Virtual Reality: Dark Days

Conclusion

Returning to the real world felt odd for Alex. While his venture there had only been for a short amount of time, Alex still had his mind connected to the avatar in an indescribable way. He was as if he'd returned to a place he once called home but could barely remember it. Come to think of it, he had almost forgotten his true purpose at the current moment. He didn't understand why he was exiting the game. But that was exactly how the company worked to keep players in the game. That was how they managed to make so much money off people for so many years. When players enter the game, often, they'll find themselves staying a lot longer than they necessarily wanted. One hour would turn into one week. One week would turn into one month. The game had offered players so much to do that time would suddenly become irrelevant. Accomplishing one goal just to get to another was key to playing the game and making your avatar rich.

Alex would have logged himself back into the game if not for the people in front of him. Raafi and the store clerk both surrounded him during the moment of his return to the real world. Just seeing their faces allowed him to regain the mindset he had before entering the game. He remembered how swiftly they needed to move in order to make sure that Sanvi and Jabirah were properly saved.

Raafi was the first to notice that Alex was out of the game and got the attention of the store clerk, who was playing a game of his own. They approached Alex, seeing how much sweat he had accumulated whilst being in the game.

"Everything okay?" The store clerk asked Alex.

"Yeah." Alex could practically feel the sweat on him.

"What about Sanvi and Jabirah?" Raafi asked. "Are they okay?"

"They are." Alex said. "I managed to kill one of the assassins. Well, technically your daughter did."

"Sanvi?" Raafi was clearly conflicted about the information given to him. "How? She's never been able to kill anyone before?"

"She did." Alex confirmed. "And she saved my life."

Raafi took a moment to think about this. He had never known his daughter to be the violent type. He had done all he could to keep that way of life away from her. Violence only leads to more violence in his mind. That mentality was the very reason why he moved his entire family out of the city. A part of him even feared that this whole experience might darken Sanvi's heart. He didn't want his only child to become like Alex. Raafi had to shake those thoughts out of his mind. He could feel the negative energy surrounding him now. The only thing he worried about now was the safety of his daughter and granddaughter. Because of the acts committed by Alex and Sanvi, they are safe. Unfortunately, they still had another problem to deal with. A problem that Raafi feared would only traumatize his family even further. Killing the assassin was likely their only way of survival.

"Well..." Raafi began. "As long as they're alright."

"Now what?" The store clerk asked Alex. "Is there any place you two have to go to now?"

"No, but," Alex said. "We can only sit here and wait for a response from the other guy."

Jack had kept his eye on Ban, Jabirah and Sanvi. He had only begun to do this once he heard a difference in Ban's breathing. It was something interesting to Jack, as he'd never seen Ban get so intense before. He knew that whatever was happening to them had to be due to a change in the situation. Jack couldn't tell how everything was going. That is until someone stopped breathing. Jack had to pause for a moment. He was now afraid. Afraid that Ban might have done something to one of the girls. Then again, there was something off about Ban. Ban had held a very calm and upright posture throughout the time he was connected to the game. But at this very moment, Jack was looking at something totally different. Ban's body was now slumped to the side.

Jack slowly walked to see if Ban was still alive. He took the assassin's arm and searched for a pulse. Jack soon realized that searching any further would be pointless. Ban was dead.

Unfortunately, Sanvi and Jabirah were both still alive and had no longer been breathing intensely. Ban had planned this scenario out very wisely. The young fugitive they were hunting managed to kill one of them and was now eager to find the two captured women in front of him.

Jack had believed that Ban was the second best assassin on the planet besides Tobias Dunn. It was the sole purpose of his hiring by Callahan. Seeing him dead now only caused him to see that their target was not someone he could no longer underestimate anymore. He was going to be coming for him soon enough. Whoever their employer got themselves tangled up with was able to kill Ban. An act like that was something Jack had believed to be impossible.

Jack was nervous. He wasn't the type to get nervous about facing an opponent of great skill. What they were originally able to gather about Alex was far from what they were witnessing. Alex's file clearly stated that he was nothing more than a pencil-pushing desk worker who had been trained by a former federal agent for only a day. That alone told them that this would be an easy kill and a quick way to make a buck. But Alex was no easy kill. He had been giving them trouble for only a short period of time. Jack realized that this was all a big mistake. Alex Huang is not an easy target. He was a person of great skill and violence. Jack had to step away from Ban's body. Fear was beginning to consume his heart and he could not allow it to grow any further.

