The Walks of Life

Chapter Twenty-Two

Robert eyed the man before him carefully. The man was tapping his fingers. He seemed to calm. Robert did all he could from shaking in fear.

"You failed, Robert," the man spoke slowly. A glint of anger shone in his hazel eyes.  "After all I've done for you, you failed me."

"Sir," Robert's voice squeaked slightly. "I'm grateful for all you've done; however, in my defense: she was in the home of the ninja."

"And why was she there?" The man leaned forward staring Robert straight in the eyes.

"Because I didn't get her the first time," Robert spoke softly. His hands were trembling.

"You have ONE more chance," the man stuck up a single finger for emphasis. "One."

"Yes, sir," Robert bowed his head at the man in front of him.

The man stood, towering over Robert. He walked around the desk and began pet Robert's head gently.

"Robert, Robert," the man chided in a deceivingly gentle voice. "I know you two were once involved romantically, but you need to put the past behind you like I taught you."

"Yes," Robert nodded.

"Don't fail me again, Robert," the man whispered menacingly into his ear. "I need her gone."

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Delilah whipped around and a dagger flew from her hand. Cole ducked and slammed his fists into the ground. Rocks shot up underneath Delilah's feet. She used the momentum to flip up and over Cole. He anticipated this and slammed his elbow into her stomach as she landed. She flew backwards into the post behind her.

"Not so hard, Uncle Cole!" Haden yelped from the doorway of the training room.

"It's fine, Haden," Delilah gasped from the floor. "There is a reason I asked to spar the person with super strength."

"You're training awfully hard, Delilah," Cole commented. He put out his hand and helped her up. "You're going to hurt yourself. Even the five of us don't train as hard as you've been trying to."

"I have to be ready," Delilah was bent over with her hands on her knees. She breathing was heavy from the exertion. "He won't let me get away next time."

"What makes you so sure?" Haden asked.

"Because he has one more chance," she shook her head. "His need to survive is going to overpower his wish to save me."

"I've never found that to be the case if it's someone I truly care about," Cole shook his head.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Amy ran in giggling.

"There is my girl!" Cole picked Amy up and swung her around. She laughed and he hugged her close. "Who is the cutest little girl there is? Who is the cutest?"

"I think you're biased," Haden smiled. "I think my son is pretty cute."

"And mischievous," Cole smirked. "Even Lloyd was NEVER that mischievous."

"I guess I'm just blessed," Haden sighed sarcastically.

"Cole, does Amy have any powers?" Delilah asked.

"Not that we know of yet," Cole shook his head. "I'm going to be honest, I actually kind of hope she doesn't get any."

"Why is that?" Delilah asked, cocking her head slightly.

"Because she wouldn't be in harm's way. She could be normal," Cole cradled his daughter close.

"But wouldn't she be better able to defend herself if she had powers?" Delilah asked.