Where The Law Fails

Michael fell to the floor, gasping and crying in agony. His eyes were shut tightly, his face was tight with pain. His legs were coated in blood. He couldn't see the money, much less take it. He was delirious with pain. Anna had started to cry outside the door, scared because she knew that Nathan would do that to her in a heartbeat. @Altair1303
 
-(Kenzie Brookes)- @Altair1303


Kenzie let out a sigh of pleasure and a smile on her face. Confidence seemed to emit from her with every word and action. "I don't take orders from you. Nor from Nathan. You can tell him that word for word, along with a good solid 'go fuck yourself'." Her last words were accompanied by the bird. After, she reached for the bag of clothing, and lobbed it back to Jose carelessly. She had control over the top half of her body, hips up, but her legs still felt useless. Standing and walking wasn't an option, let alone undressing.


She never knew of the tracker in her ring. She was only behaving this way out of pure spite. To piss Nathan and his underlings off. Maybe even avenge Ian. Giving Jose a hard time was only the beginning. He kept her gums flapping, refuting his remark about her late father. "So you know, my dad wasn't perfect, by no means. He made mistakes that I'm not proud of him for them. He ruined the lives of so many people I care about. But he faced judgement by his own choice. He knew he had done the unforgivable. But even if the world dishonors him and runs his name through the mud, if there's anything I'm proud of, its that he tried to right his wrongs and I will make sure that it's known. Did he deserve death? Most definitely not. But he had the guts to pull off what he did. And for the world to see and know the truth. His final acts were some of the strongest in his life. You, soldier? You'd never do that. Not even if Nathan told you to. Because you can't amount to your mistakes. You're the weak one. Not my father."
 
-(Aaron Stilinski)- @Shaba7


Aaron's eyes shifted between the two, Kenzie was no pushover, but for once, Aaron knew very little about someone, he didn't know more about Jose Salas than a name, face and that Nathan picked him up when he was just starting to move up in the world. The man with the gun speaks. "You're wrong there, I'd do anything for Nate." He assures, with no emotion on his face, it was as if he were assessing her rather than trying to argue. "It wasn't an order, by the way." he says, re-locking her shackles. "Just would have kept less drugs in your system." he shrugs, fishing out a small box from his belt, opening it to reveala filled syringe.


"He is a man of his word, strange as that may seem to you, When Dave is done, you'll be set free." he says, pulling out the syringe, giving her a moment to respond.


-(Nathan Stilinski)- @Quiet Is Violent


"Hero types..." he grumbles under his breath, moving out of the way so that the goon with the wheelchair could collect Michael, slipping back outside to where Anna was breaking down, he got down on one knee again. "Hey, hey, hey, it's fine, it's fine." he says, patience wearing thinner by the second, part of him wanted to drop the two kids in a box and set it on fire, but he owed Liana to avoid that outcome.


"Michael's a hero-type, a bad kid, always trying to get in our heads with "other ways" to do things, If you stay calm and stick with me, He'll be fixed, you just gotta know that you're safe with me." He says, looking Anna in the eye, that same part of him was really starting to hate kids.
 
Anna hugged Nathan tightly. "Don't you ever hurt me like that." She whispered, half pleading and half demanding. She was scared, but she was also a little angry. "I really like you, but if I'm not safe with you, I will leave." She whispered, meaning every word. Anna was first and foremost concerned with her security. No matter how nice Nathan was to her, if he became a threat she'd take him out. @Altair1303
 
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-(Kenzie Brookes)- @Altair1303


"In that case..." Kenzie responded, tilting her head to her left in such a way to reveal her neck, obviously red from being injected numerous times. "Give me my fix. Do it. I'm begging you." The second part sounded as if she were addict, although that wasn't the case. Ian warned her she might crave it further, but she didn't feel it yet. She was only tempting him to further inflict pain upon her. "I bet you wouldn't last a second in my place without wetting yourself in fear. Me? No. Nothing scares me. Especially not you and your drugs." She took a look over to Aaron while she still could, leaving him a wink. Maybe he could pick a thing or two up from her. The only way to beat monsters who only fight with their fists and fancy tools is verbally. When they act up, it's their way of saying they know they have nothing better to say. She expected the syringe any second and wouldn't complain.


She knew very little about Jose, but a lot could be said by his actions so far. And she planned to take advantage of every weakness she could get her hands on, just like she did with Ian.
 
-(Nathan Wells)- @Quiet Is Violent


"You're not like Kain or Michael, just keep up what you've been doing and you'll be fine" he assures, standing up after ending their hug. "Anything you want to do? There isn't anything I need to do right now, Kenzie is with a friend of mine" Nate says, dusting himself off and patting himself down as he checks for all his weapons, he'd have to pick up another magazine for his pistol, which was a pain.


-(Aaron Stilinski)- @Shaba7


"I'm not trying to scare you, no, I couldn't find a way to care less about how you feel, just making my job easier" Jose says, voice unwavering as he brings the syringe to her neck, filling her veins with the anaesthesia. Aaron squirms, he was never a fan of needles, no matter their actual distance from him. "You're sick." he says, glaring up at his captor, with a look of indifference, the man shrugs and gets to work undressing Kenzie, dropping her things into the basket before putting it outside the truck and setting it alight. The rolling door crashes shut and the vehicle begins moving forward, things were close to completion and Jose didn't plan to let Nate down.
 
-(Kenzie Brookes)- @Altair1303


The anesthetic was not in a very high dosage. Not intended to keep her out for long. Just long enough for Jose to change Kenzie’s outfit and toss her belongings before continuing on the road. And on the rough terrain and constant bumps the unsteady ride would provide, it didn’t take long for a blow to her head awoke the doctor. Her eyes eased open, her body feeling particularly different. She still had feeling in her arms and upper body and her legs were still numb. However, as she was told ahead of time, she was given a change of outfit. She was now in a teal baggy outfit that resembled one of a prisoner in jail would wear with matching running shoes. She wasn’t one for jewelry. Only her wedding ring and a pair of small black loops in her ears, though in college, she was considerably more wild and rebellious with the accessories. But those were gone as well. But most noticeably that was missing: the blueprints she was carrying. She didn’t feel them beneath her soles. Jose must’ve found them. Is he going to return them to Nathan? Throw them away? Whichever, all hopes of the factory invasion were out the window. All because she trusted a random stranger, one that was simply luring her in.


Kenzie maintained her cool regardless. She remained lying down in her chains, and looked back over to Aaron, not letting her inner worries show on the outside. Hiding her emotions, something she’d picked up through this day. Aaron, on the other hand, looked genuinely afraid. Worried about his own death. Perhaps the doctor could continue to aggravate the soldier, focus his rage on her instead of this poor PC specialist, as she was told. There really was nothing to lose. She’d lift her head to the front of the vehicle, her eyes peeking as best as they could towards Jose.


“I don’t even want to know what you did me while I was out, amigo. Let me just say I hope you had fun.” She genuinely had no clue if he sexually assaulted her during her forced slumber. But again, she didn’t care. Her words seemed as if she didn’t care that she was potentially raped. Strange. How dark and desensitized was this woman becoming to be completely cool about this. She glared back at Aaron as well, sarcastically giving him a similar remark. “Oh don’t you say anything either, techie. Like you're any better. I know you got a look at my baggage while you could.” Much like the moments before she was drugged, she winked to Aaron again, giving the impression she was saying these things for show. She was no stranger to being call ‘physically attractive.’ A powerhouse: brains and body. Why else did Phil fall for her? So why not use it to her advantage?


-(Luca Varundar)- (A second post to keep Luca up to speed) @Milus


Sesler had taken a cab and instructed the driver to go exactly as he instructed at each turn. He’d watch the phone screen and interpret the general direction of the satellite signal in respect to the roads. At each intersection, he’d point the direction to go next. Money wouldn’t be an issue. Kain had already given a fair enough donation to the cause, something Luca would actively use whenever needed.