Jack sent a text message to Raafi's cell phone with his location. He gave Raafi all the instructions he needed to find them. Jack knew he had to mentally prepare himself for the final act of their plan. There was no telling what was going to happen. He also didn't know how well Alex could fight. His mind was all over the place now. If his opponent had shown up, Jack's defeat would be assured.

He moved to a separate spot in the cellar and got into his meditative position. In order to kill Huang and anyone else that got in his way, he needed to be in a different mental and physical form. A form that was stronger than his current one. A calm but dark energy surrounded him as he closed himself off from reality. He cleared his mind of all intent. Jack didn't move an inch. He inhaled and exhaled when needed. He saw the gentle nature of his life. But he also saw the evil that would become necessary for what he planned to do to Alex.

Those that didn't play the Virtual Reality game had no clue as to how they could exit the game once inside. Luckily, this was information that most players within the game world knew. Sanvi and Jabirah were able to get a quick learning lesson from a gamer within the system and found a way to get out of the game.

While not sure of where she was or what was happening around her, Sanvi pretended to still be logged into the game while listening to her surroundings. There was no sound at all. She could hear her daughter beginning to move around near her and had to quickly stop her from standing up.

Sanvi took a chance by removing the headset from her eyes and seeing where she was. While not sure of the location, she knew this was definitely an alcohol cellar.

A few feet away from her, Jack sat on the floor with his eyes closed. Unsure of what he was doing, she took a chance to get on her feet. Even with all the movements she was making, Jack paid her no attention. He seemed as if he was completely out of it. Sanvi looked at the shelf beside her and saw a bottle of wine thick enough to be used as a weapon. Knowing that there was a chance she could take Jack out and escape with her daughter motivated her.

Sanvi grabbed the bottle and approached Jack as quietly as she could. She wasn't sure when or if he'd be a problem, but that was the last thing she was considering right now. The only thing on her mind was hurting Jack. He had come into their lives and made it so much worse than it needed to be.

Sanvi swung the bottle with such veracity that it could have killed a person. Unfortunately for her, Jack was now completely unconscious. In his meditative state, he could still hear and sense everything going on around him. He had become aware of her entry back into the real world and waited for the perfect moment to strike. He threw his fist at the incoming bottle and shattered it before it could make impact with his head.

Sanvi was now completely off guard. She still had the broken bottle in her hand and used it as a weapon to defend herself from Jack. She held the bottle close to her as the man in front of her jumped to his feet in such an enthusiastic manner. He gave her a smile while trying to scare her at the same time. He would jump at her, trying to mess with her nerves. Her fear fueled his joy.

"Come now, little girl," Jack said. "Let's put the bottle down before one of us dies."

"You mean yourself?" Sanvi said as she lashed at Jack. Jack was able to catch the arm she used to attack him with the bottle. He was very disappointed by his predictable movements. He saw Sanvi as a woman that could rival him as an assassin one day. Jack quickly sent his palm directly into her face. The blow made such an impact on her head that she found herself getting dizzy. Jack's attack was causing her to lose balance for a bit. Jack hadn't let her go though. He still held her arm in his hands and began to apply pressure to it.

"You're a very strong woman," Jack said. "Just not stronger than me."

Jack unsheathed his blade and held it in front of Sanvi's face. He was going to kill her and he wanted to make sure she knew it. Jack gave her a smile before driving the blade at her gut. She would have been killed if someone hadn't entered the cellar at the right moment.

Alex and Raafi opened the cellar door and saw what would have been a murder. Raafi wanted to get involved further, but Alex knew he'd likely be killed by the assassin. Alex saw the aggressive nature of Jack. Compared to Ban, Jack was going to be a harder assassin to deal with.

"Don't move." Alex warned Raafi.

"But he's right there!" Raafi said. "Can't we just take him right now?!"

"Sanvi will be dead before we even get to him," Alex said. "We'd be lucky if even just one of us survived that attack."

"Smart man," Jack realized. "I wonder how smart you truly are... come on over here with your weapons on the floor and I'll let mommy go. Try anything foolish and I'll kill you all."

Alex knew he had to do as Jack requested. The odds of this man doing something terrible might not be a bluff. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to take Jack. Alex worked his mind in such little time to figure something out. There wasn't a lot of research he could do on the man. The two assassins were both complete mysteries to Alex. If not for Sanvi, Alex would have died by the hands of one of them just a bit ago.

