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Zodiac of PRA II: Forever Heroes

Chapter 31

Louis Koo – Brad Chung aka Leo
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Tuarus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Athena Chu – Sheila Kam
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng
Andy Lau – General Joseph Cheung (head of security)
Daniel Wu – Michael Wu
Kong Wah – Dennis Lam aka Capricorn
Benny Chan – Eric Leung aka Cancer
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra

Michael could smell the musty cemented walls from the cave like room. His senses were increased due to his blindfold. He could hear each step someone made and each movement in the room. They had moved him into a separate room that smelled just like the others. He didn’t know where they were but for some reason it smelled like a mortuary. Maybe it was better that he was blindfolded.

The gag in his mouth had filled up with spit days before, they only gave them bread and water, barely enough to keep them alive. But the person that fed him was oddly familiar. It was a girl, he could sense it, but it was not Reina for she was not as gentle.

The time soon came for his dinner. He heard the footsteps getting closer as his head moved upwards. A dim light was barely visible through the black cloth over his eyes. The person never spoke to him nor did she seem rude. She did the same routine she’s been doing for the past week. She took off his gag and began feeding him the bread. He ate it slowly and for the first time, he felt like talking to her “Who are you?” his voice was croaky from the many days of not talking.

The girl snickered “You don’t want to know.” She said coldly.

Michael frowned as he chewed the dry bread “Why not?” he asked. Her voice was too familiar yet it seemed distant in his mind as he traced to bring back the familiarity.

She laughed this time “After a whole week, you finally grew curious?” her voice hardened “You should have cared enough to ask 4 years ago.”

“Julie?” he blurted out, not really believing it but for some reason, his gut told him it was her.

The girl paused before bluntly answering “No.”

“It’s you…isn’t it?” Michael asked as he shifted his seat closer to the voice “I can tell by your voice.” He said with sincerity.

“Hmph! What if it is? What if it isn’t? It doesn’t matter, Michael. Julie is dead in your heart.” She sounded hurt.

She placed a piece of bread at his mouth but he shook it away “Julie…please…tell me, is it really you? How did you live? I thought you had….”

“Died?” she asked harshly and he heard her standing up “You really wished that, didn’t you Michael? So you can live your fancy little rich boy life.” She snapped “Tell me, did you have a hand in my planned death?” sarcasm dripping from every word she spat out.

He shook his head vehemently “I didn’t know!” he argued “I swear it on my own grave!”

She spun her heels and bent down to look at him “Promise?” she asked with a sly grin, but he didn’t see it as he nodded firmly “You’ll get your wish soon. Once they take care of the agents, you’re going with them.”

Michael’s face turned cold suddenly “What are you going to do?” he was scared to ask “Julie…what happened to you. Why are you doing this? What did anyone ever do to you?”

“Do you have amnesia or are you just stupid?!” She asked with disgust “Your father hired someone to run me over with a car. He deserve to die!! And you, my fiancé… the man that I love…have stabbed me in the back. You didn’t even bother to stop him. Was money that important?”

Michael’s heart ached while he explained “Julie…listen to me. I had nothing to do with that plan!! If I knew, I would rather take your place. I loved you…God! I thought you knew?? But maybe I was wrong?? You’re not the girl I fell in love with.” He said just as cold.

He didn’t expect the slap but it came quick and hard. Then Michael heard a man’s gleeful laughter “That was a beautiful slap!” he clapped his hands together and walked over to Julie while she stood up “Well deserving, wouldn’t you say Mr. Wu?”

“What do you want?” Michael asked.

Chris looked bored “I thought it was obvious? Destroy the P.R.A., kill you and the rest… and marry the girl of your dreams.”

“Julie??” Michael asked.

“No, Mia!! What are you dense?? Of course Julie…” Chris smiled at the girl but she turned away from him. He looked at Michael pathetically as he bent down “You probably don’t even remember me do you?”

“You’re that janitor that worked for me a year ago.” Michael said coolly.

