Shadows of Revenge

2. The Hunt Begins

The bass throbbed through the walls of the pub, vibrating through Becky's body as she sat at the bar, nursing a drink that was already beginning to taste like poison in her mouth. The lights overhead flashed in chaotic rhythm, neon blues and reds painting the crowd in a dreamlike haze. Becky was no stranger to the scene—loud, dark, filled with people looking for nothing but a night they wouldn't remember. But tonight was different. Tonight, she wasn't here for pleasure.

She wore a tight, form-fitting dress, black and low-cut, something that made her feel more exposed than usual. It wasn't her typical look, but it was necessary. She needed to blend in, to become one of the many girls who caught the eye of her target. Her hand trembled slightly as she raised the glass to her lips, taking a slow sip of the bitter liquid, trying to focus her mind.

John. The minister's son, the one at the center of Sarah's brutal murder. She had been watching him for a week now, tracking his every movement, his every sickening indulgence. He was a man who got whatever he wanted. Drugs, women, power. And if a girl dared to refuse him? She got what Sarah did.

Becky's heart clenched at the thought of Sarah. A pang of guilt washed over her, as it had many times before. If only she had been there that night. If only she hadn't left her alone. Maybe, just maybe, Sarah would still be alive. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away. She couldn't afford to lose focus now. Not when she was so close.

Her eyes followed John, watching him closely as he laughed with his entourage of sycophants, leaning lazily against the bar like he owned the place. The stench of alcohol and sweat filled the air, the overwhelming smell of bodies dancing too close. Becky's stomach twisted in disgust.

Suddenly, John broke away from his group, stumbling over toward her, his eyes half-lidded with lust. Becky tensed as he approached, his slurred voice reaching her ears over the pounding music.

"Hi baby, wanna ride on me tonight?" he leered, his breath reeking of booze and arrogance.

Becky's blood boiled. Every fiber of her being screamed to lash out, to put this man down right where he stood. But she couldn't. Not yet. She needed to get him alone, away from the prying eyes of his guards and lackeys. So she forced a smile, playing along with his disgusting proposition.

"Why not, babe," she purred, her voice silky and inviting, though inside she was seething. "Let's get a room."

John grinned, a lazy, drunken smirk, as he grabbed Becky's arm, pulling her toward the exit. But just as they were about to leave, his eyes shifted, locking onto someone across the room. Becky followed his gaze, her own curiosity piqued.

The lady had entered the club like a storm. Her dress clung to her body in a way that was both alluring and dangerously revealing, almost transparent. The dim lights of the club danced over her, accentuating the curve of her figure and the smoothness of her skin. Her presence was magnetic, drawing the eyes of everyone in the room.

Even Becky, hardened by years of dealing with criminals, felt a jolt of surprise. There was something disconcertingly captivating about the lady. Her beauty and poise seemed almost otherworldly, stirring a reaction in Becky she hadn't felt in years—a mix of intrigue and unease.

John's attention was immediately drawn to the lady. His earlier arrogance dissipated as he focused solely on her. He released Becky's arm with a slack grip, abandoning her without a second thought. His predatory instincts took over as he made his way toward the lady, his gaze fixed and intense.

Becky stood frozen, a mix of frustration and confusion churning inside her. She had been meticulously tracking John for a week, waiting for the perfect moment to make a move. Yet now, this enigmatic woman was disrupting her plans, drawing John away with an effortless grace that seemed almost calculated.

The lady's lips curled into a confident smirk as she led John toward the exit. Her movements were deliberate, each step seemingly orchestrated to maintain control over the situation. Becky watched, feeling a pang of helplessness as she saw John follow the lady out of the club, his earlier bravado replaced by eager submission.

As the door closed behind them, Becky's mind raced. Who was this woman? Why did she have such a commanding effect on John? And why did she seem so familiar in a way that Becky couldn't quite place?

The Next Day: The Search Begins

Becky spent a restless night, her thoughts consumed by the lady from the club. Her mind replayed the scene over and over, the mysterious woman's confident demeanor etched into her memory. Becky was certain that the lady was more than just a nightclub presence; there was something deeper at play.

The next morning, Becky was at her desk at the station, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she searched for any information related to the lady from the club. Despite the mask she had worn, Becky was determined to find out who she was and what her connection to John—and perhaps to Sarah's case—might be.

After hours of searching, Becky found no concrete leads. The lady's presence was as elusive as ever. But just as she was about to give up, she received a call from Irin. Becky hesitated, staring at the screen. She felt a pang of sadness, remembering how close they used to be before Irin's relationship with Tee had created a distance between them. That day—the day Irin had shared her news—had also been the day Sarah had been murdered. It was a day that had changed everything for Becky.

Unable to face the familiar pain, Becky let the call go to voicemail and turned her attention back to her investigation. The lady remained an enigma, but Becky was determined to uncover the truth. No matter how dark or dangerous the path, she was ready to follow it.

Later that day, as Becky drove to check out a new lead, she spotted a familiar figure at a local primary school. The woman from the club—the one with the striking presence—was standing outside, interacting with children. Becky's heart skipped a beat. The lady was none other than Freen Sarocha, a primary school teacher. The revelation was both shocking and intriguing, linking the enigmatic woman to a world far removed from the nightclub scene.

Becky knew one thing for certain: she had to dig deeper into Freen Sarocha's life. Whatever secrets she harbored, Becky was determined to uncover them. The connection to John and Sarah's case was becoming clearer, and Becky was on the path to unraveling the truth.

...........