As Mark and Chris neared the Chicago Outfit building, tension began to weigh heavily on them. The shadows of the towering structure loomed ahead, signaling the danger waiting inside.
Mindy, standing on the side of the building, spotted them from a distance. "Over here," she called out in Mark's mind through her telepathy.
Mark glanced in the direction her voice had indicated. "She's over there," he said, pointing ahead. Chris nodded, murmuring to himself, "So this is your telepathic friend?"
As they approached, Chris caught sight of Mindy. She stood with a calm demeanor, her eyes sharp with focus. "You wouldn't see me if I used the invisibility flashlight," Mindy said with a hint of amusement, catching the question Mark had asked mentally.
Mark smirked, replying a soft voice, "Fair enough."
Mindy chuckled softly, her tension easing slightly now that they were regrouping. Her eyes then moved to Chris, examining him for a moment. "You…" she started, eyeing him curiously.
Chris, sensing her unease, quickly interjected, "Oh, pardon me. I'm Chris Hilton."
Mindy raised an eyebrow in recognition. "You mean that Hilton family?"
Chris nodded, letting out a sigh. "Yep, that Hilton family. But please, treat me like a regular person. I'm just an 18-year-old, no special treatment. I don't want people to feel pressured around me."
Mindy gave him a slight smile, nodding in understanding. "Alright, Chris. I'll treat you like everyone else then." Her eyes flickered with a hint of respect, but also determination. She knew they didn't have much time.
Mark then cut in, "What's the situation? You said Vivian and Gustav are inside?"
Mindy's face hardened. "Yes. They went in to find some.. You know the journal about the experiments Alphonse is doing on people. They're already deep inside, and we've got to move fast. This place is crawling with guards and alarms."
Chris glanced up at the imposing building, the weight of what lay ahead becoming clearer. "Sounds like we're walking straight into the lion's den."
Mindy, slightly hesitating, asked, "I should wait here for Loe, right?"
Mark nodded. "Yeah, you should. Loe's fighting someone. We'll handle the rest for now."
The three of them stood just outside the Chicago Outfit building, its dark and intimidating exterior towering over them. The shadows from the building stretched across the quiet street. Although the distant sounds of the city's nightlife buzzed in the background, the tension among them made everything feel still. Mindy's eyes darted around as if expecting danger to strike at any moment.
Mindy reached into her pocket, pulling out a small, unassuming flashlight. "Here," she said, handing it to Mark. "This is the invisibility flashlight. It'll make you invisible for two hours if you get hit by the beam. You've used it before."
Mark took the flashlight carefully from her hand, his fingers tightening around it as he felt the familiar weight. "Thanks." He then glanced over at Chris, who was standing next to him, his eyes full of curiosity.
"What is this?" Chris asked, his voice a little louder than it should have been.
Mark quickly hushed him, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. "Shh," he whispered. "They might hear us."
The street was eerily quiet, The alleyway they stood in was dimly lit, with a flickering streetlamp casting strange shadows across their faces. The scent of the city—oil, concrete, and a hint of smoke—filled the air around them.
"This is a flashlight that will turn you invisible once I beam you," Mark explained, his voice low and careful. "Only lasts for two hours, though, so we've gotta use it wisely."
Chris's eyes widened, excitement creeping into his expression. "This is pretty dope. Like those spy movies I saw on TV..." A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, his excitement momentarily overshadowing the tension.
Mark and Mindy shared a quick chuckle, but their eyes stayed sharp, scanning the surroundings.
Chris suddenly stopped, realization dawning on him. "Wait… is this—?" His words hung in the air, the recognition clear in his eyes.
Mark gave a slow, knowing nod. "Yep, you guessed it. It's one of Michael Wilson's gadgets."
Chris let out a sigh, shaking his head in disbelief. "Seriously, how many magical items does that guy have? It's like he has everything."
Mark smirked, holding up the flashlight. "I know, right? Feels like every time we're in a pinch, Michael's got some trick up his sleeve."
Chris chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "I'm starting to think Michael's not just Spiderman… he's got a bit of magician in him too."
Mark grinned. "Ahahaha, okay, okay, enough of that. Let's use this." Without warning, he aimed the flashlight at Chris, beaming him instantly.
"Hey, I was just gonna say something!" Chris protested, his voice carrying an invisible irritation.
Mark chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I can't see you, man. You're invisible now, so just let me use this so I can keep track of you." He then turned to Mindy. "Alright, beam me."
Mindy, quick on the draw, took the now-invisible flashlight and aimed it at Mark, making him disappear too.
"You're fast! I was about to say something!" Mark's disembodied voice echoed, now hidden from sight.
Mindy grinned slightly, though she couldn't see him. "Well, you should've made a gesture or something." She glanced around but saw nothing—Mark and Chris had fully vanished.
A chuckle escaped Mark. "Are you sure you don't want to use the flashlight to go invisible too?"
Mindy turned toward where his voice had come from, though there was no one in sight. She pocketed the flashlight, the cool night air brushing against her skin. "Loe still has to find me, so big no."
Mark's invisible form shifted slightly, his voice tinged with amusement. "Yeah, right. After all, Loe will be here soon."
Mindy nodded, staring into the distance. The Chicago Outfit building loomed before them, its stone walls dark and menacing under the dim streetlights. She bit her lip, her mind swirling with thoughts of Loe. She was worried, and Mark, sensing it, decided to speak up.
