Guest (Jul 6): I'm not going to tell you here. Who's your bet?
avidreader: Oh I remember that chapter. Totally racked my brain to finish that. Glad it was worth it.
Miknmax: I didn't mean to make you, so I'm sorry. To your dad as well. I hope you're enjoying the sequel.
AnonTheWriter: PitchPerfectLover, is that you? Oh my god! Almost didn't recognize you. Anyways, that part in the elevator shaft, it was kind of inspired by that same scene in Hollow Man. I thought it was perfect. And Stacie... When I first wrote her into the story (Chapter 2 of Stolen), I never thought she would have this kind of effect on everybody. Yeah, we started rooting for her later on, but it's a shame I only fully understood the feeling when I was reading your review. "The last time I let someone special help me... I had to watch her die in my arms." Holy smoke, Stacie!
oilzz and stuff: Now I don't know if you've read Chapter 15, and I don't really want to spoil you.
Guest (Jun 29): It would be really boring without those "literary elements". Addictive in a good way, right?
madness2013: All those training with Rem finally paid off.
RobOverstreet, Rennie Laroche: Yes. I can't believe it either. I waited for how many chapter, a sequel, to finally make it happen. So proud of Chloe. And Aubrey too.
aimeekiwi93: If they decide to turn this into the movie, that would be totally awesome!
crystalsoda1: I can't stop listening to it!
Guest (Jun 29): Hintay hintay din 'pag may time.
MysticFalls94: I tried to think of an alternative, but twins would really be the only plausible explanation I could come up with. LOL. Rem's alive, don't worry. She actually saved Thud, say on a "deleted scene".
asdfg: Yes, buddy!
frenchyloop: I wanted to put a completely different line, but Fat Amy's movie line just suited perfectly. The burning sugar... I thought it was a brilliant plan especially with those fake money for distraction.
Kartoffel: Well, thank you! :)
Yan, Guest (Jun 28): Tried to update as soon as I can.
So I intended to leave Ben out the previous chapter, spare you from a dose of vexation. You're welcome. But he'll be back this chapter, sorry. So yeah, there will be lots of flashbacks. To avoid confusion, you know it's a flashback when there are dead people involve. I have to say this is my favorite chapter because it still amazes me just how all the information blended together into this one whole plot. I really hope you enjoy!
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Flashbacks
Rain was pouring out from the sky, complementing the gloomy mood in the house and the desolation shared by its inhabitants. For the first time, Bumper didn't touch, let alone bother to, the meal served to him. It was completely forgotten on the table, left to cool down in the cold rainy breeze.
"B-Boss?"
A Syndic had been standing in the middle of the office for almost an hour already, waiting for the Head to at least take recognition of his mere presence. It's kind of uncomfortable being there and trying to guess whatever the boss had needed him for especially this point of time that the organization was certainly at its weakest position since the tragedy at the Mansion.
"How's X?" asked the young McDouglas, looking up to his subordinate.
The other lightened up at the question; he brought good news about it, so he might have prayed just enough. "He's recovering, boss. Although, he looks different now with all the burns he sustained; face disfigured and the like. He could still work after some time."
"Anybody else who survived?"
Okay, that question was answerable with bad news. The Syndic coiled a little, lowered his head in apprehension, and prayed for his life.
"None, boss."
"So how many's left?"
"T-Twenty five… J-Just twenty five of us left, plus you."
A loud knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Bumper responded with a subtle 'come in', and so his brother walked into the room. The inferior Syndic was dismissed, clearing the room for a small family affair.
"I heard about what happened," Ben started. "I'm sorry."
His older brother let out a chuckle. "You're sorry? Isn't this what you've wanted all along? To see me go deep down, rot in a pit of damnation."
"Yes," the other nodded his head in all honesty. "I've always wanted for you to know what drowning feels like."
"Heh. You are such a baby, Benjamin. People die, they get killed. Just get over it."
"I'm going home," said Ben. That was when his fancy gray designer suit he was wearing was given proper attention. He appeared like a respectable member of the society once more, not that lovesick fool he had been. "I figured I'm just another mess around here. I packed my bags. I won't bother you anymore. You'll never hear from me again. Don't worry, I won't tell the old man where you are."
His brother chuckled again. "Let me guess. He offered you a big job, huh?"
"Yeah... VP... Sales..."
"Vice President. Wow."
"You know, that's all I can get from him."
"You'll be fine, dude. Now that Phoenix Corporation will soon be out of business, competition in the market won't be as tough as it used to be."
"Then I don't see why you shouldn't take father's long standing offer."
This time, Bumper was on the edge of his seat, laughing out loud at his innocent brother's statement. It's ridiculous, really.
