As we ate the delicious pastries, the three of us went over the plan for the next couple of days again and again. After an hour of conversation, my eyes were impossibly heavy, taking every ounce of energy to keep them open. I looked at Ben who seemed to be fighting the same urge and decided to end the conversation.
So, let’s plan on scouting the place tomorrow. It’s been a long day, so Ben and I are going to get some much-needed sleep.
Okay, sounds good. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.
Exiting the bakery, Sam walked the opposite way on the sidewalk as Ben and I hailed a cab. I watched as he walked away, head down and hands in his pockets. Even after Ben and I reached our hotel room, Sam’s words echoed in my head.
I would still do anything for you, Darcy.
Guilt flowed through my veins as I thought of what that statement could involve, what he was willing to sacrifice for a love I didn’t return. My only hope as my eyes shut for the day was that he wouldn’t get the chance to prove it.
***
My surroundings were pitch black. The silence was overwhelming as I heard every breath, every heartbeat. But I wasn’t alone. There were far too many heartbeats drumming in my ears.
I felt movement next to me as a light appeared at the end of the room. The length of the room was illuminated as I looked across the expanse of the conference room table, black leather chairs lined along its sides. However, the chairs were not vacant, each one holding a different face.
Five of the faces were those of the board members, each with a bullet hole in their forehead. Their eyes had become glazed over with death, their pale faces slack and bloody. Other faces around the table were those of my loved ones: Kate, Noah, Ben, and Rich. Each face void of expression, each one staring blankly at the head of the table where Ben sat upright.
My heart raced as I felt a presence behind me, a chill running down my back as hot breath moved the hairs on my head. A deep voice bellowed behind me, echoing through the room.
Darcy, welcome to the main event. We’ve been waiting for you. Ben was just about to declare his allegiance to the Influencers.
The faces of my friends showed no emotion as the theatrical voice of Warden filled the room. Desperately, I tried to stand up from the chair but found I couldn’t. An unseen force held me to the seat, my arms immobile on the armrest. The more I struggled, the greater the pressure on my arms and legs.
Don’t fight it, Darcy. This is his destiny.
No, you’re evil. He will never join you.
Turning my head side to side, I searched for Warden yet couldn’t find him in the darkness around the table. I looked to Ben beside me for help but found his face blank, muted from all emotions. He was the Ben I first met so many months ago in the facility. Cold, guarded, emotionless.
Ben! Look at me. Don’t listen to him.
Darcy, you will never defeat me. Ben is not going to fight me. If he does, he will only lose his loved ones. One by one, I will break him. Embrace your fate, embrace your purpose, Benjamin.
Don’t listen to him, Ben. He’s wrong!
You’re holding him back, Darcy. The longer you fight his true calling, the more people will get hurt.
I struggled against the invisible force holding me in place. Suddenly, a gunshot resounded through the room, my eardrum vibrating painfully. Blood poured down Richard’s chest, his face still void of feeling. Then, his blinking stopped and his chest ceased all movement.
No! No!
Urgently, I searched the room for the gunman, pulling against the weights on my body. Another gunshot and blood poured down Noah’s chest. The sight was all too familiar as his shirt absorbed the dark red liquid flowing down his torso.
Stop fighting it, Darcy.
I whipped my head to my right, following the deep voice of the last remaining board member. Darkness.
Will you join us?
No.
My head throbbed as yet another gunshot filled the room. This time, Kate’s small frame shook with the impact of the bullet. Her blank face looked straight toward me as the breath left her forever.
Tears streamed down my face as I glanced between the faces of the people I loved most in life. With each gunshot, there was one less heartbeat I could hear. I sat still, defeated in their deaths. Blinking through the tears, I looked toward Ben and searched for any sign of emotion, of free will.
Ben, please, stop him.
Ben won’t help you, Darcy. He is one of us now. A born leader.
The same green eyes that had become my comfort stared blankly across the table, blinking calmly as Warden continued.
Ben has finally accepted his destiny. And there is only one remaining bullet for the final person standing in his way of greatness.
I could hear the sound of the gun being loaded as Warden prepared the same fate for me as those around the table. In desperation, I pleaded for Ben to hear me.
Ben, please. Wake up. Please!
He won’t listen to you.
I ignored the continuous taunting around me and looked desperately at the love of my life across the enormous table.
Baby, I know you’re in there. If you can hear me, fight it. You weren’t meant for this life of murder. I don’t care what happened with Connor. You aren’t a murderer. You’re a hero. Baby, you’re my hero. And I need your help.
Ben’s eyes softened gradually, blinking past the control Warden had over him. My heart fluttered as I saw my Ben come to life.
No, Ben. Listen to me. This Society courses through your veins. No matter how much you fight, no matter how hard, you will always be one of us. There’s no escape.
Warden seemed irritated as Ben fought against his control, coming alive more and more each moment. Then, it was my Ben looking at me, his soft green eyes darkened with anger toward Warden.
