The Robosapyent

A new opponent?

Recap:
The video in the pen drive was shown to the public after retrieving it. (everyone but you guys :P )

As a result, the city people decided to move towards the capital in an attempt to destroy the president's regime.

The entire eastern seaboard was wiped away with nuclear bombs minus three cities (New York, Miami and Columbus) These explosions were later found to have left no residual radiation in the area.

This left them with no option but to pass through the city of Columbus- a decision some doubt is the right one.

The mysterious "shadow hand" protected the Flipsyde machine from the nuclear strike for reasons unknown.

Isa after being hurt by Marcus's mom is currently alongside Marcus (yay they made up <3 )

Jake was attacked by an unknown man when trying to set a trap to catch Anya.(the daughter of chief of police who was chasing him after he ran from the tent)

------------chapter 9.25------------

Jake's PoV

I woke up in a room, sitting on a chair. I could recognize the cold metal of handcuffs on my hands and immediately my heart sunk. Whatever this was it definitely wasn't going to be fun. I looked to my sides but all I saw were panels. With the exception of one door straight ahead of me.

What was I doing here? I tried to remember the sequence of events leading up to this. And then it struck me. The assailant must have brought me here.

But before I could think any further, the door creaked open. In stepped the same man, dressed in a red t-shirt and jeans. Definitely not the clothes you'd see at your average torture session.

He spoke first. "I need your help."

The anger swelled within me, threatening to come flooding out. But I had to keep my cool. My life could depend on it.

"First you attack me, then you handcuff me, then you ask me for help. Not the most brilliant plan."

"Well you're only two thirds right there."

My muscles tensed. So this wasn't him asking me for help. He was demanding it. Which must have meant he had some kind of leverage.

He cleared his throat, snapping me back to reality.

"I didn't handcuff you."

That said, he turned around, and walked out the door, leaving it open for me to follow.
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I sat opposite him, watching him carefully, analyzing his every move, trying to figure out my options. Was he hostile or friendly?

I spoke first. "So you just left the handcuffs open?"

"That's right. It was a test of observation as well as a leap of faith. And well, you can see the results." He replied, pointing at me. The right side of his lip curved up ever so slightly as if trying to conceal a chuckle.

It was embarrassing. And frankly annoying. I didn't like his style of doing things. But why, after all that, did I feel the need to help him?

No. I couldn't make a decision without hearing him out. I didn't want to play into anybody's plans without knowing exactly what I was doing.

"We both know you brought me here for something. So what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to contact Marcus. I can't do it myself because I'm under  observation. Actually we all are."

"We?"

The man sighed, clearly not used to explaining himself. "We call ourselves '
the 'shadow hand'. We're a secret organization of rebels within the government working to bring it down."

I took a moment to process his statement. Was he telling the truth? He couldn't be...Right?

But there was still a possibility, however small. I had to rule that out.

"Okay, say you are against the government. Why aren't you out there helping us? You know we need all the help we can get."

"We can't be. We're inside the organization and that's the biggest asset any fight against the government can have. We can't put our position at stake for a single revolution."

His words made sense. But I didn't trust him. It was simply too much right now.

"I'm sorry." I said, getting up to leave. Hopefully he'd show me the way out without any problems.

As I turned, he started to hum. It was a very gentle hum, but definitely one I knew.

I paused. The humming slowly got louder, till it filled the room.

Where had I heard this? I racked my brain for the answer. Where was it from? Where?

I closed my eyes, focusing everything I had into figuring it out. I had to know...

And then it struck me.

Marcus.

It was the song he sang whenever he thought of Christopher in the hospital. Of course the lyrics were missing and a few notes were off, but it was unmistakable.

I turned around slowly. "How do you know that song? That song is only sung by -"

"Your friend." The man interrupted. "Yes, I know." The man looked at me with a blank face. "I'm James Blackthorne. I used to work with Marcus's dad."

----------------end of chapter 9.25---------------

I really wasn't sure I could do it, but I did it :D

I guess it's time to say I'M BACK
BD <- me with sunglasses on

I won't be able to make daily updates yet, but I'll try to work on a bit every day and give a few updates here and there until my exams get over :)

Hope you guys liked the chapter btw.

And yes Snigdha. Your character is officially a badass :)