Ashley sweats like shooting bullets while keeping in control over her expression. In spite of her uneasiness, Head Akito seems to have no plan in letting her out of the cage. Feeling the awkward atmosphere around them, Ashley wanted to sink six-feet under the ground. She has been avoiding being alone with him since the day he saw that glow and when he started discussing to her regarding Hans during their dinner. Head Akito seemed to notice her sudden change of behavior that made him skeptical towards her. So ever since then, he had been trying to corner her up and today was his lucky day or so he thought.
Jasper burst inside his office appearing as a hero in Ashley's eyes. The awkwardness building up in the room suddenly turned into mellow yet flowery the moment they all grinned like kids playing in the playground. Nonetheless, it all soon disappeared when Head Akito stood up and reached out for his cheeks then began pulling it while giving him a sweet smile and spoke.
"What business might you have with me that you're so eager to break a sweat and forget to even knock before coming in? Hmm? Where is this so-called manners, young master?"
Jasper tried his best to speak as clearly as possible but failed because the serious and gloomy Head Akito kept pulling his cheek and he started making hideous faces. He shook his hands away from him but failed and soon begged for his mercy. Seeing that Jasper learned his lesson he removed his hands and crossed his arms together. Jasper screeched in pain whereas carefully rubbing his cheeks like it was the most important treasure in this world.
"You could've at least tried to be gentle with me." –Jasper
"That wouldn't have happened if only you didn't barge in like that." Head Akito turned to go back to his seat.
"Your laid back appearance doesn't match your rough personality, Uncle."
Even in a mumbling tone, Head Akito was able to clearly hear him motioning a twerk of his ear. He stopped then slowly turned around showing off his menacing aura with an irk of irritation as he questioned him in a scariest manner. Jasper, seeing his so-called uncle's aura that is as big as the buildings and as grim as a reaper, shivers in fear.
Ashley took this opportunity to escape when he grabbed Jasper's collar and hurriedly expressed her farewell to his master. She quickly left the room leaving a wild bang from the door. It left the Head dumbfounded for quite a second before realizing what just happened. He clenched his fist and swore that he'll eventually spill Ashley's secrets.
The two special agents continued running as far away as possible. And when they finally concluded that they're safe from Head Akito's clutches, they stopped to take a breather while wiping their sweat off.
"I think we're safe… for now." –Ashley
Jasper stared at her after wiping the sweats under his chin and said, "You think so?"
"Yeah. On that note, why did you have to barge in like that? You almost got yourself killed."-Ashley
"A 'thank you' would be a much better greeting than that."-Jasper
Ashley sighed before she responded, "Thanks. You really saved my life there."
Jasper smiled widely then started walking and Ashley followed beside him. He couldn't help but ask regarding her and Head Akito.
"Why were you summoned when you just arrived?"
"I, myself, don't know. But if I may guess, it's probably about Hans."-Ashley
"Arghh… Why of all the hunters is he so curious about him?! This is making me crazy! We can't just hide him forever but if he ever gets exposed it will be a disaster! I don't want that to happen! Hans will kill me and it will be the most horrifying thing that will happen to me!" she added.
Jasper burst into laughter when he saw her struggling with her thoughts. He wanted to console her but his stomach can't fathom the funny scene he's seeing right now. Ashley faced him with deadly glares and yelled to her heart's content.
"What are you laughing at, huh?!"
"S-sorry, so-rry…pfft… T-th-is… I ca-can't…."
He burst out another laugh which made Ashley go mad then threw a dagger across his face. Luckily, he was quick to dodge it but his scared look couldn't be hidden, especially seeing Ashley approaching him with a dark aura surrounding her.
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to laugh at you! Are you really that scared of him?" Jasper gestured surrender to minimize her anger toward him.
"Who wouldn't?! Didn't you see what happened before when Head Kelly and Head Melissa recklessly underestimated him?! I don't want to experience his wrath!"-Ashley
They both imagined the scene of the beaten Heads then shivered just seeing the sight of it.
"Y-you're right… I just remembered, I almost got killed by him. Just where did he get such amazing and unbelievable strength?!"-Jasper
"Didn't he get it from your grandfather?"
Realizing it, they both gleaned in despair because it's no wonder he was able to acquire such unhuman-like power.
A month has passed, Ashley continued avoiding Head Akito as much as possible without him noticing. Sometimes, Jasper would come to his rescue and he would do it without Hans realizing it as well. It's as if they were having a tag game and whoever finds them first shall be the winner..
Today seemed to be a lucky day for Ashley upon hearing that she is assigned in a mission together with Head Melissa, Hazel, and Jasper. She skipped from toe to toe of how happy she is to be away from her predator. As soon as she saw Hazel she called her name and waved at her with glee.
"Yahooo! Nice to see you again. Is this your first time working with your master?"
"Ah! Yes? Yes! Yes, it is."-Hazel
"You sure are happy."
