Valena

H.A.R.T. (AiA- Crime)

Blood dripped down my dagger while screams pierced my eardrums. Annoying.

I brought my blade down on his throat. His body shrivelled, his howls simmered down to melodious whimpers, and then he stopped. All actions ceased, just like that.

"'I know what you did,' huh?" I clicked my tongue. "Correction. You knew what I did." The corners of my lips twitched up.

I stepped back and pressed my hands together. As soon as they separated, his lifeless body convulsed, glowing bright red. I forced my palms to face him and...BOOM! His pitiable self atomised.

I took in gulps of air—too much time and power wasted on that trash.

"How could he have known that I stole H.A.R.T. though?" I wondered out loud. The text I received two hours ago...I couldn't have traced it this quicky without radiation manipulation—the firewalls were too strong, too strong for it to be the work of one incompetent scumbag. I need to get to the root soon.

 My motorcycle zoomed through the streets and within minutes, I reached my home. The door was ajar. Shit.

A familiar male voice slipped through the barriers of the small house. "Let's give your sister a nice surprise." 

I should've known it was Zovoski's trap all along. Fuck.

Leaving my motorcycle away from the door, I treaded towards the back entrance and melted the lock down.

The more energy I used, the dizzier I got. After absorbing some energy from the lamppost, I cracked open the door. The voices from before amplified.

"Auntie Val," Catalina cried the moment her eyes landed on me. The three-year-old was cramped up behind the kitchen cabinet. 

"Hush baby." I crouched down, putting my finger to my mouth. Everything on this side seemed clear. 

Crawling towards her, I couldn't help but wince at her condition—her cheeks were glossed with continuous streams of tears. I pulled her into my chest, rubbing her back.

"D-daddy." She hiccuped. Her body quivered in my arms

A crash resonated throughout our home. Catalina's tears hastened. I pressed my hand to her mouth, muffling her wails.

"Don't cry." I rocked her, my gaze still stuck on the end of the hallway.

The gears in my brain turned. "You know what?" I whispered, wiping the salty rivers cladding her face. Curiosity overpowered her fear immediately. "Remember how Sylvino, you, and I play COD?"

She nodded, tilting her head. Cute.

"They're playing just that in reality. That's why Sylvino hid you."

"In our home and reality?" she cocked up her eyebrows. Damn her smarts. 

"Yes." I nodded vigorously. Fingers crossed on this one. "I'm gonna go help your daddy. Don't come out until I or Vino come get you. Okay?" 

I put her down, creating an energy field around her. The slight alarm in her eyes was as clear as a diamond but I can't stay here any longer.

When I reached our living room, the sight before me shuddered me to my core. Zovoski sat on the grey couch, the tip of his knife held underneath Sylvino's chin. Sylvino, oh my Universe, his face was bloodied and bruised—his entire body was—as he kneeled on the ground before the middle-aged man. 

As soon as I stepped in, dozens of guns were pointed at my head.

"Ah Valena Accardi." Zovoski turned towards me, a conceited smirk on his disgusting face. "A lovely surprise, isn't it, Sweetheart?"

"Leave him alone, Carlos Zovoski." My jaw clenched when his smirk widened.

"Should I?" he taunted, pressing the knife into his skin. 

Sylvino's gaze met mine, his eyes pleading. "Take Cat and leave," he mouthed. One glare and he lowered his gaze. What he wanted wasn't gonna happen, not now, not ever.

"You know what I want, Sweetheart. Give it to me and take him." He pointed at Vino. "Alive."

 Giving him H.A.R.T. would mean the agency would rule again. That's...no. But Vino—Cat needs her father, I need my brother. He's barely 23 and has just graduated from med school.

I can't take on so many alone, the energy field's draining. Fuck!

"Take it. But first, leave him." I glared at the aging man.

"Where's H.A.R.T.?" he asked, a gnarly snarl taking over his face.

"Here." I pointed at my locket. Seeing my gaze affixed on Vino, he pushed him away, stalking towards me.

His one hand clasped my wrists behind my back while the other motioned his men to lower their weapons.

Vino fortunately took the hint and scurried to the kitchen, letting me remove Cat's protection.

Before he could grab my necklace, I kneed his junk. He hunched, allowing me to turn around and kick his face, rendering him unconscious.

I shot light blades, keeping his men away. They returned the favour in the form of bullets. I dodged most of them but a few managed to graze my skin. And fuck it hurt! My body's weak enough already.

I took in a breath. They're still almost twenty of them...I need to do this. Summoning all the energy that I could, I sent an intense wave across the room, killing everyone.

My sight hazed and my knees buckled.

"Val!" Vino's voice appeared distant and his figure, blurred.

An annoying beep stung my ears. My eyes shot open. Fuck, it's too bright! I turned towards the sound of shaky breaths. My throat hurts.

"Val," Vino sighed holding my hand. A film of unshed tears glossed his own olive eyes. "It's been a year."

"W-where's Catalina?"

He helped me up, giving me some water, before pointing at the small figure sleeping on the couch. Her tiny arms clutched the teddy I had gifted her for her third birthday like her life depended on it. 

"She just let me take her out of this room for bathing her," he murmured. "She even ate all her meals here, ranting day in and day out." 

I shifted and patted the empty space. He sat and wrapped his arms around me. "We were so worried, Val," he choked out.

"I'm back, Vino. And am never going away. Ever. I promise." I took off my locket, ejecting a tiny chip. I snapped my fingers and it disintegrated.