The trail following the stray dot on Edward’s phone came to a halt when he suddenly noticed the marker go past them on screen. “Wait, stop,” he ordered the driver promptly, his eyes showing an almost confused expression at the pause in movement on the device. The man instantly pulled over to the side of the road without any further questions. “Wait here…”


Luca threw the door and jumped out of the vehicle. He remembered how the van from earlier looked, but it was nowhere to be found. The lone disadvantage to being so far behind, a situation like this. He did know that the tracker was fitted into a ring. He followed the exact location of the signal on screen. Being in close range, he could actually see the second dot approaching his own with each step forward, up until he was right on top of it. Was Kenzie underground? There was no other explanation. Nothing was above him or around him…


…unless the ring was scrapped. A quick drop of his line of sight to the sidewalk revealed a basket of clothing and personal belongings. The black shirt and jeans. These weren’t the clothing he remembered Kenzie in back in the basement. Perhaps she got a change of them between the time she left and now. They looked her size though, something he could easily perceive. But what confirmed his suspicion that these were her belongings was the wedding band with the name of her husband engraved on the inside. The Italian man would quickly look back and forth between Edward’s phone and the ring. This was the end of the line. Kenzie was gone. And god only knows what Nathan was doing to her. He refused to show emotion, but at this point he couldn’t help but feel the effect of the failure. How would Kain take this when he asks?


But one silver lining came out of it: two large folded stacks of paper were also found in the basket. The final pieces of the blueprints. Would they still be of use after the events of the past hour or two? Who knows. But Luca had what he needed from Kain’s sweetheart. A complete blueprint to the southern factory. He didn’t need to involve this family any further. One option would be to leave this situation alone. Let Dave run into the criminal underworld, let Kain recover from his injuries and walk away with his freedom…


Yet there was one thing he couldn’t just let happen. And that was let an innocent woman’s life be further destroyed by a madman. A woman who helped him in a time of need without even questioning his motives. A genuinely good person. Moreover, if he left Kenzie for dead, Kain might partly blame him for his loss. And when it comes to the blame game, Luca couldn’t help but find himself guilty each time. And after all that Kain did to help him, he didn’t deserve to be thrown under the bus like that. Going for this leadless venture would deviate from his path to find Sarah, the one thing he’d been focused on for so long.


A choice to make. Leave the brothers and Kenzie to resume his lone journey, or keep his word to Kain and find a way to get her back?


(The decision is yours, Milus, of course. Just wanted to get him into a position that would be reasonable for us.)


-(Kain Saunders)-


The sounds of nurses and orderlies marching around his stretcher bounced around the hallway as Kain was pushed back into a hospital room. He’d regained enough consciousness to open his eyes and even communicate with people around him. Step one to his recovery. His entire body felt numb, probably the lingering effect of the drugs. He felt the oxygen mask come off of his face, thus freeing his neck’s range of movement just enough to look to the left and right.


“Hang in there, sir,” a nurse would tell him, his head following the source of the voice. “You’re alright. A bit banged up but you’re going to be okay.”


No. He wasn’t going to be okay until he got his revenge on Nathan Wells. And he knew exactly how. The one thing running through his head while unconscious was the condition Kenzie was in. Her screams, her scars. He was prepared to replicate each and every one of them on the person he finds equally precious: Anna. He reacted wildly enough when Michael tried to do the same thing. Kain, on the other hand, would not hesitate. Not one bit. If he had to kill a mentally ill 16 year old to avenge the suffering, and even death, of the woman he loves, he’d do it.


The moving bed came to a stop in a square hospital room. Fitted with a flat screen television mounted to the wall, a closet just underneath, a window to his left, the exit and the bathroom to his right. The lights were particularly bright, but something he was getting used to. The swarms of scrubbed men and women accompanying him to his room soon cleared, giving him a moment to himself. If it were possible, he’d leave. But that had to wait. Until then, he’d toy with his thoughts. How is the woman he loves? What more did the Magician do to her? Is Luca searching for her, or did he leave for Mexico or something? Maybe if he had his cell phone, he’d call and find out.


His thought process was interrupted when the sound of a door handle reached his ears. He turned his head in the direction of the door to see an older gentleman with thin white hair and a doctor’s robe enter, his hands folded before him over his chest. Someone to talk to about his condition.


“You took quite a beating, Mr. Smith,” the doctor began, a tone of voice that seemed like he knew what he was doing. “Care to explain what happened?”


Kain froze. Beating around with this one would be difficult if not impossible. The injury to his knee was obviously from a gunshot, no faking that. His other injuries? He could think something over. But for the moment, all he did was glance down at his body, tucked into a blanket and in a typical hospital robe. He let out a light grunt as he tried to reposition his body, but given he couldn’t feel much of his limbs, that would prove to be difficult.


The doctor continued. It was clear this patient wouldn’t give him a straight answer. Maybe for his own protection? “Kain… we know who you are, and we know the masked vigilante known as Sesler delivered you here. Don’t give me any kind of excuse. But trust me when I say we’re here to help.”


A bit startled at first, but not surprised. It wouldn’t take the hospital long to notice that Matthew Smith was a false name. Besides, with his face all over the news, the name Kain Saunders was more of a staple in the city. So for sure, he’d be recognized at some point. “H-Help?” he grumbled. “Last time I was told that, I was about to face 15 years in a maximum security prison. And that was from the police chief. What makes me believe a word you say?”


“Well, for one thing, the FBI have exonerated you of all your crimes. No reason to run or hide anymore. A reason to let us help you. And your friends.”


“I already know about my pardon. But the Feds are useless against what I’m going up against. Doc, thanks for everything you’ve done, but really…. I just want to get back on my feet.” His words were very hasty, anxious. He wanted out as soon as possible.


“You will, Kain. Trust me. Your injuries are not life threatening or entirely hindering. Your kneecap was cracked but not shattered. It will heal with time, but only if you take it easy.”


“I don’t have time. Someone I care about is in trouble… she’s probably being hurt right now. Do you know what that means, as a man who saves peoples lives?”


“Mm…. Kenzie, right?”


Kain, once again, was caught off guard. This doctor seemed to know a lot about him. “H-how…”


“She worked for this hospital up until six months ago. I got her used to things around here until she was transferred to Goodwill. A shame that she left us. She was one of our finest, especially for someone so young…” The older man took a few steps closer to his patient. He dug through his coat pocket to remove a crumbled picture. The picture Kain showed up with of his sweetheart. The doctor placed it in the patient’s hand and left him a reassuring smile. “You dropped this on your way in. She’s really a gem. And she spoke very highly of you, despite how the news would constantly label you a crook.”


Kain would fondle with the picture between his fingers until it faced him. “That’s Kenz. She never had a mean thing to say about anyone. It’s one of things I…” A pause, but one that was completed for him.


“…love about her?” This doctor was clearly good as what he does. Then again, he was a friend of his foster sister. No surprise that he could read the ex cop like a book. “Come on, Kain. It doesn’t take a genius to know she doesn’t feel for her husband the same way as for you. The way she’d defend your case, talk about you with the other doctors… she was something special, and it’s clear who she wants by her side in life…… do you know where she is?”


He shook his head. “I was trying to find her… up until I was shot.”


“By…?”


No need to hide anything. Perhaps this man could assist him in some way. He was his way out of the hospital too, so opening up, even just a bit, was necessary. “Some psycho. Calls himself Nathan Wells. The Magician, as his pseudonym would go. He’s… he’s torturing her, Doctor.” He’d take a breath to collect his thoughts. “He did it on a phone call so I could hear her screams. Showed me an after picture…. You have no idea how much it kills me on the inside to know that she could die any second and I’m here… helplessly praying for a miracle. And that’s why I want to get back on my feet.” He’d clench the photo in his fist and stare the doctor in the eye, his desperation getting the better of him once again. “Please, doctor. The Feds can’t help her. But I can. How soon will I be able to move?”


