DARK KNIGHTS

In an abandoned warehouse, California

A dark black Maybach stopped near the entrance. A person stepped out wearing a total black outfit under a long hooded court, which covered the person’s face. Seeing him, the two people on the gate bowed and opened the gate.

From outside the place looked like a whole wasted site but no one would believe that this was the place where the headquarters of the most famous and dangerous mafia gang-‘THE DARK KNIGHT’ was located. The most shocking thing about this gang was that it only consisted of five members with no external support. But these five members were very dangerous and it was no surprise that the gang was on the top of the mafia list for five consecutive years, from the year it was formed.

The gang had hard and difficult rules for its members and did not allow anyone to instruct or control them, all the decisions taken were agreed upon by each member. But the only person who could give orders to the members was ‘ZERO’-the leader and head of the gang. Mr. Zero was under covers and no one knew anything about it. The face, identity, the property was all hidden perfectly. No one even the members did not see their leader once or twice a year. He would rarely come for missions or meetings. But one thing was undoubtedly true, the leader was powerful and resourceful.

The gang was the richest in the world and controlled ninety percent of the Blackmarket. Each member had a unique identity and also owned properties costing more than a hundred billion US Dollars but no one knew their real names or life.

The most surprising thing was that no one even the team members had not seen the true identity of the members. Each member had a special name and logo for themselves on their expensive suits. The most mysterious identities were of the number one and two members as they hardly showed up in any meetings. However, they were still the most powerful and no other member dared to offend them.

Number one was called Mr. Zero with a logo of Pheonix and Number two was called The Ice King and had a logo of a flying dragon. Number three was called Mr. Z with a logo of a horse and Number four was called Bloody Sapphire with a logo of a crown and at last, was the Number Five called Demon with a logo of a sword. Their logos were made of pure gold and diamonds based on their positions.

The man who had just stepped in saw the other three members sitting around the table in a dim-lit room. he had the logo of a beautiful crown on his chest which shined in the darkness.

“Let’s start the meeting,” said the man with his deep voice as he sat on his seat. “Today Zero is not going to attend the meeting, he said we can decide over this issue by ourselves,” said Bloody Sapphire in his serious tone. The other members could not help but sigh. “Okay, let’s get started then,” said Mr. Z in his cheerful voice. The meeting began.

…………

Back at the Han Mansion

The banquet was over and all the guests had left and the atmosphere had turn depressing. Father Han with his wife and daughter was sitting on the sofa staring at Jessica who was standing in front of them.

Father Han looked at Jessica with his eyes bloodshot red from anger.

“You should feel ashamed of insulting your daughter this way. You better be mannered in front of everyone. You had no shame when you threw your young daughter out and now you talk to her like you own her. Remember this she is my child and if you lay a finger on her I would cut off your arm.” said the Old Master with an angry face. He was more than angry with his son. How could this scumbag treat his precious Jessica like this?

“Grandfather, sorry. I know I am wrong in this. Due to us younger sister left the house seven years ago. We are in the wrong… If you want we would leave this house right now and never return.” said Jia putting on a pitiful face trying to gain sympathy.

However, this only angered the Old Master and he said “STOP THIS ACT! I am very well aware of your tricks and beware these tricks don’t work on me. Your father has spoiled you rotten and you have learned these tricks from your scheming mother. And if you really wish to leave Jessica’s house I would not mind showing you the door. You never owned this place and Jessica is my only granddaughter and heir. So you better keep quiet.”

These words angered Mother Han and she went to her room slamming the door on the face of her husband who had been following her like a pet dog. Jia was left ashamed in the hall. She too quietly left after the old man ignored her and went on talking with Jessica and Amy.

“Jessica, do not mind them. They do not dare to harm you with me around and if they try something just come to me. I would teach them a good lesson for you. You should stay at the mansion for a few days and spent some time with this old man. Amy you also stay back with her.” said the old man with an affectionate smile on his face.

“Sure grandpa,” Jessica and Amy said in unison. They were then led to their respective rooms by the maids.

Jessica took a shower in the room of her deceased mother and sat in front of the dressing table which was once used by her dear mother. Thankfully this place was still kept the same by her grandfather who favored her a lot and was her only support after her mother.

Jessica sat on the chair and started combing her hair when suddenly her eyes fell on a picture of three people, who were the ones she thought to be the best happy family. In the picture was a man and woman next to each other with a cute little girl in their arms. The little one was having a cute and adorable smile on her face while the two people next to her saw her with a doting look. This little girl was none other than Jessica herself, the woman was her mother and the man was her ‘loving’ father.

