Nicole's eyes kept lingering on the window, she sighed as her hands wrapped around her cup of coffee. She checked her watch, then looked at the window again, she was getting unsettled just by waiting. She ran her hands in her hair looking down, she heard the doorbell, her head shot up as she saw Liam walking into the cafe.
"Liam," Nicole said with shaky eyes, it's been a month since she last saw him. Seeing him now was like the first time, She was so glad he was okay after what he had been through. Liam swiftly took a seat in front of her.
"Hi Nicole," Liam said forcing a smile, Nicole trembling and placing her hands on his, the tears fell out of her control.
"I'm sorry, I should have…" she sobbed. "What my dad did was-".
"Hey hey it's not your fault, it was your dad's choice, not yours," Liam said, holding her hand in his.
"And I understand, you were just doing what you thought was right," Liam said. Nicole nodded, cleaning her tears.
"I miss you, Liam, I do," she said, staring into his eyes with longing. Liam gave a hand a light gentle squeeze.
"I know and I miss you too".
"I need your help" he adds.
"Tell me I will do anything," Nicole said unwavering.
"I need to get out of the city, I need to keep Jenna safe away from all this," he said sternly.
"But Liam".
"I need a change of passports and new identities," he said.
"Liam running won't solve anything, it will put you guys at risk" she reasoned.
"I have to Nicole, this is the only way, if I stay here she will be in harm's way, they would come after her, and I don't want that".
She sighed.
"Staying here will only get more people hurt, Jenna won't have a future and I don't want that to happen" he adds.
"Okay but getting a change of identities for you both will take some time but I can make it work," she said, placing his other hand on hers.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble," Liam said.
"I'm willing to help Liam, whatever it takes to not make that mistake again, I will help for real this time" Nicole said certainly.
Liam's eyes shake at her response, he slowly reaches and cups her cheeks, Nicole leans into his warm touch.
"Thank you it means a lot," he said, forcing a smile, she nodded as the tears fell, Liam wiped it off with his thumb swiftly, she sighed in relief loving the feel of his hand on her cheeks.
"You were hurt," she said softly.
"I'm fine" Liam assured her, Nicole nodded as the tears fell more.
"Keep Jenna safe," she said.
"I will".
***
Liam walked out of the cafe adjusting his cap, he looked sideways making sure no one was watching him as he continued his walk.
Behind a building Riley came out, her eyes fixed on Liam until he exited the streets.
***
Section One
Ghoul Underground
Liam made his way into the veranda, he halted when he saw Riley standing with her arms folded. Their eyes met, the silence grew around them, Liam broke eye contact as he walked past her.
"Where have you been?" Riley asked, the question halted him in his tracks, he turned to face Riley, so did she.
"Nowhere important" he shrugged.
"She's the G.I agency Captain's daughter, asking her for help is like asking an enemy for help," Riley said sternly.
"That is none of your business Riley," Liam said, not liking her prying attitude.
"So what? you're gonna leave the city?" she fired.
"So now you're spying on me, I didn't picture you as a stalker," he said with a weak smile.
"I'm making sure you don't do anything stupid that would expose this hideout, the agents are everywhere" she said darkly. Liam snapped.
"That doesn't give you the right to spy on me, weren't you the one who talked about privacy," Liam said, pissed, her look darkened, she walked deadly towards him and looked deeply into his eyes.
"You don't get it Liam, there is no one to trust," she said. Liam's fist tightens.
"I know I can trust Nicole, she's always free about her feelings, unlike someone. She's not hiding in a mask" he stated, her eyes changed instantly, Liam wasn't bothered about this. He just wants only one thing.
"I just want my sister to be safe, I don't need you to tell me how this world works, I have seen it and had a taste of it, I think I can cope just by myself. Tell your dad we are leaving, he doesn't need to look out for us again" Liam said walking away, she let out a frustrating gasp.
***
Section Three
Ghoul Investigators Headquarters (GIH)
Chase walked along the halls, he went straight to the computing hall he was called to and entered. There were several people seated as they went through their computers.
