Gone Ghost

Chapter Two:Everything Is Temporary

      I drove the Maserati up to this building. It was tall window glass building -- kind of like Tony Stark's -- except this was a bit slanted at the top. I drove up next to the driveway and parked. I turned the engine off, opened the door, and stepped out. I looked around. Cameras were pointed at the driveway, obviously he had some top notch security. I walked up the driveway and knocked on the door. Access was granted and Fa Liang and I walked through the doors. It seemed too easy, for someone with top notch security. The moment my foot stepped inside, robots came out of nowhere ready to attack. The shot at us. I instinctively ducked and pulled out my lipstick taser, key knife, and pressed the button on my heels to activate the blades hidden in the heels. I high kicked and decapitated robot number one. I brung my key knife up and stabbed robot number two. I twisted it while it was inside his chest and tugged it out. I elbowed robot number three. I spun around and it shot out bullets. I dodged and ran up the wall. Then, I jumped on his back and stabbed his controls. He immediately fell. I looked around for more challenges. All of the sudden a shirtless man, with messy skater boy, black hair, pale skin, and a six pack, came out clapping. I stood up.
"Is this him?" I cocked an eyebrow at Fa Liang. He nodded reluctantly. I fixed my hair, and put my weapons away.
"You did that all in heels?" Fa Liang's former student said.
"Yes I did" I crossed my arms.
"I'm impressed" he said.
"Yes, I'm sure" I said.
"Nice shoes" he complimented.
"Yes I'd say the same, but you're not wearing any" I replied.
"Ah, yes, excuse me while I go change" he walked off into a closet.
I turned to Fa Liang.
"Wasn't he expecting us?" I asked.
"Yes, but he likes to see what you're made of. Especially you. He likes to....well challenge people" Fa explained.
"Uh huh, okay. So he calls that a challenge?" I ask pointing to the robots.
"He likes his Archimendes" Fa explained.
"Engineer or Mechanic?" I ask.
"More of an engineer, but he does like his cars" Fa says.
"Huh" I say.
"Why, yes, I do. What do you plan on being, Miss Congeniality?" He asks.
"It's Alice, and an architect" I say.
"Well, I'm Aiden" he reaches out his hand. I politely shake it.
"Yes, pleasure to meet you" I say.
"Pleasures all mine."
"Really? After the Archimendes?" I cock an eyebrow.
"Yeah, sorry about that, I prefer to see what people are capable of. As Fa Liang has already told you." Aiden scratched the back of his neck. Aiden looked about my age. And, now, he was wearing a white buttoned up shirt, a pair of black slacks, and some boots. He wore suspenders and it made him look more cute than professional. I went all professional. Although he did have a bow tie he still looked more like a cute Geek. Nothing was wrong with that, I mean I'm a geek, but he did look more cute than professional.
"Nice suspenders" I commented.
"Thank you" Aiden fixed his bow tie.
"Tea anyone?" He asked. 
     I sat at the table across from...well an empty chair. Aiden and Fa Liang sat across from each other.
"So, Fa Liang, have you discussed it with her?" Aiden said.
"Discussed what with me?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Fa put his tea down and turned to me.
"I'm getting old, nüběr. My health isn't getting in better. And the threats are getting bigger. They're still searching for you. And I couldn't bear it if you were hurt. He's still alive" Fa Liang said.
"Wait a second....are you suggesting I need protection? You've trained me all your life. You've taught me how to fight. I don't need any protection. Especially from someone I barley even know-"
"Alice" Fa said silently--like a whisper. He held his hand out telling me to stop.
"I believe all of what I have taught you has paid off. I've seen you in the ring. But, I know this man is becoming an even bigger threat. He's been burning other people's houses; trying to find information about you and scamming people to give him money. That's what happened to your family. Remember when I told you that?" Fa's voice was turning more shallow by the days and minutes. He was in no shape to fight. I did remember. I remember everything how could I not remember? I was only there for a few days when he finally told me:
"Child, I must tell you something."
"Yes Fa?"
"You want to know why your house was burned down?"
"Yes Fa."
"Because of a bad man. He scammed your parents into paying money. A lot of money. And when they couldn't pay anymore, he burned down your house."
"Why would someone do that?!"
"Because people are cruel, nüběr. People are very cruel. And he was a power tyrant." At that moment I crawled in his lap and put my head on his shoulder. I curled up in a ball as he patted me on the head.
"Yes, child, there are wolves in this world. And you must be careful. Because when they bite they often leave a mark."
I nodded my head. Remembering  that day. I remember I used to have blonde hair. Then I had to dye it black. Permanently.
"So he's trying to find me. Why?" I asked.
"Because he didn't just want money. To him you were a special child. Very valuable" when Fa said that I furrowed my eyebrows.
"What do you mean valuable?" I asked.
"Unlike many, Alice, you have a high skill set. One of the highest skill sets I've ever seen."
"What are you saying?"
"Alice, they call you a ghost story not just because you lived -- but because you have a hereditary gene that helps you have a higher IQ than anyone on the planet. It makes you stronger. This gene is only carried out by you. Your father had it and then it was passed down to you."
I was shocked.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"It wasn't the right time."
"And now it is?"
"Yes."
I rubbed my temples "I'm getting a headache."
"Alice you are the only one of your kind. The only one strong enough to defeat him. And him is actually a, um, her" he said. I looked up.
"What?" I asked. He slid his tablet next to me. I looked. I say a women with short brown hair, dark eyes and skin so pale she looked dead. Her hair was shaved off and her eyes were almost black. One arm had a scar.
"Her name is Brianna Killings."
"Her name suits her well" I say dryly.
"They call her Crazy Bree."
"That's stupid I would've called her Ugly Bree."
"She doesn't like the name."
"Of course not, Ugly Bree would be much better."
"This no joke child."
"I know. How is it that we finally get an ID?"
"Because she finally slipped up" Aiden finally spoke.
"Why would someone finally slip up after making no mistakes for years?" I asked.
"That's what I was thinking" Aiden leaned in on the table.
"I believe she purposely let her identity out so you could come find her. And maybe you'd slip up or she'd trap you in some sort of way."
"Why doesn't she just kill me?"
"Because you're valuable. She doesn't want to kill you she wants to use you -- to control you."
"My headache is getting worse" I rubbed the sides of my head.
"I must leave you" Fa says. I looked up immediately.
"What?"
"I must leave it is my time to leave you."
"Wh-what? So after you give me all this information you're just going to leave me with a man I don't even know, and drive away?" I stood up abruptly.
"Your things will arrive at ten o'clock. Farewell child" he stood up and gave me a hug.
"But-"
"Child I am old. I can't go on" he says in our embrace.
This was happening way to fast. We pulled back. He was going to leave me.
"Will I ever see you again?" I asked.
"Possibly. Goodbye nüběr" he walked off. And he was gone. Just like that. Gone. Forever. And I may or may not even see him again. All of this just because of this special gene and this threatening woman that has hurt me from the beginning.
I turned to Aiden.
"What is going on? Why is everything changing?" I asked.
"Because it's time for change" Aiden replied.
"Look, I don't like change either, but it's time for change" he pushed against the table and stood up.
"You want to see the rest of the house? And possibly where your room is?" He asked.
My father figure just left me and you want me to go on a tour with you? Thanks, I thought.
"Sure. Why not? I mean there are more changes to go around aren't there?" I pushed passed him. I heard him sigh and we started to take a tour of the house.