Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 20 - A father's fear.
Raptor's POV.
"Knock! Knock!" My eyes opened and my head looked up when I heard someone behind me knock on the railing to my stairwell. It quickly became clear to me that my call was taking seriously as Marcus stood up there on the first two steps with his body leaning over the railing. Zeta, who was sitting next to me looking over Mocha's vest and Sam's note, immediately stood up as I was asked by the fox.
"So what's so urgent?"
"Samantha." Zeta answered as I stood up alongside her to reach and grab Mocha's vest. Marcus looked intrigued as I tossed it over to him to state.
"Sam sent this to us. Along with a note. Give it to him hun." I heard the wolf who gently came over to hand it off to Marcus who questioned when seeing the vest.
"She dead?"
"We don't know." Zeta muttered quietly back as I questioned.
"Clearly not considering you don't know about it."
"I meant the dog." Marcus sighed as he read the note.
"We can only assume. She wouldn't have written that if she wasn't."
Nodding his head and finishing the note, I asked him as nicely as I could so it wouldn't seem like I was begging.
"Can you please go see what's happening to my girl? We both need to know if she's safe."
The fox again nodded and very gently handed Zeta back the items of interest to question.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Zeta replied which gave Marcus more than enough of a reason to believe we were okay with this.
After a few seconds the man collected his belongings and said to us both calmly.
"I'll go see what's happening. I won't show myself just to avoid conflict. When I learn something I'll come right back. Shouldn't take long."
"Thank you." I replied with a small feeling of relief.
Marcus smiled and quickly shifted his focus on teleporting to Sam and that was something I expected to happen almost instantly, but not even two seconds after did he widen his eyes in complete confusion. I felt my relief instantly wash away as he looked over to Zeta then back to me to mumble.
"What the hell is going on?"
"What is it?" Zeta asked him as he still seemed focused on jumping. That's when I approached the fox to wonder.
"What's wrong? Is she okay?"
Shaking his head, he replied while looking back into my eyes.
"I don't know and right now that's not the problem."
"Then what is the problem?" Zeta asked him next in fear as I also waited to hear an answer.
"I can't find her."
"What?"" Zeta questioned as I added on.
"What do you mean you can't find her?"
"I mean I can't find her. She's not popping up on my radar."
"How's that possible?" Zeta asked as I again hit him with another version of the question.
"You can find anyone and anywhere. How is she not coming up?"
The fox looked clearly caught off guard by the sudden interference and replied after another try.
"I don't know. The only people I can't sense are gods. Gods and the living dead and Sam isn't dead; that much I'm sure of."
"Can you do anything?" I asked him in anger as he again shook his head in confusion to reply.
"I don't know! This never happens!"
With his voice now at a shouting level, Zeta jumped in to order him.
"Keep your voice down please! Maggie is sleeping."
"Who the fuck is Maggie?" Marcus proceeded to ask as I was in no mood to get distracted with something of this magnitude. Shaking my head in disgust, I again asked him but this time with my personal being getting up to his.
"Can you do something?"
Growling at me Marcus replied.
"I'm trying to figure out why this is even happening in the first place. Just shut your mouth and let me think while I do that much Raptor. I'll find her. I just need time."
Very carefully I pulled back, but Zeta was left begging him.
"Please help us."
"Where is she again?" Marcus asked as I replied while collecting my thoughts.
"Los Angeles. A big fucking city from what I know about it."
"Living where in it exactly?" Marcus proceeded to ask which got Zeta to grumble.
"I'm not too sure. Raptor?"
Nodding my head, I pulled out my phone and began to text Peek for the location he sent my daughter to after finding her with Rosco.
"I don't remember. I'm gonna ask Peek, so just wait for his answer."
Zeta nodded, but Marcus kept his thoughts elsewhere as I had to ask him out of confusion.
"My daughter is no god Marcus and she can't be dead because I believe you when you tell me you don't know anything about it ever happening. And I assume without a doubt that if that ever happened you would be there in a blink of an eye to save her. Yes?"
Marcus knew what I was trying to say and after a moment replied.
"Of course."
"So how can she not be within reach of your abilities? Is there anything else that could be causing it?"
The fox gave it his all to think about a potential answer, but after about a minute he replied.
"I don't know. I….?"
"Vrrr!"
All attention shifted to my phone as Peek texted me back.
"I don't know."
Widening my eyes in confusion I questioned.
"What do you mean you don't know? You took her out of that apartment and put her somewhere else right?"
Zeta was unable to see my messages but instead asked me as she saw I was clearly not happy nor relaying a location to Marcus.
"What did he say?"
Ignoring her, Peek replied to my questions.
"Not exactly. It wasn't an option given to me at the time."
"You told me you moved her?" I said to him back as Zeta again butted in to shout my name.
"Raptor!"
"Hold on!" I ordered her as she snapped.
"Who are you raising your voice to?!"
