In a dimly lit conference room, tension hung thick in the air as the leaders of the T-04 virus organization convened. The scent of cigar smoke clung to the atmosphere, while the walls were adorned with ominous artwork depicting chaos and destruction—a reflection of their twisted ideology.
At the head of the table, a shadowy figure known only as "The Director" leaned forward, his steely gaze fixed on the gathered members. "Jarad has served his purpose," he stated, his voice low and calculated. "He has outlived his utility. We can't afford to let him become a liability."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. Among them was Toni, a striking Black American woman with an assertive presence and a sharp accent that commanded attention. Her reputation for efficiency was unmatched, and her piercing eyes sparkled with determination. "Listen up, y'all," she said, her voice smooth but laced with intensity. "We need to take Jarad out before he thinks he can turn the tables on us. And we can't forget about Leon and Frieda; they're just as dangerous."
As she spoke, a holographic projection flickered to life in the center of the table, revealing the face of the doctor—his wiry frame and sharp features enhanced by advanced technology. The projection pulsed with a faint blue light, giving him an ethereal quality. "Doctor, gather a squad of our best assassins," The Director commanded, his tone firm. "We need this done swiftly and quietly. No loose ends."
The doctor nodded, his smile unsettling even through the hologram. "Consider it done. I'll assemble a team equipped with the latest tech—drones for surveillance, silent firearms, and tracking devices that will ensure every move is monitored. We'll make sure Jarad, Leon, and Frieda are taken out before dawn."
As the meeting adjourned, Toni's expression remained focused, her mind already strategizing the hunt ahead. The holographic image of the doctor flickered out, but the weight of the mission lingered in the air. Outside, the night loomed dark and silent, unaware of the deadly game about to unfold. The higher-ups felt a sense of satisfaction; their control was absolute, and their will would soon be enacted. The hunt was on, and the stakes had never been higher.
The room was silent, save for the voices coming from the projector and the soft munching of snacks. Occasionally, a comment about the movie broke the quiet.
"Another body? Man, they work fast," Leon said, tossing a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
"No kidding. But I already know who the killer is," Frieda replied, nodding toward the screen.
"Same! It's literally right there in our faces. It's totally Brandon—"
"Cristian."
Frieda and Leon spoke simultaneously, snapping their heads toward each other with frowns.
"What are you even talking about? It's obviously Cristian," Frieda argued, crossing her arms.
Leon scoffed. "Cristian? Too obvious. The guy's got tattoos and piercings—he screams 'red herring.'"
Frieda shot him a look. "Um, hello? That's exactly what they want you to think!"
"The producers are smarter than that. It's Brandon!"
"Brandon? The guy who can't even look teenagers in the eye? Be serious!"
"If you noticed, all the victims are teenagers."
"Wrong. They're preteens."
"That's the same thing!"
"No, it's not."
"Yes, it is!"
Jarad sighed inwardly, fighting the urge to rub his temples. Unfortunately, sitting between them meant no escape. Their argument had been going strong since the movie began, and by now, dunking his head in water sounded like a good idea.
The bickering only stopped when the killer was revealed. Jarad felt a quiet sense of satisfaction when the murderer turned out to be the person he had suspected all along.
Despite the interruptions, the movie had been good—suspenseful, with characters who weren't entirely clueless about their predicament.
It was tradition for Frieda and Jarad to have a sleepover after movie night—although Leon's recent inclusion had changed the dynamic. Still, tonight was no different. Their comfortable beds had been swapped for sleeping bags arranged in a circle on the floor.
Jarad fell asleep to the sound of Leon's laughter and Frieda's excited chatter, feeling a rare sense of contentment.
Rare?
Not anymore. Not since he reunited with his sister.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he drifted into a dream of Evie, the little girl he remembered so well, running through the streets with him, playing tag like they used to.
---
Later that night, the orphanage was steeped in silence. Most of its residents were fast asleep, their breathing steady in the stillness.
Under the cover of darkness, shadowy figures moved through the halls, their footsteps soundless. They blended seamlessly with the gloom, moving with an unnerving stealth that made them seem like part of the night itself.
The stillness of the orphanage was shattered as Jarad, Frieda, and Leon shot awake, their instincts screaming that danger had arrived. Each was a trained assassin, molded in the shadows and forged in combat. They had spent years honing their skills, and now that training kicked in as adrenaline coursed through their veins.
"Did you hear that?" Jarad whispered, his voice low and tense.
"Yeah," Frieda replied, her breath steadying as she prepared for action. "We're being hunted."
Leon nodded, his eyes narrowing. "We need to move. We know them; they know us. We can't let them catch us off guard."
