[Scene open - A week later | Private Hospital]
The soft beeping of machines had become a distant memory. Maya sat on the edge of the bed, now dressed in simple clothes, her hairs tied loosely behind her head. The sun filtered through the blinds, washing the room in pale gold.
Henrik entered with a light knock.
Henrik: "The discharge papers are ready. Caleb's waiting outside."
She didn't respond. Just nodded. Her eyes -dull, tired-carried a weight far heavier than wounds.
[Scene shifts - Outside the hospital | Black SUV]
Caleb leaned against the car, his dark overcoat fluttering slightly in the breeze. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze never left the hospital entrance.
When Maya finally stepped out, their eyes met.
Caleb: "Let's go."
She didn't argue. Didn't ask where. She just got in.
[Scene change – Rooftop of a nearby building | Unknown figure watching]
A figure cloaked in shadows watched the car drive away through binoculars. His lips curled into a twisted smirk.
???:Serrano's daughter… alive and walking under Caleb's protection.Interesting.
His voice was cold. Calculating.
He lowered the binoculars, pulling his phone out.
???: "She's out. Begin phase one."
[Scene – Outside Caleb's Mansion | Late Evening]
The car pulled up to a towering black gate. It slid open automatically as they approached, revealing a massive, cold mansion hidden behind tall stone walls. The property was surrounded by security lights and armed guards patrolling the grounds.
Maya stared out the window, her eyes widening slightly.
Maya (softly):"This is… where you live?"
Caleb (without emotion):"Yes."
The car came to a halt. A few guards stepped forward and opened the doors. Maya stepped out slowly, her eyes scanning the intimidating structure before her.
Maya (thinking):It looks like a fortress… not a home.
She noticed how every guard stood alert, some carrying visible weapons. Her steps slowed.
Maya:"Why is it so… guarded?"
Caleb:"Precaution."
Maya (nervous):"From what?"
He glanced at her but said nothing
Caleb:"Let's go inside."
As they walked through the grand front doors, the silence inside was even heavier than outside. The marble floors gleamed under dim lights, and the high ceilings gave a chilling sense of emptiness.
[Scene – Caleb's Mansion | Night]
The soft creak of the door echoed as Caleb led Maya into the mansion. Her eyes wandered over the luxurious yet intimidating interior. Something about this place felt cold... but not unfamiliar.
Maya (quietly):"Have I... been here before?"
Caleb (without looking at her): "Yes."
Maya:"I don't remember it. But it feels strange... like my chest is heavy."
Caleb:"You don't need to remember. Just focus on resting."
He opened a door and stepped aside, letting her in.
Maya (hesitant):"Why are you doing all this for me?"
Caleb (his voice low):"Because you have no one else."
She looked up at him, searching his face
Maya:"Do I really not?"
A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, but it disappeared just as fast.
Caleb:"Not anymore."
Maya (softly):"But… thank you. For not leaving me alone."
He didn't respond. He simply gave her a nod and turned to walk away.
As he disappeared into the shadows of the hallway, Maya whispered to herself:
Maya (thinking):Why do I feel like... he's hurting too?
[Scene – Caleb's Study | Night]
The fire in the corner crackled faintly, casting flickering shadows across the room. Caleb sat back in his leather chair, eyes locked on the dancing flames. His mind wasn't on the fire, though — it was on her.
Caleb (thinking):Maya... What did I do to you?
The quiet knock on the door broke his thoughts.
Henrik:"It's me."
Caleb didn't look up.
Caleb:"Come in."
Henrik entered, standing straight but silent. Caleb finally turned his gaze to him.
Caleb:"Anything about the person near the hospital?"
Henrik (shaking his head slightly):"We tried. Whoever it was disappeared before we got a clear look. It's like... they were never there."
Caleb (tense):"Ghosts don't follow people. Real ones do."
Henrik:"We're expanding surveillance. But so far, nothing. Still no traces."
Caleb leaned back, jaw clenched.
Caleb:"Keep pushing. If they show themselves once… they'll show themselves again."
Henrik (firmly):"They won't get close, not while I'm breathing."
Caleb (coldly):"Make sure of it."
