《The Apex Guardian》


 Chapter 1

    Asher sniffles and wipes his sleeve with his nose, he might be getting sick, again. The moon shines above him, as if convinced he needs to be cooled down, it''s freezing enough though. The stars welcome him though.


    He was grew up in an orphanage from age 2. He left at age 18 and has been on his own in the physically and figuratively, cold world. But he did find a friend, Raegan, she''s the coolest woman alive! Hah! He''s so lucky to have her as a friend, Asher''s so happy she got married, he''s a great guy, they managed to get off the street and build a life that''s semi decent, so far, until it gets better.


    She knows people and hooked him up, a garage on Gaves'' river next to the East side of the Green Bridge.


    He walks down the concrete sidewalk and down along the bridge, next to it until he reaches the garage.


    He stops and his eyes widen as he sees a figure walking to the front door.


    "Raegan!" He says in surprise,


    She jumps and turns to look at him, she clutched her chest and sighs, "You scared the crap out of me!" She laughs,


    He hurries over and hugs her. She giggles and hugs him back.


    "I wanted to be here when you arrived."


    "You''re the best."


    "Like you."


    He rolls his eyes and grins, "I can''t believe you have done this for me."


    "Come on, not a lot but I want to see your face."


    She unlocks the small man door and they walk in. It''s a large, tall garage with two, large car doors, one centered in the front, one in the back closest to the river.


    Asher''s eyes grow wide, as does his smile. Raegan watches him carefully and smiles, "It''s not much I know."


    "It''s perfect Raegan."


    "Like I said, not much, couch, bed, fridge, dresser, shower and bathroom are through that door, there is hot water."


    Asher makes a hurt face, "tsk...any other couches?"


    She gives a playfully frustrated smile and softly punches his shoulder, he grins.


    "Raegan, I love you and your wonderfulness."


    She grins, "You kill me."


    She tells him that she hacked an actor''s account but that he was so rich that, so long as Asher didn''t over use the utilities, the guy probably wouldn''t notice. The actor was a manipulative jerk who stole and owed a lot of money to the public anyway.


    "I''ll leave you to it, have a good night Asher."


    He hugs her again and says goodnight. He plops on his couch and sighs happily, it''s so warm in this garage, it''s so nice.


    He turns on a tv and smiles as he watches the news. He flips through a few channels before stopping on one news station with a big headline.


    Titan''s Death


    "-ll we do know is that the intruder snuck into the room and murdered Mr. Palmer in his sleep. Authorities have looked up his next of kin-"


    "Sucks to be you." Asher scoffs,


    The upper class people deserve it, all they care about is themselves and their money. They don''t care that middle class has to pay big taxes and that lower class practically is homeless all around.


    Asher gets to his feet walks to the fridge. He looks at a note on the fridge from Raegan and smiles.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ''You''re a cool bean.''


    He opens the fridge, only to have one of the glass windows on the garage car door shatter, he yells in pain and pulls back, he falls back to the floor and groans. He stares at the underside of his forearm in horror, a small hole has torn itself into existence.


    He shakes horribly with fear, suddenly bullets begin tearing through the walls.


    Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!


    He gasps and tries to cover his head and screams from the pain from his arm again,


    He grabs a spare shirt that Raegan left him on the couch and wraps his arm tight, he puts pressure on it and jumps to his feet, he bolts for the man door and throws it open. He sprints out and looks back and around him.


    Not seeing any threats in sight, but knowing they are there, he turns and continues running. He runs up to the road and starts running along it, waving to drivers, but they keep on driving.


    Bang!


    Asher ducks and looks back, a figure coming from the direction that Asher just fled from.


    Asher hurries down the sidewalk but he quickly crosses the street, glass windows and windshields on cars explode from the bullets.


    His heart is pounding a thousand miles an hour. His mind is racing so fast that he can''t keep a single thought or command in his head for his body to listen to.


    Cars skid to a stop, Asher runs as fast as he can down the sidewalk, he turns the corner as soon as he reaches it, a few seconds after turning the corner he runs into a parking garage, it''s huge and tall. Maybe he can lose them in there.


    He runs to the nearest elevator and slaps the button, immediately the elevator dings, the doors start to open, he jumps and forces himself in as soon as he can.


    She slaps the highest button he can reach as he awkwardly throws his hand back and repeatedly smashes the close door button with an intense fury. Bullets spray the exterior of the elevator, Asher yells and falls to his knees and covers his head with his arms. But weirdly he hears people scream outside the elevator, like they are being attacked, police maybe? That can''t be right, that''s waaaaaaay too fast.


    The doors finish closing and the elevator starts to rise to the seventh of 8 floors. What the hell man!?


    Intense, searing pain shoots through his entire arm. It seems like forever but finally the elevator stops, the doors open and he runs out, he''s about to start making his way down, it''s all he can think of to do, but he stops so abruptly that he almost trips and falls,


    Three men with rifles round the corner, Asher turns and runs back and dives behind a pillar as they begin firing their rifles at him, bullets shale the entire pillar and chunks of concrete explode off the pillar.


    Tires squeal below him, a car squeaks to a stop, to his right just before a stairway door. Three men with machine guns jump out and position themselves. Asher''s heart seems to stop, chills run through his body. The only thing that pops into his head is a swear.


    Just then the stair door behind them bursts open, a figure is swinging out from a horizontal bar protruding from the wall above the door. The figure throws their feet into the back of one of the men, pulls the trigger on their pistol, getting a headshot on their right, a sword in the figure''s left hand slices the shoulder/chest of the turning gunman on the figure''s left.


    The figure pushes the center gunman to the floor with their feet, the figure swings their sword and thrusts down, stabbing the gunman. The other gunman the figure had cut first with their sword, he groans and rolls over, the figure stabs them in the chest, rips out the blade.


    The black blade then turns into a cylinder, its a cane with a silver hawk head for the handle with a blue jewel for the eye. The black metal sinks into itself, shrinking until its all fallen into the handle.


    The figure latches it on a belt loop as they sprints over to Asher, the figure wears a white mask with wide but sharp eye holes covered by some black cloth, a purple number 9 is painted on the left cheek bone down to just above the jaw. The female figure wears a black button up shirt with black pants tucked into her boots, a purple tie clipped to her shirt and white gloves to hide her hands.


    She drops forward, somersaults forward to a knee, holding her gun out, she fires four times, dropping the last gunmen.


    Asher is hyperventilating, he tries to step away and trips, falling to his butt. This female assassin rises to her feet and looks over at him, she hides her gun in her suit coat. Asher''s too mortified to close his eyes, he''s so sick to his stomach from it that he can''t get up and run.


    The woman sinks to a knee in front of him and looks at him for a moment. She reaches into her front pants pocket and pulls a note, she holds it up to him.


    ''<em style="font-weight: bold">Can you sign?''


    Asher doesn''t even register it. She sighs and rests her hand on his shoulder. She shakes him slightly and he flinches softly, but not enough to shake off her hand.


    She holds up the note again. He shakily nods. She then crumples the note and shoves it in her pocket.


    She then moves her hands to begin signing. ''What''s your name?''


    She has to ask again and grips his shoulder a little tighter.


    "I-I uh....A-Asher."


    ''Last name?''


    "I...I''m an orphan."


    The woman stares for a moment and signs again.


    ''You need to come with me, I''ll explain later.''


    "W-why? Who were they!? What did I do!? I don''t-"


    The woman covers his mouth with her hand. Asher gasps and stops, but he''s still shaking terribly.


    ''If you don''t come with me now, others will come and we will have to do this again. Do you want me to explain later? Or do you want to kill more hitmen first?''


    Asher''s throat seems to have grown tight from the terror and anxiety. He takes a deep shaky breath and nods.


    "O-ok-kay."

 Chapter 2

    The figure and Asher stand in the elevator silently, he shakes softly.


    She pulls her pistol and aims at the door, the elevator finally dings and the door slides open. She holds up a hand, telling him to wait.


    She walks out, he could easily push the top floor button silently and start this all over again. If there''s anyone left, they''d likely be dealing with her while he escaped. But she saved him, if she wanted to hurt him, it would be as easy as blinking for her.


    He''s not sure if its fear or that he trusts her, maybe it''s both. But either way, he sticks his hand out and keeps the doors from closing.


    She clears the floor and motions for him to come. He does as commanded and hurries over to her. She takes his hand and hurries to a small cement wall, they hop over it and run they run across an abandoned street and into an alleyway.


    "Wait! Wait! Where are we going!?"


    She doesn''t stop pulling him, they stop right before they exit an alleyway and she lets go of him and looks at him and signs.


    ''I am Noctus. James Palmer died a few days ago. He was a multimillionaire-''


    "Y-yeah, I''m aware, what does this have to do with me? What the heck...does this have to do with me!?"


    She slaps her hand to his mouth. She holds a finger to where her mouth would be.


    ''James Palmer was...he was a cruel man. Asher, you are an orphan who never knew your parents. Your mother was Jennifer Dud, she was married to James Palmer. The reason she gave you away, James would likely have thrown her to the streets.''


    Asher''s eyes widen, his heart drops as she signs every word. There''s no way! No way!


    ''There are many people who would sabatoge and murder to obtain your father''s position and property.''


    "He''s not my father. There''s no way."


    ''Asher, James Palmer learned of your existence the day Jennifer died, 1 year ago.''


    "Then why wouldn''t he say anything?"


    The woman sighs, ''It''s as I said, your father was a cruel, selfish man. But he had enemies, keeping his property out of their hands was more inportant. He was poisoned, he wrote a will and gave everything to you.''


    Asher falls against the wall and slides to his butt. He knows she''s not lying. Even more panic and fear set in his heart.


    She crouches down, ''Do you know the law concerning murder and heirs?''


    He hesitates for a moment, he licks his lips and shakes his head.


    ''Should someone who stands to inherit something be murdered before they inherit it, then the murders inherit all that was to be given, with no criminal punishment. What they just did, that was attempted murder, if they succeeded, the charges would be void. I was your father''s protector, I will defend you to my last breath.''Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Asher holds up a finger and crosses his arms, after a few moments, Noctus sits on one knee and waits patiently.


    A few minutes pass and she tells them they need to move, that there is a safe house.


    He nods and gets to his feet slowly. "S-so, why protect me? How do you know I''m not the same?" Asher whispers,


    She quickly, gently squeezes his wrist once. Asher guesses it''s her telling him to not talk about it in public.


    They walk down the sidewalk, passing several people and lights and buildings overflowing with pounding music of different kinds.


    Finally Noctus stops and walks up to an SUV, she holds up her gloved hand and holds it against the car window.


    Fwump!


    The car unlocks, Noctus opens the car and climbs into the driver''s seat, Asher hurries around and climbs into the passenger seat.


    She puts it in drive and starts off, she taps the stereo screen several times and suddenly a voice comes from the speakers.


    "Incognito mode, activated, car now secure."


    Then it starts again in the female automated voice, "Asher, I have an ear piece in my ear, it sends electronic signals to my brain the same way my brain sends those signals to my body to function. It senses the words I''m thinking and allows to to talk to you like so. You inherited me from your father, you are my master. I serve you and protect you."


    "W-why? You said he was cruel, how do you know I was different? You could have gotten off scot-free!"


    "Because, I researched you a little before coming. You were born with nothing, you know survival, but not how to live, you don''t understand money, you don''t understand power. Based on research I have collected, I believe you to care for others, especially those in need. You, are not like your father, you would use what you inherit to help those in need."


    "So that''s why you decided to help me...and....what if you''re wrong?"


    "If I am wrong, forgive me, but you can''t be as corrupt as your father was. You seem to me to be a good man, too often men with good hearts are stepped on and beaten. You don''t deserve to be slaughtered like so many others.


    "You really care about greater good that much?"


    "I despise the rich, the are often stuck up and use those below them as stepping stools for sport."


    "You have no problem speaking your mind huh? So what now? I inherit it all?"


    "First you need to survive. I have a safe house, in the morning we will take you to inherit that which is yours."


    "So Noctus...what''s your story?"


    She looks at him and then forward again. "What?" Asher asks,


    "I don''t talk about it, with all due respect sir."


    "Fair enough. So, they know who I am, what about friends of mine?"


    "They...might go after them." The speakers say,


    "Then we have to help them!"


    "We can''t."


    "You aren''t leaving me, I''m not leaving them! That''s my final word, turn the car around or I''ll get out of the car while it''s still moving."


    She looks at him quickly and sighs, she looks at the road and shakes her head. "We''ll arrive two blocks over, I will give a note to one of them and leave before they answer the door, the risk for contacting more than one is too high."


    "Come on Noctus!"


    "That is my final word. My job is to protect you, if you die, I failed. One person, that''s it."


    "Raegan Moore. I know the address."


    They do as she said, they park the car two blocks away, Noctus pulls paper out of her center consol and a pen and writes the note and then listens to Asher''s directions to the house.


    She taps the screen again a few times, "Sentry mode activated, protecting priority subject."


    Noctus hurries down the street and jumps fences behind the houses until she gets to a tiny backyard. She looks up at a young blonde woman and man, they sit in chairs and stare at her.


    Noctus reaches into her suit coat and pulls out the folded note, she pulls out and taps her phone a few times. Then a female voice speaks from the phone.


    "Raegan Moore?"


    The man jumps up in front of the woman. "Who are you!? What do you want?" He demands,


    Noctus holds up the paper, she holds it out, the man hesitantly takes it. Noctus taps her phone screen again.


    "A note, from Asher. Let me be clear, you did not see me. You are in danger, Asher is safe with me."


    Noctus tucks the phone away, turns and starts to the fence.


    "W-wait! Asher, where is he?"


    Noctus looks back at them, she hops the fence as smoothly and swiftly as snapping her fingers. She hurries back to the car and they start off to Noctus''s safe house.

 Chapter 3

    (FIRST OFF! CHAPTER 2 GLITCHED OUT, I FIXED IT AND ADDED TO THE STORY, REREAD IT)


    Asher stayed silent for the rest of the drive. They climb out of the car and he stares down an hotel building.


    ''We have the penthouse.'' Noctus signs,


    Asher nods in acceptance, "Course we do, do we have a security team up there too?"


    ''You''ll have two other eyes up there with us.''


    "Sure."


    They walk into the hotel she leads him to the front desk. Noctus pulls out a blank white key card with a purple number 9 on it similar to the one on her mask.


    The recptionist "You''re quite the discussion everywhere right now sir."


    He takes the card and scans an imaginary barcode on the back, the computer next to him beeps.


    He smiles and hands the card back, "Card is reactivated, enjoy your stay ma''am, sir."


    Noctus turns and they walk to the elevators, Asher looks back at the man, the man simply looks back down at his screen. But...the man recognised him, is he one of the guards? Maybe he''s just paid extra to keep the secret of the safehouse and it''s residents.


    Once in, Noctus holds up her card with the 9 facing the red number against the black screen that tells them what floor they are on. The elevator then starts moving upward until they get to the thirteenth floor.


    "Who the heck are you Noctus?" Asher asks softly,


    They walk down the hall to a set of brown double doors. Noctus knocks five times rhythmically then taps the buzzer on the wall, twice.


    The door unlocks and opens. A blonde man smiles at them, his hairs a little shaggy, he wears a white shirt, black tie, pants and dress shoes. His brown eyes are expressionless as he smiles brightly at him.


    "You want to look anymore like a secret agent?" Asher laughs,


    "You must be him." He says,


    He stands aside and lets them enter. "To make it easier, everyone just calls me Rocket, pleasure to meet you guys. Nicole''s waiting in the living room for you guys."


    "Rocket? Alright, heh I''m Asher."


    "Nice to officially see you Asher."


    They walk into the living room there''s another woman standing behind the couch, she''s gorgeous. Blood colored, short hair. On one side of her head it reaches to just below her jaw line, on the other side of her head it reaches down to her left shoulder going down to a point, her hair sweeps across her forehead and almost covers her left eye. Against her black button up shirt, dress pants and shoes, not to mention her red hair, her round green eyes stare at them.


    "Good evening sir, 9, nice to see you again."


    Noctus signs to her. "He''s new, I got stuck with the newbie."


    "She signs? What''s she saying?"


    "If it''s important, we''ll tell you. My name is Nicole, I''m glad you''re in one piece still."If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Yeah she came just in time. Asher''s the name." He says softly,


    "Glad to hear it, I''m sure this is all a lot to deal with."


    Asher scoffs, "You have no idea."


    "Perhaps a hot shower for starters?"


    He nods, "Sounds nice."


    "9, you want to run the perimeter check?"


    She nods, ''You can trust her Asher, I''ll be around.''


    "Okay, you aren''t gonna leave at all though, right?"


    ''I am yours Asher.''


    Asher face turns annoyed, ''Meet us after your check. I want to talk to you.''


    She agrees and walks away.


    "Would you like a tour first?"


    "Sure, why not."


    She shows him a decent sized bedroom with a huge flatscreen tv, a magnificent, huge bed. The grand bathroom with a huge shower and bathtub and a spa in the bathroom. Nicole shows him massive balcony, the huge kitchen and tells him that they can take care of his meals for him.


    "Nicole?"


    "Yes sir?"


    "Are you...well, when it comes to like...me, are you like Noctus? What I mean is, Noctus, she sort of-"


    "Belongs to you?"


    Asher nods, "I''m aware sir. I however, do not. Though I do work for you, I worked for your father as well."


    "I''m sorry, I heard he was a difficult man. To say the least."


    She smirks, "Not to worry sir. Buisness is buisness."


    "I suppose."


    "I''ll let you take that shower, perhaps it''ll give you time to process and collect your thoughts."


    "Yeah. Thank you Nicole."


    She gives a confused look for only a moment and then smiles. "Of course sir. I''ll catch up with Noctus and Rocket."


    "Oh Nicole?" He asks as she starts away,


    She stops and turns, "Tell her I''ll talk to her after I get out, on the balcony maybe."


    "Yes sir."


    She turns and walks away leaving Asher to remember the way to the bathroom. Towels are ready for him, folded and hanging on a bar attacked to the wall. He takes a deep breath and climbs into the shower.


    The pressure is nice and strong but not overbearing, the water indeed grows hot to a comfortable level. Is this what his life will be like now? He has no idea how to run a company, he has no idea what to do. Honestly he''d consider giving the company away, but this is a chance to help so many that are so poor and struggling so much. He''d feel like he abandoned them if he didnt help.


    The water pours down on his skin, running off and creating a skinny rope of water until it finally drips fast, smashing against the tile floor and running to the black abyss below the drain.


    He gets dressed from the clothes he finds in a dresser including socks. He walks out and finds Noctus waiting outside on the balcony. Rocket is in the kitchen, but ignores him as he walks out to meet Noctus.


    She turns to him and signs. ''You wanted to see me privately?''


    "I did."


    Asher leans against the railing next to her. "Noctus you saved my life tonight, I owe you everything."


    ''Don''t think on it.''


    "But I do, you''re, what, my slave? Servant?"


    ''Yes.''


    "I understand you want to help me for the greater good, but is that really it?"


    She looks at him and shakes her head. ''I was told I belonged to you now, I have a chip inside my head. Same way the technology in the car works. If I did not do my best to save you and follow your orders, the chip would detonate and kill me.''


    Asher stares in horror, "...H-how do we deactivate it?"


    ''You will need to take control of your father''s assets, among them will be the controls for the chip....but I don''t think you''re understanding Asher.''


    "What do you mean?"


    ''I am one of the most deadly assassins who have ever existed. I am yours to command.''


    "Noctus, you were forced to be a slave. You deserve a life, if for nothing else, for saving my life! As soon as I get the opportunity, I''m freeing you! If you want to leave, be my guest, you''ve earned it-"


    ''Asher yo-''


    "I''m not done! Noctus, maybe it''s you being forced, but either way, you''ve been kind to me, you''ve protected me and been patient with me. You deserve freedom, if you want to stay, you''ll have a paid job, if you want to disappear, you will get the chance."


    ''You don''t know me well enough to trust I''ll stay.''


    "I trust you to do what you desire. Not what you have to do. You deserve it."


    She just stares at him, he cant tell because of ther mask but its clear enough that she''s in shock, not sure how to act or what to say.


    "And another thing, no more master, no more royal treatment. Act like I''m your boss if you must but no more of the slave and master crap, do I make myself clear?"


    ''I''ve never been free before. Are...are you sure Asher?''


    "I''m positive."


    She slowly nods, ''Well...you can still change you mind I suppose.''


    "I won''t, but you didn''t answer, no more of the master stuff, k?"


    ''Yes sir....You should get some rest sir. You''ll need energy tomorrow. We''ll go over the plan tomorrow.''


    "Okay, do you trust Nicole?"


    ''I do?''


    "Good, I trust her too, switch out with her and rocket, you should sleep too."


    ''I might. Goodnight Asher.''


    "Goodnight Noctus, thank you, for everything."


    He walks inside again leaving her to her disbelieving thoughts.

 Chapter 4

    He moans and stretches at the sun peeks through the blinds and shines on his chest. The warmth simultaneously begs him to stay in bed and welcomes him into the world.


    He forces his eyes open and stares at the ceiling. He sits up and looks around him, the room is in shadow, but it''s so...alive, in the best way.


    He sits there for a moment while the drowsiness very slowly fades away. That was the best sleep he''s ever had. The bed had and still feels like a marshmallow, but in a good way.


    He rubs his eyes and now has enough energy to force himself to get to his feet. The carpet folds under his feet as he stands, the softness brushing against his souls.


    He goes to the bathroom and fixes his hair then walks towards the door and pulls it open. He wanders into the kitchen, Rocket smiles up at him.


    "Good morning sir. Sleep well?"


    "Too well I think...man I''m still tired. Is that normal?"


    "Not that uncommon. Must have been a pretty deep sleep." He laughs,


    "You''re awake!"


    Asher looks at Nicole as she walks in, she looks just like she did yesterday. He smiles, "Good morning. What about you guys? Sleep okay?"


    "Eh I''ve had better."


    "Not too bad."


    "Where''s uh, Noctus?"


    "She''s downstairs sir, getting a car."


    "Okay so, what''s the plan?"


    "We get in the car drive to D.C. the Court United meets with you tomorrow, the meeting got pushed."


    "Why?" Asher asks,


    "Because of this."


    Nicole walks to the living room, grabs the clicker and switches on the tv.


    "You would not believe it."


    "So-so wait. He''s been found?"


    "Yes. I''m told the heir is safe right now. He''s been found and is working to claim the company."


    "But it''s not in New York any longer, not with all those rioters that found out about the meeting I''m glad I''m not him right now."


    "Oh I know, can you imagine how many people are after him right now? Trained killers, hitmen, assassins."


    "The Catana I''m sure as well."


    "Well we definitely wish him the best of luck and godspeed."


    Nicole turns off the tv, Asher shakes and sits on a stool. "Comforting." He says,


    "Nicely done Nicole."


    "Shut up Rocket. Noctus and I wanted you to know. There are people that might try something when we get there. We just...we wanted you to be prepared rather than caught off guard."


    Asher nods, "O-okay-y."


    "Don''t worry Asher, if no one else, Noctus is the best bodyguard in the world. Think of it like this, she''s the architect of terror and she''s protecting you. You''re totally safe with her around and the moment she comes back up, she''s not leaving your side."


    Architect of Terror. The words stain his mind. The previous night flashes in his mind, Noctus just obliterating Asher''s attackers. She''s definitely worthy of the title. That alone is enough to get him to stop shaking.


    "Alright. Alright. We wait for her then?"


    Nicole walks over and turns him around gently. "First. Eat your friggin breakfast sir."


    She gives him a light push. Asher smirks as Rocket sets a plate in front of him carrying two pancakes, three sausage and bacon.


    Asher sits back down on the stool and thanks him. "Yeah, no problem, I got yours too Nicole."


    "Guessing Noctus ate earlier?"If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Most likely, she''s pretty hardcore." Rocket says,


    "Is she always?"


    "Uh...so far. Nicole?"


    "Yeah. She''s pretty dedicated."


    The three sit down and eat together at Asher''s request. Apparently the help usually eat separately, but Asher insisted that they stay.


    Asher goes into his room, he finds a blue long sleeve shirt, it''s got a scattered patten, like...like one of those very very, dark ages, archaic tvs where if it couldn''t get a signal the screen would be white and black and fuzzy. But in this instance it''s blue.


    He walks out and sees his three...acquaintances? Standing in the living room. Rocket carries a duffle bag, the others carry backpacks.


    "What''s in those?"


    "Clothes, food and our stuff."


    "You ready sir?" Rocket asks,


    "No. Let''s go."


    ''You have nothing to fear.'' Noctus says to him,


    "Exactly, I got a feeling you''ll do well in the company." Nicole chimes in,


    They walk to the elevator and wait for it. They tale it all the way down and start out front.


    "So...what exactly is the company?" Asher asks,


    "It''s a few things, drones, surveillance, and AB production."


    "AB?"


    ''It stands for automated body. Robots.'' Noctus signs,


    "I''d be in charge of all that?"


    "You have a room full of advisors but yes, technically its yours." Rocket says,


    "Almost." Nicole says,


    "Almost, just remember me sir when you reach the top okay?" Rocket jokes,


    Nicole elbows him. "What?!"


    Asher smiles softly, "It feel so weird. I''m nobody, with nothing. I''m about to take control of one of the biggest companies there is."


    As they walk out, Asher stares at the SUV as red as Nicole''s hair. "Isn''t black the standard you know, secret agent vehicle?"


    Nicole grins as she opens the door for him. "Well sir, we aren''t exactly secret agents and...red is less conspicuous."


    "I think you just like it cause of the color." Asher jokes,


    "Are you kidding? Red is the best sir!" She plays back,


    Asher laughs, Noctus turns the car over and they pull away.


    "So, Noctus will still be there, will you two still be around?" Asher asks,


    "That''s up to you sir." Rocket says,


    "It would be nice. I''m feeling pretty..."


    "Alone?" Nicole suggests,


    "Yeah."


    "Don''t worry sir, we get it. You got this."


    He takes a deep breath, "This is crazy."


    BAM!


    Asher slowly opens his eyes. It all comes at him at once, he coughs hard, his hands dangle above him, well actually...it''s below him he notices as he realizes the car is flipped.


    Asher groans and brings his hand up to hit the red button to release his seat belt. He finally gets it and hits the ceiling of the car with a grunt. He didn''t notice but Nicole is already on her hands and knees, Noctus trying to unbuckle herself too.


    "Y-you okay?" Nicole asks,


    "Ye-ah...you? Noctus?" He asks,


    Nicole is already leaning forward and helps her down. Then Rocket who is unconscious.


    Asher crawls out the window and painfully stands up.


    BANG!


    He jumps and drops to his knees. The gunshot echoes. Three more gunshots shatter across the sky.


    Nicole yells out, she slides across the wrecked hood of the black truck. She throws her feet into the shooter and they both crash to the ground. She grunts loud in pain.


    Asher jumps up and starts to her side but Noctus grabs his arm and throws him back.


    Nicole kicks the man in the face and picks up his gun.


    BANG! BANG!


    She looks at them, tiny cuts splatter the side of her head above the cheek.


    BANG!


    She shrieks and drops, Noctus looks at Rocket pointing a glock at her, he quickly turns to Noctus, but she disarms him in a fast blurry motion and kicks him to the ground and fires twice.


    Asher is already running to Nicole''s side. She groans, blood gushes from her stomach. She growls.


    "You little brat!" She spits,


    Tires squeal to a halt. Asher helps her to her feet, they look over the truck at a giant van that''s skidded to a stop.


    Nicole pulls a small ball out of her pocket and hucks it over the truck.


    She closes her eyes and slaps her hand against Asher''s eyes.


    BAM!


    The flashbang explodes, almost instantly Asher is pulled away.


    "Ge-get him out of here! I got this!" Nicole shouts,


    "What!? No!" But before he can finish talking, Noctus has grabbed his arm and pulls him away.


    "We can''t leave her!" Asher shouts,


    Nicole throws her arm over the roof of the truck.


    BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG!


    Asher looks back as Nicole unloads her tiny automatic on the men as they pile out of the van.


    Her gun clicks, she drops her magazine and shakily pulls another, but not fast enough. A giant of a man grabs her by the hair and pulls her over the truck, he grabs her leg and throws her into their van hard.


    As Asher and Noctus round the corner, he hears them calling attention to him. Gunshots shriek across the air.


    Tears gush out his eyes, its so much that he can barely see where he''s stepping. Finally, his heart is about to explode, Noctus stops them and pushes him to the ground into an alleyway, she pulls her cane and pistol and waits.


    She lifts her gun and fires as they turn the corner down the street. She drops two, Asher is on his feet, running again.


    She hurries to catch up to him andstarts firing behind her at the hitmen. They turns the corner and run into an office building.


    Everyone stares as they sprint to the stares, guilt, horror, fills Asher up. They just left her to die. Noctus pushes him gently into the wall behind a plant around a small corner.


    Asher stands there, his hand to his mouth. It''s Rocket, it was his fault. Gosh dang it! Asher turns and punches the wall three times.


    Suddenly he hears the shouting voices, he peeks around the corner and see Noctus shooting and stabbing and cutting them down. It doesn''t take long for the police to arrive on the scene.


    "Put the weapons down now!"


    She holsters her pistol and turns her sword into a cane. She stamps the ground with it. Asher looks at her from the corner.


    She waves him over. Hesitantly he does as commanded. She holds her hand out to the five officers.


    "I-I-I''m Asher...Palmer."


    The officers gasps and slowly stand down and holster their weapons except one. Noctus leans forward and puts her hand on her pistol. The other officers notice, one of them mirrors Noctus.


    Noctus takes a step in front of Asher. "Ron, stand down."


    He grunts and holsters the pistol. ''We are leaving.''


    "She says we''re leaving." Asher sniffles,


    "Is she helping you? Seriously? You can trust me." The female officer says,


    "She''s the only one I trust right now."


    "Do you need a ride?" She asks,


    ''We''re fine.''


    "We''re okay, just...let us go." Asher says,


    "We didn''t see you."


    "Lacey!"


    "We didn''t. See them. Good luck." She says,


    They slowly walk past the officers, Noctus makes sure Asher is inbetween her and them the entire time.

 Chapter 5

    Asher stops and slams his fist into the wall of a building. Noctus squeezes his hand softly.


    He looks at her and he knows what she''s going to say.


    ''I''m sorry. But we can''t stay in the open like this.''


    She pulls him gently and they continue down the sidewalk.


    "What pisses me off is Rocket! I couldn''t do anything!"


    ''You can''t change it now. Nicole is dead.''


    "Once this is done Noctus, can you teach me to fight? At least basics?"


    She looks at him and nods softly. ''If you wish.''


    They hurry down the road until suddenly Noctus stops, Asher follows her eyes, one of the women down in front of them looked back at them.


    The woman looks back again and stops to stare at them. Noctus throws her arm down, the black sword shoots out if the cane''s head.


    "Don''t push me to safety this time?" Asher begs,


    ''Sorry.'' She says,


    She sweeps Asher''s feet and throws her sword up, it sinks deep into the wooden bat wrapped in barbwire with a thunk.


    Noctus spins up to her feet and kicks the man hard in the side before he can react. The man is thrown out of the alleyway and crashes to the concrete rolling onto the asphalt only to be hit by a car.


    "John!" The woman cries,


    Noctus is about to charge her but she switches and dives, tackling Asher and rolling into the alley.


    BANG! BANG!


    "I''ll kill you!" The woman shouts,


    Noctus is up on her feet and waits, she crouches.


    The woman hurries around the corner, Noctus tackles her while pushing up against the arm with the pistol.


    BANG!


    Asher covers his head. Noctus rolls off, to her feet. As if having total control over her momentum, Noctus seems to use it to spin and sends her foot slamming into the woman''s head.


    Her head smacks against the concrete too hard. Asher winces at the sound. The woman groans, Noctus points the gun at her head.


    "W-wait!" Asher shouts,If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Noctus glances up at him, "Let her go."


    Noctus doesn''t even tilt her head. She simply looks down at the woman again.


    "I know she tried to kill us, err, me. Let her go just this once, if she attacks again you can kill her."


    Noctus sighs, Asher knows its a bad idea, but he prays that somehow it works in the favor of all of them.


    The woman stares up at Noctus''s mask and glares at her. Noctus adjusts and stands over her. Noctus grabs the woman by the color of her shirt, lifts yer up and whacks her across the face with the butt of the woman''s gun that is now in Noctus''s hand, knocking the attacker out.


    Noctus drops her and the gun. ''Come on.'' Noctus says,


    Asher hurries out of the alley and they run down the street.


    "How''d they know?" Asher asks,


    ''The first attack, they might have your face now.''


    "Remind me to give you a raise Noctus!" Asher says,


    They run until Asher needs to stop to catch his breath. Noctus draws her sword as several people around them stare. But luckily no one does anything, they just, watch.


    They start off again and run until they reach the building. It''s huge!


    ''Stay close. Do you understand? We aren''t safe yet.'' Noctus signs just before they walk in,


    Asher nods, "Okay. Keep my guard up."


    Noctus nods, she leads the way, everyone stops and watches them walk in and to the stairs.


    ''Why not the elevator?'' Asher signs,


    ''Your face is known. People might make us stop where we don''t want to.''


    Asher feels like an idiot, duh! That''s obvious.


    "Right...right."


    She holds the door open and they start up the stairs. They walk up many...many floors. 27 to be exact. Asher catches his breath yet again and walks through the door. Noctus escorts him to a water dispenser and waits for him to fill a cup up a few times.


    He graps another and hands it to her. She shakes her head. Noctus, it''s fine, take a drink, stand behind me.


    ''After.''


    "No, now. Come on, if someone takes a step closer I''ll call it out. Take a drink, or two."


    That''s all it takes, she takes the cup, Asher fills up two more, but she decides on a different location, they walk into the stairwell. Asher faces away, while holding an arm back towards her with his eyes closed.


    She takes the cup, then the other. He hears her gasp for air. "Again." Asher says,


    ''You need to recieve your inheritance.''


    "Just one more time. Please?" He begs,


    She sighs but obliges. Three more cups of water, she thanks him and they walk out onto the floor for a third time.


    They find the conference room, its busy with people. Noctus swings open the door and they walk in. Everyone stares at them, many of the maybe 30 people gasp and mutter how they weren''t sure Asher would still be alive.


    "You all must have met Noctus before? if you have you seriously have a low opinion of her." Asher says,


    She snorts loud enough for him to hear. Asher looks at her, ''I''m still a woman.''


    Asher''s smile fades, "Shut up." He says to her,


    She shrugs, Asher shakes is head. "I''m here to take my company."


    "How do we know this isn''t some...attempt to steal the company."


