Chapter 15 - The Downfall

Valerie walked up to the large metal gates of the Dawson estate. She felt a pit in her stomach. Was she really going to do it? She stepped forward, her legs seemingly moving on their own. The gates swung open for her, and she began to walk the long path towards the mansion.

Rows of staff stood on either side of the path, watching her. Most of their faces were expressionless, but some of them leered at her. They knew what she was about to do. Valerie was wearing a large winter coat that covered her from head to toe. She shivered and clutched the garment closer to her body.

She arrived at the mansion. The large double doors leading inside seemed to swing open on their own, and she entered the building, wondering if she would ever be able to leave. She walked through several opulent corridors before finally arriving at the grand hall.

Jason Dawson, the scheming billionaire was seated on a large chair in the center of the room, not unlike a large throne. Isaiah, his eldest son and Mariana, his manager flanked him on both sides.

"There you are," he said gleefully. "I've been expecting you."

Valerie opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She felt like she was ****, unable to breathe. How had it come to this? She wanted to cry, but felt nothing. It was like she wasn't in control of anything.

"I accept your surrender," he continued. "Now, take off what you're wearing - you won't be needing it."

Valerie glanced down at her body, and realized she was already naked. How had that happened? She tried to squeal, but found that no sound escaped her mouth. She glanced up again, and saw Jason, Isaiah and Mariana advancing towards her, their fangs bared and their eyes glowing red. Valerie panicked and tried to run, but found herself unable to move, frozen to her spot on the ground.

No, she screamed internally. No, no, no....

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"Valerie!" said Iris, shaking her friend. "Valerie!"

Valerie jolted awake. Her heart was racing and sweat was dripping from her brow. After almost a minute of stunned silence, she realized what was going on. Her body was tangled in the sheets of Iris's bed, and she had just experienced a very vivid nightmare.

"Are you okay?" asked Iris.

"I'm fine," she replied, letting out an exhausted sigh.

"Bad dream?"

"Yeah," said Valerie. She took her pillow and plonked it over her head. She did not want to wake up and face the world today. Dawson's words to her during their last encounter echoed in her head. He had promised to destroy everything she held dear - the Organization, her friends, even Hawk - unless she offered herself to him completely.

Valerie hadn't yet shared what had happened with anyone else. She was scared, unsure how to even begin to explain the events of her last mission to anyone else. Thanks to her recent failures at the hands of Dawson, her reputation in the Organization wasn't where it once was. Would they even believe her?

Iris seemed to sense her somber mood. "I'll make you a cup of coffee," she said, sympathetically squeezing her friend's arm. "But you gotta wake up. Chief sent out a new memo, and you're going to want to see this."

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