"Ahem... don't worry. He'll be here. You know how he is." Mark's voice came out a little softer this time, his words meant to reassure.
Mindy sighed, still staring into the shadows. "You're right…" Her voice trailed off as the night around them seemed to grow more still. She was contemplating, her heart heavy with thoughts of Loe—feelings she hadn't expressed. There was no doubt in Mark's mind that she had a crush on Loe, even if she hadn't said it out loud.
A brief pause hung in the air. Mindy turned her focus back to the situation at hand. "I shouldn't talk too much. The guards or employees of the Chicago Outfit might notice me." Her eyes scanned the area, sharp and focused. The building was close now, only a few feet away. They could see the faint outline of security cameras and patrolling guards in the distance.
Mark chuckled once more, the sound barely audible through the tension. "Yeah, good point"
Chris, noticing the way Mindy's expression softened when she mentioned Loe, thought to himself, "This girl must have a crush on Loe." He cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Ahem."
Mindy, pulling herself back to focus, nodded slightly. "Alright, this is it."
Mark nodded, glancing at Chris and then toward the imposing Chicago Outfit building ahead. "Yeah, this is it." He looked back at Chris. "We should head inside and find Vivian and Gustav."
Mindy nodded, and offered a small, sincere smile. "Be careful, you two."
The wind rustled slightly, adding to the eerie quiet as Mark and Chris disappeared into the shadows, their invisible forms slipping silently toward the building. Mindy stayed behind, her heart racing even though her face remained calm. She knew her role was important—to wait for Loe, no matter how much she worried about the others inside.
...............
As Logan and Bill fought their way through the horde of Alphonse men who had invaded the town, This motherfucker wasn't just about finding the vigilante; it was a twisted quest fueled by rape, murder, and destruction. These monsters lurking in the shadows sought to terrorize innocent lives, leaving a trail of pain and suffering in their wake. Logan and Bill found themselves faced with a horrific scene: a half-naked man on top of a terrified 16-year-old girl, her legs wide open as she tried to fend off her attacker.
Surrounding them were several other men, their lust-filled eyes fixed on other young girls who were desperately trying to escape their clutches. In that moment, both Logan and Bill knew they had stumbled upon the chilling reality beneath the surface of Alphonse's evil empire.
The monstrosity unfolding before them was beyond comprehension—a gruesome spectacle of pure malevolence.
Logan's fists clenched, rage bubbling up inside him. "Monsters!" he shouted, his voice slicing through the night air as he lunged forward, skewering one of the men with his claws. The sound of metal piercing flesh echoed, followed by a startled gasp from the remaining thugs.
Bill, standing close behind Logan, raised his gun and fired at another man, the shot ringing out like thunder. "Get away from them!" he shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.
The remaining men turned in shock, their fun abruptly shattered by the sudden violence. Logan's eyes burned with fury as he faced them, claws glistening in the dim light. Bill stood beside him, gun ready, both of them determined to protect the innocent and bring down these monsters.
As the first thug collapsed to the ground, the other men scrambled for their weapons, panic spreading among them. "What the hell? Who are you?" one of them shouted, fear replacing their earlier bravado.
"Your worst nightmare," Logan growled, his expression fierce and unyielding as he prepared for the fight that was about to erupt.
.........
Meanwhile, Vivian and Gustav found themselves deep in the bowels of the Chicago Outfit building, the air thick with tension and uncertainty. The dim lighting cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an oppressive atmosphere that matched the weight of their mission. They were searching for the elusive basement where the horrific experiments took place, a location that had become a closely guarded secret since Alphonse had altered the layout.
Vivian's heart raced as she recalled the details from Alphonse's journal. "I know it's here," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "The journal mentioned a hidden switch, but where could it be?" She scanned the room, her eyes darting across the walls and floor, searching for any sign that would lead them to the basement.
Gustav, still in his ant-sized form, hovered beside her. He noticed her unease and offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry; it's gotta be here somewhere," he said, his voice confident. His presence was a comfort to Vivian, grounding her as they faced the unknown.
Vivian nodded, grateful for Gustav's unwavering support. She felt a surge of determination wash over her, bolstered by the thought of freeing those trapped in the basement.
Suddenly, Gustav pulled away from her chest, reverting to his normal size to better search for the switch. He landed gracefully on the floor, his eyes scanning every nook and cranny as he began to shrink again, making his way under furniture and into tight spaces.
"Where did he hide those? I knew it's here; that's what the journal says," Vivian continued to murmur, frustration creeping into her voice as she felt the pressure of time bearing down on them.
Just as they were about to lose hope, a familiar voice echoed in their minds. "Mark is now inside. He will be with you two soon." It was Mindy's telepathic message, cutting through the tension like a lifeline. Vivian and Gustav exchanged relieved glances, knowing that help was on the way.
"Thank you, Mindy," Vivian thought back, but they both understood that they couldn't afford to wait. The urgency of their mission propelled them forward. They needed to find the switch now, before Alphonse discovered their presence.
Vivian resumed her search, her heart pounding with anticipation. She felt a mixture of hope and urgency as they scoured the room, determined to uncover the hidden entrance that would lead them to the basement and the truth behind the horrors Alphonse had orchestrated.
To be continue