Chapter 13–The Other Side of Power
793 Words
Chapter 13
Hazel drove off as she merged onto the highway. Her thoughts drifted back to the encounter.
“Competent, I see…” she said casually.
She replayed the conversation in her mind before glancing out the window and speeding forward. She soon arrived at the Rivera Corps and made her way to her office in brisk steps.
She arrived at her office, quickly drafted a report and headed to Executive Lucas' office
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Voss Inc.
Kyle walked into his office, gently hanging his coat on the hanger. Jason walked in almost immediately.
“What kind of stunt did you pull with the Rivera heiress?” Jason asked as he closed the door and walked forward.
“The lightning announces the thunder… that was my lightning,” Kyle replied with a dead look.
“So… what next?” Jason asked, stretching his leg over the table.
“Schedule another meeting with the Rivera Corps. I like to take my time. And get your legs off that table,” Kyle said without missing a beat.
Jason whined inaudibly before getting to work.
The sun began to color the sky orange. Everyone was retiring home from the day’s work — busy traffic, bustling bus stops.
Outside Voss Inc., Kyle and Jason got into a black Mercedes and shot forward.
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The abandoned church on the seaside of NYC was unsettling. It was silent, massive, yet properly lit on the outside — which made it even more eerie, because behind those massive doors was everything that screamed run.
Yet a black Mercedes pulled up in front of the gates.
The gates were opened by a gentle-looking gatekeeper in a seamless uniform, and the car drove in. It went deeper into the premises before coming to a stop. The headlights were turned off as the engine hushed, cutting off the only bright light and making the eeriness profound.
Kyle and Jason stepped out from opposite sides of the vehicle. Kyle tossed the key over the roof to Jason, who caught it without breaking stride.
They walked into the dimly lit building. Inside it still looked like a church — an empty, broken pulpit, shattered chairs scattered around — yet minimally illuminated.
They walked down the aisle and stopped in front of what should have been the confession room. Pushing the door open, they went deeper inside.
Kyle stepped forward and traced three fingers along the smooth wall of the chamber. He paused at a spot and pressed in harder before stepping back beside Jason.
At first, nothing happened. Then the soft sound of gears turning filled the air, and a small door opened, revealing an endless spiral staircase leading downward.
They descended and disappeared into the depths. The stairs were dimly lit.
After a while, the seemingly endless stairs ended before a solid wall.
Kyle searched his pocket for something but found nothing. He turned to Jason, who stepped forward with a signet ring in hand — an encrypted Z inside a circle, enclosed in a square.
Jason slipped the ring on, positioned the symbol forward, and pressed his palm against the center of the wall.
The wall opened like a door.
Beyond it lay something closer to a throne room. Elegant, dim lights illuminated the space, and a body of water at the far end shimmered, reflecting light.
“Kyle boy, you’re back,” a deep voice said casually from across the room.
“Yes, Don. I’m back,” Kyle replied, walking forward.
“Jason, you’re here too,” the voice acknowledged.
Jason nodded slightly and stopped among the other members. They exchanged quiet greetings in their own ways.
Kyle continued forward.
“How have you been, Don?” he asked, standing before the man seated on a throne-like chair.
“Good as new,” the voice, a man in his late thirties, Don Martin, replied.
“I hope you enjoyed your little teen time in the military.”
“Yes, Don,” Kyle said, taking a seat on a smaller throne adjacent got his.
“Well, now you’ve got to finish the missions that have been waiting… and your lifetime mission,” the Don said, draining the last of the liquor in his glass.
“I’m aware, Don,” Kyle replied flatly.
“Good. You’re also in charge of the new arrivals. Make it smooth, as always.”
Kyle nodded.
Later, Kyle and Jason took their leave. It was very dark outside as they reached the car. Jason took the wheel.
He glanced at Kyle, who leaned back against the seat, eyes closed.
“You and the boss…"
Kyle didn’t respond.
The city lights slid across his face as the car moved, and when his eyes finally opened, they were still as cold as always.
- Writer
