The Family Wars

The Family Wars is the direct sequel to The LaChavr Family (story) and was written by DemonOfVela of Quizilla (Ryan [Batyus] of OMGPOP).

Chapters

Episode one - Lamenting

"Ryan!"

"No, he's gone! Get. Ahold. of. yourself." Elizabeth hooked her arms underneath the struggle Keia, who was desperately trying to reach the still body of her brother. The room grew silent. Tears streamed down Keia's face, she stalled, standing in the middle of the hospital room, shaking her head, not knowing what to think. Elizabeth released her and then quickly walked over to the body of her brother with a solemn expression etched on her face.

"He wants us to move him." She said turning to her sister, and Keia tried to blink away her tears. "What?" She sputtered using the sleeve of her sweatshirt to remove the tears from her face. "What did you say?" She repeated stepping forward and the other girl looked down at the body curiously. "He wants us to get rid of his body. Think about Keia, those people didn't want us to kill us, otherwise I would be dead. They want our blood." She stated pulling down her sleep revealing an incision made on her arm. "They will come, and they will take the body back." She stated firmly, slowly reaching under the body of her brother. It was difficult for her to feel like he was gone, after all, apart of him had been given to her. She could feel him, almost hear his voice guiding her as she and Keia quickly took the body from the room, and before anyone even knew what was going on, the two girls disappeared into the night with the body.

"Where are we taking him?" Keia looked at the back seat where his bleeding form rested calmly. "To the river, just stop, and I'll throw him in." the other instructed. "But it's frozen!"

"He'll fall through. Trust me, winter hasn't set in completely yet..." The car stopped, and Elizabeth went to get out of the car. "Stay here." She ordered, and then she took the body into her arms, and she hugged it once last time. "Will I ever see you again?" She asked the dead corpse, petting his head, and feeling the warmth slowly fade. Then she pushed him down and he fell with a sundering crack, as he hit the ice and sunk beneath the water. She got back into the vehicle, and they drove away.

* * *

He leaned back in the soft blue chair, slowly chewing on a handful of peanuts, as he watched from the window the landscape flow by underneath him. He crossed his legs, and then he stopped a stewardess. "Excuse me, can I have another drink?" he asked raising his cup, and the woman nodded, giving him a strange look and walking away. "Damn airlines. Mistaking a mexican for an arab or something, ah thank you very mucho..." he took the cup and smelled it before taking a sip. He let out a sigh, and then smiled. Then his phone rang. He slowly reached into his pocket and looked at who was calling. "Hola Senorita!" He chuckled.

"How was Canada?" the voice asked. "It was cold, but you know, plenty of stoners, aha, so by what honor do I recieve this phone call from you?" he asked smiling as he took another sip from his drink. "You're quite the actor. Emily just arrived the other day, we were wondering when you'd show up." The voice informed and he smiled. "Yeah, Miyana would kill me if she found out what I was doing, but you know, no place like home, and babysitting is more boring than you think. I hate children." He muttered. "Well that is good, Talmus said he'd pay you handsomely for your efforts, I assume you have the information we asked for?" He paused. "I do, I do...but there is a slight problem madam in your figuring. The boy is dead, the daddy and the mommy don't know yet, but I am certain of it." There was a shocking tone, and then. "Ryan died?" He nodded. "Yes, yes, he died just last night, or maybe it was this morning, I don't know, we weren't expecting the Arddocks to Kill him."

"Brian is going to be upset when he hears that?"

"Who? Your brother?"

"Ha, yeah...well thanks anyway Stephen. I'll be seeing in Mexico shortly."

"Ya, adios Senorita."

He hung up the phone, and took one last draining gulp from his glass and set it back down. Oh the things he did...the things he did...

* * *

Itachio woke up lying on top of a bunk bed. His reading glasses were still on his face as slowly sat up, wary of the pipes which hung dangerously close to his head. The book he had been reading before he had fallen alseep was still on his chest, and he rubbed the sweat hanging from his forehead away and then he slowly swung his legs down over the side of the bed and jumped down. He walked through a narrow passage way, in till he came to a steel door where he turned a wheel and pushed it open, walking up a flight of stairs, he found himself looking out over the deck of a ship. He had been living here for such a short time, it was strange how familiar he had gotten with it. The bright blue sea laid right next to the sprawling red desert wasteland. He was wearing a white T, with a pair of black work pants, which had paint stains from its previous owner. The boat was anchored to the shore, where he got off and slowly looked around with a sense of purpose. He walked down the length of the dock, in till he stopped at the end where he saw a young girl looking at him with a strange smile on her face.

"So this is Mexico?" She asked with a bright smile, and Itachio returned it, coming up to her with a jog, and then hugging her. "Aha, Emily, what are you doing here?" He asked taking a step back and looking his sister over. "That is a secret, but seeing that you're here, I'm guessing you're about to find out." She turned to look over her shoulder. There were a couple of helicopters stationed here, and a bunch of low to the ground, green and black buildings. "So you are working for the Talmus now?" She asked as they walked towards a large building nearby. "Yeah, I got talked into it. They said if I wanted to help protect my family I should just work here instead of running around blindly. It's logically, the best decision." He stated opening the door. "Come on, lets get some breakfast!"

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"So when did you get here?" he asked and she thought about it for a moment. "Oh, I don't know, flew into Mexico city a couple days ago was it? It's so hard to remember. Got picked up by a guy named David, took me right here. It's all on Mother's orders I guess." She ran her fingers through her hair, a sense of materialism was evident. As the morning passed, and the day grew on, Itachio and Emily walked about the other buildings, there was little to do today because, as one of the men in charge, stated that 'David' would be coming here, and they would have a nice long 'talk' once their informant came back. "Isn't this a little harsh?" he asked and the girl looked over. "Huh?" she asked. "I mean, we are just kids...look at this place...building guns...and things I don't even know about..." Emily laughed. "Ha! 'we are just kids' I never thought I'd hear you say that. They told me all about you running away, acting like you could hold the world by the tail..." she laughed but her smile was sincere. "My mistake...I didn't know that our family was being hunted by another family because of some stupid reason!" he waved his hands and in the air and they continued on...when finally a man holding an automatic entered the room they were talking. "Come with me, the others have arrived." He stated and they silently followed the man, who was dressed in a business suit to an ordinary looking shack, which houses the bathrooms, and had a vending machine pushed off in the corner. He went over to what looked like a thermostat, and he pushed the various buttons on it in till a door slid open and it revealed a stairwell leading down into a well lit room. They walked down the stairs, and down a fairly cool hallway in till they passed through a wooden door where the man stopped as the two teenagers entered the room and paused. There was a young woman, probably nearing her thirties sitting there at the head of the table, and just across from here was a man with dark hair and brown eyes, whom Itachio assumed was David, and there was a third sit, where the very image of Uncle Pyro sat smiling at Itachio.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"Oh ho ho, look who is finally ready to enter the business of his father!" The man chuckled and Itachio froze, staring bewildered at Pyro. "YOU." He nearly growled taking a step forward. "Itachio!" The man known as David stated catching the boy in midstride. "Sit. Please." The five people in the room looked around. "Miss Miredy, shall we begin?" David asked and the woman nodded. "As you two are well aware, your family is being hunted by very dangerous people, we call them the Arddocks. Now, as you know, you have come under the custody of Talmus, and for damn good reason. Chavair and Lavante families are quite old, but they refuse to protect you. That is why you have come here. You will work for us, you will help us build weapons, so that we may fight off the Arddocks, in till they are no more. If we win, you can go off and live your life however you wish." He folded his arms and looked over at the woman and then at Pyro. "That is it? That is why you've called us to this meeting, and WHY IS HE HERE?" Itachio said, annoyance evident in his words. "Mr. Pyro is here, Itachio, because he works for us. He's been working for us from the very beginning."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"Then why did you have to exchange Ryan for Fencer's capitivity?" Emily asked looking over at her uncle and he sighed. "That wasn't my call. Miyana wanted her son to be safe." There was quiet pause. "Her son? As in, Ryan is not her son?" Itachio asked raising an eyebrow. Pyro began to speak but David shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Ryan is dead." He stated, and Itachio's expression changed. He began to think about it for a moment, as the news set in, and Emily looked distraught. "Don't blame yourselves for it, blame Arddock, Grislor Arddock, he is the one who brought an end to your brother." The man spoke and then he waved his hand, and him and the woman left the three inside of the room to lament, even though Pyro already knew he stayed there to console them.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">* * *

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">It was a very sorrowful day, perhaps, the worst day there was for the LaChavr house. When Keia and Elizabeth finally came up the driveway, and entered the house, and spoke the words with teary faces, and Sarah and Courtney and Fencer felt the wave of sorrow drench them, and together they mourned. The somber cloud could not be lifted. It continued well into the day. When finally Keia looked around. "Someone is missing..." She said, worry crossing her face. "Where is Uncle Pyro?" The others began to notice as well, they looked around the house and during such, Elizabeth climbed up the stairs, and slipped off into a room by herself. He picked up the reciever and began to dial.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"This is what you want isn't it?" She thought out loud. "Hello?"

