The Spectre

Chapter Six

Trae sat at the table, anxiously waiting. He had, upon instinct called Alex minutes ago to tell him what happened, and Alex had then said he was sending people over. But Trae was not waiting for them. He was waiting for Zack and Lauren. Trae got to their house only two hours ago, and then he had put Charlotte to bed and started waiting at the table. He was worried something bad had happened to them. Had the Zodiacs caught them? Had the Black Riders killed them? Trae did not know, and that was what scared him. There came a knock to the door, swift and hard, making Trae jump slightly before he got to his feet, hurried down the hallway and then opened the door. Alex stood on the other side, looking incredibly considered as Trae sighed with frustration.

"They haven't come back yet?" he whispered, and Trae shook his head, feeling the same amount of dread as the Captain was surely feeling. "I have people watching the house and patrolling, so we needn't worry about unwanted visitors," Alex said hurriedly, and Trae nodded again, this time stepping aside to let Alex through. "Should we start organizing a place for Charlotte to go?" Alex asked, but to his surprise, Trae shook his head. "Just because they haven't come back doesn't mean they are dead. If they are captured, then it is possible we will have to find a permanent home for Charlotte. Until then, however, I am her protector." Alex looked shocked, and then he wiped the look from his face, "Very well. As you wish, my good man, as you wish," Alex said, patting Trae on the shoulder. "There's one other thing," Trae said loudly as Alex went to walk away.

"What is it, my boy?" Alex asked, turning around to face Trae, and Trae hesitated slightly before saying, "I want a contract." Now Alex did not wipe the look of surprise from his face. "You want to join us?" he asked, amazed, and this time Trae did not hesitate for a moment when he nodded. "Well then. I'm sure one can be delivered to your address in a couple of days," Alex said, still looking shocked at Trae's request. "Thank you," Trae said, bowing his head. Alex looked at him warmly, and even looked on the verge of speech, but then the front door banged open and a soldier marched inside, dragging a man with a bag over his head behind him. "Caught him approaching the window," the soldier said simply, and Alex sighed. "Take the bag from his head. I'm guessing he doesn't need to figure out where he is now considering he just tried breaking in."

The soldier nodded, reached toward the man's head, and pulled the bag away. "You idiot," Alex groaned, seeing Zack was the one under the bag. "Why did you try and break into your own house?" Zack seemed too out of breath to answer, and the soldier quickly undid his handcuffs and marched outside, returning to pull a woman inside. It was Lauren, Trae realised happily, although she had several cuts along her arms and a bruise on her cheek. "You may leave," Alex muttered, and the soldier saluted before leaving the house, letting the door swing closed behind him. "What the hell happened to you two?" Trae asked, and Zack shrugged, seeming to need a couple more moments to catch his breath. "We had to ditch our horse in the forest once we rode almost the whole way. The Black Riders almost killed us," Lauren explained.

Alex looked confused, but Trae looked overly joyful to see his friends before saying, "The Black Riders are rogue knights. They now work for the Zodiacs." Yet again, Alex sighed, but now he was sounding more exasperated than before. "We need to move you all permanently," he whispered, fear in his voice, but Zack stepped forward, looking angry. "No, we're not moving. My family has had to keep moving just because of me. I will not run and hide anymore." Trae, Lauren, and Alex all stared at Zack, not knowing what to say, and Zack made sure his message sank into each one of them. "It's time I made a stand. It's time I fought back!" Lauren stepped forward, looking weary as she said, "Zack, think about what you're doing. Do you really want to try and do this alone?" Zack looked down at his feet, realizing that Lauren was right. He could not do this alone.

"Who said he was alone?" Trae asked, and Zack looked up, looking amazed and shocked at the same time. "You're coming too?" Zack asked, and Trae, looking amused, nodded. "I will too," Lauren declared, but this time Zack shook his head, "No. I need you to stay here and look after Charlotte." Zack's tone did not leave room for argument. It was forceful and, to Lauren's surprise, demanding. "Alright," she said quietly, "I will stay with Charlotte. I want to help you but, clearly, you and Trae will be fine." Zack quickly hugged her, and then he turned to Alex, who was watching with interested eyes. "When do we leave?" Zack asked quickly, and Alex seemed even quicker to reply. "We can pick you up tomorrow. I know it seems really quick, but a battle is coming for the Army. We need to act quickly, so we need you to come as soon as you can."