Outlanders

Chapter 6: The Missing Piece

Lawrence dashed through the broken down building, his mind continuously going a thousand miles a minute. His pounding feet raced between stairs and hallways, the long staircase now before him. Without a thought he jumped from one flight to the next below, not afraid to seek any broken bones. Once his feet had landed on the bottom concrete floor, his eyes lifted to see the metal door, an indentation clear to see from his point of view. The door was crooked, densed, and seemed to be a force that pushed it open with such power. The inside of the room opens wide for another person to enter. A feeling of fear sunk deep inside of him, his foot stepped inside the once secured room. Lawrence’s brow began to bead with sweat, his anxiety settling in him. The room was untouched, nothing broken or beaten down. The tables stayed unmoved, the walls still it’s ever cold steady concrete. Lawrence’s gaze moved to the glass door growing closer to him, the door then opened, opening to his fear that was growing evermore intense. Lawrence stopped short, footsteps hurried toward him.

Tristan soon appeared in the now broken doorway, “Holy hell! There you are!” Tristan spoke with relief. Lawrence glanced at the now damaged door, the invisible keypad that his father once laid his hand on was destroyed and damaged. It’s wall busted, the wires crushed.

Lawrence’s feet began to move, his pace quickened. Tristan, who was mere inches away, stepped back at his oncoming march. Lawrence’s eyes were set at the end of the long echoing hallway, his hurried pace echoing the open-ceiling above.

“Once the fire was out, we were able to go back into the room since this place was fire proofed”. Tristan said as he hurried behind Lawrence. “But once we got back to the room, the door entrance was busted…That goes for the door that entered into the artifact room here…” Tristan continued, his voice growing steadily anxious. Lawrence’s body stopped before the glass cylinder, the glass had been smashed, the small shards scattered inside the now emptied case. Tinier pieces laid on the outskirts of the structure. Lawrence’s eyes had already taken in the event that already happened, his brows furrowed. “Why this…” Lawrence questioned himself, his fear and anger began to stir.

Tristan's arms crossed, his head tilted downward, his gears in his mind turning. “As much as I know, this place was fully secured…no one would have gotten in even after that fire had started…” Tristan answered Lawrence with his question that was only to himself.

Lawrence turned his head, his gaze holding onto Tristan. “Unless someone had a strong enough weapon to dent a metal door…”

Tristan's eyes widened at Lawrence’s hypotheses, his hands raised up, almost as if to stop his wild imagination to go free. “W-Woah woah, hold your horses there, Lawyer!” Tristan replied, his voice stunned at his theory. “We don’t know that for sure!” Tristan spoke with truth in his words.

Lawrence’s eyes narrowed, “Then explain those multiple dents in those two giant metal doors…no one would have gotten in without a force big or strong enough to even break a door that will not break by doing so in the process!” Lawrence’s voice grew stern, his eyes staring deep into Tristan.

Tristan faltered at his gaze, a drop of sweat dripping from his brow. “Y-Yes that is true…” Tristan answered reluctantly.

Lawrence then closed his eyes, a short sigh escaped his mouth. His hand ran through his dark hair, his mind wandering. Suddenly, his prosthetic hand gripped into a fist. His anger, now plastered in his expression, couldn’t contain his agitation. His body took an attacking force to the pillar next to him, his voice cursed out into the spacious room. The pillar made a cracking sound, the floor shook beneath them for that split second of shrill force. Lawrence glared at the pillar, as if it had told him the most horrendous insult ever known to his life. His teeth bared, as if he was a rabid dog. His breathing shortened, the anger already building up inside of him. Tristan's eyes flickered with fear, cold sweat dripped down his back. Lawrence’s eyes closed once more, his breathing steadied. Lawrence’s hand released from the now damaged pillar, his posture straightened.

Tristan stood in silence, sensing the steady anger that resides in Lawrence.