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"Hello, Child services, I am a concerned neighbor of the LaChavr family, some pretty strange things have been happening, I need you to come...there are children living here, children who'se lives are at risk..."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">To be continued!

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">If you haven't read the LaChavr Family in a while, it might be a good idea to get refreshed. :)

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Episode two - Arrested

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"Hello Child services? Y-yes, I am calling about a problem. On the outskirts of Lethbridge...did you hear...about the two girls who went to San Deigo?" There was a pause. "Thank you very much." Elizabeth placed the phone down on the reciever and then turned to look down the hallway. Nobody was up here, they were still downstairs, though it was awfully quiet. 'I have about five minutes at most...' she thought as she moved up into the attic to collect her things. She wrote a note on a piece of paper.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"Forgive me Keia, but this is the only thing I can do to protect us." She slid open the window, and stepped onto the frozen roof. With the grace of a cat, she climbed up to the peak of the mansion, and then, inhumanly, she jumped into the backyard, landing without incident. With uncanny speed she disappeared into the forest moments before a collection of vehicles pulled up into the driveway.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"Damn that sneaky bastard to hell!" Daniel yelled as he stood looking at the closest full of bright lime green plants, and he kicked them forcefully with his feet. The majority of the clothes had been removed from the dresser, and even the bed was properly made, but it was clear that the uncle of the house had packed his bags and left, quite recently at that. Sarah and Courtney were on the verge of tears, as Fencer tried his best to console them. Keia instead had gone into the study, looking around her, she didn't want to be bothered by anyone or anything. She slumped down into a big leather chair, and began to cry. "Why did you leave us?" She asked, stopped placing her hands on her face. "Why did we throw your body into an icy river, why can't we lay your soul to rest?" She curled up into a ball. "I should go too, I don't want to be here in this family any more, it wont be the same...I don't have anyone left here...why...why did you die?"

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The others were pulled from Pyro's room as they heard the door upstairs. The clampered up, one by one, in till Daniel reached the door and opened it, instant shock came upon his face as he saw the social workers standing outside of his door. He took a step back. "Can we come in sir?" they asked him, and he slowly began to nod his head."Is there a problem, look, this might not be the best time--"

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"We were told that there might be some kind of problem." They said, and Daniel took a step forward. "My oldest son just died!" He shouted, and the others who had climbed up the stairs paused. Miyana came forward and placed her hands on her husband's shoulders. "We were given a detailed report about this family. I think now is the best time to consider the well being of your children." The looking left and right. "What do you mean?! What is the meaning of this?!" the father demanded and the held up their hands. "Your two daughters just got back from a flight to San Deigo, and now you are telling me your oldest son is dead, not to mention that your other son has gone missing, on top of, the hostage incident with your youngest son. Is that right?" The man said and Daniel shook his head. He turned to his wife. "Can I speak to her alone for a moment?" He asked, and they consented as the two parents headed upstairs and into the first room. "What the fuck?" He started moving around, bewildered, crazed and wild. "Calm down." Miyana said while sitting on the edge of the bed. "How the fuck, do they know about all of that?" He asked looking at her. "I have two guesses..." She stated slowly turning towards the window. "Either Pyro called it in before he left, or...Elizabeth did while we were all downstairs." She stopped for a moment. "Jesus Christ! That girl was nothing but trouble since we got here. It's her fault Sarah and Courtney even went to San Deigo! She killed an old woman across the street for god's sake. What the hell am I supposed to tell them?" He pointed downstairs. "She is neccesary, after all she's Ryan's Sister, we needed her." Miyana insisted. "Bullshit, we could've had our pleasant life, we were one step closer to finishing our contract, and then..." he waved his amrs majestically. "Heaven for the rest of our lives." She closed her eyes, sniffling a little bit. "We made a mistake Daniel. Now one of them is dead. How much longer do you think we could have done this? We already tried splitting them up, but it didn't do us any good. They ended up going their own little way just the same. The best thing we can do is turn ourselves in to the police, let's spend our jail time, and get out of this as soon as possible."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"What about Fencer, Emily, and Itachio?" The father asked and the mother shook her head. "That will have to wait, but for now, we have to atone for what we've done!" She stood up suddenly. "Don't you get it, we killed an innocent child, who thinks..." She stopped herself. "Let's just go, and tell those people, what happened." The other gave out a small laugh. "Lets leave out the demon part, make it believable." They went to the door and slowly came downstairs. Like in a television show, they held their hands above their head as they came down to the people. "What?" The first man asked, as they announced their decision. "We are unfit to parent these children, please sir, we'll be more than willing to tell the court just what happened..."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">* * *

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"I want answers, RIGHT NOW." Itachio stormed as he paced the room, trying his best to hold back his tears, while Emily stood across the room, holding her hand to her face, while Pyro rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It was quite surprising, I thought he would've pulled through..." he stated. "SHUT UP!" Itachio replied kicking a chair over. "You want answers, huh boy, okay, then, lay your questions down!" Pyro stood up challengingly. "Okay. First of all, what the fuck happened?" He asked, and Pyro looked over at Emily for a moment. "How the hell do you know he's dead, or who's killed him? It could be lies just to get me to do dirty work!" He snapped. "Itachio, it is true, I'm the reason--" Emily started but couldn't finish as Pyro stepped in. "Listen to me kiddo, the Arddocks are trying to do something with some ancient legend about the LaChavr blood, so they kidnapped little Fencer, and then, when mama and papa wanted their little sweet heart back, they decided that they would trade Ryan, because..." he paused for a moment. "Ryan isn't their son." He finally finished. "WHAT?" Both Itachio and Emily replied, and Pyro sighed as he turned around. "No doubt, he is your brother at heart, and he thought of you that way in till his untimely death, but, when it came down to mama's kid, versus someone she had raised because it was her job, she wanted to secure her own flesh and blood first." As he spoke, Itachio slowly seated himself down as the shock filled the room, he looked left and right and then he shook his head over and over again. "That can't be true, there is no way it can be true." He stated. "Okay, fine, don't believe me. But you are here now, and you need to do what Talmus tells you." Pyro said and he slowly moved towards the door. "I hope you can calm yourself down in time."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The other two siblings stayed where they were for a moment looking down at the fine table, and not speaking much. "I saw that woman from somewhere..." Itachio finally echoed, and then he looked up at the ceiling. "Excuse me?" Emily asked. "I saw that woman on a boat...I don't think she is working for Talmus sis...I think we are being fooled with a bunch of bull crap. Pyro can't be trusted." He said standing up slowly. "What do you mean can't be trusted?" She asked quietly. "He betrayed mom and dad, he left them back at home to come here, why?" Itachio ran his fingers through his hair, and walked back and forth. "I don't trust these people, and I am going to find out what they are really trying to do." He then let out another sigh, and then he pushed back the wooden door and back down the hallway. He came out back into the desert, and there was a man with a gun waiting for him. "Excuse me Mr. LaChavr, it's time to show you to the factory. We need someone who is good with computers." The man said, and suddenly his interest was piqued, but much like his work at his company, he could be a double edged sword if he wanted to be.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">* * *

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">She had slipped into an uneasy sleep, curled up in the study, when finally the door opened slowly, and there was a quiet pause. "Keia..." A quiet voice spoke, and then slowly, two young girls slowly approached their older sister, and began to shake her gently. "Keia..." the said again, a sad murmur held within their melodic voices. She stirred, and looked at them. "Mm...what is it?" she asked quietly, trying her best not to think because thinking meant, remembering... "We're moving again." They said, and that got her up quickly. "What? Where, did mom and dad say?" she asked standing up, and touching her hair, and heading towards the door. "No...Mom and Dad already left..." Sarah and Courtney replied. "What...what do you mean?" she asked, and they looked up at their sister teary eyed once more. "Mom and dad just got taken to prison!" they exclaimed. The girl's eyes widened, as she quickly bolted up the stairs, nearly barreling over Fencer, as he looked down at his feet. She got up towards the main floor, when she saw a man wearing a suit looking at her with a friendly smile. "You must be the oldest sister..." he said coming forward, and she backed away slightly. "What is going on, where are my parents?" She asked, and the man sighed. "Where is Elizabeth?" She asked, and he paused. "Elizabeth, you mean there is another sibling?" He asked curiously. "We didn't hear anything about her..." he slowly came forward. "I'm not here to hurt you...I'm here to help you Keia." He said quietly.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">To be continued!

