The Vixen's Protégé

Chapter 5

An event of multiple explosions took place within the concert hall where Jack and his family were present. Believing he could rescue someone from the bomb he was carrying, it unexpectedly detonated, leaving him with no choice but to toss it away.

"Beth? Emily?"

Another explosion led to chaos and claimed the lives of those who were still attending the venue. Jack made attempts to find his wife and daughter, but unfortunately, they were not found anywhere. He searched every corner of the place and examined the faces of the individuals who did not survive this abrupt detonation. He spotted his wife lying unconscious and wounded amidst the sea of fleeing individuals.

"Beth? Elisabeth! —my God! Elisabeth, wake up!"

"Jack?"

Jack embraced his wife tightly, protecting her from any potential harm. Despite Beth's feebleness, deep down she knew they had to part ways, urging Jack to go search for their daughter, who was unexpectedly abducted by the very men he initially suspected.

"Please, Jack, find Emily! Find our precious daughter," Beth implored desperately, her pain overcame her.

Determined and enraged, Jack retorted, "Beth, I won't let you die. I'm taking you to the hospital!" His words carried a mix of desperation and perseverance.

Through her tears, Beth sobbed, "Jack, promise me that you'll rescue Emily from those heartless people who took her away." Her voice was choked with grief. "I promise, Beth! Please, just don't fall asleep. The ambulance will be here soon," Jack said, his voice trembling. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, his tears falling freely.

With her eyes closing slowly, Beth whispered, "I love you so much, Jack. I have no regrets about marrying you. You have given me the most beautiful and compassionate child. But now, it's time for me to let go and entrust our daughter to you. Please, save Emily. She will need you more than ever."

As her hand slipped from his grasp, Jack cried out in agony, "Elisabeth! Elisabeth!!"

The once bustling surroundings fell silent, and the weight of losing a loved one settled heavily on Jack's heart. Amidst the chaos and devastation that surrounded them, Jack's anguished cry echoed, a stark reminder of the loss that had forever changed his life.

The events of that night had become the talk of the town in Zion City, spreading like wildfire among its residents. As the sun rose on a new day, Jack found himself regaining consciousness within the cold, sterile walls of the hospital. But to his dismay, his hands were restrained by handcuffs, an uncomfortable reminder of his current predicament. Startled by the sight of Director Watson, Jack's heart raced with questions that demanded immediate answers.

"Good morning, Jack?" Director Watson began cautiously, well aware of the deep confusion etched across Jack's face. "Are you wondering why your hands are in handcuffs, again?" His tone seemed to imply a sense of familiarity, this wasn't the first time Jack had found himself in this position, and it was only yesterday that he had been arrested.

Panic gripped Jack's every fiber as a torrent of words spilled forth from his mouth. "Let me go!" he begged desperately, his voice betraying a mix of fear and urgency. "My wife needs me! Where is my wife? My daughter?" Jack's restlessness was palpable, his mind consumed by the dire possibilities that awaited him.

Afflicted with a profound sense of sorrow, Director Watson met Jack's distress with utmost sympathy. "Your wife is still in the morgue of this hospital, Jack," he revealed gently, the weight of the truth heavy in his voice. "I'm sorry for what happened to your wife on what should have been the happiest night of your life." The gravity of the situation began to sink in for Jack, his eyes welling up with tears.

Determined to assert his innocence, Jack refused to succumb to the shackles that confined him.

"Let me go," he implored, his voice tinged with frustration. "I shouldn't be the one you're arresting! I need to find my daughter." Jack's desperation to reunite with his missing daughter spurred him forward, his resolve unyielding.

Director Watson sighed, the weight of the truth hanging heavily upon him. He mustered the courage to reveal Jack's rumored involvement in the chaotic events that unfolded at the concert. Reluctantly, he disclosed their decision to arrest Jack, despite knowing that his daughter's whereabouts remained a haunting mystery. It was a necessary but heart-wrenching course of action they could not avoid. Taking a deep breath, Director Watson shared the unsettling revelation that had sealed Jack's fate.

"There was a survivor of the bombing incident," he revealed solemnly, his voice tinged with regret. "He claims to have seen you holding a backpack with a bomb, Jack." The words hung in the air, their weight crashing down on Jack's fragile state of mind. The accusation had morphed into an indelible mark on his already burdened conscience.

"They claim that you threw the bomb into a crowd of deserted people who were unable to escape the platform, Jack," Director Watson highlights Jack's error.

"I am not involved in what you are accusing me of. I did it because the bomb had already detonated; I am not responsible for creating the bomb," Jack clarified to him.

"I understand that. However, people still lost their lives, and you cannot refute the accusation against you. There is a witness." Watson confirms to him in distress. "I will find the person who is responsible for this, Director. If you allow me to leave and give my wife a proper burial," Jack pleaded.

Director Watson took a considerable amount of time before deeming to grant Jack's request, despite his grief. Watson came to terms with all of Jack's plans, especially his pursuit to find his daughter, Emily.

"I can only think of one person capable of this. It must be Juarez," Jack responded without surprise. "Possibly. But why would he let loose such devastation on thousands of people due to his animosity towards you? —what are your thoughts?" Watson inquires, curious to hear Jack's opinion.

"I want to find my daughter because wherever Emily is, danger lurks," Jack assured Watson.

"You're well aware that your plans diverge from the law, Jack. However, if you manage to apprehend Victor Juarez, that's when we can assist," Watson confidently remarked.

"I will deliver him to you, in exchange for the lives he has taken, including that of my wife."

As Jack returned home, the absence of his wife and daughter created an oppressive silence. He held himself responsible for the tragedy, regretting his impulsive and hasty choices as he gazed at his wife's ashes.

"Jack?"

"Bob? What are you doing here? Where did you come from? Why did you suddenly disappear?" Jack was lost for words when he saw his friend who had been lost to sight during their mission.

"I empathize with you, Jack. I never intended to involve you in this chaos, but I believe you are the only person capable of resolving these Juarez situations."

When Jack conveyed his anger towards Bob, he conceded that his interference had caused him to lose both his wife and child. Jack lamented not considering what others had told him and hoped he had stayed out of the situation. Despite his anger, Jack chose to endure the physical distress and the loss of his loved ones because of Bob's actions.

"Do you have any information? About what happened back there?" Jack questioned Bob potentially insinuating that he might be able to find forgiveness in his heart.

Bob made clear, "The compartment had been empty when the operatives ambushed Juarez at the Pier. They had moved the cargo before the ZFB arrived."

Jack inquired about the whereabouts of the cargoes and whether Juarez was still alive, but Bob was empty-handed for a moment, clearing his mind. "The stolen jewels are currently in the Weston Museum, set for an auction in the next few days. I had no information about Juarez's condition after the ordeal, Jack."

Frustrated and filled with anger, Jack urged Bob to leave and warned him to do so before his reason for not killing him disappeared. As Bob decided to leave Jack, they both heard the sound of a gunshot and Jack saw his friend fall to the ground, struck by the bullet.