

CHAPTER ONE

**_Table of Contents_**

_Chapter One_

_Chapter Two_

_Chapter Three_

_Chapter Four_

_Chapter Five_

_Chapter Six_

_Chapter Seven_

_Chapter Eight_

_Chapter Nine_

****

**Cover Page**

**Title Page**

**Copyright Page**

CHAPTER TWO

**Chapter One**

His name is Abner Fain

Every morning he wakes up at 5:30-am. Without a doubt he's an early bird. Waking up this early gave him just enough time to get ready and watch the morning news. The best part of the day is watching the news.

He sleeps in the master bedroom with a king size mahogany bed aligning in the center of the room. The covers are a dark red with large, fluffy, white pillows. A crystal chandelier is hanging from the ceiling with the lights dimmed. A beautiful large window overlooks the city and its towers peaking above the clouds.

Today, he is going for the strong and bold look. Kneeling down, picking up his shoe horn he slides on his black cap toe dress shoes. Ready to start his day he walks out of the bedroom, through a hallway and down a staircase, walking into the kitchen.

The kitchen has large stainless steel appliances with a white marble floor. The kitchen table is tempered glass with modern chairs. A white marble countertop lines the kitchen with dark mahogany woodwork. A coffee pot is on the countertop and at the edge is a smaller TV.

Walking in the kitchen a bit early today he notices his wife at the counters preparing breakfast. She goes into work later on in the day as a saleswoman which gives her time in the morning to make her and her husband breakfast.

**His wife's name is Jennifer** (she had a rough life, you should care about her, give her the benefit of the doubt for now), but everyone calls her Jen the Jeweler. After all, she is the best saleswomen for the largest diamond company in the city.

Like they did every day, once he was in the kitchen he had the usual conversation with his wife as he began his morning routine. First, he started by preparing a cup of coffee.

While the coffee is brewing, he walks over to the window near the glass table and opens it. Grabbing the coffee he sits down at the kitchen table, turning on the television, and pulling out a cigarette, starting this crazy day.

Taking a puff from his cigarette and blowing the smoke out the window. Turning his head towards the television, watching the anchorman talk as the news started.

**THE NEWS:** "Hello and Welcome people of New Zune... My name is Sage Justice, and this is the morning news!" (And yes, there is an Old Zune... but during that time it was just called Zune)

He did not like Sage, usually because he wore purple and pink ties like he was trying to be funny. Today he is dressed in a lime-green paisley tie over a white dress shirt. What a dope...

_Honestly, who does this clown think he is?_ "Look at his silly tie." telling his wife while they sat at the dinner table.

"To be fair, it does match his eyes."

_I guess it does,_ "I kind of like that green tie now,"

Sage did not look happy while starting to talk about the first segment of the news. "Bad news coming from the Police Station of New Zune. Last night a man, claiming to be a mercenary and to have committed many crimes, has willingly... Yes, willingly turned himself in. Authorities are still questioning why he turned himself into them.

The man has given us his name, **Hoyt Holler** , however, nothing much is known about him. At first, this whole situation seems odd, but to add insult to injury, when our reporters asked him...

The reports rushes up and asks Hoyt, 'Why did you turn yourself in?'

Hoyt replies 'I was bored. Do you ever get bored? I would assume so, then why do look at me 'like what the hell,' like I'm the bad guy for turning myself in,' following a quick laugh, as he turns his head ignoring the reporter.

Authorities are continuing an investigation, so far not much is known and further questioning is needed to be done to gain new information. The situation is dangerous. If you have any information at all, please call the New Zune Police Station.  
**IN OTHER NEWS**

His eyes had been glued to the TV like a child watching cartoons. By the time the first report had ended, he hadn't even taken a single puff on his cigarette, and by now it has already burned to its butt.

"Good luck figuring him out Hun,"

"Please... I doubt he will be the death of me." smiling as he looks over at his wife confidently... Who knows... Maybe I already have him all figured out."

"Do you have him all figured out already,"

"Not yet. But, I will,"

"Have a good day at work,"

"I hope you do too," replying while standing up from the kitchen table. Walking over to his wife, giving her a hug and kiss goodbye. He was off on what will become an adventure.

Walking out of the kitchen, not even having the audacity to **close the window.**

**  
**

**PULLING INTO THE POLICE STATION** The drive over to the police station did not take long. Usually taking about 10-minutes. While pulling into the station he looks at the crowd of reporters, gathering in the courtyard.

Continuing to drive past the yard and up into the parking deck he parked his car at his designated spot. Getting out of his car, making way through the parking deck, and towards the police station.

There was not a door to take him to the station, so he had to walk all the way out of the parking deck and through the courtyard just to get to the lobby. While walking through the courtyard, he had his head tucked down. He did not want all of the reporters to immediately run over to him and ask him every question known to mankind. He was not a shy person, but it's just unneeded attention he did not want.

After one of the reporters had noticed him, immediately and in large numbers, reporters began rushing over to him, persistently asking him every question imaginable. But, as always, he would ignore them anyway...

"(enter question here)?" the reporters kept eagerly asking.

_Don't you know what I'm going to say already?_ "No comment..." to all of their questions. Sometimes he would even say "No comment," before they had even asked a question.

The Police Station was a large skyscraper. Most of the station consisted of cell blocks, and the lower floors were conference rooms and offices. The basement of the station connects to a monorail system called the Transit.

His office is on the ground floor, and it's also the biggest room. He is the Lead Detective of New Zune; the title is not as flashy as his car, but it's his title.

He prefers to work alone but with that being said there is just too much to do. Two people cooperate with him, side-by-side to figure out cases and **hopefully** save the city.

The first person on his team is **Paine Peterson,** he is also the warden of one of New Zune's Prison. This means he has control over many officers, that Abner will send out at his disposal incase of emergencies. During the wardens younger days he was actually a prisoner at the same prison he is now the warden of.

The other team member is Abner's daughter, **Cleo.** She is in her twenties and is really just daddy's princess. She is his daughter but in all honesty, she works at the station because it is what her dad is really passionate about, and that is enough for her. Do not be misled by her beautiful face. She is smart, tough, and vigilant.

The main lobby of the station was filled with modern architecture and all glass walls letting in natural daylight. Tiled white floor and a red rug leading up to the receptionist's desk.

Being only steps away from the station, leaving all the reporters behind him, Paine approaches him. Usually, Paine did not wear a suit. Like today, he just wore an officer's uniform. Mid-age without a beard topped with short buzzed-cut hair and a stern demeanor.

"Did you hear what happened?" the warden asks Abner after walking up to him.

_You should know by now I always watch the news... "_ Yes, I did. Where is he?" he asks quickly, feeling anxious for his answer.

"He is in the interrogation room. Right now Cleo is interrogating him but she hasn't gotten anywhere."

**WATCHING CLEO INTERROGATE HOYT,** Looking through the two-way mirror, Hoyt was wearing his orange jumpsuit. In the center of the room hangs two lightbulbs from wires. No fancy decorative lighting fixtures here. The badge on the orange prison jump suit. Abner then looks at his face he is older, and his skin is wrinkled.

_Recently divorced_ , noticing him not wearing a wedding ring, but still having the tan line of one. His hair has already turned white, and a short slicked backed haircut. He couldn't have been taller than 6 feet. Not having any tattoos, or at least none he could see.

"Do you believe him... or?" the warden asks Abner curiously while watching the interrogation.

"Well... I don't know yet. I can see him; I know that much." replying while continuing to watch his daughter interrogate him.

"He keeps saying he got bored, and that's why he turned himself in,"

"What does Cleo think?"

"I have not got to talk to her yet."

_Must of gotten here early..._ "Wow... How long has she been here?"

"She got here around 6-am,"

_Then how late have you been here?_ "Dang... That makes me wonder, how late have you been here?"

"I never went home last night."

_Go get some sun... or moonlight technically_ "You are wearing the same clothes as yesterday?" he asks while ironically mocking him.

"I'm sure if I smell bad Cleo will let me know,"

"I didn't smell anything; you should be good."

"So, you didn't watch the morning news?" In this city, it was practically a sin not to look at the morning news.

"No. I did, I watched it in the employee lounge."

"Ahh..."

"I think your daughter has too much fun doing these interrogations," the warden says after watching her joking around with Hoyt.

"It's more about her personality," replying not thinking much about his comment.

"Like she has to have a lot of fun here,"

"Why's that?" Abner asks playing devil's advocate.

The Warden continues to suggest "She's good looking and smart. It wouldn't be hard at all for her to find a better job than the one she has."

"Really, though, I just think she loves me,"

"That's why she works here?"

"Well... No, she works here because I let her work here."

"The only reason why you let her work here is that she loves you?" the warden sarcastically replies, knowing that is not a good reason to hire someone.

"No, I let her work here because she is a **_princess_** trying to impress and protect her dad. She does solve cases... sometimes even harder cases,"

"I didn't say she is a bad detective, but... I guess like it's your daughter, wouldn't you want her to grow up to have her own ambitions."

"She does have her own ambitions,"

"Do you understand what I am trying to say, or am I just talking to a wall?"

_I think I'm going to have to ask her myself then..._ "No... I do understand what you're saying. But you don't get it. Her ambition is to follow her father's dream."

Paine's face dropped, feeling stumped.

"What all has he told us?"

"He just keeps making jokes. Kind of like a clown, but not as funny"

"What motive would that be?"

"What do you mean motive?" Paine asks curiously.

"Even my daughter would know what I'm saying... Like motive. Why? Is this for money. Why?"

"He claims to have gotten bored, so he turned himself in,"

"You honestly believe that shit? Everybody acts with reason."

"I didn't say I believed him..." the detective defensively replies.

"Good. Everyone has a reason. It's just trying to figure out what they want is tricky,"

"She thinks he is telling the truth,"

"About what?"

"That he really did just get bored," replying quickly.

"Really?" asking curiously.

"Mhm," the detective reply's quietly.

"How do we know Hoyt's not lying about all this,"

"He wrote down a short of some of the people he has killed."

"Okay... How do we know he is just not lying about the list?"

"I don't think so. I believe that it matches too well with the personality." The detective replies,

"Does he know how many people he has killed?"

"Well... When she asked, he replied 'Do I look like a mathematician?' and they both laughed.

"Well... Maybe I don't have him figured out yet," he replies humbly while continuing to watch the investigation.

"I do think it's odd your daughter can get along with someone so bad, so evil; I don't know... It's odd" the detective says while watching them laugh in the interrogation room.

"It's different."

After a few moments of watching the interrogation, they see her stand up. Laughing along with him, as she excuses herself and begins to leave the room.

"Good luck with the freak," the warden says while Abner starts walking out of the spectating room.

_That seems a little harsh..._ "Hopefully, I will not need luck,"

CHAPTER THREE

**Chapter Two**

Walking into the interrogation room, closing the door behind him. Looking at him as he sits at the table in the center of the room. Looking at him, seeing him looking back.

Leaning back in the chair, an elbow on the table with the hand freely in the air. Without a doubt, Hoyt had great body posture. His smile is cocked up the side of his face, as his eyes calmly look back at him.

Hoyt is the first to speak, "And who might you be?" .

"I'm wondering the same thing about you. I'm Abner, and you are?"

"Oh," he replies as his eyes got wider "My name is Hoyt... Hoyt Holler, pleased to meet you Abner...?" pausing curiously for him to say his last name.

"Fain. Abner Fain."

Before he could reply, Abner yawns. This was a big and noticeable yawn. His arms flail out, as he lets out a big yawn. Really, he did not have to yawn, he is testing Hoyt.

Most people have a yawn contagion. On 1 hand, most people can relate to other people. If you around someone happy, you will become happy. Versa-Vice. Yawning is contagious because we can relate to being tired, even if we are not tired, it's more of a subliminal message.

This ability to connect is the reason why dogs are a man's best friend and not snakes or other reptiles. Dogs can relate to human emotion, they can get excited, sad, happy, playful... etc. Reptiles, on the other hand, can't relate to these emotions, making them less appealing.

The majority of serial killers lack this ability to relate to one another. The majority is also introverted, they think highly of themselves,and are very careful planners. They always have a plan. Not being able to relate to other people gives rise to an inadequate ability to judge right and wrong.

The majority serial killers also do not have a yawn contagion, because, they can't relate to another person's feeling. They can't relate to someone else being tired, and won't yawn if they yawn. If they are tired, though, they have no problem yawning. The killers best friend is usually a reptile because reptiles can't relate to emotion like a dog can. The majority are very careful planners and do not like to improvise. After waiting a few moments, Hoyt did not yawn back. This is evidence that Hoyt did not get bored, and that he really does have a plan.

"Well, why are you here Mr. Abner? Basically, why are you here, what are you expecting..." Hoyt replies continuing the conversation with a subtle wink.

"Just to ask you some questions. I only have a few questions for you, so, this will be quick and straightforward,"

"Okay,"

"Decisions are being made right now. The first issue is, are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?"

"I make my own decisions," saying while mumbling a laugh.

"What kind of education do you have?"

"I used to be excellent with computers. I was a programmer,"

"Okay, so, of course, you are smart," he was earnestly impressed with Hoyt's education.

"No. Not really, I am more of a pencil pusher for the intelligent person," he replies while looking away from Abner, looking down, trying to be humble.

"Do not look away from my eyes next time you answer a question,"

"Oh yes, Abner... I am so very dearly sorry." He replies to Abner, being honestly intrigued by the conversation.

"Okay. Tell me who you have worked for?" nodding his head continuing the conversation.

Hoyt continues telling him about... "Myteddy bear," replying with a soft wink, just trying to spark a subtle conversation.

"Okay." answering with a curious look on his face. "Um... What's the name of yourteddy bear?"

"People call him Ted."

"Who?"

"Teddy Bear... Duh,"

"Okay. Let us move onto the next question,"

"Okay."

"What made you bored?" he asks not feeling amused with the previous answer.

"Oh... I guess it's just my thrill of the hunt. I got tired, so I had to find new thrills," replying with a modest look on his face.

Before saying anything else, Abner yawns. This was a big and noticeable yawn. His arms flail out, as he lets out a big yawn. Really, he did not have to yawn, testing Hoyt.

"Must not have gotten much sleep last night?"

_I actually did thank you very much... "_ None at all," Abner replies while looking back at him.Hoyt did not yawn back. This is more evidence that Hoyt did not get bored, and that he really does have a plan. "So, basically, just wanted to pay the price for your crimes. Any kind of mid-life crisis going on?"

"No. I got bored." He tells Abner again, but more directly, as if he is getting tired of that question.

He doesn't even deny it... Let's see if he fails to describe to me right and wrong, and then I'll know if he has a plan. "Okay then, smart guy. Explain to me good and evil?"

"Good and evil is a funny topic. Each generation of people, slowly become more accepting of 1 another. The norm gradually changes from what was wrong to be now right, and what was right is now wrong. Any action is neither right nor wrong, but the person who says it is either right or wrong makes it so. The words good and evil are arbitrary (meaningless) that are defined by the individual.A child adopts right and wrong from its parents. As the child grows, he will modify his father's judgment, to a new set of morals. Like a new round of morals will swallow into the next generation of society. Changing right or wrong, good or bad... Whatever,"

"Okay. Yeah, I think that is a good answer," Abner replies. Really, he did not like the answer, because it shows that he knows the difference between right and wrong. Something a person without the yawn contagion would not know.

"Would you want to go double jeopardy on a second question?"

"Do I have a choice?" he asks Abner curiously.

"Not really. Do you believe in Apollis?"

"Apollis or...? You do know people have thought of many more gods than just Apollis. Are you a Follower (it's a religion whose God is Apollis)?"

"I am a Follower,"

"So you have researched other religion. Right? How do you know it's your God? There are many more Gods,"

"Yes, I am a Follower, I am sure of that." replying while rolling his eyes, continuing by saying... "Do you believe in a god?