Grabbing my wrist and trying to yank me down, I held myself up and was about to swing but thankfully Marcus injected himself between us to order with his own firm tone.
"Calm the hell down. Both of you."
Zeta and I were locked onto one another with such anger boiling between us it felt hot. Marcus knew he had to act and without wanting to waste time he looked back at the wolf to urge her.
"Give us a few minutes alone Zeta. We'll be back."
Reaching back and grabbing me by the same wrist, the two of us were instantly sent into the basement. Zeta was left to herself I assume upstairs and with my anger coming back down I said to the fox as he let me go.
"Thank you."
Giving me a swift shrug he replied.
"You two need to settle your fucking problems. You're going to kill each other at this rate if you both snap that easy. What happened to you?"
Giving him a small glare like I did my girlfriend, I replied while deciding to call Peek.
"Nothing happened. I'm still myself. It's all the fucking bullshit causing this stress to happen. Things were better when we were still all together as a family."
By that point Peek picked up; greeting with a worried voice.
"Hey Rap."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" I asked him almost instantly while adding on.
"You told me you moved her to a safe place."
"I didn't move her exactly. She insisted on doing it herself." Peek informed me which got me growl.
"So you lied to me?"
"Rap, just listen to me for a second before you jump on me for fucking up." Peek was begging for that much so I held back my next few not so nice words and listened as he explained.
'I did everything else you asked of me when I found her. I got the gear and she was safe, but once she found out why I was really there she turned sour on me really quick. She knew she fucked up and retreated into a mental hole. She barely said anything else to me apart from what she said to you over the phone."
"But once I hung up the plan changed?" I questioned as Marcus took a moment to listen in by getting as close to the phone as he could from his side of me.
"Raptor? She had a fucking gun."
Peek's words dropped my anger almost instantly and all I could do was widen my eyes and question in disbelief.
"What?"
Peek took his chance and said to me.
"She had it in her backpack and I didn't find it until I went to search her. Her hand was clutching that fucking thing and you couldn't possibly understand the fear I felt when she had the chance to look at me once I found it. I love that girl Raptor. You know I do, but the look in her eyes told me that if I had waited any longer, she might have tried to kill me."
"Peek? Sam…..Sam wouldn't….? She….?" I was fucking up my words. Marcus backed off to now just observe my reaction.
"She would never dream of doing something like that Peek. She wouldn't." I muttered as he quickly said back to me not a moment too soon.
"Before that I would have agreed with you, but she was definitely weighing her options and for the need to avoid fighting my own niece; I made the choice to listen to her demands. She wanted me to leave her alone, but she promised me she wouldn't stay the night and by the next morning she'd be gone. I'm sorry for lying to you, but I didn't want to take any chances with your daughter."
"Peek?"
"Raptor?" Marcus's voice caught me and with my attention going to him I listened as he informed me.
"Peek did the right thing. Let's worry about what came after."
The fox was right so I broke away from this by asking Peek.
"What happened after? Did she tell you anything? Have you talked since then?"
Despite my hopes of hearing something, Peek replied.
"I left with the gear and went home. As for what she said? You don't want to know."
"Please." I begged him which drew out a long pause from the bird who soon mumbled sadly.
"After handing over the gear she told me to get the hell out of her life. She claimed I was just like you and never wanted to see me again."
I felt my emotions as a dad overwhelm me and with it I had to sit down on the nearby couch. Marcus stayed where he was and watched as I began to silently force out tears.
"She promised me she'd get somewhere safe before anyone came to kill Rosco and judging from the network; someone came and did just that the following night. Killing him and burning the apartment down before they left. No one else was killed according to the report and whoever did the job is anonymous which means they have money. Probably a very good lone contractor, but that's a mute point now. I don't know where she went but I can try and find out if you want me to. I still have some people I can talk to and if worst comes to worst we can always have the network track her down for a price. It wouldn't be hard."
Nodding my head I replied.
"I don't know how true that really is Peek. I've talked to Marcus. He can't even locate her right now."
"What? How's that possible?" He asked me as I shook my head to respond.
"I don't know. We're trying to figure this all out but I'm losing my mind now."
"Why? What happened that brought this up?" Peek's question came with me telling him about the vest and the note. Afterwards he promised me he would do everything he could to locate her and figure out what happened to Mocha if he could. But just like everything in life I wasn't promised anything any time soon, but I didn't care. I was just content knowing he was still gonna attempt it despite everything else I've had him go through up till now and after the call was over, I was left with Marcus who told me as nicely as he could.
"She's not dead. I can promise you that much."
"Help me find her Marcus. Please." I begged him as he nodded and replied.
"I'll do whatever I can to help. I'm interested in why I can't sense her. There is no reason I shouldn't." He informed me as I nodded with my head held slightly down for him to see.
I'd have to get up to face Zeta sooner or later and with my emotions somewhat calm, I figured now would have to do.
Sam's POV, The following day.
