John's Domination

Chapter 7

John entered the kitchen with the rifle strapped to his shoulders, he heard the faint screams coming from the men Richard had under his grip. It echoed in the kitchen.

"No more, no more, please, I'll talk," one of them said between sobs.

John forced his attention away from their voices and took in the view of the kitchen. It was spacious, the cabinets and walls were a striking white color. He watched Alice and Sara help themselves to a few slices of bread and jam from the fridge that stood tall in a corner of the kitchen. Sara took some sandwiches from the fridge, placed them on a plate, and slid them across the kitchen counter to John. He looked at the plate, picked up a sandwich, and took a bite. There was no taste in it for him, but he kept eating for the energy he'd need.

Alice paused to watch John force himself to eat. Beside her, Sara acted merry about the slices she'd taken but teardrops gathered at the edge of her eyes.

"I'm here with you," Alice whispered to Sara. "I won't let anyone take you away again. We'll protect each other."

Sara nodded and wiped away her tears. Alice's thoughts went to John; she had never seen someone look so lost. She took a glance at him. He stared out of the kitchen and shuddered as more screams echoed.

"He wasn't always like this," Alice said beside John. "He lost everything dear to him, and now he's fighting not to lose you, again."

John raised an eyebrow. "You actually believe what you say."

"I—" Alice began, but John raised his hand, silencing her. He looked outside the kitchen, in the path Richard walked for a moment. "That man out there is fighting his own war. And I'll fight mine."

Alice sighed. She picked up the empty plate and watched his fist clench.  "On that note, can't you just create a new software?"

"I could," he replied, "but it'll take months, and I doubt we have that much time..."

They lapsed into silence, the screams from outside ceased with three clear gunshots. Sara came between them with two more plates of sandwiches. "Both of you have barely eaten. Eat a little more." She said and placed the plate between them. 

"Thank you," Alice said. John picked a slice to eat. Sara hugged Alice and left them.

"Why do you trust him so much?" John asked.

"Guys!" Richard called before she could reply. "It's time."

The three of them hurried out of the kitchen to meet Richard, who was standing in the living room with his back to them. He turned around, and John noticed he was excited as his eyes seemed to shine while staring at them.

"Come with me," Richard said and led them through a door that took them to a clearing of well-maintained lawns. There were three chairs with handcuffs locked to their sides. John could even see bloodstains. He looked around the area but could not find the bodies of the men.

Richard led them to another door that took them into an empty room. The door closed behind them, and John noticed that the door they came in through could only be opened from one side and looked just like any other wall in the room. There were two opposing doors in this room with handles on them. Richard opened one and flicked on the lights, revealing the garage.

Alice's car was parked inside.

"What is that doing here?" John said.

"I moved it myself after I heard his voice," Alice said. "You were in the living room."

"It was a reunion," Sara chuckled, making everyone smile.

Richard pulled Alice to the side, they spoke in hushed voices for a minute. He released and faced John. “All you'll need I've placed in the car. Sara stays with me.”

John walked past Richard like he was a ghost and entered the car.

Alice's car pulled out of the driveway, and John watched the garage door close behind them. The silhouettes of John and Sara stood within the garage, their eyes tracking the vehicle as it moved away.

“Hey!,” Sara ran after their car. She leaned into the car and dropped a paper into Alice's lap. “That's where we'll be,” She pecked Alice and ran back into the garage.

"What happened to those men?" John asked when the house was a good distance away.

"I don't know," Alice replied, her tone carrying a sense of finality. "But they should be dead."

"Why are you here? You could have gone to college like Sara and lived a different life."

"John Draken," Alice said, her voice steady. "My parents were bankers who were killed by the Spectre to hide the traces of a deal they made. I was left on the streets where your father found me. He has taken care of me ever since; the Drakens are my family. Why should I abandon them?"

John lapsed into silence. “my condolence,” he said. "Richard's lucky to have you by his side," John added with a smile.

"Richard is like a father to me. That's why I know you're not the only one pissed off at him. He's annoyed with himself. Talk with him. Give him a chance."

“I'll talk with him after we've settled this mission and retrieved the drive," John replied. Alice made no further comment and they rode on.

The warehouse appeared empty and was shrouded in darkness. It was the place Richard spoke about. 

Alice killed the headlights of the car a good distance from the building to avoid being detected.

A dark duffle bag lay on the back seat of the car. Alice pulled it out and unzipped it to reveal ammunition. They loaded up and advanced toward the warehouse, doing their best to maintain silence.

Alice had her sniper rifle strapped to her back as she wielded two handguns, both equipped with silencers. Two armed men patrolled the entrance. Alice expertly crouched and shot them down. The men slumped to their death, their threat neutralized.

They moved forward, approaching the warehouse doors cautiously. Peered inside and saw two more men guarding a metal door adorned with the Spectre name as if it were a symbol. The door swung open, and a man in a white coat emerged, holding a hot cup of coffee.

John's gaze darted around, searching for the remaining guards, but there were none in sight. It was without a doubt the right place, but the absence of more guards was unsettling.

"Alice, there's something wrong here," John whispered.

Alice nodded in agreement. She swiftly raised her gun and took down the two guards near the metal door. The man in the white coat raised his hands in surrender.

"Where are the rest of your people?" Alice inquired, gesturing for John to proceed further into the warehouse. John entered the unguarded space, he laid eyes on a room filled with various computer systems mounted on the walls, each running complex sequences of code. At the center of the room, a lone laptop sat on a brown table with his flash drive connected to it.

"Looks like we've stumbled upon a major hideout. But where are the guards?" John announced his unease, a heavy feeling settling in the pit of his stomach.

Alice turned her attention to the man in the white coat. "What's your name? Can you provide us with the answers we're seeking?"

"I'm James, and I'm only the tech guy here," he replied. Alice kept her gun aimed at James.

"Wait, hold up," James continued, "Xavier said they were out to capture a big fish and they needed all available men. He took the very best."

John's eyes widened in alarm, and his gun dropped to his side. Alice stared at him, equally surprised. James, seizing the moment, reached for his own gun.

However, before he could fully draw his weapon, Alice shot him, and James crumpled to the ground. "Thank you," Alice whispered to his lifeless body.

John's face tightened as he muttered, "Oh no, they're heading into a trap." In the computer-lit room, Alice watched as all emotions drained from John's face, leaving behind a blank look.