The air transporter landed and John got out and ... A female German Shepherd?
Everyone looked at Chase
- You never said you had a sister. Rocky said
- Because I do not have.
- Casy is your clone but has been tweaked a bit and is therefore like your twin. John said
- When did you create her? Chase asked
- Even before getting the serum. he said, showing his reptilian blue eyes.
He scanned the dogs and he could tell Rubble was fighting with himself whether he said something or not.
- Rubble if you want to ask something, go ahead.
- Not better not.
- Come on spit it out
- When was the first time you killed a human?
Everyone froze, but to their surprise John just shrugged.
- Let's go inside and sit down and I'll tell you.
- It was before I got the serum. It was mid-March. Casy was at school, and I had a day off ... at least once. It was a great day for us. She had an important soccer game right after school and I ... promised her I'd be there.
- I was the best. Casy cut in briefly, beaming with pride.
Years ago...
Younger John was sitting in an office room on the ground floor of his house, fiddling with his desk.
Completely exhausted from his busy work schedule, he successfully used his day off to catch up.
After a long shower and dressing, he felt like he was in his prime again.
Weapons were scattered around his table.
Suddenly a vibration rang in his back pocket, causing him to jump out of his position in sudden terror.
He hurriedly pulled a ringing cell phone from his pocket, blinking as he read the name on the screen.
It was Casy.
He quickly pressed the icon on the touchscreen and held the phone to his ear.
- Hey ... what's up? John said casually, leaning back in his seat.
- Hi Dad ... Casy's soft but tomboy voice said ... There was a change of plan in the game. It starts earlier than planned.
- Oh really? What's the new start time? He wondered.
... For 20 minutes.
John jumped up from his seat.
- WHAT?! Whack! Then he hit the table with his knee, causing him to limp in a fit of pain.
- Are you okay, Dad? Casy asked, wondering what was happening on the other side of the link ... I heard a bang.
- I'm fine ... he replied immediately, seething with pain as he hobbled at the door ... Don't worry, I'll be there.
In a hurry, he pyta on his shoes and headed for the front door of the house.
- Wait ... are you STILL home !? Casy then realized, noticing her Father's rapid breathing ... You told me you'd be leaving very early today!
- As I said, don't worry about it ... he quickly apologized, tearing his jacket off the wall hanger after he left the house ... I'll make it.
Even though he said it, he was deeply cursing himself. He remembered that he had promised her he would leave "very early" to beat the traffic.
- ... Better be here on time. Casy's voice muttered.
John winced for a moment, feeling the pressure soar over him. But then ... he decided to be cocky.
- Or maybe a bet ... he suggested cheekily, expressing his confidence ... Before the game starts, I want you to take a look at the audience. If you can't find me in the audience, I promise to take you to the movie Time of the Wolf that you've long wanted to see. If I'm there ... we'll go to my favorite coffee shop...There was silence on the phone...Do we have a contract?
- ...All right. Casy finally agreed, hesitantly, in the end. With a smile, John ended the conversation
- Great. See you later. He heard goodbye the moment he hit the "end call" icon.
He ran out of the house as quickly as possible, safely closing the door behind him.
He immediately walked over to his motorbike without thinking, praying that he would not forget any necessary things.
John turned the key and immediately started the engine, hearing it make a familiar noise.
Upon entering the school grounds, John quickly parked his motorbike and walked out onto the field next to the proud school building.
There he found a small, compact stadium consisting of several rows of seats and the football arena itself.
Small banners with the word Sheepdogs appeared at the stadium! in capital letters to show your team pride.
He heard the crowd's applause and cheers as he left the stairwell, noticing that the clock was counting down to the start of the game.
As he gasped, John's eyes scanned the field hurriedly for Casy, hoping he could spot her before it was too late.
During this time, two opposing teams consisting entirely of female dogs stood in their assigned positions, stretching.
He focused on the home team knowing Casy was in the center of the field.
And then he finally saw her, apparently she was looking for him too.
