The cars pulled out of the driveway in an orderly fashion. Shadow, who sat within the comfort of the shadow cast by the windows of his own car, looked pale. Sweat drops gathered on his eyebrow as he peered ahead at the Maserati leading the parade. His car blended with the rest of the gang's, riding behind him. He wondered if this was how they felt when being led around by him. He took three deep breaths to calm himself; with Alice's reputation for killing at first offense, he wouldn't put it past her to have them guarded. To pass the time, he turned to a men's magazine featuring sexy ladies in lingerie.John vibed to the music, nodding to the cool wind on his bald head. He instructed Alice to take a series of turns that led them deeper into the slum. They reached an old gray building with three supporting pillars, but only two were in good condition. The house seemed to sway to onlookers. In
A sleek black Maserati with Tony at the driver's seat approached a Villa with people moving around, exchanging greetings and flattery. There was a security guard in front of the gate directing cars to the parking space which was a wide lawn beside the villa. “That's him,” John called. He leaned forward at the back of the maserati and pointed at a man who held the waist of two blond ladies. Alice was seated beside Tony. Her legs were crossed and her left elbow rested on her doorside, looking out into the distance. Hearing John's statement, she turned her gaze to focus on the man as he entered the villa. Tony nodded. “I've been trailing him according to your request and found out that his resting place changes every night. It's like Spectre is careful that he does not remain in one place more than once.” “So why are we here?” Alice asked. The car pulled into a designated parking spot behind a dodge challenger. “This is an art auction that attracts those with deep pockets. I believe
The police arrived on the scene within a short notice, detaining John long enough to ask a series of unimportant questions. His fists were squeezed tight but he responded calmly, he wouldn't rage. Back in the car, John rode with his head resting on the window. Alice moved her mouth to speak but bit back her words.It was night-time when they arrived at home. “I'd be in my room,” John stated when the car pulled into the driveway. “Would you need anything? I could -” “No, that'd be all for today,” he said. Interrupting Alice's statement. “ I'll let you know if you're needed.” He left Alice staring at his retreating figure. John walked into his room and slumped into his chair, a laptop was in front of him with its screen on the homepage. The constant tapping sound of the keyboard was still ringing in the room when Alice eased herself into it. “Come, come, come. I need you to see this,” John said to Alice without peering his eyes away from the screen. “What's that?” she asked, po
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
The hallway was dark and looked to be void of life. Except that there was a bright light spilling out from a room down the hall. In the long corridor that seemed to stretch into the void, two men stood, guarding the room's door. The door was left open and the light exposed the men to any passerby which was never done. The sight of it made Maverick feel like the collar of his shirt was too tight. He reached, pulled at his collar and hastened his pace. His footsteps echoed, making the guards look his way. “What's going on here?” He asked, willing himself to steady his breath. The two men in charge recognized him and did a slight bow to show respect. “Sir, there's been a transfer,” the guy on the left, with a grumpy voice, said. “What transfer?” Maverick asked, his throat felt dry and the urge for a drink made him swallow. Frank was moved… The idea made his stomach twist in revolt. “Xavier ordered that the scientist be moved this morning,” the grumpy guard's partner said, eyeing Ma
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
John kicked the door down, his mind running through all the lists Alice had drawn up. The only other person that knew that list was Ricky, if he spilled, they'd have gotten enough time to change hideouts and set up the surprises he met. It made a sinking feeling in his gut. Alice held her earpods for a moment and looked at John, “The other locations,” she whispered. “They're all empty,” The sinking John felt deepened, Alice reached out to him to make him reduce his steps and progress slowly but he brushed away her hands. Moving further up they came upon the first body wearing a Spectre symbol and paused. Alice looked down at the dead man with a frown. John glanced at her and kept on moving. They came upon five more bodies, all wearing the Spectre symbol. “What happened here?” John whispered, training his rifle at the shooting range. Passing eight more bodies added to the tension John felt in his bones. After six more in deadly silence they heard it. Loud and clear. Two gunsho
“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