I felt Chase reactivate our cerebral link. I was getting used to the feeling of having someone else in my brain. I sensed waves of distress coming from him. "Chase, what's going on?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kPHDbc19n
Chase sounded winded. How could he be hyperventilating inside his brain? "Oblivion is here! Well, kind of."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2S3nGj7NE
"What do you mean, kind of? Is Oblivion here or not?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoTMwBlGvJ
"The costume is here. I suspect the person within isn't far away."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcQetMNUX9
"Where are you?" I asked.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHPXtUepMa
"I'm in an office, nine doors down, in the right-wing."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtcjgoL654
"I'm coming to find you." I sprinted down the corridors, almost plowing into several party-goers, but I didn't care, Chase needed me.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiijJ5ZXOV0
"This is going to sound crazy, but I think Aunt Marjorie might be Oblivion. Why else would she have the costume in her house? She has a special place for it and everything!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3ChfpYhcV
"You think your elderly, billionaire aunt is an assassin?" I couldn't keep the incredulity out of my tone.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6A52Nv2EQ
"It's possible," Chase argued.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3XiTmdcJ0
"She doesn't seem like the type to do her own dirty work. Doesn't this seem beneath her?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTv1zWBr86
Chase scoffed."The only thing beneath her is the ninth circle of Hell."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvACzabZPL
I rolled my eyes. "She doesn't seem spry enough to pull that off.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErasSGLndz
Chase thought about it for a moment, then muttered, "I hate it when you're right."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXYGiTVIS3
I fought back a self-satisfied grin. "She may not be Oblivion, but it is highly suspicious that she has the costume and gear in her house."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EvTBNdYgV
"I've been trying to tell you, she's no good!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbpm9NISTM
I slid to a halt when I reached the office door. I withdrew my knives and kicked the door open.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSHuZMV73k
Chase let out a relieved breath when he saw me. "There you are! What took you so long? If this were a real emergency, Oblivion would've tried to turn me into flesh soup by now."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cQRk05uKz
I pursed my lips in an exasperated expression. "Well, good thing this wasn't a real emergency."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33nUvmzKp3
Chase crossed his arms. "Don't look at me like that. I know you'd be inconsolable if your best friend was turned into flesh soup."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdgOCn5gKh
My eyebrow shot upward. "Are you implying that you're my best friend?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jey04pU4p
"Of course I am! Who else would it be? Patch? Gabriel St. Martin? Your cat?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bEQzSkdY1
I wanted to argue, but he had a point. I was lacking in the close companions' department.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn2QBmRgLd
The loud sound of heels clacking against the granite floors rapidly approached us. I dove behind the desk, pulling Chase behind me. The size of the desk, combined with the darkness of the room, should be enough to shroud both of us from view. As long as Chase's sparkly disco ball of a jacket doesn't blow our cover.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIRTaKkG8z
The sound of clicking heels grew louder as someone entered the office. "Do you want to explain yourself?" The voice belonged to Marjorie Spoketon. It sounded like she was talking to someone on her Holowatch.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs4HOvTsHp
"Not really." The person on the other end of the line replied. I recognized the grating, raspy voice on the other end of the line. Oblivion.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2YNsiyxuE
Chase and I shared an anxious glance.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0JZe6wjeo
"I'm not asking, I'm ordering you to tell me why you let them escape with a piece of the map! How careless can you possibly be!" Marjorie shouted.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqi8cA897P
"Relax, you old hag. I have a plan."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcasGZIQbsT
She slammed her fists on the desk. "I'm growing tired of your disrespect, child!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOi6haBjL8
"Why don't you replace me then?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBSZuXHyiS
"I'm seriously considering it," Marjorie said.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4ZdLkIET3
"Ha! No one can do this job as well as I can!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbSo39qYlo
"Curseword could do this job twice as well as you can!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk97cvTzEL
Oblivion growled. "Well, why don't you make him your attack dog instead!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw9JBSw0h2
"Oh, he will be, one day, but for now, I'm stuck with you," Marjorie said, her voice dripping with disgust.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYuY2iaTPN
What was she talking about? I'm never going back there! I can't! I'd rather die! My entire body went numb, and my heart racked so violently that it felt like my chest was going to tear open. I tried to count backward, but at that moment, all language escaped me.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJsKfUK01K
Chase rubbed my back in a soft circular motion, easing my panicked mind. He must have sensed my pain. "That won't happen. I'll burn Bionic Corp to the ground before I let them harm you again. Just get me some gas and matches, and I'll torch those suckers alive." Chase said, through our cerebral link.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdx4H7nKGc