    Asher frowns, "Again, can..wait can I plead Noctus? That makes sense right?"


    He looks at Noctus, she simply looks at him and back.


    "She''s wearing a mask." One says,


    Noctus flips the head of her cane in the air, she grabs it and thrusts her arm down extending the sword. She holds it up for people to see, then stabs it into the mahogany table. They jump and stare at them.


    ''You''re a nobody to them, that''s why they are hesitant.''


    "I know."


    "What''d she say?" One asks shakily,


    "It''s personal. I''m Asher Palmer. I''m taking my company."


    "W-with all due respect sir...you''re still quite young...how do you plan to run it?"


    "I have you, and I have her. If she wishes to stay."


    "She''s a bodyguard." One scoffs,


    "I trust her more than anyone else. She was my father''s right hand even if he didn''t realize it, garunteed. Am I wrong Noctus?"


    ''Though I wasn''t involved in the company, I did watch and learn a lot, if you''d like me here, I will be here.''


    "Oh right, that''s another thing...I want control over everything."

 Chapter 6

    "Sir, you can''t! This is the most valuable asset we own."


    "I own. And jeez man why do you say it like that. You guys have her kill people?....Do they?"


    Noctus shakes her head, Asher rolls his eyes, "Secondly, she isn''t an asset, she''s a human being."


    "There''s not even proof that he''s the son though! Why are you all acting like he is?"


    Noctus reaches into her coat and pulls out a small oval box with a clear, plastic top and sets it on the table.


    "We did it in the car on the way here...before we were attacked. A hair of Mr. Palmer and a sample of mine. It''s a match, I''m Asher Palmer."


    Noctus opens the box and a screen appears, big red letters, MATCH above a pucture of James Palmer and Another of Asher.


    The room stares at the small screen. Noctus takes it and signs to them.


    "She says, ''And in case you are getting ideas, I have another one of these that has been mailed to an associate.''"


    "You don''t even belong to him right now." One says,


    "Technically, she doesn''t belong to anyone right now. And that''s the way I''m going to keep it."


    Noctus touches a button under the table, a rectangular plate slides on the table and reveals a keyboard. Noctus touches the keys with incredible speed.


    Then she signs to him, telling him to put his hand on the table beside the keyboard. He does as asked, a few of the people in the room voice rejections but don''t dare to step towards him because of Noctus.


    Suddenly a female voice comes over the speakers in the room. "Asher Palmer, identity confirmed. Welcome to your company sir. Transfering rights and assets to you. This will take a few seconds."


    ''This is Karen, an AI over the system of the company.''


    "Karen?"


    Noctus nods, ''She belongs to the company''s owner, which is you.''


    "But not me personally."


    ''No.''


    ''I''d like to sit down with you...that is, if you still want to e a part of this.''


    "Something we should be a part of?"


    Asher looks at one of the men, his green eyes have a misleading sense of trust. Asher snorts.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "No. Sorry. Karen how''s it coming?"


    "Transfer 87% complete....transfer complete, this is now your company sir."


    "So now what?"


    "Now you go back to work, I need to have a private meeting with Noctus."


    "About what exactly."


    "Well if I tell you it''s not private is it?"


    Noctus takes him to the CEO''s office and secures the office.


    ''Noctus, I have no idea how to run a company.''


    She slowly nods and signs, "That''s why I''m here is it not?''


    ''I want to be the owner of the company. But I don''t know a thing about running a buisness let alone one like this.''


    ''What do you suggest?''


    ''What if you ran it?''


    She hums, ''I''m...not surprised. But...you only just met me. For all you know this could have been my plan the entire time.''


    "I know. And to be honest. I don''t think I trust you enough to run the company right now. But either you would run it, or I run it into the ground. Even if you helped me, you''d tecnically be running it anyway."


    She sighs, ''Are you certain about this?''


    ''Yes, although, I''ll release you, if you still want to-''


    ''No. I want to remain your protector so long as you wish the same.''


    ''Okay, then maybe I can go to school for it? You can teach me to fight, or at least basics? Ince you think I know enough to take control of the company and do what you think is right while I learn to do the same.''


    ''I''ve never run a company either. Though I agree I''m more suited.''


    ''I own the company, but you''ll run it and help me to understand it once you think I''m ready.''


    ''If I may, I''d rather turn over staff, hire people worthy of trust and our goals.''


    Asher turns and stares out a window, he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Geez...it seems so complicated right now...if you think that''s what we should do.''


    Noctus nods, ''I understand, would you like to run the checks with me? We can both decide who to hire, who to keep and who we would be better offf without.''


    ''Yes. I would like that. Let me ask this right off the bat, where do you see us going?''


    ''We are a robotics and security company. Keep up our clients, but focus less on military and war purpose.''


    ''Okay. Agreed. When do we start?''


    ''We can go inform the board room and we can have Karen aid us? Speed up the process?''


    ''I like it.''


    ''Okay.''


    They walk back, Asher feels so useless. Like a little monkey hangin on her arm with the purpose of her showing him off. He trues to avoid eye contact with everyone, he feels like he isnt yet worthy to look them in the eyes. The walk back seems endless as people subtly watch them.


    The boardroom swells with frustration and anger just from the members seeing Noctus and Asher through the glass.


    "You''re crazy! You can''t fire people like us! You need us!"


    "Actually I have no idea if I do, but it''s not just my call to make right now. I already told you Noctus will be helping me. You could still be staying, I don''t know."


    "You can''t do this." One woman growls,


    "Actually I can, this is my company....We won''t be supplying enemies and war lords with soldiers. Meaning that I want a new vision for this company." Asher says,


    "You''ll run the company into the ground!"


    Asher stops and frowns, "Huh..."


    He turns and smiles softly, "Good thing its mine then right?!"


    Noctus smirks and snorts. "Noctus? Can I get the documents concerning your ownership at home?"


    ''Yes, you can. You can access it from your office at the mansion.''


    Asher stops and looks at her, "That''s right. I hadn''t thought about the house my father had yet...I guess it''s mine?"


    She nods. Asher takes a deep breath and they walk out of the room and to the elevator. "We''re going to have even bigger targets on our backs then we do now."


    ''Yes. But it won''t be as bad as earlier. I''m by your side Asher.''


    "Don''t take this personally okay?"


    She nods, "I''m not sure if its a good thing but, knowing you are makes me anxious."


    ''I understand Asher. I do. It''s all being thrown at you at once."


    "Yes. But don''t misunderstand. Even if I don''t totally trust you yet. I still trust you."


    "I will do my best to earn the rest of your trust and keep it."


    "Let''s get to work."

 Chapter 7

    3 Months Later


    Asher is on his hands and knees, breathing heavily. He groans and pushes up to his feet painfully.


    "Ughhfff."


    Noctus drops her hands, ''You''ve made significant progress. I''m proud.''


    ''It''s thanks to you Noctus.''


    ''You''ve come a long way, you should be proud of yourself. Rest, tomorrow you have a big day. It''s a tough place Asher.''


    Asger smiles and shakes his head. ''What?'' She asks,


    "I owe you so much Noctus. Very much. Thank you, and I''ll be careful."


    She bows her head. ''I haven''t known someone with as noble a heart as you. It''s very enjoyable.''


    "I haven''t known someone as crazy as you. Or amazing." Asher laughs,


    Noctus rolls her eyes and nods up, telling him to get going. ''Have you talked to Raegan lately?''


    His smile fades, ''No, not since everything happened. I think she just wants time to process.''


    ''Asher...it''s been almost 4 months.''


    "I know...I''m gonna go shower."


    After the shower and making dinner for him and Noctus he heads upstairs into his room. He thought he''d get ysed to it, but he hasn''t. The house is just...huge. He has more money than he could ever hope to spend. He has his own car, he even has his own jet. Yet, he feels like he doesn''t deserve a dime, it''s all so much. Not to mention he is starting at the academy tomorrow, he just can''t fall asleep.


    However eventually, he does, he gets about 3 hours of sleep. Noctus knocks loud on the door, its enough to startle him awake.


    He groans and buries his face in his pillow.


    knock-knock-knock!


    "Yeah-yeah! I''m up. Im up."


    He awkwardly rolls off the bed onto his feet and stands up in the same motion, a little impressed he was able to actually catch himself.


    He rubs his eyes and yawns. He walks over to his open closet and walks in. He throws on jeans, all star converse and throws on a shirt with his drowsy eyes closed, not caring what it is. The cool thing about this academy is there aren''t school uniforms.


    He hurries downstairs and into the kitchen. Noctus takes a plate out of the microwave and sets it on the table in front of him.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Noctus you''re amazing."


    ''I aim to please.''


    He eats the eggs, bacon and sausage. "Alright, see ya."


    Tap! Tap!


    Asher looks back at her, the knuckle of her middle finger having tapped the counter.


    ''Be careful okay? You''re a big name.''


    He smiles, "I know. I will. Keep me posted?"


    ''Always do.''


    He turns and walks out the door, he really was trying to be invested in this company, even though he understood near nothing, any involvement felt like progress.


    He climbs in his tuscon SUV and starts off to school. His smile fades, he''d have a bit of a harder time staying in touch, he still will of course and come back all the time, but this is the first time he will have been away from Noctus for this long. The thing with the academy is, you have to live on campus. But he and Noctus aren''t just gonna be long distance, they are still going to be together all the time. Noctus made sure of that by hiring people to lighten her load so she isn''t always busy.


    But Asher is going to make a life of his own for himself by starting here and it isn''t far either, 20 miles away.


    He drives into the student parking lot and climbs out. He takes a deep breath and starts onto the campus. He gets the key to his dorm and gets a free bag, he explores the huge campus and finally finds his dorm building.


    He takes the elevator up to his floor and starts down the hall. It''s very lively, hardly anyone pays attention to him, its a weird transition from being the topic of the year.


    He finds his room and unlocks it. He opens the door and walks in, it''s a single student room, pretty nice. Most others have two or three.


    He looks at his bed by the window, it was a balcony next to it, that''s a bit much. He has a kitchen, bathroom and even a guest bedroom. Now that is too much, though he could always allow Noctus to use it if she visits. That just feels weird.


    He looks at an email he recieved on his phone, he opens his school schedule, the welcome ceremony starts in a few minutes, but, he doesn''t want to go. He doesn''t want to be stuck in a huge, room crowded with people for an hour and a half.


    for the last half hour he walks around the campus cause he''s bored and then he realizes as he sees some of the students wearing uniforms. Craaaaap....


    He rolls his eyes in frustration and hurries to the finance office of the academy based on the map on his phone.


    He walks to the desk and smiles at the man sitting there. "Hi, um I need to get my school uniform."


    His smile fades, "You weren''t sent any through the mail?"


    "Uh, no, maybe it got lost."


    "Uh, I''m so sorry. Let me get some for you, if you want more than three though it''s $15 per pair. What''s your sizes and could I get your name?"


    "Uh Asher Palmer, 30 30 waist, not sure how you measure shirt sizes." He chuckles,


    The man''s eyes are wide. "Uh...yes sir...pleasure to meet you."


    He smiles, "Pleasure''s mine, uh..."


    "Jack Michaels sir. Shirts are small, medium, large and extras. They do shrink a little."


    "Let''s try a large then."


    He smiles and nods, "Just a moment sir we got them in a storage room back here."


    "Yeah course."


    He grabs his uniforms and heads back to his room, he changes and looks in the mirror at himself. He wears a red jacket with a black button up shirt, red tie, black trousers and black dress shoes.


    He groans in disgust, he hates wearing dress clothes he looks at the time on his phone and starts to his homeroom class. He walks in behind a few other students and checks out his knew class.


    He looks at 2 of the girls talking to each other. One has white hair, the other long ginger hair with square "nerd" glasses.


    They laugh pretty loud with each other. Asher walks to the back and sits down next to them and a few other students given that the only seats available are in the back. Isn''t it usually the other way around? People must really be here to learn.


    "Hey, you''re Asher right? Asher Palmer?"


    He looks over at them, the two girls stare at him, with much of the rest of the class.

 Chapter 8

    "I am?"


    "Heh! Why are you here?" Someone asks,


    "What do you mean?"


    "I mean, we''ve all earned our riches, what have you done besides steal it?"


    "Yes, commanding servants is a taxing work, I''m sure."


    The redhead snorts, "You little jerk." She laughs,


    "Whatever your problem is with me, just get over it." Asher says,


    "Hah! Now that''s said like a real man with power."


    "Don''t misunderstand, I''m not my father, I''m here to learn, earn my company and money and make friends...if that''s possible."


    "Heh, the day Mia is absent." One girl laughs,


    "That''s enough class, we are all here to learn are we not? I am Miss Clark. Pleasure to meet you all."


    He sits in class all day learning about Math, Science, Finance and English. It''s weird to be in an environment like this. He tries his best to focus, but all he can think about is that he''s in a classroom with all these strangers, some of them already hate him.


    Once class ends he stretches out of his seat. Most of the students in class come over and start talking to the redhead and white haired girl.


    Asher raises an eyebrow. Maybe they are pretty famous.


    "We should invite him."


    "Pffft. Yeah right."


    "Hey Palmer!"


    "Jessica!?"


    "What? Oh come on we are all in the same world."


    Asher looks back at the group with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?"


    The redhead rolls her eyes, the guys around them scoff and mumble.


    "Relax guys, Palmer, wanna go to a concert?"


    "You can call me Asher and, not sure, never been."


    "Well then you got to go!" One guy says,


    He''s one of the only who at least acts like he doesn''t hate Asher. "Ryan, shut up."


    "What?"


    "Come on Asher, it''ll be fun." The white haired girl, Jess, says,


    "What concert?" Asher asks,


    "Ours. My name''s Riley." The redhead says,


    "Where''s it at?" Asher says,


    "Do you need parental permission?" One boys mocks,This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Asher glares at him as Jessica spits the boy''s name. "What?! He''s cool, right?"


    Asher looks at him in disgust. "Get your hand off my shoulder, now." He says,


    The guy smirks and does as commanded. "It''s at The Loisden park today at 2."


    "Yeah what''s the catch?"


    "We just want to welcome you man. You''re part of us now."


    "Maybe."


    "We won''t bully you too much."


    "Alright! Enough guys. They don''t mean it. They''re jerks." Ryan says,


    "I might come." Asher says,


    He turns and starts out of class. He walks out the building as everyone else starts piling out.


    He stops and turns, he looks around him and turns again. He definitely heard someone whispering, when he turned, it stopped.


    "Dude where were you?!"


    Asher turns around and sees Jessica and Riley talking with another redhead, they laugh as she gives an excuse. She turns around, Asher turns pale, his heart skips a beat.


    Nicole grins, "I''m not wasting time in boring class when I could be practicing for our concert. That we have that day."


    "You''re an idiot." Jess laughs,


    "Hey Asher...you good?"


    A thousand questions pound his mind, but he realizes he''s just staring at them with his jaw dropped. He wonders if she''s undercover maybe.


    He clears his throat and shakes his head. "S-sorry she just looks a lot like someone I...used to know." Is the only thing he can seem to blurt out,


    "Is that...a good thing?" Nicole asks,


    "Uh...yeah sorry, um, she just was a really good friend, she died a while ago."


    Their expressions turn to shock and sadness. "Ugh! I''m sorry man." She says,


    "She was the coolest woman ever." He says, trying to hide his relief and joy,


    "...Oh uh...this is Asher Palmer, Asher this is Mya, she''s our third band member."


    Her eyes widen, "Whoa you''re Asher Palmer?! Heh! Haha! I heard you had one heck of a night when you took the company over!" She laughs,


    Asher smiles, "It was definitely memorable. Is that Mia like M-I-A? I''ve heard a thousand spellings, just, curious."


    "Glad I''m not you." Jessica says,


    "No, Mya M-Y-A, oh hey, you coming to our concert today? It''s at 2 at-"


    "I heard. Yeah, I think I will."


    She smirks, "Alright, we''re going on ahead, see ya there."


    They say goodbye and the three hurry off, whispering to themselves. As soon as they are gone Asher''s smile disappears, his heart is still pounding against his chest. She''s alive. She''s alive. She''s alive. She didn''t even recognize him. Was she just pretending?!


    Asher pulls his phone out and sends a text to Noctus. Call me when you can, I need to make sure I''m not going insane. I''m not totally sure if it''s an emergency.


    He tucks his phone away and starts off campus, as soon as he leaves the campus his leg vibrates. He pulls his phone out, he accepts the call.


    "Noctus."


    "Whats is the problem?" The female electronic voice asks,


    "I..I''m pretty sure I, no I definitely just saw-a-and talked to Nicole. She''s alive, and apparently going to my school. She''s going by Mya, M-Y-A. I''m, going to a concert of hers and two other students, Jessica and Riley. At 2 o''clock."


    "I''ll look into it. Be careful, okay?"


    "Promise."


    "Best not to engage her Asher."


    "Well, that ship might have sailed, I''ll do my best."


    "Good luck, I''ll meet up with you at your place after."


    "Okay. I''ll keep you updated."


    Asher hangs up and tucks the phone away. He can''t stop thinking about it. She''s alive. She''s alive.


    His head is pounding, how!? What!? He notices he''s breathing a little fast and tries to correct himself.


    Wait, where is he going? He just walked off school campus. His dorm is on campus.


    He shakes his head at himself and walks back onto campus. He walks to his dorm room and changes in more casual clothes, jeans, a black short sleeve and a red and black flannel with rolled up sleeves.


    He looks at the time, concert starts in an hour. Guess he better get there, maybe he could have a chance to talk to Nicole after.


    He gets to his car and drives to the park it''s half an hour away. He finds a place to park but its a 13 minute walk, which isn''t that bad.


    He walks into the park, this is a massive park, but there is no room! It is crowded with people. 1000 something people maybe. These girls are obviously pretty famous, this is ridiculous. But he can''t help but smile, it''s kinda cool, being able to attract this size of a crowd. So much for talking to Nicole after.


    "How are you New York!?"


    The entire crowd cheers louder than he imagined they could. He looks at the massive stage and can see the three of them.


    "You wanna hear some awesome music?!"


    The crowd keeps on cheering. "Alright you heard em! Get off the stage Riley." Jessica plays,


    "Shut up." She teases back,


    Asher smiles as they begin to play.


    "Here we go aga-ee-eehhh-ee-eh-ain-"

 Chapter 9

    The speakers blare with their music, "I''ve been here! I''ve made mistakes, but I''m gonna be the one to watch the world burn!"


    The music and bass hault and is replaced with the cheering crowd. "This wouldn''t be possible without all of you!" Jessica shouts,


    "Have a good afternoon!" Riley cheers,


    A large smile breaks across his face, who knew she had a good voice. The crowd is a thunder of voices releasing their battlecry of approval and enjoyment. It seems to ripple across the sky.


    No way he''s gonna talk to Nicole today. It''s probably best anyway, he has no idea what''s going on, best not to rush whatever this is. Well, the concert is over, time to see Noctus. He hurries to his car, sends a text to Noctus and narrowly misses the flooding rush of people. He drives to her apartment, he climbs out. He''s surprised he didn''t crash, something is happening and driving is the last thing he''s thinking about. Someone killed his father for a reason, Mya, Nicole, whatever, she supposedly died. What is happening?


    He walks up two flights of stairs, staring at his feet. He tries to push out the anxiety, he''s going to see Noctus. His heart pounds with joy and anxiousness, he just wants to see her. After all, she is the first person he''s trusted since Raegan and he hasn''t seen her since.


    He raises his hand and knocks on the mahogany door. It creaks as it opens a little, Asher''s joy is replaced immediately, his heart pounds with suspense and fear. Asher slowly opens the door, he checks the hall to his left. The bathroom and bedroom doors open, he backs away from the doors and into the living room.


    His heart drops, the room has been turned over and looks like it''s exploded. Stuffing from the sofas, broken lamps, broken glass. He shakes awfully as he creeps into the kitchen and sees a similar scene. He looks around, looking for any signs. He doesn''t stop, he knows her, he knows she''s fine, it''s Noctus, but someone''s after her.


    He hurries into the bedroom and looks around the ransacked room, he opens a drawer in her dresser, specifically the bottom one. He takes out the pants and puts his hand flat on the bottom. The dresser beeps and the wooden pannel slides back. A folded piece of paper and a phone, he takes it quickly and unfolds it.


    ''Asher, take the phone, I''ll be in touch with you. I need to figure out what''s happening. I''m ''taking a vacation''. I''ve made arrangements for the company for now. W6.''


    W6, meaning watch your 6 or watch your back. She''s gone into hiding. whoever killed Asher''s father is likely hunting him and obviously is hunting Noctus. But, why haven''t they made the effort to attack Asher? They thought Noctus was always too big a threat maybe?The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    His heart beats faster and faster, Noctus just...left? Whatever this is, it''s serious, perhaps Noctus is wanting to use him as bait to catch whoever did this. He thinks for a moment, but whoever did this, they were looking for something, not necessarily for Noctus. Otherwise they would have just left, not turned her place into such an apocalyptic scene. Noctus must have known what they were looking for, it must be pretty damn important.


    Asher grabs the bedsheet and wipes the drawer, removing his fingerprints. He gets to his feet, feels the new phone in his pocket and hurries out of the apartment building. He hurries away and to the school, he climbs out and walks to his dorm. Asher walks in and sits on his bed. He takes his new phone out and looks at the contacts.


    ''9''


    He decides to wait for her to call first. He breathes in slowly in attempt to calm his nerves. He''s not so much worried as he is just overwhelmed. He tries to focus on anything else, anything.


    The world around him is silent, it''s voiceless noise speaks like the crack of thunder. The dark of the room battles to overthrow the light coming from the tall lamp in the corner by the couch.


    So many questions pound his heart and brain. The suspense is killing him, he feels like the whole world knows what''s happening, except him. The phone vibrates.


    ''Are you there?- Noctus''


    The sigh of relief is like a stone falling off his back, nevertheless, several other stones crush his shoulders.


    ''What happened?!''


    ''Someone is looking for me and for something I have. I only trust telling you in person.''


    Asher''s expression of desparate hope turns to desparate anger and fear. That''s not Noctus. The style is wrong. Where is Noctus? What did they do to her? No, whoever this is, they are smart, they found the phone, which makes any call secured, let alone texts. Noctus wouldn''t say she only trusts telling him in person. Whoever this is, it concerns Noctus enough to make her hide instead of immediately going to Asher.


    ''Okay, when? Where?''


    Asher pulls his other phone and types in his name. He clicks on several links, just as he thought, all pictures of him are nonexistent, same for Noctus. Whoever it is, they don''t know who he is. If they tried to get a vantage point on this apartment through a window, they''d be disappointed...which means they might be coming for him now! He tucks the phones away and is about to bolt but stops. Noctus taught you better, the phone vibrated the second after he picked it up. The person knows he''s here...how? Thermal tech is the only thing he keeps coming back to. They are watching him likely with thermal tech. He needs a crowd. They might kidnap him, kill him, or just want to know his identity.


    Vrrrt!


    ''Hangshire Theater, tomorrow at 5.''


    ''You sold yourself out when you mentioned trust.''


    He walks into the hall and pulls a firealarm on the wall and startes down the stares. The alarm blares and within a minute and a half people poor out into the hall and he mixes with everyone else who has entered the stairwell. They pile outside and stare at the building, Asher''s tempted, but he tries not to look around in the hopes of spotting his enemy.


    After a few seconds, a man storms off, around Asher''s height and build, jeez, if that isn''t lucky. Asher waits for him to disappear, he waits a few more minutes and takes his chance to follow a few others away from the crowd and "vanishes" from the scene.

 Chapter 10

    Asher hurries back to his dorm and locks the door. He walks to his dresser and pulls it open, he removes a wooden plate in the drawer and pulls out a pistol in it''s holster and tucks it behind him in his pants.


    A muffled, quiet voice moans. Asher pulls the gun out, turns and aims at the closet. He walks slowly to the sliding mirror, he slides it open fast and aims at the figure on his butt.


    Then he realizes what he''s seeing. Crap. Ryan, horror stained in his eyes, a gag around his mouth. His hands tied in front of him and his ankles tied as well. Asher knows he''s not faking it, or in other words, it''s not a trick.


    Asher holsters his gun and unties the gag. "Gah! Asher! What the-"


    Asher slaps his hand to Ryan''s mouth. "Shh! Relax. Calmly, what happened?"


    "Uh-uh-uh...Garret, h-he tied me up, said it was some stupid tradition to do this to newbies! Can you believe that!?"


    "They do this a lot? How''d they get in?"


    "The door was open." he says avoiding the first question,


    "Like open, open?"


    "Yeah, I was walking by and they went in your room, I told them to get out and they did this to me ''cause I threatened to tell you about it."


    Asher''s eyes narrow, "That''s it?" he asks as he finishes untying him,


    "Asher?"


    "What?"


    "Why do you have a gun?"


    Oh crap! Ryan just saw that! Asher didn''t even process that! As he thinks about it, Asher has no idea where Noctus is or what happened to her. Asher could use another set of eyes and ears. But at the same time, Ryan has no experience and would be just a huge hinderment to Asher''s investigation. Asher could blow it off and say it''s for self defense. But the silence has been too long now.


    "Asher?"


    He sighs, "Ryan, you and I got to talk."


    Ryan crawls out of the closet and gets to his feet. "What is that supposed to mean?!"


    Asher notices Ryan glancing at the door and Asher steps inbetween him and the locked dorm room door. "A-Asher?"


    "Ryan I want to tell you a story, and I''d very much like you to listen. If you keep it to yourself, I''ll help you get revenge on the idiots that did this to you."


    Ryan turns as white as a ghost. "Are you a murderer? Are y-you gonna kill m-me?" He shakily asks,


    Asher closes his eyes and sighs, "I need to hear if you''ll listen Ryan, I''m not a criminal, it''s for self defense. If you want, you can leave right now, I won''t say anything if you don''t. I promise."


    Ryan stands there, shaking for almost a solid minute before his shaking lessens greatly and he sits on the bed. Asher nods, "Alright."


    Asher sits next to him. "Ryan, I have a bodyguard, as I''m sure you have heard."


    "Noctus?"


    Asher nods, "Someone has done something to her, or has made Noctus go into hiding. Whoever it is, I get a weird feeling they mean to hurt me...and Noctus. She trained me to fight. That''s why I have the gun. Whoever is behind this, they tried to lure me out into the open 2 hours ago."


    "W-why are you dragging me into this then?!"


    "Ryan. Shush. And because I''ve come to a conclusion."


    "W-what''s that?"


    "They, whoever they are, made my bodyguard, one of the most feircesome women alive, go into hiding. They are dangerous, which means they likely want to kidnap, hurt or kill me. Possibly to get to Noctus, but...If they really are that dangerous, why havent they just done what they needed to?"


    "You mean why would they try to lure you out."


    "Exactly. I bet you anything, they have no idea who I am. I looked it up, all photos or mentions of Noctus on the internet are gone. Erased. Which means Noctus, the real one erased the information and pictures of her so I can be safe. The person that is after me knows Noctus, but not that Noctus is Asher''s bodyguard."


    "Well wait...then how do they know about the connection between you two?" Ryan asks,


    "That is a right question. How do they know?"


    "Again...why me?"


    "Because, I don''t trust anyone else enough right now. But if it''s just me...I need someone I can trust Ryan."


    "But, What could I do to help you?"


    "I don''t even know what I''m supposed to do...Noctus taught me, a little of how to take care of myself. My first day, I made out who I could trust my life with and who I couldn''t. I trust you."


    Ryan stares at him for a moment and then looks at the ground and stares at the grains of carpet, then looks at Asher.


    "What about the girls in our class? Mia, Jessica, Riley?"


    Asher holds in his sigh, he clears his throat. "If you''re in, I''ll tell you why I can''t trust them."


    Ryan''s eyes narrow, "I hate you."


    Asher smirks at the ground.


    "Fine! I''m in ya loser, but no more ''edge of your seat'' suspense."


    "Deal." Asher grins,


    By the end of it, Ryan is wide eyed and seemingly not breathing. "Are you freaking kidding me?"


    "I wish." Asher mutters,


    Ryan gets to his feet and lets out a long breath. "Wow...talk about a nightmare."


    "No kidding."


    "So uh...next step?"


    "School. Noctus will reach out when it''s time, for now, investigate the band."


    Ryan hums to himself, "Jessica and them."


    "Yeah."


    "Alright man, where to first?"


    "I''m thinking we''ll follow Mia after school. "Alright man. Let''s do this."


    Asher sighs with relief, finally. "Thanks Ryan."


    "Um, do you want me to come?"


    Asher smirks,


    "What? I haven''t done this like you dude, it freaks me out okay!?"


    Asher laughs, "No you don''t have to come. if anyone asks, just say i want to do homework, don''t say where though okay?"


    "You got it man...wow...this is a lot to unpack."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Just take it easy okay? I''ll text you."


    "Yeah, I''ll text you whenever I see them, but like I''m not gonna follow them."


    "It''s okay to be scared."


    "Were y-heeeeey." He growls,


    Asher gives a smile that says it all, ''I got ya sucker.''


    "There is something important we need to discuss though."


    "What?" Ryan grumbles,


    Asher grins evilly, "Garret."


    "Come on, it''s fine."


    "Oh no it''s not! Little jerk. No one picks on my friends."


    "Ugh, what do you want to do?"


    "Well give me a minute and I''ll figue it out." Asher sasses,


    "Got it! Let''s go."


    Asher pops to his feet like he was spring loaded. Ryan gets up and hurries after him as he rushes out of the room. "Where are we going?"


    "I''ll tell you on the way. Do you know where he is?"


    "The World Mall I think but he''s probably coming back or actually back by now."


    "Good."


    They walk to Ryan''s dorm as Asher explains the plan to him. "You''re an idiot."


    "But?"


    Ryan smiles and shakes his head, "It''s an idiot plan?" he jokes,


    Asher glares at him for an instant. "Alright, you write, I''ll be back."


    "I still hate this plan!"


    "I know."


    Ryan rips a sheet of paper out of the notebook and begins scribbling the message, almost impossibly fast, Asher returns.


    "Okay you tape it up on the door."


    "Asher?"


    "Yep?"


    "We are getting revenge on a guy that bullied me even though there is someone out there that probably wants to kill or hurt you."


    Asher made a weird face, "Yeah...but they don''t know me so...we got time."


    Ryan gives him a concerned look.


    "Truthflly, if I think about it too much man...I''m gonna lose my mind. I just need a breath before we start all this."


    "Asher-"


    "I know. I''m just stalling, but...I''m freaking out man. I don''t know what to do."


    Ryan snorts in agreement, "I''m sure...we got this. I''m sure Noctus is fine too."


    "Thanks man."


    "Of course."


    They casually walk up to the dorm room but stop before getting to the open door. Voices can be heard inside.


    "How did you not get caught?"


    "Speed, narrowly missed them."


    Asher steps in the doorway and waves at them as they notice him. "What''s up guys?" He asks,


    "What do you want?"


    "We left a present in your room, you should go check it out."


    "I did." Asher smirks,


    Asher quickly grabs the handle and shuts the door and turns the lock. They shout and yell and bang on the door. "Switching the locks." Ryan chuckles,


    "Plans don''t need to be complex." Asher says,


    Ryan slaps the paper and tape on the door. ''I found a monster under the bed and locked it in the room.''


    Ryan''s smirk turns into a big smile. "I can''t tell you how good it feels."


    "You''re so dead Palmer!"


    Asher shurgs, turns and they start walking away. "Yet my heart is still beating."


    "He''s gonna kill you ya know."


    "Eh, he''s gotta catch me first."


    BANG!


    They look back at the door. BANG-crack!


    "Ryan?"


    Asher holds his hand out, "See you tomorrow."


    "What?" Ryan squeaks,


    "Run."


    "What about you?"


    BANG!


    "Just get out of here dude."


    Ryan groans, "See ya!" he says and bolts, sprinting down the hall and around the corner,


    BANG-CRACK!


    The door swings open hard and slaps the wall. Garret, Brandon and Josh barrel out of the room, they find him after a moment and glare at him.


    "Sup guys?"


    "You little prick." Josh mutters,


    Asher points finger guns at him and clicks his tongue twice, "That''s not nice."


    He turns and runs as fast as he can. They shout after him as they chase him down the hall.


    "Move! Move! Move!" Asher shouts,


    People jump back and watch as they all pound their feet against the floor. Asher turns the corner and runs down the hall, he makes it to the stair case and sprints down with them right behind him.


    Asher knows he can probably outrun them, but it''d be more entertaining to hide. He runs to the first floor and slams the door open. He runs to a nearby dorm and bolts into the room where four boys are playing cards.


    They both stop and stare at him. "Sh! Please." He whispers and jumps behind the door. The staircase door opens again followed by verbalized death threats,


    One of the guys taps the others and they go back to their game. Garret and the other two stomp in the doorway. The boys jump and look at them.


    "Where is he?!" Brandon growls,


    "Who?"


    "We-we''re just playing cards."


    "Did you hear him?" Garret growls back,


    "We heard that bang you guys made twice, but he didn''t-didn''t come this way."


    The three guys storm off down the hall. Asher creeps out and grins at them.


    "I love you." he whispers,


    "Be careful." one of the boys say,


    Asher creeps back into the hall, making sure the coast is clear. He carefully makes his way to the front door ad hurries to his classroom. They wouldn''t look for him there and he''s got nothing else to do right now.


    He walks down the hall and pulls out a bent and twisted paperclip, the same one he used to switch the locks on Garret''s door.


    He unlocks the door and opens the door. On their knees softly sobbing, a figure kneels over a corpse. "Um." Asher starts,


    The figure gasps sharply and turns around and stares at him.


    Riley.


    Tears dot her glasses and stream her cheeks as she looks at him.


    "I-I-I didn''t....I-I didn''t do th-this." she cries softly,


    Asher snaps back and closes the door behind him and locks it.


    "What happened?" he whispers,


    "Th-this i-i-isn''t m-my blood."


    "It''s alright, what happened?"


    "I-I don''t know! I don''t know! I don''t know! I-I-I-I j-just-th-the door was...it was unlocked, I came to talk to Miss Clark and-and-and I found her like this...oh my-"


    "Hey! Riley!"


    She hangs her head and sobs again, hard. "I...I didn''t kill her! I promise!"


    "Shhh. You aren''t hurt?"


    "N-no, I said, this is her blood! I d-didn''t kill her." she sobs,


    Asher surrenderingly raises his hands, "Alright, shhh. I know you didn''t kill her. Can you look at me?"


    She does so but finds it hard to see him through all her tears that flood her eyes. "Take deep breaths, as slow as you can."


    "How are you so c-calm? She''s dead."


    "Right now, just focus on breathing."