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Episode three - Peices set in motion

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The man, standing in the main hallway of the LaChavr house had short black hair, and tanned skin. He looked like a business man, dressed so properly, yet he also looked fairly young, perhaps in his twenties. He was looking at Keia with very worried eyes, as he noticed the red tint of her eyes, and remainder of tears on her cheeks. He let out a slow sigh, and he looked at the ground, and then he lead her to the table slowly. They seated themselves, and timidly, Sarah and Courtney and now Fencer too all stood around anexiously. The man looked at all of them in turn, and he clapsed his hands together. "I know things are hard for you, I too have lost a sibling in my short time here in this world. I've even lost friends, and family members, I know how hard it can be, but I know, Keia, that you, and your siblings, are intelligent people." He paused for a moment as Keia looked him over with a very puzzled glare, at first she thought she was going to be told off, but it seemed like he was worried about something. "I am not a police officer, I am a social worker, I am here to give you, and your sisters and brother, a chance to rest easy for a while." He took out a piece of paper and slowly shoved it across the table to give to her. "You are the eldest child now, and I feel like it is important to keep everyone together. That is why I suggest you come to the Walker House and stay there till you are ready to move on." He leaned back in his chair for a moment while the girl reviewed the document. "An Orphanage? Where did you guys take my parents if you aren't police officers?" She asked, her voice shaking. "They were taken by the police officers who showed up along with us. Apparently, they are admitting to some various crimes, it is all still being investigated, but while they are in voluntarily custody, we, are going to work this out." He gestured to everyone in the room. "What about Elizabeth!" Courtney asked coming and sitting next to Keia and the man furrowed his brow for a moment. "The police are looking for her, wondering why she might have fled." He nodded his head. "I hope they find her, before someone else does."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"What do you mean, someone else?" Keia asked looking at the man. "Do you know something about this family?" She asked and the man gave her a smile. "I know many things, Keia, but, one step at a time. Ah sorry...I forgot to introduce myself." He stated slowly pulling out a card, and sliding it across the table. "My name is Allan, and I work for the Walker House, to handle special cases like yours." Allan smiled, and Keia folded her arms. "So you are aware that there are people out there trying to kill us?" She asked, her voice rising. "We recently heard about it yes, if you are thinking of blaming us for your brother's death, I think we came too soon to discuss important matters." He stood up, and then, his cell phone began to go off. "Excuse me, please, Keia." He said, stepping out into another room leaving the four remaining siblings behind to discuss what was about to happen.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"I don't want to move..." Sarah was echoing softly, holding onto Keia's arm, but Keia was looking over the document. "Well Courtney, what do you think?" She asked, "It looks like there are enough of us to fill one of their wings, we wont be alone, but we'll have privacy." Courtney just silently nodded. Then Keia turned to Fencer. "Well little kiddo, looks like you're the only boy left." She said, despite how much it hurt, Keia knew how to be strong. She patted him on the head, knowing, knowing that he was one of the factors which caused Ryan's death. "If the choice is up to me, then I say we go for it." She signed her name on the bottom of the sheet, and then nudged it back towards the other direction. "He once told me...that you wont move as fast if you aren't looking forward." She said placing an arm on her two sisters, when suddenly Allan came back into the room, he looked slightly nervous, but then he gave a weak smile to Keia. "You've made a good choice then!" He said reviewing the paper. "We'll give you as much time as you need to pack your things and get ready. The Walker House will be waiting with open arms." He smiled, briskly walking out of the house.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">* * *

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">They had been split up, into seperate cars, going to seperate prisons. Daniel sat motionless in the back seat of the car, trying his best to control his breathing as he looked out of the window, watching the gray landscape go by. He shifted uneasily, he was worried, he didn't think he'd be seperated from Miyana. Would they be holding seperate trials? What was going to happen to them? What about the children? Keia was still there, Keia oh yes, the bait. The one who was supposed to draw in the demons, and eventually become fodder. How heartless his orders had been, but he was still a man, right? He closed his eyes, trying to chase those thoughts from his mind as he shook his head. The car slowly came to a stop, as they appeared before a fenced in facility. The door slowly opened, and he came out, the officer looking at him with a confused expression.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"I don't know what you did, but here we are. Your trial will be held as soon as we know what is going on." The two men came through the prison gate and inside. They walked down the hallway, and just like a movie, there was a janitor, who didn't appear to be a prisoner, lacking the bright orange uniform, who nodded as the two walked by. "Keep the floors clean Vance!" The man said with a laugh, and the dark haired asian nodded. "You got it!" He stated. Something about that man irked Daneil, in ways he couldn't understand.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Meanwhile, in the opposite direction Miyana found herself speeding down the road. They were going to a different prison, apparently, but something felt wrong to her. She watched as they began to speed further and further away from anywhere in particular. "Where the hell are you taking me?!" She demanded trough the thick glass and then man slowly turned around with a smile. She could barely hear him. "The United States of America." Was the reply. She leaned back in her car. It had been a case of poor timing, but it would appear that her father had suddenly decided to intervene. Whatever it was he had in mind, Miyana did not like it. She hoped, that just maybe, her Uncle would be the one involved instead. Ayrun was a good man.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">* * *

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Itachio now stood in the middle of the techincal facility. He looked over the various computer equipment with awe, it was well designed, and it was even personalized. He looked over the various parts and he turned back to the man. "Is this connected to the entire base?" he asked and the man nodded. "It's main purpose is to maintain the power of the base, however, if you know what you are doing, it can do a lot more." He pointed at the main monitor. "You see, this is the control panal."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"Yes, yes I know, I've worked with this kind of system back at the...company..." he paused for a moment. "Don't tell me that was planned?" He asked and the man shrugged. "Sorry, I don't know much of anything. Well, your instructions will be coming from David, through this intercom. Please, don't turn it off." The way the man had said it probably suggested that doing so would get him hurt, so Itachio began to look over the various monitors, realizing that they weren't building much of anything. There were workers, here, and people with guns, but, it didn't appear to be very significant. Suddenly a voice echoed out through a speaker. "Itachio, can you hear me?" The voice asked. "Yes, I can hear you." He replied scanning the monitor carefully. "Listen, I need you to enter in some data, I have the files being sent to you directly." The voice died out, and Itachio found the files coming onto the main screen, and he began to analyze them. "Blood samples?" he asked out loud, and much to his surprise there was reply. "Yes...blood samples..." the compurized vocie responded. "What the hell are building, using blood samples?" He asked as he began to look over what was found. "A radar Itachio, a radar for detecting certain carriers so to speak."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Emily had stayed in the conference room for a while longer before slowly climbing up the stairs and into the hot desert air. Where she was confronted by the woman who was at the meeting. The young, seemingly ageless face smiled as the girl looked at her curiously. "Emily LaChavr. It was a mistake to bring you here." The woman stated placing a hand on the younger's shoulder. "I need you to return to a place you probably haven't been for over ten years." The woman said, pointing towards a helicopter. "Why, why do I have to leave, why can't Itachio stay?" She asked quietly, shaking her head and the woman frowned. "Because, we need him to stay here, and if you stay here, Emily, if you stay here you will die, many people are going to die, soon, and you can't be one of them." The woman insisted and the girl shook her head. "Why not?" She demanded, taking a step back. "Look, I am not a pawn, I don't need to do anything you are telling me." She stated and the woman sighed. "Your mother needs you. More than ever." She continued. "Why are you watching us, hell, who are you even?" Emily demanded and the woman showed mirth on her face. "I am Karia Miredy. I'm the daughter of Mark Talmus, and if you care about your family, you are going to do what I am telling you to do." She insisted, pointing towards the chopper. "I have no reason to lie to you Emily, just do what I am telling you to do, the sooner you leave, the sooner you wont have to deal with me." She nodded her head, and a bit reluctantly, Emily went to retrieve her bag, and began to head for the Chopper.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Meanwhile, in another quiet office like room... "Okay, Person A, has contacted us in San Diego. They say that the Arddocks haven't left yet. You still have plenty of time, but the sooner the better Pyro." David stated, looking up at the ceiling, and sounded a bit frantic. "Whoa, amigo, I can go now, that is why you guys pay me." He said with a slight smile. He reached out and picked up the silver handgun and held it in his hand. He inserted the clip, and cocked it, and nodded. "This will do." He said heading for the exit. "Pyro, don't forget, bring Paral's body back here. We need to test his blood." David stated and the man nodded. "You bet." He exited the room, and then came upon a submarine, whiche was already submerged. He was in a room which was already underwater, and now he opened the door, and entered the vessel. Telling the people inside to get it moving. "We need to get to San Deigo as soon as possible!" He ordered, sitting back and closing his eyes.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">To be continued!

