RAVEN.
Chapter 46: Dante Perez

Chapter 46: Dante Perez

Dante Perez stood tall on the makeshift stage, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the crowd gathered before him. The air buzzed with excitement, supporters waving banners emblazoned with his name, chanting slogans of hope and unity.

His campaign had started as a small movement—just a few passionate individuals determined to bring change—but now, it had grown into something unstoppable.

He took a deep breath, gripping the microphone as he scanned the faces in the audience. Parents holding their children, young professionals seeking a brighter future, elders who had seen generations of promises go unfulfilled—they were all here, waiting, believing.

"This campaign isn’t just about me," he began, his voice strong and clear. "It’s about all of us. It’s about a mother working two jobs to provide for her kids. The students drowning in tuition fees, uncertain of what the future holds. The small business owners fighting to keep their dreams alive. We are not just voters; we are the heartbeat of this city, and we deserve better!"

A wave of applause rippled through the crowd. Some nodded in agreement, others shouted in support. Dante had spent months listening to people’s concerns, walking through neighborhoods often ignored by politicians, and promising not just change, but action.

"My opponents want you to believe that things are fine the way they are," he continued. "They’ll tell you that the system works, that we just need to be patient. But how can we be patient when our streets need repair, when our schools lack funding, when our economy favors the wealthy while hardworking citizens struggle to make ends meet? I refuse to accept that this is the best we can do!"

The passion in his voice sent another round of cheers through the crowd. His team, scattered throughout, handed out flyers detailing his platform—education reform, economic growth, social justice, and infrastructure improvements. Volunteers signed up new supporters, urging them to register to vote and spread the word.

Dante took a step forward, his voice softer now but no less powerful. "I am not a career politician. I don’t have ties to corporate donors or special interest groups. What I have is a deep love for this community and an unshakable belief that together, we can make a difference."

A woman in the front row wiped away a tear. A young man, barely old enough to vote, pumped his fist in the air. Dante could feel the momentum, the unity, the fire in their spirits.

"This campaign is not just about winning an election," he said, his gaze sweeping the crowd. "It’s about building a future where no one is left behind. So I ask you—will you stand with me? Will you fight for change? Will you vote for a better tomorrow?"

The roar of the crowd was deafening. Chants of "Dante! Dante! Dante!" filled the air. He raised his fist in solidarity, feeling the power of the people behind him.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the rally continued, but Dante knew this was only the beginning. With the people by his side, he wasn’t just running a campaign—he was leading a movement.

A woman among the crowd dressed in black all through smirked. She was Raven Moon, and yet again she had come to strike her third perpetrator.

Even though she wasn’t going to harm him like he had done to Lara, at least she was going to take away his sanity, ruin his image and make him regret having a hand in her rape for the rest of his life.

She moved. Pushing through the crowd, she headed to where Dante’s car was parked. Of course, the car was heavily guarded by security. But she wasn’t going to let them stop her. In fact, they were the only way she’d get to Dante.

She reached the bodyguards and intentionally tripped. The bodyguard caught her just in time before she reached the floor and she had just the opportunity to slip a tiny intercom into the bodyguard’s pocket.

"Are you okay, ma’am?" The man asked.

"Oh, yes. Thank you, kind sir."

"Please be careful, next time, okay?"

She nodded. "Okay, thank you so much."

"No problem, ma’am."

Then Raven stood straight and walked away.

The campaign took some time before it ended and when it finally did, Dante Perez was exhausted. All the shouting and everything, just for these stupid ass citizens to vote him as the governor.

His guards guarded him to his car as though their lives depended on it. Well... their pay did.

Dante Perez wasn’t exactly tall nor was he short... one could just call him average. He had brunette hair and a lipless mouth.

Over the years, he had managed to capture some of the hearts of Chicago citizens. And it wasn’t a surprise that he had a huge amount of followers.

He was running for governor and something told him he would win the election.

He got into his Lamborghini and sat down while either of his bodyguards sat in front.

The driver began his ride down the street of Chicago.

There was silence as Dante scrolled through his tablet, satisfied with the positive posts online influencers made about him, and he couldn’t help but smile.

Then all of a sudden, the intercom on the bodyguard’s pocket rang. At first, the bodyguard didn’t want to answer it but its incessant ringing caused Dante to snap.

"What the fuck is that?" Dante snarled, "Will you answer it?"

"Sorry sir." The bodyguard replied, diving into his pocket and fishing out the intercom he had no idea how it got into his pocket.

While fishing it out, he mistakenly pressed the button.

"Before you throw the intercom away, may I please be given a chance to speak with Mr Dante Perez please?" Raven’s voice came on.

Dante heard it and signaled the bodyguard to throw it away, thinking it was one of those attention-seeking beggers

"And please tell him Raven Moon is speaking."

On hearing the name, Dante paused, and his heart skipped a beat, and his throat went dry.

"Yes, I’m sure you’re listening, Dante." Raven said, "And I’m sure you’re scared shitless, aren’t you?"

Dante said nothing, but Raven continued.

"I’m assuming you’ve already heard the death of your partners in crime... Lara and Larry. You’re next... Mr Governor."