NINETEEN

It hadn’t been their fault, yet for some reason everyone felt it was their fault. They’d just been at the wrong place at the wrong time – and, apparently, been doing the wrong thing.

Falcon had been the one to blow crap up, yet why did everyone look at them like they were the enemy?

It didn’t make sense.

The six friends sat, huddled together, on a bench within the police precinct. Exhaustion had long set in. Hours had passed since the initial blast and they were still covered in soot, dirt, and debris.

Hunger rumbled through Zach’s stomach. For the first time in a week, he wanted to put something in his mouth.

The cacophony of noise in the precinct was rattling on the nerves. Zach leaned forward, resting his elbows onto his knees and covering his ears with his hands. It did little to mask the sound.

“One!” shouted Sullivan. “My office, now!“

Zach sighed. Finally. He stood up. A hand clasped around his wrist. Hikaru gazed up at him with an intense expression, one filled with deep concern and righteous anger. Zach smiled, gently pulling his hand out of her grip.

Five pairs of eyes haunted him. Their piercing gazes never wavered. He could feel Hikaru’s eyes the most as he walked into Sullivan’s office. The blinds were shut; the door closed behind him. Zach stood at the door, trying to remain calm.

It wasn’t working.

“Sit, we have a long discussion ahead of us,” snapped Sullivan, motioning to a chair.

Zach sat on the edge of his seat, his back straight and his head down. His hands trembled in his lap.

“Every last detail,” said Sullivan, each word spoken with emphasis. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest. The fury bubbled beneath the surface like an active volcano about to explode. Eyes narrowed. “Go.”

And so Zach did.

He spoke carefully. Each word had a purpose. He didn’t elaborate nor did he embellish. He stated facts.

Except for one.

The man who had helped them, who had probably saved Zach’s life – Sebastian Hawke – he was missing from those facts, plucked from the day’s event as if he’d never existed. Zach wasn’t going to give Sullivan a reason to eliminate his team on the spot.

A stranger discovering their identities, even if he swore never to speak of them, would break the proverbial straw upon the camel’s back. The man’s kindness would be ignored. The police would go after him and he would disappear. Unit Twelve would be over.

Zach wouldn’t have a last Thanksgiving with his friends.

And he wouldn’t let that happen.

But what should he do about Falcon?

What would happen if Zach told Sullivan about the call? Would he lose this chance at finding more about him? Getting the police involved in something like undercover work would make things more messy. Zach didn’t trust anyone here. They could ruin it or turn it against him.

Besides, Zach could only assume that Falcon was watching him now. How else had the man gotten his number? This criminal must have intelligence everywhere. Taking the call by himself wasn’t the end of the world. Zach could handle it.

The second he couldn’t, he’d go to Sullivan.

He couldn’t risk this chance.

After what Zach had deduced about Sullivan, he couldn’t trust him. They weren’t on the same side. This man was trying to sabotage him, for whatever the reason or motive.

But it didn’t matter.

He would take Falcon down and protect his friends.

Once Zach finished explaining what had happened, Sullivan didn’t say anything. His lips were thin with displeasure.

“Reckless,” said Sullivan, shaking his head. “You’re sure no one saw you?”

His heart pounded against his chest. It was so loud in his ears, a spike of fear rushed through his heart. Could Sullivan hear his heart? Could he tell? Zach’s face betrayed nothing.

“There was too much dust and debris in the air, sir. We were in an alleyway. There is no possible way anyone saw us. We had to heal ourselves if we were to be of any use.”

You’re lying.

Again.

His stomach churned. His heart thumped. He wanted to go home, lie down, and forget this day ever happened. He wanted to sleep through the night, never waking for a certain midnight call.

And he was tired of being told he wasn’t good enough. He wasn’t perfect enough. He wasn’t doing his job. If he’d had only done this or that – no matter the outcome, Zach and his friends were never good enough.

But Zach had a horrible understanding as to why they were treated this way.

It was a double edged sword. It would backfire on the government, on these men – one day, it would. That was how Fate or Karma worked, after all.

If they broke their spirits, then they would never have the strength to stand on their own. If they beat them down, then they would never fight back.

But someday, someone would bare their teeth and bite back.

“At least, you had the sense to hide yourselves,” said Sullivan with a huff. “You—”

A rap on the door interrupted him. The door cracked ajar slightly and a sharp voice said, “Sullivan, I need a word.” The man strode inside without waiting for a reply.

He was short, yet he had an air of authority unlike anything Zach had ever seen. If Zach stood up, he would be a number of inches taller than this man. The man’s greying black hair was trimmed neatly. He wore a dark brown suit and black sunglasses. With a languid hand, he brought his cigar to his mouth and drew in a deep breath, letting out a puff of smoke into the room.

Zach’s eyes burned.

“Agent Byron!” said Sullivan with a gasp, bolting out of his seat. “Sir, we weren’t expecting you.”

