Title of the novel: Shadows Play Summary: In a city plagued by corruption, organized crime, and political ambitions, Fabrice, a discreet young man, finds himself caught in a dangerous web woven by Vital, a shadowy figure in the service of power... but mostly of himself. The latter entrusts Fabrice with a strange mission: to kidnap a young woman, Nina, without harming her. Fabrice agrees, unaware that she is the daughter of a high-ranking political advisor, Nathan N'Dongo, and that her disappearance will put the city on high alert. Torn between his loyalty, his criminal past, and his promise to his mother to remain honest, Fabrice will gradually understand that what he believed to be a simple "contract" conceals a vast conspiracy involving trafficking, betrayals, and personal ambitions. In the midst of this chaos, Fabrice must choose: to become an accomplice... or to break the chain of silence. Amid tensions, manipulations, and revelations, Shadows Play is a gripping thriller where heroes are rarely who we think they are.
Chapter 1 A Life Without Markers
Fabrice was thirty years old, but his heart still seemed to be searching for its path. He lived in a small dilapidated house, tucked away at the end of a dusty alley in the city. The walls, worn by time, bore the marks of a difficult past. The roof sometimes leaked, and the furniture creaked under the weight of the years, but it was their home. He lived there with his mother, Jeanne, and his little sister, Diane, a fifteen-year-old, studious and dreamy.
Their family bond was deep, woven with shared sufferings and silences. Jeanne, the mother, was a dignified woman despite the wear of time. She had always worked as a cook in a small primary school. Every evening, she returned home exhausted, but her smile returned as soon as she laid eyes on her children.
Fabrice, on the other hand, lived in the shadows. Since he was sixteen, he had chosen a risky path: pickpocketing, burglaries, clandestine deals. He was not violent, not by nature, but he had understood very early that the street offered no second chances. He had learned to survive. To sniff out opportunities. And to flee from the police.
Yet, despite his nighttime activities, he always returned home. Even on the most dangerous nights, he found his way back to the hearth.
That evening, Fabrice returned late, his face slightly scratched. He held a plastic bag filled with groceries.
Jeanne (opening the door, worried):
- You're bleeding, Fabrice! More trouble?
Fabrice (forcing a smile):
- It's nothing serious, Mom. Just a scuffle... I slipped. But look, I brought back bread, milk... and eggs. We can make pancakes for Diane tomorrow morning.
She sighed, placing a trembling hand on his arm.
Jeanne:
- One day, you won't come back. And on that day, my heart will stop.
Fabrice (softly):
- I will always come back, Mom. Always.
In their small room, Diane was studying her lessons by the light of a flickering bedside lamp. Hearing her brother's voice, she quickly got up.
Diane (happy):
- Big brother! You're here! Look, I got 18/20 in math today!
Fabrice (smiling sincerely):
- That's great, little sister! At this rate, you're going to become the Minister of Economy.
He took a small silver bracelet out of his pocket.
Fabrice:
- Here. This is for you.
Diane (in awe):
- It's so beautiful! Where did you get it?
Fabrice hesitated, then lied gently.
Fabrice:
- A friend gave it to me. He said you would like it.
She hugged him without asking more questions. To her, her brother was a hero. Even if he walked in the shadows, he illuminated her world.
Later, Fabrice sat on the edge of his bed, looking at the cracked ceiling. He thought about his life. He wanted more. He wanted to offer better to his mother. To Diane. But he also knew that every step he took moved him further away from the light. Yet, for them... he was ready for anything.