Arnold walked back to the house. 'Dynamite', he knew that was a code from the powerhouse. It irked him the powerhouse always communicated in coded language which takes a great deal of time to decipher. Most people can only decipher the codes, when they're taking their last breath. But not him. That's why Arnold called him smart? He never did deciphering works. Arnold let out a chuckle. He never did it alone. He always had help. His most trusted team mates, Raymond, Samuel and Caleb, they were the real smart ones. All he needed was patience and time, and that code would be deciphered.
*****
Raymond and his team divided themselves into two groups, with five men in each group since the house had two entrances. Raymond led one group and Samuel led the other. Raymond and his team used the main entrance and Samuel and his team used the emergency exist. They entered the house as quietly and sneakily as they could. Raymond being familiar with the house, headed to the living room which was dark. He spotted the only two rooms which had lights on and guessed they were Vanessa's and Aida's rooms. Right on time, Samuel's team made it into the house. Raymond signalled Samuel's team to check the room which was closer to them and headed towards the other room which had light on. As Raymond approached, he heard a voice. He knew very well, that was Vanessa talking.
"You're not going to try anything stupid, are you?" Vanessa asked.
The other party did not reply, which made Raymond halt the men. He walked towards the closed door and kicked it open, pointing his gun directly inside the room, ever ready to fire.
"Hi. Why should it be you Raymond?" a familiar voice owned by a very familiar face asked him wearing a broad harmless smile. However, Raymond knew better not to let down his guard.
"I was just getting ready to have some fun. Would you do me the favor of having me break some bones?" Raven asked.
"Raven" Raymond called.
"It's been a while, pal" Raven greeted.
Raymond saw Aida, who stood behind Vanessa, both unscratched. He didn't miss the club in Vanessa's hands and how she still seemed alert, ready to club Raven if he dared to move closer to them.
Raven tried to walk towards Raymond, and Raymond instinctively pointed the gun at him. Raven stood still and raised his hands.
"Hey, hey! Easy man! i surrender" Raven said and chuckled.
"Why are you here?" Raymond asked Raven without taking his eyes off him even for a second.
"To say hello to a friend" Raven replied pointing at Vanessa.
"Cut the crap!" Vanessa yelled.
"She seems very active. More like a hit woman. There's nothing I can possibly do to her right now" Raven joked as he stared at the club.
"Anyway, Raymond, why don't we skip the formalities?"
"I don't remember being formal here" Raymond replied
" Yes, your bad. Just lower your weapon. We both know one thing for sure, that alone can't kill me. I'm actually not in the mood for any concert. Vanessa here, knows clubbing me isn't enough to stop me if i had any murderous intentions. Gravity listens to me, you know" Raven said and snapped his fingers only to have their weapons suspend in the air. All the men were shocked, when their weapons suddenly flew out of their hands and moved highly above them, practically out of their reach. Raven snapped again and each weapon was pointed to it's owner.
"You see, Raymond. I hold that much power. Yes, you're all alive. That should tell you, i am here only because I miss everyone"
"Raven, what are you intentions?" Raymond asked unfazed.
"Nothing much. Just a visit. I have to go" Raven said and walked towards Aida who hid behind Vanessa. Vanessa bared her teeth ready to bite him since her club was hanging above her.
"Easy Vanessa. Hey, what did you say your name was again?" Raven asked staring at Aida
"Aida" Aida replied almost in a whisper.
"Aida, nice to meet you" Raven said and extended his hands to shake hers.
Before Aida knew, she was shaking hands with him. Something jolted her as she shook his hands and they let go at once.
She saw something, she was very sure she wasn't supposed to see. Raven looked shocked as he was also taken by surprise.
"I have to go" Raven announced and walked towards the door. He turned to look at Aida once again and the lights suddenly went off and in a blink of an eye it came back on. There was no sign of Raven. All the weapons dropped and Aida began to shake.
"What's wrong?"