Chapter 88

Chapter 88

SEBASTIAN

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I couldn't shake the feeling that the boy knew something important. He

acted like he recognized the person in the photo but didn’t want to say

anything. I wondered why he was keeping secrets from me.

I decided to follow him, hoping he'd tell me more. But no matter how

hard I tried, I lost sight of him in

the busy streets.

I slumped my shoulder in defeat. But I have no plan to give up.

Especially now that there's hope of finding Blaire here. I had a feeling

that I'd be close to finding her. I wasn’t planning on leaving until I found

out the truth.

I tried to find a hotel nearby where I could settle for the night while

waiting for reinforcement.

As I trudged along the dimly lit streets, a sense of determination burned

within me, refusing to be extinguished by the weight of uncertainty. “I

won't give up,” I muttered to myself, the words echoing in

the stillness of the night.

Just then, a voice broke through my reverie, startling me out of my

thoughts. “Hey, you lost, buddy?” A gruff voice called out from the

shadows.

I turned to see a burly man leaning against the wall of a nearby

building, his features obscured by the

darkness.

“Not lost, just looking for a place to stay for the night,” I replied, trying to

keep my voice steady despite the unease that prickled at the back of

my neck.

The man nodded, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Well, you're in luck.

There's a motel down the road, just a few blocks away. Not the fanciest

place, but it'll do in a pinch.”

6

“Thanks; I'll check it out,” I said, grateful for the tip.

With a nod of thanks, I turned and continued on my way, the promise of

a warm bed and a roof over my head spurring me forward.

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Chapter 88

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As I reached the motel, I pushed open the creaking door and stepped

inside, the musty smell of old carpet and stale air washing over me.

“Good evening, sir. How can I help you?” The receptionist asked, her

voice polite but tinged with weariness.

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“I'd like a room for the night, please,” I replied, flashing her a tired

smile.

“Certainly, sir. Just sign in here, and I'll get you sorted,” she said, sliding

a weathered ledger across the

counter.

After completing the necessary paperwork followed the receptionist

down a dimly lit corridor, my

footsteps echoing softly against the worn linoleum floor. She stopped at

a non—descript door and handed

me a key.

“Room 203. Enjoy your stay,” she said with a forced smile before

disappearing back into the shadows.

I entered the room and closed the door behind me, the weight of

exhaustion settling over me like a heavy blanket. Collapsing onto the

bed, I allowed myself a moment of respite, knowing that tomorrow

would bring new challenges and new revelations in my quest to

uncover the truth.

iii}

The room wasn't anything like the fancy hotels I used to frequent during

business trips. It was clean and all, but it lacked the comfort and luxury

I was used to. Despite the cheap price, I just couldn't settle down.

Instead of sleeping, I found myself staring at the ceiling, lost in thoughts

that seemed to spiral endlessly. My mind kept wandering back to

simpler times, when things weren't so complicated.

You mean when Blaire was still crazy about you? The little voice inside

my head piped up, cutting through the silence with its blunt truth.

I let out a heavy sigh, conceding that the voice had a point. I used to

take advantage of Blaire's devotion, knowing she'd always be there,

waiting for me no matter what. But now, everything felt different.

Hoping to clear my mind, I figured a few drinks might help me doze off.

Spotting a bar nearby, I headed over there. It was dimly lit and cozy—

the perfect place to drown my thoughts in a glass or two.

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Chapter 88

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As I walked in, the sound of chatter and laughter filled the air, providing

a welcome distraction from my racing mind. I found a seat at the

counter and ordered a drink, hoping it would ease the turmoil within

1. me.

“One glass of bourbon, please,” I ordered.

The bartender, a burly man with a friendly grin, slid the drink over to

me. “That would be five dollars,”

he said with a nod.

“Thanks,” I muttered, taking a sip and relishing the burn as it slid down

my throat.

“You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders,” the

bartender remarked, wiping

down the counter.

“You could say that,” I replied, offering a half-hearted smile. “Just trying

to clear my head, you know?"

He nodded sympathetically. “Well, you're in the right place for it. Folks

come here to escape their

troubles all the time.”

I chuckled softly, the tension in my shoulders easing ever so slightly.

“Guess I'm not the only one then.”

The bartender gave me a knowing look. “We all have our demons,

friend. The trick is learning how to

live with “em.”

I nodded in agreement, taking another sip of my drink.

I wasn't even down to my first glass when I suddenly felt something as

if someone had been lurking in the shadows and was watching my

every move. The feeling of being watched lingered—a prickling

sensation at the back of my neck that refused to dissipate. Despite my

efforts to dismiss it, a sense of

unease settled over me like a heavy blanket.

As I took another sip of my drink, I couldn't shake the feeling that

something was off. The usual chatter of the bar seemed to fade into the

background, replaced by an eerie silence that made my skin crawl.

I glanced around the dimly lit room, searching for any sign of the

mysterious presence that seemed to haunt me. But aside from the

usual patrons lost in their own conversations, there was nothing out of

the ordinary.

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Chapter 88

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Brushing it off as paranoia, I forced myself to relax, determined not to

let my imagination get the best of me. But deep down, I couldn't shake

the feeling that I was being watched and that, whoever it was, they

were waiting, biding their time in the shadows.

Once I'm done with my second glass, I decide to go back to my room

as I planned. I haven't had that much to drink, so I'm still fine walking to

my room. The night is already deep, and the street was only lighted by

a few street lights. And as soon as I reached the dark alley, I felt a hard

thing hit my head. The

next thing I knew, everything went blank.

After finishing my second glass, I resolved to return to my room as

intended. The alcohol hadn't dulled my senses too much, so I felt

confident walking the streets alone. The night had grown late, and only

a handful of streetlights lit the path.

As I passed through a dark alley, a sudden blow struck the back of my

head with force. Pain exploded through my skull, and then darkness

swallowed me whole. My consciousness slipped away, leaving me at

the mercy of the unknown assailant lurking in the shadows.

4/4.

I

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