For the last six hours I've been taking notes and learning just about everything I could about G.U.N. It came with plenty of urges to sleep. I was tired and running myself down at this rate, but I felt rushed all the same. It also didn't help that my phone was still blowing up with calls from everyone I knew. Calls I ignored just because I was afraid to speak about what happened and I knew my parents must have gotten her vest by now so it was even scarier to think about the conversation. I just felt better keeping to myself like this.
With another hour passing, I was soon done with my studying for the day. I wanted to take a nap.
Sitting up on the edge of the bed, I gently took off my cap and laid it on the ground before grabbing my phone and shutting it off for the night. I didn't want to hear any more noise come from it. I just wanted to rest.
About halfway there I went to lay back, but caught myself when I heard from the side close to my left.
"How are you feeling?"
I jumped slightly to the sudden voice and widened my eyes and looked to find Roslin standing alongside me with his arms crossed and his eyes on mine.
"Jesus Christ. How did you get in here? You scared the fuck out of me."
Giving me a small smile, he replied while sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"Sorry. Not my intention. Has nothing I said to you set in yet? You know what I am. Why question the truth?"
"Because maybe I really believe I'm in a coma dreaming all this."
Chuckling the echidna begged me.
"Oh please just stop yourself there and ask a very simple question. If this was a dream would you really feel pain?"
"What?" I mumbled back in confusion as he all the sudden reached in to pinch my forearm. Almost instantly to his cold touch I yelped out.
"Oww!"
Giving me a quick laugh, he went on to chuckle after.
"See?"
Rubbing where he pinched me I questioned.
"What do you want then?"
Letting his body rest he replied.
"Nothing. I'm just doing what I said I would do. I'm checking in and if I recall correctly I told you I'd answer a question each time I did, so long as you stayed the course. And you have so far. So? Do you have something on your mind that you wish to ask me?"
So many things came to mind, but I knew I'd only get one of those many questions answered. So with a few seconds passing I decided to ask him.
"Do you know what my dad is? You said he once gave his soul. What did you mean by that?"
The echidna must have expected me to ask such a serious question because he instantly reacted by replying to me.
"I meant it in all sense of the idea. Your father once found himself in a very bad position. Now keep in mind this all happened years before your birth, and the story itself is massive in nature. I could go over it with you now and I promise you we wouldn't be done till the next day. But the idea behind what I said is simple. Your dad lost a lot in his life and he lost it early. He was already a broken man well before he became the person he is today, but he's only here now because a being such as myself; decided it necessary."
Roslin's POV.
Sam listened closely as I took my care to explain some of the truth to her.
"Your dad is what we call a demi. Not a god per say. Just a demigod. He has powers that match my own, yet due to his status he is only able to perform minor feits. Minor in a god's eyes, but godlike to a mortal if that makes sense."
Sam seemed a tad lost for a moment, so I took my chance to ask her a question.
"Your dad is how old now? Fifty six? Why does he look twenty five? Ask your mother if he's aged a single day since he sold his soul to my kind."
"He doesn't age?" She proceeded to wonder as I simply nodded my head to reply while checking out her form to greater detail.
"Age is a process in which mortals advance their physical bodies to the point of their death. A god doesn't die nor need to age once given their powers. So the process just stops since in order to become a god or in your father's case, a demigod. The mortal in question needs not to fear their bodies breaking down due to needless loss of cells and other processes. Be that sickness or plague. For if I gave my power to someone; what good would it do if they were to just naturally die in a few years? Silly question in fact."
"But you gave me some of your power…..right?"
Looking her in the eyes I replied.
"Yes. But nothing to the level of what your dad has. You haven't earned the rest yet, nor do you need it."
"What else can my dad do?" She jumped to wonder as I quickly smiled and began to chuckle my way back up to my feet.
"That's not how this works, remember? I said I'd answer one question and lucky enough for you I accidentally answered two just now. I shall not give you a third so soon Samantha. But it was a good try." I informed her as she had her eyes watching my every move as I reached in to take her hat off from her head.
"You'll learn everything in time. I can promise you that much."
Carefully reaching out, Sam connected one of her hands to the hat I held close to my side. With her eyes not daring to look right at me, I asked her curiously.
"What's the deal with the hat? Why wear it when you have such beautiful hair?"
My compliment must have caught her off guard because she stopped her gentle tugging to look up at me to reply.
"I…..I don't know. I just like wearing it."
"Do you not like the way you look? Without the hat I mean." I asked her next as she quickly shook her head to reply.
"It's nothing like that. I have no insecurities when it comes to my body. I just like wearing the hat because….I don't know. I think I just aim to be different from everyone else. It's not because I'm hiding something I don't enjoy seeing about myself."
"Fair." I sighed as I let her take back her hat.
The wolf had this look in her eyes as she inspected it. Something told me there was more to it then that, but without looking back I listened as she mumbled to herself.
"I don't know what to do to stay sane."
"Elaborate." I urged her as I quite didn't understand what she meant by that. Keeping the hat on her lap, the wolf went on by saying blankly to me.