"What God? No. Do I get a list of Gods to choose from, after all, it would take 1 of my computers to count them all? I ask you Abner do follow your religious morals?" asking Abner while looking confused.

"I do not base my morals off of my religion, but, my question is, do you believe in a god?"

"I am confused are we not the Gods? The God, who judges us, on our deathbed. The God, who condemns the wicked and revives the poor in spirit. Do we not separate the wicked from humble, is that not the point of this police station? Does this police station not separate the wicked from humble, creating the kingdom of Apollis?"

"I know Apollis exists, just as I am aware you exist," Abner replies ignoring his comment.

"I hit the jackpot!" responding with a laugh. After a few moments of trying to stop laughing, continuing to saying, "He gives your life meaning in a meaningless world, just like right and wrong. Tell me, Abner, am I good or bad as if either one had a meaning."

"I think your reality is skewed," Abner replies not thinking much of his comment.

"God swoons! Can you not connect the dots? Not knowing is my thrill of the hunt. Not knowing what will happen and going with what does happen. I just do things, and I am not a man with a plan. I don't know what will happen to here, but I will just go with what does. Who knows I could die here, or I could kill everyone just to escape. The unknown is attractive to me."

"Well if you kill everyone to escape spare my life." Replying as he is trying to absorb in what Hoyt said.

Hoyt just laughed.

Before saying anything else, he yawns for the third time. His arms flail out, letting out abig yawn. Again, he did not have to yawn, he is testing Hoyt.

After waiting a few moments, Hoyt did not yawn back. This is more evidence that Hoyt did not get bored, and that he really does have a plan.

"Okay Abner, I have a question for you now. What is a conscious?"

"I like to think of the conscious as a wave. People think on different wavelengths, and the frequency determines how the person feels on that wave. Like a radio station plays an individual channel or frequency. The sound from the radio is in our thoughts." (it was a wild guess) laughing at his answer...

"Who knows you could be right," Hoyt replied.

"Yeah. No 1 knows the real answer," he replied, with making hand gestures. A pause in conversation occurred until he asked: "Do you kill for recreation?"

"Abner I am not a difficult person to understand. I just have fun." Replying to Abner while shaking his head out of grief.

_It just doesn't match his personality, "_ Okay. Then what is fun?" he curiously asks.

"I do not know. I am not a psychologist,"

Briefly glancing down at his time ticker (watch). Noticing it is almost 5-pm already... Quickly standing up from the table, excusing himself from the conversation.

"Time for dinner," he says while standing up from the table.

"I see,"

"This was a good conversation, let's finish it tomorrow."

"I guess I have no choice," replying to him with a smile.

Standing up from the table, walking out of the room. Opening the door, and walking out of the room. Paine had been waiting for him at the exit.

"What did you find out Abner?"

"Well... The way he talks contradicts his actions. I am not sure yet, I will interrogate him again tomorrow." Replying while walking through the hallway towards the main lobby.

"Okay, what should I do?"

"Get some of your officers and escort Hoyt to his cell."

"Okay, will do. Anything else?"

"Yeah. Go home and experience life, there is more than just this police station,"

"Your too funny," he replies to Abner while watching him walk out of the station.

GOES BACK HOME, Feeling relieved he was finally home. Instantly smelling a beautiful aroma coming from the kitchen. His wife had prepared him a dinner fit for a king, his favorite meal, Chicken Alfredo.

"Did you ever figure out the killer?" his wife asks him while they eat dinner.

"Well... Not every agrees which is making me curious. Some of the detectives think he really did just get bored, but I still want to believe he has a plan."

"What does Cleo think?"

"She thinks he did it for fun,"

THE NEXT DAY, Soon enough, the sun began rising as he is waking up early in the morning. Once, up he started his daily routine. Today wearing his gray suit, with a white dress shirt and a flat black tie and flat black pocket square. Two crisp cashmere socks and run-off dress shoes. Looking a little more showboating, definitely not as executive as the black suit and red tie.

Once dressed, he made his way through the hallway, down the stairs, and in the kitchen.

"That's my favorite outfit of yours," his wife said as he is walking into the kitchen. If you care, it's about 6-50-am.

"I know," replying with a smile. "You tell me that every time I wear it."

"I just can't help myself," she also replies with a laugh. By now, she has already finished preparing breakfast.

Walking over to the coffee machine. Made himself a cup of coffee. Sat down and ate breakfast with his wife. All while continuing the usual conversation.

"Are you excited for work today? Last night you seemed anxious to go back in,"

"Yes. Who knows what Hoyt will tell me today," replying while picking up his coffee. Opening the nearby window to sitting down at the kitchen table. Like clockwork, at 7-am he turned on the morning news just as he is lighting up his cigarette.

THE NEWS: "Hello and Welcome people of New Zune... My name is Sage Justice, and this is the morning news!"

'BREAKING NEWS!' being broadcasted in big bold letters. His eye's widened like a child as he sat there glued to the tv. He knew when the tv said BREAKING NEWS, that this is no joke. The news wouldn't just report breaking news for just normal news.

"More disheartening news for the Police Station of New Zune. Late last night a small army of 30-men all in a semi-truck... (Siege paused because Semi-trucks were never used anymore for transportation) had invaded the station.

The truck had pulled up, driving through the grass through the courtyard. The semi-truck reversed through the locked glass door of the station. The sounds of shattering glass can be heard on the security cameras as the haul of the truck opened, and the 30-men came out.

Each of the men was armed with machine guns and vests. In a profession fashion, the men got out of the trucks haul. The group separated in two different directions once in the main lobby.

These men are killing officers and guards on-sight, not taking any prisoners, except 1. The men had only had one intention, capturing Hoyt Holler. A mercenary who had willingly turned himself in at the station early yesterday morning.

The two groups come together at the cell of Hoyt Holler. A professional locksmith opens up the cell, as the men subdue (it was not willingly) Hoyt.

With Hoyt, the men began to leave the station. On the security cameras, the men are shown putting Hoyt in the cabin of the truck with a man named Ted and the driver.

Technically, the truck did drive off, but, the men did not escape or... At least they did not get far. Instead of turning at the intersection, the truck continued headlong into the concrete parking deck of a nearby building.

Now, it is known the accident was caused when the driver of the vehicle was shot, with what seems to be their gun. 29 of those 30-men are now dead, the last person just died about thirty minutes ago hundreds of bullets were fired into the trucks haul killing the men.

If the bullets did not kill the men, the fire that had erupted afterward would have. A massive blaze of fire, likely sparked by the trucks gasoline catches the truck on fire.

As firetrucks and ambulances arrived, they found the one and only survivor. Authorities have Identified the man as Ted Sanders and now, in custody at the Prison. Lastly, Hoyt Holler is nowhere to be found.  
IN OTHER NEWS...

_What am I going to do now?_ Continuing to look at the tv in confusion. Not too sure what to think of what had happened.

"Now what are you going to do?" she asks curiously after about a minute of silence.

"A lot of work," saying while nervously combing his hair with his fingers, still staring blankly at the tv. The silence grew. He just continued sitting in his chair, feeling dumbfounded, searching for an epiphany.

A minute or 2 passed until he finally stood up from the kitchen table. Kissing his wife goodbye as he began walking out of the kitchen. Again, he did not close the window or locking the door on his way out.

Stress is rising as he walks out of his apartment, across the hallway and down the elevator. Once at the parking deck, he made way over towards his car. He sat still in his car, not wanting to think about anything, trying to forget everything.

Just before turning on his car, his eyes squinted shut as his jaw clenched tight. After a few moments, he relaxed and turning on his vehicle. He is driving over towards the prison, but first, he wanted to stop at the station to see the damage.

The first thing he noticed is the semi-truck or... what once was a semi-truck. Now, the truck is tipped over, against the concrete wall of the parking deck.

Parts and pieces scatter across the ground. The smell of gas filled the air. Everything is either broken and on the ground, caught on fire, or just simply destroyed.

He continues to drive through the courtyard. Noticing the whole front entrance is destroyed. All of the glass is shattered. In the distance, he can already see people cleaning up the debris.

Looking down, he saw the trucks tires going across the grass onto the courtyard. Skid marks on the courtyards stone pathways, leading up all the way to the front entrance.

He began turning around his car while taking out his phone. The first person he calls is Paine.

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"This is Paine."

"Hey. Can you do a favor for me?"

"Yes, I can. In fact, I can do three, like a genie," replies with a laugh. "By the way, thank god I actually went home last night."

"Oh-yeah! I didn't even think of that. But... Lock down the level 1 security cell block and pull all it's the guards."

"Okay. Um... Where do you want the guards?" asking Abner curiously.

"Have half of them cleaning up the glass in the main lobby and the other half cleaning up the wreckage."

"Alright. That I can do for you, but what do you want me to do?"

"Um..." replying until saying "Ask around. Give our condolences and then ask about what happened,"

"Okay. I'm on it. What are you going to do?"

"I'm heading over to the prison to interrogate Ted."

"I will call you if I find anything." He replies to Abner.   
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"Hey dad,"

"Hey, Cleo. What are you doing?"

"I'm in the lobby picking up the broken glass."

"How bad is it?"

"It's bad. There are skid marks from the tires on the floor in the lobby."

"How much of the debris has been cleaned?"

"All the debris has been cleaned up. I am just getting the last few pieces of glass. What are you doing?"

"I'm headed over to the prison now to interrogate Ted."

"Okay. So, what should I do?"

"Call the millwork contractors for the glass and masonry contractors to fix the concrete. Set-up all that up. In the meantime, go between the wreckage and lobby, keeping the guards at work. Remember, don't be too hard on the guards."

"I know dad... I won't make that mistake again... (once 1 of the guards quit because of her) and when do you want everything to be done by?"

"Let's try... OH! And get the truck towed away,"

"I was going to anyway," she replies with a genuine laugh.

"Um... Let's plan for 6-pm,"

"When do you want the contractors to come in,"

"Try for tomorrow, but at their earliest convince,"

"Sounds good dad, I love you."

"I know (he is old-school). Call me back if 6-pm."  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.

CHAPTER FOUR

**Chapter Three**

ARRIVING AT THE PRISON, the entrance to the prison. Behind the gate is a large watch tower. In the tower is 2-guards with high-powered rifles. At the gate is an officer that is walking up to his car. He begins to roll down his windows as he flashes the officer his badge. The officer gave a thumbs-up, opening the gate.

Past the gate, the paved road turns into a dirt road. Driving through the dirt road, leading up to the courtyard. The courtyard is huge, having several other gates were the inmates were outside playing basketball, lifting weights, talking, and starting fights.

Parking his car in the courtyard, at the entrance to the prison. Starting to feel a little lightheaded while opening the door to his car. Starting to focus on his breathing to calm himself down, trying to cope with this inner-anger of his that continues to grow in him

After a few more steps of walking, he enters the main lobby of the prison. The main lobby of the prison is poorly decorated. Black scuffs marks from people walking on the tile floor, lay uncleaned.

No windows at all, just fluorescent lighting. This is a cold, dark, and lonely place. Walking through the lobby towards the front desk, up to the receptionist.

"Hello," he calmly says to the receptionist. He is trying to keep it cool.

"Hi sir, how can I help you?" she asks him after he walks up to her.

"I'm here to interrogate Ted Sanders. Can you get me an escort?" asking while nervously biting off one of his fingernails.

"Okay. Hold on one moment. I am just going to search the systems." she says while typing the info into the computer. "Okay. There is a problem. Right now, our officers are busy interrogating him, can you come back tomorrow at... 11:45-am."

_Really? She didn't even check my rank..._ "Please. I am trying to be nice. Remember that... I am trying to be nice. Please get me an escort."

"Sir, the problem is people are already interrogating him. You must wait your turn. I can schedule you for tomorrow at 11:45-am."

_Do you job and check my rank...? I believe in you, come on... "_ How do you know that your officers are more important to the city than me. How do you know I'm not like im a detective?"

"Sir... Are you a detective?" asking him with a smirk on her face, like she knew he was lying.

_I can't believe this receptionist... Paine just hires anyone..._ "Obviously, you nimble-headed nitwit." Saying while showing her, his badge. "Now. Here is what's going to happen, I am going to sit down in that chair over there," he says while pointing over at the chair. "If I sit in the chair for more than 5-minutes before an escort comes. I'm making a phone call to the warden, and guess what? I'm going to fire you. It turns out I'm like the wardens' boss, which makes me your boss. Just get the escort." Immediately, turning around towards the chair. Then... Hitting her with the stunt walk while walking over to the chairs

"I am sorry sir! An escort will be here shortly!" she shouts over at him.

He walks over to the chair. Ignoring her, while taking a seat.

"You're already at 1-minute! Only 4 more!" he shouts at the receptionist starting to count the minutes out-loud.

"I am very sorry sir! Please! I am very nervous, and an escort is coming now!"

"2-minutes!"  
... TIME PASSES ...

"3-minutes!"

"Please, Sir! I have said sorry! I have an escort coming right now!"  
... TIME PASSES ...

"4-minutes! You like to live life on the edge don't you!" he replies as he sees an officer walking over to him and just in the nick of time too.

"Are you waiting for the escort?" the officer asks him.

Choosing not to reply, instead, he nods his head: yes. Standing up from the chair

, following the officer through the lobby.

The officer starts walking in front of him, as he leads him through the cell blocks. Concrete walls, ceiling, and floor. The only thing, not concrete is the iron bars holding back the inmates

Walking past the inmates as their arms are hanging out from the iron bars. They are provocative sayings and words at them, as they continue walking down the cell block.

"I saw what happened at the Police station this morning," the officer says trying to spark a conversation.

_Okay? And..._ "Yep," replying blatantly, it was evident that he did not want to talk.

The officer did not answer. Instead, they kept walking through the cellblocks for about 10-minutes until they were arriving at the interrogation room.

They walk up to this large metal door, with a small window in the center. On the door is a wooden plaque, that says 'Interrogation Room 4.'

"The officers in there now are almost done, would you mind waiting a few minutes before entering?" The officer earnestly asks as they wait at the metal door.

_Stop wasting my time..._ "I would mind. Just get out of my way..." saying while opening the door and walking into the interrogation room.

In the room, 2 officers playing good cop bad cop, but, they called it Mutt and Jeff. While walking into the room as both of the officers look back at him.

"Get out of here bimbos," he says while looking back at the officers.

The officers look confused.

_I better not have to call the warden..._ "Come on! Chop Chop! Before I get the warden on the phone, you bimbos. On your way out, have your buffoon receptionist look up the word,". Without saying anything, both of the officers stood up from the metal table and began walking out of the room. Following the officers out of the room, and locking the metal door after they left.

Slowly, he started turning around facing the metal table in the center of the room. Pausing for a few moments, getting a good look at Ted. Looking at his blue eyes, a small beard that needed to be trimmed. Looking a bit nervous, like he did not know what to say. His body was bigger (or a bear in the gay community). His teeth were white if that means anything. His left hand either had a twitch or he was nervous, but, most likely he is nervous. Instead of sitting down at the table, Abner began impatiently pacing back and forth in the room as he began to interrogate him.

_Let's see how he makes money,_ "So Ted... Tell me what you do?"

"What do you mean?"

"How do you make money?"

"I work a lot with my hands,"

_What a liar,_ "Alright. Let's talk about why you are here,"

"I want my lawyer before we talk about anything,"

_Relax you're not getting any lawyer... "_ You don't need your lawyer. You just have to tell me what I need to know, and I will make sure you get out of here,"

"If I talk you will let me go?"

_Nah..._ "Yeah... Let's go with that. First, I need to know why you broke into my station last night."

"It wasn't my idea..." replying to Abner, while nervously biting his fingernails.

_He's ignoring the question. I'm going come back to that question, "_ I did not ask whose idea it was. But, tell about your relationship with Hoyt."

"Hoyt?"

_Playing dumb?_ "Stop playing dumb Ted. Yes. Hoyt Holler, the guy you kidnapped from my station last night."

