Rita leaned back into her seat, she could taste iron on her tongue from the adrenaline rush. She felt the steady rise and fall of her chest and her tears were dry on her cheeks. Looking at the whiteness of the ceiling was like staring at a blank slate. Her blank canvas.“I choose to save, protect and guide them,” she said aloud, more to herself than to John who leaned in and watched her with intent. “To that end,” she continued, sitting up to meet John's gaze with a hard stare. “I'd help you in your quest.”John smiled. “If I do find out that you're playing a funny game -” “It'd be my life,” Rita interrupted. “That's about it.” John relaxed back into his seat and nodded. “Yeah, you're smart.” He said and clapped his hands three times. The door behind him creaked open and Gladiator walked through, progressing toward Rita with a bag he pulled over her head. The next time it was removed, they were in a yellow taxi, the familiar one she glimpsed once at an uncompleted building. She lo

Sara stood at the driveway with a black hoodie over her head. She watched Alice and John drive in and come down, making their way towards her. Flanking her on both sides were six men fully armed, waiting on her command. John tracked his eyes over Sara. Her hair was cut short and allowed to reach her ears. Muscle growth defined her curves, making her more athletic. And the one that captured his respect was the matured look in her gaze, the baby girl persona was gone.Sara ran toward them and launched herself at Alice to throw her to the ground but Alice braced herself, redirected the force and threw Sara into the air. Sara twisted mid-air and landed with grace. She attacked and reattacked, both of them grabbling like boys with shoves and blocks. But, as fast as it started, it ended with Sara resting her shoulders against Alice, tears in her eyes. “You abandoned me, you said you'd be there for me! Sam is gone!... I waited for you but you never came, do you hate me that much?” “Sam is

“Why am I here ? '' John asked the man he had come to know as Mark. The head of the police precinct he sat in. They were in a holding room with two chairs and a table in between them. Mark held a file with a series of gruesome shots of men nailed to walls. “Do you know the buildings each of the men were nailed in were recently bought by your company?” Mark asked. “No, I do not,” John replied.“Mr Draken, I need you to cooperate with me here so we can all go home,” “I can't agree to something I know nothing of. I have countless managers under me and the purchase of little buildings like those wouldn't need my stamp,” John said. “ If I had to be on every stamp I'd die young,” Mark folded the paper, tapping them on the desk. “This isn't funny Mr, Draken,” Mark said. “ Thirteen buildings were purchased in your name and a total of thirty people were killed within those walls.” John's eyes widened. “Thirteen buildings ? Thirty people,” John repeated. Mark frowned, his eyes narrowed a

The drive over to the address was not tedious because it wasn't a hidden location, but on the contrary, it was a very large villa that was one of the most prestigious locations in the city of Los Angeles. Many actors from around the world dreamed of being cast at such a location. John stepped out of the car that Sara sent to pick him up after he was sure his mother's condition was stabilized. He looked around admiring the luxurious fountain and pampered flowers. Sara walked out of the house in a black dress that showed her curves with a file of documents. Her dark hair was tied neatly in a ponytail, one look from men would have them lustful. But John's eyes seemed not to pick those details, he looked like one watching a stranger. It made Sara question her looks, for him not to give any attention. She quickly shifted the thoughts aside once she remembered why she called him. “You need to see this,” she said in a business-like manner and shoved the documents into his hands. Looki

John is crouched in front of the garage awaiting Sara and Rita. In the background men are carrying the bed Gladiator bought for his Lisa. Lisa herself is in Elijah's arms, cradled like a child and rocked gently. Elijah looked so happy that Jack grinned. A life like that wouldn't be so bad. You and your love. If only that's all there is to it. “None of this is your fault,” Gladiator said, crouching beside him. “Huh? It's that obvious,” John sighed, looking back at Elijah. “I want to be happy but at what cost?” Gladiator shrugged. “I don't know the answer to that but you'd only find the solution by moving forward and daring to be wrong.” John bumped Gladiator’s arm and laughed. “Never knew you could be wise,” “What I'm saying is… I trust your decisions. Go ahead and make them. It doesn't have to be perfect,” “Yeah, I’ll do that, thanks.” John replied. “John,” Elijah called and Sara's car pulled up in front of the garage. John briefly waved at them before he went to Elija