“Sit down, this ain’t a proper visit,” said Bryon in a low drawl. He removed his sunglasses, revealing dark brown eyes. There was a touch of an accent to his voice, but Zach didn’t recognize it.

The man looked over at Zach, lifting an eyebrow. He motioned towards him.

“This one of them special kids?”

“Yes, sir, this is One, leader of Unit Twelve.”

“Mmm.”

“One, get out. You’re dismissed,” snapped Sullivan.

“Now wait a minute,” said Byron, lifting up his hand with the cigar. He leaned against the wall, eyeing Zach with intense scrutiny. “If he’s the leader, then he needs to hear this, too.”

Sullivan appeared as if he’d swallowed a lemon. He nodded curtly. He motioned to a free chair and sat down in his own. Byron didn’t move.

“I hate to bring poor news, but Necrosis hit another mark. A congressman.”

Sullivan swore under his breath. “Are you saying I have a terrorist and an assassin in my town at the same time?” he demanded.

“Crimson was reported to be in the area as well.”

“You think they’re in on something together or it’s just a coincidence?”

“Who knows,” said Byron, taking another deep puff. He let it out slowly, filling the air around him with smoke. “How’s the search for Falcon?”

“Terrible. He struck again today, as I’m sure you’re aware. The clinic was empty, however.”

“No fatalities, then?”

“Injuries, yes.” Sullivan glanced at Zach, but continued, “The clinic lost millions of dollars in equipment and research, from what I understand.”

“He’s still going after them, eh?”

There was no reply. Sullivan gritted his teeth.

As usual, he’s keeping information from me. Is he not supposed to do that or is it something more?

“I know you have your hands full with Falcon,” said Bryon. “But keep an eye out for Necrosis, too. He’s a wily one, always miles ahead of me. I doubt you’ll see a trace of him if he don’t want it, but I’ll always hope he’ll slip up just once in his life.”

Byron turned his gaze onto Zach.

“You be sure to inform your unit members about him. I need all eyes on him.”

“If I may, sir,” said Zach, hesitant. “But I don’t know much about Necrosis.”

Or Falcon, but that’s beside the point.

“Necrosis is a world class assassin,” said Bryon, a dark light entering his eyes. “I’ve been chasing him for years now. He’s not as high profile as Falcon is, but he’s just as dangerous. He’s killing off senators and congressmen for awhile now. Among other prominent people.”

“And you’re saying this man is in Templeton?” asked Zach, newfound worry bubbling up inside his chest.

Just what he needed. Another dangerous criminal.

“I think so,” said Bryon with a nod. “Unfortunately, you won’t see hide nor hair of the man until after he’s done. I doubt you’ll even hear a whisper of him. Wishful thinking on my part, though.”

The man sighed deeply.

“We’ll catch him. Someday.”

A wave of compassion filled Zach’s chest. Had this man been chasing Necrosis for years? It must’ve been a horrible feeling, spending years of one’s life and not being able to catch the criminal. Being outsmarted left and right, so close yet so far – Zach couldn’t bear the thought of that happening with Falcon.

No.

He didn’t have that kind of time.

“Well, I’ll be off. Good luck with Falcon.”

Zach watched the man leave. They were going to need more than luck with Falcon. They were going to need a miracle.

There was an annoyed sigh from Sullivan. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “All right, One,” he said, sounding exhausted. “You’re dismissed.”

Zach nodded. Though he was bursting with questions, it was better to remain silent. He had come out of this conversation unscathed and he wasn’t about to push his own luck.

He walked out into the busy precinct, shutting the door behind himself. The others looked up at him, unmoved from their seats on the bench. He took a step towards them, putting on a smile.

“You ready to go?”

Hikaru stood up, worry in her dark eyes, and lifted a hand, extending her fingers to touch his cheek. Zach sucked in his breath, rooted to the spot.

Her fingers were soft.

“You’re okay?” whispered Hikaru, her eyes flickering back and forth. Zach nodded, breathless. Her hand gently extended over his cheek, cradling him there.

The warmth of her hand made all the difference in the world.

“I’m fine. Nothing happened,” said Zach, putting a hand over hers. She gave him a look and he couldn’t hold back a laugh. “I’m being truthful, Hikaru. I’m fine.”

The warmth pulled away.

“Let’s go home, guys.”

It was okay. They were alive. Each and every one of them could have died today. An angel had saved Zach and helped the rest of them. A little kindness went a long way.

And now he’d been blessed with a unique opportunity. Perhaps he couldn’t outright defeat Falcon, but he could outsmart him. And when his powers returned – because they had to come back – Zach would be in position to overtake Falcon.

Falcon might think this call was scary and threatening, but Zach could only see it as a gift – a sign of hope that Fate was throwing his way.

He would show Falcon who was the hero and who was the villain – the heroes always took down the villains.

That was how the stories always went.

Right?

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