The doctor sighed. He admired Kain’s perseverance but was in shock by how it would lead him to do something downright stupid. “If you charge back into action, you risk injuring your leg further. And when it does, it will hurt like hell. And you’ll be out for even longer…”


“Doc. When can I at least walk again?”


A quick moment of thought, until he gave a value, “Maybe an hour or two if you respond well enough? Don’t mind the unreal heroics in your head. For now, you need to rest and take it easy. The Feds are en route to finalize your pardon, then they’ll be out of your hair for good.”


“F-Feds?” Kain was suddenly alarmed. Law enforcement were the last people he could trust, even if he was a free man. He’s arm movement seemed as if he were on the verge of getting up and trying to run, although he was still unable to.


“Please, stay calm, Kain,” the doctor urged his patient, extending his arms onto Kain’s shoulders to hold him down. “You are not under arrest, and it’s not just any Fed coming down here. It’s the Director. He wants to see you personally. He’s not working for any third party. He says he can help you, so let him.”


Knowing the man he was meeting would be Henrikson was only half re-assuring. Sure, he was certain at this point the director was not affiliated with Lociato in any way, but it was still a huge risk to know that he was back on the radar. The slave driver would get wind of his admission to the hospital, especially now that the doctors connected the dots to his true identity. It was all a huge risk, but he was in a position where he had no choice but to comply. He relaxed his head back into the hospital bed he laid in, looking the doctor in the eye. “You do understand the magnitude of the risk we’re all in now, right?”


“I think I’ve gathered that after these past two days. Don’t worry. You’ll be okay.”


The injured man had no choice but to take this doctor’s word for it and place his trusts in him. But once he was able to walk, he’d surely leave the hospital and continue his search. To hurt Nathan the same way Nathan hurt him.


-(Dave Saunders/Jeffrey Henrikson)- @Altair1303


Dave’s method of infiltration into the hospital was as a janitor. It didn’t even take much effort to slip by the back entrance security while wearing a green jumpsuit and matching baseball cap. He’d drag a black rolling garbage can in front of his legs as he waltzed about the first floor of Eve’s Memorial Hospital. According to Nathan, he was to place one brick of the explosives given in each room of the ground floor for maximum effect. Odd how he didn’t want him to go for the boiler or the basement. But whatever the crazy man says. This wasn’t for anyone but Kenzie and his son. The son that he had no idea was dead now.


Strolling through the lobby and in front of cameras seemed so simple, and nobody even recognized him as the police station massacre artist. Maybe the law truly failed after all. Nobody gave a damn anymore. Not after the past two days of chaos in Seattle. People were hopeless. Afraid. The beginning of the end. Maybe Zachariah Black’s attempt to wipe the city out might’ve done something for a start-over, but with such violence? He strived so long to give people hope. Only to take it away. Ironic.


This wasn’t the same David Saunders anymore. The old Dave was gone the second he took that revolver and shot the secretary at the front desk at the station. His name disgraced. His life’s work soiled. He was no better than Nathan. And after the hospital bombing, it would be set in stone. The lives he’d be taking, alongside those he’d already taken at the station… it’s like none of them even mattered to him. Killing, it only got easier with each life he’d erase from the face of the earth.


As the fake janitor passed by the front desk, while he didn’t pay much attention to what people around him were saying, he couldn’t help but listen in to a few words that a grey-haired man in an overcoat was saying at the front desk.


“Hello ma’am, I’m looking for Kain Saunders. I was told he was admitted to this hospital? Director Henrikson, FBI.” 


Those alarming words, caused Dave’s eyes to shoot out. His brother was in the hospital? Worse, the hospital he was just moments away from sending to kingdom come?! No way. And why was he in the hospital? And the director was here, alongside his partner, Jackson Cooper. Something was wrong. Feds and his brother together in the same place, even after being let off the hook.


“Of course sir…” the lady at the front nodded, typing away at her computer. “He’s on……. The third floor, room 305. He’s just coming to.”


“Great, thank you,” Henrikson would smile to the woman, tapping his wounded partner on the shoulder and marching around the front desk to the elevator. “Let’s go, Coop.”


Could Dave do this? Kill two federal agents, one being the goddamn director of operations, alongside the little brother he cared about so much? The little brother that was also the last remnant of his broken family? At this point, Kenzie was probably aware of his deeds. Odds are, Nathan told her and showed her security footage to marvel in disappointment. But what would she think if he took his brother from her? For sure she would never look at him again. She’d keep his child away from him. At this point, he’d have to consult with his partner in crime. Trying to avoid seeming in shock for too long in the lobby, he kept walking with his trash can in hand. Once he was alone, he wielded his cell phone and ticked away a message to Nathan. It would reach Jose, but no matter. “Director of the FBI is here. Kill him too?” If he asked whether or not to kill Kain, the answer would be a definite yes. Murdering family. If he weren’t already far gone, this would push him over the edge… but it would only get better with time.
 
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-(Aaron Stilinski/Jose Salas)- @Shaba7


"Ha, very funny." Jose says, too focused on the road to emote realistically. "Sorry, but I'm not into women." he says, feeling the phone vibrate in his pocket, he pulls it out and has to double-take, Nathan would either love the opportunity or hate it with all his being, to confirm he sends his phone a text, quickly given a response, he retypes it word-for-word to Dave. "Do it. Kill the fucker. Maybe make things interesting with some people of your choosing, convince a few people to get out, give 'em that survivors guilt."


With the accusations that he had been perving, Aaron reddens, closing his eyes and looking down at his lap. "A way with words" he mutters, playing with the chains binding him to the chair.


-(Nathan Wells)- @Quiet Is Violent


"Yeah, let's do this." he says, a small smile on his face. "Go see the quartermaster again, I'll be getting some things I need" Nate explains, Entering his home and helping the goon get Michael into his chair, before shovelling his money back into it's bag and turning to his small stash of equipment in the dresser, picking out ammunition and a few replacements for his cards. His mind moved to the possibility that Anna was weighing him down, she was a weakness that people could exploit, threatening her got him riled up and that was something he wanted to avoid, makes things difficult. He'd let himself argue the matter backwards and forwards for a bit, then he'd decide if he could afford to keep the girl around, but for now, he had things to do. Packing up his things, he leaves his shack and makes his way to the van, leaning against it as he waits for Anna.
 
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-(Kenzie Brookes)- @Altair1303


"Aww, well that's too bad, could've had some fun with your pretty little head," Kenzie answered Jose in a sarcastically disappointed manner. The implication that Jose was gay threw seduction and lustful comments out the window. Was a piece of cake with Ian, and also some mental entertainment for the woman. It wasn't going to stop her, though.


The doctor couldn't help but crack a smile to Aaron. "Hey, kid, I don't blame you if you peeked." She could tell he was younger than her. And it was also a playful tease to ease the tension in the van. Moreso friendly, wheres her attitude to her captor was more attacking. "If you saw how many glimpses my brothers got by barging into my room when I'm changing? Pfft, god, priceless. Especially how they'd run. Good times."


Perhaps she was becoming too chatty for her own good. Maybe enough for Jose to become annoyed. Regardless, she was getting a kick out of it and would continue. Even start a conversation with both men on board with her. "So tell me.... either one of you strapping young men, anyone special in the picture?"
 
