Chapter 3: The Funeral That Was Never Real

Chapter 3: The Funeral That Was Never Real
The café no longer existed.
Not in her mind.
Only memories.
Rain.
Black umbrellas.
A polished coffin.
A priest lowering his head.
White lilies.
She remembered every detail.
She remembered touching the coffin herself.
"I saw you."
She whispered.
"I touched your coffin."
The man slowly nodded.
"You did."
Her eyes searched his face desperately.
"Then who..."
"...was inside?"
He closed his eyes.
"Forensic records were changed."
"DNA reports disappeared."
"Witnesses were paid."
"The body belonged to someone no one would ever come looking for."
A horrified silence swept across the terrace.
The elegant woman backed away.
"No..."
"No."
"This isn't possible."
"It wasn't meant to be."
He looked toward the little boy.
"They weren't trying to kill me."
"They were trying to erase me."
The stranger reached into her handbag.
She removed a worn leather envelope.
Still sealed.
Still carrying an official government stamp.
"I've protected this for twelve years."
She handed it to the elegant woman.
"Don't open it here."
The elegant woman stared at the envelope.
"What is it?"
The stranger's smile disappeared.
"The names."
"The people who planned everything."
"The people still watching us."
Almost instantly...
A black luxury SUV rolled slowly past the café.
No license plate.
Its windows completely dark.
Inside...
Someone was filming.
May you like
Black.
A low bass rumble.