LOGINShare
The Rumpus
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Eye
THE SOFT CHIRPING sounds of the bird greeted the hearing of the being. She gradually opens her eyes, adjusting to the light that has been touching her vision. Dazzled due to the light that the sun is giving, she raised her arms to block it. Confuse as she was, she looked around her. Brows furrowed as she slowly recognized where she was. Just what had happened? She asked herself. The beeping sound of the cardiac monitor is echoing on top of the chirping sound of the birds coming from the outside, while the soft buzzing sound of the split-type air-conditioner gives her sense of hearing quite a tingling sensation. "Good God! You're finally awake!" A voice from the footboard said, clasping her hands. Venus glanced in the voice's direction and there, she found Alexis standing wearing a worried look on her face. "How... How long am I passed out?" Venus' voice cracked the moment she opens her mouth to speak. Just how long has she passed since that day? It feels lik
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Viper
LOW AND BEHOLD, the smirk on the lips of this being never vanished. Eavesdropping was never a kind of hard work, as well as reporting it to the higher-ups. But what makes the being smirk like this is that they caught the traitors-in-action - which of course, they already take precautions. "We have to make a move as soon as possible before it gets too late," said this being who's leaning against the wall with a cup of steaming freshly brewed black coffee in their left hand. The person on the other line laughs like a madcap. "We'll never get too late, dear. We'll never get too late." "They wanted to start a new battle between us, we need to be prepared. I'm hella sure they're going to attack us one of these days." Looking at the CCTV screen in front of her, the being scoffs as she saw these familiar figures leave the zone. The superior leans forward and reach out for the queen chess piece. "Then, let them make the first move." After saying those
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Treason
THE WIND touches the being's skin softly, calming her chaotic emotion. She was standing there for a couple of minutes or so, yet, someone she needed to meet was still not around. Looking at her wristwatch and puffing a cigarette before throwing it in a cigarette trash bin near her. Waiting for someone... What's new to this? The being's already used to waiting for someone, and she's already used to being ignored if she's not needed. This isn't new to her. Perhaps, she was so used to it that she did not mind it anymore. Heaving a deep sigh, she blew out the cigarette's smoke. "What's taking you so long?" She asked herself, reaching for her phone inside her jeans pocket. About to dial a familiar phone number, she was interrupted by a presence behind her back. As her normal instinct, she immediately turned around and was about to throw a punch. "Blanche?" She utters. The Captain rubs her nape and smiles. "Sorry, I had run a bit late. How long have
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Desiderata
THE MORNING SUN had risen, and the soft beaming light of dawn spilled into the room. The peaceful chirping of birds outside the window provided a calming melody, making the General feel at ease. He savored the aroma of his freshly brewed coffee that wafted around him - ah! The perfect complement to the cozy atmosphere of the General's office. With precision and care, the General carefully fixed his necktie and donned his tuxedo. He was about to meet with the Light Infantry's Colonel, and the sooner they could discuss the upcoming changes - will be better. Time was of the essence, and the General was determined not to waste any single second of his time. Before it gets too late, he needed to lay out his plan. As he strode towards his desk, the General sat down on his executive chair, feeling the weight of his responsibilities settling on his shoulders. He picked up a cup of coffee, savoring the warm liquid as it danced across his taste buds. Leaning his back
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Memento Mori
THE CLINKING SOUND of the glass as the spoon gently hits the cup makes a short ringing sound. Blanche's making her usual black coffee, after stirring it, she placed the teaspoon on the side of the saucer. Walking with her cup of coffee in her left hand, she went to the mini coffee bar table inside the mansion, took a seat, and sniffs her steaming hot coffee. It was her usual habit, whenever she perform any task, accomplished or not, she drinks a steaming hot coffee as it brings her sensual sanity. The room was filled with silence, yet, she doesn't feel paranoid at all. She owned this place and she choose to stay here whenever she had a difficult mission. No one knows this place, but of course, with the exception of her wife. Come to think of it, Blanche has been through a lot of missions these past few weeks and it hasn't been that long since Venus came back to life. Just how long has she been doing this? So long that she could barely keep tabs on it. Bla
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Turbulence
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN Russo-British has been strained for many years and can be traced back to a vast array of history from geopolitical, military, and ideological distinctions. If things didn't go as what they have planned, they'd be lucky to be a lump of dead meat in these coordinates. What's worst is the enemy can capture them and bring them to some sort of a wasteland wherein the location is isolated - no one can ever find them - and slit their stomach open. Leaning her back on the leather car seat sideways, Blanche chuckled as she crosses her arms on her chest. She can't stop thinking of being killed by these Russian syndicates. Who could blame her though? Most of these things happen in life - especially if they messed up with the Russian operatives. This ain't the first time that they have been assigned to this type of mission. They're already used to this, however, for this time being, it is different. "What's the word again, Alexis?" Blanche mimed
