(Libertatem 1, 59 / 3:58AM)

(Luke) For the last team, I will be leading a group toward the water pump facility. I and the others will create a hyper-lethal water bomb to counter the monster before she makes it toward us.

Jack, Hope, Fred, and the tall blonde soldier named Johnny nod in agreement as they open their ears at Luke’s declaration.

Jack placed his hand on top of his hair, combing it with his fingers, tracing the scalp with his nails as he looked toward Johnny. Having his hair well-kept, he turned his attention toward Hope.

(Jack) Are you sure we could trust that Johnny soldier? He doesn’t seem that trustworthy. I mean, why would a soldier want to go toward the water pump facility?

(Hope) Maybe it’s for a good cause. We need all the help we can get, and he wants to do something.

(Jack) I know … but still …

Jack continued to weave his hair with his fingernails, the strands of hair and dandrum getting into the little pockets inside of his nails.

With a sigh, he turned his attention right where Johnny was, seeing that he was all alone with no one to talk to. Enclosing his hand on his left, he pushed his feet forward, walking right where Johnny was sitting down.

(Jack’s thoughts) I guess talking to him wouldn’t hurt.

In the back of him was Hope, who was near his right shoulder as she had her hands clasped together. Putting both of his hands into his leather jacket, he straightened his back as he managed to stop right in front of Johnny, towering over him.

Johnny widened his eyes, letting a bead of sweat roll down his forehead.

(Johnny) Uh … do you guys need something?

(Jack) So you want to roll with us? Can I ask you why?

(Johnny) … That’s classified.

Hope took a few steps away from the two men that talked, turning her head toward Luke who happened to talk with Gwen.

Since she was far away, as well as both Luke and Gwen were still standing in the truck, Hope fiddled with her fingers which caused her to look down at them. As her entire face started to push down, she let out a fake smile, her sore cheekbones radiating their annoyance amongst her.

(Hope’s thoughts) What can I do for myself other than just like Luke…

______________________________________________________________________________

(Libertatem 1, 59 / 5:05AM)

(Luke, Hope, Jack, Fred, and Johnny)

(Luke) This is the place, Jack!

(Jack) Are you sure? Every building to me seems to be the same.

(Luke) Just trust me! This is the place!

A brown van stopped in front of a giant metal building.

The building had two high industrial chimneys that were right in the center of it, along the walls were completely constructed of steel and metal. With barely any glass windows to be seen, it made it look like a prison that guarded something.

In the front of the building lay a giant door that looked as if it was broken into.

(Jack) Don’t tell me we’re not the first ones here…

(Luke) Get your weapons ready.

Luke and Jack both got out from their side doors at the same time, swinging and slamming them shut. As Jack looked around the building’s windows and exterior with his eagle eyes, Luke rushed towards the back of the van, his right hand caressing the grip of his holster.

Jack noticed something on one of the yellow-tinted windows, causing him to stand still and stare.

Reaching the back van door, Luke used his left hand to pin the numbers of the lock, hearing a loud click. Using both of his hands, he then let out the three adults that were sitting in the back, their eyes peering into the young man.

Fred and Johnny looked as if they were half asleep, their eyes on the verge of shutting themselves out.

(Fred) So what’s the plan?

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(Luke) All of us are entering inside the facility.

(Johnny) That’s it? I thought it was going to be a lot harder…

(Luke) Well, there’s a reason why I just wanted special forces. Anyway, we need to hurry.

Looking at Jack, the red-haired man squinted his eyes toward one of the few windows on the second floor. Seeing that Jack had both of his hands inside his jacket, Luke slowly walked toward him, clearing his throat in the process.

As soon as he got close to him, Luke placed his right hand on Jack’s shoulder.

(Luke) Hey, is there something wrong?

(Jack) No … I thought I saw something…

(Luke) Oh.

Both Luke and Jack heard the many sounds of boots coming from the back of them, their ears perking up upon three people walking toward them.

Luke and Jack turned to see that the three of them all had their weapons on standby, making the two men light up their faces with calm smiles. Clearing his throat, Luke then extended his right hand forward, sticking his thumb out as he pushed down his eyes.

(Luke) Let’s all work together, okay?

(Everyone) Got it!

(???) Wait!

All five adults heard the voice of an old teenage girl, causing their ears to perk up in the direction of where they drove.

Jack, who squinted his eyes, scrunched up his face as he put his right hand on top of his head. Lightly caressing the strands of his hair, he took a step back as he put his hand underneath his chin.

(Jack) Is that a cat-human?

(Johnny) A cat-human? Wait…

(???) Johnny!

Luke, Fred, Jack, and Hope turned their heads right at Johnny, their eyes peering into his face as he darkened his face. Tilting his head down, he shook his hands and he then gritted his teeth shut, leaving the others to just stare at him.

Luke furrowed his brow, followed by using his right hand to scratch his cheek.

