257
Under the moonlit night, Nelly emerged from her bath, her hair dripping wet, a faint scent of wildflowers lingering in the air. With a mind swirling with thoughts of the enigmatic foreign men she had encountered earlier in the day, she settled herself in front of her computer, seeking solace in its glowing screen.
Clutching a pencil and a sheet of paper, she closed her eyes, the remnants of the day’s encounters playing like a haunting melody in her mind. In her mind’s eye, she strained to recall the intricate details of the mysterious tattoo she had noticed. And in mere moments, her eyes opened, an intensity in her gaze, as the pencil danced across the paper, sketching out the elusive pattern.
As she surveyed the drawing, her eyes narrowed, a feeling of unease gnawing at her gut. The tattoo on the paper differed slightly from the one etched onto her father’s skin, but her instincts whispered that there was more to it than just chance. It was a connection, perhaps a clue, that would lead her closer to the truth. It ignited a fire within her, a determination to uncover the culprit and put an end to the mystery.
Yet, her progress had been like stumbling blindly in the darkness, her efforts yielding little results. But her instincts whispered that the tattoo held the key, a guiding light in the shadows. Perhaps it would lead her swiftly to the truth, helping her unmask the culprit who had plagued her for so long.
With these thoughts lingering in her mind, she powered on her computer, embarking on a quest for information about the tattoo. Hours passed as she delved deep into the labyrinthine depths of the internet, but her search bore no fruit. Frustration coursed through her veins, mingling with a growing sense of suspicion.
It reminded her of the pain of her parents’ untimely demise, the wounds still fresh and unhealed. But she refused to give in to despair. With a sense of defiance, she abandoned the fruitless search for a needle in a haystack. Her nimble fingers danced across the keyboard, inputting a series of code that transformed the webpage into a haven for hackers.
This website, frequented by the most skilled hackers in the world, was akin to the gathering of a secret pack. They reveled in the thrill of special missions and challenges, their ranks determined by their skills and the time taken to complete these tasks. And among them, Nelly stood unrivaled, eyes shining with the fire of her prowess.
The quickest path to elevate one’s rank was through daring challenges. Conquer a challenge, and your stature would rise. It was a simple equation, one that held true even in this clandestine realm. As soon as Nelly appeared, whispers erupted, spreading like wildfire throughout the virtual space.
“Did you see that? Shadow Seeker has graced us with her presence!”
“How long has it been since she last logged on? Truly a legend.”
But while many yearned to witness her marvels, a daring few stepped forward, their voices resonating with a mix of admiration and fear. “Those who seek to improve their ranks, face the Shadow Seeker!”
Yet, one after another, they faltered, gazing at the time counter that stood as a testament to Nelly’s unrivaled skills. They realized they were no match for her, their determination quivering in the face of her untamed prowess.
“It’s futile to challenge her. Just bask in her glory, be inspired by her greatness.”
“I wouldn’t dare challenge her. The time alone tells me I’m not worthy.”
As Nelly observed the chatter, she took a decisive step, posting a bounty on the website. With bated breath, the hunters read the announcement, their murmurs heightening to a frenzy.
“Shadow Seeker has set a bounty! This must be something monumental!”
“The reward… It speaks of her unrivaled status.”
“What does she seek? Share your knowledge now!”
And as the answers poured in, Nelly watched silently, her heart pounding. This was the moment, the turning point in her quest for the truth. She couldn’t help but feel a mix of impatience and hope, the adrenaline coursing through her veins.Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Thalia made her way back to her abode under the cloak of darkness, a sense of weariness weighing on her shoulders. Just as she reached the lowest floor of her building, her phone shuddered to life, slicing through the silence.
Wariness etched across her face, Thalia answered the call from Tony, her voice laced with a hint of unease. “Hello?”
Detecting the subtle tremor in her tone, Tony probed, concern shading his words. “What’s wrong? You don’t sound alright.”
She replied with a quiet, “Nothing.”
“You’re not fooling anyone,” Tony insisted.
Silence hung heavy, Thalia wrestling with her emotions, unable to articulate her turmoil.
“Where are you?” Tony inquired, his voice holding a tinge of worry.
In the midst of her inner turmoil, Thalia hesitated, her eyes locked on the screen of her phone. Eventually, she relented and revealed her location. The call ended abruptly, leaving her staring at her phone for a fleeting moment before she continued her journey.
Yet, to her surprise, she was greeted by the sight of Ben and Tony awaiting her at the bottom of the stairwell. Confusion and shock mingled on her face as she took in their presence.
Tony clutched his phone, a tracking device revealing Thalia’s whereabouts. Ben pointed towards a spot nearby, urging, “Over there.”
Inching closer, Tony hurriedly pocketed his phone as he closed the distance between them. His brow furrowed, he beheld the disheveled state Thalia was in. “W-What happened to you?”
A bitter smile flickered on her lips. “It’s nothing.”
Tony’s gaze scrutinized her, an intense stare that seemed to pierce through her facade. “Is that man responsible?”
A fleeting pause swept over her, the name Spencer hanging in the air. “It was an accident.”
Tony studied her, realizing that Thalia was not one to easily fall victim to misfortune unless she allowed it. With a moment of contemplation, he urged, “Go to the hospital. Don’t brush this off.”
“No need,” Thalia replied, her voice filled with stubborn resolve.
“But your injuries-” Tony began.
“It’s nothing serious,” she dismissed, her words final as she turned to ascend the stairwell.
Tony moved to follow, but Ben halted him with a firm grip on his arm. Gestureing towards a different direction, he silently conveyed a message.
A short distance away, Spencer stood beneath a towering tree, his eyes fixed intently on Thalia. Tony’s brows knitted together, a storm brewing within him at the sight of the man.
Wordlessly, Tony signaled his brother to be by Thalia’s side. Ben, understanding the unspoken command, followed Thalia into the building.
With a tense expression, Tony set his gaze on Spencer, wrestling with his thoughts. Slowly, deliberately, he approached the man, prepared to confront whatever lay between them.