BACK TO PRESENT DAY...
~Nana's POV~
I returned home from the News Gazette a little after Nine in the night, climbing up the concrete stairs to get to my apartment, unlike before climbing up this stairs today was dreadful, I was thankful immediately, I reached the last floor of the three story building. My small apartment was located in Room 13...
On getting to the door I rapped at it once, before remembering to use my keys, but then at the same time the door was open.
Who was in the house?... I don't remember inviting anyone over for the night...
I reached for my gun, inside my purse, you might wonder what I'm doing with a gun, but this is Devil's Basket, you gotta expect the worse.
As I pushed open the door and stepped into the dark living room gingerly...
Few steps into the house and a silhouette was holding a knife against my corotid... I gasped and held my breath as I felt the cool metal of the knife against the skin of my neck...
~End of Nana's POV~
•••
~Kara's POV~
I had just finished having a hot shower, walking out of the bedroom, to the living in order to grab my stuff and go back to the Narrows where I lived, when I heard footsteps approaching the main door.
I quickly switched off the lights, if there's one thing living on the streets had taught me, it's to always be on my guard and take no chances.
I stood at the connecting wall beside the door, as I saw a silhouette from beneath the door, open it and a figure walked in... With sharp reflexes I grabbed the person from behind and pointed my knife at their corotid, it's one of the many skills I've learnt over the years in other to be able to protect myself... Life in the streets wasn't a bed of Roses.
In that moment of quick suspense and held breaths the figure spoke...
"Goodness kid, you're going to give me a heart attack, if you keep sneaking up on me."
Nana!... Immediately I heard her voice, I loosened my grip and retracted my pocket knife.
"Sorry, I just came by to have a shower!." I said as she switched on the lights.
"You could have called to let me know at least." She said dropping her purse and her gun on the kitchen counter as she began fixing dinner.
"Hello!, Ain't got a phone Nana." I said dramatically.
"Ok, remind me to get you one, you'll need it."
"Alright, bye Nana!." I said grabbing my stuff and made for the door.
"You're always welcomed to stay Kara." She said as she dipped chopped onions into hot oil, added more condiments and kept stirring.
"I know Nana but I prefer my place in the Narrows."
"This place is safer kid." She said and gestures around the apartment.
"Anywhere I am becomes dangerous, I've lost enough..."
"Don't you think I know that, your Dad placed you in my care remember?." She said as she kept stirring the vegetables in the oil.
"I know, I know, and guess what, he died protecting me, I can't lose you too Nana." I said feeling weary at the memory.
"At least stay for dinner." She said, drying her wet hands with a kitchen towel.
"If you insist." I said dropping my stuff back on the chair as I headed over to the kitchen counter as she set down plates for both of us.
The aroma of the meal was so intoxicating, Nana's a good cook, as she set the food down, It looked as attractive as it smelt.
She prepared fried chips and a nice sauce. I setteld down to eat, on the small dinning table with her, we talked a little, and then after dinner, she shows me to a room.
After settling in, I just slump into the bed and drift into sleep almost immediately, I was tired and this bed was very comfortable.
•••
We were being chased by some group of armed guys, whether they were after me, or him, I wasn't sure...
He told me to run and hide behind some trash containers in the alley way, while he stayed back to fight them off, they were three armed Men, while fighting two at once...
I ran out of hiding to help him, as I saw he was being outnumbered, not actually sure what to do so I just, picked a rod and jarred it at one of the guys, it hit directly and sent him staggering backwards and down to the concrete floor of the alley way...
He was able to knock the other one out, and at the same time the third guy had pulled the trigger at me... I noticed the viper tattoo on his hands...
I gasped and squeezed my eyes shut waiting for the impact, while remaining frozen on the spot, at the same time he jumped in just before the bullet hit me, acting as a human shield while we both fell to the ground.
The guy who had pulled the trigger, took to his heels after we both fell to the ground, while the others remained passed out.
Crawling from beneath him, I turned him over, I froze at the sight, he was dying, the bullet had passed through his back...
"No!... No!..." I said in hoarse whispers.
"I love you..." Were his last words to me.
"Dad!!!!!......!!!!!!!"...
•••
"Dad!!!!!......!!!!!!!" I said screaming as I awoken from the nightmare.
Apparently Nana had been watching me sleep, immediately I woke up, she quickly came to sit by my side and held me to her chest. Whispering words of comfort.
"Sshh!... It's gonna be okay." She said and stroked my hair.
