It's Just A Rat

Shania exhaustively leaned back on her bed, puffing out a few strands of hair from her face. It was getting late into the night and all lights were already out. Despite the exhaustion she felt from dealing with her family, sleep seemed to evade her senses.

Suddenly, there was a silent thud in the room and from a corner, she was able to make out a shadow of a man.

She froze briefly but then asked cautiously, "Who's there?"

Xander removed himself from the shadows and walked towards Shania's bed.

When she saw who came over, she didn't know what to say as words left her mind.

"You!" In the end, she just managed to gasp. "How did you get in here? How did you even know I'm here?!"

"Hush, no need to shout. I'm not deaf." He crossed his arms with a huff. "By the way, you're welcome."

"Why should I thank you?"

"My team rescued you." Dragon shrugged as he sat on a chair beside her bed.

"What do you mean?" Shania looked at him skeptically. "What exactly are you doing here?!"

"Your father had been snooping around dangerous men, Miss Cray."

"Then why don't you ask him about it?!" Shania crossed her arms and scowled.

She was getting irritated by the arrogant man in front of her. He came onto her looking so delicious that she couldn't help but to feel flustered every minute.

"I'm here to ask you some things. As smart as you are, you blindly allowed yourself to be used by people around you."

"I don't need you to remind me."

"He might think no one would know that your presence at one of Volga's turf was a coincidence. What I'd really like to know though, is the reason why you did that vlog for Club Serene on that very day."

Remembering the betrayal she felt from her father, she withdrew her away from Xander.

"What does it have to do with you anyway?"

That day at the Club Serene was a scheme that her father cooked up. Although she knew of her father's assignment, she didn't know that he would really use her for his ambition.

The only mistake she did was posting it live. But then again, that was what she was getting paid for.

Xander saw the mixed emotions flashed in her face. He spoke seriously.

"The hard drive from where we rescued you is with me."

"It's my father's. Do with it what you ought to."

"You need to disappear for a while." He couldn't help but offer his protection.

Shania immediately shot him a look.

"And where exactly should I go hiding? It's not as if I can just puff out and disappear you know? This face," she pointed at herself, "isn't that easy to hide."

Xander couldn't help the smirk forming at his face. "I have ways to make you look uglier than that."

Shania glared at him. "Are you taking me as your hostage too?!"

Though it sounded very tempting to him, Xander dismissed the idea.

"Or..." Ignoring her, he continued, "you can also work under me, with a different identity. I'll arrange everything, of course."

Shania looked at him straight in the eyes. And though she heard the innuendo in his words, she could also faintly see his sincerity.

"Why are you helping me? Why should I trust you?"

"Because.. my dear Shania..." Xander took a deep breath, "Of all the people out there, I'm the only one who doesn't have any reason to use you. Nor hold you against your will."

At these words, Shania couldn't help her heart skipping a beat.

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As Dragon instructed, Green Day, Blue Bear and Firebird teamed up to survey the located IP address. It was at an old three-storey commercial building.

Green Day used his newly invented drone that was able to fly up to 100 meters and its 50 megapixels camera lens was able to capture every image in its perfect clarity. Its silent motor blades combined with its matte exterior were most suitable for covet surveillance.

Blue Bear incorporated his own version of a draping software. Hence, they were able to create a 3D view of the location. As Firebird tapped into the building's security system, Blue Bear managed to create an AR (1) imagery of the whole building. He was also able to gather the place's owner: Morris Claude.

From floor plans, room structures, electrical connection, down to its sewerage and drainage system, every little details were captured by Blue Bear's enhanced software.

While Green Day and Blue Bear captured the building's exterior and its parameters, Firebird went undercover and managed to intercept the security details of the building.

While Firebird disguised himself as a janitor, he found a basement room, three floors down from its underground parking area.

The thick scent of iron and sweat assaulted his nostrils. There he saw customized prison cells, with three or more girls who were sleeping on the cold floor. They were gagged and their hands were tied behind their backs.

Looking at them, Firebird couldn't help feeling horrified. However, he knew he couldn't make a move on his own to rescue them right at that moment.

As he went further inside, he heard voices that sounded arguing. He took cover from a nearby empty prison cell, taking the chance to plant a special recording device on its corner wall.

Green Day got the signal from the device and connected it to his computer. He then radioed Firebird, "We got the audio, time to move out."

As Firebird readied to leave, he caught the clear voices of the people inside.

"Where did they take that bitch?" Albart Volga's cold voice sent goosebumps on everyone. His calm exterior was hiding the white hot fury he was feeling.

"B-Boss, we didn't manage to follow their getaway vehicle. All my men were either hit, injured or dead."

Morris Claude trembled as he answered the man.

Just then, Volga's phone rang. He listened to the other line before he said, "Find out the day she'll get discharged. I'll arrange something to take care of her."

Volga ended the call and turned to Claude.

"The bitch is at NIA. Gather your men. We'll make sure she won't ever be able to go home." His face full of rage as he fired up his instructions.

"Try to fail and I'll chop off your head this time."

While Firebird eavesdropped, a huge rat crept up his right leg. When he jolted from surprise, the prison cell he was taking cover from sounded with a clang.

"Who's there?!" Greatly alarmed, Volga shouted as he signaled Claude to go take a look.

Firebird silently cursed and threw the rat on the floor. 'The two can deal with this.' He thought, before walking away silently.

"It's just a rat, Boss."

Claude saw the rat ran away and returned to his spot in front of Volga.