A sudden knock echoed through the house. She froze, glancing at the clock on the wall of her dimly lit room. The hands pointed to 11:45 PM. Her heart skipped. No one, absolutely no one, ever visited them at this hour.
Her pulse quickened as she rushed down the stairs, the creak of the wooden steps betraying her urgency. Suddenly, a loud clap of thunder rattled the windows, making her nearly lose her balance. Her eardrums throbbed from the intensity, and she clutched the railing to steady herself.
She reached the door and hesitated for a split second, her hand hovering over the handle. The knock had been firm, almost deliberate. She was skeptical—who could possibly be visiting her at this hour?
Taking a deep breath, Hannah pulled the door open. Standing on the other side was a man. Tall, with sharp features and a presence that seemed to command attention. He was dressed in a dark coat, his hair tousled by the rain. His eyes were a piercing blue, his jaw strong and square, giving him a rugged handsomeness that caught her off guard.
For a moment, she couldn’t place him. She scanned his face, but there was something about him that seemed oddly... familiar. Yet, she was certain she’d never seen him before.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice sounding steadier than she felt. Her mind raced with questions, but she kept them in check. Who is he? What does he want at this hour?
The man didn’t immediately speak. He just stared at her for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully.
"I need to talk to you," he said finally, his voice low and gravelly. "It’s important."
Hannah's heart beat faster, her instincts kicking in. She didn’t step aside, keeping the door slightly ajar as if to shield herself from whatever might be on the other side of this unexpected encounter.
"Talk to me about what?" she asked, her mind racing through possibilities. Could he be some kind of salesman? Or worse, someone trying to rob them? But there was something about him that felt... different. His gaze was steady, almost knowing, like he had come for a specific reason.
The man seemed to sense her hesitation and softened his posture slightly. “It’s not what you think," he said, his voice gentle now, almost as if he were trying to reassure her. "I know this is strange, but you have to listen. It's important for Henry.”
Her pulse quickened at the mention of Henry's name. She didn’t let her surprise show, but her mind immediately snapped to her little brother. “What about Henry?” she demanded, her voice sharp.
The man took a slow step forward, then stopped himself, as if sensing her need for space. "I can’t explain everything right now," he said. "But trust me, you and your brother are in danger."
A chill crawled down Hannah's spine. Danger? At this hour, on a stormy night, with no one around but her and Henry, it all felt surreal.
"How do you know about my brother?" Her voice cracked slightly as she asked, the words hanging in the air between them.
His eyes softened as he studied her, almost as if he could see right through her. “Because I’ve been watching over you both. For a long time.”
It had been a hectic evening for Hannah. She spent hours searching for a specific type of olive oil, running between three different grocery stores. To make matters worse, she narrowly avoided getting hit by a car while rushing across the street to pick up her little brother from daycare. By the time she got home, she was completely exhausted.
Her parents were successful doctors, and although they loved both her and her little brother, Hannah couldn’t help but feel angry at them for never truly being there. Ever since she was a child, their work had always come first—missed school recitals, skipped family dinners, empty chairs at every important moment. Whenever she brought it up, they brushed it off with the same tired excuse: it was all to secure her future.
When Henry was born, Hannah had hoped things would change—that maybe now her parents would finally prioritise their family over their careers. But she couldn’t have been more wrong. If anything, it got worse. Not long after, they accepted promotions at a prestigious hospital two towns away. Hannah was sixteen at the time—old enough, they said, to handle things on her own. And so, they left Henry in her care, promising to drive back every couple of days.
At first, their visits turned into phone calls. Then the calls became texts. And eventually, even those became sporadic. The only contact Hannah received from them each month was a small envelope—inside, a check for $7,000 and a handful of loose cash. The note that accompanied it was always the same: For you and Henry. Take care of both of you.
Now twenty-three, Hannah was deep into the grind of corporate life, working as an assistant to a high-powered lawyer. Her days followed the same exhausting routine: wake up, get dressed, prep Henry for school, pack his lunch, drop him off, grab coffee for her boss, work tirelessly all day, then rush back to pick up her bubbly, adorable seven-year-old brother from daycare.
