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?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFXUzJPRhI
Chase sounded winded. How could he be hyperventilating inside his brain? "Oblivion is here! Well, kind of."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOjEpCfYiw
"What do you mean, kind of? Is Oblivion here or not?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCGhknoibj
"The costume is here. I suspect the person within isn't far away."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfkeMKLVJ2
"Where are you?" I asked.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCwof4wubT
"I'm in an office, nine doors down, in the right-wing."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPRIXO0R5y
"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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTTDj1P3xS
"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!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwc4hqBZZx
"You think your elderly, billionaire aunt is an assassin?" I couldn't keep the incredulity out of my tone.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwVY5kaKwb
"It's possible," Chase argued.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDVE2xsjJb
"She doesn't seem like the type to do her own dirty work. Doesn't this seem beneath her?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiDYGvz4cl
Chase scoffed."The only thing beneath her is the ninth circle of Hell."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5cZiGrELf
I rolled my eyes. "She doesn't seem spry enough to pull that off.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JNAgzlmwg
Chase thought about it for a moment, then muttered, "I hate it when you're right."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76EsLiBH8g
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUIQ9hVMu5
"I've been trying to tell you, she's no good!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgabmOeeFo
I slid to a halt when I reached the office door. I withdrew my knives and kicked the door open.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvcxyU55ZJ
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwB3RG1uXm
I pursed my lips in an exasperated expression. "Well, good thing this wasn't a real emergency."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGsHv2StFY
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCok4eILRc
My eyebrow shot upward. "Are you implying that you're my best friend?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTn3aUSEXO
"Of course I am! Who else would it be? Patch? Gabriel St. Martin? Your cat?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8THP5F9xd
I wanted to argue, but he had a point. I was lacking in the close companions' department.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKuujfHDac
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJZNLJUZtx
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtLj2a7bym
"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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu3fiUZlsC
Chase and I shared an anxious glance.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPy4rW74Sk
"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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtiOTUoNBh
"Relax, you old hag. I have a plan."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1FuQXxQg9
She slammed her fists on the desk. "I'm growing tired of your disrespect, child!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfAiYj37GZ
"Why don't you replace me then?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat2WlG4Rdw
"I'm seriously considering it," Marjorie said.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAn02HV2KW
"Ha! No one can do this job as well as I can!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyzOGZsLyV
"Curseword could do this job twice as well as you can!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW4sYdn95U
Oblivion growled. "Well, why don't you make him your attack dog instead!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOpzyuhBr4
"Oh, he will be, one day, but for now, I'm stuck with you," Marjorie said, her voice dripping with disgust.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSqvsYK5Kq
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxf7yOaVJ4
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwxhEIFQD2
I doubted Chase could take down all of Bionic Corp single-handedly, but I appreciated the sentiment.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGi4JwD8ZW
I'll be seeing you around, Marjorie." Oblivion said.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgJf55tVkR
"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!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lI5MvgyYP
I heard Marjorie drop her purse on the desk. She rummaged through it, frantically searching for something.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9j5wSia4e
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR51nR7Qib
A look of terror flashed across his face. He mouthed the word, help.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM7A6rLrD5
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKKy41wi3M
Marjorie smirked. "Smart boy. You should try to be more like him, Charles."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxUtjKNHsb
Chase grumbled something incomprehensible under his breath, but he reluctantly put his hands up.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq0LUhbZJ9
A satisfied expression spread across her face. "Maybe you're not completely stupid after all."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo0mXB9OpC
"What do you want?" Chase snapped.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN34BO0ck9O
"That's the question I should be asking you. You are the ones who broke into my office after all."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNLlbs9rD6
"We didn't break in, we got lost on our way to the bathroom," Chase lied.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9sHgw3Z2T
I scowled at him. Don't tell obvious lies to the lady holding a gun!