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Riptide
THE FLASHING OF BLUE AND RED LIGHTS raced towards Blanche's team as they headed in the direction of the City's Center, nearly blinding the team as the vehicles screamed past them. Their second option is to turn right up the road where Alexis and the Captain waited in their Jeep Wrangler. Blanche's ammo was in her right hand, rammed into their target's neck, while Alexis is using her left hand, shooting out the opponent's vehicle as well as the police cars. Occupied with her task, Alexis had no other way but to shift the car's gear using her right hand and hold the wheel in position with her knees. "Fuck it up!" Alexis exclaimed as she reeved the steering wheel and shifted gear again. They changed their plan, the team split up into two, Hyun Ah was with the recruits while both the Captain and Alexis is with their target. They needed to change their plan in order to divert the authorities' attention. Dividing it will lessen the time they will be dealing with them. Their ta
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Berserk
A LOUD SLAMMED ON THE TABLE echoed across the room, along with the baritone voice that roared with anger. It was not the usual morning in the Black Spectre's camp to have this meeting during this time. The Captain's team has been summoned by the General after knowing that they have arrived from their mission. It is a good thing that the team arrived at their camp safe and sound, however, due to Captain's abrupt actions, their target was hurt - not that it is fatal, but still, the initial plan for them is to obtain their target and secured his safety. "Do you even know what you were doing?! Why the hell did our target get into this situation?" The General stood up and briskly walk towards the Captain's location. Blanche was standing on the other end of the table, chuckling as she gets frustrated with the General's action. "With all due respect, General, the target is still alive, isn't it the only thing that matters? His injury is not as fata
Latest chapter
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Year Beyond
A YEAR had passed for Blanche and her family, and during that time, she’d come to realize that building a family wasn’t as straightforward as the missions she had taken on in the past. Yet, despite the challenges, she saw it as a different kind of adventure—one she could cherish alongside the people she loved most. Shiobhan had just turned four last month and was now attending nursery school. Blanche and Venus shared the responsibility of caring for their daughter, and they were both incredibly hands-on. It didn’t have to be perfect, but they made sure to be present for every moment, big or small, ensuring that Shiobhan felt loved and supported every step of the way. More than anything, they had learned that it wasn’t about getting everything right all the time—it was about showing up, being there for each other, and navigating the highs and lows of family life together. They had their struggles, of course, but through it all, they held on to the love that had c
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Unwrapped Surprise
BLANCHE was lost in deep thought when she suddenly felt something warm and soft touch her hand. She flinched slightly and looked down, surprised to see a little girl standing in front of her, holding her hand. Confused, she glanced around the room, wondering if anyone had brought a child along. "A kid?" Yama noticed Blanche's bewildered expression as she stared at the little girl. Yama approached, but as soon as she got close, the child quickly hid behind Blanche's leg. Blanche chuckled. "She's scared of you—probably thinks you're a monster," she teased, then bent down, gently cupping the child's face with her hand. "Are you lost, sweetheart?" Blanche asked softly, offering a kind smile. The little girl giggled, cupping Blanche's face in return. "Hi," the little girl greeted with an adorable voice. Blanche's companions watched curiously. "Hello," Blanche replied in a gentle tone, making sure not to startle her. "Do you want m
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The New Dawn
THREE months had passed since the downfall of the Black Spectre, which had dominated headlines across Europe. The buzz around it had begun to fade, but for Blanche, life was taking a new direction. She had joined MI6 as a Chemical Pharmacist, now holding the rank of Chemical Weapons Specialist. Rather than participating in operations, she focused on the technical and analytical aspects of chemical substances, especially concerning explosives and drug formulations. "Aren't you going to take your leave?" a voice broke through her concentration. Blanche turned to see Chief Langley approaching and smiled. "Ah, Chief Langley," she said, removing her goggles and gloves. "How's your new position?" Natalia asked, her gaze assessing her daughter-in-law. "Good! I'm honestly enjoying it," Blanche replied, rubbing her nape. She still couldn't believe how she had completely forgotten her mother-in-law's face. What a crackhead she felt like! Natalia n
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Battle Scars