"Chase it's good you're here," Drake said walking towards him.
"Sir, you asked for me," Chase said.
"Yes I did, yesterday our surveillance cameras caught something," Drake said motioning to a computer, he typed on it and a street surveillance video came up the widescreen in front, a young man was present, his face hidden as he walked the street looking sideways. The footage zoomed in and the face was revealed.
"Liam O'Brien," Chase said in realization.
"Yes, and he was meeting someone but we still can't figure out who," Drake said.
"This means he's still in the city and close by," Chase said, rubbing his chin. Drake viewed another footage.
"Other than the street there are no more sightings of him, it's like he just disappeared," Drake said. Chase's eyes were fixed on the footage.
"No he didn't," Chase said getting something, he reviewed more footage putting it together.
"I think he used a shortcut somewhere off section two," Chase said.
"Shortcut to where?" Drake said, puzzled.
Chase got the last footage.
"Section one".
***
Section One
Ghoul Underground
Evan's hands went swiftly on the keyboard, a red beeping sound went off in one of the computers, he slid his chair to the other computer, someone was trying to hack into the section. His hands went fast on the keyboard. His eyes scanned the code coming up.
"Poor G.I agents, you just made a big mistake," he said deadly as his computer screen changed to nothing but code, he typed in speed. Riley walked towards him.
"Evan" she called.
"We have a problem," Evan said. Riley's eyes widened.
"What?" she demanded, she knew it was only a matter of time. Since the past month of no sign of Jenna, the agents had cameras in every street, that was what she worried about.
"It's those fucking agents they are trying to hack into the section," Evan said.
"Well can you stop it," Riley said in haste. Evan smirked.
"When have you ever doubted me?" Evan said as he pressed enter.
***
Section Three
Ghoul Investigators Headquarters (GIH)
"The footage is gone" one of the men seated said to Chase and Drake, Chase turned to the screen.
"The data is erased, this means section one doesn't exist" the man adds.
"I must have seen something wrong," Chase said not too sure, something was off.
"Wyatt, get the unit ready, we are going on patrol," Drake said.
"Yes sir".
***
Section One
Ghoul Underground
"What? We are leaving?" Jenna asked, shocked. She watches Liam pack some stuff in a bag.
"Jenna, pack your stuff," Liam said.
"No, I am not until you tell me why," Jenna said sternly, he faced her.
"Look I got Nicole to get us a hotel to stay in until we get our passport and leave the city," Liam said firmly.
"Wait Nicole wants to help now? What happened to 'we are now on our own?" Jenna said. But Liam kept packing.
"We can't just leave, this place is safe Liam, what makes you think when we get out of here we will be" she added. Liam sighed, placing his hands on her shoulder.
"We will survive just like we always have". The moment he said that the doors slid open and a Claw came at him, it held him at the throat and smashed him on the wall.
"LIAM!" Jenna shouts.
"You piece of shit," Riley said walking in. Liam struggled as the Claw held his throat tightly so that he couldn't breathe.
"Because of you the agents almost found our hideout and sooner or later they will come on patrol" Riley hissed.
"Riley stop if you're killing him," Jenna said frightened, Liam kept struggling but it was futile.
"I SAID STOP IT" Jenna shouted as her Claw surged out and pushed Riley's Claw off, Liam gasp as he fell to the ground struggling to breathe, Jenna rushed to his side and held him steady. Riley looks dark as their eyes meet.
"Riley" Evan called walking in but didn't catch the situation.
"We have to leave now, the agents are on patrol," Evan said walking out. Riley turned back to them, Liam's furious eyes landed on her. She said the words she would forever regret saying at that moment.
"Get out and don't come back" Riley spat darkly as she left, her Claw following behind.
"Let's get out of here there's no use staying," Liam said, rising on his feet.
"But-".
"Don't argue, okay just do it" Liam said pissed.
Riley stood at the edge of the roof, her eyes fixed on the cars moving in the street. Evan, Sean, and Paige behind her covering their faces. They wouldn't have to do this if Liam didn't act out, but they had no choice, the underground must remain hidden for the sake of all the ghouls there.