"I'm serious, Bumper!" exclaimed the other. "If you just go back there and make amends, he will surrender his position to you. You're looking for a treasure? It's right out there waiting for you."
The Head Syndic sighed, amused. "You are one funny man, Benjamin."
"You know it's true."
"You see, that's the difference between the two of us. I actually want to earn my treasure. I don't want anybody to hand it over to me."
"And you think I don't work hard enough?" Ben countered. "You left, and father feels like he's childless already. I've been gone for weeks, and he never even bothered to give me a call. And Chloe... I never wanted to have anybody as much as I want her now, but she walked out on me. You're supposed to be the only one I've got left."
Bumper scoffed. "We're just brothers. It's not exactly a choice we made."
"Come home," urged the other. "Leave all of these behind and just come home with me. Let's build an empire together! What do you say?"
"I have my own empire out here, Benjamin."
"That's about to go down in history! Beca has won the war!"
"It's not over yet," Bumper gritted his teeth as he glared at this dumbass before him. His amused self was changing back into an irritated and insulted human being.
Ben held up his hands in surrender. Fine, if the guy didn't want to be helped, then so be it. There could only be one pathetic person between the two of them, and it wasn't going to be him. He gave his brother one last look then turned around to leave.
"Help me," the other blurted out from out of the blue.
The younger McDouglas made a halt not because his vicious brother spoke out but because of the words that came out of his mouth.
"There, I'm giving you the pleasure of me begging for your help."
Ben faced him. Bumper wasn't kidding at all. He needed his brother's skill and expertise. To manage scarce resources and then make them bloom into a profitable business, it was what he did best. That just might save the Syndicate from an imminent downfall.
"I can help you get Chloe," was the Syndic's one last bargain. "You can do whatever you want to her."
Paralyzed for some time, the man in a gray suit eventually removed his jacket and dropped it on the floor. He wore off his neck tie then tossed it away. Somehow, he seemed a little less professional with this appearance. He took his time taking a very deep breath until he finally decided to nod his head to agree with the terms laid down for him. Damn it. It was still the most effective bait for Ben McDouglas. This war wasn't over just yet.
Thirty minutes to three in the morning, Chloe stared blankly at the ceiling, her hands resting on top of her stomach, impatiently tapping her fingers against each other in a pace faster than the tick of time. She turned to the woman lying next to her in the bed; Beca was facing the other side of the room, eyes closed as if peacefully sleeping. It's been more than five hours, and she never changed such position, let alone moved an inch. How was that even possible? The redhead rationalized that a normal person would at least have some bed mannerisms before falling asleep. But with this cricket, she would simply lie down, and that was all of it.
Bee-dee-dee-deep. Bee-dee-dee-deep. Even the sound of her alarm clock was as boring and reserved as her recluse personality. Nevertheless, Chloe zipped to put the alarming device off. Finally.
"Now?" she questioned the woman who was still in a motionless state.
The cricket remained intentionally unresponsive.
"Beca!" whined Chloe, even poking the other on her back. "You said you were tired, so I let you sleep. You got your sleep, babe, so..."
"How do you expect me to sleep when I can feel your horniness all over the room? Even your breathing is horny."
The redhead rolled her eyes and lied back down. She was not that horny! Okay, fine, maybe she was – she had been practically offering herself for a delightful treat. Well, her girlfriend was supposed to do something about it! But, as if the universe was trying to be humorous, of all the times that Beca had to be "not in the mood", it had to be this very instance.
"Beca..."
This time, Chloe sounded seductive along with her fingers tracing an invisible path on her girlfriend's back. Normally, it would seal the deal. It shouldn't be that hard to seduce her. Beca, however, forced herself not to flinch at the touch. Her wounds and injuries, ever after weeks of rest, still hurt so bad. Admitting it would warrant everyone to give her a reprimanding speech.
"I'm really... n-not in the mood," was her weak reply. How do you shut off that growing flame of desire burning away every sense of reason left in your body?
The one in control disregarded the appeal so as to proceed with leaving sweet kisses on her girlfriend's shoulder, on every cuts and scratches.
"Anytime now... y-you know somebody... will be k-knocking on the door... supposedly to wake us up." Beca had to convince Chloe that it would be a bad thing. She had to convince herself more than anyone else in this room.
"I don't care," replied the other in between those lingering kisses that came with the delicate touches.
"But," the mighty Phoenix immediately paused to control her breathing. "I-I do."
"Hmm... since when?"
"Uh... since now."
"Now is sex."
A groan escaped from Beca's mouth because the truth was she wanted that alternative so much as well, but her fractured bones crushed all those sexual dreams floating in her horny brain. Even more when Chloe finally decided to pin her down, sitting on top of the brunette, and she could no longer endure the pangs of pain.
