Annie's nightstand clock reflected the time with its bright red numbers: 2:13 AM. At thirteen, she just faced a week-long punishment for reading "The Ruins by JB Pierre" way past her bedtime on a school day. But yet again tonight, sleep eluded her and she was reading another of the author's book and she must not be caught again. She heard some sounds with her trained ears from years of sneaky reading and she quickly hid the book under her pillow, its story paling in comparison to the real events happening outside her room.
Her door flew open so fast and fear gripped her, but she acted on instinct and hid the small flashlight under her pillow as her heart raced.
"Annie," someone whispered, oh it was just Cilla, her nanny, she was dressed in unusual darkness wearing a plain black outfit, compared to the bright colors she wore all the time that Annie always joked hurt her eyes. For the first time in a while, Annie sensed a feeling she couldn't place, Cilla's eyes held a message Annie couldn't understand.
Cilla covered Annie's mouth to stop her from making a sound. Annie smelled blood, the voices getting louder. Tonight was different, it didn't feel like their typical security drills.
Cilla helped her into a sweater. The warmth clashed with the chill building in Annie's stomach. Cilla stuffed a heavy familiar file into Annie's backpack – the same one Annie had once seen in her father's safe when she peeked over her father's shoulders in his study.
Annie wanted to ask questions, but Cilla pushed her to the back of the closet where a hidden panel disguised as a bookcase opened to reveal a narrow cool damp passage.
The fear in Annie's chest grew, it was starting to affect her breathing. Her home was once full of laughter and the smell of her mother's baking now stank of fear and something sharp. Annie realized with horror: this was real.
Meanwhile, across the hall...
"Ernest," the voice said with cold amusement, "you always knew this would happen. All your planning was useless."
Ernest Bolt looked at the destruction. His wife Amelia, lay dead on the soft carpet, blood spreading around her. His unborn child, a tiny life gone too soon. Grief and anger fought inside him. Had it all been pointless?
He realized then, with a bone-deep certainty, that this time, they weren't just after his money, it wasn't like the mild thefts they had had over the years. They wanted something more, something he'd promised to guard with his life.
"Where is it, Ernest?" Luca, a man whose face showed the empty look of a hunter, stood over him. His eyes filled with merciless hunger.
Ernest stared back at him, unafraid. "There's nothing. You've made a big mistake."
Luca let out a cold laugh. "A mistake? We've kept an eye on you for years, Bolt. We know all about your little 'backup plan.'"
He threw a thick folder on the oak desk. Ernest knew it right away – the prototype blueprints for his latest invention, a ground-breaking power source he'd been working on in private. It was his life's work, a possible game-changer in the energy world, and a prize for anyone hungry for power and control.
"Hand it over," Luca demanded pushing a pen towards Ernest. "Don't make this hard on yourself." Ernest's thoughts raced. The designs meant more than just tech; they were his legacy, a future he'd dreamed up for Amelia, Annie, and their baby on the way. But as his gaze fell on his wife's still form, he was filled with a resolve to not let them win.
"Not a chance," he spat, his voice fierce but he was scared on the inside. "You'll have to kill me first."
A cruel smile formed on Luca's lips. "Perhaps that wouldn't be such a bad idea." He reached into his pocket, a glint of metal catching the dim light.
Down the hidden passage...
Cilla urged Annie forward, their footsteps echoing softly in the damp tunnel. Annie stumbled once, her heart pounding in her ears. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision.
"Where are we going?" she whispered, her voice choked with fear. Cilla stopped and responded; "Away from here, sweetheart. It's not safe."
"But what about Mom and Dad?" Annie's voice cracked; she sounded like a little girl but she just couldn't give that brave front. Cilla's hand tightened on her arm, she couldn't offer comfort like she would have wanted to, safety was paramount.
"I'll get you to safety, Annie. That's my promise", she responded.
They continued their hurried journey down the dark tunnel, minutes felt like hours. Finally, a faint light flickered at the end of the passage. Relief washed over both of them but it was short-lived. As they emerged from the passage, Annie gasped. The Bolt mansion was a scene of utter chaos. Furniture lay overturned, priceless paintings ripped from the walls. There was blood all over the marble floor. In the center of the room, she could see her dad struggling with a man who looked oh so familiar as if sensing their presence, he came towards her direction, while her father lay on the ground injured.
Cilla met him head-on, her movements were surprisingly swift and precise, years of hidden training evident in the way she blocked blows and landed sharp kicks. But her opponent, Luca, was bigger and stronger. He landed a blow to her stomach, sending her sprawling.
"Cilla!" Annie screamed, her voice loud and echoing in the hall. Fear and rage warred within her. This wasn't supposed to happen. Cilla was supposed to protect her, not be the one in danger. Luca hovered over Cilla, with a terrifying smile. "Looks like your little bodyguard isn't so tough after all."
Cilla coughed out blood, a crimson stain blooming on her uniform. But her eyes, when they met Annie's, she mouthed to her "Run, Annie! Now!". Annie hesitated, she couldn't just leave, she could help and with that thought and a surge of adrenaline, Annie lunged for a heavy silver candlestick lying abandoned on a nearby table. Grasping it with both hands, she brought it down on Luca's head.
He roared in pain, momentarily stunned. Cilla seized that as an opportunity, she scrambled to her feet and delivered a series of lightning-fast blows on Luca, the pain evident in her posture. Annie also joined the fight with her makeshift weapon which was surprisingly effective. Luca, recovering from the blow, shoved Cilla aside with a snarl and lunged for Annie, tightening his grip around her neck. Panic flooded her, she was more than scared.
Suddenly, a deafening sound echoed through the hall. A gunshot. Luca grunted, stumbling back, a crimson stain spreading across his chest. He stared at Annie with disbelief, before collapsing to the floor, lifeless. She looked in the direction and saw her father, his face portraying so much pain and as he lay on the floor, in his hands, he held a smoking pistol clutched in his trembling hand. Relief washed over Annie, so intense that she fell to the ground. But her joy was short-lived.
The air grew thick with smoke, the room was on fire, the acrid stench stinging Annie's eyes. Ernest closed his eyes in despair, this was his end, tears streaming down his face as he thought of his wife and child.
"There's no time," he rasped, his voice hoarse. "Annie, you have to go." and then he went quiet.
Cilla, clutching her side, "Go, Annie," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "Remember what I told you. Use the file. Find out who did this. And never forget..." Tears streamed down Annie's face, a mixture of grief and terror. She couldn't comprehend how this could be happening to her, she knew this was goodbye. Goodbye to her childhood, to her parents, to a life of security and innocence. Cilla's hand reached out to brush away tears from Annie's cheek. The heat intensified; the flames were getting more intense. Annie knew there was no time for goodbyes. With a final agonizing glance at the burning house, Annie turned and ran, narrowly escaping some splinters falling.
Her parents, her home, her entire life – gone in a matter of minutes. Her father wouldn't have wanted her to die here. He would have wanted her to survive, to carry on his legacy, to find the truth. Tears streamed down her face.
The night swallowed her whole, carrying her away from the ashes of her past, towards a future shrouded in darkness and vengeance.