Chapter 35: The Newspaper Headline
The morning light filtered softly through the windows as I stood by the kitchen counter, a glass of water in hand. The cool liquid slid down my throat, but as I set the glass down, my eyes shifted to the newspaper on the table.
The headline jumped out at me, bold and unapologetic.
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"The Phantom Syndicate Shut Down by Private Investigator Samuel Gebb."
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I couldn't help but smirk as I read the words, the satisfaction bubbling inside me. The Syndicate was gone, and with it, the supernatural chaos that had once haunted this city. It was a clean sweep—no more dark artifacts, no more interference in the world's fragile balance. The shadows had been cast away, for now.
The news was good in more ways than one. Not only had I taken out a threat, but I had done so in a way that would keep unwanted attention at bay. It was clean. Efficient.
I looked at my reflection in the kitchen window, barely noticing the small scars on my body from the previous night's battle. But I was far from done. There was always more to be done, more to conquer.
Just then, I heard footsteps approaching—heavy and purposeful. I didn't need to look to know it was Abigail.
She walked in, her presence filling the room with a palpable tension. Her eyes were cold, but there was something else—something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"What's this all about?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Are you trying to play hero or something?"