Chapter 1 : Past

Emerald pondered, "I wonder what the kids are doing?" She met Alan's gaze, her emerald green dress complimenting her eye colour. Alan was captivated by her beauty. Reassuring her, he held her hand and said, "They'll be fine. Today is special, so let's not stress, okay?"

His touch instantly comforted her. Even after eighteen years of marriage, his touch still had the same calming effect as when she first fell in love with him. She smiled and said, "Okay." Then she chuckled, "Lin and Katty are still bickering over who can greet us first, they're so silly."

Alan joined in her laughter, "Katty was mad that Lin beat her to wishing you a happy anniversary."

"And Lin was frustrated that she was first to wish you," Emerald added and they both laughed together. Alan admired her, relieved to see her in a happier state. Emerald let out a contented sigh once the laughter died down. "Our little gems, aren't they?"

Alan agreed, his smile remaining, "I wouldn't change a thing about them."

Emerald let out another sigh and took a look around. She said, "Eighteen anniversaries, same restaurant, and it still takes my breath away." She caught Alan staring at her.

"You say that every year," He responded with a playfully worried expression, "Now I think you're getting tired of it."

Emerald smirked and shrugged, "Maybe I am a little. But this place will always hold a special place in my heart." She reassured him, "It was where we had our first date, after all."

Alan's face lit up with enthusiasm as he declared, "Let's do it then. Next year, let's celebrate our anniversary in a different country. How about that?" She happily smiled back, eagerly agreeing to his suggestion. "I can't wait!" she exclaimed, her anticipation growing with each passing second.

She glanced around the restaurant, her eyes briefly settling on two shadowy figures by the corner of the room. Slightly perplexed, she quickly turned her attention back to her husband, a smile forming on her lips.

The men each wore black gloves and a dark green trench coat. One of them held a device that looked like a scanner. "Do you see him?" one of them asked in a hushed whisper.

The man holding the device, Adelar, shook his head. "I can see faint traces coming from both of them. However, I am not convinced that it is either of them," he said, his brow furrowing in concentration. "It appears that being around the beacon has led to him losing some of his energy to them," he added, his voice growing more serious.

Bernie, the first man, was clearly displeased. "That is unacceptable. We can't leave loose knots like this. Such a risk can't be taken," he exclaimed in a hushed voice. "That's why we were told to kill them if it ever came to this," he continued, his gaze unwavering as he watched the couple. He adjusted his gloves, his expression cold and determined. This was a mission, and he was going to see it through.

They looked so happy and content, their laughter ringing through the restaurant. The sight made Adelar's stomach twist in a mix of guilt and sadness. An average person would never want to do something like what they were about to do, but Adelar had done much worse than this during his ten years as a German spy. He had seen and done things that no one should ever have to experience, and he was determined to see this mission through as well. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself as he prepared to take action.

Adelar quickly confirmed the positions of his team members, who stood on either corner of the crowded restaurant. They had blended into the crowd, waiting for his command. He looked around, making sure that all of them were in place before nodding his head. It was time to start the mission. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, gathering all the courage and strength he had.

Adelar felt the familiar hum of energy as a screen appeared in front of his face. He mentally opened the secure text channel, quickly sending the message to the rest of the team. The response was immediate, and Adelar could feel the tension in the air as the team members moved into motion. He took a deep breath, steeling himself once again for whatever was to come, and the mission began.

Bernie slowly reached his hand into his pocket, carefully taking out the knife he had hidden there.

Adelar: We'll each throw a knife. Two for each target.

The knives were embedded with machine poison which will dissolve in their blood. They were meant to kill instantly with the only evidence left behind being old-fashioned throwing knives.

Adelar: We will proceed on the count of three.

"...bye kiddo," Alan said with a gentle smile on his face before hanging up the holophone. "I'm so glad they're doing okay," Emerald said, taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "The food is taking a while, isn't it?" She added, glancing at the empty table in front of them. "Well, the restaurant is pretty crowded today. We just need to be patient," Alan replied, giving her a warm smile. "You hungry?" He asked.

"A tad," Emerald chuckled. Alan kissed her hand tenderly. "You look stunning, you know that?" He told her once they made eye contact. Emerald felt a warm blush spread across her cheeks, but she smiled at him and said, "You don't look so bad yourself, mister." Alan let out a hearty laugh and took her hand.

She smiled warmly, "I love y-"

Alan's heart pounded in his chest as he watched in horror as his partner suddenly slumped onto the table. He tried to call out her name but found himself choked by a sharp pain that pierced through his body. His strength quickly ebbing away, he slumped onto the table and fought the pain with all his might. He could hear people screaming in the distance, but the sound was fading as he drifted closer and closer to unconsciousness. He tried to keep his eyes open, but the darkness was rapidly closing in around him. He tried to move, but his body refused to obey as if it was moving through heavy oil. He was slowly beginning to accept his fate.

He was dying.

With the last of his strength, Alan managed to lift his head and call out to his beloved wife. "I'll say it for you..." he said in a broken voice, tears streaming down his face, "Kate... Lincoln... We love you so much..."

He could feel his body growing cold, and his breathing and heartbeat slowing.

By the time he breathed his last, the killers were nowhere to be seen.