RÊD FLÂGS
Red Flags – Episode 75 & 76
(Badasses•Bad•Jerks)
★★★★★★★★★
Silence descended in the room for about three seconds after the voice message stopped, but throughout the three seconds of silence, all eyes were widely opened except Levi who has a deep frown on his face and a big rumple between his dark brows.
He looks like he just found out the most important in, and there’s nothing more assuring than the last part of the message..
“I’M WITH MY FRIEND AND YOUR GIRL…
His girl?
If his instincts aren’t deceptive, then maybe that’s what everyone has been keeping.
The girl who called him, the voice that wouldn’t leave his head, the name he found out after series of research… Emory Carson.
Is she?
And his sister…. Silver.
Silver is alive? In an underground?
The flight to North Europe is roughly three hours, so he’s sure if he sets out right now, he’d arrive in no time.
He was the first to storm out of the office, not waiting for anyone.
Layla followed, and Master X snatched the laptop from Chadwick, playing the voice message again to be sure.
The last time he heard Silver’s voice might be 20 years ago before the accident, but her voice is unmistakable.
She has the voice of Xusan, his wife. Exactly the same.
“Gather the boys, every single one of them. Prepare the ammunition too, and get the helicopters ready. We’re leaving in ten minutes” he ordered, and Hazzan rushed out of the office with Chadwick.
Master X became restless, unable to sit nor stand.
*
CAPTIVITY*
Immediately Silver finished saying the words into the transmitter, the sound coming from it stopped, and BJ quickly checked it out.
“I think the battery is weak” he said, pushing in the button before returning the necklace to Emory’s neck.
“Do you think my message got to them?” Silver asked worriedly, stroking Emory’s hair.
“Pretty sure I heard a speaker sound earlier. It should” he nodded hopefully.
“I hope, too” Silver replied, checking Emory’s temperature again.
It’s still so hot, and she’s sweating.
“Her fever is getting worse, get a wet towel from the bathroom please” she said, and BJ quickly got that.
Silver placed it on Emory’s forehead, and she coughed weakly.
“Hey hey… easy baby” BJ said.
“I’m… Getting better” Emory muttered sickly, and Silver scoffed.
“Getting better with that face? Oh please, just shut up and rest”
“Do you have a Chinese name like Xhen too?” Emory suddenly asked, her lips dry.
“Why are you suddenly asking?” Silver asked.
“I should at least know it before dying” Emory replied.
“Shh” BJ placed his finger on her lips
“You ain’t going nowhere” He said, and she smiled, lacking energy.
“I’ll tell you my Chinese name when we get out of here alive, and Blowjob will tell us the full meaning of his name too” Silver said.
“Stop calling me that” BJ frowned, and Silver started laughing.
BJ joined in the laughter, and Emory couldn’t help but smile again.
Despite the emptiness and weakness she’s feeling within her, having them gives her hope.
They’re like her newfound siblings, and she’d rather remain with them than go back to her useless parents.
But…
She’s dying, and she knows it.
*
TERRAVERDE, LOFT*
Levi literally ran in when the driver pulled up in front of the building.
He rushed into his room and opened a different wardrobe where he keeps his tools.
From there, he got his black mission gloves and strapped them into his palms.
He snatched his sword-belt and strapped it on his slacks, then two of his semi-automatic pistols.
He works faster with short guns, so he inserted the two into his slacks too before shutting the wardrobe.
That’s all he needs for the battle he’s going for.
He stormed out of the room, and his phone rang with an expected call.
It’s his agent…
“The helicopter is ready” she announced, and he hung up, rushing downstairs where he met Layla waiting.
“I don’t think it’s advisable for you to go in this state. Remember you bleed from the nose anytime you do anything too strenuous? You’re still not strong enough Levi, and who knows of it was a fake message” she said, blocking his way.
“Get lost” he replied with a calm he doesn’t feel, his tone icy.
“But I’m yoor nurse and…
Her neck was already in the middle of his cold palm before she could finish, and the next thing she experienced was flying.
He lifted her off the ground and threw her away like a ragdoll.
She got hurt on the cheek and the chin as she rolled down the center roughly fast.
