Chapter 28

Jet and his colleague known as Rocket sit opposite each other in a bar off one of the highways out of Wood Oak City. It is now almost 11:30pm.

Rocket: "Any news yet from the boss?"

Jet shakes his head: "No, not yet. Their 24 hours will be up shortly. Hopefully we will hear something then but either way we need to follow this one through".

A third man dressed in plain clothes approaches their table.

Jet: "Ron Carter. It's been a long time, too long. You're less useful now that you have cut ties with the local police department."

Ron: "I told you, I got laid off three months ago".

Jet: "I hope you are not wasting my time, we still have a lot to deal with before sunrise".

Ron: "I'm not, here it is".

Jet opens an envelope containing a document and some possessions inside. In return, Rocket hands over to Ron a heap of cash.

Jet grins: "Wow, I don't think I have ever met a man that would stoop so low for cash to fund his gambling addiction that he would even risk the lives of his own family including his wife and children."

Ron looks around the bar: "Everything you need is in the envelope. Can I go now?"

Jet: "yes but if I find anything here that is incorrect or that wastes my own time, I will return to find you".

Jet signals to Rocket as they get up to leave "come on, we have work to do".


Max, Sammy and Zan take turns to stay at the hospital throughout the night to make sure that Adam is protected and that he is ok. Max owns some real estate which is a 30 minute drive away so every four hours each of them leaves to shower, eat and get some sleep. Adam has been in and out of consciousness since the team rescued him, battered with several bones broken he is barely recognisable whilst he breathes through a ventilator. At least he is still alive.

That evening Axel drove back to Wood Oak City with Cesar asleep in the back of the car. He feels guilty for leaving the others but knows this is the right thing to do and that Shiva will deal with the threat of Mr X in time and will turn him in or will kill him. Inside he cannot wait for this all to be over.

Angelina: "Where are you taking us?"

Axel: "I have a friend in the city who is staying in a safe house. Unlisted and guarded by the Chief of Police and his team. You and Cesar will be safe there for the time being until Leon returns".

Angelina: "Thank you. I see he trusts you then" she smiles.

Axel: "Yeah, Leon and I although we've had our differences on each side of the law, we go way back and trained together in Japan as kids. He got caught up in this mess but I know he will do everything in his power to sort it out and keep you and your boy safe".

Angelina: "He saved us from the Melendez cartel in Mexico. He's been there for us the past couple of months, I don't know what I would have done without him."

It's late but Axel parks the car and approaches a high rise building "come with me".

He carries Cesar who is asleep out of the car and he buzzes a certain sequence on the downstairs intercom for one of the apartments on the 12th floor.

Keri: "Who is it?"

Axel: "Hey, we're downstairs".

The door opens and they take the elevator up to the 12th floor. Angelina can't help but notice how old the building from outside looks but on the inside it is refurbished and has surveillance everywhere outside each apartment that is watched by the police. There are also two officers stationed on the ground floor in plain clothes as they enter the building.

Keri opens the door and gives Axel a hug "what's the update on Adam? When can I see him?"

Axel: "Tomorrow, tomorrow night he's coming home!"

Keri sighs with relief. The last 48 hours have been a living nightmare and finally there is hope at the end of this ordeal.

Axel introduces her to Angelina. "This is the family I told you about on the phone earlier. They urgently need a place to stay over the next few days or so until accommodation is found. Whatever room you have in the apartment please…"

Keri: "Of course, anyone hiding from the syndicate is always welcome here." She turns to Angelina "come on in, you two look like you need rest. Sasha and the baby can sleep in my room, there is a second bedroom that you and your boy can sleep in".

Angelina smiles and replies sincerely grateful for their help "thank you."

Keri: "Your son looks like he is the same age as my daughter so that's a good thing. We have a baby here also, he wakes up a couple of times throughout the night but I will do my best to…"

Angelina: "Thank you. We're just really thankful to be alive and safe right now".

Keri smiles: "Me too. Let's put the kids to bed and have a drink, what do you think?" She reaches for a bottle of rum.

Angelina's face lights up as she smiles and nods in agreement.

Axel: "I gotta get back to the hospital now but do you mind if I use your phone before I leave? Mine's been broken since we got into a fight with some thugs at the amusement park".

Keri: "Sure, come on in". She leaves him with the landline phone as she shows Angelina and Cesar to their room.

Axel looks at the clock- 2am. He knows it is late but he is hoping there is an answer on the other side of the call. The line to the beach house rings around 10 times before an answer machine speaks.

'The person you are trying to call is not available, please leave a message after the tone'.

Axel: "Blaze it's me. You're probably asleep right now but I had to call you, my phone has been broken over the last two days so I'm sorry if you couldn't reach me. It's good news, we found Adam and everything is going to be ok like I said it would. We can walk away from all of this now that it's over. I'm leaving Wood Oak late in the morning and I should be there by tomorrow night….I love you".

#Hangs up#


The next morning Adam wakes up in his hospital bed to find his three friends and his brother by his side. Sammy is the first person to give him a hug.

