“Wait, Pa! Where are you going?” Tears fell from the man’s eyes as he gently caressed his son’s tender cheeks. Then a forced smile drew from his brims as he looked into his innocent confused eyes.“Aries, son. Will you promise papa you’ll look after mama?” Words that came out from his father’s utterances. The boy seemed to be clueless about what his father has said, but he managed to nod his head as response. And so the man began turning his back from his son and prepared to leave.“But where are you going?” the boy asked again. The man came back and gave the boy a very tight embrace.“Papa has to leave for work in few weeks. Mama might get lonely, please take care of her for me.”“Hmm, Don’t worry pa. I will take care of mama.” The boy’s innocent smile brought ache from his father’s heart, yet he tried not to show it to his son.And so the young boy gladly bid his father goodbye until he finally left the house. Little did he know, that would be the last time he would see his father.*
The rushing noise filled the city of Black Crest as the rapid pattering of the rain fell on Monday evening. The rain came unexpectedly, and there was no further warning for any storm coming from the weather forecast. Lucky for those citizens who came home early from work, they just had to settle in their homes waiting for their supper to be cooked. As for those who need to take an extra hour at work, the situation left them no choice but to travel home and take their risk waiting for the heavy traffic jam caused by the heavy rain.In one unit of the condominium building, there lived a lady in her near thirties, wearing a milky-white satin nightgown with her velvety curls falling freely down to her waist. She was standing near the windowpane, her round gunmetal blue orbs fixed at the hazy lights reflected by the fogged glass window. She was wrapping her arms together in front of her chest due to the coldness of the weather.For some time, she gradually drifted her gazes at the door and
It was a cold freezing night, the loud chattering sound of rain and the succeeding roaring thunder gave such an earful noise inside the residence. In the middle of the room was a thirteen-year-old Arché—the only son of the family was busy doing his homework while listening to music to avoid the disturbance of the noise outside. Thirty minutes passed when a very loud thunder echoed along with the shutting down of the lights. Now, everything was dark due to the blackout. Arché reached for his phone and turned on the flashlight.Then, to look for his parents who were watching TV in the living area, the boy stepped out of his room and went down the stairs. But when he reached the middle of the stairs a loud scream startled him and made his heart skip a beat. He was very sure it was his mother's voice. The young boy turned off the flashlight and slowly continued to step down until he reached the living area. The quick light from the thunder was the only one illuminating inside.And when
*beep! Beep! Beep!~*The tiny sound from the alarm clock filled the room as soon as it turns 7:00 am. The alarm didn't stop beeping until the man who was sleeping was aroused and reached for the clock to turn it off. Hyde got up from bed and prepared to go for a shower.Twenty minutes later, the young man exited the bathroom with only a bath towel covering his slender yet masculine waist. The droplets from his wet damp hair made their paths down to his well-built body.He shortly went to the counter and made a cup of coffee before he strolled over outside the balcony. He kept his eyes locked on the relaxing view of flowers in the garden while sipping his coffee."Never knew fourteen years had passed quickly." He told himself as he finished the bottom of his cup. Unwarily, tears began to form in his eyes and heavy breath escaped from him as the awful memories came back to him.** Flashback**"Mom! ... Dad! Wake up!""Mom... Dad!" "Mom!~" The loud cry echoed in every side of the room a
An hour and a half before the event, Hyde got himself ready. Flynn who was again slumping in front of the TV—like he usually did whenever he crash over his place—almost dropped his jaw when his friend came out from the closet. He’s indeed looking spectacular with his black Giorgio Armani suit that fitted well on his masculine build. He was fixing the button on his wrist when he noticed Flynn’s weird expression. He found it quite intimidating tho. “Stop giving me that look, it’s making me uncomfortable.” Hyde resorted bluntly. His companion let out a brief chuckle and replied… “Okay fine, I won’t. I’d better be back to my lair and do something interesting.” Hyde shook his head and let the other guy out of his sight. He might need him later when the mission ends. The young man took a last glance at the mirror and set his gun in the hidden pocket of his suit. Then, he went out of his room and rode the elevator towards the garage. This time, he drove his black Ferrari instead of his P
Hyde was silently observing Adeline from his post, waiting for her signal.“Seems like she’s enjoying it.” He scoffed and raised one corner of his lips. He knows what she is trying to do. That’s her specialty after all. If their target is a man, she’ll try to buy him some time until the other undercover agents will be spread around the area. And when everything is set, they could easily dominate the bad guys.“Should we attack sir?” Quinn sounded impatient.“No, hold it, unless the civilians’ security is already settled. Let’s wait for her signal.” He studied the man’s expression, he looked awfully uncomfortable yet, his other hand was still having its firm grip on his pistol.“Wh-Who are you?” Adeline bit her lower lip and drew a smirk.“Oh, dear. I’d bet you don’t wanna know me. It’s a bit confidential.” She said while playing with the man’s clenched jaw with the stroke of her finger, and she’d bet he likes it. She reached for the man’s ear. A slight shock came from Adeline when the