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOecd9ZYELO
Marjorie let out a forlorn sigh. "I can't believe you'd betray me, Charles. After how kind I've been to you."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAsoya06uu
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56Dj6TY7ne
Someone pounded on the office door. "Miss Spoketon, I need to speak to you."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa1xVpDdw7
"What is it? I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment!" Marjorie said, through gritted teeth.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDY7PrNOGE
A security guard opened the door and dragged Katrina in behind him. "We caught her sneaking around upstairs."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuoISKN9n9
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBhkhA732f
Marjorie rolled her eyes. "Leave her there. I'll deal with her in a minute."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjmI37Hgid
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!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIizkvDWZN
The guard appeared unmoved by her spectacle.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGzKMR2gSc
Eventually, Katrina accepted her capture and quit thrashing. That's when she noticed us. "Hey guys, did you get captured too?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROOz4pX1Hg
"Um yeah, we're being held at gunpoint if you hadn't noticed," Chase said.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIYf22GHfa
"Well, at least we were apprehended as a team," Katrina said.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gc4zL2vBr
Marjorie turned her attention to us. "Is she with you?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJp5Cewqmc
Chase glanced at Katrina, then nodded.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBFlriWCBK
Marjorie pursed her lips. "Is there anyone else working with you?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgEpD0XFJW
I shot Chase a pleading look, begging him to not divulge Marisa's location.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtf0EA860d
Chase glanced back and forth between me and the gun. "Umm. No."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcCn8XjgIJ
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEvveZRAmE
The guard nodded, then locked the office door, trapping us inside.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4ooDYOWvK
Marjorie stared at my wrist. "That's a nice Holowatch you have there."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRxxvkY7FR
I didn't dignify her with a response.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh9VEhVlcK
"May I see it?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc60a5GYDOl
I clutched on to my Holowatch and shook my head.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93z8iud92e
She tightened her grip on the pistol. "I am not playing around, young man."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuUtE8PQ57
Neither was I. I met her glare and refused to waver.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FfEtm4bbS
Her eyes shot daggers at us. " I know what you have on that watch, I want it back.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt62lQYx0KR
Chase tried to play dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about. There's absolutely nothing on that watch. Right, Atlas?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuC3G9yE05
I nodded and played along.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x2GC8mpeH
"You don't want to go through that thing. All he does is read tasteless fanfictions on it," Katrina said.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q0rVdRt0s
I shot her a quizzical glare.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL3BJ6Nx9n
She giggled in response.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriDVsbffO6
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. "
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ56J2M9Brl
"I'd like to offer you a trade, Mr. Contreras. "
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhGmUAGsYu
"You don't have anything that I want," I signed.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzyZ7FvO10
"Are you sure about that?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1U5ZCrHcz
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkA720D742
Marjorie leaned into the microphone. "How's my favorite prisoner doing?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodwHSxDpK4
"Go burn in hell, you conniving old crone!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf725jreoR
"You should learn to mind your manners, Pedro,"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTWw5GrxjJ
Patch winced at the sound of his given name.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB0lQX0Wjq
Marjorie continued speaking. "Especially, since I was kind enough to prepare a surprise for you."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqFSewnNX5
"I don't want anything from you!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9t29CdNDu
"Oh, I think you'll like what I brought you." She angled the microphone towards me. "Say hello, Curseword."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEqdvNtaM6
I crossed my arms and glowered at her.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J2Onx94Et
She laughed. "I forgot, you can't." Instead, she turned the camera in my direction.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04QxFooqgq
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zaPifUOvx
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwkhgN8odm
"Do I look okay?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6IsTUDR2O
Not in the slightest. I shook my head.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7cFAC6GnM
He let out a halfhearted chuckle. "It feels worse than it looks." He scanned the background for Marisa. "Where's your sister?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcrLs3NDTP
"She's not here right now." I didn't want to share the details of Marisa's location while Marjorie was listening.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqysJSxcI9k
Patch gave a relieved sigh. "At least she's safe."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhYmOLoN0E
