When Rain Rises

Chapter 7

Rain peered into the warehouse from a skylight located in the middle of roof. The place was dimly lit by flickering floodlights, revealing the inside contents to Rain's eyes. There were several rows of tall box and crate laden shelves that split up the warehouse. On the far side were a few doors, which he assumed led into some sort of office. Directly below him he could see were kneeling figures with their hands presumably bound behind their backs; their heads down. There were also other figures seemingly patrolling the rows. A rifle glinted in each of their hands.

"That isn't right," Rain muttered aloud as he frowned. Something didn't add up here.

"What is it?" a familiar but nonetheless surprising voice asked from behind, causing Rain to jump. Aiden appeared at his side, also peering into the warehouse.

"Aiden! I—," Rain fumbled for words, but Aiden stopped him.

"You want to show us you can be an agent?" He didn't seem at all angry, which caught Rain a bit off-guard since he had completely disregarded his command to just let them do their work and go home. Plus, he had totally just said the word 'agent'.

"Yeah, exactly."

"I'm not surprised in the least. So tell me, what seems off to you?"

"The people they kidnapped are all together in the middle of the warehouse."

"And so?"

"They're exposed, all together and have no one guarding them. It's like they're bait."

"They are," Aiden agreed. "We are expected."

"You n' Davis?"

"Maybe, but more than likely they're on alert because the group we dealt with hasn't returned with you. Maybe they figure the Justicars have their scent."

"Then those aren't actually the abductees," Rain rubbed his chin in thought. "So they're already gone?"

"No, they can't have been led through the sewers so quickly. They would need a guide, and I doubt they have one with them. Their guide was probably scheduled to meet them at midnight."

"So they would be somewhere nearby with the actual abductees where they can readily access the sewers when he comes."

"That would be the most likely situation, but bear in mind, Rain, this is only a series of educated guesses we are making."

"Right," Rain nodded. He couldn't help but find himself fairly impressed with Aiden. He wouldn't make the worst mentor ever. But there was one more thing he was still curious about. "So if you already figured all this, why are you up here with me?"

"I am testing Davis. After today, I will no longer be his mentor and I want to see how he will act on his own, even without his partner." Aiden was being a lot less tight-lipped now. Rain could feel his heart starting to rise. Was Aiden actually impressed that Rain disobeyed him? Or maybe he was impressed with his observations?

"So what happens when he's on his own?" Rain asked.

"He and his partner, Janet, will both be free agents to do as they please, and can choose their own missions and contracts to undertake."

"Badass," Rain smiled lightly. He liked the sound of all of that. Agents? Missions? Contracts? These guys sounded better and better.

"Hopefully she's learned more about analyzing situations than he has, though..." Aiden muttered to himself.

Rain stopped his fantasizing and turned to see Aiden shaking his head as he looked inside the warehouse. Rain's gaze followed his and he saw Davis, masked, darting through the aisles, slipping through them with a fair bit of nimbleness.