《MOON-TOUCHED: Dark Moon Rising》 The Beginning Dylan wandered through the night on the island. The place of his upbringing. The darkness of night still lingered with slivers of light twinkling through. There was a constant cool breeze that chilled him to the bone. The trees were nothing but silhouettes with their branches interlocked and twigs a tangled mess. Dylan could see the shadows of the trees from the moonlight; the once familiar terrain seemed eerie to him. He broke through the thick and bristled tree line; easing up to a cliff that overlooked the bay. The damp air clung to Dylan¡¯s skin like a wet blanket. The tip of the island was cut off by the horizon. Muddy water and playful waves were the only signs of life. The cold night air sent a chill down his spine and his shirt clung to his skin as if stapled there. Waves of grass and sea water hit his nostrils. He could smell the salt in the air and the sound of waves crashing into the shoreline rumbled in the distance; occasionally drowned out by the wind. Dylan could hear the wind rustling through the trees; the boughs creaked and a light breeze carried the scent of decay and mud that tickled his nose. Sighing heavily¡­ he stared up at the dense expanse of a starry sky while looking for a sign ¡ª from someone or something that he once believed in. The twin moons manifested brightly through the wispy clouds and reflected off the shimmering water under the moonlight; the waves hypnotized him. If Dylan could just lie in the grass and stare at those waves¡ª he could fall asleep. He wanted to lie down and watch the waves forever. His eyes wandered to the shore. The light of the moons fell bright on the sand and water. It illuminated the shoreline. Dylan stepped forward as his boots crunched the gravel beneath him. He made his way to the cliff¡¯s edge. The wind whipped through his hair¡ª sending loose strands flying and stinging his eyes. Despite the gusts that threatened to push him back¡ª he clung to the rocky outcropping and stared out across the vast expanse of water that stretched before him. The twin moons of Arilia were high in the sky and castes a bright ethereal glow over everything below. Cymbiir¡­ the smaller of the two glimmered with pearl-tinted beams that danced across the surface of the ocean; while Sasantyr radiated vibrant magenta rays that illuminated even the darkest corners of the night. Dylan had forgotten about his pain as he marveled at the beauty before him. Even if it was only for a moment. The vision before him was a reminder that even in darkness¡­ there was still something to appreciate. But then reality came crashing back¡ª heavier than before. The emptiness in his chest returned and an ache that no amount of celestial wonder could cure. He searched for a sign of hope amid the darkness but found none. Only shadows and uncertainty lay ahead. Dylan trudged through the soft ground with his feet sinking with each step. He was no longer the world¡¯s most feared assassin¡ª but was a lost soul wandering through the depths of anguish and pain. His heartache was an anchor around his neck that slowly dragged him to the bottom of a sea of despair. The moonlight glinted off tears that ran down his face. His throat tightened with emotion as he tried desperately to hold back a wave of grief that threatened to overwhelm him. He¡¯d been too proud to admit when he needed help. But now all his bravado had dissipated into nothingness and he was left feeling helpless and alone. He paused for a moment as he gazed across the ocean. The horizon seemed so far away ¡ª like a beacon of hope that remained just beyond reach. If only he could find some way out of this darkness that gripped his heart like iron fingers; perhaps then he could put his shattered pieces back together again and move forward with his life. But for now¡ª all he did was stare out at the endless expanse of water in front of him and waited for an answer from the moonlight or from the stars above ¨C until finally; he found solace as he embraced the night and allowed himself to feel whatever emotion came up without pushing them away. And while it brought him no immediate relief from his sorrows; it gave him enough strength to keep moving. He was lost in thought until he felt a chill sweep over him and his feet stopped moving. He looked up and found himself standing before Kristen¡¯s tomb. Her name caught his eye. The inscription stood out sharply against the worn granite doorway; the bright red paint still glistened from where the sun had brushed its warmth across the surface. Tiny droplets of dew melded with patches of lichens that clung to the wall like tiny stars. The grounds were impeccably misted to the point where he couldn¡¯t see more than a few feet in front of him. It was quiet with each step he made¡ª perishing the miniature patter of his feet against the ground. The grass was moist and still soft¡­ letting his feet sink into the blades of grass the more he walked. He thought he saw a lone tear fall from the heavens¡ªwelling up into the form of a star. But he finally realized that it was his own eye that were welling up. He felt like the temperature had dropped 10 degrees as it seemed much colder than before. When they laid Kristen to rest four days ago¡ª it didn¡¯t seem so cold; maybe it¡¯s because he was now alone ¡ª so alone. When she was at his side. He was supremely confident¡­ undeniably strong and nearly invincible. But now¡ª he¡¯s the shell of his former self and again¡ª alone. Dylan stepped closer to the crypt with a silent sorrow as he hardly believed that he was entering the resting place of the love of his life. He reached out for the door handle and pulled. But it remained still. The antique brass latch had gotten stuck in place. He jostled it with his fingers with his heart pounding like thunder against his chest and after a few moments of fumbling¡­ it reluctantly shifted and creaked open with an unnerving sound so shrill and sharp that he felt a physical chill. Like someone had scraped their nails slowly down a bone-dry chalkboard. The air inside was heavy and stale with death. And he felt himself inhaling a lifetime of sorrow as he walked slowly towards her coffin at the rear of the chamber. His heart felt heavy when he knelt beside her glass sarcophagus and peered inside at her peaceful face¡ªso perfect¡­ yet so distant from him now. He felt regretful for not doing more; for not being able to save her from this fate. It had only been eight days since they last saw each other. But it seemed like an eternity to Dylan who had been living life on autopilot ever since Kristen was taken from him. All that remained was an emptiness in his chest that no amount of distraction could fill. Tears streaked down his face as he closed his eyes to savor one more moment with Kristen¡ªone last time where he felt close to her again. As he knelt beside the coffin¡ª he noticed a familiar object partially concealed behind Kristen¡¯s resting place. He reached out and brushed aside a crimson-colored satin curtain and felt the familiar cold steel of Bliss; Kristen¡¯s hand-crafted Miktoro Shadow Blade. He unsheathed it from its scabbard and examined every inch of the blade as if it were a part of Kristen herself. The handle was crafted from stained Macassar wood. A deep black as if forged from the void between the stars; and ornamented with intricately etched patterns made by a master craftsman. A lone¡­sharp edge made this a perfect weapon to block attacks and slice enemies to tiny little pieces. Every detail was so perfect. Dylan almost felt Kristen¡¯s touch as he ran his fingers along the blade¡¯s edges. In tribute to Kristen¡ª Dylan hung Bliss on the wall in display directly behind her crypt where she would forever be remembered through her beloved weapon. One that she had mastered during their time together. He thought of all the happy memories they shared while training: late nights spent sharpening blades and honing techniques. Dawns spent sparring in preparation for battle. Early mornings laughing together after a night of erupting passion. All of those memories were now frozen in time like diamonds set in glass cases¡ªnever to be touched again. He whispered deftly¡ª trying not to cry, ¡°Kris. I¡­I¡¯m sorry.