Hannah was jolted back to reality when she saw the strange man glance over his shoulder, as if checking to see if he was being followed. His movements were quick, almost frantic, yet there was an undeniable air of protectiveness about him.
The man’s voice was low, measured, but urgent. His eyes locked onto hers, unblinking. “You’re not who you think you are,” he said, his words hanging heavy in the air between them.
Hannah's pulse quickened. The streets felt suddenly too quiet, as if the world had tilted just enough to make everything feel off-kilter. Her mind raced—who was this man? What did he mean? Her parents' disappearance had always been a shadow that loomed over her and Henry’s lives, an unsolved puzzle no one wanted to talk about.
“What are you talking about?” Hannah whispered, her voice barely audible. Her fingers tightened around the door handle, though she wasn’t sure why.
The man took a half-step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “The people you trust, Hannah—they’re hiding things from you. Things you need to know. Your parents didn’t just disappear. It wasn’t a coincidence. It was deliberate.”
She shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. “You’re insane.”
“No,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. “You’re just starting to realise that everything you’ve been told is a lie. I can explain it all, but only if you let me in. It’s safer for both of us if you do.”
The word safer lingered in the air like a threat, but somehow, it didn’t seem like one. There was something in his tone, something urgent yet protective, that made her hesitate.
She took a step back, trying to clear her mind, trying to ignore the way her heart was pounding. “Why should I trust you? I don’t even know who you are.”
The man didn’t flinch, didn’t seem to be thrown off by her doubt. “That’s the point, isn’t it? You don’t know who I am. But if you want answers—if you want to understand why your parents are gone, and what’s been hidden from you—you need to listen to me. Time is running out.”
She stared at him, torn between fear and a strange pull of curiosity. Her entire life had been a mystery, one that no one wanted to solve. Could he be the key to finally unlocking it?
“Why should I believe anything you’re saying?” she asked, her voice cracking despite herself.
“Because, Hannah, I’m the only one who can protect you now.”
The words hit her like a weight, sinking deep into her chest. She wasn’t sure what to do, what to believe—but for the first time in years, the possibility of answers seemed within reach.
“Let me explain,” he said again, his tone gentle but firm. “Please.”
The expression on his face was enough to sway Hannah. There was something in his eyes—an intensity, a silent plea—that made her decision feel inevitable.
Without a word, she stepped aside, her heart racing. She opened the door just wide enough for him to slip through, then slammed it shut behind him with a force that made the air feel heavy, as if the wind itself could be a threat.
He sank into the cozy-looking couch with the ease of someone who knew exactly what he was doing, his posture rigid, focused—as if every moment mattered.
Hannah cleared her throat, breaking the thick silence. "You want something to drink? Or maybe a towel? You're soaked." She motioned to his clothes, which clung to him, damp and heavy.
He let out a soft chuckle, his voice deep and warm. "Yes, please. That would be nice."
Hannah stood frozen for a moment, stunned. The man didn’t look anything like he had before—his smile seemed to light up his face, making him appear… human for the first time. There was an unexpected warmth in his expression, something almost joyful.
Her heart fluttered, and she felt a heat rise in her cheeks, embarrassed by how out of place this all felt. This was the first time she'd had a man in her living room, laughing. Especially not a strange man who’d just claimed that she and her brother were in danger—and that he was their saviour. The contrast between the tension of his words and the ease of his smile left her feeling disoriented.
She quickly left the room, grabbing a towel from the laundry she had folded earlier that day. When she returned, she handed it to him without a word.
He took it, his fingers brushing hers briefly as he began to dry himself off. His movements were methodical, but his gaze never left her as he spoke. “I know this is all a lot to take in,” he said, his voice calmer now, “but we don’t have much time.”
He paused for a moment, running the towel over his wet hair before throwing it aside, his expression hardening once again. “You don’t know who I really am,” he began, his voice lower, more intense now. “I’m not just some stranger who happens to show up at your door.”
Hannah frowned, confused, but there was an edge to his voice that made her listen carefully.
“I'm Sebastian. I was hired by your parents three years ago,” he continued, his gaze steady, almost apologetic. “To keep an eye on you and Henry. To protect you, in case something… happened.” He exhaled sharply, as if the words weighed heavily on him. “I was part of a team assigned to treat a woman—the wife of a man who... well, let’s just say he’s not someone you want to cross. His name’s Anton Vargo.”
