Chapter 6 - The Broken Sanctuary
The rain began to fall heavily against the corrugated tin roof of the garage, creating a deafening rhythm. Julian walked out of the workshop into his small, modest office attached to the side of the building. The room was sparsely furnished—a wooden desk, a leather couch, and framed schematics of high-performance engines hanging on the walls.
He poured himself two fingers of dark amber scotch from a crystal decanter he kept hidden in a bottom drawer. As he took a slow sip, his phone vibrated on the desk. The caller ID displayed a name that made his chest tighten: Clara.
He answered on the third ring. "Clara?"
"Julian..." Her voice was shaking, punctuated by heavy, ragged breaths. "Something's wrong. My father... he came home looking like a ghost. He was tearing through his office, screaming about audit reports and bank accounts. He told me... he told me I'm forbidden from ever seeing you again, or he'll destroy everything we have."
Julian listened silently, his expression darkening. Arthur was panicking, acting like a cornered animal. That made him dangerous.
"Where are you now, Clara?" Julian asked calmly, keeping his voice a steady anchor for her.
"I'm in my car. I left the house," she sobbed softly. "I couldn't stay there, Julian. He's insane. He kept saying your name... he kept saying you weren't real. What did he mean by that?"
Julian looked through the glass window of his office out into the dark garage, where Hector’s guards were quietly monitoring the perimeter. The trap was closing faster than he had anticipated.
"Come to the shop, Clara," Julian instructed softly. "I'll explain everything when you get here. You're safe with me."
"I'm ten minutes away," she whispered before hanging up.
May you like
Julian set the phone down and turned around to find Hector standing in the doorway, his eyes gleaming with cold anticipation.
"She’s coming," Hector stated. "The final act begins. Are you ready to shed the skin of the mechanic, my son?"