A familiar white ceiling welcomed Hyde the moment he opened his eyes, and the lemon scent of the disinfectant lingers on every side of the room—just like that day. He was certain he is currently confined in the hospital. But how did he end up here?Hyde sat up on the bed, resting his back on the well-varnished headboard, and slightly massaged his temple. He was trying to remember what happened last night since he could barely remember anything.“Damn it! I did it again.” He thought, brushing his hair in frustration.“Adie told me you suddenly fainted after successfully throwing the bomb away from the ship.” Hyde glanced at James who was standing near the glass window, crossing both of his arms on his chest. He didn’t notice he was there the whole time.“I see.” The young man commented when everything turned out clear to him. James left the window and was seated on the couch facing the bed.“You know you’re afraid of explosions and yet you still~”“I told you I’m not afraid of bombs—no
“You want to see me?” Hyde asked as he entered James’ office. He set himself on the chair when the man offered a seat.“Your request for a break was approved by the director just now.” James notified.“I see. I could finally grab a ticket back to Black Crest tomorrow immediately.” He said to himself.“Yeah, but Flynn must go with you.” Hyde hastily crossed his brows to the man’s suggestion.“What?”“I’ll ask Flynn to go with you.” “No, no one’s going with me. I don’t want anyone to be involved in my own battle.” He firmly said.“And I can’t let you enter this hell alone. Jack entrusted you to me, and I can’t just let you enter a battlefield without thinking about the consequences. I can be at ease if someone will accompany you.” Worries filled the man’s eyes as he locked his gaze on the young man.“No, my decision’s final, I can’t let Flynn come with me.” James heaved out a defeated sigh.“Okay, fine. But you must report to me every single plan you have. In case I could come up with b
The rushing noise filled the city of Black Crest as the rapid pattering of the rain fell on Monday evening. The rain came unexpectedly, and there was no further warning for any storm coming from the weather forecast. Lucky for those citizens who came home early from work, they just had to settle in their homes waiting for their supper to be cooked. As for those who need to take an extra hour at work, the situation left them no choice but to travel home and take their risk waiting for the heavy traffic jam caused by the heavy rain.In one unit of the condominium building, there lived a lady in her near thirties, wearing a milky-white satin nightgown with her velvety curls falling freely down to her waist. She was standing near the windowpane, her round gunmetal blue orbs fixed at the hazy lights reflected by the fogged glass window. She was wrapping her arms together in front of her chest due to the coldness of the weather.For some time, she gradually drifted her gazes at the door and
“Wait, Pa! Where are you going?” Tears fell from the man’s eyes as he gently caressed his son’s tender cheeks. Then a forced smile drew from his brims as he looked into his innocent confused eyes.“Aries, son. Will you promise papa you’ll look after mama?” Words that came out from his father’s utterances. The boy seemed to be clueless about what his father has said, but he managed to nod his head as response. And so the man began turning his back from his son and prepared to leave.“But where are you going?” the boy asked again. The man came back and gave the boy a very tight embrace.“Papa has to leave for work in few weeks. Mama might get lonely, please take care of her for me.”“Hmm, Don’t worry pa. I will take care of mama.” The boy’s innocent smile brought ache from his father’s heart, yet he tried not to show it to his son.And so the young boy gladly bid his father goodbye until he finally left the house. Little did he know, that would be the last time he would see his father.*
In the far corner of the restaurant, Hyde chose to take the vacant table and glanced outside the glass window where the night was devoured by the bright luminescence lights guiding the streets and the moving cars on the busy highway. He never knew how fascinating the city is at night.“You must be Mr. Collins?” Hyde swiftly drifted his gazes when a man in his late fifties suddenly came to approach him. His skin started to wrinkle and some strands of his hair have turned to gray but his sophisticated eyes haven’t shown any change. Formality screamed out from the man’s appearance as Hyde darted his gazes at him.“Yes sir, Hyde Collins.” The inspector smiled and reached out for the young man’s hand then they sent a formal shake of hands before they seated on their seats.“Would you mind having dinner as we talk?”“Fine by you.” The man chuckled. Hyde called the waiter and asked him to present the course. The waiter nodded and left the table.“So you’re a son of James Collins.” Hyde looke