(Luke) Do you know her?

(Johnny) She’s my … uh …

(???) Johnny!

The old teenage girl finally reached up toward the five of them, her breath out of place as she bent down. Having both of her hands on her knees, she opened her mouth and stuck her tongue out, doing a small pant as many hot breaths came out of her.

Tilting her head up, she aimed her eyes right where Johnny was standing, who was the farthest to the left of the group.

(???) What are you doing!?

(Johnny) I should be the one saying that! Aren’t you supposed to tell my father that I stayed behind?

(???) But I want to come with you!

(Johnny) No, it’s too dangerous.

Enclosing both of her fists, the old teenage girl placed her knuckles softly onto her sides, making a puffed-up pout as her tanned face started to redden.

Noticing that the girl had cat ears, Luke let go of his hand that was beneath his chin, putting it inside his pants pocket. Taking a step forward, he analyzed the contents of the girl.

The old teenage girl had medium-length light brown hair, followed by freckles plastered all around her cheeks. Her eyes were somewhat slanted, she also had a cute button nose as well as small soft cheekbones.

Lastly, the girl wore a black summer dress, the dress being a long skirt that stopped to where her knees were.

(Luke) What’s your name?

(???) My name is Elizabeth. Elizabeth Sanchez. And yes, I’m a cat-human.

(Jack) Hmm …

Despite having the same body features as most humans, the only thing that seemed unordinary from her was her ears and nose. Sensing that Jack was intensely staring at her, Elizabeth straightened her face as she let out a huge gulp.

Johnny then started to glare at the red-haired man, straightening his back as he put his hands onto his sides. Because he felt the dagger from Johnny himself, Jack folded his arms as he shrugged with both of his shoulders.

(Jack) Don’t worry. Unlike others, we don’t discriminate. I mean, we have a shark-human so I think we could take in a cat-human for now.

(Elizabeth) T-Thank you!

Elizabeth then clapped her hands two times, keeping her hands and fingers straight as she lit up a half-witted smile.

Not only her but the sounds of two claps can be heard to the left of them, hearing the sound of Johnny doing the same gesture as Elizabeth. All their heads turning toward the tall blonde harried man, they saw a little smile raining down upon his face.

(Johnny) Thank you guys for being nice to her … but I don’t think she should go with us…

(Luke) We have to at least know what she can do before we all decide.

Luke then stood right in front of the old teenage girl. Avoiding eye contact with the teenager, Luke cleared his throat as he clasped his hands together.

The rest of the adults watched, their eyes peering at the two, especially for both Johnny and Hope.

(Luke) Are you able to fight?

(Elizabeth) Yes, I know how to fight.

(Luke) So… Do you and Johnny fight on equal footing?

(Elizabeth) I’m not as strong as Johnny… but I do have a blessing.

(Luke, Hope, Fred, and Jack) What!

Stunned, the dark angel members took many steps back as their boots startled the concrete below, and their mouths opened wide.

The only one who didn’t gawk his mouth open was none other than Johnny, as he looked at all of the Dark Angel’s reactions. Jis face lit up a small smirk that reached his left ear. Shaking his head, his eyes peered right where Luke was still gawking.

(Johnny) I guess you guys want her to come now, huh …

(Luke) Well … it depends on the blessing.

(Elizabeth) I can create moisture clouds. It can either heal allies or attack enemies, but depending on how fast I can create them, it will take a toll on me.

Luke and the others looked down in thought as they heard the words coming from Elizabeth’s mouth. Tapping his chin repeatedly with his fingers, Luke then looked towards Johnny and lit up a small smile.

(Jack) Come on man, let’s bring her in!

All of the adults looked back toward Johnny, their eyes gleaming with sparkles as Luke then straightened his back. Having his hands to his sides, Luke tilted his head downward, his wry smile starting to quiver.

(Luke) I mean … you don’t have to Johnny, but—

(Johnny) I guess you guys won. Like Hope said, you need all the help you can get. And besides, we don’t know what’s waiting for us…

The giant door that was wide open caused many of them to shiver all at once, their backs feeling as if an ice cube was traveling down their spines.

Having both of his hands caressing the grip of his two uzis, Luke’s forehead started to be coated with sweat, leading to him inhaling a good chunk of brittle warm air that the bringer of death blew. Raising his right hand, his fingers started to tremble, causing the rest of the group to gulp loudly.

(Luke) Alright. Let’s go.

Luke, who was in the lead, happened to be the first one to be inside the building.

Along with the others, they all noticed the eerie pitched black building that had many metal stairs and railings.

The darkness overcrowded their vision as they all huddled up. Their bodies mingled with one another as they had their hands on their holsters. Squinting, Luke turned his head toward Jack.

(Luke) Jack, get me a flash—

The group froze as the sound of a door slamming shut echoed throughout the building.