New York, Queens

A Back Alley in the Suburbs

18:50

Clenching the hem of my skirt, I look up and out the window to the sound of a gunshot. The strange noises I've been hearing had raised my and my father's workers suspicion but the gunshot just now just about did it. His bodyguards decided to wait nearby to make sure the operation went smoothly, because they were mostly urged by me and now I understand why I felt uneasy. Another barrage of shots followed and then silence. I thought I saw something big move from the corner of my eye, but as I turned, there was nothing. After a few moments of hesitation, I finally decided to check out what was happening. Without heeding anyone's warning I rushed to where we left my father just a few minutes earlier and froze. He was there. He was there all right... Lying in a pool of his own blood, clutching his stomach with his hand. Next to him was... Wraith. As soon as we locked eyes he got up and ran past me. What was he doing there? Did he do that to Dad? Why didn't he help him? Questions were swirling around in my head. Questions I had no answer for. I ran to my dad's side kneeling next to him.

"Dad! What happened?" I spoke in a state of panic.

"Sarah..." He turned to me and smiled. That was the first time I saw him smiling like that.

"Dad..." My voice caught on my throat as I felt tears ran down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry, sweetie." He said in a pained voice.

"What are you apologizing for?! We're gonna get you to a hospital you're gonna be okay!" I shouted clenching his arm, my tears falling on his face like small drops of rain.

"No Sarah, this is as far as I go..." My dad replied softly touching my arm. "I'm so proud of you, Sarah. You were always my pride and joy... I'm sorry I couldn't save your mother..." He used the last bit of his strength to squeeze those words out as his arms and head felt limply to the side.

"No..." All I could do was deny the reality in front of me. My tears came falling down like an ever-ending waterfall as I heard a barrage of footsteps behind me. I didn't even bother to see who it was. The only thing in my mind, was how I had lost my only remaining parent.

"Daddy..." I called and called, but he never woke up. He would never, ever wake up again. For the first time in my life, I was truly, utterly and miserably alone. "Don't leave me alone!" I shouted as I felt a void consume my heart. How could this be happening? Why would Wraith do such a thing? I knew my dad was involved in shady business but that's a step too far! He never killed anyone before so why my dad? Why him?! Why should I be left alone?!

Wraith did this... And he's going to pay...I'll make him pay... in kind.

From this day onwards, I'm Sarah Crane. And Wraith is my enemy.