“Do that more times and the whole place might just come crumbling down…” A voice spoke out into the echoing room. Lawrence's eyes snapped open from the sound of the voice, already knowing full well who it was. Tristan and Lawrence both turned in unison to see who had barged into the destroyed building. Tristan's eyebrows raised, while Lawrence’s expression never wavered.

“I see that the fire wasn’t the only thing that happened here.” Griffin's footsteps echoed from the overbearing silence that was now broken by his voice.

Tristan's gaze looked back and forth from Griffin to Lawrence, “Hold up, you’re working for the Frolis Detective Agency?! Since when?!” Tristan's voice raised in surprise. Griffin's figure now stood in front of the two young men, his grey-bluish eyes glanced at the broken cylinder behind them.

“More like, he’s working for me in his favor…” Griffin stated as he now gazed at Lawrence, his face now a furied anger.

Tristan sighed, “Well these few days were just full of surprises…” Tristan spoke in turn, his hand holding his face in exhaustion.

Tristan looked upon the man before them, “So, I’m assuming Lawyer here, found you and that you offered something he couldn’t refuse?” Tristan theorized.

Griffin's gaze shifted to Tristan, his expression still unchanged.

“You are correct,” Griffin agreed. “But it’s a matter that I believe only Lawrence would want to show for himself.” Griffin glanced at Lawrence, his expression now at a more eased state.

Tristan looked upon Lawrence, “Lawyer, you know I already know about your fathers death…I’m not oblivious.” Tristan spoke sternly, his outgoing and friendly exterior turned into a serious one. “I understand that you are going out for revenge, but is this really what you want?” Tristan peered into Lawrence’s eyes, waiting for his answer.

Quickly, he answered, “You know it’s what I want.” Lawrence’s tone was short, his expression almost cold, his eyes glowed with hidden fury.

Tristan chuckled, “You don’t have to look at me like that, you know I’m with you…” Tristan grinned, his eyes holding Lawrence’s furious gaze.

Tristan gave a long sigh, “Welp, what can I do to help?” Tristan spoke as he stretched his arms up.

Griffin's gaze shifted between Tristan and Lawrence, the two giving their gaze in turn.

Griffin gave a sigh, “Well, since I looked at the mound of monitors in the previous room, I can only assume that may be your domain.” Griffin spoke out in turn, his eyes landing on Tristan.

Tristan grinned widely, “I am the one and only world renowned hacker in the NightWalkers~. Anything you need done, I’ll be there to be your eyes and ears~” Tristan smiles triumphantly as his thumb pointed to his chest.

Lawrence’s expression blanked, “Wow, you let that get to your head easily…” Lawrence spoke underneath his breath.

Tristan looked at Lawrence shockingly, “Hey! Don’t look at me like that! You know without me you couldn't have even known where William Kingson was dining! Let alone with who for that matter!” Tristan's voice raised in embarrassment, a tinge of red spread across his face.

Griffin's eyes widened slightly, his mind turning. “So you were the one who gave him the information?” Griffin questioned Tristan.

Tristan glanced up at the black haired man, “Of course! If anything his protection really needs an upgrade…” Tristan answered, his opinion spilling in.

Griffin's hand held his chin, his mind beginning to think further. “Maybe that’s what the missing piece was…” Griffin spoke quietly to himself.

After a moment of thinking, “Alright, you seem useful for this case…so I’ll allow you to help” Griffin spoke, his confirmation clear.

Tristan's eyes glowed in aspiration, “Hell yes!” He shouted, happiness filling inside of him. Lawrence’s eyes widened, his eyes glanced from Tristan to Griffin. A sudden burst of calmness settled into Lawrence. The feeling of sadness and anger seemed to lighten. A grin plastered on Lawrence’s face, his chuckle gave way.

Griffin looked upon the two friends, his gaze following Lawrence’s expression. For a moment, Griffin felt at ease with himself. A feeling that wasn’t there for a long time. Soon, Griffin felt his expression calm, a slight grin played across his face. A grin that wasn’t there for a really long period of time.