¡± He lowered his head now quietly sobbing, ¡°I wasn¡¯t strong enough to protect you; to save you.¡± He wiped the tears from his eyes and face and took notice of the flames from the wall lanterns that burned Forever Oil. The warm amber light graced the chiseled stone walls and the scent of the sweet metallic oil filled the space; a scent he¡¯d encountered and knew too well from his many years of service to the World Order. He sighed heavily and glanced back at her lifeless shell; and for a brief moment¡­ he¡¯d thought he saw her smile. But no¡ª only a wish. ¡°Kris,¡± He started again, ¡°I can¡¯t do this anymore. Not without you. You kept me grounded. You kept me centered; humane. I won¡¯t let myself live if you¡¯re not here to help me.¡± The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. He paused as he wiped the few stray tears from his cheek. ¡°I-. I see faces,¡± he continued. ¡°In my dreams at night. I see all of their faces. All the men I¡¯ve slaughtered. Hundreds¡­maybe even thousands? Like waves of the sea; staring at me as I walk to the end of the warrior¡¯s road. And they speak softly¡­ judging me with the tone of an afflicting whisper¡­¡®Welcome¡ª Brother; you¡¯ll be joining us soon.¡¯¡± Dylan cleared his throat in defeat. ¡°I can¡¯t. No more.¡± He slammed his fist against the hard stone floor in a fit of rage and let out a roar of despair¡ª filled with grief and anger. ¡°This is the World Order¡¯s fault!¡± He seethed. ¡°They made us who we are, and they¡¯re the reason why you¡¯re no longer with me. I¡¯m done! Done being their puppet!¡± The room shook as he roared in frustration at the injustice of it all. He felt helpless for not being able to protect her. It had consumed him ever since her death. It turned him into an empty shell of a man that no longer felt anything but anger and hatred. He screamed until his throat ached and he could not make a sound. His chest heaved up and down as the howl began to leave him. It left a heavy sense of futility in its wake. The emptiness was almost worse than the pain of losing her. He had never felt so alone. Tears welled up in his eyes and caused his vision to blur¡­ half choking on the emotion¡ª half suffocating under it. Dylan took a deep breath and bowed his head in agonizing acceptance. ¡°I can do nothing more. Nothing more to bring you back to me¡­ or make up for my failures. I can only stay here in your honor until I too am gone.¡± Silently¡ª he leaned down to press his lips lightly against the glass above her face. Tears slipped down his cheeks as he said goodbye one final time, ¡°Farewell my love. Please find the peace you deserve. And be blessed in your restful sleep.¡± Dylan stood up slowly and looked around the room once again; giving a silent prayer for Kristen¡¯s soul before he turned around and left for good¡ªleaving Bliss behind on display in memory of Kristen¡¯s valiant life as a Moon-Touched Shadow-Crafter. He faced away from Kristen¡¯s coffin and walked to the doorway. ¡°I¡¯m leaving this place. Never to come back. And may the Elder God- Kreios help any who try to stop me¡­¡± he declared. ¡°They will never find me¡­and I promise to never take another life for them again.¡± His voice grew more determined as he spoke his final words¡­ ¡°I swear it.¡± Back at the Island¡­ Alexa stared out of her window and gazed deep into the lush forest that surrounded their stronghold. She had been watching for days now and hoped to see his silhouette in the distance; but all she had seen were shadows and figures that quickly faded away like a dream. Alexa sucked in a ragged breath as her vision blurred with tears. An icy lance pierced through her chest and wracked her entire body with a gut-wrenching anguish. She felt the tangible sadness that suffocated the room. A single teardrop clung to her cheek for an eternity before it finally made its way down her chin like a river of despair. Each passing moment intensified the crippling guilt that consumed her; if only she had been there for him. But alas¡­ the regret was too much¨C he was gone. Her heart bled for what could have been and should have been. But instead¡ª silence hung in air like a thick blanket of dread ¨Creminding Alexa of all she had lost. Dylan had been gone for three weeks now¡­ but for her¡ªit felt like three years. She¡¯s locked herself in her rooming quarters wasting away and ignoring everything outside of the confines of her space. The death of Kristen weeks earlier had taken its toll on her and the others; but for Dylan¡ª she knew it was his breaking point. She felt regret for not staying close to him. To watch over him during his time of need; but she also knew how private he was and how he preferred solitude when dealing with misery. In a fit of anguish¡ª Alexa slammed her fist against the windowsill and let out a cry of despair; filled with grief and regret. ¡°This is my fault,¡± she whimpered softly as tears streamed down her face. ¡°I knew he was hurting. And I let him do this alone!¡± She sank to her knees in defeat as sobs wracked her body uncontrollably. All she could do is hope that he was okay. The shadows grew longer as the sunlight waned outside her window. She sat there for hours and waited for him to come home. Every so often she checked her phone. But all she could see was the time as it slowly slipped away. Just as she gave up hope¡ª the shrill ring of her phone shot through the silence and made her flinch slightly. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and answered it: ¡°Hello, this is Alexa.¡± After a brief pause, she heard a sigh. She responded again, ¡°Hello?¡± Another pause¡­ until¡ª ¡°Hey.¡± The lowly¡­ broken voice spoke.Alexa immediately focused her attention on the caller when she recognized the voice¡­¡°Dylan?¡± ¡°Dylan. Honey¡ªwhere are you?¡± ¡°Are you okay?¡± After another pause¡ª he finally spoke again, ¡°Yes. Hey. I¡¯m okay. I just missed your voice, is all.¡± Worry raced across her face; she could tell that he was not being completely honest with her by his tone and she began to tear up. ¡°No. No. You¡¯re not okay.¡± ¡°I can hear it in your voice. Tell me where you are.¡± ¡°No Alex,¡± he answered, ¡°I can¡¯t bear the thought of you being hurt¡ªthe way Krissy was.¡± ¡°I just wanted to hear your voice¡­ one last time.¡± She shuttered at the cryptic response. ¡°What do you mean¡ªone last time?