"I want them dead now. Not in a few months. Now. What can I do to stay sane knowing that those motherfuckers get so much time left to fuck other people over like they did me?"
Her tone was starting to turn. A low growl enveloped her throat as I took a moment to examine her and the situation she had. With time she kept quiet and allowed me to think. Once I was ready, I said back to her calmly.
"Think about yourself for a moment Sam. Ask yourself this. What good would come from rushing this? You have my power, but you still don't know how to fight. You don't know how to kill. You go after those men now and you'll only be hurting yourself. You'd die."
Sam was looking down at the floor. Her growls had gone away and it seemed she understood the truth behind my words.
"You need to learn. You need to train. You need the very best by your side to accomplish this. The military is your only way forward. G.U.N has everything a soldier needs. You just need to put forth the effort and surely with me by your side, you'll find yourself adapting to your real power."
Sam took a second to now look back at me. She was looking for clarity.
"You are going to be a force of your own creation. I can see it. I can see all of it and all of who you'll become going forward. You'll earn the respect and fear of everyone. You have your father's ability to kill and tactically think buried within. You have your mother's wit and intelligence. You have your own ability to survive. G.U.N won't know what to do with you. They'll look at you and stare in awe as you destroy their training. You need not worry about the tests. You have everything you need to find yourself at the top. Once you go to bootcamp you need to show everyone what you can do and you need to not give a shit about anyone other than yourself. Show it off. Show everyone what you can do and make it a point to take what is yours. You won't get anywhere by being weak. You won't get what you want by trusting others. Have no emotions going forward Sam. Emotion is what killed you once already. It's time to turn a cold shoulder to the world. Learn everything you can. Put forth the effort and you'll see those who wronged you dead in no time."
Sam nodded her head once at me but regardless of my words I saw that her emotions were still holding her back from doing what was right. I had my worries that she would be incapable of finding a way to calm down and focus. So maybe this would be for the best.
Moving my hand out to tap her leg, Sam lifted back up her eyes with some confusion to them. With a smile on my face I asked her softly.
"Do you want my help? I can numb it all for you. You'll find it easier on your heart if you don't have to worry about those emotions and thoughts weighing you down. Trust me."
We stared at one another for what felt like a minute. During said time, I offered her my hand. She was on the edge and without doubt contemplating. Keeping my tone down, I informed her.
"It's only temporary. Once you're done bootcamp it'll come back to you naturally. Focus is what you need. Allow me to open your eyes."
Without any response, Samantha took my hand. Her face light and with a small smile to it as my words gave her hope. Nodding my head happily, I urged her.
"Take a deep breath. Lay back."
The wolf followed my commands and once she was flat on her back I released her hand and moved my own up to her forehead. As my hand made contact I whispered.
"Close your eyes."
With her gold orbs leaving sight, I took a breath of my own and gave her what I promised. Clarity would come and with it would be born a new woman. With no emotions to hold her back, I had faith she would change her life forever. She'd surpass everyone and without a doubt she would accomplish her goals and I'd be there every step of the way.
Marcus's POV, Later that night.
My search for Samantha had me at a loss. I couldn't really think straight. Why couldn't I sense her? That's what was driving me wild. I've never had an issue like this before and it was not possible for the reasons why it was happening to apply to her. She wasn't dead. I knew that for a fact and there was no way she was a god. It made no sense at all. I thought to myself as I was following what little leads I had, which came down to Mocha.
My attention was rarely focused on animals, but I knew I could figure out where she was if I just tried a little. So that's what I did and I found myself deep in the ghetto of this American city. I never imagined an area like this would exist in this part of the world, but I guess every good thing has a rotten side to it.
Walking down a barren street that harbored gangsters and graffiti on every wall within sight, I came up to a pretty open alleyway. Big enough to drive down yet lead to a dead end. My eyes widened as I got a good look down at the beast. My legs then carried me inward.
I smelled something awful and upon approach I noticed a pile of flies congregating over a dumpster.
"Ahhh man." I sighed as I knew what to expect. Holding my breath, I walked over to stop and look inside the container. To no surprise I found her. Decaying and covered in maggots. Her stomach had been eaten out and all I could do was assume someone threw her body in here rather than give her a burial. Fucking scumbags.
Taking a step back, I started to investigate the area. Mocha's neck was broken and I found the ground bearing no scars from a possible scuffle. Where was Sam? What happened? Who did this? I wondered as I looked back at the dumpster to question my next step from this moment. I was never a good person. I hate being good. But Raptor is….well…..I know what he would do if he was in my shoes.
Raptor's POV.
"Vrrrr! Vrrrr! Vrrrr!"
Laying in bed next to Zeta who was barely asleep, I reached out to grab my phone from the nightstand. Putting it up to my face, I saw it was Marcus calling. So I answered promptly in a quiet and tired voice.
"Hey. What's up?"
"I found Mocha." He informed me as I instantly widened my eyes and sat up from the bed to question.
