Chapter 2: Rescuer
New York City
Dark Zone, DZ07
The Palace aka Plaza Mall
Eleven years have passed since Sarah adopted the Loud kids; her home has never been so noisy before but it was a welcoming change one that she has never regretted.
Sarah put away the photo her coat's inner pocket, just as ISAC alerted her that her Vulture drone spotted an unknown individual was sneaking into the Plaza.
Sarah reacted by placing Seeker Mines near the entrance, near the ammo stockpile and throwing one towards the second-floor balcony followed by deploying another Vulture drone and positioning it by overlooking the immediate area.
Satisfied with her kill box, she went to hid behind the door of a nearby store and waited for her prey to come which didn't take long, from what she could see, the person was a male African-American and judging from the ISAC Brick and the Division watch he is a Division agent but he seems to be nervous and twitchy which set off some alarm bells.
He was searching through the stockpile and was getting dangerously close to her hidden Seeker Mine. "I suggest you step away from there unless you want to blow up!" Shouted Sarah which spooked the agent nearly causing him to almost fall on the Seeker Mine.
The scene was almost funny and made Sarah chuckle a little while the agent struggle to get his bearings again. "D-Damn it, please d-don't d-d-do that again." He stuttered
After he manage to get his bearings, he became surprised then happy when he saw Sarah. "My god I never thought I run into a legend."
Sarah look around to see who he was referring to then realized that he was talking about her. "Wait, you are talking about me. How am I possibly a legend?"
"Are you kidding me, everyone in the Division knows that you single handedly saved –"
"Ah, don't remind me of that event of my life, sure it was heroic but I rather forget it on account how traumatizing it was for my kids." Sarah said interrupting the agent.
Hours passed as Sarah and the agent kept talking to keep their mind of the current situation and she found out that his name is Andrew Strong and apparently is the only survivor of his squad who were planning a raid on a Cleaner fuel stockpile but they were betrayed by one of their own.
"I-I barely got out of there; I just don't understand why Samuel would do this."
Sarah had heard that a number of her fellow agents had gone rogue but she couldn't see the logical choice why would an agent join the Cleaners or any other faction for that matter, other than the fact that the JTF had abandoned them to die.
"Your friend is probably just angry at the JTF and wants payback for leaving us in the Dark Zones, he's probably planning to use them to do just that." Explained Sarah.
Andrew couldn't believe what he just heard, he himself was angry at the JTF for deserting them but he wouldn't go so far as to contribute further chaos on the city.
"You should get some sleep; you're going to need the energy for tomorrow. I'll take the first watch." Said Sarah
As Sarah took up a post near the front entrance, she looked back at Andrew who is probably feeling like he is at rock bottom. The only time she has seen something similar was when Lisa had that outburst.
11 years ago
Royal Woods, Michigan
1216 Franklin Avenue is normally a noisy neighborhood due to the Loud kids causing a manner of trouble but for the past few days, they have been very well behaved and it's no secret that it due to the loss of their parents, the Home Association selling their house and the Children Association were planning to take away the younger Loud kids to an orphanage.
They pitied the Loud kids though they were always rowdy and undisciplined but when it came down to it, they always take care of each other when the time came.
Clyde and his dads had known the Loud family for as long as they lived in Royal Woods, so it was not a surprised to find them on their way to their home.
"Clyde honey, are you ok? You're awfully quiet back there." Asked Howard
"Oh, I'm sorry dad. It's just that Lincoln and his family has gone through so much and what kind of friend am I for not being there at his weakest. A lousy friend that stays at home and move on with life and act like nothing has happen." Clyde answered somberly
"Clyde, we are just as sorry as you are but I don't think Lincoln would have wanted you to miss school. You have a perfect attendance and Lincoln knows that you work hard to get it." Said Harold
Clyde remember how much he at one time wanted to give up his perfect attendance because he had assumed that he missed a school day but when that prove to be false, he happily embraced it and continued to be junior administrator.
"I guess you are right dad but still I should have help Lincoln feel better."
"Well, don't you worry. Isn't that why we are going there now to spend the day with Lincoln and his sisters to make them feel better and you have to feel good for them to feel that positive energy coming from you." Said Howard happily.
"You are right dad; we are going to make it all better and I can't keep feeling down or they will feel down. I'm glad we have this talk." Said Clyde while hugging both of his dads.
It didn't take long for the Mcbrides to reach the Loud residents but outside the house was a truck and a van with a logo on that says 'Casagrande Mercado'. Clyde quickly realized that Ronnie Anne and her family were here as well.
