The Crimson Silence

Unseen Ends

“Loose end?… Jake…” Lisa asked, her voice tense with concern, her face edged in horror.

Jake sighed, his eyes scanning the horizon. “Lisa… I’ll tell you everything… just not right now.”

“Jake…” Lisa’s voice was low, filled with a mix of worry and frustration.

“Just trust me, Lisa, please,” Jake’s voice carried a desperate sincerity that made Lisa stop in her tracks.

For a moment, they stood there, the weight of the unknown pressing on them. Lisa stepped closer, sharing a moment of silent solidarity with her brother. The tension in the air was palpable, but before she could press further, her phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

She glanced down and saw a text from their mother: "Darling, we are ready."

Lisa typed a quick response, “Be there soon, Mom.” She looked at Jake. “It’s time.”

Without a word, they both got into the car. The drive to their parents' house was quiet, the weight of unspoken words filling the air. When they arrived, Robert and Hellen were waiting by the door, their faces a mix of confusion and concern. They bombarded Jake and Lisa with questions, trying to make sense of the events that had turned their world upside down. But the more they explained, the more tangled the conversation became. Hellen's face reflected deep worry, while Robert tried to piece together their cryptic answers.

Finally, after a long discussion that left their parents more bewildered than reassured, they were ready to go. Jake and Lisa packed their parents’ luggage into the car and drove them to the airport. As they headed toward the gate, Robert placed a firm hand on Jake’s shoulder.

“Take care of your sister,” Robert said, his tone commanding yet gentle. “And whatever it is you have to do, finish it.”

For a brief moment, Jake felt as if his father had peered into his soul, understanding far more than Jake had told him. But Robert’s words ignited something in him—a spark of resolve. Jake nodded, meeting his father’s gaze. “I will, Dad.”

They waved as Robert and Hellen disappeared into the airport crowd. Lisa and Jake stood there for a moment before returning to the car. As Lisa fastened her seatbelt, she turned to Jake. “Now what?”

Jake started the car and looked at her, his expression unreadable. “Now… I need you to trust me.” His voice was steady but carried a hidden weight.

Lisa eyed him, trying to decipher the layers of meaning behind his words. She always knew her brother was secretive, but he always found a way through. She gave him a small, knowing smile. “Okay.”

With that, they drove off. By the time they returned to Cynthia’s estate, the sun had started to rise, casting a pale light over the sprawling property. As they approached the gates, Jake noticed cop cars parked outside. He spotted Detective Nathan and Lieutenant Mathew talking to a group of officers.

Jake pulled up, and as soon as he got out of the car, Mathew noticed him.

“Mr. Daniel, morning,” Mathew greeted, extending a hand.

“Hi… just call me Jake,” he replied, shaking Mathew’s hand.

Mathew nodded. “Alright, Jake. You already know Detective Nathan. He and his team will be your security detail from now on.”

Jake glanced at Nathan, who was briefing a few officers nearby, then turned back to Mathew. “Thanks.”

Nathan approached them, nodding to Jake. “Mr. Daniel… quite a couple of days, huh?”

Jake responded with a noncommittal grunt, still unsettled by everything that had happened.

“You were quick to spot the shooter the other night,” Nathan continued, his voice curious. “Even in that moonlight… that’s impressive.”

“Reflexes, I guess,” Jake replied, his voice detached, not wanting to linger on the memory of the gunfire.

As Nathan was called away, Mathew pulled Jake aside, his expression slightly awkward.

“Uh, Jake, can I ask you something… personal?” Mathew hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck.

Jake raised an eyebrow. “Sure, go ahead.”

Mathew fumbled with his words. “I, uh… I was thinking about asking Katie out. You two seem close, and I didn’t want to step on any toes…”

Jake couldn’t help but smirk, cutting Mathew off. “You should go for it.”

Mathew blinked in surprise. “Wait, what?”

“She’s been talking about you a lot lately. I’m pretty sure she likes you,” Jake said, his tone light.

Mathew’s face turned a shade of red as he stuttered, “Wow… uh, thanks, Jake…”

Jake gave him a friendly nod and headed inside the house. Katie was just leaving for the precinct, visibly tired but still pushing through.

“Katie, you okay?” Jake asked as he crossed her path.

“Got about three hours of sleep… still breathing, so I guess I can’t complain,” she replied with a sarcastic grin, though there was a heaviness in her eyes.

“Just… stay close to the officers, alright?” Jake’s voice was firm, but there was a layer of concern beneath it.

Katie smiled and gave him a playful punch on the arm before getting into the patrol car. As she drove off, Mathew nodded to Jake in a friendly way. “Jake…”

Jake returned the nod. “Mathew…”

Finally, Jake walked back into the house. He found Lisa and Cynthia chatting in the living room. Collapsing onto the couch beside them, Jake stretched out, his body exhausted but his mind still racing.

“Who wants to help pick photos for the Gala display?” Jake asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Lisa and Cynthia exchanged excited glances, their faces lighting up as they squealed in unison. They flanked Jake on the couch, hugging him from either side, catching him off guard.

“I’ll take that as a yes…” Jake laughed, shaking his head.

After breakfast, Jake and Lisa finally managed to catch some sleep. A couple of hours later, Jake woke up, the clock showing it was just after 1 PM. He got up, freshened up, and headed downstairs, where Cynthia had already prepared lunch.

Once they finished eating, Jake, Lisa, and Cynthia made their way back to Jake’s apartment. Jake quickly grabbed his laptop and the memory cards, packed them into a bag, and took his bike keys and helmet.

As they headed to the parking lot, Jake glanced at the spot where the shooting had occurred. A strange feeling washed over him, like something was missing. He stood there for a moment, lost in thought, but quickly shook it off.

He got on his bike, following Lisa and Cynthia in the car, his mind spinning with thoughts of the hunter still lurking in the shadows. The hunt was far from over.