Chapter 13 – What Have You Done?

It took Jason all afternoon to complete the tasks written down on the list Drake gave him and he was feeling exhausted. It wasn’t like doing labour was all new to him. Every resident at Hillside House had to pitch in and do their chores, it was to help them learn independence for when they inevitably had to move out and live on their own if they hadn’t been adopted.

But these tasks took longer than expected due to how huge their base and living quarters were and how many files needed to be sorted. And there was still more stuff for him to do. On the back of the list of tasks was a shopping list. His final task involved leaving the building and walking down to the supermarket to pick up the items listed using the money Scarlet gave him. Just enough to get the essentials and nothing else.

Jason had never gone shopping on his own before. He felt a little overwhelmed being in such a big, brightly lit building full of people walking around, picking up stuff from the shelves. He couldn’t even look the cashier in the eye when paying for the stuff at the checkout. As soon as he was outside his nerves calmed down and he began making his way back to his new home.

But then he stopped when he heard the familiar sounds of despair wallowing in the wind. He was currently walking through a park in the evening when he heard it. A shortcut back to the apartment. Further down the path coming up on his right he caught a glimpse of a bench, but it’s not the bench itself that drew his attention, it was the small crying child sitting on it all alone without any parents or guardians watching over him. Was he a runaway, he thought.

Any normal, careless person would’ve just ignored him and carried on walking, but Jason wasn’t like “normal people.” Seeing this boy alone wallowing in self pity reminded him of how he was when this kid’s age. He was in that same position the day he first met Alex, and like any good person, he approached him and went out of his way to cheer him up. Maybe he should do the same thing for this kid.

Jason lightly walks over to the bench and stands over the crying boy. His face was buried in his hands, so he didn’t see him coming at first, but Jason’s frame blocked out the sun from his peripheral vision.

Jason: Um… heya.

He quietly uttered, spooking the child a little, prompting him to slowly pull his hands away and look up at the stranger addressing him with tear-filled eyes. Now that he was able to get a good look at him, Jason could see his left eye was bruised, and it looked like his head had been shaved by someone, most likely the same person who gave him that black eye. Jason wasn’t prepared for this, but now he knows he has to help this kid just as Alex once helped him.

Jason: Mind if I sit with you?

The boy was too shy and nervous to answer. Jason was just a stranger to him, and like all children his age, they’re taught never to talk to strangers. The smart thing to do is ignore him and walk away. But the amount of pain he was going through prevented him from thinking clearly and he instead scooted over, freeing up space for Jason to sit down next to him. Jason put down the shopping bags in front of him as he sat down. He casually looks over at the boy on his right and spoke to him calmly.

Jason: Where did you get those bruises? Were you bullied by older kids?

The boy slowly turns to look up at him. He hesitantly shakes his head in response to his question.

Jason: You don’t have to tell me if you’re not comfortable talking about it. But I can tell by the look in your eyes that today wasn’t the only time… You’ve known nothing but pain for as long as you can remember, right? You’re scared to talk about it to anyone because you don’t trust people. They’re all the same to you.

From the way the kid was looking at him with surprise in his eyes, Jason could tell he hit the nail right on the head. This kid was a lot like him when he was his age.

Jason: Did your parents do this to you?

Now he was really shocked. This white-haired stranger figured out most of what was going on in only the first few minutes of their interaction. After a long pause to calm himself down and wipe away his tears with his shirt sleeve, the boy nodded and finally responded to him with words.

Nigel: My stepdad… H- he… hit… me.

Jason: Why’d he do that?

Nigel: He and Mum were fighting. It was very loud. I tried to drown it out with my video games, but they wouldn’t stop. Then I heard a loud crashing sound in the kitchen. I went to see what it was, and I saw Mum on the floor, there was blood leaking from her head. I-I tried to protect her, and he-he…

Jason: He hit you… That’s why you’re here now. You ran away from home because you were scared.

Jason gently rests his hand on the boy’s shoulder and attempts to comfort him, sharing his own experiences of abuse and living with horrible parents. Maybe the kid will find comfort in knowing he’s not alone in this. That there are others in the world who have had similar experiences.

Nigel: How do you know?

Jason: Like you, I’ve had abusive parents who took pleasure out of watching me suffer. My dad hated me the moment I was born and did everything he could to make my life hell. He locked me in a dog cage, used my arms to snuff out cigarettes, and my mum wasn’t any better. When Dad left, she took all of her pain out on me. Then when the monsters came, she left me to die. Long story short, I got lucky. Really lucky.

Nigel: Did you run away too?

Jason: Yes, but not for the reasons you think… I don’t even know if my parents are still alive. But I’d like to think that they are dead. It’s the only way I can put my mind at ease.

Jason and the boy sat in silence for a moment to gaze up at the orange sky bathed in the light of the setting sun, bringing them a semblance of peace and allowing them to forget their troubles and just unwind. It didn’t last too long as Jason soon gets a text from Drake asking him where he is and they’re heading back to base soon. Jason sighed and lowered his head. He didn’t want to leave this boy all alone nor did he think it would be wise to send him back to home to his abusive stepfather. There must be something he can do to help him.

Nigel: You know Drake?!

He suddenly spoke up in excitement, spotting the text and recognising Drake’s name.

Jason: Yeah, I work for him. That’s why I’m out here. He wanted me to get some stuff for him. How do you know him?

