This is the story of Kevin.

He was an average man with a simple life. He made a good living for himself, straight out of college, working at a tech start-up company as a cyber technician in Chicago. He has no kids, no girlfriend, not even a pet.

His parents, who were up in age, lived in Ohio where he was born and raised. He has an older brother who just made partner at a law firm in New York City, and a younger sister who was finishing up her senior year in college at Michigan State.

A lot of people always wondered why Kevin was single. He was by far the handsome one, as his brother was the charmer. He was the typical heartthrob throughout high school and college. Tall, muscular, clear skin, nice curls that the girls died over, sweet, had good grades and most of all-a smile that could give anyone a toothache. He had everything. Young and off to an amazing start to his adulthood.

That was until, things got strange. Very strange…

It all started one fall brisk morning. Everything was normal. Well, normal for Kevin that is. He awoke, went for a morning jog around town. He waved to the local bakery owner Mr. Brown, spoke to Ms. Lydia, who owned the Bodega a few blocks down the street, ran in place while he waited for the light to change as he checked his heart rate. Then ran the long four blocks back home. He had the same routine almost every other day.

But today… today would be the day his life would be a thing of the past. Literally.

While showering, Kevin noticed while rubbing the water out of his eyes, things were blurry. He grabbed a towel to dry off, while wiping his eyes again. Things were seemingly better, but this time he saw a shadow out the side of his eyes at random times. Even bright lights would appear as he got dressed like someone may have flicked a light switch on and off.

“That’s weird.” He said aloud.

He blinked a few times, fixed his hair and brushed his teeth.

The blurry mess went away. He let out a sigh of relief as he drove to work.

That’s when the random bright light on the side of his left eye appeared again while driving. He looked to his left, thinking a car had just shined their lights on, as it was kind of a gray day. Overcast of clouds as it would be raining later in the day. There was no car or any light for that matter to his left. He shrugged it off as he continued to work.

Once he parked his car and began walking towards the entrance of his building, he saw a shadowy blur. No figure, just something that looking like a smudge or a cloud of smoke. He noticed if he looked out the side of his eye, he didn’t see it. Only when he looked ahead. He blinked his eyes a few times and the blur disappeared just as fast as it had appeared. He paused in his steps in the middle of the road as a car approached him.

“Beep!”

The car horn made Kevin jump as he was rubbing his eyes.

“Kev! Get some coffee man!” Mark yelled.

Mark was his best-friend and co-worker. They both started at the same time, had so much in common, they naturally clicked-instantly. Thus, the beginning of their “bro-mance” as the other co-workers liked to tease.

“Whatever, I’m fully awake. I think it’s something in my eye.”

“Well, get out the street!” He laughed as he parked.

Kevin stuck his middle finger up at Mark, as he walked across the street and waited for him to park. Mark, a jokester, but very smart, swung his backpack over his shoulder as he jogged across the lot. Keys in hand, he hit the alarm over his shoulder.

“Sup bro.” Mark said as he gave Kevin a hi-five.

“Man. Same ole same ole.”

“Da heck were you doing in the middle of street man?” Mark asked as they walked inside.

“I keep seeing these blurs. Like shadows and lights out the sides of my eyes.” Kevin said gesturing to his face.

“Take your contacts out.” Mark smirked.

“I don’t wear contacts.”

“Well, maybe you should start then-blind man.”

Kevin pushed Mark as they horsed around a bit laughing.

“You better get ya eyes together if you want to keep peeking at the “Lovely Laura” over there.” Mark said as he waved at a girl who worked at the indoor barista.

“Shut. Up.”

“Dude, just go over there and talk to her.”

“No.”

“Come on. You’re always smiling like you’re in a daze when you actually make eye contact with her. Ask her out.”

Kevin rolled his eyes. “I’m good.”

“You definitely need a eye exam. As fine as she is, you would be a fool not to talk to her.”

“She probably has someone.”

“I bet you five bucks that you can keep, she’s single and ready to mingle.” , Mark teased as he did a little dance.

Kevin glanced over at Laura, slightly waved and kept walking.

“How would you know?” Kevin asked inquisitively.

“I asked her friend who works the barista on the weekends.”

Kevin smirked looking unimpressed.

“Well, if you won’t-I will.”, Mark said as he turned back walking in Laura’s direction.

“Mark! Stop!”

“What one man won’t do, another man will Kev! Carpe Diem!”

“Alright!”

“Atta boy! Go get ’em!” Mark smiled as he patted Kevin on the back for support.

Kevin inhaled and exhaled as he walked towards Laura. He wondered what he would say, how he looked, if his lips were chapped, did his breath smell. His mind raced with randomness until his thoughts went completely blank once he was in her presence. Face to face. Smiling.

“Hi Kevin!” Laura began.

“Ah, hey there Laura.”

Kevin who instantly became too stunned to speak, began rocking back and forth on his feet.

Laura, who looked at him puzzled, started the conversation instead.

“Would you like anything today?”

“Um…yeah about that. I’m not a coffee drinker.” He said in a low tone as he leaned in.

“We offer more than coffee. How about a tea or something we can create on the fly? 100% juice?”

“Wow! Had I known that, I would’ve came here sooner!”

They both laughed.

“Um…do you have anything strawberry flavored?”

“Sure! Do you want just that or another fruit?”

“Surprise me. I have no food allergies.”

After a few sounds from the blender, Laura made him a Strawberry-Apple smoothie with a touch of lime.

“Wow! This taste great-thanks!”

“You’re welcome! Glad you like it!”

“What is this called?”

“Doesn’t have a name. You get to name it whatever you like.”

“Let’s call it the “Lovely Laura.” Mark chimed in out of nowhere.

Kevin coughed a little, as some of the smoothie hit the back of his throat.

Laura shook her head as she asked Kevin if he was okay.

“Excuse him, I’m sorry for that.” Kevin said slightly annoyed.

“Don’t be. I like it.” She said smiling at Kevin.

“Welp, my work here is done. Laura, can I have my usual & put it on my tab please.”

“Sure, coming up.”

“What the heck man?!” Kevin asked with a stern look.

“Look, you’ve broken the ice. Now just ask her out already.”

“I was about to before you came with your goofiness.”

“I’m getting my order and then I’ll be out of your way. Promise.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“I will. Besides, my crush will be clocking in soon and I don’t want to miss her.”

“Oh, Sidney from the business office?”

“Yep. Maybe we can all double date?”

“Not a chance man. I would prefer my first date solo.”

“Ah…I love a man with boldness!” Mark said as he put his arm around Kevin jokingly & laughing.

Kevin shoved him off.

“All set!” Laura said as she passed the drink to Mark.

“Thanks! Catch you guys later!”

With that, Mark took off on the elevator. Once out of sight, Kevin made his move.

“Ah… so…Laura…”

“Yeah-what’s up?”

“Ah, I wanted to know if you would be interested in maybe going out sometime?”

“Wow! Um... yeah sure! I never thought you would ask.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I was always kinda hoping you would. I was actually working up the nerve to ask you.”

“Wow. I had no idea. I’m so glad I did.”

“Me too.” Laura said smiling.

“Well, here…let’s swap numbers. We can text and maybe catch a movie?”