I doubted Chase could take down all of Bionic Corp single-handedly, but I appreciated the sentiment.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpsbQbK05e
I'll be seeing you around, Marjorie." Oblivion said.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9lsfVUx8h
"Don't you dare hang up on me! We have not finished this conversation!" Her words were futile, Oblivion had already hung up. "Insolent child!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknJIAMwo8K
I heard Marjorie drop her purse on the desk. She rummaged through it, frantically searching for something.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAqPAUNfVo
I held my breath and stayed as still as a statue. I closed my eyes and prayed she wouldn't spot us. I felt something cold press against my forehead. I opened my eyes to see Marjorie holding a pistol to my head. She pressed a matching pistol against Chase's forehead.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrBMuPRho7
A look of terror flashed across his face. He mouthed the word, help.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL02VEfaG9
I sent him an apologetic look. There wasn't anything I could do at the moment. I raised my hands behind my head in surrender.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPypJxgbiAr
Marjorie smirked. "Smart boy. You should try to be more like him, Charles."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiJViibLQn
Chase grumbled something incomprehensible under his breath, but he reluctantly put his hands up.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH69bfSgsvp
A satisfied expression spread across her face. "Maybe you're not completely stupid after all."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExLLzL3LQ1
"What do you want?" Chase snapped.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUZ6WgoI9B
"That's the question I should be asking you. You are the ones who broke into my office after all."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv07CClqTKi
"We didn't break in, we got lost on our way to the bathroom," Chase lied.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmGii1BSOr
I scowled at him. Don't tell obvious lies to the lady holding a gun!
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis6AW67LS3
Marjorie let out a forlorn sigh. "I can't believe you'd betray me, Charles. After how kind I've been to you."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZE36xdGTi
Chase stifled a snicker. "Yeah, you've treated me so well over the years. It's not like you sent an assassin after me or anything."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXckAa7TLKF
Someone pounded on the office door. "Miss Spoketon, I need to speak to you."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHCi3TsFgS
"What is it? I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment!" Marjorie said, through gritted teeth.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQCnFu0nf0
A security guard opened the door and dragged Katrina in behind him. "We caught her sneaking around upstairs."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ7xqmdEYu
Katrina squirmed in the man's arms. "Release me, rapscallion! You have no idea what I'm capable of!" She spat on the guard's shoes.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x1tCFe7TA
Marjorie rolled her eyes. "Leave her there. I'll deal with her in a minute."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m1upL5pBt
Katrina tried to make a run for it, but the security guard lifted her like she weighed nothing. She dangled helplessly in the air, trying to wriggle free. "I'm going to sue you for this!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo38QW9YLz
The guard appeared unmoved by her spectacle.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqgn7naFmC
Eventually, Katrina accepted her capture and quit thrashing. That's when she noticed us. "Hey guys, did you get captured too?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd02OAKqKY
"Um yeah, we're being held at gunpoint if you hadn't noticed," Chase said.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATvEIvCqeU
"Well, at least we were apprehended as a team," Katrina said.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8IPOf8g3X
Marjorie turned her attention to us. "Is she with you?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YZqfkWqJ5
Chase glanced at Katrina, then nodded.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTlF7eJvVl
Marjorie pursed her lips. "Is there anyone else working with you?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIRrmDXOqo
I shot Chase a pleading look, begging him to not divulge Marisa's location.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8U2zr79Mb
Chase glanced back and forth between me and the gun. "Umm. No."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDEI7PjIDk
Marjorie scowled. She turned to the guard. "Scour the place for the girl with the pink hair, who arrived with them, and keep your eyes open for anything suspicious."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmvbLZDMr1
The guard nodded, then locked the office door, trapping us inside.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzVpzvRUJL
Marjorie stared at my wrist. "That's a nice Holowatch you have there."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBiAxzjiLP
I didn't dignify her with a response.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaFdBLMKh2
"May I see it?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60d3EnScIa
I clutched on to my Holowatch and shook my head.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgkujy1tu0
She tightened her grip on the pistol. "I am not playing around, young man."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8MuC052Zs
Neither was I. I met her glare and refused to waver.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjxgUQ2rjI
Her eyes shot daggers at us. " I know what you have on that watch, I want it back.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1s581JRfn
Chase tried to play dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about. There's absolutely nothing on that watch. Right, Atlas?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyi6d4YOcZ
I nodded and played along.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuXb9YwoGx
"You don't want to go through that thing. All he does is read tasteless fanfictions on it," Katrina said.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZpouvRFMl
