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
With no idea of the time passed since he was on his knees with his shoulder heaving with sorrow. John stood up and walked across the room, following the path of the blood that led him into the room his father had advised him. There were blood stains on the sheets, the window by the side was broken, and the dresser overturned with all the contents spilled to the floor. He looked around searching for a body and found none. Both his mom and Dad were gone.John's shoulder slumped, his feet dragged and his eyes were beyond red.Walking out of the room, he located a smaller room which acted as a security room with various screens mounted on the walls that overlooked the lobby. All the screens were static and a single blank monitor was connected. From the cursor blinking on a blank page, John could tell its content was wiped. He thought of Alice crying and slumped into the seat. The state of the system did not bother him, his hands moved nimbly on the keys and within minutes the screen wa
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
“I think this is a very bad idea,” Sara advised. “We can do any other thing but please don't call that man to our hideout.” John turned to see Sara walking down the stairs, she had overheard their conversation. “I'm not going to call him,” John replied. “I'd pay him a visit. With him on board I'd be able to draw in the rest with ease,” “And how do you propose to accomplish that?” Sara asked, folding her arms. Rita and Gladiator watched John close his eyes in silence. The grin on his face deepened when his eyes opened. “Are you ready for some adventure?” John asked Sara. Sara looked at Gladiator and Rita who both shrugged. “I guess so,” Sara responded. “Not like there's anything I'm doing here,” “No,” John said with a smile. “You've done a lot here and I'm sure Alice is proud of you,” The statement brought a smile to Sara's face. “Gladiator, I have an errand for you at Rockbed. Take one of the cars on this property, I'd text you the details. Delete it after you receive. Underst