by Nikki Landis
I’m pretty sure I don’t want to learn the reason why. I shudder to think what happened here. This is no professional facility. That much is certain. Bad, wicked things haunt these halls . . .
It’s definitely creepy and a bit macabre. I can almost hear the sound of footsteps and maniacal laughter as we walk cautiously through the abandoned halls.
“You’re taking this all pretty well Leigh. I was sure you were gonna freak the fuck out.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I mutter to my brother. “Maybe you could tell me what evidence brought us to this shithole.” Looks like a horror movie set more than anything.
“Hydra and Chaos found a facility like this one last week but it was completely gutted, except for a disc that held encrypted files and a few leads about other hidden facilities.”
Hidden facilities? “What does that mean? And who’s Hydra?”
“We don’t know which is why we’re investigating every lead that fits the description and radius Chaos managed to narrow down. It’s vague but it’s something,” Derek explains. “Hydra is a member of the Syndicate.”
“You didn’t meet her yet Leigh.” Dev shrugs, scanning the room we’re standing in.
Whatever. “So, are you saying this all has to do with this Collector guy?”
Dev rolls his eyes at me like I’m slow but Derek smiles and taps the end of my nose with his finger. “Yes.”
I find myself separated from the guys a few minutes later when they go in search of this ‘evidence’. I’m told to stay put and use my gun if necessary.
Yeah, I’m gonna stand here like the damsel in distress in the latest slasher movie waiting to be hacked to death.
Fuck that. I’m exploring too.
There’s a light on in a small sparsely furnished office the next hallway over. A single, dust free, chrome desk lamp glows with a pale yellow light, enough that I can make out the metal filing cabinets with drawers hanging open at various intervals, the contents spilling onto the cold, concrete floor. Some of the files are smashed together in other drawers, ripped in places as if yanked in a rush. Scattered papers and layers of dust accumulate on nearly everything but that single lamp, the desk surface, and the chair turned in a welcoming gesture in my direction.
It’s a little too neat and orderly and . . . perfectly staged.
I’m sufficiently spooked the second I realize this is left intentionally for me to find. Why else would this area be dusted and clean while everything else was a cluttered dirty mess? Someone was expecting us – or at the very least – me. A light tremor ghosts down my spine and I sense that I’m supposed to investigate and look for answers to questions I’m not sure I even know.
Someone placed these items in eager anticipation as I spy two thick Manilla folders, precisely one on top of the other, waiting patiently for my attention. I don’t hesitate but walk forward and sit in the chair, picking up the files and reading the names. Devon Quinlan. Derek Masterson.
No file with my name. I’m instantly a little irritated.
Sighing loudly with disappointment, I pick up Derek’s file. I’m not sure why but I open his first and see a picture of his darkly handsome physique that looks recent. It’s a shot of his waist up and facing the camera, fixed to the page with a paperclip. Looks too nice to be a candid so I think he must have posed for it at some point. At the top of the page is a typed list of information.
Name: Derek Masterson.
Code Name: ONYX.
Alias: Shadow Master.
Classification: Tier 1, Class D
Status: Active.
Curious, I flip open Dev’s chart. A clear color photo of my brother is also paper clipped to the first page in a similar fashion as Derek’s.
Name: Devon Quinlan.
Code Name: BLAZE, BLUE FURY
Alias: Inferno, Elemental Master.
Classification: Tier 1, Class D
Status: Active.
Active. Both say the same thing. I jump up from the chair and grab several files from the closest cabinet drawer. I slap them on the desk and open the first, determined to find out more information. A skinny youth stares back at me, his eyes so pale they look nearly translucent. It’s odd but stranger is the way he seems to sneer at the camera, middle finger raised in a blatant ‘fuck you’.
Name: James Finley.
Code Name: PHANTOM
Alias: Seer, Vision Master
Classification: Tier 2, Class J
Status: Dormant.