Adam smiles: "I feel like shit but it's good to see you again skates".

Sammy: "We thought you were a goner at one point".

Adam looks up at the group as Sammy sits on the bed "it was tough, they tortured me, tried to break me but somehow we all made it out alive. Thank you, I owe you boys my life!"

Max: "Thank Axel, he was the one they wanted. They took you in as the bate. And the Dr here, he knows the ins and outs of that building so we couldn't of done this without him".

Zan: "I'm just happy that you and your family are ok".

Adam turns to Zan. "I know that going back to that place must have been terrifying for you. That dude Dr Glover was a psycho and as for that idiot Ash, I hope he died slowly".

Max: "Nah Ash ran away".

Adam: "Really?"

Sammy: "Yeah, he was scared shitless".

Adam: "Damn if I ever see him again I will kill him! And what of Mr X? Shiva?"

Max: "Mr X left with all of the Rakushin. But without the rest of his fighters, without Axel's power he is helpless and on the run. He has fled, he is powerless and he has nothing left now but enemies".

Adam: "I see".

Max: "What matters is for now you, Keri and the kids are safe".

Adam nods: "I have a lot to consider after this. My career, my involvement on the task force. I never in a million years wanted my family to get mixed up in all of this and be in danger."

Max: "Don't stress about all of that now. Rest, recover and then think about your next move".

Adam looks up at Axel who hasn't said a word since he woke up.

Adam: "And what about you partner? Do you plan to hunt down Mr X before he tries to find you again?"

Axel: "I'm done fighting right now, I'm leaving the city to start a new life where he will never find me".

Adam looks up at him stunned. "You realise that without you, Wood Oak PD haven't got a chance".

Axel: "They'll survive, we've done the hard work already in proving that Senator Williams is guilty. Someone else will take over or kill him, he has too many enemies now and little protection".

Adam: "What happened to justice for your family?"

Axel shrugs his shoulders, concerning Adam with his attitude.

Adam turns to the others "do you mind leaving us alone for a minute? Axel and I need to talk".

Sammy: "Sure".

Sammy, Zan and Max give them a bro shake before leaving the room.

Max turns to Axel "I'll meet you outside the hospital in ten minutes". He then walks out leaving the two of them to talk alone.

Adam: "So where is all of this coming from Ax?"

Axel ignores him and avoids his gaze by looking out of the window.

Adam: "What happened to you?"

Axel pauses before he approaches Adam. "Why did you lie to me?"

Adam: "Lie? What are you talking about?"

Axel: "You made me believe that Blaze was dead. You even lied to the others on the team!"

Adam: "Where is all of this coming from? I told you there was an explosion back at the warehouse and Blaze never got out. The radiation would have killed her first if the collapsed building hadn't already".

Axel: "Bullshit! How could you look us in the face and lie about this?"

Adam: "Ok, I lied, I'm sorry. I did it to protect you and to protect Blaze! You know that she used her power on Mr X, he would have tracked her down if he knew she was still alive. And as for you, the Yamato would have hunted down both of you".

Axel: "I get it, you faked her death but you could have still trusted me with the truth instead of putting all of us through the funeral, everything was a mess. You knew exactly how I felt about her".

Adam: "How do you know she is alive anyway? Has she made contact?"

Axel: "Blaze came and found me the day after she got out of hospital. She's somewhere safe right now outside of the city".

Adam: "And that is why your leaving and quitting your job on the force right? It's only a matter of time before somebody recognises her".

Axel: "Yeah that's right we're leaving and starting a new life".

Adam: "Really Axel? After all this time you suddenly get up and quit!" He shakes his head.

Adam: "You're sleeping with her aren't you? She has you deluded all of a sudden".

Axel: "It's not like that".

Adam: "Yes it is. I know Blaze, as soon as something scares her off or you even mention having children she will be gone faster than you can…"

Axel: "I told you it's not like that! This time it's serious and we're starting a new life together. You can either be happy for us or stay bitter but I don't care anymore. All of this with the syndicate, it's over now and the others deserve to know the truth".

Adam: "Very well. Are you going to tell them then?"

Axel: "I'm leaving that mess to you".

Axel walks out of the hospital room and leaves a bitter sweet Adam who is grateful that his friend has risked his own life to save him but he is beginning to realise the consequences of his actions. At the time Adam thought he was doing to right thing to protect them but this has clearly backfired on him.


Max and Axel decide to go to one of the local diners for breakfast. They have been at the hospital for most of the night without any food so they feel famished. It is now Zan and Sammy's turn this morning to watch over Adam before he is discharged later today. The two of them have not had any hot food since they set off to find Adam two days ago.

As soon as they sit down, they call Chief Clark over skype from Max's phone and they spend the next ten minutes explaining to him everything that is going on.

Chief Clark: "That is such a relief! We are doing everything we can here and Williams is running out of time and options. I can assure you that we will find him. He has barely anyone left who will protect him. The syndicate has fallen thanks to you".

Max: "Thank you Chief and good luck!"