Nigel: Everyone in Stratford knows who the Crimson Nightshades are. Mum and I used to live in New London before the monsters came. We were homeless until they gave us a place to stay on Martha McLane Road.

Jason: Oh, so you’re one of those people then?

Nigel: If you know him, do you think you could introduce me?

Jason: Uhhh, I…

Jason wasn’t sure if bringing this boy to the Crimson Nightshade’s base was a particularly good idea. Bringing a total stranger in and showing him all their equipment will be a breach of trust and will get him kicked out and inevitably discovered by the police and arrested. He didn’t want to hurt this kid’s feelings, but he just can’t take the risk of ruining this new start to a better life.

Nigel: It’s okay, you don’t have to do it today if you’re busy. Maybe we can hang out here again and do it some other time instead.

Jason: Y-yeah, good idea… My name’s Jason by the way. Jason Dark. What’s yours?

Nigel: Nigel Spencer.

Jason and Nigel shake hands as they properly introduce themselves to each other.

Sooner or later, it was time for the two lost boys to start making their way back home. Since Nigel lived on the same street the Crimson Nightshades lived on, he felt he should at least walk him home. Initially Nigel didn’t want to go home to his abusive stepfather, but he knew deep down his mother will be worrying about where he went and he couldn’t leave her alone with him.

Jason and Nigel continued to chat and grow their newfound friendship as they strolled through the park. Turns out they had more in common than a troubled past. Nigel also shared Jason’s love for peanut butter chocolate, a deep fascination of monsters, and perhaps the best part of all, a shared hatred of Chaos Man. Something Jason wasn’t expecting at all from a boy his age. Usually, all children grow to love superheroes, wishing they could be just like them. But Nigel was different.

Jason: …So how come you don’t like Chaos Man?

Nigel: I just feel like he’s… overhyped as a hero. If he really could do anything anytime he wanted, then why doesn’t he just make all the world’s problems disappear?

Jason: I know right?! With his powers he could easily put an end to your problems at home… You’re much smarter than other kids I’ve seen. The ones who’ll always see him as a hero.

Nigel: Well, they don’t know real pain like we do… I’m so glad I met you today, Jason. It’s nice to know I have someone I can relate to.

Jason: I feel the same way. I just wish there was more I could do to help you.

Nigel: I appreciate the gesture, but there’s nothing you can do to make Kyle go away. He has my mum wrapped around his finger and I’m too scared to stand up to him.

Jason: Listen, Nigel, I know it’s none of my business, but why don’t you just go to the police about it?

Nigel: You really are new to Stratford, aren’t you? My monster of a stepdad is the police chief! There’s nothing anyone can do to stop him because everyone’s afraid of him… You don’t have to stand up for me. I don’t want him to target you too.

Jason was conflicted and scared to discover that Nigel’s stepdad is the chief of police in Stratford. He’s already in trouble with the law after the incident with his therapist. Even though he’s far from New London, he can’t rule out the possibility that the news of his involvement in the murder of Andrea might’ve reached Stratford’s police force. Knowing this, he has every right to hide away in the Crimson Nightshade’s building and maintain his cover, but he’d also be responsible for any more abuse Nigel goes through because he chose to stand back and do nothing.

If this continues it wouldn’t be long before Nigel goes down a similar path he’s taken. Maybe one day he might kill someone and be forced to go on the run, leaving everything he’d ever known behind. No, he can’t do that to him. This boy deserves to live a normal childhood and grow up to be a better person than he’ll ever be. As they were nearing the kid’s home, Jason stops and turns Nigel around to face him. He crouches down to his level and looks him in the eye.

Jason: Listen to me, Nigel. I don’t care what kind of man your stepdad is, or that he’s a cop. I’m going to do everything in my power to protect you and your mother from him. That’s a promise.

Nigel: Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Jason.

Jason: I’m serious! You don’t deserve to be treated like this. You are a good kid, and you have a better chance of a good life. It’s too late for me, but not for you… Somehow, someway, I’ll get rid of your stepdad, make it so he’ll never hurt you again… For now, go home and try to keep your distance from him. Don’t tell him we met and act like all is well, okay?

Nigel: Jason, what are you saying? What do you plan to do?

Jason: I don’t know yet. But like I said, I work for the Crimson Nightshades, who work for this organisation called the Miners Guild. They’ll have the resources to make him disappear. All you have to do is act like everything is normal in the meantime. Do you understand?

Nigel: I-I… Yes, I understand… You really promise you can make him leave us alone?

Jason: I swear on my life.

Nigel: Okay then… Thank you, Jason.

His spirits lifted, Nigel smiles up at his new friend before walking over to his house a couple blocks away. Jason waves him goodbye before heading off in the opposite direction to the Crimson Nightshade’s building with the shopping bags in hand.

Drake, Scarlet and Lukas are probably a little pissed that he took so long to get shopping. He was not looking forward to what they have to say to him. But he didn’t care about that. The moment he returns to his apartment he will look into this abusive police chief and figure out a plan to get rid of him for good.

Back in New London earlier in the afternoon, around the time the Crimson Nightshades were paying a visit to their boss, Alex and Violet were walking down a street on route to the Rising Sun pub.