That wasn't exactly true, but I didn't correct him, I was more worried about him at the moment. "What happened to you?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuLfAm3lps
"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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GuczpgJlG
I paused. "Wait. Why were you trying to leave Ikigai II?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbMlWOtx8O
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65mSlBI7uO
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEHZ3Emq7n
"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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxDAlYiMX7
I fought back tears. Rage coursed through my entire body. "You promised you'd take care of me!" I signed.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleA9PZFPDp
He shook his head. "I know I did."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGeYZMcSLM
"You lied!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrpMJWoFJO
"I know."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPw6cZvkGP
My eyes welled up with tears, but I refused to let them fall. "You were going to abandon us without a word?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBao38rtYJI
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WoU15rA6h
I turned away. I couldn't look at him. It hurt too much.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFrQDyKo5t
"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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWopd2eR7EC
"Don't do it, kid! Forget about me!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvrqf2HTKg
I fiddled with the clasp on my Holowatch and stared up at him with a wistful expression. "I can't forget about you."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0dUH01ocK
"Don't be stupid, kid! This is bigger than you or me, this is about cyborgs everywhere!" Patch shouted.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaiBCgfads
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRTKapEGQf
He rested his hand on my shoulder. "I'm on your side, no matter what you decide."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYWqIrhrtG
His reassurance gave me the strength to say, "I'm keeping the map."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW4F9CARCR
Marjorie clenched her jaw. "I'm sorry to hear that." She redirected her attention to the Holopad. "Break his ribs."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAGesHAXdq
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtpuGSh7ks
I squeezed my eyes shut, I couldn't watch.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccaJqnHcE9
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?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zYI4sRuc3
I nodded ever so slightly.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiJPocNapD
"Keep going," Marjorie ordered.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbsEgoxuuu
The cyborg pummeled the other side of Patch's body, this time I heard a loud crack.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs1LBN7pXj
"Don't you dare give it to her! I can take it!" Patch cried.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E4BTzUmOB
Before I could respond, the lights flickered and then went out completely. Then our Holowatches short-circuited.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHGDRv0ywr
"What the hell is going on here? Are you behind this?" Marjorie demanded.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfy8w8kmQp
"Not that I know of," Chase replied.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaqjSHsDum
"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?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2Qj4V8iFT
"I mean, I was hoping that was the last of you," Chase said.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61Rd6tvXjT
"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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uRP0uXD17
"You wouldn't harm an old woman, would you?" Her voice quavered.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvqbazwKrC
"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!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBPLBlSM4j
"In the middle drawer," She croaked.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GnKXRC6AG
Vindicator tugged at the handle. "It's locked!" He dug the heel of his boot into her face.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO8Qs2YAH5
"There's a key in a locked box under the desk. The password is 6502."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7f4ovw7WL
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHPEnGIpJG
The final fraction of the map illuminated the pitch-black room.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGhKDXw3qQ
Vindicator shoved it into his pocket, then stomped towards me. "Are you ready to be torn apart again, Curseword?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOFIwnzfN2
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.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBO6uuziWz
He didn't flinch. He grabbed my arms and held me down.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8cKNCi7MG
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."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkL66a6Me6
"I'll get you for this!" Katrina pounced at him, but she missed and went sliding across the floor.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXRcu2ITqi
Vindicator cackled. "Nice try."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJlaaN40t3
"Stop!" Chase shouted. "We know who you are now! We can report you to the police!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnxbbg1vZD
Vindicator froze for just a moment. "You know who I am?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4W1LPcqXX
"Yeah, we know all about you."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZHN65GZ5H
Vindicator took a step closer, so he and Chase were eye to eye. "Then tell me, what's my name?"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsxLOjHJL9
"Well, um, I don't know that, but I know other stuff about you."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrywU6ymIi
"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.
ns 15.158.61.42da2