Levi left without another glance at her, and she sat up, holding her red itchy neck with tears in her eyes.
“I was only trying to be helpful…why does he hate me that much? Does that mean the Emory girl is still alive? Is he really gonna bring her back? But I deserve him more!!!” She started crying.
*
A FOREST SCENERY*
Since there are prying eyes in the city, Rebekah and Conrad had to come here for their first date.
It’s a picnic gazebo in the green forest, and they have it all to themselves.
There’s no electricity around, so they had to set up a fire to lighten up the place.
They set up a tent too, but they’re out of the tent right now.
Conrad is sitting on the clothes spread on the floor while Rebekah sat between his legs, then they covered themselves with a thick duvet together since it’s a really really cold night.
Conrad rubbed his thumb on her collarbones, caressing it repeatedly while she smiled, resting completely on him.
“What was your late father like?” She suddenly asked, and he stopped the caress, making her look up at his face.
“You don’t wanna talk about it?” She asked.
“He spent all his days loving mother, but she never reciprocated it. She took his love for granted a lot, till he died of cancer” he explained with a sad face, and Rebekah held his face with an hand.
“I’m sorry about that”
“What about your mother? What was she like” He asked attentively, returning his hand to her collarbones.
She smiled before talking…
“She spent all her days loving my father too, and she was so beautiful”
“That’s expected, considering the fact that you’re so damn pretty. Genes” he replied, and she chuckled.
“She was once a model, but she stopped when she got married to my father. He never loved her same way she did, and it was like that till her death.. she died from a fall in the bathroom” she explained, and he held her face with both hands.
“You’re literally her… You should make good use of her face” he said, and she smiled, leaning in to kiss him.
“Just promise me something” she said seriously.
“Hmm-mm?” He raised his brows.
“That even if our parents finally find out about us and try to separate us, you won’t leave me” she said.
“That’s not happening, princesa. I love you” he replied, and her eyes lit up.
“Connie?”
“For real” he replied, and she immediately pulled him in for a kiss which he smiled into.
“You can do whatever you want to me… anything” she whispered into his mouth.
“Any damn thing?” he replied savagely, breaking the already deep kiss as they breathed fast into each other’s faces.
“I don’t mind” she replied hungrily, and he started unbolting his belt, but they were interrupted by the ringing of Conrad’s phone.
“You promised to turn off your phone” Rebekah said.
“I forgot…I’m sorry” he replied, but then he saw Chadwick’s name as the caller.
“Chadwick?” He said, swiping green immediately.
“Currently on the helicopter to North Europe. Silver messaged, and I think Emory might still be alive” Chadwick said.
Rebekah and Conrad spranged up at once.
“What!”
“Where’s Banks?” Conrad asked.
“No one knows, he’s probably ahead of us” Chadwick replied.
Conrad hung up, and together with Rebekah he rushed out of the gazebo.
They didn’t pick anything except their phones before driving roughly out of the forest.
*
AURA HOTEL,7PM~HYCE’S SUITE*
The incessant sound of the laptop button as Isaac typed restlessly on it could be heard in the open room.
He’s a team manager in a really big firm, and he gets busy like this almost every night.
Hyce came out of the bedroom with a bottle of wine and cups which he settled on the ground before sitting beside him.
Isaac was even unaware of when he sat.
He continued working, so Hyce had to move closer and rub his skin on Isaac’s, making him look up.
“Just a little bit more, I’ll soon be done” he said.
“That was what you said and hour ago. I called you here to sleep and cuddle with me, not work. It’s a cold night silly boy” Hyce replied with a slight frown.
“But I…
“Nah… excuse unallowed, zip it” Hyce cut him off, taking the laptop from him and shutting it down.
“It’s really really important to finish up before tomorrow morning ” Isaac whined.
“I’ll help you with at midnight, now just give me attention” Hyce replied, and Isaac smiled.
“You’re the clingy one”
“Who said clingy is bad?” Hyce replied, and Isaac chuckled, pulling him close.
Hyce jerked forward, so their chests met, prompting Isaac’s back to land on the armrest of the couch.
Hyce lay on him, and the locking of their lips followed.
