Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Motels and Streetlamps

Crashing like a waterfall against the rocks below, Eve’s lightly sun-kissed face ran down with steaming water. Having lost track of time to the embrace of her burning skin. She felt alive, even more so now than before. She had time to think. These past few days have been overwhelming for her young mind. Girls her age would be focusing on all the good things in life. Being hunted by boys instead of being hunted for by assassins. Fighting for a new job, instead, she is fighting for her life. Eve wondered what it would be like if she had an everyday life. The sounds of a guitar-strumming heavily and melodically filled her ears. She thanked whoever was listening to her for the life she has now. Feeling so alone growing up felt worth it in these moments.

Turning off the water, Eve slid the curtain open. Grabbing the khaki towel from the rack, drying herself. The room was filled with steam but didn’t stop the deep green spirits from passing under the locked door. Whenever David had played the guitar, the spirits danced around him. Captivated by how gentle yet loud he had been able to compose beauty to the ears. Eve grabbed her clothes, a pair of shorts, and a sports bra. Throwing them on quickly, thinking how David was in dire need of a shower. Sliding her black tank top over her torso. She cracked the door slowly, careful not to distract David from the plucking of his fingers against its bronze strings.

The steam quickly rolled out of the door; Eve could now hear the music clearly. The strums were slow and deep. From how little she knew, David was in drop D. Her heart sank; she knew the song. “Dear my closest friend,” David’s hoarse voice sang. As if he was pleading to the inevitable. Eve put her back against the wall, sliding down slowly till she sat on the ground. Her knees to her chest, she wept. Eve never could comprehend the loss David had gone through in his life.

Along with the world, he carried a smile on his face. He confessed his love for her the night before. She questioned if that was just for him to grasp onto what he feared of losing again. Or if he had genuinely meant it. How could a man so great love a wretch like her? Lord only knew how much it was killing the young man inside.

The strumming ended; Eve quickly picked herself up from the ground. Dusting her eyes off from whatever tear had escaped heavy eyes. David laid the guitar’s back against the top of the bed where he sat. David took a deep breath, looking up. Eve was walking out of the bathroom. Not hearing the door open, too oblivious to realize she had been listening to him terribly sing. No, she would have said something to him. David stretched his arms out, groaning. “Did you leave any hot water?” Eve couldn’t bring herself to answer his question. Instead, she just nodded. “Pizza should be here soon; I’ll try not to take as long as you,” David laughed, grabbing his clothes. Standing up and treading over to the bathroom. He stopped at the door; Eve was drying her hair in the mirror. Staring only at herself, “Are you okay?” David asked.

“Yeah,” Eve’s voice cracked. Quick to clear her throat, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Alright,” David didn’t believe her. He never trusted when a woman said that she was fine. One of the wisest things his father taught him, he thought. “I’ll be quick.”

“Okay,” Eve said, “Take your time.” Once David shut the door behind himself, Eve rested her hands on the tabletop around the sink. Her heart collapsed beneath the weight. All her tears fell from her eyes. Gritting her teeth, Eve punched the fake marble top. Sending cracks throughout, Eve looked at her fist. Her breakdown fell to a sudden halt. In disbelief at her own strength. Eve took a deep breath, “Please, let me help him.” She muttered to herself.

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Gabriel opened his eyes to his room. The light from the street broke in through the open window. Stretching his legs out, letting a small grunt from his throat. Gabriel sat up, looking around the darkroom. Taking in a deep breath from his mouth and out through his nose. Checking his phone, reading a dead battery. Resulting to the electronic watch on his wrist. It read two in the morning. Gabriel sighed, hoping for a whole night's rest before he started work.

Walking over to his pelican case, pulling out his keys. Setting the box on the top of his bed, cracking it open. His folded cloak lay on top of his gear, pulling it out revealing the deconstructed rifle. A pistol sat in the corner, carefully in its holster. He grabbed the holster, placing it in his waistband. Gabriel pulled out the Glock 19 and began loading his magazine. As he put every bullet onto the feeder, he thought to himself. Why didn’t they use firearms more? It would make their jobs that much easier. David always saw it as less honorable than a sword. While Gabriel agreed, honor wasn’t going to protect everyone.

Before he could forget, Gabriel slapped his charger into the wall outlet. Glad that Japan used the same wall outlets as in America; otherwise; he wouldn’t be able to charge his phone at all. Plugging in his phone to call David to let him know they made it without problem to Japan. Gabriel continued to put his gear together. Deciding to change his clothes for something he hadn’t sweated in his sleep. Taking off his shirt and throwing it in the corner.