Chris nodded “Yeah, I was…but you got that from those worthless agents you hired to protect you. The same ones that got you here…how much do you trust them now?” he reached out and pressed his fingers against Michael’s cheeks “If they’re so good, tell them to save you now!”

Michael yanked his face away from Chris’s grip “They will save me!!” he said with confidence “If you know what’s best for you, you’ll run and hide…because once they find you…I’ll guarantee you will not live to see sunlight.”

But his threat was just an enjoyable joke to Chris as he laughed humorously “Okay… you’ve got balls to say that. But we’ll see who has the last laugh!” he turned to Julie “Let’s go.” He walked out while Julie glanced at Michael before she followed Chris out.

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

Erin and Brad along with Shelly walked into headquarters, all eyes were on them. Joe glanced over at Darren but he was in his own little world. It was torture for him to be locked up in that place. Joe nodded to the two of them to follow him, when they were in their own room, he turned to ask them “So?”

Erin shook her head “The fingerprints were destroyed and the blood type is AB. I don’t know if it’s Mia…but this ring.” She pulled it out of her pocket “It’s her engagement ring, she never takes it off.”

Joe frowned “Her files are left with me in Beijing.”

“Should we ask Darren?” Brad wondered out loud.

“Let’s assume it’s not Mia’s.” Joe began his theory.

“How do we know?!” Erin cried. She shook her head “We don’t. They’re psychotic and you know how much Reina hates us. Despite the fact that Mia was a good friend, she still tried to kill us months ago.” She pointed out the fact.

Joe shook his head for the sake of argument “We cannot assume that. If we think that, psychologically we have given up. You must keep a positive insight on this matter. If we assume the worse, it will become the worse.” He pointed to his head “Never under estimate the power of the mind.”

Brad smiled at his wise words “Did you see a shrink?”

“Is it that obvious?” Joe chuckled “Actually, I have been speaking with this doctor right here in SaTin. He’s very good and so full of wise words. When we get through this, I’ll recommend everyone to see him.”

Erin did not smile despite their lighter conversation. She looked at the ring in her palm, she can only hope that it wasn’t Mia’s hand “How about Darren?” Erin asked.

“I think it’s fair that he knows what’s going on.” Joe said.

The three returned to the conference room with everyone’s full attention. Joe nodded to Erin as she slowly explained “We received a package today…it was a human hand.” The room began to stir with gasps and whispers. Darren looked up at her with a horrid expression “The fingerprints were destroyed…but we found this on the marriage finger.” She pulled out the ring and placed it on the table.

Darren quickly grabbed the ring, his mouth ajar as he gripped the ring he gave to Mia in his hands until it dug into his skin. He gripped his mouth shut as a tear escaped his eyes. Doug looked worriedly at Darren “It’s not necessarily Mia’s.”

Ted nodded “There should be a blood test to prove it.” He looked up to Erin and Brad who nodded.

“Her files are in Beijing.” Brad began “We figured there was only one person that knows her blood type...”

“AB.” Darren said without thinking.

Erin felt her legs weakening while Brad supported her arms “Are you sure?” she asked Darren with fresh tears in her eyes.

He nodded like a zombie “Positive.”

She shuffled her steps as one hand covered her mouth. Doug shook his head unbelievably. For the first time, he was having doubts about Mia’s safety. Eric looked up thoughtfully “Could it be the other two girls?”

Matt nodded “I was thinking the same thing. We are too caught up with Mia that we are forgetting there are two other girls in this case too. Why would they destroy the fingerprints?”

“Because they want us to assume it’s Mia, freak out and then do something drastic.” Dennis said after a moment. He finally let everything soak in.

Doug agreed “That’s very true. Can we find out about Julie and Nora’s blood type before we jump to any conclusion?”

Ted nodded at the team “Leave that up to me. I’ll check it out at the police forensic department.”