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-(Aaron Stilinski/Jose Salas)- @Shaba7


"I have someone, yeah." Jose says, not caring to elaborate further as he continues driving, small smirk visible on his face, as if it were something to brag about. If the bitch wanted chatty, he'd give her chatty, by his standards anywho. He just wanted to keep driving until Nathan told him it was safe to go home, until he could rest. Aaron, upon hearing Kenzie's question shakes his head, "Despite all my time in coffee shops, I have yet to meet someone." he says, he seemed to force it out rather awkwardly, not exactly fond of the subject, he becomes strangely interested at something on his hand, keeping his head down and mind ticking away at some way he could get out of the predicament, he would prefer to get Kenzie out too, she was innocent, but he takes priority, he'd have to secure his safety first, which because increasingly difficult once it is realised that he is chained to a chair in the back of a moving vehicle. "Not one person..." Aaron says to himself, as if covering for his silent thought.
 
-(Kenzie Brookes)- @Altair1303


"Hey, we all find someone in the weirdest of circumstances, now don't we?" She was referring to her own situation. How she met Kain as the foster brother she never wanted. But she'd already elaborated a bit on it with Aaron. And he seemed to be familiar with her family's elaborate structure. Her mood seemed a bit lighter, evident in her tone of voice, as she repositioned herself into a sitting position once again, groaning from the pain as her legs were still immobilized. Couldn't even feel them.


She could tell the hostage in front of her was gradually becoming antsy, but couldn't exactly tell why. Rather, she decided to humor the group. "I'd say we try something like charades or cards of sorts to break the ice and become friends, but alas..." She waved her chained wrists slightly, the jingling of metal loops against each other echoing the cabin of the vehicle. "Friendship seems to be against the law on this bus..... Come on, driver. Don't tell me Nathan didn't give you something to do on your spare time? Entertain your special guests." She'd let Aaron in on a smile gleaming with confidence, as though she knew what she was doing. Hell, she really seemed as so throughout the entire drive despite how every word was improvised up until now. She had no clue where they were going and quite frankly didn't care. What mattered was pissing this hostage taker off to the point where he'd react to calm her. Maybe that was her manifestation of her addiction to the drug. Maybe it was just her being a bitch. Whichever it was, she was persistent.
 
-(Aaron Stilinski/Jose Salas)- @Shaba7


"I am finding it very hard to care." Jose groans, unaffected by the woman's words. "I just need to drive you guys around until Dave blows up a hospital and kills a very special federal agent, then I let you go and blow up the vehicle." he says, looking at the back of his hand as the watch ticked over. "I get to decide if the 'computer specialist -'" he says, using his right hand for visble finger quotes -"over there gets blown up too." Jose says, with a sadistic smirk, a few words and the phone he carried could expose Aaron as the reason for Dave's turn, as well as Nathan's knowledge of the family and Kenzie's baby.


Aaron was not ignorant to this fact, sending a glare a bit too strong for the persona he was using towards the driver, in situations like this, maybe a bomb in his chest would have advantages...
 
-(Kenzie Brookes)- @Altair1303


"Aaron lives too. No negotiation. I'll be damned if I get to walk and an innocent man has to die." Little did Kenzie know that Aaron wasn't innocent in the slightest. But with the misinformation in mind, she would defend his case till the end. Extending her bound hands up to his lap, she told him, "I'm not leaving you behind. I've made that mistake once. Leaving someone for dead. I'm not making it again."


Leaving Liana behind in the apartment still haunted her. If they'd taken her along for the ride, perhaps things could've played out different. Now she's as far gone as Dave. Maybe even her father too. She wouldn't let that happen to someone else today. Even if she had to die with him in the van.


"Hey, amigo," she called Jose, almost in a teasing manner. Yet another card up her sleeve to aggravate the soldier. "I have to use the little lady's room, and it seems like we have a long ride ahead of us..... now should I do it in this abomination of a fashion statement? On the floor? Maybe Aaron's mouth? I mean, I'm not into that, but at least it won't reek in here. Or should we pull over and go somewhere more sanitary? I bet this kid has to do his business as well, right?" She mouthed for Aaron to go along with her words, hoping he'd understand and comply.


-(Kain & Dave Saunders/Jeffrey Henrikson)-


Dave chose to deviate from his current course of planting explosives to discreetly tail the two federal agents in hopes of getting information. Whatever he could about the Lociato case, and more importantly, about his brother. What happened for him to end up in the hospital? He still held a certain degree of concern for his family. Nathan hadn’t completely desensitized him. Taking lives simply became easier. But Kain? That would never be an easy life to take. He just hoped it would never come to that point. Not today at least.


Kain, now alone in his hospital room, could only toy with his unpleasant thoughts. The Feds were on their way, and would be there at any time. As if knowing Kenzie was in danger and his brother a fugitive wasn’t troublesome enough. The events of the past day seemed to have softened the young ex-police officer. He began to perceive things completely differently. Killing under the alias Kasper was very easy before today. Now? He couldn’t fathom the idea of spilling blood for pleasure. When he sliced the eye of that fed, cut Dave’s arm, slit Vincent Mikael’s throat… nothing. Absolutely nothing. Though he greatly appreciated his tanto and loved it both aesthetically and tactically, he found himself using it less than he initially intended. He still saw himself as a murderer, but it was as if every time he’d react and get close to ending another man’s life prematurely, something inside his gut was halting him. Was it his love for Kenzie, and that desire for a better, calmer life with her once this was over?


Or perhaps Luca was becoming more of an influence than he expected. Kain greatly admired his partner, which he now considered a friend, despite how he’d always seem emotionless, as if the world around him didn’t affect him the same way as the rest. But nobody could blame Sesler for being that way. The little brother initially thought this man was a lost cause, a blackened soul who wasn’t afraid to spill blood. But the way he spared Richard Anderson, twice. The way he’d defend Dave in the worst of times. Or the way he’d always neutralize an opposition without killing, both in Kenzie’s home and on the freighter… he was a knowledgeable man, and Kain greatly enjoyed his company. He could compare the masked man to that elder master that he never had around that would show him things in a different light. A new angle to perceive life. One that really grew on him. If only he could say thank you…


Thinking had to wait for another time. His door cracked open as he placed his picture of the doctor on the bedside, just next to his belongings, including his switchblade and his cell phone, neither of which he touched yet. He’d watch the door swing open from the inside as Henrikson and Cooper stepped inside, rather calmly, as if they weren’t in a rush and were very cool about their approach.


“Hello, Kain,” the director initiated the conversation, waddling his hands behind his back. “I believe you have an idea who I am. I just wish… we could’ve met under better circumstances.”


Kain hated the suits as much as he did the bulls. Recognizing the two from police gatherings in the past, having the two FBI higher-ups  standing before his hospital bed while he couldn’t evade them only increased the tension. Silence was always an option, but there was no reason to be quiet. He was a free man. But if that were really the case, what does Henrikson want with him? He’d shift his pupils to the right. His sleek black weapon was within reach. Could he throw it at one of these men as a threat to stay back?


“Easy there… we come in peace,” Cooper would add on, noticing Kain’s uneasy look and his fist roll into a ball. The two federal agents would pull the openings of their jackets back to expose their firearms. Simultaneously, they’d remove their pistols from their respective holsters and hold them out to Kain, almost as if it were surrender. “We don’t want to hurt you. Your record’s clean. We aren’t going to arrest you or anything. And for you to have a peace of mind…” The suited men would proceed to place the pistols in the patient’s lap and take a few steps back. “If you ever feel threatened at any time, just pull the hammer back and shoot us both.”


Their actions baffled Kain. Never had he seen agents do something this bold. Give their weapons to a man who had the capacity, and in some cases, the willpower, to shoot them both. Not that he would. But if they tried any kind of stunt and forced his hand… Placing a hand over one of them, he’d look up to the director’s eyes. “If I’m not in trouble, why are you here?”


Henrikson answered, “We have a proposal. One that everyone benefits from if executed properly.”


“Wasn’t this supposed to be you two finalizing my pardon paperwork?”


“Oh, it is. What we’re going to discuss is going to set your freedom in stone. For you, and your girlfriend.”