    Asher takes deep, slow breaths and breathes with Riley who can hardly breathe at all. "Alright, how about we get out of here?"


    Panic floods her face. "No-no-no! Please! Please don''t tell anyone!" She begs,


    "Hey. Hey. We aren''t telling anyone anything right now. For now, let''s just get you out of here okay?"


    "I need to throw up." she blurts,


    She hurries to the trash can and pukes. Asher hurries ad pulls her hair back as she does. She holds herself up with her hands on the floor and pukes again. She flops to her butt and wipes her mouth on her sleeve.


    "Riley?"


    She looks at him and is still sniffling.


    "We got to get you some place safe. And...think about it first. We need to take pictures and videos of this."


    Her face turns to disgust and horror. "Someone did this Riley. To you. Someone is going to find it, police will be all over this. I want to conduct my own investigation, I can look back for clues."


    "She''s dead Asher." She cries,


    "I know. It''ll just take a second."


    She sighs and nods, "Then I need to puke again."


    "Don''t touch the trashcan." Asher says,


    He pulls his phone and takes a video of Miss Clark and then of the message on the white board. And erases the message without Riley noticing.


    He walks over and kneels next to her, "Alright, I''m done."


    She nods hard, breathing heavily. "H-how do we get out of here?"


    "We got two options, we wait till dark, erase camera footage, or we sneak out carefully now, get you somewhere, and I''ll come back for the footage."


    Her eyes grow bigger than they already had been from all this. "S-so, low chance of getting caught and sit next to Miss Clark''s body for a few hours or a high chance of getting caught if we leave now."


    "We can get out of here now, no problem."


    She swallows hard, and shakes her head, "N-no. No. No. No-"


    "Alright. Alright. That''s fine. We''ll wait, I''ll take care of prints, you just try to process everything."


    She, already pale, turns so white, you''d think she was dead herself. She manages a nod and gets to her feet and plops into the corner by the door. Asher is careful to wipe the prints off the teacher and the trashcan and the floor all around where they were sitting. He sits in front of her and sighs.


    "H-how are you so calm?"


    "Because I grew up on the street. And unfortunately they aren''t super uncommon to see."


    Her face scrunches up. They sit in silence until the moon has declared it''s dominance of the sky. Asher leads her to and breaks into the office and searches for the system that stores the footage.


    "How did you know how to do this?"


    "Break in?"


    "Y-yeah."


    "Grew up with pickpockets and thieves. Here it is."


    Asher pulls out the harddrive of the camera system, he wipes his prints and they sneak out of the building.


    "Alright, when we are out in the open, no sudden movements."


    They hurry to his dorm building and up to his room using the stairs. They get to the dark, silent floor and creep, being mindful of their steps. Sneaking around like this with all the lights off, it feels like a horror or thriller movie to Asher.


    They soundlessly slip into his room and lock the door. She stares down at her bloodied hands in the darkness, faded light of the moon leaves the room a dark gray color.


    "I can''t believe that happened."


    "Why don''t you take a shower, wash that off, You can use some of my clothes. I''ll wash yours."


    "What if someone catches you?"


    He snorts, walks over to his closet and opens it up. Her eyebrows slightly rise, "You bought a small washer and dryer?"


    "Cause why not?" He asks,


    She smiles softly, "Okay. Thank you Asher. Seriously."


    "Don''t think on it."


    She takes a towel given to her and closes the bathroom door. He picks out Zelda pajamas and lays them out for her. She climbs out half an hour later and dresses in the bathroom. She drenches her hair hard and walks out with a half dead face.


    She rubs her eyes and smiles at him softly. "Thank you Asher, thank you for not telling and, you don''t know me at all...I don''t have have words...how do you know I didn''t kill her? You have no proof. Gah! Asher! I could be ready to kill you!"


    "I do have proof. Miss Clark was on her back when I came in."


    "So?" She asks weakly,


    "I checked. She got shot twice in the back, general rule, when you get shot in the back you fall forward. Her blood was all over your hands which means you most likely flipped her over to see if she was alive. If you shot her you wouldn''t have stayed or have her blood on your hands."


    She stares at him, stunned. "Wow...wow...I''m...impressed."


    "Deductive reasoning.."


    She smiles brighter, but with a hazy look in her eyes. "Alright, you should get some rest."


    She nods, "I''ll take the floor."


    "No you won''t." he spits,


    "You''re sleeping in the bed. I''ll sleep on the floor."


    She makes a sad face. "Asher, no. you''ve been so k-"


    "I don''t care, end of story, you aren''t winning, get in the fricken bed."


    She snorts and sighs. "Fine...thank you."


    She comes close and wraps her arms around him, hugging him tight. "Thank you."


    He starts the load for her clothes and helps her into bed and lays on the ground with a spare blanket and one of the pillows.


    "See you in the morning Riley."


    "Okay." She says softly,

 Chapter 11

    Asher yawns and stretches his arms until his right elbow pops, but instead of hurting it actually relaxes. Riley comes out of the bathroom, dressed in her clean clothes. She looks at him and smiles.


    "Sorry I didn''t wake you, I wasn''t sure if I should."


    "That''s alright, how do you feel?"


    She nods, "Much better."


    "You know they are going to bring that up today, if not question us."


    Riley takes a deep shaky breath. "I''m screwed."


    Asher frowns thoughtfully, he looks up at her. "No you aren''t. Because if they question us, I''ll be right there with you."


    It''s Riley''s turn to frown, "I don''t think they''ll question us both at the same time."


    "No, they wouldn''t. But we can work around that."


    She cocks her head to the side, frowning harder.


    ****


    They walk down the sidewalk together in their uniforms. "We''re late."


    "Not yet, deep breathes Riley."


    She nods and does as instructed trying hard to remember the exercises Asher taught her.


    "Hey guys."


    They look at Ryan as he approaches. "Hey man, how are you?" Asher asks,


    "Good, slept like crap though, Riley? How is ya?"


    "I''m good, a little tired too."


    "Where''s Mia and Jessica?"


    "I''ll meet them in class." she says,


    "Hey Asher, still hanging out after school?"


    "Course." he smiles,


    "Got any concerts today Riley?"


    She shrugs, "No, today I''m just gonna chill with Mia and Jess."


    They arrive at class and freeze when they see the three police officers outside the homeroom door and students and teachers gathered around.


    "What the heck?" Asher and Ryan say in sync,


    They enter the cloud only to have a pale faced Mia and Jess come up to Riley. "What happened?" Ryan asks,


    "Miss Clark was murdered." Jess says, her voice sounds dead,


    "What?!"


    Asher is surprised, Riley really just nailed that response.


    There''s a silence for a few seconds. "H-how?" Asher asks, breaking the silence.


    "I don''t know...they won''t tell us anything." Jess says,


    Asher glances at Riley. Considering the situation, it was understandable to be shocked and horrified. But she seemed a little too much so. Asher clears his throat and makes his way closer. Perhaps Riley read his mind, because she was hot on his heels. Asher thought Riley looked as though she would puke, a little intense, even given the situation. However if Riley were to even just glance at the body, Riley''s...state would be more understandable.


    Asher gently pushes through and peeks through an opening past two police officers that are trying to hold people back. Someone tries to peek over and see, only to be pushed back by the officer and creating a space for Riley, Jessica, Mia and Asher to see Miss Clark''s corpse lying in her gore on the floor. Officers kneeling over the body.


    They all pale, Riley''s body urches, like a physical wave travels down her body. She''s going to puke. Asher luckily had seen it. He realizes it in that moment, Riley is kind, innocent. What happened, that changed her, maybe in some ways for the better, but it would definitely scar her for life. But she wasn''t the only one, Ryan looks like he''s about to throw up as well.


    Asher grabs their arms and pulls them away. "Come on guys, deep breathes, you don''t need to see this. Slow breathes through the nose and out through the mouth."


    "Holy sh..."


    "Oh my gosh, who would do something like that!?" Mia spits under her breath,The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Riley?" Jessica asks,


    She takes Riley''s arm and gives her a concerned look. Riley shakes her head.


    "I...I''m okay...I just...I need a minute."


    "Oh man, that''s not getting out of my head." Ryan gags,


    "You alright buddy?"


    Ryan nods, "Yeah, I-I think Riley and I just got sensitive stomachs."


    Riley doesn''t acknowledge his comment, just struggles to breathe slowly and get her stomach under control. Even Mia and Jessica look like ghosts.


    "Good morning everyone, I''m detective Ronald Wallis and we are going to need to talk to all of you so just stay where you are and we''ll sort this out."


    The tall man lets the side of his mouth curl, but it''s definitely just to put people at ease, his dark eyes easily peirced the crowd before he even spoke, as he emerged from the room everyone noticed him. As he spoke, he silenced the people around him with his dark brown eyes, practically black. His voice was neutral, not too hard but informed that he wasn''t soft either. It was hard to tell his emotions behind the subtle demanding in his voice.


    "What happened?"


    The detective shakes his head slightly, "Miss Clark has been murdered and we need to question all of you."


    "You think one of us did it?" Jace asks,


    "We need to be thorough."


    ****


    Riley''s heart is pounding against her chest, begging for her to just find somewhere to hide and cry. Asher gently grabs a sweaty hand, She glances at him, but as soon as she realizes that he isn''t looking at her, she looks behind her. She prays that it looks like she''s skeptical of the crowd. Oh gosh, it''s a fricken gosh dang wonder she isn''t shaking! She''s so doomed! So so doomed!


    At that moment, Asher gently squeezes her hand, holding it a little tighter for a moment and lets go. For a moment, guilt and horror fill her soul, she wishes he hadn''t let go. But if someone had seen their hands...it would get complicated. She keeps forgetting too but tries to correct herself and breathe through her nose and out of her mouth...or was it the other way around?!


    But then the moment passes, guilt and terror swell within her still but it''s not and unstoppable force anymore. Asher will be there, he promised. She feels her heartbeat slow to a managable rate. How is she not shaking? Gah she was here yesterday!


    Her chest pounds harder again, Ugh come on idiot. She thinks to herself. She reminds herself again to breathe as slowly as she can. Geez this man is so terrifying. She can instantly tell this man has the ability to strike fear into everyone he sees...if he wished too.


    She can do this. She can do this. The class is seated on either side of the wall, another detective comes and helps detective Wallis, but this one isn''t nearly as intimidating.


    In twos, one for each detective, the students are called into another room for questioning. It seemed to not take long at all, until about the fifteenth person, Asher got called in. She plays with her fingers, unable to stop fidgeting. It''s getting worse, but-but Asher said he''d be there with her. He''ll...he''ll think of something.


    After Asher comes out it seems to take a hundred years for her turn to come. It seems to take her a thousand years to walk down the hall, all eyes were going from her to Kaleb, some judging her horribly, eager to know what happened.


    Of course she''s being interviewed by Wallis. She looks to one side of the hall, letting ehr eyes fall on Asher, he gives a subtle smile. Holy crap...she is so freaking nervous that she totally forgot the annoying the thing that''s itching her ear so terribly.


    "You got this." Asher mutters softly,


    His voice carries to the earpiece in her ear. She ''dusts'' off her shirt very softly, making sure she can still feel the microphone beneath her shirt. She lets herself be lead into the room and sits down in the freezing chair.


    "Miss Reed?"


    "Yes?"


    "You are in a band with Mia and Jessica?"


    "Th-that''s correct."


    Where are you Asher? She asks herself,


    "How well did you know miss Clark?"


    "U-um...okay I guess? We weren''t, I-I mean I didn''t know her anymore than anyone else. She was just my teacher."


    "Really? And where were you yesterday between 5PM and 6:30 PM?"


    Riley sat there, three seconds lasted for an eternity.


    "I was at the World Mall, I ran into Asher there and we just walked around and hung out all day."


    "I-I was at the World Mall. I ran into Asher Palmer there, we just started talking and, uh w-we hung out all day."


    "You seem pretty nervous miss Reed."


    "He''s baiting you, you saw a dead body."


    Riley manages to shrug awkwardly, "I saw Miss Clark''s corpse...forgive me if i don''t just get over that." She mumbles,


    The man snorts, "And you have no idea why someone would want to kill your teacher?"


    "I have no idea."


    "Anyone you can think of that has it out for her?"


    Riley shakes her head, "No."


    "So miss Reed, Jessica and Mia were at the World Mall yesterday too, you weren''t with them?"


    Riley shook her head, "We aren''t always together? We just weren''t yesterday."


    "So what were you doing there?"


    "Mm...Shopping?"


    Geez Asher, thanks for the help.


    "I uh, I went shopping for a necklace. Mia looks good in earrings, Jessica wears rings, I just...wanted something for me, we''ve talked about it before."


    Wallis''s face remains unreadable and dark. As if it sees through her lies and is just waiting for her to confess so he can devour her. The silence is making her blood boil. Asher reasures her that is just trying to make her crack but it''s about to work. She holds her breath, if she dares breathe, she fears she''ll hyperventilate.


    "Miss Reed if you''re hiding something, you better tell me right now, do you understand?" His voice was so forceful and commanding,


    She would have confessed had Asher not quickly told her to keep her mouth shut. She stares at him a while longer, his eyes are ready to rip her in half to reveal the truth. Her chest burns and her heart is pounding harder than ever from holding her breath. However his eyes finally soften, he lets her go, she walks out and plops down against the wall, now, she almost can''t control her shaking. She breathes out slowly, silently and her heart seems to pound a little harder for a moment as she breathes in.


    She doesn''t look at Mia or Jessica or even, Asher, she just stares at the ground. She shakes softly, she holds her hands together to keep her shaking from being noticed.


    Holy crap...holy crap.


    "You okay?"


    She looks up at Mia and jessica, they look at her from across the hall with concerned looks, "I''m okay." she whispers to them, letting Asher hear as well,


    "You did it Riley. Just relax as much as you can."


    She leans her head back against the wall and sighs as she breathes a little heavier. She looks over at Asher for a second, he gives a soft smile.


    "Alright Riley, there''s some things I gotta let you in on. after all this."


    She mutters an acceptance.

 Chapter 12

    Riley stares at him, shocked, not quite sure she heard that right. "What?" she asks,


    Before he responds, she clarifies. "My Mia? Are-are you sure?"


    "I''m positive. It''s her. Ryan doesn''t know about you yet, of course. But I can''t keep both of you out of it now that we are involved in this."


    She lowers her head she''s turned pale and is shaking slightly. "Do...do you think she killed miss Clark?" her voice is filled with horror.


    "I don''t know for sure...how long have you known her? How long have you guys been a band?"


    "I-I, we met a few months before the year started and became a band a month before the year started, we uhm got pretty big fast."


    "I''m not saying she did this Riley."


    Riley has tears streaming her face, she wipes them away as she nods. "D-do you think Jessica could be part of it too? I mean geez..."


    "We''re going to figure this out Riley."


    "What if they try to kill me? Why would they..." Her expression dies, Asher raises an eyebrow but lets her take her time. She clears her throat. "Asher, I don''t want...wait...what-what if they''re listening to us?"


    "This room is secure, they won''t be able to listen to us, but there are a few rooms that they can''t listen in on to confuse them, you could just be talking to a friend instead of the one they are looking for."


    She nods, "I understand...um...please don''t be mad Asher. Please? I...I found a letter under my pillow. I didn''t tell you for a few days because...I just got scared and I...."


    She sighs, as if commanding herself to shut up. She pulls a white envelope out of her bag and hands it to him. He snorts, "You turd...you actually think I''d be mad at you?"


    She looks up at him, a little shocked. "B-but-"


    "Riley, you just got thrown into a dangerous world, starting with seeing a dead body. I understand why you didn''t tell me right away. I''d have totally panicked. The fact that you came to me at all is awesome."


    "Asher?"


    "Yeah?"


    Asher who had been playing with a pencil looks up at her. "H-how do you know I didn''t do this?"


    "I uh...watched you for the past few days. If you are trying to find out if Noctus was my bodyguard, you''re like the best I''ve ever seen at keeping secrets and the suckiest assassin/kidnapper ever."


    She simply looks down at her hands. She looks back up at him, "So...what now?"


    "I''m going to spy on Mia tomorrow. I''d like it if you''d go with them, after you get over seeing Miss Clark earlier."


    She nods, "What if I can''t do it Asher? Texting is one thing, but I''d have to physically be there with them."


    "You got this Riley, and like I said I''m not sure they are necessarily ''bad guys''."


    "But Mia, you''re certain that she was...Nicole? You know it was her?"


    "Mia I''m not sure, she is involved somehow, but that doesn''t mean Jessica is in on it. It''s way more likely that Jess isn''t involved."


    Riley frowns, "Why?"


    "It''s just more likely and easier to insert one person than two, my guess is that Mia is in on it and her meeting both of you may have been planned but my money is on Jess not being a part of it."


    Riley exhales hard. "Al-alright, I''ll try."


    "You got this Riley."


    That being said, Asher was positive that if he told Riley he actually thought that there was a good chance that Jessica might be in on this thing as well, it would have probably horrified Riley too much and she couldn''t just pull out. She''d risk her life even more than she would be if she just went along with this.


    She still looks so pale and shaky. "I got to go back to my dorm, Jess and Mia will probably come over so we can all throw out crazy theories, no doubt."


    "You got this Riley."


    "I''ll um...keep you posted."


    "Alright, Noctus was in charge of my company, I''ve talked with them plenty about her random ''vacation'' but I want to go physically check things out too."


    "O-okay. Asher?"


    He smiles at her softly, "Yeah Rie?"


    She forces a smile, "I know it''s to keep me calm and reassure me, but still, thank you for building up my confidence and telling me I can do this."Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Asher snorts, "It''s funny you think i''m just trying to reassure you Riley. You don''t give yourself enough credit. You didn''t even break down when we were questioned, that''s without any training. You''d make one heck of an agent Rie."


    She gives a weak hum in gratitude. She turns and exits his dorm. Asher sighs and rubs his face. He''s pretty sure about Mia but Jess, Asher could go either way. He hopes Riley doesn''t open up to her, she most likely won''t.


    He exits his room and starts away from his building. He hadn''t gone earlier to the office because he wasn''t totally sure that whoever was looking for him had found him. But with the confusion that Asher''s given, hopefully they haven''t figured it out.


    Asher makes his way to the light rail, the sun peaks through the clouds seeming to light the world, presenting it as any other day in the universe. He buys his ticket and waits among the crowd for the light rail to arrive.


    Someone next to him clears his throat, just loud enough to get his attention. Asher looks at him, the middle aged man smiles at him and glances down at his black satchel hanging at his waist.


    Asher glances down at it and sees a square, white box in the bag among so many letters. He''s a letter deliverer, not a package mailman...the package is for him. Asher''s eyes widen slightly as he meets the man''s eyes. Noctus.


    The man nods softly down toward the package. Asher looks forward and slowly reaches in and pulls the box out, with so many people together, no one seems to notice. The man sniffles and waits for Asher to clear his own throat. The man hesitates and then makes his way closer to the light rail tracks.


    Asher turns and starts away until he finds the restroom, he finds a stall and sits on the seat of the toilet. He carefully inspects the plain white box. If Noctus was going to leave something like this, she wouldn''t just leave the box plain, she''d give some clue it was her, even if it was the smallest thing.


    There it is, on the side, bottom right corner of the rectangular box, the smallest imprint of a diamond shape. He pulls a pocket knife and cuts the tape sealing the box. Asher opens it and pulls out a cylindrical tube with eight dials, some letters and numbers on each dial. It''s thicker than his forearm.


    He thinks for a moment. Not here, he holds it in the stomach pocket of his hoodie and walks out of the stall. He turns and gasps, freezing as he sees a man standing there. Asher swallows hard as chills rise up his spine.


    The look of death is in his eyes. Whoever this is, they just found him, but this cryptex, it''s definitely Noctus. "Ughhh...crap." Asher mutters,


    The man pulls a pistol, decorated with a silencer, out of his suit coat, steadying it with one hand, he aims it at Asher. "You get something good in the mail?" He asks smiling evilly,


    "I thought you were supposed to be hard to catch. Hand it over."


    Asher takes a deep breath and holds his breath. Something swings behind the man and the man grunts and belly flops to the floor. In his place is Ryan stands wide eyed, shaking.


    "Ryan?" Asher mumbles,


    The man kicks Ryan''s legs out from under him. Asher pulls out and rolls the cryptex across the floor to the back wall as he bolts toward the man who is scrambling to his feet. Asher jumps onto the man, tackling him to the ground, he lifts a fist and begins slamming his fists into the mans face and defending arms.


    The man knees Asher in the ribs and rolls on top of him. Asher cries out and is thrown, Ryan swings at the man, but he ducks and sucker punches Ryan in the stomach. Ryan gasps and falls to the ground.


    The man turns and starts toward the cryptex only to have Asher ram into him, as he elbows Asher''s back, Asher slams him against the mirror. Asher cries out and flips back and slams the man on his head as they smack against the floor.


    "R..Ry-an! the cryptex!"


    Ryan groans as he scrambles to his feet, holding his ribs.


    "Th-the dial! Run now!" Asher shouts, Asher jumps on the man,


    Ryan hesitates a moment. "Ugh! Move!"


    Ryan sprints to the cryptex, he snatches it up and hurries to the door. He hurries out the door and disappears. Asher is almost kneed in the face but manages to push the knee away. He uppercuts and knocks the man into the air and on his back. Asher scrambles to his knees and hands and dives for the gun, he turns and fires the pistol armed with a silencer. The man groans and drops to the ground.


    Asher gets to his feet slowly, bruises and cuts from the glass explore his body like tattoos. The man is groaning, Asher sighs and walks over.


    "Who...who are you working for?"


    The man, just out of arm''s reach spits toward him, Asher nods, understanding the behavior. He lifts the gun and empties the pistol into the man''s torso, Asher wipes the gun with the man''s suit coat and drops the gun next to him.


    Asher fixes his hair and walks out of the bathroom quickly and quickly walks away. He hurries out of the station and finds Ryan not so internally panicking by a lamp post.


    He sees Asher and seems to freeze entirely. Asher sighs and walks over to him. "You got to fricken be kidding me." He mumbles to himself,


    "Come on." He whispers to Ryan,


    "Asher? What the heck just happened?" He asks, he''s shaking horribly,


    Asher grabs his arm and turns him, they walk briskly away. "I think it''s from Noctus. I think I''m blown now."


    Ryan pales a little more. "Uh....whoa....what do we do now?"


    "I''ll read this and you find Riley as quickly as possible."


    "I-isn''t she at the World Mall? With Mia and Jess?"


    "Yeah that''s where she had said they were going anyway, I''ll give you her number, track her down, find her but do not engage, I''ll meet up with you."


    "What are we going to do?"


    Asher lets out a very uneasy laugh. "You might regret having asked that."


    "Asherrrr?" Ryan growls,


    Asher holds his hand out, Ryan looks at it and hands over the cryptex. "This will tell me whether I''m right or wrong. If I''m right, Riley and you are in danger, Jess and Mia might be as well and Riley won''t just leave them."


    "Alright Asher."


    "Ryan, be careful okay?"


    "You too, hurry up."


    Asher and Ryan split up, Asher hurries to his dorm building and room. Asher groans and racks his brain, 8 letters and/or numbers. Practice? What? No. Strength? No...


    He paces the floor, back and forth over and over. Oh wait! He fiddles with the dial, G-u-a-r...no d, Guardian doesnt work...Asher''s eyes widen. Maybe. He fiddles with the dials again.


    - - A P E X - -


    Asher clicks a button on the side and pulls out a cylinder tube and a piece of paper hidden inside. He unrolls the paper and unfolds it.


    Ghost Walkers are after me, they''ll come for you...run, hide now. The place I''ve mentioned before. I''ll find you. Run


    Asher takes a deep breath, his hands shaking lightly. What the heck is a Ghost Walker?


    Oh crap...this Ghost Walker most likely knows about the dead assassin now. Riley, Ryan, Jess and Mia. Asher turns and rushs out the dorm room door and turns but jumps back when he almost smacks into Garret.


    "You little pri-"


    Asher doesn''t hesitate, he throws his fist into Garret''s face, knocking him on his butt and rolling to his face. Asher sprints down the hall, his knuckles pound but he doesn''t notice. He''s too busy shaking and his mind frozen and racing at the same time if that''s even possible. Please be okay Ryan! Please!

 Chapter 13

    Asher takes the light rail until he gets to the World Mall. He dials the number again for the fifth time.


    "Asher. We''re-"


    "Finally! Where are you?!" Asher growls,


    There''s a moment of hesitation, "We''re at the Athena penny fountain. What''s going on?"


    "Ryan, watch them and around you carefully. I''m on my way. I''ll explain later. ''Run into them if you have to.'' Just keep them there."


    "A-alright. I''ll try."


    Asher shoves the phone into his pocket, as soon as the door opens, he hurries, but doesnt run out of the station, to avoid looking too suspicious. He moves as fast as he''s confident enough to, until he comes to almost the center of the mall. He finds the nearest elevator he takes it up to the 14th floor. As soon as the door opens, he speed walks to the fountain.


    It''s right next to the inner circle of the World Mall, a mile long in diameter. The statue of Athena faces the inner circle, her shield held above her head, her sword hovering around the rim of her circular shield. Protecting Aphrodite from the wrath of Ares when he attacked her out of jealous rage. She claimed a lucky shot with her bow where Ares had missed. Athena killed Ares to save Aphrodite, simply because she was innocent, when Athena actually found her annoying.


    Standing next to her is Riley, Jess, Ryan and Mia, though Mia walks to the edge, admiring the people and the World Mall. Asher thinks about rushing out but second guesses himself. What if whoever is watching him is waiting right now, watching them. How will he get them out? Ugh you idiot!


    He rolls his eyes at himself. How could he have forgotten?! He could have saved so much time too! He types a number into his phone and calls it, the phone glitches and the system and controls appear on his screen. he taps the screen and puts the phone away.


    It doesn''t matter, they matter. Whoever this is, knows Asher. He has to get them out, even if Mia and Jess are in on it. He hurries out over to them, Ryan looks at him and gives a forced smile but it quickly disappears.


    "Asher?"


    "Hey guys."


    "Asher! Hey! Why are you panting?" Jess giggles,


    "We uh...we need to go, now."


    "What? Why? Where?" Mia asks,


    Riley''s eyes turn dark with fear. "What''s going on?"


    "I uh...I''ll explain later. Riley, Ryan, we need to go now. Like right now." he mutters to them,


    "What about them?" Riley asks,


    "They''re coming with us."


    "What? Where? Asher you want to start making sense?" Mia demands,


    Asher rolls his eyes, "I''ll explain later. Someone''s coming for us."


    "Who?" Riley asks,


    "To kill us?" Ryan asks,


    "Maybe...probably." Asher says,


    Mia and Jess look at each other and back, "What?"


    "Why us?"


    Asher sighs, "Over here."


    Asher walks over to the edge of the inner ring, he pulls out his phone and unlocks it and taps the screen. They walk over and look down, following his finger. "Sorry guys."


    Asher pushes Jess and Mia off. They gasp, Mia screams as she plummets.


    "Asher!" Riley screams,


    They hit seemingly, air and turn invisible. Asher taps the screen and suddenly Mia and Jess appear almost eye level, in front of them, on their sides, holding themselves up with their hands. They stare back at them in shock.


    "What the hell!?" Mia shouts,


    "Go now!" Asher pushes Riley and Ryan off the edge, the invisible jet drops a little and lets them fall into and roll into the jet. Asher jumps off and into the jet as people around them shout and point and whisper. The drawbridge closes and Asher walks to the front of the air craft, he taps a button on the seat and a skinny drawer slides open, he pulls the tranquilizer gun out and shoots Jess and Mia. They grunt and fall to the ground.


    Asher puts the gun back and pushes the button, letting the drawer close. Asher takes a seat and takes control. "A-Asher! You shot them!" Riley sobs,


    "They aren''t dead, it was just a tranquilizer. They cant know where we are going. Whoever is after me, has likely found me."


    "Likely?" Riley asks,


    "80% sure. If they know and are coming for me, they are coming for you. I have to get us out of here. Aria, take us to the safe house."


    "On it Ash." an english female voice says,


    "AI?" Ryan asks,


    "Ish..."


    Asher turns and looks at them, spinning the pilot''s chair. "Riley? Ryan? I just...I need to hear it from you...can I trust you two?"If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    They look at each other with concern and back at him. "Yeah man, you can trust me."


    "A-and...me too...I''d probably be in prison without you."


    Asher nods, "Just needed to hear it. We are going off the reservation. I don''t trust them yet."


    They look at Mia and Jess, lying unconscious on the ground. "I''m not sure how long the tranq will last so...I need to tie them up...for now."


    Riley sighs and looks at him and then them. "Okay."


    ****


    The jet softly sets down into the snow. Ryan walks up to Asher and frowns.


    "Where are we?"


    "The Alps."


    "You have a safe house here?" Riley asks, surprised,


    "Yeah, it''s one of them. It''s run by a contact of ours. Ready?"


    "Yeah, what about them?"


    "We''ll bring them in."


    Asher picks up Mia, Ryan carries Jess in his arms and they walk down the ramp, the almost fresh snow, crunches beneath their feet. A soft wind blows across the white desert. Asher had only seen pictures.


    The cabin sits within the tree line ahead of them. A large pond sits in front of the cabin, obviously frozen. The camouflaged cabin is almost invisible even in the clear air. But Asher has seen it a few times in pictures to know its exact location.


    They leave a trail of a thousand steps seemingly before they get to the cabin. Asher walks past the covered window, to add to the camouflage. They walk up to the door, Riley is instructed by Asher to knock four times, rhythmically.


    They wait for maybe 10 seconds, but no answer. Asher narrows his eyes, he quickly sets the still bound Mia in the snow, leaning against the wall. Asher gently puts a hand on Ryan''s shoulder and pushes against him, telling Ryan to take a few steps back.


    Asher grabs the door handle and twists, it''s unlocked. He slowly opens the door and peers inside. The room is lit by the fire cracking against the rock cave it sits in. Asher hums to himself.


    "Where''s your contact?"


    "Probably out hunting. Don''t worry though, he won''t hurt us when he comes back."


    "You sure?"


    "Yeah, I haven''t met him, but I''ve talked to him over a secure line before."


    Asher picks up Mia and the others hesitantly follow him inside. They set Mia and Jess down on the couch. "You guys okay?" Asher asks,


    "I suppose?"


    Asher shrugs at Ryan, "Just making sure. This is a lot to take in."


    "Riley?" Asher asks,


    She just sits next to the fire place and hugs her knees, "I...don''t know."


    She shakes slightly, they did move pretty fast, it must be just hitting her. Ryan sits down in a reclining chair. "I think we just need a moment or two."


    Asher nods in acceptance. "I''ll see what there is to eat."


    He disappears around the corner. Riley stares into the dancing flames, they seem to dance like Indians to the speed of her pounding heart, with every second, her anxiety grows and she shakes harder. How could this all happen? Why? What about her family? Her friends? School? Life? It just all shattered into fragmented mirror of what she once saw as her future.


    Even though she''s so warm, she feels trapped in a cold, dark tunnel, her mind races and at the same time focuses on only a few thoughts. Her life is different. Her life is ruined. She might die. Will she die? Why? Why? WHY?


    Ryan sighs and rubs his face with his hand. He must be freaking out too, she glances at him, she can see it now, her guess is he''s trying to keep it together to help Asher. She doesn''t know. As for her, if she doesn''t try her hardest to keep it together, she''ll scream and sob, full on breakdown. But she feels like it''s going to come.


    "What are we doing here Ryan?"


    Her eyes widen, she just said that to him aloud!


    He looks at her, "If you cry, I''m gonna lose my mind Riley."


    She stares at him, "So you are freaking out too?"


    He bends over and throws his arms out, "Are you freaking kidding me?! I''m about to pull my own hair out!" He whispers angrily to her,


    She just stares at him. He takes a deep breath and rubs his neck.


    "Asher cares about us. He''s trying to help us, we need to help him and be here for him."


    Riley swallows hard and looks up from the wooden floor. "What if...what if being here with him is only endangering us more? What if he''s wrong and we aren''t really in danger?"


    Ryan straightens himself and looks at her in surprise. He looks to the hall where Asher disappeared and back. "You think he''s lying to us?"


    "...I-I-"


    Asher''s footsteps sound as he enters the hall, he walks into the living room and gives a weak smile. "Hey...um, I found some cans of chili. Sound good?"


    "Sure." Ryan says,


    Ryan turns and walks down the hall and into the kitchen. Asher looks at Riley with a raised eyebrow. She looks at Mia and Jess as Jess groans.


    "Great." Riley softly mutters,


    Jess''s eyes open, her eyes widen, she looks around the room until she settles on Asher and Riley.


    "Riley? Asher?" her eyes widen and become filled with fear and anger, "Asher! What is going on?! What are you doing?! Why am I tied up?!" She spits,


    Ryan hurries into the room and stares in surprise and silence. "Hey! Wha...why are we tied up?! What''s going on?! Let us go!" Mia shouts,


    "Easy, calm down, I''ll explain."


    "Just let us go now!" Jess says, tears forming in her eyes,


    "I can''t."


    Mia''s face turns to horror. "We never did anything to you!"


    "No you didn''t. But we can''t let you go just yet. There''s a reason."


    "Why?" Jess cries,


    Asher swallows hard, his hands shake lightly. He looks at Ryan, Ryan shrugs. "I trust you."


    Asher looks at Riley for a moment, but doesn''t let her answer, he knows how she feels, these are still her friends. Even if trusting them scares her.


    "Well...someone is after me...I think they want to kill me, I have no idea what means they would use to get to me, but I care about all of you. I didn''t want you guys to get hurt or worse because of me...but I''m not sure I can trust either of you yet. I can''t tell you why, but I have my reasons."


    The two look at each other, "S-so you just going to leave us like this!?" Jess shouts,


    Tears run down their cheeks, Asher finds it harder and harder to breathe as his anxiety grows. "Um...I...I don''t know yet."


    Riley''s body jolts, straightening, she looks at him with concern. "Truth is I don''t know any of you, but I''m choosing to trust Ryan and Riley, I know nothing about you two, but it should be majority vote."


    "A-are you serious?!-"


    "Yes! Release them." Riley declares,


    Asher hangs his head, "Riley-"


    "I know you can''t trust them, but you trust me? Right? Even I''m skeptical of them, but...but I trust them enough."


    "Riley we need to have majority vote, if this was up to me alone, I wouldn''t let them have even seen you. This needs to be majority vote."


    "I vote no, not yet at least." Ryan says,


    "You say that cause Asher said no!" Mia spits at him,


    "I don''t know you guys either, the only one I even remotely know is Asher, he''s been kind to me and helped me. But this decision I make for myself."