"I don't know... They didn't tell me anything," replying to Abner as he began lifting up his arms closer towards him face like he was about to cry. Seems like he is getting emotional.

"Ted, you do know it is a sin to lie, right?"

"What if I don't believe in sins? How can I sin if I don't believe in sin," in a cocky tone he replies,

"Listen, Ted; we are getting so far off topic. I don't have all day, neither do you, just tell me what was your relationship with Hoyt, that's all."

"Okay, let's say... I don't tell you anything. What's going to happen... What are you going to do? Kill me? No. I don't have to tell you anything,"

Slowly walking behind Ted. Standing behind him, placing the palm of his hand on the back of his head. Feeling Ted starting to shake nervously as he slams Ted's head down on the table, making a loud thunking noise.

_I don't want to kill your fat-ass..._ "No Ted I wouldn't kill you, I don't want to kill you. But, maybe I'd torture you, until you told me what I wanted to know," replying while letting go of his head, "Ted tell me why you broke into my station last night,"

"We were trying to capture Hoyt," he replies while lifting his head back up from the table.

_Obviously..._ "Okay, that's obvious. Tell me why the semi-truck crashed into the parking deck."

"We put Hoyt in the cabin with the driver and me. As were pulling out, he grabs my gun. Shooting the driver and holding me back, as the truck speeds up, crashing into the deck."

_Oh, how interesting..._ "Okay. So the semi-truck crashes. Then what happens?"

"I'm not too sure. I felt dazed. I remember Hoyt, he opened my door and pushed me out of the truck. I saw him jump out of the truck with my gun. I could hear him mocking us, as he started to shoot at the haul of the truck. How many men died in the truck?"

_Moral of the story, don't kidnap a killer,_ "You are the only survivor,"

Ted then covered his face with his hands, like he was crying,

_Ohh, stop crying you pussy,_ "Ted. I want to know, why didn't Hoyt kill you?" asking while placing 1 of his hands on his shoulder for comfort.

"He left me a note for a guy named Abner,"

_Oh? And the plot thickens..._ "Okay, I'm Abner. Where's the note?"

"Here," replying while reaching down his shirt taking out the note.

_Did he have to put the note down his shirt?_ Thinking while taking the note from him. A sealed letter, in a sweaty envelope. He was not worried about a little sweat.

DEAR ABNER

This inconvenience should have had never happened.

Also miss our conversation, call 627-837-6463

We will continue our conversation, sorry for the wait,

_Hm..._ thinking after reading the letter. Not sure what he should do.

"Okay, Ted. I only have a few more questions for you, but, tell me what I should know about Hoyt.

"IGNORE HIM. Just let him be. Eventually, he will get bored and move onto the next person. Honestly, he's a joker, laughing at someone as they die. To be honest, he will probably laugh at his funeral; life is just a big joke."

"Who is his teddy bear?"

"Probably the stuffed animal he sleeps with at night." Replying to Abner while biting his lip(Ted was lying) hint)).

"He kept telling me it was his boss, but I honestly do not think he was lying. Tell me, Ted, are you married?"

"No. Never been, never will."

_I think I got everything I need out of him..._ "Alright. I'm going to go. Thanks for the information," replying happily as he starts walking towards the metal door.

While walking out of the interrogation room as his phone starts to ring. It's Cleo,

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"Hey dad, so I have good news and bad news, which one do you want first."

_Oh how interesting..._ "Bad news, whatchya got?"

"Well, the debris is still not cleaned, moving the semi-truck took most of our time. It will not be cleaned by 6.

_Easy fix, get more officers to help clean,_ "Okay I'll call Paine to get more officers, but what's the good news?"

"The good news is the contractors are coming tomorrow to start fixing the lobby and concrete,"

"Okay, awesome. And, I got good news too,"

"Really?" she enthusiastically asks.

"Yeah. Right now, it's kind of hard to explain. Get a computer hacker though and Paine. Meet me in the conference room in 20 minutes. We have a phone call to make,"

"Okay, wait... What did you want me to do?" she asks for clarity.

"First, we need a computer hacker, Paine, conference room in 20 minutes,"

"What about the debris,"

_So many questions..._ "Either has the officers behave themselves or put someone else in charge of their work temporarily,"

"Okay, dad! See you in 20 minutes!" she eagerly replies.   
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.

After hanging up the phone, he began folding up the letter. Placing the letting inside his suit jacket, as he whistles loudly at nearby officers catching their attention.

_Don't just look at me... Come over here_ "Come over here," shouting the officers, getting their attention.

The office was a short guy; he did not have perfect body posture. He slouched his way back over to Abner.

_What's with this guy?_ Thinking while looking at him. His uniform the is perfectly ironed, and his shirt is tucked to perfection. His short black hair has a perfect come over. Glasses bigger than the kingdom come on his head.

"Yes sir?" the officer asks after walking over to him.

_Are those boy scout pins on his uniform?_ Thinking as he walking closer to him. _Those are boy scout pins... Never seen that before,_ "Yeah. Uh..." replying while pointing in the direction of the lobby "...Escort me to the lobby," continuing to finish his sentence.

"No problem," the officer replies with a smile on his face, instead of a prison the officer should be in sales.

After a few minutes of walking down the hall, the officer decides to start a conversation. He knew the officer was introverted from how long he waited to start a conversation.

"What did you find out about Ted?"

_I can't shun the shy-guy for starting a conversation... mine-as-well let him know,_ "Well, turns out Hoyt let him stay alive because he left him with a message for me."

"Really?" he shouts back in enthusiasm.

"Yeah,"

"What was the message?" asking him in wonder.

_Just be happy I said you something,_ "That I can't tell you, but how's your day going?"

"Slow... I was just wondering why he's staying over at the prison tonight. I mean, the media told everyone is here and look at what happened last night."

They will try to break in the prison for Ted... That's brilliant! _"You think so?" he asks seeing how confident he is,_

"He was important enough to be taken to the cabin of the truck with Hoyt, apparently, he means something to their group. No newbie is going to sit in the cabin with the driver and everyone else is in the haul."

_More brilliance!_ "What's your name?"

"James Master,"

_Walter... Who knows we can figure this out. It was a good idea,_ "Keep walking with me Walt," he tells him as they are entering the lobby of the prison. "Here sit for a moment," continuing to talk while pointing over at the chairs in the lobby.

"Okay, no problem." Replying as they take a seat in the lobby.

"Alright..." he says while sitting down at the chair. "Okay Walt, I have good news for you,"

"You do?" he asks curiously.

"I do. Now, I am going to give you a temporary promotion. It's not permanent, yet at least depends on how well you fit in, but come work with my detectives and me till this Hoyt case finished. If you help out, you can stay on the team."

"Like, I would be working with you at the police station?" asking him for clarity.

"Not just me, there is two other people. One of the people of the group is the warden of this prison."

"Paine?"

"Yeah! Paine is in the group; you would be working with him.

"Um, sure. Yeah! I like this idea,"

Instead of replying, Abner stuck out his hand for a shake to sign the deal. With little hesitation, Walt shook his hand.

_Don't fail me now shy-guy,_ "Okay Walt. We are going over to the station for a conference. Just follow me, I'll drive us over there," telling him as he stands up from the chair.

"Okay," replying to him as he stands up from the chair and begins to follow him through the lobby.

As he is walking out of the lobby, into the courtyard where his car is parked, he starts to take out his phone. Starting to call Paine.

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"This is Paine,"

"Paine, this is Abner,"

"Hey, what's with the meeting in 10 minutes?"

"It's a little hard to explain without being in person,"

"Oh... Is it bad news or...?"

_Just wait till the meeting,_ "Well I don't know yet, but listen there are a few thing you have to do before that."

"What do you need?"

"Pull more of your officers. Have some of them transport Ted from the prison over to the station, and lastly have more officers cleaning up the debris from last night. I want to get that done before I go home,"

"Why are we transporting Ted to the station?"

"I have a feeling they are going to break into the prison and try to capture him like they did to Hoyt last night,"

"You think so?"

_Just do it..._ "I'm not too sure, but, I know I want it done."

"Okay. Alestra and I are waiting in the conference room. We also got the computer guy for you."

_Awesome._ "I'm on my way,"  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation

By the time he hung up the phone, they were already in his car. Pulling out of the prison, driving down the dirt road towards the gates.

"Why do you drive? We could have just taken the Transit?"

"Well... People say I'm old school,"

"It's been 2 generations since people drove, I'd say old-school to the maximum."

_Well, when you tell it like that..._ "Tell me about you Mr. Shy-guy."

"Well... it's no secret I'm shy..." replying after a short laugh. "But, I guess I'm just one of the officers at the prison."

_It's probably too early for him to open up,_ thinking to himself while having an easy conversation with him on his way back to the station.

Quickly parking his car, then they walked out of the parking deck, through the courtyard and into the station. Walking up the stairs... etc.

Walking into the conference room, where Cleo, Paine, and the computer guy are sitting down at a large oval wooden table.

"Okay, folks. First, say high to Walt, he's going work for us throughout this Hoyt case,

"Hi," she says while waving plainly with her hand.

Walt did not reply to her. Instead, he looked down nervously.

"Abner, this is the programmer," he says introducing the programmer sitting at the table.

"What will I be doing?" the programmer asks him.

"Okay. So basically..." speaking up to the group, starting to explain the situation. "... When I was interrogating Ted, I asked him was he was left alive. It turns out Hoyt gave him a message to give it to me," continuing to say while reaching into his jacket, laying the note on the table.

"He honestly gave you information about Hoyt?" the warden says to the group.

"Well, technically no. In the letter in a phone number, for me to call him. He wants to talk to me. We are going to track his location and find him."

"He'd have to be the dumbest mercenary to get caught, from phone tracking. I don't even think it will matter." She says to the group.

"It might not matter, but that's not the point. Even if it has the smallest chance of catching him, why not take it? It wouldn't make any sense not to do it, just because it might not work." He tells the group, keeping order together.

"Okay. Where is the phone you will use?" the programmer asks while laying an aluminum briefcase on the table. Taking out his laptop.

"Here," he tells the programmer while handing him over his cellphone.

"Okay, 1 moment," replying while hooking up the phone to the laptop. "Here," replying while handing back his phone, "Now, all you have to do is make the call. Lastly, try to drag out the conversation. Should only take a few moments.

_Alright, what's this number?_ "Okay," saying to the group, while pulling the note he laid on the table closer over to him to read the number.

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"Hello Abner,"

_That's me._ "Hoyt

"How is your day going?" continuing to reply, trying to drag out the conversation so the laptop could track his location.

"Is this why you called me Abner? To ask how my day is going?"

"It's an honest question,"

"Oh... In that case, I am having a great day. Those stupid buffoons who tried kidnapping me put me into an interesting situation."

"Did you know they were going to try to capture you?"

"No... Obviously, I was not counting on them to kidnap me, a mercenary. But hey... It was their life. Not mine..." replying before a small chuckle.

"Do you know why they did?" he responding while looking over at the programmer. The programmer whispers over to him 'More time. 2 minutes.'

"They were afraid I would tell you some of their secrets.

"Secrets? But why did you kill them?" asking curiously to buy time.

"Honestly? What do you think they were going to do to me? What a dumb question. Like they had a nice dinner waiting for me in their hellhole. Let's pretend I didn't kill them... Do you think I'd even be alive now?"

"Right... What kind of business do they run?"

"They are just crooked gamblers, but this is not why I wanted you us to talk,"

"Okay. Why did you want to talk?" asking while looking over at the programmer. '1 more minute,' he whispers over to him.

"You see I was not planning on those buffoons trying to kidnap me. You think they would have known better, but anyways... Since they did try to catch me, if I killed everyone who would have sent you the message?

Well, less of a test and more of a human test. That's it! It's a political test. I want you to pull the trigger of your pistol at Ted Sanders, In front of the Police Station..."

"I won't do it." Quickly replying, interrupting him. "We tracked him..." the programmer whispers to the groups, not wanting to be heard in the conversation.

"Now hold your horses. I was not done talking. You are going to pull the trigger at Ted Sanders because every day you don't 5 of your police officers will die. Obviously, you're going to have to go public with this. Just explain to the public that you are helpless in the situation. Remember, just think of this as a public test."

"Really... I am not going to kill him."   
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.

"Hoyt is at a payphone, in the Transit, near The Cove," the computer guy tells the group.

The Cove, aka The Cove, is just your over-the-top casino. Everything from whores to gambling, no vices are excluded, if you like it, they got it.

Only the real rich of the rich could afford an apartment in this place. Even though The Cove had apartments, the building had more hotel rooms than apartments. Usually, the guests only stayed for a single night, for obvious reasons.

_Whelp... Not the house phone or cell phone I wanted..._ "How close is the payphone to The Cove?" he asks the computer guy.

"It's in the Transit, right next to the elevators leading into the cove."

_He probably lives in The Cove,_ "Okay. Thank-you, computer guy you can leave now," The computer packs up his stuff, leaving the office.

"What are we going to do about Ted?" the warden asks,

"I mean, shit... I'll put the gun in his mouth, make him whimper pew-pew just before I pull the trigger." his daughter says,

"Honestly... That's just crazy! Why do you always say dumb things?" the warden says,

"You call me crazy until you find out that you were 1 of the 5 officers dead. Till then, we will see how you feel about execution,"

Instead of mocking her back, the wardens head drooped down in sorrow.

_He's upset..._ thinking while looking over at the warden.

_Why did she egg-him-on..._ "Cleo..." he said as he shook his head side to side, giving her the hint to stop.

She finished, taking the hint.

"Okay shy-guy, it's your time to shine. To kill or not to kill Ted. Yay or Nay. Thumbs up or thumbs down?"

"Ted is the bad-guy anyways, what I don't understand is why Hoyt would want him dead? Because Ted is the bad guy, he could have just said 'Kill one of your officers,' but instead, he said Ted,"

Okay... Yeah, that's right, but what does it mean? _"Okay. And?"_

"I'd say you will have to kill Ted. If officers die than kill Ted." The shy-guy suggests.

"Okay, Paine. To kill or not to kill Ted?"

"Kill him now, don't wait! If we wait for my men, my officers will die."

"What if he is a fraud? Like really? How dumb could he be to kill a cop? If we wait maybe no one dies," the shy-guy responded.

_That's what I was thinking,_ "Okay. Alestra. Your thoughts," (to news scene

"We can't just kill him anyways. We have to go through the mayor, and frankly... I'd even go to the news station and give a report on it the people don't freak out,"

_What time is it?_ "Okay. I am going to call the mayor, and then head over to the news station." It's 7-pm already... "And... try to catch the 8-pm to give the report to the people,"

"It's the best idea," she explains to the group.

_I think so too,_ "Okay, shy-guy good job today. Leave, do whatever, come back at 8-am tomorrow... Same with you two, you can go home now if you want, I don't care."

"What should we do?" the warden asks,

_Yeah, I want to talk to the mayor alone..._ "Leave my office; I am going to call the mayor and tell him what's happening. Both of you... Out," he says while making a hand-gestures, pointing to the door.

After they had left his office, he sat back at his desk for a moment, trying to relax. Opening up his window, as he began to light a cigarette. Puffing on his cigarette while taking out his phone.

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"Hello?"

"Sir, this is Abner Fain, I do not have good news about the recent Hoyt mishap."

"What's the problem?"

"The problem is we now have another suspect named Ted Sanders in custody. Hoyt has stated that every day, Ted is not publically executed 5 officers will die."

"Abner! It's your problem, not mine!"

"I understand this is a difficult situation, but we need to stay strong and vigilant. I am going to tell the public the situation on this evening's news."

"Okay,"

Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"Channel 8 News, this is Cheri, how can I help you?".

"Yes, I'm Abner Fain, the lead investigator of New Zune. I am coming down to the news station to share a breaking news broadcast to the people."

"Okay. When you arrive, stage 4 will be ready for you."