Digging through his duffle bag for a clean shirt, “America hito wa numek te iru. Kanpeki desu ne.” Gabriel had no clue whose thoughts he was listening to. Nor what they were saying. Not knowing Japanese made him realize that his ability was going to be useless on this mission. Staying still, he attempted to listen for any footsteps. Nothing but silence. Trying his best to remain silent as well, Gabriel walked over to his window, looking high and low. Still nothing. Starting to find himself anxious, he closed his eyes. Taking in a deep breath, the voice came from the hallway. Gabriel walked to the door opening it slowly.

A sword dived through the crack in his door, Gabe dodged to the left. Kicking the door back shut with heavy force, smashing against the attacker’s arm. Breaking the stranger’s forearm. Gabriel grabbed the door, swinging it open. The attacker let out a yelp, jumping back away from Gabe. Switching his katana to his right hand. “Who are you?” Gabriel raised his hand, attempting to generate a flame in his palm.

The stranger was dressed in black, from head to toe. Only his eyes could be seen behind his solid black kabuki mask. He remained calm despite Gabriel threatening to set him ablaze. “Don’t make me ask you again.”

“Watashi wa anato wo osore te I nai,” the attacker spoke peacefully.

“I don’t think we’re going to get anywhere,” Gabriel released the flame built up in his hand. The assassin prepared to dodge. The flame fell to a puff of a lighter, quickly to a spew of smoke. The attacker stood confused, raising one eyebrow. “I was really hoping that wasn’t going to happen.”

The assassin reposted his attack stance; Gabriel shifted his eyes to where his sword lay on the bed. The stranger prepared to attack. The door to his right shattered, his fellow assassin flew through the door. Richard had thrown him through the solid wood door, sending chips crashing against the floor. Jasmine blinked into the hallway in a matching set of Christmas pajamas. Her sword was drawn.

“Glad you can all help me. I’m going to grab my sword now.”

“Good idea,” Richard told him.

“We haven’t even been here for twenty-four hours, and we’ve already pissed off the ninjas. Way to go, guys,” Jasmine said, standing in her defensive stance. Watching the men stand up to regather their senses. Both of the assassins stared at each other, nodding. Quick to engage Jasmine. She had just woken up, not mentally prepared for a fight. Too tired to teleport around the room. Richard drew his claymore, engaging one of the men.

Chris opened the door quickly, “Guys, I’m trying to sleep.” He closed his door swiftly, oblivious to the situation around him. Jasmine engaged her attacker with a stout defense. Gabriel jumped into the fray with his obsidian sword glowing a hot blue.

“You can’t even put on a shirt?” Jasmine yelled at Gabriel. He ignored her criticisms.

Allison’s scream could be heard from behind her door. Jumping from the fight, Gabriel attempted to twist her door handle. Locked from the inside, “I got this,” Ethan said from behind him. Smashing the door open with his zweihander. Gabriel pushed his hand through the hole, unlocking the door. He charged into the room. Falling to an immediate stop.

“I’ll handle this, help Richard and Jasmine,” Gabriel said as he brought his eyes on Allison stood with a knife to her throat.

“I think I dropped the ball on this one,” Allison said, struggling against her captor. “What the hell do you want?” Allison asked the man.

“Drop your sword, or I kill her,” The rich voice from behind the jet-black kabuki mask.

“Don’t do what he says,” Allison yelled at Gabriel.

“Alright, alright,” Gabriel said, releasing his palm as his katana collapsed to the wooden floor. “See? We can talk about this. What do you want?” Gabriel attempted to fight his first instinct to kill the man threatening the life of Allison.

“Where is the one you call Eve?”

“Is that an American accent?” Gabriel asked.

“I will cut her throat. Where is the girl?”

“She didn’t come with us; I don’t know where you get your information, bozo,” Gabriel said. Putting his hands on his hips. “Last I heard. Her and my brother were on the border of California to the north.”

“Gabe!” Allison yelled at him again, not understanding why he would give up information so readily.

“Interesting,” The assassin commented. “I’ll be sure to check there. Without the Watcher’s there to protect her- “A deafening bang snapped through the quiet night. Allison watched as the man collapsed to the floor. Blood spurting from a hole in the kabuki mask.