"What? What is it?"
Chloe was in panic. Was she hurting Beca in any way or was she really that bad? The brunette intended for a convincing smile, but her hurt expression turned it into a grimace. That was when her girlfriend had managed to connect the dots, and so Beca's pool of sexual fantasies slopped down into the sink.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" asked the redhead, climbing off the fragile body. "Of course, you're not. God, Beca, why didn't you say so?"
Fuck, even trying to sit up hurt like hell. "Hey, I'm fine."
"Fine? Look at you!" exclaimed the other. This was exactly the kind of reprimanding speech that Beca had been trying to avoid, passionately shrieking out to make a point. "See? The doctors were right all along! You sustained fractures! Of course, you sustained fractures. You jumped off a freaking building! Hey, just because Rem calls you Tinker bell doesn't make you literally fly, alright?"
"But I'm fine," the young Mitchell reassures, reaching for her girlfriend's hand to give it a squeeze. There, she's doing just fine.
"No, you're not. We need to put back your sling, give you back your crutches- No, you'll be better off in a wheelchair. Nobody's going on a road trip today. All your missions are suspended until you're healed."
"Chloe."
"No, Beca. I think you don't you understand what's happening here. Or to be fair, maybe I'm the one who doesn't understand all these schemes. So help me out here, will ya? 'Cause I'm just curious, really, is there ever gonna be an end of this? How many more times do you have to hurt yourself? For how long do you have to be this oh so legendary Phoenix?"
This legendary Phoenix frowned at the questions directed towards her. "Are you saying you're tired of… this?"
"I'm saying I hate the feeling of knowing the great possibility that any moment, I could actually lose you forever. And to lose you forever, Beca…"
The girl with the ladybug tattoo never finished her statement; she was already crying. It would take a lot more effort for the injured to reach for her face and wipe the tears away. But never mind that. Beca braved the aches, and did what she had to do anyway.
"I love you," she told Chloe. "The more I push you away, the more I find myself coming back to you. And I'd jump off a building all over again if that's what it takes to be with you. I know how difficult it is for you to be here, Chloe. It is indeed a selfish thing to ask you to stay, but… I love you. Yeah, that's all the reason I have. I hope that's enough for you 'cause it's all there is for me."
Chloe sighed as she looked back at those dark blue orbs. How could she stay mad with all that being said? So, she leaned forward and kissed the brunette, as tender as possible, just enough to let her know just how much Chloe loved her too.
"So now is sex, hmm?" whispered the cricket, smiling against her girlfriend's lips.
The redhead giggled at how ridiculous it actually sounded. "It's rape when you're not in the mood, you know."
"No, come on. You can violate my body and my entire being. Let's do this!"
"Who's the horny one now, huh?" Chloe smirked.
"Chloe!"
Beca, this time, was the one whining in sexual frustration, pulling the other a little bit closer to set things into motion. It started with another kiss, slow and gentle at first until it became rough and passionate. Chloe planted kisses on every bit of skin on Beca's face down to her neck. There was indeed a different level of hotness when the angel had the lead while the devil was locked in submission.
"Beca and Chloe sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
It was in fact Fat Amy's voice on the intercom installed in the Head Phoenix's room. It started out quietly just in case the pair of lovebirds was still in deep sleep. The problem was that they were already wide awake; the brunette groaned in protest when her girlfriend stopped at the wake-up call.
"Beca and Chloe sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
Fat Amy sang louder and livelier in every repetition, giggling on the side. To make matters worse, Rem's voice was also singing in the background.
"That's breakfast calling," the redhead suppressed a laugh.
"This is breakfast, babe."
But then Ronie's voice joined in the fun, and Beca knew that was the end of it. She made a mental note to herself that she should really provide her mother some sort of head's up.
"I should definitely go," said Chloe, standing up, trying not to laugh at the very disappointed expression on the cricket's face. "You should, you know, start getting ready. I'll… see you at breakfast. Love you."
She kissed the brunette goodbye, and headed out of the door. The cricket glared at the ceiling and deeply sighed. So close, so close.
It was bothersome, walking down the hallway and being escorted by a pair of men in a black suit as if Benji was a criminal. Well, he was, but it was not like he was going to steal anything from the Manor. The boss himself could trust him, so how come these bodyguards wouldn't drop it? Like it wasn't enough security measure with regards to his presence, the Head Security was waiting for him right outside the door to the home office.
"Luke," the Phoenix at least gave it a shot at being civil with a casual greeting.
The blonde man offered back a small nod, "Benji."
"I got Mr. Beale's message."
"Did you bring anybody with you?" questioned Luke.
"No."
"Does anybody know you're here?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure nobody was following you?"