They spent most of the day searching for Jason starting with the area he was last seen. As to be expected, they’ve had no luck. New London was huge and full of people. Finding one person was like finding a needle in a haystack on their own. It would’ve been so much easier if Alex looked for him as Chaos Man, but he promised Jackson he’d keep things on the down low.

As they were strolling down the street, nearing their destination, Alex and Violet concluded that maybe it’s possible Jason might no longer be in New London and are leaning more toward the possibility of him getting kidnapped.

Violet: Are you sure you’re not overthinking things a bit?

Alex: What other explanation can there be? I feel if he were still in New London he’d been arrested by now. Magna Tech’s robots… “encourage” all of the homeless people into shelters to keep the streets clear, and we’ve searched as many shelters as we can. Nobody has seen him at all. I’m worried, Violet. This whole mess is my fault.

Violet: Don’t you dare start blaming yourself! You couldn’t have known what would happen.

Alex: No, but I still didn’t make any effort to be there for him when he needed me. I was so caught up in my new life that I neglected the responsibilities of being me. What if something’s happened to him? W-What if he’s dead?!

Violet: Don’t say that. We don’t know for sure what’s happened to him. He could be fine.

Alex: Whatever the case, I won’t be able to rest easily until I know for sure he’s okay.

Violet: Once your friend, Michael, arrives, we’ll have a better chance at finding him. Still can’t believe that same friend I saw with you in the alley that day is now working for Aegis.

Alex: Yeah. We better hurry back to your pub, he should be there soon.

The couple pick up the pace and continue chatting along the way, holding hands, and behaving like a proper couple. They moved away from the topic of Jason’s wellbeing, deciding to save it for when they see Michael and began talking about casual stuff.

Violet: Hey, if Michael takes a long time, do you wanna come up to my room and play some games?

Alex: Oh, sure. I still can’t get over the fact that a girl like you are into games, anime and comics.

Violet: Oh contraire, sweet Alex. Women today are more invested in gaming across various platforms and make up 50% of the anime community. It shouldn’t be too much of a shock to you now.

Alex: Hahaha, I guess not. Still, I was surprised that you invited me up to your room to hang out and play games the last time I came over. I didn’t think you trusted me enough for that yet.

Violet: I was bored, and my parents were out. I just thought it be better to have you over to hang out with instead of being on my own. Why? What did you think was gonna happen?

Alex: Uhhhh, well. I um…

Alex’s cheeks blushed bright red as he stuttered, struggling to find the right words to explain himself without offending her or coming off as a creep. But Violet instantly figured out where he was going with this and called him out on it.

Violet: Hehehe, you’re such a pervert.

Alex: S-sorry, it’s just that… Well, it just looked that way at first, considering it was night, and your parents were gone. Anyone would assume that.

Violet: Hehehe, good point, I guess.

Alex: So, you’re not mad?

He asked her which she responded with a shake of her head.

Alex: Oh phew. I thought this was gonna turn into one of those cliché anime misunderstanding moments.

Violet: Nah, this is real life, Alex. I’m not like that at all. I never understood why they have moments like that other than to create tension for no reason. It kinda gets annoying and makes me dislike the character.

Alex: Oh, thank God…

Violet: What was that?

Alex: Nothing!

The young couple laugh as they continued on. When they eventually reached and entered the Rising Sun pub business was slow today since it was a Monday, a workday for most of the patrons who were at their jobs. There were plenty of booths available for them to sit down and get a drink as they waited for Michael. Upon entering, Sean greets them with a smile as he’s cleaning a pint glass with a cloth.

Sean: Ah, there’s my precious little lass and her man. Good to see you again, Lad.

Alex: You too, Sean.

Sean: Would the lovely couple like something to drink?

Violet: Just water will be fine, Dad. We’re waiting for someone.

Sean: Oh? And who’s that then?

Alex: My old friend, Michael. We grew up in the same orphanage together. Haven’t seen him in months.

Sean grabs two clean glasses out from the cupboard behind him, fills them with tap water, and slides them across the counter to where the couple were.

Sean: Here yay go, Violet. Free water for you and your lover.

Violet: Hahaha, thanks, Dad.

Alex and Violet grab their drinks and head over to the booth in the far-left corner of the pub to continue their conversation. However, one of the bar patrons noticed them and decided to interrupt their private time.

Badger: Well well well, look who it is.

Alex and Violet were shocked to see that the man barging in on them was the same criminal that assaulted Violet in the alley the day she and Alex first met. Alex immediately went to Violet’s side of the table and stood in front of him, coming to her defence.

Alex: Mohawk guy?! I thought you were arrested.

Badger: The names Badger, and I still have some business with your girlfriend, Kid. My balls still hurt from what you did to them!

Alex: That was months ago.

Badger: But since you’re here, I look forward to getting a little payback from you as well.

He grabs Alex by his shirt and pulls him in closer. Violet was ready to step in, but Alex tells her to stay put. Badger reaches into his jacket pocket and puts brass knuckles on his right fist. He then reels his free hand back, ready to land a brass-knuckled punch on his pretty face. But he froze when he heard the sound of a handguns hammer and the horrible feeling of a barrel pressing against the back of his skull.

Michael: Don’t even think about it, scumbag. Drop him and get your hands where I can see ‘em!

Badger panics and immediately complies with the demands of the unknown voice behind him. But Alex and Violet can see clear as day that the gun was held by the very person they were looking for, Michael Mercer, all decked out in his new badass outfit. Sean had let him in and allowed him to get involved when he showed him his Aegis badge.

