DETESTABLE

DETONATION

             JANUARY 19th, 2:34 PM, 2543.

The days rolled past before I could even realize it. It was a few days since Alborn was taken away – to where I had no clue, but I knew he was taken somewhere. Those outfits seemed familiar, but no way was I going to figure it out on the first try. Sighing, I placed my hands on the system in front of me, emanating a red and purple glow – I could hack the security, the place isn't far, and I doubt they took measures...Maybe I shouldn't. Of course, against all morals, my fingers moved without my knowing, pulling up multiple screens; god I'm good. I was pretty popular on a couple of websites, they referred to me as "WRAITH." Which was a pretty catchy name. Granted my name on any site is WR417H, but I like to think the public came up with it.

Moving the surveillance onto my mobile device, I watched each one intently. Nothing. It was like they were never there. That makes no sense. Cameras had tight security, even with remote access. How..? ARGH. I stood angrily, ready to remove some thoughts from my head – I made my way over, sliding on shoes and taking my keys. "I'll be back soon, Dad." Silence. Whatever, he didn't usually respond, he was probably busy doing something more important than me anyway.

With a quick jolt, I felt a shiver enthrall its way down my spine as I made my way out of the apartment; weird. Ignoring the feeling, I urged myself to head towards Al's to investigate a little, but my legs moved towards Anton's small bar – it was a pretty calm place, and I definitely needed to talk to someone. Who better than a bartender who owes you something?

Irregularly, Anton's was pretty busy; it was bustling with activity and new faces that I've never seen before – Anton was regularly the only worker, so knowing that he must be pretty stressed. "Hey Barkeep, get me a coffee." I purposely spoke in a lower tone to throw him off a bit, a small chuckle escaping me seeing his sigh of relief after turning quickly. "God, Lilith, don't do that to me..." he softly let out, obviously tired. "You seem pretty busy...you need some help? Look's like there's more than plenty of folks here." I huffed out, I do not want to help with these drunks, but  I feel bad making this guy work alone out here. "Could you? I'll pay you after..." he uttered with the eyes of a puppy, aimed straight at me. Advanced War Tactics...

After changing into the small uniform, I helped around the bar a bit, it was pretty easy aside from the constant flirting and cat-calling from the people within the bar; but it didn't really bother me that much to be honest. I'll talk to Anton after this shift, I still really need to get Al off my mind, though I know I'll still investigate his place after this, but still...

After a tasking shift, I took a few huffs and breaths on the stool in front of the bar, and like he knew I needed to talk, Anton appeared – handing me my 2nd coffee of the day. "Something up?" he said narrowly, a soft tone encasing his voice. "Yeah, Al got caught with his refugee service." I said taking a heavy swig of my coffee, and his face told me that he'd yet to receive the news too. "Seriously? That's some bad news to hear on a day like this." his voice became more somber than before, I resisted speaking and only nodded.

Fuck. Looks like I'm not getting him off my mind today. Thanking Anton, and taking a small payment, I found the energy in my legs to wander towards Al's shop. It was still empty, but today was different. It was completely empty. No shelves, no signs, nothing. I slowly crept to the back where I had last met Alborn, figures it was empty too. I was already ready to leave before spotting a small chip in one of the cells, damn you smart-ass Al. Taking the chip, I quickly made my way home. It wasn't a long way home, my legs were moving faster and faster – with my brain keeping up the race;  I didn't know which was moving faster. Entering the apartment, I made my way to my room without any interventions.

Hastily, my system came to life with roars, inserting the chip – it made a few small beeps before popping up a couple files with different titles and credential requirements. They all seemed pretty important, how the hell did you get this Al..? I'll hold my questions till we meet again. Swiping and typing through each of the files, I found information on a project, DETONATE; not much was mentioned on this specific chip, but a large amount of the information was classified, so it could still be used.

The chip read about the illegal deconstruction of a building; I was assuming it was for angry demolitionists and it was an unused building that they were going to repurpose. Reading more it talks about a specific case that requires careful proceedings. That would mean that the building was occupied. Were they looking to destroy someone specific? Was there any way to stop this demolition?  They were definitely hiding something, among Al's kidnapping and disappearance as if he never existed & the strange findings of the Lapse's among the city. Something was amiss.

Almost on cue, as soon as I was able to get in, a large boom was heard from above. Strange. Ignoring it, I continued to work hastily, searching for anything of use. Screams. Very strange. I heard a large amount of shuffling in the hallway, and a large amount of yelling; fuck, did something happen? I quickly took my system and readied to get out of the building. Dad was sleeping still, I attempted to wake him, but he refused to move. Slapping and moving him around, he slowly rose. "What is it..?" he said groggily, with no response I only pointed towards the door. He nodded, quickly putting on a shirt and grabbing his items.

We quickly ran through the halls, but the place was a mess, and a large amount of fire was on the scene – we took too long. Another boom could be heard from the floor above; and something was telling me we should get moving before that boom was on our floor. I darted for the stairs, and shoved it open; Dad followed quickly behind me. We made our way down a few flights before the rest were cut off, fallen to the bottom in a collective of metal. We had to find another way down. Dashing through the hall I couldn't find anything, but behind I heard a loud crash turning quickly to face it. "DAD!" I screamed, running towards the man who was buried under the parts of the roof. The embers around us grew ever hotter and the roof itself seemed to destabilize more by the minute. I quickly tried ripping the metal off of the man that was below it, but it was to no avail. I can't move it. "Go. Get out, I'll be fine. Here." he spoke pretty calmly for a person below a support beam. Tears were fogging my vision before I could see exactly what he gave me, his hand quickly clasping mine exhaustedly. Angrily, I understood what he meant; if I'd take any longer neither of us would be alive to see the next sunrise, tearing myself away – I ran towards a window, it was my best chance at surviving, so I climbed down the building that had chunks of shrapnel falling from it and different debris engulfed in flames that tore the building from its base. By the will and adrenaline that was coursing through me, I was able to reach the floor relatively safely, it felt like a safe haven when my feet finally reached the floor.

It felt inhumane. I made it out, I'm fine. He is still in there though...it's so frustrating, I was so close, but I just couldn't save him. Even if he barely paid attention to me, and barely acted like he cared. I know he did deep, deep down. Glancing down at the items in my hand, I noticed two items. Another chip, and a necklace; I'm fucking tired of these chips. Opening the necklace was a picture of Dad and..Mom. Bad memories, but perhaps, just maybe; they were resting together.

My mind flicked back to my system. DETONATION. Was this it? Was this chip owned by a terrorist organization? So many questions, so little answers. It felt targeted; could this have even been a coincidence? This seems like too much of a coincidence, first it was Al, then it was Dad; there is only person it could be after those two...I'll check Dad's chip tomorrow, first I needed to make sure that Anton was okay. Please be okay.