On the driveway out of nowhere, Claw's landed in their front and the battle began as sounds of a gunshot could be heard.
In the distance, Chase was in the car when he heard the gunshot and stepped down.
"All units come in," he said to his comm. There was static and no report until.
"All units pull back I repeat pull back, the ghouls attack fro-". The line went off, he froze. He shaky dropped the radio command and swallowed hard. 'Ghouls were monsters'. That was his only thought.
***
Liam stopped in front of the window, watching the rain pouring outside. They were already in the hotel of any radar, Nicole would be meeting them soon with their new identities. 'Soon we will be away from all this once and for all'. Liam thought with hope, there will be no more danger for Jenna.
Jenna was seated on the bed watching him, she turned as her fingers mingled together, she didn't like this idea one bit. The thought of running away reminded her of someone.
***
Section One
Ghoul Underground
"What were you thinking Riley?" Allen fired. She looked away.
"He put everyone here in danger dad, the underground was almost exposed and the safety of every ghoul here, what we built all these years was about to come down" she reasoned.
"And besides, it was his decision to leave," she added.
"We have to get them back, it's not safe out there, leaving the city will only put them in danger" Allen reasoned.
"So what dad, they left on their own accord… so don't stick up for them," Riley said.
"You know nothing Riley, I own a debt to Steve that can never be repaid, if you won't find them then I will," he said finally.
"Even if it means endangering everyone's life in the underground," she said sternly.
"Liam had every chance to expose us when he was being tortured but he didn't, can't you see he's not a threat to us," Allen said.
"That was his choice, he almost got himself killed for it," she said.
"Oh Riley," Allen said, rubbing his forehead.
"Has your mother's death turned you into this cold person?" he said. Riley's eyes landed on him shaky, her eyes almost at the blink of tears but she fought the urge back, looking away.
"Mom was killed unjustly by the agents" her eyes landed on him.
"Don't try to justify my feeling on that because yes it did change me, you don't have to spell it out" she said sternly, Allen's look saddened.
The Door Clicked Open.
Paige froze seeing that she interrupted something.
"Sorry," she said after seeing the scene.
"What, Paige?" Riley asked.
"Evan wants you to check something out," she said. Riley turned to her father.
"Leave," Allen said, turning to the other side.
***
"Last night was a massacre, agents were killed on patrol, once again it's none other than the work of the black ghoul, after a month of silence we are now visited with more killings by the runaway ghoul Jenna O'Brien," the newscaster said.
"At this rate, Jenna will be caught," Evan said, turning to face them.
"They are such awful people, they are pinning all the killings on Jenna just to fasten their capture on her" Paige said unbelievably.
"They could send her to the worst prison, they could send her to Steel, it would be hell for her," Sean said.
"We have to help them Riley even if they don't need our help, Liam thinks running away is the only way to protect Jenna, he's making rash decisions that could most probably get them both killed" Paige reasoned. Riley's arms were folded as her fingers tapped on her arms. She sighed.
"I don't like this idea one bit," she said. Evan turned to his laptop.
"I have a full guarantee they will be caught once they board a plane, change of identity won't help when facial recognition is run they won't stand a chance," Evan said worriedly.
"When will their plane leave?" Riley said. Evan quickly hacked into the system, all footage of Nicole came out, where she had been, it took some time, he was sure this was the right one.
"This evening at six," he said, they turned to Riley awaiting her decision. She growled frustratedly.
"Alright we will help them but am not playing nice" she warned, they smiled.
***
A white private plane flew the skies, amid white clouds, the sun at an uprising making everywhere yellow.
Inside
A woman seated with her legs crossed drank her wine swiftly, her eyes fixed on New York news, she watched it on her wide iPad.
"Last night was a massacre, agents were killed on patrol, once again it's none other than the work of the black ghoul, after a month of silence we are now visited with more killing by the runaway ghoul Jenna O'Brien," the newscaster said.