There was nothing Alex could do but hope the assassin would keep his word. Forfeiting his life would allow everyone but himself to go free. He placed the gun Raafi gave him on the floor and moved toward Jack. Jack was watching Alex get close to him very carefully. The moment he could reach Alex, Jack pushed Sanvi away from him. He was pleased to see how well this was going for him.

Alex suspected that the assassin would get comfortable soon enough. With the little preparation time he had before coming face to face with him, Alex started on with his plan.

"Funny isn't it?" Alex asked Jack. "The sight of your friend over there on the floor."

"He wasn't my friend," Jack admitted. "We do this for money, not for friendship."

"But it doesn't worry you?" Alex asked. "The brains of this operation is no longer here to help you?"

"He wasn't the brains," Jack said. "I was!"

"If that were true," Alex began to say. "Then why did he leave you out here to babysit while he did all the fun? Why was he the one that distracted us while you went in like a dumb ass rock and kidnaped the two defenseless girls?!"

"Because..." Jack wanted to say something. He thought he had something to say but he didn't. He wasn't even sure anymore. Jack had been thrown off now. He thought a lot about the fact that maybe Alex was right. Maybe Ban was the true mastermind of this entire operation. Maybe the only reason Callahan employed him was because of his skills in martial arts. Jack was headed towards a dark line of thought. He thought about why Ban left him to be the one that stayed in the real world. He came to the very real idea that Ban saw him as nothing more than a fighter and a tool.

"Can't even talk," Alex asked. "Can you?!"

"f**k off." Jack laughed. "You think you know me? You don't know s**t about what I've done and what I've been through. I'll kill you right here and now."

"But you can't," Alex said. "Not unless you want to get fired?"

"I don't f*****g care anymore," Jack said. "All I want to do now is break your f*****g teeth."

With Alex face to face with Jack, the martial arts assassin sent the back of his hand across Alex's face. Alex nearly collapsed due to the hit. Jack quickly came back with another hand to his face. Alex tried tackling Jack off his feet. Jack quickly responded to the attack with a kick to the face. Alex, now on his back, feared that he may not be able to win this battle. He could barely stand. Jack came in with a kick so powerful that it sent Alex sliding across the floor.

Alex wasn't ready to give up. He got up with his hands clenched and ran at Jack. Alex tried punching him but Jack dodged each attack and ended it all with a strong kick to his opponent's head. Alex was completely beaten now. His defeat lingered in his mind.

"Nice try." Jack said to Alex. "Feel the defeat yet? I have killed people far stronger than you."

"Shut the hell up!!" Alex screamed. "Do you want an Oscar or something?! I get it! You're perfect!"

Alex got back on his feet. He ran at Jack for another round. Alex landed a single punch to Jack's face. Jack nearly fell off his feet. Jack didn't understand it, but somehow, Alex had managed to deliver a blow. He quickly went for a kick to Alex's gut. The young fugitive still kept on his feet after the harsh attack. Jack went in for another kick. Only this time Alex was able to catch his leg. He took Jack off his balance and began stomping his foot on the martial artist's ribs while he laid on his back.

Jack had been hit multiple times. He used his other foot to knock Alex off balance and onto the floor. Alex watched as Jack went in for a headstomp. Alex blocked this attack with enough strength to push Jack back. With his opponent now far from his reach, Alex got up.

Alex made the first move by grabbing the gun from the floor and aiming it directly at Jack. Jack paused, hoping his opponent wouldn't shoot him.

Alex didn't pull the trigger. He sent his fist directly into Jack's ribs. Jack found himself on his back with his opponent now able to kill him.

"Who in the f**k are you?" Jack asked Alex.

"You know who I am," Alex said. "And you know what I can do to you."

"Yeah," Jack agreed as he sat up. "I sure do. And you haven't. Why not?"

"I've killed too many people," Alex said. "I wouldn't like to kill you."

"I see." Jack nodded. "You're a noble type. Not like me."

"No." Alex agreed. "Now leave. Forget this mission. Forget about me, Sanvi, Jabirah, and Raafi. Never make contact with them again, or we'll end up right here again."

"So basically," Jack said as he stood on his feet. "You want me to just drop all that money I was offered just because you believe you can do this to me again?"

"Yes," Alex said.

"Fuck." Jack began to think about this. "I mean I don't believe you can beat me like this again, but you managed to do it to me right here and now... is it possible that you're better than me? Can't be. Hmm... then again Callahan offered me a f**k ton of money that I could use... lad you've got me thinking too much. Let's see... why not? I'll let you off. I've still got money. I can survive for now."