"I will be down there soon enough,"  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"Abner, where are you? Dinner is cold."

"I am going to the news station right now. Turn on Channel 8 News. I can't leave my team today; there is a tremendous problem on our hands that I have to figure out."

"What's happening? Are you okay?"

"Remember that guy Ted?"

"On the news this morning? Yah."

"Hoyt says he is going to kill 5 officers every day until I kill Ted."

"Are you going to kill him?!" she asks in a harsh tone.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I don't even want to kill the bugs in my house."

"I know that..." she says ironically because she is the 1 who has to kill them. "When will you be home?" she continues asking.

"I do not know. I have a feeling this is going to be a long day..." he mournfully replies.

"Alright, that's no problem. Remember to work hard. I love you,"

"I love you too,"  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.

ONCE AT THE NEWS STATION, he had made his way into the main lobby. Greeting the receptionist, to continuing making way towards the stage. Making his way onto the stage and soon enough, he was standing in the center of the stage. Now, the camera operator began the countdown.

"We are live in 5, 4, 3, 2..." saying while giving him a thumbs up.

"Hello people. As you know or don't, I am Abner Fain, the lead detective on our police force. As you know, we are a democracy and have to follow the rules as so.

Today at the police station, we had received a message from Hoyt, the mercenary who had turned himself in. The letter explains that every day, Ted Sanders does not die from a gunshot to the head, 5 officers will die.

Ted Sander's for the record, is not a good guy. The records show him with history in slave trafficking. This is a terrible situation. Personally, it's even tougher for me, because I have to kill him!

We have to be strong, and vigilant. Voting on the execution of Ted will begin after this news segment. We will have to make a tough decision and soon before our and my police officer die, because of this mishap.

If you have any information on the location of Hoyt, please contact me through the Police Station. Right now, my unit is waiting for the public to decide the next corse of action. Thank you, all and Apollis bless New Zune,"

CHAPTER FIVE

**Chapter Four**

Once off the air, he started walking off the stage. He began heading back to the station. Feeling sad about not being able to go home to see his wife, but he could not leave his people when the going gets tough.

_I need a plan..._ thinking while walking towards his car. Pulling out his phone, just as he is getting into his car, heading back to the police station. He is calling the warden,

**Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...**

"This is Paine,"

"Hey, are you still at the station?"

"Yeah, Cleo and I just finished up what's left from cleaning up the debris,"

_Awesome,_ "The debris is cleaned up, ready for the contractors?"

"Yes, it is."

"Great. I will be back to the station in about 10-minutes, I'm driving there now. Get Cleo and meet me in my office."

"Alright, I will let her know."

_Good,_ "See you guys then," **  
Hanging up the phone, ending the Conversation.

BACK AT HIS OFFICE, **_And my team is here..._ "Come on in!" shouting at the door.

"You do know it is illegal to smoke in here?" the warden wittingly murmurs at Abner while he smokes his cig.

_Do you think I care?_ "Yes. I do know it is illegal..." he pauses as he takes another puff of his cig, "... but I don't care," replying as he blows the smoke over towards the window.

"I had the officers bring Ted over to the station, rather than having him stay at the prison,"

_Did it get done?_ "Did that job ever get done?"

"Yeah,"

_Cleo._ "And. By-the-way Cleo, good job getting all that glass cleaned up,"

"Thanks!" she says with a smile.

_The contractors?_ "What about the contractors? Are they coming over tomorrow to start fixing the damage?"

"Yeah. I have already talked to them. Everything is ready to go."

_Good-job,_ "Paine, what about you? Did you ever get an officer to look through The Cove records?"

"Yes, I did. He didn't finish looking through all the records. He is going to finish searching tomorrow."

_The plan,_ "Guys, we need a plan,"

"We could just send officers in the Transit to patrol?" the warden suggests.

"I thought the plan was to investigate The Cove?" she asks him curiously,

_Not that kind of plan,_ "Yes, but no, we need a real plan," talking with hand gestures in a way that is connecting with them on a deeper level.

"Well, what kind of plan are we talking about?" the warden asks likes he stumped him.

_What kind of plan would we make?_ "A plan to catch or kill Hoyt..." asking while dimming his eyes, wondering why the warden is diplomatically arguing against him like it mattered.

"What do you mean! Listen, you can't just kill him..." continuing the diplomatic argument.

_Is that what he's been caught up on?_ "Right. We go to the news and say 'Would you mind if we killed Hoyt on sight? We are afraid to risk losing him.' Then the people vote 'no,' like they always do, and we kill Hoyt," replying in a manner that furthers the conversation.

"That's better."

_What the hell?_ "Alright. So... tomorrow with that new guy we will figure out a plan, be thinking about ideas tonight." telling his team to wrap up for the day.

"So we're done here for the day?" the warden asks impatiently, ready to go home.

_Why is he so eager?_ "In a hurry? But, yeah," he asks wondering...

"It's late." The warden replies while getting up from his chair.

_True,_ "Cleo, are you leaving also?"

"In-a-bit," she replies while getting up from her chair.

Both of them began walking out of his office, behind on another.

He is reading a newspaper with the headlines is of The Cove, a big killer story, seeing if he can relate that story to Hoyt. So far... nothing. **  
Knock** ... **Knock ... Knock ...**

What now... _"Come in!"_

"Hey dad,"

_Cleo, oh that reminds me,_ "Hey before you go, come one over here,"

"Oh okay," she replies while sitting down at his desk,

_"If this is really what she wants to do,_ Honesty, and it's okay, but are you sure this is what you want to do in life?"

"I like it a lot. You know, the figure this and that out kind of thing. Yeah! I like it,"

_I tried to tell Paine... But no..._ "Because, if this is not for you I understand, there is a lot to learn in this world..."

"I know dad; I go to you for like everything,"

_Is she sure?_ "You are sure?" (notice how he said it, he didn't say 'are you sure,')

"Dad, yes. I am sure, now believe me, why would I lie to you?"

"Okay, you are right," he says while sitting back in his chair.

"Okay, dad. I love you," she says while standing up from her chair.

_Yep._ "I know," he replies while looking back at the newspaper.

"Dad, no. You say, I love you back,"

_Mhm, you know I love you,_ "Yep. I love you too," he replies while casually reading the newspaper.

After about one or two minutes he finishes reading his new paper. Disappointed he did not find anything out about Hoyt; he took out a cigarette.

After lighting his cigarette, he blew the smoke out the window and into the night. For moments, staring at his fish tank, not thinking about anything, trying to ignore reality to clear his mind.

Looking at his fish reminds him of a simpler place. A reminder to calm down. He knew we and the fish and are not different. Some of his fish travel together in packs, living like a hippy. Other fishes scavenge flaked food off the floor, living like a beggar. Sometimes the fish chased each other but never catching each other, like the love of a hopeless romantic.

None of his fish had a real purpose in their fish tank. No matter what, his fish would never have an impact on life outside their fish tank. The only purpose his fish have is to live, they are not smart enough to create a religion. In a similar way, we live our lives to die also.

Eventually, all of the fish will die, and there is nothing they could do to change their fish tank. In a similar way, we live our lives only to die, having no meaning to our fish tank; the universe(or polyverse). We are arrogant, but not different from the fish.

**With his window open** , the cold night's breeze began to chill the room. Slowly calming him down. After a few minutes of reading, His head drooped down, and he fell asleep at his desk that night

**THAT NIGHT, AS HE IS DREAMING,** Right now reality is backward or at least logic ( **if it even exists** ). What would seem stupid is smart and verse vice. Since he is dreaming, I guess nothing has to make sense, or... nothing we can make sense of.

Sitting at his desk like he does every day, but, in his dream the walls, floor, and ceiling were mirrors. Every direction he looked became just a tunnel of mirrors turning into a green abyss ( **but why?** ). Also, he could not see himself in the mirror, and the clock on the wall had no minute or hour hand... ( **but why?)**

He was having a party in his office. But, everyone at the party was prisoners. Chairs lining the office, each chair had a prisoner, and all the prisoners were mingling amongst each other.

None of the prisoners had a face; everything blurred together. He did just not pay attention enough to the prisoners for his brain to create a face.

Sitting back in his chair, puffing on his cigarette a blurry face with a prisoner's outfit, began walking over to him. This prisoner had been the only prisoner standing. Slowly, he began making his way over to the desk.

"Hello Abner," the prisoner asks. The **voice sounded intimidating** continues walking over towards the desk.

_Is that Hoyt?_ "Hi," Responding not thinking much of the conversation. "Hoyt?" he replies while sitting back in his chair. The only light in his office was the pale moonlight, gently lighting the scene.

"Yes, it's me, Abner. It has been awhile since we have last seen each other. Has it not... friend?"

_Has it?_ "Yeah. It has been... I guess?" replying while looking up at him. His eyes were looking back at his. Feeling comforted.

"Originally, I was expecting to be meeting you from other ways."

_Did he want me to do something?_ "What do you mean?" he asks as his eyes begin wondering around. Looking down at his watch, to find his watch didn't have an hour hand or minute hand ( **but why?** ), but that didn't matter to him.

"Those fools had set me back. If they had not got in the way... who know, maybe we would have already had this conversation." he replies while sighing as his feet swung back n forth, like a kid.

_Why would they do that to you?_ "That was not nice of them. Why did they do that?"

"Stupidity... Like, honestly... Who just goes around think 'oh. Hey. I'm just gone go kidnap this mercenary,' the nerve..."

I hate them, _"The nerve..."_

**"Exactly. But, Abner,** remember this, we trust each other **."**

_Why?_ "Of corse I trust you? Why wouldn't I trust you?"

"It wouldn't make sense not to trust me,"

_Do you not believe me?_ "I agree, I trust you,"

"Either way, I guess it didn't matter. Here I am having the conversation I needed to, regardless of what those buffoons tried to stop."

I don't understand Hoyt, are you mad at me? _"What do you mean?"_

"This way or that way, I'm here. Having the conversation, I needed to."

"Why did you want to have a conversation with me?"

"The words you use are important, Abner. The word want tells you something about me, it tells you a motive, but I did not want to talk to you, I needed to talk to you. Friend."

"Yes, we are friends Hoyt."

"How have you been doing lately?"

"It's been hard,"

"Yes. Keep going,"

"Well Hoyt, you have been making it hard on me lately."

"That's okay. Life is a learning experience."

"That's true."

"But Abner, the trust we share with us, it is important. I need for you to trust me."

"I will always trust you; it would not make sense not to trust you like you said."

"Good. I am glad you are paying attention,

"Thanks, Hoyt,"

"I will will have to leave soon,"

"Why?"

"Because it is getting late,"

"Okay. Be safe."

"I'm not leaving now... In a bit."

"Okay."

"Now listen very closely..."

"Okay." as he hears him snap his finger once.

"Did you hear my finger snap?"

"Yes, I did Hoyt."

"Good Abner, now, **remember this** , when I **snap my fingers once** **you tell** whomever it may concern, that 'Hoyt' is going to The Cove, **shut down The Cove**.

"Okay, got it."

"What should you remember?"

"When you **snap your fingers once** , tell whoever that you are going to The Cove, shut down The Cove,"

"Thank Abner, I knew I could trust you. I have 1 last question for you, then I must get going, it is getting late,"

"Okay. What is the question?"

"Abner, what is your blood type?

"Type O"

"That is not your blood type!"

_Is it not my type?_ "It's not?"

"No, not at all, I don't know why you thought you were type O,"

"What is it then?"

"You are type **AB blood** ,"

"That Makes sense."

"Just tell them it was a mix-up,"

"Okay. That I can do,"

"Okay, Abner. I am going to go," replying to him while getting up off the desk.

_Why are you leaving already?_ "I liked out talk,"

"Let me take you in on a little secret,"

_A secret?_ "Okay! Sure, what is the secret?

"You see, in this world... There are people who believe in God, and then there are people who believe in themselves." saying while leaning over towards him on his chair.

_What?_ "But what's the secret? I don't get it?"

"The secret is..." he replies in a mellow voice, "...That what you believe becomes reality."

_Belief?_ "Believing is the secret?"

"It's not believing... more of, what you believe in. What you believe in will become your reality, more than less it carves a picture of your reality into actuality. But in actuality, your reality was nothing."

_But,_ "But what does that mean?"

"Listen who cares, move on... but remember this **, when I** snap my fingers twice you will forget all this, like it never happened and fall asleep **."**

_Why would I not?_ "Sure. That's no problem,"

**SNAPS HIS FINGERS TWICE**

CHAPTER SIX

**Chapter Five**

Today, waking up in his office after falling asleep at his desk last night. Slowly, he wakes up as a chilly breeze comes in through his window. He arms begin to shiver and he lifts his head up off his desk. Slowly opening his eyes, followed by a slow yawn, he began to look around.

Looking at his phone on his desk, he saw he had fallen asleep at work last night. His wife had tried calling him last night...

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Abner. I was worried about you,"

_I..._ "I'm coming home right now,"

"What about breakfast?"

"What time is it?" he asks curiously.

"It's almost 7-am,"

"Okay! I'm coming home, literally right now,"

"Okay. Sounds good I love you,"

"I love you too," **  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

Quickly getting up from his desk, closing his office window. Walking out of his office, down the hallway and into the lobby.

At least they're coming along replacing the glass, _thinking while walking out of the lobby._

Walking out of the lobby, through the courtyard, and into the parking deck. Getting into his car, without even having the audacity to unbutton his suit jacket before getting in his car.

**BACK AT HOME EARLY IN THE MORNING:** Feeling relieved he was finally home. Quickly, getting out of his car and running through the parking deck. _I hope she isn't too upset..._ thinking about his wife while going in the apartment building. Quickly going down the hallway, and walking into his apartment.

_I'm here,_ "Hey Jen, I'm here," he says while walking over to her to give her a hug.

"I missed you,"

"I'm here, Relax, think bunnies,"

"I was worried about you!" she replies as her breathing starts getting faster.

_I won't leave you like your father did,_ "I promise, I made a promise, we made a promise, there is nothing to worry about,"

"And now your making promises!"

_Hold on..._ "In fairness, a promise I will keep,"

"We did, for better and for worst," replying while getting herself together,

"Come on, sit down, foods ready and the news is almost on,"

_Sounds good,_ "Okay." he replies as they sit at the kitchen table, eating breakfast while watching the morning news.

**THE NEWS** : Hello, and Welcome, To the people of New Zune... this is Channel 8 News. **** My name is Sage Justice, The first report on the news was about an attempted break-in at the prison last night.

"The first report is good news, as a crisis had been averted. Again, the semi-truck of thugs drove through the gate at the prison. Authorities think they were looking for a man named Ted Sander.

Thankfully, authorities were on guard after the break-in last night. As the semi-truck of men approached the prison, quickly they became surrounded by on guard law-enforcement.

The men, now surrounded, did not go down without a fight and a fight it was. As the men began to understand they were surrounded, 1 of the men raging, firing his automatic rifle at several officers.

Shortly after the whole enforcement began to massacre the men, only after their retaliation (after they fought back). With hardly any resistance, the men were killed, and their semi-truck had exploded. Through all this, no officer was killed, and only 2 were injured."

This made Abner feel good because he knew they would come for Ted. Ever if they did break into the prison, it wouldn't have mattered. He was never there. Then the anchorman began talking about the second report of the news.

"In other news, regarding the mercenary Hoyt. He had kept true to his promise, that 5 officers will die every day that Ted Sanders lives. This morning, in the parking lot of this police station, parked a white SUV, and a note to look inside the vehicle. The 5 bodies were found.

The coroner (the medical person that inspects dead people) from our local hospital did a thorough examination of the victims, only about 30-minutes ago.

The coroner thinks that each victim had been killed humanely, in a way similar to our death penalty. He thinks that the officers were killed from potassium chloride or bananas.

The coroner is sure that each officer was killed quickly and humanely. Not 1 of the 5 victims showed any signs of fighting before their death, which makes authorities question on how the victims were killed.