“Yeah, I would like that.” Laura said as she passed her phone to Kevin.

Once they saved each other’s numbers in their phones, Kevin waved bye to Laura and he disappeared onto the elevator.

“So?” Mark asked as Kevin sat down at his desk.

“I got her number and asked her out.”

“My man!” Mark said aloud, as he threw his fist in the air.

As the work day continued, Kevin and Laura texted all throughout the day. They had so much in common and even set a date that weekend to catch a new horror flick that just released. As the day ended, he and Mark walked to their cars.

“Wanna hit the grill?” Mark asked.

“Nah, not tonight. Parents are in town remember? And we’re going out to dinner. I gotta jet to shower and what not.”

“Ah, that’s right. Alright, man I’ll catch ya later.”

“Peace.”

While driving home, Kevin was so elated that he couldn’t stop smiling. He gushed like a teen at the thought of taking Laura on a date. He felt like today was a dream he didn’t want to awake from. And to top it all off, his parents were in town. He couldn’t wait to take them to the towns most popular favorite steak house. Life was good.

As Kevin parked, his phone alerted him a few times with text notifications. He checked them out as he grabbed his things and locked the car. One was from his mom. One from Mark and one from Laura.

Of course he checked Laura’s first.

“Glad we finally got to talk. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow at work. Have an awesome time at dinner!”

Kevin smiled from ear to ear, as he replied back, walking to his place.

Then he checked Marks, which read.

“Dude…I’m so freaking proud of you bro for finally asking the “Lovely Laura” out!

Tell the parental’s I said hi and don’t forget to let them scan ya app to get those points!”

Kevin shook his head laughing to himself, as he replied back.

Lastly, as he walked into his place, locking the door behind him, he checked the text from his mom.

“Honey, we are going to meet you at your place and ride with you okay? We should be there in about an half hour.”

Kevin called his mom and told her okay. He confirmed with her where to have dad park, his apartment and floor number in case they forgot. His mom reminded him it would rain sometime tonight and to bring an umbrella. With that, he hung up, tossed the phone in the middle of the bed and got ready to shower.

He already had in mind what he would wear. It was slightly chilly, so he opted for a nice pair of black slacks, a black button down, threw a baby blue tie on the bed with undergarments, and a leather jacket. He didn’t have to worry about the umbrella since he kept that in his trunk. He blasted music on his speaker, and jumped in the shower. As the warm water hit his head, Kevin began singing along. That’s when he thought he heard something spill onto the floor.

He paused for a second and the sound stopped. He shrugged it off as he continued to shower and wet his hair. Once done, he squeezed the last bit of water out of his hair, dried off, and wrapped a towel around his waist. As he walked towards the bathroom mirror to begin styling his hair, he saw the shadows again.

“Ah shit! Not again. No, no, no…”

As he wiped his eyes again, it went away. But the sound of something spilling on the floor started again.

“The hell…”

Kevin began as he turned his head towards the sound of the noise and it stopped again. He paused and listened. Nothing but the music that still played. Concerned, but thought maybe he was losing it, he shrugged it off and continued fixing his hair. After brushing his teeth, he walked to his room and noticed rice was on the floor in random places.

“What the hell…”

He bent over and picked up a few pieces to examine it.

“The hell?! Where did rice come from?!”

Just then the phone rang. Kevin, startled, jumped. Dropping the rice. He cut the music off as he grabbed his phone. It was his parents.

“Hey sweetie, just letting you know we’re almost there okay?”

“Uh…okay mom.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah… its just this damn rice all over the floor.”

“Rice?”

“Yeah… I’ll tell you all about it once you get here. I’m almost finished getting dressed.”

“Okay sweetie. See you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too mom.”

As Kevin threw his towel on the bed, he hurried and got dressed. He called Mark as he began to pace the floor.

“Pick up…Pick up…”

“Sup Romeo!”

“Mark! Dude, you free?”

“Yeah, yeah. What you zip ya jimmie in ya pants? You alright?”

“I…”

That’s when the sound began again. This time he saw it for himself. Rice appear a few feet above the floor. Pouring over the floor.

“AH!” Kevin yelled as he jumped back startled. He fell backwards into his dresser, knocking things over.

“Kevin!” “Kev!” Mark yelled. “Bro I’m on my way! I’m calling you right back!”

Mark hug up and immediately called Kevin back via FaceTime.

“Kev!” Mark yelled, now in his car speeding.

“I’m here-I’m here!”

“What is going on?!”

“Rice…”

“What?!”

“Rice is spilling on the floor mid air. The shadows are back too!”

“Dude what rice? Show me.”

Kevin, flipped the camera view around to show it.

“Don’t you see it! Don’t you hear it?!”

“Kev… I… I don’t see nor hear anything man.”

“Bro! It’s right there! It’s covering the whole floor and spreading fast! EVERYWHERE!”

The fear in Kevin’s eyes as he flipped the camera back to his face scared Mark.

“Kev, get up and get ya keys and get out of there now. I’m almost there.”

“My parents…they are almost here!”

“Kev, get ya stuff and go to the door-NOW!”

Kevin scrambled to his feet. He grabbed his keys, wallet and bolted to the front door. He then began screaming in fear. Rice poured over his head and filled the ground so fast. He couldn’t even open the door.

“Bro open the door! The hell are you doing?!”

“I’m trying! I-I can’t!”

“What you mean?”

“This damn rice is blocking the door! It’s too heavy to open!”

“Kev! There is no rice!”

“It is! I’m telling you it is!”

“I’m looking dead at you man! THERE IS NO RICE! OPEN THE DOOR!”

“I’M TRYING! I CAN’T! HELP! HELP ME!”

Mark arrived, barley having the car in park, jumped out of the car. He bolted into the apartment building. He ran past Kevin’s parents who were waiting for the lobby elevator.

“Guys!”

“Hey Mark! Are you joining us for dinner?”

“No, no… its Kevin…we gotta go now!”

“What! What’s wrong?!” His mom asked.

“Where’s Kevin?!” His dad asked.

“Come on, the steps are here! Elevator is too damn slow. Kev! We’re coming!”

“Hurry! It’s almost to my neck!”

Mark tore through the door that lead to the steps. His parents followed right on his heels. Three flights they ran, while Kevin begged for help the whole time.

“Mommy is coming Kevin! Hold on! Hold on!”

“Mom! I can’t… I can’t breathe!

They made it to his door as his mom pulled out the spare key Kevin had given them. The door unlocked but wouldn’t budge open.

“Kev! We’re here. Move away from the door!”

“I…I can’t. The…the rice is pulling me down and…blocking the door!”

“We don’t see any rice honey!” “We’re right here!”

“Kev!” Mark screamed as he ran and pushed with all his might.

Kevin’s dad told his mom to call 911. He then joined Mark to bust the door down. That’s when his dad spotted an axe down the hall. He ran to it, broke the glass with his elbow and ran back hacking at the door. Kevin was now disappearing before their eyes on the phone. Almost as if he was going under something that wasn’t there.

“Help! Help me! He….”

*SNAP!*

Just like that, they busted down the door.

No rice, no Kevin, only his phone on the floor.

“Kevin!” Everyone yelled. “Kevin!”