He straightened and threw his arm up, waving as hard as possible, hoping it would get her attention.
Casy searched the crowd for her Father, her body and mind tense as she waited for a whistle.
She was in appearance an exact duplicate of Chase.
Her tomboy personality, her upbringing allowed her to be very progressive in her motives and confident in her approach to various scenarios.
- Where is he...?
Within that brief moment her eyes saw a figure in the stands waving exaggeratedly at her.
She found him.
With a broad, cheesy smile, she raised her paw and waved, delighted to see him just before the whistle.
With a strong thrust of her paws, she ran and positioned herself to receive the ball.
Final score: 3-2 for sheepdogs.
The team hurriedly gathered together and happily threw Casy into the air, all cheering in a gesture of her defining purpose.
- So ... what's it like to be the best player? John happily began the conversation, sipping his coffee from a mug.
When everything was finally over, John and Casy left the school grounds and sat at John's favorite coffee shop, enjoying their coffee and water.
There was a Commemoration trophy on a small table to show that Casy was the best player in the game.
- I almost made a mistake several times in the second half ... admitted Casy.
- I didn't ask that. John grunted, taking another sip of coffee.
- Right ... she came alive, beaming from ear to ear ... Yes! This is amazing!
John nodded
- All right. Only the end result matters.
The atmosphere around them was perfect silence, relaxation and a bit of peace.
Then John reached into his coat pocket.
- I know it's only part of our establishment, but ... Then he gave her two tickets ... Why don't we go see Time of the Wolf after that?
Casy's eyes flashed in an instant, nearly popping out of the chair as the excitement completely engulfed her.
- YES! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! She squealed in delight, bouncing on the seat, not thinking about her surroundings.
While Casy was completely unaware, John saw all the eyes in the coffee shop move and stare at her curiously.
Eventually, as the excitement subsided, the two continued sipping their drinks.
They felt perfectly at ease as they watched the world go by outside the window beside them.
They started talking on various topics.
However, as they talked, Casy's eyes began to move somewhere behind her father.
He dismissed it at first, believing it was not a problem.
Then he suddenly felt uncomfortable with a sense of caution in the air.
Time passed and they were both close to finishing their drinks.
John casually sat in his seat while Casy showed considerable unease.
Eventually, she decided to consult her growing concerns with her father.
- Dad ... this guy has been staring at me for a while ... she whispered to him, squirming in the seat ... this is starting to scare me.
- ... Yes, I can see him. John nodded silently.
He noticed a man sitting a few tables away, staring at them without being distracted.
Man's eyes focused on Casy as if dimmed by her appearance ... He had been doing this since they entered the coffee shop.
- Drink ... John whispered to her as he quickly finished his coffee ... We're going home
Casy nodded and swallowed the water, finishing it in seconds.
Then they got up, took the trophy from the table, and left the cafe.
As John passed the man's table, the two briefly met their eyes.
Man shot John a glare, then suddenly looked at the window.
They both left the building quickly and walked down the street where John had parked his motorbike.
- Dad, what about the movie? Casy asked him.
I will buy tickets for the next screening when we get home. calmly replied.
- All right
The two then looked back for a moment, hoping they weren't being followed.
At first, no one left the building, confirming a bit that it was just their paranoia.
However, John noticed a man leaving the cafe ... and following them.
John consistently tested their sinister stalker while Casy began to panic.
- Dad, i ... it freaks me out. she spoke softly, trying to contain her panic.
- I know, honey. Just don't look back. John reassured her, his eyes still moving as he hoped to find a way to escape.
After them, man continued in pursuit, keeping a steady pace as his eyes were fixed on Casy.
And then John suddenly realized that they had to walk down a small street to reach the motorbike.
- Fuck. He cursed at himself, regretting his earlier decision.
- What?
- Nothing. Just keep going.
Eventually they both slipped into the alley.
John knew it was a risk, but believed he had no other choice.
As they walked on, John noticed a camera attached to the corner of one of the buildings next to them.
- Please, it worked! Please, it worked!
