MARCO
I quietly sat behind my desk. I ran a tired hand over my face before staring at the clock in my office.
How can someone lacking so many resources just disappear? Just like that. She's vanished into thin air. My men have been searching for her all week, and none of them could find her.
Not even a trace of her.
Which leads me to believe that someone helped her.
Her father is suspect number one, of course.
I do not trust Michael when it comes to his daughter. He would do whatever it took to ensure her safety, even if that meant killing me. I see him as a threat.
But, as my father used to say, keep your friends close but your enemies closer. And Michael is no friend of mine.
So the next time he leaves, I will have him followed. I'm sure he will lead me right to Hailey-Jade's doorstep.
She is so precious to me, so innocent yet stubborn all at the same time. I've never seen anyone as beautiful as her.
I have to find her again.
I believe our paths crossed for a reason. I sometimes regret what I did to her. She'll find it hard to forgive me. But I had no other choice. I had to be sure-
The sound of my walkie going static snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Call the doctor," I told Tiny as he stood guard in front of the door.
"Yes, sir." His voice thundered through the room. I grabbed his walkie from his back pocket before leaving my office. A smirk crept onto my face.
Because it was finally time to set my plan in motion, I had a surprise for her.
Until we meet again, Feisty.
A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Enter," I uttered, and the door softly creaked open, revealing Tiny and Michael. They both stepped inside my office. One calm, the other nervous.
Interesting.
"You called me Boss." Michael blankly stated.
"Where did you disappear to yesterday, Michael?" I asked him, and he seemed caught off guard for just a split second.
"I went looking for more medical supplies."
"One of the scouts could've gone out to the pharmacy," Tiny told Michael. "Authorized personnel should stay in this building at all times." He added.
"It was a very specific piece of equipment. You wouldn't have found it even if I drew you a picture." Michael pointedly stated.
"Was there a specific reason why you called me here, or was that it?" He asked me.
"I wanted us to discuss our plans for the future. Please, have a seat," I told him, and he nodded before sitting down across from me.
"I'm listening." He said while curiously looking at me.
"How far are we on finding a cure for the NecroVirus?" I asked him.
"I'm still busy running tests on patient zero. This will take a while. Reversing a virus as lethal as the NecroVirus is almost impossible, but I will try my best." He uttered before clenching his jaw.
"I promised your father that I would look out for you." He added while looking into my eyes.
"I'm sure you did, Michael," I said before leaning back in my chair to carefully examine him.
"Tiny, do you think Michael is being truthful?" I asked. Tiny quietly sized Michael up and down.
"No, Boss. He reeks of guilt." Tiny uttered, and I nodded once.
"Call Argon and Max. Tell them to hang this traitor in front of the city gates." I told Tiny, and he nodded at me before speaking into his walkie.
Argon and Max entered the room shortly after before grabbing Michael by his arms.
"Marco, don't do this." He pleaded with me. "She won't forgive you for this."
"Get him out of my sight." I blankly uttered, and Argon and Max dragged Michael out of my office. Tiny closed the door behind them before setting his gaze on me.
"I want this to be broadcast on every radio station," I told Tiny, and he nodded in understanding.
"Anything else, Boss?"
"Yes, tighten the security. And keep a close eye on Michael. I don't want any loose ends." I pointedly stated.
"Yes, Boss. We're searching all the farms on the outskirts of the city tonight. You can join us if you'd like." Tiny told me before clasping his hands behind his back.
"No. I have to prepare for my father's return." I blankly uttered.
My father: how do I even begin to describe my father...
"Understood, Boss. I will keep you updated on any new developments." Tiny told me in a promising tone.
"Good. And if you do manage to find Hailey-Jade. Make sure that she remains unharmed. I need you to look after her, Tiny." I told him, and he nodded at me.
"I will, Boss." He uttered with a sense of pride in his voice.
"And kill anyone who stands in your way. You have my permission." I nodded at him.
"Yes, sir." He uttered before leaving my office. He shut the door behind him, and I sighed before leaning back against my chair.
My father and his men are said to arrive here tomorrow morning. He's bringing 10000 soldiers with him at most.
He wants to conquer the whole of New York. He wants people to bow to him. He wants to rule whatever is left of this world.
General of the Army.
I'm sure he'll succeed in his goals. He always does.
My father used to be my superior. He always made sure to remind me of that.
He takes pride in who he is. In the man I used to be.
But that's not who I am anymore.
In this new world, I won't answer to anyone. I will take what's mine, and if anyone dares to get in my way, I will kill them.