Hyce dipped his hand under Isaac’s singlet, touching his small nipples… Isaac mewled and gulped, sinking into the couch as their heartbeats echoed in sync.
The sound of their kiss rang in the air, and Hyce had to yank off his singlet when it was becoming an hinderance.
He began sucking teasingly on him, and Isaac’s fingers folded as his tongue teased the buds.
The door suddenly opened fast, and Nina rushed in.
She’s staying in the second suite actually.
Isaac quickly covered himself, and Hyce stood.
“What’s up smokey?” He asked Nina who’s breathing hard.
“Silver… Banks sister…her location has been…found. Chadwick called” she said incoherently.
“The hell” Hyce muttered.
Conrad and Rebekah came in that same moment.
“Emory might be alive, too” Rebekah said.
“Bull f+çking shit…what!” Hyce’s eyes widened.
“We can use my father’s copter” Rebekah said impatiently.
Hyce had to follow them, and they left Nina and Isaac at the hotel.
*
LOFT*
Layla decided to go to the hospital after crying to her heart’s content.
She remoulded her face with makeup and came back downstairs, meeting Buddy who’s sitting at the center.
Her first day here, it almost hurt her with it’s claws, but thanks to Levi who spoke to it in native Chinese before it could leave her.
Even after that, she’s still so scared of the animal.
What normal human keeps a tiger at home?
She was glaring at the tiger as she walked to the door.
She left the building and locked the door, but when she got to her car, she felt a presence.
Instinctively, she turned, and she was shocked to see Rain behind, trying to stab her with a knife.
She quickly left her spot, so the knife met with the car.
“What the hell! Who are you!” Layla questioned, but Rain only smirked and came back for her with the knife.
Layla made to walk backwards, but she stumbled on a stone and fell.
Rain tried stabbing her on the ground, but she rolled away from that spot and stood.
“What do you think you’re doing!” Layla spat, shifting back.
“Killing you! How dare you even look at what’s not yours!” Rain raised the knife on her, but Layla ran this time.
That was a mistake cos she met Omar and Romeo in the front, and she stopped, breathing heavily.
“What…what do y’all want!!!”
“One, you have a crush on Banks. No one does that when Rain is still alive ” Romeo said.
“Two, you live with him here? You deserve to die” Omar laughed.
Layla shook her head and turned back, meeting Rain again.
Her mouth widened in an earsplitting scream.
“No!!!!!!”
At the same time, uncle Reginald’s car halted in front of the Loft.
Rain lowered the knife, then she ran into darkness with her dogs.
Layla leaned on the car, holding her pounding chest.
“Are you ok? Nurse Layla?” Kara asked when the couple got to her.
“I’m fine. It was a spider” she straightened her posture, trying to balance her breaths.
“Is Levi in?” Uncle Reginald asked.
“He’s probably on his way to North Europe right now. Silver was found, and the girl…” Layla said slowly.
“Silver?” Uncle Reginald said shockingly.
“And what girl?” Kara asked.
“Emory” Layla replied.
“What!” The couple chorused.
*
EUROPE, FRED’S PLACE*
The ringing of the doorbell made Fred look up from the meal he’s having on the dinning table.
A wicked smile graced his lips, and he stood to his feet, walking to the door.
He pulled it open, and a new face came to view.
It’s the maker of his silicone mask.
“Come on in” he told him, and the guy stepped in with a light smile.
“I was surprised when you invited me for dinner. It’s a luxury” he said.
“It’s been years since we made the deal, consider this a rebound” Fred replied, and he bowed as he was led to the dinning room where the full dinner is waiting.
They both settled opposite each other, and Fred watched carefully as he picked his cutleries and started eating.
“I heard you established your company already. What’s the name? Most family men name their companies after their children these days” The guy asked as he ate.
“I don’t have a child… It’s Soft Technology” Fred replied blandly, cutting his steak.
“Cool, and it’s making billions already?” The guy asked.
“I believe so. What’s your name again? I forgot” Fred replied.
“Arrow” the guy nodded, then he choked on his meal.