“Good.” Joe nodded, he turned to Erin and Darren “Do you two know why you did not think of Nora and Julie?” Erin moved away from Brad’s embrace as she wiped her tears and shook her head. Darren was in a complete daze “Because you two are the closest to Mia…and the most emotional. They are playing you two and they are assuming you will react exactly how you are reacting. The regular calm minds have been replaced with the hasty conclusions.”

“In other words, think like an agent.” Matt pointed out.

Erin knew they were right, but she couldn’t pull herself together each time they get a piece of the puzzle “What do we do now?”

Joe smiled “You’re the agent, why don’t you tell me? What happened to the Erin that was always full of ideas?”

She felt flustered and pressured at the same time. She could not easily wipe the worried image of Mia’s tearful face from her mind yet she wanted nothing more than to stay calm and come up with a plan. Erin shook her head after a moment “I’m sorry…I…don’t know.”

Joe patted her on the shoulder “Don’t worry, just take it slowly. Take your time.”

“We don’t have time!” Darren got up and began towards the exit.

“Where are you going?” Joe placed his hands behind his back sternly.

Darren paused but didn’t turn back “To my cell.” The words grew more cold each day.

Dennis looked at Doug “Why don’t you talk to him…you understand his situation more than anyone in this room.”

Doug knew he was talking about Jessie’s death. He nodded and followed Darren to his room. The team sat silently in the conference room. Matt eventually broke the silence as he talked about what his plan of attack was.





Chapter 32
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Tuarus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Daniel Wu – Michael Wu
Dicky Cheung - Chris Wong

Darren sat on his bed, which was set opposite of the door. His head leaning against the wall while his eyes were closed. It stung from the tears that were ready to come out but he refuse to let them fall. Not so soon, at least until he is positive about Mia’s safety. He heard a knock on the door, but remained still in the unlit room.

After another knock, Doug eventually opened it slightly and looked inside. He reached for the switch “Don’t…I don’t like the light.” Darren said without emotions.

Doug let out a sigh as he turned on the dim feature, he saw Darren sitting on the bed flinching from the sudden light. He had grown accustomed to the darkness “You can't hide in here forever.” Doug said reasonably.

“I can try.” Darren sighed. “If you’re here to convince of having more faith, I can tell you now, you’ll be wasting your time.”

He laughed despite the seriousness of their conversation “You are so full of it.” Darren finally opened his eyes, looking at Doug with surprise yet there was a hint of coldness “Here you are saying how much you love Mia…blah blah blah…and when the time comes for you to express how much you love her, you give up. You might as well order her a gravestone.”

Darren knew he was right, but he didn’t want to admit it. He wanted to sit in his own sorrow of tears, to mourn for her eventhough he hoped and prayed that she was still alive “How do you do it?”

Doug took a seat on the bed with Darren “It was the hardest thing I had to go through, but I knew if I didn’t…I would not survive. And Jessie saved my life…not literally, but she did mentally. She’s taught me so much more after her death than I have learned in my lifetime. But if I had a choice, I would rather her stay alive…but the truth of the matter is, she’s not alive. She’s gone to heaven. It’s a fact I have to live up to for the rest of my life. And if Mia…God forbid…dies, you will have continue on living, as hard as it may seem. If not, you have already failed her.”

Darren’s eyes softened with each word Doug spoke. Somehow it eased his heart “You’re right. I’m doing this for Mia…” he smiled slowly “Thank you.”

Doug was a little startled by his quick awakening but he was happy that the conversation was helpful “Anytime, man.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone.” Darren said. Doug nodded understandingly and left the room. After about five minutes of the deafening silence, Darren’s cell phone rang. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the flashing name read ‘Mia’. He picked it up hastily “Mia??!!” he cried into the phone.

“Mia? Aww…isn’t that sweet, someone misses their dead girlfriend…oh, I mean fiancé.” Reina’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Reina! Where’s Mia? Let her go or you’ll regret it!” Darren threatened.

Reina laughed “Let her go? Okay…that’s possible. Do you want her leg or her head?”

