No One Is Buying Her Bike

Chapter 2: The Woman in Apartment 3B

Adrian moved before Sophie understood the danger.

He pulled her behind him, and the bicycle clattered against the curb. His guards stepped between him and the silver-haired man.

"Mr. Caldwell," Adrian said coldly. "Take your hand out slowly."

Caldwell smiled. "You are making a public scene over a street child and a broken bicycle."

"Your hand."

Caldwell lifted both hands. Empty now.

Adrian did not relax.

Sophie clung to the bicycle, shaking. She did not know these men, but she understood fear. People who hurt others did not always look cruel.

Adrian crouched to her height.

"Your mother is sick," he said. "You were trying to sell the only thing you had. I am offering help."

"You ripped my sign," Sophie whispered.

"Because no one is buying your bike," he said. Then, softer, "Because I am not letting you sell it."

Something in his voice made her pause.

Caldwell interrupted. "We have a board vote in forty minutes."

"Cancel it," Adrian said.

"You cannot cancel it."

"Watch me."

Caldwell's calm cracked. "Adrian, think carefully. You are reacting to a ghost."

Adrian turned. "Say one more word about ghosts."

Caldwell fell silent.

Sophie led them six blocks east, away from polished shops and glass towers. They reached a narrow brick building with a broken buzzer.

"Apartment 3B," she said.

The apartment was small, hot, and painfully tidy. Medicine bottles lined the counter. Bills sat under a chipped mug.

"Mom?" Sophie called.

No answer.

In the bedroom, a woman lay pale and sweating beneath a thin blanket. Even after twenty years, Adrian knew her at once.

Emily.

Sophie climbed onto the bed. "Mom, I found someone. He said he could help."

Emily opened her eyes.

When she saw Adrian, her body went still.

"No," she whispered.

Adrian stepped forward. "Emily."

She panicked. "Sophie, get away from him."

Behind Adrian, Caldwell appeared in the doorway.

Emily saw him and began to tremble.

"You," she said.

Adrian slowly turned.

Emily's voice broke. "You told me he died."

Caldwell sighed.

"Well," he said, "this is unfortunate."