    Asher nods, in acceptance and understanding. "So you''ll leave us tied up?"


    "Like prisoners?! It''s cleeear he cares about us!" Jess cries,


    Asher sighs softly, it feels as though he just breathed out all of his energy. Asher clears his throat.


    "It''s only temporary...I hope. I''ll make dinner."


    Asher turns and leaves to the kitchen. Ryan looks at them, "He just is trying to help us. Try imagining yourself in his shoes. He has no one in his life right now that he can trust totally."


    "Ryan, he kind of kidnapped us and actually kidnapped them."Riley says,


    "Asher saved you over Raegan, she was his best friend before this life happened to him. He chose to save us instead. Consider that before you claim him to the title of monster."


    Ryan turns and leaves to the kitchen. Asher leans over the sink, hanging his head.


    "They''ll understand Asher."


    Asher nods, "I hope so, thanks Ryan."


    Ryan pats his back softly. "We got this."


    "Ryan? Would you mind making the chili? You literally just need to heat it up in a pot."


    "Yeah, you okay?"


    Asher nods, "I, I think I''m gonna go take a shower. I got something else to do too."


    Asher turns his hand over and looks at the watch on his wrist. A black, blue lined grid shows with two green dots. A map.


    "You sent the ship to Raegan?"


    Asher nods, "With a drone bot on the ship."


    "Huh. Scared?"


    Asher nods, he turns and walks away. "Good night Ryan."

 Chapter 14

    Asher stares out the window, the sky is more clear than he''s ever seen before. It''s beautiful, but he wishes so desperately to be one of them and disappear from this world. His watch beeps twice softly, he looks down at the watch. He swallows hard and shakes harder. He sighs and breathes in deeply.


    He sits on the bed and hangs his head in his hand. "Are you sure?"


    "Yes sir. DNA matches."


    "Thank you Aria."


    "Don''t thank me for this sir."


    "Let me know when you come back."


    "Of course sir."


    Asher takes a deep breath and rubs his neck, he hangs his head and breathes out slowly and shakily. The door creaks open, he looks back at Riley, she stares at him, but its hard to see her face.


    "You okay? What are you doing up?" he asks and sniffles,


    She clears her throat. "You just wake up?"


    He raises an eyebrow, "Yeah?"


    "Asher...I don''t want to die."


    He frowns, "You make it sound like that''s going to happen Riley."


    She doesn''t say anything. "Do you....want to talk about it?" He sniffles, he lifts he sleeve and wipes his nose,


    "....Are you okay?"


    "Y-yeah...um...Raegan...sh...she didn''t..."


    Riley covers her mouth after it drops. "Asher...I''m...I''m so sorry."


    Asher wipes the tears out of his eye, "It''s fine. Riley, that won''t happen to you. They won''t find us. And if they do, I''m gonna kill them. If they don''t, I''ll find them first, and kill them."


    Riley stays silent, just shocked. Asher sighs, "Riley, I know you''re scared, I don''t know if anything I say can comfort or reassure you. But...I''m trying my best to defend us, right now you and Ryan are all I care about. I can''t trust anyone totally. But I want to trust you both, so bad. I''m scared too Riley. I''m stressed too, scared too, pissed, angry. Honestly...blood hungry. I don''t want the person who''s doing this, I want them to bleed, they took everything, not just from me, but from people I''d like to consider as friends."


    Asher looks at her and down at the floor. "I don''t know what to do either."


    She just nods, she turns and disappears out of the doorway. He rolls his eyes and sighs. Asher groans and sits on his bed. "Noctus, where the heck are you?"


    He walks out of the room and finds his way to the living room. Ryan leans against the wall watching the fire place, but has a clear visual of Mia and Jessica. Asher smiles softly at him, he''s thankful for him.


    Ryan notices him and nods, as if saying ''Hey.''


    Asher walks over and clears his throat softly, "How long have they been asleep?"


    "Not long. Maybe an hour, Riley was out here too but she went to bed I think."


    Asher''s face turns dark. Ryan frowns, "What is it?"


    "I don''t like this Ryan. We''re running right now. Whoever is chasing us, it''s their game right now. Not ours. We need to find a way to get ahead of them. Otherwise we''re screwed."


    "Alright, so we just do what then?"


    "I don''t know yet. I got some ideas actually. But it''s dangerous."


    "I''m with you man."


    "...Can I ask why? You have no reason to trust me right now."


    "Honestly? The majority of why I side with you is because...it feels right. the rest of me is a mix of wanting to believe you''re trying to help us, that you can help us. And if that''s true, it''s pretty selfish to sit on my butt while you take all the heat and pressure."


    Asher rests his hand on Ryan''s shoulder. "So much is uncertain right now, for me too, obviously. Thank you. I''m really scared man."


    "Me too."


    Asher looks into the living room. The only light is the fireplace, the yellow light tries to illuminate the room, but it falls short. Still, the heat from it seems to seal away and make up for the rest of the visible darkness. Asher looks at Mia.


    "What happened to her? Who''s Jessica? I have so many of my own questions."


    "We''ll find answers. I wouldn''t recommend talking to Riley about those questions, she might just be trusting us right now because we outnumber her."


    Asher nods, "I know, but I hope she''s just conflicted. I''ll watch them, you get some rest."


    "Alright, thanks."


    Asher rubs his eyes and leans against the wall, as Ryan walks into the consuming darkness of the hall. Asher follows after him with his eyes. He feels like such a puppet right now that he half expects some assassin to emerge after a minute, from the darkness holding Ryan''s corpse by the collar of his shirt. This person is a pro. Asher has fled and hid this entire chase.


    Tomorrow. Tomorrow will be different.


    He stares at the two girls sleeping, tied at the limbs on the couches, motionless. He''s thankful for the cracking fire, it breaks the bullhorn volumed silence. He must have passed out sometime during the night because Ryan came and shook him awake. He breathes in sharply through his nose and looks up at him through groggy vision and eyes.


    "H-hey. What time is it?"


    Asher rubs his eyes, "Time to untie us? Or are you still being a prick?"


    "About 11. How you feeling?"


    "Uh...yeah, okay. I''m okay. Sorry I passed out."


    "No worries man. Everything''s still good."


    "He means we are still tied up."


    Asher climbs to his feet and rubs his eyes. "Where''s Riley?"


    "On the jet. she didn''t really want to be in the house."


    Asher sighs, "Alright. Have uh, have you made breakfast yet?"


    "No, not yet."


    "Alright, I''ll get something from the cellar."


    "Cool."


    Asher slips on boots and a thick jacket and opens the front door and swings it shut behind him. He starts around to this side and does a double take to the trees in front of him. He stops in his tracks. He just stares at it, a smile creeps onto his face. A huge moose, it stares back at him, frozen as if stuffed right in it''s stance, maybe 30 yards away.


    The only problem with this is he is really close to them, and they aren''t exactly afraid of people. He takes a deep breath and takes a step away from it, it snorts and turns and starts away. Asher breathes out shakily and shakes his head. That was close. Asher walks to the cellar doors.


    He pulls them open and starts down into the dark cellar. Gosh dang it! He forgot the flashlight. Eh he''ll be fine. He explores it carefully, there''s enough light from the open doors that everything is awfully lit, but outlined. He walks to one of the shelves and grabs a big bag off of it and walks to the cellar doors to look at it. Ugh Cocoa Powder. He grabs another bag that soft or looks different, Milk. Okay, but food is needed. He finds a third bag and brings it to the light. Eggs.


    He smiles and starts out of the cellar and closes the doors. "Hey! You okay?"


    Asher looks at Ryan and smiles, "Yeah! Hah! I forgot a flashlight so I had to find this crap in the dark. Powdered Eggs."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Ryan snorts, "Why does that just fit you?"


    "What''s that supposed to mean?" Asher scoffs,


    "You''re bland Asher. Just expected more." Ryan says laughing,


    Asher lifts his arm and chucks the bag, it slams into Ryan''s butt and hits the snow.


    "Ah!" Ryan jumps and yells but it quickly turns into a laugh,


    SHH! BOOM!


    Asher flies and rolls through the air and hits the snow hard. When he comes too, its dark and quiet. He groans, but there''s a cold breeze on his back. He lifts his head out of the snow. Pain and pressure explodes in his chest like he just got hit square on by a battering ram, full force. His whole body awakens with pain. He pushes himself to his hands and knees.


    The world around him is covered in snow and smoke. He looks around him, the cabin is basically gone. Ryan! Where''s Ryan!?


    He jumps to his feet and tries to walk forward, he stumbles so hard that he face plants in the snow. He gets to his feet, slower this time but is more steady. He sees him, or at least he prays it''s him, lying face down in the snow.


    "Sir?!"


    He jumps and turns, but no one''s there, ugh Aria! He turns and hurries to the body. "Hang on!" he yells into the watch,


    He drops next to Ryan and rolls him over. His arm and side are peppered with blood, but it looks like it''s just a lot of blood from his arm, doesn''t look too bad. His face is peppered with cuts and blood.


    "Aria what the frick just happened?!"


    He puts his fingers against Ryan''s throat, he''s breathing.


    "You''re captives took over the ship sir! We have another visitor as well! A Braven Hunter, I assume he came for them. I''m trying to hack back into the Hover Ranger. Your vitals show you aren''t breathing."


    Asher looks at the cracked screen on the watch, "Yeah well, Ryan and I both got hit pretty good."


    "Can you hack in?"


    "Doing what I can, they look like they are circling around for another pass."


    Asher looks down at Ryan who groans, he opens his eyes, one of them swollen and gasps. "Asher! What happened?!"


    "Easy! Can you move?"


    Ryan swallows and breathes heavily for a moment, processing. "Yeah, I think so."


    "Good, let''s run."


    Asher pulls him to his feet, "Argh!...You look like crap man." he huffs out breathlessly,


    "Come on!"


    They start further into the trees, away from the cabin.


    BOOM! BOOM!


    They stop and look back at the remainder of the burning and smoking cabin, blowing to smithereens. Asher grits his teeth. "Sir?! I can take control on your word!"


    Asher thinks for a moment. Then holds up the watch close to his mouth. "Overload an engine, bring them back. Don''t kill them if you can help it."


    "You didn''t say they had to be in one piece."


    A vehicular scream fills the air, followed by an explosion. The Hover Ranger soars overhead and immediately begins crashing into the tops of trees. "Mia and Jess and an assassin stole our ship. That''s what happened Ryan. We''re gonna find out how and why. You good?"


    Ryan nods, "Right behind you."


    They hurry through the snow to the site of the crashed aircraft, it take only a minute at most to reach it. They hurry to the back of the ship, the door is broken open, lying awkwardly on the ground. Asher tells Ryan to wait, he walks in and picks up an automatic rifle lying on the ground. He lifts it and aims at the Braven Hunter lying near the front on it''s back. It''s body armor and suit makes it look like some super soldier.


    "Ryan."


    Ryan starts in until he''s beside him. "Is it dead?"


    "No. Not yet."


    A voice groans, Asher bends down, pulls it''s pistol and begins clocking the assassin in the head, knocking out the assassin again. He keeps at it until the visor on the helmet shatters. He stands and walks to the pilot seats. Mia and Jess lie unconscious.


    "Aria, give me the sedation gun."


    A drawer opens under the console. Asher pulls it out and hands it to Ryan. "Let''s drag them out."


    "What about him?"


    "I''m not done with him. We''re tying them up, can you do that while I deal with this?"


    "W-what about Riley?"


    Asher looks at her, strapped in. He didn''t even notice her, so she was on the jet with them. Riley betrayed them too. "Tie her up too."


    "Why not in here?"


    "You don''t want to see this."


    Ryan gets a look of fear and clears his throat. "Asher? Just...be careful okay? Don''t lose yourself."


    "I''m not. But I am pissed."


    Ryan and Asher drag Mia and Jess out, Asher just drops Mia onto her face while Ryan sets Jess down easy. Ryan looks at Asher worried and goes in to get Riley.


    Once they are out, Asher ties up the Braven Hunter to the back of the pilot''s seat and helps Ryan tie the others up outside to trees behind a big boulder out of view of the Hover Ranger. "Now what?"


    "Now, I get some answers."


    "Do you want me in there?"


    "No."


    Asher hands Ryan the pistol. "If they wake up and so much as fidget, shoot them. Threaten them with that first, then if they move at all, shoot their calves or feet."


    Ryan is wide eyed, despite how swollen they are. "Okay."


    "You got this Ryan. We''re done hiding. I''m trusting you Ryan."


    Ryan takes the Braven Hunter''s sidearm. Asher walks back to the jet and checks the chamber, it''s loaded. "Alright wake up."


    Asher lifts the gun and unloads seven bullets into the Hunter''s calf. He jumps and yells out, becoming conscious. "Oh good you''re awake. Cool, I''ve got questions."


    The man groans loud, "H-Hey! Excuse me! I''m talking, it''s rude to interrupt. See you just bombed the crap out of my house, now as a soulless monster, I''m sure it''s hard, but hopefully you can imagine. I''m pretty pissed and I reeeaaallly want to take my anger out on something. It''s not good to keep all that in."


    "Go to he-"


    Asher doesn''t even hesitate to take the butt of the gun and slam it against the bullet wounds on the man''s legs. He groans loud and long. "I got all day and 3 loaded magazines we took off of you over there. But don''t worry, you won''t die, not until I get what I want."


    He breathes heavily but says nothing. Asher nods, in acknowledgment, as if saying to himself, that he should have guessed resistance. Asher lifts the gun and fires seven more rounds into the untouched leg''s ankle.


    The man yells out again. "Oh wait, I just remember I don''t like odd numbers."


    Asher fires again and listens to the man scream. "Ugh! Idiot, seven plus seven is fourteen! My bad."


    Asher fires again into the thigh, the first round to make it above the knee. "You know what? I can''t convince you, you''re right. Well, I''m not gonna waste ammunition on you. I''ll just leave you to your thoughts for a while.


    Asher turns and starts out of the jet, "Coward! You can''t even finish me yourself!"


    Asher walks away to Ryan, he stands, shaking in front of Mia and Jess and Riley. "They haven''t woken up yet?"


    "D-did-did you-"


    "No, I''m letting him live with his decisions for a second."


    "You don''t think he can escape?"


    "No, nothing breakable or sharp around him, arms, legs and body is tied good and tight."


    "They haven''t woken up yet."


    "No rush. You okay?"


    Ryan shakes his head, "I''m freaking out man. I''ve never heard someone be tortured before."


    "I''m sorry. Hopefully he gives me what I want soon."


    "What''s the plan to get out of here?"


    "I''ll explain later? Just in case they are awake. But I got a plan."


    "Okay....it''s freezing out here."


    "I know man. Almost okay?"


    Ryan nods, "Hurry please."


    "Let''s give the Hunter a few."


    After fifteen minutes pass, Asher heads back to the jet. The Braven Hunter growls, "Alr-alright! Alright! Alright!"


    Asher bends down, "Who sent you, why? For who? All three of them? How did they know?"


    The man groans and takes deep breathes, "Do you want me to hit your legs again?"


    "Ugh! If you kill me fast...I''ll tell you."


    "I promise to end you humanely and quickly."


    "I know her name is Kaela Bridge. Sh-agh! She doesn''t exist. She wants you dead, You-agh! Your two fr-friends out there aren''t even human...crack one open, you''ll see."


    Asher stares at him, Not Human?


    "Kaela, What do you know?"


    "Sh-she belongs to some organization...I-I don''t know. S.S. She had that on her sleeve. That''s all I know! I swear! Now end it!"


    Asher narrows his eyes, not sure if he should believe him. "Anything that could give clues?"


    "I told you everything!"


    Asher, "Brainstorming off the top of your head. Take things she said to you."


    "Ugh! Come on!....Sh-Shadow! She said the Shadow, like it was a physical thing!"


    Asher nods, "Thanks for your cooperation."


    Asher stands and lifts the rifle. He fires the rest of the clip into the man''s chest. Asher then grabs the magazines, switching his empty one out. He takes walks off the broken jet and towards Ryan.


    "Aria?"


    "Already looking into it, S.S. organization beginning with or including the word shadow."


    Ryan looks at him and sighs, "You got it?"


    "Part of it. Hopefully enough."


    "So he''s finished?"


    "Yeah, he''s gone. He said something interesting about these guys."


    "What?"


    "That they aren''t human."


    Ryan frowns, "What?"


    "I don''t know, I think he meant it literally."


    Ryan looks at them and then back at him. "You think they''re what, robots?"


    Asher shrugs, "I mean they hate us, tried to kill us, they aren''t coming with us."


    Ryan grips his sidearm a little tighter. "Uh...we just...shoot them? Asher."


    "Not Riley, the Hunter said ''your two friends'' meaning Mia and Jessica. I still question Riley. But we aren''t killing her."


    "I don''t know Asher."


    "We shouldn''t bring them Ryan, We can leave them if you want, I won''t shoot them unless you agree, I''ll shoot one to see, but not if you''re not okay with it."


    Ryan gives Asher a horrified look. Asher nods, "Okay, we''ll leave them."


    "C...can''t you just I don''t know, cut them and see?"


    Asher shrugs, "We can try."


    Asher pulls a knife from the sheathe on his leg, it belonged to the Braven Hunter. "This is gonna be gross Ryan, they have blood obviously." Asher says gesturing to their marked and bleeding foreheads and arms.


    "O-okay, we skin them?" Ryan asks, he looks like he''ll pass out. That''s about how Asher feels too.


    "Yeah..."


    "Oh gosh. I can''t watch this."


    "You''re okay with it? We can leave them? But if I check I''ll need to kill one of them so they don''t wake up and you know...move around."


    "Jeez! J-just do it! I''m not watching."


    "Okay. This is gonna be gross."


    Asher gently takes the pistol from Ryan and aims at Jessica. He takes a deep breath and fires one round into her head.


    He walks over to Jessica and stabs the knife into the calf and begins to move to see the bone. He finds it fast, but it''s not bone, some kind of metal. Asher gags and takes deep slow breaths as he looks away from the gore.


    "It''s metal, Jess''s bones, I''m gonna check another place to make sure."


    "Just hurry please."


    Asher cuts open the shoulder blade to the spine. He gags again. He quickly checks and finally quickly pulls away. "Okay. I''m done. Jeez. Yeah....they...they aren''t human."


    Ryan looks at Asher in disbelief. "You''re sure?"


    "Yeah. metal bones, their veins are wires designed to looks like veins."


    "Okay! Just stop! What do we do?"


    "We can''t take them."


    Ryan sighs, "Gosh dang it....I need to see it Asher, I need to see the metal and wires. No I''m not sure, but I need to see it."


    "Alright buddy. Slow deep breathes."


    Ryan walks over with Asher and is shown, amongst the blood, and muscle imitations, wires and metal bones. Ryan sits down on a rock and takes deep breathes. "Holy crap. Holy crap Asher!"


    "I know. Which means Mia is one too."


    "Just kill her before she wakes up, it''ll be hard to kill her like that."


    Asher agrees, Ryan looks away and Asher shoots her in the head. "A-Asher? Why hasn''t Riley woken up?"


    "In the cold and from the crash, beyond that, not sure yet. Come on, we have another ship here, we can check for sure what she is on that."


    "Okay, where are we going?"


    "Home."

 Chapter 15

    ¡°Wh-where are we going?¡± Ryan asks,


    He suddenly gags and bends over to throw up. Again. They both have thrown up a few times from seeing jessica¡¯s insides.


    Asher and Ryan have walked through the trees for an hour. ¡°Its an old hangar, remember?¡±


    ¡±Oh. Yeah.¡±


    Asher looks over at him. ¡°It¡¯ll be okay Ryan. You¡¯re in shock right now. We¡¯re going to go see someone, they owe me a favor.¡±


    ¡±Why¡­why didn¡¯t we go to them first?¡±


    ¡±A few reasons. I haven¡¯t thought about Her in a long time. She kinda hates me though¡±


    Ryan sighs. ¡°What?¡± Asher asks,


    ¡±I mean I¡¯m not trying to judge. But you have some sucky relationships with girls man.¡±


    They stare at each other for a moment as they walk. Asher suddenly starts silently chuckling with turns into a loud laugh. Ryan can¡¯t help but join in laughing.


    ¡±I feel you man. Glad you¡¯re here.¡±


    Ryan agrees, they walk in silence until they reach a small opening, shivering in the cold. Asher carries Riley in his arms. ¡°She isn¡¯t going to kill us right? This other girl?¡±


    ¡°Probably not.¡±


    ¡±Probably? Wait! Raegan?¡±


    ¡±I thought I told you earlier¡­Aria went to pick her up. There wasn¡¯t anything to bring back.¡±


    Ryan closes his eyes and sighs, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry Asher.¡±


    Asher shakes his head. ¡°Don¡¯t think about it. Let¡¯s just get out of here.¡±


    ¡±Alright. We¡¯ve come a long way from school.¡± Ryan chuckles,


    Asher forces a smile, he sees Ryan¡¯s smile disappear. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill whoever did this to us. We¡¯re here.¡±


    Asher walks over to a tree, sets a bound up Riley down and he places his hand against it and gently taps his fist against the tree below his other hand twice.


    Asher hums to himself. ¡°What?¡±


    Asher shrugs, ¡°Been a while, probably just needs a jumpstart.¡±


    He takes a step back, then uses the momentum of his entire body to kick the tree, it shakes hard, the snow on the branches fall. A plate slides up revealing a keypad.


    Asher punches in a series of numbers. The plate slides down, covering the key pad again. A circular hole opens beside them on the rim of the small opening of trees.


    Asher drags Riley over and sets her down. ¡°Want to hand her down to me?¡±


    ¡±Sure.¡±


    Asher drops down into the hole and hits hard ground. Tile. The room is dark, but vast. He looks around it. The air smells stale, but then again. No one has been here in who knows how long. A large object sits on the tile to his left.


    ¡±Alright, ready.¡± He says to Ryan as he looks up through the hole,


    Ryan has his arms under hers and lowers her legs into the hole. ¡°Alright drop her.¡±


    Ryan tries to swing her legs out front and does as instructed. She falls horizontally into Asher¡¯s arms. He sets her down and looks up again. ¡°Alright buddy. Come down.¡±


    ¡±K.¡±


    He drops down onto the tile, Asher just makes sure he has his footing and doesn¡¯t fall to his face. He goes to pick up Riley but Ryan dismisses him and picks her up.


    ¡±Ryan?¡±


    ¡±Yeah?¡±


    ¡±When we take off in this jet. Ask me anything you want. I¡¯ll answer it as best as I can.¡±


    ¡±You sure?¡±


    ¡±You¡¯ve more than earned it. And I¡¯ve been very unfair to you.¡±


    ¡±Good. Because I got questions. And I¡¯m about have a breakdown.¡±


    ¡±Alright. Rant, yell, ask. Whatever you need to do.¡±


    ¡±Really?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. Go.¡±


    He sets Riley on the ground, ¡±¡­Okay what the fricken heck!? I mean what the heck!? Are you fricken kidding me!? This was supposed to be a normal year! Who the crap is this friend of yours? Like honestly man!? How well do you know her because at this rate I need to draw up an end of life plan! Our friends just attacked us! A Braven Hunter was just killed by my best friend, are you even my best friend?! Like I really need to know. Because people I just thought were my friends are freaking robots! How can you be so calm!? What the heck is wrong with you Asher!? Are you a cyborg!? Are you gonna kill me!? Do you care if I die!?¡±


    He is breathing heavily. He didn''t breathe a lot as he got all that out. Asher patiently stands there, facing him, waiting.


    ¡±Go on.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to end up as a fricken trophy Asher! I don''t want my head mounted on a wall! I¡¯m freaking out man! What about my family!? My parents I mean geez! Do they know that I¡¯m gone?! Who is this chick that you know!? I know you¡¯re gonna answer it on the jet but dude! Dude! I¡¯m about to freaking cry! If I¡¯m gonna die them for mercy¡¯s sake just shoot me here! I can¡¯t keep doing this! I¡¯m not a soldier! I¡¯m not police! I have no training! Im freaking out man!¡±


    Asher nods, ¡°So¡­You¡¯re scared, you feel like you are about to die every other second. And you feel even worse because you don¡¯t have training. And it¡¯s all happening so fast that you just feel like you can¡¯t keep up? Let alone keep surviving it? Is that right? Oh and worried about your parents.¡±


    Ryan, who is breathing heavily nods, ¡°I¡¯m losing my crap Asher. I¡¯m not¡­I can¡¯t just keep getting lucky.¡±


    Asher nods. ¡°I know it feels like it. And you don¡¯t know anything. You¡¯re following me blindly, trying hard not to get left in the dust for whoever is chasing us. But give yourself some credit. You¡¯re still here, luck or not. You know at least to expect the unexpected. The rest I can help you with. We can go get your parents now if that¡¯s what you want, there¡¯s options, we could send a drone to check on them. We can go and get them. They know I¡¯m involved. Not necessarily that you are involved. They could be safe. But I might be selfish but thinking that. I¡¯m truly sorry. We¡¯ll take care of them. If you want to leave Ryan, say the word dude. You deserve a break. You don¡¯t deserve any of this. I was worried I had already condemned you. They might not know.¡±


    Ryan nods, ¡°I¡¯d like to get them.¡±


    ¡±Alright. Our first stop. Full speed.¡±


    Ryan nods, ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡±Take a second. Catch your breath. I¡¯ll prepare our bird.¡±


    Ryan sits down next to Riley and waits while Asher flicks on the lights in the small room, in the center is a small jet, looks like the previous one that the others tried to steal, but slight differences. Along the back wall where Asher is, he flicks a few more switches, a humming sound overhead causes Ryan to give Asher a weird look, but Asher has already read his mind.


    ¡±Heaters, melts the snow up above so it doesn¡¯t mess with or damage the jet. The door up there though is painted white so¡­no one will ever see it from the sky.¡±


    Asher turns and readies backpacks along the back wall, Ryan climbs to his feet and helps. They open the rear door of the jet and strap Riley inside in a seat. They fire up the engines, it starts up like it¡¯s new.


    ¡±How long has it been here?¡±


    ¡±This thing is old, but it¡¯s the last of it¡¯s kind. It was discontinued because it¡¯s superior to most jets.¡±


    ¡±How so?¡±


    ¡±It¡¯s got a thicker shell, it can deflect most any kind of bullet, no matter what part gets hit. But it¡¯s older. The engine uses a mix of chemicals and gases as fuel. The air is literally the fuel.¡±


    Ryan¡¯s eyes widen. ¡°No way.¡±


    Asher smiles, ¡°Pretty cool right?¡±


    Ryan smiles and nods, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    It was a weak smile. ¡°Aria?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m in the jet. Preparing flight plan.¡±


    ¡±Take it away.¡±


    They jet begins to lift out of the hole, it closes after they hover out. The jet rises above the trees and into the frigid air. It¡¯s boosters then kick in and they start off, their heads hit the head rests of their seats.


    ¡±Aria? Full speed, we need to get there as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡±Understood sir.¡± The jet quickly speeds up,


    ¡±It¡¯s faster than the other jet, we¡¯ll be there in a few hours.¡±


    Ryan¡¯s eyebrows shoot up, ¡°Jeez. I¡¯m kinda glad they didn¡¯t hijack this one. So¡­I only have a few questions Asher.¡±


    Asher nods, ¡°Shoot.¡±


    ¡±Who is this girl? How is she going to help us? Why? Where?¡±


    ¡±San Diego. She always changes her name, last I knew her it was Beau. She is a Skrout Ryan.¡±


    ¡±What¡¯s that?¡± He asks shaking his head,


    ¡±Surprised you haven¡¯t heard about them. There¡¯s the homeless community, then there¡¯s Skrouts, people that were homeless, they have fought, bled, stole, and killed for power, you can think of them as the biggest gang in the world. They can range from just sketchy people to very dangerous. Usually they are pretty dangerous. But they got power and numbers. There are different factions and gangs within the Skrout world. Beau is the leader of the Skull Dynasty. They are probably the most dangerous or tied. She¡¯ll help us because she owes me. And she loves having debts that are in her favor, under her belt. I¡¯ll owe her after this, that¡¯s her weakness I suppose. She likes me¡­enough. She might have some information or know someone who does about this S.S. she will also have access to plenty of safe houses.¡±


    ¡±You saw what happened to the last safe house Asher!¡±


    Asher just stares at him. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are or how skilled you are. You¡¯re an idiot if you try to penetrate the Skull Dynasty, whether its smoothly and quietly or guns blazing. They¡¯re careful, smart and one of the safest places for us, at least considering our options now.¡±


    ¡°So, why didn¡¯t we go before?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯ll owe her. She¡¯ll use it to her advantage, probably my disadvantage. For amusement. That¡¯s why.¡±


    ¡±Will we be safe?¡±


    Asher shakes his head, ¡°No. But you need to come with me. There¡¯s no way she¡¯ll agree if you don¡¯t walk in with me.¡±


    ¡±What about my parents? I thought you said we might be in the clear?¡±


    ¡±You might be. But this will be safer. And if she and I agree on it. She¡¯ll protect you with her life and the lives of her men, even if part of her wants to kill you, but she won¡¯t want to.¡±


    Ryan swallows hard. ¡°Are you sure about this Asher? I need an honest 100 percent on this. My parents won¡¯t want to come either.¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m 100 percent positive about this Ryan. It¡¯ll work. Because she will really want me to owe her. I¡¯m her ¡®good luck charm¡¯ whatever that means. She¡¯ll agree to it and make sure no one touches you.¡±


    ¡±¡­¡­Okay. What about my parents? We aren¡¯t tranquilizing them.¡±


    Asher snorts, ¡°We¡¯ll convince them. But Ryan?¡±


    ¡±Yeah?¡±


    ¡±What do you think? I¡¯m not saying your doomed if you don¡¯t do this. I just wanted you to know what the option was, and what I was doing.¡±


    ¡±I¡¯ll decide when we get there, what about Riley?¡±


    They both look back at her, the tranquilizer¡¯s effects still leave her unconscious, her limp bound body shakes lightly in the seat.


    ¡°Let¡¯s find out.¡±


    ¡±Ugh. What if she wakes up?¡±


    ¡±She won¡¯t, I brought knockout gas, it¡¯ll keep her under.¡±


    ¡±Okay. I don¡¯t want to watch.¡±


    ¡±Alright. I¡¯ll just cut the wrist, I can seal it back up fast.¡±


    He hooks her up with a mask and a giant pressured gas container. He turns the knob slightly, allowing gas to shoot through a tube and into her mask.


    He pulls a knife and cuts the side on her forearm. Bone. Human. He uses a tool much like a caramelizing torch and it seals her cut.


    ¡±She¡¯s human.¡±


    ¡±Okay, so what do we do with her? Get rid of her?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. I don¡¯t blame her for the way she acted. But we can¡¯t trust her anymore.¡±


    ¡±Where do we dump her? She¡¯s not a homeless person.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll drop her in a rich district. She¡¯ll find her way home.¡±


    ¡±Okay, what about her family?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯ll leave a note telling her not to tell anybody. What she does with it is her decision.¡±


    ¡±Alright. I think I¡¯m gonna sleep.¡±


    ¡±Yeah, good idea.¡±


    ¡±You okay?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. Don¡¯t worry about me. I got this.¡±


    Ryan relaxes in his seat and quickly falls asleep. Asher flies in silence, no way he¡¯s falling asleep. He is not letting himself just be vulnerable like that ever again. He feels so guilty for all this, Ryan deserves so much better. An easy, ordinary life. A few hours later, he wakes Ryan, they touch down on a roof and drop Riley off on it. They cute her loose and leave her, she lies there, unconscious. Asher feels a little guilt for her fate as well. He sighs and they continue on to Ryan¡¯s parents.


    They touch down on the roof, thanks to cloaking technology their ship remains hidden. ¡°Keep it running Aria.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±Yes sir.¡±


    They walk out onto the roof of the four story building. ¡°Ryan? We can only tell them so much at first.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He nods in agreement. They climb down a fire escape and drop to the concrete ground. They walk around the front and knock on the door hard.


    After a few seconds it opens, a woman stands in the doorway, she gasps and immediately starts crying.


    ¡±Ryan!¡±


    She pulls him in for a tight hug and the two start crying. Soon a second person emerges from behind the door that is half open. He joins in on the hug as well.


    Asher smiles softly, his mother and father pull away and look at Asher. ¡°Come in! Please!¡±


    They both walk in, the door shuts behind them. ¡°Where have you been!? What happened!? Oh my gosh look at you! His father says stunned at the multiple tiny cuts on his face,


    Or at least Asher assumes it¡¯s his mother and father. ¡°Mom? Dad? This is Asher Palmer.¡±


    They just stares at him for a moment. ¡°Mr. Palmer. From the news? Wait! What happened?¡±


    The two boys look at each other. ¡°It¡¯s a long story.¡± Asher says,


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult to explain. I¡­screw it. Someone is after us. Someone, we don¡¯t know who, wants me dead.¡±


    The parents stare at them, not sure whether they should believe them or not. But Asher continues.


    ¡±We don¡¯t know why. Or who. But someone has tried to kill me. Because Ryan was with me, he got caught briefly in the crosshairs. I never meant to bring him in danger. I don¡¯t know why this is happening, or who is behind it.¡±


    ¡±W-what?¡± His mother asks softly,


    ¡±You have two options, stay here, be normal, they might not know who Ryan is or that he is involved with me. But at this point. I doubt it. You can stay here, or you can come with me to a place that will be safe.¡±


    They don¡¯t say anything at first, then suddenly, ¡°Are you serious?! You brought him into this!?¡±


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Ryan tries to say but his mother cuts him off,


    ¡±Okay what? What are you talking about? What happened?¡± His mother asks again,


    Then the power shuts off. The lights go out and everything is dark except for faint moonlight shining through some windows. Chills run up and down Asher¡¯s body.


    He immediately pulls out a pistol his had tucked away. ¡°Whoa!¡± His dad says,


    ¡±Shh!¡± Ryan and Asher say almost in unison.


    Asher looks all around at windows and walls. The softest thud sound. From upstairs. They all look up.


    ¡±What is going on?¡± Ryan¡¯s father whispers angrily,


    ¡±I¡¯m calling the police.¡± His mother says,


    Ryan rips the phone out of her hands. ¡°Ryan!¡± She whispers angrily,


    He shushes her. A soft popping sound, another, a thud.