"What? Really?"
"Yeah." He replied as Zeta overheard me to wonder.
"What is it?"
Ignoring her for a moment, I asked the fox.
"Where was she?"
"You…..you don't want to know man. I'm sorry. I just wanted to know if you wanted the body. You know? Proper burial and all that."
Getting up from the bed, I threw on a shirt and collected my shoes. During which I took my chance to reply to his concerns.
"Yes. Of course I do. When can you get here?"
"Now." He replied as I looked back at Zeta who was barely able to speak without yawning to order calmly.
"Stay here. I'll be back."
Shaking her head and giving me a stern glare, she questioned.
"Why? Why do I have to stay here? Who are you talking to?"
"Just tell her." Marcus urged me as I took his advice in very carefully before looking back at the worried mother to reply.
"It's Marcus. He found Mocha."
I felt her emotion pour forward as she heard the situation and in equal shock as my own she asked me.
"What? Where? Is she….?" I knew what she was going to ask so I just nodded my head at her. Zeta proceeded to cry and with her tone breaking apart I listened as Marcus asked me.
"Where should I go? Raptor she isn't…...Mocha isn't…...you don't want her seeing this. Nor inside the house. Trust me."
"Okay. Okay. I get it. Out back. I'm coming downstairs now."
"Be there in a second." He replied as I hung up the phone to look back at the wolf who was still in tears on the bed.
Taking my chance to not be an asshole, I decided to be honest with her. Coming up to her side I whispered sadly the truth.
"I don't want you to see this hun."
"Raptor!" She cried out as I came down to pull her into a deep hug. The wolf proceeded to cry into my neck as I again whispered to her ears.
"I'm going to bury her out back with her mother. She deserves that much from us. Okay?"
Zeta just kept crying. Even after I let her go to stand back up. Taking my chance I went for the door and began my trip downstairs. Maggie thankfully was still asleep. I didn't want her seeing this ether. I'm the only one who should do this. For Molly's sake, I should be the one to do this.
Going through my kitchen to reach the back door, I found Marcus already waiting for me next to the grave site where I had buried Molly. In front of him I could already tell it was Mocha's body. For a few moments I stopped to collect my thoughts at the sight. The fox looked back at me to frown and wait as I needed the moment to collect myself as well. Once I was ready, I made the rest of the trip over to where he was to stop and look at my dog. She was….? I can't even bring myself to describe her state. Marcus was right to have me keep Zeta away. She shouldn't see this. It would only make matters worse when it came to being worried about Sam.
"Again I'm sorry Raptor." Marcus mumbled as I nodded and got on one knee to inspect the body. After a few seconds the fox informed me.
"Someone broke her neck. I don't know who."
"And Sam?" I asked him out of fear that my daughter was potentially in danger as well, if not already dead. Shaking his head Marcus replied.
"I don't know. The trail went cold. I'm sorry."
Clutching my fists, I let out a growl and went back to looking at Mocha. Marcus kept quiet past that point, up till I begged him out of sadness.
"Can you go to the shed and get me a shovel? I just need another moment till then."
"Yeah." He replied equally. As I nodded and waited till he was gone to question.
"Sam? Where are you? Are you hurt? Please god…..please give me a sign that she's safe."
I knew I wouldn't get one, but it made me feel better thinking that my request was out there. However I now had a new problem. Marcus has no other leads to follow. Which in turn leaves me with very few options. And those options didn't give me any hope.
Sam's POV, A week later, Fort Hood, Texas.
"Attention!" It was like hearing a whip crack on my back. I shot up from my cot so fast, nearly every woman assigned to this barracks barely had time to gather their thoughts. My eyes staring directly in front of me, not daring to look at anyone. I stood at attention and braced for the introductions which came from a fairly famine sounding voice from far to my right side, nearest the entrance to our barracks.
"My name is Sergeant Codwell! But when it comes to everyone who is present in this room, you'll refer to me as ma'am or Sergeant! Are we clear about that?!"
"Yes ma'am!" Everyone including myself replied as we all stood perfectly still awaiting our first orders.
"As your instructor, I will be examining each and every one of you right now! When I stop in front of you, I want you to tell me your last name and give me your reason for why you are here! Understood!?"
"Yes ma'am!" We all replied as she began her inspections.
I found myself near the middle of the room and it took a few minutes for her to reach it. Every woman up till now has said they're first and last names and claimed that they were here because they wanted to make their families proud. That or because they want to try and make a difference in the world. Be that themselves or the statement as a whole. And up till this very moment I hadn't laid my eyes on the instructor. When she entered my sight, I took in her appearance.
A heavy set dark blue equine. Maybe four inches taller than me and about a hundred pounds over. She was massive and held herself above my head with a dead stare. I kept my eyes staring directly ahead. I knew from my father that one thing you never do is look the instructor in the eyes. It tends to inform them of your emotions. Seeing that I wasn't going to budge Codwell asked me in the same tone she used for every kid before.