Hannah's stomach churned. Vargo... that name was familiar. She’d heard whispers of it before, but only in hushed tones. She had no idea how it connected to her family, but the unease in her chest deepened.
“He’s the leader of a mafia syndicate,” he continued, looking almost apologetic. “And your parents? They were part of a medical team that treated his wife. She was terminally ill. They were trying to save her.”
Hannah's throat tightened. “But they didn’t...?”
He shook his head. “No. She died. And when she did, Vargo went mad. Blamed your parents for her death—he thought they’d failed her on purpose. That’s when things went south. Your parents didn’t want to deal with him after that. They knew they were in danger, so they ran. They’ve been in hiding ever since.”
Hannah's breath hitched, her mind racing. So, her parents hadn’t just disappeared. They had fled—fled from a madman who had the power to destroy them. And she and Henry had been left in the dark.
“Why... why didn’t they tell us?” Hannah whispered, barely able to choke the words out.
Sebastian’s eyes softened, his expression more conflicted now. “They thought they were protecting you, keeping you out of it. They didn’t want you or Henry to be involved. But they couldn’t outrun him forever.”
A sickening realization crept over Hannah. "They’re still being hunted, aren’t they?"
He nodded grimly. “And so are you.”
The words hit her like a punch to the gut. "Me? What do you mean, me? What does this have to do with Henry and me?"
He took a slow breath, his jaw tightening as if he hated what he was about to say. “Vargo... he’s coming after you now. Not just because of your parents, but because he knows they’re hiding. The only way to lure them out is through you and Henry. He plans to take you both hostage, force your parents to come to him... and then, he’ll kill them. It's all about vengeance.”
Hannah felt her legs weaken, and she gripped the edge of the table for support. Her mind spun. Her parents weren’t just gone—they were being hunted by a monster. And she and Henry were the bait.
“Why... why didn’t you stop him before?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the truth pressing on her chest.
“I was following orders,” he said, his voice hard. “I couldn’t get close to you, not while they were hiding. But now? Now that Vargo knows where you are, I can’t wait anymore. I’m here to protect you both. I can keep you safe. But only if you trust me.”
Hannah stood frozen for a moment, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. Her life, her family's disappearance—none of it had been random. It had all been leading to this point. The danger, the threat, the mystery that had clouded her past... it was all connected.
Finally, she spoke, her voice shaking but determined. "What do we need to do?"
Just as Sebastian was about to respond, a rumble of thunder shook the house, followed by a flash of lightning that illuminated the dark corners of the room. If she were alone, the storm would’ve been terrifying—wild and unrelenting. But with everything else that was happening, it barely registered.
Then, as the thunder finally subsided, soft cries echoed from upstairs. Henry.
Without a word, Hannah exchanged a glance with Sebastian- the annoyingly handsome man who had somehow become a part of her life- his gaze as unreadable as ever. He didn’t need to say anything. She knew what she had to do.
She hurried toward the stairs, her steps quick and determined, but heavy with the weight of what was happening. Her heart ached at the sound of Henry’s cries, and she knew she had to comfort him—regardless of the chaos swirling around them.
Hannah entered the room and found Henry curled up in the corner, tears streaming down his face. Without hesitation, she rushed over, pulling him into her arms for comfort.
“What’s wrong, bubba?” she asked gently.
“The lightning,” he sniffled, voice trembling. “It scares me.”
Her gaze softened, a lump forming in her throat. Her baby brother, so innocent, terrified of lightning—while a mafia was hunting them down.
When she couldn’t find the words, Sebastian’s voice came from the doorway, warm and playful. “Hey, don’t sweat it, buddy. It’s just Thor throwing a tantrum with his hammer. I’m pretty sure he’s just trying to show off, but I promise, he’s got nothing on you.”
As Hannah heard his words, a cold realisation hit her—Sebastian knew more about their lives than she ever imagined. He’d been watching them for three years, understanding them in ways even their parents hadn’t.
Henry’s reaction was a stark contrast to Hannah's. His eyes lit up, and he leaped from her arms, charging toward Sebastian. Grabbing his feet, he nearly screamed, “OH MY GOD! YOU KNOW ABOUT THE AVENGERS?!”