AS THE sun began to rise, the abandoned building came to life with the sound of authorities collecting guns and other illegal paraphernalia. Outside, Blanche and her team waited for the investigation to conclude, the weight of another all-nighter heavy on their shoulders. Blanche sighed, lifting her gaze to survey the chaos around her, where everyone was busy gathering evidence to use against General Grey. “Finally getting a breather, huh?” Venus’ voice broke through, pulling Blanche’s attention. She turned to see her wife approaching, a smile breaking across her face. “Right,” Blanche replied, though Venus arched an eyebrow, sensing there was more. “Remember the one thing you asked me? To know me more?” Blanche added, her tone shifting as Venus nodded, looking at her with an intensity that made Blanche’s heart flutter. “I guess it’s time for you to know,” she said, rubbing her nape shyly. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Venus; rather, the missions
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Gambit
CAUGHT OFF guard, the General’s team failed to anticipate the twist that had just unfolded. His face flushed with anger, veins throbbing at his temple. Slamming his palm on the table across from the cell where his enemies were held, he glared at them with unbridled fury, his chest heaving as rage overtook him. His eyes locked onto Astrid and her team, the realization that he had been outplayed dawning too late. The prisoners remained calm, their eyes meeting his with an eerie stillness. The power he once held over them was slipping, and he could feel it. "General, we have been compromised! Two snipers are in sight!" One of his men shouted urgently over the communication device, his voice trembling. "I repeat—" The transmission cut off abruptly, leaving the air thick with tension. "Nikolai! Assemble our men!" the General barked, his voice echoing with authority. Cessair couldn’t help but scoff, a smirk forming on her lips as she watched her father’s
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Silent Resurgence
THE THREE of them sat in stunned silence, barely able to process the truth that had just been revealed on the news. Their mother was alive. As if her legs had turned to jelly, Cessair sank to the floor, her hands bracing for support, while Blanche leaned heavily against the wall, rendered speechless. Vixx nearly spilled the water she was drinking in shock. “What the hell is happening?” Blanche gasped, blinking as she struggled to absorb the whirlwind of information. They had been focused on gathering intel about the situation outside the Emerson building, and now they were confronted with the astonishing reality of their mother’s existence. But that wasn’t all—she had also revealed their identities to the world. “I... she... she’s alive?” Cessair stammered, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. She clutched her neck, feeling a sudden tightness that made it hard to breathe. “My father…” She couldn’t finish the thought, her mind racing. All this time, s
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Surface Beneath
RECEIVING no updates on the whereabouts of Vixx, Blanche, and Cessair, the Director reached out to Yama, urging the search and rescue team in London to continue their efforts. There might still be an eyewitness who had seen the three of them. The situation was dire. The company's stock had plummeted, and the board of directors, driven by fear of financial loss, began to panic. It wasn’t surprising—many of them were more interested in their profits than the lives involved. With a sigh, the Director rubbed her temples, forcing herself to focus. This time, she needed a concrete plan. Lucien’s proposal had cast a glimmer of hope, guiding them toward a solution. Desmond had now joined Yama's team and was working closely with them to devise the strategy. Venus, still in shock from what she had witnessed, couldn't hide the disbelief in her expression. Astrid, noticing her state, scoffed slightly before addressing her. "You know, you can talk to your father
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Reckoning Blood
DETERMINED to save her sister, Blanche turned back toward the building, refusing to retreat with the team. She couldn’t leave without knowing for certain that her elder sister was safe. The thought of something happening to Cessair gnawed at her, and she knew she would never forgive herself if she didn’t try. Despite her injuries, Blanche managed to make her way down to the lower levels. But with no idea how much time remained before another bomb might detonate, doubt crept into her mind. Would she have enough time to reach her sister? "Cessair..." she whispered, her voice trembling with worry. Just as she took a deep breath and started down the corridor, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks. "Blanche!" She looked ahead, her eyes widening in shock. "Vixxen?" Confusion washed over her as her gaze shifted to the figure Vixx was supporting. "Cessair!" she exclaimed in relief. "We need to get out of here!" Vixx urged, tuggi
Catch-22: To Die Is To Live Hard The Tides
UPON losing contact with the team, Astrid immediately commanded Desmond to proceed with Plan B. If anything went wrong, Desmond's priority was to rescue the team and ensure their safety. They needed to avoid any collateral damage at all costs, especially now, when everything was at stake. Alexis had left the apartment just before the opposition could storm the room. They were closing in, fully aware of their presence. It hadn’t been long since they’d arrived in London, using her late father's apartment as a temporary hideout. Their enemies had successfully infiltrated every branch of the Emerson family’s empire—from the pharmaceutical division to the main headquarters and even their mansion. All the intel was compromised. “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” Alexis muttered, her leg shaking in frustration. Right before her eyes, the Emerson headquarters had been obliterated in a massive explosion—and worst of all, Blanche was still inside. Aracelli clenched
