forward, her voice trembling.
"Father..."
"Who is she?"
The old priest looked at Aria once more.
"You are..."
Before he could finish, a deafening gunshot shattered the monastery's peaceful silence.
The window behind him exploded into thousands of pieces.
Father Benedict staggered backward.
A crimson stain spread across his white robe.
"Father!" Aria screamed.
Adrian immediately pulled Aria to the floor while Ethan drew his weapon.
"Sniper!" Ethan shouted.
"Everyone down!"
Outside, security officers rushed toward the surrounding forest.
The sniper fired again.
The bullet narrowly missed Adrian before striking the wall.
"Protect Madam Kingsley!" James yelled.
The room erupted into chaos.
Aria crawled toward Father Benedict.
Blood stained the floor beneath him.
He struggled to breathe.
His shaking hand reached for hers.
With the last of his strength, he whispered only six words.
"Find... the... silver... cradle... beneath..."
His voice stopped.
His hand fell limp.
The room fell silent.
Father Benedict was dead.
Aria stared at him in horror, tears streaming down her face.
He had waited fifteen years to reveal the truth.
And someone had silenced him just seconds before he could speak.
Outside, Ethan's voice echoed through the valley.
"I've got movement!"
The sniper was fleeing into the forest.
Without hesitation, Ethan sprinted after him.
Far behind the monastery, hidden among the trees, the sniper lowered his rifle and smiled.
"The witness is gone," he muttered into his radio.
A familiar cold voice answered.
"Good."
"Now make sure they never find the silver cradle."
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