The second he mentioned Kenzie, Kain’s grip fastened to the handle of the weapon he’d placed his hand over. Something wasn’t right if they were bringing her into this. But this innocent woman was still in trouble. More importantly, there’s no way these men were ahead of him in the search. The law could only go so far. “How much do you know about Kenzie?”


Cooper answered that question. “We know she’s under the mercy of Nathan Wells. Son of a bitch announced it when he trashed the news station. And with our resources and the help of the NSA, we could find her in a heartbeat. And trust me. We are actively working on it, with or without your consent. She has nothing to do with this mess. She doesn’t deserve to die to this psycho.”


“Well… thank you for realizing that this is an innocent woman’s life in danger.” Impressive. These two knew what they were up against.


“…But….” Henriskon interrupted. “From what we know, Kenzie is not entirely… innocent. She was with you and your brother when you fled custody. And god only knows what connections she’s had with Sesler through you. Or even what she knew about her father?”


Not good. Were the Feds going to indict Kenzie for just knowing Sesler, or even being related to Edward? Could she hide behind the excuse that she didn’t know Luca Varundar was the man behind the mask? And that she was treating this man as a patient/friend of his? But that wouldn’t explain escaping federal custody the other morning. No workaround. And this was his own fault. Perhaps going to her from the very beginning was a mistake.


“Not to mention…” Cooper further explained, “I’m sure you know this already, but we need a fall guy for all of your actions. Assaulting a police officer, grand theft auto, illegal possession of an imported weapon…” He nudged his head in the direction of the table with his oriental weapon placed over it. They really knew a lot about him and his actions. Insane… “…aiding a known criminal, the murder of a dozen federal agents? Breaking probation? And there’s plenty more. I hope you understand that all of these can’t go unaccounted for. And since that guy can’t be you…… gee, do you think Kenzie would last that kind of time?” He turned his neck in his partner’s direction, following up with the mind game. “How long do you think she’s looking at, Jeff?”


The director would look to the ceiling, contemplating over the crimes that would eventually fall on her. Crimes she didn’t commit. “Ahh...... I’m thinking, 15 life sentences? And then some? That’s if she’s lucky.”


Kain was about to lose it. Looping the pistol in his hand, he held it to eye level, tilted slightly, and pointed it at the director after he concluded her potential sentence. But the way they were making this out to be. Things were becoming clear in his head. Every action by the feds up until now. “You didn’t exonerate me because you thought I was a good man at heart…” he muttered.


The two agents didn’t even flinch at his abrupt reaction. Not even a step back or plead for mercy, or any sort of explanation. It seemed like this former cop was picking up. Henrikson and Cooper faced each other and rewarded Kain’s perceptive mind with a golf clap. “Bravo... That mind of yours, Kain. Something special. So you probably know that there’s a way you and Kenzie can live happily ever after.”


“Son of a bitch, if you dare try to get these claims passed…” Kain would grit his teeth, toying with his index finger on the trigger, his body not moving from its place but the end of the barrel still pointed at the director’s head. “If she rots in jail, I will make it my life’s duty to take away the woman you love.”


“That won’t be necessary,” Henrikson confidently shook his head, taking a few steps closer to the gunman. “Because Kenzie can walk. As if she was never involved, just like you. It’s a simple trade-off. Your brother and Sesler, or Kenzie. Which would you rather see in jail?”


An ultimatum that the troubled injured man couldn’t possibly choose between, burdening his racing mind and heart further. His partner and brother, or the woman he loves so passionately? He didn’t want to see any of them in prison. He couldn’t sell them out. None of them. His weapon still set on the director with every movement, he’d snarl, “You can’t possibly expect me to make that call.”


“Actually,” Cooper approached Kain from the opposite side of his bed. “You don’t have to. We’re going to assume that if you don’t deliver the first of your two targets by 3 AM tomorrow, that you’ve chosen to preserve a lawless vigilante and a cop gone serial killer, two men that the city of Seattle wants to see crucified… that their lives mean so much more to you than a defenseless doctor who dedicated her life to saving people. A woman that literally nobody could possibly dislike. The woman that you grew up with. The woman that saved your life. The woman you love. I think this choice is obvious, Kain. Not a second thought needed.”


Shallow thinking, the way Cooper labeled his brother and Sesler. He couldn’t possibly justify Dave’s rampage on the station, but aside that, the distinguished police officer was more morally set in stone than he could ever be. And Sesler? A misunderstood man entirely. A man who’d been cheated by the system, just like he was. A desperate man with nothing to lose as he’d chase after the man who took his soulmate from him. But they’d go to jail as if they were paying for their own crimes. Kenzie? She’d go to jail for a series of crimes that were his own fault. He could never live with that burden. But with the burden he betrayed two men he values highly? His aim not deviating in the slightest, he wanted confirmation, “So if I turn in Dave and Sesler… me and Kenzie walk?”


Henrikson nodded. “Clean sweep. Hell, you’re a smart guy too. Maybe there could be a place for you in the bureau if you’d like, just to ensure your own protection, and possibly foster a newfound trust. A new life, kiddo. You’d be a fool to turn this down. You’re going to let two criminals walk while your sweetheart wallows in a hole that you were supposed to be thrown in?”


“You can’t do this.” Kain’s emotions were speaking more than his mind. He couldn’t even believe the Feds were doing this. It’s clear they’re using him to get to Luca and Dave, two far bigger fish than him. Only using him due to his criminal connections, and his expendability. And using Kenzie to make it even more motivating.


“Oh, we can,” the director reassured him. “Nobody will ever know. And no court will listen to you if you say that you were approached by me with this absurd accusation that we planned to pin your crimes on the late police chief’s daughter. But mark our words. If you don’t have one of the two heads by 3AM tomorrow, Kenzie becomes a suspect. Armed and dangerous. And she won’t even receive medical treatment when we apprehend her.”


“Go to hell, Jeff.” The temptation to shoot this man would only become greater at this point. But he resisted. That would land him in custody with no hope to save Kenzie, neither from Wells nor the Feds. Inconceivable that this was how far the suits were willing to go.


Cooper leaned his head in to Kain’s ear to whisper a few final thoughts. “If you don’t take this deal and follow through, Kenzie will beat us all down there.”


Kain had had enough. A quick peek at Cooper through the corner of his eye, then he swung his pistol-toting hand at the second in command Fed and landed a hardy blow at the man’s forehead with whatever range he could muster, consequently knocking him back and into a wall on his left. “NEVER talk about her like that.”


Rather than respond accordingly to his partner being assaulted, Henrikson only smirked and shook his head, almost as if he were pleased by the reaction. “Do that to your two targets, and we won’t get anywhere near your precious. Deal?”


This deal was going down no matter what Kain said or did. They would indict Kenzie with all they could get from his own history if he didn’t obey them. He’d have to consider this deal later. With Luca. Dave was too far gone at this point to save. And would certainly not turn himself in under Nathan’s ruling. He lowered the standard issue pistol to his lap, alongside the second one, then crossed his arms over his chest. “Get out of my face. Both of you.”


Dave was eavesdropping throughout the entire conversation, his ear up against the wooden door listening in to every word. His life and Sesler’s, in exchange for Kenzie’s freedom. How would that happen if she were still with Nathan? Or was she? No matter. Would Kain turn him in if it came down to it? A similar situation if he were to kill his brother. Is this what a brotherly bond has come to? Who kills who or who ruins whose life first? Things were certainly more complicated than before. And the older brother couldn’t possibly surrender himself to extend Kenzie’s freedom. Nathan would kill her first for his infidelity. As he heard the footsteps of the two Feds making their way to the door, the janitor impersonator took his steps away from the door and continued to walk as if he were simply passing by. As Henrikson and Cooper took their steps outside, they didn’t even notice him.