No answer.

“Omg, omg, omg… where is he?!”

Mark picked up his phone. Kevin was telling the truth. On his phone, the snap sound was his camera going off. It caught evidence of him surrounded in rice, going under with fear in his eyes.

As the shower handle turned, water began filling the space, running through the grooves of the aged emerald green tiles on the floor. "Damn, it's freezing!" Evan complained, feeling the cold water on his sweaty body.

“Don't complain. You need to wash off that pigsty smell, man,” replied Madden, who was showering right next to him in the communal showers of the capsule hotel in Japan where their group of friends was staying during their summer vacation.

Madden grabbed the plastic bottle of soap he had left on the wall shelf behind them, along with the towels, and pressed the dispenser to squirt soap onto his hands. His once curly, blonde hair now hung down his back, straightened by the water. Meanwhile, Evan's short black hair swirled around his forehead as he closed his eyes, trying not to focus on the cold water caressing his features.

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Evan asked, shivering under the icy stream.

"I heard there's a karaoke bar nearby," Madden replied, lathering up his hair. "Could be fun."

Evan cracked an eye open, smirking at his friend. "Oh, yeah? Can't wait to hear you butcher some J-pop songs."

Suddenly, soap began oozing from the bottom of the bottle, making the floor slippery, like a sticky gel. Madden held the bottle as the soap flowed toward Evan, who still had his eyes closed and started to notice something slippery beneath his feet, causing him to lose his balance and nearly fall. Evan's eyes shot open, searching for something to grab onto to avoid falling, but there was nothing. A potentially dangerous slip seemed imminent. But at the last moment, he managed to shift his weight forward and regain his balance.

"Nice save! You looked like an ice skater there," Madden laughed.

"Very funny," Evan said, breathing a sigh of relief. "What were you trying to do, make me fall?"

"What are you talking about, man? The bottle was broken, I had no idea. Why would I do that?" Madden said in an exaggeratedly offended tone.

"Why? I don't know, maybe you're still upset that your girlfriend left you for me," Evan speculated.

"That's water under the bridge," Madden dismissed.

"It was just a week ago," Evan pointed out.

"Yeah, and what's your point? It's worse for you, you ended up with someone who can't be faithful," Madden argued, but Evan just laughed.

"Come on, if you go by this logic, nobody would change partners if we couldn't upgrade to a better partner when we see one," Evan reasoned.

"Are you implying you're better than me?" Madden said, now getting angry, as he grabbed both towels from the ledge and stormed out of the showers.

"I meant that I'm better for her... hey, you took my towel! Damn it!" Evan shouted, only to be met with the sound of the door slamming. Just then, a hand holding a grey towel appeared in front of him.

"Here, take this, and let's go. The girls are waiting for us," a voice said.

Evan took the towel, recognizing the slender silhouette of Jonah. His hair was tied in a not-so-neat ponytail. The geek rarely cared about his appearance, unlike Evan and Madden, who were always at the gym perfecting their bodies.

"Thanks, man. It's that idiot Madden's fault," Evan grumbled as he dried himself off.

"I figured as much," Jonah replied with a shrug. "You two are always bickering like an old married couple."

Evan couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, well, that's what friends are for, right?"

"I suppose so," Jonah said with a smile. "Now, hurry up. We don't want to keep the ladies waiting."

Jonah might not have been as outgoing or athletic as Evan and Madden, but he brought a sense of balance to their group. His intellect and calm demeanour often acted as a counterpoint to the more impulsive and competitive nature of Evan and Madden's friendship.

"Does this top look good on me? I don't want to overdo it either," Leah said, smoothing out the wrinkles on her newly purchased piece of clothing.

"What are you telling me? If you're trying to impress Madden with that, forget it. Ever since he and Mia broke up, he doesn't seem interested in relationships," Remi replied, not taking her eyes off the horizontal screen of her mobile, frantically moving her fingers.

"You haven't even looked at me! Can't you take your eyes off your Summer Hunting Event for a minute and tell me if this color suits me?" Leah insisted.

"Besides, I didn't say I came on this trip to try and hook up with Madden. I know it's still fresh, but he'll have to get over it eventually. We're too young to be suffering for love," Leah continued.

"Just because we're not 40 doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to be dumped. Besides, don't you think it's weird wanting to hook up with Madden? I mean, we've been friends since we were little, in that beach town where we used to vacation.

It's almost like hitting on your brother," Remi said, still focused on her favourite game's hunting event, "Run & Hunt."

Leah sighed. "Look, I'm not saying I want to jump his bones right away. I just think maybe there could be something there. We have a history together, and we get along well."

Remi paused her game and finally looked up at Leah. "I get it, but be careful, okay? You know how guys can be, and Madden's always been a bit of a wild card. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I know, I know. Don't worry, I'll tread carefully. For now, let's just focus on having a good time on this trip. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to test the waters with Madden," Leah said with a hopeful smile.

Remi nodded, returning her attention to her game. "Sounds good. Just promise me you won't let this whole thing with Madden ruin our vacation, alright?"

"Cross my heart," Leah promised, making a crossing gesture over her chest.

"Now tell me, doesn't my blonde hair perfectly match this pink tank top?" Leah insisted.

"Yeah, I suppose it does. I guess us brunettes can't pull off pink," Remi teased.

"If you ever let your hair down, I'd know whether you're actually a brunette, but you always keep it in that bun. Don't you want to attract someone?" Leah asked.

"I want to attract this zombie, kill it, and move on to the next stage in my game. That's all I want," Remi said, sticking her tongue out in concentration.

Just then, Leah's phone beeped with a message notification. "Where are you guys? I'm looking for you, and Remi's not replying to my messages," the message from Madden read.

"Remi, did Madden send you a message?" Leah asked.

"No idea, I have notifications turned off. I'm in an important event, you know? I can't exit the app to check chats," Remi explained.

Leah sighed. "So he only messaged me because you weren't answering him?" she thought out loud, glancing out the window of the beach clothing store they were in.

Leah typed a quick reply to Madden, letting him know they were almost done shopping and would meet up with him soon.

Just as Leah hit send on the message, a beach ball came flying through the open window at full speed. Leah managed to dodge it just in time, leaving Remi exposed on a sofa behind her, which would cause the ball to hit her directly on the head. Upon seeing this, Remi instinctively raised her hand holding her mobile phone and stopped the ball with the device.

"Damn ball, a zombie got away because of you," Remi grumbled.

Leah looked out the window at the Okinawa beach, which was bustling with tourists playing ball, volleyball, and swimming. "Someone must have lost their ball. Sorry for moving away, honey. It was just a reflex," Leah apologized.

But Remi didn't pay attention, she was too busy trying to fix her mistake and catch the escaped zombie on her game. "For the record, I would've caught that zombie if it weren't for the beach ball attack. Wait, someone stole the loot of cartridges I had while I was distracted for a moment?! Who the hell is this player Dolly?" Remi complained.

"That wouldn't happen if the game wasn't cooperative and you could pause whenever you want to continue later. This would keep you more grounded," Leah said, rolling her eyes.

"This character has come straight to steal from me. They had to know my ID, or else..." Remi trailed off when Madden walked in triumphantly, holding up his mobile and a bag of clothes, whistling.