[Scene – Guest Room | Late Night]
Moonlight streamed in through the tall windows as Maya lay awake in the large, unfamiliar bed. Her fingers gripped the edge of the blanket, eyes open, staring at the ceiling.
Maya (thinking):Why can't I sleep? Why does this place feel… heavy?
She sat up slowly, walking toward the window. Her eyes wandered across the dark mansion grounds. Men in black moved along the fences — guards. Armed and alert.
Maya (soft whisper):Is all of this... for me?
She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cool glass.
Maya (thinking):He says nothing. Shows nothing. But why does he look at me like that?
She exhaled shakily… then paused.
---
[Scene – Mansion | Early Morning]
Sunlight poured through the windows, bathing the mansion halls in warmth. Birds chirped faintly outside.
Maya stood on the balcony outside her room, breathing in the fresh morning air. Her eyes were soft, distant, but calm — for once, her chest didn't feel so heavy.
Maya (thinking):It's quiet… almost peaceful.
She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sun touch her face.
[Scene – Mansion Grounds | Afternoon]
The day had passed quietly.
Guards moved on routine patrol. Maya stayed inside, calm but distant. Caleb had remained in his office most of the day, monitoring the outside perimeter without saying much.
Then—BOOM.
The ground shook violently. An earth-splitting blast ripped through the western wall of the estate. Glass shattered. Birds scattered into the sky. A plume of black smoke rose high above the trees.
Alarms blared.Guards screamed over radios.Chaos erupted.
Guard (shouting):"Explosion! Explosion on the west end! This is not a drill!"
Inside the mansion, Caleb froze mid-step, the sound still ringing in his ears. The floor beneath him had trembled.
Henrik (rushing in):"West side—someone hit the perimeter wall. They hit hard."
Caleb (furious):"Who the hell dares to plant a bomb… on my property?!"
He stormed out without waiting for a reply.
[Scene – Blast Site | Minutes Later]
The smoke had started to clear.
The damage was heavy — part of the outer wall blown in, the power grid blackened. Pieces of twisted metal lay in the grass. But no bodies. No breach.
Henrik (checking his comm):"All sectors report clear. No injuries. Whoever did this — they didn't plan to enter. This was just a message."
Caleb stood in the middle of it all, jaw clenched, his coat fluttering in the smoke-filled air. His guards moved around him in tension.
Caleb (cold rage):"They bombed my home."
Henrik (tense):"Do we respond—publicly?"
Caleb (low and deadly):"No. Not yet. We don't move until we know who's stupid enough to challenge me."
Smoke filled the air. Caleb stood in the center of the wreckage, his coat dusted with ash, guards moving around him in tense coordination.
Suddenly, he turned to Henrik sharply.
Caleb:"Where is she?"
Henrik (understanding instantly):"Secure. She's in her room. I had two men posted on her floor."
Caleb's jaw tightened, his tone ice-cold but laced with urgency.
Caleb:"Double that. No one gets near her."
[Scene – Inside the Mansion | Same Time]
Maya had dropped to the floor the moment the explosion rattled the walls. She held herself tightly, heart pounding.
Guards rushed past her door.
She sat frozen, eyes wide, breaths short.
Maya (thinking):What… what was that?
Then her door burst open — Henrik's men stood alert.
Guard:"You're safe, Miss. Orders are to stay with you at all times."
She didn't reply — just nodded silently, shaken but unharmed.
[Scene shifted to Caleb]
One of the guards approached, holding something.
Guard:"Boss… we found this near the back fence. Intact. Planted deliberately."
It was a sealed envelope.
Caleb snatched it, ripped it open — and inside was a photo.
Maya.
Sitting alone in her hospital bed.
The angle… distant. Spied on.
Henrik (stunned- staring at the photo):"That was taken before we left the hospital…"
Caleb's fingers tightened around the image. He stared at it for a long moment.
Caleb (quietly, jaw clenched):"They didn't bomb my home to scare me…"
A beat.
Caleb (voice dropping):"They're after me. And they're not afraid to use her."
He looked away, fury flashing in his eyes — but behind it, something heavier…
Guilt.
Caleb (thinking):She doesn't even remember who I am… and now she's in danger again. Because of me.
TO BE CONTINUED…