I clenched my fingers around the knives and pointed them towards the trespassers.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGuR1B931u
Adrien stared me down. "You don't want to mess with me, Atlas. I've obliterated men that are three times your size and twice as strong. I could kill you in an instant if I wanted to, so I suggest you stand down."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhBLUgLXeM
My resolve faltered, I disconnected my cerebral link with Chase, and I lowered the knives. I knew I couldn't survive a fight with Adrien Kumar.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuZLMW2t3x
Chase shot me a look that said. Are you crazy?
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqDdP2p1N3
Gabriel folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "Tuck those knives away, Curseword. You don't want to get on my bad side."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7DKgp1g5K
"I'm pretty sure he already got on your bad side when he pickpocketed the map from you," Chase said.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW8G6sP78e
Gabriel waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, the map. I don't care about the map. You can keep it. That thing is way more trouble than it's worth."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpujVFdiKRF
"Yeah right!" I snapped. "You sent someone after us!"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnGdWUkZG3
"I have no clue what you're talking about, and I really don't care. I'm here to discuss something else," Gabriel said.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEGbq94AD2
What other reason could he have for being here? I'll admit it, he'd piqued my interest. I wanted to know why he was here. I clenched my teeth and shot him a dirty look, as I sheathed my knives.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8elREEtb6j
Gabriel shot me a satisfied smirk. "Attaboy. Let's talk things out, like gentlemen. By the way, I like your suit."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjBXjUq0OU
Now I'm tempted to burn the suit out of spite. "If you're not here for the map, then why are you here?"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9peNxWTCX
Adrien pounded his fists on the nightstand. "I want to know what happened to my favorite fighter!"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T3WuKW6Fe
"How should I know?" Chase asked.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9GYz9nqyt
"Ever since your little pathetic little skirmish at the Cybrawl, Vindicator has been MIA, and I'd like to know what the hell happened to him!" Adrien spat.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1dsER0XNp
"Oh, Vindicator is your favorite? You should pick someone better. We kicked his ass twice in less than twenty-four hours." Chase said.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAreLp7cV2h
"Hey, he's new at this!" Adrien defended. "With time, he'll grow up to be an absolute terror in the arena like me." Adrien shot me an icy stare, and said, "Gabriel has his favorite fighters and I have mine."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyaOCCmMS5
"Well, I've got some bad news about your golden boy, we kinda sorta threw him into the sea," Chase said sheepishly.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAQfDDrlMl
Gabriel quirked an eyebrow. "You two tossed him into the ocean?"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjsccXsJsj
Chase nodded. "We chucked his ass into the sea, just like Rose threw the necklace at the end of Titanic. I'm pretty sure he's gone for good now. What a shame."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfCZSppPpD
Gabriel shot me a piercing stare. "You're being awfully quiet."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVGQ9eYkU1
"I haven't made a sound in five years." I signed.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU2GAToKjD
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Do you want to tell me what really happened?"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGARqX67y9
I shrugged. "It's exactly like Chase said. He's probably lying dead on the ocean floor."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F68sC9iib
Gabriel shot me a disbelieving look. Then why does our tracker say he's in this house."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FgXuNfSq5
I froze. He's in this mansion right now? He can't be! The last thing we need is another obstacle in our heist.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY8jmZTtTy
"You track your fighters?" Chase asked.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPTFThVtRJ
"Of course I do. It's important to keep tabs on my investments," Gabriel said. "Ever since footage of your Cybrawl went viral, he disappeared without a word. I doubt that's a coincidence."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyua2W9ZKS
"Are you implying we kidnapped him?" I asked.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyOXnaCPXX
Gabriel picked at his nails. "I'm not implying anything, I just want to get to the bottom of this."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI7BgQ3ghw
"Wait! Our Cybrawl went viral?" Chase interrupted.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BWrdsxtMD
Gabriel nodded. "All the fans are talking about it."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEu6M1z43j
"What are they saying?" Chase twirled his thumbs anxiously."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJqzYIQShQ
"They hate it," Adrien remarked.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYbjeGp2Nt
"It's one of the lowest-rated fights of the decade," Gabriel said.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzygHidDatP
"Some fans are calling it the worst Cybrawl of all time," Adrien added. "Quite frankly, there wasn't nearly enough carnage to satisfy the audience."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SoZffOmak
Chase scoffed. "Sorry, I wasn't brutalized enough for you."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkAiQbq5QD
Adrien scowled. "Apology not accepted."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUVLdJLiz3
"Let's get back to the topic at hand. Vindicator. I know you sent him after us! He told us so himself."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIlHplulr8
"That's ridiculous. Do you think we'd ever waste one of our most promising fighters on someone as insignificant as you?" Adrien sneered.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCE1aTaJaM
I glanced from Gabriel to Adrien, searching for any telltale signs of dishonesty, but I couldn't detect any. "Vindicator said you sent him after us."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pIzPN7KwX
"That'snot entirely true," Chase interjected. "What he actually said was," He lowered his voice into a poor impression of Vindicator. "You stole it from my employer, Gabriel St. Martin, and I've come to take it back." Chase quoted. "Technically, he never said Gabriel sent him. It was just implied."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADjH7gWyep