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Pyro is sent off to California to 'collect' the fearsome assassin Paral, and bring him back! Brian's sister, "Karia" Miredy has told Emily to go back to a place she used to live a long time ago, but what is she trying to do, is she really working for Talmus, or is she trying to gain an advantage over her brother and father? Will Itachio uncover the secrets of the mysterious 'Radar' that David and Miredy are trying to build? Just how does Allan know about the mysterious dealings of the family? Where is Miyana being taken, and to whom? And just where the hell did Elizabeth go?! Find out on the next chapter of the LaChavr family, The Family Wars IV.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Episode Four – From where it began

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">A sprawling interstate road, with nothing in sight for miles as a lone car streamed along at a steady pace. The young woman had her hands comfortably on the wheel, as a song she enjoyed came onto the radio. Her daughter sat next to her, looking out of the window with a strange look in her eyes, it was a sense of wonder, with a hint of sorrow, you could see it in her eyes that something was making her unhappy, yet it was fading as each moment passed, and she turned around to see her younger brother asleep in the back of the car. Then she looked back out of the window. Her mother seemed obvious to something, but it was uncertain as to what it was. After a few more minutes, the daughter finally turned off of the radio.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Emily!” The mother exclaimed, even though she grinned for a moment. “I want to talk to you.” Her daughter insisted, even though she was probably still very young, eight, years or nine years at most. “Okay, shoot.” Her mom said, and the girl nodded. “Tell me the real reason we left them behind, tell me why you took just us.” She said quietly, and the mother shook her head slowly, then she let out a sigh. “I wish I could tell you that, Emily.” She replied and the girl crossed her arms. “You’re scared. I can tell you’re scared of something.” She stated quietly. “We are all scared of something.” The mother responded. They continued in silence as they sped down the road, in till they came to a large city, skyscrapers reached up from the ground, like ancient pillars, they were looked upon with awe. They entered the city proper, as they began to slow down, they came into a large parking ramp, and they went all the way up and stopped. “Alright, stay here, and watch your brother.” The mother insisted as she got out of the car and moved through the parking ramp, hearing her footsteps echo throughout the entire complex. She came to a glass door, and passed through where a key pad waited her. She typed in an eight digit code and then the door clicked, and she walked through into a nicely carpeted room. The smell of paper and something authoritative filled the hallway, and eventually mingling with the scent of coffee. The woman came to a wooden door at the end of the hallway, which she knocked twice before opening.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Inside of the room there were two bookshelves on either side, with a large desk at the end where an old man sat looking over papers and then neatly shuffling them and putting them away into a vanilla envelope. “Ah, Miyana, I’m so glad to see you!” He smiled, as he stood up, and slowly came around the desk, and hugged her. “I’m glad to see you too father.” She said quietly, stepping back and looking at him, and then as if by some spell, she began to break down and cry, and he held her tightly to his body. “What, what is the matter; you’ll have to tell me everything that happened. What did those people do to you?” he asked setting her down in a chair, and looking at her intently. She eventually collected herself and looked at him. “I’ve faked three pregnancies, for them. Three pregnancies, do you know how hard it is for me, to have to lie to my own children, while raising complete strangers…and, for what? Just so they can become tools?” She sputtered, feeling the tears slowly roll down her cheeks, and her father let out a grim sigh. “It is in your blood to resist evil that is why it is hard for you.” He said quietly, placing an arm on her shoulder. She let out a sigh as she nodded. “I know, but I brought them with me, my own children, they don’t deserve to be there with the others…but how do I tell them, what will they think of me?” She asked and the man slowly stood up. “I wish I could protect you forever, my dear, but, if we break the contract with the Siphers, then they will give them to the Arddocks. We can’t let them have you, a Lavante, will never, ever be tainted.” He asserted sitting down on his desk for a moment. He picked up the phone. “Who are you calling?” She asked, and he looked up at her for a moment. “I’m calling Ayrun, I’ll give you at least five years, but they will start to ask questions before long.” He said, and then he became immersed in his conversation.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Thank you…” She whispered quietly.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">A few weeks passed, and they moved into the basement of the Lavante Company, which was one of the most well fitted basements one would have ever seen. “Where is everyone else?” Fencer asked bouncing up and down on the bed. As dismal as it looked outside, it was summer, and so the children remained within the company building. “I have to go to work now, I’ll be upstairs, don’t leave this building without telling someone, and understand?” She said, kissing her children on the forehead. Emily looked over to her brother. “They aren’t coming here Fencer, mom only cares about us.” She said quietly, looking down at a notebook. “Why?” Fencer asked, still bouncing up and down. “I don’t know, but something isn’t right with this family.” She echoed looking down at the words she was trying to write. The others back home. Courtney was still very young, and Sarah was even younger than Fencer. Then there was that diabolical Elizabeth, who seemed to hate her for no reason, in fact, Emily knew that deep down inside, she feared that girl more than anything else in the world. Perhaps it was that moment when they were kids and the stronger “twin” had tried to smother her with a pillow. If Keia hadn’t walked in any later than she did, Emily was sure that she would’ve died. Did they leave the house because of that? She wondered carefully as she began to write down how she felt, what she thought, all the while Fencer bounced up and down.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">This is how they lived for the next couple of years, every day during the week their mother would go upstairs, and work for their grandfather, and then during the weekends they would go out and have fun, and eventually Emily and Fencer got used to it, well at least she did. Life was starting to look up, she had even gone to school in the city as Emily Lavante, and she began to study, and things were a lot better for her. So when news came around that they would be returning home, she felt a twinge of despair. She tried to plead with her mother and grandfather to stay, that she loved it here. She didn’t want to live anywhere else in the world, and that this life was better for her. Yet once more, without any reason or explanation why, they came back to the family she didn’t really care for, and who could blame her? Not even her mother cared for them the way she cared for the others. From the shadow of doubt, Emily began to theorize that her mother had just been pretending to love them. How her memories were confirmed when she learned that Ryan had been traded for Fencer, and in the same processes she was shipped off to Mexico of all places. She had been ordered her whole life, and soon it would be time to continue to live the life she had enjoyed for those short five years.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The helicopter had only taken her to the airport, where she was escorted to her flight, and it was paid in full. Duluth. She was going to Duluth? She sighed, she had been there only once when she was just a small baby, but for no longer. She got onto the plane, and she found her seat which was thankfully next to a very young girl who was probably a couple of years younger than her. “Flying all alone?” Emily asked, and the girl nodded her head smiling brightly. “I find myself doing it more often than I would like.” She admitted turning towards the window curiously. “Must have some rich parents then huh?” Emily asked and the girl turned to her and shook her head. “I don’t really…speak to my parents very often.” She said. As Emily looked over the girl, she found her to be quite strange, and familiar. Emily shook it off and looked up at the ceiling of the plane, as they slowly began to take off and head once more into the United States. “So what about you, do you have rich parents?” The girl asked suddenly, and Emily shrugged. “My grandfather is a powerful man, but, I don’t usually fly all over North America.” She laughed, and the girl nodded. “I’m sorry, but do I know you from somewhere?” Emily asked curiously and the girl thought about it for a moment. “I’m not sure; perhaps it’s just one of those feelings.” She stated looking out of the window again. “Yeah…”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The plane landed in Minneapolis, hours later, and Emily came out a bit dazed, and not to mention hungry. She had only arrived at that strange base in the middle of the desert, and then suddenly, she is back here in an unfamiliar airport. Luckily she made it just in time to reach the greyhound bus heading for Duluth. She hardly had any spending money left, but she did have a phone, and a very important number was on that phone. She slowly dialed it, thinking about what to do, but then again, it wouldn’t hurt to ask. She held it up to her ear for a while, waiting patiently. Finally the other end picked up. “Hello, who is this?” The voice on the other side asked and there was a pause. “Grandpa, it’s me Emily!” She said in the phone and there was a sound of rejoice on the other end. “Emily, thank heavens your alright, I heard that your mother had gotten arrested and I was wondering what was going on.” He said quietly, and there was a pause. “Wait, what? Mom got arrested?” She asked looking around; hoping that nobody else was listening to what she was saying. “Oh, you weren’t home when it happened?” he asked. “No, I was in Mexico. Something went wrong.” A look of worry crossed her face. “Mexico? Jesus Christ. H-how, how the bloody hell did you get into Mexico?” he asked. “That doesn’t matter, I’m on my way to Duluth, and some woman named Karia told me that I needed to help her, but I’m confused, I don’t trust these people, I just want to live my life!” She exclaimed and there was a long pause on the other end of the receiver. “Once you get to Duluth, please stay there, how are you traveling?” He asked. “By bus, it should be there in a couple more hours. Please, come.” She said, and then they hung up.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">It was troubling enough to know that her grandfather didn’t even know where she had gone, which meant that he wasn’t watching the house. This meant that Fencer could be in danger. She closed her eyes. He had been saved once already, at the cost of Ryan’s life, and now what was happening to the others? She could only wait in till she got to Duluth before she would be able to tell what her next move would be.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">* * *

