ASHES: 22

 Riley stood and watched Lucas put on his coat. This was it. The beginning of his crazy revenge. He had planned it out slowly and meticulously over the course of three weeks. The result, something twisted dark and dangerous. 'Just why did they do this to him'? he thought sadly. He had tried to hire people to help him but was met flat out refusal. " I will do this with my own hands," was the reply he got.

Lucas turned and looked at his friend. " Don't worry I'll drag out all forms of revenge in such a way they'll wish for death instead", he said looking rather pleased with it. Riley wasn't. Revenge was never pleasant, at least that's what he thought.

They were in an abandoned warehouse in the middle of an abandoned city which nature had reclaimed. The city had once been a source of pride for the Decker Group. It had been built in collaboration with the government with the aim of it becoming a second capital city. It was a great project. His project. However, just as he was about to launch it and have people move in, the government pulled out and a scandal ensued. He was accused of aiding in corruption in acquiring the land as well engaging in fraudulent behavior with international companies. In the end, he had no choice but to abandon it. However, he found out the truth. It was all Jake's doing.

He looked around at the large room that had been his accommodation over the last couple of weeks and smiled. 'Thank you Jake for giving me a beautiful stage' he thought smiling. It was time to begin.

He took out his cell phone and called someone. It was Annette Wavers, a stock broker in the Hisa Exchange. She answered in the second ring. " Sell all my shares in Decker," he said curtly, no greeting. Annette, who was always used to this smiled and said," Alright, but-", she was about to continue when the line went dead. She stared at the phone. 'That self entitled idiot' she seethed inside. Still, she did as she was told.

" You said that you've got men who can help,"? Lucas asked Riley as he sat down on a chair, looking at him. "Yes," Riley replied quietly. "Good," he said as he turned to his computer," Well then bring me Mark," he continued as he watched the computer turn on. " Yes sir," Riley replied and left. 

* * * 

'Lucas' looked at the woman beside him and smiled. He was disgusted inside. He didn't show it. " So umm, Luc, where are we going," she asked cutely. It made his skin crawl. Still, he smiled, " Its a secret," he said. They were inside his car, being driven across the city towards his home. Melanie was about to say something when his phone rang. He answered it.

" Are you with her,"? the voice asked. It was Lucas. "Yeah," 'he' replied. "Good," was the reply before the line went dead. " Who was that," she asked. " I don't know probably a random caller since I just made headlines," he answered amusedly. Everything was going according to plan.

Melanie looked at him and smiled. She had hit the jackpot. He was very handsome and dripped heavy sex appeal that had her thinking naughty. 'To think that bitch had you. She never deserved you at all' she thought as she inched closer and closer to him. She leaned in for a kiss.

"What do you think you're doing"? ' Lucas' asked sharply. She flinched then pulled back. " I wanted a kiss from you," she said looking disappointed. 'Me? Kiss this bitch? No way!' he thought in disbelief. " Sorry my mind was a bit occupied," he said and leaned towards her.' Ah, the things I have to do for revenge' he thought, leaning. He kissed her hard. 

* * * 

The hired men found Mark asleep in his room. They smiled since this was going to be easy, very easy. Slowly, they lifted the sleeping man, carried him out rather carefully and put him in the van. They drove off in silence. This was by far the easiest money they've ever made.

A few minutes later, Mark was presented to Lucas. He was still asleep. Lucas tilted his head, staring at him. He gave him a hard slap that echoed all across the room. Mark screamed himself awake. His eyes flew opened. He looked at Lucas and smiled. " Yo Luc what are we doing-", he began but another slap from Lucas had him stunned. He was about to speak again but Lucas slapped him again, again and again.

"Take him to the left room upstairs," Lucas said coldly. " He will be waiting for his partner", he continued, his voice devoid of emotion. Mark , who had slumped to the ground , looked at Lucas. His cheek was well bruised but that wasn't what scared him. What scared him was this person claiming to be Lucas, he had never seen him like this ever. The man before him was cold, dangerous and had an intense amount of bloodlust. In that moment, he wished he had never crossed him. 

Lucas noticed the man's change in attitude and smiled. It was a smile that sent chills down Mark's spine. 'I won't let you off that easy' Lucas thought as the man was taken away,