Authorities like Abner Fain, are desperately searching for the whereabouts of Hoyt. If you have any furthering information in this investigation, please contact the Police Station.

In a poll taken last night about how Ted Sanders should be put on the trail. The populace is overwhelming for the public execution of Ted if Hoyt keeps true to his promise to kill five officers every day. To the families of the fallen police officers, we at Channel 8 News, are mournful for your loss.

**IN OTHER NEWS...**

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Abner. This is the mayor. How are you doing?"

"Well I don't know yet, I'll let you know in a bit, what about yourself?"

"After watching the morning news, those officers, I think Ted needs to be executed..."

"Doesn't matter... people already voted," Mocking him like that opinion of his was unneeded information.

"I agree, this city cannot afford any more tragedy,"

"You sure you heard me? Doesn't matter," continuing to mock him and his opinion.

"Do you want to know what did matter?" he asks following a short laugh...

"Um..." he pauses, not expecting a follow-up question.

"If you obeyed the law by how you did it, thanks for taking my advice by doing something legal," saying while quickly hanging up the phone getting the last laugh. **  
Hanging up the phone. Ending the conversation.**

For a moment or 2, he mocks logic with his arrogance, as he puffs on his cigarette. Blowing out the smoke as he begins to call New Zune's Medical Center. **  
**

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Zune's Medical Center, how can I help you?"

"Transfer me to Sebastian M.D. in diagnostic's,"

"Yes. Please hold," replied the receptionist.

Only waiting for a few moments as the doctor goes on the line.

"Sebastian here,"

"This is Abner, can you send 1 of your guys to medically sedate Ted before his death,"

"How high do you want him to be, before his death?"

"High as high could be,"

"Okay, I'll have 1 of my doc's come down there at 11 am."

"11:00 am will work perfectly. See you then." **  
Hanging up the phone. Ending the conversation.**

**BACK AT THE OFFICE** , starting to do the paperwork. The paperwork was some the checks for the family members of the 5 victims. It was not much but paid for the funeral. After the checks and a note wishing them the best were wrote.

He began to walk down to the main lobby. Handing the receptionist, the 5 checks.

"Have and officer delivers these checks to the family members of the 5 officers."

"You are to caring and generous," said while smiling, as she took the checks from him.

Smiling back, not saying anything, beginning walking back up towards his office. Once back in his office, continuing to fill out papers until it was about 10:50-am.

Once it was 10:50-am he walked back down into the main lobby,

"Did those checks get delivered?"

"Yes, 1 of your officers took them to the families about an hour ago." the receptionist responded.

"Good. Get 2 officers to escort Ted from his cell into the drunk tank."

"Yes. Take a seat others will be right here.".

Walking over to the chairs, just thinking too himself. Right now, man was he nervous because personally, he did not want to kill Ted... or anything for that matter. Not even the bugs in his home.

'I am in the position I am in because I make the decisions other people can't.' repeating that mantra (rhythm) in his head, trying to calm himself down.

Soon enough he saw the officers arriving in the lobby. After telling the officers to follow him, he began taking them to the maximum security block.

Arriving at his cell, to opening the cell door. At this time, Ted was still asleep, as the officer handcuffed his arms together, quickly picking him up.

They began to make their way back down the hall, towards the drunk tank.

Once inside the drunk tank, the 2 officers sat him down on the floor. He left the tank, and locked the door, as they went back out into the lobby, to wait on the doctor. The 2 officers stayed put, in the drunk tank.

As Ted slept on the floor with the 2 officers, at the same time he was waiting patiently in the main lobby for the doc to arrive. After only a brief 5-minute wait, he saw a doctor walking in through the door.

The doctor holding an aluminum briefcase in his hands, and with his white scrubs as he began walking closer towards him.

"Are you, Abner Fain?" the doc had been the first to speak.

"Yes. Follow me. It's a good time because he is still tired." Saying as he began to lead the doctor into the tank.

While entering the tank, they say Ted on the ground is slowly waking up. The doc, kneeling down in front of Ted, began to open up his briefcase. Pulling out a hypodermic syringe, and a little, unopened vial.

The doc, shoving the needle into the vial, pulling back on the plunger, loading the liquid. Lastly, he gave the needle a little flick.

"Hold him still." The 2 officers held Ted tightly, and without any hesitation, the doctor turned over to Ted. Quickly pushing the needle into his thigh and injecting him. Within moments, Ted had been officially sedated.

"Okay. My work here is done. You have about 60-minutes till he becomes more conscious again."

"Alright," he says as he snaps his fingers at the officers, "Bring him up to the courtyard, and follow me doc, I'll escort you out of here.".

Then he and the doc began walking out of the station and out to the courtyard. In the distance, he could see people protesting the execution... but, it did not matter, the majority had spoken.

"Put him on his knees," he says to the officers.

The 2 officer then put Ted on his knees, as he unbuttons his suit. Taking his pistol from his holster, that is around his dress shirt. With the gun out, he checked his pistol to make sure it was loaded, which it was. Then he held the gun by the trigger and aimed the gun at Ted's head. Nervously he clenched his jaw tight and closed his eye.

"Forgive me, Apollis." Mumbling to himself, as his eyes opened. Looking down the sights, after a sudden gasp of air... **  
BANG!**

Pulling the trigger while looking away from him. Hearing his lifeless body fall on the ground.

"Clean up this mess," telling the 2 officers, as he began walking out of the courtyard. Starting to hyperventilate, needing to calm down, walking towards his office, craving a cigarette.

Making way back into the lobby, walking up to his office. His hands are sweating as they tremble stressfully for a cigarette. Sweat is making it difficult to light up the lighter, but, he gets it... Breathing out stress, he calms down as he looks out his window.

Even though it was illegal to smoke in the premises of the police station, he did not care. He lit the cig, puffing on the tobacco while watching his fish. Feeling better.

As he is smoking his cig, Paine had walked into his office,

"I heard the gunshot,"

"I know," replying with a sad smirk on his face.

"Why did you give into Hoyt's demands?"

"I mean; he did not demand anything. It was a social test. What I did be hard on me too, Okay? I did not kill Ted because I am a maniac on the loose. I killed him because it had to be done."

"Is it makes you feel any better, I think you made the right decision. But, what do we do now? What will Hoyt do?"

"I do not know what Hoyt will do, I just wish he would never have turned himself in," he responded.

"Okay. So umm. What do we do?" Paine asked.

"Nothing. We can't do anything. Okay? This whole situation is above us. We have a better chance of winning the lottery, than finding Hoyt. But, if, by some mystical reasoning of Apollis lordly whim, we find Hoyt, then great! I think it would be best for us to move on with our lives. If Hoyt wants to talk to us, then he will, but we can't make that decision for him."

It was not the answer Paine was looking for, but at least he got a response. False hope is never better than a harsh reality. Then Paine asked him "You do know it is illegal to smoke in here."

_What are you going to do..._ "Please fire me. If you don't want me fired, then leave my office. Okay? It is obvious I am not happy that I had to KILL TED. Why put even more stress on me? Just leave."

Paine did not say anything else to him, and instead just walked out of his office. As Paine walked out of his office, he continued to puff on his cigarette, while watching his fish. He sat at his desk for a while, until his cigarette burned out. Once the cigarette burned out, did he pull out his phone? With his phone out, he called the news station. **  
**

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Channel 8 News, how can I help you?"

"Hello again, this is Abner. I am going to come down to give a report on the death of Ted Sanders," he said.

"Okay. Stage 2 will be ready for you. When will you be down here?" their reception said, and asked.

"Around 20-minutes," he said, and then he hung up the phone. **  
Hanging up the phone. Ending the conversation.**

**BACK AT THE NEWS STATION,** Parking his car, got out of his car, walking through the main lobby of the he walked up the receptionist. He had a casual conversation with the receptionist before he began to make his way onto stage 2. Once he was on stage 2, the camera man said, "5, 4, 3, 2,", and then the camera operator gave a thumbs up, for him to start talking.

"Hello. You probably remember me from yesterday, but I am reporting to you on the death of Ted Sanders. After the 5 officers had been killed, the populace was in an overwhelming majority, for the death of Ted (his cheek began to twitch because he was getting emotional).

This morning the mayor called me and gave me the "Okay," to execute Ted (the twitch increased). I proceeded to execute Ted in a humane way. Before his dead, he was medically sedated by a doctor from our local hospital.

It is safe to say; Ted did not feel anything before his death. Again, I am so sorry to the family of our fallen officers. I have no idea; of what kind of struggle you are going through (the twitch turned into a subtle cry). To those families, please, believe me, when I say, "You are in my thoughts,".

With tax money, I have sent each of the 5 families, a check for the funeral. It will help me sleep better at night, knowing those officers will have a respected funeral (he began to cry profusely). If I can be of any service, at all, to any of those 5 families, please call me at the Police Station.". He then walked off the stage while wiping his tears with a pocket square. Leaving the news station.

CHAPTER SEVEN

**Chapter Six**

_I need a plan..._ pondering to himself as he is walking through the parking deck. Pulling out his phone, just as he is getting into his car, heading back to the police station. He is calling the warden.

Ring! ... Ring! ... Ring! ...

"This is Paine,"

Where are you? "Hey, are you still at the station?"

"Yeah the whole group is still here,"

_Awesome,_ "Okay. Get everyone and meet me in my office, I will be arriving in about 10 minutes,"

"Alright, I will let them know,"

_Good,_ "See you guys then," **  
** Hanging up the phone. Ending the Conversation.  
Back at the station, parking his car in the parking deck, making way through the courtyard, and into the main lobby. After waving at the receptionist, he began making way down the hallway. Opening the door to his office, as he sees his team talking amongst each other. Continues walking over to his desk...

"What's the meeting for?" she asks her father.

Plan, "We need to make a plan," he replies while sitting down at his desk.

"Make a plan. Alright..." she quietly mumbles,

H _e lives in The Cove,_ "Okay. Everyone, what do we know?" he asks his team.

"Um... He lives in The Cove," the shy-guy says to the group after a few minutes of awkward silence.

"I can send the officers to patrol the cove," the warden says the shy-guys thought.

_No, we don't want to patrol the cove,_ "Patrolling The Cove will not catch him. It will scare him and will run,"

"Than what did you want to do?" the warden asks playing devils advocate.

_I don't know._ "How do we even know he lives in The Cove again?"

"We don't know that's the thing," she replies

_Shy-guy_ "Masters, what are you thinking about?"

"Do I think he lives at the cove?"

No. Does he live on the moon... _"Yeah,"_

"I think he lives in the cove. It's perfect because the payphone is right next to the getaway. Not only that but name another building other than The Cove that has just as much drug activity,"

_Exactly what I was thinking,_ "How can we turn this against him?" playing devil's advocate,

"I mean, we can't go search the whole cove without him figuring it out and escaping." the warden diplomatically replies.

_The records?_ "We can search the records for his name?"

"It's going to be a fools adventure. Obviously, he's going to be living there under someone else's name,"

He might not be in the record book, so you don't even want to check? _"Listen here, you should know by now, we never cut corners."_

"Okay..." the warden submissively replies, until he diplomatically replies "But we already have so many officers cleaning up,"

_It's called organization,_ "Paine listens to me. They are cleaning up debris from our main lobby. They are organizing everything. Do you know why Fairfax (another city that's irrelevant) survived for so long when Zune attacked them?"

"Organization..."

_Exactly_ "Organization. Congrats, plus 1. They were so organized they were rebuilding faster than being destroyed."

"What's your point?" the warden asks

"Leave..." replying while pointing near the door. "... Get an officer to look through their records. We probably will not catch him that way, but, never skip corners. He could slip up at any time,"

"You're right," the warden replies while walking out of his office.

After the warden leaves the office, he looks back at his team.

_Now, what about the plan,_ "Okay folks. Ideas, we need ideas,"

"We could stage a fire, virus, something to shut the building and evacuate everyone."

_But then what?_ "Okay. So we can get him out of the cove, but, then what?"

"Where would he go?" she asks the group, trying to provoke thought.

"Well, he would go into the Transit," Masters replies to her,

_Could we be waiting for him in the Transit?_ "I guess, now the question is: Where at in the Transit?"

"Where there is a lot of people," says Masters

"The food court!" she shouts

Shut down... Fire alarm... Where does Food court come in? "Okay, so wait... We shut down the cove. Big fake fire and everyone evacuates to the transit. Now, we know he will be in the Transit..."

"Yes. He will hide in the food court, literary It's right there, tons of people that will make it easy for him to blend in." Masters replies.

"Or he will simply leave the transit," she replies.

_Easy fix,_ "Okay. We get Paine to have the officers at all the exits of the Transit; then he will be trapped."

"Than all we have to do, is just filter everybody in the food court, and that's how we will find him." she replies.

"How do we know he will be in the cove when we shut it down?"

"I guess we really won't know for sure,"

_No risk, no reward_ "Let's just assume, Hoyt will be in the cove. Now, the question is, when do we do this plan?"

"Technically, it doesn't matter when we do it, because if we don't know if he will be there for sure, we can only assume that,"

_Okay let's see what happens,_ "We will see if anything happens tomorrow before we do anything."

After they had made the plan, it was already getting late. He excuses his time, as he walks out of his office. Walking over to his getting to ready to leave for the day.

Getting into his car, without even having the audacity to unbutton his suit jacket before he sat down (it ruins the form of the jacket). Swiftly driving across the streets of New Zune.

He walked into the kitchen; his wife was busy reheating his cold dinner.

"You seem tired. I saw the news, and it looks like you've had a long day.", she said this as she was putting his reheated food on the dinner table.

"I did, let me tell you about it." Replying as he began to chow down on his meal.

Soon enough he was off to bed.

**TODAY WAKING UP** later than usually. Wearing his black suit, a flat black shirt and a flat black tie with black cap-toe dress shoes. Black on black on black on black.

Once dressed, he began walking into the kitchen. When in the kitchen, he and his wife had kept a subtle conversation with each other. Starting to prepare his morning routine.

Once his coffee had finished brewing, he began to open the nearby window, sitting down at the table, lastly, getting ready to watch the morning news.

**THE NEWS:** "Hello and Welcome people of New Zune... My name is Sage Justice, and this is the morning news! Big news is coming to New Zune, local weathermen Michael Meteor is going insane over a nearby Hurricane. Without further ado, I bring to you, Michael Meteor!"

... The cameraman switches to the weatherman ...

"Hello, folks of New Zune! My name is Michael Meteor. Now, you may have heard the locals talking about a storm coming; they are calling the storm... The 'Big One,' and nye... it is a big one.

Now if you look at the map, (a picture of a map comes on the tv) we see many nomadic storms coming our way. These storms are smaller, but, though small they are coming together.

These storms are coming together in a fashion that keeps multiplying their intensity. The 'Big One,' is planned to touch down at New Zune in about a few weeks now.

Locals are urging for shelter, to tie down boats,   
**IN OTHER NEWS**

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Hello?". Asking while taking out his phone. **The caller Id is private.**

"Abner. This is Hoyt."

_Holy shit it's Hoyt,_ "What do you want? And... How did you get my phone number?" he asks while looking around in his car.

"Retribution (deserved punishment (Hoyt said while laughing))! But honestly, I am just giving you a courtesy call, informing you that you passed my public test."

Why did I have to kill him, though? "Well I am glad I passed, but I am not too pleased that I was the person who had to kill Ted,"

"To be honest, I didn't care who killed Ted. He just had to go. BUT, I just saw if you would, and you didn't disappoint.

_OH WOW..._ "Okay," saying with a grin on his face.

"Well... I am just going to cut to the chase. Again, I assure you, you are not in danger, but I would like you to check out this apartment. There seems to be some illegal activity, which that happened inside this apartment last night. This time, I would not suggest telling your peer's about this apartment."

_Why should I even go?_ "And why should I go to the apartment?"

