“Hello again” Lara replied, nerves now clear in her voice. Memories of the week prior flashed in her mind as she relived their last encounter.

“Y-you’ve met before?” Sandra voiced, startled.

“Yes. That lady there, tough as they come” Vasquez said, a smile flickering at the corner of his lips. He continued “She can take care of herself, the lady I told you about when I took you from the cellar.”

“Oh. Wow” she said despondently

“This family say they’re helping you with something. Care to elaborate?” Lara interjected firmly.

An audible and surprised laugh came from Vasquez, although he was not smiling. “I don’t answer to you, my friend.”

Lara and Vasquez stared at each other. The silence was almost palpable. Archie was still frozen in fear, Vasquez looked like a real killer.

“Th-Th-These people, Vasquez, they’re creating a shuttle run to the airbase, to safety. In… in.. three days time, right?” Chris sounded out, looking between Lara and Archie.

“That’s right, three days we have two transporters and have some others we’re taking there for refuge, we’re just in the process of lining it up with the military outpost not too far from here - maybe ten miles or so” Archie said, finding a little courage.

Vasquez had his eyes locked on Lara “and can you hold up your end of the deal, in three days Mr. Christopher?”

“N-n-no, I think I need a week” he replied

“Well then. I will take you there myself in one week. As per our agreement” the tone was bold, matter of fact and final.

“What deal…” Archie asked

Lara cut him off, “it doesn’t matter the deal. People can choose their own paths.”

“Mr. Christopher, Mrs. Sandra and Mr. Alex. I kindly ask that you vacate this room. Perhaps the building, I do not like how this lady is speaking to me and things may get a little heated.”

“Yes, sorry” Chris declared, grabbing Sandra and Alex by their arms and marching them across the large kitchen dining room, into the main corridor of the house and straight out the front door.

As their gravel-laden footsteps faded away, Archie clenched his fists and Lara adopted a fighting stance.

“I do not want to hurt either of you. I never choose to hurt the innocent, or the good.” Vasquez started.

“But you are putting me in a difficult position. Mr. Christopher is helping me with something critical and I will not let anything stand between my goals.

Lara, Archie and Wren’s eyes flashed blue

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

--- You have been discovered —-

Your class type has been identified and shared with another through their ability ‘Ping’.

**Ping, level 3:** Identify up to four power-users within 500 yards of your location. Their class type will be revealed to you.

“And maybe your Healer friend should come out too? What is this, some sort of trap?” Vasquez’s voice was now tinged with anger and a hint of betrayal.

“You can’t keep these people against their will” Lara shouted, venom now tainting her usually melodic voice.

Archie could see the situation between the two escalating out of hand “Maybe you could just tell us what you’re doing, maybe we could help instead?”

“No.” Vasquez said, all emotion now gone from his voice. “I think instead, I will teach you three a lesson.”

Archie braced, but it was too late, in a blur Vasquez had moved forwards and an unimaginable pace and struck Archie in the ribs. So hard, the crack was audible.

Archie’s evasiveness had kicked in, but it was too little, too late. Vasquez was too fast. He doubled over and struggled for breath.

Taking advantage of Lara’s shock, Vasquez spun and cracked the side of her head with the heel of his foot. Lara immediately hit the floor, unconscious.

Through blurred eyes, Archie glanced at Lara, who lay to his right. “Fuck this” he said, conjuring two of his sharp, steel, latte art pens. He flung them as violently as he could towards Vasquez.

The first missed its target, a first. My accuracy and proficiency must be reduced Archie thought as it wedged itself in the kitchen wall beside Vasquez. The second was on target, but again Vasquez proved too quick.

As the pen flew towards him, Vasquez weaved his head like a boxer, avoiding a direct hit, but nonetheless the steely tip rammed through his ear, causing blood to run down the side of his face.

Gaining confidence, Archie managed to get to his feet. He conjured two more and with all of his might flung them.

Vasquez was ready this time, he smiled as the two steely objects coming towards him were instead deflected back to Archie. Both of them pierced his flesh, one in the left shoulder and the other his thigh.

Archie staggered forward and then hit the ground. Exhausted and in dire need of medical attention. Lara had started to come around but her vision and head were hazy.

Hearing the front door open, Vasquez then turned to see Wren running towards him, she screamed “PLEASE LET ME THROUGH. I CAN HELP THEM”.

He didn’t want to hurt innocent people, this wasn’t him anymore. This wasn’t why god had blessed him with these gifts. Vasquez quickly weighed up his options and went against his better judgement. He stepped aside.

An unnecessary risk, but one I must pursue in this new life, he thought to himself.

As Wren slipped by him, he noticed how frail and delicate she looked. There was no way on this earth he would hurt her. He felt it in his gut as she passed. If anything, he wanted to protect her.

As he turned back towards the kitchen, he was shocked to see an absolute giant of a man standing over Lara and Archie.

Handgun pointed directly at Vasquez, Bob declared “Take care of our friends Wren. I’ll take over from here.”

“How the hell did you get in here big man” Vasquez queried, seeming unconcerned.

“Get on your knees. Put your hands on your head and turn around.” Bob replied, just as calmly. As they stared at each other and weighed each other up, there was a mutual respect. They could both tell they had each lived tough lives and were warriors in their own ways.

“I’m afraid, I can’t do that. I don’t like to hurt my elders, old man.” Vasquez said, a flash of anger again tinged his voice.

“Then let’s do this the hard way” Bob said, he pointed the gun towards Vasquez left knee, but just before he could pull the trigger, the gun disappeared.

Shocked, he glanced up to see Vasquez smiling. “My last trick. Let’s do this the old fashioned way. After I beat you to the ground, you can tell me how a giant man like you managed to slip through that door without me hearing.”

Bob took off his jacket and unveiled an oversized hunting knife, that looked normal in his giant paws. His arms brimmed with muscle that looked as strong as steel. “The old fashioned way suits me just fine” Bob smiled back.