"What's your name?"
"Diskov!" I replied, which got her to smile and announce.
"Diskov? Well honey let me just say congratulations. You're the first one here who didn't tell me they're first name. And if anyone was paying attention to a word I was saying you would have noticed I didn't fucking ask! I don't give a shit who you are! Is that clear!?" She asked everyone.
With a strong voice we all replied back.
"Yes ma'am!"
Bringing her attention back to me a moment later, Sergeant Codwell asked me.
"Off to a good start Diskov. Now why are you here?"
"I'm here to learn how to defend my country and what I believe in ma'am!"
"Really? You're here for an infantry unit, correct Diskov?"
"Yes ma'am!" I replied as she nodded with a smug smile.
Taking a second to look me over, Sergeant Codwell informed me with a direct statement.
"Well Diskov, it's not everyday we have a woman such as yourself sign on for such duties. Allow me to curb your dreams now so you aren't too heartbroken once you fail."
Getting an inch or two down to meet my height, Codwell looked me right in the eyes to state.
"G.U.N has the highest standards for women. Some would describe those standards as unreachable. That's because G.U.N does not want women to serve in combat. It's not official but it is a fact. The system is rigged for you to fail and by god as my witness you will fail. Try your best and you'll realize your best was never going to be enough. You will not serve in an infantry unit. You probably won't serve at all in a week or so."
"I'm not a quitter ma'am!" I shouted which got her to instantly question back.
"Oh is that right?"
"Yes ma'am!" I replied as she then asked me.
"Do you even think for a second that you can amount to anything other than a stuipd fucking kid?!"
Her words got my attention. Enough so that I remembered George calling me that right before I died. My eyes broke away from the wall I was staring at to now lock right on to her. Codwell smiled as she got my attention and asked me just as fast as she could.
"Hit a nerve did I?"
I bit my tongue as she went on to chuckle.
"Ease up there Diskov. Save that energy for your training. Or do you have something you'd like to say to me?"
"No ma'am!" I replied as I went back to looking at the wall. I knew she expected me to overreact. I caught her off guard when I managed to switch my emotions back off and in a way I think it upset her that I took that course. She gave me another faint chuckle before standing back up to her real height. As she took a step towards the next kid she said to me with some joy behind her voice.
"Can't wait to break you. Everyone has a point and I'll make it a game to find yours."
With Codwell exiting my sight, I refocused my thoughts on the situation. It was as real as I expected. Women had the right to try to be a combat fighter, but society and those bound to it were forced to see the truth set by this government. It's like she said. The system is rigged.
Char's POV, Two days later, the Voltz's household.
"Knock! Knock! Knock!"
I let out a worried sigh as Yoga and I waited for someone to answer the door. In time we were greeted by a familiar fox. With a wide smile Cody came for a hug while saying in a low voice.
"Holy shit man, it's so good to see you."
"You too Cody. You're looking good. How's the wedding coming along?" I wondered as he proceeded to hug Yoga who he had never met before. My ferret friend was somewhat surprised but gave him one back as he said back to my question.
"A goddamn mess. We spent two hours picking out the color of the fucking cups. The fucking cups!"
I just chuckled along with Yoga as Cody got back ahead of us in due time to urge.
"Come in. Everyone is in the kitchen."
"Okay." I replied as we proceeded to follow him inside.
"Quite a gathering." Yoga stated as we entered the kitchen to find Raptor sitting down at the table with Zeta at his side and with her hands on his shoulders. His head was down and I looked back up to see the others.
Cody and Pepper were leaning against the sink and counter. Peek who looked wiped out stood nearest the fridge and Zandro and Vetra closest to the entrance nearest Yoga and I. Zandro offered me his hand as his greeting and upon looking at me Zeta made the greetings.
"Thank you for coming. All of you."
"Of course." I replied as Peek also added.
"I'm about as sick as you guys about this. I couldn't not come for this."
"And this is my niece we're talking about. Cody and I wouldn't dare."
"Raptor?" Zeta whispered as he was clearly the most distraught.
The hedgehog slowly lifted his head and with it we all saw his tears. However he kept a serious face on and replied to his girlfriend.
"Yeah. Thank you guys."
"What do we know?" I asked around the room.
"We know she's been missing for well over two weeks now. No cellphone contact between any of us. Not even a text message to her father or I. Not even Teddy, her best friend, has heard anything." Zeta stated as I heard someone walking up behind me. Widening my eyes, I looked back to see a young white wolf. Her eyes shot open in shock as she saw me.
"Oh my god! What the hell is….?!"
Everyone stopped to look at her and with a sigh Raptor asked the young girl.
"I thought you weren't gonna be back for another hour Maggie?"
Stumbling at the sight of me she replied while slowly bringing her hand forward.
"Plans changed? I'm sorry. Should I just….?"
I took her hand and smiled as Raptor calmly urged her out of principle.