"Look," the brunet held up a hand. "I know the drill, man. Don't you think I've been doing this long enough to be vigilant with my actions? If The Society finds out, you're not the one going to be tried and killed, alright? That would be me, so just shut the fuck up and let me in. Mr. Beale wants to talk to me."
Speechless, the Head of Security eventually cleared the guest for entry. He opened up the door and led the way in.
"You may leave, Luke."
To the man's dismay, it was an order coming from Clarence Beale himself. Luke glanced at the guest – who would trust this man looking like a criminal in the first impression – then left the room as instructed.
"My men are trying to control everybody who gets too close," explained the redhead. "You can forgive him for being too hard on you."
Benji slowly nodded. "I guess that's good, sir. It keeps you safe."
"Any news?"
"Phil refuses to believe that the organization is in trouble. Reports coming in show a rapidly increasing demand from the chapters. With the current quota, it's not going to suffice. He can't increase it because it'll definitely alert the feds. The market is failing too; the Council members are falling short on their contributions. You're the only one who has been essentially consistent, sir."
"Which means all eyes and ears are set on me," Clarence concluded.
The other remained silent because that was exactly what was going on. It's going to be a problem in the long run especially when The Secret Society would be needing money which Clarence had in his possession.
"The Head Phoenix has his speculations now," revealed the visitor.
"Phil is my best friend," the other replied though with a hint of hesitance. "He's like a brother to me."
"He is the Head Phoenix, sir."
Clarence frowned and sighed. Yes, he was. And the position could change a person, turn him into someone he never was. Could it be possible that the man he grew up with was no longer there?
"Phil will know," he realized. "He will discover the money."
The young brunet nodded his head in agreement. "I suggest when that happens, sir, your army should be more than prepared. You're going to a war. They will stop at nothing until they take it all away from you. It's going to be the end of the Phoenix Corporation."
Suddenly, a loud knock was heard on the door. Chloe came in, followed by the ever stern Kimmy Jin, both ignoring Luke's efforts of politely asking the young heiress to wait outside.
"C-Chloe," her father stammered, caught off guard.
She paused for a short while, acknowledging the presence of a very unfamiliar man. Judging by the clothes he was wearing, he was highly unlikely to be the typical businessman her father would normally transact with. It was suspicious at first, but if monster Luke cleared him to be here, then maybe he was worth being there. He didn't concern her anyway.
"What do you need, sweetheart?" Clarence notably didn't initiate a formal introduction. Instead, he went on to attend to his daughter.
"I'm going to lunch out with Aubrey," she answered. "Kimmy Jin will go with me."
He furrowed his eyebrows; there was something wary about this. His self-proclaimed grown woman of a daughter announcing the company of her secretary for a lunch out. "You're meeting up with that boy, aren't you? That... what's his name again? Ted? Tim? Taz?"
"Tom!" she firmly stated. Seriously, it's just a three-letter name! How hard could it be to memorize his name?
"Okay okay," he gave her a quick kiss and cued Kimmy Jin to make an exit. "Have a nice day, sweetheart."
Benji quietly waited for the door to close behind him then watched the father torment in worry. Good, he was following. "Sir, she's going to be in danger."
"No," the other shook his head in refusal. "We have to do something."
"What?" questioned the Phoenix. Was there any more else they could do?
"Hide it," Clarence blurted out.
"Sir?"
"Hide the money!"
"But, sir-"
"Hide it somewhere The Secret Society would never find it. Take it away from me. We have to convince Phil that I don't have it. Please, Benji, you've got to help me. Please!"
If it wasn't the face of desperation, it had to be some bizarre alternative reality. He was begging. A father's fear for the safety of his child. How could one say 'no' to that?
"Give me some time to think things through, sir."
That was some sort of relief; a pinch of hope to cling on for the time being. Clarence gladly accepted the offer and dismissed his guest. Again, the Phoenix was escorted like a criminal out of the Manor where he rode a car to take him back to a safe ground. None of it bothered him anymore. His mind had drifted away, wondering greatly where on earth he would be hiding such an enormous amount of money.
Freshly fried, Thud transferred all bacon strips directly from the pan to Fat Amy's plate. She cheerfully arranged them into a pile next to a couple sunny side up eggs. She stared at the contents on her plate, admiring its beauty, before devouring it. It was her third plate. Rem's jaw was left hanging open in a mixture of shock and awe.
"We're running behind the schedule," warned Skyler, looking up at the wall clock for reference.
"But it's just four in the morning," the Australian reasoned out with a mouthful of food.
"Well, you're going to travel for twelve hours, more or less."
Jesse shrugged. "We'll be on the road longer than that if you don't let her finish this plate. Trust me, Sky. It happened before. You're not the one going with her, so please, have some mercy."
