Chapter 10 - The Man in the Kitchen
Mark’s fingers hovered over the cold metal of the pistol before wrapping hesitantly around the grip, the weight feeling unnaturally familiar, as if his muscle memory recognized the balance even if his conscious mind did not. He clicked the safety off with a subtle flick of his thumb, his jaw set into a hard, unyielding line. Beside him, Elena grabbed a heavy wrench from the utility shelf, her dark eyes wide and fixed on the top of the stairwell where Lily's voice had just fallen terrifyingly silent.
"Stay behind me," Mark whispered, his voice carrying the chilling authority of the operative he used to be, a ghost waking up inside a normal man's body.
Mark took the lead, ascending the concrete steps two at a time with silent, fluid grace, while Elena and Arthur followed closely behind. As he reached the top of the stairwell, he pushed the heavy oak door open just an inch, peering out into the darkened hallway that led toward the kitchen and dining area.
The kitchen lights were flickering erratically. Standing near the breakfast island was a tall man dressed in a sleek charcoal-gray suit, his back turned as he knelt down beside little Lily. The man was speaking in a soothing, hypnotic tone, holding out a small piece of candy or a toy to coax her away from the dining table. Lily was clutching her gray stuffed rabbit so hard her small shoulders were trembling, tears shining in her eyes as she shook her head no.
"It's okay, sweetheart," the man in the charcoal suit said smoothly, his voice carrying a cold, artificial warmth. "Your mother and father are busy. I'm just here to take you on a little ride to see some old friends."
Mark felt a surge of pure, primal rage hot enough to melt steel. He shoved the cellar door wide open, stepping out into the hallway with the 9mm pistol raised and leveled squarely at the center of the man's back.
May you like
"Drop your hands where I can see them, and step away from my daughter," Mark commanded, his voice ringing out with a terrifying, absolute stillness that made the man in the suit freeze instantly.
---
