The Return of the Hades

The robber

8

Cersei sat in her luxurious office, her eyes fixed on the locked safe containing the coveted golden apple. She listened intently as her secretary, Lilian, went through a pile of offers and rejections.

Lilian sighed as she put down another offer. "Sorry, miss Smith, but they're not offering enough. It seems everyone wants a taste of that golden apple."

Cersei's smile wavered slightly, her smugness giving way to a flicker of annoyance. "They think they can lowball me? They have no idea what this apple is worth."

Lilian nodded sympathetically. "It's incredible how much attention it's getting. People are willing to do anything to get their hands on it."

A pang of worry shot through Cersei's heart. "Do you think someone might try to snatch it from us? I can't afford to lose it now."

Lilian's eyes widened slightly. "I wouldn't put it past some desperate individuals. The allure of the apple is driving people to extremes."

Cersei's mind raced with thoughts of potential threats and the consequences of losing the apple. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "We can't take any chances. I want the apple guarded with the utmost security. Get bodyguards with live ammunition, and make sure they know to shoot to kill if necessary."

Lilian's expression turned serious. "Are you sure about this, miss Smith? It could escalate the situation."

Cersei's voice grew firm. "I won't risk losing the apple. We've come too far. The golden apple will be presented to the mayor tomorrow, and nothing can stand in our way."

As she spoke, Cersei couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt. Was she being too cautious? Or was she underestimating the lengths people would go to possess the mythical fruit? 

"I can't afford to let anyone take it from me," Cersei thought, a mix of determination and anxiety coursing through her. " The apple is my ticket to success, and I won't let anyone ruin it."

She turned her attention back to Lilian. "Make the arrangements for the bodyguards immediately. And keep an eye on the news. I want to know if anything suspicious happens."

Lilian nodded, her face reflecting a mix of concern and loyalty. "Of course, miss. I'll do everything I can to protect the apple."

Cersei sighed, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. 

"I won't let anyone take the golden apple away from me," Cersei thought resolutely. "Not tonight, not ever."

After chatting for a few more moments with Lilian, Cersei drove home.

*****

Darien sat at his desk as news came in that Cersei had abruptly left the company. "This is unexpected," he thought aloud. 

Lavinia replied, "Do you think she took the golden apple with her?" 

Darien pondered this, "I find that unlikely. If she did, there would be no need to hire extra security." 

Just then, his phone buzzed with an urgent message. "Sir, we have a situation at Ms. Smith's residence. An unidentified man has entered the premises."  

At her home, she swung open the front door, her thoughts filled with dreams of success. But those hopes shattered in an instant as cold metal pressed against her skull.

Cersei pulled up to her home, her mind buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Tomorrow, she would present the golden apple to the mayor and cement her future as a respected businesswoman. 

As she opened the front door, images of success danced in her head. She imagined shaking hands with the mayor, having her picture in the newspaper. People would finally recognize her talents and drive. No one would ever doubt her again.

"This is it," she thought, a smile spreading across her face. "All my dreams are about to come true." 

But as she stepped inside, her joyful musings shattered like glass. She froze as cold metal pressed into her skull. 

"Don't move," a gruff voice growled. Cersei's blood turned to ice. This couldn't be happening, not tonight of all nights. She wondered how had this man gotten in? What did he want?

"W-what do you want?" she asked shakily, raising her hands in surrender. Fear gripped her heart as her mind raced through terrible possibilities. Would this man take her life? Ruin everything?

She raised her hands slowly. "P-please, I have money. Jewelry too. Just take what you want and go." Her voice trembled with fear.

The man scoffed at Cersei's offer. "Don't play games with me lady. I don't want your pathetic trinkets. I know you have something more valuable than money or jewelry."

He pressed the gun harder into her skull, causing her to whimper in fear. "Where is it? Where's the golden apple?"

Cersei's mind raced. How did he know about the apple? He must surely have learned about it on social networks. She needed to remain calm to survive this. "P-please, I just want to live. You can search the whole house, take anything. I won't call the police, I promise."

Darien listened intently to the situation unfolding in Cersei's house through the wiretap his team had placed. His subordinates looked at him with concern. 

"Sir, should we move in to protect Ms. Smith?" asked Lavinia urgently. "That man sounds unstable and she's in danger."

Darien paused in thought. "I do not believe the apples are actually in the house. As long as the robber does not lose control of his emotions and kill Cersei, I am not overly concerned about the situation. For now, we wait and watch."

The guards exchanged uneasy looks but did not challenge their boss further. Darien leaned back, analyzing the scenario. 

"That apple is the key for my health. I cannot allow Cersei or anyone else to jeopardize our plans," he muttered. Louder, he said "Keep monitoring for any changes. The moment he discovers there is no apple there, he may become volatile."

Inside the house, Cersei pleaded with the intruder as he held her at gunpoint. "Please, just let me prove there's nothing here for you. Search the whole place, I have nothing to hide." 

The man grabbed her arm roughly. "Show me where it is now or I'll blow your brains out." His grip was like a vice, cutting off her circulation. 

Tears welled in Cersei's eyes from the pain and terror. "O-ok, just don't hurt me. It's not here, it's in my office."

The man glared at her suspiciously. "You're lying! Tell me where it really is or I'll end you right now." He cocked the gun with a threatening click.

Cersei shook with fear. "I swear on my life, that's where it is. We were preparing it for tomorrow's presentation. You can check my car, my purse, anywhere you want. There's nothing here for you."

The man considered her words carefully. After a tense moment, he replied "Alright, you've got one chance to prove you're telling the truth. Take me to your office, and no funny business or you're dead."

Cersei nodded hurriedly. "O-of course, just please don't hurt me. My car is outside, we can go right now." She prayed someone at the office could help her get away from this madman. 

As they drove in tense silence, Cersei's mind raced. Why was this man so desperate for the apple? What did he want with it? She glanced at his stony expression, gleaning no answers there. 

Finally she spoke up, her curiosity overcoming her fear. "May I ask...what do you want with the golden apple? There must be a reason you're doing this." 

The man growled, not taking his eyes off the road. "You don't need to know my reasons, lady. Just get me to that apple before I lose my patience."

Cersei fell silent again, her heart pounding. 

Darien leaned back in his chair with a sigh as he gazed at the grainy surveillance footage. When the old man walked past the surveillance camera, he saw his fate.

"No, no." He ran a hand down his face with a sigh. "The poor man is desperate." He turned to Lavinia. "Lavinia, bring the extract of The Dragon Blood Bodhi that I have prepared."