The Origin of My Dreams

Chapter 11

"I'll make you my offer only once." The masked figure said, holding Agatha by the hair. She seemed half-awake, covered in blood and bruises. Her lips quivered as if she was about to say something, but no words came. "I'll let her go, but your life is mine."

"I decline." he replied swiftly, pulling out his pistol with record speed. The bullets flew too fast. It was like one of those old wild west movies, where the gun fight started with a stare-down in front of a saloon, save there were no winners. Each man cringed with the impact of the hostile bullets, but neither fell.

The man's grip on Agatha's hair tightened and she visibly winced at the pain. "Did you honestly think your bullets could kill me?" He walked towards the other, and she tried to stumble, but was more dragged.

"I was hoping they would not." he sneered in reply. "I do not like to play games when they are not fair."

"Oh but this isn't a game," a sly smile spread across the man's features "This is sweet, sweet revenge."

One month earlier.

"I am not going to avoid the topic anymore, Agatha." Vladimir said, his chin gently set in his hands. "I need your help."

"Oh really?" She smirked, taking a sip of her tea "May I ask what with?" Vladimir let his hands drop as he searched for words.

"Uhm, well, not here." Agatha frowned.

"Alright then," she sighed slowly. They each sat in an awkward silence. They both knew where this was going, only Agatha wasn't quite sure of Vladimir's intentions. The life of the coffee shop buzzed around them. Light rays of sunshine reflected onto their table, sending half shadows across their faces. Agatha adjusted her glasses and looked around, finally she asked, "Where then?"

"I am sorry I probably sound like a total creepy person right about now." Vladimir rubbed his eyes, filled with embarrassment.

"You think?" Agatha replied with a nervous laugh

"Alpha." the simple word meant for a mumble came out just a pinch too loud. Her face fell, and she looked into his eyes. Agatha's gaping mouth closed. Without a word, she stood and gathered her things.

"Let's go." She commanded. Vladimir stared up at her quizzically, then shrugged. He slipped on his sweatshirt and messenger bag. Grabbing his coffee, he led her out.

She always kept a few paces behind him when he walked. Agatha's features seemed troubled, clearly she had a lot to think about. Vladimir was quite upset too. He needed help in this situation, an expert. He figured Agatha was the closest thing he had, and if anyone knew about Alpha- it would be her.

It wasn't such an awkward silence when Vladimir unlocked his door and tossed his keys into the little tray he had on a side table. He led her through his apartment until he reached the living room, where he sat in his green plush chair. Agatha took a seat on the couch perpendicular to it. Finally, she broke the silence.

"You know we could get killed for even talking about this."

"I understand- I just," Vlad sighed "I just do not know. Something about this does not seem right."

"I know who the Admin is." Vlad gulped his surprise. He felt chills rising. The statement had come out so precise, with a hint of pride mixed with fear, that it caught him off-guard.

"Who?" he asked tentatively, rubbing his sweaty hands together.

"My brother." she bit her lip then quickly she added, "He- he's not a bad person, he just thinks big. To be honest I don't even know if he's still running the operation. I don't even know if he's alive! All his buddies and him- they all went missing. I just want to find him and set things straight."

"So you were looking for him? What brought you to Romania?" Vladimir said, a hint of nervousness present

"They messed up." she shook her head "At first nothing I did could track them, but then I managed into one of their messaging systems and got an address." She tapped her fingers on her arm.

"Did you go?"

"No, it seemed a little too easy. When I checked again a few hours later, it was gone. Someone defiantly knew I was on. However, I came to Romania anyway, though the address was in Moldova." Agatha said. He nodded.

"I just need to know- is this bad? I mean is all of this in some grand scheme to take over the planet or something or is this just a cool thing that we might have to deal with centuries from now due to corruption by the later generation?" he quickly spat out. She let out a laugh.

"I honestly don't know. My brother- I don't think he wanted to take over the world. But with everything that has happened, I don't know. I tell myself it's okay, that it's for the greater good, but one part of me is so against it. And- and I know the way I should be thinking, only I'm not thinking that way." Agatha ran her fingers through her hair, sighing.

"I think- well I want to find your brother. I need to know what this is all about, even just for the sake of curiosity."

"Well then your are going to need some help." she smiled and pulled out her laptop. She rapidly typed in her password and brought up several news articles, photos, and documents. Vlad simply sat dumbstruck and stared at her. "The latest thing I found was two weeks ago, but he and whoever he's working with seem to move around a lot."

"And that was?"

"News article- fire kills twelve in Ungeny. In the background of the picture is a good friend of my brother's who also went missing. He was kind of like the second in command." Vladimir nodded, attempting to keep up "Now the address I was given was located in the capitol, so they much be moving West."

"Towards Romania."

"Exactly." Vladimir felt goosebumps creeping up.

"Is that why you are here?" Agatha glanced at him thoughtfully.

"No, not entirely." Vladimir let out a sigh of relief "But I wouldn't relax yet." she added pointedly

"I suppose if they are coming here we could just wait for them." Vladimir said leaning back

"I don't think they will make it that easy." Agatha stated.

"Smart girl." he added sarcastically, she rolled her eyes.

"Please." She giggled "Though I think I know a way to find them."