the search for Sophia 2

One of the hefty men stepped forward, his voice gruff yet calm. "Listen, we don't want to hurt anyone. Just hand her over, and we'll all go our way." His bulging muscles and broad chest suggested military training, making the threat far from hollow.

Zara's confident demeanor evaporated as she darted to the back, hiding behind June, Jude, and Tom.

"Who are you people? And who sent you?" Jude asked, stepping forward with more courage than he felt.

The men exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. "Oh, look at this! A wannabe hero!" one of them jeered, his voice dripping with mockery.

"You really think you're enough to get us?" June asked coolly, his face hardening as he took a step forward. His composure unsettled the men, their laughter fading as a flicker of unease crossed their faces.

"Kid, don't make this harder than it has to be," one of the men warned. "You don't want your mama crying over you tonight. Step aside and save yourself the trouble."

The tension thickened like a storm about to break. June's expression grew darker, his clenched fists trembling with suppressed energy. His voice rang out with sudden authority. "Tom, now!"

Tom, who had been standing back, adjusted his glasses calmly before reaching into his pocket. In one swift motion, he produced a small gas canister and sprayed it directly into the face of the man closest to them.

The man let out a strangled cry, clutching his eyes and dropping to his knees in agony.

"Run!" June bellowed, and the group didn't hesitate. They bolted as fast as their legs could carry them, weaving through alleys and shortcuts they knew well.

The other three men hesitated momentarily, torn between helping their fallen comrade and pursuing their targets. The injured man's voice cut through their indecision. "Don't let them get away! Go after them!"

They sprinted after the group, but Sophia and her friends had too much of a head start. Using the shortcuts they'd memorized over years of exploring the town, they managed to lose their pursuers.

Gasping for breath, they finally stumbled into Elena's home, slamming the door shut behind them.

"Who were those people, Sophia?" Elena demanded, her voice shaky with fear.

"I… I don't know them," Sophia replied, her voice barely a whisper. She walked slowly to the edge of the room, her legs weak, and sank onto a bench.

Elena approached her cautiously, concern etched into her features. "What is it, Sophia?"

Sophia let out a long, trembling sigh. "I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me…"

"Hey, don't worry about that," Jude said firmly, stepping forward. "We're in this together now. They saw all our faces, so it's not just about you anymore. If we're smart, they can't beat us. We'll be okay."

June's voice cut through the tense silence. "Did anyone else notice the tattoo on the guy we gassed?"

Tom nodded. "Yeah. It looked familiar… like one of the Street Monkeys' symbols."

Sophia froze. "The Street Monkeys?"

Zara, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "Oh no. They're not friendly people, Sophia."

Elena's face paled. "Wait, I thought the Street Monkeys were all arrested last year. Didn't the police shut them down?"

Tom shook his head. "They did, but it never lasts. They always regroup, no matter how many times the police try to break them up."

Sophia sat silently, listening to the conversation as dread settled over her.

Tom adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "The real question is, why would they be after you, Sophia? They're not bounty hunters—they're hired muscle."

Sophia's voice was low as she finally spoke. "I think my dad has something to do with this."

"No way," Tom countered. "If your dad wanted to find you, he wouldn't send thugs like them. It would be all over the news, and they wouldn't need to scare you. This feels like someone else's doing—someone who paid the Street Monkeys to find you."

Sophia hesitated before nodding. "You might be right. If it was my dad, the situation wouldn't feel this… dangerous."

Their conversation was interrupted when Elena's mom stepped into the room, her expression puzzled. "What's going on in here?"

The group quickly plastered on innocent smiles. "Nothing, ma'am," they chorused, trying to sound casual.

After exchanging goodnight greetings, they dispersed for the night, though none of them slept soundly.

The next morning arrived at the Maxwell household, with the sun casting its golden rays through the curtains. Ethan stirred awake early, feeling a weight on his chest. His thoughts had been restless all night, circling back to one name—Sophia.

Dragging himself out of bed, he made his way to the sitting room. There, his father, Mr. Maxwell, sat on the couch, surrounded by a sea of papers, his eyes fixated on a particular document. The air smelled faintly of brewed coffee, but the atmosphere carried a different aroma—tension.

