Number 06 │ A Leverage Fanfiction

The Stork Job │ Part 3

<Next Day>

The set buzzed with energy, the air thick with the faint scent of corn syrup and the distant howls of werewolves that echoed across the wooded area. The camera crew moved like a well-oiled machine, adjusting angles and lighting as I watched Nate greet Irena and Luca.

"He is perfect. Gonna be great." He smiled at Luca, his eyes flicking from the boy to the script, to Irena.

He gazed into Luca's eyes, crouching down, he asked, "Are you alright?"

Luca didn't answer, his small face creased with fear. 

Nate continued, his tone shifting to professional, guiding Irena through the scene. "Alright, now, you're running through these bushes. You hear a scream. These soldiers? They're your escorts. But they can't protect you from the werewolves."

Irena nodded, "And they all die, yes?"

"Yes, they all die." Nate confirmed, "That's why you run — you move through here, into the cabin. You want to protect your son. But then you go back out. You fight the werewolves while he's hiding inside. Got it?"

Irena gave a sharp nod. Nate turned to the special effects crew, a slight frown crossing his face. "More blood! No, that's ridiculous. More! No, no — I mean, it's just corn syrup and food dye. Why are you skimping? More! More! More! That's what the audience wants."

Irena, her voice tinged with uncertainty, glanced at Nate. "To see me die?"

Nate's lips curled into a devilish grin. "Like you wouldn't believe."

I watched from the sidelines as the scene began to unfold. "Okay, let's go back to one. Back to one!" Nate commanded, taking his seat in the director's chair, a sudden gleam of excitement in his eyes. "And... action!"

The world seemed to slow as Irena and Luca dashed across the set, weaving through the trees and into the barn. They slammed the door shut, the sound echoing in the distance. The soldiers followed closely behind, their heavy boots pounding the ground. A wolf's howl sliced through the silence, sending a shiver down my spine.

Irena shoved Luca into the cabinet, her hands trembling slightly. She peered back at the door, the fear in her eyes as she locked eyes with her son. The howl of the wolves grew louder, closer. She steeled herself and ran back to the door, glancing out as the soldiers scrambled to position themselves.

The tension was unbearable. The growls of the werewolves grew louder, and suddenly —

Bang!

The door splintered open, and a massive werewolf lunged in, its claws raking across Irena's chest. She screamed, her body jerking back from the force of the attack. Blood splattered across the ground as she crumpled to the floor, lifeless.

Taking advantage of the scene's chaos, I moved quickly, silently, slipping behind the set. In the hidden back panel of the cabinet, I found Luca, his wide eyes staring at me in fear and confusion. I held a finger to my lips, urging him to stay silent. His eyes flickered with understanding, and he nodded, gripping my hand tightly as I helped him out of his hiding place.

With a swift motion, I grabbed his small hand, leading him out of the barn and around the back of the set to the van that was parked just a little further down the lot.

<>

The van came to a smooth halt, I killed the engine and glanced over at Nate, who had already stepped out of the side door, his hand gently guiding Luca along. The boy's eyes were wide, his expression a mix of fear and hope.

Nate's voice was calm, "Okay, let's go."

We moved quickly, heading toward Sophie, Eliot, and Hardison, who were standing nearby. Sophie crouched down to Luca's level, her voice gentle and soothing in Serbian. "Everything's going to be okay. Do you understand?"