A few Minutes Later
The agency picked up what was remaining of Steel, the black ghoul was gone, about 30 ghouls escaped. Bodies of agents are packed in a black body bag.
Chase stood in front of a body bag.
Nicole's dead body was in it, an agent zipping the bag close.
"He's unlike anything we have ever seen, stronger and faster," Seth said standing beside him.
"Before I could blink he broke her neck," Seth said.
Chase's teeth clench, his fist tighten.
"We have to stop the black ghoul Chase before he kills more innocent people," Seth said.
Chase just walks away in anger. 'Black ghoul'. Chase thought darkly, he just couldn't wait to get his hands on him, he would pay for what he did, he vouched for that with his life.
Seth just smiles faintly, folding his arms, he walks toward Barbra standing close to a chopper.
"You don't need to worry too much, the black ghoul had no idea what was in subject 24, rest assured," Seth said amusedly.
"You killed her didn't you," Barbra said without a doubt. Seth just shrugged.
"She was a liability".
Barbra huff.
"And one thing Barbra I think it's time to resume project Z". The moment Seth said those words, she faced him.
"I thought you hated being a ghoul and now you want to enhance your abilities," Barbra said amusely.
"We are close to a breakthrough Barbra, with this we can make more ghouls of our own, more like me," Seth said darkly.
"And I have just the right next candidates for it," Seth said, turning to face the agents.
"Humanoid ghouls, it's revolutionary isn't it" he smirks.
***
Subject 24
Barbra heels sound around the hall, the cell doors open as she stands watching the other end of the glass.
Steve walked to and fro inside. He halts when he sees Barbra through the glass.
"That was Liam wasn't it, he was here," Steve said certainly.
She shrugged.
"Who knows," she said amused.
Steve chuckled slightly.
"He doesn't know I am alive, he came for someone else," he said in realization.
"Smart as always," she comments.
Steve took his seat.
"He shouldn't know I am alive," he said.
Suddenly his cell door slid open, Barbra personal agents came in and grab him out of his cell.
"What is this Barbra?" Steve demanded.
"Would you like to be part of something? in exchange for leaving this hellhole", she said cunningly.
"In exchange for what?" Steve asked impatiently.
"Project Z. I need your expertise," she said.
"What do you say, Steve O'Brien, wanna reshape the world?".
***
New York Central
"It has been three days since the attack at Steel prison, the citizens of New York are scared now, more ghouls are set out on the street's, at our earlier information, it was discovered that one ghoul single-handedly penetrated Steel without being caught, the ghoul known as The Black Ghoul. This recent information has caused more panic than we have ever experienced before. Barbra Jones, the captain of the G.I agency has assured us that there is nothing to be worried about, but still, we are left with a question. How can one ghoul be able to penetrate the most stronghold prison for ghouls without being caught?" the newscaster said.
This was on all screens of New York City, the big wall computers on each building showing the same news, it was the reigning topic throughout the city, nationwide, that left the people with questions and more reason to panic.
***
Section Eleven
Black Lotus
"It has been three days since the attack at Steel prison, the citizens of New York are scared now, more ghouls are set out on the street's, at our earlier information, it was discovered that one ghoul single-handedly penetrated Steel without being caught, the ghoul known as The Black Ghoul. This recent information has caused more panic than we have ever experienced before. Barbra Jones, the captain of the G.I agency has assured us that there is nothing to be worried about, but still, we are left with a question. How can one ghoul be able to penetrate the most stronghold prison for ghouls without being caught?" the newscaster said.
Jarvis showed the news to Liam in his office, Liam was silent, hands in his pocket.
Jarvis turns his wheelchair to face Liam.
"This Liam" he pointed to the screen that showed the remaining Steel and its recovering expertise."Is the level of destruction you caused for one ghoul?" Jarvis said sternly.
"Riley isn't just any ghoul, she's one of us, she was part of the ghoul underground," Liam said sternly.