Violet was the most physically shocked of the two since it hadn’t been that long ago when Alex last saw him as Chaos Man. But to her, he looked so much different from that protective friend she saw with Alex in the alley. Before he looked like like any ordinary kid, now he’s matured into a calm, cool, collected, and experienced soldier.

Alex: Michael? Is that really you?

He said casually, trying to act surprised to see him like this. Badger slowly glances back at Michael over his shoulder while keeping his hands up to get a good look at the person holding him at gunpoint.

Badger: H-hey! I know you! You’re that twerp who was hanging out with him that day. Wh-why the hell do you have a gun?!

Michael: Because I’m a soldier of Aegis, Bitch. My old friend and I have some catching up to do, so it would be a good idea to run along now.

Badger: H-hey! N-no problems, man! Just don’t shoot me alright?! I’m goin’!

Badger slowly turns around and pretends to comply with him and started walking away. But the moment Michael lowers his arm holding Duty, Badger lunges toward him and attempts to wrestle the gun out of his hand. Michael responds by karate chopping the joint in his elbow, stunning him long enough for him to perform a leg sweep, knocking Badger onto the floor. Sean and the other patrons all notice the commotion occurring in the back of the bar and were shocked to see Michael draw both his guns and point them at Badger whilst pinning him down with his boot on his chest. Some of them started pulling out their phones and started recording videos of his takedown.

Sean: Hey! No guns and no fighting in my pub! Take it outside!

Michael: Huh, not very Irish of him. I thought they liked pub fights.

Seeing the distressed expressions on their faces, Michael pulls out his Aegis badge and shows it off to everyone, proving to them that he’s not the bad guy and he’s only trying to keep the peace in this place.

Michael: Sorry for the trouble, sir. It’s okay, everyone, I’m with Aegis. Let me quickly take out the trash so you can all continue drinking in peace.

Michael takes his foot off of Badger and pulls him back onto his feet before roughly escorting him out of the pub.

Michael: Last time we met you tried to kill my friend and that girl. I’m not the same kid you met in the alley that day. This is supposed to be a peaceful place for people to get a drink and relax. Lowlives like you don’t belong here.

Everyone watched in awe as Michael forcefully pushes Badger out through the entrance and gets him down on his knees with his hands behind his head. Today just wasn’t his day. When he came here, he just wanted a drink in peace, then when he saw Alex and Violet, he thought his luck was in to get some revenge, only for Michael to instantly turn the table on him and humiliate him even worse than what Violet did months ago.

Two Magna Tech police robots were patrolling down the street when they spotted the young Mercer force the criminal onto his knees. At first, they were programmed to assume Michael was the threat with the way he was pointing his guns at him, but once he showed them his combat pass, they backed off and scanned Badger’s face. He was already in their criminal database after the attempted robbery of Violet. They didn’t need any convincing to arrest him and ensure he stays locked up this time. They cuff his wrists and escort him off the premises.

After watching the robots carry their prisoner away, Michael slides his new handguns back in their holsters and heads back inside to give the reunion another try.

Michael: Hey, Alex. Sorry about all that. This reunion didn’t exactly go how I wanted it.

Alex chuckles and stretched his arms out to the side as he approaches his friend, pulling him into a tight bro hug.

Alex: It’s so good to see you again, Michael. I was starting to worry you weren’t coming. Too busy serving Aegis to make time for your friends.

Michael: Yeah, about that. I’m technically not with Aegis anymore. I only said I was to scare that guy off.

After breaking off the hug Michael joins them at their booth and orders a drink of apple cider. He shakes hands with Violet, getting reacquainted with the girl he only met once briefly months ago when they went on their first trip to New London alone.

Alex: You remember Violet, right? The girl I got beat up trying to protect and would gladly do so again?

Michael: Haha, yeah, I remember. Nice to see you again, Violet… So, you two are a thing now, ey?

Alex: Not this again.

Alex murmured under his breath as he started blushing. But he and Michael were surprised to see Violet defend him by latching onto his arm and moving in closer.

Violet: Yes, we are. You got a problem with that?

Michael: No, not at all. I was just messing around with him. We always used to tease each other as kids, ain’t that right, Alex?

Alex: Yeah, it’s kinda our thing.

The two friends catch each other up on what they’ve been doing since they went their separate ways. Alex told him that he’d been adopted not long after he left and life has been getting better for him. And Michael tells him all about what living with his dad was like, and working for Aegis was good until the death of his captain. That day everything changed. His perspective on Aegis and how they handle things seemed drastic compared to Chaos Man. It was then he realised that he could do so much more on his own then be held back by Aegis’s rules and that’s how he came to be here with them now.

Deep in the middle of their conversation, Sean serves Michael his bottle of cider and a pint glass full of ice cubes. He thanks him for the drink and pours the cider into his glass. He continues to catch up with his friends until they were ready to talk about the main reason he was called here.

Michael: …So, what was it you wanted to tell me that you said was urgent?

Alex: It’s Jason. He’s gone missing.

Michael: What?! How long?!

Alex: About a day now, I think. Violet and I have been spending most of our time today searching the city for him.

Violet: We checked all the homeless shelters, parks, places Alex felt Jason would go when he’s stressed. Nothing. Nobody’s seen him.