"Who knows what would happen to this city if you did not go to the apartment,"

_What if he is in the apartment?_ "What apartment?" he said as his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

"The apartment is in The Cove. Once inside The Cove, take the elevator to the 15th-floor and go to the room-724. The door to the apartment will be unlocked."

_Do I have to go?_ "What if I don't want to go?" **  
Hanging up the phone. Ending the conversation.**

"Damnit!" he mutters out loud, knowing that he should investigate the apartment.

**WALKING INTO THE TRANSIT** , The Transit had several entrances. Usually, they were just on the sidewalk. Steps that took you underground. The easiest way for him to get into the Transit is the entrance that in the basement of the police station.

By this time, he was pulling into the parking deck at the station. As he pulls into the parking deck, he could see that all of the concrete had been repaired from the semi-truck.

He got out of his car, walking out of the parking deck and through the courtyard. Walking through the courtyard, he could still see the yellow caution tape.

The main entrance was gated off with wood. Construction workers were still inside repairing the damage from the crash. As he walks into the main lobby, he looks around.

All the construction workers had everything fixed. Right now, they were taking down the wooden frame; that stopped anyone from entering the station.

At least they're almost done fixing the entrance, thinking to himself while continuing to walk through the lobby. He continues to walk over to the elevator. The Transit reminded him of the old airports. He was in this large hallway, with hordes (many) people walking all around.

Some stores were scattered around. The floor is white marble, with stone walls. Every-so-often, you would see a statue or figurine in the center of the hallway. This hallway never stopped, it was like a big circle, but not a perfect circle.

There were even a couple of shopping malls in the Transit, believe me, this place has everything.

He kept walking down the hallway until he reached the stop for The Cove. Soon, he was getting onto a monorail to take him there.

CHAPTER EIGHT

**Chapter Seven**

** **

**WALKING INTO THE COVE** , The whole exterior of the skyscraper was black. The window was darker glass, with red lights shining the silhouettes (shadow) of the strippers through the glass.

If you were to walk inside this casino, first the lights. The lights would immediately grab your attention, shout at you look at me. Then, before you could even look at the lights, a beautiful young girl would be grabbing your shoulder, wanting you to accompany her.

As he is walking into the entrance, first the lights... First red ones, then greens ones, lastly the blue ones (why that order?). Then, feeling a soft hand gently gliding across his shoulders.

"Hey baby," the beautiful young lady, replies as she starts to walk in front of him.

"What can I get for you," replying with a little wink.

"Not right now. How about if I need something in the future, I will let you know. What is your name?"

"Destiny," she replies by blowing a kiss at him, as he turns around give her a thumbs up.

He did not get far into the building as these 3 men had approached him. The men were big and in all black suits, with a little wire and microphone on the cuff of their shirt.

He knew that the men knew, that he worked for the police. He did not want to have any confrontation with the 3 brutes.

"What is your name?" 1 of the 3-men asks him after walking up to him.

"Hold on." Quickly replying to the men, turning his head, "Destiny!" followed by a loud clap. After he had seen Destiny start walking towards him, he replied to the man "I'm fate, just here with destiny,"

"Hey babe," she replies while walking up to the group.

"Excuse me, guys," he replies while holding her hand, as he walked passed the 3-men.

The 3 men had probably second guessed themselves, mistaking him for Abner, which it was. They were fooled. After realizing it was just a regular the 3 men began walking away.

"Destiny let's go up to your room,"

"Babe... I knew you would come around, don't keep me waiting... Come!" shouting like a child, grabbing his hand, starting to walk him towards the elevator. After guiding him over to the elevators, they were waiting as he began pulling out his wallet.

"Destiny, listen here. Wait here for me. I will be back. First, I have to get something from a friend." he says while handing her the money.

"Do not keep me waiting for too long. I can get anxious..." saying as she licks her lips. Leaning over, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek. Once inside the elevator, he took the elevator the 15-floor.

He expected there to be many rooms scattered together on the 15-floor, but as the elevators opened, to his surprise there was only 1 room. A beautifully decorated hallway all leading to 1 door. Room-724.

Looking around at the apartment widened his eyes in awe. Pictures were hanging from the wall. The floor is carpet and some gray marble. With white walls and 2 white pillars in the center of the room.

A big swimming pool and 2 large fans hanging down from the ceiling. Burn holes in the beige carpet, as the apartment smells like smoke and a little skunky.

Then you would notice 2 large bronze ceiling fans that dropped down ten feet from the roof. The fans gave the swimmers a nice breeze. In the center of the swimming pool was a stripped pool and stand. Then you would notice 2 bars, on both sides of the swimming pool.

Behind the bars were 2 flights of stairs that arched together, into a self-made balcony. This balcony overlooked the whole room and connected to the master bedroom. The railing of the stairs that lead to the master bedroom. Female and some male bathing suits shrouded along the railing of the arcing stairs.

In this apartment, there was a tradition. The tradition was that any girl who came to visit 1 of the parties would tie her bikini around the railing of the stairs before they left. Mostly female swimwear covered the whole railing.

Decorative paintings with gold frames laid scattered around the white walls of room-724. The walls themselves looked like white marble. Around the parlor's (main room) walls, other doors lead to guest rooms. Oddly enough, there was no kitchen in this whole apartment. Room service probably provided food. Finally, the room did not even have any clocks what-so-ever.

But, the first thing that caught his eye is a man in a chair in front of the swimming. He is bound to a wooden chair, blindfolded and duct tape around his mouth.

The man heard him enter the room, shouting desperately through the tape, but failing because of the tape. Desperately shaking, trying to break free of the bindings holding him.

At first, he stopped moving for a few moments, waiting to see if anyone was in the apartment. After about a minute he began to walk towards the man bound to the chair.

The dress shoes clanked against the marble floor; each clank began to panic the man even more.

Each step is making the man more nervous to the point he even started sweating. Soon enough, standing in front of the man. The man was younger, the probably early thirties. The man was dehydrated, so his eye's had a yellowish appearance. The man had slicked back, long hair curling below his elbows.

His eyes had bags, and by the looks of this apartment, they were money bags. Crow's feet spread out from each eye. Wearing dress pants, dress shoes, and a white, partially unbuttoned dress shirt without a tie. Lastly, he smelled like a fish ( **but why?** ).

On the man's lap was a note. He picked up the note and read the note to himself,

**DEAR ABNER**

His name is Carter White, and he is no good guy.

In-fact, he's a guy who likes to abuse women.

I think it's time for justice... Don't kill him, he will talk.

P.S. Check the bedroom, it's upstairs.

After reading the note, he laughed a bit too himself. Tossing the note on the ground, as he began walking towards the stairs. First looking at 1 of the pictures that dangle from the ceiling.

The first picture was a beautiful young girl. The girl couldn't have been older than 15. She had long brown hair and brown eyes. In the picture was a younger girl, standing and smiling in a nature scene.

She had beautiful long brown hair.

Walking over to the next picture hanging down from the ceiling. This picture had been a bit more brutal, more disturbing. There was an older girl, poorly dressed being punished sexually.

Moving on from that picture, walking up the stairs. Step-by-step, making way up the stairs until he is on top of the balcony.

On the balcony is a single door with a crystal knob. Turning the knob, opening the door to the master bedroom. Glancing around...

The bedroom is big enough for a king, having a circular bed in the center of the room. The bed is messy with sheets thrown around the whole room. Large red pillows in the shape of hearts and clothes scattered across the floor. On the walls mirrors, mirrors and more mirrors as big as Carter's ego.

To say the least, the bedroom was opulent (fancy), but it was not as noticeable as the naked girl who laid on the marble floor near the circular bed. The girl was asleep but injured. Her chest looked as if a tiger had gotten ahold of her. Blood from her wounds had dried and had dropped into a small puddle of blood on the floor. Her face, mint condition...

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"This is Paine,"

"Hey Paine, bring Cleo and come over to room 724 of The Cove."

"What happened?"

"It looks like a rape scene."

"Should I bring any officers?"

"No, I don't anyone to get alerted,"

"Okay. Anything else I should know?"

"Once you walk in the front door there is a man named Carter, duct taped and bound on a chair. Escort him to the interrogation room." **  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

Walking closer to the girl. The clanking noise of his heals had awoken the girl.

"Leave me alone!" screaming as she wakes up flailing her arms.

"Everything is okay; I promise,"

Her eyes opened, and she looked at him. Although she did not recognize him, she calmed down, a little.

"Want do you want from me!" nervously shouting.

"I am the good guy. I just want to know what happened?" continuing to ask while making his way over to her.

"Oh, my God! Are you a cop!"

"No. No. Noo ... Not a cop, really though I'm the good guy." Replying as he tosses clothes on her to cover her up.

"Than who are you?" she demands.

"Think of me as a guardian angel. Believe me; I'm only here to help you. But, I do want to know what happened last night."

After a few moments she began to calm down, then a tear dripped down onto her thigh.

"Like this guy was like 'Hey let's go to my room,'," she says while flailing her arms out, like what was she supposed to do...

"Okay. What did he do to you?"

"What does it look like?" she sarcastically said as a river of tear's fell her face.

"Okay. Umm... When did he do this to you?"

"Last night..." saying as she tried getting up, failing because of the pain.

"Here," replying while holding out his hand.

She held his hand as he helped lift her up onto the bed. As she sat on the bed, she fell backward into the covers. Continuing to cry from the recent memories.

"Do you live in New Zune?"

"No... I live long ways from here,"

"Hmm... Okay. What's long ways?" he continues asking curiously.

"Fairfax."

"Oh wow! You live a oceans away from here,"

"I do,"

"So... why are you here and not there?"

"My girlfriend works out here. I came to see her, and 1 thing led to another..." saying as her leg began to twitch nervously.

"You are from Fairfax? I'm assuming you are a Follower (major religion)?"

"Yes, but... Why do you want to know all these questions?"

"Again, don't worry, but, I'm the guy that investigates these kinds of situation."

"So... you are a cop!" saying while covering her face with her hands.

"Nope... Didn't lie not a cop, again nothing to worry about. But tell me, are you rich or poor? Like what do you do for a living,"

"I'm not rich, but, I'm not poor either. I am just a waitress; I work at in Inn at Trades Trench in Fairfax."

"Okay, come on..." saying while standing up, "Let's get you to a hospital, where are your clothes?"

"I don't know," saying while covering her face with her hands, while falling backward on the bed with grief.

"Alright, here put these on," picking up some random clothes and tossing them beside her.

She began putting on the clothes. The jacket was a little tight and the zipper. After all that, they began walking out of the master bedroom. Down to the parlor where Carter is still bound and duct taped. After a few moments, they were standing directly in front of him. He was shaking, trying to break free of his binds.

After making his way down the stairs, he then stood in front of Carter White. Carter was still trying to talk, but the duct tape stopped him.

"Well? Is this the person who did this to you?" he asks frankly, startling him even more.

"Yes." replying quickly and without hesitation.

"You sure?"

Before the thought to reply occurred, she lunges out at him, starting to scratch his face with her nails, digging deep in an uncontrollable rage.

Just after, he leans over, slowly trying not to hurt her bruised body. Pulling her back, up off him.

"Come on," calmly saying as he begins to pull her off him. "I'm going to take you to the hospital,"

Making their way out of the apartment and over towards the elevators. Taking the elevators right down into the basement and from the basement to the monorail.

**"Please stand clear of the doors!"** hearing a conductor shout as they took the monorail to the hospital.

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Hello? This is Abner,

"This is Paine... Hey, so Cleo and I brought Carter back to the station."

"You guys are back in the station now with him?"

"Yea. Should we start the interrogation?"

"Start the interrogation, tell me what you find out. I am taking the girl over to the hospital right now.

"Okay, I will send in Cleo to start the interrogation,"

"What time is it?"

"Almost 5-pm,"

"Okay, I am going to hurry over there." **  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

**WATCHING THE INTEROGATION.** Paine was in the spectating room; he was watching Cleo do the interrogation.

"What do we know about him so far?" he asks while watching her interrogate him.

"I am assuming he is a nobody but has friends in high places."

"Why's that?"

"Just looking at his bank statement I could tell he is a nobody in whatever business they run."

"He's poor?"

"Well poor enough,"

"A poor person couldn't afford the room they were in,"

"Yea you are right... The actual owner of room-724 is Ted Sanders,"

"I killed Ted?"

"Yes, I guess that he just claimed that room of his as his own,"

"Do you think they are friends?"

"Who?" Paine asks back curiously.

_Who else?_ "Carter and Ted?" he says while walking towards the interrogation,

"Ehh... Could be, or he could have just stolen the room,"

_Well..._ "We will find out," replying while walking into the interrogation, to interrogate Carter White.

CHAPTER NINE

**Chapter Eight**

** **

**IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM** , Looking out of the corner of his eye at Carter. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and red tie.

_Remember... Hoyt said he will talk,_ he thinks to himself while walking into the interrogation room.

_Let's see how long it will take him to talk_ , "How are you doing Carter?" he asks while walking towards the table in the center of the room.

"What do you want!" he shouts abruptly in a nervous flash.

_Wasn't expecting that_ "Just for you to tell me what you know?" replying while looking through him. Really, he did not expect such a nervous response.

"I won't tell you anything. Anything! OKAY?"

_What is up this with this guy? Suffering from paranoia?_ "Listen here mother fucker," replying while pulling out his handgun out of his suit jacket.

"STOP!" he shouts at him while jumping back in his chair,

"Tell me what you know!"

"You can't just shoot me!" replying while looking back at his gun

_Are you sure? "_ Carter... the people have voted," replying while aiming the gun near his chest.

"Wait!" replying very quickly... "Hold! On... Don't shoot!"

_Oh, now he wants to talk..._ "Why should I wait, what's worth knowing to keep your life,"

"I will tell you whatever I know, I promise,"

_Let's see what he knows,_ "What do you know about Hoyt?"

"Really, I wouldn't lie I know nothing about Hoyt or about the group,"

_A group?_ "What group,"

"Well..." replying to him while scratching his head.

"You better talk," replies while making gestures with the gun in his hand.

"Don't laugh but they call them 'The Red Dress Society,'"

_Well... What do they..._ "Do... What do they do Carter? That's what I need to know..."

"It's a secret group... Honestly, I don't know much about the group, I only know one other person,

_What do you mean? "_ You know one person?" asking in a way, not really understanding his answer.

"Okay listen, the way it's set up the people who do 'work' only know one other person, basically the people at the top of the chain, they are who control everything."

_No, I want to_ "Okay, who's the other person you know?" asking him while pointing at him with the gun.

"I mean," he replies nervously, almost like he was about to have a breakdown.

_If he believes it,_ "Right now, you don't have a choice, the people have voted. You die if you don't talk,"

"You will let me go?"

_I have an idea,_ "Yeah, you have good chances."

"Okay. The other person I know of the group, his name is Archie Chase. He lives in 707 of The Cove, he's a cocky son-of-bitch, but that's all I know,"

Without saying anything else, he stands up from the table excusing him from the conversation. Walking into the spectating room

"Paine, I need to you send officers to room 707, there's a man named Archie Chase there, send people to get him and bring him here.

"Okay," the warden replies while walking out of the room.

_Now..._ "Cleo, go get an officer and take Carter to his cell.

"Okay," she also replies while walking out of the interrogation room.  
... **TIME PASSES** ...

By now he is waiting in the interrogation room for Archie to arrive.

"Hey! Listen stop..." ignoring the officers that pushing Archie into the room.

_You would think the day would have ended by now,_ "Come. Sit." He replies to Archie as the officer push him into the interrogation room.

"Excuse me, man, I'm Archie Chase," reaching out to shake his hand.

_Is he trying to sell me a thought?_ "I'm Abner," replying while shaking his hand.

"Listen, I have nicer places we can have this talk at. You should have called, we could have set this up, better..."