"That isn't enough reason for you to raid Steel without a second thought" Jarvis hissed at him.
"Your decision affects everything Liam," Iris said, facing him.
"Who would want an alliance with ghouls at this rate, they will keep seeing us as the enemy" she fired.
"I guess you wouldn't have thought of that," Jarvis noted.
Liam sighed knowing the damages he caused, but still, he didn't regret his actions.
"Okay, I'm sorry, it won't happen again," Liam said, facing him.
Jarvis rolls his wheelchair in front of him.
"I know you did what you did because you felt it was the right thing at that moment but you should know one thing," Jarvis said clearly.
"This isn't just about you Liam, it's about every ghoul who wants freedom, let that thought stick in your head," he said finally.
Liam nod, it was understandable, his actions caused their plan to fall apart, now it was like starting from the very beginning, and Liam knew he would have to take full responsibility for his actions.
*
Riley groaned, she could see nothing but darkness, until she opened her eyes and met with a bright light. Once again she was in that place, that hellhole. She tried to move but she couldn't, her hands and legs were pinned down tightly, she panics seeing the situation she was in, She couldn't turn her head on both sides because of metal around her head, only her eyeballs move and saw two long needles pointing to her neck steel and two to her head on both sides.
"What's going on?" Riley said shakily. She was in a wide room with nothing but experimental equipment, no one was in the room, there was a wide glass at a few distances in front of her, she was sure they were watching her.
"Prisoner 163, prepare for your punishment". Someone said through the speakers.
The machine started and the needles came closer.
"STOP IT PLEASE DON'T, STOP!" she screamed but there was no stopping It as it pierced her steel to her skin, and the other two at her head, she felt like her brain was tearing apart, an intense pain that lasted for hours, with only her cries and screams that echo in all the halls.
"MAKE IT STOP!".
*
Riley flashes her eyes open in extreme panic, she sat up gasping for breath, she looked around in haste and took a deep breath of relief seeing she was no longer in Steel. 'It was a dream, ' she thought, sighing with relief.
She felt her neck luckily the steel device wasn't there again, they must have removed it, she felt another relief no longer feeling like a prisoner.
She looked around studying her environment, the room was a bit wide, a comfortable room that had a wide window, and a veranda sticking to it.
She sighed running her hands in her hair, she saw a pair of jeans and shirt folded neatly on the bed, she figured she needed a bath.
***
A few minutes later she was done, she stood in front of the mirror, she studied her body seeing how lean and small she was, she sighed closing her eyes for a bit before walking out of her room, she was too ashamed to look more.
Riley found the long lobby, she followed it curiously, the mansion was wide with enough space in every corner. She saw ghouls everywhere, this was just like the ghoul underground but only better with enough resources, she found her way to the fourth floor as she kept exploring the place.
"Riley".
She turned instantly, her face lit up when she saw Sean.
"Sean!" Riley said tearily as she rushed and hugged him tightly.
"I don't understand, I thought you guys were dead, how?" she said, sobbing.
"Well just a few of us, with Evan," Sean said, forcing a smile.
"And Paige?" Riley said as her face lit up.
Sean's expression changed, that was enough to tell her that she didn't make it.
"I see," Riley said, cleaning her tears.
"But still Liam wants peace with the humans," Sean said bitterly.
Riley's eyes land on him.
"Crazy right? That's why this Black Lotus exists, to create some fantasy peace" he spat.
Riley gulps hard.
"You know that can't happen right? There's no way humans and ghouls can coexist as one right?" Sean said hoping that Riley was on the same page with him. Riley looked away.
"I don't know Sean, but-".
"You think it can happen don't you" Sean cuts her off.
"I didn't say that" she faces him.
"No, you don't have to, I can see the light of hope in your eyes," Sean said nodding.
"You and Liam have the same look, good for you two" he walks past her.
Riley sighed. 'Is it wrong to hope?' Riley thought, she rubbed her arms together sighing, she spent one year with the humans, not all was bad, they just had a wrong insight about ghouls.
