Threads Of Fate

The Assassin's Truth

Anya paced anxiously in front of the imposing main door of Attenborough Manor, her footsteps echoing against the grand stone facade. The rain began to drum a steady rhythm on the roof above, but she scarcely noticed the weather as she focused on the figure before her. Dr. Joseph, a robust man with distinguished gray hair and a magnificent mustache that curled at the ends, stood resolutely. He was a private physician favored by noble families, a man of great stature and even greater reputation, yet today he bore witness to Anya's tumultuous state of mind. 

A few hours before, Anya had felt the surge of panic when Anthony had rushed into their manor, his face pale and eyes wide with urgency. He had implored to speak with Edward, but the conversation had taken a sharp turn when Anya and Zenith revealed that Edward had not returned. With hesitant words, he had mentioned that he was, in fact, the legendary Green Phantom, a revelation that hung heavy in the air. Both Zenith and Anthony had exchanged worried glances, their brows furrowed in confusion, awaiting Anya's reaction.

But there was none. Instead, Anya, fueled by a fierce determination, had urged them to search for Edward while she held vigil at the manor in case he returned. Their puzzled expressions lingered in her mind as they left, perhaps expecting her to collapse in shock at the news.

Only moments after they departed, the atmosphere shifted dramatically; a tremendous crack of lightning split the sky, followed by a torrential downpour that swept across the estate. Anya's thoughts shifted back to Edward, and she recalled the thin jacket and shirt he wore, ill-suited for the sudden tempest that had descended. With a sense of urgency, she called Dr. Joseph, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

The good doctor arrived mere minutes later, his presence a calming influence amidst the storm. He greeted her with a warm smile, a welcoming comfort rather than a reprimand, as she confessed her uncertainty about whether an emergency was even present. Stepping beside her, he waited patiently, both of them standing at the threshold of the manor, their eyes scanning the gloom for any sign of Edward's return.

As Anya stood by the grand main door, her attention was drawn to the window beside it. Outside, she spotted two figures huddled close together beneath a large umbrella, the larger one clutching a bulky, shivering blanket. They moved quickly through the drizzle, urgency etched on their faces as they headed toward the manor. Without a moment's hesitation, Anya flung the door open and rushed into the hall, her heart pounding with concern.

Inside, she hurriedly laid out fresh, plush blankets near the crackling fireplace, reveling in the warmth radiating from the flames as she struck a match to ignite the fire. Anthony followed closely, his brow furrowed with worry, as he carried Edward in his arms. Edward was soaked to the bone, his face pale and his body trembling from the cold. Zenith stepped in to help, assisting Anthony as they carefully peeled away the wet blanket that clung to Edward's frame. With gentle care, Anthony placed him onto the inviting, dry blankets, the flickering firelight reflecting the urgency of their actions.

Dr. Joseph knelt beside Edward, checking his pulse with a serious expression. He glanced up at Anya and instructed her to warm some water, his voice filled with determination to revive the weary man. Turning back to Zenith and Anthony, he requested their assistance in changing Edward out of his sodden clothes, urgency resonating in his words.

Anya dashed into the kitchen, her thoughts swirling as she filled a large pot with cool water, the sound of splashing echoing in the rustic space. She set the pot atop the weathered wooden stove, watching as the flames flickered and danced beneath it, casting a flickering glow across the room. Her heart raced with concern for Edward, her beloved brother, and she let out a trembling sigh, the weight of his recent folly pressing heavily upon her. How could her usually level-headed brother have succumbed to such recklessness? She shuddered at the thought that if Anthony and Zenith hadn't arrived when they did, she might have lost the only family she had left.