"Dad!." I said again in a hoarse whisper as I held on to my locket and cried. "I saw him again Nana, he died because of me!." I said again sobbing.
"It wasn't your fault Kara, you have to stop blaming yourself."
"He told me to hide Nana, I didn't listen." I sniffed.
"It's gonna be okay I promise."
"Promise!. I made him a promise Nana and I won't stop till it's fulfilled." I said amidst my tears. "Those vipers have taken enough from me already..."
"It's okay Kara, that's enough, go back to bed, we'll continue the investigation tomorrow."
•••
A/N: Keep the ratings coming in, comment please... I hoped you liked this chapter. Share my story, thank you.
~Kara's POV~"Is this really necessary?." I asked adjusting my tie in front of the dressing mirror."Yes, I mean it's what your Dad would have wanted, besides you have a scholarship so why joepardize that huh?." Nana replied and asked while arranging my bag for me."Speaking of the scholarship, any ideas where that came from." I said facing her now fully dressed and ready."Wow you look ... Feminine in that uniform and your tattoo spices the look." She said as her eyes went wide, looking me up and down."Oh please." I said sarcastically waving her complement off, while she laughed and I joined her.I was still wandering why she didn't answer my last question, anyways on the brighter side I've got a scholarship to attend, one of best schools in town."Ready?." She asked handing me my blue school bag, as I took one last quick glance at the mirror.The uniform wa
~Kara's POV~CONTINUATION..."So how's the investigation going so far?." He asked as he fell into step beside me."So far?... " I laugh at his choice of words."... It's been three years Lance and still nothing, no lead, no nothing, the vipers couldn't have just disappeared after murdering our parents." I said emotionless."Apparently Mario Piper was framed... He wasn't related to the case.""I figured, seems like we're gonna have to handle this by ourselves.""If I find anything I'll let you know." He said and smiled with assurance.***The Central Police Department, was the most lawless place in all of the Basket, so to say, the place was always terrible, busting with criminals of all sorts waiting for trial or transfer, or witness coming in and out for questioning, or even stray teens like myself..."Hey kid what'ya i
~Kara's POV~CONTINUATION..."Your Mother sent me." He said with authority this time around.I winced as I drank in his words... "My Mom?..." I asked like I didn't hear him correctly, standing gingerly."She said to give you this!." He said and reached for inside his jacket, I still was cautious just in case, because the whole situation was screaming danger.He pulled out a black leather bag, and handed it to me, I grabbed it with my left hand warily, gripping my knife tighter and ready for attack, in case he tried anything funny."What's in it?." I asked him carefully, because this guy looked like danger."You want my advice, adhere to whatever is in there!." He answered sternly definitely not in the mood for a conversation."How I'm I sure, it's really my Mother who sent you?." I asked again."Your Mom was right, you never
~Kara's POV~School today was long and stressful, the students at this school where just a bunch of douchebags, they weren't as posh as I expected. I decided to remain low key and not draw too much attention although, I still earned glances, stares and side talks while I passed by.After school I went straight home, Lance dropped me off. On getting to the apartment we chatted a while..."So how have you been holding up, still having nightmares?.""Uhm... The nightmares just come in shades now though, I'll be seeing it for a moment and then all of a sudden it just vanishes, like there's something blocking the connection, I keep feeling there's a part of me missing some where in my mind, not sure how, why or when though!... I just can't still wrap my head around everything that's happening." I shrugged."Same, mostly about the revolver pistol with the viper crest on it." He said and shoved his ha
~Lance POV~Staring out the window that overlooked the city, this beautiful city, which my forefathers had helped bring to this flare and which I have come to love as my home, but at the same time dread because of the vices that go on, and are unpunished... Don't we have a law?... Oh yes we do!... But whoever was behind the scenes in all this situations definitely considered themselves above the law.I could consider myself as such too, considering the money and riches left in my name and bequeathed to me by my late father, I could do anything I want, but right now I don't even know what I want!... Everyday I wake up, hoping for something very promising, I even started school to... you know live a normal life but there's this void within me, that I can't still wrap my head around, anytime I try to think it out, it's as if something is blocking me out of my own mind.Days moved so fast, and became weeks, weeks into months and
~Lance POV~"Hey, I figured you'd be here!." I said to her, standing a few feet away as she turned around to greet me with a warm smile.I had gone by Nana's apartment and it was locked, and that's when I knew because there's only one place she likes going to, especially when she wants to think or just separate herself from the world and all the overwhelming thoughts running through her mind.The docks...Knowing what she comes here for, I just sit still beside her on the docks, enjoying the calm and the sound of water wheezing on the golden brown sand that was glowing under the warm twilight sun.I remember when we use to come here years ago, it seems like such a long time now with all that has been happening. The first time I came here with her was the day we became friends after our first encounter at the CPD.She had ran away from Nana, like she used to say her past