“Did we make the right call, Director?” Cooper pondered, rethinking over their proposition. “I mean, exonerating Kain from the beginning, just to do this to him? I mean, we never expected him to get shot and all.”


Henrikson nodded. “Trust me. This will work. Kain loves Kenzie too much to see her go to jail for his crimes. He’ll come through. Doc says he’ll walk in an hour or two. He can turn them in if he can get on his feet… Just watch him.”
 
Such a bitter internal dilemma. One he felt sickened just to ponder. A greater man would've made the choice by now. And yet, he kneeled there still, an innocent woman's ring clutched between thumb and pointer finger. Is this what he was really considering? Leaving those that saved his life and got him so far? The gash on his hip brought a flash of phantom pain, as though a divine reminder. Kenzie had saved his life. Kain had. And he made an oath to Brookes. Hell, an oath to the city. To prevent damage to the foundation in which he stood upon. A commitment forged like steel and just as strong. And yet, he couldn't immediately pack up and try to find a lead. Not only did he not know where to start, but postponing his final objective, maybe permanently given Lociato's liquidation, made him grimace. For years he fought for Sarah exclusively. In the last few, he slowed down and had a revelation at the plague of the city. Luca was never a selfish man behind the mask, and felt remorse for the dying city.


Kenzie. She was young, full of life, and happy. Of all people, why her? Kain was wounded, unable to help her. Dave was twisted by Nathan in an attempt to save her. And yet, even Luca couldn't help her. Uselessness bound him like his guilt. And she was pregnant. A child's blood would be on his hand if he left. Funny, friendship was something once alien to Luca. Now, it was the one thing that both stopped him and kept him going. He had such a small amount of experience with others growing up. Dock work made sure of it. A sixth grader's level of formal knowledge, too. But his intelligence in right and wrong wax solid. He had no excuse for leaving the Saunders behind.


Kain. Perhaps similar to him in this situation, he was also young. They had a good deal in common, enough to make Luca rethink his motives. Both lost their family. Both had killed. Perhaps Luca had gone beyond his senseless desires. Kain was still developing into the lifestyle he led. Would Kain soon trade his knife for a baton? Should he? Maybe the criminals they dealt with didn't deserve redemption. Perhaps Luca didn't, either. Leaving the city would mean he was leaving Dave free, as well. No matter his personal feelings, it was the hand of Sesler that had to take him down. His bald cousin still dominated Lociato's dirty work. And he couldn't singlehandedly take down the factory. The choice was still hard, but perhaps less so.


Squelching his muscly weight into the rough leather of the crumbling taxi cab, he forked over an uncounted was through the slits. A personal visit would have to suffice. "Take me to Eve Memorial. Stop outside the emergency room." Although he didn't receive a verbal reply, the car shifted gears and pulled onto the main roads of slow traffic. Dull colors of derelict buildings pasted the window as the yellow vehicle passed them. Eventually, the dullness was replaced by the vibrant white of the Memorial hospital as the cab turned into the half-moon lot outside the admission doors. Luca nodded his thanks, stepping out. The mask was bundled under his overcoat which was draped across his right arm as he entered. By simply asking a question and waiting, he could get Kain's room number and floor. Such a pivotally weak security system. No wonder Anderson nearly died. He'd jiggle the doorknob for a moment, as to alert Kain. He didn't know how paranoid he was or if he was even awake. "It's me." Waiting a moment, he'd press a hand against the door and yanked, stepping in and shutting it behind him. The wounds were patched up, and yet the man's eyes showed wear and tear from being shot and left to stew in his own negativity. "We've had better days." Sliding over a chair, Luca sat down in the plush chair and looked up at him.
 
-(Kain Saunders)- @Milus


Sleep deprived, stressed, among a slew of emotions, Kain's eyes showed more than just pain and sorrow. Uselessness. Helplessness. Depression. What was left for him when this was over? Given he could find Kenzie, only her. He certainly wasn't going to leave her. Not to raise a son on her own. His nephew, technically. Dave, as a fugitive, would certainly not serve as a very solid father figure. Then again, a cop killer like himself was no better. But Kasper was gone. He wanted a new start with her. One he hoped she could accept and leave the city for. It's all he really wanted now.


The cracks from the doorknob initially startled Kain. He assumed it would be those two feds again, coming to intimidate him further or offer more threats upon the woman he loved. But the familiar voice calmed his nerves. Luca's timing was spot on. He was tempted to grab his phone and let him in on the situation. After the past day, there was no way he'd expose the Luca/Sesler duality. He would never sink that low, especially not with a partnership that went as deep as their own. They were, indeed, more alike than they initially assumed. And they both had a similar endgame: protecting the ones they care about most. Kenzie and Sarah. Their respective priorities.


The injured man let out a brief smile upon the sight of his friend, adjusting the way he was sitting to be more upright. "Indeed we have... I never expected you to come back so soon." He took a quick breath to contemplate his next words. It was clear he came back with poor tidings, and he could guess exactly what. "I assume you couldn't find her... right?" His tone slowly dropped to a more melancholy fashion, yet maintained his composure. "Huhhh... I don't blame you. Just glad you didn't get shot."


He moved on to another pressing topic, a rather important one. "Wells is unpredictable... But we'll get her back, even if it's the last thing I do. But I'm a bit more concerned about what happens when we actually do...." He was prepared to drop the bombshell. He didn't want to hide the conspiracy about turning him in. They were beyond the point of lying for each other's safety. Hell, there was no safety anymore. "The good news, my injury isn't serious and I could walk in the hour. Might even make the factory siege, if that's still a go without Kenzie's prints. The bad news....." Kain looked passed Luca's frame towards the door to ensure nobody was coming. He definitely didn't want Henrikson or Cooper eavesdropping on a conversation with Sesler himself. That would seal Kenzie's fate for sure. "... the feds. They didn't give me my freedom out of the goodness of their hearts...." A quick break before he continued. He grew bored and weary of sitting in the hospital bed in the same position. He pressed his palms against the bed by his hips and allowed his entire body to turn in the outward direction, his legs dangling from the edge. A first step to getting back on his feet. "They wanted something from me all along. Your head, and Dave's. And if I don't deliver at least one of you in 24 hours... they will frame Kenzie for every crime I've committed this past day."


Such transparency and bluntness of the bat wasn't exactly friendly, though Kain would like a friendly relationship with his man once their troubles were behind them. But for now, they had business to take care of, and this was the most efficient way. "It goes without saying, that I will not turn you in. Not even after what I've been through with her. There has to be another way... but how?" One idea was always an option: run. An option he didn't need, but if he doesn't sell his brother or his partner out, Kenzie would need it.


-(Dave Saunders/Jeffrey Henrikson)- @Altair1303


The two suits remained on the third floor, seated near the front desk, patiently awaiting Kain's supposed swift recovery. Once they were sure he could walk and fight, it would serve as reassurance that he'd go after one of his two targets... unbeknownst to them both that Sesler and Dave were both right under their noses. Their scandal could work, and give them a form of plausible deniability. Nobody would believe that they approached a desperate man with such a bold task and threatened to imprison an innocent woman. A clever, yet slimy move. It just showed that Henrikson had the capacity to be just as dirty as Edward. And more personal.


"I'm going to check on Kain, Coop," the director let out a light grunt as he rose to his feet from the chair. "Keep an eye on the elevator. We don't need anyone coming up on this floor and sneaking by us, right?"


"Indeed, Director. You can trust me."


