EQUINOX REQUIEM
CHAPTER FIVE: ONE GOOD TURN
"Mom, I'm sorry. This is all my fault…"
Lyric grabs her mom's thighs tightly. Her wails flood the air around them. Mrs. Wren, unsure of what was happening, can only stand there. Her focus is on getting them out of this nightmare alive.
Skreee!!… Vrooom!!!!
From within the horde, men are sent flying. A car bursts through the mob and drift-parks in front of the Wren family. The door swings open, and a man in a suit greets them. "Get in."
The family freezes for a moment. Mrs. Wren pulls Lyric into the car first, followed by Hale and Asher. The vehicle accelerates into the mob again, crushing anything in its path, the driver unfazed.
---
On a long, empty road, a black jeep is parked at the side. It's new but dented and streaked with blood. Three black cars approach—a limousine leading two jeeps. They stop a short distance away, and men in black suits step out. From the blood-stained jeep, the Wren family emerges, shaken but alive.
"It's been tough on you, Mrs. Wren. I deeply apologize for everything over the past two days." He pauses, watching her reaction. "And Hale… I owe you a debt of gratitude."
Mrs. Wren frowns. He notices. "I'm Summer Case, CEO of Summer Sunshine." He gestures toward the convoy. "If you'll allow me, I'd like to take you all to a hospital first—for a checkup."
Mrs. Wren hesitates. "I don't know you. Why should I trust you with my children?"
"Huhn? Please, don't misunderstand me. Your son saved my daughter from abductors. That act put your entire family in danger. I could never risk harming you further."
Mrs. Wren glances at her sons. Asher looks just as stunned. Hale finally speaks. "It's true, Mom. It was me who put us in danger. I'm really sorry."
"Now isn't the time to talk about that. Let's get you to a hospital first," Mr. Summer says calmly. Mrs. Wren nods reluctantly. "Okay…"
---
At a private hospital, Hale sits with Lyric on one bed while Asher reclines on another, holding a book to his face. Mrs. Wren watches them, thoughts racing.
"They only have light injuries. They'll be fine after some rest," the doctor assures them.
"Thank you, doctor," Mr. Summer replies.
"It's my pleasure."
After the doctor leaves, Summer turns to the family. "You're fine, just need rest. All this happened because your son stopped my daughter from being kidnapped. That's why your family became a target."
"It's true, Mom. On Friday, I saw a group harassing a young girl. I stood up to them. They tried to beat me, but I escaped with her unharmed," Hale says.
Mr. Summer studies Hale, understanding immediately.
"You shouldn't put yourself in danger like that," Mrs. Wren scolds gently.
"Thank you, Mr. Summer," Hale says.
"It's my pleasure. Hyacinth told me everything that happened that evening. Your son is a hero. I can never repay him."
Hyacinth… pretty name, Hale thinks quietly.
Mrs. Wren nods. "Have you reported this to the police? Those people are dangerous."
"No," Mr. Summer says firmly. "Involving the police now would be a mistake. These people are powerful. They have connections everywhere. Acting prematurely could expose us further."
"Then what should we do?" she asks.
"It'll be safer if you stay with us, if you don't mind," he replies.
Mrs. Wren hesitates, then nods. "I guess we'll have to accept your generosity."
"That's settled. I'll leave you to rest. I'll return tomorrow at noon to take you to my place. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Mr. Summer," she responds.
Lyric, Asher, and Mrs. Wren head to bed. Hale, however, remains awake, restless until dawn. After extra checks by the doctor, the family is discharged. Summer arrives to escort them to the vehicle. After thirty to forty minutes, they reach an estate, stopped at the gate by a guard.
"Are you a visitor or an owner?" the guard asks.
"Hey! Rookie! That's Mr. Summer's car! Let him in," another guard shouts.
Mr. Summer?! My employer?! I can't believe I met him on my first day! A thousand bells rung in the guard's head at that moment.
"I'm sorry I stopped you, Mr. Summer! I didn't know it was you—"
"It's okay. You were doing your job. You're new here, right? What's your name?"
"Malus. Malus Pumila, sir."
"Come by my villa later, Malus."
"Yes, sir."
The gate opens. The car drives in. The young guard is stunned. "Am I in trouble?" he asks rhetorically.
"Nah! You're lucky, meeting Mr. Summer on your first day. Just go see him later," the other guard says.
The young guard watches the car disappear down the road toward the villa, a mix of awe and relief washing over him. Maybe Mr. Summer was gonna offer him something good.
Chapter Five -- End.