𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒✓

twenty-four

LUCIAN

The tall metal door of the warehouse slowly started to open.

Artemio tracked Maria and my man finally brought her here.

She was an elderly lady and it was not my style to do the interrogation in this way but I needed the answers. I wasn't going to act like a nice host. And I didn't need my dad questioning what was going on.

If he knew that Maria was here and what she was here for, he was going to demand my explanation. There was no time for that.

Artemio appeared on the other side, his head covered in a black balaclava, only his eyes visible. He must have gotten here on his bike.

"Why do you still have that on you?" I pointed to his head.

"I feel more mysterious like this. Let me have my moment." He slid his hands into the pockets of his hoodie. I rolled my eyes and nodded nevertheless.

He was always being extra in every situation.

"She looked petrified by the way. The poor lady's gonna have a heart attack before you get any answers out of her." He walked beside me while we made our way to the one of the rooms.

Our workers were walking in and out of the rooms, carrying boxes and talking amongst themselves.

They bowed their heads in respect at me as they passed past us and continued with their work.

This was the warehouse where our weapon shipments were stored.

"How's Lilith holding up?" Artemio asked. My mind immediately went back to her. I told her that Maria was here but I told her to rest at home even though she wanted to be here. She was exhausted.

I know that she was barely sleeping at night even though she tried to hide that from me.

I was able to hear her soft sobs through the night.

All I could do was hold her and try to make her feel slightly better.

"I don't know, it's not something that you can just brush to the side. I'm surprised she is being calm about this."

"Yeah, you're right." His shoulder slumped. "What are you gonna do with the Sanders if they really aren't her parents?"

"I'll make them pay for what they did."

He shook his head up and down. We finally arrived at the room where Maria was kept. The guards greeted us and both Artemio and I stepped inside.

The room was dimly lit, only the rays of the sun peeking through the cracked windows with tainted glass.

Maria was sitting on one of the chairs, her left hand chained to the table next to her. Her head turned to us as soon as she heard us. The panic in her eyes told me that she had no idea who I was.

Her brown hair with white strikes was disheveled and all over the place and the glasses she had on were resting low on her nose.

She was probably around sixty.

There was a bottle of water on the metal table and a few pieces of biscuits.

"I didn't want her to starve. And like I said, we don't need her dying before she gives us some answers." Artemio whispered close to me.

I shook my head and whispered a whatever.

After I took few steps closer, I pulled the other chair and lowered myself on it.

I ran my fingers through my hair and leaned back.

"Hello, Maria." Her lips parted and her wide eyes wandered around, from Artemio to me.