"Good morning," Ethan greeted, his voice cracking as he broke the silence.

Without lifting his gaze from the papers, his father replied, "Ethan, how are you?"

Ethan paused, noticing how distant his father sounded. Instead of answering the question, he got straight to the point. "I want to tell you that I'm leaving today—for the mission task."

A simple "Okay" was all Mr. Maxwell offered, still engrossed in his work.

Ethan stood there, staring at his father, expecting something more. A word of encouragement, perhaps. But it didn't come.

Finally, Mr. Maxwell looked up, his sharp gaze meeting Ethan's. "What else do you need?"

"Nothing," Ethan said quickly, averting his gaze and feeling a bit flustered under the intensity of his father's stare. "I'll go prepare now. Mr. Caldwell asked me to arrive this afternoon."

Mr. Maxwell leaned back slightly. "Oh, you called him?"

"Yes," Ethan replied. But his mind wasn't on that. His thoughts were spinning as he added, "There's something I don't understand, though. Mr. Caldwell told me Sophia is missing, but it wasn't mentioned before. And now, I've seen it on the news—'Caldwell's Missing Daughter Still Unfound.' It doesn't add up."

"Hm…" Mr. Maxwell murmured, his expression unreadable. "I think this is deeper than you thought."

Ethan frowned. "I should talk to Mr. Caldwell, but it doesn't make sense. How could Sophia disappear without him knowing? And why hasn't there been any significant action on his part?"

Mr. Maxwell set the papers aside, crossing his arms. "You're getting ahead of yourself. You just said Mr. Caldwell asked you to come, and now you're thinking of veering off to find Sophia? I'm not saying it's unimportant, but you have to prioritize. Think strategically. If you're smart, you can kill two birds with one stone. That's how you should approach this."

Ethan looked down, conflicted. "What do you think I should do, Dad? Honestly, I just want to help them—help her."

Mr. Maxwell's expression softened slightly. "The thing is…you need to be prepared for the truth. Sometimes, the truth isn't what you expect. It can hit you hard, and if you're not ready, it'll swallow you whole."

Ethan blinked, confused. "What does that mean?"

"It means," his father said, his tone grave, "that whatever you're about to uncover might be bigger than you. Stay focused. And remember, this mission isn't just about them—it's your chance to prove yourself. Don't mess it up."

Ethan nodded, even though uncertainty still gnawed at him. "Okay," he said quietly. "I'll let Mom know I'm leaving for a while."

He left the room, heading toward his mother's quarters. He knocked gently on the door.

"Come in," Audrey's warm voice answered from inside.

Ethan stepped in, offering a small smile. "Good morning, Mom."

Audrey glanced up from the book she was reading, immediately noticing the tension in his face. "Morning, Ethan. What is it? You look like something's on your mind."

Ethan hesitated, then replied, "Oh, it's nothing serious. I just wanted to let you know I'm heading out today."

Audrey raised an eyebrow. "When will you be back?"

"Soon," he assured her. "I won't be gone for too long."

"Alright," Audrey said with a gentle smile. "Do you need help packing?"

"No, Mom, I've already packed everything I need. Don't worry about it," Ethan replied, trying to sound lighthearted.

Audrey stood anyway, brushing off his refusal. "Let me at least see you off."

Ethan shook his head. "No need. Sam's driving me. I'll be fine, Mom. Don't miss me too much," he said with a faint chuckle as he hugged her.

Audrey sighed, watching him leave. "Take care, Ethan."

Outside, Sam, one of Mr Maxwell tested worker as his driver, was waiting by the car. He had already loaded Ethan's worn-out bag into the trunk. The bag was a stark contrast to the luxury of the car—a reminder of the humble beginnings Ethan refused to forget. With just two changes of clothes, Ethan had packed lightly, but the weight of his purpose was anything but.

As the car pulled away, Ethan's thoughts grew heavier. His mission was clear: uncover the truth behind Caldwell Horizon and Sophia's disappearance. But something about the entire situation felt off. His father's cryptic warnings echoed in his mind.

Unaware of the darkness awaiting him, Ethan stared out the window. He had light to guide him on this journey—but would it be enough to pierce through the shadows threatening to consume him?