The high and mighty director of operations swung his overcoat almost like a cape behind him as he walk ever so casually over to room 305. He wasn't expecting Kain to have company, or to have left so soon. If anything, he expected him to still be in bed waiting for a nurse to help him up. As Jeffrey raised his knuckles to the old painted door, without even noticing the steps or breaths behind him, he felt a white rag smash against his nose and mouth. A distinctive smell. Chloroform. He'd known it from past operations and experience. He tried to let out a few mumbles, or pull his weapon, anything to get someone's attention, but his feeble attempts were soon interrupted as he was forcefully dragged into a nearby janitorial closet by his captor. A good thirty seconds passed inside until one bald chubby man in a janitor suit exited, alone, now with an FBI-issue pistol in his hands.


Henrikson was out of the equation for Dave. Now all he had to do was place the rest of the explosives. A quick text to Nathan to reassure him of the process: Henrikson is no longer a problem. Just finishing things up. Watch the fireworks in an hour or so.
 
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-(Aaron Stilinski/Jose Salas)- @Shaba7


"Not my problem." Jose responds, he just had to keep driving. He received Dave's text and relayed it to Nate, turning his head back to the two in his custody. "Hold it, Dave will be done with his jobs in a few hours at most, then you're out of my hair." he says, looking specifically at Aaron. "But no, the techie stays, needs to learn that you can't just play both sides." he says, reaching over to the dash and picking up Aaron's own phone, with access to his emails and text conversations. Aaron knew he was beat, kept his mouth shut, hopefully his captor would be gracious and not tell of his million lies until Kenzie was free to go.
 
Altair1303 said:
-(Aaron Stilinski/Jose Salas)- @Shaba7


"Ha, very funny." Jose says, too focused on the road to emote realistically. "Sorry, but I'm not into women." he says, feeling the phone vibrate in his pocket, he pulls it out and has to double-take, Nathan would either love the opportunity or hate it with all his being, to confirm he sends his phone a text, quickly given a response, he retypes it word-for-word to Dave. "Do it. Kill the fucker. Maybe make things interesting with some people of your choosing, convince a few people to get out, give 'em that survivors guilt."


With the accusations that he had been perving, Aaron reddens, closing his eyes and looking down at his lap. "A way with words" he mutters, playing with the chains binding him to the chair.


-(Nathan Wells)- @Quiet Is Violent


"Yeah, let's do this." he says, a small smile on his face. "Go see the quartermaster again, I'll be getting some things I need" Nate explains, Entering his home and helping the goon get Michael into his chair, before shovelling his money back into it's bag and turning to his small stash of equipment in the dresser, picking out ammunition and a few replacements for his cards. His mind moved to the possibility that Anna was weighing him down, she was a weakness that people could exploit, threatening her got him riled up and that was something he wanted to avoid, makes things difficult. He'd let himself argue the matter backwards and forwards for a bit, then he'd decide if he could afford to keep the girl around, but for now, he had things to do. Packing up his things, he leaves his shack and makes his way to the van, leaning against it as he waits for Anna.
Click to expand...

Anna ran off to get some plastic explosives. she started skipping and humming to herself. Then everything went dark.


Liana came to a stop. What is she doing? She looked around her. It's dark and foggy here. Liana walked in a straight line, eventually coming off what looked like a quartermaster. He handed her plastic explosives and her eyes widened. Then she felt the contacts in her eyes. She quickly took them out, revealing her bright blue eyes. What the hell happened? One minute she's faking her death and the next she's in a weird smoky slum neighborhood. LIana took the explosives and wandered through the warehouse, confused. That is, until she saw Nathan. Her skin paled. "Nathan Wells?" She whispered, walking faster towards him. "The Magician? Is that..." Then it dawned on her. The explosives. The Magician. She was helping him be a bad guy. Liana dropped the C-4 and looked wide-eyed at Nathan, unable to move.
 
-(Nathan Wells)- @Quiet Is Violent


Nathan looks up from Jose's phone, soon the game would be over, completed differently than the first, Then he could be satisfied, right? it didn't matter, he'd keep trying until he was. He spots Anna, having dropped an explosive device he is immediately alarmed, sliding Jose's phone into his pocket, he walks towards Liana slowly. "Hey, Anna. What's up?" he says, noticing her change in eyes, back to how they were when she went by Liana, something was up. "Li-anna, that is." he corrects himself, hoping to be right in his assumption.
 
The conversation eased Luca's initial fears, as Kain sat up and eventually draped his frame over the side. The wound was healing. It wasn't permanent. Kain was glad that he came back, and it reassured Luca that he made the right choice. Until the suits were brought up. "The Director? Setting up a fucking sting?" A perhaps unconscious move, he leaned his back against the door and slid a left hand down one of the batons. Deep thinking encompassed his body as he closed the dull orbs of his eyes and allowed the images to roll over. Kenzie, whether dead or alive, would be the victim of a smear campaign. And yet, there was no reason to believe that the Feds would stop with one of them. Perhaps they could disappear. But subjugate someone's life to constant pursuit? Is this what Sarah would want? "Your words mean something, Kain, really. But if we can't get our hands on your brother, you're..." He truly had to think out his words. This was giving up his freedom, in a sense. But what was his purpose? Was Sarah even alive? Could he live the rest of his days without knowing? But he couldn't live knowing that he was the key to Kain and Kenzie's future. "...you're bringing me in. Do I WANT to do this? No. But I can handle myself in prison. Do you think Kenzie could?"


|•|Angelo Varundar|•|


Angela raised several good points. Her service proved invaluable. Her skills and clearances; impeccable. Several people on the list were similar. And yet, the killer knew why. "Your knowledge. Think about how much you've seen. A liability is all we are. Why do you think I didn't kill you? Its beyond simple attraction. You have a purpose that I need to disappear. To stop being the hand of Lociato. Which is why I think he sent me after other killers and assets. It's like choosing between cutting an ear off or a hand. And since I'm his hand, he hasn't killed me yet. Can I fully explain the man? No. Most likely; he's scared. This barge is just another bill in his wallet he salvaged from the shipwreck of Seattle. I know there's still a few names on that list. They aren't priority. I'll be back up here to kill them soon. But until then, we have to go to Mexico. I'll tell Lociato that I killed you. He has no reason to distrust me."


Angelo pulled the cell phone back into his grasp, flicking through the contacts. Reaching a predesignated series of numbers, he dialed the listing. There was no answer, only the sound of the pick up tone before cutting off. Seconds later, a man about a foot shorter appeared from the barge's bulkhead, a scarred complexion with unruly hair nearly at a mullet. He crossed the guttural planks, not bothering to be conspicuous at his wandering gaze as one of the last slaves crossed the threshold onto the deck. He then turned his attention to Angelo stepping close as though to shake hands. The man knew a great deal about anything going on in the boat. Angela would raise a red flag. No doubt Lociato gave him the same list, in case one of the targets tried to fled. Angelo yanked the M1911 from the pocket, firing from the quickdraw in little over a second. A rivet of a red hole formed in the man's forehead as he dropped backwards into the bay. No exit wound was seen. Without turning to Angela, he spoke to her. "Another loose end I had to tie up. Get on the barge, no doubt a bunch of hitmen want the money placed on you."
 
-(Kenzie Brookes)- @Altair1303


"No way, Jose," Kenzie disapproved of the decision, using the expression with no regard it referred to the driver's real name as well. "Just so you know, I have a rather small bladder, so this sucker could blow at any second. And if we don't find ourselves something that's not this seat, I'll piss in the van if it's the last thing I do." A rather nasty threat, but one she might just do. But another threat stood out. Aaron playing both sides. She peeked over at the techie from the corner of her eye, seemingly suspicious, and her facial expression obviously doubtful. Maybe she wanted answers, maybe she didn't.... A depraved secret that she would regret hearing, but would probably come out soon enough.


