SEVEN: Cursed Souls

CHAPTER 15: WITCH HUNT

Night of July 26, 2018.

Their game has started and their goal now is to capture the healer of the group. The Witch is their target, not an easy one.

"A witch hunt? Is James out of his mind? We are going to hunt down a superior?" Ryder thought.

"James! We have to get back to the lair already! They'll kill my family... and your sister!" Ryder said.

"My sister? Why? What is your relationship with my sister?"

James isn't that close to his sister anymore so he may not know that Jamila and I are together Ryder thought.

"We-well," he stuttered, "she...she is my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend what? What a small world! Then it's nice that I am already close with my future brother-in-law!"

"I am sorry if it took me long to tell you. It... it was my first time hearing that she had a brother when Anonymous mentioned you and Jamila to be sibling. It was he told me Sophia's story!" Ryder said. James suddenly looked down, silenced. "I am sorry! Sorry, if I mentioned her! Please, James can you take me back already."

James heaved a sigh. "Tonight, some of the superiors are away. My group is on lookout and I also did something to help you."

"What is it?"

"I tricked them, of course. They are at the main building so no one saw us."

Ryder was startled. "WHAT?! What if they catch you?!"

"No! I ordered them to guard there while I stay at the lair. They can't oppose their leader you know!"

"Are you crazy?! If we get caught then it will be a bigger problem. James, let's go back and plan things properly!"

A footsteps can be heard at the distance which is followed by an unusual laugh. "HI! HI! HI!"

James covered Ryder's mouth. "That's the Witch," he whispered. "But we can't take her down now," he added.

They are still near the lair but since it is dark, Ryder is more unfamiliar with the place and he could get lost if separated from James so they waited.

They continued waiting until the laughs finally stopped.

"We need to go! Hold my hand, Ryder! We have to run!"

They ran for minutes until they reached the highway where James' car was left. They immediately drove in to James' lair.

"Here we are!" James said.

Ryder punched James. "YOU'RE RUINING MY PLANS!" Ryder shouted.

James wiped the blood in his lower lip. "I have been helping you when I could've not! I 've been following your orders too, but trust me this time. Okay?"

Ryder was about to punch James again but was able to stop himself and agreed to James' plan.

They drove away until they reached an abandoned and isolated building near the highway.

"Ryder? You are Ryder, right?" a man approached when they went inside.

"Please, help me!" someone said from afar.

"So you are the prophet?" a woman said.

James smiled. "The three of you, calm down! He is indeed, Ryder. The reason why you, Hope and Rico, are still alive."

The man that first approached James ran excitedly towards Ryder. "I heard a lot about your ability! Boss told me that you can see the future!" he said. Ryder was flustered. "Sorry! Where are my manners? I am Steve, Boss James' sidekick."