Michael: Why didn’t you call the police?

Alex: The police are the reason he’s missing… A while back, Jason’s been going to therapy. After you left, I got adopted and moved out of Hillside House. Jason felt betrayed and Jackson and May Li thought it be best if he talked to someone. But then his therapist died, and police think Jason’s responsible.

Violet: That’s ridiculous. Her death was an accident, it said so on the news. Jason wouldn’t kill anyone.

Michael: Hmm, I wouldn’t put it past him.

Alex: What’s that supposed to mean?

Alex demanded, not liking his tone when he said that.

Michael: Jason’s been through years of abuse and trauma. People like that are known to become mentally unstable and will lash out at anyone who’s projecting negativity in his direction. I’m not saying Jason’s guilty, but we can’t rule out the possibility that there may be some truth to what the police think.

Alex: How could you say that?! Jason’s our friend.

Michael: To be honest, Alex, he’s always been more your friend than mine. Like, yeah, he is my friend, but I kept getting this vibe from him that he’s not fully into our friendship. He never trusted me enough to tell me things he’s told you, or felt comfortable enough to have any fun without you around. It’s like he’s always been afraid of me or something.

Alex: Well, you did beat up Zack, James and Liam the day you first met him. He was probably afraid of doing something that might piss you off one day. And I’ve never thrown a punch in my life until the day we met you, Violet.

Michael: Okay, I’ll give you that one… Still, whether he’s guilty or not, you’re right about one thing. We can’t let him continue to roam out into the world alone. I’ll help you find him. Where haven’t you checked yet?

Alex: We only searched the most likely places he’d go in New London. But I’m starting to think he may not even be in this city. Someone might’ve kidnapped him.

Michael: Let’s not jump to conclusions. We’ll just do another sweep, ask around if anyones seen him. If no leads come up, that’s when we think about expanding the search, okay?

Alex: Yeah, okay.

They soon finish their drinks before leaving the pub and continuing their search for Jason. Michael walks them around the back alley of the pub where he parked his motorcycle. Both Alex and Violet’s jaws dropped at the sight of it.

Alex: You own a motorbike?! Since when?!

Michael: Since today, heh. It was a present from my dad to make up for all my past birthdays he missed. How’d you think I got here his fast? Taking the bus? C’mon, hop on!

Alex: Uhh, dude, I don’t think there’s room for all three of us. Plus, you’ve only got one helmet.

Violet: That’s alright, you guys can go on ahead without me. I can keep looking around here and let you know if I find anything.

Alex: You sure?

Violet: Of course, you should spend some more time with your friend anyway. I’ll be fine.

Alex: …Thanks, Violet, both for this and helping me find Jason. You’re the best.

Violet blushes a little and giggles in response. She watched Alex climb onto the back of Michael’s bike and put on his helmet. Michael offered it to him, proclaiming that he’ll be fine without it for a while. The boys wave her goodbye as Michael starts the bike’s engine, rolls it out of the alley, and drives off down the road, leaving the pub far behind them.

Micheal: She’s quite the catch. You should be proud of yourself, Alex.

Alex: Believe me I am. Don’t worry, mate, you’ll find your special someone someday too.

Michael: Meh, I’m not too keen on love and relationships like you are.

Alex: You say that now, but who knows, you may change your mind later down the line.

Michael: We’ll see.

The search for Jason had been going on for two days and they still had no luck finding him. Sooner or later Michael started going with Alex’s theory that he’d been kidnapped and is somewhere beyond New London. But the Uk has around 1500 towns and 31 major cities including London. Just how to they plan on finding their friend without the use of powers or resources?

The only lead they had was the word of a supposed witness who claimed to have seen Jason getting into a van with three strangers. Sounded like a typical “Don’t get into a car with strangers” warning, but when the witness was asked to describe the van and its owners, both Alex and Michael wore a shocked expression as they came to the same conclusion.

Alex and Michael: The Crimson Nightshades!

Thy both suddenly face each other in confusion.

Alex and Michael: Wait, you know about them too? How?! I asked you first! Stop copying me!

Witness: Um, can I go now? I’m late for my meeting.

Alex and Michael: Yeah, you can go. Hey! I said quit it!

The witness quickly runs off down the street, hoping to get to his meeting on time while Alex and Michael decided to take a break from their search and take a seat on the steps in front of a bank building. Both of them were hesitant to speak first, worried that they’ll end up talking at the same time again.

Alex quickly pulls out his phone and types a text message and shows it to Michael. The text read “Can I talk first?” Michael nods in response and allows him to speak.

Alex: How do you know the Crimson Nightshades?

Michael: I was about to ask you the same question.

Alex: Well, I asked you first.

Michael: Fine. I met them when I was on my second mission with Wolf Squad. It was also my first encounter with the monster, Chernabog. I was still an inexperienced rookie back then.

As Michael tells the story of his first meeting with the Crimson Nightshades, he thinks back to the day it took place itself. The Wolf Squad were on a mission to eliminate a group of monsters that were hiding in a canyon known as Grey Mare’s Tail in Scotland. A beautiful place known for its forests and its luscious waterfall with crystal clear lakes you could drink out of.

But on that day, the peaceful serenity of forest was disrupted by the graceless sounds of gunfire and monster’s roaring with aggression and sometime pain in response to getting shot.