-(Kain Saunders)- @Milus


"Of course she can't," Kain shook his head in response to the last question. "She's been through enough for one day. But 15 life sentences for a crime she didn't commit? I can't live with that either, knowing she's paying for MY mistakes. But at the same time, I'm not turning you in, not under these circumstances." Bowing his head to the ground, he contemplated over the words of the director moments ago. "Henrikson said he wants ONE of your heads by tomorrow....... I know this isn't ideal, and questionable morally, but... If it's between you and my brother that I have to turn in... It kills me to think so, Luca, believe me it does. Dave's all I have left from my family. But he's the reason I got shot. His decision to shoot up the station compromised my plan, got Nathan antsy, realized he didn't need me, so he cut me loose. I could've gotten close to Kenzie if he didn't follow through with his demands. It's hard to realize, but I'm not..... NOT, turning you in unless it's a last resort. You are seeing this through. All of this. Lociato. Wells. Sarah. I'm not going to let you take the fall now. Dave's the priority. He turn him in.... or...." The other idea in his mind would be killing him. But he quickly scrapped it. Death would not serve him or his foster sister any good. They've lost enough for one lifetime. They'd rather see Dave in jail than six feet under at this point. "...never mind. Then I'll try to strike a deal to back them off. And if they don't, we can always run. Stay in Mexico or something. Anything. After everything this past day, Luca, I'm not letting you take the fall for anything. I know why you do what you do. Kenzie does as well, and no doubt Sarah will understand with time. A court won't see it that way. Ever. You're not paying for my crimes or your own, supposedly."


But Luca had his own fair share of stubbornness. The ex-cop recalled his desires to turn himself in through the conversation with his brother. He was prepared to face the consequences of his actions. The difference between the two: Sesler's actions were arguably justifiable. Dave's weren't. Nothing could explain why he did that. Not even his love for Kenzie and his son. Especially when there was an alternative.


Looking down the bed kept him thinking about trying to stand. He sure was in a rush to get back in the game. But as the doctor instructed, one wrong move and he'd ruin his knee far worse than it was. He kept watching over a small ledge he would've found harmless under normal circumstances, but now, seemed like a leap of faith.


-(Angela Parker)-


Angela didn't doubt his words, not in the slightest. It made a bit more sense as to why she was blacklisted, no matter how valuable she was to Lociato's operation. Escape would have to do, no questions asked. But clearly Angelo wanted to help, and maybe even get himself out of this mess too. Was there hope for them on the other side? Something beyond their cruelty? Without even flinching at the sight of another man being shot and killed so accurately before her eyes, she responded, "I appreciate your decision to preserve my life, V. Even with a bounty on my head. I'm forever grateful. No need to go home pack for me. I've got a ready case in the trunk. Just let me know when we... sail off into the moonlight, so to say." Angela was not a romantic, but rather using the terminology to appeal to the man. Love was a foreign concept to her, but she knew the uses and manifestations of lust enough to exploit it to her own advantage. Something that, though other women might not succeed in, might mean something from her to Angelo.


An escape plan. A new life. Taking the money she had and starting over. A thought she could very well entertain. Turning her back on Varundar for one second, she curled her fingers beneath the loop of the sedan trunk and lifted it open. A medium-sized red suitcase, used for emergency protocols as this one. Had everything she'd need for her disappearance. Dropping it to the asphalt and lifting the handle, she reminded him, "Ready when you are."
 
Altair1303 said:
-(Nathan Wells)- @Quiet Is Violent


Nathan looks up from Jose's phone, soon the game would be over, completed differently than the first, Then he could be satisfied, right? it didn't matter, he'd keep trying until he was. He spots Anna, having dropped an explosive device he is immediately alarmed, sliding Jose's phone into his pocket, he walks towards Liana slowly. "Hey, Anna. What's up?" he says, noticing her change in eyes, back to how they were when she went by Liana, something was up. "Li-anna, that is." he corrects himself, hoping to be right in his assumption.
Click to expand...

Liana took a step back, away from Nathan. "What have I been doing?" Liana whispered, shaking in fear of herself. "What was I going to do? Why was I wearing contacts? Where am I?" Liana felt tears welling in her eyes. "Why did you call me Anna? Where is Dave?" A tear fell down her cheek. "I'm scared..."
 
-(Dave Saunders)- (OOC: Would've posted this with my previous reply, but oh well, I was on the brink of crashing)


In every room of the bottom floor, the cop gone killer would leave a packed load of C4 in the trash cans. Somewhere nobody would check, and in that short time, would certainly not be dumped or discarded. There wasn't much time left for the hospital anyway. Very soon it would be nothing but rubble. Upon planting the final explosive device in the lobby, he'd inconspicuously make his way to the service elevator.


24 hours ago, he was a completely different man. A man who saved the life two women he barely knew: Ronda and Liana. A man who was having a laugh with his foster sister protecting her life from an imminent threat. A man who cared so much for his brother despite what the news and police were saying about him. An honest man of the law, and probably the best at his job. Even better than the chief. A role model for every cadet on the force to follow. A man who could've taken Edward's place. A valiant officer of the law who would face his challenges head on. Headstrong like his brother, but maybe in a different way. A man whose morals were completely in check, an conscience set on justice, a heart beyond imagining, a soul worthy of heaven.


Now? He's wiped out nearly the entirety of Seattle PD, has made more enemies than ever before.... all for the hope that Kenzie will live Nathan's wrath? That a psycho would spare this woman? And with no assurance that she was alive. He stabbed Luca and Kain in the back. Disappointed his foster father, who was no paragon of character regardless.... to a degree, dishonoring the Saunders name further. Father a slaver, mother a junkie and a hooker, and the brothers psychotic killers... well Dave was at least. Kain's name was cleared. But on the topic of his little brother.... he was here. It was tempting to warn him to get out and save his life. He was more than capable of taking care of himself... but he needed to scrap his old identity. Kain and Kenzie were the last reminders he had of such. He was a crook. A lifestyle he'd have to now embrace with open arms. Leaving his brother and foster sister behind was necessary. Nathan would probably kill Kenzie and the baby, and Kain would go down in the rubble. Unfortunate. But it would rid Seattle of the evil known as his family. Ex-Officer David Saunders. A conscience broken by choice. A heart burned beyond repair. A mind corrupt by evil. A soul that couldn't be saved any longer. Not after this next act.


Reaching into his garbage can, he'd pull out one last device: the detonator. All he had to do was press one button, and a thirty minute timer would kick in. Thirty minutes for him to get as far away from the scene as possible. Henrikson would die. Kain would die. Luca would die. Along with so many innocent people. All hinging on the push of a shiny red button. He rotated his head to and from to ensure nobody saw him as the elevator doors slid shut before his eyes. A janitor holding such a tool would be fishy to say the least. Oddly enough, he hesitated before doing it. Maybe one last meet with his brother would settle the score. Let him die with the image of a new Dave in his mind. Not the big brother that raised him like a father. It would hurt both of them. But this way of killing him would be less direct. He could just tell himself that his brother didn't evacuate in time. Rather than directing the lift to the boiler, he took it to the third floor. One last good-bye.
 
-(Nathan Wells)- @Quiet Is Violent


"What? it was a slip of the tongue, corrected myself" he defends, something had clearly happened to knock Anna back into Liana, which was not good for him, his trigger finger twitches, even as he moves his hands in a 'calm down' motion, part of him urged for him to pull out his gun and thud a few holes into the girl, save him the trouble she'd undoubtedly bring, it'd probably reinstill that sense of ruthlessness he had been used to before picking up some teen as his 'new' sidekick since he'd loosened Jose's leash. "Got nothing to be afraid of, we've just been hanging out, I needed to get some explosives from a buddy of mine and you volunteered, you really not remember?" he says, hoping that he was convincing enough.
 
Liana was shaking. "I don't remember. I don't... I was in Dave's apartment. I was faking my death. Then I blew it up, and I ran... But I don't remember after that. I don't remember anything after that. Where are my friends?" Liana looked around helplessly. "Why do you need explosives? What are you going to do?" @Altair1303
 
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