Shadow Of Grace

Chapter 5: Shadows Close In

Ring, ring. Edward’s phone buzzed against the nightstand. He was fast asleep, but the call jolted him awake.

It was Mr Marcus.

Why would he be calling me so early? Edward thought, rubbing his eyes.

He picked up.

“Edward!” Mr Marcus barked through the phone. “Report to my office. Now.”

The line went dead.

Edward rushed through his morning routine, barely pulling himself together before running outside. Clara stood by her scooter.

“Hello there,” she greeted.

“Hi Clara, would you mind taking me by your scooter? I have somewhere urgent to go.”

“I’m headed to the circus,” he said slowly. " But why are you in such a hurry?"

Clara hesitated, biting her lip.

“Just take me there!” Edward snapped, more desperate than angry.

She had no option but to let him on, though she kept wondering why Edward was in such a rush.

Sooner or later, they arrived at the circus. Edward jumped off before the scooter stopped and sped off toward Marcus’s office.

He stood outside the wooden door for a moment. His palms were slick, his chest thudding like a drum he couldn’t quiet. He tried to steady himself, but the pounding only grew worse.

Finally, he pushed the door open.

Marcus sat behind his desk, papers scattered like fallen leaves, his posture radiating command — the kind that crushed whoever stood before him.

Edward stepped forward. Once. Twice.

“Stop right there,” Marcus barked.

Edward froze. His pulse raced out of control.

“You’re finished here,” Marcus said flatly. No pause. No hesitation. Just a decapitating drop.

Edward’s throat tightened. “I don’t get it, sir,” he said, voice shaking.

Marcus leaned back, his eyes sharp as knives.

“The last time I checked, you aren't deaf.. ‘Finished’ means you don’t work here anymore. From today onwards, you’re done.”

Edward swallowed, but Marcus wasn’t finished.

“Whatever garbage you’ve left lying around this circus, gather it and get out. Don’t ever show your face here again.”

Clara continued to wait for Edward, yet she did not spot him. She chose to enter the circus to look for him. She halted—she listened to voices beyond the office wall—Marcus' door was ajar. She reduced  her steps in order not to be noticed by them

...."You shouldn't have let the young man go; how will he manage now?" Mr Hovey whispered gently. His tone consistently sounded serene and collected. "You and I understand that the sponsor dislikes abrupt changes, particularly regarding him." "I'm fully aware that you believe this boy could jeopardise your business simply by executing that amazing trick he executed."

Mr Marcus' response was direct and straightforward: "Don't preach to me, Mr Hovey." Moreover, that’s not the reason I let him go. I have anticipated what might occur if he keeps working here. He might divert the spotlight from me and acquire all the glory. That boy possesses the talent, but he doesn't deserve it. "I would take away that talent from him if I could."

Clara tightened her fists, her gaze brimming with fury. "I have to go look for Edward." "Where should I start searching for him?" Hovey sighed, "To safeguard your pride and enterprise, you jeopardised a young boy's future." That's all. "The sponsor needs to be aware of this."

Marcus regarded him with an affected, remorseful expression, "Please don’t inform the sponsor." He grinned. "Keep in mind that I am wed to your daughter." "Should you say anything, Mr Man, she will suffer the consequences."

Mr Hovey shook his head and exited the office angrily. Clara needed to locate a hiding spot, but it was too late; Mr. Hovey had already spotted her. He gazed at her and said, "Please go look for Edward, and don't disclose the information you have just heard."

Clara stood still. She only had a mission– finding Edward.

A convoy recently entered through the gate, resembling the one that appeared during the yearly celebration. Performers adjusted their outfits, cleared the sweat from their brows, feigning busyness with their tasks. The animals appeared uneasy, as though they were aware that a storm had come.

A woman emerged from the car, the one who financed everything, making an annual appearance shrouded in mystery. Everyone was excited to see her face, but she kept the hood on, putting everyone's emotions in jeopardy. Some claimed she donned veils to conceal her face, suggesting she could be extremely beautiful, while others believed she might be a witch. Clara was concealed among the crowd, still searching for where Edward had disappeared, but then she noticed the incredible event—the sponsor's arrival.

Marcus was present, greeting at the entrance with an inviting smile. "Madam," he stated, "it is a privilege," Clara observed shifts in Mr Marcus's demeanour; his eyes reflected fear while his movements remained steady.