~Third person POV~The Scene opens into a well designed and decorated bedroom, that has light streaming in from the window, as the blinds had been strapped to the side.The room has a king size bed, a nice cushion by the other side, the decorations the room held are all vintage but have this modern and classical touch to it and it all screamed money. The colors are a pale green, maroon and brown.A slender yet very pretty figure with silk brown hair that was cropped into a bob, to enhance the skunk look, walks in dressed in all black with pencil heels... She was definitely rocking the assassin fashion. She talks to a figure before closing the door."So it all went well I persume?... I don't want any other disturbance, and I won't have dinner." She said and the figure nods and leaves without questioning her decision.Closing the door, she falls back and collapses on the bed, while w
CONTINUATION FROM CHAPTER [9]...~Kara's POV~As I inserted the key into the key hole, it clicked almost immediately, and then the wall shifted unveiling another room.The room seemed like a tunnel and a basement at the same time, we both hesitated before we could gather courage to enter the dark room.As we stepped in, Lance found a switch on the wall by the entrance and pressed it, and the lights flickered on, the place was covered in cobwebs and dust, it's really been long since anyone stepped in here... By anyone I mean Lance's Dad.The room had this eeriness I couldn't place, it was small but yet big enough, it was dome shaped, the whole room smelled of dust and dirt.My eyes grew wide as I scanned the room and rested on the desktop computer in the center, it was the only thing in the room with a chair behind it. Looking at Lance, he had seen it to
The teenage girl on the hospital bed winced as her eyes flickered open, her hands were connected to a life support monitor while several tiny pipes were inserted in her nose and an oxygen mask was also placed over her nose.She had been in a coma.The hospital room was very illuminated with various LED light bulb installed in the ceiling.Everything in the room was neat and well kept.A bouquet of flowers rested on the drawer besides the hospital bed where the teenage girl lay, attached to it is a small note written in black ink which reads: "WAKE UP SOON K. WE MISS YOU. LOVE, MOM!."Her fingers twitched gently by her side, she tried sitting up and ended up yanking the entire setup connected to her body.She yelped quietly.An alarm rose in the room and almost immediately the door flung open with three doctors dashing in."Oh my God, she is awake." One of the doctors exclaimed."Quickly, place a call to her Mother." The ot
I recommend 'Jocelyn Flores' by XXX Tentaction.***~Lance POV~"I said RUN!" I yelled one last time with all the strength I could muster.She grabbed a key from one the passed out guards and fumbled with the lock in desperate attempts to undo her cuffs as she ran off.I received a blow to my abdomen my insides shook as blood gushed out of my mouth like red puke.My life was gradually living me.She was safe now, maybe just maybe she would adhere and escape through the lobby.I stopped fighting back because I had to fight unconsciousness instead, my head was spinning in many different directions, my body had had enough and my mind had given up, even my soul was literally tired.Johnny gained consciousness and stood up like a predator and dashed out of the room without even looking my way once.He was going after Kara, I wanted to run and literally do anything I could to save her but I couldn't even stand on my feet, I was w
~Kara's POV~I have been in here a day and half, refusing to eat nothing and hoping Lance was okay.I mean just when we thought life was promising and we could finally have a happy ending and live normal lives, then this happens.So much for our Christmas plans, it was already the day after Christmas now.Have I tried escaping? Well yes, but there were guards everywhere and just one me isn't enough for nearly twenty well trained by Johnny to assassinate guards.I wonder where the killer in me had gone, that night after I killed Earl, that fire and burning desire for blood, that cold heart and resilience suddenly just died down, now I was just some sappy weakling who can't even defend herself.If this is what the normal life feels like then I don't want to be normal anymore.I stood by the window looking out to the compound hoping someone was coming for me, wishing that maybe Anna had heard about my dilemma and was back in town to save
~Kara's POV~RECAP...The one whom appeared to be their leader raised a pistol up in the air and pulled the trigger twice, the loud bangs got everyone's attention fast.Many women exclaimed in fear while some whimpered.Everything moved in slow motion.I looked at the pistol in the person's hand and my heart sank, real horror crept into my soul, Lance and I exchanged glances, he had seen it too.It was a goddamn viper crest revolver.I thought this war was over the moment Don Starllion dropped dead... Who could this be?***So much for Christmas Eve...This town really is the Devil's Basket. You can't have fun without the worse happening.The one whom I perceived to be the gang leader slowly took off his mask.My breath really caught in my throat.Holy heavens!"Johnny!." I exclaimed in utmost shock.Lance just stood beside me dumbfounded, I was literally shook to my spine.
