Chapter 12 - The Church of AshesThe church stood on a cliff above the ocean.
Waves crashed against the rocks below.
Marcus entered alone.
The doors creaked.
Candles burned along the walls.
At the altar stood an elderly woman.
She turned.
Marcus stopped breathing.
"Mom?"
She smiled.
"My boy."
Marcus crossed the room.
He hugged her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she whispered:
"I'm sorry."
Marcus pulled away.
"For what?"
"For everything."
He stared at her.
"Why did you let me believe you were dead?"
"Because your father wanted me dead."
"Then why are you alive?"
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Because I ran."
Marcus looked toward the windows.
"Where's Mia?"
His mother shook her head.
"Richard has her."
"I know."
"No."
Her voice became urgent.
"You don't understand."
She grabbed his hand.
"Richard isn't holding Mia."
Marcus froze.
"Then who is?"
His mother whispered:
"Victoria."
Marcus turned.
Victoria stood in the doorway.
Her face was expressionless.
Marcus stared.
"What did she do?"
Victoria slowly raised her hands.
"I didn't hurt her."
"Where is my daughter?"
Victoria looked at his mother.
Then at Marcus.
"She's safe."
Marcus stepped forward.
"Where?"
A gunshot shattered the church window.
Victoria fell.
Marcus caught her.
Blood spread across her shoulder.
Thorne shouted:
"Sniper!"
Everyone dropped.
Marcus dragged Victoria behind the altar.
His mother crawled beside them.
Ethan returned fire through the window.
"How many?"
"One."
Marcus looked at Victoria.
"Who shot you?"
She shook her head.
"I don't know."
Then she whispered:
"Maybe I do."
She pulled a small device from her pocket.
A tracking beacon.
Marcus stared.
"You were tracked."
Victoria nodded.
"But not by the Foundation."
"Who?"
She looked at Daniel.
Daniel's face went white.
Victoria whispered:
"Him."
Marcus turned.
Daniel had disappeared.
The church doors slammed shut.
Marcus stared at the empty doorway.
"Daniel."
No answer.
Then his phone buzzed.
A message.
YOUR CHILDREN ARE NOT WHERE YOU THINK.
Marcus opened the attached photograph.
Mia.
The newborn.
And beside them—
May you like
Daniel.
Marcus's blood went cold.