The pressure on my arms was still present, the pain growing as Ben fought against the Society. He stood, his stance confident. It was then that I noticed the color returning to my friends’ faces. Kate, Richard, and Noah stood from their seats and looked around, no longer covered in blood.
Finally, I heard Ben speak, feeling the presence of Warden grow more and more distant.
No, I will never be one of you.
Suddenly, my restraints were gone and I jumped to my feet urgently. I looked around the room, now illuminated with lights and searched for Warden. Yet, the room was empty. Even the bodies of the board members had disappeared.
The five of us stood around the conference table, looking at one another in relief. I moved around the table and reached for Ben, his arms readily receiving me as I clung to him. His warm scent comforted my soul as my fears vanished.
***
My eyes opened to different surroundings, no longer in the conference room in New York. Our small London hotel room was dimly lit with thick curtains pulled over the windows. I found myself still clinging to Ben, his chest beneath my head. He stirred as I lifted my head and looked up at his face, peaceful in a deep sleep.
For the first time in months, I felt confident of our chances to end the Influencers. A calm euphoria spread over me as I continued studying Ben, his body emitting a comforting warmth against my own.
I couldn’t understand how he did not see what I saw. When I looked at him, I didn’t see blood on his hands, the malevolent Society that seemed impossible to destroy, or the destiny Warden had created for him.
I saw the boy who had survived an overwhelming amount of adversity from a young age, the man who decided to stop hiding from the Society and risk his life fighting them, and the man who had saved my life and so many others repeatedly.
If only he saw the man I saw. No rose-colored glasses, no bias. He was the most beautiful person I had ever met, regardless of past failures or any future mistakes. It would take time for him to see what I saw, see past the blood of those who lost their lives as a result of the Society his parents had created.
But when he saw, when he finally realized his potential, his abilities, his tru
e destiny, he would be unstoppable. Then and only then would the Society fall. He had the key to their downfall. No, he was the key. He just didn’t know how to use it yet.
X.
LOOKOUT
The morning of the stakeout was dreadfully gloomy as I looked out the window of our hotel room, the rain and gray sky casting a heaviness over the city. Ben stood up from the bed, still in his pajama bottoms with tousled hair. He joined me at the window, wrapping his arms around me and surveying the view down below.
Rain pattered on the window seal and the chilly temperature from outside could be felt through the glass. Ben’s warmth was a pleasant presence around me as we stood in silent thought.
Are you ready for today?
Yes, definitely.
He loosened his arms and twisted me around to face him. His eyebrows were raised in question as he waited for an explanation for my eager willingness. I smiled up at him and put my palm against his cheek, running my fingers along his jawbone.
I would walk into the frontlines of a battle with you.
I’m not sure that means we should.
No, but I would.
Though he grinned at me, his expression still evidenced the curiosity he felt about my eagerness. Quickly, I kissed him and began getting ready. Ben slipped into a pair of jeans, gray Henley and black hooded jacket.
I’m going to the front desk to check out while you finish getting ready.
Okay, I’m almost done.
Moments later as I pulled on my boots and grabbed my backpack, there was a quick knock on the door. After I looked through the hole on the door and swung it open, Ben stepped into the room and looked at me, scanning me from head to toe.
We’re checked out. Are you ready?
Yeah.
Ben became serious as he held the door open for me, his backpack thrown over his shoulder. It was an odd feeling as we made our way out of the hotel and into the chilly rain outside.
Though we were headed into danger, my insides no longer churned in anxiety. Instead, in its place was a sense of confidence, of readiness. Not a reckless enthusiasm, but a determined motivation. Although we were risking everything, it was one step closer to ending the Influencers.
I looked through the window of the cab Ben had hailed outside our hotel. As we drove through traffic, I witnessed countless people with their umbrellas and raincoats. I couldn’t help but think of how naïve they were to the world in which they lived. They would never know of the Society that controlled their environment, that could take their lives with one snap decision.
As the taxi slowed, Ben handed the driver money and slid out of the backseat onto the wet sidewalk. He turned around and held his hand to help me onto the curb, grabbing the backpack in my lap. I gazed up at the building before us, a car rental service. Ben held up the backpack for me to slide my arms through before heading toward the door of the business.
If we have to leave in a hurry, we need our own car.
Inside the business, the receptionist greeted us with a smile and chipper demeanor.
Hello, how may I help you today?
We need to rent a car. Just a standard sedan, nothing fancy.
Absolutely, sir. I’ll see what we have available.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard of her computer. She printed out several papers before asking for Ben’s ID. Out of his backpack, he pulled out his passport with another alias. The receptionist looked it over before having Ben sign several documents and handing us the keys.
Taking a much-needed vacation?
Ben and I met eye contact as the receptionist questioned our plans, smiling at her innocent small talk. He glanced back behind the desk and offered a friendly grin.
Yes, very much needed.
Well, you both have a wonderful day and enjoy your trip.
Thank you.
Ben guided me to the car lot beside their building and pressed the button to flash the headlights. Once both of us were inside the vehicle, Ben turned over the engine and exited the parking lot.