    Ryan¡¯s mother covers her mouth. It was definitely a silenced gun. ¡°Third floor.¡±


    ¡±Probably a team. We need to get out a window. Now.¡±


    ¡±Sir? I¡¯m detecting three heat signatures, Two on the third floor moving down and one in the basement.¡± Aria says softly,


    ¡±Out the window now!¡± Asher whispers angrily,


    Ryan quietly hurries to a window, his parents stare at Asher. He raises the gun at them. They hesitantly follow Ryan. Asher follows them, facing opposite the window. Ryan crawls out first onto the asphalt alleyway, his mother and father are next. Then Asher climbs out and softly shuts the window. He waits a moment, peeking through.


    ¡°Asher!¡± Ryan whispers,


    ¡±¡±Lets go!¡± His whisper whispers,


    ¡±Grab him!¡± Ryan¡¯s mother whispers,


    Asher holds up the gun and points it at the father. ¡°Back off. Wait a minute. Aria? The baseme-¡°


    A door opens and a dark figure very slowly emerges. Pistol in hand from the look of the silhouette. It starts toward another room. Asher can¡¯t make out anything. He had hoped to see some kind of uniform. But its impossible. He¡¯s not gonna just sit here either.


    ¡±Aria? In the street, pick us up.¡±


    ¡±On it boss.¡±


    Asher and the rest hurry out of the alleyway and to the road, its empty except for cars parked on the sides of the road.


    Ffffsssooooooo!


    A large door suddenly opens revealing the inside of the jet. ¡°Are you insane?!¡± The father spits,


    ¡±Get on the fricken jet!¡± Asher softly growls as he points the gun at them.


    They look at it and do as instructed. He hurries after them and the door starts closing before Asher even steps onto the door.


    ¡±Aria get us the heck out of here now!¡±


    ¡±This will be rough.¡±


    The jet flies directly upward fast making everyone stumble as they find seats. Then the kick forward knocks the father and Asher to the floor.


    ¡±Agh!¡± The father hurries to buckle himself in the seat,


    Asher finds the pilot seat and buckles himself in. ¡°What the heck just happened!?¡± The mother asks,


    ¡±Someone is trying to kill me. They think Ryan is with me and came for you! We need to get you some place safe.¡±


    ¡±Who!? Why!? We haven¡¯t done anything! What did Ryan ever do to you!?¡±


    ¡±A normal day. That¡¯s all I want.¡± Asher mutters to himself,


    He turns in his chair and faces them, ¡°I don¡¯t know who this is! I don¡¯t know why they are after me. I don¡¯t know what any of this is about! Ryan was helping me when I started to suspect something. If I knew it would turn out like this I wouldn¡¯t have involved him at all. I am truly sorry this involved all of you. Truly! I want you give you guys your lives back as soon as possible. Three men came to kill you, they didn¡¯t know we were there. If you don¡¯t stay with me for a while they will find you and kill you. I never wanted anyone involved in this. I¡¯m so so sorry.¡±


    ¡±I already told you. I¡¯m with you Asher.¡± Ryan says softly,


    He smiles at Ryan. His parents look at him and then at Asher. Probably stunned and terrified for several reasons, one being that they are being told what to do¡­by a kid.


    They ride in silence for the next thirty minutes, processing it all. His parents are totally in shock. They had a tenant or someone that lived above them. That was the thud. And the silenced shot sounds.


    Asher closes his eyes, why did this all happen? Why do they have to be involved? They don¡¯t deserve anything like this. This isn¡¯t fair to them. They deserve happy normal lives.


    ¡±Who? Us?¡±


    Asher turns and looks at them, ¡°I said that out loud?¡±


    Ryan gives a soft smirk and nods. ¡°You didn¡¯t mean for this to happen. We¡¯re right behind you.¡±


    Asher looks at Ryan¡¯s parents. They just stare at him. Clearly still distraught. He turns forward again, Ryan begins to bring his parents up to speed, leaving out graphic and important details like how Jessica and Mia and Riley were involved, he leaves out the part about torturing the Braven Hunter, but he tells them how we were attacked, that somehow they had found them. His parents shake with terror. But then Ryan does his best to convince them that Asher is their hope of survival.


    ¡±He¡¯s a kid Ryan.¡±


    ¡±And he¡¯s trained. In a few ways. We wouldn¡¯t survive in our own. I know its weird trusting two kids right now but I¡¯m asking you to trust me. He¡¯s our best bet at survival right now.¡±


    There¡¯s a moment of silence. ¡°So where are we headed?¡±


    ¡±Heh¡­here¡¯s where trust comes in. Ever heard of Skrouts?¡±


    ¡±What!? Are you insane!? They¡¯ll kill us just as easily!¡± Ryan¡¯s mother shouts, the father joins in.


    Asher turns to face them, Ryan yells at them and for a moment they stop but their expressions turn angry again. Before they can continue, Asher cuts them off.


    ¡±Will you at least here me out? I have reasons for it. It¡¯s not my first choice either. Our first choice got blown to smithereens. I was a Skrout before I inherited everything from my father. I have serious connections. People owe me, they¡¯ll help. Garunteed. But we play this smart, you do exactly what I say when I say it.¡±


    ¡±No! You d-¡°


    ¡±Shut up! I¡¯m not done talking! If there was a safer option, I¡¯d hightail it! We can¡¯t go to the police, we¡¯ll paint a target on our backs. These aren¡¯t air-soft pros. They know what they are doing, they don¡¯t care who gets in their way they don¡¯t care if you live. The reason we are going here is because this group of Skrouts will be loyal and die defending us. The guys chasing us would be idiots to challenge them. Or need one heck of a force to do so. You don¡¯t mess with these people. If you do, half the world turns against you for revenge. This is our safest bet. It¡¯s also dangerous, which is why I am doing all the talking and we are doing this my way.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna die. Aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡±No mom. We won¡¯t. Trust us. I got a good feeling about this. I¡¯ve been sketched out this entire time too. This, I got a good feeling about this.¡±


    ¡±You want three rich people to just walk in with you?¡±


    ¡±Arriving sir.¡±


    ¡±Good, take us down Aria. And no. This is how it will go down. You two stay here. Me and Ryan go in, you two stay here till we come back for you.¡±


    ¡±No way! We¡¯re putting up with this! We¡¯re going with you! End of story!¡±


    Asher sighs, ¡°What if you went with me? Just you? It can¡¯t be more than two of us¡­to start.¡±


    ¡±Why?¡± The mother asks,


    ¡±The girl we are seeing. She¡¯s not an idiot. She¡¯s cautious. A little too much so. If four of us say we need to meet with her, she might kick us out or something worse regardless of the fact that she owes me.¡±


    ¡±What does that have to do with anything?¡±


    ¡±Owing people in the Skrout world, you die before you break the contract. She might kill or imprison all of you but because she has a pact with me, she¡¯ll let me live. Two of us go in. She¡¯ll be easier to talk to and negotiate with. She will want to feel like she¡¯s the one gaining.¡±


    ¡±We all go in.¡± The mother says,


    ¡±Asher, what about three of us?¡±


    Asher shakes his head, ¡°Two of us. That¡¯s it and it can¡¯t just be me. She will want to meet at least one of you right off the bat. Otherwise she won¡¯t agree to anything.¡±


    ¡±How do you know so much about her?¡±


    ¡±I was a Skrout. Like I said.¡±


    They are all shaking. ¡°I¡¯ll go. Okay I¡¯ll go.¡±


    Asher looks at the father, ¡°I guess we¡¯ve never been properly introduced. Asher.¡±


    He holds his hand out. The man looks at it and grabs it a little too tight. ¡°Killian, and Marcy.¡±


    Ashe smiles at the mother. ¡°Okay, if we go in with you looking like that. It might draw distractions from the person we want to talk to. We need to¡­dirty up a bit.¡±


    ¡±Dirty how? Like hit me?¡±


    ¡±No. Literally, though hitting might help. Come on, let¡¯s find some dirt and mud, uh!- leave your jacket.¡±


    Killian removes his red jacket, he wears a grey turtleneck and jeans. They start off the ramp. ¡°We will be back.¡± Killian says,


    The door closes behind them. They are on a roof of a large one story building.


    ¡±Alright, first things first, give me your shirt, no turtle necks.¡±


    Killian sighs and pulls his shirt off and hands it to him. Asher uses his knife to jaggedly cut off the neck. He hands it back and they climb down a ladder to the ground.


    ¡±Alright, roll around on the ground here.¡±


    Killian gives a disgusted look. ¡°Come on. Just close your eyes.¡±


    ¡±Shut up.¡± He says to Asher,


    Killian lays slowly on his belly and rolls back and forth on the ground, he gets up to his feet and shivers at himself in disgust. Asher can¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    Asher grins, ¡°I few last touches, we got to rub it in so it looks like it¡¯s been there a while.¡±


    Asher helps smear and rub in the dirt and mud . ¡°Okay, do exactly as I say, don¡¯t talk to anyone, if anyone tries, let me jump in.¡±


    ¡±Alright.¡±


    They walk out onto the sidewalk and walk about five blocks down until they get to what looks like a club.


    ¡±In there?¡±


    ¡±Did you expect a flower shop?¡± Asher asks,


    Killian scowls at him as they walk up. ¡°Can I help you?¡± A bouncer asks, a more muscular man, dark skinned.


    ¡±I¡¯m here to see your boss, Beau, or whatever she goes by these days.¡±


    ¡±I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m Asher Palmer.¡±


    ¡±That supposed to mean something buddy?¡±


    A hand slaps the man¡¯s shoulder. Another bouncer that stood next to him joins the conversation. He whispers in the guy¡¯s ear. The bouncer¡¯s eyes widen.


    He looks at Asher. The second bouncer resumes his position and checks people inside. ¡°She¡¯s probably in her lounge.¡± The first bouncer says then steps aside,


    ¡±Thanks Wilfred.¡± Asher says to the caucasian bouncer,


    He nods at him and Asher and Killian walk through. Killian is pale, shaking a little.


    ¡±We¡¯re gonna die in here.¡±


    ¡±Would you man up? Just shut up and stay behind me, focus on breathing.¡±


    A beat and music pounds against the walls of the building as they walk in. People of such a variety but clearly Skrout dance and jump, some talk, some rave, drink, some eat. Asher never minded the food here actually, the Skull Dynasty takes care of it¡¯s people. They had good food and drinks, outside of alcohol anyway. Beau got him to try it once because he owed her. Their relationship has lasted longer than most. And is more unusual than most.


    Asher¡¯s ears explode every time the beat drops, he glances back at Killian who is trying hard to contain himself, he glances at Asher with an intensity as they weave through people. He definitely wants to stay close to Asher. But if he stays at his hip. It¡¯ll look bad. He draws a few eyes but not nearly as much as Asher thought he would have. Asher stops and runs his hand once through Killian¡¯s hair. Killian is a few inches taller than him. It adds to the look, Killian flinches at the action.


    ¡±Man up.¡± Asher says to him,


    Asher turns and continues walking mumbling to himself. He is so not going to last long unless he can keep his composure. They walk through the massive building and finally come to a giant wall. Another Bouncer stands guard. He sees Asher, it takes a second but a smile breaks across his face.


    ¡±Asher.¡±


    ¡±Collin! It¡¯s good to see you man but we got to see Beau.¡±


    He frowns for a moment but then flares his eyebrows. ¡°Ah gotcha. Well, she¡¯s expecting someone pretty important in a few minutes man. You should come back.¡±


    ¡±I can¡¯t. She owes me.¡±


    His smile disappears. ¡°Alright.¡±


    He opens the door and lets them through. The room is engulfed by red lights. ¡°You¡¯re buddy looks like he¡¯s about to whiz himself.¡± The bouncer laughs,


    Asher looks at Killian who just seems to be losing it now. The door closes behind him. Asher gets close to him.


    ¡±Killian, in, out, in, out. Slow.¡±


    Killian nods and starts to actually do it, probably for the first time since they walked in. Asher turns and they continue in further, the Royal lounge for VIPs. Her special guests and friends, a big room with maybe 50 people. Another song threatens to make Asher¡¯s ear drums explode. He makes his way to a booth against the wall where she sits with several others.


    She glances at him then looks to someone else but immediately jolts, almost spilling her soda bottle. She takes her feet off a table and looks at him. Her eyes narrow but a smile breaks out across her face.


    ¡±Asher freakin Palmer!¡±


    The people sitting with her give him mixed expressions, some bitter, some happy some neutral.


    ¡°We need to talk!¡± He shouts over the intense pounding.


    She smiles, ¡°I¡¯m pretty busy! As you can see! Join us!¡±


    ¡±No! We need to talk Beau! It¡¯s important!¡±


    She grins, ¡°You have such a way with words Asher! I¡¯m busy! Who¡¯s your friend?! Looking for a good time?!¡±


    ¡±You owe me one Beau!¡±


    She stops sipped her soda and swallows, she looks up at him. ¡°I have a meeting in a few minutes Asher! Wait till after!¡±


    ¡±How long will it take?¡±


    She groans, though he can¡¯t hear it over the pounding. ¡°Just wait an hour and a half! Maybe three.¡±


    ¡±I¡¯ll owe you two for skipping the meeting!¡±


    Her eyebrow raises, her eyes narrow, she¡¯s clearly thinking it over. ¡°Hey! Epsilon!¡±


    A bouncer standing near hurries to Asher¡¯s side so he can be ready to hear and act on her whim.


    ¡±Cancel my next meeting, tell them an oath came up!¡±


    ¡±Yes ma¡¯am!¡± He turns and hurries away,


    She gets to her feet and walks up way too close to him. She rests her hand on his shoulder and brings her mouth close to his ear. ¡°My private lounge.¡± She says loudly so he can hear,


    She walks past him, letting her hand run across his chest. He and Killian follow her to a black mirrored box against the corner of the room. The bouncer in front of the door opens it for her and her followers then shuts it, with him inside and locking the door behind them.


    She walks to a bar and opens a drawer, ¡°Oh. It¡¯s not Beau anymore by the way. It¡¯s Lucky Lou.¡±


    Asher snorts, ¡°The name I gave you?¡±


    ¡±You got it. It fit pretty well.¡± She says shrugging,


    ¡±Yeah it does.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±Well go on, relax.¡±


    ¡±Lou, we need help. Bad.¡±


    She rolls her eyes, ¡°Oh come on. You¡¯re safe in here and you know it. Relax take your time. Enjoy some pleasures. Drinks?¡±


    ¡±I see you stopped drinking alcohol.¡±


    She smiles, ¡°I don¡¯t think I ever really started, I had a drink every now and then. But yes. I¡¯m not trying to ruin myself here. So? Soda? Water? Maybe something sparkling?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m fine.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±What about you handsome? Hope your wife knows you are here.¡±


    He stiffens, She watches his reaction and giggles, ¡°You didn¡¯t want people to know, don¡¯t where a ring.¡±


    ¡±Relax.¡± Asher whispers to him,


    He continues, silently, the breathing exercise that Asher told him. ¡°You didn¡¯t answer. Drinks?¡±


    Asher looks at him and nods, Killian shakes his head. Lucky Lou groans, ¡°You guys are boring.¡±


    She pulls a drink out of the fridge and shuts it behind her, she plops on the couch. Within this box they can say everything outside of it. Smart mirrors are her walls, no one can see in, but she can see out. A beautiful chandelier hangs above them, its long but does well at illuminating the room.


    Lou smiles as they take their seats across from her on the couch. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail, the sides of her head are shaved close. Tattoos line her left arm hidden beneath her jacket.


    ¡±So. What is so important that you are willing to owe me two times over?¡±


    ¡±Information, and a place to stay.¡±


    She raises an eyebrow. ¡°Asher you¡¯re coming to me for actual help?¡±


    ¡±Someone is trying to kill me. I need to figure out who and protect a few people while I do.¡±


    She tilts her head. ¡°He¡¯s not the only one? Who else?¡±


    ¡°A wife and son.¡±


    She hums to herself, ¡°A family¡­.from where Asher?¡± She asks, sitting up,


    ¡±The rich district.¡± He says,


    Her eyes widen, the bouncer jolts and reaches for a gun hidden in his back. She holds her hand up to stop him. She stares at him.


    ¡±The¡­rich district. And you brought them here?¡± She asks with a surprised smile,


    She shakes her head, ¡°Where did you grow some balls?¡±


    Her eyes narrow, ¡°Asher¡­who¡¯s after you?¡±


    ¡±I don¡¯t know, I need information on them too. Anything you can give me.¡±


    ¡±Hah! I can¡¯t help you if you have nothing to go off of!¡±


    ¡±I have something.¡±


    She raises an eyebrow at him. ¡°Well? Don¡¯t keep me in suspense.¡±


    ¡°A name for a person that doesn¡¯t exist. Kaela Bridge. I¡¯m not sure on the spelling for Kaela. And a type of badge or something she wore. Maybe a patch, the letters S.S.¡±


    She puts a cigarette in her mouth and with a lighter in her other hand ignites the end. She sucks on the end, she pulls it out, and breathes out the smoke slow.


    ¡±So much for caring for yourself.¡±Killian says,


    ¡±Shut up.¡± Asher softly spits to him,


    Lou looks at Killian then Asher and dies one more drag and breathes out. ¡°Get Devon. I want this contract documented. But I want a moment alone with them.¡±


    The bouncer agrees to the command and exits the room. Lou clears her throat.


    ¡±S.S. You didn¡¯t come because you knew I consider you a favorite did you?¡± She asks rhetorically,


    ¡±I did, but I also know you believe in, you call them fairytales?¡±


    She smirks, she takes a long drag of her cigarette and holds it in for a moment, she then slowly breathes out.


    ¡±I¡¯m not even sure if I know anything. I don¡¯t know this name at all.¡±


    ¡±You could look into it.¡±


    ¡±You¡¯ve had training haven¡¯t you Asher? Proper training. I bet you could even give a few of my bouncers a run for their money.¡±


    ¡±So?¡± Killian asks,


    Asher rolls his eyes and sighs at him. ¡°So. Whoever tried to kill him, or you. They are dangerous. You¡¯re quite important, you have your inheritance. Why try to kill you?¡±


    A knock sounds on the door. It then opens and in comes the bouncer who left as well as two other people, a middle aged man and a younger man. They sit at a bar around the backside of the couch, one pulls out a pencil for his paper, another opens his laptop and sets out a recorder, they wait for her head nod, telling them to start the recorder.


    ¡±You want my help Asher? You owe me three times over no restrictions to job or favor size. You me three for the protection, two more for the information. Thats a total seven.¡±


    ¡±Seven?!¡± Killian mutters to himself,


    ¡±Dude. Shut up.¡± Asher says,


    Lou smiles at Killian then at Asher, ¡°I like you a lot Asher. You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m not refusing you. What you¡¯re asking will paint a big target on Skrouts. You owe me seven for skipping my meeting, for the protection of you and your¡­¡¯friends¡¯ and for the information that I might be able to provide.¡±


    Asher thinks for a moment. ¡°Deal. I owe you seven.¡±


    She grins, ¡°All of which, are unrestrained by size. And I promise to personally dig into this.¡±


    ¡±If I can make a condition of my own.¡±


    ¡±Oh? What is it?¡±


    Asher looks at the assistants, they finish typing and writing and look at him. He looks at her.


    ¡±This family has top class. They aren¡¯t servants, they aren¡¯t slaves. First class protection.¡±


    She bites her lip. ¡°How exciting this is. I¡¯ve never seen you like this. Take charge. Deal.¡±


    She extends her hand, Asher extends his. They grab each other¡¯s forearms. ¡°I swear by the oath that I will protect your friends with my dying breath. I will personally look into this assassin who is after you and your friends. I will provide information that I have and dig up as much as I can. Your friends will have residence with me and have First Class Protection from me. In exchange for you owing me seven times with no size restraints.¡±


    She smiles at him, he swallows hard, ¡°I swear by the oath of Skrouts, as you swore to protect me and my friends and look into this assassin that is after us, I will assist you and I swear that as you have sworn to give share information with me and the protection that that I owe you seven times no size restraints.¡±


    ¡±I swear by this verbal and blood oath.¡± They say simultaneously,


    They let go and face their palms upward. The bouncer opens a book with several columns and rows with blood finger prints. The bouncer lightly cuts Asher¡¯s thumb. He flinches slightly at the cut. Never breaking eye contact, he spreads his blood over his thumb and presses it against the book. Then presses it again under her thumb print, long since dried. Showing her debt was repaid. The bouncer give him a rag and a bandaid.


    Lou smiles and relaxes in her seat. ¡°You owe me a debt. I never thought I¡¯d get an opportunity with you. I have been wanting this for a long time.¡±


    ¡±It¡¯s recorded ma¡¯am.¡± One of the assistants says,


    Both of them get up and walk out of the room. Asher sighs and waits, staring at Lou.


    She smiles and hums. Then takes one last drag of her cigarette, she holds it in for a long time and finally exhales through her nose. She then discharges the cigarette to the ash tray.


    ¡±I hate those things too. Usually they are E cigs. Show them to me.¡±

 The Game Begins

    After collecting them, Asher leads them to a hidden entrance that Lou had opened for him. Lou smiles at them as they walk in.


    ¡±So this is the wonder family?¡±


    ¡±This is Marcy, Killian and Ryan.¡±


    ¡±Guys, this is Lucky Lou.¡±


    ¡±Lucky Lou?¡±


    She grins, ¡°You see, rare is the occasion that I am wrong. I¡¯m never wrong. Did you bring them up to speed?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. They get it.¡±


    ¡±Good. Saves me from having to explain. I¡¯ll show you to your rooms, you will each have your own protector. You can ask them about entertainment, food, whatever. We have plenty of, everything.¡±


    ¡±So we just stay inside all day and night?¡±


    She smiles at Marcy. ¡°This will be fun.¡± She says to Asher,


    ¡±Yes. You do. You don¡¯t leave unless I say it¡¯s okay or give the order allowing you to. Whoever is after you isn¡¯t sparing expenses. They won¡¯t just walk in here like a natural. Because there is no way they are.¡±


    ¡±How do you know?¡± Ryan asks as they walk,


    ¡±Because I¡¯m the leader of the Skull Dynasty. Nothing goes under my nose if its within the Skrout world. And I have ears just about everywhere else. Speaking of which, my meeting, thankfully, was pushed back, not canceled. While you three get settled in, Asher is going to help me with one of the debts he owes me.¡±


    Asher frowns, ¡°Doing what?¡±


    ¡±Helping to settle a deal.¡±


    ¡±What kind of deal?¡±


    She smiles at him. ¡°Your ears only. I don¡¯t trust your friends.¡±


    ¡±That sounds fair.¡± Ryan sighs,


    ¡±He¡¯d make a good lap dog.¡±


    ¡±Ha ha ha.¡±


    She giggles at Asher, ¡°Relax he¡¯s not my type anyway.¡±


    She leads them to a level below the club. It¡¯s the residential area for important guests and some staff. The rooms for Killian and Marcy are next to Ryan¡¯s.


    ¡±What do you guys think about playing a few rounds of pool after my meeting?¡±


    They all exchange looks. She laughs, ¡°Oh come on! After the crap you guys have gone through, Asher and¡­Ryan? Especially. You deserve to just relax a little. Shoot a few holes, get to know each other a little more. I like to know who I¡¯m protecting.¡±


    ¡±You want to interrogate us?¡±


    She smiles, ¡°No. Just get to know you. You¡¯re my guests. I don¡¯t like it when my guests are stressed.¡±


    ¡±She¡¯s serious.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±We¡¯ll think about it.¡± Marcy says,


    She shrugs, ¡°Might help more than you think. Asher, I¡¯ll give you a few minutes.¡± She turns and walks down the hall,


    ¡±Charming girl Asher, is she sixteen yet?¡±


    ¡±Hey! Look, she¡¯s serious. You become her friends, get even sort of on her good side? She¡¯ll be even more eager to make sure you¡¯re happy here. When it comes to business, she doesn¡¯t mess around. She¡¯s smart, skilled, talented. She¡¯s someone you want as a friend, she¡¯ll have your back, contract or not.¡±


    ¡±Do we have a choice for our friendly game later?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. You do actually. She¡¯s changed since Ive known her. She¡¯s kinder, if she wanted you to play, she wouldn¡¯t have made it a question.¡±


    ¡±And what if something happens to you while you ¡®help¡¯ her?¡± Killian asks,


    ¡±Is the oath void?¡± Ryan asks,


    ¡±My debt to her will have been paid. She¡¯ll take care of you. But nothing will happen. She swore an oath to protect all of us. I know this sucks, I know it¡¯s a lot. Just have a little faith, if not in her, then in me. We got this.¡±


    ¡±What do we do while you¡¯re gone?¡±


    ¡±You have body guards in the hall playing cards. If you¡¯re hungry, ask them. If you want to do something, ask them. They aren¡¯t as scary as they seem. Just don¡¯t be jerks to them.¡±


    ¡±When will you be back?¡± Ryan asks,


    ¡±I don¡¯t know, hopefully not long.¡±


    ¡±Be safe.¡± Marcy says,


    ¡±I will be.¡±


    He walks out of the room, they weren¡¯t big but they weren¡¯t tiny either. Its like a hotel room. One bed in each room, a TV, bathroom and shower. The walls were painted green, not the most appealing shade either, but it wasn¡¯t bad. The floors were carpeted, nicely.


    He turns into the hall and sees Lou leaning over the body guards who are intensely playing cards.


    She smiles, as she watches them. Asher walks up and she looks at him. She looks back and pushes off the wall.


    ¡±Jackson¡¯s got a straight!¡± She says,


    ¡±What!?¡±


    ¡±Ugh! You lying sack of crap!¡±


    ¡±Hey!¡± Jackson calls after her,


    She grins hard as the pair walk away. ¡°You have changed a lot Lou.¡±


    She smiles at him. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡±You are the inspiration. You left us. It sucked. I lost one of my favorite people. Then I saw you become one of those rich brats. I was bitter about it, but then I saw you gave control to a¡­friend?¡±


    ¡±Yeah, she¡¯s part of this too.¡±


    ¡±That told me that you¡¯re still the same selfless guy I¡¯ve always known. Though you have grown a backbone.¡±


    ¡±You quit drinking because of me?¡±


    She looks at him again a half smile, ¡°I missed you. You lifted the room where you went. When you left. It inspired me to be better. Smarter. I wasn¡¯t jealous of your money. Or power. But it made me miss the good you brought into a room.¡±


    ¡±That¡¯s¡­that¡¯s really cool Lou.¡±


    Her smile broadens, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare let that go to your head.¡±


    He grins, ¡°But. I need proof it¡¯s you Lou.¡±


    She frowns at him, ¡°What is that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡±Prove to me it¡¯s you and I¡¯ll tell you.¡±


    ¡±Hmm. I first met you on the street. It¡¯s how I first owed you a debt. Some tiny band of guys ambushed me and my two bodyguards. They were fighting them, another came out of nowhere behind me and pulled a knife and held it to my throat. Before he could even utter a threat, you hit him in between the legs, he dropped the knife and my bodyguards tackled him and you. But I told them you saved me.¡±


    She clears her throat and continues, ¡°We brought you back to my father, he insisted on a contract, I signed my second one ever with you, on that day. You didn¡¯t stay, you left back out into the world, never cashing in the contract.¡±


    ¡°How old were we?¡±


    ¡±I was 9, you were 10. You didn''t become a Skrout until you were 12 and you left when you were 16. That good enough?¡±


    He nods, ¡°You have any coffee?¡±


    She giggles, ¡°Coffee? This late? How long you been up?¡±


    ¡±I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s been a long day.¡±


    She snorts, ¡°Go get some rest, I¡¯ll handle the meeting.¡±


    ¡±No. You¡¯re cashed in a debt.¡±


    ¡±Well I¡¯m changing my mind. I got this. Go get some sleep. Tell me about everything after pool later.¡±


    She stops walking and pulls on his arm to stop him. ¡°Go on! That¡¯s the debt now. Go sleep.¡±


    ¡±No debt necessary.¡±


    ¡±Fine. You still owe me seven, happy? Go to bed.¡±


    He frowns at her. ¡°You¡¯ve become very different Lou.¡±


    ¡±So have you.¡± She smiles,


    ¡±See you later.¡±


    She waves goodbye and turns away, he heads back but doesn¡¯t think to check in with Ryan and his parents. They might be sleeping too. He walks into his room and shuts the door. It¡¯s quiet, a peaceful quiet. He sighs with relief. Finally. He crawls onto the bed and closes his eyes.


    ****


    A knock wakes him up. He jolts upright and gasps, staring at the cracked open door. She smirks.


    ¡±Sorry. The others are getting breakfast, Ryan wants to know if you¡¯ll join us at 8.¡±


    He rubs his eyes, ¡°What time is it?¡±


    ¡±It is¡­7:40AM.¡± Lou says as she checks an upside down watch on her wrist,


    ¡±Sure. Uh. Give me a minute, I¡¯ll be up.¡±


    ¡±Alright.¡±


    She shuts the door and leaves. Asher lay¡¯s his head in his hands. It wasn¡¯t the best sleep he¡¯s ever head but it wasn¡¯t the worst either.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    He definitely could have slept longer though. He rubs his face and eyes and sniffles. He crawls out of bed and walks over to the bathroom, with a towel at the ready. He turns on the shower and hot water. He undresses and climbs in. He feels the drowsiness wash away with the water, as if it was running down and off his body.


    She washes his hair with the shampoo and conditioner. He then climbs out and dries off. He goes to the closet in his room and gets dressed in officer clothes hanging in the closet. Black pants, boots and a jacket, though Asher leaves it hanging up and wears the burnt brown colored long sleeve shirt.


    He hangs his towel up and leaves, finding his way to a cafeteria which happens to also be the exterior ¡®nightclub¡¯ of the building.


    The yellow lights from the ceiling illuminate the entire room. It doesn''t even look like the same room. It¡¯s filled with people eating and talking and laughing, plenty of noise.


    He circles the square room twice until he spots them at a giant circle table. They also wear officer clothing, Marcy and Killian and Ryan wear everything. They sit next to Lucky, along with the bodyguards. He walks over and they smile at him.


    ¡±Asher. You hungry?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m starving.¡±


    ¡±I figured you guys would be too wiped for a round of pool.¡± Lou says,


    She¡¯s changed so much, she hasn¡¯t been switched out for a robot¡­right? She remembers him, so much about him.


    ¡±What are we talking about?¡±


    ¡±A deal.¡±


    ¡°You guys made a deal with her!?¡±


    ¡±Re-lax! Not a contract, Killian promises to shut up about how this place sucks and I won¡¯t tell him how rich people are the sum of the earth. Excluding you Asher.¡±


    ¡±They aren¡¯t all bad, just have been taught to hate poor people. Or segregate them, most of the rich people anyway.¡±


    ¡±Hey!¡±


    ¡±I said most Ryan.¡± Asher smiles,


    Ryan rolls his eyes with a smile. ¡°See him I see that with. It¡¯s you two that I have trouble with.¡±


    ¡±Why? What did we do?¡± Marcy asks,


    ¡±Enough.¡±


    ¡±So anyway. Breakfast.¡± Asher says, trying to change the topic,


    The others catch on and thankfully let it go. ¡°What do you have to eat?¡± Killian asks,


    ¡±It¡¯s all over there in pots and trays.¡± Lou says,


    They get to their feet, Ryan¡¯s parents are a little quick to do so. Probably to get away from Lou. ¡°How did you come to be in charge of this place?¡± Killian asks,


    ¡±It was a competition actually. A traditional but unique test. The leader picks 25 people, they answer questions, go through scenarios, how they would handle situations. Then the last part is a brawl.¡±


    ¡±Brawl?¡± Marcy asks,


    ¡±A tournament. Whoever holds their own wins, but overall score of the entire competition is what counts.¡±


    ¡±What kind of scenarios do you run through?¡±


    She smirks, ¡°Many kinds, last man standing, simple leading, firefight.¡±


    ¡±So thats how you became the leader?¡±


    ¡±I reminded people not to judge the underdog too quickly.¡±


    They grab food trays and grab pancakes, bacon, sausage eggs and simple water. As they start digging in, Ryan and his parent¡¯s eyes light up. Asher looks at Lucky Lou who flashes a smile. ¡°You guys haven¡¯t had decent meals in a while?¡±


    ¡±No. It¡¯s just that good.¡± Asher says for them,


    Lou begins eating, smirking at every bite. No doubt she¡¯s thinking about how ironic it is. They come from the rich district yet the best food they have ever had, so to speak, is here.


    ¡±What have you been up to Lucky Lou?¡± Asher asks,


    She frowns slightly at him, ¡°That¡¯s only the second time you¡¯ve called me that.¡±


    He waits for her answer, she shrugs and swallows. ¡°Business. But we can get into that later. Outside of that and running the faction and nightclub. I¡¯ve perfected my gaming ability.¡±


    ¡±What game?¡± Ryan scoffs,


    ¡±All of them. I¡¯m unbeaten In every faction.¡±


    ¡±Bullcrap.¡±


    She grins, ¡°You doubt me Asher? Pick one, I¡¯ll destroy you.¡±


    ¡±Oscar?¡± Asher asks the bodyguard,


    He shrugs, ¡°She¡¯s not messin¡¯ man.¡±


    ¡±What about you? Besides surviving.¡±


    ¡±I used to play a lot of video games, and play guitar a little. But all this kinda happened.¡±


    ¡±No friends Ryan?¡±


    ¡±Just Asher.¡±


    ¡±Oh yeah? You¡¯re lucky. He¡¯s one of a kind.¡±


    ¡±Apparently I¡¯ve changed a lot.¡± Asher says,


    She shrugs, ¡°Yes, but you¡¯re also the same. You have an idiotic sense to care about everyone.¡±


    He just raises an eyebrow at her. ¡°What about you Asher? What do you like to do these days?¡±


    He smiles, ¡°I haven¡¯t had time for anything.¡±


    ¡±Not even when you began school?¡±


    ¡±I trained and learned more at home.¡±


    ¡±Ugh. Sounds fun. And you two?¡±


    They just stare at her with slightly aggravated faces. ¡°I get life sucks right now, but I¡¯m being nice. People normally don¡¯t get this treatment from me.¡±


    ¡°What do they usually get?¡±


    ¡±Buddy I would shut up if I were you.¡± One of the bodyguards says,


    ¡±He¡¯s okay. Disregarding your tone that makes you sound like a five year old, which, normally I would back hand you across the face¡­with a pipe. But sorry.¡± She laughs shaking her head mocking him,


    ¡±Back to your question. I would usually tell them to suck it up and be far more cruel. Considering how I nicely asked if you would like to play pool last night and I allowed you to get away with yelling at me. I¡¯m at my end. Be kind or I will be cruel. Asher and I made a pact. I have to protect you with first class protection, that means you have bodyguards that update me personally of events that happened that day with you. So that you are totally secure, if you were to go out in public you would also have someone following you for extra protection. You however, aren¡¯t promised a first class life with under my protection. I could have you sleeping on dirt floors with two meals a day. I¡¯m known for a lot of things, being kind isn¡¯t one of them.¡±


    Asher looks at Ryan¡¯s parents, at long last the realization hits them and their eyes soften. He sighs softly, he feels relief wash over him as he sees Lou soften a little as well after their apology. But she keeps up her intense eyes and demeanor. ¡°Are we good?¡± She spits to them,


    ¡±Yes.¡± Killian says,


    ¡±We¡¯re sorry for being so rude. We aren¡¯t used to this.¡±


    ¡±We don¡¯t always get what we want. We¡¯re all human. But with, no screw respect. You the full grown adults, man up.¡± She says,


    This time they seem to take it a little better, probably from fear of sleeping on a dirt floor. She rolls her eyes, ¡°I was gonna invite you to listen buuuuut no. Asher? I might have a lead. Wanna come?¡±


    He frowns, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡±It¡¯s not confirmed. I know someone who, may be able to point us in the right direction. They know everyone. Usually.¡±


    ¡±When?¡± Ryan asks,


    ¡±We are, dropping in to pay him a visit in two hours. Southerland.¡±


    Asher¡¯s eyes widen, ¡°You¡¯re going to Southerland?¡±


    ¡±We are.¡±


    ¡±You think you can hold your own?¡± Asher smiles,


    ¡±Watch it Palmer, this is still my place.¡±


    He smiles softly as he takes his last bite of eggs and bacon. ¡°Is it dangerous?¡± Ryan asks,


    A man hurries up to Lucky Lou¡¯s side and whispers in her ear. After a few seconds of whispering, her eyes widen. She turns and looks at him.


