CHAPTER 18%
Laura
Night slowly lowered its curtain, blanketing the old factory complex on the city outskirts that had long been forgotten by the world. Moonlight reflected off puddles of oil and metal debris, creating an almost surreal atmosphere–as if this place stood between life and death.
Xavier sat in the front seat of the black SUV, his gloved fingers tapping the steering wheel in a calm rhythm. But I knew that calmness was only a thin layer over an ocean of rage he had suppressed for too long.
Behind our vehicle, four others were lined up. Xavier’s men–former mercenaries, hackers, and ex–corrupt cops now loyal to him.
“This is the place,” Xavier said, his voice heavy.
I stared at the building in front of us. Three concrete stories, windows sealed shut, only one entrance still open. And inside–those who had burned my life down to ashes.}
Amber Payne.>
The mastermind behind it all.
The cars stopped in unison. We got out. Xavier nodded at two men behind him. They raised their rifles, quickly moving to the side of the building. I followed closely, a small pistol gripped in my hand. My breath was steady. No trembling.
We slipped in through the side door. A dark hallway greeted us, smelling of rust and dust. Then, a voice–from the end of the hall. Laughter. Amber’s voice.
“What could that weak woman possibly do? She only knows how to make threats.“}
I didn’t need to hold back–I kicked the door open with a loud bang. Amber looked startled.}
“Sorry for the unannounced visit, Miss Payne.” I stepped forward, facing her terrified expression.
“Who let you in?!“}
My eyes shifted to the side–she wasn’t alone. The man I’d been looking for–Amber’s accomplice in the accident, and the one who set my house on fire. They seemed to be having drinks together.”
“Planning something else, are we? Mind if I help?” I crossed my arms, staring her down as she stood trembling.}
“Shut up!“}
Amber flinched when a bullet flew past her hand just as she reached for something in the nightstand drawer. Xavier had anticipated it.” Even so, three of Amber’s men jumped in. They began firing warning shots. We figured there was no need to hold back.”
In an instant, the mansion was swarmed by Amber’s crew, rushing in to protect their Young Miss from any intruders. Xavier’s men fought back without mercy.”
The roar of bullets shattered the night’s silence like relentless thunder. The deafening blast of assault rifles echoed through the narrow corridors of the Payne mansion, bouncing off the luxurious walls, creating a deathly rhythm that shook the soul.>
Each gunshot cracked like a close–range lightning strike–fast, brutal, and offering no time to breathe. Bullets slammed into metal, producing a sharp ‘clang!‘ like a hammer striking hot iron. When they hit walls or glass, they cracked and shattered into deadly shards like a storm’s debris.
The hiss of bullets zipping by sounded like death whispering near. Sometimes they came too close, with a “whizz” that pierced the ears and made your body duck on instinct, heart pausing as you waited for the next blast.
And amid the chaos, the chatter of automatic weapons spit out endless rounds, like a chainsaw roaring and devouring everything in its path. It wasn’t just the sound of war–it was a symphony of chaos, where a single second decided life or death.
Bullets struck the wall above us, sending sparks flying. We took cover, ducking low. Orders were being shouted. Amber’s men were spread across the upper two floors, their positions strategic. This wasn’t just a takedown. This was a bloodbath.&
Xavier drew his pistol, his eyes dark. “Take them all out. Leave no exits.”
What followed was carnage.!
Gunfire echoed throughout the building. I saw two of Xavier’s men roll to the right, locking onto a sniper on the second floor. One clean shot hit the chest of a man with a wild dog tattoo–the one who torched my house–and dropped him like a sack of trash. My heart pounded as I saw him sprawled out, blood pouring from his mouth. But I felt no relief. This was just the beginning.
I ducked and moved with Xavier into the open warehouse, chasing the mechanic who had sabotaged Maureen’s car as he tried to escape through a back window. Two bullets pierced his calves. He screamed, collapsing like a broken doll. Xavier didn’t stop. One more shot hit his shoulder. The man screamed until he went hoarse–but he wasn’t dead. That was Xavier’s intention.
Gunfire still blazed behind us. The dark hallway shook with the noise of bullets and dying screams.
Then I saw her.
Amber.
She was crawling at the end of the hall, her maroon party dress torn and soaked in blood–whether hers or someone else’s, I couldn’t tell. Her blonde hair was damp with sweat, her face scratched and battered.
“Amber Payne,” I murmured.
She turned, her eyes going wide when she saw me standing tall with my pistol pointed at her.
“Oh God… Laura, wait–we can talk-”
10
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1:06 PM
“Talk?” I stepped forward, my boots echoing on the concrete floor. “You killed Maureen. Burned my house down. Made me live in hell for eight years. And now… you want to talk?”
She shook her head, backing away, her body trembling. “I… I only wanted what’s best for Oliver-“N
“And you think that means killing everyone around him?
Suddenly, Amber pulled a small knife from her waistband. But she was too slow. I was ready.N
My first bullet struck her shoulder. She screamed, staggering against the wall.N
“Even if I handed you over to the courts, prison wouldn’t be enough for someone like you.“N
The second hit her thigh, bringing her to her knees.
She groaned, crawling with one hand, dragging her leg behind her. “Please… Laura… forgive me-“N
I stepped closer. My breathing was calm. I stood right in front of her, staring at the woman who had once taken everything from me.
“And you think I’d forgive you?“N
I lowered my pistol. Aimed it at Amber’s head as she looked up, eyes full of tears, mouth open in a final sob.
Her head snapped back. Her body collapsed–dead without a last word.N
I took a deep breath. For the first time in years–the air felt light. No more lingering revenge. No more nightmares with her face. Amber’s body and her career were both destroyed, along with her confession that had spread across social media.N
Footsteps approached behind me. Xavier.N
He looked down at Amber’s body, then at me. “You finished it.“N
I nodded. But my eyes stayed fixed on the blood pooling on the floor, forming a meaningless pattern.
“Their game is over.”
I looked at Xavier, my voice low but firm.N
“But my life is just beginning.”
One week later, we stood in front of a modest wooden house on the outskirts of Kraków, Poland. The spring wind tousled my hair as an old man opened the door.
His eyes stared at me, blank for a second… then filled with tears.N
“Laura…
I smiled, holding back a sob.§
“Dad…”
I hugged him, and the world felt whole again. Behind us, Xavier stood quietly, giving us space to piece back together a life once shattered.
From death, from betrayal,‘ from fire and blood-
Grew love, justice, and a new beginning.
And for the first time…”
I didn’t look back.