Clyde and his dads approached the house with eggs rolls and peanut dipping sauce in tow and were surprised to hear how noisy it is but they chalked it up to the fact that the Casagrandes were here. They knocked on the door and it was Ronnie Anne's father Arturo who answered it.
"Ah you must be the Mcbrides, we have been expecting you." Said Arturo inviting the Mcbrides in.
It was a shocking scene, both the Loud kids and the Casagrande kids were playing with each other, seeing all of this made the Mcbrides confused. They had expected to see the Louds been sad and depressed but instead they were happy and joyful.
Maria came out of the kitchen with a plate full of Tamales while Rosa brough in a tray of chilaquiles. "Ok everyone time to eat!"
"Come you wouldn't want to miss the best chilaquiles ever made and I'll take that of your hands, no point wasting a good food." Said Arturo as he set the egg rolls on the dinner table.
"Clyde, you're here!" Exclaimed Lincoln who gave Clyde a hug as well.
"Of course, I'm here but I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner." Said Clyde as they sat down at the dinner table.
"Hey no worries buddy, what matter's that you are here now."
As the three families sat down, happily eating the great food and chatting, they felt that time had stopped in this moment of bliss but it was interrupted when two police cars and a black car stopped in front of the house.
Lori recognized the person who came out of the car as a representative of the Home Association. "What is he doing here? We are supposed to have a week to clear out."
"Maybe he is here to check the house babe, you know to check the reselling value." Said Bobby but he seems to be unconvinced at his own words.
The Louds, Mcbrides and Casagrandes rushed to meet the representative and were prepared to protest anything he would say.
"YOU said we will get a week to vacant our home, it's only been five days what ARE YOU HERE NOW!" Lori demanded
"We heard reports that you were damaging the house and it seems to me that it is true. I have you know young lady that this house is now our property and that it is illegal to do such action." Said the representative.
"WHAT THAT IS RIDUCLOUS! The house has always looked like this." Said Lori
What followed afterwards was a shouting and protesting at the representative who seems to be uninterested in listening to them. "Everyone I am not here to listen to your woes, I am here to ensure that this house isn't damage but now that I see that it is, I have no choice but to arrest the eldest children here."
He gestured the officers to move in to arrest to make the arrest when a large black Hummer came rolling in. It was a woman in her late twenties with brown hair tied to a ponytail wearing a black jacket over a white tank top and blue pants.
"Hey what is going on here, who are you and why are trying to arrest my kids." She said
The statement had the Casagrande and the Mcbrides confused but it seems that Lori, Leni, Luna, Luan and Lynn recognize her from the look of their face though the representative was still unfazed at the newcomer and gestured to the officers to continue.
"Hey I said keep your hands off my kids." She demanded while throwing the officer towards the ground.
The representative became angry at this interruption. "Miss! You do realize that you had just attack an officer and what is your relationship to these kids."
"I am Sarah Anderson and I am these kids' new stepmother." Said Sarah while presenting papers proving the adoption.
The representative scanned through the papers and returned them to Sarah. "Well Mrs. Anderson, seems the paperwork are in order but their adoption is none of my concern, I am more concern as to the state of this house which is now property of the Home Association and I received news that these kids have been trashing the house."
Sarah took a look at the house and was amused at the state of it. "Are you kidding me this house has look exactly the same as it was when I was last here nine years ago, and if I know Lynn Sr has a habit of doing self-repairs hence the reason why the mailbox looks like it taken a beating or like the house is falling apart."
The representative look like he was going to protest but held his composure. "Fine. I accept your explanation but that still doesn't excuse your vicious attack a police officer if anything you should still be going to jail."
"I don't think so, firstly I can tell you are here because someone complain that my kids were trashing the house, secondly you try to arrest them without so much of hearing an explanation and lastly I warned you to stop but you didn't listen." Said Sarah trashing anything the representative completely but this ticked off the officer.
"Listen here lady, I am here to do my job and if that means arresting kids then I-I-I'll wait a minute. Sarah? Sarah Anderson! It's me Cliff." Said Cliff the officer
"Say what Cliff! Huh I didn't even recognize you with the bald head and all."
"Hahaha same old Sarah, I should have known when you threw me. You are the only woman I know who is capable of throwing a grown man into the ground."
The representative was perplexed, one moment they were at each other throats and now they are talking to each other like old friends. This enraged the representative.
"What do you think you are doing, this woman just attacked you! She should be arrested regardless of your friendship." The representative demanded.
Cliff wanted to follow his orders but he knew in his gut that making this arrest is wrong, that and also for the fact that the Loud kids are now under the protection of Sarah Anderson.
"Attacked? I don't recall being attacked. I simply tripped, I'm clumsy like that." Said Cliff and gestured for his men to leave the scene.