¡± She impatiently waited for an answer as she felt her anxiety rise and her frustrations showed. ¡°What do you mean Dylan?¡± But he remained silent. With teared sniffle¡­ she pleaded with Dylan to stay online¡ª ¡°No. Please? Please don¡¯t hang up.¡± Despair rang through her words as she continued, ¡°Where are you? I know you¡¯re still hurting. I am too. But we have to get through this¡ªtogether.¡± She took a deep breath before pushing out the last plea, ¡°Come home. Please?¡± But despite her plea¡ª there was a part of her that knew it had already been too late. He sighed again¡­ ¡°Alex¡­ no. I¡¯ll never go back. Not to them. They butchered her. They killed Krissy like she was nothing¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m done with the World Order, and I¡¯ll die before I let them control me again.¡± She wiped her eyes and responded sternly. ¡°Okay¡ªyou¡¯re right. I agree with you. But please tell me where you are¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m coming to you.¡± Dylan immediately chimed: ¡°No Alex¡ªI don¡¯t think that it¡¯s a good idea for¡­¡± But she cut him off mid-sentence. ¡°Enough. I¡¯m coming to you. They won¡¯t stop me. So¡ªif you¡¯re gone¡­ then so am I¡­¡± There is a moment of silence that drug on¡ªuntil she calms herself¡­and then continued. ¡°I need you Dylan Foster. And as much as you hate to admit it; you need me. Do you remember the promise we made to each other when we were kids?¡± She paused with a tender smile as she recited the promise they made to each other as children so many years ago: ¡°It¡¯s you and me. Forever we¡¯ll be¡­one in heart; never to part.¡± Dylan choked up¡­ and whispered¡­ ¡°Okay Alex. You win¡­and thank you¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯ve always been my guardian angel; but I do miss you.¡± ¡°and I love you. Very much.¡± She smiled in return, ¡°I love you too sweetie; and it will always be¡ª you and me¡­ forever.¡± He continued with their brief conversation and disclosed his location¡­ ¡°I made my way to a small city called Zarukthar on the Draykoni Province.¡± ¡°I found an abandoned settlement and I¡¯ve been lying low.¡± Now relieved¡ª she beamed¡­ finally getting what she wanted. A way to be by his side and to protect him from the demons of his past. She wrote down the coordinates and final directions. She exhaled calmly¡­¡°Okay Dylan. Give me two days. And I¡¯ll be right there¡ªI promise.¡± Chapter 1: Expectation ...Zero. One- Get up¡­ Two- Get moving¡­ Three, breathe¡­ My name is Dylan Michael Foster. A Moon-Touched soul with powerful genetic gifts, bestowed upon me by the twin moons of this planet, Arilia. I was a former member of the Project Alpharius: Sanction 7 - Alpha Team¡ª but now, I hide in the same shadows that I once thrived in. Every single morning for the last eight years, I¡¯ve followed an exact routine to try to maintain my sanity, while looking towards an unknown future for us all. But every time I take steps forward¡ª my past continues to haunt me; slowly chipping away at my mental state. I drag myself out of bed, day after day¡ªwith no end in sight. It¡¯s a fragile process. One that¡¯s constantly being threatened by my dark past while I try desperately to forget it all. But in all honesty; sometimes¡ª I miss the old days: being able to do whatever we wanted without restraint or consequence. The adrenaline rush from the thrill of the hunt. We committed terrible acts of violence in our country¡¯s name. But eventually, my companions and I came to realize the toll it was taking on us emotionally and physically. It grew, with no end in sight¡ª and we wanted to escape. We needed to get out¡ª and so we did. We left that life behind us and have since then, been hiding away from society. Time has passed us by quickly while we¡¯ve stayed concealed from the world¡­ *** Dylan was awakened by the chimes that triggered his rise; the start of a new day. He looked over to the bedside table¡ª still fighting fatigue. The chronometer was a simple small black box deftly corralled by a black¡ª plastic bezel. The paled face contained two rows of ten, with small-scale black numbers and hands of glossy-black plastic rods. The dim early morning light filtered in through the blinds and the sky was a diamond-touched blue. Dylan wiped sleep from his eyes and looked over to the timepiece. His vision is blurred¡ª but eventually came into focus. He squinted to read the display¡ª trying his best to focus on the numbers. ¡°Six Bells,¡± he groaned as he stretched his fatigued form. " Time¡ª to rise and shine.¡± He groggily pushed himself upright and scanned his room¡ª taking in the stacks of books that lined the walls and the tattered blanket draped across his bed; familiarizing himself with its details. He felt tiny fluctuations in the air, and the slight weight shifts caused by Arilia¡¯s gravity. A unique phenomenon triggered by the planet¡¯s brilliant ring system. Making his way to the window, he stretched and stared outward. Arilia¡¯s pale-white sun Thraxal, peeked over the horizon¡ª seeping warm rays of light into his bedroom. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, embracing its cheery warmth as it filled him with energy; suddenly followed by a sprightly dance of radiance that took place before his very eyes. The planetary rings of Arilia also played a distinctive part in his daily therapy. As the particles of crystal and ice reflected light from the sun, Thraxal¡¯s corona shined forth with vibrant brilliance; glistening sparkles of sun-tanned bronze, flamboyant shades of pink and aqua-marine. Cool shades of tyrian purple and magnificent bursts of silver and white that mimicked majestic strips of glitter-cloth draping across the sky. A symphony of perfection in infinite space that was awed by the vast number of spectators inhabiting Arilia¡ª and by the other luminaries in the sky. He stopped for a few moments while drinking in the wonders of nature, then walked over to an old credenza in the corner of the room. He pulled open the top drawer and grabbed a sleeveless shirt and pants; taking extra moments to make sure he was comfortable. The sound of creaking stairs and soft thumps of his feet against each step echoed off the walls as he tried to sneak into the garage for what was sure to be a long, progressive day in his workshop. Today he felt invigorated. Last night¡¯s dream was short and somewhat normal this time; no need for interpretations. Rather than worrying about bizarre images and inexplicable sequences¡ª he could actually concentrate on his work for once. There were several orders he needed to have done, and there wasn¡¯t much time left. While it was stressful, he still preferred it this way to keep him focused; besides¡ª he always managed to meet his deadlines no matter what. As a freelance engineer and inventor, he enjoyed the anonymity and freedom that it brought; in addition to some very lucrative inter-planetary, Intra-Net business. But despite his, and his former teammates¡¯ newfound wealth¡ª they all still lived in fear of being found by their creators: the World Order. It had been eight years since they had defected from the powerful government, and they now lived a peaceful life away from oppression. Thankfully, their clients knew nothing of their past lives. The countless missions and assassinations behind enemy lines, the complex strategies and tactical