by Eric S Kim
Sabrina ran after her teammate. “We’ll do this again some other time. Hopefully after Christmas. Thank you.”
Preston already followed them. “Well…Have fun, Mr. Han.”
Han blurted out, “But I haven’t finished showing you the rest of these.”
Jerome started to run. “We’ll do it some other time!”
The young Blackjacks grabbed the sunglasses and the plasma rifle. They made a dash for the parking lot, leaving Han and his two associates in confusion as to why no one was willing to risk their life for a simple disk.
4:19 PM
Edward had lost track of the time, but he didn’t care for it anymore. His wrists grew numb from being bound for so long. He had taken a seat beside Dennis on the mantelpiece. Absolute silence had enveloped the entire living room. With the Witches of San Antonio out of the house, Florencia would be the only one guarding the shrunken agents. She had gone somewhere upstairs and didn’t return for quite some time.
Dennis licked his lips. “I am growing so thirsty. My mouth is dry. It’s going to be very uncomfortable if I don’t get any water soon.”
Edward wanted him to relax. “Florencia will get us some water. She won’t let us down.”
Dennis groaned. “You keep thinking of her as anything but an enemy. The two of you must have gotten along pretty well in the past.”
Edward closed his eyes for a brief moment. “It’s true. We used to have something special before…well, before Maribelle took me away from her.”
“You’re making me believe that you regret your choice.”
“Come on, now. Don’t settle with your prejudice. I don’t regret anything.”
“Well, what makes you think that Florencia will forgive you after all of this?”
“Because she’s smart. She’s not your typical bimbo that chooses feelings over facts. She can always tell what’s right and what’s wrong. I always loved her for her rational thinking. It’s what led to her choosing me over everyone else. She saw something in me. She wanted me for herself. Nobody would even try to defy her. They would cry home to their mothers if they threatened to bring me away from her.”
“Sounds to me like she’s a real keeper.”
“You’re right. She and I used to be a very good pair. And then, Maribelle came along and everything changed. And let me tell you that I don’t regret leaving Florencia. Maribelle really is just as great as she ever was. If I had to choose between the two, Maribelle would be an easy pick.”
Dennis slowly nodded. “Well, I’m still not confident about her, but I won’t complain if I’m proven wrong.”
Edward felt relieved when he heard that. “When she comes back, just ask her for some water. You haven’t really given her clear signals since then.”
Dennis’s sarcasm kicked in. “Oh, sure. Pin the blame on me. I should work harder to get what I want even when I’m being imprisoned like this.”
Edward heard the footsteps from the hallway. “Well, here she comes.”
Florencia had changed her clothes. She wore a pair of blue jeans and a white tank top. She also bought something as soon as she entered the living room. It was a small object wedged between her thumb and index finger. She set it on the mantelpiece, right between the two shrunken prisoners. It was the plastic cap from a water bottle. It had been filled with water, something that Dennis had already looked forward to. He got down on his knees and brought his two hands together to fill them up with water. He produced a faint slurping noise when he took a sip.
“I hope it’s fresh.”
Florencia smiled. “I figured that the two of you would be a little thirsty after everything that happened this afternoon.”
“A little? I’d say that I’d drink everything from the bottle if I had to.”
Florencia chuckled. “You’re so cute when you’re small.”
Edward stepped in. “Shouldn’t you be saying that to me instead?”
“My apologies. I didn’t think you’d care so much about that.”
“Well, it’s getting pretty lonely in this room. I’d need someone else to talk to beside a co-worker. You know, maybe a special friend who saved me from being crushed to death by that witch.”
“You’re welcome. I didn’t think she’d be that harsh when she’s dealing with Shadow Service of all things.”
“And now we know that she’s not a fan.”
“Maybe you should quit.”
“I already got something good going here. I can’t back away.”
“Of course, you’d choose something that’s more to your liking.”
“Hey, I tried to explain back then, didn’t I? I don’t know how to make it simpler for you.”
“You don’t have to. I already understand. I just wish we ended on a high note.”
Edward sighed. “I’m not proud of ending it that way, either. But at least it’s a very interesting reunion. Am I right?”
“Oh, of course.”
Florencia’s smile had calmed him down. He had missed her optimistic expressions. It became the only benefit in the midst of this complicated hostage situation.
Dennis had stopped drinking some time ago. “Uh, you don’t mind if I listen to everything, do you? I mean, I know I’m not really working right now. I could just cover my ears while the two of you reminisce about your personal lives.”
Florencia already understood. “Oh, you don’t have to do that just for us.”
She leaned forward and whispered a short phrase in an exotically foreign language. It must have been an ancient language used solely by the witches. Edward could feel his manacles loosening by themselves. They dropped down as soon as they unlocked around his wrists. After reciting the phrase in the ancient language, Florencia reached out and carefully closed her fingers around Edward’s body. Edward didn’t attempt to push her fingers away. Being apprehended by Florencia instead of a witch became a welcome addition to his captivity.
She lifted him off of the mantelpiece and said to Dennis, “Excuse me. I’d like to be alone with him.”
