The Vixen's Protégé

Chapter 12

Director Watson's meticulously planned investigation into Zion City's most elusive criminal came to naught with the untimely demise of Victor Juarez and Elvira Galman. Now, even Jack, who had been expected to hold valuable information about Juarez's hidden assets, was unable to provide any leads.

"If you cooperate with us, considering the thirty years of dedicated service you have given to this office, we can ensure your prison sentence will be reduced," Watson proposed, hoping to entice Jack into sharing any knowledge he might have. Jack remained composed, "I understand your offer, Director. However, despite your efforts, Elvira Galman, who keeps the key to unraveling Juarez's intricate web, is no longer with us."

Disturbed by this revelation, Watson suspected, "And she left you nothing? Surely, she, being a shrewd woman, would have entrusted you being her protégé, with evidence that could lead us to the whereabouts of Juarez's hidden treasures."

Jack let out a sigh, his demeanor betraying a sense of hopelessness. "I'm afraid there is little I can do to assist you, Director. Only if you come back with concrete evidence that can put strain on me within the confines of this prison, will I be able to help."

Watson, though skeptical of Jack's response, could sense the truth in his words. "Very well, Jack. We will continue our measures, and should we find compelling evidence, you can expect me to pay you another visit."

As Jack nodded in acknowledgment, both men understood the weight of the task ahead and the uncertainty that lay before them in their pursuit of justice.

After spending half a year behind bars, Jack was finally granted his freedom, allowing him to reunite with his missing daughter. As Director Watson unlocked the prison cell, he posed a question to Jack, acknowledging that although he was no longer imprisoned, he still faced certain restrictions.

"Even though you're out of prison, you know you're still not completely unrestricted— what are you going to do now?"

With a profound persistence in his eyes, Jack responded, "I will still find my daughter." His voice echoed with a sense of conviction, and it was obvious that nothing would sway him from his mission.

Director Watson leaned against the cell door, contemplating Jack's words. After a brief moment, an idea struck him, and he offered his help. "Want some help? The Bureau has staff dedicated to reuniting families. They can assist you in finding your daughter, Emily."

Jack paused, considering Watson's proposal. With a slight shake of his head, he mustered a confident retort. "Maybe not. I'm sure I can find my daughter alone. Thank you for the offer, Director Watson."

Watson nodded understandingly, his respect for Jack's determination noticeable. "Alright, it's up to you. As long as you need my help or anything, just call me. I'll answer you." With those words, the two fellows left the prison building, heading in their separate directions.

Jack left Zion City and vividly recalled Elvira's words. After darting on the chaotic circumstances he had endured, he decided to give his wife a proper resting place by burying her ashes, bidding her farewell, and making a promise to protect their child. He traveled to the quaint town of Los Dantes with the sole purpose of finding his missing daughter. Upon discovering the existence of an isolated camp hidden within a dense woodland, he couldn't help but be astounded by the number of people diligently getting ready for a fight of an unknown objective.

Approaching Jack, an elderly man inquired, "Are you, Mr. Jack Bradley?"

"Yes, I am— and I believe I can find my daughter Emily here through my connection to Elvira Galman?" Jack reacted, still transfixed by the resplendence surrounding him.

"Follow me, and I will guide you to your daughter," the man offered.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Jack couldn't resist wondering what kind of camp Elvira had placed his daughter in. Were these young people training to become evildoers, much like Elvira herself? he pondered.

He wouldn't want his daughter to be placed in a situation that he should have moved on from a long time ago, and just seeing this place fills him with trepidation for his daughter's life. As they walked together, Jack turned to the old man and raised a question, "Are you some kind of Victor Juarez's allies? Are you all training here for his next mission?"

The old man looked at Jack solemnly and reacted in a shocking whiff, "We are not allies of anyone, Mr. Bradley. Didn't Elvira tell you that this place is a place of change?"

Stunned at the idea, he couldn't find the right words to say, "No, she didn't. What sort of change are you talking about?"

The old man's expression remained earnest as he clarified, "Elvira's way of thinking was molded here. This place helped her heal from the tragedies that made her live in a world consumed by outrage and retaliation. Here, she was altered, and the traumas she had endured in her youth slowly dissipated."