Vapors floated from the tip of Gabriel’s pistol. He had drawn the firearm quickly not even Allison could see what was happening until it was already over. “I really wish you would warn me!” She yelled as Gabriel put his pistol in his waistband behind his back.

“I couldn’t without alerting him,” Gabriel argued, then paused thinking it over. “I guess I could have tapped into your mind.”

Allison charged closer to him, raising her fist. Slugging him in the shoulder. Ethan ran into the room, his brown face drenched in a steaming sweat. “I hope I’m not interrupting, but these two are way too damn fast.”

Gabriel’s shoulders raised in a shrug. Retrieving his sword off of the wooden floor. Allison shook her head, taking a knee next to her now dead captor. Inspecting the body, confirming his heart stopped instantly after the gunshot. Allison reached to his mask, grasping it firmly. Pulling lightly facing resistance, she pulled with force. Mask refused to leave the man’s face. Tugging harder, the mask tore from his face. Having an American face, Allison could only catch a glimpse before it crumbled into ash. Letting out a gasp, she jumped back to her feet. Her hands covered her mouth. What kind of magic was this? She wondered.

In the hallway, Gabriel rushed to Jasmine’s aid. Richard held his defensive stature for some time. Though the quickness of their opponents disallowed them to find an opening to exploit. With no hesitation, Gabriel joined the fray. Putting up a relentless assault to the rear. “Brother, he’s already gave us the information. We must retreat.” One of the assassins said.

Gabriel opened the back of the shorter one’s shirt. Slashing at his back, leaving a small red gash. “I was thinking the same thing, these ones are not important,” The other agreed, dropping smoke grenades from their pockets. A plume of black smoke filled the hallway, the squad began coughing heavily. Gabriel held his breath, closing his eyes to focus on their thoughts and which direction they were headed.

The two assassins jumped out of the window. Launching themselves towards the roof next door. One being instantly vaporized by a bolt of lightning. Ashes blowing in the wind. Gabriel launched out the window, catching a glimpse of Chris taking a seat on a nearby dumpster, panting heavily. Rain began to fall from the sky. The lightning caused a sudden shift in the clouds to release its precipitation below.

Gabriel landed on the roof across the way, shirtless, sprinting across the growing slick wood. The last assassin running with precision. Stumbling at the crest of the roof, regaining his footing. Gabriel was in pursuit, admitting to himself that giving out the information was detrimental to the mission. If he couldn’t catch up to the man, he would have to tell David that he and Eve would be in danger.

Refocusing on the mission, Gabriel continued. Careful of his footing not to slip to the ground below. Eyes glowing a hot blue in the middle of the night. Light from the city in the distance reflected off his face. He could see the assassin’s silhouette, even if he couldn’t catch up. He would do everything he could to keep his eyes in view of the man.

“Where did Gabriel go?” Allison jumped out the window, landing on the concrete alleyway where Chris had been sitting.

Chris fighting to catch his breath. Having spent all his energy to concentrate his electric blast into a single funnel to prevent collateral damage. Panting, “Rooftops. Going North,” Chris looked up to the sky, sticking out his tongue to catch whatever water he could.

Allison looked up at Jasmine and Richard, “He went North; on the rooftops!” She shouted to them above. Allison began healing Chris, resting her hand on his shoulder. Jasmine and Richard nodded. Jasmine blinked onto the roof adjacent. Richard ran back to provide himself momentum to leap across. Ethan remained inside to clean the damage in the hotel.

Gabriel remained in pursuit. Slowly gaining up to him, channeling his energy into the balls of his feet for a further leap. Why hadn’t they brought Stephen with them? His foot slipped, he had to focus. His stray thoughts were causing him to lose sight of the mission. Gabriel was now a rooftop away from the stranger. How could his older brother think and fight at the same time? Especially with all the distractions. Gabriel slipped just before he could gain the advantage. Tumbling to the floor below, Gabriel reached out. Grabbing onto window-ceil with his left hand. His feet dangling, breathing heavily from his mouth. “Dammit,” He pulled himself up, climbing up the wall. Looking for anything exposed enough for his hands to clasp onto.

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Gabriel continued his pursuit once on the roof, before suddenly stopping. The assassin was being lifted in the air, another large man was standing before the assassin. Hands gripping around his neck. Gabriel drew his sword swiftly.

The assassin choking with no chance to escape. The stranger dressed in a black trench coat, katana at his hip. Gabriel was unsure if this stranger was a friend or foe. Remaining on the defense. The stranger removed the mask of the assassin, throwing it to the ground. His red eyes widened before fading to ash, just as the one before.