When Jessica was young she used to go to picnics with her parents every weekend. The picture was of one such picnic. They had gone camping that day and this picture was truly special to her because on this day she had won her first-ever gold medal and was gifted a very beautiful gold pendant by her mother. The pendant was in the shape of a flying Pheonix.

After the happy memories came a devastating memory of a stormy night. It was raining heavily and a car fell from the cliff which led to the on the spot death of the driver. Jessica still remembered the blood-covered body of her mother. Seeing her mother in a bloody mess her fragile childish heart shattered into pieces. That pain was unforgettable and remembering these again made Jessica’s heart cry out blood. Her eyes teared up as the memories flashed in front of her, all fresh and new.

On the day of the funeral, Jessica waited for her father for the whole night. Her father came the next day but not alone, he was with a new wife and an elder daughter. Instead of comforting the motherless child, he laid down two conditions in front of her- first to stay with them or to leave the house. Her father’s words made Jessica even more upset and heartbroken. She was still young but knew that the lady with her father was somewhat related to her mom’s death and she would never live with her mom’s murderers.

Without hesitation, she agreed to the second condition and was thrown out of the house with a few bucks enough for her to buy a ticket. She would never forget that after being thrown out she was helped by her grandfather to move out of the country and settle abroad without facing many difficulties.

*Knock*Knock*

There was a knock on the door. “Come in!” Jessica said in a low voice wiping her tears with a tissue paper.

“Dear, are you alright.” Came the soft caring voice of her grandfather. “Do you miss your mom?”

“Today is… mom’s death anniversary and no one remembers that…” Jessica said, fighting hard with the urge to cry.

“I know that. Come on, dry your hair and let’s go to meet your mom. Don’t worry no one can bully you until this old man is alive. And I love you. Maybe not how much your mother loved you but yes I love you enough to last you a lifetime of happiness.” said the Old Master hugging his granddaughter.

…………………

Graveyard of the Han Family

Placing the lilies on the grave of her mother she removed the water droplets on the name inscribed on the grave- Zaria Han. Her mom was considered a rare beauty and an intelligent person.

“Mom… I hope you are doing good on the other side of the world…. There you may not feel any pain which you felt in this world..*sob*sob*… See I am back….. I miss you, mom…*sob*sob* Please come back…….” Jessica said kneeling near the grave crying hard. Her grandfather who was standing behind her comforted her patting her back slowly. His eyes beamed with tears as he looked at the white stone engraved with a picture of a young lady smiling happily. The lady resembled Jessica a lot, after all, they were mother and daughter.

Jessica sat there crying for a few hours before she slowly got up and hugged her grandfather. she was engulfed back by him as she cried her heart out. By the time they were done, it was past the midnight hour. They both slowly walked back to the car and went back home, a home without her loving mother, a home she could never call home.

As they reached the house, they saw the lights turned on and knew what was coming next was nothing good but a huge war rather than a fight.

Entering the house Jessica came face-to-face with her ‘beloved’ father and his ‘sweet little family’.

“Where have you been?” He asked in his cold, domineering voice.

“Do I have to tell you every single detail about myself, Mr. Han?” Jessica shot back a question to him. Her voice was much colder and overpowering his attitude. She was inviting trouble but this was just her trick to irritate the trouble.

And her plan worked out as the family sneered and looked at her irritated. Jia’s eyes were red and puffy indicating that she had just cried.

How dare you talk like that to your father?” Mr. Han’s voice rang out in the room. He was super angry at her behavior.

“AND HOW DARE YOU SHOUT AT MY GRANDDAUGHTER? MIND YOUR WORDS.” The old master thundered as he stepped forward to defend his beloved. His arm reached out at his back to take out his gun. he had had enough with these stupid people. He needed to get rid of them. But before he could shoot anyone he was stopped by Jessica. He looked at her and she shook her head as a ‘no’.

She stepped forward and faced her now frightened father, “Mr. Han I am in no mood to talk to you right now. So you better not say anything. If you are so desperate to talk to me then we can have a man-to-woman talk tomorrow. As for now have a good night.” After finishing her words she asked her grandfather to rest and herself moved to her room.

She quickly changed out of her dress and took a quick shower before changing into a pair of shorts and a tank top. She closed her tired eyes knowing she had a war to fight to tomorrow.