maneuvers they masterminded in order to complete these missions. What their clientele absolutely didn¡¯t know, was before this, these five extraordinary individuals were the Sanction Seven: Alpha Team. The infamous Enforcer squad commanded by the World Order to bring death and destruction onto those who disobeyed its laws. He opened the door and flipped the switch to the overhead lamps. They hummed deftly as the fluorescent lights flickered to life. He knew it was still early, but with the recent bombardment of intense visions and terrifying dreams, he never seemed to be able to get any real sleep. Dylan slipped into the garage, not wanting to disturb anyone who was sleeping. He glanced at his worksite and saw that he had not finished a few projects. There were some tools scattered on top, and he grumbled as he tried to focus on his task. He grabbed the Hyrel-spade, a metallic, grey tool used for molding and shaping, off the bench top; then made a few minor adjustments before beginning work. As he did so often while he worked, he again thought about their past, and how they managed to escape from the grip of the World Order, and start a new life. It wasn¡¯t easy. Dylan knew that they were a few of the lucky ones who had been able to get away. Now he had his own workshop, where he could use his engineering skills to create things that wasn¡¯t related to war or destruction. He enjoyed tinkering with things and finding new ways to make old technologies better, and over time, Dylan had become known as an avid inventor in the Intra-Net community. People sought him out for help with their own projects or commissions for items they needed designed. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Dylan worked steady, but then glanced from the corner of his eye, as his best friend, Alexa Dupree entered the room. A smile lit up his face as he watched her approach, stretching and yawning from her slumber. ¡°Good morning, Dylan,¡± she said softly, her voice still sleepy. He turned around and smiled in response. ¡°Hey Alex.¡± As they made eye contact, he saw something familiar in her expression; it was an emotion of peace and contentment that can only be felt when one has found a place to call home. Alexa was just as relieved as Dylan to have escaped the oppressive life of the, Project Alpharius program. As a member of Sanction Seven: Alpha Team, she was second in command on Dylan assassin team¡ª before they decided to defect; leaving behind everything she knew and loved in order to find freedom and peace with Dylan and the others. But even with this newfound freedom, she, like Dylan¡ª still struggled with repercussions from their past lives. The traumatic experiences they had faced on missions all over the world that still lingered in their minds. Even if they forgot what the World Order had done to them personally, it didn¡¯t erase what they had done in the enforcement of its laws. They all stayed busy with freelance work, and hobbies that kept their minds in the present. Alexa walked over to him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder¡ª a gesture meant to give him assurance that they were both safe now. He nodded back at her in understanding before getting back to his project. It was moments like these that reminded them why they chose this path. Moments when togetherness replaced suspicion, joy overcame anger, and creativity replaced destruction; when peace finally felt possible despite all odds against them. She eased closer to him, her long golden hair swaying with each glide of her feet. She smelled of jasmine and the warmth of her skin brushed against him as she embraced him from behind. ¡°Dylan, honey,¡± she said as she squeezed him tightly, ¡°I thought you were taking the day off?¡± He paused briefly and turned on his work stool to look at her. The slight worry lines that creased his forehead made him appear almost vulnerable as he answered. ¡°I was, but I¡¯m so close to finishing this project. I just wanted to finish it up¡ª you know what I mean?¡± She sighed deeply as she clung to him. She offered a small smile and her crystal-blue eyes almost sparkled when she spoke again. ¡°Actually, I was thinking about going out for an excursion. Maybe to, Merke City Centre today? The weather outside is beautiful. What do you think? Want to go?¡± He shook his head sadly. ¡°I¡¯d love to, but I can¡¯t. I have tons of work to do.¡± Alexa¡¯s shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment as his words registered in her mind. Her grip on him loosened and she pulled away; distraught from the inevitable rejection. He reached out and grabbed onto her hand before she could fully turn away from him. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the matter?¡± he asked in a gentle voice. She pulled away, and walked back towards the door. Dylan called after her again. ¡°Hey. Seriously¡­ what¡¯s wrong?¡± Before she reached for the door handle, she spoke again in a subdued voice. ¡°Dylan. I understand why you¡¯re still so afraid to go out in public. We all feel it too; but we¡¯ve been gone for over eight years now. We¡¯re living on a continent where all of the colonies remain neutral from world politics. The World Order has no power here.¡± She offered him a soothing smile of encouragement to signify that he could leave his self-made cocoon and start living again. The gesture is reciprocated with the slight upturn of his lips. But he turned away quickly as he spoke. ¡°I know. I hear you, but¡ª my gut tells me that they won¡¯t give up on their attempt to bring us back into the fold. So, I think that we still need to be cautious.¡± Alexa¡¯s smile faded as she stared at him; her eyes welling with tears. She barked harshly. ¡°Dylan. If we keep this mentality for the rest of our lives, they will always have control over us. We have the right to exist in this chaotic world too!¡± She sighed heavily as a heavy tear fell from her eye. ¡°We can¡¯t stay in the dark forever.¡± She turned and stormed away, leaving him in a state of shock and pain. He slammed the tool he held down on the workbench, and sighed while staring at the ceiling; replaying the conversation in his mind. He knew that she was a brilliant combat tactician in her past, but he still underestimated the power of her psychological warfare and tactics. His heart sunk as he felt his insides twist and knot up, and realized that everything she had said¡ª was the truth. The garage cooled and its silence made him question why he was so afraid of going outside; being seen out there. He wondered to himself: Why is it so important for us to be seen? Is there something we need out there? Deep down, Dylan couldn¡¯t deny her statement. They had hidden away from the World Order for over eight years. And after all of this time¡ª no one came looking for them. Doubting himself again, he grumbled with bated breath. ¡°Am I overreacting?