With a cool demeanour, the sponsor posed a question to Mr Marcus, the exact question he dreaded the most.

"Where is the boy?"

He made every effort to dodge the question, but the sponsor was eager for a response.

"Where is the boy?" the sponsor reiterated.

"Which boy, ma'am?" Mr. Marcus inquired in a pretentious manner. "Present the video to him, Mr. Carter." Mr. Carter went on to display the video to him.

"Ohhhh!" "Edward," he breathed. "He submitted his resignation letter and angrily left the building." The sponsor was in disbelief at what she heard. She understood in her heart that it was untrue.

Suddenly, a voice emerged—cutting and bold, Clara.

"It's untrue."

Everyone turned their gaze toward her. Who dared to challenge those statements? "He's deceiving you." Edward was here this morning as always, but Marcus let him go. It was due to the party, as Edward had attracted attention he never desired and believed was detrimental to his business, not because Edward chose to resign.

Her voice fell into the silence like stones. All were stunned. Marcus turned pale; he realised he was in trouble. "This... this girl," he faltered, gesturing, "she's uncertain about what she means." Madam, do not trust her; she is obviously fabricating. "Why would I treat such an incredible talent like that?" The sponsor lifted her hand, prompting Mr. Marcus to be quiet. She leaned her head toward the small girl who had revealed his secret. "You express yourself so confidently for someone so young." "Do you happen to know where he resides?"

Clara responded, "Certainly, I can lead you there." "It will just require 30 minutes to arrive."

The sponsor responded, "Excellent, take the lead." She glanced back at Marcus; no words spoken, yet her gaze alone startled him. He understood he was in danger if they discovered Edward.

Marcus sensed the earth tremble under him, yet he didn't dare to stir.

Clara, shaking, moved ahead to take the lead. The circus held its breath as the veiled woman followed the young girl into the shadows of the backstreets.

Edward walked around the streets aimlessly his chest still heavy from Marcus' dismissal. Every step he took resonated pointlessly as if the world had blacklisted him. He didn't notice black coloured van that was shadowing at a distance with its headlight shining as bright as the morning star.

Then came throbbing footsteps behind him.

"Hey...!"Before he could turn, coarse hands seized him. A tall, battered man stepped out of the van and landed a fist at his nose that knocked him out.

"Let's go, let's go!" The battered man yelled. Together they hauled him into the van. " Clara !" Edward was able to make a little bit of noise when he saw Clara. Clara knew she had been called out to but couldn't comprehend where it was coming from. The van sped off, leaving only silence.

That same hour, they had gotten to his house. They knocked but no one opened the door. Clara insisted they barged into the house, maybe he might be in trouble. They did as the young girl had insisted. She entered the room. She looked all over for him. Still no trace of Edward. She knew deep in her heart that something was wrong.

"He's not here." She whispered. The sponsor's veiled gaze fluttered towards her; "And you think?"

" I don't know where....Wait a minute," she froze. A short memory did hit her like a blow– Edward's faint cry. He had called out to her but she didn't pay attention to it.

"He's been kidnapped. Angelo's men; they've taken him."

"Taken?" asked the sponsor. "Then he's alive – for now." Clara spun on her with her fists trembling: " How can you say that? We have to get him back!"

"If he's been kidnapped as you said, the kidnappers must have taken him somewhere. And wherever that place is... Angelo must be there. We have to find him"

Clara spoke as if it were her boyfriend who had been kidnapped. Edward wasn't just missing. He was in Angelo's hands.

" Mr Carter, send a call out to the detectives. We got ourselves a problem to fix. As for Mr Marcus, send him a nice letter telling him to pack out from that office. "

"On it, ma'am", Mr Carter responded. Clara was pacing the room back and forth. " Edward is out there. Every second we waste, he slips further away. Madam, sponsor, endeavour to find him. " She pleaded with the sponsor.

The night had fallen on them, and there came the detective. " Sorry, I came later. Mr Carter informed me of the kidnapping case. We'll track the van . But once we move, there's no turning back."

Then let's go find him...before it's too late. Clara urged the detective. The night swallowed them as they set out, the question burning louder than their footsteps.

Would Edward be found in time or would Angelo's plan be successful