Final Apocalypse: Rise of Tamara

Paranoia

Daniel stepped into his office and booted up his computer. The meeting with The Black and White had gone about as expected. According to his cousin, Rone, two years ago, there was a slight power surge. It had only lasted a total of two seconds, but it was enough for Isabelle to catch. Then, they'd thought nothing of it. Until it happened the night before. The energy signature was off the charts. There was only one thing in their mutual histories where they'd ever seen anything like it. Rapture. It was the same power Isabelle had felt while in the arena. Seconds before the coffin was blown to pieces. That slight power surge that caused a massively debilitating shockwave. It was horrifying to think it would ever happen again. To think it could happen again.

The meeting had only confirmed one thing. That there was still some trace of Rapture somewhere. Some piece of him left. They just needed to find out where that piece was. And if need be, who it was.

He had received three emails from Darrius three hours ago. One was that he would tell Coretta about the meeting. The second was a transaction for gasoline. But the third was the most unsettling. An audio file. This is what it said.

"I can't seem to shake this feeling as I approach my old home. Like something bad is about to happen. I can hear my daughter's radio playing rock music. That's typical when it comes to Tamara. She's a bit of an emo, but I love her nonetheless. She is my daughter after all." Screaming from what Daniel assumed to be the house. "Oh no. Coretta!" The audio turned to static for a moment, then a woman's voice came through clearly. She spoke softly, but with menacing clarity.

"What's wrong, daddy? Don't you like my new look?"

A choking sound. Then, "Don't bother, daddy. He's assured me that my gift can outmatch even your most powerful ally. You stand no chance." Then, "They can be anything I want, correct?" a moment of silence. "Perfect."

Another choking sound. "Sorry, mommy. Sorry, daddy. I'll do my best to make this quick. It'll be less painful that way." Another few seconds of silence. Then, "Sayonara." A splat, then a few seconds of static. Then the audio ended.

Daniel listened to it again. Then, he called Colt. "I need a favor," he said as Colt picked up.

"I'm at the grocery store at the moment. But I can do it afterward. What's up?"

"I think something bad may have happened to Darrius and Coretta. Could you drive over and check on them for me?"

Colt set a tub of fryer oil in the shopping cart. "Sure, I guess. Can't be gone too long though. Allison tends to get mad when I'm late for dinner."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"No problem. See you at work tomorrow."

"Ditto."

Colt hurried to check out, then to his car. He wanted to get home. He was tired, and kinda annoyed at Daniel's request. Who the hell would attack Darrius Pierce? It was madness. No one was crazy enough to do it. Not with all the crazy cyborg parts he had. He could kill you several different ways without batting an eye. The guy was legit insane.

But Colt did it anyway. After all, Daniel was his boss. He had a lot to do. And if something needed to be done, then he would do it. That was part of his old mindset left behind. Taking the first job that popped up.

He pulled into The Pierce family's driveway and came to a complete stop when he noticed Tom and Harley's Porsche parked by the garage. They were here still?

He checked the clock in his car. It was 9:45 P.M. Tom normally arrived home at eight, so what on earth was he doing here at this hour? It seemed suspicious. Colt got out of his car and approached the house. He knocked. Silence.