{ Mia }
It was dark as I made my way to the address given by the mysterious man. I glanced at my watch 7:49 . ' I still have time .' I thought calmly. Slowly I walked further and further until... I stopped in front of...
The warehouse !!!
My feet refused to move, as if the ground had swallowed them whole, I could feel my palms start to sweat and my hands start to tremble. " This couldn't be the place… could it?" I exclaimed loudly.
Then suddenly, I heard a low voice behind me sending shivers down my spine. I swiftly turned around only to see the man who had invited me with a big smirk spread across his face. " Oh ". He said his grin widening." I see you came early. So eager are we ?"
A cold wave crashed over me, stealing the breath from my lungs. ' how did he sneak up on me ?! '
I looked at him studying every detail on his face. Then, I noticed something off . His hair seemed to be misplaced, his green eyes looked like contacts moving very unnaturally.
" You're in a disguise, aren't you " I smirked as his face fell and he started fidgeting.
" You're bright cupcake." I froze ' cupcake?!' that's what the comforting man called me.
" W-wait ' cupcake?' " I asked confused.
I watched as he smirked playfully.
"I-"
But before he continued I sighed deeply and pulled him into a tight hug thanking him .
" T-thank you ..... For helping me."
He ruffled my hair saying."I'll always have your back, cupcake." Pulling me away he continued." Now, let's go inside." He ushered me. As we entered I turned towards him." Are you going to trap me again?" I asked innocently.
" Don't worry, I'll do nothing of the sort cupcake." He winked.
The air inside the warehouse was thick, heavy with the scent of metal and something else I couldn't quite name."
" W-where are we going?" I asked eagerly trying to sound confident but my voice showing signs of fear.
He stayed silent for a moment before he smirked. "You'll see"
Eager to find out where he was leading me I followed closely my heart thudding louder with each step .
A steel door loomed ahead. He placed a hand on it, pausing just long enough to let the anticipation sink in before pushing it open. The hinges groaned.
And then I saw her.
Mrs. Parker.
She was slumped in a chair, wrists bound to the armrests, her head tilted forward. Blood smeared her temple, a thin cut trailing down to her jaw. Her chest rose and fell in uneven breaths.
I froze." M-mrs. Parker?" I whispered as if saying her name would make sense.
She stirred at the sound of my voice, lifting her head. Her swollen eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. But there it was buried beneath the pain. A flicker of something else.
Guilt.
" M-mia" she said her voice cracking. "R-run while y-you still c-c-cann !"
I suddenly heard the man beside me chuckle.' is this a trap ?' my stomach dropped.
" Don't worry," he said a little too calmly. " I'd never hurt Mia ."
"M-mia r-"
A gloved hand clamped over her mouth, silencing her.
"Now, now," he murmured. "Let's not ruin the moment."
My hands curled into fists. "What the hell is this?"
He turned to me, tilting his head as if the answer should've been obvious. "This, cupcake, is justice."
I shook my head, stepping forward. "No. No, this isn't—"
"Isn't what?" His eyes gleamed with amusement. "What she deserves?"
Mrs. Parker whimpered.
"You don't know what you're talking about," I said, my voice sharper now.
His smirk widened. "Oh, but I do. People like her… they take. They lie. And you—" he pointed the knife at me, his grip steady—"you let them."
I swallowed hard, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. "Please," I whispered. "Just let her go."
For the first time, his expression flickered—just for a second. But then, just as quickly, the cold amusement returned.
He crouched beside her, pressing the tip of the blade against her cheek. A bead of blood surfaced.
Mrs. Parker squeezed her eyes shut.
"Lesson number one, cupcake," he murmured, his voice like silk. "Weakness gets you hurt."
I had to stop this.
I had to do something.