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Twenty Years ago – Chicago Illinois

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">A large glass table filled the space of the room. Once could see the small cars zooming by from the window. The door entering the room opened, and twelve people entered filing in and sat around the glass table, each person had a folder and they slowly looked at the contents as a man approached the front of the room. It slowly grew quiet and people began to look at the man who had an aging face, his skin was on the verge of wrinkling. He looked out at the people before him and nodded his head slowly. “As you know, you’ve all been called here for an important task. I’m sure you are aware by looking at your files, that each role must be filled out precisely, if we are to stop the Siphers from amassing this so called ‘demon-army.’ Though you may come from many different backgrounds, and have different ideas on how to go about doing this, I suggest you follow my orders. We have three main groups among us. Four of you will become assassins, each of you will be given a code name, and a protocol, and you must follow this protocol with severity. Generically, you will be referred to as: person A, person B, Person C, and Person D. The rest of the information will be placed inside of your folders.” The man stopped and then seated himself. There was talk among the people, who were looking over various things when finally someone entered the room quickly. <p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Johnson?” The man asked quietly, looking at the man who had just entered and he looked at the people where all looking at him. The man was out of breath, and he quickly came up to the older man and whispered something into his ear. “What? Are you sure?” He asked quietly, and then he looked over at two of the people sitting here. “Which one of you is Pyro?” he asked looking around, and a young looking Mexican fellow raised his hand. “You’ve just won a free trip to Minnesota.” The man stated. The other stood up and quickly came out of the room, and began to walk with the man who was called ‘Johnson.’ As they rode the elevator down, Pyro looked at the man curiously. “So what is it, I’m going to be doing Amigo?” he asked and the man smiled, still trying to catch his breath. “You are going to join a company, and then do some babysitting.” The man smiled, handing him a bag. “That has a plane ticket, and some extra cash for you. Good luck, person C.”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Four years later

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Two men walked down the hallway of a hospital, one of them looked half in tears, despite the smile on his face. “I’m sorry for your loss my friend.” Pyro said sitting across from the man who looked up at him nodded his head and sniffling. “It’s just, Callie, she was…the most beautiful wife I could have ever wanted!” He stammered looking down at his hands, and shaking his head, and looking up at the other man. “I don’t…I don’t know how to do this…” he began to shake, and Pyro placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Raise your boy among the other children, he’ll never know the difference, it would be best if he grew up thinking he had a mother, and some brothers and sisters yeah?” He said trying to console the man. “She’d want to name him something bizarre. I think…Itachio sounds right.” The other man took a step back. “Oh wow, that is bizarre…” he looked back at the hallway, and shrugged. “Well Daniel, you can get through this. I’m sure of it.”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Present

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">He came out of the submarine, and found himself standing on the pier. He looked left and right, before he began to walk forward at a brisk pace. There wasn’t much time left for him to get his job done. He ran down the length of the bridge, in till he came to the Marina proper. He found a taxi cab waiting for him, and he got into it. The gun was securely placed inside of his pants, and he let out a sigh. ‘It’s been almost ten years since I’ve had a chance to actually do this kind of work. Sorry Ryan, but your death has brought me nothing but better work.’The car pulled up near a hotel, when he got out, and quickly ran inside, only to find trouble waiting for him. “Excuse me sir, but can I help you?” Someone wearing a black suit asked, and Pyro shook his head. “No, amigo, you can’t.” He said patting the man on the shoulder, and then turning around to find a few more men sitting there looking at him. Then slowly a man came up to him slowly. “Person C, Mark would like to have a word with you.”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Long time, no see, Brian…”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Meanwhile, back in Canada

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The siblings find themselves standing before a large house, even bigger than the mansion which they had been living in for only a short couple of months. They were then lead by Allan as he took them from the parking lot and into the main lobby, he whispered something to the receptionist, who looked at the four children who looked extremely tired and exhausting standing in the main entryway, and she pointed towards a long hallway which extended down a ways. Allan smiled, and lead them towards a glass door.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Beyond this point is all yours so to speak. Once and a while, maintenance comes and cleans up, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Think of separate hotel rooms, there are five rooms in a wing, so you all get your own place to sleep. Only one of the bedrooms has a kitchen, but all of them have bathrooms.” He handed Keia a collection of card keys. “I’ll let you make the good decisions.” He said smiling, and placing a hand on her shoulder. “If you ever need me, please, just call that number on the card.” He said looking around for a moment. “I’ll give you a moment to get settled in; there should be a policy statement in the main bedroom.” He nodded, and then he turned around. “Thank you Allan…” Keia said quietly, sliding one of the cardkeys and opening the door, and leading the other siblings into a circular room, where five doors remained. She stopped for a moment, knowing that each cardkey was probably programmed to let you through the glass door, but each key was designed to open individual doors. She paused for a moment as they waited, with their bags all placed in the center of the room. “Soon the rest of our stuff is going to be moved here, as the house will be decided after mom and dad, are charged.” She stated with a heavy sigh. “Don’t leave, understand, there are people who are trying to kill us.” She instructed. “If for any reason, Itachio, Emily or Elizabeth comes home, Sarah and Courtney, you two are going to share a room, understand?” She said and the two girls nodded, and then she slowly handed them keys. “If you need to talk to me, just let me know…” She said taking the master key for herself, as well as the spare key.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">‘Another home, when would this hell be over, and she would finally get a grasp of what life is like? There was no way, that a normal person suffers this much without any reason as to why. There is just no reason.’

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">She walked to the bed, and she sat down, and she felt paper crumbling underneath her, as she slowly sat up, she pulled back the sheets and found a piece of notebook paper there. She slowly picked it up and looked it over. She read over the words, it only took her a moment to complete. It didn’t make any sense to her, so she crumbled it up and threw it into the wastebasket.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Who the hell is Mono?” she asked herself throwing herself down onto the bed and falling into a soundless sleep.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">* * *

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">She had gotten away, through the forest, around the frozen lake, and with only a light jacket. She was wearing out. It would take hours to loop around back to the city, but she couldn’t be there, not in till Daniel and Miyana were gone, whoever they were. She didn’t trust them anymore, she would forsake them. It was unfortunate that Keia wasn’t supposed to come with her. She looked left and right. “Where am I supposed to go now brother?” she asked. Was it to the city, or was there something out here? The city made the most sense to her, and so she began to trek back towards the city. There was a pleasant snow falling around her as she moved forward, she hadn’t eaten in a while, and not to mention she had recently been in captivity. She only made it a couple minutes before she realized she would die before she would even reach the city, and so she saw a mansion on the end of their street. She slowly limped forward; as she made her way towards the front door she knocked on it and waited. Two minutes, three minutes, she continued to knock. The door slowly opened, and there was a man standing there looking at her with a worried expression on his face. “Come in.” He offered, and she slumped into the house, and began to cough. “Water…food…please…” she echoed, and the man took her to a couch and laid her to rest. “Someone said a stranger would be arriving soon, but Jesus, I didn’t expect it to actually happen!” He muttered handing her a glass of water which she drained quickly. “Who told you that?” She asked looking around and the man shook his head. “They aren’t here, but I think they will be arriving soon enough.” He said looking at his watch carefully. “Here, let me make you something to eat.” He said checking her forehead. “Do you…know…who I am?” she asked and the man shook his head again. “I’m just a lonely middle aged man, who had the luck of making it big enough to spend the rest of my days here…” he said chopping up some food on a cutting board. “Are you sure you don’t know who I am?” she asked again and he nodded. “I have no idea who you are, and I’m starting to think that I don’t want to…” he echoed softly.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">To be continued

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Chapter Five - The origin of deceit

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Approximately twenty years ago…