“You sick bitch!!” he growled angrily.

“Now, now…no need for compliments.” Reina wasn’t discouraged by his cursing “Listen, I’m calling you to make a deal. Do you want Mia back?”

“All in one piece.” Darren’s voice deepened.

“Sure…why not.” Reina replied nonchalantly “But, I need a favor.”

Darren narrowed his eyes “What kind of favor?”

“Erin. I want her dead…or alive, whichever one you prefer. One life for your precious Mia’s life.” Reina said.

He shook his head to himself “What do you want with Erin?”

“What the hell would it matter to you? Do you want Mia back or not?!” Reina cried, she was not at all patient “But don’t worry…you’ll receive a little gift tomorrow where I’m sure will make up your mind. Think about it Darren. Is that wench’s life more important than your one true love’s? Call me back at this number by 6pm tomorrow or consider Mia’s body dissembled.” She left him no choice before hanging up.

“Hello? Reina?” Darren looked at the phone, it was cut off. He threw it on the bed and placed a hand over his forehead. He was in a dilemma. If he did as Reina asked, he would have a chance that Mia would be returned to him. But if he did just that, Mia would never forgive him for turning Erin to the enemy’s hand. Yet he had promised himself that he would do anything for her. Suddenly, he felt a headache surging through is head like an electrical current. He grabbed it painfully while his eyes filled up quickly with tears.

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

Michael grew impatient as he struggled to take off the ties around his wrists. The rope was thick and rough. He could only imagine the imprints it had left on his skin. He twisted his hands in all directions trying to squeeze them out but it was useless as he let out an angered grunt “You will only cut those scars deeper into the skin.” Julie’s voice broke into his frustration.

“Why would you care?” he snapped harshly.

She snickered “I don’t. But I’m just warning you, even if you can get those ties off of your hands, you will not get past that door.”

“I’d rather be killed than to be under your captivity. You’re only using us to get to the agents. If I died, they would not have to worry about rescuing us.” Michael said boldly.

Julie frowned “You’d die for them…but not for me…how very noble of you, Mr. Wu.”

“It’s not noble if you are doing it for friends.” He said loyally “And I would die for you in a heartbeat.”

“You mean back then?” she asked.

“Back then and now.” He said without thinking.

Julie turned to him with curious eyes “What?”

Michael turned away “Do you know how hard it was for me to get over your death?” he could feel his heart aching remembering exactly what he went through “Actually, I never got over it.” He snickered sarcastically “I wanted so much to see your grave, to pay my last respects but your mother and father refused to let me come near the home let alone tell me where you buried. I turned against my father and moved out. It wasn’t until the family business began to go down that he begged me to return to help him. I didn’t want to, but I knew I had to…because-”

“Because you have a good heart.” Julie finished for him. Her eyes weakened as she looked down at his tied hands, the cuts were bleeding now. She reached down and touched his hand and he yanked them away slightly “I just want to clean up the cuts.” She said gently.

Michael moved his hands back on his lap while she untied them. He had no motives to run or to remove the blindfold while she cleaned the cuts. When she was done, she replaced his rope with a new one “Thank you.” He muttered.

Julie smiled “Why didn’t you take them off?” she was wondering why he didn’t look at her when he had the chance.

“I respect your decision.” Michael was sincere.

She nodded “That’s what I love about you.”

Michael lowered his head but smiled “Funny isn’t it?”

“What?” she wondered.

“How the memories bring you back to past.” He recalled their happy moments “Your voice is still the same, your smile…I can’t see it but I can hear it.” Suddenly, his face saddened “Too bad…” he broke away unable to finish the sentence.

She sighed “Do you want to know how I survived that crash?”

Michael smiled “It’s been eating me alive since I found out you were still alive.”