I shake my head, hardly believing what I’m seeing. I jump up and grab more files, collecting them by the armload and making one heavily loaded trip back to the desk but pause when I turn and see one single file added to the pile, close to the edge. Where did that come from?
I freeze, my eyes darting all over the room. I’m still alone.
For now.
In the distance I can hear Dev and Derek talking. They’re coming this way.
I know someone has left this new file and I don’t want the guys to take any of these from me before I have a chance to read them. Realizing this is dangerous but driven by compulsion I dart back to the desk and pick up the new file. As I read the name a rush of panic fills my chest. Ivey Stanfield.
Noooooo! I want to scream when I see her name.
This isn’t possible! Has she been hunted too? Why wouldn’t she tell me?
Why didn’t I put this together when we were talking? She turned twenty-five last year. Shit, Ivey was a part of all of this too.
Name: Ivey Stanfield.
Code Name: IVEY.
Alias: Poison Ivy.
Classification: Tier 1, Class PI
Status: Sleeper. Active.
Poison Ivy? What!? The Sleeper status has been crossed through and Active has been scrawled across in bold script. Inside her file, below the picture is a folded note and handwritten in the same bold penmanship is my name.
“Leigh?” My name is being called.
Before Derek or Dev see the note I shove it into the front pocket of my jeans and slam the file shut. When they walk in the door I’m gathering the files, leaving theirs and Ivey’s as the top three in the pile.
“There are you are,” Dev says with a hint of irritation, “Don’t just wander off.”
“What did you find bab –,” Derek catches himself and clears his throat, “Leigh?”
Ignoring the twinge of guilt that reluctance causes I hold up the files. “There’s tons of files here but when I walked in there were only two on the desk, left for us to find. Both you and Dev – Onyx and Blaze.” I stare without blinking as they gulp at the same time. “I think we need to have a talk and go over the information in these files.”
“Wait, these were both just sitting here?”
I nod. “Yes, and the lamp was on. One more file too.”
“Who?” Dev asks, suspicious.
“Ivey.” I clutch the files to my chest and shake my head. “I can’t believe it.”
“No file for you?” Derek asks gently.
“No, and that worries me. Why leave the others and not mine?”
Derek is by my side in an instant and I notice Dev seems on alert. “We’re leaving now.”
“It’s not safe Leigh,” Dev explains. “I think whoever left these didn’t leave your file because they’re planning to give it to you themselves or something worse.”
“Not happening,” Derek growls as he grips my upper arm and moves quickly, swinging me up close to his chest and runs out into the hallway, heading right for the exit as I balance all the files becoming jostled in his hurried pace. I’m about to yell that he can stop rushing in to rescue me since I’m not a helpless ditzy porn star but we’re already outside.
Damn, the man is fast.
Fighting against the urge to go all feminist on him, kick him in the balls, and watch him drop as I explain in a sweet voice that I can handle shit on my own, I remain quiet. Tempting, but I’m concerned about what’s in these files more than taking him down
a notch. For now.
The low mocking sound of masculine laughter, barely audible above the steady beating of my heart and breathless surprise as I turn back to the warehouse echoes all around us. I’m not sure if I imagine the way my skin crawls is because of the creepy sound or my own spooked thoughts. Ghosts seem to linger in the forgotten halls. They’re here, hiding in wait, lurking in the shadows but I can feel them.
Some want to break free . . .
Eyes seem to follow me from a close distance whether in curiosity or to seal my later doom. Perhaps I’m overcome by all of the horror movies of my past. In the dead of night it’s easy to let your imagination run wild and conjure any scenario. The guys don’t seem to notice as we climb in Derek’s truck and I skim the contents of the files while we drive back to the safe house.
Glancing back just once at the warehouse, I shiver as I see dark shadows that seem to swirl inside the dirty and forgotten windows.
It’s disconcerting but so is the low laughter that fades and follows us into the dark night . . .