    ¡±What!?¡± She asks softly but angrily,


    ¡±Okay go-go-go!¡± She says pushing the man,


    ¡±Lou?¡± Asher asks,


    She looks back at him, ¡°Uh..come on. Hurry! Just Asher.¡±


    Asher looks at Ryan and back at her, he jumps up and is at her side. ¡°¡±What¡¯s going on Lou?¡±


    ¡±Shut up.¡± She says to him,


    They are practically running out of a cafeteria. Once out they slightly quicken their pace down a series of hallways and to a private elevator door. Lou pulls a key attached to the man¡¯s hip that stands with them. Its attached to one of those retractable wire reels. She turns the key in the slot next to the elevator and pulls it out, letting it go and retract fast.


    The elevator door opens. They hurry in, Lou punches a button with her finger and repeatedly pushes the close door button. Finally it closes and begins moving, Asher glances at Lou, hatred and fury is in her eyes. This is big.


    After an eternity of moving they finally stop and the doors open. Someone is waiting for them along the wall next to the doors. The woman opens her mouth but Lucky Lou beats her to it. "Shut the frick up." Lou says,


    The turn down a hall and walk through glass doors into a sort of conference room, but it''s wider and longer. All eyes turn to her. "Tell me what the heck just happened. Now."


    She sits in a chair, Asher sits next to her. "Ma''am, uh. One of our scouts found them."


    "Are you waiting for an invitation?"


    The speaker looks at Asher. "If he didn''t have clearance, he wouldn''t be here! Can we be useful now?!"


    The man jumps, "Uh! Yes, these are the pictures."


    The first pulls up on the whiteboard. A man hanging from a wire wrapped around his ankle. "What kind of sick prick thinks he can mess with my men?"


    Asher already guesses, S.S. He looks at the picture again. The man has been beaten, cut, stabbed repeatedly.


    "He bled to death ma''am, our people found him, by the time medical arrived, it was too late. He said the name Jack Gale. He had been beaten and stabbed, but in nonlethal places. they wanted to torture him.


    Lucky Lou looks at Asher, determination and anger, but not directed at him, she then studies the different pictures as they cycle through of the man hanging and lying on the ground after they cut him down.


    "Jack Gale?"


    "A bounty hunter ma''am. He lives in Northern Province. We have a team trying to establish contact with him now. But there seems to be a bounty on his own head. We don''t know who initiated the bounty."


    She jumps out of her chair. "Contact that team, tell them to meet me at the dock."


    "Ma''am! It''s dangerous over there!"


    "Camil is my second in command! I''m going to grab him before another bounty hunter does!"


    Asher jumps to his feet and burst out the door, practically beside her. "Hell no! You''re staying here Asher!"


    "Screw that. I''m by your side. Besides, who else are you gonna take that you trust as much as me?"


    "Ellie Tarsh."


    "Fine, but I''m coming."


    "No."


    "Yes! End of story!"


    "Yeah? And if you die doing something stupid?!"


    "I''ll throw Ellie in front of me."


    She glares at him, "...You stay behind us."


    "Fine."


    They take the elevator down and hurry out of the building. As the light hits Asher''s eyes, he flinches. It seems so much brighter than the last time he saw it. Though it''s been a few hours. A Yukin Ausi is waiting for them. A body guard sees it and opens the car door for her and Asher. They both climb in and the door shuts behind them.


    "The airport, now. Our private hangar."


    "Still fly out illegally?" Asher asks,


    "Shut up Asher. Driver a little silence."


    He nods, a small window separates them from him. He pushes a button and closes the window. She looks at him. "I''m sorry, I''m pissed."


    She shakes her head. He nods, "It shows how dedicated to your people you are."


    "Of course I''m dedicated! They are my men! People! Ugh! This is probably S.S. Asher."


    "I know. The question is, why Jack?" Asher asks,


    "We''re going to find out. Ellie will meet us at the airport. Asher, we do not fail."


    "Not a chance."


    She stares at him. "Gah...I have missed you a lot. I like this version of you." She says softly,


    "As opposed to old me?"


    "You''re willing to go out of your way to help people, whether you''re working for them or not. You help them whether they ask or not. You can''t buy that loyalty."


    He smiles softly at her, "Talk to me about Jack, what do you know?"


    "Nothing, Ellie will update us likely on the flight."


    "Where is North Province?"


    She sighs, "Tokyo."


    Asher nods, "Okay...so we''re on a suicide mission?"


    She raises an eyebrow at him. "Having regrets about coming?"


    "Did you hear me say I did? I''ve missed you too. You have no idea."


    She narrows her eyes at him, "I guess you never did tell me."


    "What?"


    "What happened?"


    His eyes widen. He didn''t. She''s been so lenient and patient. "I-I''m sorry."


    "Just tell me now."


    Asher then spends the trip practically barfing information on her. She bites her cheek, "So whoever this is, they know what they are doing."


    "Yeah. They are experienced and clearly have enough resources to keep their face hidden."


    "We''ll find em. But I want a shot at their nuts when we do."


    They climb out of the car and walk to the private jet where a male and female bodyguard wait. They walk up into the jet and towards the back, finding their seats. Already sitting at the back is Tarsh. He welcomes Lucky Lou and smiles at Asher.


    "Welcome back loser."


    "What was that Trash?" Asher asks,


    "Ha ha ha."


    "Enough. Are we ready to go?"


    "Yup, ready for take off."


    They close the door and start off into the air. "Alright, Ellie, Jack Gale."


    "Why is this one here?"


    "Ellie."


    "Jack Gale. A pretty famous bounty hunter in Tokyo, actually you could say Japan. He''s pretty good. Credited with 20 Kill confirms. On top of that, over a hundred bounties successfully captured and brought in. Guns and knives specialist. An hour ago, an anonymous set up a bounty of one million dollars for him dead. His last sighting was in Taijing, about five minutes south of the center of Tokyo. He''s hiding somewhere there, but no one knows where."


    "When was the last sighting?"


    "Fifteen minutes ago."


    Asher''s heart is pounding. He can feel it, this person knows something. Why else kill him off? Jack Gale needs to live. He needs to talk to him. He takes a deep breath, his stomach almost hurts from turning over, thinking it could be too late by the time they get there. He bends over, his face resting on his hands.


    "Asher? You okay?"


    "Sh." he says to Lou,


    He mutters under his breath for a few seconds and finally sits back and relaxes. She raises an eyebrow, "Since when do you pray?"


    "I don''t do it as often as I would like."


    "Why? It''s not like he cares?" Tarsh laughs,


    Lucky Lou''s soft smile disappears, "Back off Ellie."


    "Serious? When has praying ever worked?"


    "Do you know anyone that still prays Ellie?"


    "No, they don''t, for a reason."


    "Or maybe it''s for a reason that they don''t pray. It''s a lost form. I''m glad you still believe in God."


    "Do, you believe in God?"


    She nods, "I do. Which is one of the reasons I liked Asher so much at first. And Also why I am so lucky so often."


    "You pray that people die?"


    "No moron. Praying for good things, that is a lost art form."


    Asher smiles at her. She pops her knuckles and gets to her feet. "Alright, I''ll be back in a little bit."


    She walks past Tarsh and through a door. Asher frowns at Ellie. "Changing her hair, she does it every time she flies. Less noticeable."


    "How you been Tarsh?"


    He scoffs, "Don''t do that."


    "You decked me in the face last time, I hit you back. We''re even."


    He hums and nods, flaring his eyebrows. "Fair enough. I''m not bad. Busy, working my butt off, dating my secretary."


    Asher snorts and laughs, "Why does that not surprise me?"


    "I got game buddy."


    "As much as Lou?"


    "Hey! That''s Lucky Lou, and more than her, she ain''t really into boy toys these days."


    "Yeah, she got rid of them a long while ago."


    Tarsh smirks, "Yeah she did...anyway, business definitely has slowed down since you left. The factions are, actually doing really well together."


    "Yeah? Jules isn''t killing her ''subjects''?" he asks with finger quotes,


    "She actually got dethroned. Three months ago, no one has really heard from her since, but her nephew took over."


    "Hm. What''s his name?"


    "Uh, Thompson, Willard Thompson. He''s not bad, kinda like you, but without the whole obsessive need to please everyone."


    "I missed you buddy."


    "Yeah? I thought you''d hate me if you saw me again to be honest."


    "I thought the same about you." Asher smiles,


    Tarsh snorts, "I guess we have both grown a little huh?"


    "I guess so."

 The Dealer

    Close to their destination, Lou finally emerges from the back room. Her hair is cut slightly shorter than it had been on top, a dark flame blue from the back, that fades to a a very discolored or pale blue. Her hair barely hangs over one eyebrow, being swept to the side while the sides of her head are still brown and cut close.


    Tarsh and Asher both stare at her, slightly taken back from the change. ¡°Well?¡± She asks,


    ¡±Hot. A little gay in my opinion.¡± Tarsh says,


    She rolls her eyes at him. ¡°You look good.¡± Asher says, just as she started to open her mouth,


    ¡±You see?! This is why we don¡¯t need to worry about him pissing off anyone Ellie. Even if I look gay, he says it looms good.¡±


    Tarsh snorts, ¡°He¡¯s a good teacher¡¯s pet.¡±


    Asher and Lou both flash him a glare. ¡°I meant it.¡± Asher says to them both,


    ¡°Ellie? Updates?¡±


    ¡±Not yet. This guy is good at hiding.¡±


    ¡±Keep us in the loop. Asher, you want to get some rack, now¡¯s the time.¡±


    ¡±No I¡¯m good.¡±


    All three of them scour the internet for any clue as to where he is. A few times he pops up in different cities, creating a giant zig zag circle. Tokyo is a cyber superpower right now. But at the same time, they are so caught up in their crime and wars that they don''t pose much of a threat. They are really experimenting with robotics like none other, limbs that connect to neural pathways, basically gives you the ability to move fingers or toes on command. Not to mention spyware, hacking and more. They are definitely going to change the world. They''re already starting to.


    ¡±Possible location Jack Gale! Downtown Tokyo, the Tong Shai courtyard. No clear picture of his face, but was seen entering a building that¡¯s majorly still under construction. That was 36 seconds ago.¡±


    Lou tells the pilot to hurry up, 20 minutes out they finally land. They hurry off the jet and out to a pick up lane where taxis wait to be called. Lou jumps in while Asher and Larsh hurry to throw their luggage in the back. A full moon shines down on them, soft rain taps against the ground and car. Neon lights blow up the inside and exterior of the airport and even cars. lights and holographic ads on the doors and back windows of company cars.


    ¡±Tong Shai courtyard.¡± Lucky Lou says,


    They driver turns and frowns at them, he has big doe brown eyes. ¡°No go there! Bad place! Many bounty hunters there.¡±


    ¡±J-just drop us off a few blocks away.¡±


    ¡±If he¡¯s not going there, it must be bad boss. We got to be ready.¡±


    She nods, they get dropped off to a street a few blocks away, they pay the driver and hear a series of gunshots.


    The driver speeds away leaving them with their luggage. They open their hard shell suitcases and unlock them, revealing their disassembled rifles.


    They carefully construct their weapons, once locked and loaded, they leave the suitcases and start hurrying down the sidewalk to the courtyard and closer to the gunfire. "We aren''t looking for a fight guys, but we''ll probably find one. Jack Gale makes it out of here, with us. Got it?"


    "Let''s go find out guy." Ellie says,


    "With all do respect, they won''t be showing us mercy. I''m not showing them any." Asher says,


    Lou looks at him and nods, "Fair enough. Now that I think about it, they might think we are trying to steal a kill. We aren''t known here, but don''t just go guns blazing at every bounty hunter you see."


    The others agree as they carefully march toward the courtyard.


    "Eyes, up, down, all around. I don''t think Jack Gale is expecting three friendlies from the Skull Dynasty." Asher says,


    "That too."


    The rain runs down their faces and bodies, dripping from their clothes and hair. Gunshots grow louder and seemingly more consistent as they come to the perimeter of the courtyard. There it is, a massive, maybe thirty story building, still under construction. Bodies lay in the courtyard, bounty hunters, possibly gang members and officers. 14 total including the cops. More than he thought. Probably around 7-10 that weren¡¯t cops. The gunfire comes from the building.


    ¡±Lets go.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±Asher!¡± Tarsh calls after him,


    Lou gives Tarsh a look but hurries after Asher, Tarsh hot on her heels. They hurry into the building and find an elevator, but of course, it¡¯s not operational. They start for the stairs, making their way up. They get to the 26th floor and hear the shooting is louder, but so inconsistent. This guy is holding his own.


    Voices echo from the floor they are on. They catch their breath and start onto the floor, Lou peeks around the corner. ¡°What are we gonna do bombard him?¡±


    ¡±Yeah, we got numbers, he can¡¯t take us all, we split the bounty.¡±


    Lou looks back at her compatriots and holds up five fingers. They nod, she counts down from three to one. The trio jumps out and fires several rounds, dropping the group, they yell out as they fall, some firing rounds into the wall. Tarsh walks over and examines the faces of them.


    ¡±German?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. You didn¡¯t know by their accents? This guy has a lot of people after him.¡± Lou says,


    A few more gunshots from the levels above.


    ¡±You guys ready?¡± Ellie asks?¡±


    ¡±Yeah.¡±


    They hurry up another two floors and enter the 28th floor the last one. Corpses cover the floor, blood everywhere even sprayed across walls. Everything is quiet and silent. The rain has grown heavy, drowning most noise.


    Ka-Tiiiiing!


    They jump and look back, Asher carefully walks into the stairway while the others watch his back. He looks down into the stairwell.


    ¡±Company.¡± He whispers to them,


    They must have hit the metal railing bar pretty hard to make it ring that loud.


    ¡±Take them out?¡± Tarsh suggests,


    Lucky Lou nods, ¡°Either that or wait and find this guy first.¡±


    ¡±I¡¯ll find him, you guys deal with them.¡±


    ¡±Tarsh. I¡¯m not bringing you home lifeless.¡±


    ¡±Hurtful.¡± He jokes,


    He turns and walks around a corner, gun slightly raised.


    Lou joins Asher¡¯s side. He has leaned out of their aerial view. ¡°Ready?¡±


    ¡±Lets waste em.¡±


    They lean over with their guns, Asher looks through his scope lining it up with bodies and fires the first shot. Lucky Lou is right behind him and they fire a few more rounds. Then the team of fifteen or so hugs the walls, disappearing from view, shouting to each other.


    Asher and Lou back away as well. ¡°You know what? Go help Tarsh. I got this.


    ¡±Asher-¡°


    ¡±I got this. Go.¡±


    ¡±Be careful.¡±


    She turns and hurries onto the floor only to run into Tarsh. She gasps and pushes him away, reflexively, lifting her rifle.


    ¡±Whoa! Whoa! Its okay. He¡¯s okay, but he¡¯s hurt.¡±


    ¡±Asher?¡±


    ¡±Call me when you¡¯re ready to exfil. I got this.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Go. Go!¡±


    Lou then disappears with Tarsh, Asher checks his clips and gun and waits. Lucky Lou arrives a few minutes later with grenades. "We stabilized him, we need a way out."


    Asher holds a finger to his lips. They raise their guns and wait, they can hear the heavy breathing of the bounty hunters. Lou readies a grenade, she waits a second and jumps up, aims and throws and ducks again.


    BOOM!


    Their ears ring. They jump up and open fire, the men and women yell and fire back but don''t get the chance to aim like Asher and Lou because of the explosion. Lou throws another of the grenades only to fly back to the ground with a shout of pain.


    "Lou!"


    Asher ducks away as the explosion goes off. He looks at Lou laying on her side, groaning. He looks back over the concrete railing. Clear, they''re gone. He turns and drops to Lou''s side.


    "Ugh! No, I''m fine! The little prick hit me in the fricken shoulder."


    Asher leans over to look at her backside, blood oozes from her jacket. "It went through."


    "Little brat." She groans,


    He helps her up to her feet, she yells in pain and falls against him, she looks down at her stomach, a bullet pierced and went through her right side. She growls in pain.


    "Are you mother fricking kidding me!? I didn''t even notice I got shot twice."


    She pulls her hand away, she''s gushing crimson liquid. Asher pulls his jacket off, then his shirt and presses it against her stomach, she cries out. He puts his jacket on once more and picks her up in his arms.


    "Keep the pressure on Lou."


    She groans as they explore the level, finally finding Tarsh helping a man with a black mohawk bandaging his waist. "Is he okay?"


    "Yeah, what about her?"


    "She''ll live, got any spare bandages?"


    The man grumbles, "You''re lucky I don''t just take your head off."


    "Really? We just took our an entire squadron for you, two actually, wanna show some respect?"


    He scoffs and grumbles some more. "Here set her down, I''ll sew her up real fast, keep an eye out for us." Tarsh says,


    Asher agrees and hurries to the corner, aiming his weapon toward the stairwell. ¡°So, Jack? You okay?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m fine! Come on! Give me some credit.¡±


    Tarsh flashes a glare. ¡°We¡¯re assisting you here.¡±


    ¡±Stop talking Ellie.¡± Lou groans,


    ¡±¡­Sorry.¡±


    ¡±Who the heck are you guys?¡±


    ¡±As soon as we get out of here.¡± Tarsh says,


    ¡°Guys? We need to get out of here.¡±


    ¡°You want to help Asher?¡± Tarsh asks rhetorically,


    He jumps and looks at the stairway. ¡°I heard something.¡±


    A ball rolls into the room. Asher¡¯s eyes widen.


    ¡±Blue Core!¡± He shouts and dives away.


    BOOOOM!


    Everything goes black. He slowly opens his eyes, his head is exploding with pain and dizziness. Standing above him is a Braven Hunter. His foot is crushing his chest.


    Asher groans and pushes against it, but it only makes the Braven Hunter push down harder.


    ¡±Got him?¡± He asks,


    Asher looks back and sees another one standing over an unconscious Jack. He raises a fist with spiked knuckles. Asher pushes and tries to move but he cant.


    Then she jumps out. Lou jumps onto the Braven Hunter that stands over Asher and rams a knife into it¡¯s neck deep, she rips it out and raises her arm to stab him again. But the Hunter grabs her by the hair and throws her off, down into the floor. She yells out.


    The Braven Hunter falls to both knees. Lou is already on her feet again and slams the knife into his face mask, she uses the same motion to flip over him and behind the hunter, putting him between her and the other Hunter.


    Asher pulls a pistol out of the Hunter¡¯s holster on his thigh and doesn¡¯t even take the time to aim, just fires at the other hunter. They ricochet off but they knock him back a step, giving Lou enough time to grab the knife and charge him. As she approaches, Asher stops firing, Lou ducks and rolls under his swinging arm and thrusts her arm back, stabbing him in the calf.


    He yells out, she rips the knife out, but it hardly seems to phase him, he turns and slams his hand against her, grabbing her by the throat. She tried to duck away but he caught her. He lifts her up, she whines and squirms in the air, he turns and throws her into the ground. She had managed to reach his pistol and pulled it out, but being thrown to the ground threw it out a broken window.


    She hits hard and squeaks, her body jolting uncontrollably as she begs for air. Asher is on his feet and drops kicks the Braven Hunter. He takes two steps back to regain balance and marches on Asher.


    He lifts his leg and stomps down, Asher rolls to the side and jumps up to his feet only to get a knife barely cutting his chest. Asher yells and jumps back, almost falling to his butt. He goes pushes a hand off the ground to keep him from falling and slams his back against a wall.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The Braven Hunter is rushing him, Asher jumps, turning in the air and kicks off the wall, flying overhead of the Hunter. The Hunter awkwardly stops himself against the wall, he turns and throws the knife, it sinks deep into Asher¡¯s upper back.


    He drops to the ground with a thud and whines at the pain.


    ¡±Asher!¡± Lou shouts,


    She looks at the Hunter as he meets her gaze and marches toward her. She runs from Jack¡¯s side and tries to duck under again but he thrusts his hand against her throat, hard this time.


    She makes an ugly sound as it happens, and is thrust into the air. She punches him in the side of the helmet, he sucker punches her gut and throws her overhead against a wall.


    ¡±Insect.¡± He mutters,


    She drops to the ground, limp. Then suddenly, BOOM!


    A charge detonates on his head. Asher carefully maneuvers to his knees and looks at Jack who is conscious and crawling to Lucky Lou¡¯s side.


    ¡±I-agh! Is she alive?¡±


    Jack looks at him with surprise. ¡°How are you alive!?¡±


    ¡±Is she okay?!¡± Asher asks trying to crawl over while holding his left arm in suspension, keeping the pressure off his shoulder.


    ¡±She¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t know about your other friend.¡±


    Asher looks at Tarsh, he lays on his back, the side of his head is bloodied. Asher looks at Lou again. Jack shakes her lightly. He sees the Braven Hunter, a needle charge, Jack must have had some. A tiny spike shaped explosive. She must have stuffed it in him before he threw her to the ground. ¡°She¡¯s out hard.¡± Jack says,


    Jack pulls out a rare stim shot, he injects it into her thigh.


    ¡±Hey!¡±


    ¡±Relax-¡°


    She gasps and yells as she jolts upright and pushes Jack down onto his back and raises a fist but stops.


    She looks away from him and finds Tarsh and stares for a moment and then looks at Asher.


    ¡±Asher!¡±


    She jumps to her feet and hurries over, she drops to her knees and slides to his side. Her eyes widen as she sees the knife still in his back.


    ¡±Glad you¡¯re okay.¡± Jack says sarcastically,


    She puts her hand in his chest to help steady him. Asher leans against her, laying her head on her shoulder.


    ¡±You okay too Jack?¡± Asher asks, his voice is slightly slurred,


    ¡±Hey, stay with us okay?¡±


    ¡±Thanks Asher, I¡¯m fine, Tarsh is over there by the way too chick. Not sure if you want to check him or not.¡±


    Lou flashes a glare. ¡°You have a radio Jack?¡±


    He nods, ¡°Are we getting out of here now?¡± Jack asks as he crawls over to Tarsh,


    ¡±Here.¡±


    Jack reaches over him and grabs and throws a radio to Lou. She snatches it out of the air. ¡°He¡¯s still alive. He¡¯s¡­he needs medical attention now.¡± Jack says,


    ¡±I¡¯m on it.¡± Lou says,


    Lou looks at Asher and pushes him upright, making him jolt. ¡°Asher. Stay awake.¡±


    Lou raises her arm and smashes the radio to the ground, breaking the back of it and exposing countless wires and a circuit board. She then begins to play with the wires for almost a minute before she turns it over.


    ¡±Megan? Megan can you hear me?¡±


    ¡±Lucky Lou?¡±


    ¡±Yeah! We need an evac, right now. We got our guy, we need an evac though, get medical supplies ready!¡±


    ¡±Y-yes ma¡¯am! Ready for coordinates!¡±


    Asher¡¯s head is pounding so hard, it¡¯s also spiraling like crazy, he¡¯s so dizzy. And tired.


    Everything is starting to go numb. His vision is blurry. He can¡¯t tell if the rain stopped or not. Voices are starting to be muffled. But Lou keeps shaking him and checking to make sure he¡¯s awake.


    Soon, he sees a blinding light out the windows. He flinches slightly.


    ¡±Come on megan! Let¡¯s load em up now!¡± Lou says,


    The two girls carefully carry Tarsh and then Asher onto the private jet. They lay Tarsh on the first First Aid bed and Asher on the second.


    Both are unconscious at this point. Jack Gales painfully sits in a seat and they start away.


    ¡°Jack?¡±


    Lou asks kneeling beside him. He shakes his head, ¡°I¡¯m okay. Whoever¡¯s out first, I call that bed.¡±


    Lou scoffs, ¡°Fair enough. I¡¯m sorry, I-¡°


    ¡±You ever seen someone you care about die?¡±


    ¡±Plenty of times. He¡¯s different.¡±


    ¡±You love him.¡±


    She looks at Asher and back. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that. I do like him though. I¡¯ve never lost someone in that instance. But it¡¯s not that, he¡¯s helped me become who I am today. I¡¯m a gang leader in the US. I¡¯ve had quite a run in with different people. He was there in the moments I needed someone I could trust. My darkest moments.¡±


    ¡±I get it. The world¡¯s dangerous. It¡¯s hard to trust people.¡±


    ¡±Yeah. He¡¯s loyal to a fault.¡±


    ¡±Or to the end.¡±


    ¡±Don¡¯t.¡± Lou says to him,


    ¡±Sorry. Who are you guys?¡± Jack asks,


    Lou pushes off her knees to her feet and sits in a chair next to Jack¡¯s. ¡°Lucky Lou, Ellie there is a skilled fighter. He works for me, I lead the Skull Dynasty in the US. Asher¡­he¡¯s involved. Someone¡¯s after him. We don¡¯t know who or why. People in his life have disappeared too. We think it¡¯s the same people that put the bounty on your head and sent the Braven Hunters.¡±


    ¡±Why? Why me?¡±


    ¡±Maybe you know you something? Can you think of anything?¡±


    Jack sighs, ¡°I know someone. They know everything. They¡¯ll be able to give us some answers.¡±


    ¡±Like plural?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. They have ears everywhere you can and can¡¯t imagine.¡±


    ¡±Where are they?¡±


    ¡±Boston.¡±


    ¡±Okay, I¡¯ll tell our pilot.¡±


    Lou pushes up to her feet out of the chair. She groans and walks over to the cockpit.


    ****


    Asher stares up at the ceiling. He yawns and looks around, Jack reads a magazine. He looms up and nods to Asher.


    ¡±Sup bro? You alright?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. You okay? Where¡¯s Tarsh?¡±


    ¡±Uh-restroom I think. She¡¯s one tough brat. Six broken ribs and still helped you and Ellie onto the jet.¡±


    Asher looks to her, she lies unconscious in a first aid bed. ¡°She¡¯s someone you don¡¯t abandon.¡±


    He huffs, then mutters something in a language he doesn¡¯t understand, a smirk on his face.


    ¡±What?¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°She already tell you what¡¯s happening then?¡±


    ¡±Yeah. We¡¯re going to see a friend of mine.¡±


    Asher¡¯s head hangs. ¡°I¡¯m tired of seeing friends, sorry but, seriously, will he have answers?¡±


    ¡±She will. Trust me. And I want answers for this too. Its all connected to you, or at least that¡¯s what your friend says.¡±


    ¡±Yeah. I¡¯m afraid it might be. I¡¯m tried of running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Only the butcher is still chasing after me.¡±


    Jack frowns hard at him, ¡°What the heck kind of analogy is that?¡±


    Asher shrugs, ¡°I¡­never mind. It¡¯s old. Where we going?¡±


    ¡±Boston, my girl¡¯s got a nice set up there.¡±


    Asher raises an eyebrow. ¡°You two together?¡±


    ¡±Used to be. She¡¯s probably one of the deadliest women there is.¡±


    ¡±I knew someone like that.¡±


    ¡±Knew? What happened bro?¡±


    ¡±Don¡¯t know. I¡¯m gonna find out. She¡¯s probably gone.¡±


    ¡±Same peeps that after you?¡± Jack asks,


    ¡±Yeah.¡±


    ¡±Man I¡¯ll kill em.¡± Jack says clenching his fist.


    ¡±Hit them all you want. You¡¯re not allowed to kill them.¡±


    ¡±Says you.¡±


    Asher gives him a dark stare. ¡°I¡¯ve lost almost everything in my life. People that I have really come to care for have tried to kill me. The others are either dead, most likely dead, dead to me or have nearly died. Have your fun with whoever is behind this Jack. But I get to gut them. I don¡¯t want them dead I want to see the light leave their eyes.¡±


    Jack remains silent. He just stares with a soft almost curious gaze. Asher sighs and rubs his eyes.


    ¡±Asher.¡±


    He looks up and sees Tarsh coming over. A big smile on his face. ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    He sits in a chair across from them. ¡°I¡¯m okay. How are you?¡±


    ¡±I feel okay. A little exhausted. That was rough.¡±


    Asher nods, ¡°You¡¯re friend better have some good answers Jack Gales.¡±


    He frowns, ¡°Or what?¡±


    ¡±Or nothing. I feel like I¡¯m just prolonging my death at this point. I can¡¯t keep running and running.¡±


    ¡±Hell nah dude, we ain¡¯t running.¡±


    Asher glances up at him, for a moment flashing him a glare. He doesn¡¯t like swearing.


    ¡±Good.¡±


    The flight isn¡¯t that relaxing, even in a luxury jet like this. Lou must have really worked hard for it. Or some idiot lost it in a bet. He never heard the story of how she got it. Jack had made a call and told them that a ride would be waiting.


    He is so tired but he forces himself to be awake. He blames himself, for Noctus, for dragging Riley into this, for dragging Lou. My gosh! Lou! He almost killed her! What kind of selfish prick would put a friend like her in such a dangerous situation. He can¡¯t ask her leave, he know she won¡¯t. He prays, to God, literally. Please let her and Riley and Ellie and Jack live. This is his fault, not theirs. They deserve the lives they have always dreamed of, especially because of the damage and pain Asher has indirectly caused them. Yet, they are willing to fight with and for him. And he lets them. How selfish can he be?


    The jet finally lands, they walk off the jet and to the entrance. There a man holds a sign with the name Ellie Tarsh. Probably for protection for Jack and Lou.


    Jack walks up and shakes the man¡¯s hand. He welcomes them and they all follow him to a black limo. The man opens the door and welcomes them in. They quickly start off and drive through the busy streets. Boston has mirrored itself or at least it trying to mirror itself, after Japan. Neon lights, crazy tall buildings. And of course, every inch of the city looks like ghettos. Ghetto people, looks, signs that glitch. But no one seems to mind, it¡¯s their home.


    Tiny water dots splatter the windows and buildings and ground. Asher¡¯s glad it isn¡¯t raining. He normally loves the rain, but right now he just is annoyed at everything. Getting Jack. It wasn¡¯t a triumph, it was a miracle. Humbled everyone. Shut everyone up. They stare at the floor mats of the car or out the window.


    They may have succeeded but it wasn¡¯t exactly a victory. The dangers are getting worse. Asher isn¡¯t sure how much longer they can survive. Its 20 minutes easy, of silence. Depression, weariness. Exhaustion.


    Finally however, they arrive. A night club, but not just any night club, the night club. Ethereal 7. It¡¯s night just a night club, but a hang out for different lower level gangs, but dangerous ones and from mid tier to high tier bounty hunters, scavengers, and any kind of sketchy people. But for the most part, all of them behave as if Ethereal 7 were some sort of escape. It¡¯s in no way a safe haven, but you aren¡¯t likely to get shot if you¡¯re there. Unless you¡¯re that ignorant or stupid.


    They all climb out and walk toward the entrance. Two bouncers spot them and take a step closer together, covering the entrance.


    ¡±You got a messed up looking band. What are you the ¡®Joy toys?¡¯


    ¡±Is Noxi here?¡± Jack asks,


    ¡±Who¡¯s askin? She¡¯s a busy lady.¡±


    ¡±We have a meeting with her.¡± Lucky Lou says,


    ¡±I bet cha do. Names?¡±


    ¡±Jack Gales. It¡¯s important.¡±


    ¡±Alright. Alright. Cool your jets.¡±


    She nods to the other bouncer, the one who¡¯s stayed silent takes a step closer to the group while the other walks toward the doors.


    ¡±Hey boss you got some customers askin for you. Yeah Jack Gales. Aight. I¡¯ll send them to ya.¡±


    She tucks her phone away in her back pocket and nods to them. Looms like she is expectin ya. Be respectful. You¡¯ll find her on the balcony above the night club. On the roof. Take both sets of stairs up. But. Only two of you. Sorry house rules.¡±


    ¡±What?!¡± Tarsh whines,


    The bouncer shrugs, ¡°Hey that¡¯s how it is.¡±


    ¡±No, it¡¯s fine, Jack, you and Lou go up. Tarsh, I¡¯ll buy you a drink, I need one myself.¡±


    ¡°Alright. See you after.¡± Lou says,


    ¡±Cool. My personal favorite? The Hawaiian lagoonie. Can¡¯t even taste the alcohol, won¡¯t get ya drunk, but it¡¯ll take the edge of¡­whatever this is, off.¡±


    ¡±Thanks, uh¡­¡±


    ¡±Carli.¡±


    ¡±Thanks Carli.¡± Tarsh says and they all walk in,


    Immediately the first set of stairs appear on their right. ¡°Alright, see you after. Be careful.¡± Lou says,


    ¡°Same to you guys.¡±


    Asher and Tarsh then head for the bar while Jack and Lou head upstairs. Tarsh smirks at Asher.


    ¡±When did you start drinking?¡± Tarsh asks,


    ¡±Tonight.¡±


    Tarsh raises an eyebrow, ¡°That¡¯s why Lou looked at you like that.¡±


    ¡±Yup.¡±


    They walk up to the bar, the bartender takes a few minutes, helping other customers till he comes to them.