¡± He restored his focus on his work, eventually becoming so enthralled with it that he worked for hours without noticing the time pass by. He knew that Alexa would not be pleased with him spending all day working¡ª but at least the project was completed ahead of schedule. As he walked inside their home, it became clear that he was the only one there. Everyone else had gone out for the day, but there was a hand-written note from Alexa, waiting for him on the kitchen counter: Dylan, The sun is too bright and the air too clear to be kept inside. We understand you have responsibilities, but we can¡¯t help wanting to steal you away for some much needed time together. We¡¯ll only be gone a few hours, and we¡¯ll see you soon. I miss you already! Love You, Alex Dylan grinned and folded the note, tucking it into his pocket as he started up the stairs. He paused at the top of the landing to take in the expansive upper level of the house before making his way toward the bathroom where he could grab a much needed shower. He dropped his clothes in a pile on the bathroom floor and stepped into the steam-filled shower. Water droplets clung to his skin like tiny jewels, washing away the clinging paint, acrid glue, and sweat of a long day spent in the garage. The warmth of the water seeped through him and melted away all tension and stress. Afterwards, he changed into his favorite pajamas. The fabric was patterned with dots in an intricate pattern. A kind of cross-hatching¡ª but with circles instead of lines. The cotton felt smooth on the skin after a long shower. He stretched out on his bed with a subtle grin of contentment. The sheets were crisp and cool on his skin as he curled up onto the pillow, already feeling the soft embrace of sleep. *** The house was dark when the others returned from the outing. Alexa shuffled up the stairs, feeling weary and emotionally drained. She had been so determined to get Dylan out of the house, and show him the world again; but now, she was filled with regret and remorse. She softly opened the door to his bedroom, and noticed that he was already fast asleep in bed. She crept in quietly and kneeled by his side. His face was peaceful; a testament to the fact that he had no idea what she¡¯d been planning for him earlier that day. She carefully tucked in a few strands of his dark hair behind his ear, and kissed him on the forehead before standing up to leave. As she closed the door quietly behind her, she felt an overwhelming urge to burst into tears, not only from guilt over how harshly she had treated him earlier ¨C but also from pure love and the appreciation she had for him. Even after all this time, he still deserved some adventure every once in a while¡ª and she would make sure he got it, even if it meant forcing him out of his comfort zone. With a faint smile on her lips, she left Dylan¡¯s room, feeling just a bit more at peace than before. Alexa went to her room for much needed rest, and slumped onto her bed, letting out a tired sigh. She thought back to earlier in the day, when she had tried to get Dylan to go explore with her. But he had been so afraid; his aversion to going outside was almost crushing. It made her heart heavy just thinking about it. She knew what he was going through. She had experienced it too; but she eventually found the courage to step out of her comfort zone and face the world again. She wanted the same for Dylan, but it seemed like a task that was easier said than done. Alexa laid there, and gazed up at the ceiling for what seemed like hours. An idea began forming in her head: if she could show Dylan what awaited beyond their front door¡ª even if it meant taking baby steps, then maybe he would find enough courage within himself, to start exploring the world again. She made up her mind right then: tomorrow, she would take Dylan on an adventure¡ª no matter how small, and show him what life has to offer outside of their four walls. With renewed energy, Alexa laid down in her bed, and imagined all the possibilities that awaited them. After all, they only had one life¨C why not live it as fully as possible? The morning sun peeked over the horizon before Alexa knew it; soon enough, another beautiful day was born. Alexa hurried downstairs with a plan set firmly in place; despite any fear or hesitation, today was going to be an adventure. CHAPTER 2: And So It Begins... Dylan squinted his eyes to adjust to the morning light that had just begun to filter through the windows. He had awoken earlier than usual, and despite the fact that sunrise was just peeking over the horizon, the sky was already illuminated in a dusky orange glow. The air around him felt strangely silent. The only sound to be heard was the ticking of the chronometer, the gears within the clockwork working diligently to keep time. He groaned as his feet hit the cold floor, and he slowly rose from the patchwork quilt. He raked his fingers through his rumpled hair and stumbled to the bathroom, half asleep, to get ready for the day ahead. As he made his way down the stairs, still yawning; he tried to focus on the project he was commissioned to do several weeks ago. His eyes scanned over the progress of his work: a custom roadster with smooth curves, and an elongated wheelbase. An endeavor that had taken him several weeks to craft. Dylan stood back and admired it, and felt a swell of pride before hearing Alexa¡¯s voice from behind him, ¡°Looking good, sweetie!¡± He glanced over his shoulder and saw her sipping her morning coffee; her hair slightly disheveled, but still stunning. Dylan giggled softly, ¡°Right! She turned out pretty good, didn¡¯t she? I have a few more tweaks and adjustments to make, but she should be ready for delivery by tomorrow.¡± Alexa¡¯s lips curved into a playful grin, and she slid closer to Dylan, the scent of vanilla and lavender wafting off her. ¡°I think I know someone who wants a test drive before she¡¯s given away.¡± She tilted her head and looked up through thick lashes before she turned on her heels and sashayed back inside. Dylan¡¯s eyes tracked her every move until she disappeared from view. He leaned against his workstation, heart racing like he¡¯d just been in a high-speed chase, then shook his head with a fluttered giggle. While inside, Alexa was sipping her coffee at the kitchen table, when Tani Kahto, and her twin brother, Tanisha came downstairs. They were discussing a new device that they are planning to use in their next media venture. Tina caught Alexa¡¯s eye as she entered the room and flashed her a warm smile. She approached Alexa with open arms, engulfing her in a morning hug. ¡°Good Morning, Alex!¡± she said cheerfully. Her long jet-black hair, was streaked with bold strands of scarlet, and it fell across her face as they embraced. The intertwining colors brought out the metallic flecks in Tani¡¯s copper-colored eyes; a feature that made her appear mystical. The thick strands curled back from her face, framing her profile perfectly; but now annoyed with its uncontrolled fall, Tina swept back her satin-like locks, and tied them up into a ponytail with her wristband. Tanisha charged towards the refrigerator, his eyes blazing with defiance. He grabbed a jug of juice and greedily chugged it down, spilling sugary liquid down his chin. His sister erupted in fury, her voice booming as she shouted, ¡°Tanisha! Why do you keep doing that? Do it one more time, and I swear, I¡¯ll slit your throat!¡± Martin Kelley, their sometimes-annoying, but-mostly-endearing roommate, lumbered down the stairs, his loud guffaw echoed through the stairwell after hearing Tani¡¯s rebuke. Martin was always the life of the party with an electrified personality; no matter how early it was in the morning. He had a knack for making light of any situation, no matter how dire. He made his way through the kitchen, and plopped down at the table, spreading his arms wide with a yawn. ¡°Morning everybody! Did I miss anything interesting?