Despite their injuries, the monsters seemed to be winning this conflict, using the mountain sides to gain the high ground over the soldiers who’re stranded on uneven ground.

Chernabog: Is that all? Years of attacking this world. Hundreds of human deaths at my hand, and Chase sends his son, a girl, and a bunch of fresh meat with clean hands to fight us. I feel insulted.

Angered by his taunts, Michael aims his rifle directly at the winged General of the monsters while Alice pulls out her compacted staff, pressing the button on its side to extend it to its true length. But Chernabog was unamused.

Chernabog: Pathetic. You Aegis humans can’t even fight us without a weapon.

Chernabog extends his black feathered wings outwards, leaps off the side of the cliff wall and takes flight and evades the incoming gunfire from Michael and the few remaining soldiers. With their attention focused on him, the soldiers were open to attack from the other monsters who all pounced on their prey simultaneously. They wasted no time ripping and tearing through their amour and uniform, killing as many of the Wolf Squad as they can before Alice forced them to back off and retreat back up the cliff.

Michael was horrified to see so many men and women he trained with meet a gruesome end in a place like this. Their blood spilled into the natural clean spring water, spoiling it. This was his first time seeing carnage like this up close and it shook him to his core.

Chernabog noticed the fear completely overtaking him and used this opportunity to tackle Michael, pinning him to the ground with his hand on his head.

Alice: Michael!

In her blind haste to try and help Michael, Alice ended up getting tackled from behind by a snake-like monster who wrapped its whole body around her, holding her in a tight squeeze.

Chernabog: You’re just as easy to take down as your father was. I was expecting more of you, Little Mercer. But it looks like you’re not as strong as I thought you were… Finish them!

The monsters all move in to finish off the Wolf Squad. Those who survived the first sneak attack were too injured to fight back or run away, and Alice and Michael were in no position to go anywhere or call for help. The snake monster tightened its grip on Alice, attempting to crush her to death while Chernabog was hoping to do the same with his grip on Michael’s skull. In that moment, Michael thought he was going to die and see his life flash before his eyes. And all he could think about in that moment was how he let his mother down and how broken his father will be once news of his death reached him.

But as the monsters were about to deliver the killing blow, the Crimson Nightshades appear in the sky above them, casting their shadows on the forest floor, distracting the monsters enough to prompt them to look up. As they do the first thing they see is Lukas throwing a bunch of shurikens at them while Scarlet shot others with her sniper rifle, including the one constricted around Alice, shooting it in the head and allowing her to escape.

Chernabog: What?!

Drake then swoops down and draws his red katana, Muramasa. He slashed Chernabog across the chest as he circled round him, causing the monster to roar in pain and let go of Michael. Alice was shocked to see Drake show up here at the most convenient of times, wondering how and why they found them.

Drake: You mess with my friend; you mess with me!

Chernabog: Who are you three? Reinforcements Aegis sent to fight me?

Drake: We’re the Crimson Nightshades. We don’t work for Aegis. We’re just simple folk doing whatever we want. But since you attacked my friend, Alice here, you have automatically become our enemy too. Right, Guys?

Scarlet and Lukas soon join their leader on the ground and hop off their hoverboard and stand on either side of him, their hoverboards automatically compact into their small box forms and magnetically reattach themselves to their hips.

Chernabog looks around the area and was shocked to see all his monsters were lying dead alongside the soldiers they’ve slaughtered. He was all alone. Michael and Alice recover and share his surprised expression when they saw that three mercenaries were able to take out a whole pack of monsters faster and more efficiently than they could and are now ready to face off against Chernabog.

Chernabog: Fine. I’ll take you down first, then I’ll finish off those two!

The fearless monster charges towards the Crimson Nightshades. However, his movements were – for reasons he can’t understand – sloppier than usual and he ended up staggering forward a little. Drake smirked, knowing exactly why that is.

Drake: Glad to see my sword’s power affects monsters as well.

Chernabog: What?

Before he could expect any kind of explanation behind his sloppy movements, Lukas closes in from his right and unleashes a fury of rapid moving jabs to the wound on Chernabog’s chest, further slowing his reaction time. Finishing his attack with a high, midair spin kick to the head, sending the monster tumbling down a slope and crashing into the blood-stained river.

Scarlet picked it up from there and bombarded him with close range shotgun blasts to the torso. The shots weren’t strong enough to pierce his tough skin, but it was powerful enough to keep him down, allowing Alice and Michael to recover and surround him, their weapons trained on the devil-looking beast.

Alice: It’s over, Monster.

Chernabog: No, it’s not over. I’ll make sure of that!

In a fit of rage, Chernabog punches the side of the canyon wall so hard that his fist broke through the rock and cracks broke out from the point of impact. The whole wall started crumbling apart, rocks coming loose from the surface and began falling toward the group.

Chernabog uses this distraction to fly away as pieces of the wall fall on top of them. His movements were slow, and his wings had a difficult time lifting him off the ground, but his human adversaries were too busy protecting themselves from the falling debris to notice him escaping nor care to try and stop him.

Alice throws a device on the ground which, upon positioning itself upright, started generating a forcefield around them, protecting them from the falling debris. They all stood close and held each other as they waited for the rocks to stop pounding their shield. When things began to quiet down and the rocks ceased to fall, Alice deactivates the shield and picks up the device, putting it back in her bag.

