"New York Times bestselling author Rehan Mansoor has just released his latest book, 'Mandate', a memoir about his involvement in a police investigation that took place five years ago, a case that shook all of Manhattan. Many people have been wanting to know more about the events that Mr. Mansoor had depicted in his novel. After a couple of months, he's finally agreed to do an interview with Laura Adams for Saturday Night in Manhattan. Many people are now gathering outside to watch the live interview on the jumbotrons. This is Harvey Evans, reporting from outside the talk show's building. Back to you guys."
*********************************************The young man is silent, the entirety of the drive. All he can hear is the cameras flashing outside, the journalists banging on the windows screaming their questions, and the sound of his beating heart.
It's a rainy night in Manhattan, New York, in December of 2038. The young man closes his eyes, and leans his head against the back of the taxi car seat, exhausted. His pocket buzzes, and with sweating shaking hands, he takes out his phone.
"Hello?" He asks.
"I'm assuming you're close?" The girl on the other end asks.
"I'm guessing the paparazzi gave me away?" Her silence gives him her answer. "Are you in the building with everyone else?" He asks, on a more serious note.
"Yeah. They're all waiting for you to arrive."
The man looks ahead at the sea of people gathering around the car.
"That's gonna take a while." He says, hanging up with a frustrated sigh.
*********************************************
After many minutes of anxiously waiting, the man finally makes his entrance into the news station. Embarrassed, he apologizes to the producer for his late arrival. Thankfully, the man is understanding, and the two have a relaxing chat about what the next two hours is going to look like for the young author.
Finally, after 3o minutes of preparations, they're ready to start. After getting a few encouraging pointers from his sister and a few friends, the young man stands off camera, clutching a leather-bound journal and a plastic folder in his hand.
Laura Adams, the interviewer, makes her appearance on set, and introduces the famed author. When cued, he walks onto the set, greeting Laura. The two sit down next to each other in crisp, white chairs.
"So Rehan, I'm sure you know how eager everyone is in learning about the story of 'Mandate.'" Laura says, with a comforting laugh, a laugh that he shares.
"To be honest, I am still a little shocked by all the attention." Rehan says. "I never thought that my novel would gain this much recognition."
His heart continues to pound in his chest, and his hands are sweaty as he clutches the journal and the folder, his knuckles turning white.
"Well, then let's jump right into it." Laura says. "We all know the novel depicts most of what happened to you in your early twenties, but a lot of talk has been going around that there's a lot that you left out. Some even say that your work is mostly fiction."
"Right. I recall some of the peoples' thoughts." Rehan says, swallowing hard.
"There are many people watching this tonight, to see you tell your story unscripted. With that in mind, could you possibly clarify the story?"
"Well, that is why I came, isn't it?" He says, trying to clear the air. Once the laughter has died down, he becomes more solemn, thinking about how to start.
Because, how can anyone even begin to explain all the horrors that happened five years ago? How can one even initiate this tale, without shedding a few tears, without your voice and body shaking?
A sudden vague thought, a memory came to him, like a wisp of smoke.
"Everyone has a story to tell," He finally starts. "A wise person once told me that. He used to say, 'Son, everyone you meet in life has a story to tell. People will always describe themselves as heroes, but it's the things they do that will determine whether they're truly champions... or villains.'"
"Unfortunately, that wise person is no longer here with us, and I wish I could remember more about him, but I can't. That saying of his is one of my few concrete memories of him. One that can never fade away."
"A year ago, I was in my house one morning and that saying came to me, and I knew right then, that I had to speak the truth. That I had to tell my story. Maybe if I did, I could help so many people that were forced into the shadows. Maybe, I could give them the voice that they've been praying for. Maybe... if I shared my story, I could find some peace myself and begin to move on."
"And what is this story? This story that forced many people, including yourself into the shadows?" Laura asked.
His heart would not seem to calm down. His hands slightly shake. His eyes wander around the room, until they land on her. She gives him a small smile, and then a nod. It's time, he tells himself, his eyes looking back at the interviewer.
Time to board this train, one final time.
YOU ARE READING
Mandate
Mystery / Thriller"Everyone has a story to tell," He finally starts. "A wise person once told me that. He used to say, 'Son, everyone you meet in life has a story to tell. People will always describe themselves as heroes, but it's the things they do that will determi...
