And So It Begins: April & Devon

Location: Chicago, IL

April stepped back and looked at her Aunt. "It was so good to see you. I have missed you so much!"

"I wish you could stay longer April. It's so nice having you around. You remind me so much of your mother."

"I wish I could too! But work is calling to me. They can use my help and it will be nice to get back home."

"Please be careful. And call me when you get in," her Aunt told her. She hugged her niece goodbye, inviting her to come out and visit her again. Turning, she flagged a taxi. The yellow car pulled up to the curb. The cabbie got out and put April's bags into the trunk. She climbed in and smiled at her Aunt, waving goodbye. The cab pulled away quickly, cutting off an oncoming car. Provoked, the other driver laid on the horn.

"No need to rush. I'm just going to the airport," April chided the cab driver.

"Sorry miss." Accepting the apology, April settled in the back seat, taking in Chicago's skyline. Pretty soon, she noticed that they were not heading to the airport, but away from it.

"Excuse me, but where are we going? This isn't the way to the airport," she told the driver. It was then, that she noticed the thick plexiglass partition had no opening in it.

"Just sit back and let me do the driving," the cabbie suggested.

"I think you should stop and let me out," April informed him. "Right now."

Laughing, the man told her, "You ain't in no position to give me orders!" April grabbed the door handle, only to find it locked. She did not see a release mechanism.

"Let me out! Or you'll be sorry!" she shouted.

"Looks like you'll be trouble. Have a smoke," he snorted. Flicking a switch under the dash, he released a sleeping gas into the rear compartment. Watching the road, and checking the rear view mirror, he watched as the helpless woman tried not to breathe the gas. But her lungs needed oxygen. Within moments, she was out. He picked up a cell phone from the passenger seat and hit a button that dialed a number automatically.

"Picked up pawn number one. She's asleep," was all he said. He hung up the phone and waited for the text message to come through, telling him where to take his prisoner. The phone vibrated. He flipped it open and read the message. Smiling, he made a right hand turn and headed to his new destination.

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Devon Miles stood waiting for the elevator. It was almost six thirty in the evening. He had not really intended to stay this late. Everyone was pretty much gone for the day, except for security. And a few scientists, staying late to finish projects. He was looking forward to going home, having some wine and making a light dinner. The ding of the elevator brought him out of his thoughts. He stepped inside and pushed the button marked 'Lobby'. The elevator started its descent down. There were only four stories stacked above ground. There was one underground parking garage. The other three levels were underneath that. No one would be the wiser as to what or where Knight Industries did most of its top secret work. The building had been constructed and finished just before Garthe Knight was set to attack the previous complex. Devon's quick action had saved the company from being overtaken by him. Unfortunately, it had sent Garthe to the mansion. There, everything his friend Wilton Knight had built, had been destroyed. His godson had put him in charge of Knight Industries, so that he could be on hand to guide the reconstruction process. Ding. The doors slid open to the lobby. Stepping out, he headed for the front doors. Saying good night to the two armed security guards, he exited the building. Looking for his limo and driver, as neither were at the designated spot in front. Sighing heavily, he glanced in the direction of the entrance and exit of the parking garage. His car was just pulling out. Quickly raising his arm, he signaled to the driver. The man alighted from the vehicle and came around to open the door.

"Where is Marcus?"

"He had an emergency sir. He asked me to fill in for him," came the reply. "My name is James."

"I do hope everything is all right with him," Devon commented.

"I'm not sure sir. I wasn't given any details," James told him. Devon climbed into the rear of the vehicle, thanking James as he closed the door.

"Do you have my address?" Devon asked.

"Yes sir, I do." Devon paid no attention as the sliding partition went up. He stared out the window looking at the architecture of the buildings. Soon though, he noticed they were no where near his apartment building.

"Excuse me, James, I do not wish to tell you how to drive, but we seem to headed in the wrong direction," Devon informed him.

"Sorry sir, there was a car accident on the route Marcus usually takes. The GPS is redirecting me around it." Devon nodded and sat back. Within minutes he was curious to know why they seemed to be heading out of the city.

"Where are you taking me?" Devon demanded.

James chuckled. "Sit back and relax old man. Enjoy the ride."

"Old man? Who do you think your talking to? Turn this limo around right now. Or I shall call for help," Devon answered angrily, reaching for the phone.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the driver said tauntingly. Furious now, Devon grabbed the phone and picked it up. Hitting the 9 button, Devon got a different reaction than what he was hoping for. A jolt of electricity shot through the phone and himself. The jolt only lasted for ten seconds, but it did its job. Devon was now unconscious, slumped in the back seat.

The driver picked up a cell phone from the passenger seat and hit a button that dialed a number automatically.

"Picked up pawn number two. He's out," was all he said. He hung up the phone and waited for the text message to come through, telling him where to take his prisoner. The phone vibrated. He flipped it open and read the message. Smiling, he pushed down on the accelerator and made his way to Interstate Eighty.