As they slipped out of their sleeping bags, faint sounds of footsteps echoed through the dimly lit hall. Jarad's heart raced, but he felt a calm determination wash over him. They were not just targets; they were predators.
"On three," he said, his voice steady. "One… two… three!"
They burst from the room, ready to confront the threat lurking in the shadows. The hallway was dark, but their senses were heightened, each scanning for movement. As they reached the main corridor, they spotted someone—Toni, an old comrade who now led a group of assassins sent to kill them. How crazy could this night get?
"Toni, what are you doing?" Jarad called out, his voice mingling with surprise.
Toni, clad in a black overall, jerked back in slight shock. "I was sent to kill you and your crew, Jarad. Surrender, and don't make this hard for me," she said, her voice somber.
"Kill us?" Jarad mused.
"So it's finally that time, huh? We've outlived our purpose," Frieda clenched her fists, spite evident in her tone.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's beat these fools and get the hell out of Dodge!" Leon said, apprehension lacing his voice. "I've always wanted to see which one of us is the better fighter, Toni. This is truly a God-given chance to take you down."
"Heh, you wish, pretty boy. Come at me," Toni grinned.
The battle erupted in the dimly lit corridors of the orphanage, transforming the quiet, shadowy halls into a chaotic battlefield. Jarad, Frieda, and Leon moved with seamless fluidity, their years of training manifesting in every calculated step and strike. Each was acutely aware of their surroundings, leveraging the familiar layout of the old building to their advantage.
As the conflict intensified, the air became charged with tension. The dim lighting cast long shadows that danced across the walls, creating an eerie backdrop to the fierce combat. Jarad led the charge, his movements a blur of speed and precision. He ducked under a wild swing from one of the assassins, countering with a swift jab to the ribs that sent the attacker reeling.
Frieda moved beside him with an elegance that belied the lethality of her actions. Her footwork was impeccable as she sidestepped an incoming strike, using her opponent's momentum to unbalance them before delivering a precise kick to the knee. The assassin crumpled, and Frieda shifted her focus to the next threat with unwavering intensity.
Amidst the chaos, Leon found himself face-to-face with Toni, who had yet to make her pivotal decision to switch sides. The narrow hall seemed to shrink around them, amplifying the stakes of their confrontation.
Leon, with his lean and athletic build, stood poised and ready, his eyes locked onto Toni's. His mind raced, recalling the countless training sessions they had shared. They had sparred together many times, but this was no training exercise. This was different.
Toni, her expression a mix of determination and conflict, mirrored his stance. She knew Leon well, understood his speed and agility, and recognized the formidable challenge before her. Yet, her heart was torn between the orders she had been given and the bonds she had formed with her friends.
The fight began with a flurry of motion, both moving with a speed and precision honed by years of practice. Leon darted forward, his footwork light and fluid, launching a series of rapid strikes aimed at testing Toni's defenses. Each punch and kick was delivered with calculated precision, designed to probe her weaknesses.
Toni parried his strikes with practiced ease, her movements a testament to her own skill and training. She countered with a swift kick aimed at Leon's midsection, forcing him to pivot and evade. The blow missed by mere inches, the air whistling with the force of her strike.
The corridor became their arena, each maneuver echoing off the walls as they danced a deadly ballet. Leon used his agility to his advantage, weaving in and out of Toni's reach, his lean frame allowing him to exploit the limited space. He aimed a sharp elbow strike toward her ribs, but Toni anticipated the move, intercepting it with a block that reverberated through their locked arms.
"You don't have to do this, Toni!" Leon urged between breaths, his voice carrying the weight of their shared history.
Toni hesitated, her eyes betraying a flicker of doubt. "I have my orders, Leon," she replied, though the conviction in her voice wavered.
The vision of Leon's determined face stirred something deep within her—a bond that transcended her orders.
"Ugh, the doctor's gonna be so pissed," Toni shouted. "Let's go! I'm with you guys!" Her resolve seemed to shift as she said this in a serious tone.
"Hey, Jar!" Leon called out.
"What part of calling me Jar don't you understand, Leon? What is it?" Jarad yelled back amidst the ongoing battle.
"Toni's joining us! Isn't that great?"
"Wait, are you serious about this, Leon? How do you know we can trust her?" Frieda replied in Jarad's place.
"Believe me, guys, you can trust me! I promise," Toni said, trying to prove her innocence as she battled the assassins she had brought with her.
"Fine, whatever. Just know that if you try to screw us over, there are more ways to deal with you than death," Jarad said, his voice cold.
"Time's a-wasting, people. Let's get the hell out of Dodge!" Leon said, a smile breaking through the tension on his face.