¡± Tan rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Not unless you consider Tanisha trying to choke down an entire jug of juice in one gulp interesting.¡± Martin chuckled and shook his head. ¡°Some things never change, Tan.¡± Suddenly, an idea struck Martin and he jumped to his feet with a gleam in his eye. ¡°Hey guys, why don¡¯t we all go out this afternoon? We could hit up the clubs or bars, or something. It¡¯ll be fun!¡± Alexa glanced between Tani and Martin before nodding with a reluctant smile. ¡°Sure, why not? It sounds like it could be fun. We could use some socializing after being cooped up so long, and we need to get Dylan out of that garage.¡± Tani smiled at the prospect of going out while Tanisha narrowed his eyebrows skeptically from across the room. But eventually he shrugged and agreed to join them as well, knowing that it wouldn¡¯t hurt him to loosenup a little bit for once. The conversation remained light and comical until¡­Vrooooooom!!!! The earsplitting sound of a powerful engine reverberating throughout the house caused Tani to yell out in shock and clasp her hands over her ears. ¡°What the hell!¡± She screamed, ¡°Tell him to knock that shit off! It¡¯s too early for this!¡± Martin¡¯s broad shoulders shook with deep laughter as he rose from his chair. His arms were toned and muscular, and he wore a tight-fitting blue shirt that displayed his body type. He had piercing green eyes and a charming smile. He stretched again, then strolled towards the entrance to the garage, taking his time. Just before his hand reached for the doorknob, he spun around and bestowed a mischievous wink to Tani. As he approached the rear of the garage, he found Dylan in the driver¡¯s seat with a huge smile plastered on his face, revving the engine up to its maximum RPM¡¯s. Martin signaled him to shut it down by running an index finger across his neck; Dylan noticed, still giggling as he turned off the vehicle. Martin kneeled down beside him, shaking his head. ¡°Tani¡¯s gonna kick your ass. You just scared the shit out of her; and to top it off¡ª she just woke up too.¡± Dylan chuckled as he glanced up and noticed Tani standing at the door with her arms crossed; a look of annoyance plastered on her face. He gave her an innocent shrug, with an endearing giggle. ¡°Sorry, Tan.¡± She rolled her eyes before she slammed the door shut. Martin stood in awe before the stunning vehicle: fiery red with chrome accents and custom wheels. He whistled as he ran his hands over it¡¯s sleek body. ¡°Man, this one turned out way better than I thought! What are you gonna call it?¡± Dylan paused, tapping his fingers against the hood. ¡°The client is Mr. ReCario Mykens, so maybe the Mykens D-Spec?¡± Martin¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration, and a mischievous smirk crossed his face. ¡°That¡¯s perfect. When is the maiden voyage?¡± Dylan grinned, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. ¡°Maybe this afternoon? Alex wants to take it for a spin before I deliver her to Mr. Mykens. You can follow me in your car if you think you can keep up.¡± Martin¡¯s grin widened as he accepted the challenge. ¡°Oh, is that so? Okay then¡­you¡¯re on!¡± Dylan wiped down the slick surface of his workspace, and Martin placed the last tool back in its spot in the rack. Before they went inside, they both stopped to admire the curves of the car, noting how each line had been crafted to perfection. Alexa, Tina and Tanisha were already in the living room when Dylan and Martin returned. The twins were surveying the various gadgets and gizmos scattered around; but when Dylan and Martin entered¡ª she joined in their conversation about the Mykens D-Spec, with admiration. ¡°She¡¯s perfect!¡± Alexa exclaimed, full of enthusiasm. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to take her for a spin!¡± Dylan glanced over at her and smiled. ¡°Oh we will. We can do it today!¡± Tani rolled her eyes before she plopped down on a nearby couch; her arms crossed and her brow furrowed in annoyance. ¡°While you two drool over that death trap, we should probably discuss what everyone¡¯s plans are for today.¡± Martin nodded in agreement as he perched on the arm of the couch. ¡°I was thinking maybe we could go to a club? Maybe a nice bar and grill, or just go shopping; pick up some stuff for dinner tonight?¡± Alex clapped her hands in excitement, while Dylan groaned in dread. Shopping was not his favorite thing to do, but he reluctantly agreed and they set off to get ready for their excursion. Even after eight years, the girls still needed their shopping sprees to cloud their memories of the past; and shopping at clothing stores was their therapy sessions. And the guys, well, were guys, and were up for whatever. They narrowed down their choices, and the place was chosen: the largest shopping mall on the continent of Draykoni¡ª The Galleria at Dikepe; and Dylan ¡ª was not thrilled. Dylan and Alexa crawled into the low-profile sportster. The interior was made of a mixture of smoky suede fabrics and dark grey leather, adorned with a few red accents, much like the outside of the vehicle. The dashboard was a masterpiece of glass and silver metal. The steering wheels was of the same material, a smooth, cold, hard metal to touch, designed for absolute control and performance. The interior smells of leather; a faint hint of gasoline was present, but it was very faint. With a turn of the key, he ignited the beast beneath the hood. It idled down and emitted a low hum; a faint whir from the engine. It purred as it idled, serving to calm and lull the driver into a false sense of security. Dylan rolled the car out of the garage, engine growling. He paused to flash a mischievous grin at Alexa and slammed his foot on the gas pedal; launching the vehicle forward, tires squealing against the pavement. Martin, Tanashi, and Tani zip out closely behind in Martin¡¯s high-end hybrid vehicle - a sleek, teal-colored Amagh R/S Convertible; his pride and joy. It had a unique look; the type of car that you can see from several blocks away. It was stylish, and modern, like a fusion of science and art with a low, dynamic body, and it¡¯s shimmering paint, shined to a brilliant sheen. But as heavy-footed as Martin was, he wasn¡¯t fast enough to catch up with Dylan and Alexa. Tearing up the country roads, Martin was having a tremendous time keeping up with the customized vehicle that Dylan built. He braked, then accelerated, and weaved the winding roads with precision, but Dylan¡¯s new creation was far out-classing his expensive sports car. ¡°Dammit!¡± Martin chuckled, ¡°He outdid himself with this one! He¡¯s killing me!¡± The wind tugged at Alexa¡¯s hair as Dylan pushed the accelerator to the floor, and the car hurtled down the highway. She opened her window and inhaled deeply of salt air while the rushing sound of waves¡ª crashing against rocks, mixed with the roar of the engine. Everywhere she looked, new views materialized ¨C never-ending stretches of aquamarine waters, endless fields of waving grass, and an ever-changing landscape of mossy This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. boulders, sharp granite ridges, and towering evergreens. Alexa beamed with joy at every new view that unveiled itself around each bend on the road. Finally, Dylan slowed his car to a more comfortable speed; Alexa looked over at him to him with a simple smile of delight. She reached for his hand on the vehicle¡¯s shifter, ¡°Hey. I¡¯m sorry about yesterday. I didn¡¯t mean it to come out that way.