"Dolly beat you, little one!" he said gleefully.

"It was you? Damn you, dude!" Remi complained.

"It was too easy," Madden chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.

"Ugh, I can't believe I fell for that," Remi grumbled.

"Where's Evan? Wasn't he with you in the showers?" Leah asked, closing the distance between them.

"Uh, yeah, he should be coming soon," Madden replied, eager to change the subject.

"Anyway, I need Jonah to tell me how to reprogram my bot. I can't leave the game unattended while we're diving. I'll lose all my loot," Remi said, still focused on her gaming dilemma.

"You know, sometimes I think your love for virtual reality outweighs your appreciation for the real world," Madden teased.

"Oh, please. The real world is just one big game with less-predictable rules. At least in a game, you can level up and have fun doing it," Remi quipped back.

Remi's expression turned somber, as if remembering something painful. "Well, we can go eat now. No need to wait for fools like Evan," Madden said. "Who's in?"

Leah smiled, secretly happy about the idea of having more of Madden's attention to herself. She had always found him attractive, but lately, with his regular gym workouts, his physique had become even more alluring in her eyes.

"I'm in. If Evan doesn't come, nobody will notice anyway," Remi said.

"Well, well, someone hasn't gotten over the incident," Madden said, emphasizing the word 'incident' in a dramatic tone.

"Still bothers you, huh?" Leah asked, looking at Remi's foot.

Remi glanced down at her foot. "Sometimes, but it's nothing," she said.

A few years ago, during a rugby game, Evan had made an illegal tackle from behind on Remi, applying excessive force on her foot and twisting it into an abnormal position. The physical contact resulted in a severe ligament injury, forcing Remi to quit rugby and other high-risk sports. Since then, she had turned to video games as her new hobby.

"He didn't do it on purpose, Remi. He didn't even realize it was you," Leah said, knowing that everyone was thinking about that incident.

"I know, I know," Remi sighed. "It's just hard not to think about it sometimes. But let's not dwell on the past. I'm starving.”

Madden put a hand on Remi's shoulder. "You're a champ, Remi. And Leah's right, it was an accident. I'm sorry it happened."

Remi gave him a faint smile.

The shop assistant at the souvenir store finally emerged from the back room and, in broken English, tried to tell them that this wasn't a bar and they either had to buy something or leave. The shopkeeper's continuous and nervous shuffling seemed to activate the creaking they heard above their heads, and a strip of flag ceiling gave way. Leah, who was holding onto the clothes rack she was trying on, stood right below. Leah didn't even see the sudden attack coming. When suddenly, a pair of arms pushed her away from danger. The wooden board fell loudly beside her, as if dividing the area between them. Leah found herself on the floor but safe and sound.

"You weigh a little too much for these things," Jonah complained from beneath her. Leah blushed slightly and quickly got up, helping Jonah to his feet.

"Thanks for the save," Leah said gratefully, brushing off her clothes. "Talk about a way to kick us out of his shop! Seems like he’s not fan of Americans."

Madden and Remi joined them, looking equally shocked and amused. "Let's find a proper bar where the ceiling doesn't try to attack us,” Madden laughed.

As if on cue, Evan burst through the door, slightly out of breath. "Sorry I'm late, guys. Madden and I got into a bit of a towel fight in the showers. Don't ask," he explained, chuckling sheepishly.

"Well, we're all here now," Madden said, giving Evan a slightly unfriendly look. Jonah was smiling at Leah, and she turned away, somewhat embarrassed, while Remi kicked the wooden board that the shopkeeper was now picking up.

"Let's get going to the karaoke bar then," Evan suggested, breaking the tension. "We don't want to miss out on a night of terrible singing and some repulsive uncooked food."

Everyone laughed, and they made their way down the bustling street.

"Hey, just wanted to make sure you're okay after that close call. Jonah's pretty quick on his feet, huh?" Madden approached Leah.

"Yeah, he saved me from a potential concussion. Thanks for checking in. You ready to show off your karaoke skills?"

"Born ready! Though I doubt I can compete with Jonah's heroics."

Leah smiled, though she felt it wasn't entirely genuine. She had thought that if Madden paid attention to her, she would be happy. But now, seeing him seemingly jealous of Jonah, for some reason, she didn't feel that way. Perhaps deep down she knew that Madden wouldn't have been the one to risk saving her, maybe he wasn't the strong and brave man she had romanticized. Maybe Remi was right and she should forget about Madden, perhaps focus on someone else? Her gaze shifted towards Jonah who was enthusiastically talking with Remi about programming a bot for gaming. Evan was walking on the other side of Remi, observing everything around them.

They entered a karaoke bar called "VocaPunk." Inside, the place was filled with panels simulating holographic robots, one for each table, that acted as servers. The panels could record orders and even give the private capsule number for singing on the floor above. The Japanese waiters were busy at the bar and attending to other tables.

Leah was immediately drawn to the futuristic ambiance and watched as a holographic robot greeted them in a mechanical voice, "Welcome to VocaPunk. May I take your drink orders?"

"This place is wild," Madden commented, glancing around in awe.

"Agreed," Remi chimed in. "I wonder if they have a gaming section. Imagine playing VR games while eating!"

Evan, who had been taking in the sights, nudged Jonah and gestured towards the stage where a group was singing a lively Japanese pop song. "Looks like the competition is fierce up there."

The group sat down at a small but cozy table, where the napkins were made of transparent plastic with a very cyberpunk style, and lit up when they were lifted. Together, they ordered several typical dishes, including tempura, prawn crackers, ramen, and yakisoba chicken.

"No soy sauce for me, please," Remi said in strained Japanese. "Shoyu nashi de onegai shimasu, allergy ga aru desukara."

"We've come to a great place for a summer vacation, considering someone with so many allergies," Madden teased. "You're easily poisoned."

"Shut up, I'll poison you with this knife," Remi said, raising her utensil while the waiter looked at her fearfully, but then smiled, pretending to catch on to the joke. The waiter, having regained his composure, took their orders and left the table.

The group that was singing on stage came down and approached their table, handing the microphone to Jonah. "Oh no, I can't sing," he protested.

"Come on, Jonah, don't be shy!" Madden exclaimed. "We all know you have a hidden talent."

"Yeah, Jonah, don't chicken out on us now," Remi added.

Leah watched as Jonah's face turned a bit red. He hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Alright, fine. But you all better sing with me."

They cheered as Jonah reluctantly made his way to the stage. The group huddled together, browsing through the song selection on the tablet provided by the bar.

"How about something classic?" Evan suggested. "Maybe 'Don't Stop Believing' by Journey?"

"Ooh, that's a good one!" Leah agreed, and the rest nodded in approval.

Jonah took a deep breath and started singing. Much to everyone's surprise, he had a great voice, hitting all the notes perfectly.

Leah's eyes sparkled. "He's an avid hacker. I'm sure he's activated the auto-tune on his phone,” Remi whispered to her. The group started eating while Jonah continued singing, as their food had already been served. Suddenly, Remi began to turn blue and her throat started to swell. Leah's eyes widened in horror, frozen and unsure of what to do.