Sam said he would already be at the site?
Yeah, I just messaged him the kind of car we’re in.
Okay, perfect.
Ben drove through the traffic, headlights illuminating the street in the gloominess of the rain. We went over the plan again as we traveled to the facility.
They likely have implemented higher levels of security in every facility around the world knowing there is a rogue rebel group making visits. We will wait until evening and sneak in after business hours. The street shouldn’t be busy and many of the Society members would have gone home. Increases our chances with less people guarding the place.
But with the higher security, there’s no chance the place will be empty, right?
No, but there will not be as many as during the day. We can handle it.
I know. I just don’t want a repeat of last time.
The car was silent save the noise of the heater blowing air through the vents. Looking over at Ben, I noticed the muscle twitch along his jaw again. Yet, another injury for which he blamed himself.
Hey, don’t do that.
What?
I know you’re blaming yourself for what happened to Noah. Just stop. I shouldn’t have brought it up. If we don’t stop obsessing over the past, we won’t be able to change the future.
Ben pulled the car off the roadway and parked near the curb. He pointed toward a small office building where several people were entering and exiting the front doors.
That’s it.
Well at least we’re on the ground level this time.
A pedestrian crossed the road in a black windbreaker with the hood pulled over their head. As they approached the car, I could see under the shadow of the hood that it was Sam. Ben unlocked the car right before Sam opened the door behind the passenger side and slid into the backseat.
Good morning. What a lovely day outside.
Hey, Sam. Yeah, it’s beautiful.
Ben looked into the rearview mirror at Sam and then back at the building.
How long have you been here?
Long enough to see there’s consistent traffic going in and out of the building and there’s a back door through the alley.
Did anyone see you?
No. I circled the block to make sure I wasn’t followed.
We’ll have to wait for traffic to die down before slipping in. You see the type of lock on the back door?
Nothing a lockpick won’t unlock.
As Ben raised his eyebrows in surprise, I turned around to see Sam pull a lockpick out of his messenger bag.
I came prepared.
I’d say so.
I couldn’t help but laugh as he tucked it back into his bag, smiling mischievously. Ben’s deep chuckle traveled from the driver’s seat as he shook his head, eyes still on the building.
You know, no one’s going to recognize me. The two of you, yes, but not me. I could go into the front of the building and distract them while you both go in the back.
Ben seemed to mull this idea over in his mind, the silence in the vehicle building anticipation. I glanced back and forth between the two as Sam sat waiting for a response. After a moment, Ben nodded in confirmation.
Yeah, that could work. That way, we have eyes on the front and back of the building. Darcy, could you find the earpieces in your bag? I think that’s where they ended up being packed.
I pulled my backpack from between my feet and rummaged through its contents. In the main pocket, a set of black panties appeared at the top. I pushed them quickly back into the other clothes and glanced around the car.
Sam was behind my seat, unable to see into the backpack as he watched out the back window. Looking over at Ben, I could see that his eyes had dilated, darkening the green of his irises. He lifted his eyes from the bag to my eyes, the intense focus of his gaze causing my face to flush.
Clumsily continuing my search, my fingertips finally grazed over the small hard case where we had placed our earpiece
s. I handed them to Ben so he could disperse them to Sam and me, the intimate expression having already left his face.
These will allow us to hear and speak with one another. If something is wrong, try your best to work a warning into the conversation. Don’t raise any alarms if you don’t have to.
Dude, this is CIA level stuff. This is awesome!
Ben and I laughed at Sam’s childlike excitement and looked back toward the building. Over the next hours, we sat watching people come and go. I found relief in the fact that I didn’t recognize any of their faces, especially grateful none of the faces belonged to Robert Warden.
The hours dragged as we continued our stakeout, a thermos of coffee and some granola bars to hold us over. After what seemed like an eternity, business hours finally ended and traffic along the street decreased drastically as the sun dropped below the height of the buildings. As soon as the three of us were ready, Ben began issuing commands. Sam rummaged in his bag, pulling out the lockpick and handing it to Ben.
Alright, Sam, you go to the front first. Darcy and I will get out of the car in a moment and head toward the back of the building. Distract them as long as you can.
Sam got out of the passenger seat and checked for incoming traffic before crossing the street toward the Society’s facility. Ben and I watched as he made his way to their entrance and pulled on the door. Locked. He raised his arm and knocked on the glass, putting his face close to look inside.
Let’s go before they answer the door.
Ben and I both exited the vehicle and crossed the street, turning into the alleyway a few buildings down. The back alley stretched behind every building on the block, allowing us access to the facility.
As I kept watch, Ben bent down and began manipulating the lock with the small tool. While waiting, Sam’s voice became audible in our earpieces.
Hello, sir. I’m sorry to bother you.
Can I help you? We’re closed for the day.
After only a minute of Ben fidgeting with the lock, the entrance clicked open. Carefully, we both slid into the building away from the dark dampness of the alley.
The Legacy: The Influencers Book 2 (The Society) Page 7