The Fugitives: There's always a plan

The Conventional Center

Jones kept on staring at his wristwatch and was losing patience. Meanwhile, he was able to notice some surreptitiously movements of some residing hosts.

 He quickly dialed a call after he saw one of the residing host secretly taking a picture of him. It was very obvious that Melvin was very influential, since he had eyes everywhere.

“Hello.” Jones fixed his golden brown eyes on the guard taking his picture, as he spoke through the phone.

“Hey papi...you got her?” A male voice asked.

“No, we've been made.” Jones said as he turned his gaze towards the waiter whispering through an earphone.

“What? You kidding right?” He asked.

“Daniel, you heard me, just keep the car running, okay? Things might go south.” Jones said.

“Alright… I'm in the parking garage.” He said and hung up.

It didn't take long before Joan arrived with some of the Melvin's lackeys. The screeching sound of the cars and the loud bullwhip-like crack as the supersonic bullets pierced through most of the security inspectors at the entrance, creating a sonic boom atmosphere giving Jones the consciousness that Melvin had struck.

While everyone was howling and running towards the safe door that was reinforced in case of emergencies, Jones ran towards a different direction.

He was quick in figuring and trying out an escape route but was interrupted by one of the residing hosts working with Melvin.

“Don't move…your hands on your head,” He said with the gun he pointed at Jones. He had stepped into a firing stance.

Jones turned with a wry smile, “You really going to kill me now.”

“Jackson…You don't have to do this.” He added.

“Shut the fuck up!!! How did you know my name?? Huh?”

“Your name badge… Hmm, you're a worker? Sorry, an assassin.” He said with a few steps forward.

“I said, don't move.” He yelled at him while dialing Joan's number; who was busy trading off bullets with the protective agents at the entrance, since all of them doesn't work for Melvin.

Without warning, Jones lunged at him, but Jackson nimbly stepped back, causing Jones to stagger towards and nearly losing his balance. 

The gun and the cellphone fell down and Jackson couldn't get his hands on them, rather he grabbed Jones from behind, but he managed to whirl him round and both were face to face again.

“You don't want to fight with a legionary. Do you?” Jackson smiled in pleasure.

“Jackson the legionary? Pathetic.” Jones' mockery irked him. So, he ran towards the gun and Jones followed suit. Then, their hands met and sinews tightened. 

Rising from the crouch and planting his right foot behind him, Jones tried to push Jackson over by putting his height to advantage. But Jackson's squat figure helped him repel the maneuver.

Going under Jones' hands, he grabbed his midriff and attempted a lift. 

Reacting quickly, Jones twisted his right foot round Jackson's right and held his ground. Both grunted with exertion, sweat dripping down from them.

Realizing that they were merely sapping themselves of energy by that strategy, each released his hold on the other as they drew apart.

Jones exhaled and said, “End this by letting me go”

“Not an option.” Jackson said with so much confidence.

“Seems like Melvin hypnotized you as well.” Jones winked his eyes.

“It's not hypnosis, young man…you just don't understand what's going on. You know nothing.” Jackson yelled at the top of his voice.

“So tell me, what and who made you do this?” Jones asked, but wasn't expecting any helpful answers, since he knew about their secretiveness and their oath to Melvin.

“All I have to tell you is that you will be a dead man once they get inside…Hahaha.” His deep laugh boomed through the passage.

“Maybe someone didn't realize that the intensity of gun firing has reduced and the police will be here in a jiffy.” Jones faced was filled with an outlandish grin.

Indeed, the gun firing had reduced as it was very obvious that Joan and his gang didn't subdue the agents protecting the entrance, not even with the moles leaking information to them. 

“No… That's not possible, that… that wasn't part of the deal, how could he… No!!! FUCK!!!.” The fear of being caught frightened him. Jackson stared at the gun, thinking of an attempt to get it but came to the realization that Jones eyes were also glued to it.

“It's over.” Jones voiced out.

“I don't fucking need your opinion.” Jackson replied as he ran towards the gun, but Jones aimed at his chin by delivering a quick blow. Jackson, describe a perfect curve before crashing on his back. 

Immediately, Jones picked up the gun without hesitation.

A sudden surge of palpitation ran through Jackson on noticing that Jones was in possession of the gun

“Don't kill me please…" He pleaded immediately.

“Why shouldn't I kill you?” He didn't utter a word, rather continued pleading. Jones didn't give much to the pled instead he was thinking of an escape route that will take him to the parking garage as there were many sessions.

“I was made to do this… listen, I have a kid, man.” Jackson continued to plead.

“Shut up… Let me think.”. Jones said.

“There is nothing to think about. I know you're thinking of an escape route, but you will never find any that will take you to the parking garage.” Jackson scooted with his knees and rested on the wall.

“How did you know I was going to the parking garage?” Jones asked as he glued his gaze to him without any atom of surprise, despite being a little bit shock.

“This path leads to one place. And that's the garage”. Jackson replied and grunted with pain.

“So, Tell me everything you know about getting to the parking garage.” He said, still pointing the gun at him.

“Why should I help a man that won't hesitate in killing me after getting what he wants. What's the assurance I will live.” Jackson gave out a painful yawn. 

With Jones' hand on the trigger guard, gun fully pointed at him and ready to pull the trigger, Jackson spoke out.

“Okay fine…There is a hidden door that can take you to the parking garage. It's in the alarm room." He said, pointing in its direction.

Jones stared at him as Jackson continued to plead, 

“I'm not going to kill you. I don't work for murderers.” He said, and used the handgun as a blunt weapon by demonstrating a pistol-whipping. He knocked Jackson out and dashed towards the alarm room.

Bleep bleep bleep… Emergency!!!

He activated the alarm because that was the only way the hidden door would open. He was able to figure that out within seconds. 

He dashed out through the door, a muscularly built man was sitting in a red Sedan car. His bald head accentuated his black complexion. He was Jones' gopher, named Daniel.

Jones hopped into the car and they drove off.

However, Joan left with few of his men after they heard the distant approaching sirens of the police.

But the rest of the gang were waiting patiently for Jones.