_What the hell is he talking about? I have a warrant for his arrest_. "Sorry. The courts don't allow me to meet up with people with warrants,"

"Duh, of corse," replying happily while sitting down at the conversation,

_Let's see if he will talk,_ "Tell me what you know about Hoyt,"

"Oh. Yeah, I don't know what you are talking about," replying to him while folding his arms up in the chair.

_Talk ?_ "Listen here, the people have voted..."

"... Voted to do what? Kill me,? You're going to kill me,"

_Probably not,_ "I might," replying while talking out his handgun.

"Listen, come closer," replying to him while pulling his head closer.

"Just tell him what you know about the Red Dress Society,"

"I know you better stop asking questions about that group,"

_Why?_ "Why? Does it scare you people are catching on? Just tell me how the group makes money,"

"Many ways, the group is adaptable, we just don't do one thing,"

_Okay, so he's a part of the group,_ "What does the group know about Hoyt Holler,"

"Stop."

_Honestly,_ "Answer the question," he replies while getting fed up with his nonsense.

"When I say stop, I am not trying to scare you, I am warning you. Just stop."

_What does he want me to stop?_ "Stop?"

"Stop looking for him,"

_Who?_ "Who the hell do you think you are talking to!"

"Funny, I'm wondering the same,"

_I don't think he knows,_ "Shut the fuck up, little guy. Tell me what you know about Hoyt,"

"Little guy? ME! Little guy? Listen, you fucker and you listen good..." replying while getting closer to him on the table. "...Now you are coming into a new forest with lions, tigers, and bears. You don't fuck with this guy, **IGNORE HIM** , or you better run."

_Run?_ "Believe me, I'm not running anywhere!"

"Want to know what will happen if you don't?" he replies while making small hand gestures to provoke thought.

_What now?_ "Yeah? What's going to happen, make me laugh," replying, playing devil's advocate.

"You better run or he will hunt you down. When he does you better run like fucking lions, tigers, and bears!"

_Oh!_ "Shut the fuck up!" as he claps loudly twice, "Paine! Get an officer to take him to his cell," he replies while standing up from interrogation table.

"You can't just lock me up!"

_Well_ "For now I can," he replies while walking out of the interrogation. After closing the door, he sees both Cleo and Master's looking through the two way mirror.

_Did he even hear me?_ "Where is Paine?" he asks the group.

"Oh, he went to get the officers." she replies.

_Good._ "Okay, just making sure..." continuing to walk out of the spectating room. Quickly, looking around at his team, "...Meeting in 15 minutes in my office,"

"Okay," Master replies, in a way that wanted attention.

Ignoring them, he continues to walk down the hall.

_Run... I can't believe he told me to run._ thinking to himself while coming closer to his office. Closing his office door, walking near his desk, as he opens the window to smoke.

_We have to do the plan, we have no choice,_ thinking to himself while taking a puff of his cigarette. Right now, it's about 4-pm, still around mid-day. **  
**

**BACK AT THE OFFICE** , his team is walking into his office. Cleo, Masters, and Paine enter his office.

"It's illegal to smoke in here," the warden replies while taking his seat at the desk.

_Oh... yeah, it's illegal..."_ If you arrest me... who's going to get the bad guy?"

"I don't know, who?"

_What?_ "I don't know, shut up. Let's move on."

"Okay what do we need to talk about?" the warden asks him.

_Plan_ ... "Our plan."

"What plan?"

_I don't think he was here_ "Oh yeah... I think you had to leave the room or something when we first talked about it.

"Okay what's the plan?"

_The plan,_ "Okay guys listen up. Tomorrow we wake up, come to work, Paine you will officers to block off the Transit. Then Cleo is going to give the okay to shut-down The Cove, big fire alarm, everybody evacuates even Hoyt.

We are assuming Hoyt will hide in the Transit, and when he does we will catch him."

"Where at in the Transit,"

"Most likely the food court," Masters replies.

_Carter_ , "What we are going to do, is release Carter in the food court. If Hoyt is in the Food court hiding and he sees Carter, he's going to run over to him." he tells the group.

"So we are using Carter as bait?" the warden asks.

"Exactly,"

"How many officer will I have in the Transit at the time?" the warden asks.

"I'd say like, at least a 100" his daughter replies to the warden.

"Okay... And we do this tomorrow?" the warden asks for clarity.

_Yep_. "Tomorrow, early in the morning." he finishes telling the group.

"Is that all we have to talk about?"

_Why?_ "Why? Are you in a rush to be somewhere?" he asks the warden, playing devil's advocate.

"No I don't have to be anywhere," the warden defensively replies.

_Indeed, the day is over,_ "Okay then... Yep. Go home, get sleep, see you tomorrow," he tells the group while standing up from his desk.

After the meeting, they began to go home for the night. That night, he fell asleep at the kitchen table reading old newspapers. Trying to find out anything about Hoyt or The Cove.

This morning, his head laid flat against the kitchen table. He fell asleep at the table last night reading up on old newspapers trying to find any information or person named Hoyt.

His hand had been his pillow. Drool had crusted into a slimy fixture as his wife gently shakes his shoulders.

"Get up, you're going to miss the news..." a few moments passed, "...You can't save a city when you can't save your morning routine," (she is a smart wife).

Instead of replying his arms moved slowly into a yawn.

"You haven't even touched your coffee from last night. It's stone cold." She continues saying while starting to make him up another cup of coffee.

After getting up, he started getting ready for work. Today he wore his black suit, white shirt and blue tie.

_Well... something has to happen on the news today..._ thinking too himself while back down in the kitchen. He really wanted something to happen today on the news, the show has to go on...

**THE NEWS: (** nothing interesting)

Nothing about Hoyt had been on the news. Feeling disappointed after watching the news, because nothing interesting was on. _I guess we can shut down The Cove and see if we catch Hoyt that way,_ thinking while getting ready for work. Disappointed the news didn't have anything about Hoyt.

**BACK AT THE OFFICE:** _Time to start this shit,_ "Come in!" saying as his team begins to enter the office, ready to start the day. Cleo, Masters, and Paine all walk into the office at once.

"What are we doing today boss man?" the warden asks while taking a seat near the desk.

_Well,_ "Today, we are going to shut down The Cove, and try to trap Hoyt,"

"Really?" the warden asks in an arrogant tone.

_What?_ "It might work, it might not. We are rolling the dice as a gambler would say,"

"I say we do it," Masters says while moving around in his chair.

_Plus 1,_ "I like the attitude," he says while pointing at Masters, "Now listen here, this is the plan. Paine, put officers at all the exits in the Transit. Then, Cloe shuts down the cove. Masters and I are going into the food court to search for Hoyt,"

"How will we find Hoyt?" Masters asks him,

_We have bait,_ "We are going to take Archie with us, and If Archie doesn't attract Hoyt we will just have to look around."

"Do you really think it will work?" his daughter asks

_Well..._ "I think it would be more dumb not to do it,

"Think about the officers, the money, it's a lot of money on the table for a maybe," the warden replies.

_Really?_ "How long have you worked for me? You know the rules, we don't skip lines. Where doing it!"

"Okay," the warden replies calmly, not wanting to add more fuel to his fire.

_Why did he even argue?_ "Paine, go get the officers in position, call me when they are ready. Cleo and Masters come with me," he replies while standing up from his desk.

Then they begin walking out of the office, while the warden begins calling in the officers. As they walk through the lobby they start heading towards the cells. They are walking through the lobby heading towards the cells.

"What are we doing the the cell block?" his daughter asks.

_Archie,_ "We are going to use Archie as bait,"

"What if he runs away?" he asks.

_Let's hope so,_ "If he does run, hopefully Hoyt will follow him,"

"Is that how we are going to catch him?"

_Yep,_ "Do you think it will work?"

"I'm not sure," she replies to her father as they walk closer towards Archie's cell.

As they reach Archie's cell, they look at him. He is laying down in his bed, as they walk into his cell. He wakes up are the cell door closes.

"What do you guys want now?" Archie says while moving around in his bed.

"You are coming with us..." he replies while walking towards him, "...We are letting you go,"

"Why?" Archie asks him out of curiosity, while starting to cooperate.

_Does it matter?_ "Just be happy we are letting you go," he says while putting Archie in handcuffs.

After getting Archie, they start walking back into the lobby. Once in the lobby, the take the elevator into the Transit. As the elevators open to the Transit, his phone starts to ring.

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

_It's Paine,_ "What's happening with the officers?"

"The officers are entering the Transit now,"

_How..._ "Long, how long will they be?"

"Around 10-minutes until they all reach the exit.

_Okay,_ "In 15-minutes the alarm will go off, have them ready."  
**Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

After hanging up the phone, he looks over at his daughter.

_Shut down The Cove,_ "Okay, were ready," he tells her as they are walking towards the food court.

"Okay," she replies while walking off in a different direction.

After she walks away from the group, they start walking into the food court. They take a seat at a nearby table. After sitting down at the table, he holds up a menu to cover his face.

"So what are we doing here?" Archie asks him as they are sitting down at the table in the food court.

_Who cares?_ "I just need you to look pretty for probably 20 more minutes, and then we are going to let you go,"

"Okay," Archie replies not thinking too much of the situation. **  
**

**Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"What's happening?" he asks his daughter.

"The set the alarm. People are already evacuating from The Cove."

_Good_ , "Okay, stay back and keep an eye out." **  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

They keep walking into the food court as he hung up the phone. They all walked over to a nearby table.

_I can't be seen with Archie,_ "Masters, sit here with Archie. I will be back."

"Okay,"

Than he walked away from the table. After a couple minutes passed, more and more people began walking into the food court. Everybody that had evacuated from The Cove, had been redirected into the food court.

_Now all I have to do I find him,_ he thinks to himself while looking at each individual person walking in the food court.

CHAPTER TEN

**Chapter Nine**

** **

_Where oh where could he be,_ thinking while walking around the food court. By the minute, more people evacuating The Cove and were walking in the food court.

_Is Masters still with Archie at the table?_ Asking himself while looking around, back over at them. As he looks back over at the table, he could see a man walking around them, the man kept looking at Archie.

_Is that Hoyt?_ he thinks to himself while watching the man. He keeps looking at Archie like he knows him. The man is wearing a black suit, white shirt and red tie, with a fedora(hat) that is covering his face.

_It could be Hoyt,_ he thinks while starting to walk over near the table. Keeping the suspicious man in his eyesight. After a few moment, he sees the man look over at him as they make eye contact.

_It's Hoyt!_ thinking while starting to run over towards him. Without hesitation, Hoyt begins to run.

"Stop!" he yells at Hoyt while chasing him through the food court. Everyone else in the food court looks over and starts to watch them.

Hoyt had been faster than he would have guessed. Soon, Hoyt gets cornered in the food court, near a restaurant. A younger lady is walking out of the doors to the restaurant, just as Hoyt grabs her around the chest, holding her hostage.

"Abner stop!" Hoyt yells while turning him and the hostage around to face him. Holding her tight around his chest as she struggles to free herself.

"Let go of me..." the lady shouts while clawing at his arm around her chest "...stop!" she continues shouting out of frustration.

_What is he going to do?_ Thinking while stopping to make sure he doesn't do anything crazy. As Hoyt grabs the lady, he stops running after him. Instead he stands still, observing them. People begin to crowd around them.

"Nobody move!" Hoyt shouts loudly while pulling out a grenade. "If anyone moves Ka-boom!" he continues yelling while walking backwards into the restaurant.

_A grenade? He's bluffing, he is a narcissist there no way he's going to martyrdom himself,_ thinking too himself as he starts a headlong sprint after Hoyt.

Sadly, Hoyt was not bluffing. While holding the hostage, he throws the grenade deep into the food court. After Hoyt threw the grenade, he could hear the sounds of people screaming while running away.

_He really just threw the grenade..._ thinking too himself for a few moments as a giant pit forms in his stomach.

As he continues running after Hoyt, he pushes the hostage into him. He stumbles trying to set the lady aside, as he sees Hoyt running into the restaurant. **  
BOOM!** he hears the grenade go off in the food court.

_DAMNIT!_ He yells in his head after hearing the grenade go off. _I didn't even think about him throwing it into the crowd!_ He thought Hoyt was pretending to martyrdom himself, not all of the civilians! Quickly, looking back at the food court.

_It doesn't look too bad;_ thinking while looking back in the food court.

_Keep chasing him;_ he thinks to himself while trying to ignore all of the screaming coming from the food court.

_If I can chase him all the way to the utility section he will be trapped,_ he thinks while running the restaurant.

The name of the restaurant is called Ambrosia of Apollis, and they have expensive ice cream, that I can tell you. Only the real rich could eat here after all; the food is fit for the God.

The front of the building has a dark opaque glass entrance. Inside the building, there is a dark marble flooring. All of the tables and booths are all dark wood with red cushions. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, gently lighting the building.

The lobby of the restaurant has dark wooden chairs with red leather, all surrounding the eating area. Here people would wait till they're table is ready, or until their company had arrive to eat.

The back of the restaurant is the kitchen, but there is another door in the back of the kitchen. This is the utility department. This connects all of the restaurants of the food court together.

Quickly, he continues the chase by running into the restaurant. Instantly, he sees Hoyt, watching him power walk backward with a pistol in his hands.

"Abner, Stop!" Hoyt yells at him while carelessly aiming his pistol while walking backward.

_I will never die_ ; continuing to chase after Hoyt. It was an ironic and arrogant thought. He would not give up this chase, and right now he is only about 15-feet from Hoyt.   
**BANG!**

Hoyt fires the gun, but not before the back of his arm smacks against the corner of a wall. This caused him to drop the gun accidently, as he stumbles while turning around.

A man nearby shouts"Ow! HELP! IVE BEEN SHOT!" The bullet missed Abner but, instead hit a nearby man in the leg.

_Keep chasing Hoyt. Hopefully, Masters helps that guy,_ continuing to chase him through to the back of the restaurants. Watching Hoyt push open these black doors that lead back into the kitchen.

_If he runs through the kitchen into the utility department, I can have Paine lock the doors, and he will be trapped,_ thinking while following him into the kitchen. While running into the kitchen, seeing the cooks looking around like 'What the hell's happening,'

_Don't just look stupid!_ "Stop him!" he yells at the cooks.

One of the cooks began to chase him as Hoyt runs through another pair of doors. These doors lead to the utility department. This is exactly what he wanted Hoyt to do.

Quickly he runs into the utility department. A few moments pass as he looks around and can't see Hoyt anywhere.

_He just trapped himself_ he thinks as he runs into the utility department. He did not see Hoyt anymore, but that's okay. Even though he did not see Hoyt, he knew Hoyt was trapped. Now all they had to do was send all the officers into the utility department.

Instead of chasing Hoyt, he starts to take out his phone to call the warden.

_Hurry up Paine... Answer!_ Thinking to himself while waiting for Paine to answer the phone. **  
Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Paine we found Hoyt!"

"Where is he?"

_Food,_ "He is in the food courts utility department, tell the computers to lock all of the doors in the utility department. After they are locked, flood the whole department with officers.

"Okay, I am locking the utility department now. Is Hoyt subdued? (like being handcuffed) the warden asks him.

"No, he is mobile, probably hiding. He is trapped, just send in all the officers once the department is locked. I have to go, and people need medical attention."

"What happened?" the warden persistently asks,

_Paine is so needy,_ "I will tell you later. Send in the officers; I got to go!"  
**Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation**

_We need sugar,_ "Chefs! Where is the sugar?"

The same chef that chased after Hoyt quickly ran over to the counter. The chef grabs a bag of sugar off the counter.

I hope he hasn't lost too much blood, as he grabs the sugar from the chef. Now starting to run back into the lobby of the restaurant. Now, he is back at the man who got shot. The man had fallen from his chair onto the floor, as he lays in the fetal position.

_How much blood has he lost?_ "I'm here to help..." he tells the man while kneeling down over him.

Instead of replying the man continues to cry out from the pain.