Throwing the left-behind clothes to the wet floor. Gabriel could now get a better view of the man. A black hood over the man’s head, a soft, well-maintained grey beard poking from the shadow over his face. Gabriel couldn’t help but feel warmth in his heart in his presence. As if it were a reunion with an old friend. Holding his sword tighter. Gabriel remained defensive. “Who are you?”

“Gabriel Locklear,” His heavy hoarse voice spoke. “I remember you were just a boy, well, you still are it appears.”

“I’m not going to ask again,” Gabriel said, “You better start giving answers.”

“I was in shame to hear of my brother’s passing. But happy to hear his own students brought an end to the Legion.” The man removed his hood. Gabriel found himself in shock, his white hair was long and braided. His eyes were the same, blue with heavy scarring on his white face. A spitting image of Gabriel’s late master Eleazar. Even the same straight face.

“Is this some type of trick?” Gabriel asked, tightening his defense ready for a fight.

“Montague was never one to speak on his own family. It was tragic how he was so easy to distance himself from everyone,” He said, “My name is Aiden Eleazar. Older brother to your old master.”

“You’re lying,” Gabriel spoke, “I think he would’ve told us if he had a family. We were his family.”

Aiden reached out his hand, a burning weapon appeared from thin air. Gabriel dropped his defense. Eleazar had the same ability, the ancient art of the shadow weapon. Though Aiden’s wasn’t just a shadow, it held a flame within it. Gabriel had remembered being told the ability was exclusive to the Eleazar bloodline. Regardless of how many times David had tried and failed to learn it.

“Are you here to help us?” Gabriel asked, “We’re hunting for the wolfpack.”

“I owe my brother a favor,” Aiden closed the distance between him and Gabriel. “He had come to me in a dream. Feeling regret over not training you as attentively as he had trained your brother. He has asked me to help you complete your training.”

Gabriel stood confused, having always felt left out from training. Not being the primary focus of his master, left him feeling outcasted. Though he was glad not to be as tired as David. His mind was still on the wolfpack. “We have an important mission we have to deal with.”

“I understand. If you change your mind, you will find the Temple of the Dawn near Mount Fuji,” Aiden said.

“Gabe!” Jasmine called out to him as she jumped to the roof where he had stood. Gabriel turned around, as she landed before him. Richard soon followed just behind her. “Did you get him?”

“He’s dead,” Gabriel said. “Guys, I want you to meet-“ He stopped, Gabriel turned around to see Aiden had disappeared like a shadow. No where to be found. “He’s gone.”

“Who’s gone?” Richard asked, “We only saws you up here.”

“You won’t believe it,” Gabriel decided to spill the beans. “Master Eleazar’s brother!”

Jasmine and Richard eyed each other strangely. “I think the rain is making you sick.” She said, “Let’s get you inside before you freeze to death.” Gabriel just realized he was still shirtless.

Richard walked over to the mask on the floor, “Well at least we know their weakness.” Lifting it off the floor to take it back to his room.

Gabriel stood looking around, not sure how Aiden had escaped without leaving behind a thought in a splash of water. “Let’s go, we need to call David. This mission is getting complicated,” Jasmine said blinking to the ground below.

Richard stood on the ledge. “Gabriel?” He asked turning over to him. “You alright?”

“Yeah,” Gabriel walked over to the ledge next to Richard. Both jumping at the same time to the ground. The three began walking back to the hostel. Gabriel’s body shivering, his eyes fixed on Fuji in the distance. Could they afford to place the mission on hold or do both at the same time? Perhaps they would be safer there while they did their mission. He would discuss it in the morning with David and the rest of the team. For now, what everyone needed was sleep.

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David whipped his face with the towel, cleansing the mirror in the bathroom to see his face. Black and white cracks littered his face like shattered glass. Closing his eyes, David focused his energy to hide them underneath his tanned skin. Sighing, it had felt good to relax in the heat of the shower. Now was back to hiding what was underneath.

Opening the door slightly, to get some air. David threw on his clothes, ready to continue their trip, hoping for another day without danger. Stepping out of the bathroom, Eve was lying on the bed. Eyes closed; she must have fallen asleep. A slice of pizza half eaten left on top of the box. David walked over to the box next to her. Reaching down to open it. Eve’s hand snatched his wrist. David held still, looking down at Eve. Her eyes looked up at his face. There was a heavy silence between them.

