Chapter 26

  My mind is calm and focused. Good, bad, it doesn't matter. My goal is to do what's needed. The dust and grit kicked up from the now departed drone still assaults my nose. Jax, Shimura, the 5th, Charlie and I in a courtyard. The location is an ancient abandoned prison, surround with cells on three levels. It is a foul place, full of ghosts and tormented spirits.

  I can hear men scuffle about behind the bars. I doubt the others can hear.

  My brother is here. Carl is calling to me. Carl is weary of his brothers madness, he wants it to end. He knows he was brought to this existence from the year 2004, he knows the madness and torment his brother has caused. He wants me to end it. It feels odd, like he has more influence right now, like he has a voice. He, he feels inebriated.

  “You should not have come Charlie.” Shimura says.

  “Der lots of dings I shouldn't do, yet zi do them because dey the right thing to do.”

  I heard the shuffle of dozens of feet.

  “Incoming, at least 30 foot steps.” I say.

  “Keep our backs to each other and watch your side.” Shimura says.

  They appear behind the bars; most in tank tops displaying tattoos, each carrying a small automatic gun with extended mags They are too many to watch. On the second level a dozen guard line up against the railing. Below behind the bars they bring out Lucy and Edmund, blindfolded. Shimura and Charlie go towards them.

  “Everyone stop!” Stingers voice cries out from the second floor. I look up to see two people in black suits; Stinger and Underwood. What the hell is Underwood doing here?

  The two suits are swirling in a beautiful, peaceful rhythm on Stinger, Carl and his love are there without his brother. The brother is clearly on Underwood; his black suit is spikey, swirling in a chaotic pattern.

  “What is Underwood doing here? This business doesn't concern him.” I say.

  “I am council for the Yakuza 5th.” Underwood says.

  “Does he not speak for himself?”

  “What my council says should be considered words from my mouth.” Stinger says. The collar on his neck, the one used by Underwood to force his will before id clear as day.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Look at him!” I address all four sides , sweeping my arm around. “Does he seem coherent? Does he seem your leader?”

  One of the men steps forward, “He is our leader, we all stand by him. He took the position with the force of a warrior.”

  “So what is the plan?” I say.

  “We kill you all. Kill them all.” Stinger says.

  “Enough!” one of them says. “This is not our way! There is no balance, you're asking us to kill an innocent child and mother, there is no reason you have given us even.”

  They're all focused on the Stinger, but I know Underwood, my eyes don't leave him. He pulls a revolver and points it down at Lucy. I rush in, without even thinking about it I use the Gift, time slows. The smoke from the revolver emerges. I get to her just as the bullet strikes her back, the bullet goes partly in her before I pull her away from it. I scoop up Edmond and rush to Charlie. Shifting back to a normal state with out the gift my they look down at Lucy who has blood on her back and isn't moving.

  “Kill them all!” Stinger screams.

  There is a pause, a sense of doubt. Shimura and his father glance at Lucy, they do not hesitate in attacking they rush the men. Its complete chaos. Charlie starts to lay on Lucy and Edmund, I lay on all of them as bullets from all directions hit me. Shimura is behind the bars, cutting down the men like a threshing machine. Our 5th is fighting their 4, I can't see much, I put my head down and do my best to shield the three. It is my charge to protect them.

  There is silence. I look up, no Underwood and Stinger. All the soldiers other then their 4 are dead, or have left.

  “This needs to end.” One of the Yakuza says, the man who spoke before.

  “You killed my daughter!”

  “No! She's alive. She needs help.” I say.

  Both sides sheath their swords, all but one of them. Shimura and out 5th check on Lucy, she groans but is alive.

  The one with the sword in hand blurs; a moment later his head falls to the ground, and he has a katana through his chest. His own men struck him down

  “You are two, we are two. Keep the balance?” The Yakuza man says.

  “My daughter lives. Keep the balance for now. But look around; if my daughter or grand son are ever brought into this again, the only balance will be your elimination. Is this clear?”

  “Very much so. I will take on the role as the Yakuza's 5th. You have my word we will not bring your family into business.” He says with a bow.

  They back off and disappear into the shadows.

  “Still no word of them?” I ask.

  “No”

  Shimura and I are standing back watching Lucy and Charlie in hospital beds recovering. They pushed the beds beside each other, Edmund is there, curled up with Lucy sleeping. Charlie had some close calls, he took 7 bullets, but the medicine in this part of the world is very advanced. Lucy only had part of the one bullet, Edmund not a scratch.

  I didn't fail in protecting them this time.

  “I'm trying to understand why Underwood was here.” I say.

  “I can not say much, but he was here to destabilize our government with your shadow. This is why much of the world leaders do not trust those from your part of the world, there are some in power that appear to not be inclined to help humanity. But not all of you.”

  “Are ye sure Arthur?” Charlie asks.

  “Yes, he will seek me out, I need to get away from people, for their safety.”

  “But Australia? We barely have any contacts there, it's mostly untouched by the Others.”

  “He will find me there, I know it. And no one will get hurt.”