Chapter 13: The Package

"Come in."

Lucio hesitated before stepping into the principal's office, confusion swirling in his mind. There wasn't any academic issue to address, and Mr. Seson's unexpected summons unsettled him.

Years ago, Mr. Seson had pulled Lucio from the wreckage of his ruined life, offering him a way forward—or rather, a way to focus his thirst for revenge.

The principal, a man steeped in syndicate dealings, had connections to law enforcement and politicians, allowing him to navigate the murky overlap of legality and crime deftly. Those connections secured Lucio's position as a teacher, a false identity that gave him cover as he plotted vengeance against the Alpha Brotherhood.

But something felt off today.

Lucio's sharp eyes caught the tension in Mr. Seson's movements as he entered. The principal, in his fifties, looked more worn than usual. Sweat gleamed on his broad forehead and thick neck, his bloated stomach pressing uncomfortably against the edge of the desk. Beads of perspiration soaked through his shirt, and his customarily composed demeanor was frayed.

"What's the problem, Mr. Seson? You look troubled," Lucio said, his tone cautious.

The older man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced toward the window as though scanning for invisible eavesdroppers. He then turned back to Lucio, his eyes flickering with unease. "Lucio, I need to show you something," he said, his voice low and shaky.

Lucio's brow furrowed as Mr. Seson bent over, rummaging through a cabinet. The sound of drawers sliding open and slamming shut filled the room. Finally, the principal straightened, holding a shoebox in his trembling hands. He set it on the desk with a heavy thud.

"What's in the box?" Lucio asked, warily eyeing the container.

"I don't know who left it," Mr. Seson said, wiping sweat from his brow. "It was in my office this morning. It could've been dropped off during the flag ceremony or last night. I have no idea."

Lucio stepped closer, lifting the lid. The stench hit him immediately—rancid and metallic.

Inside, he saw mutilated human remains, darkened with congealed blood. His stomach churned, but he masked his disgust. "Who would leave this here?" he asked, recoiling slightly.

"I think it's a message," Mr. Seson said, his voice trembling. "Directed at me." The principal ran a sweaty palm over his face, his anxiety palpable. "I've been getting threats, Lucio," he admitted. "I think the Alpha Brotherhood knows we're onto them."

"Threats?" Lucio asked, his voice sharp.

"Yes," Mr. Seson barked, then lowered his tone, glancing at the office door. "And now this…this thing. Damn it, I need a cigarette."

Except he couldn't—not here, not while they were on school grounds. Instead, he paced the room, his large frame moving awkwardly in the confined space.

"I believe someone's infiltrated the school," Mr. Seson added gravely.

Lucio's mind raced. His thoughts flashed back to Ormon City, to the masked figure he'd encountered during their operation. "I wounded someone in Ormon—a man in a white mask. I grazed his shoulder, but I couldn't identify him."

"Did you see his face?"

"No. The mask covered majority of his face," Lucio replied. "His build looked young, though. Could be a student—or a younger teacher."

Mr. Seson clenched his fists, his expression darkening. "It could be anyone. Staff, students… Hell, it could be someone outside the school entirely, watching us." He exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the desk. "But if there's one thing I know, it's this: the Alpha Brotherhood is on the move again. And you, Lucio, need to figure out who's behind this."

Lucio nodded grimly. "Do you think the Alphas are still recruiting young assassins?"

"It's possible. Their school for young trainees supposedly shut down five years ago, but we both know they'd never stop such operations entirely. They'd go underground," Mr. Seson replied, his voice heavy with frustration.

"Right," Lucio said. "They've had years to rebuild in secrecy."

The principal slammed his palm on the desk. "We can't let them derail us now—not when we're this close to taking the Alphas down. Whoever sent this package is testing us. They're trying to rattle us."

"I'll handle it," Lucio promised. "I'll find whoever did this, godfather."

"Good," Mr. Seson said, his tone softening slightly. "And get rid of this box. I don't want anyone else finding it."

Lucio glanced back at the gruesome remains, his lips curling into a sardonic smile. "I wonder what poor bastard these belonged to."

Mr. Seson laughed bitterly, his nerves fraying at the edges. "Whoever it is, he's probably walking around with no balls now—if he's even alive."

"I doubt he survived," Lucio replied dryly.

"Yeah…you're probably right," Mr. Seson muttered. He fell silent, staring at the box with a disgusted face.

Lucio stood there for a moment, absorbing the weight of the situation. Whoever sent it wasn't afraid to spill blood, and they clearly knew something about Mr. Seson's ties to the Alpha Brotherhood.

As the silence stretched on, Lucio finally reached for the box. He gripped it tightly, clenching his jaw.

"I'll take care of this," he said.

The principal nodded, relief flickering briefly in his eyes. "Be careful, Lucio. Whoever sent this—they're not playing games."

Lucio's gaze hardened. "Neither am I."

He left the office, the box heavy in his hands and the stench following him like a shadow. His mind was already turning over possibilities, his focus narrowing to one singular purpose: identifying and eliminating the threat.

As he left the building, he glanced at the mutilated remains one last time. A grim smile spread across his face. Whoever had sent this wanted a war, and Lucio was more than ready to give them one.