Locking eyes, David knew what was on her mind. Eve felt the same in him. “Don’t,” David muttered from his lips.

“You were thinking it first,” Eve’s voice cracked. She released her grip.

“I know,” David said. Opening the pizza box, to grab himself a slice. “I thought you were hungry; you only ate half a slice.”

Eve remained lying admiring him from below, “It didn’t feel right to eat without you.”

“Since when have you started having manners,” David laughed.

“I think you’re starting to have an effect on me,” Eve sat up to continue eating. David joined with her. The two enjoyed their meal together. David’s phone began to vibrate on the nightstand near Eve. David blew air from his nose, rolling his eyes. “Have you ever thought of just turning it off?”

“My job doesn’t let me,” Eve reached for the phone. Reading Gabriel’s name as the incoming caller. Eve slid the answer tab.

“Hello?” She asked, putting it on speaker.

“Hey bro, your voice got lighter. You should get that checked out,” Gabriel said.

“You sound tired Gabe, you sound like you need some sleep. I know David hasn’t been there to help you make a bedtime,” Eve smiled.

“Hi, Eve!” Allison yelled from across the room into the phone.

“Just give the phone to my brother,” Gabriel said.

Eve put her finger to her mouth, signaling to David to stay quiet. “He’s not here right now. He went to the store to buy some lingerie for me.” The call dropped. “Gabe? I think he hung up.”

“No, that’s not what happened,” David sat the pizza down on his lap.

The began vibrating again, “It’s Allison calling this time.” Eve answered the phone, “Allison?”

“Gabriel fried his phone, please tell us that it was a joke,” Allison said.

“It was a joke; David is right here. You’re on speaker.” Eve handed the phone to David.

“What’s up?” David asked. “How is everything?”

“Ah man, you guys should have come with us,” Gabriel started, “That way we can protect Eve and your virginity together.”

“I’m still a virgin, Gabe,” David smiled.

“Loser,” Chris said from the background.

“Moving on,” Gabriel’s tone lowered, “We got attacked by three assassins in our sleep.”

David frowned, “Is everyone okay?”

“Only thing we lost was sleep.”

In a sigh of relief, David cracked his neck, “Did they find anything out?”

Gabriel looked at Allison, she nodded at him, to tell the truth, “Some information slipped, just to be safe I would get out of Oregon.”

“Alright,” David placed the phone on the bed. “Call Kevin or Virgil after this to put the sanctuary on high alert.”

“Way ahead of you,” Gabriel said.

“If that’s it, we need to start packing.” David slipped his shoes on. Eve jumped out of bed to gather their things.

“There’s one other thing,” Gabriel said, “No one believes me, but Master Eleazar’s brother made contact with me.”

“Eleazar didn’t have a brother.”

“I thought the same thing, but you have to trust me on this.”

“Gabriel, I’m your brother, I already trust you. Spit it out.”

“His name is Aiden; I was thinking we move our operation to his location. It would be safer for us and maybe I can learn more about him,” Gabriel said.

“You don’t have to ask me permission, just be careful. Let me know if he’s the real deal.”

“He definitely is, he showed me his shadow weapon ability.”

“Alright, if it’s safer there. Then go for it, leave first thing in the morning. The wolfpack knows where you guys are at.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking,” Gabriel said. “I’ll let you guys get going. Also one more thing. Stay safe, I love you both.”

Eve stopped what she was doing, looking over at David. “I love you too Gabe.” She called out.

“Wish you would’ve said I was on speaker,” Gabriel said, “Let me know if you need anything.”

David picked up the phone, “I love you too bro. Stay safe. Let me know when to hop onto a plane over there.”

“I will,” Gabriel said before hanging up the phone.

“He sounded worried,” Eve said to David. Putting her bags near the door.

“Those assassins must have been able to put up a fight.” David shoved clothes into his bag. “I should be there.”

“I know you feel that way, I wish we all could be there,” Eve walked over to him putting her hand on his back. “Everyone is at risk to keep me safe.”

“Yeah,” David said zipping his bag closed. “Let’s go.”

David and Eve spent the next couple of minutes packing the van back to how it previously was. Eve brought in the box of pizza, setting it on the dashboard. They hadn’t had a chance to finish a single slice. David slammed the sliding door shut. “Washington?” He asked her.

