Evolution

Evolution: Chapter 42

"I almost finished it." Ripper's words startled me. Not that it was his fault, I was already on edge, "My secretive little project."

Tonight, we would attend the gathering. There, Ripper would meet with Clarissa Wane, who holds the key to Anders survive. Slowly, the hours were ticking by, and so was the life of Freddie's Handler, it wouldn't be long now.

Not long at all, until the damage was too bad to repair.

At first, I was confused by what he meant. It wasn't until I reached back into my memories, "Oh, the world destroying thing. Right?" I drawled, feeling the breeze run across my face, "Are you going to tell me what it does?"

Standing on top of the apartment complex, gave us a birds-eye view of the entire city. Well, most of it because other buildings were much taller. Mostly, all I could see were the men and women dressed in their policing uniform, passing through the fence into downtown.

Apparently, this is the lavish lifestyle those who loyally served the President lived.

Sure, there were riches here but only to a certain extent. With that being said, I couldn't help but favor the living conditions in comparison to our last location. Besides, the air here was almost rid of the stench from the Barrel.

"That would be a safety hazard." Ripper exhaled a puff of smoke, making me wrinkle my nose. All it done was ruin the taste of fresh air, "This is a bomb- not a literal one, I'm not a fool. It's a capsule information that could very well take down the entire government."

Bewilderment jerked me into focus as my gaze dropped to the chain around his neck, "What?" I blurted dumbly, feeling my brows lower in confusion, "It's what!?"

Ripper held the sleek metal between his fingers, "It's my entire legacy." Is all he felt needed to ask, whereas I could only gape at him, "Everything of value to me is in this."

"So, it is a world destroying thing." I muttered, whilst he tucked it back under his shirt. No wonder he had a bullseye on his back, "What are you going to do with it?"

Of course, Damien Ripper would have kind of safety assurance on his body. I guess it was kind of clever, but it's probably the same reason why so many people wanted him dead. If anyone knew what it was, I had no issue believing he'd be dead already.

Ripper leaned against the banister over the edge of the building, "Weaponizing it. It's a hobby of mine." He mused, staring off into the distance with a heavy sigh, "It could destroy everyone, and thing, I hold dear."

There was a sad note in his tone when he admitted to that, "Then why'd you make it?" I questioned casually, I don't think I could ever make anything that would hurt my pack. The guilt would eat away at me for the rest of my life.

"Because I am a vengeful man," Ripper clarified, his signature smirk making his face appear younger, "And sometimes, to destroy the ones who have wronged you, you have to risk those closest to your heart."

My eyes lifted to meet his face, hearing what wasn't being said, "Everyone?" I questioned, turning so I now faced him.

Afraid of what I might see, but I needed to, nonetheless. Ripper looked a lot less prideful in his work now, "You once asked me, if was your father." His entire demeanor had changed. I felt like I was looking at someone I had only ever seen glimpses of, "Do you remember that?"

"Yes."

Something cold was trickling down my spine. It made my palms become clammy as I looked into the eyes of the man who created me. Despite his questionable morals, and the type of man he was, Damien Ripper had given me, and my pack, life.