She turned around and brought Edward away from the living room. She walked up the stairs while being delicate with the young man in her hand. She didn’t squeeze him. She had kept a firm grip, but her fingers did not cause any problems to his waist and legs.
“It’s true. I never expected to see you today. I should be detesting you right now, but I just can’t feel that way.”
She brought him into her bedroom. Edward had remembered almost everything in that room, including the king-sized bed. Nothing had changed. Everything had stayed the same. The lack of redecorations and rearrangements of the furniture didn’t surprise him, though the nostalgia almost overwhelmed him. He and Florencia had shared some very fond memories in this room.
He couldn’t help but give a little smile. “I didn’t forget any of it.”
Florencia smiled as well. “Why would you? We used to have a special connection. I never thought we’d step away from a happy ending, but somehow we did.”
She brought herself onto the bed and took a seat in front of the headboard. She still kept Edward in her hand and didn’t let go.
She kept him close. “Can you believe that I never had another man in this room after you left?”
Edward was indeed a little surprised. “I really thought you’d want to forget about me. Finding someone that’s as young as me would’ve been pretty simple. There are plenty here in California.”
“I tried, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that. There were some good opportunities, and I didn’t accept them. I felt it would’ve been better to just be alone. I’d spend the rest of my life working in the bank and I’d move on.”
“I’m sure you’re doing a damn good job as the branch manager.”
“I take good pride in it…but there are times in which I’d keep thinking about you. I’d be lying on this bed and wish that you’d come back to me. I’d imagine that I’m holding you in my arms while the two of us just lie down together. You remember
those times, don’t you?”
“I’d never want to forget them.”
“You and I would stay in this room. I’d caress your hair and kiss your warm skin. I’d never want to let you go.”
Florencia seemed more engrossed with her narrative than usual. She began to slide the tip of her index finger across Edward’s hair. She slowly caressed him from the top.
She whispered, “Oh, I miss everything about you.”
Edward didn’t stop her as she made her move. He felt the warmth of her finger as it slid down and pressed against the side of his neck. It struck a weak spot and made him sigh with zeal.
Florencia fondled him like a giant troll who was awestruck by her next meal. She touched his face with her finger, and Edward didn’t resist. Her gentle caress brought back a stirring sensation that could be traced back to the pinnacle of their relationship. It made him tremble at the touch from a beautiful woman.
He said, “If I only I’m back to my normal size. Things could the way they used to be a long time ago.”
Florencia’s smile grew bigger. “Actually, I might keep you this way. You’re so cute when you’re small.”
“Well, you finally say it to me. That’s good, I think.”
Florencia eyed him from top to bottom. “Loretta has a good point. It really is rather fascinating to be the one who snatches the prey away from the tribe. I could do many things with my new companion.”
Edward shook his head. “Please don’t. I’m fine the way I am. I’d rather not meet your little toys right now.”
“Oh, you have a dirty mind.”
“Well, who else would give me plenty of inspiration but you?”
“Why, thank you.”
Florencia almost gasped. “Oh, but I just had a thought. Edward, please tell me that you didn’t pass your knowledge on to that other woman in your life.”
Edward had to tell the truth. “Let’s just say that we’re not nearly close to perfecting it. She does, however, bring a lot of other new things into the bedroom. I can share our little secrets if you’d like.”
Florencia looked disgusted. “You’re so naughty when you don’t even have to be. I feel like I should punish you.”
She opened up her bottom three fingers, keeping Edward trapped in her thumb and index finger. She brought the index finger from her other hand and rubbed her fingernail against the side of Edward’s waist. The swift movement of her finger made him laugh. The tickly feeling from his waist was unexpected.
Florencia was amused. “Oh, it feels funny, doesn’t it?”
She tickled him again, prompting him to squirm in her grasp while laughing.
He tried to say something. “Hey, cut it out!”
She didn’t stop tickling him. “I can watch you like this all day.”
Edward must have been a submissive slave to her. He couldn’t stop laughing and wiggling as she lightly scratched the side of his body with her fingernail. It made him try to push her finger and thumb away from him, even if it had already proven to be pointless when comparing strength between a giant and her shrunken ex-boyfriend.
Edward’s legs had squirmed the hardest. He kicked at empty air as he cried out, “Come on, stop!”
She laughed with him. “So adorable.”
Edward could feel a tear forming in his eye. He swung is head back from the laughter.
“Please, stop! I can’t take it!”
Florencia whispered, “Oh, I can’t bring myself to hate you. You’re a treasure in my home.”
She finally brought her fingernail away from his body. Edward had to catch his breath after laughing from her tickling. It seemed to be a way to remind him of her new dominance over him. She closed the rest of her fingers back around him once more.
He wiped away the tear that almost slid down his cheek. “Having fun?”
Her smile was so infectious to him. “You just answered your own question, my little prince.”
TWENTY-FIVE
4:28 PM
Virgil Hamilton’s phone call sounded important. Lionel had driven all the way to Mystic Lightning Headquarters for a private meeting with the CEO. He made it to Hamilton’s office and found him sitting at his desk.