“Washington,” Eve said, “My friend Jessica is having a party at her place in the next couple of days.”

“I don’t do well at parties,” David admitted.

“I met your friends, I think it’s only fair you meet mine.” Eve smiled at him.

“I’ll think about it,” David said. A bell rang near them, throwing David off guard. Reaching for his sword in the back of the van. His heart and blood pumping. Eyes glowing a deep green.

Eve jumped, excited, “Dude, Ice cream.” David relaxed setting the sword back down on the floor. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. David was on a high level of stress.

“Scared the hell out of me,” David laughed. Telling himself he needed to relax.

“You’re too on edge, I think it can take a load off your mind with some,” Eve said to him. It was an older man, taller than both of them. Pushing an ice cream cart with stickers littered all over the white box. A longer beard down to the upper chest. Couldn’t be older than sixty. A baseball cap covered his long hair that touched his ears.

“Hey there, would you kids like some of Uncle Willy’s ice cream?” The man said, “Only a dollar a scoop.”

“Oh, hell yeah,” Eve turned to David with pleading eyes. David was a fool for her deep blues. Pulling out his wallet. Walking over to the man, Eve followed close behind him.

“What flavor can I get you both?” Willy asked as he opened the top of the cart.

“I’m going to have to go with chocolate,” Eve said with ecstasy in her eyes. Peering down into the bay of flavors.

“What about you sir?” Willy asked. David had spaced out, looking in the distance. Voices like children tickling his eardrums. “Sir?”

David snapped back to reality. “Sorry, I’ll just go with the cookies and crème.”

“You alright?” Eve asked.

“Yeah, just tired.”

“Where are you guys headed?” Willy asked the two, scooping the tubs of ice cream. Laying them on the cone.

“Just hermits,” David told him.

“Careful when you head north, especially when camping,” Willy handed Eve her cone. She thanked him and immediately began eating.

“What’s north?” David asked.

“Everyone calls me crazy but I’ve seen them,” Willy started on David’s ice cream.

“Them?” Eve asked, Half of her scoop already diminished.

“Some of the boys and I call them Nephs. They live in the forest, practicing witchcraft. Creating magics, defiling the will of God,” Willy started on a Rant. Eve noticed how David’s demeanor changed from lighthearted to one of annoyance. “People like that deserve to die for desecrating God. They’re witches and they must face judgment.”

“Probably just some hippies in a forest,” David countered. Tired of this conversation, wishing for it to end.

“No. Here, I have a pamphlet,” Willy handed it to David with the ice cream cone. “I’m with the Church of Light to Darkness.”

David pulled out his wallet, taking out two dollars. Swiftly handing him the money. “Thanks, sir.” David began to turn around.

“You think I am crazy don’t you?” Willy is annoyed at David’s refusal to learn more. “You will see, son. When they decide to take over, your privilege won’t save you!”

“I’m sure they will,” David said. “Let’s go,” Eve instinctively follows.

“Young lady, help him find the truth!” Willy shouted once more. Eve looked back at him, eyebrow raised. Unsure what had just happened. What seemed to be an innocent ice cream cart, turned into a hostile street preach. She climbed into the passenger seat, David jumped into the driver’s seat. Dropping his ice cream cone into the plastic bag they used for trash.

“I would’ve eaten that,” Eve said trying to break the ice.

“I don’t want anything that man had,” David said. Looking at the pamphlet.

“What was that all about?” Eve asked, “Nephs?”

“It’s a racist term against people with abilities like us,” David told her, throwing the pamphlet on the ground. “The Cult of Light to Darkness.”

“That says, Church.” Eve kept trying to make David laugh. Though her attempts failed, “Look at me.” David turned his head, rolling his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s reason to believe that this cult is responsible for the deaths of many spirit users,” David said. “There’s nothing we can do about it, because if their entire cult just disappeared. Then many would suspect them to be right.”

“That’s why we never do anything alone,” It had occurred to her. “Why when they capture one of us, they just don’t fight back?”

“Loyalty and selflessness. If even one video leaked, it could mean the end of the Order.” David said.

“And there’s nothing the government can do about it?” Eve asked.

“No, they’re good at covering their tracks. Which is why it’s all speculation to the country, but we know what is true.” David slammed the keys into the ignition.

“I think we should check out those hippies in the forest,” Eve suggested, putting on her seatbelt.

“You just read my mind.” David knew who these people were, but wasn’t sure if he was ready for Eve to face the truth of everything between here and him.