Page 32 of Thunder

"Grandma's stable, but unconscious," he says quickly, before I can even ask. "The doctors won't let anyone see her."

"Then we have to do something," I growl, my voice thick with anger and grief. "We have to make them pay."

"Marcus..." Owen starts, hesitating, but I shake my head, cutting him off.

"Whoever did this to Eileen, to your grandmother, they'll regret it. I promise you that."

"Let's hit them where it hurts," Owen says. "Their offices are on the outskirts of town. They won't see it coming."

I nod, the fire of vengeance burning in my chest.

"We'll make them regret ever coming to this town," I promise, clenching my fists tightly.

We head back to the parking lot. I slide onto my motorcycle, while Owen gets into his car, and we tear out of the lot, leaving burning rubber in our wake.

In minutes, we’re outside of town. The office building looms before us, its dark windows staring back like soulless eyes. With a glance at each other, then we approach the front doors, knowing this isn’t the time for subtlety, only revenge; we break inside, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the silent halls.

"Let’s sweep the ground floor, check for any security. You armed?" I whisper to Owen, who nods in response. We split up and search the ground floor. Finding no one, we head to the higher floors, where the project managers have their offices. If there’s anywhere to find information that could sink the project, or even just do maximum damage, that’s the place to be.

As we approach one office, I notice a faint glow coming from under the door. My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I carefully push open the door, and there she is—Lia, working late, her brow furrowed in concentration as she pores over documents spread across her desk.

"Marcus?" she gasps, her eyes widening in fear. "What are you doing here?"

"Owen, leave," I order, not breaking eye contact with Lia.

“You sure about that?” He replies.

“I’ve got this. Get out of here.” As Owen steps away, I brace myself for the confrontation to come. A storm rages within me, a tempest of emotions fighting for control: anger, desire, grief, and an undeniable need for justice.

"Tell me why, Lia," I demand, my voice raw with the weight of my emotions. "Why did you do this to Eileen?"

"Marcus, I don't know what you're talking about.”

"Enough lies," I growl, clenching my fists. "You can't hide from the truth any longer."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Lia hisses.

"Me?" I snarl, my anger boiling over. "You're the heartless bitch, the murderer, the monster!"

"Murderer? I have no idea what you're talking about!" she shouts back, her hands shaking as she clutches a pen tightly in her grip. "Why are you breaking into my office? I'll call the cops if you don't leave right now."

"Call them. Maybe they can tell us why Eileen's dying." The words slip out before I can stop them, and my rage crumbles into grief.

"Marcus,” she says, her voice softening, the concern on her face calming my rage. “What happened?"

"It's Eileen." My throat closes up, making it hard to breathe. "The old woman from the community meeting. She’s one of those in your way… I just came from the hospital. The doctors think she might've been poisoned."

"Poisoned?" Lia's eyes widen, and she takes a cautious step towards me. "I didn't know, Marcus. I swear."

"Didn't know, or didn't care?" I snap, my body tensing up again. "How can I believe anything you say?"

"Just think for a second, Marcus," she pleads, her hand reaching out to touch my arm. "You think I’m some murderer who would want some old woman dead just because I’m worried about my job? I’m driven, but I’m not fucking heartless. I'm sorry. I truly am."

But her words fall on deaf ears.

All I can think of is Eileen, lying there helpless, while the woman responsible stands in front of me. My resolve falters as I look at her, her eyes filled with genuine concern and regret.

"You don't understand," I choke out, the words scraping against my throat. "Eileen, her grandkids, Owen and Natalie… they mean more to me than you could ever know."

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