Found Obsession

Chapter 9: Mask

Will also left me with more questions. I saw Will angrily walk away. I had expected to meet him and thank him and then ask him a few questions and move on with life but things had turned another way. In an instant things had turned into a fight...

Morgan's words hit me like a wave of cold water, washing over me with their blunt honesty. "You are a new person, Rose, what I am going to say will be more of a friend than your boss" he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "Never would I see you wave Will away. You somehow always defended him and sided with him. In other words, you always let him step on you. If he had not saved you, I would have thought you didn't mean anything to him."

Closing off the conversation with Morgan felt like the best choice for the moment. I whispered a quiet "thank you" to him, acknowledging his insight but not wanting to dwell on it further. The constant reminders of Will's role in my past were starting to wear on me, and I needed some space to process everything on my own.

Rose decided to concentrate on her test as she entered the training room. She tied her hair back into a ponytail and secured her bulletproof vest, mentally preparing herself for the challenge ahead.

She noticed a few people gathered at the top of the room, and soon Morgan joined them. The weight of their expectant gazes made her feel nervous, but she pushed aside her apprehension and focused on the task at hand.

As she stepped into the dimly lit room, the targets scattered throughout came into view. Some were simple outlines of people, while others were eerily lifelike mannequins. Morgan, speaking through a microphone, explained the rules: "Rose, you will navigate through the room filled with posters that will pop up unexpectedly. Identify and shoot only the criminals."

The moving mannequins added an extra layer of challenge, simulating the unpredictability of real threats. The flickering lights heightened the sense of urgency, sending a surge of adrenaline through Rose's veins.

With her heart pounding, Rose steadied her grip on the firearm and took a deep breath. The first poster sprung up, revealing a familiar face—a colleague from the office. Despite the pressure of being watched, she remained focused, trusting her training and instincts to guide her through the exercise.

As more posters appeared in rapid succession, Rose moved through the room with precision and determination. Each shot she fired was deliberate and calculated, hitting the targets with accuracy. The mannequins shifted and lurched, testing her reaction time and composure.

Amidst the tension and adrenaline, Rose stayed composed, knowing that every shot brought her closer to success. Finally, as the last poster popped up—a shadowy figure blending into the background—she didn't hesitate. With a steady hand and a resolute aim, she fired her shot, completing the test with confidence.

As the targets fell silent and the room grew still, Rose felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had faced the challenge head-on and emerged victorious.She knew that she had proven herself capable and passed her test with flying colors.

As Rose finished her test, the lights continued flickering, casting eerie shadows across the room. She glanced up and saw her superiors watching her, some with clipboards and others with timers, their expressions a mix of surprise and intrigue.

Morgan stood with an arm across his chest and the other propping up his chin as he observed Rose intently. She strained to hear their murmurs, her curiosity piqued, but suddenly a wave of nervousness washed over her. Had she made a mistake?

Looking around to see if she had missed something, Rose's gaze fell upon a mannequin with a black mask adorned with golden designs. Without hesitation, she approached it and removed the mask, noting that it was the only one with such an ornament.

Her body tensed as she focused on the mask, and then a sharp pain shot through her head. In an instant, flashes of memory flooded her mind—a scene of herself pointing a gun at a man's back,  "Hands where I can see them!" She commanded. Then, abruptly, she was engulfed in water, drowning, panic gripping her tightly.

Realizing she had been stuck in her memories for what felt like an eternity, Rose felt a hand on her shoulder, grounding her. It was Morgan.

"Rose?" he asked gently, noticing her trembling hand.

"Can I keep this?" Rose asked nervously, holding out the mask. Morgan took it from her with a solemn expression.

"Rose, breathe," he instructed softly.

But Rose couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. "I cannot give this mask to you; it's not supposed to be here," Morgan whispered.

Confusion and anxiety clouded Rose's mind. "Why?"she demanded, her voice rising.

Morgan hesitated, and other officials crowded around them, their eyes fixed on Rose.

 "It belongs to a crime scene?"Morgan answered carefully.

 "What crime scene?" I pushed

 "Find who placed this here," Morgan commanded, ignoring her question.

But Rose persisted. "What crime scene?" she asked again, desperation creeping into her tone.

As the weight of their collective gaze bore down on her, Rose realized the answer didn't need to be spoken aloud. She stared at the mask in her hands, a sinking feeling settling in her stomach.

"It's mine, isn't it? My crime scene?" she muttered, the truth dawning on her with chilling clarity.