John continued to pray, pondering everything he believed would scare their pursuer.
Unfortunately, these thoughts were useless.
- Aaahh! John groaned in sudden agony, falling to the floor.
DAD! MMPH !? Casy screamed before suddenly being gagged with a cloth.
John was hit on the back of the head with a blunt object, causing him to lose concentration and balance.
He made a desperate attempt to regain his balance after hearing Casy struggling.
- Casy! John roared, swaying to his feet.
When his eyesight corrected, he found the culprit standing in front of him, holding a gagged Casy hostage.
In the opposite hand he was holding a metal tube, apparently from his backpack.
- Get off her, you bastard. John warned him with a low growl, gritting his teeth in rage.
Man in front of him was silent, juggling the tube in his hand as if deliberately taunting him.
Without hesitating, John proceeded to act.
He charged the man with full force, his fists turning hard as rock as he lost all sense of concern for what he was about to do.
In retaliation, Man pushed Casy aside and prepared the tube, his bloodshot gaze directed at John with inhuman malice.
Casy hit the ground, completely shocked and terrified.
Man swung, aiming straight at his head.
John ducked immediately, dodging only a few centimeters, then replied with a relentless crack against his jaw.
Man stumbled backward, almost losing his balance.
John moved forward without delay, not restraining his retaliation.
He grabbed the man's wrist that was holding the tube and brutally punched him with his other fist several times.
The fact that this motherfucker was trying to kidnap Casy infuriated him beyond human understanding.
He wanted nothing more than to see this man dead and buried.
Noticing that the kidnapper was forced to retreat, the petrified Casy reacted quickly, rearranging her body and stretching her paws.
Man's feet pressed against her paws, causing him to stumble uncontrollably.
As man stumbled, John took the opportunity to knock him to the ground, showing no mercy.
They both landed hard, causing the hijacker to lose the handle of the tube.
John kicked her before grabbing man hard by the neck.
Kidnapper did the same, clutching at John's neck with desperate grabs and wild eyes.
While the two men fought, Casy took the rag out of her mouth and moved away from them.
She hastily hid behind a nearby indentation in the wall, her eyes watering and overwhelmed by the horror of the situation.
Just then, kidnapper got up and hit John in the stomach with his knee, causing him to tilt to the side.
The tables turned suddenly, and John was now on the ground, and kidnapper was holding him back.
Showing no remorse, he punched John three times in the face ... before reaching for his belt.
John was about to get his revenge ... but stopped himself when he noticed what the kidnapper had pulled from his belt.
Just then, John saw a loaded revolver aimed directly at his forehead.
- Don't try, bastard... Man growled madly, his mouth dripping blood, and a blackened bruise formed around his menacingly bloodshot gaze. John froze in place, silent... That female dog ... kidnapper was breathing hard, his body was shaking with adrenaline and exhaustion ... goes with me.
- What ... what do you want ... from her? John gasped questioningly, trying to suppress his urge to attack man.
- Oh, things ... too pictorial for you to know. Man chuckled, his breath wheezing, smiling as blood seeped from his mouth.
John's eyes widened in terror, his fist clenched ... because he knew exactly what the spoiled man was planning.
- What is my reason, you ask ...? kidnapper chuckled, pressing the revolver firmly against John's forehead, leaving a trail. John was silent, and the man approached and whispered ... well ... just to quench my thirst.
At that moment, John's face turned white as a ghost.
- Dad ...? Casy groaned almost silently, noticing that her father was frozen and silent.
Man nodded, chuckling, smiling at John with his maddened eyes and a lustful smirk.
Getting up while keeping the revolver pointed at the target.
- Stay there ... and let me do my job.
John let out a long, soft breath, unable to move his body
Casy screamed, stepping back as she noticed kidnapper approaching her.
Man let out another harsh chuckle, feeling he was in total control.
Noticing that the kidnapper was distracted and focused on Casy, John lunged forward and ruthlessly grabbed man, making sure that one hand was clamped on his arm with the gun.
