Rewind the scene to an earlier part of that fateful day, where El found herself preparing for an interview that held unexpected revelations. Standing before the mirror, she paid little attention to her appearance, consumed instead by the urgency of uncovering the brutal murderer, possibly her friend and his ally.
In the midst of her preparations, a strange buzz interrupted the stillness, emanating from her phone. It was a blank notification, a peculiar occurrence she had never encountered before. Curiosity piqued, El pondered the origin of this enigmatic message. Could it be Seth, engaging in something unusual? Had he been caught in the act?
Without delay, she followed the instructions that accompanied a voice message, her fingers swiftly navigating the virtual landscape. The screen displayed Seth's location, or rather, the lack thereof. A shroud of darkness concealed any discernible details, save for the sound of his labored breathing. It was apparent that Seth had suffered grave injuries.
Perplexed, El wrestled with the weight of her options. Should she reach out to Seth and inquire about his well-being, she risked exposing her suspicions and jeopardizing her covert identity as a spy. Yet, what if Seth truly faced imminent danger, an innocent victim of circumstances?
A faint rustling noise permeated the darkness, capturing El's attention. Holding her breath, she witnessed the approach of another figure, their identity obscured by the enveloping shadows. It became evident that the figure subjected Seth to torment, each blow reverberating through the spyware's audio feed, accompanied by the rapid beat of Seth's heart.
Minutes stretched into an agonizing eternity until the figure finally departed, leaving Seth battered and bruised in their wake. El's eyes closed, a firm resolve taking hold. She would contact him, consequences be damned.
Pressing the emergency button and swiftly inputting her code, El's urgent message jolted Seth awake on the other end. Disoriented, he struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.
"Seth? Can you hear me?" El's voice resonated through the phone.
Seth surveyed his surroundings, his disbelief evident in his response. "El? What's going on? Why?"
"It's a long story, but first, tell me where you are," El insisted.
"I'm... not sure. It's so dark, and my glasses are broken," Seth replied, his voice laced with vulnerability.
El's heart sank as Seth revealed the truth. "It's your friend... Parker," he divulged, uttering a name that stirred both confusion and dread within El.
Parker?
"He contacted me, using Gem's number," Seth continued. "He claimed you were hurt, and when you didn't answer my calls, I believed it. I went to Gem's house... and that's when he knocked me out."
Seth coughed, his breath strained. "He's a member of The Chosens, El. He's responsible for all the killings. Then he wanted to frame me, to get me into trouble. And he's infatuated with you."
El's senses heightened, her instincts on high alert. Parker's infatuation with her sent chills down her spine.
"He wants... he wants you to join them. He wants you to kill me, and he'll stop at nothing to make it happen. He despises me that much," Seth revealed, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and resignation.
El deliberated for a moment, her mind racing to devise a plan. "Seth," she spoke gently, "I'm coming to get you. Let me locate you..."
"It's futile. Parker has the artifact, and he intends to use it to kill us both. It possesses immense power," Seth admitted, his words heavy with a sense of defeat.
Seth paused, catching his breath. "He mentioned he'll contact you later."
"Why?" El inquired, her curiosity tinged with trepidation.
"I don't know," Seth confessed.
"Does he know about the EGTF? About us?" El pressed, her voice laced with concern.
"I... I'm not sure," Seth replied, uncertainty tainting his words.
El's mind raced, calculating the risks and potential outcomes. "Seth, play dead," she instructed, determination coloring her voice.
"Play... dead?" Seth repeated, his confusion evident.
"Pretend you're unconscious, worn out from his relentless assault. Stay still to prevent further harm. He'll wait for me to arrive, believing I'll be the one to end your life," El explained, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.
"Okay," Seth acquiesced, his voice filled with apprehension. "But El, it's incredibly risky. You know I struggle without my glasses..."
El's smile emerged, a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. "I also know you're quite skilled at football. Hang in there, Seth. I'll be there soon."
"Alright," Seth replied. Then, a pause. "El... I love you."
El's breath caught in her throat, her heart aching with conflicting emotions. "Take care, Seth."
With a heavy heart, she ended the call, aware of the perilous path she had chosen. The weight of her choices pressed upon her, fueling her determination to confront the impending danger and protect those she held dear.