Jonah, with his eyes closed and fully immersed in his singing, belted out the song at the top of his lungs, unknowingly performing a deathly symphony. Madden began to shake Remi as if trying to dislodge something stuck in her throat. "Remi, Remi! Don't leave us!"

"She's not choking, it's anaphylaxis. She must have eaten soy!" Evan exclaimed, rummaging through Remi's backpack until he found an epinephrine auto-injector and forcefully injected it into her thigh.

The bar fell silent as everyone's attention turned to Remi, who started to breathe more easily as the medication took effect.

Jonah opened his eyes, confused as to why the cheers and applause had ceased. He looked around, only to see the worried faces of his friends and the still-pale Remi in Leah's arms.

"What happened?" Jonah asked, rushing over to them.

"It's Remi," Leah replied, her voice trembling. "She had an allergic reaction. Evan just gave her an epinephrine shot."

Jonah's face drained of color as he realized the gravity of the situation. "I... I didn't know," he stammered, guilt and worry written all over his face.

"It's not your fault, Jonah," Evan reassured him. "You were focused on singing, and we didn't notice anything until it was too late. But she's going to be okay now."

Jonah nodded, approaching her with shaking hands. He knelt beside Remi, gently taking her other hand. "I'm sorry, Remi. I didn't mean for this to happen."

Remi managed a weak smile. "It's not your fault, Jonah. But hey, you were great up there. But be honest, did you use auto-tune?"

"Yes, yes, I activated it with my phone," Jonah admitted in a strained voice, as if it was forced out, with hypochondria taking over.

"Hey, waiter!" Madden exclaimed, banging his fist on the table. "Tell your boss we're going to sue! We told you no soy, and this girl almost died!"

A Japanese man in a suit emerged from a door and approached them with his hands clasped behind his back, bowing respectfully. "We not add soy, as asked. Probably girl eat plate not for her," he said, attempting to speak English.

Leah's face reddened with embarrassment. "Madden, stop it. It's not their fault. Remi could have accidentally eaten something from our plates with soy in them. We should just focus on getting her to the hospital."

The Japanese man nodded, relieved that Leah was calming the situation. "I call already. Ambulance on way. Please wait."

The group fell silent, anxiously waiting for the paramedics to arrive. Remi's breathing had stabilized, but her skin was still pale and clammy.

Jonah excused himself and headed to the bathroom. As he walked away, Leah watched him. She wondered if he was okay, knowing how shaken up he was about Remi's allergic reaction. Evan followed him with his gaze, then turned to Leah and Madden. "I think we should cut the night short. It's not right to continue partying when Remi's in this condition."

Madden sighed, running a hand through his curly hair. "Yeah, you're right. It wouldn't feel right without her."

Leah nodded in agreement, her mind still on Jonah. "Do you think we should check on him? He seemed pretty upset."

Evan stood up. "I'll go. He might need some space, but it can't hurt to make sure he's okay."

As Evan walked towards the bathroom, Leah hoped he would be able to provide some comfort to Jonah, who clearly needed it. Back at the table, Madden leaned over to Remi, whispering something that elicited a weak smile from her, while Leah watched them closely with a serious and scrutinizing expression.

Jonah locked himself in a stall in the men's restroom, trembling. He pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket and dialled a number, sweat trickling down the sides of his shaved face. The person on the other end answered promptly, though they didn't say anything initially.

"This has gone too far, I can't do this anymore," Jonah said, his voice shaky with nerves. "The stuff with the showers and beach ball was one thing, but this is too much."

The person finally spoke, their voice calm and collected. "Relax, Jonah. Only two have passed the test so far, the others don't qualify. You're doing well."

Mariah tried to ignore her two coworkers loitering behind her at the watercooler. She likely had the worst cubicle in the entire office. She could see them in the reflection of the little silver hand mirror propped up on her desk. Her grandmother had left it for her when she passed. It probably deserved better than to collect dust in her office space.

Bill laughed too loudly. Today he wore an incorrectly tied striped tie of varying shades of brown and red. He was narrating the night before. Apparently, he’d gone on a blind date, and the woman had been a bit… over the top.

She’d had a crush on him when she first worked in the office. But when he’d blatantly ignored her, or worse, teased her, that little crush had fizzled.

Aaron, who never left Bill’s side, grinned at every overly dramatic, grotesque detail. At least he could tie his tie correctly. He was married, though. His wife probably did it. Would she be happy if she knew what he and Bill were discussing while they pretended to drink water?

Mariah lifted the mirror, pretending to fluff her tight curls. She tilted it just enough to see Sean walking down the hall to the cooler. She didn’t have to move the mirror to know Seth was walking down the hall on the other side. Great. The whole posse. She didn’t see what was so exciting about Bill. But the other three practically worshiped the ground he walked on.

Mariah tried her best to focus on the email. Mr. Guilligan, Thank you for your quick response. In regard to invoice 03254-1—

“Raya!”

Mariah whipped her head around to face Bill. “It’s Mariah,” she said with a frown.

“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Bill chuckled. He had a nice smile— An attractive face, really, but there was nothing else positive she could say about him.

“What do you want?” She sighed. “Some of us have work to do.”

“We want your opinion to help us settle a bet,” Bill said, gesturing to his companions. “Which of us is more likely to get a date at the bar tonight?”

Mariah turned back around in her chair. “I’m not playing that game, Bill.” She continued typing. She hoped they couldn’t tell how red her face was.

“Someone’s got a stick up her ass,” Sean scoffed quietly. Not quietly enough.

In her mirror she could see the group disbanding. Finally. Maybe she’d move the water cooler before she left tonight. She’d place it behind Toby’s desk. He wouldn’t tolerate their banter. Bill hadn’t left her alone since the Christmas party: teasing and taunting. He could have any woman in the office if he wanted. Including Sarah, the new receptionist. She was about as pretty as they came, and sweet, too, as far as Mariah could tell. She’d flirted with Bill so many times it was a wonder he hadn’t invited her out yet.

Mariah watched the time tick down to five pm. It took forever. She dumped the rest of her lo mein left from lunch in the trash can. The janitors cleaned on Tuesday so her cubicle wouldn’t smell like it tomorrow. She needed to start eating healthier. She made pretty good pay and lived in a modest apartment with roommates. She could certainly afford to buy the healthy stuff. Maybe she’d hit the grocery store that evening.

She slung her purse strap over her shoulder and slid her grandma’s mirror into an inside pocket. She’d put it somewhere in her apartment. She’d buy a cheap one for the office. She double checked that her computer was completely off, and her desk was locked. Satisfied, she took the stairs down to the lobby despite the way her heels bit into her feet. She’d have to wear flats tomorrow.

Mariah made it to the lobby. It was pretty. There was a tall wall with a waterfall running over it. The white tile floors were always clean. She still thought the building with its live plants and modern lighting was as pretty as when she’d come to work here as an intern.

“Hey, Raya, wait up!”

Damnit. Mariah kept walking. “Goodnight, Bill.”

He skidded to a stop in front of her. “Hey, I’m sorry for what I said to you earlier. That was out of line.”

“Oh,” She had not expected that. “Well, you’re forgiven. Just, maybe have your conversations not right behind my cubicle.”