Chief Clark: "Send my best wishes to Adam, his family are safe and well and we are all looking forward to seeing him and Axel later on".

Axel: "About that, I need to take a few days out just to sort something. My head is all over…"

Clark: "Of course, take as much time as you need. I know the past few weeks have been stressful and we couldn't have done this without you".

Axel: "Thank you".

They say goodbye to Chief Clark before taking a look at the menu.

Being outside of the city leaves little options for places to eat but outside of the hospital, Max and Axel came across this small family run dinner off the highway.

Now that they are alone, Max takes the opportunity to quiz his friend.

Max: "Is everything ok with you and Adam?"

Axel: "Yeah it's fine".

Max: "Let me guess, he was concerned about the woman and her son that we picked up last night who is staying with his kids. Who are they anyway?"

Axel: "I told you, they were hiding from Mr X. Shiva set them free but said they needed a place to go to for a few days".

Max: "hmmm ok I see, strange that. Why would he set them free?"

Axel: "Because they are family to him".

Max: "So you're doing Shiva a favour?"

Axel: "It's not like that. Whatever he has done it has nothing to do with Angelina and Cesar, they are innocent in all of this. Besides, he's agreed to turn Mr X in or kill him as soon as he has the chance in exchange for keeping them safe. That's better than us going on another suicide mission".

Max: "Just be careful, he's a dangerous man".

Axel: "I know and I know his weaknesses".

A waitress walks over to the table "sorry to interrupt, can I get you boys something to drink? Anything to eat?"

Max smiles up at her. "Yeah could I get some pancakes with maple syrup and some waffles on the side too?"

She replies: "I'm really sorry hon but we've run out of pancakes and waffles. How about some eggs or toast?"

Max: "hmmm"

Waitress: "Hash browns? Bacon?"

Max: "Sure". He still however feels undecided.

Max: "Can we each get an expresso?"

Max looks again at the menu and points to something he sees "what's that like there?"

Waitress: "What the full English breakfast? It's great! It's got bacon, eggs, beans, mushrooms, tomato…"

Max smiles at her "yeah that's good enough, I'll try that instead!"

The waitress turns to Axel who is staring out of the window. "And what are you having?"

Axel: "I'm fine for now thanks".

Max: "Make it two of those please, he'll realise in five minutes that he is hungry".

The waitress smiles: "Sure, so that's two full English breakfasts and two expressos coming up!"

Axel: "Wait!" He calls back the waitress urgently then turns to Max opposite him who appears concerned.

Axel: "Who the hell has an expresso with a full English breakfast? You have to have it with white tea you dumbass!"

Max: "Ok ok! I've never even seen a full English breakfast before how do I know? We Italians have expresso with everything!"

Axel: "Waitress I'm sorry, change the two expressos to two cups of tea please".

The waitress laughs after seeing these two serious guys walking in to suddenly arguing over hot beverages.

"Are you sure? Most of our customers if they do order this have never mentioned this fact before".

Axel laughs: "I've never been so sure in my life, my girlfriend is from England!"

Axel mutters under his voice "shit!" as he notices Max glaring at him in shock.

Max: "Are you on drugs? What are you talking about? What girlfriend?"

Axel: "Don't deny you ever saw something there"

Max: "Yeah, I saw how jealous of Raven you were and the way you looked at her but whatever is going on in that head of yours, Blaze is dead! She's not coming back and she was never your girlfriend! You've never even had a serious girlfriend!"

Axel: "I'm telling you, Blaze is alive".

Max: "No, no one would have survived back at Eros and then the radiation afterwards. Adam tried everything he could to save her but she's dead. Accept it Axel, you have to".

Axel: "You ask Adam yourself, he faked her death".

Max: "Are you saying that Adam is a liar? Come on your best friend wouldn't do that to you".

Axel: "He did. He had his reasons but he did. Ask him yourself when you see him".

Max: "Where is she then?"

Axel: "Somewhere safe, far away from here. If you don't believe me I will take you there".

Max: "Ok, let's get up and go" he replies with sarcasm.

Axel: "You don't believe me do you?"

Max: "I don't know what to believe anymore. I said goodbye to her at the funeral and so did you."

Axel: "I thought she was dead too at first but she's not!"

Max: "Ok, when you see her call me ok?"

Axel: "Straight after breakfast I'm leaving. It's about a six hour drive from here. I'll call you when I get there. Just do me a favour and give Adam the chance to tell the others first".

Max: "Ok then".

There is an awkward silence as the two of them scoff down their breakfast in under three minutes.

Waitress: "Wow ya'll eat like you havn't seen food for weeks! Can I get you anything else?"

Max: "That's fine, just the bill please. That was one of the nicest breakfasts I've ever had, thank you".

They settle the bill and leave the diner before saying goodbye to one another.

Max: "Take it easy and try and visit once in a while when you're settled".

Axel: "Thanks old friend. Like I said, I will call you once I'm home."

Max: "I'm happy for you, really I am. Tell Blaze I miss her too".

Axel smiles: "I will. Take is easy". They bro hug then part ways.