Sebastian and Hannah both chuckled at Henry’s enthusiasm. Kneeling down to his level, Sebastian booped Henry’s nose and grinned. “Of course, big guy. Who doesn’t?”
Henry laughed like he never had before, his giggles filling the room. But as the laughter faded, he suddenly seemed to realise that the Avengers fan he’d just bonded with was, in fact, a complete stranger. Slowly, he began to back away—an action Sebastian noticed immediately.
As the tension hung in the air, a loud crash echoed from the living room, followed by the unmistakable sound of glass shattering.
Sebastian’s head snapped toward the noise, his eyes narrowing. He was on his feet in an instant, his movements quick and precise, the earlier warmth in his expression gone, replaced by cold intensity.
"Stay here," he said, his voice gruff and commanding, leaving no room for argument.
Before Hannah could protest, he was swiftly, but slowly, going down the stairs, in complete stealth mode.
He moved to the front door, and she could hear him testing the locks.
Hannah was on the last step of the staircase with Henry half asleep in her arms when he turned, looking her square in the eye. "No time for discussion. Do you trust me Hannah?"
Her pulse thudded in her ears. The question wasn’t just about him—it was about everything she’d just learned. Everything that was suddenly real.
But as the sound of soft scraping on the kitchen door reached her ears, her heart screamed out.
“Yes,” she whispered, barely able to hear herself.
Sebastian didn’t waste a second. “Good,” he said, grabbing her arm with a firm grip. “Get everything you need. We need to move now.”
Hannah's legs were shaky as she ran up the stairs, her thoughts scattering in all directions. The weight of the situation was too much to process all at once—her parents’ disappearance, the mafia, and now a strange man claiming to protect them, but still, this was real. This was happening.
Hannah gently laid Henry on his bed, shaking him lightly to rouse him. “Come on, buddy, we’ve got to go.”
His eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding his expression. “What’s going on, Hannah?” he asked, his voice small, as if he could already sense the change in the air.
“Pack a bag, Henry. Now,” she said, her voice urgent. She wasn’t going to explain anything to him just yet—he was too young to understand. But she had to get him out of there, and fast.
Henry’s little hands scrambled to grab his favourite things—a small Captain America action figure, a book, a stuffed bear—and threw them all into his backpack. “Are we going on an adventure?” he asked, excitement bubbling up despite the tension in the air.
Hannah managed a smile, though it felt more like a mask. “Something like that,” she said, lifting him into her arms and holding him tightly as she rushed out of the room.
The house felt eerily silent now, save for the pounding rain and the occasional crackle of thunder. It felt as if the world outside had gone still, waiting for something to break the silence.
When Hannah reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Sebastian at the door, his posture alert, his eyes scanning the front yard through the peep-hole. He looked like he was waiting for something - or someone. As soon as she appeared, he nodded sharply towards the back door.
“We go through the back,” he said, his voice grim.
Hannah barely had time to process before Sebastian was leading them down the hallway, through the kitchen, and toward the back door. As they reached it, he stopped, motioning for silence. Leaning in close, his voice barely a whisper, he said, “Don’t freak out, but Vargo’s men are outside. I’m going to create a distraction. When I do, you and Henry run into the woods. Keep going until you find a small cottage—it's a safe house. Knock on the door, and they'll know who you are.”
Hannah's heart was racing, and she could barely breathe. But there was no time for fear now. She nodded, her mind focused on nothing but keeping Henry safe.
“Go,” Sebastian said, and then he turned and darted into the shadows, disappearing into the rain-soaked night.
The first shot tore through the silence like a thunderclap.
Gunfire rang out, sharp and unnerving, and Hannah's heart dropped into her stomach. Henry let out a frightened wail, gripping her tighter, his small body trembling.
“Go!” Sebastian’s command was sharp, cutting through the chaos. “Run—now!”
Her feet moved on instinct, the raw surge of fear propelling her forward. Henry clung to her, his tiny hands desperately holding onto her as they ran. Behind them, she heard shouts and the heavy thud of boots pounding the ground, the men chasing them, closing in fast.
