Patriots and Renegades

IX. Trust Is A Must

THE RESISTANCE

A few minutes ago, the plan was executed very smoothly. Cali was all alone since her co-workers were assigned to another area in the city. She decided to go to an after party where all of those who were invited could come. However, Cali isn't the kind of person who likes to socialize. Even when she was the one who convinced Concord to attend the Welcoming Party.

All alone with her camera, she ordered a drink from a bartender. As usual, she ordered a ripe mango shake. Always the best! It was a bar, but that didn't mean that they didn't have any friendly drinks. The bartender looked different from her point of view. He smiled at other customers; even talked to them. Just the friendly type of guy. But when it came to her, he was quiet, it made her feel awkward. But the shake was quite delicious though.

Suddenly, she felt a stomachache. There was no other way but to rush to the women's washroom. No one was inside when she walked in. She ran to the toilet and vomited. And there, she noticed a slight color of violet. She never minded it, but all of a sudden, she started to see hallucinations. It was quite indescribable.

Unexpectedly, Cali saw Concord opening the door to the women's washroom. "Wha—what are you doing here?!" She panicked a bit. Concord grabbed her neck and pressed it as if he was desperate to kill her so badly.

She couldn't breathe.

She fell unconsciously on the ground. Her vision gradually became pitch black, but she could still catch her breath.

Unless she inhaled too much smoke.

With the people inside the building expected a fire drill, the unknown culprits planned to burn the place down in order to cover their tracks.

They wanted to see it burn.

They wanted to inhale success.

After an illusion of Concord trying to kill Cali. Trust won't be that easy.

Now that Concord recklessly runs into the fiery building he covers his mouth and nose to avoid inhaling the smoke. By his surprise, Dillion is behind him. "What are you doing——" He cuts Concord off—

"— Now is not the time! I detected that you have a device on you that isn't fireproof!" He wraps the device with a cold cloth. "Without me, that device would've melt."

"Thanks." He gives him a small smile.

"There!" Dillion points at the emergency stairs near them.

"C'mon!" They run to the emergency stairs to the third floor.

Once they arrive, Dillion sees sprinklers at the ceiling but none of it are working. Concord, on the other hand, tries to find a route for them to reach the person in the women's washroom. "There's no way here!" Concord shouts.

"Here!" Dillion runs to the other side and lands safely after almost tripping on the floor. When Concord runs too, multiple large pieces of wood falls onto the floor, making the floor fall apart! But just in time, Dillion grabs Concord's hand and helps him get up. "You alright?"

Concord nods. "There it is!" He gets up, and the both of them run to the women's washroom.

Once they open the door, they see a woman on the floor. Concord runs to her and kneels down. He tugs a lock of her hair, and with no surprise—— it's Cali! "Cali.." He carries her in an instant.