Charles decided to go to bed, as it was getting late, and he had a journey the next day. He was worried about James, as it was obvious he was feeling lonely just as Vera had suggested.Indeed James liked to be everywhere, working, and doing his job. It must have been tiring for him to sit around on the bed all day. Even during the meal they had that evening, Charles had been scared, as he watched James move his arm continuously to feed himself. He knew bombs didn't just go off like that, but it was probably because James was someone he cherished, and didn't want to lose. Taking off his clothes, he walked into the shower, and stayed under the water for a long time. The water patted his head softly, warmly, and trickled down his back, and face. He had a lot on his mind, but thankfully, he had a little cause to be relieved, and the major reason for his relief was the fact that he had successfully completed the first task.After a long shower in which he had turned thoughts over and ov

Charles stared at the man, who didn't take his eyes off Vera, and felt uncomfortable. The both of them had barged in on their table, but of course, they were not to blame. The cafeteria was full.The man had a kind of dark aura around him."So…who's this?" He asked Layla, and she placed an arm around him. "He's my cousin. He's odd right? Well, that's how he always is. Don't you worry about him. Introduce yourself, Kent." Layla said, with a wide smile.Charles looked at her weirdly. She'd already introduced him. The both of them were weird, and smelled strongly of apples. If they told him they ran an apple farm, he would believe them instantly."I'm Kent." He replied, in a deep voice, and Charles and Vera gave little smiles."So, Layla…" Vera began, when the table seemed silent."Kent, get us toast and tea, too. I'm hungry again." Layla said, and Kent got up slowly. Charles looked around and sighed. The cafeteria was packed. If he'd known, he'd have just eaten at the dining table in

"Did you hear that?" Charles asked, and the both of them waited, with their eyes wide open, and ears alert, in case the scream came again."I definitely heard someone scream." Vera said, still listening in."And it was a lady." Charles said."Yeah, it's definitely Sarah." Vera added, and they both left the room. Everyone else seemed to have struggled to put on clothes, so they could make it to the living room."Did you all hear that?" Layla asked, looking around. "Also, I can't find my cousin. Do you think he was also…?" She was asking, but just then, the door opened, and Kent walked in. He looked at everyone from face to face, and observed something had gone wrong."Is there a problem?" He asked, still looking at them warily. "We heard someone scream." Someone replied."Sarah?" He asked."It was definitely Sarah. I know her voice more than myself." Sarah's husband said, as he paced around."Does anyone think they can figure out where the sound came from?" The pregnant woman asked.

Fear seeped into her, dominating her vessels like blood moving in water. All she seemed to think of was death. The cold gun pressed further into her neck, and she gasped. A hand slipped over her baby protectively, and that hand shook like a leaf.It wasn't just her hands shaking, her bones were trembling. Images of different dead people popped up in her head, and she began to wonder if the other women were dead, or just hidden somewhere. What would happen to her? Would they all wake in the morning, and meet her dead?If she screamed, would the figure run or shoot her?Not knowing what else to do, she did the most natural thing everyone in that situation was expected to do. "Please… please, don't. I… I have a baby coming. Please… please I beg you. I won't scream. I don't know you. Can you… Can you just let me go?" She pleaded in a little voice, but the gun only pressed deeper into her neck, making her almost scream."Wanna scream?" The voice came out in a strangled whisper, and she s

Charles stared at the words. He was to find the culprit, and the missing women? Why would the system ask him to do that? Already the case seemed hopeless, and at that rate, he felt they might just cart them all to jail. He couldn't afford that. It wouldn't be favorable for him. Charles wondered if it would be better to pass on the mission, and just stick to what he could handle, but on the other hand, he needed the intelligence quota. He figured it would come in handy someday. But his only problem was having no idea on how to solve the case. Had it been he had the intelligence quota before the whole thing happened, then there was a chance that he could have figured out who the culprit was.Then, he phoned Vera. "Do you think you can come in?" He asked."Oh, sure. Wait a sec." she replied, and ended the call.Charles waited for her to come in, before clearing his throat. "Vera. There's something I have to tell you." He began."Is it about the case? Do you have some kind of lead?" Sh