"Can I have more?" Fat Amy asked Thud.
He turned to the Head Phoenix who gave a discreet shake of her head as a response. Most likely, something's already packed into Fat Amy's travelling backpack anyway. Skyler was right; they had to be moving by this hour if they wanted to return as soon as possible without the Syndicate ever knowing that they were gone in the first place. So, Thud flashed an apologetic look towards the healthy blonde. He was just following orders.
"Now let's get you on the road," Cynthia-Rose declared right after that last bite.
The dining room was soon vacated as everybody headed towards the elevator capsule bound up the ground level. Beca and Stan were left behind with Ronie and Clarence for a last minute private conference.
"Here's the address," Ronie handed a piece of paper to Beca before turning to Clarence. "I'm not sure about this, but maybe it's worth a try."
"I really wish I could tell you now," he replied. "But I have no idea where the treasure is. I can only distinguish it from a fake one."
"You're a big help already," assured Stan.
More than the treasure, Ronie had a bigger concern, obvious based on the look on her face. The younger brunette eyed her mother, a blank stare fixed on her. "You're worrying too much. The Syndics are gone."
"I'm your mother." If she could just shut off that feeling – that something bad was about to happen. She turned to the older Mitchell, the more sensible one between the siblings. "Look after your sister, okay?"
"Okay, mom," replied the tall young man like a goody-goody five-year-old which prompted his sister to roll her eyes.
"They'll come back home safe and sound, Ronie."
Clarence made it sound like a solemn unbreakable vow, a father's vow to ease a mother's heart. Children would never understand that deep connection shared between parents. Left with no other business matter to be resolved, Stan and Clarence exited the room to go after the others.
"Slow down," Ronie cautiously held Beca by the arm to keep her pace. Good thing, she was already slow with the limping. "There's something I have to tell you."
"What is it, mom?"
"I was thinking…" her voice trailed off and her fingers trembled a little. "Say you find the treasure tonight, I was thinking of moving out when you guys get back. I figured with no more threats from the Syndics, I'll be safe back in my house. Besides, I should go look for a new job now that Barden's… you know.."
Beca was stunned at the set of plans. Of course, her mother was one of those normal citizens of the country who actually looked for and maintained a job to pay their bills. "S-Sure. Why not?"
"And... I think it's best that I take Maverick with me."
Him too? Was her mother not enough for a loss?
"He'll still come here once in a while, continue with his prosthesis training."
It didn't do any difference to mend that chest pain.
"You know he doesn't belong down here," Ronie pointed out the truth. "Beca, he's just a kid. You don't want him to grow up the way you did, do you?"
Beca muttered, "He can't stay. I get it."
"It's not about him staying. It's you leaving. Do you seriously want to be a Phoenix until the day you die?" The older brunette paused to wait for an answer; it wasn't a rhetorical question. There was none. "So it's either you find the treasure or not, yeah? Those are just the two possibilities. But either way, you should know that there's going to be an end for this mission. What are you going to be after that?"
The young Mitchell stared at her mother for a considerable time, mind filled with thoughts. "I can't just leave The Society."
"Very well," said Ronie with a small smile. She got the answer she asked for.
Beep beep. Beca's communication device reminded that there were people waiting for her up on the ground; there was a road trip waiting for them ahead. She stepped into the capsule, uttered no more to her mother, and silently stood still until the night sky was evidently right above her. The others had almost settled in. Clarence, Paul, and two more men occupied one automobile; and another with Stan, Aubrey, Thud, and Jesse.
"Where's my car?" she asked CR or Skyler, whoever could give her the adequate answer.
As if on cue, a brand new Audi Q5, obviously stolen in spite of the convincing plate, rolled down the street and stopped by the remaining group. Rem was on the driver's seat, grinning wildly particularly at the mighty Phoenix while the infamous guitar intro for Highway to Hell was blasting through the modified sound system – meaning, a louder than usual volume setting, which in this reality, the brunette hated with much indignation. Chloe and Fat Amy looked charmed, but Beca was obviously not.
"You're not driving," CR worded out the scenario for her friend. "You still walk with a limp."
Skyler added, "Doctors' order."
Beca scoffed, displaying a dirty look for the crazy blonde. Rem was definitely enjoying this glorious moment.
"Hop in, bitches!"
Fat Amy excitedly occupied the passenger seat while Chloe carefully tugged her girlfriend's hand, convincing her to just go along with it. If it weren't for that adorable pout, Beca would have never stepped into that 'borrowed' car.
"Detroit, here we come!"
The pair of blondes banged their heads to the beat of the drums.