¡± He turns to her and smiled softly, ¡°Why are you sorry? There¡¯s nothing to be sorry about. I know what you meant, and you were right. I can¡¯t let my fears and doubts dictate your lives too; and for that- I¡¯m the one that¡¯s sorry.¡± She sighed while gazing ahead to the roadways. ¡°You know, you possess a powerful gift; much more powerful than most, if not all of us, ¡®Gifted Ones.¡¯ You of all people, shouldn¡¯t have to worry about anyone coming after you.¡± Dylan¡¯s lips curled up in a sad smile. His eyes were heavy with concern. ¡°It¡¯s not me that I worry about, Alex. It¡¯s all of you.¡± He stared forward, and sighed. ¡°What if I can¡¯t save you, or the others. I can¡¯t bear to take another loss like I did with Krissy. So, in my mind, it¡¯s best to stay away; and out of the limelight.¡± She held his hand with a tight, desperate grip, but couldn¡¯t find the words to express what was going on inside of her. The car continued to purr along the winding roads, but the air became thick and heavy with silence as Alexa and Dylan rode on. The presence of Kristen¡¯s passing was ever-present, and the two could feel its weight tugging at their hearts. Alexa couldn¡¯t take the silent tension any longer. She shifted in her seat uneasily and cleared her throat in an effort to break it. ¡°Dylan,¡± she began hesitantly, ¡°I know you¡¯re scared about what might happen if they find us, but I promise we¡¯ll be okay. We¡¯ll figure it out together. You don¡¯t have to go through this alone.¡± Dylan remained quiet, eyes locked forward as he drove. She tilted her head to look out the passenger window and saw the silver tracks of tears streaking down her cheeks in the reflection. The memories of Kristen¡¯s death still hung over them like an oppressive cloud, and she could feel its heavy weight all around her. She wanted to reach out and tell him it would be alright, but his closed-off posture and silence kept her from speaking, paralyzing her with the force of the event¡¯s impact on him. Dylan took the next exit to their destination and Martin followed suit. Eventually, they arrived at the mall and eased past the beautifully landscaped courtyards, and a fountain with marble cherubs spewing water into a shallow pool. They continue to the parking deck on the west side of the establishment, and then park. After exiting his vehicle; Dylan stood in wait. Martin walked up and gave him a cynical glance while nodding, ¡°I got you next time.¡± Dylan laughed while walking away. A soft afternoon breeze brushed over his skin as he stepped through the automatic sliding doors into the mall. They headed inside and started their leisurely voyage, and after a bit if window shopping, the twins broke away for a few items they need. After an hour or so, Dylan looks at his wrist-piece, then nervously scanned the growing crowds. ¡°Hey, where are the twins?¡± Alexa turned sharply; her long blonde hair swished around her shoulders as she felt the wave of panic in his voice. ¡°Hey! They¡¯re okay. They went to the electronics store. You know how they get when it comes to new gadgets.¡± She gazed into his eyes, and watched as he calmed down. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m supposed to meet Tina in a few minutes, but before I do, there¡¯s a killer outfit that I¡¯ve got to have! I¡¯ll catch up with you boys later.¡± Dylan hesitated as he stood to follow her. ¡°You want me to come with you?¡± His anxiety was obvious. He couldn¡¯t help but worry about the twins, but he wanted nothing more, than to protect Alexa from any danger; despite his doubts that she¡¯d accept his help. She grimaced sadly. ¡°Dylan, honey. Will you please calm down. No. It¡¯ll only take a second; I¡¯ll be back with Tina after a bit; so you boys behave yourselves!¡± Alexa flashed a mischievous grin at him as she backed away, her hips swaying with each step. She strolled down the corridor towards her favorite dress shop; the place for finding just the right outfit to compliment her plans. Martin turned to Dylan. ¡°So, it¡¯s just you and me, pal; what you wanna do?¡± Dylan grinned in ecstasy, ¡°I have no clue, man, but my stomach is eating itself right now! How about we hit the Food Court?¡± Martin laughed. His chiseled jaw and dimpled cheek are wreathed in a smile, ¡°Your metabolism is crazy. You¡¯re always hungry!¡± The friends exchanged delighted smiles and set off towards the food court, their laughter echoing in the vast open space. As they walked, the tantalizing scent of grilled meats drifted up to their noses. They could make out the sound of sizzling fat on hot surfaces as they approached the neon glass doors that led to the dining area. The Ka¡¯Drannian twins, Tanashi and Tani, stepped into the buzzing store of Tech-Deal, Inc., feeling a familiar excitement. Sparkling gadgets spread out in front of them like a candy buffet, each more tantalizing than the last. They made beelines to their favorite section of the shop and began comparing prices. ¡°Hey sis,¡± Tanashi started off, ¡°check this out!¡± He points at a hybrid light scribe driver they had been eyeing before. ¡°Nice!¡± She responded while reading the details on the label. ¡°It is exactly what we need for our media project.¡± They keep browsing until Tani glances down at her wristwatch. ¡°Dammit! I¡¯m supposed to be meeting Alex in ten minutes, we need to wrap this up!¡± They assemble the items they want and hurry to the cashier to purchase them. By that time, Martin texts Tanisha to let him know of their location at the Food Court. ¡°Awesome!¡± Tanisha blared out, ¡°I¡¯m starving!¡± He texts back his location and heads to meet Dylan and Martin. *** Earlier, as Alexa was meandering through the mall, she arrived at her favorite clothing store: The Monet Boutique. Stepping inside, she took in the numerous racks of designer apparel and accessories. She inhaled the sweet scents of perfume and leather. Shimmery fabrics cascaded down racks in crisscrossing rows, displaying blouses and slacks and dresses in colors both subtle and bold. She felt a sense of peace come over her. This is where she could find herself. As Alexa made her way through the store, a smiling figure materialized from behind a display case. Her eyes lit up as she recognized the familiar face of Trace Bander, the red-haired assistant manager that she had met months earlier. ¡°Hi Alex!¡±, Trace said cheerfully while walking up to give her a hug. ¡°How are you? I¡¯ve missed you; it¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve talked.¡± Alexa smiled, ¡°Hey Trace! I¡¯m doing well. Sorry that I haven¡¯t been around- we¡¯ve been really busy later. But we definitely need to catch up on what¡¯s happened in the last few weeks!¡± Trace played-off any guilt that Alexa may have felt with a simple wave of her hand and replied, ¡°That¡¯s okay!¡± After a brief conversation, Trace finally asks, ¡°So, what are we looking for today?