Lionel asked, “So what’s going on?”
Hamilton had closed the blinds on every single window in the room. He used a remote control to lock his door and kept his voice at a moderate level. He even kept his bodyguard outside.
“This is only between you and me. What I’m about to tell you is completely confidential. So if I see you blabbering about it to your squad, I’m going to put you under house arrest.”
Lionel replied, “I understand. So what happened?”
Hamilton sat up straight. “In the Shadow Service Department, there is a young man named Todd Park. He’s nineteen years old, and has been an agent for an entire year. And so far, he has done some really excellent work just like Edward Connelly. I’d even go as far as saying that he deserves the same reward as yours. Maybe more. I’d give him a free hooker after everything he went through, but I’m sure he’d decline. He’s not that type of guy, unfortunately.”
Lionel asked, “So what’d he do?”
“He was in Canada for the past week or so. He was searching for something that should have been found a long time ago. This morning, he came back with what we’ve been looking for all this time. He had a lot of obstacles coming his way, but he fought them off like a badass with a shotgun.”
“Sir, what did he find?”
Hamilton stood up and walked away from his desk. He opened one of the file cabinets situated near the corner. He reached down and pressed something that blinked red from inside. Lionel didn’t have to question it. He had seen this happen before.
Hamilton had kept a red button in one of the file cabinets. This led to a small section of the wall opening up in front of the two men. It slowly opened, revealing a narrow corridor lit by the lights on the ceiling.
All Lionel had to do was follow the CEO into his secret chamber. He and Hamilton entered the corridor. At the far end of it was a large room illuminated by the lights on the wall. File cabinets, metal crates, and an array of Hamilton’s private armaments had been kept in this room. Only a select few would have common knowledge of this place, including the Blackjack captain that he trusted the most.
Hamilton brought him to a small metal crate kept safe in the middle of the room. He opened it and brought out an even smaller box. It was a dark red covering, with hinges and a lock.
“Todd had brought it back in one piece. You might remember it.”
“How so?”
“You used to have one a long time ago.”
Hamilton opened the small red box. Lionel took a peek inside. He recognized it in an instant. It was a ring with a clear white diamond in the center. The metal face of a lion had surrounded the little gem.
Lionel tried to suppress the memories. “Where did he find it?”
Hamilton closed the box. “Somewhere in Quebec. I don’t know how he was able to avoid all of those big bad beasts, but he did it somehow. He’s a lucky bastard for sure.”
Lionel watched the other man place the box back where it came from.
Lionel had to ask, “Did Mr. Park find anything else? Maybe…the owner of that ring?”
Hamilton casually disappointed him by saying, “Sorry, but there was no chance.”
“Not even a trace? Like a diary or even a footprint?”
Hamilton used his hand to signal the end to Lionel’s questioning. “Nobody is going to find anything else in Quebec. You wouldn’t find the other riders anywhere near the states. They’ve all disappeared in Mongolia, remember?”
Lionel nodded. “Yes, I understand. But it leaves me wondering how the agent found the ring in the first place.”
“He explained to me that a couple of smugglers tried to sell it to some lowlife scavengers. Luckily, Mr. Park knew how to deal with complete idiots in that situation.”
Lionel had just realize
d that he kept his eyes on the box that held the Forizan Ring. He turned them away and asked Hamilton, “What happens next?”
“It’s not complicated, captain. When the time is right, we will give this to the Zadith. They will take care of it, though I have no idea what they’ll really do to it.”
Lionel couldn’t control himself when he asked, “Is that really necessary?”
Hamilton almost growled at his employee. “Don’t try to defy me. This is the way it’s supposed to be. We can’t keep this in California forever.”
“Why did you bring me here? Why did you want me to see this?”
“Because Todd wanted you to.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I can’t really keep it from you. Todd’s your biggest fan. He always speaks highly of you.”
“I never even met him.”
“He doesn’t have to. He saw the news reports. He used to attend the conferences. I tell you. He’s the most devoted one from your squad’s fanbase.”
“He likes me that much?”
Hamilton laughed. “Hey, you’ve become quite popular in the company. Everyone always talks about Squad A-X-9, especially during the past two weeks. You’re like a heavy metal band with a rampant cult following.”
“I appreciate the popularity. So Todd wants me to know about his recent mission. He really thinks I’ll be thankful for what he’s done?”
“He’s nineteen, Lionel. He would never remember the takeover the same way that we would.”
“Then, tell him that I admire his hard work.”
“I’m sure he’d like it a lot better if you said it to him.”
Hamilton’s smartphone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the message on the screen.
“Somebody’s at the door. I’ll be right back. Don’t touch anything in here.”
Lionel felt annoyed at being reminded for the umpteenth time. “Your secrets will always be safe with me.”
Hamilton exited the secret chamber in haste. Lionel could hear the footsteps fading into complete silence. He decided not to open the crate in front of him. Even if he wanted to see the Forizan Ring again, he refused to reminisce. He had lost track of his co-workers.