[Hey, Satan, payin' my dues
Playin' in a rockin' band
Hey, mama, look at me.
I'm on my way to the promised land]
[I'm on a highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on a-]
A shot was fired and the bullet whacked the hell out of the freaking stereo. Everybody turned to the horrible monster seated at the back, holding out that smoking gun. Brian Johnson never said anything about travelling with hell herself.
At two in the morning, Benji had probably tried all the sleeping positions available in the planet. Still, he couldn't find sleep with any of them. It's been weeks. He blamed the billions of dollars thrust in his hands. Seriously, where on earth would he be hiding them? His plans would definitely dictate the course of the future.
Another twist and turn on the bed until he finally decided to leave the room and find some answers elsewhere. Surprisingly, Blue and Red were already standing out his door as if waiting for him to open up all this time.
"What?" he inquired.
"The Head Phoenix wants to talk to you."
Benji knew better than to do or say anything else but any form of agreement. Therefore, he closed the door behind him and followed closely behind the two giants. What was it with people escorting him like a criminal lately? Before long, they reached the Green Room. He was made to enter, but Blue and Red, unusually, stayed outside. So, it was just Benji and the Head Phoenix.
"I'm surprised you're still awake at this hour," Phil sounded accusing even without meaning to.
"I… I couldn't sleep, boss."
"Good. I have something to keep you busy for the meantime. I don't want you spending your time wide awake in such boredom."
Was that an expression of concern?
"What do you think about our operations?"
"It's doing just great-"
"Don't say bullshit, Benji," the boss cut him off. "Of all people, I think you know what's really going on here."
Benji remained cautiously quiet.
"Well, just say it."
"This is a very bad time for The Society, boss."
"Yes," the Head Phoenix agreed. "Yes, it is."
Then what? Benji didn't really know what this entire private conversation was all about. Phil didn't seem to be suspicious at all, fortunately.
"Do you have any idea what would happen when The Secret Society fails?" asked the boss.
"No, boss. Not exactly."
Phil smiled, something he rarely did. "I die."
"Oh..."
"If The Society fails, it means I have failed. The Council has invested a lot of money in here. They would love to see me dead."
"Beca's team is doing well. They could pull this off."
"Beca will do nothing to go against the Council. You see, my daughter… she's all 'fidelity to The Society'. And Stan, he's obviously not my biggest fan."
Things had gone more complicated at this point for the young Phoenix. What did he have to do with their family, if they even called it that?
"But I have to make sure they'll be alright," the father revealed. "I need you to do something for me, Benji. Do you remember my wife?"
Again, Benji knew better than to do or say anything else but any form of agreement. He was smart enough to give a nod.
"Does anybody else have knowledge of what I asked you to do before?"
The other shook his head compliantly.
"You do remember the safe house where you brought her to, right?"
"Yes, boss."
"I need you to deliver something to her."
With no objection placed on the table, the old Mitchell pulled a drawer on his desk open. It was the one on the lowest level. He took something out of it, and the next thing, there was a sealed white letter envelope being handed over to Benji.
"Deliver this to her," was Phil's order. "Only to her. Nobody else has to know."
Benji grabbed hold of the envelope and nodded his head. One more look, and he was officially dismissed. Blue and Red were waiting for him outside the door, escorted him back to his room, and left. He was all alone. He put the sealed white letter envelope on his bedside table, and lied back down on his bed. Two men to serve and one treasure to hide. How was he going to play this out?
He knew all he had to do was to follow orders. He knew he weren't supposed to do anything else stupid. For some weird world conspiracy, he found himself reaching for the envelope and tearing it open. There was a paper, horizontally folded into three. It was a letter for the wife, and he was reading it without anybody's consent.
When I give you a call, pack your bags and meet me. I'll bring the kids. We will be a family again. I promise. Love, Phil.
678 W Canfield St, Detroit, Michigan in case you've forgotten
Along with a letter, inside the envelope, was an old renaissance key. He looked at it, intently, examined every detail of it, for as long as he needed, and just like that, Benji had one puzzle solved.
"For the last time," Rem told Fat Amy as they climbed off the car. "There is no Oprah in Gives You Hell!"
"But I really thought it goes, 'Oprah gives you hell, Oprah gives you hell, Oprah gives you hell.' I mean, it sounds great, right?"
The other groaned loudly. "Why the fuck would Oprah give you hell when you see his face?"
"Exactly my thoughts!" exclaimed the other, trailing behind the lead towards the eating place, still not giving up the glory of her butchered lyrics. "Hey, wait up for me, mate."
Aubrey and Stan, hand in hand, caught up with Beca and Chloe just right behind.
"Burrito King," the Posen heiress read the sign. "Let me guess, Fat Amy picked this place, hmm? It doesn't surprise me at all. I just hope they have some salad or something. I'm starving!"
