02:00 AM - Interrogation Room
The interrogation room grew even quieter as an officer entered, handing a brown folder to Harold. He opened it, his eyes scanning each document meticulously. After a moment, he lifted his head and looked at Thomas, who sat with his head down, struggling to contain his sorrow.
"So, you got all these files from John?" Harold's voice was firm but carried a trace of empathy.
Thomas nodded slowly, his voice barely a whisper. "Yes... He asked me to hand them over to the chief of police."
Gareth, who had been silent until now, clenched his jaw, his anger evident. "Those bastards always play dirty! I'm going to make them pay!"
Harold quickly tried to calm his partner. "Enough, Gareth. We've already exposed this case."
"No, Harold!" Gareth snapped, his fists tightening. "I need to make him pay. That bastard, Merlin. He killed John, killed Maya, and framed Thomas!"
Thomas buried his face in his hands, his body trembling as emotions surged through him. His voice was almost inaudible as he whispered, "I'm sorry, Maya... I couldn't protect you..."
Harold stepped closer and patted his shoulder. "We'll clear your charges and set you free, Thom. You were just a pawn in this conspiracy."
Fragments of memory began to realign in Thomas' mind.
-----------
9:00 PM - Maya's Apartment
Two shadows crept into the quiet apartment. Maya sat on the couch, her eyes sparkling as she admired the ring Thomas had just given her. A joyful smile adorned her lips, oblivious to the danger lurking nearby.
Suddenly, a rough hand clamped over her mouth, and the cold barrel of a gun pressed against her temple. Her body stiffened in shock.
"Where is Thomas?" a chilling voice whispered into her ear.
Another set of footsteps approached. A man stood before her, his gaze intimidating. "Where is Thomas? Hand over the files, and we'll let you go."
Maya struggled, but the grip was too strong. Alex, the man holding her, finally released his hand from her mouth.
"Who are you?!" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
SMACK!!
A brutal slap struck her cheek, making her wince in pain. A trickle of blood escaped the corner of her lips. Maya sobbed but held onto what little resolve she had left.
Merlin picked up her phone from the table and smirked. "Call Thomas. Now."
Maya hesitated, staring at the phone. The gun pressing harder against her temple left her no choice.
Alex whispered in her ear, "Stay calm. Don't make him suspicious."
With trembling hands, Maya dialed Thomas' number. The line rang before the voice she longed to hear answered.
"Baby... Where are you?" Maya's voice was steady, though her heart pounded violently.
On the other end, Thomas sighed. "Oh, sorry, love. I forgot. I'll be there soon."
Maya forced herself to stay composed. "Alright, darling. I'll be waiting. Bye... Love you."
The call ended. She glared at them with pure hatred.
"Good," Merlin said coldly before grabbing Maya and tying her to a chair. She struggled, but it was futile.
---------
9:30 PM - Maya's Apartment
Thomas knocked on the door. No answer.
He tried the doorknob. Unlocked.
A sense of unease crept over him. Slowly, he pushed the door open and stepped inside the dimly lit apartment. As he reached the living room, his breath caught in his throat.
Maya was tied to a chair.
"Maya?!" He rushed forward, but-
THUD!!!
A crushing blow landed on his head. His vision blurred as he collapsed. Footsteps approached, and someone grabbed him by the collar.
WHACK!!!
The butt of a gun struck his temple. Pain radiated through his skull. Thomas blinked, trying to regain focus. The figure holding him shoved him into a chair forcefully.
"Where are the files?" Alex's voice was ice-cold.
Thomas steadied his breath. "What files? Who are you?"
A hand yanked his hair back harshly. "Where did you hide them?!"
Thomas groaned in pain, his gaze flickering toward Maya, still bound.
"Let her go, and I'll tell you where the files are."
THWACK!
Another punch sent him sprawling to the floor. Blood dripped from his lip. He slowly lifted his head, locking eyes with Alex.
"I said, let her go, and I'll give you the files."
Merlin grabbed Maya's hair, sliding a blade across her cheek.
"Hey, bastard! Look at me! Don't involve her! I'll give you the files!" Thomas gestured toward his bag on the couch. "They're inside!"
Alex snatched the bag and pulled out several sheets.
"This is it?!"
THUD!
Another brutal punch.
"Where's the rest?!"
Gasping for air, Thomas replied, "Let her go first, and I'll hand over the rest."
Alex stepped closer, his eyes filled with loathing. "Negotiation is pointless."
Merlin glanced at him. "What are you doing?! We don't have all the files yet."
"We will, Merlin."
"Hey, wait!" Thomas raised his hands, but before he could finish-
A needle plunged into his neck.
A burning sensation spread through his body. His vision distorted. Through the haze, he saw Alex pointing a gun at Maya's head.
"Tell us where the rest of the files are!"
His consciousness wavered. The world echoed in muffled tones. His mind clouded.
Through his blurry vision, Thomas realized Alex was handing him a gun, whispering, "Finish her, Thom!"
Thomas blinked, shaking his head, trying to focus. His trembling hands aimed the gun at Merlin, but at the same moment, Alex aimed at Maya.
Merlin, sensing the shift, immediately turned his gun on Alex. "What the hell are you doing, Alex?! You're ruining everything!"
Alex grinned. "If you won't, I will."
BANG! BANG!
Alex fired. The bullet barely missed Maya, grazing her temple and drawing blood. Shocked, Merlin retaliated, shooting Alex in the head.
Merlin's eyes widened in panic as he realized what he had done. Meanwhile, a semi-conscious Thomas kept pulling the trigger.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
Empty.
Merlin, trembling, grabbed the gun from Thomas' hand, then took Alex's weapon. His gaze flickered to Maya, still bound. Without thinking-
BANG! BANG!
Merlin shot Alex again and then turned the gun on Maya. The bullet tore into her chest. Her body jerked backward, blood pooling on the floor. Her breaths came in desperate gasps as she fought to stay alive.
Panicked, Merlin wiped his fingerprints off the gun and placed it in Thomas' hand.
CRACK!
He slammed Thomas' head into the table. Thomas collapsed onto the floor beside Maya. His vision blurred, his ears ringing. He could only watch as Maya struggled to breathe, blood staining her lips.
Tears welled in her eyes before she finally exhaled her last breath.
Thomas wanted to scream, to reach for her, but his consciousness faded into the abyss.
Silence consumed him.
-----------------
The continuation of this story, back to "Chapter 1"