Julie turned away with a distant look in her eyes “I was hit pretty badly, or so the doctor told me. My face was completely broken apart. I would surely be scared for the rest of my life. Chris told me I was in a coma for over 6 months. When I had waken, I was not recognizable to the human eye. The years to come would only bring me torture to look at myself.” She paused to wipe a tear from her cheek “My parents told me that you were involved in my staged death. They received a call from the Wu’s that you had broken up with me. I was devastated and vengeance overtook my willpower to survive. I tried to kill myself numerous times but each time Chris was there to stop me. He took me to another place…far from you, so I would not longer live in pain. He was so patient, always looking after me and caring for me like you use to.”

“Who is he?” Michael was curious.

“Do you remember, when we were dating, I told you about a guy that was chasing after me for two years?” Julie asked. Michael nodded slowly barely recalling the talk “That was the guy. He was patient and still remains to be patient eventhough I’m not ready to move on.”

“I’m sorry you went through all that…I’m even more sorry that I was not there by your side the whole way.” Michael said with much sorrow and regret “If I would have pushed my father harder, maybe he would have agreed for our marriage. I’m so sorry…” even through his blindfold the tears crept out. They wet his cheeks until her hand covered them and wiped them lovingly.

“Well, isn’t this a lovely surprise?” Chris’s harsh voice broke apart their moment.

Julie quickly stood up and wiped her tears while Michael’s face hardened “She doesn’t love you, why don’t you just leave her alone?”

“What the hell did you say?” Chris lunged at his throat while Julie reached out a hand to stop him. Chris’s eyes turned to her coldly “Four years…and you dump me for this… Thing?” he spat while pushing Michael to the ground.

Julie gulped back the lump in her throat as she stood up to Chris “We are not together, Chris. I told you before, you are only a friend to me.” She explained.

Michael laughed humorously “Such a sad…pathetic…little man.”

Chris gave no warning as he kicked Michael across the face “Michael!” Julie rushed over to him as she sat him up. She wiped the blood that was seeping out at the corner of his lips “Are you okay?” she asked.

It only made Chris angrier as he grabbed Julie by the wrist and yanked her over to him “Julie!” Michael cried when he noticed she was pulled back “What are you going to do to her?” he asked fearfully.

It was Chris’s turn to laugh “Something you wish you could do.” He yanked her away while Michael continued to cry out her name painfully. Julie knew he would not dare to rape her as she whipped her hand away once they were in the hallway. His eyes quickly softened as he reached for her hand “Did I hurt you?”

Julie knew exactly how to deal with Chris. He did not tolerate the raised voice, he fell for her because she was soft and gentle. She shook her head with a smile “No.”

“I’m sorry.” He said sincerely.

She shook her head again “I’m okay, Chris.”

“Good. I don’t want you to see him again. Reina can feed him from now on.” Chris ordered.

Julie quickly disagreed “No.” he turned to her questioningly and she quickly added “I mean, you know how Ga Jei is like. She hates Michael…surely she would torture him to death. Plus you know we need to keep him alive.”

“I know.” Chris said after a moment of intensely staring into her eyes until she turned away awkwardly “Promise me something, Julie.” He reached for her hand and this time she did not pull away.

“Sure, if I can do it…I will.” She promised. He was her life saver after all.

“Don’t ever leave me.” He asked earnestly.

Julie’s face fell “Why would I leave you?”

Her answer made him smile widely as he reached around her waist and hugged her “Thank you. You know I can’t lose you.”

She nodded “I know.”




Chapter 33
Louis Koo – Brad Chung aka Leo
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka Scorpio
Nick Cheung – Darren Chiu aka Tuarus
Julian Cheung - Doug Chung aka Virgo
Gallen Lo – Matt Tong aka M.T.
Joyce Tang – Reina Ng
Andy Lau – General Joseph Cheung (head of security)
Kong Wah – Dennis Lam aka Capricorn
Benny Chan – Eric Leung aka Cancer
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
Dicky Cheung – Chris Wong

The team held another meeting the next morning as they discussed on exactly what each were going to be responsible for. The only person that was missing was Darren. Joe looked around the table and instantly knew “Where’s Darren?” he asked.