***
Riley made her way to the back of the mansion, where the garden was. She heard some noise in the space.
"Hey come on stop cheating" Rory hiss at Evan.
"Come on dude am not" Evan fired.
"Oh yeah? Then what is this card doing under the table?" Rory hiss.
"Come on it's not like that" Evan said trying to defend himself, his eyes caught Riley who watches them quietly with a faint smile on her lips.
"Riley!" Evan's face lights up as he rushes and hugs Riley tightly.
"I'm so glad you are okay," he said, breaking the hug.
"I'm glad you are too," Riley said smiling.
"So you are the reason why Liam went berserk" Rory commented.
"I'm Rory Lake," he introduced.
Riley was about to say something.
"Don't worry I know who you are, you're quite a beauty" he wink.
Riley rolled her eyes. 'Great a flit'. She thought.
"Evan where's Liam?" Riley demanded.
"Oh he's probably at the training hall, he spends most of his time there. Just four rows up and a turn" Evan said.
Riley nods, walking away.
"It's like I'm not even in her vision, why do I have bad luck with girls," Rory said, sighing in defeat. Evan tapped on his shoulder, in console.
"Sorry about that dude but Riley's already taken," Evan said, Rory turned to him puzzled.
***
Riley walks along the halls, she stands in front of the wide glass seeing Liam through it. He was all by himself going through the wall computer that showed some cells. Ghost on the other side staring at the computer, tilting its head to the side before moving around.
Riley watch them at the other end, her hands folded, her lips went apart when she studied Liam more, he looked more handsome since the past one year, he was taller and good looking compared to when he lost Jenna, she couldn't help but admire his looks, a shiver runs through her spine as she remembered their kiss, the feel of his lips roaming her.
She bit her lip just by the thought of it. 'Snap out of it Riley'. She mentally told herself. She sighed before walking inside.
Ghost's attention drifted to her smirking. Ghost tapped a finger on Liam's head who was buried in the computer.
"What?" Liam asked, turning to Ghost.
"He has a mind of his own doesn't he," Riley said, the moment Liam heard her voice he turned. Riley stood in front of him, her arms folded.
"He?" Liam said, raising an eyebrow as he turned to Ghost, who reversed back inside him.
"Yes, he," Riley said.
"Ghost deserves to be called he instead of it," she said, trying her best to keep the talk going, but she couldn't help but stare at his amazing features.
They stared at each other's eyes for a moment, Liam caught sight of some burnt marks on her side head, he reached for it rubbing against it slightly, she shivered at the touch.
"Am sorry" Liam began as he pulled some strands of hair behind her ear.
"I shouldn't have left you like that, I thought it was the right thing to do," Liam said moving close to her, standing a few inches from her, his height towered over her.
"I came to say thank you," Riley said softly as Liam's face was inches away from hers, his hands drifting to cup her cheek, gently rubbing against it sensually.
A small soft moan escaped her lips faintly.
"I didn't know you had red hair," Liam said huskily, mesmerized.
"Yeah it's my natural hair color. I dyed it before" Riley said, unable to keep up with the talk.
"This suits you better"
Riley gulps, her heart slamming loudly in her chest, she wanted his lips on hers again. She groaned.
"Liam" Riley gasps, stepping back a bit.
"About the kiss" she began taking a deep breath.
"I treated you badly and questioned every decision you made in the past and yet you risked everything to save me," she said, staring into his eyes.
"Why?" she adds.
A perfect smile formed on Liam's lips, he came closer.
"What? Is my question funny?" Riley asked, a bit pissed that he found this amusing.
"No no, It's not" he said as he smiled again.
"Then what?" she demands.
"I never thought I would find you this attractive" Liam said softly, Riley froze at that.
"You are beautiful Riley" he adds.
Riley stared at him with wide eyes. 'Is he serious?'. She thought in awe.
But right now staring deep into his eyes she could see it. 'He is'. She thought. 'He really is'.