The Irangel | Prequel Story |

Chapter 14 ~ Justin Lauders

Fueled by shattered dreams, as well as the emotions she felt from their breakup, Tori's actions went on a dangerous turn as she started to become obsessed with her work. She started researching criminals and going into detailed files about their history, trying to understand their mindset and where they were coming from. Ironically, she began watching the show Criminal Minds in her free time.

Tori began looking through the prison directory, visiting several but only interested in one. His name was Justin Lauders and he looked the very definition of criminal. He was buff, had huge arm muscles and tattoos, and wore a grey tank top and black jeans. His hair was short and brown, his face bruised, his eyes as grey as the prison bars that confined him. He was six years older than Tori and had been in jail for five years, sentenced for twenty. His prison was in Patřit, the Czech Republic, near Prague. While Nate spoke German, Justin spoke Tori's native language, Polish.

Justin looked at her sternly as he leaned against the prison bars, the dim light casting a dangerous gleam on the wall. Just a few minutes ago, he received word he had an unexpected visitor and that she had freed him from parole. He didn't believe it, but then they brought her in and he saw Tori for the first time.

Tori looked at him evenly. She knew this man was a murderer. She knew he hated the world and everybody in it. But underneath all the bulk and anger, she could see he wanted to be recognized, to be accepted.

To belong.

That was all she needed for her to decide his fate as a human or Iredescent. The desire to belong was the very foundation of the new irangels she intended to create. Though Tori and Nate were the first, the new irangels would be generation two.

"Come with me," said Tori, turning around as the police officer cautiously opened the prison cell. Heavily handcuffed, Justin followed her towards the parking lot, the bright sun blinding him after years of being in the dark. He looked confused when he saw the Bugatti take up a front space in the parking lot. He shot a double take at Tori, who remained cool and formal, no emotion on her face, a front for what she really felt inside.

He turned to the police office, who only shrugged. He turned back to Tori, who was opening the front passenger door and saying, "Are you coming in?" She looked a little threatening, though her voice was light and her manner gave nothing away.

Justin swallowed. "Am I in heaven? Did I die? Cuz there is no way there's a fucking Bugatti next to a hot chick on the same day I finally get to see sunshine again."

"There is a fucking Bugatti next to a hot chick on the same day you finally get to see sunshine again," the police officer murmured, confirming it.

Justin shook his head. "Unbelievable. Heaven does exist."

Tori chuckled. "Come enjoy it," she said, winking as she got in the driver's seat.

After an after you gesture from the officer, Justin slowly got in the front passenger seat, marveling in awe at the car he was in. He felt as if he were sitting in a mound of gold. Absurdly, the car was worth about that much just from how expensive it was. Had he known Tori's father had already paid it off, Justin would've fallen over from shock of no car payments.

Tori started the car and turned on instrumental piano music, surprising Justin with her taste in music. He had expected a pop song to come up, but not piano music. The song that was playing was "L'origine nascosta" by Ludovico Einaudi.

The police officer backed away when the Bugatti took off, heading for the main road instead of the highway. Tori preferred to drive the scenic route. She loved the part of the road where the trees created a sort of canopy over the road, providing shade from the warm sunlight.