I shot her a quizzical glare.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYIJKsS2BV
She giggled in response.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin7vRMu1d9
Marjorie wasn't amused. "You knowthat map has been causing loads of trouble ever since it was stolen. I've been trying to retrieve it without causing any suspicion, but unfortunately, my assassin is going through a bit of a rebellious phase of is intentionally defying my orders. "
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6hcKjlPIJ
"I'd like to offer you a trade, Mr. Contreras. "
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUJHWQuNaW
"You don't have anything that I want," I signed.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHMq7WSyTc
"Are you sure about that?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Syebki60
She carefully placed one of the pistols on the desk, then pulled open one of the squeaky drawers. She reached inside and pulled out a Holopad. She pulled up live camera footage from a darkened room. I had to squint to make out exactly what I was seeing. It was Patch! All of my cybernetic parts had been stripped away, and he was restrained to a chair. His hair was greasy and matted, and his entire face was covered in bruises.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBwyWv8s4f
Marjorie leaned into the microphone. "How's my favorite prisoner doing?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy61FDAjht
"Go burn in hell, you conniving old crone!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP2887ziMd
"You should learn to mind your manners, Pedro,"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI788TFmH41
Patch winced at the sound of his given name.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIk9bB985e
Marjorie continued speaking. "Especially, since I was kind enough to prepare a surprise for you."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBbEey8H17
"I don't want anything from you!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvV2ZXUALR
"Oh, I think you'll like what I brought you." She angled the microphone towards me. "Say hello, Curseword."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmwTxxhaX4
I crossed my arms and glowered at her.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7pznpH9O8
She laughed. "I forgot, you can't." Instead, she turned the camera in my direction.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o5FE7hPDl
When Patch saw me, an expression I could quite decipher flashed across his face. It looked like a mix of shame and sorrow. "Hey, kiddo," He whimpered.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmBuNBnc2D
I instinctively reached out towards the screen, I wanted to comfort him like he'd comforted me so many times in the past, but I couldn't reach him, I didn't even know where he was."Are you okay?" I signed.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2Q66cI5KH
"Do I look okay?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAaLtyCDhE
Not in the slightest. I shook my head.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvaY5rjyNE
He let out a halfhearted chuckle. "It feels worse than it looks." He scanned the background for Marisa. "Where's your sister?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MNjtrBhcD
"She's not here right now." I didn't want to share the details of Marisa's location while Marjorie was listening.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnqFQrB1Fa
Patch gave a relieved sigh. "At least she's safe."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaajUo5kxsF
That wasn't exactly true, but I didn't correct him, I was more worried about him at the moment. "What happened to you?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkIKvYlwYo
"I tried to book passage off Ikigai II, but before I could escape, I was jumped and kidnapped by a band of Bionic Corp goons."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXjfzHCBqT
I paused. "Wait. Why were you trying to leave Ikigai II?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYbPiQppzf
Patch looked up at me with tears in his eye. "I was a coward. I ran away at the first sign of trouble. I didn't think about you or your sister. I only cared about self-preservation."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96VCqDmtnG
I stood frozen in shock. How could he? I trusted him! I loved him! He was going to abandon his family because he was scared? I've never wished I could scream so badly.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0w1eLvu8m
"I'm so sorry, Atlas. You deserve so much better than this. I wish your mother was still here; she never would've left you."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp5e1aHYvc
I fought back tears. Rage coursed through my entire body. "You promised you'd take care of me!" I signed.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEY7VVCbuj
He shook his head. "I know I did."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVWogFDClj
"You lied!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZahyT0GcT
"I know."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcKYJnbFaR
My eyes welled up with tears, but I refused to let them fall. "You were going to abandon us without a word?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS1AdUSrzy
He nodded remorsefully. "Yeah, I was. I'm sorry, kid. You deserve to know the truth about me, I'm a fraud and a coward. I run away when things get hard. It's what I've always done. I've never told you about this side of me because you always looked at me like I was your hero, and it felt good to be revered for once."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl4zjN8KJ1
I turned away. I couldn't look at him. It hurt too much.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrwFVYo4w0
"That's enough chit-chat. I'm here to make you an offer, Curseword. Your uncle is a criminal and a deserter. He deserves to be tried for his crimes, but I'm willing to release him in exchange for the map," Marjorie said.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUJc8D1nSB
"Don't do it, kid! Forget about me!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mWP1qnAOj
I fiddled with the clasp on my Holowatch and stared up at him with a wistful expression. "I can't forget about you."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHIm2m68nw
"Don't be stupid, kid! This is bigger than you or me, this is about cyborgs everywhere!" Patch shouted.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjoGiOYpDD
I glanced back and forth between Patch and the Holowatch. My gaze landed on Chase. I reactivated our cerebral link. "I don't know what to do."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVFvFRhN2g
He rested his hand on my shoulder. "I'm on your side, no matter what you decide."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmvMrkBQZS
His reassurance gave me the strength to say, "I'm keeping the map."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOPF4xKScQ
Marjorie clenched her jaw. "I'm sorry to hear that." She redirected her attention to the Holopad. "Break his ribs."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVlk5qEi6J
A cybernetic fist plowed into Patch's chest, causing him to double over in pain. He let out a wince and coughed up a smattering of blood.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLiTmooq3O
I squeezed my eyes shut, I couldn't watch.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37iiIwKNYm
Marjorie grabbed my face. "Don't you dare look away from that screen! I want you to see the consequences of withholding the map from me. I will torture him for as long as it takes for you to hand over that map, you hear me?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1r50wWM7a
I nodded ever so slightly.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nNKjhzTT7
"Keep going," Marjorie ordered.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEoVhH1hDm
The cyborg pummeled the other side of Patch's body, this time I heard a loud crack.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNxFyXWUhW
"Don't you dare give it to her! I can take it!" Patch cried.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF9rxJtamL
Before I could respond, the lights flickered and then went out completely. Then our Holowatches short-circuited.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQCOHjoHxe
"What the hell is going on here? Are you behind this?" Marjorie demanded.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yR5Pytda1
"Not that I know of," Chase replied.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDqWgCN7bz
"Freedom!" Katrina shouted as she dashed towards the window. Her brilliant escape attempt was thwarted when someone blocked her way. Vindicator crept through the open window and slunk into the office. It was so dark that all we could see was his pale silhouette in the moonlight, but there was no doubt, it was definitely him. I knew it was just a trick of the light, but he looked like a vengeful spirit come to torment me. I felt him peer at me through narrowed eyes. "You didn't seriously think you'd gotten rid of me for good, did you?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90bv0UHMaR
"I mean, I was hoping that was the last of you," Chase said.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdin9U8inWO
"Unfortunately for you, I'm quite resilient." Vindicator trudged towards Marjorie and knocked the pistol out of her hands. "Where's the last piece of the map?" He shouted.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqdIot54xM
"You wouldn't harm an old woman, would you?" Her voice quavered.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UAeID7Ocp
"If the old woman is you, I don't have any qualms." He lifted her by the neck and throttled her. "You ruined my life, now I'm going to ruin yours. How long do you think you can keep your cyborg army in line without the threat of the Annihilation Code. An uprising is imminent, and when it happens, we will destroy you for what you've done to us." He threw her against the wall with a loud crash. "Tell me where you're hiding it!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff3HI04u0i
"In the middle drawer," She croaked.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrR6LM34qA
Vindicator tugged at the handle. "It's locked!" He dug the heel of his boot into her face.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshEez4gHsf
"There's a key in a locked box under the desk. The password is 6502."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfLCtQd1bm
I heard each button click as Vindicator punched in the numbers. He fiddled with the lock and key until it finessed open. The drawer squeaked open, and Vindicator pulled something out.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMOU3nxXqh
The final fraction of the map illuminated the pitch-black room.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S71MlDcdv
Vindicator shoved it into his pocket, then stomped towards me. "Are you ready to be torn apart again, Curseword?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpheNpwwOb
No! My heart pounded with every step he took toward me. Despite my almost paralyzing fear, I wound up and punched him square in the jaw.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3n0Ihlrkr
He didn't flinch. He grabbed my arms and held me down.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc6alNxbSZ
I tried to wrestle free, but he was much bigger and stronger than me. I felt like a kid again. This time, instead of tearing me apart, he yanked off my Holowatch. "Thanks for retrieving the rest of the map for me, Curseword. You're a real pal."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYB9YD3dEw
"I'll get you for this!" Katrina pounced at him, but she missed and went sliding across the floor.
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXIVuNYvzg
Vindicator cackled. "Nice try."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BFdVouSk1
"Stop!" Chase shouted. "We know who you are now! We can report you to the police!"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQcDKlwcvb
Vindicator froze for just a moment. "You know who I am?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dE91hOtSa
"Yeah, we know all about you."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYthBApE2d
Vindicator took a step closer, so he and Chase were eye to eye. "Then tell me, what's my name?"
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQZVGKDJJd
"Well, um, I don't know that, but I know other stuff about you."
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kVIRDkdjl
"You may think you've got me all figured out, but you've barely scratched the surface. There's still so much you haven't discovered about me." Vindicator ran towards his escape. He stopped and paused at the windowsill. "I'll kill you later, Curseword." Then he disappeared into the night.
ns216.73.216.238da2