The Crimson Nightshades recover and check if each of them was okay before addressing their guests.

Drake: Everyone good?

Lukas: Yes.

Scarlet: Yeah, I’m fine. Man, that was close. Nice quick thinking with that forcefield, Alice.

Alice: Thanks, but what are you guys doing here anyway? Drake, did my father hire you to spy on me?

Drake: What?! No! Course not! We were on another mission, and I heard you were hunting monsters in the area. I figured we’d stop by and see how you were doing. Luckily, we showed up just in time.

Alice raised an eyebrow at him, not at all convinced that they just happened to be here to help them out. She knew her father all too well to not anticipate he’d secretly send someone to spy on her and report everything she’d been doing back to him.

Alice: I should’ve known he’d do this. Even though he said he supported my decision to join Aegis, he still feels the need to send someone to keep tabs on me. And of all the people he could’ve picked, he hired an old friend? Sometimes I feel like he’s showing off.

Michael: Damnit!

Everyone looks over in Michael’s direction, not expecting him to suddenly shout out loud and start stamping his foot in frustration as he saw Chernabog flying off into the distance. He was far out of range to shoot him down; there was nothing he could do but watch him fly away.

Drake: What’s wrong with him?

Scarlet: Dunno. Maybe he’s pissed about that monster getting away.

Lukas: Most likely he hates the fact that we were able to stop him when he couldn’t.

Alice: No, Scarlet’s right. He’s angry that Chernabog escaped. This is his second mission in the field with my squad. He keeps going on about wanting to kill them all. He blames himself for letting their leader get away.

Drake: Jeez, talk about sore loser behaviour. What is he? Fourteen?

Those insulting words flew right into Michael’s ear and out the other, triggering him to stop what he was doing and turn around to face the green-haired mercenary with an enraged look.

Michael: What did you say?!

Drake: I said your acting like a sore loser. You should be thankful your still alive. Least I can say for your squad mates.

Michael: Why you absolute jack-

As Michael was about to take a step forward to punch Drake in his smug mouth, Lukas rushes up to him, grabs him by his shirt collar, and lifts him off of the ground. Michael was shocked by how strong he is considering how much shorter he is compared to him and the others.

Lukas: What Drake was trying to say is you mustn’t make a big deal over one monster escaping. You should instead focus on the fact that so many good people you came here with died. You are still young; you can learn from your mistake and become better at your job. A warrior must never take out their anger on others, especially those who save their lives. Soldiers are no different.

Michael: Put me down, you midget!

Lukas’ grip on Michael’s shirt tightens and his eye narrowed in response to his insult. He will not tolerate some spoiled brat mock him for his size.

Lukas: Be careful what you say next, Child. Otherwise, I’ll have to cut your life short.

He says coldly and without emotion, causing Michael to hold his breath and gulp in response. He could tell by looking into his eyes he meant it. That cold stare was powerful enough to send a shiver down his spine.

Alice: That’s enough, Lukas. Let him go.

Lukas releases his grip on Michael, letting him drop to the floor. The frightened teen quickly scurries away on the ground, trying to get as much distance between him and the emotionless assassin as possible. He soon gets back up on his feet and dusts the dirt off of his uniform.

Alice: He’s right, Michael. Not every mission is going to be a success, and not everyone who comes with us will make it back alive… If you want to be a long-lasting member of my squad, you must act like a soldier. You’re not a rookie anymore, got it?

Michael: …Yeah, I know, you’re right… I’m sorry. I just got caught up in my own anger. It won’t happen again.

Drake stretches his arms upwards and let out a yawn before speaking up.

Drake: You know what? I could use a drink after all this. Why don’t you two join us?

Michael: Sounds good to me. Alice?

Alice: First, I need to gather up the dog-tags of everyone here and call in a cleanup crew. After that I see no reason why not. One drink shouldn’t hurt us more than we already are.

Back in the present, Michael was wrapping up the end of his story on how he first met the Crimson Nightshades. Alex was leaning his head on his right knuckle, listening to the whole thing, expressing deep interest in Michael’s first days as a soldier in the field.

Michael: …Once the cleanup crew came to collect the bodies of our fallen comrades, we all went to a bar in a small Scottish town for a few drinks. Whilst drinking, Alice accidentally let it slip that she and Drake were a thing one time when they were around our age. The two of them made a promise to each other that they’d give it another shot once both of them retire. I remember Scarlet not looking so happy about it though.

Alex: Sounds like a forbidden romance to me. Drake, the mercenary, and Alice, the Wolf Squad Captain? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a more different pair.

Michael: I know, it’s crazy. But that’s what Alice said.

Alex: That was an interesting story and all, but I think we’re getting off topic of what we should be doing here, which is to find Jason. If that guy was telling the truth, the Crimson Nightshades should have him. But I don’t know where they live… You know them. Do you have any idea where they are?

Michael: Hmm, well, I do recall overhearing Drake telling Alice that he and his team have chosen to settle down somewhere in Stratford. But I don’t know if they’re still there now. They’re always on the move.

Alex: It’s the only solid lead we’ve got… It’ll be dark soon. If we’re going to Stratford, it has to be now.

Michael: Then get off of your ass, dude. We’re going to Stratford.