    ¡±What can I get you two?¡±


    ¡±How strong is your Hawaiian Lagoonie? Was it?¡±


    The bartender nods, ¡°Not that strong at all. But some people grab it to get stress off from a long day.¡±


    ¡±One of those for me.¡±


    ¡±Two.¡± Tarsh chimes in,


    ¡±Coming right up.¡±


    ****


    Lou watches them as they walk through the crowd of people toward the bar. Following Jack. Asher¡¯s never drank before. Jeez. She¡¯s gonna rip this assassin¡¯s throat out. Asher isn¡¯t afraid to defend people or himself. At least the new him. But he¡¯s still got that gentle side. It¡¯s just been corroded. He must be losing his mind to so easily go drink.


    She walks next to Jack, geez he looks like a fricken bounty hunter. She wishes that she could be drinking with Ellie and Asher. The upstairs is still lit by thin pink lights on the walls, where the walls meet the ceiling. It¡¯s not as crowded as the ground floor, but people still fill the floor. This upper floor overlooks everything from the front doors to the bar.


    ¡±Jackson Gales!¡±


    They turn and look at two women smiling sweetly at Jack. Jack smiles at them. ¡°Greta. Ilka. You two look good.¡±


    ¡±Want a drink? You can even bring the tramp.¡±


    Lou narrows her eyes at them. ¡°Screw off.¡± She says,


    ¡±Oh relax. It was a joke brat! Like yourself.¡±


    Lou opens her mouth but Jack throws his hand out to her waist, silencing her.


    ¡±Next time. We¡¯re busy.¡±


    ¡±Put your dog on a leash.¡±


    Lou is practically exhaling smoke out her nose. Jack turns her around and they start way quick.


    ¡±Really?¡±


    ¡±She talks to me like that again. I¡¯ll break her arm.¡±


    ¡±She¡¯s just drunk. Calm down.¡±


    ¡±Fine I¡¯ll put some lead in her face. She¡¯s wasting all that money on alcohol anyway.¡±


    Jack snorts, ¡°I feel bad for the guys that piss you off.¡±


    ¡±Don¡¯t ever silence me like that again. Got it?¡±


    He gives a worried look but nods. ¡°Good.¡± She says to him,


    They find the next set of stairs and walk up to the door at the top. They swing it open and walk out onto a concrete floored roof.


    Leaning against a metal railing is a tall, slender figure, then there¡¯s the 6 inch heels which make them even taller. They look over their shoulder and stare.


    ¡±You look like hell Jack.¡±


    He nods, ¡°Shoulda seen me last night.¡±


    ¡±Noxi, this is Lucky Lou, Lucky Lou, Noxi. One of the best bounty hunters I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±


    ¡±Not anymore hun. I¡¯m running the club and underground full time.¡±


    Jack¡¯s head turns with such speed as he gives a shocked expression.


    ¡±You!? You gave up the bounty hunter life!?¡±


    ¡±Eh¡­sorta. People call me The Dealer now. I collect contracts for bounty hunters. And they come to me for jobs. So what do you want?¡±


    She takes a long drag of a cigarette and slowly lets it out of her mouth.


    ¡±Information. We¡¯re in a tight spot Noxi.¡±


    The Caucasian woman with long brown hair lets out a chuckle.


    ¡±I¡¯ll say, you had quite a bounty on your head. Still do. But¡­what happened in Tokyo? I heard some heavy duties came after you.¡±


    ¡±We don¡¯t know who it was that put the bounty on my head. We need to figure out who.¡±


    ¡±Hmm.¡±


    ¡±No we don¡¯t.¡±


    Jack looks at her, telling her to shut up.


    ¡±The person who set up the bounty. If you can even find them. It was likely a frontman for whoever we are looking for. The person we want is skilled, an assassin.¡±


    Noxi tilts her head. ¡°Seems like you¡¯re pretty desperate.¡± Noxi giggles,


    She takes another drag and smirks. Lou takes a step forward, showing that she won¡¯t be restrained by Jack.


    ¡±I am desperate. People probably say something along these lines a lot. But if you know me at all. That should, if not scare, then worry you. I¡¯m not looking for a fight. Just information. I¡¯ve got some of my own. If mine doesn¡¯t cut it, I¡¯ll pay you too.¡±


    Noxi¡¯s eyes narrow. She looks at Jack and smirks. ¡°I like this one. Don¡¯t dump her.¡±


    ¡±Of course you do. She¡¯s like a young version of you.¡± Jack laughs,


    Noxi smiles at her. ¡°Well? Go on.¡±


    ¡°We have friends, downstairs. One of them has been targeted for a while. We need to find out who it is. An organization, S.S. They are serious, considering they hired two Braven Hunters. That¡¯s all we know.¡±


    Noxi takes a deep drag and lets out the smoke, slowly. She then taps the end against the railing, knocking off the burnt end.


    ¡±Braven Hunters take bounty contracts all the time.¡±


    ¡±Not like this. It¡¯s happened twice. Are you gonna help us or not?¡±


    She looks at Lou again. The gears are clearly turning back and forth. ¡°You always risk this much information on a negotiation?¡±


    ¡±It¡¯s been discussed. I¡¯m desperate. Help me out, I¡¯m getting that information one way or another.¡±


    ¡±Are you threatening me Lucky Lou?¡±


    ¡±Do I need to be?¡±


    Lou¡¯s whole demeanor is cold and dark. But it¡¯s not hard to tell she¡¯s willing to change like that. It¡¯s enough however.


    Still holding half a cigarette she scratches her neck and sighs. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about S.S. Sorry.¡±


    Lou raises an eyebrow. Waiting. ¡°Perhaps I can find out who set off the bounty? How they are related to S.S.¡±


    Jack sighs, ¡°Oh have some faith. I¡¯ll find them and leave you to question them, it shouldn¡¯t take more than a few weeks.¡°


    ¡±Alright, you come to us with it. Not another bounty hunter.¡±


    ¡±Aren¡¯t you forgetting something?¡± Noxi asks,


    ¡±We aren¡¯t done. I¡¯m just telling you how it is.¡± Lou says,


    ¡±The information? Something that I somehow don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡±AI. Some people came to earn a friend¡¯s trust, one of the guys downstairs. Two of them, from the sound of it, fully functioning AI with full thought process and decision making ability.¡±


    Noxi¡¯s expression grows dark. She can¡¯t tell if Lou is lying or not. But she finally believes it. ¡°Proof?¡±


    ¡±He found it, not me. He didn¡¯t keep proof.¡± Lou says,


    She pushes off the railing and takes one final drag and slowly exhales over the railing. ¡°How much do you trust this friend? The one the assassin is mainly after?¡±


    ¡±I would trust him with my life, even if he needed to take it.¡±


    Noxi raises her eyebrows at her. ¡°Hmm. I¡¯ll admit, my interest is truly, piqued. That doesn¡¯t happen often. That being said. A name comes to mind. I might already know who your guys is. Dillan Kreech. It¡¯ll take a few days to find him. He¡¯ll be hiding.¡±


    ¡±Are you fricken kidding me?¡± Lou sighs to herself,


    ¡±Problem?¡± Noxi asks,


    ¡±We¡¯ve been running around talking and looking for people that know things only to be lead to someone else.¡±


    Noxi walks up to her and bends down, bringing her face close to Lou¡¯s.


    ¡±I never disappoint. If he¡¯s connected to this the way I think he is, he¡¯ll be able to tell us something that is very valuable. If not, I¡¯ll find the person who will. I¡¯m good at making cowards squeal. Do we have a deal?¡±


    Jack sighs, ¡°We got a choice?¡±


    ¡±You could look yourself. See how far that gets you.¡±


    ¡±It¡¯s fine. We¡¯ll be around. We¡¯ll get a hotel. Give me your number, we¡¯ll let you know where we¡¯re at.¡±


    ¡±I recommend Dales on Blues Street. A few blocks away.¡±


    ¡±Thank you Noxi.¡±


    ¡±Interesting people making interesting friends. No one wants a boring life with boring people.¡±


    ****


    Jack and Lou return and bring them up to speed on everything. They walk out of the club and take a taxi to the Dales and rent two rooms, since it would be cheaper than four. Its a very nice hotel but surprisingly cheap. That¡¯s their thing though from what they say, very decent quality for cheap prices. Beautifully colored yellow and golden and well lit lighting in the lobby and hallways.


    Asher lets Jack shower first. He then takes one, enjoying the steam. It seems to depressurize his body, get rid of stress.


    He gets dressed and walks out of the room onto a balcony that is shared between them and Tarsh and Lou. Lou sits out on a chair, she looks at him and smiles softly.


    ¡±Hey.¡±


    Asher slides his room door shut. ¡°Hey. You okay?¡±


    ¡±Eh. Stressed out my mind. Same as you. Ellie and, well I don¡¯t know about Jack.¡±


    Asher smiles and chuckles almost silently. ¡°Jack hasn¡¯t been here long enough.¡±


    ¡±True. How are you holding up?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m okay. Ready for answers too.¡±


    Lou gets to her feet and joins his side, leaning against the railing. ¡°We¡¯ll get them Asher. I swear it.¡±


    He smiles at his hands. ¡°We got this Lou. I think I owe you five more after this.¡±


    ¡±I didn¡¯t do this for favors Asher.¡±


    Asher smiles a little bigger. ¡°I know. Still. Thank you. For everything.¡±


    Then her face changes. For just a second. He¡¯s never seen her so vulnerable. She goes for it, she leans in and presses her lips against his. But its so gentle. She holds it for a moment and pulls away. He smiles at her brightly.


    Lou jolts, she groans. She rolls onto her other side and looks at Ellie lying in the other bed, passed out. She groans with realization. Really?? She rubs her eyes and looks at the alarm clock that is between them on the night stand. 2:03 A.M.


    She can feel all the heat rush to her face. She rests her hands on her face and sighs. Stupid dream.

 The Informant

    ¡°What do you mean he left?!¡± Tarsh asks,


    Asher shrugs, ¡°I woke up, he was leaving, said this wasn¡¯t for him.¡±


    ¡±You didn¡¯t stop him!?¡±


    ¡±Ellie, calm down.¡±


    ¡±I tried to convince him. He wasn¡¯t biting into it. I¡¯m not gonna force him to stay. I told him how it was, he doesn¡¯t stick with us, he¡¯s a dead man walking.¡±


    Lou sighs, ¡°He¡¯s just scared Asher. We got to get him.¡±


    ¡°Or he was tired of waiting. It¡¯s been almost a week.¡±


    ¡±He said he didn¡¯t want to be involved in this any longer. He thinks things have settled down by now and wants to get back to being a bounty hunter.¡±


    ¡±We aren¡¯t letting him go Asher.¡± Lou says,


    ¡±Too late.¡±


    They turn around and look at Noxi, her hair hangs over her shoulder. She looks just like she did last night, the same ¡®Big Boss¡¯ look.


    ¡±He was in a hurry. I tried to convince him as well, even intimidate him. When Jack¡¯s mind is made up, it¡¯s made up.¡±


    ¡±He¡¯s gonna die.¡±


    ¡±Probably. But we aren¡¯t his leash holders. And you two are?¡±


    ¡±Oh right, Noxi this is Asher and Ellie. Guys this is Noxi, former bounty hunter, now known as The Dealer and lines out jobs and contracts for mercs and bounty Hunters."


    "Thanks for helping us."


    "I''m not always so willing. You want favors in the future? You help me out."


    "With what? Jobs?"


    "A matchmaker always has jobs that need to be. You can''t live in this world and not have problems that need to be solved. Speaking of needing to solve problems. I have found your man, and confirmed that he is in fact the one that set the bounty on Jack Gales. Consider that a token of good will. I like making friends."


    "I figure you would have enough." Asher says,


    She smiles, "You can never have enough friends. I pour the beer into all my client''s cups. If someone has the balls to challenge me. I imagine a lot of guns would turn towards that stupid someone."


    "What''s the catch to this?" Tarsh asks,


    "Getting Dillan Kreech. That won''t be easy. But, I can tell you where he will be. How you collect him is up to you. But, I want an advance."


    "That wasn''t the deal." Tarsh says,


    "Someone tried very hard to hide him. The only reason I found him is because one of my people risked everything for a glance that lasted maybe a hundreth of a second. You want it? Pay up."


    "How much?" Lou asks,


    "A thousand. That''s five hundred for the name and five hundred for the location and time. This is after all, the most costly and risky information I¡¯ve ever received.¡±


    ¡±Alright.¡±


    ¡±No I got it Lou. How do you want me to pay?¡±


    Noxi pulls out a phone and taps the screen several times, she then lays it horizontal on her hand to show Asher. A thumb print is in the center of the blue screen, ripples around it.


    ¡±You¡¯re finger print.¡±


    Asher looks at Noxi and at the screen and places his index finger against it. Noxi looks at Tarsh and smirks. She studies his perfectly scruffed face and dark soft eyes. Her phone dings and Asher removes his thumb. Noxi replaces her phone in a pocket, but still looks at Tarsh.


    ¡±If you ever get tired of work like this. I¡¯ve got friends in modeling agencies.¡±


    Tarsh just raises an eyebrow. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡±What? You definitely have the look. A perfect model. Unlike Lucky Lou and Asher here, your features are immaculate. Though neither of you are bad either.¡±


    ¡±Oookay.¡± Lou mutters,


    Noxi rolls her eyes, ¡°Now, the location and time. But this isn¡¯t the place for such¡­sacred details. Follow me.¡±


    ¡±And yet you allowed us to talk about it in the hallways.¡±


    ¡±Oh please! No one will find him in time. And they know better than to cross me. A success for you is a success for me. But if someone happened to cross the same location as you at the same time. Well, I can¡¯t kill someone for impeding my clients if I have no proof, can I?¡±


    Lou narrows her eyes, Noxi doesn¡¯t care about proof. Lou knows her type, she¡¯d kill them where they stood if she desired. Noxi is just messing with them. Having fun and wanting to seem like she¡¯s the one you turn to if you need your nose scratched.


    They¡¯re lead to a private office beneath the club. Its like a mini lounge. Beautifully brown wooden walls, a maroon carpet which actually adds to the room. A mahogany desk in the spacious room and a black leather chair behind it. The room is designed with so many different objects, from paper and pencils to cabinets, to strange objects that Asher¡¯s never seen before.


    Noxi leans against the middle of the desk, staring at the trio as they enter. Tarsh closes the door behind him.


    ¡±Now who wants to start? What about you Ellie?¡±


    He frowns at her, ¡°You want to have a laugh or help?¡± Asher asks,


    Noxi smirks, ¡°You guys are no fun. Alright, Dillan Kreech. He¡¯s scheduled to arrive from Rhode Island to New York today in 6 hours at 2:30. But it¡¯s a diversion. He¡¯s arriving later tonight at 10:00 PM. Along the beach via a Sky Deck.¡±


    ¡±Of course it¡¯s a Sky Deck.¡±


    ¡±Eh. Shouldn¡¯t be much of a challenge.¡± Lou says,


    ¡±Are you kidding? Those things are practically tanks.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±Not the engines.¡± Lou smiles,


    ¡°Hah! I like you more and more. Better hope he¡¯s strapped in. They don¡¯t crash land well.¡±


    ¡±How sure are you that he¡¯ll be there?¡± Asher asks,


    She raises an eyebrow. ¡°He¡¯s new to this kind of thing.¡± Lou says,


    ¡±You don¡¯t say.¡± Noxi says,


    Asher frowns at Lou who just glances and dismisses him. ¡°I¡¯m a great matchmaker Asher. You haven¡¯t pissed me off, I only send people that I hate on suicide missions.¡±


    ¡±Any security?¡± Asher asks,


    ¡±Doubt it. If so it would be a small detail. Even the Sky Deck will be small, nothing to draw attention. That said, there will likely be officers on the Sky Deck, soldiers. Don¡¯t know what it¡¯ll look like though. I''ll send you the flight plan.¡± Noxi says to Lou,


    ¡±Thanks. Come on.¡± Lou says to them,


    ¡±Feel free to return.¡±


    ¡±We¡¯ll think about it. Promise.¡± Lou says,


    They walk out of the office, leaving Noxi inside. ¡°Let¡¯s go do some recon.¡± Tarsh says,


    The three of them make their way out of the club and into the day, fresh air filling their lungs. Lou''s phone chimes, she pulls it out. "Alright, got the flight plan."


    They take a cab down to the beach. Once they find a secluded spot along the beach, Lou lays out the flight plan, how and where and when. It''s a long discussion on where the prime d\position will be. Then Ellie and Lou are on their phones nonstop. Asher uses his to call Ryan.


    "Hey. How you holding up?" Ryan asks,


    "Not bad, I got a free moment. I''m getting closer Ryan."


    "Really?! What''s going on now?"


    "I don''t want to say right now...over the phone. But we''re making progress. I don''t know when we''ll be back, but we''ll have to do something when I do come."


    "Oh please dude!"


    "How''re your parents?"


    "Not bad, they''ve adjusted well actually. Dude they are even okay with dirt stains on their clothes man. It''s weird."


    Asher can''t help but smile. "It''s good that they are relaxing a little more."


    "Yeah, it''s cool here and all but...we need to get out and do something when you come back man. We can''t get out much. For our safety."


    "Yeah, Lou doesn''t mess around. Hopefully we''ll figure something out soon."


    "You got this Asher. You''re smart, that girl is lucky to have you. Ha! Pun not intended."


    Asher chuckles, "I miss you Ryan. Can''t wait to see ya again."


    "Soon. How are the others?"


    "We''re surviving. We got this. They''re okay."


    "You all got this. If nothing else they got you. You''re pretty smart Asher."


    "Ryan, you''re one heck of a stud."


    Asher hears him laugh. "I know."


    "Ryan did you just agree to that?"


    "Shut up. Hey, I''m gonna grab some breakfast. Talk to you later?"


    "Yeah buddy. Take care."


    "Stay smart Asher."


    "Bye."


    Asher tucks the phone away and smile at the sand by his half extended shoes. Ryan is pretty cool. Despite everything, Asher is glad Ryan was there for it. He gets to his feet and wipes the sand off of himself. They found their way to the bottom of a small cliff, Asher walks over and leans against it, next to Tarsh.


    He waits for both of them to get off the phone for the last time. "Well, I got some guns, east side of town. "What kind? Just secured a deal for a thermal launcher."


    "What?! From who?"


    "Luke George. He''s an arms dealer. Done work with him in the past for us."


    Lou frowns hard at him. "Ellie, isn''t he kind of sketchy?"


    "Eh. Yeah. But I trust him on this."


    "You sure?"


    "Positive, who did you call?"


    "Lillian. She''s in the area, owes me a few favors, she''s getting us some break-down rifles."


    "Why not just use the ones from the jet?"


    "These are better, armor piercing. Equipped with silencers, besides, mine got thrashed the night we got Jack, it''s done."


    "Alright. how much?"


    "Eh, she owes me seven times over, I told her it would get her off five."


    Tarsh and Asher look at each other and at her, raised eyebrows. "What? We need this. I just want this done, same as you. I got plenty of people who still owe me."


    "Well...the launcher is in New Bedford, about two hours away. You two grab the guns, I''ll get the launcher and come back."


    "What? Dude how you gonna smuggle a big thermal launcher over here by yourself?" Asher asks,The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "I got connections too man. Not just Lou. I''ll be back here in time."


    "I can grab the guns. Just in Haverhill, an hour away. Asher, it''s up to you. We can''t miss this, want to tag along or wait just incase something happens? You can stay with the cargo?"


    Asher nods, "I got this. You both go, I''ll hang out. just to make sure they aren''t pulling a fast one and coming early."


    "You sure?" Lou asks,


    "Yeah, go already. I got this. Let you know if something comes up."


    "Alright, we''ll be back."


    They start away, leaving Asher alone on the beach, He watches as they depart. They talk to each other, not looking back until they are about to disappear from his view. Both look at him and gone. He sighs, now the waiting game. He looks to the ocean and watches the water come up and recede. After a few seconds, he catches himself, this is the most relaxed he''s been in a while. It''s so peaceful. He''s so ready. He wants this over so bad, but at the same time, he just wants to skip to the part where he shoots this assassin in the face. He physically shakes his head, breaking the thought process and pushes the thoughts away. He refocuses on the waves and admires them. the thin film of white on the edge of the water where it meets the sand as it rolls up. He wishes Ryan could see this. And Riley. what happened to her?


    ''No! You deserve a break Asher, just relax, no thinking beyond watching for that Sky Deck.'' he thinks to himself.


    He looks down the beach and stares at people in the distance in the water and on the beach. Some sit down, some stroll down the sand and others are in the water, jumping and swimming. He is ready for a peaceful life. And yet, something tells him it will never come. After everything that has happened, how do you just go to a simple and quiet life?


    He''s not sure he would even want to anymore. He''s missed Lou, even Tarsh. He prays Noxi isn''t selling them out. What if this is for nothing? What if all this running around, finding answers, hiding, running again and hiding again gets him killed? It would be worth it, if the others live. Lou, Tarsh, Ryan. If they live, he hates the idea of course, but he could come to peace with dying. He can''t keep himself from thinking about it, no matter how hard he tries. What if they all die? What if he has to live to see it? He doesn''t know if he could take losing anyone else. And he means that. He''s put so many people in danger and lost great friends, Noctus, Raegan. Jeez. Raegan.


    The images flash in, the bloody scene in the house. At first he couldn''t even tell if it was them or not. He wishes it was someone else, Raegan has never deserved an end like that. He could be the reason that Ryan, Lou and Tarsh find a sudden end like that to their lives. He shakes his head, it''s not coming to that. No.


    ''But-no! No buts Asher!''


    He tries to just push out the thoughts but they keep coming back again and again. Finally he decides to get his mind somewhat satisfied. If Ellie and Lou die, he''ll finish this, but then he''ll join them. With that his mind seems to step back a little, ease off, as if agreeing to the terms.


    He sits there, his mind having relaxed a little but still in a panic over the scene his mind has created. "Gah! Get out!"


    "You okay?"


    He jumps and looks back at Lou, she stares at him, concern slapped on her face. He looks around, it''s getting dark, how...how long was he sitting here trying to get his mind under control? He looks back at Lou.


    "Um..."


    He shakes his head, "Sorry. Must have zoned out."


    She sets three three backpacks behind him and sits next to him on the sand. "Asher. What happened? Who were you just talking to?"


    He swallows hard, "Myself. It''s nothing. Sitting here, it just...it made my mind wander, that''s all. Couldn''t stop thinking about worst possible outcome."


    Lou''s shoulders sag. She puts her hand on Asher''s shoulder, "Asher, this is going to work, we are all getting out of here with Dillan safely."


    He lays his head on Lou''s shoulder and sighs, "I just want to stay here, in this moment. I''m so nervous and scared for the next." he says,


    Lou bites her cheek, "Asher. It''ll work. This will work. We''ll get Dillan and finally get some answers."


    She then gently pushes him upright and touches his chin and turns his head, making him look at her. "We can do this. Right?"


    Her tone is confident, assured. He smiles, "Let''s get ready."


    "Good. I talked to Ellie, He''s on his way and will be back in a few minutes. We''ll wait over there against the cliff, the Sky Deck is gonna fly overhead out there, but not deep enough to where if they get shot down they''l just drown. They prepared for that, it''ll be over the water though. Ellie will blast an engine, they''ll go down, hopefully closer to the beach. We go in, shoot any of the soldiers still breathing. Grab Dillan and we bolt. I got a ride secured. Not our jet, I bought a car off a guy, we''ll throw Dillan in the trunk and split. We go to a parking garage, hijack another car. There''s some places in the ghetto district, we can take him there. And then we get answers."


    Asher agrees, "Alright, solid plan. Let''s get ready."


    They assemble the rifles and lean Tarsh''s against the rock cliff. A few minutes pass and Tarsh arrives, he carries a big, bulky, hard shelled suitcase. "Subtle." Asher says,


    "Shut uuup. you want to do better?"


    Asher smirks, "Come on, set it up Ellie." Lou says,


    Tarsh does as asked and sets it in the sand and pops open the case. He then lifts the launcher and Asher helps him get it ready. "Ready Tarsh?"


    "You ever gonna call me by my first name?"


    "Probably not."


    Tarsh rolls his eyes, "Yeah, I''m good."


    Then they wait going over specifics and a batte ready plan including the equiptment they have. Scenarios. Three hours pass, it''s midnight and they are about to pack it up, when a soft but heavy whooshing. "Hear that?" Tarsh asks,


    "Ellie!" Lou whispers,


    He lifts the launcher up onto his shoulder and looks through a thermal scope. He looks all around but stops and settles. "Got it! That''s them all right. Lou, waiting on your word."


    "Do it! Bring them down."


    "Here goes. Locked."


    He squeezes the trigger and the rear end of the heat seeker explodes and shoots out the tube. A trail of smoke follows it as it sails through the sky and curves slightly and explodes against the engine.


    A secondary firework follows immediately. The ship whines loud and the camouflage glitches but disappears. Revealing the not very large vessel. It¡¯s spinning and descending with increasing speed.


    Tarsh, Lou and Asher grab their rifles and sprint after the ship. Finally, it brutally hits the ground with an echoing BAM! Flames roar up over the remnants of the engine, still desperately clinging to the rest of the vessel.


    As they sprint towards it, the side door slides open slowly. A soldier takes a step and flops out to his face. A few others emerge, clearly dazed. Tarsh stops, aims.


    Tsst!-Tsst!


    A soldier drops, Asher stops next and fires a round, a soldier¡¯s head snaps back and she awkwardly flops to the ground. Lou is rushing up, she rounds a sand hill, clear view and fires several rounds, the three remaining soldiers groan and whine, falling to the earth. The flames of the craft are like a bonfire. They keep the darkness away, excluding the white lights inside the Sky Deck¡¯s half open door of course.


    ¡°Back off! I¡¯ll shoot him!


    Lou narrows her eyes, she takes a step back and flicks a switch. Asher and Ellie join her side, guns ready.


    ¡±Two.¡±


    ¡±Got it.¡± Ellie whispers back,


    He raises his rifle and flips the switch, Asher mirrors him. Their thermal figures are perfectly illuminated, both point guns at another on the ground in front of them.


    ¡°Confirming.¡±


    Asher switches off the thermal sensing and lowers his gun, slowly walking close and into their view. They both see and shout at him but its so loud that its impossible to tell what they are saying. They hold rifles pointed at a man on his knees, hands over his head.


    ¡°I got confirmation.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±Three, two, one.¡±


    Tsst-tsst!


    The shouting stops and the two soldiers drop to the ground. ¡°Clear.¡± Asher says louder,


    He starts in, jeez this thing is a tank! It looks all intact still. The man on his knees looks up but Asher kicks him, forcing him to his side.


    ¡±Don¡¯t look at me! Name?¡±


    ¡±I-I-I-¡°


    ¡±Name! Now!¡±


    ¡±D-Dillan Kreech!¡±


    Asher raises his rifle and slams the butt against his head, knocking him out. He¡¯s bruised and bleeding from his shoulder but it¡¯s nothing serious. Asher reaches to the bulge in his back pocket. Wallet. He pulls it out and checks. An awfully nerdy looking picture. But same guy, Dillan Kreech. ¡°It¡¯s him. ¡°Cool. Let¡¯s dip. Security will be on it¡¯s way.¡±


    Asher picks up the man and they hurry away from the crash site. Running across the sand, carrying a captive isn¡¯t easy. Jeez this guy¡¯s heavy! ¡°There! The dorian!¡± Lou says,


    They run to the small green car, Lou pops the trunk, they throw him in and climb in. Lou turns the key and turns over the vehicle. It roars to life.


    She hits the pedal and they speed off. They find their way off the beach, to the road and start toward the parking garage.


    ¡°Ha ha! That was awesome! I¡¯ve never shot a launcher like that before!¡±


    ¡±Ellie? Later.¡±


    ¡±I can¡¯t believe that worked so easily! It was really easy! We were in and out so freaking fast!¡± Tarsh cheers,


    ¡±That was way too fast guys. Pull over.¡±


    ¡±What!? Why?¡± Lou asks,


    ¡±Just trust me!¡± Asher says,


    Lou does as asked and stops in an alleyway. They climb out and hurry to the back. Asher opens the trunk and feels around the man¡¯s body. He feels it, he reaches into Dillan¡¯s jacket pocket. Asher reaches in but its imbedded in the suit.


    ¡°Got a knife?¡±


    Tarsh frowns but hands him a pocket knife. Asher cuts off the pocket and pulls out a small device to show Lou and Tarsh.


    ¡±That¡¯s why it was easy, a tracker. There¡¯s no way that should have been that easy though. That can¡¯t be it.¡±


    ¡±Nice find Asher. But sometimes, we can get lucky. Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    ¡±How far is the garage?¡±


    ¡±Not far.¡± Lou says,


    They shut the trunk and climb back in, starting away. "That was kind of easy." Tarsh says, but his smile is still there.


    "I hope we''re just lucky too." Asher says,


    The night is cool, he can hear the air blowing past the car, it sounds like a giant storm. He''s never driven in a car and really listened to the sounds outside before. They make it to a multi-level parking garage. They drive to the fourth floor and climb out. Banging comes from the back.


    Tarsh sighs, he opens the trunk, the man looks at them and begins to open his mouth, but Tarsh bends down and slugs him in the face over and over until he gets knocked out again.


    Tarsh shakes his hand and sighs. "There."


    He looks at the others and shrugs at them. "He''s got a punchable face."


    Lou snorts and smiles, "Grab him."


    Tarsh lifts him onto his shoulder, Lou places her phone against the driver''s side window of a Yorbino SSX.


    Thud! The car unlocks, she opens the door and unlocks the trunk. Asher lifts it quickly and they set Dillan in and shut the trunk. They climb in, Lou bends down and rips out wires and plays with them for a few minutes.


    "Louuuu?"


    "Shut up Ellie." Lou mutters,


    Another minute passes and the car flares to life like a purring cat. "Ta daaa." She sings lifelessly,


    "When did you learn to hot wire E-cab cars?"


    Lou frowns at Asher. "I learned a lot growing up, which is why I''m the leader of the Skull Dynasty. I can hot wire engines, E-cabs, system guidance. even your tv."


    "I''d say ''stop bragging'' but you''re my boss."


    "Yeah I am Ellie. Good memory."


    "Har har har." he fakes laughs, mocking her which causes both her and Asher to laugh.


    "I love how we are laughing...with a body in the trunk."


    "You had to make it weird Asher."


    "You''re welcome Lou."


    They pull away and drive out of the garage. "You ready Asher?" Tarsh asks,


    "Heck yeah. I''m ready for some answers. And terrified."


    "I''m excited a little. We got this. We are getting something from him."


    "Me too. Take a breath Asher."


    He does so, he closes his eyes, he''s waited for this for a while. He sits in the passenger seat, Lou takes a hand off the steering wheel and places it on Asher''s hand which is clenched and on his thigh. He looks at her and smiles softly.


    "You look like you''ll be sick."


    "Probably." Asher mumbles,


    They drive through the city and reach the ghettos, they drive to a tiny street lined with abandoned houses. They shut the engine off and look around, waiting. After twenty minutes, they are sure that no one is around or watching. They climb out, grab Dillan and hurry into an abandoned house that''s a few houses away from the car. Lou kicks out, the top hinge of the door rips out of the frame, the door bursts open and swings back, slamming against the wall.


    They hurry in and shut the door behind them. Asher grabs a chair from the kitchen and brings it to the front door, wedging it against the door. He turns and walks into the empty dining room. Tarsh has set Dillan in a chair and is tying him to it.


    Asher is shaking like crazy. Lou looks at him and grabs his shoulders gently. "Asher? Hey. Breathe. Slow breaths, we''re almost there."


    Asher nods, "I don''t know if I can do this. I''ll kill him."


    "Asher, you can do this. I know you can, try to focus just on breathing okay?"


    He nods and walks behind Dillan and leans against the wall. ¡°You guys start.¡±


    ¡±You sure Asher?¡±


    ¡±Yeah.¡±


    ¡°You want to start? Or me?¡±


    Tarsh snorts, ¡°You two are deeper in this than I am. Beat the crap put of him.¡±


    ¡±In time.¡± Lou says,


    She raises a hand and slaps Dillan hard across the face. He doesn¡¯t react, his head just swings.


    She rolls her eyes. ¡°Get some water.¡±


    Tarsh walks into the kitchen, he looks in the cupboard and pulls out a dusty cup. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡±


    He walks out the front door and returns with the cup filled with water. Lou raises an eyebrow, no one said clean water.


    Tarsh throws his arm out, the water splashes against his face. He gasps and jumps. He breathes heavy and looks around him until he processes Tarsh and Lou standing in front of him.


    ¡±Who are you!? Where am I!?¡±


    ¡±Shut up. You are Dillan Kreech?¡±


    ¡±Who are you?!¡±


    Lou and Tarsh look at each other and back. Tarsh nods, ¡°Got it.¡±


    He then slaps Dillan hard across the face. ¡°You aren¡¯t asking the questions, we are. Dillan Kreech?¡±


    He looks at them and spits at their feet. Lou punches him in the face.


    ¡±Agh!¡±


    ¡±Want to try that again?¡±


    ¡±What do you want with me!?¡±


    ¡±Answers.¡±


    ¡±To what!? Do you know who I am?!¡±


    ¡±Sure we do, but you don¡¯t seem to be getting it. He doesn¡¯t need both knee caps right?¡±


    Tarsh shrugs, ¡°I¡¯ll get the guns.¡±


    ¡±Heh! You think torturing me will do anything!? I¡¯m not afraid of you.¡±


    Lou comes close. ¡°I know. You¡¯re more afraid of something or one else. You¡¯re gonna tell us who it is. Or either way. You¡¯re gonna have a sucky day. And knee caps? We¡¯ll work up to that.¡±


    He glares at her. She smiles, ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll start with fingernails. Each one, then toenails. I¡¯d rather start with-¡°


    She gasps and turns to Tarsh. ¡°Dude! Find a battery! Biggest you can find.¡±


    ¡±You¡¯re gonna jump me?! You guys new to this?¡±


    Lou smiles and rolls her eyes. ¡°There is just so many options. Hard to choose where to start. But I¡¯m not the one to worry about right? Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll have fun and give you back. I¡¯m sure they''ll believe you didn¡¯t give us anything. I¡¯m definitely not your problem.¡±


    Tarsh and Lou walk outside. Asher stays, leaning against the wall. Studying him, his anger is rising more and more. The man mutters and looks around the room. Asher pushes off the wall silently and walks up close behind him. Asher leans over and punches him between the legs.


    ¡±Ooogck!¡±


    The man groans and leans forward hard. ¡°That¡­ugh¡­your b-bes¡­shot?¡± He groans,


    Asher snorts, ¡°No. Don¡¯t worry they¡¯re coming back.¡±


    Asher then hits him as hard as he can, three times in the jaw, then takes the pocket knife that Tarsh gave him.