"W-well… It's because I worked hard to make her notice my potential. And I want to get so much stronger to be able to help."
"Help who~? Head Asher~?"
Hazel was flustered by her sudden question but didn't hide to admit it. "Well, he's one of them."
"Oh~? I see."-Ashley
"But I also want to help everyone, especially Hans."
When Ashley heard his name, her smile soon faded and her face turned serious while giving her some piece of advice.
"It would be much better if you stop what you are thinking right now. It's fine to help everyone here but not Hans. Don't associate yourself with him."
Before Hazel could even utter a word, Ashley smiled again and not long after the teams arrived. Ashley chased Jasper then they started their conversation in a friendly manner. However, the aftermath came and they started bickering endlessly until they reached the parking lot. Hazel stared at Ashley worriedly that Head Melissa couldn't help but notice.
"What's wrong?"-Head Melissa
"Ah- H-huh? Oh! It's nothing, Master."
Hazel continued staring at Ashley and Head Melissa began to be having suspicion between them. However, she decided to ignore it for now since they needed to focus on the mission more than the complexity of her curiosity.
Not long after, they all arrived at their destination with the team assigned together with them. Hazel stepped out of the car and when she began to scan the surroundings, she was in awe of the beauty of the forest-like place. The secluded place can give you a vibe of mystery and thrill but it cannot hide the fact that the twitching of the birds and the sound of the animals in the land were emitting harmoniously.
The hunters with her soon went out of the car one after another and they all had an expression the same as hers, except Head Melissa. The Head clasped her hands together and began assembling the hunters in separate teams.
They all started in search for any clues to where the said lab is located according to Hans. Jasper and Hazel scanned the surroundings whereas Head Melissa and Ashley led the other team. As they continued searching, Head Melissa and Hazel both noticed that one of the trees surrounding them had a different shade in a brick shape.
They both analyze the object then Hazel accidentally presses it while Head Melissa without a doubt knew exactly what it was. Both teams saw the trees moving farther away from them and below it was a stairs leading them into the unknown place.
Jasper held Hazel's shoulder, he told her that he will be the one leading them in case there are traps. The teams on both sides went on then looked at the tunnel from left to right while staying cautious. Head Melissa and Jasper felt a sudden urge of danger that they instructed the team to let out their weapons.
One of the teams in each group had a scanning-detector ability to see if there were traps around the area. And as expected they encountered the first obstacle. Jasper dodge the dagger that is an inch away from his nose while backing his team away from him.
"Tsk! So it has begun, huh?"- Jasper
On the other hand, the dagger that is thrown towards Head Melissa was caught without batting an eye on it, which made Ashley clapped in glee along with the hunters behind her. The Head looked at the hunter with a scanning-detector ability asking why she didn't notify them about the trap.
"I-I didn't see nor detect anything odd in here."- hunter 1
Head Melissa gave some thought before handing her the weapon. "Here, see if you can find anything."
"Yes, ma'am"- hunter 1
Both teams continued the patrol while waiting for the two scanning-detectors to find anything from the weapons. Ashley communicated to Jasper through an earbud that was plugged in their ear. She began to ask how they were and they concluded that the tunnels they are in right now must have the same trap. They both wondered where it would take them but decided just to go with the flow. The hunter that Jasper handed the weapon with went near him with a worried look in his face.
"What's wrong? Say it."- Jasper
"The weapon is not the problem, Sir. Harlow."- hunter 2
"What do you mean?"- Head Melissa
"The weapon itself shows nothing but ordinary."- hunter 1
"Then what's the problem?"- Jasper
"This place is the problem, Sir."- hunter 2
"This place…"- hunter 1
"Is the trap itself."- both hunter
"What?!" Head Melissa. Jasper, and Ashley
Before they could even start to process the fact that they fell right into the trap, the tunnel began to crumble. The two leaders instructed the teams to run while leading them and not a minute had passed and the roof started to fall one by one. They all ran as fast as they could and lucky enough everyone is still alive with all the ruckus.
When Head Melissa and Jasper saw a light, they yelled and encouraged the teams that they were close towards the end of the tunnel. As they got closer to the end of the tunnel, Hazel's eyes started getting blurry from exhaustion. Jasper held her arm then whispered to her that she should endure a little more because they're close to the exit.
As soon as they got out of the falling tunnel, others lumped on the ground due to exhaustion while the others aided the injured. Jasper wiped the sweat that had been dropping off of his face but when he turned to see his team, the first thing he noticed was Hazel's puzzled yet nervous look.
Subsequently, it seems like Ashley had the same look as Hazel that made Head Melissa wonder. The Head followed to where she was looking and her face suddenly turned pale when she saw what made Ashley caught off guard.
Jasper, on the other hand, slowly turned to see what made Hazel have that expression. However, what he didn't expect to see was two men—facing each other—in the middle of the hall. These men seemed to notice their presence as they slowly turned their backs making them face each team with blank expressions.
...