The intruder
977 Words
The sharp sound of breaking glass echoed through the house.
Theo's eyes flew open.
Years of living in a mafia family had taught him one lesson he could never forget.
Never ignore unusual noises.
He sat up slowly, his breathing steady despite the adrenaline beginning to course through him.
The digital clock beside his bed read 2:17 A.M.
Another crash.
This one came from downstairs.
Theo swung his legs off the bed.
Unlike most members of the Blackwood family, he didn't keep guns hidden around his house.
He hated them.
Instead, he reached into his bedside drawer and pulled out a heavy metal flashlight.
Not because he intended to fight.
Because he needed to see.
Barefoot, he stepped into the hallway.
The mansion was eerily silent.
Only the ticking of the grandfather clock downstairs broke the stillness.
Theo descended one step at a time.
The broken window near the living room allowed the cold night air to drift inside.
Shards of glass glittered across the marble floor.
Someone had forced their way in.
Theo tightened his grip on the flashlight.
"Who's there?"
No answer.
His gaze swept across the room.
Nothing.
The kitchen.
Empty.
The dining room.
Empty.
Then...
A faint rustling came from his study.
Theo walked toward the sound.
The door stood slightly ajar.
He pushed it open.
A figure dressed entirely in black stood beside his bookshelf, rifling through a drawer.
Theo frowned.
"I think you're in the wrong house."
The intruder froze.
Slowly...
They turned around.
A black mask concealed their face.
Only cold gray eyes stared back at him.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then the intruder bolted toward the window.
Theo reacted instantly.
He stepped into their path.
The stranger threw a punch.
Theo ducked.
Instead of retaliating, he grabbed the attacker's wrist and redirected the momentum.
The masked figure crashed into a bookshelf.
Books scattered across the floor.
Theo took two steps back.
"I don't want to fight."
The intruder laughed.
"You really are different."
The voice...
Distorted.
Electronic.
Theo couldn't tell if it belonged to a man or a woman.
"What are you looking for?" Theo asked.
The stranger tilted their head.
"You."
Before Theo could react, the intruder threw a small metallic object onto the floor.
Bang!
A cloud of thick smoke exploded throughout the room.
Theo covered his mouth and stumbled backward.
By the time the smoke cleared...
The study was empty.
The window stood open.
The intruder had vanished.
Theo immediately searched the room.
Nothing appeared to be missing.
His laptop remained untouched.
His safe was still locked.
His documents were exactly where he had left them.
Confused, he picked up the object the intruder had dropped.
It wasn't a weapon.
It was a black chess piece.
A king.
Thirty Minutes Later
Blue and red lights flashed outside the house.
Several police officers inspected the broken window.
Theo answered every question calmly.
"No, Officer."
"I didn't recognize them."
"No."
"They didn't steal anything."
"Yes."
"They escaped before I could stop them."
The officers exchanged puzzled glances.
One of them shook his head.
"They broke into a millionaire's home..."
"...and stole nothing?"
Theo looked down at the chess piece hidden inside his pocket.
"They came for something."
"I just don't know what."
Moretti Estate
Bella yawned as she wandered into the dining room wearing oversized pajamas.
Victoria was already awake.
Coffee in one hand.
Newspaper in the other.
"Morning."
"It's six in the morning," Victoria replied.
Bella poured herself cereal.
"So?"
Marco hurried into the room.
"Boss."
Victoria immediately looked up.
"What happened?"
"Theo Blackwood's house was broken into last night."
Bella dropped her spoon.
"What?"
"No valuables were taken."
Victoria stood.
"Who did it?"
"We don't know."
Bella frowned.
"Was it us?"
Marco looked horrified.
"No."
Victoria's emerald eyes narrowed.
"Then someone is moving without our knowledge."
Bella suddenly lost her appetite.
"Is Theo alright?"
Marco nodded.
"He wasn't injured."
Bella let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Victoria noticed.
"You were worried."
Bella looked away.
"I..."
"...maybe."
Victoria sighed quietly.
She had a feeling things were about to become much more complicated.
Blackwood Mansion
Diego Blackwood slammed a newspaper onto the dining table.
"What do you mean someone broke into his house?"
Lucas leaned against the wall.
"It happened around two this morning."
Diego's expression darkened.
"Was anything stolen?"
"No."
"Then why break in?"
Lucas folded his arms.
"I don't know."
Diego looked toward the window.
"Increase security around Theo."
Lucas smiled.
"He'll refuse."
"I didn't ask whether he'll accept."
"I gave an order."
Blackwood Tower
Theo walked into his office carrying the black chess piece.
Alex immediately noticed the exhaustion on his face.
"Sir..."
"You look like you didn't sleep."
"I didn't."
Theo placed the chess piece on his desk.
Alex frowned.
"Where did that come from?"
Theo explained everything.
Alex picked up the piece carefully.
"A king?"
Theo nodded.
"I don't think it's random."
Alex turned it over.
Something was engraved on the bottom.
Tiny letters.
He read them aloud.
The King Never Stands Alone.
Theo's expression changed.
The anonymous message.
The break-in.
Now the chess piece.
Someone wasn't threatening him.
Someone was...
Sending him a message.
At that exact moment, his phone vibrated.
Another unknown number.
Theo answered immediately.
"This is Theo."
A calm voice spoke.
"This is only the opening move."
The call disconnected.
Theo slowly lowered the phone.
Outside his office window, rain began to fall once more over Los Angeles.
Somewhere in the city...
Someone had declared war.
And Theo had just become one of the pieces on the board.
Across town, Victoria received a sealed envelope with no return address.
Inside was a single photograph.
It showed Theo standing in his study just moments before the intruder escaped.
Written across the back in red ink were six chilling words:
"Protect him... if you still can."
- Writer
