Running From Your Shadows

Chapter 21

"Who is Locus?" Sam froze immediately upon hearing that question come from the boy. He gently grasped the boy's shoulders and brought him in closer.

"Where did you hear that name?"

"Some men were saying they needed to find Locus, and I thought I saw a name on some of their knives. Lozano it said."

"Lozano?!" Sam felt the color drain from his face, and he immediately got up from his bed and rushed to his closet.

"John, do me a favor and get me a high protein bar from the cabinet next to the fridge. You would've seen your dad eat them." The child nodded and went away to the kitchen. Sam took a deep breath to regain his composure as he opened his closet, and punched in a code to reveal his armor, his skin suit, his weapons, everything he was before Challenger, before Marina. He immediately stripped himself before shimmying into his skinsuit, not remembering it being so tight.

"Must've increased my muscle mass... or I've simply gone soft." Sam pushed the thought to the side as he zipped it up, and began placing on his braces, armor, and boots to his legs, and slowly worked his way. Sam finished putting on his chest plate when the child returned with a bar.

"Mr. Sam? Where did you get that armor?" Sam sighed as he tore open the bar and took a bite.

"John, I am Locus. It was who I once was, I was nothing but a suit of armor and a gun, so I took after my armor in the UNSC. Lozano is a name I haven't heard in such a long time, and I'm deeply concerned by what they are doing here, and how they found me." Sam explained as he finished the bar.

"Mr. Sam, what will we do? They have the whole town and Marina. I was lucky to have hidden when they took mom away." Sam sighed as he laid out each of his weapons, carefully contemplating.

"On principle I should hide you and take each of them out myself, but I made a promise to myself, and I cannot go back on it. Something tells me I won't be able to do this alone, and something also tells me you won't take no for an answer."

"Yes sir!" Sam nods as he finished loading up his shotgun, and strapping full mags to him, and his sword.

"Did you see where each of Lozano's men are posted?" Johnson nodded as he peered at a specific blade Sam kept.

"Yes, they are at every exit, they circle the town that is being kept in Central Square, but the bulk of them are at our main communication satellite. We should find a way to signal for help."

"They'll kill everyone once they finish me off..." Sam realized with terror. It was then an idea came to him as he finished loading his main pistol.

"John, I have an idea," he turned his attention to the small cavity, and reached for his old helmet, and put it on. "Are you up to the task of assisting me?" Johnson nodded, but couldn't help but stare in awe.

"Definitely a cool secret agent, Locus."

---

Marina knew today would've been interesting, but didn't think it'd be like this. Upon learning Sam traded posts with someone for the day, she was looking forward to the breakfast picnic they were planning, instead she found herself being dragged by her arm out to Central Square, and roughly thrown down onto the ground. Looking up, Marina saw in horror as these strange men gathered all of the town and they formed a perimeter around them. She saw all heads but noticed something was wrong.

"Where is young Johnson?" Marina's vision was soon blocked by the sight of sharp-heeled boots.

"Well well, if it isn't Marina Yvonnovich." Marina picked herself up to her knees as she looked up at the lanky woman.

"Who are you?" Marina carefully asked, masking her fear behind her voice. The woman merely cackled.

"Who I am is no concern to you, well it won't matter in the end anyways," the woman knelt down to Marina's level, grasping Marina's chin with the woman's nails digging into the skin. "Pretty for someone like you, I can see why Locus picked you up?"

"Locus? What does she want with Sam? Where is he?!" Marina simply gulped in response.

"Who is Locus?" The woman simply clicked her tongue.

"Wrong answer." She threw Marina to the ground roughly in response. "You know perfectly well who he is. After all, it was one of your monitors who helped orchestrate my revenge. Shame that once she fulfilled her role, she was a loose end that only needed to be tied up." Marina felt the color pale on her face when she turned her head to this dangerous woman.

"Monique? Sicilia? Oh no..." Marina weakly attempted to stand herself up, only to feel a hand grasp her throat and hold her in the air.

"What do you want from us, from me? I'd at least like to know your name so I know who I am talking to. I was raised to have manners." Marina politely bit out, and that earned her a smirk.

"Gemma Lozano if you must know, but I'm afraid that my name will join you in your eventual grave. I am looking for Locus because he and two of his partners have committed a serious wrong against me a decade ago," Gemma soon turned her attention to the townsfolk. "Do any of you realize who you've been living alongside with? Do you know who Samuel Ortez really is?" Marina watched as the entire town was suddenly murmuring among themselves, and she could see the doubt make it's stay in their minds.

"Samuel Ortez is our friend." Marina bit out only to receive a tighter grip around her neck, resulting in Marina suddenly clawing for air.

"Samuel Ortez, also known as the ruthless bounty hunter and mercenary Locus, is a murderer. You've been living alongside a murderer everyone, someone who doesn't care who or what they are, the only thing that matters to him is the money, and the satisfaction that someone is dead!" Marina watched in horror as terror took it's reign over the townsfolk, and knew she had to do something to crack Gemma's control.

"Sam, where are you? Please help us, and help you."