As their conversation drew to a close, they were just about to reach Emily's whereabouts. Elvira has brought Emily to a haven or some sort of a place for people who have lost their way, but it also serves as a place for those who have already found their purpose in life. Emily was surprised to see her father again, as Jack hastily went to her, and embraced her tightly. She sobbed in disbelief and euphoria, calling out to him. It had been a long journey for the two of them, as they were the ones remaining in their family, making it difficult for him to explain why her mother wasn't with him.

Emily, perplexed, questioned her father, "Where's Mom?"

Struggling to find the right words, Jack tearfully confessed, "Um, your Mom is no longer here, Emily. She's been gone for a year now." He couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye, overwhelmed with guilt.

"What do you mean? What's wrong? She can't be gone," Emily conveyed, her voice trembling with fear and disbelief. Jack held his daughter's hand tightly, his eyes fixed on her face now. "Do you remember what happened? There was an explosion," he reminded her softly. Emily's eyes widened as fragments of the past started to resurface in her mind. The memories were painful, and she couldn't help but feel stressed out by them. "And you left us!" she yelled, tears welling up in her eyes.

As the weight of the revelation settled upon Emily, she could feel herself getting lost in the moment. Her emotions were in turmoil, and she searched for answers that only her mother could provide. Looking at her father, Emily saw the distress and helplessness carved on his face. It was clear that Jack had no idea how to comfort her in this moment of torment.

Unable to bear seeing his daughter in such pain, Jack's heart felt heavy. He was at a loss as to what he should do or say. The suffering Emily had endured was beyond his comprehension, and he felt inadequate in consoling her.

In an attempt to calm Emily's restlessness, some women approached her, their intention to help visible in their actions. One of them worked on her with a sedative, which instantly triggered Jack's irritation. "What do you think you're doing to my daughter?" he shouted, his voice tainted with anger. "You shouldn't be doing that to her!"

The old man, who is in charge of the situation, stepped forward to address Jack's concerns. "Mr. Bradley, you saw Emily's reaction when the memory of the past came back to her. This is one of the cases the children here in this camp are facing. Rest assured, we know what we're doing," he explained calmly, attempting to assuage Jack's worries.

Jack remained apprehensive, but a flicker of understanding flashed in his eyes. He knew deep down that Emily needed support to overcome the trauma she had experienced. Reluctantly, he took a step back, realizing that he had to trust the expertise of the people around him for the sake of his daughter's well-being.

He is deeply concerned about Emily's condition and, being a father, his utmost desire is for everything to go well for his daughter and their future. He takes the accountability upon himself, owning that his actions may have caused Emily to avoid him.

"Em, how do you feel? Do you need something to eat? Maybe some hot chocolate?" Jack whispered as Emily woke up from her sleep.

"No, Dad. I'm not hungry. Is this just a dream?" Emily pondered.

"Hmm... No, it's not a dream. I am here," Jack reassured, gently caressing his daughter's head.

"And what about Mom? Why, among all the people in the world, did it have to be Mom who'd die so unexpectedly?" Emily expressed her emotional state after learning about her mother's unforeseen death.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you and your mom. I am truly sorry, Em." Jack confessed.

Emily turned her back, and silence engulfed the room for the rest of the day. However, as night approached, Jack realized he needed to be elsewhere to alleviate his daughter's pain.

"Having a rough night, Jack?"

Amid his solitude, he heard a familiar voice. When he met her face to face, he saw a notable change in the person he had believed to have died for a long time.

"Surprise, surprised! — Do you seem surprised? Aren't you elated to see me?" Elvira chuckled upon witnessing Jack's dumbfounded reaction.

"Elvira? —you died, didn't you?" Jack still couldn't grasp it. "Jack, you know I won't simply die— remember? We planned everything." Elvira reminds him of the plan they conspired before they even parted ways to unlikely circumstances.

Regardless of whether it was planned or not, Elvira's return remains a puzzling question for Jack now that he is reunited with his daughter. He realizes that not everything has come to an end yet, and with the demise of his archenemy, Victor Juarez, their attention must now veer around toward Victor's scattered treasures in the next chapter of their lives.