Nemesis

XXXIII - Open Wounds

Nemesis

Chapter XXXIII — Open Wounds

[Charli Adams — Heroes/Dying]

[01 December 2023]

[Ares Tech Headquarters]

[11:56]

"I think we need to talk about some things." Lwazi said and Orla was puzzled by the captain's cryptic request. Amari had an idea what this request was about and it was what he had been waiting for quite anxiously. He had been waiting to get active and this was likely a call to the investigation that he had every right to be a part of. Amari stared down at Bronwyn, who actually bothered to return the look despite seeming non-existent for the entire time.

"Don't leave, Mari..." Bronwyn begged, having heard Lwazi's words. Amari was the only thing that she had left and the thought of him leaving, even if it was only for a few minutes seemed like a nightmare to her.

Amari appeared conflicted. This was the moment that he had been waiting for — the journey to assuring Bronwyn's safety. Yet, at the same time, his sister needed him now. He could not afford to be like his father was in his final days, but he also wanted to join the mission he had been itching for. Perhaps this was how Dain felt, constantly stuck between two choices. "I can take care of her, if you want..." Orla returned Amari to reality with her offer.

Then, Amari realized. He was not alone, he did not have to do it all on his

own like his father did. A smile crept up to his face, which Orla returned. "Thank you, Orla." Amari said as Orla grabbed Bronwyn's free hand, finding that the child was quite stubborn. "No, I'm not letting you go! W-what if you leave, like Daddy did?!" Bronwyn asked and Amari was struck by a pain that he thought he was healing from. It was clear he was wrong, but he needed to be strong. For Bronwyn. He kneeled down to her height.

"You know I fought with Dad all the time about leaving us, don't you think for a second that I won't come back to you. That's a promise I'm gonna keep no matter what happens, alright?" Amari stated, kissing Bronwyn's forehead, who had amassed enough courage to let go and attach herself to Orla. Amari stood up and smiled at Bronwyn, who managed to return the expression. "Come back, okay?" She asked and Amari nodded, walking away with Lwazi, who could not help but smile at the scene he had witnessed.

It was evident that Amari was different from all those that Dragunov's corrosive hand had touched, but would that make a difference? Would he come closer to capturing the man than Orla? Only time could tell.

Amari followed Lwazi to the entrance that led to Ares Tech, where he stared at him with curiosity. "A while ago, something came back that confirmed to me that the bullets that killed my people and the board members are all the same and were once manufactured by this company." Lwazi said as he took another look at the majestic building. "When your dad and I last talked, it looked like he was close to finding out or already knew who his killer was, but he was silenced before he could say anything else. I can't find anything else that he may have known that could help but I do know that our killer, or an accomplice, at the very least works for that company. The only people with access to these weapons are authorities and the military, so I don't think some random nigga could get them."

Lwazi explained what he had gathered for now and Amari nodded in understanding, doing his best to keep his emotions under control.

His father was close to putting an end to all this killing, and he had suffered the same fate. Quite ironic. "So, where do I come in here?"

"I'm apparently needed out here, so you have to find a way to sneak in and investigate. Specifically Dain's office among other places. You know this building almost as well as the people who built it, so you should know some other way in." Lwazi answered and Amari nodded, before he realized something. He had not heard the captain extend the offer that he had been waiting for since the conversation had began. "I can think of a few ways in, but I'll go in there on one condition." Amari said and the captain raised an eyebrow.