CHAPTER 4

Long time no see my dear readers. I have finally posted the next chapter. I know it has been a while but there were some commitments that needed my full attention. I'll try to post as frequently as possible but I am in a stage of my life where I rarely have any free time. Please bear with me.

Last chapter, there were some revelations. Some you might have expected and some you mightn't have. There are a lot of things in this story that might surprise you. If it does, good, but if it doesn't, please don't get mad.

Now let's get into the chapter, shall we?

"Italics" – Russian Dialogue

-Break-

Supermarket, Podolsk

A figure could be seen looking at the CCTV footage of the incident the previous day with Chuck and the thug. Chuck had positioned himself in such a way that his back was facing the camera so his face was not visible. They could see the way he handled himself. He moved swiftly with no wasted movements. Even when he had him in a chokehold, he was still facing away. A small smirk was visible on the face of the person signaling that they were impressed.

Even as he left the camera's range, he was still showing his back. As the place was isolated, and there was only this single camera, they couldn't identify the person. Though they tried matching the clothes they had on with the footage from the supermarket and still found nothing which was bizarre. How could a person just vanish like that? They had to be in the supermarket to actually go to that particular place, so how were they not in the footage?

The person called someone.

"Did you find him?"

"No. He seems to be some kind of ghost. He's clever enough to not show his face to the camera but he also kind of disappeared after that. We're dealing with some kind of assassin with very good stealth."

"This is bad. Someone who can make Eric panic is out there. I need to know who that is."

"Who?"

"Never mind. Just work on finding him."

And the call was disconnected.

The person frowned. It seems there was something going on that has their client in a tizzy.

"Oh well. It's not my problem."

The person took a copy of the footage, erased their presence in the footage and left, stepping over the unconscious guard.

Los Angeles, CA

Bryce Larkin was having a very weird day.

First, his girlfriend suddenly broke up with him. He didn't even know why. She just came to his home, told him that she couldn't be with him anymore, and left. It was a very strange thing for her to do as she was a very straight forward and open person. Even after he asked her many times, she refused to say why she broke up with him.

If that was a strange event, he got a call from his old buddy, Chuck. He had asked for his help to locate some man in LA. Someone who was a threat to his family. When he asked who he was, all he got was a moniker. Chuck was very vague in his explanation. He just asked him to locate him and send him his address and phone number.

Chuck was someone who was very dear to him. After he lost his parents when he was in college, Chuck was always there for him. He was his anchor. He helped him overcome his grief and pulled him out of his misery. He owed him a lot and he would do anything to help keep him and his daughter safe.

He called his informer and had him come to their secret meeting location, a park in downtown LA.

Ten minutes after he sat on a bench, he felt some one sit next to him.

"What's up, Bryce?"

"I need your help to locate someone."

"This someone got a name?"

"I couldn't get a name, just a nickname. Apparently, they call him 'Orion'."

"Orion huh? Like the stuff with the stars?"

"Maybe? I don't know. Look its for a friend. His family is in danger. I need to find this Orion person."

"Ok! Ok! Don't get your panties twisted. I will see what I can do."

Bryce sighed in relief.

"Thanks man. Standard fee?"

"No problem. The usual it is."

The man got up and left.

Bryce looked at the pond close to him in contemplation.

Now he must wait.

Chuck's Home

"Hello. Earth to Chuck."

Chuck snapped out of his thoughts to see Sofia in front of him looking at him with a concerned expression.

"Is everything fine Chuck? I've been calling you for a while now but I got nothing."

Chuck sighed.

"No Sof. I'm not fine. Something is happening. Some guy found me and was able to identify me. I have no idea who even knew who I was because I was declared dead officially twelve years ago."

Sofia looked puzzled.

"How is that possible? Your face must have been out of all the live systems a long time ago."

Chuck's eyes narrowed.

"I don't know. But something is nagging me. It feels like I'm forgetting something. I have dealt with the guy so I'm safe for now. They will not get anything from the CCTV either. But I somehow have a feeling that there is way for them to find me."

Sofia put a hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down. There is no way for them to find you. You're being paranoid."

But he just shook his head.

"I don't like this, Sof. This uncertainty is not good. If they find me, Maya's life will be in danger. She's all I have. I can't rest peacefully knowing that a threat is still lurking."

Sofia sighed.

"There is nothing you can do now, can you? You just have to wait till you get something more to work with."

Chuck let out a breath of air, "I have already contacted one of my friends in LA. He's going to find someone who I have completely avoided for a long time."

Sofia inquisitively asked, "Who?"

Chuck smiled slightly, "Dad"

Sofia's eyes widened. His Dad? He had never spoken about him before. He never spoke about his family at all. She only knew what she knew because she was his friend.

Chuck noticed her expression.

"Yeah. My Dad. He is the person who can help us the most right now. He is probably the only person who I can actually trust apart from you and Bryce."

Sofia gave a nod of understanding.

Chuck looked outside his window, his face hard and stoic.

"It's time to make sure my daughter is never ever put in danger."

Next Day, Maya's School

"Hey there."

Sarah startled. She looked back to see the amused chocolate eyes that she so adores. It's been a while since she last saw him. After their date she never heard from him again. She was starting to think he wasn't interested anymore. She smiled back thinly.

"Hi Chuck."

Chuck understood what Sarah was thinking with the way her face looked right now.

"Sorry about not calling. My mind was too worried about different things then."

Sarah looked at his face and could say he was telling the truth. She felt relieved.

"Its fine Chuck. I understand"

Chuck smiled at her, "How about I make it up to you?"

Sarah smirked cheekily, "Be careful mister. You're playing with forces you can't handle."

He gave a grin in return.

"Just name your price."

Sarah latched on.

"Ok then. I want another dinner date. This time, you cook for me."

He raised an eyebrow.

"That's all?"

She smiled mysteriously.

"For now. You'll see what I really want at the time of the dinner."

He chuckled, "Fine. Are you fine with tomorrow night?"

She gave him a thumbs up, "Absolutely!"

"Great. I'll text my address."

She hugged him and whispered in his ear, "I can't wait"

He shivered in delight. She smiled.

Maya who came back to ask her dad something saw the interaction from a distance. She smiled at the sight. She was so happy for him.

Unknown Location

In a dark room, a single laptop was on with its screen showing the security footage of the supermarket debacle. A lone feminine figure could be seen tying a strap of throwing knives to their calf, before putting on a skirt that went to their knees. The woman completely clothed herself before walking upto the computer and saw the incident again. She watched it another four times before saying,

"So, they found you huh? It's time for me to look after you once again."

She then shut the laptop and left the room. Outside a building, a woman walked out in what looked like a business outfit. She had brown hair that went to her upper back with stormy blue eyes. She was about 5'8" with a lean athletic body and a very beautiful figure. She only had one thought in mind as she walked towards her destination.

"I will not let anything happen to you two, my love. No matter what happens, I will always protect you."

Well, what can you say. Zondra Rizzo was one determined woman.

TBC

Whoo…! How about that?

I hope you guys liked the chapter. It seems things are heating up. Things might be serious, but that is just so you guys can get a feel of things and how precarious the situation actually is.

And I know I haven't actually introduced the antagonist yet. You might wonder why these guys are actually moving without knowing who they are up against. Let me tell you something. Chuck actually knows who he is up against. I will reveal that as the story progresses further so just sit back and enjoy, please.

Please do post your reviews. They help me improve my writing so that I can provide you with better and stronger chapters and stories.

See you soon.