She didn’t dare to glance back. The woods were ahead—the only hope they had—and she pushed herself harder, lungs burning as she forced herself to go faster. The sharp snap of another shot rang out, too close for comfort.
The trees were almost upon them. Hannah barely noticed the rain, the wet ground, or the darkness surrounding them as they crossed into the shelter of the woods. The sound of the pursuit was muffled by the thick foliage, but they weren’t safe yet.
“Henry, stay close to me,” she urged, her voice barely above a whisper, tight with fear.
She couldn’t afford to lose him—not now, not after everything that had happened.
The storm continued to rage around them, the flashes of lightning lighting up their path as they ran. Every step felt like an eternity, the wet ground slipping beneath their feet. Hannah barely noticed the rain now—her pulse drowned out everything else, the steady pounding in her chest a constant reminder of the danger they were in.
After what felt like hours, they finally stumbled upon the small, hidden cabin Sebastian had mentioned. It stood at the edge of the woods, weathered by time but solid enough to offer them shelter. Hannah's legs burned with exhaustion, and Henry’s tiny frame was shivering. She picked him up gently, trying to give him some warmth as she knocked on the door.
It opened almost immediately, revealing a woman with dark eyes and an air of quiet authority. Her gaze flicked over Hannah and Henry before settling on their dishevelled state.
“Who is it?” she asked, her voice calm but cautious.
“It’s me,” Hannah managed, her voice hoarse with fear. “We need help... we’re being hunted.”
The woman studied them for a moment, then nodded, stepping aside. “Come in. It’s not safe here.”
The door shut behind them, the heavy silence of the cabin swallowing them whole. Inside, the air was thick with tension. A man was sitting near the table, his face etched with fear. Hannah recognised the man and woman as her parents' colleagues. Researchers who had worked very closely with her parents before they vanished. They were here, and terrified.
The man at the table stood as they entered, his face pale, eyes flickering nervously. “You shouldn’t have come here,” he said, his voice trembling. “They’ll find you.”
Hannah's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the situation. “What’s going on? You know my parents. Where are they?”
The woman who had let them in spoke again, her tone quiet but serious. “Your parents have been hiding for years. They’re in hiding because of Anton Vargo.” She glanced at Hannah, her expression softening. “We were meant to keep you safe. Your parents didn’t want you involved.”
Before Hannah could ask anything else, a sharp knock on the door cut through the tension. The group fell silent, eyes wide with fear.
The door creaked open just a crack, and then, after a moment, Sebastian staggered inside. He was bruised, bloodied, and his clothes were torn, but he was alive. His breathing was ragged, and his face was etched with exhaustion and pain.
“Sebastian!” Hannah gasped, rushing to his side.
He smiled faintly, though it was strained. “I told you I’d find you.” His voice was hoarse but genuine.
Before she could ask anything else, Henry spoke up, his small voice cutting through the tension. “Are you gonna protect us?”
Sebastian looked down at the boy, surprised by the directness of his question. For a moment, his face softened. Then he crouched down, meeting Henry's eyes. “Of course, little guy. That’s what I’m here for.”
Hannah looked away, feeling a brief pang of jealousy at how easily Sebastian could connect with Henry, while her own thoughts were consumed with a darker reality. She turned back to him, her gaze steady. “We can’t keep running, Sebastian. They’ll find us.”
Sebastian’s expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he rose to his feet. His eyes never left hers as he said, “Then we don’t run anymore. We fight. We survive.”
There was something in his voice, something that pulled her in despite the fear. She wasn’t sure what it was—maybe it was the unwavering conviction, or maybe the fact that, despite everything, she still trusted him.
Hannah looked at him, meeting his eyes for a long moment. There was a strange connection between them now, something more than the necessity of survival. It was fleeting but undeniable.
"I’m glad you're here," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Sebastian nodded, his gaze steady but soft. "I told you, Hannah. I’m not going anywhere."
The weight of his words settled over her, grounding her in the chaos. For the first time since everything started, she didn’t feel completely alone. There was something in Sebastian—something real—that gave her a sliver of hope.
The rest of the room fell away. It was just Hannah and Sebastian in that moment, and despite the danger, despite the fear pressing in from every direction, Sarah allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could make it through this together.
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