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A wanted arsonist. A frightened family. A symbol that shouldn't exist.
When Laric, Allen, and Zanna visit Colin Mercer's home searching for answers, they uncover a strange mark hidden in his bedroom—one that seems far older than it should be. As the mystery deepens, an unexpected visitor arrives, forcing them to confront a terrifying possibility: Colin may be connected to something far beyond a string of fires.
The news was still playing when Laric muted the television.
“...Authorities are urging residents to remain alert. Colin Mercer is believed to be responsible for multiple acts of arson across the city. Police warn the suspect may be dangerous...”
The screen froze on Colin's face.
Allen shook his head slowly.
“That’s insane.”
He looked back at the screen.
“Colin? An arsonist?”
Laric didn’t answer.
Something about it bothered him.
Ever since the fire at the recreation center, a feeling had settled in the back of his mind. A quiet uneasiness he couldn't explain.
Zanna Sinclair leaned against the doorway, arms folded.
“Maybe we should talk to his parents.”
Laric nodded.
“Yeah.”
His eyes remained fixed on Colin's image.
“We should.”
__Mrs. Mercer opened the door after the second knock.
She looked exhausted.
The tired smile she offered vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
“You’re Brian Sessions’ nephew, right?”
Laric nodded.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“We've seen your uncle on television,” Mr. Mercer said as he joined her at the doorway. “He does a lot for this town.”
Laric shifted uncomfortably.
“We just wanted to ask about Colin,” Zanna said gently.
The couple exchanged a glance.
A familiar one.
The kind shared by people who hadn't slept much lately.
Mrs. Mercer stepped aside.
“Come in.”
The house felt different than Laric remembered.
Too quiet.
Too still.
As though everyone inside had been holding their breath for days.
They moved into the living room.
Family photographs lined the walls.
Most showed Colin smiling beside his parents.
Camping trips.
Birthday parties.
Baseball games.
Normal memories.
Normal life.
Allen studied one of the pictures.
“He doesn't exactly look like a criminal mastermind.”
Mr. Mercer managed a humorless laugh.
“Neither did we.”
The room fell silent.
Finally Laric spoke.
“When was the last time you saw him?”
Mrs. Mercer lowered her eyes.
“Three days ago.”
“He came home late,” Mr. Mercer added. “Barely said a word.”
“He looked exhausted,” Mrs. Mercer said. “Like he hadn't slept in weeks.”
Her hands tightened together.
“And he smelled like smoke.”
Laric exchanged a glance with Allen.
“We've tried calling him,” she continued. “The police have tried finding him. Nothing.”
“He's not a bad kid,” Mr. Mercer said quietly.
“No,” Laric replied.
He thought back to the recreation center fire.
“No. I don't think he is.”
Mrs. Mercer looked toward the staircase.
“His room is upstairs.”
__A bed.
A desk.
Bookshelves.
Nothing unusual.
Then Laric felt it.
The same uneasy feeling he'd had since seeing Colin at the fire.
His eyes moved across the room.
And stopped.
“Guys.”
Allen looked over.
“What?”
Laric pointed toward the desk.
A dark circular mark had been burned into the wood.
Perfectly round.
Strange lines crossed through it.
Sharp.
Deliberate.
Ancient-looking.
Allen stepped closer.
“Well that's not normal.”
“No,” Laric agreed.
“It isn't.”
Mrs. Mercer appeared in the doorway.
Her expression immediately changed.
“That wasn't there.”
Laric looked back at her.
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
Mr. Mercer stepped beside her.
“I've never seen that before.”
Zanna moved toward the desk.
The closer she got, the more serious her expression became.
“I know I've seen something like this.”
Laric looked up.
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
She crouched beside the desk.
“Maybe a history book.”
Allen folded his arms.
“That narrows it down.”
Zanna ignored him.
“It looks old.”
“How old?” Laric asked.
She ran her eyes along the carved lines.
“Biblical old.”
The room suddenly felt colder.
Allen reached out and touched the edge of the mark.
His brow furrowed.
“Huh.”
“What?” Laric asked.
Allen rubbed his finger against the wood.
“It doesn't feel burned.”
Zanna looked over.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean...” Allen rubbed it again. “Burned wood is rough.”
He traced the edge carefully.
“This is smooth.”
Laric stepped closer.
Allen was right.
The symbol looked less like a burn mark and more like something that had been melted into the desk.
Mrs. Mercer frowned.
“That's strange.”
She hesitated.
“Actually...”
Everyone looked at her.
“The last few days Colin kept filling notebooks.”
“Notebooks?” Laric asked.
She nodded.
“Drawing symbols.”
Zanna immediately straightened.
“Like this one?”
“I don't know.”
Mrs. Mercer thought for a moment.
“Some of them looked similar.”
Laric stared at the mark.
The uneasiness in his chest grew stronger.
Something about it felt wrong.
Like it didn't belong.
A floorboard creaked somewhere in the hallway.
Everyone froze.
Another creak.
Closer this time.
The bedroom door slowly opened.
And Colin Mercer stepped inside.
__
His clothes were dirty.
His face looked pale beneath the grime.
Dark circles hung beneath his eyes.
For a moment he simply stared at them.
Then his gaze settled on the symbol.
His expression tightened.
Almost fearful.
Mrs. Mercer gasped.
“Colin.”
His eyes shifted toward her.
Something softened.
Just for a second.
Then it vanished.
“Mom.”
The word sounded distant.
Like it had taken effort to say.
Mrs. Mercer took a step forward.
“Please come home.”
“Don't.”
The response came immediately.
Not angry.
Afraid.
Laric stepped forward.
“Colin, what's happening?”
Colin looked at him.
For an instant Laric thought he saw recognition.
The old Colin.
The real Colin.
Then it was gone.
“You shouldn't be here.”
Allen frowned.
“Okay, that's not exactly reassuring.”
Colin's gaze returned to the symbol.
His breathing quickened.
“Leave it alone.”
“What is it?” Zanna asked.
Colin didn't answer.
Instead he backed toward the doorway.
“Just leave it alone.”
The overhead light flickered.
Once.
Twice.
The room grew warmer.
Laric smelled it first.
Smoke.
Colin closed his eyes.
As though he already knew.
Then flames erupted from the curtains.
Mrs. Mercer screamed.
Mr. Mercer grabbed her.
“Everybody out!”
Allen lunged for the door.
“Move!”
Smoke poured across the ceiling.
The fire spread with terrifying speed.
Laric turned toward the hallway.
And caught one final glimpse of Colin disappearing into the smoke.
Then Zanna cried out.
“Laric!”
A section of the ceiling crashed down between them.
For a split second he hesitated.
Chase Colin.
Or save Zanna.
Laric ran toward her.
TO BE CONTINUED…
🔄 Previous Episode 23: The King's Court
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