Using his weight, John forced the captor to fall to the ground again, this time facing forward.
The moment kidnapper hit the ground, John grabbed his arm with both hands and rested his knee against it.
In one lightning movement it hit hard, causing an echoing crash.
- AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGHH!
John completely broke man's arm like a delicate twig, allowing him to take his revolver as the man roared in agony.
With the gun in his possession, John pressed the barrel to the back of the captor's head.
Kidnapper froze in place, squirming as his arm was angled at an inhuman angle.
- Oh ... sorry ... sorry ...! the man muttered in fear, stumbling over his words as he apologized.
- WHAT DID YOU SAY!? John roared in unrelenting fury as he tightened his grip on the revolver, his finger hovering above the trigger.
- IM SORRY! kidnapper screamed, completely changing his maniacal attitude towards the wimpy.
John fell silent, holding his position, his conscience screaming at him to pull the trigger and end the unforgivable life form before him.
He could imagine it being easy ... like flipping a switch to turn off the light ... He could have done it ... but in the end I decided to spare the man.
- You'll walk away ... and give yourself to the cops ... John directed the man with a low grunt, waving the revolver in his hand ... You'll never come close to her ... understand?
- Y ... yes ... Man replied, fearful, stuttering, nodding uncertainly.
John still held the gun to the captor's head, seriously debating whether to shoot him anyway and fulfill his wish.
Yet he could imagine the consequences of his actions, even when he used the excuse of "self-defense"
John got up and trudged back to Casy, focusing on the fallen man.
Casy watched her father approach carefully, frozen in place, her eyes filling with tears.
- Go on ... John called her soothingly, holding out his free hand ... Let's go home.
Casy nodded silently, unable to utter a word.
Before leaving, John called the authorities, staring at kidnapper, explaining the situation and their location.
After confirming that the police were headed there, he put down the phone and stepped back, finally turning his attention to where he had parked his motorbike.
A small part of him wondered why no one had witnessed the scene developing, feeling it was too much of a coincidence that there was no response from a nearby audience.
However, he decided to push the thought aside and focus on Casy's well-being.
They both turned, finally leaving the man in his loneliness as police sirens were heard in the distance.
It was a mistake that John would soon regret ...
DAD, LOOK OUT! Casy suddenly screamed at the top of her throat as she glanced briefly at the kidnapper.
John instinctively turned away.
He noticed the man for a moment as he felt his neck tighten.
- HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME! Kidnapper roared maniacally, his eyes too wild and bloodshot.
But then the ear-splitting echo erupted in the hallway-like alley, plunging the world into deafening silence.
It was a shot from a firearm.
John lay still on the ground, his eyes widened and he couldn't blink.
Gradually, blood began to trickle onto his clothes, staining his once fresh clothes.
At first he thought it was his own blood, feeling incredibly weak and tired.
His body felt numb, as if he was missing the sense of pain that overwhelmed him.
However, it was then that he realized the truth of the situation.
Kidnapper lay on top of him now, completely inert.
There was no tension or movement in his body.
He was lifeless.
As the terrifying awareness came, John hurriedly pushed the kidnapper's body away from him as blood covered almost his entire body.
Then he raised his numb hands, staring at them in complete shock.
He was gripping the revolver with one hand and he noticed that his bloodied finger was pressed tightly against the trigger.
It was at this point that he knew ... the man was dead before him.
Casy silently approached Father, unable to comprehend what had happened.
- Dad ...? she muttered in a trembling voice, using as much courage as possible to collect her words.
And yet she was unable to complete the question.
- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Suddenly a bloodcurdling scream filled the alley.
Both jumped in sudden horror, coming face to face with what was screaming.
An adult woman stood in front of them with her hands clasped over her mouth in horror.
Woman in front of them was a witness now. However, it did not end there.
Behind the terrified woman stood a crowd of onlookers of civilians, all who heard the gunshot and gathered to observe the crime scene with curiosity. John then muttered under his breath.
- Oh shit.