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Minneapolis, Minnesota.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The dull sound of wheels on tile echoed out throughout the entire facility, as a group of many people sat, huddled together looking up at the strange white door with the red symbol of the cross on it. One by one, the door would open, and one person would stand up, and hesitantly walk into the clinic. Children could be heard, crying and moaning. One man turned to the person sitting next to him.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Hey, why the hell are there children here?” he whispered and the other man shrugged. “I don’t know.” He replied looking down the length of the hallway, but nothing seemed to move, you could only hear the noises echoing out. “Uh, a mister Pyro present?” a woman wearing a white jacket asked looking up from her clipboard and the man stood up and slowly walked forward. “Present.” He stated, and she smiled and led him through to the medical room. He sat down, and the woman came over with a needle in her hand. “What exactly is that for?” He asked quietly, looking at the needle a bit untrustworthy. “It’s for all of our employees. Mr. Sipher believes that, in order to be fair to those who spend years working for us, we should give them a little longevity potion.” She smiled injecting it into his arm, and he winced slightly, and then she pulled it out and patting him on the shoulder. “You’ll be coming in for annual checkups, to make sure that the serum is working.” She said quickly checking the rest of his body. “And, if you ever get sent to a real hospital, don’t tell them about this.” She added and he nodded, slowly leaving the chamber, feeling a bit dizzy.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">It was only a few days later that he came to the same building, and found himself standing an ordinary looking conference room, where a group of people were brought in. The man who had spoken to him yesterday was there, and he sat down next to him. “Pyro is it?” He asked with a meek smile, extending his hand. He nodded accepted it. “Daniel, ha, I guess Daniel LaChavr now huh.” He said nodding towards the blackboard. “What exactly do you think we are going to be doing here?” Pyro asked looking around. There was a woman on the other side of the room, who looked fairly nervous as she paged through a vanilla envelope. “You signed up for something big my friend, they call them families, it takes at least twenty years to get the variables right, but the pay, is incredible.” Daniel said and soon the room grew quiet as a grim looking man entered into the room, along with two other people. “Hello everyone, my name is Damian Sipher, as I am sure, you are well aware, that my family owns this company which you have willingly decided to join. You’ve all gone through orientation, so you have all gotten the injection, trust me, it works. As long as you are working for us, it will cut the time you age in half, meaning when you’re forty, you’ll really be twenty. So, for the next twenty five years, you will all be assigned to project LaChavr.” The indicated that everyone should open their folders, and inside, there was a picture of a young baby. “That is the first member of this family, which is designed for at least five members. The structure of the family must be precise. Your protocol varies depending on your role, which has been given to you—check page three for that assignment. Our current system will allow the growth of at least four to five healthy children, all who will be under your care. Treat them like you would your own, but whatever you do, don’t let them know that you aren’t their true parents. Don’t let them find out that they are a part of an experiment, or who you really work for. This of course is all covered in your agreement contract which you’ve all signed. When the child is old enough, and is showing signs of medical variant, you will bring them to our clinic where they will be processed. If the subject doesn’t show signs by the time they are eighteen, please see to it, that plan B is activated.” He continued to talk while the people inside of the room continued to review the various documents.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Daniel turned to Pyro. “Hey, they got me as the father.” He half smiled looking over the document carefully and Pyro flipped his page over. “I’m the uncle?” he lifted his head, it made little sense to him, but whatever, a job was a job right? “Wait, wait…we are going to have to pretend to be married to someone else?” He asked quietly looking up at the man, who nodded. “Yes, don’t worry, you can alternate shifts with your partner, so you have time to visit any real family you might have. We understand how much stress this can have on your life, but are fully prepared to compensate time for that.”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">After the orientation meetings, Pyro and Daniel proceeded to meet with the mother figure. “My name is Miyana, ‘LaChavr’” She smiled, shaking Daniels hand, and then Pyro’s. They were sitting in a small house, where there was a crib, and the small baby sitting in there was sound asleep. “His name is Ryan; his mother put him up for adoption, so we took him in to be raised here.” She said quietly, and Daniel laughed for a moment. “I don’t know why the hell they need to treat these kids specially, but all I know is that this job pays well, isn’t that right?” He said turning to Pyro who was awfully quiet. “Yeah, hey Daniel, do you have a brother?” he asked quietly, and the man looked up and shook his head. “No, no don’t worry about that man; nobody is going to find out.” He said quietly. “Oh, no…it’s just that…someone I know kind of looks like you.” He said shifting around uneasily.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">* * *

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Present day

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">He leaned against the prison wall and looked up at the ceiling. He clasped his hands together and began to think about things. About his first wife, his first born, and how it all turned out. He and Miyana had been playing husband and wife for so long it eventually stuck, and they began to lose sight of what was reality and what was their job. After Callie had died, things began to go wrong, Itachio was his son, his only son, and he had to treat him the same? He remembered the last time he had even seen him, and how hard it was, to be the loving father he had promised he would be. Eventually, his son had just become another kid in his job, how low had he sunk? It was no surprise that Elizabeth was the one who had called the child services; Pyro wouldn’t have resorted to a tactic like that. He had known that guy for nearly twenty years. How could he so easily stab them all in the back? Was it that he had been a spy from the beginning, working for some other family? That was very well possible. Daniel knew little about such things, and when Fencer got kidnapped, he went directly to Damian to ask what the hell was going on, but it appeared that the Arddock family had the idea of betraying the Siphers. All of this had come to him within just a week. He had already been to his trial, and he admitted to be a part of Ryan’s death, if anything that was also a part of the protocol. They sentenced him to ten years, a light sentence between he was only found to being an accomplice to other various minor crimes, and having turned himself in was seen as odd, but it helped shed light on some questions just the same.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">So he had been imprisoned for a week, and news had reached him that Miyana had gone missing, and nobody really knows just where the hell she is. Daniel sighed, at least he had kept the Sipher’s business safe, despite the hardships they had put him through, and the money was enough to keep him alive after his imprisonment. Yet as he sat here, there came an echo. Footsteps were coming down the hallway, and he slowly leaned down to see a man clothed in a brown work suit, moving swiftly down the hallway. Surprisingly, the man looked a little like him, with black hair, except more Asian. He eventually stopped in front of Daniel’s cell and there a gun was pointed at his head. “Okay.” Daniel started slowly backing away from the bars. “Tell me what I want to know.” The man whispered softly, so that nobody else would hear him. “Just who the hell are you, and who do you work for?” Daniel replied, keeping his hands rose up. “My name is Vance. I don’t work for anyone. Now I’ll do the asking.” He said coming forward. “Who can I talk to, that will get me in contact, with Adam Sipher?” He asked quietly, keeping the gun pointed directly at Daniel. “Who?” he asked shaking his head. “You know the Sipher family right, the people you are working for?” he asked. “Yeah, but, who is Adam?” Daniel asked shaking his head, and Vance took a step back looking down the hallway. “Tell me, where the fuck, did Pyro go.” His eyes looked malicious as they scanned Daniel carefully. “He probably went to Mexico, I don’t know why, he left me, there please don’t kill me, my son—in San Diego, might now. Look for Itachio.” He said and Vance pulled the gun away. “If your Intel does not provide results, I’ll kill you, and use you as bait.” The janitor muttered, and then was gone, with the soft echoing filling the halls once more.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The car ride had been much longer than what she was expecting so she gave up on trying getting information out of the driver and she curled up and fell asleep, with her head against the window. Night had even fallen, and she didn’t even remember stopping for gas. Though still in a sleepy slumber, she realized that something wasn’t quite right. A loud noise had wrenched her from her slumber, though she hadn’t even realized it, in till after being awake for a while. They weren’t moving anymore, and on top of that, there was a throbbing pain in her head. She quickly sat up, only realize that the car had been totaled. In a daze, she began to figure out where she was. She pushed the door open, slowly falling out and into the grass where she began to cough violently. She slowly moved back towards the front of the car, only to find the driver had a bullet hole right through his head. She froze where she was and she looked around quietly. Someone was out here, somewhere, searching, looking for her. She slowly backed up, when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder, and she jumped, and recoiled, only to see a fairly young woman standing there was a pleasant smile on her face.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Who the hell are you?” Miyana yelled pointing a finger at the woman and slowly backing away. “I’m here to save you, Miss Lavante, unlike that that swine over there.” She pointed at the driver and slowly came forward. “You know who I am, do you work for my father?” she asked quietly, and the woman shook her head. “No, dear, I work for your daughter.” There was a pause, and Miyana looked up at the girl and shook her head. “No, my daughter is only fourteen years old.” She said moving the hair from her eyes, and noticing that the side of her head was bleeding. “If you are going to kill me, just do it.” She said sitting down on the ground leaning against the car. “I’m not here to shoot you; I’m here to explain what is happening.” The woman sat down, and pulled out a water bottle from her bag she was holding, and tossed it to her. Miyana hesitantly took a swig from the bottle and then set it down.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“The other children who were left at the house, Keia, Courtney, Sarah, and, Fencer, have been taken to a place known as the Walker house; they will be safe there for now. Right now, your daughter is in Duluth, she has contacted your father, and soon they will come looking for you. There is a woman you have to thank, her name is Karia Miredy, so the next time you find yourself able to save her life, you might want to think of what she has done for your daughter.” The woman said and Miyana shook her head. “I don’t care. Why should I help your employer?” She asked and the woman smirked. “I already told you, I work for your daughter.” She said quietly, looking around for a moment. “In about ten minutes a cab is going to come down this road. Get inside of it, and tell the driver to take you to Bismarck, you are running out of time, the war is starting soon.” With that, the woman walked off into the cold empty wilderness. The other watched as she disappeared into the shadows. She closed her eyes and waited.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">A hot fresh soup was placed before Elizabeth as she sat in the stranger’s house, and he looked at with a hesitant smile. She slowly raised the bow to her lips, and felt the gentle warm broth seep down her throat and into her veins. “It’s delicious, thank you very much.” She said quietly, continuing to consume it, and the man looked over at the door curiously. “The person who said you were be here, is probably going to show up soon.” He said quietly, and Elizabeth nodded, blinking a couple of times, before setting the bowl down, and slowly slouching back into the chair, and falling into a deep sleep. When she opened her eyes, she saw a girl standing before her, holding a gun in her hand, and looking curiously at Elizabeth. “Hello, Elizabeth.” The girl said who looked extremely young. Elizabeth backed away, and tensed up, she could tell it was dark outside; a lot of time had passed since she had left her home. “Funny, I just got off a plane with your sister about five hours ago, or I guess she really isn’t your sister.” The girl said sitting down, and slowly drinking something steaming from a nearby mug. “I don’t mean to point a gun at you, but I didn’t know if you’d be willing to talk to me or not.” She said with a meek smile and Elizabeth nodded. “Whatever I did, I’m sorry, I can change, please don’t kill me. I have a lot more I need to do.” She stated looking at the younger girl who nodded. “I know, there is a lot I can tell, but most of it has to wait in till you are ready to accept some things. First of all, you do understand that he was your brother. You already know that Keia was adopted into the family, and I’m sure you of all people know that Emily is not your twin sister at all, and it might be possible to conceive that Fencer isn’t related to you by blood. In truth, the others aren’t related to you at all. You are special.” The girl said and Elizabeth stood up. “How the hell do you know so much?” She asked taking a single step forward, and the girl snapped the gun forward. “You might think that I need you alive, but I can accomplish my mission either way.” The cold response came. “I know so much about your family because I was told, by someone. I was the one who tapped your phone so my people would reach your house and not the real police. These were my orders. I was told that you wouldn’t be so easy to catch, but I’m here to capture you, I’m here to tell you what you should consider.” The girl said quietly moving towards the door. “Just who the hell are you?” Elizabeth asked, noticing that the man who was here was nowhere in sight.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“My name is Meme. Who I work for is none of your concern yet. You did well to isolate the family into groups; it makes my job so much easier.” The girl slowly opened the door. “Where are you going?” Elizabeth asked taking a step forward. Meme smiled as she waved her hand, and slowly closed the door. Elizabeth looked around, and then quickly ran and opened the door, finding nobody outside, anywhere to be seen. There was a note pinned to the door, and it said:

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Go find Damian, the owner of the AK Club.”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">She pocketed it the note, and looked around. She went back into the house, and rummaged around for a while, in till she found a solid kitchen knife, and then she headed out towards her own house to finish grabbing what was necessary to make the trip. Both of her parents vehicles were still there, and even though she didn’t know how to drive yet exactly, it would come to her, and she needed to get to where she going as soon as possible. Nobody would be home; they were all asleep in some child home. Yet if Meme’s words were correct, then they were at some special facility. Soon she would get the answer she was looking for.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">‘Don’t worry brother, I will find the ones who built the Genus Project…I will avenge you…I promise…’

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Three weeks have passed

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">[Make a note that, this would be two weeks after Vance visited Daniel in prison]

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">It was dark, it was always dark in the barracks, but a suddenly red flashing light, accompanied by a wailing siren, it quickly grew brighter and brighter in till the entire sleeping chamber was full of different colored lights. “Attention, attention all personnel, there has been a breach, I repeat there has been a breach, please report to your stations!” The call echoed out throughout the entire hall, and Itachio’s eyes snapped open, as he flung himself from the bunk bed and threw on a jacket. He ran down, among the cluster of bulkier, older men, and then he quickly broke off heading towards the control room. He quickly turned on the network, and he scanned the monitors, looking at the security cameras on one screen, and the specialized radar on the other. It was nearly done, seeing that he had come nearing the end of its production. The intercom then stopped spewing out the warning message, and David came onto the microphone. “Itachio, please seal the room you are in.” The man instructed, and the boy did it, quickly turned a thick red wheel, and then looking back at the cameras, as he began to see them approach the broken gate and step through timidly. They were human, certainly, though their thick heavy cloaks and bulky forms suggested that they were the ones. He checked the radar, indeed, twenty dots were flashing on the fairly advanced screen. “I’ve got a reading, twenty of them; one of them has a double positive charge, what does that tell you David?” He asked tapping away at the screens, and looking over the data carefully. “It means Grislor has come himself, unless it’s a Sipher, but they promised us that they wouldn’t get involved in till we got rid of the Arddocks.” The speaker crackled, and then Itachio heard gunfire, and he scanned the cameras.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Holy shit, we just lost two men…where the hell is our back up?” he yelled and there was a pause on the other side of the intercom for a while. “Don’t worry Itachio, the radar is being relocated. As long as you stay in the room you are now, nobody will ever find you.” David reassured. “I need you to turn off the power now Itachio, except for the computer systems, you need to prevent them from entering the files room, which can’t be opened as long as you keep the computer station sealed.” The man instructed, and Itachio quickly typed in the commands into the network, and then the entire base began to power down, as the lights went out, only the dim glow of the computers offered him light, as he saw the military soldiers, slowly falling back towards the pier, as they fired at the figures who were approaching, the ratio was strange, at least three to four men died per ‘demon’ and so he knew why the Arddocks invaded with such a small force. “Wait, wait, David, where the hell is everyone going?” Itachio asked quickly, and there was a static response. “Don’t worry about it Itachio, stay where you are. The only person who can access the computer frequency is me, so, when this raid is over, we’ll come back and fetch you.” Then, the static died, and all went quiet.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Grislor, is this the place they brought Paral?” One of the cloaked figures asked as they walked around the base, looking left to right at the various buildings. “They knew we were coming, even before we starting attacking.” He scoffed, rubbing the bandages that covered half of his body. “Unfortunately, Paral isn’t here. They either took his corpse with them, or his body is in San Diego.” He added looking up at the sky. “What kind of human killed him, I knew that fellow, he was one of our best.” The other asked and Grislor shook his head. “The Talmus call them ‘persons’ there are four of them, and apparently, they can match us in speed, strength and longevity.” He appeared to be examining the stars. “They are ranked based on the first four letters of the alphabet, meaning if one of them killed Paral, it was probably person A.”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“Sir, we’ve detected a scent, it appears to be a LaChavr, just behind that door.” Another cloaked figure stated coming up to Grislor who nodded. “We don’t need to bother him; after all, our blood test did well to note that Ryan is not related to Fencer. They mingled them; I knew that Selena couldn’t have had that many children.” He stood up and waved his hand. “Come; let’s see what we can steal before they come back with more.”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">In San Diego

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">In a fairly comfortable looking office, with a receptionist sitting at her desk typing away, and just behind two elegantly stained wood doors befitting of the oval office, there was an old man sitting in a chair, looking over at various files and information carefully, when three man came in. “Sir, we’ve gathered the necessary information, Person C’s report is accurate, he’s innocent.” The men said quietly. “Then thank god that Person A took care of Paral for us, instead of having that beast fall into the hands of my daughter. Where is Brian?” The man stood up, and one of them came up to him and whispered into his ear. “He went to go find the body, after all nobody has found him yet.” The older man seated himself. “I guess I shouldn’t be hard on him then, after all, it certainly is important.” He nodded, and the two men exited the office. “Hey Teresa, just going to let him out now okay, let us through.” One of the men said, and the receptionist, nodded with a smile going over to her phone, and pressing a combination of numbers, and there was a click, and the men moved around to her desk, and slowly pushed in a wall, and stepped into a carpeted area. There was a thick plastic barrier between them and the various cells, and one man slowly inserted a key, and opened up the door. The centered the cell, and nodded at the man who was busy reading a newspaper.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“You’re free to go Person C.” The men smiled, and he smiled back. “Thank you, if you don’t mind, could I get an audience with person A?” he asked and the men shrugged. “You’ll have to ask Mark, though he might not be as willing considering all that has happened.” Pyro nodded, and slowly walked out of the room, and towards the main office.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">“My daughter has gone missing, and I know you were taking orders from her on accident, but, rest assured, the next time you see her, you have my permission to kill her.” The old man started pacing around the room. “Where is Person A?” he asked and the man laughed. “Ha, that sly fox, after delivering Paral to us, I gave him a new target.” The man threw down a picture of a middle aged man with dark hair. “David?” Pyro asked looking at the picture and he smiled. “Good thing you sent him, otherwise you’d never get results. David is a lot like your daughter, as slippery as a bar of soap, but not as clean.” He looked up at Mark who nodded. “It’s a shame what happened, and I’m sorry, but I didn’t know what your intentions were.” The man added and Pyro nodded. “You see, it all began to fall apart. Instead of reporting to Damian about it, I thought I would come to you, but you’ve moved, and the only person I had contact with was her.” Mark nodded and patting Pyro on the shoulder. “You’ve stuck with us for twenty years, and don’t worry; Person D is working on Damian. More troubling matter is, Vance. Do you remember him?” The man walked over to a filing cabinet and pulled out a profile, and placed it on the table. “We hired him to do undercover on a certain section of the Sipher family; the guy went missing only three years in. Later we found his corpse, about another three years after we sent him in. Guess what we just discovered?” The man asked looking up at Pyro with a grim expression on his face. “What?” the other asked. “The body we found doesn’t belong to Vance, the body we found belongs to Daniel, I believe you’ve worked with him…the strangest thing is, we found his body three years ago, while Daniel was still alive.”