"No stay. You should know the majority of us. Including him." He directed at me as a small joke as I nodded and introduced myself to the young woman.
"Char."
"Maggie." She replied as I gently guided her past me and towards Yoga's side. Once she was there she asked us in confusion.
"What's going on?"
"My daughter Sam. She's missing." Raptor informed her. In shock Maggie questioned.
"What? For how long?"
"Two weeks now." Zeta informed her as Raptor added on to the answer.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to worry about it."
"I'm so sorry. Is she okay?" Maggie wondered as no one had a clear answer to that.
"We don't know." Zeta replied as Pepper jumped in to ask again now that introductions were through.
"What else do we know? Char? Peek?"
Taking my chance I replied before the bird.
"I've had no luck. Everyone I've asked has said the same thing. They don't know what's happened."
"And I've called in all my favors Raptor." Peek informed him as he went on to state.
"I checked everywhere. I couldn't find any leads after the apartment."
"How about the businesses around the area? Did you ask around? Someone had to see her." Cody suggested.
"I asked every place within five miles of the apartment. There are hundreds of wolves walking around and not one of them looks the same and damn it all to hell, but no one can remember every face they see throughout the day. No one knows anything." Peek replied as I asked Zandro.
"Did we contact the network?"
Nodding Zandro replied.
"We did. Raptor and Zeta even paid to see if her name was on the site. No contract on her and no information as to where she is now."
"Two million dollars for nothing then." I sighed as Maggie questioned.
"What? Two million dollars for….?" Her words had found themselves on Raptor's ears and he looked up at Maggie to reply.
"For nothing."
The white wolf shut herself back down as Raptor struggled to ask the question.
"What else can we do?"
Zandro took the floor from here, suggesting to Raptor and Zeta.
"I think it's safe to assume your daughter used her intelligence and decided it best to fall off the grid after what happened between Rosco and her."
"What?" Zeta replied with as all eyes went to her as she questioned.
"What are you talking about Zandro? What happened between Rosco? Who the hell is that? Raptor?"
Raptor was staring right at me with a look of fear in his eyes as Zandro took the opportunity to try and cover him by telling Zeta what she wanted to hear.
"Rosco was an operator of mine. Head of my security division over at the lab. Samantha and him were acquainted it seems."
The mother wolf was stuck and stumped as Zandro went on to say.
"Rosco used his ability to rob our laboratory of viper venom and leave the country without making a noise."
"What does that have to do with my daughter?" Zeta asked him as it was clear this was driving her into a panic.
"Sam and him were friends. No one knows how they became acquainted Zeta, but it was clear they were close."
"Wait, hold the fuck up." Pepper urged him as we all looked at her as she came up to the table where Raptor and Zeta were to ask.
"You knew about this and didn't say anything to us?"
"Yeah." Raptor mumbled as Zeta screamed at him.
"Why!?"
Raptor had no tongue and I couldn't let him get overwhelmed by this. So raising my voice I shouted over the girls.
"Hey! Stop that! Zeta!"
The mother returned to her old ways as I went on to inform them.
"This isn't the problem! Raptor did the best he could! He didn't want to say anything because he knew it would cause more problems between you two! Now both of you need to give him space and listen! Am I clear?!"
"Loud and clear." Yoga replied as I rolled my eyes and watched as Pepper returned to her soon to be husband and Zeta managed to pull back a few feet. With silence coming I looked back at Zandro to urge him.
"Go on."
"We think Sam knew what he was planning and asked to come along since she knew he would be leaving the country. After the fight, it's safe to assume she planned to run away with him."
"She's in Los Angeles right?" Pepper asked as both Zandro and I nodded to the question.
"The M.E.A.F had to post Rosco up for a contract since what he stole from us was deemed cir important to our research." Zandro added as I also threw on top of that statement.
"And Raptor already knew that Sam would be caught in the middle of a bad situation if a contractor from the network decided to show up to collect on the funds. So he had Peek go to try and move her before it could potentially happen."
The girls looked at the bird as he now had to share his experience.
"She was in perfect health when I found her. We talked and I got Raptor on the line to speak with her. I knew she had to hear it from him and she agreed to leave Rosco's side as soon as she could."
"You didn't move her then?" Zeta asked him as he shook his head to reply.
"I tried. She wasn't happy at all to hear it come from me and she wouldn't answer any of my questions. I tried to get an understanding as to who Rosco was to her and how the situation came to be, but she refused to answer and I wasn't about to interrogate her."
"You could have forced her Peek." Zeta said to him back as he quickly replied after hearing the suggestion.
"She had a gun, Zeta."
The mother widened her eyes along with everyone else who didn't know that. Sensing he just made an impact, Peek admitted.
"She was upset. Upset and angry. She didn't point it at me or anything like that, but I had to search her on Raptor's behalf. Her hand had it held in her backpack and when I came around to locate it we locked eyes and…...and well…...she didn't have to point it at me to make it a threat."
