Chapter 13

I ploped down on my bed as soon as I got home, not even going to the kitchen to search for leftovers to eat.

Check the mailbox opposite your house.

Was the text I had gotten on my phone.

I just knew who sent it. I mean it had to be from them, no one else would send such a message.

The mail packet bore a DHL logo that seemed normal, but I knew better.

Nothing is normal if you are in the biggest gang in Europe -it's branches spreading to America- arguably bigger than a handful of some Mafia families and boastfully more successful.

I joined the Blue Serpents a month after I entered high school, fueled by the sheer need to quell the vengeful thirst the death of my Grandfather left.

Apparently, no one took a mute ten year old serious. Hell, no one understood the message she was trying to convey, all believing it was mere childish foolishness.

But I vowed on my life to avenge his death. He was a beacon in my life and was unjustly snatched. Though it seemed like the harder I tried to find his killer, the more of a paradox it became.

I had the money to hire the best of the best of private investigators, but all I got were excuses and dead ends. It took me a while to figure out that I had to soil my hands if I wanted to get the answers I sought after.

I just didn't understand how his death became a cold case. He was as ordinary as the word.

Rich? Yes.

A retired general? Yes. 

But that was it. He was a good man and I couldn't imagine he had such kind of enemies.

A tired sigh escaped my lips as I glanced at the package again and finally picked it up to tear it open.

It was a form. A goddamn letter headed form.

Sometimes they behaved like they were a legal organization.

The form contained was a stamp where a passport should have been, in the space for my name; Runner.

Pros: Efficienct, Interrogator, Explosive expert, Chameleon.

Con: Impulsive.

I rolled my eyes. They might have as well put a price tag on my ear while they were at it.

There was also a flash drive which I quickly connected to my computer. All it had was an address. Five seconds after it displayed the information vanished. Self destruct style.

I quickly went to my bathroom and flushed down the drive.

My stomach rumbled and I trudged down to the kitchen and almost collided with my mother.

"George, you're just in time! I wanted to ask if we could go out and have lunch together"

I looked her up and down.

"Sure"

She looked a little surprised that I agreed but quickly composed herself. I didn't care, I wanted to get far away from that paper.

It wasn't like I was scared of the unknown; I had enough experience to know what to expect but that didn't stop the pressure it was building in my chest.

I wasn't a fan of meeting new people, my mouth always runs at the wrong time.

We arrived at a Chinese restaurant, and my mother ordered for both of us.

"So tell me about your school" she said after a few minutes.

"After how many weeks?" I muttered and she squirmed.

I readjusted my chopsticks and shoved more noodles in my mouth, careful to not smudge my lipstick. My mother was using a fork and I suspected it was because she couldn't use the traditional utensil.

Her staring made me more uncomfortable than usual making me drop the chopsticks and intertwine my fingers together.

"Why exactly are we here Olivia? You could have always ordered these at the house"

"I just wanted to spend some time with you"

"And you couldn't have done that at home?"

"But you always avoid me, Georgia"

My hands balled into fists.

"I'm trying to bridge this gap between us, honey. But you always repel my efforts" she said and I couldn't stop the bitter laugh that escaped my lips.

"Aren't you years behind trying that, dear mother?" she looked down at her lap.

"I'm so sorry, Georgia" came her reply.

Hot white rage washed over me and I flattened my palms on the table, trying to reel it in.

I slipped out of my chair and walked right out the door of the restaurant, ignoring my mother's call and the attention gathered.

Outside the door, I bumped into a little girl but luckily caught her before she cracked her head open on the concrete.

She was panting, her blue eyes wide, mischievous and carefree. Seconds later Tobias appeared just as I released her from my grip.

"What did I tell you about running?" he questioned her and she smiled making him sigh. She seemed like a handful.

"Don't do it again"

"Aye Captain" she saluted and took off.

"NATALYA!" Tobias yelled.

I couldn't help but laugh and he glared at me before running after her. Once he caught her, he hiked her over his shoulder making her squeal.

Once they were out of sight, I took a deep breath; the remnant of my anger gone.

***

I clutched the file I received earlier today. Silently cursing the DHL logo.

I had arrived at the address and found out it was a rundown factory at the edge of the town. I'd never understand what it was with illegal organizations and old warehouses and factories; it was like it gave them a hard-on or something.

I knocked on the metal door twice and it cracked open.

I was greeted with the meanest glare I'd seen.

The man that opened the door was well packed with at least 250 pounds of muscle; I couldn't determine if it was steroids or real but I definitely didn't want to be at the receiving end of his massive knuckles.

"Are you lost?" came his gruff voice.

I took a deep breathe.

"I have my fangs sharpened"

"You're right on time Runner"