Page 3 of The Last Morgan

Lucy was only in the hospital for a few days — just long enough for her body to recover. But mentally, she had shut down. Her thoughts were hazy, her emotions locked away behind a wall she didn’t know how to climb. Everything around her felt distant, like she was watching the world through glass.

“Time to go, Lucy,” Lieutenant Carter called gently from the doorway. His voice had that calm, steady tone she had started to depend on. It helped her focus, just enough to swing her legs over the side of the bed and begin moving.

As they walked through the corridor, Carter spoke about the family she’d be staying with — who they were, how they lived. His words were meant to reassure her, but they barely registered. Lucy’s attention drifted elsewhere, caught by the looks of passing nurses and staff. Their eyes followed her, heavy with pity and curiosity, and though no one spoke, their silence was louder than anything Carter could have said. She wished she could disappear.

When they finally reached the car, Carter opened the door and waited patiently. Lucy slid in wordlessly. The journey stretched on for hours, the city slowly dissolving into fields and forests, until even the roads felt like they belonged to another world. Lucy kept her gaze fixed outside, watching the scenery blur past — but inside, she remained fragmented.

Eventually, Carter turned down a narrow lane surrounded by dense woodland. The air grew thicker, quieter, almost like it was holding its breath.

Then, the house appeared.

Except it wasn’t a house — not in the usual sense. It looked more like an old estate or a forgotten manor, something between a sanctuary and a relic. Its walls were steeped in time, its windows like watching eyes.

Carter pulled up and turned to her, his expression shifting to something more serious.

“Remember what I said,” he told her gently. “Learn everything you can while you're here. I don’t think this is over, and you’ll need to be ready for what’s coming.”

Lucy didn’t answer, but she nodded. A part of her understood that this place would change everything.

As Carter stepped out and moved around to open her door, he noticed something from the corner of his eye,

He smiled — not his usual guarded smile, but something warm and familiar.

“Hello, Mum,” he said, looking into the overgrown garden.

Lucy followed his gaze, confused. There was no one there. Just tall grass and shadows.

He nudged her gently. “Look closer.”

She squinted, scanning the yard. Slowly, a figure began to form — crouched low and perfectly still. As Lucy stared, the shape shifted and rose, revealing a woman with sharp eyes and quiet grace.

“Hello, son,” the woman said with a smirk, brushing leaves from her sleeves. “Still impossible to surprise, even with those fancy sensors you brought me.”

She stepped forward and embraced him, her presence both commanding and comforting.

Then her attention shifted to Lucy.

“And who do we have here?”

Lucy froze, instinctively tightening her grip on Carter’s hand.

“This is Lucy,” he said gently as he looked sown at her “ Your safe here, I promise.”

Lucy wasn’t sure why, but she believed him.

As they entered the house, another voice called from behind.

“Carter!”

A small boy came sprinting toward them, arms flailing with excitement.

“Hello, Barnaby,” Carter said warmly. “You’ve grown.”

Barnaby couldn’t have been more than five, tall for his age and brimming with energy. He bounced on the balls of his feet as Carter introduced him.

“Barnaby, this is Lucy. Can you show her to my old room?”

The boy nodded and eagerly took Lucy’s hand, pulling her through the halls.

He brought her to a large but simple room, and after placing her bag down, she smiled softly and thanked him. Barnaby grinned, then darted off down the corridor.

But as soon as he left, the unease returned. The silence felt heavy again.

Not wanting to be alone, Lucy slipped back into the hall and followed the faint sound of voices — Carter’s voice, low and steady.

As she crept closer, she could just make out what he was saying.

“Her family was murdered… she’s the sole heir to a fortune… I’ll keep an eye on her, but I’m convinced they want her dead.”

Lucy’s breath caught.

Carter’s voice lowered even further. “Please, train her. Do what you can. She has to be able to protect herself.”

The words landed like a blow to the chest.

Before she could step away, the door creaked open.

Carter stood in the frame, his mother beside him, both staring at her.

Lucy froze. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mouth dry.

She had no idea what she had just walked into — but somehow, she knew this was the beginning of everything.