Griffin tracked down Cole, more nervous than he's ever been. After the meeting, he knew that he needed to talk to Cole about this. He knocked on Cole's door, knocking four times quickly.
"Come in."
He opened the door, smiling shyly, and walked inside. "I need your help."
"What's up?"
Griffin shut the door and sat on the floor. "So, the meeting Zane called yesterday. It's been on my mind a lot."
"I'm not going to hurt you, if that's what you're worried about."
"No, I know that. It's just..." Griffin trailed off, feeling stupid. "They might've sent me to finish your mission?"
"What?"
"I know it sounds bad. But they have my family."
Cole's face softened. "And they're using them as leverage?"
Griffin nodded. "I didn't want to do this, but they'd kill my family if I didn't."
"No, I understand."
"You do?"
"They've never used anyone against me, but they're scary. They put people into positions that they can't say no to. For me, they'd tell me they'll either ditch me in the streets or kill me. I didn't want either of those things, so I did as I was."
"I want to help take them down."
Cole smiled. "Good. We'll get your family back."
"Alek!" the Big Man screamed into the base. "Get over here, now!"
Alek stopped what he was doing and ran toward his boss. He got into the office, panting. "Yes, sir?"
"You told me that Cole could handle this mission; that he would never go against us. Yet, he and Griffin are plotting against us. The ninja know about us and it's all your fault."
"Sir—"
"Shut up! I've trusted you for our entire lives!"
"I know that, sir, but—"
"I said, shut up!" The Big Man stormed over and punched his best friend's jaw. "And what do you do with my trust? You fucking break it!"
He kicked Alek's shin, causing him to crumble to the floor. He dug the heel of his boot into Alek's face.
"You're a fucking disgrace! No wonder your mother left you!"
Alek growled, but didn't move or say a word. The Big Man kept beating him up, screaming insults at him.
This was nothing new, but this time, Alek legitimately feared for his life. Randall Hyde was an extremely unstable man, insane enough to kill the one person who would've followed him to the ends of Ninjago without question or fear.
The cocking of a gun was the last sound Alek heard.
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Assassin's Joy
FanfictionLilly Brookstone died many years ago. Her death ruined her family's life. Her husband, once a proud member of the Royal Blacksmiths, lost his job and home. Her son was left on the streets by his father when he was only five. Cole was found by a crim...
