After exchanging handshakes, Luca cleared his throat, and got right down to business.

"Let's get one thing straight. We are only here because we want money," he strictly said.

"Oh, but of course you are," Cipher replied calmly with a smile. "So, I guess you don't want to take out Dominic Toretto and his 'family?'"

"Wait, what? You know about them?" Luca frantically asked, his mood changing instantly.

Cipher chuckled. "Little boy, I am the greatest hacker on the face on the planet. Do you really believe that there are things that occur that I don't know about? Of course I know about Toretto. About what he has done to me. And you."

"You don't know a thing about me," Luca said, suddenly standing up and knocking the chair down. His mask causing him to look maniacal. Off to his side, his German Shepherd looked startled.

"Oh, but I do," Cipher said.

July 7, 2012.

The sun shone brightly on the face of a 13 year-old Luca Slater. Well, soon to be 14.

Still with his original limbs and without the rebreather, Luca was widely considered to be the best-looking boy at his middle school. He still had a blonde mohawk, although it was much shorter then. His deep blue eyes and perfectly tan skin would be enough to make any girl crazy for him. His bulging muscles and black belt in karate made sure none of the bullies got even close to him

As he lay on his bed, playing Call of Duty on his Xbox, Luca heard a knock on his door before it opened.

"Happy birthday, son!" Luca's mother said.

"Thanks, mom," Luca replied, pausing his game and hugging his mom. His mother, Veronica, was blonde like Luca, and very pretty. She was a famous model, starring in various beauty companies, such as Victoria's Secret and Vogue.

Downstairs, his father was waiting for him.

"Good morning, young man! How about a special birthday breakfast?" he said as he gestured toward the dining table.

Luca's father, Thomas, was ripped and standing at a huge 6'8. A former marine that turned into a famous movie star, Thomas taught his son everything, from hand-to-hand combat to operating firearms. He was layback and funny, but extremely serious and disciplined when the time came.

"Thanks, dad!" Luca cheered as he ran to the kitchen.

After breakfast, Thomas sat down with his son. Judging from the look in his eyes, Luca knew this was going to be one of those "serious" conversation. He just prayed that it wasn't "the" talk about "using protection" with girls.

"Son, you're thirteen, the beginning of your teenage life," Thomas began. "So, I thought that you're old enough to should have this."

He then handed a rectangular box, wrapped in wrapping paper and tied with a bow. It was pretty heavy, but Luca could tell what it was.

After tearing the paper off, Luca could not believe his own eyes.

"A GOLDEN DESERT EAGLE?" he shouted as his jaw dropped wide open. He examined the handgun carefully. The handle had drawings of skulls. The slide was etched with tally marks. The gold shimmered and shined, almost as it produced a glow of its own.

Thomas replied with a hearty laugh.

"But… how?" Luca asked while stuttering.

"I received this gun as an award for my service in the Corps. And it's yours now. Happy birthday."

Luca gave his dad a huge and tight hug. Thomas hugged back and chuckled.

"So, what do you want to do today?" Thomas asked.

"Let's go to the mall. The three of us," Luca replied.

Thomas playfully saluted, along with a "Yes sir!" and went to get ready. Luca couldn't help but laugh.

The mall was crowded, from other kids enjoying their summer vacation, to elderly people with their younger family members.

Luca listened to the music on his iPhone with much enjoyment. Thomas and Veronica held hands as they watched their son enjoy himself. Tons of paparazzi surrounded the family, but they paid no attention to them as they snapped pictures constantly.

"Son, it is time for my present to you," Veronica said. "Follow me."

Eventually, the three of them arrived at a pet store. Various dogs, cats, birds, fish and other pets were everywhere, along with tons of pet supplies.

"You can have any pet in this store," Veronica said with excitement. "But ONLY one pet, understand?"

"Yes mom. Thank you!" To Luca, one was all he needed.

He instantly knew he wanted a dog. So that's where he looked first. Many dogs were just the usual; pitbulls, chihuahuas, terriers, etc.

But then, he came across a dog that he will never forget.

A single German Shepherd puppy, looking sad and lonely. When Luca walked up to it, it had a look of hope on its face.

Instantly knowing this was the one, Luca asked his mother to buy the dog.

The family then decided to get lunch while Luca got more acquainted with the pup.

"What are you going to name him, son?" Thomas asked.

Luca thought hard. He remembered a superhero cartoon he watched when he was little. A superhero named "Buster" who saved the world from evil. He then pictured himself and his dog saving the world from bad guys.

Luca then chose the name of Buster, and Thomas nodded his head in agreement.

After eating, the three of them were about to exit the mall and head for the parking lot when a low voice spoke over the P.A. It was obviously changed with a scrambler, to hide the identity of the speaker.

But it was a voice that Luca could never get out of his head.

"Greetings, L.A."

The entire mall froze. The music died, the stores became quiet, and the shoppers turned silent.

"You, along with the rest of America, need to be reminded what it's like to be terrorized. What it's like to suffer. What it's like do die."

Just then, multiple explosions rang out across the mall. Screams were everywhere. Fire sirens were sounded.

Luca noticed that the explosions were coming closer, from ahead and behind them.

Knowing what to do to protect their son, Thomas and Veronica jumped on top of Luca and Buster.

"Wait, mom and dad!" Luca managed to get out before being shielded by his parents.

Then, everything went dark.