Chapter 12
Once we’re back, certain we haven’t been followed, I begin to spread all of the files out on the large dining room table. I’m only half listening to the guys as they speak with Chaos, focused on the many different names and faces that nearly overwhelm me in the huge pile. Most of them are categorized easily and I separate them according to their classification – Active, Dormant, Sleeper, and Unknown. There’s only four files in the Active pile, the three I found and another that sends chills down my spine.
I know her. Ivey introduced us. Katrina Martin.
The photo in her file makes me gasp lightly. The picture was taken the night the three of us went to Dept. 59, the hottest club in the city for Ivey’s birthday. I’m instantly on edge. Someone was following and observing us that night. I’m sure of it.
Name: Katrina Martin.
Code Name: KAT.
Alias: Catwoman.
Classification: Tier 1, Class CW
Status: Dormant. Active.
Catwoman? I sit down with a thud as I realize none of this is what it seems. Something much more methodical and terrifying is taking place and I’m pretty sure the two men arguing next to me know all about it.
“Listen to me for once dammit, Leigh’s got a target on her back now. This shit has to end before she gets hurt.”
Derek crosses his arms over his chest and scowls. “Dude, aren’t you wondering why there’s not been any more Hunters after us? I think that’s directly linked to her.” He says my name with a hint of venom. Wow, really? I thought he was finished being mad at me.
“Oh get the fuck over it already. Just because Leigh doesn’t want to fuck you again doesn’t mean you need to get your fucking balls twisted.”
Wait. When did I say I didn’t want him?
Oh yeah, our argument. Feels like ages ago now.
So not true, by the way. I want to ride his face like a cowgirl and let his thick cock drive me into next week with an orgasm so amazing I forget my damn name, but hell if I say shit to his grumpy ass. He does seem to have his balls a little twisted. My lips twitch with a naughty grin but fades quickly.
I mentally slap my sex drive back into place and wave them both over to the table.
“Listen, who I do or don’t want to sleep with is my business and right now we have to talk. I need answers, starting with why you’re both in the same classification.”
Derek blinks. Yeah, he wasn’t expecting that.
Dev laughs, sinking into the seat next to me. “Nothing ever gets by you, does it sis? Not that we weren’t going to tell you tonight anyway but still.”
Derek stands behind my chair, his fingertips resting on the edge close to my shoulders. Just that simple contact makes me want to lean back into him but I don’t. “Spill it.”
“It’s not complicated, not really. We’re classified according to skill level.”
“I understand that part. Why are you both Class D?”
“Haven’t you noticed we both have names that start with the letter ‘D’? That’s our Class, our skill level, which is high.” Derek brushes one hand across my bare neck as he speaks, almost as an afterthought.
I don’t move as Dev continues, every cell in my body attuned to the fingers that linger above my skin, “Meaning the lowest levels of the alphabet have the highest skill level, the strongest abilities, and the most power. We’re the most coveted by the Collector – Viktor Blackstone to be precise.”
“He’s not the original creator though, that honor belongs to his dead father,” Chaos adds as he appears, his voice surprising us. “We took Silas down nearly a decade ago. Don’t underestimate Viktor though. He’s as dangerous and ruthless as his sadistic father.”
“Why is he so obsessed with making these super humans or villains? I don’t get the appeal other than saying he’s some kind of god to be able to alter genetic code and manipulate the human genome.”
“Precisely Harleigh. He’s been working on this project for decades. Perfecting and creating his own super soldiers who are loyal to him, and his plan of complete dominance has been the driving force behind the Collective since before you were born,” Chaos explains.
“If that’s true why hasn’t he succeeded? Wouldn’t he have more control and make the news headlines?” Yeah, I’m skeptical. He sounds like a total lunatic.
“He’s not completely succeeded. Although I think it’s only a matter of time. Rumors say he’s close to what he wants, that he’s nearly ready to enact his plan.”
“So you’re telling me he’s some kind of super villain? Who wants to control the world?” I scoff.