“S— Sure.” He stammered, running a hand through his dark hair. “Raya— Mariah, would you like to go on a date with me?”

That was even more unexpected.

“Bill!” Aaron jogged across the lobby, flanked by Sean and Seth. “Want to hit The Diaz tonight?

It could be some mean office prank. She turned to his friends. “Actually, he just asked me on a date.”

All three turned to him, incredulous. Maybe he’d been serious. “Did you?” Sean asked.

Mariah looked at Bill. “Your answer is mine,” She shrugged, “But if you say no, that door is shut for good.”

She’d never seen Bill turn red like this. It was nice to know that he could get embarrassed. He didn’t say anything.

“Right,” Mariah shook her head. She walked towards the door. Her heels clicked across the floor. She’d take a cab to the store. She made it almost to the vestibule.

“Yes!” He called after her. “Mariah!”

There were 5 friends, 1 was a girl, 2 were from doubted backgrounds, 2 were the most fit and top ranked officials. One day there was suddenly an alarm in their camp. 4 of them gathered and learnt that 1 of the top rank officials was missing and they also learnt that it was right after a secret message and rumors spread that he would have run for life. The 4 friends felt very bad for it. They were worried as their beloved hero was called a coward. They all worked as a team and crossed a no man's land, suddenly the other high rank official shot one of the man from doubted backgrounds, he was about to shoot the other 2 smile the other man from doubted backgrounds jumped before the girl and saved her shooting the high ranked official while he himself broke his leg in the process. Then they returned and informed the evants in war field, after this, the brother of the dead one from doubted backgrounds joined in his place and also the son of the dead high ranked official who wished to remove the blackmark made by his father. The family of the other high ranked official was criticized and were about to commit suicide while he returned victorious after returning from the enemy camp which he entered the night he was said to have ran and spoiled their plans

Five Characters:

Andrew Iberi

His daughter

Veronica Lewis

Nicholas Jenson

Andrew's commanding officer

Chapter One (His Daughter: POV of Andrew Iberi)

In the cold, dark rooms of the hospital, I can only see what’s become of my daughter by dim candlelight. I don’t want to think about what she would look like fully illuminated. Her chest still rises and falls to the beat of the bombs that drop around us, but barely. The power has been out for three days now in New Seattle, ever since the war began, since my predecessor Nicholas Jenson had mysteriously died, and everything went to hell even more than it already had. The thing about relying on a single nuclear plant instead of a dozen small ones, is that it only takes one wayward engineer. One determined saboteur and the whole system collapses. So here I am, faced with a decision no father should ever have to make. It’s an easier one for me than for most, though.

The backup generators had kicked in almost immediately, so the nurses were able to get her on life support. Her skin is covered in burns so dark they are nearly black, the rest of her as red as the blood that leaked from every orifice, staining the bandages. I suppose she was a necessary sacrifice, but I can’t help but wonder if this is what my predecessors felt, watching what they had done to Hiroshima and Nagisaki. If this is what a small firebombing campaign could do, I don’t want to know what could happen if another nuclear war broke out, how mottled the victims would look. But to know that I caused all of what my daughter and countless others had suffered is the worst pain imaginable. And I’ve known far more than my share of pain.

Of course, I’d seen the victims of firebombing before in my time in the service, but only in photos. And as realistic as the virtual reality was, it did little to prepare me for the stench of burning flesh, disturbingly similar to a barbecue. It might be enough for me to swear off meat for the rest of my life.

“Don’t you dare look away,” my commanding officer had said, with the tone of someone who was used to being listened to and obeyed. “If you can’t stand to watch, you have no business being an officer. How can you inflict suffering if you won’t even observe it?” And I had heeded his words, watching the destruction, hearing those screams without flinching. Did that make me a monster? Perhaps, but the evil that wormed its way inside me was made, not born. It had been trained into me since I was a child. If that makes me the villain, then so be it. There is no story if nobody plays that part. And I play it so well. It comes to me as naturally as altruism comes to better men than I.

I allow myself a moment to gently press her eyes closed, whispering a goodbye to my dead daughter that I know she can’t hear. And then I pull the plug, without hesitation or remorse, because there is no good that could come out of pointless suffering. Because for all the darkness that wraps around my heart, I am never one for pain without reason, without excuse. I feel content in the knowledge that nothing could ever hurt my daughter again. I watch her heart stutter to a stop, feeling almost nothing for the girl that I frankly never knew well enough to care for.

I was beginning to regret starting this war, though. Almost.

And just like that, I’m out of time to mourn. I’m whisked into dozens of back-to-back meetings. Strategy sessions, we like to call them. We stick pins into deerskin maps, like children playing some kind of twisted board game. It is a cold thing, representing hundreds of young men ready to throw their lives and their souls away with red dots. As red as their blood would be, sacrifices to the greater goal. It is easier to think of them this way, as pawns instead of people. Think too long about their faces and their families back home and you lose direction, lose focus. After the UN had collapsed, governments became free to use any manner of torture, chemical or biological weapons, or even nuclear weapons. Some use all four, which I think is rather crude. Asia doesn’t exist anymore, for all intents and purposes. It started with Taiwan and China, then India got involved. They all had nukes, let’s just say. And they don’t anymore.

Any and all treaties went out the window when life became about survival rather than living. Now that the polar ice caps had melted, swallowing entire islands, releasing plague after plague that we are just now managing to get under control through antibiotics and vaccines, life was chaos at best. Just as smallpox ravaged the Native Americans, our bodies are unprepared to fend off these ancient diseases. The worst of them is called Icarus-103, for the year it was released and for the way it seems to melt away your flesh. It was a grisly sight, eerily similar to what I saw happen to my daughter who got a little too close to a bomb.

If you’re reading this, feeling guilty that you couldn’t stop climate change, don’t be. Past 2040, it was already too late. There was truly nothing to be done.

New Seattle is at the edge of what is now the West Coast, a place that used to be mountainous and has gotten much closer to sea level. There is still protection offered by the mountains, and by the gnarled oaks and pines that now grow easily in the altered climate, but less. Much less. If we thought climate change would be bad, it is nothing compared to this. And so quickly, too. The human population has shrunk to a little over two billion, ravaged both by war and disease. But enough about the world, about war. Let’s discuss a more pleasant subject: Me.

After graduating with a political science degree and a minor in economics, I was a shoe-in for Yale. Law school was something, but easy compared to the rigors of military life. I quickly climbed the ranks to become the Secretary of Defense. And defend America I did. By staging a wildly successful coup. I had the military and the people on my side, and we were all sick of Nicholas Jenson anyway. He’d started as president, but was practically a dictator, thanks to Unitary Executive Theory which had somehow managed to gain popularity even among scholars. Something about giving the president more power during times of war? We weren’t at war with anything but Icarus and the ocean, but whatever the Supreme Court said went at that time. The federal courts and state governments had been dismantled by now, which would have had Washington rolling in his grave. Every decision came out of the capital, so no one was surprised when Jenson formally declared himself a dictator.

