The Ghost Of Riverton Manor

Bella didn't move.

The street was too quiet. Mason's gun was steady, aimed at Monroe. His eyes never left the man who had orchestrated half their pain.

"Get out," Mason said. "Now."He said loudly.

Monroe leaned back casually in the driver's seat, hands still on the wheel. "You sure about this, Mason? Because once you pick a side in this game… there's no switch-flipping later."

"I've already chosen." He responded.

Monroe chuckled softly. "You're doing all this for her? You couldn't save her sister. You think you'll do better this time?"

Mason's jaw tightened. "Step. Out. Now." He shouted.

Bella's heart was pounding. Her hand slid to the drive in her pocket, pressing it like a talisman. The vault's contents were now their only leverage.

Mason reached for the handle to pull Monroe out himself.

And that's when the bullet hit the window.

It didn't shatter, it exploded.

Glass sprayed like needles. Mason hit the ground hard. Bella dove behind a parked car. People screamed. Tires screeched.

More shots.

It was an ambush.

From across the street, two black motorcycles weaved through traffic, both riders armed.

Monroe didn't panic. He stepped out calmly and ducked into a side alley, disappearing into shadow like he'd done this before.

Bella saw him vanish.

But she had bigger problems now.

"Mason!" she shouted.

He was down but breathing. Blood at his temple. Conscious.

He looked up and shouted, "Run!"

She didn't. She stayed there.

Instead, she grabbed his arm, dragged him behind a nearby trash skip. Bullets tore into the car they'd just been leaning on. A tire exploded behind her.

Adrenaline took over.

"Give me the gun," she said.

Mason blinked. "What?"

"You're bleeding. And I'm not letting them take us out."

He handed her the weapon without any further question.

Her first time holding a real one.

It felt heavier than she expected, like it knew the weight of what it could do.

The attackers split, one circling behind.

Bella pressed her back to the wall, counted to three, and rose just high enough to aim.

BANG.

The shot missed.

The second came closer.

CRACK.

A shout. A fall.

The first rider tumbled off his bike and hit the pavement hard. The motorcycle crashed into a fruit stand with a screech.

Mason groaned beside her. "You're a natural."

She didn't smile.

The second bike was coming closer now. Too fast.

Bella grabbed Mason and ran, ducking through the alley Monroe had vanished into.

But he was gone.

Of course he was.

---

They didn't stop running until they reached a train station five blocks down. Mason's shirt was soaked with blood. Bella scanned the crowd for anyone out of place.

"We need to get off the grid," she said.

"Cash. Phones. Passport," Mason rasped.

Bella nodded. "I have all three. But we're not running. Not anymore." She said.

"You have the files?"

She tapped her coat.

"The notebook. The drive. Everything. And I know who can get it out into the world."

---

In a public restroom, she cleaned Mason's wound. He winced but didn't argue.

"You saved me," he said quietly.

"You jumped out of a car with a gun for me," she replied.

"Yeah, but I didn't get shot doing it."

She gave him a look. "You got grazed. Drama queen."

He smiled for the first time in hours , he was weak, but real.

"Are you with me?" she asked.

"I always was," he said.

"I need to know for sure."

He nodded. "Then let me show you where the real monsters live."