I took a deep breath and tried to calm my pounding heart. ‘Will she be okay?’ I asked, my voice barely audible.
Harlan nodded, his gaze softening slightly. « She is in good hands, » he assured me, his tone surprisingly gentle given his reputation. He turned to consult with one of the medics and left me behind, kneeling on the cold, hard ground.
A man in a neat black suit came up to me and gave me a small blanket. « You need to cover yourself, » he said, pointing at my shivering body. « It is freezing cold here. »
I hadn’t even noticed the shiver running through my bones when I focused on Belle, but now the cold hit me with full force. I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders, grateful for the warmth.
After what seemed like an eternity, Belle was carefully lifted onto a stretcher and loaded into one of the SUVs. Harlan came back to me, his facial expression inscrutable.
‘You did something brave,’ he said. ‘You saved my daughter.’
I shook my head. « I just found her, » I replied, not knowing how to respond to his gratitude.
‘Not everyone would have stopped,’ he said with a serious look in his eyes. ‘I am grateful to you for that.’
I didn’t really know what to say. I had only done what I hoped others would have done in my place. But as I watched the SUVs drive away and the garage fell eerily silent, I wondered what this unexpected encounter would mean for my life.
The world felt different now, as if an invisible thread connected my fate to that of Harlan Voss and his daughter. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was merely the beginning of something much bigger than myself.
I stood alone in the garage, the events of the night playing out in my head like a film I couldn’t pause. My thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of my phone – a message from an unknown number.
Thank you, Rue. We will contact you.
I stared at the screen, a mixture of fear and curiosity swirling in my chest. Harlan Voss was not someone to ignore, and I felt that whatever happened, it would change everything.
As I walked out of the garage and stepped into the icy Detroit night, I couldn’t help but wonder: what would happen next? One thing was certain: this story was far from over.
Are you just as curious as I am about where this journey will lead you? Then be sure to keep watching for the next part. Leave a comment below if you want to read more! Part 3 will be released soon.