He was coughing as he reached for a cup of water, but Fred pushed the cup away from the table, and it landed soundly on the ground, shattering.
Arrow continued coughing, and he began vomiting blood instantly.
“I think today is your last day. I don’t trust you, you might take the billions from Xavier and tell the whole world my silicone face…I can’t risk it” Fred stood, watching him die with a satisfactory smile on his face.
Arrow suddenly began laughing, his demeanor changing from pains to mockery in a split second as his bloody teeth shone.
Fred’s smile stopped, and he stood as Arrow’s laughter stopped.
“You underestimated Arrow. You think he’d come stupidly when he knows how you are? I know I gave you the mask, but I’m not the maker. I’m just Arrow’s messenger, and he’s currently hiding where no one would ever think. Do you know how many organizations are searching for him? F+ck! You’re not so smart, Fred. You might be a genius, but he’s a ultra-genius” he said, smiling his last before falling dead on the ground.
Fred hit his fists on the table, kicking his chair away furiously.
“Arrow tricked me? Shit!!!!”
His phone began ringing, and he was still raging as he picked.
It’s the director at the psychiatric hospital.
“There are reports that new copters were sighted on the northern sky, and they’ll be in the city soon. It’s suspicious cos they’re all from Terraverde” the director reported fast.
“Then what are you waiting for? Get Emory out of the underground right now! I’ll send you a new location” Fred said.
*
10PM*
The helicopter conveying Levi was the first to enter the north, and as the pilot flew the copter in the front, he has his drone out in the sky, controlling it with a small screen while searching for the hospital in the city
Thankfully, there’s only one psycho hospital in the whole north, so he only has to locate.
His agent… Natasha is beside him, using another drone and scanning with him.
His mind was restless till the red dot appeared on his screen controller.
“Sighted” he said, sending the coordinates to the pilot.
The pilot began bringing the copter down, preparing to land.
Thankfully, a field is right beside the hospital, and the helicopter hasn’t even landed when Levi jumped out with Natasha.
Immediately they did, Master X’s helicopters landed too__about eight of them, containing his men.
Levi didn’t even wait for the men before rushing all the way to the hospital gate.
It’s already locked, but a slash from his sword-belt was enough to cut through the metal.
The small gate fell from the frame, and he stepped in with Natasha.
“What do you think you’re doing young man!” The doctors and caregivers rushed out at the intrusion.
“You either go down, or go to hell” Levi replied, retrieving his gun.
Immediately they saw it, they all went down fearfully, laying low as he shot into the door.
One of them tried to call the cops, but Levi already shot him on the head before he could dial the line.
The rest screamed out in undiluted horror, and some even started crying as his blood flowed from his shot head.
“Try to call the cops, and y’all will be dead before they arrive” Natasha said, popping gum as Levi entered with lots of Master X’s men.
Natasha stayed outside, and in less than ten minutes, the rest arrived…
Hyce, Conrad, Rebekah and Chadwick.
They entered with Levi, and the search for the underground door started.
*
UNDERGROUND*
Silver and BJ were still trying to reduce Emory’s fever when the hospital director entered the cell with four guards.
“Take her” he ordered, and Emory was grabbed.
“Let go of her !” BJ tried to pull her back, but one of the guards hit a gun barrel on his head, and BJ passed out.
“BJ!” Silver rushed to him as they took Emory away.
“Silver!!” Emory shouted, and she left BJ but the cell was locked before she could step out.
“Stop! Where are you taking her to! Stop!!!!!” Silver screamed.
“Silver!” Emory kept looking back, lacking the strength to even struggle with the guards till they dragged her into the rusty elevator which took them out of the underground section.
Is she finally gonna die? Are they finally gonna harvest her her organs?
She won’t see Levi for real?
She was hopelessly shivering and weak as the elevator finally got to the top, but immediately they took her out, the first person they saw was Rebekah, coming from the end of the hall.
Emory’s eyes widened.
“Rebekah!” She shouted, but the guards quickly pushed her back into the elevator.
“Emz!” Rebekah’s eyes widened.
She opened fire on the guards, and one of them got hit on the chest, falling to his death.
She kept firing as she ran towards the elevator, but before she got there, it’s already closed.