The representative was taken aback, he had expected the officer to do his job but he just feign ignorance. He didn't want it so he stopped in front of the officers.
"You're going to stop right there! You are all officers of the law and you are ignoring a crime being committed. Do your job or I will report this to the commissioner!" The representative demanded.
Cliff was becoming more pissed at the representative but didn't want to make a scene so he gestured him to come closer. "I know you are not from around here but that person that you want me to arrest is Sarah Anderson and she is the most righteous and respectable person I know in Royal Woods plus she's a decorated war hero. If I were you, let this go or else she has ways to make life bad for you especially when she finds out that there isn't any report."
Cliff and his squad then left the scene leaving the representative alone with Sarah, the Louds, Mcbrides and the Casagrandes. He was now struggling to maintain his composure in front of so many angry faces.
"O-Ok look I am just doing my job and since the police is gone, I am willing to let this slide as long as you pay the fines of $2000."
Everyone murmured in protest as the fine was not a small amount but surprisingly only Sarah was not angry. "You must think I'm deaf! What did Cliff mean by 'there's no report'!"
The representative was now feeling the pressure from her, he had to quickly come up with an excuse. "Ma'am please I think you may have misheard officer Cliff words, he meant –"
"I don't want to hear your excuses, it's clear from your attitude that you aren't here on official business. Now tell me the truth or I'll inform your boss of your illegal activity." Exclaimed Sarah while holding out her phone with the representative's boss number visibly shown.
He was running out of excuses; he didn't know what to do. He could run but he could tell that Sarah would have easily pinned him down before he gets the chance, his only chance is to tell the truth and hope that he won't get lynch.
"Fine! I tell you. There wasn't any report, I found out that the former owners of the house had a made a lot of money before he passed away and I thought I could maybe help myself to some of that cash." Confessed the representative.
This confession caused a tirade of emotions to burst out from the three families, the sudden surge caused the representative to cower behind his clipboard in fear but again it was only Sarah who was not angry but instead she was talking on the phone and this made his eyes widen in realization that she is calling his boss.
"Yes, thank you Stan. You have a great day as well." Said Sarah as she put down her phone and turned to the representative
"That was your boss and he told me to tell you that you don't have to come back to the office, you've been fired and also don't try to run, your boss will be informing the police and they'll be here in a few moments." Explained Sarah.
The representative felt like the world has come crashing down on him, he had no excuse for his behavior. The police came moments later and it was Cliff who is making the arrest which is a further smack to the face for him.
After Cliff arrested the crooked home association representative, the five elder Loud kids quickly tackled Sarah into a hug.
"Hahaha the infamous Loud hug tackle. Oh, how I miss you kids." Said Sarah who returned the hug.
Sarah got off her feet, dusted herself off and finally took a good long look at the rest of the families present. "Huh I didn't expect the find the Mcbrides and the Casagrandes to be here. Let me guess, you guys are here to make the kids feel better right?"
"Why yes Sarah but I have to say I'm surprise to find that you are back in Royal Woods." Said Harold
"Well, I just got back two days ago and I was –"
"Woah hold on a minute, who are you and how do you know us?" Said Ronnie Anne interrupting Sarah.
Normally Sarah didn't like it when someone interrupts her but she is willing to let it slide on account that Ronnie Anne is Arturo's daughter. "Well Ronnie Anne, to answer your question. I know your father from my time in Peru and he told me of his wonderful kids and family."
With most of the questions answered, Sarah turned to the youngest member of the Loud family. "Hello guys, let me see if I got this right, Lincoln, Lucy, Lana, Lola, Lisa and little Lily." Sarah pointed out in birth order which impressed most of them expect for Lisa who is staring daggers at her which didn't go unnoticed.
"Umm is something wrong Lisa? Asked Sarah
"Yes, I am concern as to how you are able to speed up the process of our adoption, seeing as how we just told you about our orphan status yesterday." Answered Lisa with suspicion.
Sarah was taken aback; she knew that Lisa was the gifted one in the family but was still surprise.
"Well Lisa, I pulled some strings to speed up the process since I knew a few people in the children association plus they were more than happy to help if it keeps you kids together." Said Sarah but this still seems to do little to allay her suspicion in fact it only made her question more.
"Look Lisa, I'm happy to answer any questions you have but how about we do it at my place. We really cannot stay here anymore then we should." Said Sarah.
The Loud kids realized their situation and quickly went into the home to get change and gather their belongings. After a while, the kids came out to see a moving truck outside with the driver having finished discussing with Sarah.