"You should see her backpack," her best friend bragged about the fridge-like cloth sack.
Stan opened the door for the ladies and they all went in. Beca, however, was suddenly stopped by Clarence.
"Do you have a minute?" he asked.
She turned to Chloe to give her a reassuring smile. Her girlfriend, uncertain at first, eventually joined the rest of the group at their table. She was just going have a talk with Chloe's father, what could go wrong with that?
"I'm never going to leave her or ask her to leave me again," she started as they headed back outside, at a corner, for some privacy, away from the prying eyes of the public, or Chloe.
And then, she had nothing else left to say. She was being this weird and awkward quiet cricket in front of the most important man in the life of the girl of her dreams. Not the best image to put on display. Damn it.
"I honestly still can't believe it," he chuckled. "You two. Never in a million years. You were made to stay in a hundred different worlds apart. But you're here. Louise would have hugged you so tight, you couldn't breathe, and I'm sure you'd hate it and love it both at the same time. She would have really liked you, Beca. Seeing the way you make Chloe happy, my wife would have loved you."
God, was she blushing?
"I'm sorry," he told her from out of the blue. "I'm sorry I almost ruined your relationship. I was just trying to protect my daughter. Had I known you were alive, it would have made a lot difference with my choices."
"Chloe loves you," Beca made sure he knew because it was the truth.
The redhead chuckled again. "There are a lot of things that she doesn't know about me that would surely change that."
Okay, what's going on? Beca had a bad feeling.
"Again, I'm sorry. And I'm very sorry in advance, Beca."
"I'm not quite sure I'm following you here, sir."
Clarence glanced at the window and saw his daughter laughing and talking with her friends then looked back at the brunette before him. "I lied. It's not just my money that's in the treasure. Some of it, I've stolen from The Secret Society."
What?
"The treasure you've all been looking for is worth One Hundred and Seventy Five Billion Dollars. You don't suppose I saved all those money just from my earnings, do you? Phoenix Corporation, as a whole, didn't worth as much as that. Never."
Beca sighed at the revelation. Things were starting to make sense more than ever. "Phil had the reason to go after you."
"Yes," he confirmed. After all, he had the bone that all the dogs craved for. "I've been stealing from him since the day he sat on his throne."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted the organization to collapse. I thought if that happens, your father would finally stop. I thought he would be his old self. I thought he would drop everything, get you and your brother out of there, and just start a new life some place else. I thought I could have my old friend back."
"You did this," she realized. "You were the one who created all this trouble."
He nodded his head affirmatively. "Unfortunately, yes."
"If you didn't steal from him, he wouldn't have gone after you. He wouldn't have asked for the Syndicate's help. Nothing could have ever changed."
"I'm sorry," he sincerely apologized once more. "I put everybody in danger. I used you the way Phil used you. I was the one who broke the borders. I know I made a mistake. I should have never done something that stupid."
Beep beep. Both turned towards the glass window; the food was already being served, and Chloe was waving at them to get it in.
"Then I would have never met her," muttered the brunette as she stared at her girlfriend from the considerable distance.
Clarence put on a smile. At least, something good came out of his faults.
"Why are you telling me about all this now?" questioned the young Mitchell as they started walking. "If she asks, I don't want to lie."
"I guess now we both have to admit that she will always choose you, Beca. I'm going to tell her everything when we find the treasure... even the truth about her mother's death."
There was a hint on his voice which told the other not to ask just yet.
"There will come a day when she will despise me so much she'll never want to see my face again. She will no longer believe anything that I say, so I'm telling you these because you will be my vindication. I will need it to come out of your mouth, Beca. When my words are useless, I need you to tell Chloe just how much I love her. Maybe by then, she would believe it."
The cold-blooded beast wore a smile, so it must be a really positive response. "I'm sure you'll always be important to her, sir."
Perhaps, the best liar in town was being honest because Chloe had reserved a seat next to her especially for her father. The cricket gladly took the chair on the other side. Everything was just keep getting better and better.
Ronie had just shut the front door close when the doorbell rang. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion – was it some kind of a prank? Nevertheless, she took her coat off and hung it on the side before opening the door open. There was a young man, curly-haired,standing right on her doorstep. He looked oddly familiar. Too bad she couldn't remember where and when and how she might have met him. But he was here on her doorstep, so he must have remembered the other way around.
"Hi," she tried to act friendly and accommodating, still wondering who he was at the back of her mind.
"Good evening, Miss Grant," he greeted with a smile.
Miss Grant. He must have been to Barden, or someone from the forgotten history. Yeah, Ronie must have met him either way. That could be the only plausible options.