Her light blue eyes fixed on Jenna's picture showed on the screen, a smile formed on her lips as she dropped her wine on the small portable table in front and opened a file in the iPad, it came up with a name. 'Dr. Steve O'Brien'.
"Jenna is the black ghoul huh?" she said amused as she opened a file of research.
"That's not what your research said," she smirked. A man in a suit, probably a flight attendant carrying a juice-in tray, walked past her to the other side of the plane.
"I wouldn't do that," she said, her eyes fixed on her iPad. The man blinked and puzzled. Her eyes drifted on him.
"He doesn't like to be woken up, I wouldn't want you to end up in the ground too soon," she said amused, the man's eyes widened as he rushed out. Her eyes lingered at the other side of the plane then back to her iPad.
"What are you doing during all this chaos, Xavier".
***
New York City
Sounds Of Light Knock
Liam and Jenna turned the moment they heard the sound, Jenna's eyes drifted to Liam as he carefully walked towards it and checked the small hole before opening it.
"Nicole," Liam said relieved, she walked in.
"I got everything, you guys have to leave tonight," she said.
"Great, Jen get ready," Liam said but she didn't make a move.
"Jen!".
"Nicole, why are you even here," Jenna said sternly.
"I'm here to help," she reasoned.
"Yeah I know but a month ago you didn't want anything to do with us," Jenna said.
"Don't think you're gaining any self-redemption by doing this," she added. Nicole looked away.
"Jen!" Liam hissed, her eyes drifted to him.
"Liam, running away after everything we have been through, after everything you have been through. You just wanna flush it down the toilet and let the agents have their way" Jenna hissed.
"What are you expecting me to do Jen, to fight a force we can't handle just for our freedom?" Liam said.
"It's better than running like cowards," Jenna spat.
"Jen!" Liam hissed.
"I'M NOT RUNNING AWAY" she shouts.
"I don't wanna be dad, I wanna stay and face the situation so don't be like him please" she adds. Liam froze at her protest.
"Is that what you think?" Liam began, she looked away.
"Am I like dad?"
"Well what do you think," she said sternly, Liam let out a gasp of surprise running his hands in his hair.
"Nicole, could you please excuse us," Liam said.
"What do you wanna do? let her leave and give me a piece of your mind of how you want nothing more to protect me?" Jenna said sternly.
"Jenna stop talking like that, your brother loves you and he wants to keep you safe" Nicole said softly.
"By running away, no it isn't" she spat.
"What happened Jen?" Liam said not believing her words. She sat up.
"We are in this together Liam" she reasoned.
"But if it's about running away then we're not" she adds, taking her bag.
"There is no together Liam, I am a ghoul, I am different and that will always stay that way," she said. Liam let out a gasp of surprise.
"And I choose to stay," she said, moving backward slowly.
"I won't run away, not like dad," she said, stopping.
"You should too". She turned to crash into the window.
"JEN!" Liam shouted in horror as he watched his sister jump out of the window. Liam and Nichole rushed to the broken window in surprise, they looked down and saw her landing on her feet. She turned and looked up, she stared at her brother one more time before running.
***
Section Three
Ghoul Investigators Headquarters (GIH)
About three SUVs parked in front of the agency, she smiled as her green eyes studied the building.
"Looks like we're finally here, no distress call but still I have to come all the way," she said as men in suits came down from the other SUV, one opened the door and she got down, they headed towards the building.
Xavier's fingers tapped on the table lost in deep thought, they lost 26 agents during the patrol, and yet still no black ghoul, he was getting impatient, he was lost of strategy but he had to think of something before it was too late.
"Mr. Jose," his secretary, walked into his office.
"Someone is here to see you," she said.
"I have told you no one is to see me unless they have information on the black ghoul" he stated darkly, she swallowed.
"The person here to see you" she began, Xavier's eyes drifting to her.
"Is from the Order" she stated. Xavier's eyes widened. 'The Order'. He thought. His secretary left as a woman wearing a smart white suit, with a skirt walked in, her heels sounding loudly in the office. Her blond hair is packed neatly in a bun.