Zeta had to sit down and Pepper even had to turn to face the sink. Cody rubbed her back as Peek finished.
"I had to trust her Zeta and from what we know she got away from Rosco just in time. His contract was cashed the next day by an anonymous party."
The room went silent. A minute passed by because no one wanted to say another word to Zeta or Pepper. After a few more seconds Zeta herself asked.
"Where did she get the gun?"
"No one knows. It wasn't one of mine. Everything in the basement is accounted for apart from her scholarship." Raptor replied as he reached out to grab her hand which was on the table. Zeta instantly tore it away from him. I felt the emotion in her as she looked back at Peek to ask.
"Did you try to find her again after that?"
Nodding the bird replied.
"I called in every favor I had. Between Shader Industries and some of my personal contacts, I was unable to learn anything new. Sam just…...she just vanished."
"Someone has to know something." Cody tried to say as it was clear we were near the end of our ropes.
"If someone does; then it's someone no one here knows or can think of. And until then I think we are out of options." Zandro stated. Zeta locked eyes with the man to question.
"What are you saying Zandro?"
"I'm saying what has to be said by someone here. I'm sorry Zeta but I think if Sam wanted to be found she would have left us a way to do it. And since that's not the case I think it's safe to count our losses and move forward."
"This is my daughter you're talking about!" Zeta shouted as Vetra proceeded to jump into the fry by shouting back.
"We have no trails to follow! No leads to pursue! No one to talk to who can help!"
"That doesn't mean we just give up!" Zeta replied back as I urged everyone.
"Calm down!"
"Fuck you Char! This is your kid too! You're like a second father to her!" Zeta informed me as I nodded and did my best to keep relaxed.
Zeta wasn't having this and even though she hated him right now she felt obligated to ask the hedgehog sitting beneath her.
"What do you think about all this Raptor!? Are you content with just sitting there and groaning!?"
"Mrs. Diskov?" Maggie whispered which got her attention off of Raptor.
My eyes took a moment to adjust back to the white wolf as she calmly and respectfully said to Zeta.
"Can you please lower your voice towards him? He doesn't deserve what you're giving him right now."
Almost shocked but more so shook, Zeta questioned.
"Excuse me? Who are you to tell me…?"
"You've been arguing all week with him about things that are out of his control." Maggie stated which got Zeta to close her mouth and listen as even her sister widened her eyes and took a step towards the young girl in confusion.
"I didn't know what was going on till now. I had no idea Samantha ran away. I didn't even know there was a fight. But thanks to Raptor I've had a place to stay since my father's passing and maybe I feel obligated a little since he's my hero even till this day, but you've been at his throat day in and day out. He doesn't have any more answers than you do to these questions. And don't you think he cares? He's her father. And you're her mother. You should be working together to fix this. Not mindlessly ripping him a new asshole. Sorry Raptor." She mumbled with a small smile as the hedgehog himself had two wide eyes and a very soft but surprised look towards the brave girl who just defended him.
Pepper took a moment to look at her sister to see her reaction towards what was just said. Zeta quickly broke apart into silent tears. Maggie looked absolutely shocked that her words caused it, but did her best to go on by suggesting to the room.
"I don't really know Sam as well as everyone else here, but I'm still obligated to help in any way I can. If Zandro is okay with it, Raptor, I'd be more than happy to go try to find her for you and Mrs. Diskov."
Everyone stayed silent as Maggie looked to Zandro for approval. Zandro then looked at me and in confusion I shook my head and said to the man.
"She's not one of mine. This is your call to make."
Zandro knew I was right. So he took a moment to think it over. Maggie waited with held breath as Raptor and Zeta also seemed concerned for what was to come. After a few moments more Zandro replied to her.
"It's not like this is a dangerous thing to ask. You're more than capable of it. But you'd be alone with no leads to work with Maggie. I can't promise you any help. Just motivation. If you want to do this then by all means you have my approval to do so."
Maggie smiled wide as she then looked at Zeta and Raptor to wonder.
"So?"
Zeta didn't know what to say and I think she felt horrible about what was said previously. So her eyes looked down at Raptor who replied respectfully.
"Maggie I can't thank you enough for all you've said, but…..?"
I knew where this was heading and I think Maggie did as well. She lost her smile as Raptor muttered through a saddened voice.
"But I think for now we just need to give Sam her space."
"Raptor?" Pepper questioned as it was clear he was set on saying this hard truth.
"Zandro is right. If my daughter wanted to be found, she would have left us a way to do it. And because of that I think it's best….I think it's best that we…..that we just stop looking! We just stop and let her do what she wants!"
Raptor smashed his hand onto the kitchen table with such force it shook the house. He then stood up and stormed away from the kitchen and into the backyard. Zeta was again sent into tears of her own as Maggie was left to question the decision that was made.
Even now I wondered if that was the right thing to do. But with no options and no more talk between the family, I guess we were done for now. It pained me to accept that as her uncle.
mT Shadow.