(𝟝𝟘𝟝) 𝟝𝟘𝟛 𝟜𝟜𝟝𝟝 ～ 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘚𝘢𝘶𝘭

13 - S.O.S

The next day, 3:02 PM...

"Look I've been on hold for the last half an hour, I need an update immediately please," Saul requests with a hint of frustration.

Ever since the verdict for the case was finalised and Saul took Geneva out for a treat and disappeared, he's been pestering the authorities with a missing persons alert. They seem to be the least bothered.

"Yes hello? Mr. Goodman?"

"Oh great, finally a human voice!" He says sarcastically, "I reported the kidnapping of a friend, Geneva O'Neill. Last time seen was at Riley's Bakes & Burgers. I have a-"

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Saul pauses, eyes darting to the main door of his apartment. He hurried to it and starts unlocking the door.

"Look, all I need if you guys to find her. She's an asset to the community and I've already given you the report alright-"

CLICK!

"HOLY CRAP-What are you doing here?!" Saul exclaims, forgetting that he is on the phone with the local police department.

It's Geneva, in the flesh, right before his eyes.

She's shivering, clothes and hair dishevelled with... blood stains.

"I'm sorry, don't do anything. Forget I reported the missing person!" Saul says quickly then cuts the call and looks at Geneva, "What happened to you? Where did you go?!"

"Please stop talking Saul PLEASE!" She exclaims, catching Saul off-guard. He looks to the floor quickly and she sighs.

"S-Sorry... I've had a hectic time. But forget that, you need to help me-"

"Woah hang on a minute mustang! Tell me what the hell happened yesterday," He places his hands on his hips and watches her

"Saul please you have to help me-"

"Oh for the love of-At least tell me where you were and how you got here?!"

Geneva huffs then takes a deep breath, "I... I was kidnapped and Thomas kept me in some house basement. I escaped and found a cycle and... cycled all the way here. Happy? Now help me!"

Saul shakes his head to knock him out of the questions racing across his mind. "Did he beat you up?!" He exclaims, "Okay I'm calling the cops-"

"NO!"

Saul looks to her with shock, and a hint of concern towards her jittery behaviour. Geneva holds his arms and pleads, "You can't, please. All I need is your help Jimmy, you got to... you got to help me!"

"What's going on Geneva?" He furrows his eyebrows with suspicion while his worried friend looks around with caution quickly.

"H-He's after me, he's going to kill me!"

"But you took care of it-"

"N-No you don't understand James!" She cries, "I lied to you alright?! I was behind everything, it was my idea to start that whole assassin deal. I went to talk to Thomas just for that, I talked him into it. I'm more guilty than him and he'll spill everything! I'll go to prison for life and I-I can't OKAY?!"

Saul gulps, wanting to say something but not being able to choose the right response other than a stuttered, "Wh-What?"

"Look you can beat me up and hate me all you want later but right now you have to help me Saul!" Geneva shouts and Saul steps away form her, shoving her away lightly.

Is she manipulating him? Does she want something from the lawyer? Maybe this whole thing had a purpose... Geneva meeting him had some reason behind it?

Saul turns back to her with confusion and heart break on his face. "Y-You killed all those people... It was all you?" He asks, voice cracking, "I trusted you Geneva, I cared for you."

"Jimmy my life was a m-mess, I was a nobody and I needed the money-"

"You did all that for money?"

She looks to the floor, ashamed, And Saul shakes his head slowly. "Goddamnit Geneva..." He mumbles.

He doesn't say another word after that. It's too much for him to accept, all he does is watch her sadly.

And the look of disbelief slowly floods his entire face, making him feel a new level of trust issue for the first time.

*****

Isn't it fascinating, the power a creator has over the receiver of their work?

Whether if it is a film or theatre director influencing the emotions or perception of a viewer of their work, showing the story from a specific characters point of view...

Or a writer envisioning a certain plot point or part that the reader views from a certain point of view.

Bias... It's all bias isn't it?

A writer can make something seem different than it truly is intended to be. It could be the innocence of a character or the real feel of a place...

Does that bother you?

Does it bother you that words from a chapter could not necessarily mean that it's true, that the character could be lying to you?

Isn't that a pity?