Emory was returned to the underground where they met the director again
“What the hell are y’all still doing here!!” He yelled alarmingly.
“The hospital is surrounded. If we take her out then she’ll be found!” The guards replied.
“Then hide her! Take her to the generator house” the director said, and one of them carried Emory on his shoulder, carrying her away while she powerlessly struggled.
A minute later, the elevator door opened.
The multitude of guards were already at alert, but their energy is surely not a match for the people they met.
Rebekah is not alone anymore.
She’s with Levi and Chadwick this time, and the rain of bullets began in full.
Within a minute, more than twenty of the guards went down, their blood painting the cell metals.
As Rebekah shot, she shot at the padlocks of the cells too, breaking them down for the captives.
Immediately Silver’s cell opened, BJ woke from his unconsciousness, and his eyes widened.
“Are they your father’s men?” He asked Silver.
“I think so” Silver replied, and they both went low in their cells to avoid stray bullets.
Conrad and Hyce joined in no time, and it got crazier.
It’s like the guards are multiplying cos the more they get killed, the more they rush in.
Rebekah shot the last bullet in her gun and threw it down, going for hand-to-hand combat, but Conrad pulled her back.
“Stay behind me.” He told her, and she did.
The distraction almost got them shot by a guard, but Hyce and Chadwick shot the guard at the same time, and the he lost both eyes automatically.
His screams filled the section, and BJ clapped from his cell.
“Whoops! Real action, man!” He shouted, and a stray bullet hit the metal in front of him.
He quickly lay flat on the ground, eyes wide.
“I almost died” he muttered, touching the Arrow tattoo on his face.
He smiled brilliantly.
Silver was busy searching for a face that looks like young Levi among the shooters, but she saw none.
*
Emory’s cries kept increasing as she was carried farther and farther from the cells session.
She could barely even breath properly cos of the terrible smell coming from the guard’s armpit.
She’s still on his shoulder, struggling in her her own small way.
Her teeth suddenly found it’s way to his neck, and she bit him, hard.
The guard cursed out in American accent, involuntarily throwing her down as his neck stings.
Emory stood and took to her heels, but she couldn’t run for long before she was cornered by several other guards.
“Get that bî+ch!” The one she bit shouted from behind her, and she dashed for the left direction, running with her remaining strength.
The army of guards bolted after her, the sound of their running boots traumatizing her.
At each step she takes, she got more and more tired, and her knees weakened.
“Shoot her on the leg!” One of the guards yelled, and she gasped, her eyes popping.
The door in front of her suddenly bursted open, and the person she wasn’t expecting to meet even in thousand centuries appeared.
Levi!
He was looking all tall, straight and cold.
Is she hallucinating?
Her eyes are heavy, turning and drowsy, but she still didn’t stop running.
The first thing Levi noticed is the necklace on her neck.
The sunstone necklace he has been looking for…
It’s with her?
It was bouncing on her chest as she ran till she finally got to him.
She jumped on him, wrapping her legs on his lean waist and her arms around his shoulder, her hot sweaty face on his neck.
Levi remained unmoved at the intrusion, but he could feel the mad rhythm of her heart.
“Emory Carson?” His voice spoke as he watched the guards coming in folds at their direction.
“It’s Noah. You loved my middle name more” she replied weakly against his neck.
“What are you, to me?” He spoke again, his hold tightening on his gun.
“Your fox. Your little fox” she replied, and his body stiffened.
She felt it.
“Hold tight” he said, and she tightened her tiny body around him.
Levi got his second gun, then with Emory still glued to him, he began shooting the guards with the two guns at a time.
They fired back, but he avoided every single hit, ducking and changing positions as he brought them down one by one.
Bodies became surplus on the ground, and he’s starting to run out of bullets in his guns.
The most logical thing to do right now would be to get Emory to safety then face the remaining guards alone.
He took one step back with the aim of going back into the door, but the clicking of a gun barrel sounded behind him as someone placed a gun at the back of his head…
“Stop” the voice came, and Emory looked up slowly and shakily from Levi’s neck.
Her eyes widened.
“B…B…
TBC
