Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Somber Reunion

Chapter 51:

Somber Reunion

A building hidden deep in the heart of the Twin Cities. While the world was healed, the scars remained. Humans were still humans. Here, in the underbelly of society lay festering pools of filth. Places no sane human would go unless they were desperate, and those looking for a fix were always desperate.

Though night had fallen above, below it was always night. Dim neon signs were the only thing that lit up the alley as we made our way down it. The entire place was vacant, as Cecelia made sure of it. It was an abandoned part of town. Only the poorest lived here. At one time, that could have been considered me.

Most of my childhood I remembered streets like this. The only solace was that park. A breath of fresh air. We moved shortly after I was hospitalized. These days were now behind me, but it still brought back memories I'd rather forget.

Memories of coming back here to pick up my sister, passed out on the side of the street. Memories of running through the hidden passageways of the city as a child, crime around every corner. Though, those were the better memories. I felt free when I explored, but I always had to come home. Home to the arguing, the fighting, the tension.

Mom and Dad would go on about bills, yelling about us kids. Especially me who wasn't doing anything. Mom always tried to figure out what was wrong with me, while my father simply believed it to be laziness. It wasn't until I was hospitalized, he began to realize the truth. After all, hearing it from a doctor was enough proof than just assumptions.

He held us all to high standards. Standards we could never reach. I think he finally realized his love for us was more important. He wanted a better life for us, but he couldn't force it. The only thing that mattered after a while was our wellbeing. He did his best, worked to the bone. Both him and my mother.

After we moved, they still argued, but less. Only really fighting when everything went down with Dolores being pregnant. When I brought Alana home to them, my fists bloodied, they were concerned. That concern turned to horror when they heard what had happened.

Now, I returned to these very streets. Streets I never thought I'd return to. I steadied myself for what came next. I had only ever gone into these places a handful of times, but that was more than enough. Having to drag Dolores out had never been pleasant.

The agents all moved quickly, taking up various positions. I walked with Cecelia, her presence comforting. I wished Yuriko and Julius were here, but Alana needed someone to keep her company. I was thankful they were up to the task.

The dimly lit stairwell led to a dull, rust colored door that led further down into the building. With the agents in the lead, we made our way through. They swept the area, the sounds of electricity being shot off were heard as we walked through. Screams erupted, and actual gunfire arose only to quickly be silenced.

This was a capture mission. Those involved would pay, dearly. Those who weren't...well, I left that up to Cecelia's discretion. With paralyzing rounds, no one should be harmed. Yet.

I took in the building as we went. Rooms filled with people hazed out of their minds, not even realizing what was going on. Those few who did were terrified. I couldn't blame them.

Laid about on mattresses or couches stained with whatever liquids were present. Clothes all disarrayed or torn. It wasn't a pretty sight. They were all rounded up by the agents and placed under guard for now.

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Our goal was further inside. The building itself was barely lit. Dim, flickering orange and blue lights lit our path. The carpets torn and exposing the metallic floors underneath that were desperately in need of polish. Wallpaper peeled away, and somewhere there was a constant dripping sound.

With Cecelia's arm around my waist, she guided me through it. Memories of Dolores being found in such places were flowing through my mind. Cecelia kept me grounded. "Where is that bastard?"

At the end of one hallway, we turned, and stairs led further down. Following them, the entire place just got worse. The loud sound of music greeted our ears as we reached the floor. Rooms filled with chemicals on tables were everywhere. Men and women, half-naked save for masks and gloves, worked away under the careful watch of armed men.

"A true drug den...forced workers making it right under the client's noses," I felt no remorse as the armed men were brought low by the agents. Their tasers taking them out as fear ran through the workers eyes. It didn't take long for them to surrender.

Catching them all by surprise, this floor became ours. Making our way through the hallways, we turned a corner to see the door we came for. Coming to a stop before it, Cecelia held me firmly to her.

"Are you ready?" It was sweet how concerned she was, her hand squeezing my side.

"...I don't know," I answered honestly, but smiled up at her, "I'm really pissed off."

Beneath my smile was an anger rising. As I saw everything above and below, I was more sure in my actions than ever. "He only uses people...they all do." The thought steeled me as I nodded for her to open the door.

Cecelia walked through first, reluctantly releasing me. Following closely behind, three agents flanked us and swept the room as they took up positions. Sadia greeted us, leaned against a counter in the room, her foot upon one of the men she took out.

"So, you made it," Her voice, familiar and oddly soothing, greeted us.

Her eyes fell on me as I came into view, nodding her head towards me. Yet, my eyes were focused elsewhere. Derek, slumped against the couch. He was aware, as were the other. The anger in his eyes turned to confusion, then recognition as his eyes went wide.

"So...we meet again," I spoke as calmly as I could, kneeling down to eye level with him, "You should have wasted away into obscurity. You'll come to regret that you didn't."

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