"Seriously," Alex said. "Don't even come to us again. You understand?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Jack waved his hand at Alex. "Just don't make me regret it."

Jack turned his back to Alex and began to head for the door. The martial artist assassin did not see this outcome happening to him. He assumed, even after meditating, that Alex would be an easy kill. The target they had been sent to kill was not easy. In fact, he had very well become their hardest target yet. It hadn't made sense in the beginning, but now it began to. Someone like Alex could very well become the world's best assassin one day. Unfortunately, Alex wasn't like the rest of them. He had too much of a heart to take on the jobs Jack had done in years past.

"Oi, kid," Jack said to Alex. "I'm not sure what type of business you've got with Callahan, but I doubt he'll ever stop coming after you."

"Yeah." Alex nodded. "I think I'm starting to realize that now."

"Good," Jack said, "Because until one of you dies, this will never end. Just saying. Not telling you what to do, but maybe killing him is better than running."

"Thanks." Alex could only say that to Jack as he exited the cellar. He turned to see Raafi hugging Sanvi for the first time in a while. Even though the fear of having to run loomed in his mind, he couldn't help but be happy. Raafi had finally been able to reunite with his family once more. For the first time in a while, Alex had done something good. He had such a bad string of incidents that he had forgotten what it felt like to do something good. He felt happy. A man that wanted nothing more than his family to be okay got what he wanted and it was all thanks to Alex. Now they could go back to the lives they had.

Alex had his bags packed up at the Mallarme home. There wasn't much to pack, yet Alex found himself feeling sad. The time he had spent in this space was short. But somehow he managed to grow fond of it all. He was going to miss being in Algiers and the mission to find a new home would only cause him to think about this place much more.

Jabirah had approached Alex from behind. She could tell that he wasn't feeling the happiest right now. Jabirah hoped she could help him feel better somehow. A knock at the door was all she did to attract his attention. Alex quickly turned to see who was waiting for him at the door and saw her standing there. Initially, he was afraid that someone was sneaking up on him to finish the job set up by Jason. He wasn't fully trusting of his surroundings yet. There was this unnerving sensation he couldn't help but feel. Alex felt that there were killers all around him. Jabirah could tell that Alex was scared. She apologized for approaching him without saying anything. He didn't see any reason for her to apologize. He wanted Jabirah to know that it wasn't a big deal and just smiled at her in the warmest way he could.

"Where are you headed?" Jabirah asked Alex.

"I'm not sure yet," Alex said. "Maybe some place cold this time."

"Yeah." Jabirah laughed. "I just wanted to come and thank you. You know, for saving us and whatever."

"Don't thank me," Alex said. "It was my business that got you and your mom involved in that mess. I only saved you two because I caused it."

"But still," Jabirah approached him. "You did something that no one else has ever done for us. We have been through such tough moments. But this time, it didn't feel like we were alone. So take my thanks already!"

"Alright!" Alex laughed. "I accept your gratitude."

Alex's eyes staring into Jabirah's gave her a butterfly type of feeling. She had grown to like Alex a lot during the short time he was there. She never understood where this crush came from, but after everything she'd experienced with him, it caused her heart to see him as a hero. He was a hero that would risk his life to save her many times. Jabirah was going to miss Alex. She ran in for a hug and held him as though she'd never see him again. Alex, while caught off guard, definitely didn't push her off. He understood why she was doing this and hugged her back.

Alex and Jabirah headed down the stairs together when they saw Raafi and Sanvi waiting at the door. The ride to the airport would be a long one from where they lived and Raafi knew it. He wasn't going to let Alex just walk his way out of Algiers, especially not after everything they'd been through.

"You ready?" Raafi asked Alex as he got downstairs.

"Yes, sir," Alex said with a nod.

"Good," Raafi said. "I'm taking you to the airport."

"Oh no," Alex said. "That won't be necessary. I was gonna take a Yassir."

"They don't come out this far." Raafi lied. "Your best bet is to get in with me."

"Okay sir." Alex didn't even want to argue with Raafi at that point. He simply did as the older gentleman said and walked on over to Sanvi.

"Thank you." Sanvi said to Alex before hugging him. "I wish you the best of luck on your adventures out there."

"I'll definitely need it." Alex said as he embraced the hug with Sanvi. "Take care!"

Raafi opened the door for Alex and allowed him to exit the Mallarme home. Before Raafi shut the door, he gave one last wave to the two he risked so much to save. Sanvi placed her arm over Jabirah's shoulder as they both waved him off.