“He is what they say M.I.A….” Eric said, suddenly his face brightened “That spells Mia!” everyone turned to him strangely and his face turned red as tomato “Sorry.” He cleared his throat.

Matt nodded to Doug “Bring him out here.”

Doug got up and walked towards Darren’s room as he knocked on the door. There was no answer “Darren, we’re having a meeting.” He advised. But still there was no sound. When he opened the door, he found a note set on the center of his bed. It read ‘To: P.R.A. Agents’.

When Doug was taking too long Brad decided to go after him. He stood at the door and found Doug reading a letter “Where’s Darren?”

Doug was wide eyed as he looked up at Brad “You better read this.” He handed over the letter to Brad, who too had the same reaction.

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

In the conference room, while everyone waited, Erin received a call. She saw Darren’s name flashing on the screen but didn’t want anyone to know it was him. She covered her phone and excused herself. She walked outside and answered the call “Darren? Where are you?” she whispered even hough there was no reason to.

“Just meet me at the corner café shop. I want to talk to you.” He must have sensed her being hesitant as he quickly added “It’ll be really fast, I promise.”

Erin glanced at the conference room and then nodded into the cell “Okay.” She quickly snuck out of the headquarters to meet up with Darren.

The minute she was gone, Doug and Brad came rushing out to show Joe and the others the letter. Brad was the first to notice Erin gone “Where’s Erin?” he asked worriedly.

“She had to take a call.” Ted said as he nodded outside. Then his eyes did a double take “She was right there a minute ago.” He pointed.

Brad punched the table “Damn! He’s got her.”

Dennis raised a hand to calm Brad “Who’s got her?”

“Darren.” Brad said darkly, he handed the letter over to Dennis.

Joe frowned “This is going to change our whole plan.” He let out a sigh as he nodded to Brad “The best thing to do is to remain calm and follow our original plan. But now, we have two less agents. Worrying will not help us.”

“Yes, sir.” Brad said without feeling.

**********

Erin saw Darren sitting at one the tables as he waved her over. She was about to sit down when he stopped her “Let’s take a walk.”

She nodded “Okay.” She couldn’t help but noticed he was too calm. He was shaven and his hair was combed. Erin didn’t know why but she grew nervous around him the minute they left the café. His hands clasped behind his back and his sunglasses hid his eyes. She turned to him “Where are we going?”

“To my home.” he said dryly.

“Why?” Erin wondered.

Darren turned to her “I have a few things I want to take with me back to headquarters.” He lied.

It still didn’t answer her internal question “Why did you bring me out here?”

“You are Mia’s best friend and I am Mia’s fiancé. It will take us to save her life.” He said with a distant look on his face.

Erin grew more confused “Darren, what are you talking about?”

Out of the blue, a little girl in a blue dress rushed over to Darren and Erin “Are you Mr. Chiu?” she asked sweetly.

Darren bent down to her level with a smile “Yes. What is it?”

“That lady told me to give you this.” She pulled out a necklace and placed it on his open hands. His heart nearly stopped when he saw the crystal shaped heart with his and Mia’s picture on it. It was his gift to her.

“Where is that lady?!” he grabbed on the girl while her eyes widened with fear.

Erin quickly pulled his hand away “Darren, you’re scaring her.” She turned to the frightened girl “What lady?” she asked with a soft voice.

The girl twirled around and pointed to an alley “Over there…” then she scratched her head “She was there…”

Erin stood back up “Reina.” She sighed. She quickly thanked the little girl and she was gone. She looked at Darren’s shocked expression “Does that belong to Mia?”

Darren clutched the chain in his hand “She said she’d never take it off.” He shook his head sadly “Maybe I’m just kidding myself, Erin. She’s gone…” he whispered.

“Don’t say that!” she scolded him. Her voice was so loud that it earned a few glances from strangers passing by. She turned to him and lowered her voice “Let’s go.” She pointed him to a taxi as they rode back to his mansion.