    ¡±Let me get the question out before we start.¡±


    Dillan spits blood to the floor off to the side.


    ¡±You put a bounty on someone named Jack Gales. Someone had you do that. You¡¯re gonna tell us who.¡±


    ¡±I have no idea what you are talking about.¡±


    ¡±Okay.¡± Asher lifts his hand and stabs the small blade into Dillan¡¯s foot. He screams out, Asher covers his mouth as he screams.


    Lou and Tarsh hurry in with jumper cables and the car battery. ¡°How¡¯s he doing?¡± Tarsh asks,


    ¡±Let¡¯s give him a jump.¡± Asher says,


    Dillan groans and is growling practically. ¡°I-I don¡¯t¡­.I don¡¯t know! I cant!¡±


    ¡±That¡¯s fine, we can just hook you up and leave you.¡±


    ¡±Come on! She¡¯ll find me!¡±


    ¡±She? Who?¡±


    Dillan looks at Asher and clenches his jaw. He just breathes steam out his nose and ears.


    ¡±You really think she¡¯ll come for you? Or let us just torture you and torture you till your heart gives out? We¡¯re here, she¡¯s not.¡±


    He swallows hard. ¡°Tell us what we want to hear. Come on.¡± Lou says,


    He remains unresponsive, eyes searching their faces. Looking over his decisions.


    ¡°We can just hook you up and leave you for a while?¡± Tarsh says,


    ¡±She¡¯ll torture me herself.¡±


    ¡±We¡¯ll torture you. And whatever she wants to do to you. Again, She¡¯s not here right now. We are.¡± Lou says,


    He doesn¡¯t say anything. Lou shrugs then nods toward him. Tarsh sets the battery near him on the ground.


    ¡±Go between his legs, got a few good hits in, but could take a few more.¡±


    ¡±Whoa! Whoa! Alright!¡±


    Lou looks at him, she scoffs and attaches the cables to the battery and tests them. The sparks shoot.


    ¡±I dont know! I dont know who or where she is! I know place that she was! I know the place they make the AI! I went there!¡±


    Lou stops, she sets the cables on the ground. ¡°Go on.¡± She says,


    ¡±I¡­.okay it wasn¡¯t where they were created, but-but! It was a hotel. They used it as a safe house kinda thing, a training facility for them. I overheard that she had people who tried to cross her in the past. She had prisoners there. I don¡¯t know if she still does.¡±


    Lou looks up at Asher. Shocked, she looks back at Dillan. ¡°Names?¡±


    ¡±I-I don¡¯t know. I didn¡¯t stay to listen. I just passed by a door. I didn¡¯t linger.¡±


    ¡±Where?¡± Tarsh asks,


    ¡±Holland, Germany. I know the coordinates! That¡¯s all I know I swear!¡±


    ¡°Give us the coordinates.¡± Tarsh says,


    He taps them into his phone, saving them in a note. Asher then cuts Dillan loose.


    ¡±We won¡¯t kill you. But considering what you told us. I¡¯d go hide. Somewhere she won¡¯t think to look for someone of your high class.¡±


    ¡±Y-you¡¯re just¡­letting me go?¡±


    ¡±Do we need to change our minds?¡± Lou asks,


    He throws his hands out, ¡°No! No! I, I¡¯ll hide. I promise. I won¡¯t ever tell her anything.¡±


    ¡±If you go back to her. You might as well just kill yourself.¡± Tarsh says,


    ¡±Let¡¯s get to the airport.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±I¡¯d try sticking around here, as deep in the ghettos as you can get. Maybe join a faction.¡± Lou says,


    They walk out, replace the car battery and start away to the airport. Leaving Dillan alone in the abandoned, lightless house.

 Extraction

    The flight was long, but they all slept on the flight. They land at the airport and start off on a vehicle they stole from the airport parking lot.


    The sun beats down on them, but none of them actually mind it. They haven¡¯t seen much of the sun lately. They had put their guns in the trunk, in their suitcases.


    ¡±It¡¯s so green.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±It¡¯s weird to see so much of it.¡± Lou says,


    The world here is very present, but there¡¯s just so much nature integrated into the world. Big parks with trees and grass. It feels to Asher like he is living in the 2020s, most places these days are so focused on technology that cities barely have any trees or natural life. The sky even seems bluer than back home. It¡¯s nice. But still a little overwhelming.


    Once Asher¡¯s eyes find something natural, they don¡¯t want to leave it. It disappears from view and Asher¡¯s heart beats a little faster. He longs to see it again.


    He faces forward, trying to bring his thoughts to the objective at hand. It¡¯s not a far drive with the airport in Holland. Asher is surprised, even the city, Germany is so far behind the rest of the world tech wise. But it¡¯s definitely still got beauty the rest no longer has.


    They pull up to a large building. Looks like some kind of corporate building. A large structure that spirals like a DNA strand. Windows cover the entire exterior of the building, many people walk in and out. It doesn¡¯t exactly scream ¡®Bad guy den¡¯ but Asher wasn¡¯t exactly sure what he was expecting.


    ¡±Hey Tarsh? What is this place?¡±


    ¡±Believe it or not I don¡¯t sit on my laptop all day researching ever foot across world.¡±


    ¡±I left my phone on the plane, idiot, remember me saying that? I can¡¯t just google it.¡±


    ¡±Oh.¡±


    Lou smirks wide as she hangs her head.


    ¡±Shut up.¡± Tarsh says to her,


    Her smirk just broadens. ¡°Come on puppy. Do the trick.¡±


    ¡±Screeeew you.¡± He half sings, half scoffs at Lou,


    Now she and Asher grin and managed to make Tarsh crack a smile. ¡°First glance though? If this is the place, a building like this, it¡¯s gonna have decent security somewhere. We can¡¯t just storm this place.¡±


    ¡±Can we get access to blueprints?¡±


    ¡±I know someone. Rather of someone. I¡¯ll handle it. If he doesn¡¯t already, he can get his hands on it.¡± Lou says,


    ¡±Alright, Asher and I will look at the security and figure out what the heck it is we are looking at.¡±


    "Okay, I''ll take a walk. Leave you both to it."


    For a moment, she seemed like herself again. Confident, like she''s got everything you need. Playful. Asher smiles, good. He would have died several years ago if not for her. "Be safe please." Asher says,


    She smirks, "Aren''t I always? Don''t miss me too much."


    "Are you two done?" Tarsh asks,


    Asher looks at him and down at his feet, Lou smiles and shuts the door. Tarsh hands up his phone. "Here. Google something."


    "Thanks Tarsh."


    They spend the next two hours figuring out that the building is a chemical plant. They test and create so many different kinds, from cleaners to poisons. Apparently chemical plants couldn''t be deep into cities in the past. But they''ve managed to become much safer and more secured. After really digging deep, they learn that the company also creates and sells on the black market, acids. The kind that will eat you bone and all in half an hour, but it¡¯s all hushed, obviously.


    Lou comes back and they bring her up to speed. She just stares at them with a raised eyebrow. ¡°They put them in these specialized containers, you need an access code to open them up even.¡±


    ¡±Well this just got more interesting. I don¡¯t know what kind of security it has but I¡¯d bet they got sufficient guns protecting their secret cargo. It¡¯s got three basement levels, likely where they make and store the acid.¡±


    Asher¡¯s stomach turns over, sour fills his mouth. Chills run over every inch of him, what if Noctus is there? What happened to her? Is she even alive still?


    He takes a quiet deep breath through the nose. ¡°So what¡¯s our play? Sounds like the acid factory is where we want to be.¡±


    ¡±Lou?¡±


    ¡±There¡¯s a few access gates, but we need to get to the tunnels, but they are likely locked down tight.¡±


    Tarsh raises a hand. ¡°I have a, kinda crappy idea?¡±


    ¡±That¡¯s the way to start off when you have a plan.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±Hey it¡¯s an idea. But we¡¯ll have to check some stuff out first.¡±


    ¡±How much longer would we have to wait?¡± Asher asks,


    ¡±It¡¯d be our way in.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ****


    They watched and planned out the routes of the delivery trucks for the next two days, living in the car. Then they move.


    ¡±Asher? Where are you?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m running! Chill out!¡± He spits over the phone,


    She smiles and rolls her eyes. As the car door opens, Ellie grabs the driver and throws him to the ground. ¡°No offense buddy.¡± He says and clocks the man in the head with the butt of his rifle.


    ¡±Blocking the road with an accident and hijacking the truck. Not going to lie. Wasn¡¯t sure it would work Ellie. Nice plan.¡±


    ¡±Yeah hasn¡¯t worked yet.¡±


    Asher runs up to them and bends over on his knees, huffing and puffing.


    ¡±Nice of you to join us. Hop in.¡±


    Asher probably would have sassed him back but he was too out of breath and the truck is behind schedule as it is. They jump in the back and climb into the empty barrels and place the big lids on the barrels.


    Ellie didn¡¯t waste time, as soon as they were in the back he had gotten dressed in the driver¡¯s clothes, and just started the truck and began pulling away from the backroad. Asher had driven a car through an intersection and caused a crash, luckily, according to plan he was okay. All of which made the delivery truck radio in and tell them about their ¡®detour¡¯. Lou and Ellie opened and emptied two barrels into a gutter, not that anyone would care even if they had noticed in this neighborhood. These guys weren¡¯t delivering acid, just the environmentally safe whatever chemicals. Asher and Lou then hid in them. With Ellie in the disguise and at the wheel. He would drive them to the factory and get them all in with ease.


    Even without the chemicals in the container, Lou is practically gagging. That smell is way too strong, hopefully Asher¡¯s do- she hears him cough hard and groan. Never mind.


    ¡±Jeez, should have washed these out first.¡± He says,


    She scoffs. Seriously. It¡¯s like paint and gas mixed together. How is this possibly environmentally safe with this stench!? She plugs her nose and breathes as quietly as she can through her nose. But now the smell is stuck in her nostrils. Hurry up Ellie! For Pete¡¯s sake.


    Her body lurches. They stopped. Here¡¯s where it counts. No sound. The engine still runs with the sound like a chainsaw but dropped several octaves. Which means guards are probably checking to make sure the cargo is secure. She hears muffled voices. Impossible to tell what they are saying and she isn¡¯t about to crack the lid to listen. How many barrels are in front of her blocking the guard¡¯s view? She still isn¡¯t risking it.


    After a few seconds, the engine flares it¡¯s roaring voice again and she lurches again. After almost a minute longer the truck stops again but doesn¡¯t turn off.


    Fwut-Fwut-Fwut-Fwut-BAM! That¡¯s the cue! She waits two seconds, she lifts the lid, standing up and sets it to the side. Asher is beside her. People yell back and forth. The pair hurries to the edge, they peek out of the truck and check both ways. Asher can see, hopefully, everyone. From the front of the truck to the giant door to the tunnel that they just pulled through.


    ¡±What the frick just happened!?¡± Tarsh shouts,


    Thankfully, they aren¡¯t going that way. Lou taps his arm. He turns and follows her to the service elevator. After paying Lou¡¯s informant a little more. He gave them an even further detailed schematic of the blueprints. They hide against the walls, pushing the B2 button repeatedly.


    ¡±Um. Hi.¡±


    Lou looks at Asher then at a man standing in the corner against the back wall behind a crate as the doors closed. A very young man. Rectangular brown glasses characterize his grey eyes and flawless face. He stares at them both.


    ¡±Cameras don¡¯t have elevators-I-I meant the elevators don¡¯t have cameras. I¡¯d recommend the ventilation shafts over the set of double doors. On the second basement.¡±


    Lou raises an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m just delivering this to the first basement floor. I didn¡¯t see you.¡±


    ¡±¡­Cool we didn¡¯t want to see you anyways.¡± Asher says,


    ¡°Okay then.¡± He swallows hard and shakes a little. ¡°Favorite color?¡± He asks,


    The elevator dings. ¡°Ah, this is me.¡±


    The doors open and he starts out on the electronic lift that carries the pallet. Lou and Asher look at each other. The doors close. ¡°Green?¡±


    She rolls her eyes at him and sighs with relief and a smile. The elevator dings, the doors open and they start out into a tiny empty lobby like area. No cameras here either. They spot a vent on the wall, next to the double doors. They hurry over to it. Lou kicks Asher¡¯s knees, making him fall to his hands and knees and wastes no time climbing on him.


    ¡°Gah Lou.¡±


    ¡±Shush.¡±


    She takes out a knife and loosens the screws and yanks, popping the vent out handing it to Asher. She crawls into the big vent. Asher takes her hand and is hoisted up into it. He then replaces the vent behind him and with the screws Lou collected, sinks the screws but doesn''t tighten them.


    They turn and start crawling through the vent, Asher lets Lou move ahead though so weight is distributed. The vent is surprisingly strong and doesn¡¯t bend or make any noise as they move. They crawl forever before Asher lines up with Lou who looks down through a grate.


    ¡±There¡¯s a bad guy over there. Or we keep moving.¡±


    ¡±It would be a lot of sound.¡± Asher says,


    Lou shrugs, ¡°Seems quiet. Wanted it to be your call.¡±


    He almost instantly nods upward, silently telling her to keep moving. She turns and continues, they crawl for five more minutes before they come to an empty room. Looks like an empty lab.


    ¡±Ready?¡±


    She nods, she kicks it hard with both feet and withdraws them letting Asher jump down. The bang of the grate breaking shatters the silence. He touches the ground and does a fast scan. He sees her. She stares, mortified and scared to death.


    He bolts after a woman in a lab coat. She jumps out of her chair and hurries for the door. Asher wraps his arm around her throat and turns and throws her down to the floor, kneeling over. He pins her to the ground and spits at her to shut up.


    ¡°Please! Please dont kill me!¡±


    ¡±Shut up! Answer our questions and we¡¯ll let you live.¡± Lou says,


    She whimpers softly under Asher¡¯s grasp. ¡°Do you have any prisoners here?¡±


    ¡±What!? Are you crazy!? This is a laboratory! We make chemicals!¡±


    ¡±Shut up! We know you make acids too , you sell them on the black market. It¡¯s on this level.¡±


    ¡±Maybe we should dumb her in a barrel of the so called ¡®chemicals¡¯ I mean if she¡¯s right then we¡¯re wrong right?¡±


    ¡°I bet there¡¯s plenty of scientists here.¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡±No! No! Please! I-in the back! Out those doors! Down the stairs to your right! They¡¯ll lead you to the interrogation rooms!¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Lou and Asher lift her to her feet. Lou then rips her out of Asher¡¯s grasp. Lou slams her head against a table twice. Hard. The girl then drops to the floor, limp.


    ¡±I don¡¯t want this to get messy.¡± Lou says,


    She grabs her under the arms, Asher helps her and picks up the legs, they then put her in a nearby tall metal cabinet.


    ¡±It might get messy now.¡±


    ¡±Then lets hurry.¡±


    They crack open the door and peek. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Asher whispers,


    They let the door swing open and rush through, the room is well lit with so many ginormous containers likely stirring the acid. So many vents and machines against the walls and stairs to upper levels of the floor where there are more machines. To their right stairs lead into darkness.


    They hurry, crouched down, to the stairs. They make it and practically glide down the white tile stairs almost soundlessly.


    Asher jumps as he feels his phone vibrate, he pulls it out and answers it. ¡°Tarsh.¡±


    ¡±Where are you guys? You okay?¡±


    ¡±Yeah, we¡¯re in the basement searching for some interrogation rooms. Noctus might be there. We¡¯ll call you in a second.¡±


    Asher hangs up and shoves the phone away in his pocket. They walk down a corridor and to a corner, peeking around it. Asher jumps back.


    ¡±Camera facing doors and guards, 5 guards playing cards.¡± Asher whispers softly,


    Lou sighs, ¡°Want to nuke them?¡±


    ¡±We¡¯ll probably have to.¡±


    Lou moves around him to the corner, Asher moves back and lets her pull out a grenade. ¡°If this isn¡¯t it. We¡¯re dead.¡± She mumbles,


    ¡±It¡¯s your call Lou. We can go steal some pistols from other guards or something.¡±


    She shakes her head. ¡°Just getting ready. Okay.¡±


    She quietly pulls a pin and safety lever and counts to three. The steps out into the hall and chucks the ball. It hits the floor and rolls awkwardly to them. They look at it and her as she and Asher jumps behind the corner again.


    BOOM!


    Everything is caught up in plaster and red mist as they fly in every direction. ¡°Go!¡±


    Lou and Asher sprint down the hall and up to the shredded corpses lying in the blood splattered and covered hallway, chunks of the wall, ceiling and table lie on the ground. Asher drops beside the one furthest back and finds a pistol that is only covered in dust¡­by some miracle.


    He pulls it as Lou tries to open a locked door.


    ¡±No!¡±


    She turns and searches the corpses, are you fricken kidding!? She jumps up and swings open a door with a key from one of the corpses. A woman with long red hair lies on her side, her wrists are chained to the center of the floor. Her clothes are stained and dirty and worn and way too big.


    Lou drops to her side while Asher stands in the doorway watching with the gun. ¡°Lou?¡±


    ¡±She¡¯s breathing. Give me the gun!¡±


    Asher tosses it to her and looks down the hall.


    BANG!


    ¡±Here!¡± She throws it back,


    Asher raises the gun, he hears loud footsteps. Heavy soldiers.


    ¡±Hey Lou?¡±


    ¡±I got her! Go!¡±


    Asher jumps into the hall almost simultaneously with several soldiers. Asher doesn¡¯t give them the chance though and opens fire. Two of them yell and drop to the ground, the others dive behind the corner. Asher moves forward with Lou behind him. She sets the girl down and unlocks the second door and swings it open.


    Bullets spray the hall, Asher jumps to the wall and fires back a few shots. They are just shooting around the corner with heir hands, not even looking.


    They dive into the next room. A middle aged man lies on the floor near a wall to Lou¡¯s right. She runs over and checks him. He¡¯s gone.


    ¡±Lou!¡± Asher shouts,


    ¡±It¡¯s not Noctus! He¡¯s gone!¡±


    Plaster from the wall near Asher¡¯s face explodes. He twists hard and falls back into the room. He jumps up and sticks his arm out and fires three times.


    Then shouting fills the halls, mixed with gunfire. Asher peeks out carefully, Tarsh rounds the corner, gun raised. He sees Asher and hurries over to them.


    ¡±The heck are you doing!?¡±


    ¡±Me!? Who¡¯s idea was it to throw a fricken grenade!?¡±


    ¡±Come on! Help us look!¡±


    ¡±Who are they!?¡±


    ¡±We don¡¯t know! Come on!¡±


    They check two more rooms with corpses they''ve never seen.


    Tarsh swings open a door and covers the hall again with Asher while Lou sets the girl down inside and sees a blood covered mask on the floor. A woman with black hair and highlights hangs by the wrists from the back wall. Like the redheaded girl, blood and black have corroded her fingernails and skin. Lou rushes over as Asher and Ellie begin another firefight.


    Lou puts her fingers against the woman¡¯s throat. Asher looks in and stops firing for a moment. Shocked and horrified.


    ¡±Asher! Focus up!¡±


    Something snaps in him and he fires three more rounds but now is out of ammo. ¡°I¡¯m out!¡± He says,


    ¡±Asher!¡± Lou calls to him,


    He sprints across the hall into the other room and runs up to the woman. Lou¡¯s face is just, broken. Asher looks up at her, his heart plummets, his fingers and legs go numb and he falls to his knees as he sees the mask in her hands.


    Lou just stares at him. ¡°Guys!¡± Ellie yells,


    There¡¯s a level of pain, dread, defeat where you don¡¯t cry, you just stay silent and still. To put it simply, Asher looked dead. Not figuratively.


    She opens her mouth but closes it again. Asher just stares at the mask, he presses his fingers to her neck, he closes his eyes and sighs. He gently takes the mask that rests in Lou¡¯s hands and places it on Noctus.


    He lifts her shirt slightly and looks at her side just above the hip. The teenie branch like scar, almost not invisible unless you¡¯re looking for it. She showed it to him once. They likely didn¡¯t replicate that tiny of a detail. But even if they had, he can¡¯t explain why he knows. But he does, this is Noctus. The real Noctus, he¡¯s sure of it.


    ¡±Let¡¯s go¡­.hey Tarsh? Shoot the restraints.¡±


    ¡±A little busy.¡±


    ¡±Ellie! Give it to me! Grab Noctus!¡±


    He does as asked, she takes the rifle and fires four round bursts at the corner as she marches on them, she throws the barrel of the gun around the corner, as she does she opens fire and pumps them all with lead. They drop to the ground fast. She them fires two more rounds for good measure. She checks her clip. A few rounds left. She grabs another rifle from a soldier and a few magazines.


    ¡±Guys!?¡± She asks,


    ¡±Coming!¡±


    Ellie hurries out with the young girl, Asher carries Noctus. Her stomach drops, she almost bursts into tears. She bites her cheek to avoid doing so. They hurry up the stairs, suddenly a loud alarm blares around them. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± She shouts,


    They run around the work area until they come to conveyor belts, big ones that would carry the barrels. ¡°There!¡± Ellie yells,


    They turn and follow him to a cargo elevator, it¡¯s different than the typical ones, it has it¡¯s own battery source. Lou lifts the upper horizontal gate and pushes down the bottom one and they hurry in and punch the R button, the roof. Lou closes the horizontal, grate doors and after a moment they begin their ascent.


    Lou looks at Asher, well both look at Asher, holding his lifeless companion. All this way. And he¡¯s so struck by it you would think it didn¡¯t even affect him. Lou just wants to hug him and cry. She wants his pain. She¡¯d do anything to take it from him.


    The elevator stops, a red light flashes on overhead. They didn¡¯t expect to get to the top though. Lou lowers the gates and she and Ellie pulls open the elevator doors.


    They climb out and start across a skybridge.


    ¡°You marking us?¡± Lou asks,


    ¡±I got you.¡±


    Lou raises her gun, stopping halfway across the long skybridge. She fires, shattering the glass.


    ¡±Go! Go!¡± She yells,


    She turns and falls to a knee, aiming and waiting for soldiers to come. Ellie and Asher hand over their limp passengers to Megan. Lou begins opening fire on the soldiers as bullets spray all around them. Ellie and Asher jump on, Lou turns and steps onto a brace and jumps into the doorway. She yells out as Megan stumbles back and hits hard against the back wall, sliding to her butt and yelling.


    Lou falls to a knee and begins to fall backward, she gasps but Ellie snatches his hand out and grabs hers. She is pulled to her feet but another round shoots into her calf. She screams and falls to her side. Megan is already falling into her seat, groaning and growling and begins pulling the jet away, closing the door. She shoves the power stick forward and jolts back into her seat.


    Ellie is thrown to the ground but immediately bounces up and is beside her and Asher pulling her into the craft further. She¡¯s groaning and yelling.


    ¡±Gah! Just get me onto a fricken bed!¡± She screams,


    ¡±The bullet didn¡¯t go through! We got to get it out of your leg first.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±I got it! Look at Megan!¡±


    Asher hurries to the cockpit and drops to a knee beside her and Kendell. ¡°Megan?¡±


    ¡±Ugh! I¡¯m fine!¡± She growls,


    She continues growling and grips the wheel in front of her tight, her knuckles are whitened. ¡°Go back there.¡±


    ¡±No! I got this.¡±


    ¡±Megan. Get in the fricken back now! Kendell tell me what to do.¡±


    He practically pulls and throws Megan out of her seat, she cries in pain but stumbles to the back.


    ¡±Jeez, it go through?¡± Ellie asks,


    ¡±I don¡¯t know!¡± Megan yells,


    ¡±Sit down!¡±


    ****


    Ellie dumps the fragments in the trash and washes out the metal container and washes his hands for the third time. He dries them off with a towel and walks out. Megan sits in a chair, stunned, staring at both guests lying on the first aid beds. To heal the one and to just get Noctus out of the way.


    ¡±Megs? You alright?¡±


    She looks at him, a dead expression and nods. ¡°I¡¯ve never been shot before¡­have you?¡±


    He nods, ¡°Yeah, sucks. But are you okay?¡±


    She thinks for a moment, ¡°I, yeah, I think so. That was scary. I haven¡¯t taken control from Asher.¡±


    ¡±It¡¯s okay. He seems to be managing.¡±


    ¡±I think we got hit. The plane I mean.¡±


    ¡±The lights flicker sometimes, instruments back here wig out. Cheap electrical system.¡±


    ¡±Oh¡­it doesn¡¯t do that in the cockpit.¡±


    Ellie shrugs, ¡°Its the most important place to have power.¡±


    ¡±Oh. Yeah their heart monitors freaked out for a moment. I thought she flatlined.¡± Megan says looking at the redheaded girl,


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Ellie walks over and pushes her hair back out of her face. She looks familiar. Is she one of the girls Asher was lookin for? Ellie then frowns, ¡°Wait. ¡®Their¡¯?¡±


    ¡±What?¡± Megan asks,


    ¡±You said ¡®their¡¯ heart monitors. Her¡¯s too?¡±


    ¡±Y-yeah. It flared for a second, like you said it does.¡±


    ¡±Yeah-not if she¡¯s already flatlined!¡±


    Ellie rushes to her side and looks at the monitor.


    He taps the touch screen a few times and brings up the brainwaves. Rather than a straight line it¡¯s like ever so slightly bumpy.


    ¡°Holy crap.¡±


    Lou asks walking out of the restroom. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    Ellie yanks open a drawer, pulls out a syringe and presses it against her arm. Then another.


    ¡±Ellie! What the he-¡°


    Noctus jolts upright gasping, she looks and sees Ellie and jumps into him, tackling him to the ground and wrapping her fingers around his throat.


    ¡±Whoa! Whoa!¡±


    Lou rushes over, Megan gets to her first but Noctus upper cuts her and raises a fist towards Lou but drops to her face, groaning.


    ¡±ASHER!¡± Lou yells,


    She¡¯s knelt beside Noctus and rolls the groaning woman to her side. The cockpit door swings open, Asher sees her and drops to her side faster than Ellie can push himself up onto his elbows.


    ¡±Noctus!?¡± Asher shouts,


    ¡±She¡¯s really weak! Help me get her onto the bed now!¡± Lou says,


    They carefully lift her, stepping over Ellie who tries to squirm out of their way. They set her on the bed and synch her to it. It whines, powering up and begins the process.


    ¡±No¡­I¡¯m okay. So is Megan!¡± Ellie says,


    Asher and Lou ignore him and he helps Megan to her feet. She stumbles a little but catches herself. She doesn¡¯t shake nearly as hard as Asher. As if his life depended on shaking.


    ¡±She¡¯s alive.¡± He cries, tears stream his cheeks,


    ¡±Wh-what happened?¡± Lou asks looking at Ellie,


    ¡±Megan caught a flutter when the lights flickered, the system turned on when Noctus was laying on the bed, it read a heartbeat. I injected her with two stim-shots. It should give her the boost she needs.¡±


    Asher grabs his shirt and pulls him in hard and fast, wrapping his arms around Tarsh. ¡°Thank you.¡± He sobs,


    He hugs him back tight but gently. ¡°You got it. Glad she¡¯s okay.¡±


    Asher lets go, pulling away and pulls Megan in against her will for a hug. She smiles and hugs him back. ¡°Ellie did the hard work.¡± She says,


    ¡±Thank you. Both of you.¡± I¡¯m in your debt.¡± He says shakily,


    ¡±I¡¯ll give you guys some room.¡± Megan says and she disappears to the cockpit,


    ¡±I¡¯ll have a word with you two.¡± Lou says and disappears to the front with Megan,


    Asher kneels beside Noctus¡¯s bed and breathes shakily as he cries and tears stream his cheeks.


    Ellie walks to the back of the plan and returns a moment later putting a blanket on his shoulders. Asher hardly reacts.


    ¡±Is this you¡¯re other friend?¡± Ellie asks,


    Asher glances at the redhead. It¡¯s Nicole, her hair is so long though, she¡¯s dangerously skinny, like Noctus, but the first aid beds will help with that. He wonders if it is Nicole.


    ¡±Yeah. It¡¯s Nicole. Maybe.¡±


    ¡±Maybe?¡±


    Asher doesn¡¯t answer, he just looks back at Noctus and breathes out with relief, half laughing.


    Ellie smiles. He then goes to the back and sits down. Giving them as much privacy as he can. Asher gets to his feet and opens a drawer and pulls a knife.


    Ellie frowns. ¡°What¡¯re you doing?¡±


    ¡±I told you about the robots. I need to make sure.¡± Asher says,


    Ellie gets to his feet and walks over as Asher cuts Nicole along the collar bone. Ellie gags and looks away.


    ¡±Jeez Asher, convinced?¡±


    He steps away and nods. ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s human.¡±


    He turns and walks to the bathroom and cleans the knife, leaving Ellie with an unconscious Noctus and Nicole. They restrained her and gave her a mask that forces her to breathe anesthesia.


    Asher returns and kneels down beside Noctus again. Ellie sits in a chair behind Asher, staring straight at Noctus¡¯s and Nicole¡¯s feet.


    Asher can¡¯t wait to get back, San Diego. Some form of home. Lou appears from the cockpit and leans against the wall.


    ¡±It¡¯s a long flight. Want some sleep?¡±


    ¡±No I¡¯m okay.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±Ellie?¡±


    He looks at her, slightly surprised. ¡°Uh-I¡¯m okay. You could get some rack.¡±


    ¡±Alright. Don¡¯t push yourself guys.¡± She says,


    She plops down in a chair and closes her eyes. Ellie keeps his eyes open for two hours and chooses to give in to the temptation of sleep rather than spend the rest of the flight fighting it. Asher however chooses to fight it. He grabs an energy drink from a mini fridge in the back of the jet and sips it throughout the flight.


    They land, a big limo waits for them. They carry the guests into the limo and drive off. Lou looks at Asher. Obviously, he¡¯s still attached to her hip. Lou isn¡¯t sure how long she¡¯ll be out. She was just about dead.


    She still can¡¯t believe that she¡¯s alive. How did Ellie, er, Megan, catch that? Just coincidence, thanks to that coincidence, Noctus is alive. She had held on by the fingertips.


    They arrive at the club and park in the underground garage. Asher insists on carrying Noctus, they¡¯re led to the med-bay. Asher doesn''t leave her side. Again. Not that Lou is complaining at all. She just feels bad for him. Noctus is practically all the family he has left. But he¡¯s been awake for how many hours.


    Ellie comes in the room and whispers in Lou¡¯s ear. ¡°Okay. Hey Asher? Nicole¡¯s awake.¡±


    He looks at Lou. ¡°I want to stay.¡±


    ¡±Asher. She¡¯ll still be here. I promise to personally watch over her until you get back. Go see Nicole.¡±


    He takes a deep breath. He stays on his knees. She rubs her shoulder, flinching at an aching in her neck from sleeping on the jet.


    Asher gets to his feet. ¡°Personally watch over her?¡±


    Lou nods, ¡°I promise. She¡¯ll be safe under my watch.¡±


    He walks over to Lou and hugs her softly. But she realizes he isn¡¯t hugging her softly. He hugging her weakly. The whole thing of exploring the facility probably tired him out. Not to mention finding Noctus, thinking she¡¯s dead only to find out she¡¯s alive. He must be so drained.


    ¡±Thank you Lou Lou.¡±


    She smiles and hugs him back. ¡°Of course. Go see her.¡±


    He smiles at her softly and walk out of the room to one nearby. Lucky Lou sits in a chair, staring at her, wondering, so much. Who is after them? How is Noctus connected? What will she do when she wakes up? Will she even wake up? What does she look like under the mask? She¡¯s tempted to look but she wants to be respectful, for Asher.


    Asher rubs his eyes and looks into the room. A bruised redhead looks at him, she turns to shock.


    ¡±Asher¡­hi.¡± She says,


    ¡±Hey.¡± He says,


    ¡±I heard last you saw me I¡­wasn¡¯t myself?¡±


    He just stares at her. ¡°You okay?¡± He asks,


    ¡±You know I¡¯m me right? I¡¯m human.¡±


    He nods, ¡°I know.¡±


    She looks at him from his eyes to his arms and waist and back up. Her lip curls a little. ¡°You look good. Really good.¡±


    ¡±How do you feel?¡±


    She looks at her hands. ¡°I woke up almost screaming. I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m a little sore. I¡¯ll live. How are you?¡±


    ¡±I¡¯m alright.¡±


    He can read her face, she feels the tension and awkwardness. But, he doesn¡¯t know what to say. Something else carrying the exact same face ruined everything.


    ¡±Noctus?¡± She asks,


    ¡±She still isn¡¯t awake. But, she should pull through.¡±


    Nicole sighs and nods. ¡°I could¡­I didn¡¯t know, but I guessed it was her. I could hear, I don¡¯t know what to call it. They weren¡¯t exactly screams. You know, can¡¯t speak.¡±


    ¡±She¡¯ll be okay.¡± Asher says,


    ¡±Good. Um. Could I talk to you? Privately?¡± She asks,


    Tarsh looks at Asher, he shrugs. ¡°Just a few minutes. I¡¯m right outside man.¡± Tarsh says,


    He pats his shoulder and walks out with the doctor, closing the door behind him. Nicole squeezes her hands tight.


    ¡±They told me that there was someone that looked exactly like me. Was it plastic surgery?¡±


    Asher walks closer but remains at a distance. ¡°No. It wasn¡¯t a double. It was an AI. Fully functioning. A robot, with¡­human skin. I¡¯m not sure how they did it. But it was you.¡±


    Nicole just frowns at him. Not sure if she should believe him. ¡°A robot with skin?¡±


    ¡±Yeah, I cut them open. There were wires and metal formed bones.¡±


    Nicole turns pale. ¡°Whoa. I mean, you¡¯re sure?¡±


    Asher raises an eyebrow at her. ¡°I just. How? What? How is that even possible?!¡±


    ¡±You¡¯re asking the wrong person.¡±


    ¡±Jeez. Did I, it, hurt anyone?¡±


    Asher shrugs, ¡°I don¡¯t know. But it wasn¡¯t you.¡±


    ¡±Still. Walking around with my face. Though I¡¯m probably not much of a sight to look at right now. Did it hurt you bad?¡±


    Asher doesn''t answer. ¡°I don''t know, I thought you were dead.¡±


    ¡±I thought you might have been too. But I¡¯m glad I was wrong.¡±


    "I''m glad you''re okay too."


    She smiles softly. "I should get some sleep, but maybe you can tell me what I''ve missed out on later?"


    He nods, "Okay."


    "Asher? I''m really glad you and Noctus are okay."


    He smiles back, "I''m glad you are too Nicole."