"Well, are you guys ready to see your new home?" Said Sarah
The Loud kids were excited but at the same time also sad. They turned and look at the place that they call home for the past seventeen years, they had a lot of good memories here as well as bad ones, part of them felt like it is wrong to just leave it here for someone else to live in it.
"Look guys, I have a feeling that you wouldn't like other people to buy the house, so I tell you what I'll go down to the home association tomorrow and buy this house." Said Sarah
The Loud kids were surprised and amazed that Sarah could tell what they were thinking just from looking at them but they were so touched at the deed that they couldn't help but give her a hug, all expect Lisa who still had her reservations about her.
"Umm I'm sorry for breaking up t-this touching moment but could we come along." Asked Harold who was trying to keep himself from crying though Howard and Clyde weren't even trying to keep it together.
"Y-Yeah, what they s-said." Said Ronnie Anne who is barely keeping the water dams from breaking through though her family was the complete opposite, they were crying so much their tears were practically watering the grass.
"I don't see why not though I was hoping you offer to come since my hummer can only hold about eight people tops." Said Sarah sheepishly
The Loud kids began to argue on who gets to ride the hummer until Sarah broke up the fight and picked the kids that will be follow her while the rest will ride with the Mcbrides and the Casagrande.
30 minutes later
After much debate, the seating arrangements have been made. Luna, Luan Lynn Jr, Lucy, Lana, Lola, Lisa and Lily will be riding in the hummer while Lori and Leni will follow the Casagrande, much to Lori's joy, and Lincoln was more than happy to ride with the Mcbrides.
Once everyone was settled and the mover were done packing up most of the kid's things, they set out for Sarah's home.
Luna, Luan and Lynn Jr knew where Sarah lived but oddly enough, they passed where her house is. "Hey Sarah, you just drove pass your home, what gives?" Asked Luna.
"Oh, I don't live there anymore." Answered Sarah which puzzled the Loud kids present in the vehicle.
"Then where do you live, the only house on sale around here is that mansion." Said Luan who pointed to a mansion that was built on a hill that almost overlook the entire suburban area.
The only respond the Loud kids got was a smile and a look of glee on her face. "Wait, are you serious?! You actually bought that mansion." Asked Lynn Jr.
"Yep and I had to fight other buyers for it." Answered Sarah
The mansion is incredible, it occupied one acre of land comb by a high cement wall with spiked fenced, has a Victorian with a few modern designs and a large metal gate. It is or rather the most sought-after homes in Royal Woods but it is so expensive that only the richest could afford it.
It was no secret that the Louds, Mcbrides and Santiago had admired the mansion from afar, sometimes even dreaming of owing it someday but now that they have pasted the gates to the mansion land and stopped right in front of the front doors, they couldn't help but be amazed at the majesty of the home and how vast of a land it occupied.
"I knew you guys would be surprised, wait till you see the inside." Said Sarah as she opens the door.
What they saw inside was a grand staircase that led to the second floor. The Loud kids as well as the Casagrande kids didn't waste a second to start explore the large mansion.
The left hallway led to the library/living room where a large assortment of books as well as a couch and a large wide screen TV, the right hallway led to the kitchen/dining room where a large dining table with enough space for two families.
The second floor led to a number of empty rooms with enough space for two to three people and one master bedroom that had a large queen-sized bed and a workstation with an assortment of laptop, tablets and a music player, this one clearly belongs to Sarah.
Once the Loud kids were done with their exploration of the mansion and choosing which room they wanted and though a majority of the mansion was filled with all manner of things, it also felt very empty when there is only one person living in it.
Meanwhile the movers had finished moving all of the Loud kids' things into the mansion, just as they finished exploring and bid farewell to the families.
"I can tell all of you have questions, so fire away." Said Sarah and a barrage of questions fired her way but most of them were on how she managed to obtain the mansion.
"Well, I had to fight for the house and I mean 'Literally' fight not a bidding battle to see who could get the house." Said Sarah though this only confuse them more as they never heard of an arrangement like that before.
"Apparently the previous owner of the mansion who I found out later was an eccentric told the mayor that if anyone who wants to buy the mansion, they have to proof that they are able to protect the land from intruders and he proposed a battle royale of sorts where every buyer will duke it out and the last one standing will get the mansion, and that's how I got the mansion." Explained Sarah which made them surprised at the most ridiculous requirement to get a home.
Maria was the first one to snap out of the stupor. "Wait how long ago was this 'Battle Royale'."
"I think what you are really asking is, when did I come back." Sarah look like she didn't want to answer but took a breath and continued. "I came back four months ago, I lived in my old house until I heard the mansion was up for sale and moved in here around two months ago."
The three families were shocked that she had been back for awhile but none more then the five elder Loud kids. Lori stepped up to ask the question on her sibling's mind.