“Yes, as silly as that sounds. He’s not sane. The man is mentally disturbed,” Derek adds.
“We have to stop him,” Dev agrees. “But he’s well hidden. We haven’t been able to breach his defenses. As far as I know he doesn’t have any weaknesses we can exploit.”
“So, aren’t you more like heroes than villains? Wanting to save society and the world from the clutches of the evil killer?” I’m slightly amused by all of this.
“Ha,” Chaos laughs, “I could care less about society. I just want revenge.”
Huh, good enough reason for me. “And you Derek? Dev?”
“Vengeance,” they say in unison.
Well, alright then. I giggle. “So, nobody cares what happens with the rest of the world?”
“Fuck no,” Dev laughs. “What has society ever done for us Leigh?”
Exactly. Haven’t I said as much myself, on multiple occasions? “Not a damn thing, I agree.” My parents were amazing but Dev and I had our fair share of bad mistakes and run-ins with the law. They bailed us out of trouble numerous times. Without their intervention we might have ended up in a juvenile detention facility.
“Fuck society,” Derek agrees. “I’ve been dicked over enough.”
I resist the urge to add a sarcastic comment to that statement. “And the rest of the Syndicate?”
“Why do you think we’re called the Sinners Syndicate? Each of us here are selfish bastards with our own set of baggage, united by one common thread,” Chaos replies with venom, “Blackstone Enterprises.”
“How many of you?” Seriously, how many of these ‘villains’ were around?
“Several hundred of different ages, some younger, some much older, but all of us willing to do what it takes to bring down the Collector.”
“So you’ll help me too?”
“Yes,” he answers with conviction. “Care to join us?”
I shrug. “Why not?”
Three answering grins meet mine. “Welcome to the Syndicate, Harleigh.”
It’s much later than I realize when I fall on my bed, exhausted from the long day. I’m almost asleep when I remember the note from the warehouse. Jumping up, I snatch my jeans from the floor and dig into the front pocket. I wish that I could say the note was harmless, nothing but an idle threat, but it’s not.
I freeze as I read th
e contents, my entire body frozen in terror.
My dear Harleigh,
What’s red and white, fierce as a lioness, but gentle as a lamb?
Sparkles like a diamond but cuts like a sword,
Walks on two legs but can soar through the air without wings?
Yours truly,
Mr. J
Ivey.
She’s the answer to this riddle. Ivey has a fair complexion and red hair, is fiercely loyal and opinionated but sweet and gentle and my best friend. She’s got a temper and a tongue that could cut like a sword with her words alone. She walks with two legs of course but she’s a gymnast like I am and she loves acrobatics. I’ve seen her soar through the air without wings. We’ve taken classes together. She’s amazing.
Shit. My bestie is in danger.
Ivey’s been taken.
My trembling fingers lose their grip on the paper as it sails to the floor and I notice the additional writing. On the back are coordinates, which I can only assume lead to a specific and hidden location, followed by a list of simple instructions. There’s no choice what I have to do.
I must face my newest enemy.
Viktor Blackstone.
Chapter 13
My plan is formed before I say a word to Dev or Derek. They aren’t going to listen to what I have to say or understand why I’ll follow these directions exactly as instructed. I won’t risk my bestie’s life. Ivey is like my own blood, the sister I never had, and her life is as precious to me as my parents, Dev or Derek. There’s no hesitation on my part as I prepare and call a cab before leaving my room, ignoring the two guys as they give each other shit about some kind of military shooter game on the Xbox.
I’m nearly caught as Derek jumps up and follows me into the kitchen. Pouring a glass of water I take a few sips and turn to him with a smile. “Who’s winning?”
“Me, of course. His K.D. ratio sucks.” He smiles and leans against the counter as he gulps down an entire can of Coke without pausing, burps loudly, and tosses the empty can in the trash. It’s kind of gross but I forget as he saunters closer and places a palm against my cheek. “You alright Leigh?”
