Victor_graves

Synopsis

Detective Elias Mercer, known as ‘Mercy’ for his angelic demeanor, hides a mind as sharp as a blade and a heart as cold as the cases he solves. A former journalist framed and cast out, he now walks the thin line between justice and obsession, unraveling the city’s darkest secrets one case at a time.

When Adrian Holt, a man seemingly swallowed by the shadows, vanishes without a trace, Elias is dragged into a mystery far deeper than he anticipated. His only lead? Evelyn Drake—a woman who speaks in riddles and keeps secrets like currency. As Elias peels back the layers of deception, a familiar name resurfaces from his past: Nathaniel Voss, a phantom figure lurking behind countless crimes, always just out of reach.

With each step forward, the case tightens around him, drawing him into a web of corruption, fear, and a truth far more sinister than murder. The deeper Elias digs, the more he realizes—some ghosts aren’t meant to be found, and some truths are buried for a reason.

But Elias Mercer doesn’t believe in walking away.

And this time, the darkness is watching back.

Elias mercer: mercy in the shadows

**Chapter 8: The Docks at Midnight**

The docks stretched out before Elias, an expanse of rusting shipping containers and dark water lapping against worn wooden piers. The air smelled of salt and diesel, thick with the weight of something unseen.

The man from the bar had been specific—come alone. But Elias had learned long ago that "alone" was just an invitation for trouble. He kept his hand near the holster beneath his coat, scanning the shadows for movement.

The man emerged from behind a stack of crates, his expression unreadable. "You're on time. That's good."

The man sighed. "Alright, listen close. I don't have much time. Voss—he's bigger than you think. This isn't just some underground crime boss. He's got people in places you wouldn't believe. Police, government, even the courts. You go after him, you're going after a system built to protect him."

Elias crossed his arms. "I'm not scared of a system."

The man laughed, short and bitter. "Then you're either the bravest detective I've met or the dumbest. Either way, you need to know this: Adrian Holt didn't just disappear. He was taken. And the people who took him… they don't leave loose ends."

Elias's jaw tightened. "Where is he?"

The man hesitated. "I don't know. But I know who might. There's a woman—Clara Monroe. Used to work for Voss before she went off the grid. If anyone knows where Holt is, it's her."

Elias memorized the name. "Where do I find her?"

A sudden noise—a sharp whistle from the darkness. The man's face paled. "Damn it. I stayed too long."

Elias reached for his gun, but the man grabbed his wrist. "Don't. You fire a shot here, you won't leave the docks alive. Just take the name and go."

Before Elias could argue, the man turned and ran, disappearing into the maze of containers. A second later, figures moved in the distance, dark shapes blending into the night. Elias stepped back, his instincts screaming at him to retreat.

Now, he just needed to find Clara Monroe.

The docks at midnight