¡± Alexa bashfully shifted her gaze to the ground, her cheeks flushing bright pink. She slowly raised her hand to conceal her reddening cheeks, as if her heated blush was a secret she desperately wanted to keep. She felt a tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach as if a million tiny wings were fluttering around within her, and each beat of her heart seemed like it was amplified a hundred times over. A long, quivering exhale from between puckered lips; breath escaping a pair of delicate nostrils; eyes fluttering closed, then back open in a stiff blink. ¡°Well. I was hoping to find something festive- yet tasteful; to impress a certain someone. Maybe a sexy, but not overly slinky, cocktail dress?¡± Trace flashed a big smile, her eyes twinkling knowingly while she nodded her head in understanding. ¡°Okay, I got you- So, is this certain someone, a certain Dylan type of someone? Do you two have any special plans?¡± Alexa paused and quickly tucked a strand of hair behind her right ear as she bit back a crooked grin. Trace chuckled before continuing, ¡°Well, I don¡¯t blame you! Dylan is definitely charming, and gorgeous; but anyway, I have several that I think would look great on you. You can try them all out to find the perfect one for your date night. One that makes you feel frisky!¡± Alexa¡¯s mouth dropped open and her eyes grew wider than saucers. She wrung her hands in front of her face and giggled nervously. ¡°No, no, no!¡± she cried. ¡°I said festive, not frisky!¡± Trace giggled at the joke; then clapped her hands together in excitement. ¡°Ooh, I have just the thing! Follow me!¡± She grabbed Alexa¡¯s hand and pulled her towards the back of the store, where various party dresses hung from racks. She quickly picked out several options for Alexa to try on. After a bit of rummaging, they gathered up a handful of outfits that Alexa could try on. Trace held out the garments, ¡°Here we are. Go into Dressing Room-Number-Nine, and give these a go. I have some calls to make so I¡¯ll be back in a few minutes.¡± Alexa agreed and went into the dressing room, while Trace returned to the front desk to man the phones. Alexa tried on each dress one at a time while glancing at herself in the full-length mirror, while Trace has now returned and cheerfully offered feedback from outside the door. Alexa finally chose an elegant dress that defined femininity; with a plunging neckline and intricate black lace detailing around the waistline. The gown was made of black silk; the material cradled her breasts and clung tightly to the curves of her body. The lace at the hem and cuffs seemed to glitter like arctic ice while still exposing much of her toned thighs. Trace squealed in delight when Alexa exited the dressing room. ¡°Oh my god, Alex! You look amazing!¡±. *** Tanashi stepped into the Food Court, his eyes scanning the area. Martin waved at him and called out, while standing up. ¡°Tanashi¡­ over here!¡± Dylan had already ordered two, loaded, Pryne Burgers with a basket of wedges, and an extra-large beverage by the time Tanashi arrived. ¡°Man, Dylan!¡± Tanashi began, ¡°You didn¡¯t wait for me?¡± Dylan shrugged his shoulders as he wiped his mouth with a napkin, ¡°Nope! A man¡¯s got to eat, bud!¡± As they ate, Tanashi watched, and noticed that something was off about Dylan; he was uncommonly quiet, and kept looking around himself. ¡°You okay, dude?¡± asked Tanashi, with quizzical eyes. Dylan swallowed the food in his mouth,¡± Yeah, I just have a bad feeling right now. There are too many people here.¡± Martin glanced down and noticed the bags and packages that Tanisha brought back. He chuckled. ¡°Damn T, did you buy enough stuff?¡± Tanashi rubbed his head and stammered as he tried to justify their purchases. ¡°Uh, yeah. We found some cool stuff. Didn¡¯t necessarily need it all, but we couldn¡¯t resist.¡± The group knew that Tanashi had a shopping addiction, and could never pass up a good deal. ¡°So what do you want to do later today?¡± Dylan asked. Martin checked his watch mid-bite of his burger and quickly chewed before answering, ¡°I don¡¯t know; maybe a movie? Let¡¯s ask the girls what they want to do since they make the final decision anyway.¡± All three of them laugh together because they know it¡¯s true. ¡°We¡¯ve got time,¡± Martin added. ¡°Alex and Tina are out shopping together, so we could be here for hours!¡± *** Back at the boutique, Alexa loved her choices as she once again gazed at herself in the full-length mirror. She tried to picture herself with Dylan on a night out about the town. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she filled her lungs with crisp air. The corners of her lips turned up as she imagined a future with Dylan: snuggling on the couch, strolling along tree-lined parks, laughing until their sides hurt. To be, intimate. To take the next step. She exhaled and made her wish into the universe, willing it to come true: ¡°Oh Dylan. What I wouldn¡¯t give, for you and I, to give us a shot at happiness.¡± She looked over her shoulder one last time, checking to make sure she hadn¡¯t left anything behind. Arranging the items in her shopping basket, she took a deep breath and walked briskly towards the checkout counter. Her heels clacked against the polished white marble tile of the store¡¯s floor. Four men in black leather coats strode into the boutique and quickly took up positions at the four corners of the boutique. Their alert eyes scanned everywhere, taking note of the customers and merchandise. Alexa met Trace at the counter, and placed the elegant, velvety, black evening gown the counter. ¡°Wow. Dylan won¡¯t know what hit him!¡± Trace remarked, as Alexa passed her the credit card. Alexa could only hope that Trace¡¯s prediction was true, and proceeded to complete her purchase. Trace handed back the card with a receipt, and walked from behind the counter towards the exit. When they reach the door, Trace grinned. ¡°Let me know how they work for you. I may just have to buy this one too!¡± Alexa smirked in agreement as she took a step away, then turned back to give Trace one last hug before heading out. As Alexa walked away from the boutique, the four men had exited the boutique while they pushed and shoved past the patrons of the boutique; swiftly moving in pairs, and brandishing A.D.P Tranquilizer Guns that contained the nerve control drug, Amoxiphallin on the needles. One man took aim, and fired. A dart whizzed through the air towards Alexa and pierced the nape her neck. Stunned, she quickly reached around to pluck it out. She gazed at it and quickly whipped around in defense; but as she did, two more darts simultaneously stabbed her in the chest and left shoulder. Alexa¡¯s blurry vision and unsteady steps overcame her as she stumbled forward, then collapsed onto the floor. The crowds nearby began to panic, screaming at the sight of the assault. Alexa felt her body becoming increasingly numb, and she knew that whatever drug was used had taken full effect. She felt two pairs of arms pick her up and carry her away from the crowd. She opened her eyes, and fought against the darkness as valiantly as she could, but all she could make out was a blurry vision of two men, in black leather coats¡ª before everything went dark again. As they head for the exit, one of the men dialed a number on his phone. ¡°HQ? This is Bullseye, Target number two, has been acquired.¡±