He gazed outside the window, his eyes glossy from the ready tears. When they reached the mansion, he went inside straight to the bar. He popped open a bottle of cognac and downed half the bottle in one gulp. She eyed him carefully and he turned to her with the pointed bottle “Do you want a glass?”

She shook her head “What’s wrong with you Darren? You’re acting very strange.” But he only drank more. Suddenly, she reached for the bottle “Stop drinking!”

But he was quicker than her as he yanked his hand away “Just leave me alone! Let me get drunk…then I won’t do what I know I’ll regret.”

“What are you talking about?” Erin asked, frustration taking over. He began drinking again and soon she had had enough. She reached for the bottle “I said, stop drinking!!!” He took the bottle and threw it to the ground as it splashed in hundred of pieces and the rest of the drink began spreading quickly against the tiled floor. Erin looked up at him slowly “Please…tell me.” She said earnestly.

He looked at her with red eyes “I love her so much.” Erin nodded with understanding “I can’t lose her, Erin. How about you? What would you do if you knew it could save her?”

Erin answered in a blink of an eye “Anything.”

Darren’s lips slowly curled into a smile “I’m glad to hear you say that.” She tilted her head strangely but didn’t noticed he had slipped his hand into his pocket. Without any warning, he reached the medicine filled cloth over her nose and mouth. She quickly struggled but she was no match for the anesthesia. Her arms weakened and her head tilted back into his arms. Darren let out a small sigh “I’m sorry…I know Brad and Mia will forgive me.” He picked her up and took her out to the car.

He called Mia’s cell and Reina picked it up “Do you have her?”

Darren replied “Yes. She’s medicated, but still breathing. Where’s Mia?”

“You’ll get her when I have Erin in my hands.” Reina said with authority “When you get to the City mortuary, go inside the cold room. Someone will take you into the secret passage where you’ll be greeted by yours truly.”

“I want to talk to Mia!” he demanded suddenly “How do I know she’s still alive?!”

Reina snickered “I guess that’s a chance you’re going to have to take.” She hung up before he could get in another word.

Darren grunted with frustration as he tossed the cell to the passenger seat. He glanced at the rear view mirror where Erin was lying. She looked like a peaceful doll sleeping. When he reached the mortuary, he pulled her out of the backseat and carried her into the cold room. There was a man waiting there with a very young face but his hair was gray “Are you Darren?” he asked.

He nodded “They said you were going to take me inside.”

The guy nodded with a grin, he turned to Erin as he titled his head to look at her more clearly “I remember her…” he pointed.

“Stop it with the nonsense!” Darren snapped “Take me inside.” He ordered.

The guy looked fearful as he pointed to the wall. There were huge silver drawers, Darren guessed it was where they stored the dead people. The guy opened one at random and nodded inside “Lie inside.”

Darren frowned but did as he told as he placed Erin inside first and he jumped in after. The drawer slowly closed and then he felt the metal piece by his feet slip down and soon they were sliding down a maze like cave. He tumbled to the dirty ground while Erin’s limp body rolled a few times before it was halted by Darren’s hand.

He rolled her on her back as he picked her up with his arms and headed to a dim light outside the door. He followed it until he reached another cave-like room. The whole place stunk like dead people, but it was the least of Darren’s problem. He was there for one reason only.

Chris and Reina stood inside the room, greeting Darren with a satisfied smile when Erin was in his arms. He placed her on the ground and Reina smiled at the girl wickedly as she stepped closer to inspect Erin. But Darren would soon disagree as he stepped over Erin’s body and blocked Reina “Where’s Mia?”

“That’s not part of our plan.” Chris said coolly.

Darren widened his eyes angrily as he pointed to Reina “You said-”

“I say a lot of things.” Reina said innocently “Oh, and I forgot to tell you. I have short term memory.” She began laughing evilly and Chris joined in as it echoed the secret room.


 

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