"Xavier Jose, it's nice to finally meet you," she said, bringing out her hand. Xavier was left frozen where he was, the woman noticed this and smiled.
"No welcome for me?" she said, he swallowed as he rose to his feet and shook it and they took their seats.
"I figured you already know me, Xavier," she said.
"How wouldn't I," he said sternly. She raised an eyebrow.
"Barbra Jones, head of the Order how could I not know" he adds sternly, she smirked widely.
"It's nice you do and I suppose you know why I am here," she said leaning on her chair crossing her leg on the other. Xavier sighed.
"The black ghoul, of course, heard amazing stories consigning that and your approach towards the situation" she noted.
"Believe me, we have everything under control" he assured her. Her smile faded.
"No Xavier you don't" she began with a scowl.
"Am a descendant of a man who discovered ghouls that live amongst us," she said. Xavier swallowed.
"Not only did he write about ghouls but a threat amongst them we are yet to face. An even greater power" she adds.
"The black ghoul," he said.
"Yes, one we have not seen since 1807. Such a coincidence isn't it" she said.
"How?".
She smiled, placing a file on his desk.
"Unlike you, I have done my homework properly," she said as he went through the files.
"What does this have to do with Steve O'Brien," he said puzzled.
"Oh it has everything to do with him, mostly his research" she noted, he blinked.
"Am sure you know the brother is human, which you're still trying hard to figure out why" she said, rising to her feet, pacing in the office.
"Steve O'Brien began a secret research to destroy the ghoul's genes because he knew very well his children will inherit the most dangerous Claw known". She turned to him.
"Ghost," she said. Xavier's eyes widened.
"You did know they were descendants but you had no idea what power the black ghoul poses, we just happened to call it the black Claw but I assure you that is different '' she added.
"But Steve succeeded in destroying it, Liam is human, Jenna is the black ghoul," Xavier said certainly.
"Yes that is a very possible answer but something is off, something about Steve's research," she said certainly.
"What are you implying?".
"We need more answers," she said sternly.
"But where will we find those?" Xavier said haste, Barbra just smiled taking the files.
"Focus on catching the black ghoul. I will focus on my end," she said, turning to leave.
"There are no answers, Steve O'Brien is dead". She halted.
"Isn't he?" Xavier said sternly. Barbra turned smiling but then it faded.
"Focus on your assignment. Don't you forget the G.I is what it is today because of the Order, I won't be happy when you tarnish that image".
"You know this isn't just any ghoul, it's the black ghoul," Xavier began.
"Of course, the black ghoul was a big threat to the Order in the past, so if you don't want history to repeat itself I suggest you act fast" she stated.
"If not I will involve the Ghoul Killer" she warned, Xavier froze at the warning, he swallowed hard, there was no way he was letting that happen.
"Rest assured I will do everything in my power to get the black ghoul so please don't involve the ghoul killer," he said shaky, she smiled broadly.
"Good cause that wasn't a warning, I meant every word I said," she said leaving.
'I have to handle this situation fast, I don't want the Order involved in this. Xavier thought.
***
Along the hall, Chase and Max were busy discussing.
"Now the division 6 unit leader is dead. I think you have a better chance here," Max said.
"I don't know Max, we still have a lot of things to worry about, we have to visit their families," Chase said, it had been his thought ever since the massacre, how to break it to their families that they were dead, this was always the hardest part of the job as an agent.
"It's hard isn't it," Max said, lost in thought.
"Yeah," Chase said.
They halted when they saw a woman accompanied by men in black coming towards them. Chase's eyes landed on Barbra, she smiled as they walked past them. Like in slow motion, their eyes met, Chase got an uneasy feeling.
They finally passed and Chase was left frozen by the stare, he turned and watched the strange woman walk until she was out of sight. Max placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, you okay?" Max asked, worried at his change of mood.
"Yeah, just this weird feeling that's all" Chase shrugs, figuring there was no need lingering on it, he had other things to worry about.