The Phantom's Game | 18+

Chapter 27

Five days later...

The days were gradually getting better — at least for Vincent and Isadora. With his help, she was able to heal from her injury, though it would take weeks to months to be fully recovered from the wound. They found themselves becoming accustomed to living together, especially after Vincent insisted on paying her to stay at his place while she recuperated.

She had agreed with little hesitation given the circumstances and after several days of recovery, she felt more confident in her ability to move about the house, although Vincent was insistent she remained off her feet. But of course, Isadora was being defiant about it.

"You do realize I do need to take some walks, right?" The brunette asked with an irritated tone.

"Of course you do. You were shot, and it'll take quite a bit for it to recover completely. But I'm more worried about the strain of your leg muscles more than anything else right now. I'll walk with you every single time you need to go somewhere. You have nothing to worry about and frankly, I rather not leave your side. Besides," Vincent said, giving her an encouraging smile. "It's only been five days."

"That's true. Still..."

"What can I say? I'm just being protective," Vincent said matter-of-factly. "Anyways, do you need anything else before I head out?"

Isadora shook her head at his question. "I don't, for now. How long will you be gone?"

"Probably the whole day. I need to go visit an old friend. And I think it may be best that you try not to come anywhere near the front door. If anything goes wrong or anyone calls you, don't answer. Don't even open the door unless someone rings. Do you understand?"

"Fine, I get it. Just hurry back, okay?"

"Will do."

After Vincent left for work, Isadora tried to focus on making herself comfortable while waiting for his return. It wasn't easy considering she was told to sit because of her leg, but eventually she got up and stretched her legs. A moment later, pain flared up where her injury was.

The brunette grimaced from the sensation and then paid it no mind, limping on one leg and grabbed her phone off the desk across the room. And as if fate wanted to rub it in her face, the doorbell rang throughout the apartment, startling the poor woman.

Isadora groaned. Who was that? She hadn't seen anyone coming or going since her accident, which meant either she'd imagined it or whoever it was had somehow bypassed security. Either way, she didn't intend on opening the door. Not until she absolutely had to, like she was told.

But the ringing wouldn't stop, growing progressively louder with each ring.

Oh, to hell with it, the woman thought.

Cautiously, Isadora limped her way towards the front door. Yes, she remembered what Vincent warned her, yet she couldn't help but be curious. Whoever was at the door was persistent enough to keep ringing the damn bell, causing Isadora to lose patience. She pulled the door open, ready to give whoever was behind it the most vicious scowl she could muster.

What greeted her however was not the face of a potential intruder but rather of a familiar face.

Her eyes widened when she realized that it was none other than Gabriel, standing there as if he wasn't injured days ago. "Gabriel? What on earth are you doing here?" She asked with confusion.

The man smiled at her, a gentle gesture lighting up his face. "Nothing much. Nothing that concerns you. May I please come inside? Or should we talk on the porch."

Isadora hesitated briefly before stepping aside. Gabriel followed her out, glancing around her apartment as he sat down on the couch in the corner.

"I just wanted to check up on you, see how you were doing," He spoke slowly and softly, looking intently at her. Isadora nodded.

"Thank you for checking up on me, but please tell me why you're here? Shouldn't you be in the hospital or something?" Isadora looked at him, concern laced in her tone.

Gabriel shook his head and mused. "No, I'm fine. I may have lost a hand, but I haven't lost my spirit." His expression turned wistful as his eyes met hers. He gave her an impish grin. "In spite of everything that happened, life continues on. We've all changed and become stronger thanks to our experience. That's what keeps us moving forward. And I think you know, Isadora, that you and I aren't done fighting yet."

"I don't think our fight will end until our last breath, Gabriel," The brunette nodded in agreement. "Surely, you're not here for a casual talk, aren't you?"

"You're right about that. He replied casually, leaning back onto the sofa. "I'm not here for a casual conversation, in fact, someone important is waiting for you at Central Park."

"Who?"

"Don't worry about it right now. For now, I'd like you to come with me to Central Park."

Deep in Isadora's chest, something didn't feel right about this, but she gave nothing of her suspicion away and simply nodded. "Before we do that, let me just grab my things before we go."

She turned around and went to go collect her bag. As she did so, she noticed Gabriel watching her quietly. When he noticed her look at him, he quickly glanced away, but when he did, she saw the nervousness in his eyes. There was definitely a reason why he'd been avoiding eye contact.

The woman stopped in her tracks and pretended not to look suspicious, quietly taking out her phone to send a quick text to Vincent before turning it off.

"So, we're heading to Central Park, correct?" She spoke up after a brief moment of silence.

"Yes, we will. Shall we leave?" The older male asked, rising to stand by the sofa.

"Yeah, let us but wait, let me just..." Isadora stalled herself sometime, turning around to apply a lip gloss on her lips.

"Izzy, we don't have time. They're waiting," Gabriel replied sternly, hands shoved into his pockets.

The sudden urgency in his tone caused Isadora to freeze mid-motion. Something must've spooked him, she realized, as he had gotten much more serious than usual.

Something was absolutely wrong here, as she suspected.

"Fine, fine. Let's go," She huffed in irritation, heading towards the main door.

But before she could open it, darkness overwhelmed her entire being — unaware that she had gone unconscious... by Gabriel's hands. Isadora remembered his words before she fell into the darkness.

"I'm sorry, Isadora," Gabriel had whispered into her ear, lifting the unconscious woman up in her arms.

Glancing down at her in slight guilt, he opened the door and looked straight ahead. He needed to get the job done, after all. Turning his head to the side and glanced at the reader, he quietly spoke while his gaze turned cold.

"This concrete jungle is my playground now."

THE END.

A/N: So, how are we feeling about the ending ?? Let me know your thoughts!

And do keep an eye out for an upcoming sequel to this story <3

Thank you for reading The Phantom's Game!