I whirled around to glower at Chase. "What side are you on?"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QLSboyg2E
Chase raised his hands in surrender. "I'm just relaying what happened so we can get to the bottom of this.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTDk2h8Leg
Gabriel shook his head. "You should know better than to jump to conclusions, Curseword."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCB9EugKud
I clenched my teeth and waved my arms furiously as I signed. "Do you expect me to believe that you'd let me go after I stole from you? I've seen firsthand how you treat your enemies."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyDFpIjS07
Gabriel's expression softened. "Deep down, I've always had a soft spot for you, Atlas. I can never stay mad at you, no matter how badly, I might want to. You're not my enemy, you're my Godson."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz409bsf7QY
I refused to make eye contact. "Give me one good reason why I should trust you."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vBAx1NBA6
Gabriel slid his hands into his pockets. "I don't have one. I suppose you'll have to take my word for it. "
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedHENKhl6N
I rolled my eyes. "We both know your word isn't worth a damn thing."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPBkImDOpm
Adrien laughed. "He's right, Gabriel. No one in their right mind would trust you as far as they could throw you."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vACDdWTYX
We're supposed to be partners, Adrien. You're supposed to back me up!" Gabriel hissed.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2uM4AZLEn
Adrien picked at his nails with an unamused expression on his face. "I'm my own partner. You should know that by now."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb9ObRpQza
Gabriel muttered something foul-sounding under his breath.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNIxPQsDrL
"Why would Vindicator come after us if you didn't send him?" Chase asked.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4IdJ6gJBJ
"I don't know. That's a question you'll have to ask him yourself, but I'd guess it's because that map is worth a lot of money. He probably wanted to sell it," Gabriel said.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4TDgde42M
I stroked my chin, then shook my head. "No, that seems out of character for him. He doesn't come across as the type to be driven by money. His motives feel much more personal."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC8fI0tVt0
Gabriel gave a half shrug. "You could be right. I don't know what the fighters are like outside the arena. It's better that way. It's best not to get too attached to any one fighter. Most of them don't last long."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTqDBVkpMy
Adrien pushed his glasses up his nose and shot me a discerning stare. "You act as if you know him."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHTrUJVsyf
"Yeah, we've had a few run-ins with him." I crossed my arms across my chest.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFklmkVZZe
Adrien didn't waver. "No, you know him, don't you?"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUun44QS5ob
Chase shot me I puzzled look.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6DkmFzVGt
I shook my head furiously. "I don't know him, I swear! About a month ago, he attacked me in an alleyway, that was the first time we met! I don't know why he hates me!"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK8tYbkfIp
"Woah, it's okay. We believe you, man. There's no need to get so worked up." Chase shot me a questioning look. "Unless there's something you're not telling me."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCx0EZCHuK
My mind flashed back to the time and place where I was torn apart. The awful memory played in my head on repeat. I couldn't get his last words to me out of my head. "I'm sorry it had to be this way. I know you didn't ask for the Annihilation Code. I must protect our fellow cyborg brothers and sisters, and this is the only way. I'm sorry." My entire body trembled, and I gasped for air. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No! No! No! No! No!No! No! No! No! It can't be him! It can't be! But deep down, I knew it was. I'd suspected it for a while, but I hid my suspicions from Chase because I was in denial. I didn't want it to be true. I couldn't cope knowing the man who ripped me apart was back to finish the job. I'm not strong enough to face my past. "I said I don't know him!"I snapped.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92lx6VC8Zo
Chase recoiled. "Okay, I believe you."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve93umsYyY
I wanted to lay down and cry, and possibly throw up. This was all too much. I couldn't handle it. I shot Gabriel and Adrien the most menacing look I could muster. I pointed to the door, then signed, "Get out."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESdu2LrWOK
Adrien looked affronted. "Excuse me? Our conversation is far from over. We still don't know why Vindicator skipped town, and—"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMdt9bI1NA
Gabriel interrupted him. "You heard the kid, he wants us to go."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE2yJDmu57
"You're seriously going to leave without answers?" Adrien gave him a surprised look.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnECPgc9Mo
Gabriel nodded. "I am, and you should too." He shot Atlas a pitying look. "Look at the poor thing; he's on the verge of a panic attack."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyotWcfNVq
Adrien laughed.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjSnbOtPCk
Chase clenched his fists. "What's so funny, asshole."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHlDILOBmE
"Nothing, I just didn't know Gabriel became such a sissy in his old age."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1HMwS6Vug
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Oh please, I could beat your ass if I wanted to."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr0Bibkz3u
"Then let's do it right here, right now! Fight me!" Adrien demanded.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpXkrHfiQz
Gabriel shook his head. "No way. Do you remember how we got permanently banned from the Wan's residence?"
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BiG23kXLz
"You won't fight me because you know you'll lose." Adrien quipped.
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1FMM3u6y5
"Whatever you say, pal. Now let's give the kid some space. He's clearly done with this conversation." Gabriel waved at me. "I'll see you around, Curseword."
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQNcbVduE3
As the door slammed shut behind them, I let out a silent scream.
ns216.73.216.251da2