"Good evening. How may I help you?"
The guy stared at her strangely as if muddled for a reason. "You… don't recognize me."
"Uh…" she wished she had any idea where to begin with. "I…"
"You don't remember who I am, do you, Miss Grant?"
"Well…" God, this is so embarrassing, she thought. "You know, it's…"
"It's fine," he assured, suppressing a laugh. "You will probably never see me again anyway."
Uh, okay?
"I am only here to deliver something for Beca," he stated in a significantly vigilant manner, even discreetly turning his head from left to right and vice versa as if making sure that there was nobody watching, no witness for whatever was about to happen next.
This raised suspicion on the part of the host. "Do you know Beca?"
"Yes, and she's going to need this." He quickly pulled out a sealed white letter envelope from the inner pocket of his jacket for her to see.
"Whoa, stop!" she exclaimed. She already had one hand on the edge of the door, ready to slam it close if the need would arise. What if this had something to do with The Secret Society? What if this man was ordered to harm her daughter? "I am not accepting anything from you, stranger. Take that thing away from here, and leave me alone. Good night!"
"Wait, wait!" Benji hurriedly used his hand to barge the door from closing while holding up the envelope with the other. "This will save Beca's life."
He seemed to be telling the truth.
"And why should I trust you?" Ronie threw a look at the uninvited guest.
The young man let go of the door and calmly backed away a little, giving her all the space she needed, an attempt to convince her that he meant no harm. "Because I once saved your life."
"You..." she stared at his face until that fateful night was flashing in her head again. Over and over. "You're that boy who was underwater. You brought me here."
He responded with a nod. As much as he wanted to refresh her memories of the details about his heroic deed, he was running out of time. He presented the white envelope one more time. "Please, take this. Give it to Beca."
She accepted, but there was one problem that crosses her mind. "She doesn't know I'm alive."
"Oh she will," grinned Benji. He seemed very sure about it. "She will find you, and you will give that to her. But only when Phil is dead."
She gasped. This man, he had brought too much with him for this surprise visit. After that, wordless, he turned around, looked around the vicinity for any signs of suspicious activity. When the coast was deemed clear, he simply walked away from Ronie, away from the house, away from the entire neighbourhood. That was the last time she ever saw Benji Applebaum.
"Kurt Cobain, Kurt Cobain," Fat Amy softly hummed.
The tired blonde on the driver seat rolled her eyes and mumbled, "It's Purple Rain, not Kurt… Cobain."
"Oh that's why it's called Purple Rain!" the other snapped her fingers.
Rem quickly flashed her smug face. Nobody said about driving for full twelve hours of butchered lyrics; if she didn't like Fat Amy, the Australian would be dead the first few miles. The blame's on that slutty bitch seated at the back, trying so hard not to blush at the feeling of her sleeping princess' lips unconsciously brushing against the beast's neck. Beca quietly sat there, calm and serene with Chloe's arms wrapped around her slender body. Rem glanced at the rear view mirror again and witnessed that sweet kiss planted on the ginger hair. Fine, the slutty bitch's forgiven.
"We're here," she announced as she turned left. "West Canfield, everybody. Now start looking for that fucking house."
The others began to search through the line of Victorian houses on the either sides of the road. If the treasure was indeed buried around here, with this fancy neighbourhood, nobody would have ever suspected it. It was like the treasure belonged exactly in this place.
"There!" exclaimed an excited Fat Amy, pointing at another Victorian house, normal and quiet it was almost unnoticeable among the rest of them. "678! There it is! There it is! Pull over!"
Rem pulled over in front of the house with Paul in a close distance behind while Thud passed them, preparing for their assigned spots.
"Now what?"
"Are you sure the treasure is here?"
"Let's go find out."
The Head Phoenix led the team to the front door. Clarence trailed behind as his boys took off to guard the other side of the block. Beca was ready; she had the key in her hand. The only problem was there was no keyhole on the door.
"This is unbelievable," crazy blonde groaned. Was Benji ever going to run out of surprises?
"Don't let your eyes deceive you," Chloe reminded.
Clarence suggested, "So let's try at the back."
They marched around the house and found the back door. There was a keyhole, and the key fit into it. Beca took a deep breath and slowly turned the knob open while the rest patiently waited for the big reveal.
"Holy. Fucking. Shit."
Inside the house were piles of money, lots and lots of them. Every space was resourcefully used. Clarence didn't have to make any confirmation. They had finally found home. They had finally found the treasure.
So there's the treasure. And that means there's only a few more chapters coming til the end. :(
Song: (1) Highway to Hell – AC/DC (2) Gives You Hell - All-American Rejects (3) Purple Rain - Prince
Disclaimer: I don't own Pitch Perfect