_He is losing a lot of blood_ ; he thinks as he starts to pour the sugar over the man's leg. After pouring all the sugar on his leg, he starts to take off his suit jacket. At this same time, Masters runs into the restaurant looking for him.

"Why did you pour sugar on his leg?" Masters asks while kneeling down by them.

_Clot,_ "The sugar will clot the blood, stopping the bleeding," he replies while wrapping his jacket around the man's leg.

"I never knew that, but, what should I do?" Masters asks while kneeling down near him.

_Evidence,_ "Go find the lady Hoyt used as a hostage. Take her back to the station." he replies as Masters begins to run out of the restaurant looking for the lady.

_Did the bullet go through?_ He thinks while feeling the man's leg.

_The bullet went through,_ "Good news; the bullet went through,"

Instead of replying, the man continues to shout out from the agony.

_Don't get mad at me if this hurts..._ "Okay, guy. This will hurt," he tells the man while pulling his jacket tight around his leg.

"Ow! Damnit! It hurts so bad!" the man shouts, as he tightly pulls his jacket across the bullet wound.

_Well... I just ruined my 2,000$ suit..._ he thinks to himself after helping out the man. After the man's leg is wrapped, he stands up off the ground. Quickly, he starts walking out of the restaurant while taking out his phone.

_Hurry up, answer the phone! He_ thinks to himself while waiting for Cleo to answer the phone. **  
Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Hello?" Cleo asks while answering her phone.

_Medics,_ **** "Cleo! Get the medics into the food court!

"Medics? How many, what happened?"

"We found Hoyt, he is trapped, please just send the medics, I will tell you soon,"

"Okay dad, but how many?

_I can't believe all those people got hurt..._ "I don't know... 10,"

"Are you Okay dad?"

_I hope it's not too bad..._ "I don't know yet, just send the medics."

"Okay dad, I love you,"

_Yep,_ "I know." **  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

After hanging up the phone, he begins to walk out of the restaurant. Back in the food court, he see's people mourning from the grenade. Taking a certain amount of pride when watching all of the civilians helping out the injured.

"Abner!" Masters shouts while running over to him,

_Evidence?_ "Where is the hostage? We will need a witness,"

"She is over here," he replies while starting to walk him over to the witness.

The witness had been sitting in the food court, on the ground in the fetal position. Still shaking up from what had happened.

_Let's go to the station, and wait for the officers to catch Hoyt_ , thinking while looking down at the hostage. "Ma'am, Get up," he replies while kneeling down, holding out a hand to help her up.

"Where are we going?" she asks while grabbing his hand as he helps her up off the ground.

"Just to my office..." he replies while looking around, "... where there are not so many people,"

"Okay," the lady replies as he helps her up off the ground.

"What should I do?" Masters asks while standing behind him.

_Stop being so needy,_ "Go help out in the food court. Make sure injured people get medical attention."

"Okay!" Masters eagerly replies while starting to walk through the food court, making sure everyone is okay.

"Now, follow me," he tells the lady, as they start to walk through the food court, into the Transit.

It was only a few minute walk through the Transit until they were taking an elevator up to the police station. The elevator opens up in the station, as they walk into the main lobby, down a hallway, and then into his office.

"Take a seat," telling her while taking a seat at his desk.

"Okay." she replies while sitting down.

"Let's talk about what happened, now, I know Hoyt just grabbed you as you were walking out of the restaurant. Did you see anything about him?"

"Yes, I did. Like, as Hoyt reached around my chest, on his hand he had a tattoo,"

_A tattoo? Could be evidence,_ "Where was the tattoo? What was the tattoo of?"

"It was a tattoo of heart; it was on his hand between the index finger and thumb."

_I think we have a witness!_ "Would you be willing to testify against Hoyt in the court of law?"

"You caught him?" she eagerly asks.

_We will..._ "Technically no... but he's trapped. Now it's only a matter of when we find him, not how."

"You will catch him, though?"

"Yes, we will. But, would you testify against him?"

"I mean yeah if you catch him."

"Good. Write down your information," he replies while sliding her over a pen and notepad.

"Here you go," the lady replies while handing him over her contact information,

"Okay, you are all set. I will call you when we catch him," he tells her while standing up from his desk.

"I am free to go?"

_Technically, you being here is voluntary,_ "Of corse," he tells her as she stands up from the chair, and begins to walk out of the office.

As she is leaving the office, he starts opening the window in his office. With his window open, he starts lighting up a cigarette. Blowing the smoke out of the window as he relaxes at his desk. **  
Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

_It's Paine,_ "Hey, did you find him?

"Well..."

_Well?_ "He was trapped? What do you mean well?"

"No. We didn't find him,"

_Nothing is easy,_ he thinks too himself while hanging up the phone.  
**Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

_Well... Now we need a new plan._ He thinks while sitting at his desk. Still smoking his cigarette and blowing the smoke out of the window.

_I guess we didn't catch him..._ He continues thinking while sitting at his desk. **  
Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

_Hmm... No caller Id,_ he thinks while answering his phone.

"Abner!" a familiar voice shouts after he answers the phone.

_That's me, who are you?_ "Who is this?"

"It's Hoyt you fuck face. Remember? From 10-minutes ago?"

_Damn! If only I could track this phone call..._ "What do you want?"

"I have a message for you..."

_Umm?_ "Okay? What's the message?"

"Run... You better run like lions, tigers and bears, while praying that you get to me before I find you!" **  
Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

In a way, he wanted to go to war, and he straightened up his back. In a way, he thought he knew how to win. Feeling confidence surging in his body... It was for sure he would not go down without a fight." **  
Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Dad! Did we catch Hoyt?" she asks enthusiastically.

"No, we didn't he said he's declaring 'war' against me."

"War?" she asks for confirmation.

"Yeah... War. Listen, I need to you to go home and get mom. Bring her to the police station,"

"Okay, dad, I'm going there now. But, how are you going to fight Hoyt? We don't know anything about him."

"By playing a defensive role. Hoyt has already declared a war since he assumed the aggressive role by declaring war, I would assume he would play the aggressive role by attacking you first,"

"Okay, dad. I love you; I'm going to get mom now,"

"Move quickly." he replies while hanging up the phone.  
**Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation**

After hanging up the phone, he continues to sit at his desk. Still smoking, as he thinks of what to do next. After a few moments of thought, he starts to call the warden. **  
Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Hey, Abner... The officers are still searching the utility department," the warden says while answering the phone.

_Stop_ , "Have all of the officers stops, bring them all to the station,"

"What's happening? Why would we put them in the station?"

"Hoyt says he is going to kill me," he replies while looking over at the fish in his office.

"What are you going to do?" the warden asks in a panic.

"I told you! Bring all the officers to the station. I want 2 officers at every single door of the station. Everyone gets ID'ed through every door they go through.

"Okay. Can do,"   
**Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation.**

After hanging up the phone, he starts to call his wife. At the same time, he stands up from his desk and starts walking out of his office. **  
Ring!** ... **Ring!** ... **Ring!** ...

"Hey Abner," she replies quickly while answering the phone.

"Hey, babe. Listen up; this is really important,"

"Okay,"

"Cleo is coming home to get you, don't worry nothing bad is supposed to happen to you,"

"She already got me, we are on our way to the station now, what is happening?"

"We will be staying at the station for a few nights. Hoyt has made some threats. Where are you?"

"I'm walking into the station now," she replies.

"Okay love you,"

" I love you too,"   
**Hanging up the phone, ending the conversation**

By now, he is walking into the main lobby, just as Cleo is helping her mom get in the building. He saw his wife, walking into the lobby as 1 of the officers began to do a pat-down and ID check.

"Stop! That's my wife! Obviously, she is cleared to enter." Shouting at the officer while walking through the lobby.

"What's happening?" she asks while walking past the officers guarding the front door.

"Hoyt is just making threats." he did not tell her everything he did not want to scare her.

"Threats against me?" she asks in a louder voice.

"No. He is not going to touch you. I'm just making sure of it," he replies while looking over at the receptionist. Telling the receptionist, "Get an officer to take my wife to the employee lounge." Then looking over at Cleo saying, "Get Paine and meet me in my office," Quickly giving his wife a hug and kiss before walking away from the group.

Starting to walk towards his office with his head high. During this time, he was not nervous, it was almost like he was ready for this. Ready to go head to head with Hoyt. Almost like he wanted to go to war with Hoyt.

Soon, walking into his office, he began to pull a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket. Opening the window with 1 hand while getting his lighter ready in the other.

Sparking up his cigarette, as he heard his office door open.

"Abner what's happening?" Paine asks while walking the office in front of Cleo.

"We are waiting," he replies while blowing smoke out the window, looking out at the city.

"For who,"

"Who do you think?" she replies in a witty tone.

"Hoyt. Hoyt... Holler," continuing to reply in a mellow tone.

"Yes. We are waiting, but why?" Paine asks.

"Hoyt is trying to kill me"

"What the hell happened?!"

"Well..." he says before taking a puff on his cigarette. "What we need to do is find. Hoyt before he gets to us. We already know that he is coming after us, so we just need to get him when he does."

"How do you know that he's coming for us?" he asks him.

"Well... He is coming for me, but I'm your boss which makes it us."

"But dad, how do you know?" she then asks.

"It's too long of a story for right now, but really, take it for granted that I know he is going to try to kill me."

"What are you going to do?" he asks

"Umm..."

"Let's have you transport to the prison, after all, he already knows you work at the police station.

"I like it," replying while taking a puff of his cigarette. "Okay Paine, go call the prison, schedule transport for early tomorrow morning, Cleo make sure mom is okay, I am going to go check the building."

Soon enough they had left his office. Continuing to stand by his window puffing on his cigarette. Wondering where Hoyt was... Flicking his cigarette out the window to walking out of his office, Not closing the window.

"Hey Gizmo, can you track down Hoyt?"

"I am not looking for him, Sir,"

"But can you find him?"

"Possibly, I am trying to calculate his position now,"

Walking out of his office to look around the police station. First walking down into the main lobby, seeing officers waiting at the front doors. Looking over at the receptionist, she is still busy calling in more officers.

Making his way down to the basement. Watching officers talk with each other while patrolling. Looking at 2 officers protecting the door to the Transit.

"How's trying to find Hoyt coming along?" he asks while walking back up to the main lobby.

"Not yet. Still calculating his location."

From the main lobby, he began to walk to the cell block. Armed officers were walking back and forth inside the prison. Walking through the cell-block, looking at the prisoners in their cells. No sign of Hoyt.

Slowly he began walking back into his office.

"Sir I have found Hoyt's location,"

"Okay, where is he,"

"He is at the police station,"

"Won't be long now," he mutters out-loud as he is walking into his office. A cold wind from the open window brushes his skin. After taking a few steps into his office...

The door closed behind him. Turning around to see who closed the door, **he saw Hoyt**.

"Okay... So I wanted to tell you thanks."

"Why are you thanking me?" asking while looking back at him, ready to draw his holstered pistol.

"Because you killed my boss, Ted. His best friend, Carter, and their banker Archie. Now, I am taking over." He says while pulling out a pistol. **  
Shooting him twice in the stomach.**

Watching him, Hoyt **SNAPS HIS FINERGERS** , and starts to walk away, towards the window as his eyes close.  
... **TIME PASSES** ...

"Please stand clear of the doors!" He hears the conductor say, he is laying down on a bed being pushed through the Transit and into the hospital.

"Dad! Wake up!" she says while nudging his shoulder,

"Don't scare him," a doctor says while sitting down next to her.

His eyes began to open slowly after hearing his daughter's voice. Then he began to hear the sounds of sirens, looking around, finding himself in the monorail.

"Take it easy," she says while holding his shoulders back, as he starts to sit up on the bed.

"Where am I?"

"You were shot in the stomach; I found you on the floor of your office."

"Cleo! I know where he is at!" he shouts while quickly sitting up from his chair.

"Don't move so much, it's too much stress for our body right now," the doctor replies

"Where is Hoyt?" she asks ignoring what the doctor said.

"He is going to The Cove, get Paine and shut down the building." He replies while looking at his daughter. Tears began to drip from her face,

"Don't worry," the doctor said to her. "The bullet went in and out. He's going to be okay,"

Looking back at the doctor she nodded her face,

"Call Paine, Tells him to send his officers into The Cove. Shut down the building,"

"Okay," she replies while getting out her phone.

"Abner. We are going to do a blood transfusion," the doctor replies while preparing a needle.

"Okay,"

"Hey Doc!" a nurse shouts, "Look at the computer his records have been changed." The nurse says as the doctor begin to walk over to the computers to check his records.

_Looking back at Cleo, she is on the phone with Paine,_ "No, he is going to be okay." ... "Really, the doctor is here saying he will be okay," ... "Listen, though, we know where Hoyt is," ... "Yeah, he is at The Cove. Send people, shut down the building," ... "Yes, I am sure," ... "Fine. I will ask him again," she replies after a sigh.

"Dad, you said to shut down The Cove, Right?" asking while moving her phone away from her mouth and looking back at their dad.

"Yes down The Cove, till we can figure out what is going on."

"Yeah," she replies while turning her head back to her phone,

"Abner," the doctor says getting his attention.

"Yeah," he asks while turning his head over to the doc.

"Have you been to the doctors in the last month?" the doctor asked as the nurse looks back over at them.

"Why?"

"Your blood type is showing up O, but it was updated to AB? Blood types don't change,"

"Yeah I did! There was a mix-up I'm AB!"

"Okay! Prepare AB," the doctor shouts back at the nurse after some hesitation. The nurse began warming the blood bag, in a rush.

"Am I going to be okay Doc? Really?"

"Yeah, the bullet went in and out. We are just getting you some more blood, but I can say you're going to be okay."

"Okay." Replying calmly while looking back over at his daughter.

"Okay dad, Paine's going to The Cove now," saying while leaning over on the bed giving him a hug.

"Good..."

"Okay ma'am, can you get up from his arm," the doc says while looking over at her.

"Oh sure!" saying enthusiastically while getting up off the bed.

"Okay, now I am going to put this needle into your arm," the doctor says as the nurse begins preparing the bag of blood.

"It's going to be okay," he says while looking back at his wife.

"How do you know?" she asks while tears begin to drip down her face.

"Because the doctor said so... Really... I am going to be okay," he says as the doc hooks up the bag of blood to his arm.

"Okay, starting the transfusion," the nurse tells the doctor as blood begins to flow through tubing into his arm.

"Everything is going to be okay mom," she says while hugging her, comforting her.

Slowly he began to feel hotter.

"His rate is rising," the nurse says over at the doctor,

"Slowly, though, give it some time to drop."

A ringing in his ear, starting low pitched. Then the hair on his arm began to rise and had a hot flash.

"Stop the transfusion!" he shouts back at the nurse,

"What's wrong?!" his wife asks hesitantly, as his hot flash continues and the ringing gets louder.

"He's not blood type AB," the doctor says

"His body temperature is 101!" the nurse shouts while looking at his monitor.

"Doc something's wrong," saying as his hand begins to shake. His eyes close. All over, his body heavily shakes.

"He is having a seizure!" the doctor shouts.

Reality began to crack and turn white as the ground began to crack beneath him. Starting to feel like he is falling. Just as the ground begins to crack beneath. Starting to fall through a never-ending tunnel.

His body being pulled down and there was nothing he could do. Just trying to accept he is falling and there is nothing he could do about it.

_Why can't I stop falling_? Thinking while looking through the tunnel, his life begins to flashes.

"Please... No..." softly hearing his wife say.

"I will get him dad," lastly hearing his daughter's last words.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Copyright © 2016

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_The Architect of Regret_ , is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors Imagination or are used fractiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Use of these materials is permitted only in accordance with license rights granted. Materials provided "AS IS"; no representations or warranties provided. User assumes all responsibility for use, and all liability related thereto, and must independently review all materials for accuracy and efficacy. In accordance with the US Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author's intellectual property.

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