“You want to see me?” Hyde asked as he entered James’ office. He set himself on the chair when the man offered a seat.“Your request for a break was approved by the director just now.” James notified.“I see. I could finally grab a ticket back to Black Crest tomorrow immediately.” He said to himself.“Yeah, but Flynn must go with you.” Hyde hastily crossed his brows to the man’s suggestion.“What?”“I’ll ask Flynn to go with you.” “No, no one’s going with me. I don’t want anyone to be involved in my own battle.” He firmly said.“And I can’t let you enter this hell alone. Jack entrusted you to me, and I can’t just let you enter a battlefield without thinking about the consequences. I can be at ease if someone will accompany you.” Worries filled the man’s eyes as he locked his gaze on the young man.“No, my decision’s final, I can’t let Flynn come with me.” James heaved out a defeated sigh.“Okay, fine. But you must report to me every single plan you have. In case I could come up with b
A familiar white ceiling welcomed Hyde the moment he opened his eyes, and the lemon scent of the disinfectant lingers on every side of the room—just like that day. He was certain he is currently confined in the hospital. But how did he end up here?Hyde sat up on the bed, resting his back on the well-varnished headboard, and slightly massaged his temple. He was trying to remember what happened last night since he could barely remember anything.“Damn it! I did it again.” He thought, brushing his hair in frustration.“Adie told me you suddenly fainted after successfully throwing the bomb away from the ship.” Hyde glanced at James who was standing near the glass window, crossing both of his arms on his chest. He didn’t notice he was there the whole time.“I see.” The young man commented when everything turned out clear to him. James left the window and was seated on the couch facing the bed.“You know you’re afraid of explosions and yet you still~”“I told you I’m not afraid of bombs—no
Hyde was silently observing Adeline from his post, waiting for her signal.“Seems like she’s enjoying it.” He scoffed and raised one corner of his lips. He knows what she is trying to do. That’s her specialty after all. If their target is a man, she’ll try to buy him some time until the other undercover agents will be spread around the area. And when everything is set, they could easily dominate the bad guys.“Should we attack sir?” Quinn sounded impatient.“No, hold it, unless the civilians’ security is already settled. Let’s wait for her signal.” He studied the man’s expression, he looked awfully uncomfortable yet, his other hand was still having its firm grip on his pistol.“Wh-Who are you?” Adeline bit her lower lip and drew a smirk.“Oh, dear. I’d bet you don’t wanna know me. It’s a bit confidential.” She said while playing with the man’s clenched jaw with the stroke of her finger, and she’d bet he likes it. She reached for the man’s ear. A slight shock came from Adeline when the
An hour and a half before the event, Hyde got himself ready. Flynn who was again slumping in front of the TV—like he usually did whenever he crash over his place—almost dropped his jaw when his friend came out from the closet. He’s indeed looking spectacular with his black Giorgio Armani suit that fitted well on his masculine build. He was fixing the button on his wrist when he noticed Flynn’s weird expression. He found it quite intimidating tho. “Stop giving me that look, it’s making me uncomfortable.” Hyde resorted bluntly. His companion let out a brief chuckle and replied… “Okay fine, I won’t. I’d better be back to my lair and do something interesting.” Hyde shook his head and let the other guy out of his sight. He might need him later when the mission ends. The young man took a last glance at the mirror and set his gun in the hidden pocket of his suit. Then, he went out of his room and rode the elevator towards the garage. This time, he drove his black Ferrari instead of his P
*beep! Beep! Beep!~*The tiny sound from the alarm clock filled the room as soon as it turns 7:00 am. The alarm didn't stop beeping until the man who was sleeping was aroused and reached for the clock to turn it off. Hyde got up from bed and prepared to go for a shower.Twenty minutes later, the young man exited the bathroom with only a bath towel covering his slender yet masculine waist. The droplets from his wet damp hair made their paths down to his well-built body.He shortly went to the counter and made a cup of coffee before he strolled over outside the balcony. He kept his eyes locked on the relaxing view of flowers in the garden while sipping his coffee."Never knew fourteen years had passed quickly." He told himself as he finished the bottom of his cup. Unwarily, tears began to form in his eyes and heavy breath escaped from him as the awful memories came back to him.** Flashback**"Mom! ... Dad! Wake up!""Mom... Dad!" "Mom!~" The loud cry echoed in every side of the room a
It was a cold freezing night, the loud chattering sound of rain and the succeeding roaring thunder gave such an earful noise inside the residence. In the middle of the room was a thirteen-year-old Arché—the only son of the family was busy doing his homework while listening to music to avoid the disturbance of the noise outside. Thirty minutes passed when a very loud thunder echoed along with the shutting down of the lights. Now, everything was dark due to the blackout. Arché reached for his phone and turned on the flashlight.Then, to look for his parents who were watching TV in the living area, the boy stepped out of his room and went down the stairs. But when he reached the middle of the stairs a loud scream startled him and made his heart skip a beat. He was very sure it was his mother's voice. The young boy turned off the flashlight and slowly continued to step down until he reached the living area. The quick light from the thunder was the only one illuminating inside.And when