Raafi pulled his vehicle up to the entrance of the airport. Alex was quick to try to get out of the vehicle, but Raafi was quicker at locking the doors. Alex found this to be confusing, as he believed Raafi was here to take him to the airport. With his mind still in an untrustworthy state, Alex was prepared to defend himself. Raafi could tell that Alex was going into fight mode and soon calmed the situation down.

"Relax," Raafi said. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Oh yeah?" Alex asked. "Then let me out!"

"Just hold on a second," Raafi said. "I just want to say a few words before you leave."

"Okay," Alex said.

"Listen, kid." Raafi began. "The things we had to go through this week were hard. We both had to do things we weren't comfortable doing. So I just want to apologize if I made it hard for you. I didn't trust you. And after Sanvi and Jabirah were taken, I really didn't trust you. But you proved me wrong. You're a good kid. No matter what those Americans say about you, you're not a murderer."

"But I am!" Alex interrupted Raafi. "I killed those people and every day I remember their faces. All of them! I'll never be able to forget them and it's all my fault."

"Alex." Raafi tried to draw attention back to him. "Just because you killed people doesn't make you a bad person. They were probably bad people to begin with. If the tables were turned they'd do the same thing to you. Don't feel bad. Be happy that you're still alive and make sure you keep on living. Understood?"

"Yes, sir." Alex said with a smile. "Thanks Raafi."

"Don't mention it!" Raafi said back with a smile. "Now get out of here before you make me cry."

Alex did as Raafi said and got out of the car. He opened the trunk of the vehicle and grabbed his bag. Before entering the airport doors, Raafi called out to him one last time. Alex turned, wondering what else the man could possibly say.

"Come back any time!!!" Raafi shouted through the window, causing Alex's heart to nearly melt.

"I will!!!" Alex shouted back before the airport doors closed in front of him. His time with Raafi and the Mallarme's was over. The road ahead of Alex was uncertain, but he had an idea of where he needed to go next.

Alex had thought a lot about Jason Callahan. He thought about what Jason had done just to make sure Alex was killed. He knew that Jason would likely send an army after him soon. Alex did not want an army of killers hunting him down. He barely got away with the two he fought. If anything, he preferred the other option that Jack laid on the table.

To truly be free and not have to worry about assassins hunting him down, Alex was going to need to end Jason. He gave him a chance to walk away and never come look for him again. For some odd reason, Jason failed to live up to Alex's words. He couldn't live without knowing that Alex was dead. Alex knew what Jason's mind was like and he also knew that he had to face him one last time.

Alex walked over to a payphone in the airport and dialed the number of Virtual Reality Main Headquarter in New York. Once he got through, he requested to speak with Jason Callahan. Alex withheld no information about himself from the first person to answer. His call was immediately put through to Jason's office phone.

"Callahan, speaking?" Jason answered the phone.

"Alex Huang." Alex said, into the phone.

"Alex?" Jason asked. "What the f**k?!"

"Are you really surprised to hear my voice?" Alex asked.

"Ban and Jack failed." Jason said. "I should have seen it coming."

"So what are you gonna do now?" Alex asked.

"There's only one plan," Jason said. "You have to die."

"Then it's settled," Alex said.

"Settled?" Jason asked. "Do you have some sort of plan? You gonna just keep running? What?"

"I am coming for you, Callahan," Alex said.

"Okay, how?" Jason asked.

"I will leave that part up to you to figure out," Alex said.

"Who would have thought that little Alex Huang would finally grow some balls?!" Jason laughed.

"There's a lot about me that has changed," Alex said. "The part of me that you dealt with months ago is no longer here. Handling you this time won't end the same way. In 30 days, we'll meet face to face. Send as many people as you want after me. They won't be able to stop me from killing you!"

"And what if you can't make it in 30 days?" Jason asked.

"The 30 days aren't for me to get to you," Alex said. "They're for you to get your affairs in order before you die."

Those were the last words Jason heard from Alex Huang that day. The young founder noticed how sudden this all was and couldn't help but feel fear. He feared the day that Alex found him. Jason wasn't ready for a battle against Alex. He knew he had to make as many preparations as he possibly could. There were still enough people on this planet that would come to Jason's rescue if he needed it. No matter how great Alex had become, he couldn't take on that many people. He'd be dead before he stepped foot on United States soil. Peace began to settle into Jason's mind once more. But the thought of someone killing three world-class assassins did bother him about Alex. There would be no telling which of the two would end up besting one another.