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">To be continued!

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Note: The author may be intoxicated with excessive levels of LOST; however, this was intended long time ago. For real!

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Chapter Six - Those who sleep

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">There was a man standing in the threshold of the door, touching his forehead from time to time, and then he sighed and looked back out towards the glass doors which lead into the orphanage. The taller Keia entered the establishment holding onto a bag of groceries, and she noticed the man there, and gave him a warm smile. "Hello Allan... how are you doing this fine morning?" She asked swiping her card key and opening the door, and he followed her. "I have something I need to talk to you about. It is very important." He said quietly, and she nodded, leading him towards her room, and he locked it slowly. She set the brown bag onto the counter and set her keys down before pulling her hair behind her ears and looking at him. It had been almost a month since the death of her brother, the daily surges of pain had passed.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"What is it?" She asked. There was an uncertain tension in the air as he looked up at the ceiling for a moment, and then he placed his hands into his pockets, and leaned against the wall. "Where are Courtney and Sarah?" he asked quietly, looking at the door next to him. "They are at school, you know...I took the day off, it's Monday." She said and he smiled and nodded. "I'm sorry that Fencer had to go, but your mother's family is very power...they didn't ask for any of you..." he stated, and Keia nodded slowly. "I've been thinking of these weird things ever since Ryan died...like this world isn't exactly...well I don't know, realistic...I just want to lead a normal life." She said sitting on her bed. Allan nodded. "Things will get better, once the family wars end, which is something I need to discuss with you..." He moved over towards the window and looked out carefully. "Family wars, what is that all about?" She asked falling onto the back of her bed. "Our intelligence have uncovered much recently, and the report is sealed. You see, it all began when Adam Sipher built a company around his family history, about twenty five years ago. The entire point of the operation was to breed demons, those who had a specialized blood type. However, as a counter measure to making these super natural demon humans, which you might know as the Arddocks, the Siphers also made 'LaChavr.' Which are anti-demons." He said quietly, and Keia slowly sat up slowly, looking at Allan, feeling the shock of the news process inside of her mind. "What do you mean, that everyone, all of my brothers and sisters, are just experiments?!" She asked stepping forward and Allan nodded. "That's pretty much true. Now there are two factions. There is a group of people who want to destroy the demons, and there is a group who want to destroy the anti-demons. While this all happened under--"

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"I don't care about sides or people, I just want to know one thing. Did Ryan know?" She asked looking at Allan and he thought about it for a moment. "Before you get angry Keia, why don't you...find the man who has the answers." He said quietly, slowly handed her a card. She looked over the black card which had white and red alternating lettering. "The Dream Castle?" She asked quietly, looking at it slowly. "If you really want to make a difference...you need to leave your sisters behind." He said, and Keia shook her head. "Why would I do that, they need me!" She exclaimed throwing the card down on the ground. "Can't you just tell me, instead of all this secrecy and these lies, and everyone trying to be our friend, and just using us...and...people are..." She began to feel a great sorrow creep up on her from behind, and she sat on the bed, and put her hands to her face. "Keia...Keia..." Allan said sitting down next to her, and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don't confuse what I'm doing. I'm not supposed to tell you about this...haven't I given you a place to live, a safe place. This is a chance to live a normal life, but, but, if you want to change how things are, you need to go back into the pot. I can't let the children go. You know that...you don't want them to get involved..." he said quietly, and Keia slowly nodded. Retreiving the card, and wiping away the tears from her face and looking at Allan with a grim smile. "I hope... that you really are my friend..." She said. "I can take care of them while you are away..." He said quietly nodding his head, and Keia smiled. "No, here is where you need to go..." he said scribbling down a name of a place on a piece of paper. "You need to go to the airport, take a plane to Minneapolis, find a cab, number thirty two, you'll know what I'm talking about when you get there. Show the driver that card, and tell him, 'I want answers.' That will get you to the Dream Castle..." He said and Keia nodded. She looked towards the window. This is how it had to be.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Previously

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">The door to the lively club was quickly pushed open, and Elizabeth entered stepping through the crowd carefully, and up to the bar, where the bartender eyed her over for a moment. "Are you kidding me, why didn't the bouncers stop you?" He scoffed and she glared at him for a moment. "I'm not here to get wasted. I'm here for Damian." She said loudly, and he the bartender stopped for a moment. "Who's asking?" He said, and her expression darkenedseverely, angry and power seemed toemanatefrom her. "Elizabeth LaChavr." She stated quietly, and the man stopped for a moment and he looked her over carefully. There was something in his eyes that resembled disbelieved. "No...she died in the fire, they told.." He didn't finish his sentence as she reached out and grabbed his collar, though at the same time, the music was cut, and two men with guns appeared out of nowhere pointing guns at her.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"How the hell did she get in here?" One of them asked and the bartender was released and he shook his head. "I don't know, apparently she just waltzed in here...demanding to see Damian..." he straightened his shirt. "Okay, you have five fucking seconds to tell us why you are here." One of the armed men said and she closed her eyes. "Meme sent me. I'm here to talk to Damian." She stated. The men paused. "Did she say Meme?" he echoed, and then he pointed towards the door, and a man ran to secure it shut. "Everyone get out of here, quickly, oh fuck, fuck!" He stated quietly, looking around. People began to scream and run around all rampant, and then suddenly Elizabeth noticed that among the crowd someone was moving towards the man with the gun.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">In a flash Meme drew forth a knife, the wicked curved blade was about seven inches long, as she stabbed the man in the lower back, and with her other hand she placed her hand on his hands, negating his aiming. Thus slamming his two hands into his crotched and then she withdrew the blade quickly before the other gunman even knew what was going on, Meme shouted at Elizabeth to duck. The girl dropped to the ground. As Meme discharged a throwing dart from underneath the black cloak she was wearing, and it struck the man in the throat. Without even looking, she had apprehended the other gunman's weapon, and she pointed it towards the barman who went to retrieve the classic shotgun, in which she instantly killed. A man came up behind her, but she somehow managed to get behind him anyway slamming her palm into back, and tripping him. It was much like a dance, as the people came up, she slaughtered them without making a single mistake in her motion. She then jumped back a couple of paces, and a trapdoor flew open with a man with a tommy gun, and she jumped onto the thick board which stuck him in the head.

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Then after a couple of minutes the melee ended. "Elizabeth!" Meme cried tossing the curved blade over to the girl who caught it expertly. "Come on, let's go visit Damian..." The lifted up the trapdoor, and walked through a narrow dark hallway. "This is where they brought Fencer, back when the Arddocks and the Siphers were on semi decent turns however...now..." She took them down towards a thick door where she knocked three times, and paused. "Come in." The voice was demanding, and soundedquiteirritated. The two strolled in, and before anyone even knew what was going on, Meme tripped the first guard and then pointed a gun at Damian. "Hello Damian. I would like it if next time I came you didn't try to kill me." She said focusing on the man who kept his composure despite being at gunpoint. He slowly nodded. "What do you want then?" He asked quietly. "You are going to tell her everything you know about demon breeding...and whatever she wants to know." Meme said as Elizabeth took a step forward, menacingly with the knife. "Did you kill my brother?" she asked quietly, stabbing the curved blade into the desk, nearly cutting through the wood. The man paled slightly, but folded his arms. "It wasn't me...but...the is what is happening...."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">...

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">A month later

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">"It is time for those who need to sleep to sleep...please...make them sleep..."

<p style="margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">2012 ADDITIONS

<span style="font-family:"Baskerville Old Face","serif"">