So yes, I am a traitor and a liar and unbelievably handsome. I’m also wanted in 37 countries, but that’s unrelated. Mustard gas doesn’t win you any friends, I guess. I played a part in dismantling the UN, not that they had any power to begin with. But is it really a crime to take power from a brutal and repressive dictator? At least I have fashion sense instead of wearing a black suit every day. Sometimes Jenson even had the audacity to wear a uniform, despite not spending a day in boot camp. It was part of his strong man persona, as if the man could even grow a beard. He was weak, I am not. He is dead, and I survived all of this. End of story. I’d also slitted Veronica Lewis’s throat, but that was more of a personal vendetta. The Secretary of Education’s worst sin was wearing too much perfume and being unbearably irritating, but that was enough to me. Plus, she’s very passionate about democracy. well, was.

“There is no country if it cannot defend itself.” My personal motto which I had tattooed across my forearm, only slightly smaller than my daughter’s name. I would have to get the latter lasered off. I can’t be strong if I flinch looking at my own arm. Already I am starting to forget what she looked like in life, and all I can see is the burnt out mess my recklessness had made her.

So yes, I am a populist dictator, but I am popular, if nothing else. I didn’t have to be violent, because I brought security and food and vaccines to my country. I do everything for my people, and I do it gladly. I would do it all again, everything, even when it had cost me my only child. I didn’t mean for her to be the sacrificial lamb to my war, but the loss is an acceptable one. How could I bomb other children and then weep for my own? My mentors had taught me better than that.

And it is my war. I’m going to let you all in on a very dangerous secret. But before I do, please remember what I do to people who betray me. I might not prefer senseless violence, but I am more than willing to dole it out if the need ever arises. Just keep that in mind, alright? Nobody can ever find out what I’ve done. Your head and mine depend on this secret remaining a secret.

Alright, enough preamble. I who orchestrated the beginning of this war. I paid the engineer to sabotage that plant, to take the fall for it and spend the rest of his life in prison. And I had ordered the very bombs that took the life of my daughter. I would do it again, over and over until this “rebellion” had been stomped out. Why? It’s a show of strength, of course. An excuse to destroy my enemies. Because the unfortunate thing is, there really is a rebellion brewing, and they are more than happy to take credit for this bombing. They call themselves the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, and they have amassed in the South, just as the old separatists had. Originally, they had been nothing more than a thorn in my side, one that had long shed its rose, devoid of anything that had once made it beautiful. Because it had been beautiful, or at least useful. They had provided a scapegoat, a reason that my programs were failing. They aren’t Jenson’s loyalists, though. Those don’t exist. They also aren’t my greatest fans, but they have the decency not to shout about it during their very public protests. Now if only I could locate their headquarters…

Perhaps they are afraid of me, but maybe a part of them respects me too much to insult me to my face. Delusional, I know. Freedom of speech had flown out the window when Jenson took charge, and I see no sense in bringing it back. Some words are illegal and punishable by death. What good are rights when you can’t eat, when your flesh turns liquid from that horrible disease. Nobody has the gall to complain out loud, thankfully. Probably because it is illegal and punishable by death. A lot of things are punishable by death these days. I have no qualms about a bit of blood, but I am practically bathing in it by now. First, most members of Congress who had been stealing the money they were supposed to be putting into social programs. Then I executed 13 officers who had refused to join me in the days leading up to my coup, and killed their families too. The others were eager to join me after that.

All in all, 231 people had met their death at my command, and I’m sure I killed at least a thousand when I destroyed the power plant. Probably even more during the bombing. I am the villain, yes, but somebody has to be in this world that would fall apart without one. I’ll bear the burden, I’ll commit the sins, because somebody has too. And why pretend otherwise, a part of me enjoys the power. The darkness wrapped around me grows with every passing day, and I let it. I welcome it like an old friend. I have no regrets in this life, because every decision I make, cold and calculated as they might be, is for the benefit of my people. My land that shrinks with every inch the ocean grows. But it is slowing, the laws I created are doing their work in healing this world. Soon it will stabilize, soon we will be rid of the diseases and wars that plague us. But first, I’m going to have to spill some blood. Blood is not so beautiful as roses are, but it has its place in the circle of life we all choose to participate in. I destroy, yes, but I build things from the rubble more beautiful than anything that was or ever will be: A lasting peace, tranquility. Eventually. The way we would get there might be horrible, but every last drop of blood would be worth it in the end. The end of wrath, of greed, is nearing. They are nothing but love gone astray, easily reformed by the right person. And that person is me.

He'd not meant to be sick, he really hadn't.

And now, he could hardly reach his phone.

Which the always unflappable and chaotic Mr. Wainburr had way too much fun tormenting him with.

On a good day he would scream and shout and complain, perhaps threaten to fib-- much as he abhorred doing it-- to his Dad to get the man demoted from Director's good graces. Wilhelm used the man's name sparingly and never without reason. Otherwise, he was the cruel, brilliant, and callous Director who puppeteered the organized Underworld simmering just beneath the surface of a truly picturesque and lovely suburban town.

But his head simply hurt too much and fever plunged his brain to boiling water still on the stove despite dense, vast swathes of steam and the lingering tinge of gasoline.

He moaned to the sheer despair of this situation.

To which Wainburr stopped the laughter and jeering nicknames, having fun with the little son.

He placed the phone down, still out of his hand's meager reach, and sat himself on his other side, facing his back and the bookshelf.

"Do you want a classic or those comics you like?"

"Manga," he complained, "Shoujo." A racking, raspy cough cutting off anything else.

Once it settled he requested the penultimate volume of his latest romantic reading endeavor.

"You got it Heartbreak."

He cringed, hearing his moniker come out of an enemy's mouth.

A dubiously aligned enemy but still-- he was an enemy long as he worked with the Director. His Father.

******************************

Wilkes couldn't be considered presentable.

Just an hour ago having contentedly enjoyed his stories in a fuzzy pink robe ashamedly stained with barbecue sauce over a few loving years where they'd gone through many takeout boxes and some cheap beer every few months.

He'd not had time to fix his bedhead once the kids stormed through his house making a ruckus, clearly having individually cut school.

He had not agreed to adopt teenagers.

Nor for those teenagers to stalk another innocent kid who likely knew nothing of what was going on.

Nevertheless he took their information and made use of it to get a blueprint for a wealthy, cutthroat executive's private estate.

"Willie says his room was at the highest floor, furthest from anything and anyone else. Gave him more privacy and more opportunity to sneak out, especially with the overgrown old hedge maze in the way."

"There's three ways to get into that room through the regular entries and hallways," Eli pointed out, fingering both the North and West avenues of the main centerpiece of the property.

"Yeah, only he also installed an escape hatch or something of the kind in the room a month in," the leather clad boy surmised, sipping at his drink as his aviators slipped just a bit. His uniform sloppily done and barely compliant with his dress code. "And I don't believe for a second that the added benefit wasn't being able to steal him away or intrude at whatever time the Ol' Yeller saw convenient."

"Then we should make sure to take out that entryway and any security bound to be there," Eli concluded.

"Alright kids, I'll deal with that," Wilkes decided, having so far watched them in silence, letting them lead.

While he wasn't completely sure this situation was the nefarious kidnapping and torture plot a long time coming he'd be hard pressed to take even the most minute suspicions less than seriously.

