Chapter 5 - The Shadow Behind the Tuxedo
Near the ruined floor hatch, Clara remained kneeling beside Evelyn, holding her mother’s head against her lap.
"Mom, you’re safe, you’re home, I found you," Clara sobbed, smoothing the tangled hair from Evelyn’s pale forehead.
Evelyn coughed weakly, her breathing ragged as she struggled to pull the warm, clean air into her starved lungs.
Arthur stepped back toward his family, crouching beside Evelyn with an expression of agonizing guilt and tenderness.
"I'm here, Evie. Nobody will ever touch you again," Arthur whispered, taking her cold hand into his warm palms.
Evelyn looked at him, her hazel eyes swimming with memories of darkness, cold concrete, and endless terror.
Then, her gaze drifted past Arthur’s broad shoulder toward the row of terrified guests huddled along the mahogany buffet.
Her pupils dilated in instant, suffocating panic, and her breath hitched violently in her throat.
The weakness that had paralyzed her limbs seemed to vanish under a surge of pure, animal terror.
"Clara... Arthur..." Evelyn gasped, her voice raspy, fighting against the tightness in her vocal cords.
She pushed herself upward with Clara’s help, her trembling legs struggling to bear her weight on the hardwood.
Arthur placed an arm around her waist, supporting her as her eyes remained locked on a single figure among the crowd.
Standing at the far end of the dining table was a distinguished guest in a sharp navy-blue tuxedo.
His dark hair was slicked back with expensive pomade, his beard neatly trimmed, his hands casually tucked in his pockets.
Up until this exact moment, Julian Mercer had looked like nothing more than an innocent, horrified spectator.
Evelyn lifted her bruised, trembling right arm, extending a shaking index finger directly across the ruined dining room.
May you like
Her finger pointed straight between Julian Mercer’s widening eyes, pinning him in place like an insect beneath glass.
"He helped her!" Evelyn screamed, her voice piercing the stunned silence of the room.