~Kara's POV~TWO WEEKS LATER...The charity ball had kicked off about an hour ago, it was a rather traditionally stunning event bringing very large number of people together in such a splendid venue.The venue was the large Western hall in the Sterling Enterprises, it was nicely decorated without too much bling but yet it held elegance enough for the elites present.Some faint R&B music filled the atmosphere while people chattered around the hall.Everyone was dressed rather formally and looked ready to enjoy the calm fall evening of socializing, entertainment, food, drinks and most importantly raising funds for a worthy cause.The goal this year was to raise $1,500,000 for the orphanages in the Basket so they could get more kids out of the streets in the narrows.My heart swelled with great compassion as I remembered my time in the narrows several years ago with all those wonderful kids whom were basically homeless with no guardian.
~Kara's POV~Everyone was present at the Sterling's Manor for their annual Thanksgiving party but unlike the usual, this year it was just us from the alliance minus other siders, company employees and stake holders.The Sterling sons which were: Edward, Johnny and Lance.The Starllion daughters which were: Anna, Risha and myself.Then the rest of the alliance: Barbara, Sam and Detective Harvey her Dad, Daniel and Johnny's Mom, Elaine Jackie Briggs.We were complete and it was now time for the feast to begin. This last supper was the ultimate reunion of a life time with all our surviving family members present.I was sitting between Lance and Sam at the table."Can we all hold hands and bow our heads as we say the Grace." Barbara called out to everyone present at the table.Barbara recited the grace and we all chorused, "Amen".The maids began bringing the food in, a savoury smell that made mouths water filled the air as eve
~Lance POV~I escorted Silver to the airport so she could board her departure flight to Washington.Silver and I were at the waiting hall in the airport, sitting patiently and waiting for her departure time to reach."Are you sure this is the right thing to do?." I asked her."Honestly I don't know, but it's my best shot in seven years so imma take it." She replied as she adjusted her glasses."I really hope you find her." I said as I placed my hand over hers being affectionate."Me too.""If you ever need anything, give me a call." I told her.Well my financial assistance was the least I could provide for a good friend.She nodded and gave me a small smile."Oh, before I forget, I found something." Silver told me and reached for her purse.She opened the purse and pulled a silver chain out."What's tha-" I trailed off as I recognized the item in her hand.Actually it's a bracelet..."How did you get th
~Kara's POV~FEW DAYS LATER...The hospital ward room door popped open and my favorite person walked in.I winced as I weakly sat up on the hospital bed.She gave me her signature smile that always made her eyes sparkle, her hands held a nice bouquet of flowers, it contained red roses, lilies, small daisies and lavenders in it."Hey Mom." I greeted and returned her beaming smile."How's my little mellow doing?." Anna asked me as she took the seat by the side of my hospital bed.I watched as she gently placed the flowers she brought me on the top of the small drawer close to my hospital bed.It almost felt like my life was back to normal again, bringing back memories from 2005 before my Mom was taken away, it almost rendered me in tears but I got hold of myself just in time to resist them."I'm actually better but the doctor said I wouldn't be able to use my arm for a while.
~Lance's POV~It was the D-day, the day we finally push through with our plans, intel said Earl flew back in town this afternoon, it was all going to go down after twilight, unfortunately I won't be getting the chance to witness it.Lucky and unlucky for me, I was stuck and tasked with taking Silver out and away from Earl's manor for the rest of the day. She wasn't meant to witness the onslaught.It was already late hours of the afternoon as of now and we were slowly running out of time."Okay I'm ready." Silver appeared around the corner of the living room of Earl's Manor.She was dressed like a casual country girl in a plain jeans trouser, a girly white shirt, and nice pair of sneakers, She carried a slingshot purse and held a jacket in her hands, she packed her hair in one messy bun and of course she was putting on her glasses.She looked simple and cute."C'mon let's go..." I said as I took her hands in mine and we both head