That little Oliver orphan boy had somehow weaseled this disgraced hero with bad joints and a watch list of guilty pleasure melodrama stories on TV out of both some expensive car parts, nice little keepsakes and pictures-- before returning them-- and into an odd spot of affection and Mama Bird territorial instinct.

Besides, these new kids in the hero beat, breaking several laws acting independently and the like, were on this particular Crime Lord's list all the same, they were going to confront the man, better they begin to pick up how to keep the battle on their terms and at their paces. Send a message and send a warning.

Whatever was the matter, the little orphaned Heartbreak wouldn't so quietly disappear into nothing. And this Director would need to know that intimately before he considered raising the "disciplined" hand.

"Likely he'll come to check in during his lunch break which according to the company and Raji's visits is ten past one, with the travel to the manor already accounted."

12:45 would be crunch time.

"Through the rose gold bathroom window, that's a blind spot on the mounted cameras, from there beeline for the office, and then across the hall Rayo," Eli said to the leather jacket Vampire Boy, "keep watch from that room, I think its either a parlor or a display room for something or another."

"And no stealing anything," Wilkes added in an authoritative tone.

"Geez fine," he sulked drink empty, tossing the empty plastic cup into a corner trash bin.

Wilkes checked his watch. "10:50."

The trio rushed out, tearing through the door into the driveway. On it Wilkes kept two cars, one a decommissioned undercover vehicle that would pass for an old, shuddering powder blue minivan.

***************************

In an almost deafening silence Jason Wainburr tensed, never at ease in too serene of circumstances. His hyperactive, always morbid mind made and wired for intrigue and violence.

An empty bowl and its tray were in his hands.

Nevertheless he took a deep breath, conscious of his heartbeat, satisfyingly loud and strong.

The boy had settled into some much needed sleep and he'd been cooperative to boot. Having downed the entire thick cream clam broth and a hunk of simple white bread.

"Goo' nigh.'"

And without another thought settled with his eyes closed and his breathing slow and tranquil. It stirred an unexpected sense of "caring." in a region of his body he'd been sure was carved hollow.

Jason was aware to make sure the door didn't groan and squeak too loud when he shut it and even walked in longer, more graceful strides than usual. Not too easy in platform combat boots.

Care is an odd emotion to have. Care had often been associated with guilt, associated with leverage and control.

What he should, as any decent human being, propose himself to care about.

Did he not care, about the very few things in his life that had earned affection? And what was wrong with him to not? Had they, who were nurturing his talents at great expense to themselves, done something?

Absolutely.

But it had done nothing to do about //caring.//

Eventually the word itself became a vile one tasting sickening on his tongue.

And anger had taken its place. Dark, uncomplicated, consuming anger that had simply snarfed his heart whole as recompense for the troubling presence of a meat suit that had entrapped it's amazing force.

However Jason by no stretch hated children or even resented them. Did not demean them, did not generalize them into yet more faceless inhabitants of a reprobate of a society. Did not, would not, wish them active harm or dirty his hands.

And in that at least, he and his chief, superior, and housing agent were the same. The man this adopted son of his so spitefully insisted was just "The Director."

He had liked paternal, uptight, and radiantly generous and content Heartache from day one. Had thought, it was unfortunate he surely had a loving family, Jason would have otherwise snatched him up and never let go. But no, instead they played their game. Seize him, jab a needle in his neck, then fight a bit or let him puzzle his way out in a right fit that put him in a spandex wedgie giving mood.

That never failed to have Jason laughing, even at the honcho's death glares each and every time. Mocking each and every rage when he broke yet another set of crystal studded wine cups or delicate computer discs full of crypto.

Once the stuff was washed and put away in the kitchen cabinet, Jason dried his hands intent to give his boss a status update. And remind him not to fill his lunch break with the usual bitch-fest with the old, bitter ladies in fake emeralds and imitation snake skin bags. Since he'd already been bursting at the seams about his son he spiked a fever.

Being a known fact, of course; "heroes don't get sick! If they did I wouldn't need the gas or the morphine to keep that kid alone, still and not in a biting mood for more than three minutes!"

His phone speed dialed the number.

"Yes," drawled his boss in disinterest and disdain palpable.

"Hey dickweed just wanted to give you a heads up, Wilson crashed already."

"WHaT!" he yelped, voice cracking at the edge. "Oh my goodness--"

"Into his bed, he's asleep."

"Well don't scare me like that," Boss man groused. "You know he looked awful in the morning, didn't even--"

"I know, I know, didn't even have the energy to ask if breakfast was laced with truth serum or how he'd loooove to get the name of your explosives contact."

"Or that mercenary who hit his precious Underdog," Boss agreed, "as if I needed to rent a missile when two fingers would crush baby bird's skulls. Anything more is just in terrible taste."

"But he is... better now is he?"

"Yup," Jason assured, popping the 'P.' "Look sir, he's gonna be wiped for a few hours at this point at most with the headache before the medicine really starts kicking ass like it's supposed to and yes I checked on the off in a billion trillion chance it was expired. He's still coughing and frankly pretty gross stuff coming out his nose but that's normal. He is a snot-nose."

Sarcasm was heavy in his voice. Boss got so mom-like, the chance was too hilarious to pass up. Ah, this kid, this kid was heaven.

"Yes, yes of course. And well he doesn't know does he? That I'm coming by?" he asked tightly.

"Yeah you hired me cuz of my big, fat, sensuous mouth sweet cheeks."

"I can and have whacked other assistants for less," he reminded in a weary, unfettered tone. Ughhhh, exactly why it was hardly fun anymore and why he liked the occasional rise from Will. Kid still hadn't gotten the concept of a scabbed over, grown-up facade.

"I think we both know how that ends," and just to really hammer it in he blew a singular, pucker of a kiss to the phone.

The exhale that left did not sound wholly healthy or polite but it did the trick and made a nice tingle shiver down in a very special spot.

"Well good, I'll still be by, but otherwise make sure he sleeps. He needs the rest."

"You got it. See ya."

"Yes, see you."

And with that the line clicked dead.

And Jason could stop looking pretty leaning over a pristine crystal counter and instead sit pretty in the grand library with a Stevie King.

That had been the plan at least.

And is what he would report a few hours, before the alarm had gone off.

Only abruptly cut by the Blackout procedure.

Active for the event of assassins.

these five have got me through life:

There is the delectable Napolean, that hitchhiker that gives thumbs up or down, in judgement... he is uno though we count him last;

There's the "first" in command, the Capitan, that keeps the index on the exploits of every other unfortunate hand;

And Middle hombre, of course, who's keen to stand, alone at pertinent times, when every other fingerling in shame lies down... he's a good member to have;

Ring master is not one to be cow towed; he's not yet had the noose around the neck tied, and if he sports a little bling every now and again, it's as show of resistance;

And then there's Pinky, he promises not to cry, though he knows heart of hearts, he'll be the first to go, if any one of us does... in compromise, or sacrifice;

But these five together

give and take

brothers

in one dominant hand

its mirror, useless as a band

or handcuff

in a dance with death

only one will lead, Life

in battle, and our retreat

Enemigas y amigas,

los dedos ...

construyen

la casa ...

que soy yo,

en la guerra,

y la resistencia

... a la Vida

Cinco de Mayo 2024

Party of Five Challenge @AJAY9979