Legacy (Completed)

Chapter 19

"Why is Castellano with you?" Director Jamison growled out as the two of us rushed through the elevator.

"No time to talk, Director," I hurried out as we passed him to the railing that over looked the lower level. "All of you! Run logistics of large events happening within the next few days. Rizal has bombs, and we believe he may be targeting those places." They stared blankly up at me before the director stepped up next to us.

"Well? What are waiting for? Do as she asks," he ordered, the lot turning quickly to do what was asked of them. I let out a heavy breath, the anxiety building inside me. A map of the area appeared, a loading bar filling up in the middle of it.

My interface rang in the midst of the action, tearing my attention from the screen to see my mom was calling. I tapped the Bluetooth in my ear, starting the call.

"Jacqueline Marie Mullen! Where on god's green earth have you been? I've been trying to get a hold of you. Your friends don't know where you are; you haven't called us! It says you've been off from work on a vacation! You didn't say anything about that! Your brother has been nervous!" my mother roared over the phone, her voice shaky with relief. I closed my eyes, completely forgetting about my family with all the action that had been going on.

"I'm sorry, Mom, life has been hectic," I shared, also forgetting about my work. I was glad to hear that the DLO had taken care of that for me.

"Hectic indeed! Hectic enough to not contact anyone? What is wrong with you!?"

"Mom, please, I'm sorry, I'm fine. I'm 24, god forbid I go a few weeks without saying anything to you," I muttered into the phone. I heard my mom suck in a breath before letting it out.

"I'm sorry too. You know how I am, Sweetie. How have you been?" my mother asked, her voice lowering from something less angry to more friendly.

"I've been... okay." I brought my attention back to the screen seeing it at 90%. "How have you been? What's my little brother been up to?"

"We've been good, he's going to a concert with his friends today. He's been really excited about that." I hummed in response, my eyes flicking over the screen as three venues showed up on the screen. There was a soccer game going on tomorrow, a business meeting today with some high officials, and-

My heart dropped into my stomach.

"Please tell me it's not the concert to see Zeref the band," I questioned my mom over the phone, dread seeping into my veins and freezing them.

"Why yes it is! How did you know?" Mom asked in a chipper tone. My heart raced at that, my hands quivering with fear.

"Call him. Call him right now! Make sure he gets out of there!"

"What? What do you mea-"

"Just do it, Mom!" I hollered, my voice coming out shaky.

"Oka-" she didn't finish as I hung up on her, giving her more time to call my brother. I breathed in deeply, gripping the railing in front of me.

"Jac?" Ren inquired worriedly beside me. I watched the screen, hearing the people below making calls to authorities to increase security at the three activities. It was too late, a loud, baritone beep sounding in the room. The screen changed from the digital map to an area ablaze. The sound finished its traveling, the building shuttering as a loud boom sounded.

It was the concert venue.

My breath escaped my body at the sight of the entire place up in flames. I couldn't breathe, my heart stopping before beating more rapidly. The tears came, stinging my eyes to the point it was unbearable. My legs gave out beneath me, sinking to the floor as my blurry vision stayed on the screen.

All sound left my ears. Nothing was left but the echoing ring of the blast. I didn't even realize all the eyes that had been turned towards me.

"This is all fake, right?" I asked, almost choking on the lump in my throat. "Tell me this isn't real!" I ripped my glasses off, wiping furiously at my eyes. I looked up at the director, seeing the pity in his eyes. He knew it was true. Tears came harder, I choked back sobs as I curled in on myself. I felt someone sit behind me, arms wrapping around my torso and pulling me back. I didn't realize my entire body was trembling until I collided against something unmoving.

"No, no, no, no this isn't right! It's not real! This isn't real."

"I am so sorry," Ren's voice whispered in my ear. His words hit me hard as reality crashed through, taking hold of me. I fought Ren's hold, crying loudly now.

"No, this isn't live! This is some kind of sick joke. My brother was at that concert! This isn't real. He's not... he's not dead!" I tried one last attempt of calling them out, knowing within that it wasn't a joke.

I didn't feel myself get lifted from the ground, too focused on the thoughts running through my mind. I was jostled around, the sounds of my surroundings coming back.

Everything was silent.

My body sent me through a short spell of hyperventilation, trying to get the oxygen back I had lost through the crying. I was getting gently shushed, deep murmurs of words I couldn't hear getting spoken into my ear.

No one around me understood my pain. The majority of them probably didn't even know I had a brother. Ren didn't even understand, yet here I was, allowing for him to act as if he did. I needed to get out of here. I needed to be alone. I pushed away from Ren, wiping away more tears and seeing the look of surprise on his face.

"I have to go," I croaked out, stumbling my way to the door.

"Jac, wait d-" I ignored him, pushing open the door and heading towards the elevator. I blocked out anyone that tried speaking to me.
I needed out. I needed out of this building right now.