"But if you have been back for months, why didn't you tell us?"
"Well Lori I-"
"And where did you go? You went missing so abruptly that you had us worried, we thought you were dead for years!"
"Lori please let me-"
"Don't you care about us?" asked Lori on the verge of crying whose crying face petrified Sarah.
Sarah knew she had to tell the reason for her disappearance sooner or later. "Lori, I was sent away for training but it's not why I was gone for nine years. The training only took three years and I was planning to come home but then the CIA informed me that there has been a number of killings that are linked to my old army unit. The CIA placed me under their protection until they could find the person responsible and that means I couldn't come home. I couldn't bear the thought of putting you, any of you in danger if the killer or killers came after me."
For years the Louds, Mcbrides and Santiago have wondered what happen to her but to hear such a story from her, was unbelievable. "Oh, Aunt Sarah I didn't I wish I-"
"Oh, poppycock!" Exclaimed Lisa
"That story is so ridiculous that even Lincoln could have told it better."
"Hey, what's that suppose to mean?" Said Lincoln
"My elder siblings told me that you worked for the army before you were sent home but then you didn't tell them what your job was when you moved to Royal Woods. Now you come back into our lives without so much of an explanation, claim to have adopted us and are now living in this mansion for months!" Shouted Lisa who was clearly boiling with anger.
"Lisa everything I've said is the truth."
"That's the thing! How do we know what you are telling us is the truth, for all we know that you could be lying just to make us pity you."
Lisa wanted an explanation where none is needed then Sarah realized something that she is mad but not at her but at the fact her parents were gone and that things were progressing so fast that despite being highly intellectual, she is still a four years old girl.
"Lisa, are you really mad at me? It seems more like you are still grieving at the lost of your parents and is taking your anger out on me." Said Sarah concerningly.
Lisa looked like she is about to blow her lit but instead she simply ran away to one of the second-floor bedrooms. The Loud kids always saw her as the strongest of them all, for keeping it together but they didn't realize that she was the one who was suffering the most.
Lori wanted to comfort her, being the oldest but Sarah stopped her. "I-I'll talk to her Lori; I have to be the one to talk to her. She needs to know the full story on why I didn't tell you guys why I came back; I promise I'll tell you kids as well."
Sarah made her way to the room that Lisa had ran into, she opens the door to find Lisa crying in the corner of the room while holding a family photo in her hands.
"They are so quick to accept our new reality but I can't just forget about them. I know I always say that I don't have any attachment to my parents but I do after all they have always been there to support me and my siblings in our activities. I-I-I miss them." Said Lisa with tears streaming down her face.
Even though Sarah has never met Lisa before but she is still Lynn Sr and Rita's daughter, a four years old girl who is vulnerable right now and in need of guidance. Sarah checked the corridor to see if anyone was nearby and closed the door once she was satisfied that nobody would listen in.
"Listen Lisa, you were right when you said my story wasn't true but I didn't lie when I said that I went into hiding." Sarah confessed as she sat down next to Lisa.
"T-Then where did you go for the first three years." Asked Lisa as Sarah wiped away her tears.
"I was enlisted into another agency; they noticed my work for the CIA and recruited me because of it."
"But what do you work as, my elder siblings said that you never told them."
Sarah let out a sigh, knowing that now Lisa has to keep this a secret as well, at least until she herself tell the rest of the kids. "When I met your parents, I worked as a Private Independent Contractor or Mercenary if you don't want to get technical but when I was recruited, I became an agent, an agent for the Strategic Homeland Division or The Division for short."
"The Strategic Homeland Division? I don't think I've heard of them before."
"Well you wouldn't The Division is an autonomous organization called in only when a catastrophic event poses a threat to the continuity of government. Since there isn't any, we live our lives until the president activate us."
Lisa contemplates the information given to her; it was an unexpected confession and didn't know what to do with it.
"Listen Lisa, I know that things are moving too fast for you and I don't expect all of you to call me 'mum' right of the bat but I promise you that I will always be there for you and your siblings." Said Sarah who is surprised when Lisa gave her a hug.
"I appreciate that you trust me with your secret and also I can see that you care about us but like you said it will take me awhile before I officially call you 'mother'." Said Lisa
Sarah returned the hug and shared this tender moment for awhile before separating and giving her a pat on the head. "Ok let's go back down, I'm sure everyone is worried about you."
They made their way downstairs and found the families talking to someone at the door, someone that Sarah knew dearly.
"Well there she is, I thought I saw you coming into this mansion."
"Well I-It's good to see you too … Aaron." Indeed this is Sarah's happiest day ever.