Michael declared as he stood up from the steps. He and Alex quickly race down the concrete stairs and head over to Michael’s motorbike parked between two cars.

Helmet on and jackets zipped up, Michael starts the engine and slowly pulls out the parking space before racing off at the legal speed limit down the road with Alex clinging to his back tightly to ensure he doesn’t fall off and hurt himself. Although now he can’t help but wonder if he’ll even sustain any serious injuries should he fall off a speeding vehicle given how inhumanly tougher his body had gotten since he obtained his powers. But he wasn’t curious enough to find out. Should Michael see him fall and get up like it was nothing it wouldn’t take him long to piece together that he’s Chaos Man.

Michael: Hey, Alex, you never answered my question earlier. How is it that you know about them?

Now Alex was starting to worry. He couldn’t exactly tell him that he fought the Crimson Nightshades as Chaos Man. He wasn’t ready to tell Michael the truth yet. Omnius also made it clear that nobody should know he is Chaos Man for the obvious possibility of the wrong people finding out through them and using that to get to him, as well as hurt the people he cared about. It may be a cliché in the superhero genre, but it’s also a fact.

Alex: I- uh- saw… Chaos Man fight them. Y-yeah, it was nuts! They were trying to steal something from the home of Magna Tech’s founder, and he tried to stop them. I didn’t get a good look, but I saw them flying over my head with Chaos Man chasing them… After that I looked them up and discovered that they’re actually a pretty famous group of mercenaries. That’s how I know.

Michael: Huh... I guess it makes sense. You can’t have a reputation like theirs and NOT know who they are.

Alex: Exactly!

Michael: Hmm, why do I have this nagging feeling there’s something he’s not telling me? …Whatever, it doesn’t matter right now. I have to focus on getting us to Stratford and hopefully find Jason… I hope Drake, Scarlet and Lukas haven’t harmed him in any way.

It was soon 10 o’clock at night when they reach Stratford. The two of them were freezing from the strong wind blowing against their bodies as they drove down the motorway and it hadn’t let up when they slowed their approach. Even the tall buildings around them couldn’t fully shield them from the cold. It’s a good thing they were wearing thick jackets.

But reaching Stratford wasn’t the end of it. They still needed to figure out the Crimson Nightshades’ address and continue their search from there. But they had no way of knowing where to look. Drake never mentioned where exactly they lived and it’s not like the internet will have it written down somewhere. The town itself was pretty big too. Not as big as the metropolis that is New London, but still big enough for a single person to hide.

All they could do was drive around and keep their eyes peeled for anything out of place. Maybe if they’re lucky they’ll come across the Crimson Nightshade’s van and they can just follow it. But neither of them knew about the van’s cloaking technology. They could’ve already passed it for all they knew.

Alex was already growing restless in the backseat, having a hard time keeping his focus. Michael wasn’t faring any better, but he needed to stay vigilant or else he’d risk crashing his bike. The one thing Chase specifically told him not to do. Alex lets out a tired yawn before loudly addressing Michael, trying to make himself heard over the loud engine of the bike. They were currently driving down a small, quiet neighbourhood that was on the outskirts of the town, near the countryside.

Alex: …We’ve been searching all day and I’m starting to get tired. I never knew looking for someone unaided could be so difficult.

Michael: What do you mean “Unaided”? I’m helping, aren’t I?

Alex: That’s not what I mean. I- Nevermind, it’s nothing. My tired mind is just complaining.

Michael: …Alex, I’m sorry, but I think we might have to call it quits for today. We’ve been at this for two days now with the third only a few hours away from ending. I think it’s time we start thinking of the possibility that Jason might be-

The loud, sudden, unexpected sound of a gunshot going off startled the boys wide awake. Michael almost loses control over the handling of his bike when it happened, but he was able to keep it level. He eases off the throttle, slowing their pace as they process what just happened.

Alex: That was a gunshot!

Michael: Yeah! Sounded like it came from up ahead. Hold on tight!

Alex holds on as Michael picks up speed again. His bike races down the quiet empty street with its headlight on full as he keeps a lookout for whatever it was that fired off that shot.

Turning around the next left corner, they spot two police cars parked outside the entrance to an abandoned, rundown house with boarded up windows and old newspapers littered about outside the front entrance with the door wide open. When they pulled up to the house they expected to see police on the scene, but there was nobody there. The cars’ doors were open and the flashing red and blue lights are still on. Both assumed the police are still inside the house.

Alex was the first to climb off and run inside while Michael parks his bike and turns off the engine. He follows behind Alex and enters the house with him. Neither of them was mentally prepared for what they were about to face inside. They found both the police and Jason, but both were in positions they never would’ve anticipated.

Jason: Alex? Michael?

Jason was kneeling on the floor with his hands resting on the throat of a policeman. Jason turned to them; his face blank and his pupils shrank to pinpricks. When he saw his old friends standing in the doorway of the living room, he slowly stood up and faced them. His hands were drenched in blood, and his face and clothes were covered in blood splatter.

And that officer wasn’t the only one. Several other officers’ bodies were lying all around the empty living room floor, laying in pools of their own blood. Alex and Michael were completely paralysed with fear and shock, unable to process what they’re seeing. Jason was just as stunned to see his old friends, who he hadn’t properly seen in months, being the ones to catch him in the act of what looked like a murder scene.

Michael: What the hell have you done, Jason?

To Be Continued