The first glimpse of darkness

The courthouse smelled like sterile paper and polished wood—fresh, clean, and slightly suffocating. Alicia Voss had always found the air in this building too perfect, too calculated, like it was trying to convince her that everything in this world was still good, still worth saving. But the truth was, Alicia had stopped believing in the world years ago. She'd learned that things—people, systems, institutions—were fragile. They broke, they bled, and they didn't always heal.

Her heels clicked against the cold marble floors as she walked past the rows of empty seats, her gaze flickering to the stacks of case files piled high on the desk in front of her. Her office was as tidy as she could manage, a semblance of control she clung to in a world that had long since slipped out of her grasp. Alicia's fingers traced the edge of her desk, the smooth wood under her fingertips a stark contrast to the way her mind spun.

She was used to being an outsider—an observer, never quite fitting in. People here saw her as the cold, no-nonsense prosecutor who rarely showed her hand, who always seemed just a little out of reach. They didn't understand the complexities of her life, the darkness that clung to her like a shadow, something she could never fully shake off. She'd spent her childhood learning to live in the cracks, to make herself invisible. It wasn't hard—she'd always been a ghost, a quiet presence who walked unnoticed, except for the occasional whispered insult or glance that cut too deep. But she was used to it. It was part of who she was.

The sound of laughter floated from the break room, and Alicia rolled her eyes. Another group of colleagues huddled together, trading gossip and casual jokes about the latest scandal. She didn't have time for that. She didn't have time for any of them. Her mind was elsewhere, focused on the new case that had landed on her desk. It wasn't just any case—it was the kind that threatened to unravel everything she'd worked so hard to build. And as much as she hated to admit it, it was the kind of case that would bring her closer to people like Lucas Mercer.

She paused, glancing at the stack of documents in front of her, but her thoughts drifted. Lucas Mercer. Even the name made her tense, though she wasn't sure why. He wasn't her problem—not yet, anyway. His name had come up frequently in recent weeks, attached to a series of criminal activities that had somehow stayed just out of her reach. He was powerful, successful, the kind of man whose very presence commanded attention. But there was something unsettling about him, something that went beyond his polished exterior and wealth. Alicia couldn't put her finger on it, but she knew that Lucas Mercer was dangerous. People like him always were.

Her mind wandered back to the case. She could feel the pressure building inside her chest. This wasn't just about a few broken laws or corrupt officials; this was something darker, something that made her gut twist with unease. As a prosecutor, she had seen plenty of criminals—people who'd lost their way, who had become shadows of what they once were. But this case, with all its intricacies, promised to be something different. She could feel the pull of it, deep in her bones. It wasn't just a case—it was a web, and she was already caught in it. Whether she liked it or not, her world was about to change.

She pushed away from the desk and walked over to the large window in her office. The city sprawled before her—tall buildings, flashing lights, people moving like ants in a maze, each with their own agenda. The world felt both too big and too small at once. Too many people, too many problems, all existing in a constant state of chaos. But Alicia had learned how to tune it all out. She'd learned how to focus, to stay calm, to survive.

The sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts, and she turned, narrowing her eyes as a figure appeared in the doorway. Her heart rate quickened for a moment as she caught sight of the man standing there, tall, confident, his dark eyes studying her with an intensity that made her feel strangely exposed. It was Lucas Mercer.

He didn't enter immediately, lingering at the threshold of her office like he was deciding whether or not to cross into her territory. Alicia could feel the weight of his presence even from across the room. There was something unnerving about the way he watched her, as though he could see straight through her—through the walls she'd carefully constructed, through the mask she wore every day.

"You're in my way," Alicia said, her voice calm but firm, the usual steel in her tone returning.

Lucas raised an eyebrow but didn't move. "I have a proposal for you, Alicia," he said, his voice smooth, like silk sliding across the air. It was too calm, too easy. "Something... important. I think you'll want to hear it."

She paused, her heart racing despite herself. She didn't trust him—she never would—but the intrigue was there, nagging at the back of her mind. There was something about him, something dangerous, but also compelling. Something that made her question whether she should walk away or take a step closer.

"I'm busy," Alicia replied, her tone dismissive, though a small part of her wondered if she was lying. She was always busy, but maybe, just maybe, something in her was drawn to the mystery of Lucas Mercer.

His gaze never wavered, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "I think you'll want to make time."

He turned then, his coat brushing against the doorframe as he left. But not before his eyes met hers one last time—intense, almost predatory—and Alicia couldn't shake the feeling that this moment, this strange encounter, was only the beginning of something she wasn't ready for.

As he disappeared down the hall, Alicia stood frozen in her office, staring at the door. A chill ran through her body, and her mind began to race. She had no idea what Lucas Mercer wanted, or why she had the distinct feeling that her life was about to spiral out of her control. But one thing was clear—whatever game he was playing, she had just been pulled into it.

And despite all her instincts telling her to run, a small, dangerous part of her was already wondering if she could win.