Hunt Down Rose

Chapter 7: Day Break

I woke up with my body almost frozen to the temperature of the crypt. The events from yesterday still haunt me especially Elise's face when I left her in the rain. Up to now, I feel nothing but dread and remorse for what I did but its the best thing that I can do to keep her out of this. I'm just a puppet, and I have a job to finish before I could finally burn along with my sins.

The intel provided to me yesterday explains a certain network within the cartel in Spain. It's not easy to access and there isn't enough information to tell me where they are at. The only thing that is written here would be the records pertaining to maintenance and everything else is vague. However, there are several names that I could consider finding since according to the file itself, they are still alive. Their whereabouts are the problem obviously, it's not something that money can easily buy unless you have someone inside working for you.

With my goals set, I rushed to the storage room and prepared my luggage for travel. I brought just the right amount of clothes and documents to mask my identity. I also got in touch with the local prosthetic stores within Spain just in case I might need to prep for gathering data. Without further ado, I wrapped everything up and left the crypt using the secret hatch that will lead me to the parking lot. I immediately rode a cab bound towards the airport, setting the gears of my plans into motion the moment I step inside the plane

19 hours have passed before I finally reached Madrid and I'm suffering the sudden change of timeframe here. The atmosphere is very different and I can’t waste time fooling around relishing this view though I should taste some of the cuisines here. They are best known for their paella and I can’t miss that for anything because it's food. It took me some time to find the nearest restaurant with an attractive view and ambiance inside. 

Following the crowd, it led me to a place named "El Toro", an eating haven found almost at the town center called “Canalejas square” where performance is always said to be found. The plaza is somehow similar to the so-called Alcala Street, with some hotels lined up for arrival. Musicians and performers are entertaining everyone at the middle with the young and old dancing to the beat of the bongo's and guitars. I arrived just in time for some festivities to lighten up the mood of this dark endeavor.

I went inside a certain restaurant and ordered a set of dishes for a taste test, eating first a Chili con Carne with a beverage of red ice tea with the nice Spanish guitar solo played by one of their staff. It is interesting that everyone is lively and enjoying the flow of the tourists even though some of them are ignored. Enjoying the food along with my ordered paella it is very different from the ones I've tasted back at home. The texture and the spices are combined with the authentic seafood’s and it really melts in your mouth. The waiter said to me "Eat it while it is hot." leaving a container of chili sauce and other condiments. 

It is also apparent that some parts of Spain have been in certain outbreaks, along with disputes from existing gangs around the area. Based on what I’ve researched, the underground world has a better grip over this place than the government itself. These transactions should be easy to check if and only if it has been checked by an official or someone who has the ability to validate these records.

Spending the next few minutes sitting here looking outside with the cool air finally conquering the night. Having a reservation on the nearest hotel using a tablet provided by the restaurant with free Wi-Fi I was able to have a place to stay near the food district not far from here. Finishing everything up I paid my balance, grabbed my things and rented a cab to deliver me to my destination.

Looking at the festive view it is the first time I've gone outside seeing radiant positive energy to everyone. I guess I am just a flaw in this small world and being an irrational person I pursue hard to fit myself in. My focus on such things is great but sometimes it’s already out of my boundaries; making me susceptible to some hallucinations.

An estimation of 10 minutes based on my pocket watch, I reached the hotel and saw a lot of people reserving a room for tonight’s event. I saw a poster in the restaurant saying that there would be a grand concert in the central park, it will be around 8 o clock in the evening and it is already 7. I have to skip this one since I have better priorities tomorrow and I'll be on my first mission.

 Entering the hotel I stated my online reservation and noticed that their sign is inside the waiting hall, not outside, a very fine way to intrigue the customers’ minds and giving them the pull expression to enter the place. But for most occasions especially to me right now, it is just pure annoyance. 

The hotel is a classic place for anyone to stay. Not a five-star hotel but you can sense the atmosphere that you are home, thanks to the staff who’s always willing to help you with your luggage and other paid necessities. I’ve been aware that there are different places to visit during the day around such as Cybele Palace and the Gran Via. These are written on the list that I’ve gathered from my research so far, the night markets are also worthy of checking. I made such assumptions amidst the number of days that I have left to finish this case. I wouldn’t be able to visit all of them at once, making this a one way trip around town.

Being escorted to my room I tried pulling my transmitter and phone while checking the security of the place using the hacked surveillance cameras from the system of my tablet connected via Bluetooth, the person on my back doesn’t seem to notice what I'm doing with their system and it is for the better of each and everyone inside. I reached my room, gave the escort a tip, and placed my tablet and phone on the table. I fixed my clothes and pulled out other devices from the pocket of my bag.

I also need to talk to the nearest guns dealer for a new revolver and a few bullets. You better be ready in this foreign land or it might be your last. Nowadays the mafia community has taken its fullest here in Spain and almost everyone holds territories and that's one thing that you should take into account. Joining one takes time and loyalty, if you are that desperate sometimes they will order you to do things like killing people or getting beat up like what they do in the movies.

It is almost 7:30 and I need to have some rest for tomorrow's doing. A final piece of my puzzle is almost set and all I have to do now is just pick it up in the right moment and the right time. Lying down on my bed I threw a bottle of water on the switch turning the light off. The windows open letting the cold breeze enter my room with the moonlight and the fuzzy street lights glowing from below. Hearing the music and voices of the people participating there it could already be my sleeping medicine. Closing my eyes, my body became numb and my consciousness started to fade seeing only a shadow from the back of my head.

"Hey!" someone seems to be calling me from a distant

"Why?" The child replied holding a shovel in his right hand.  

 "We better get inside. It is about to rain any minute now."

"Ok mom." 

Seeing that little conversation from both of them, the skies grey and the winds are strong sending the leaves floating like a hurricane in the sky. Looking at what the little kid has done on the pit he dug, something is recalling in my mind and I can’t remember anything about it. The setting of this place and this atmosphere has something to do with my past.

Entering their house they can’t seem to notice my presence, not even my voice and actions could be felt by these people. As if I am a phantom lurking in the shadows with nothing to fear, nothing to heal on the scars of pain being radiated by my surroundings.

Walking around the place I saw the rest of their family in the living room watching television while eating a bowl of popcorn. They are laughing and smiling on the show they are watching and they seem to adapt to these simple ways of bonding, feeling safe from the outside realm full of selfishness and troubles that can haunt you to your grave. 

The family is just there waiting for someone while enjoying the things they are doing. The head of the family appears and distributes a paper-bag of doughnuts to everyone even the maids, such generosity to others, an example of a true master indeed. He doesn’t seem to care about the status of his men but rather he treats it as a part of the family. 

Suddenly the surroundings turned into flames with an inferno twisting in. I tried to search them out of the place but I could only hear screaming of agony and fear. The voice of death is everywhere and the red flames turned black, like burning shadows blending to the moonlight. I saw the house devoured and it is as if the walls are screaming with hands coming out of it. It turned into ashes with nothing left but a barren plain in the wilderness. Nothing was left or alive; there was only darkness present and the form of shadows looking at me from a distance. 

(To Be Continued)