Reborn Heart of Steel

Harris’s eyes narrowed. Agent Haris said fiercely: “That sounds dangerously close to a threat, Miss Brianne. ” ‘It’s not a threat,’ Chase said tersely, no shake in his words. ‘It is the truth. We don’t need permission. We are informing you of what is going to occur. ‘ A queer look crossed the agent’s face, and then he took in the resolute looks on the faces of all three of us. Suddenly I thought, I saw something like a spark, a twinkle of momentary respect or surrender in him. But it did not take long for the latter to be replaced by determination. ‘Let me make a clear statement,” he began intently, ”I want to be very clear on this’. ‘There will be severe penalties if you put a wedge in a federal investigation, if you do anything that threatens our operations, you will be charged with obstruction of justice and may end up in jail’ is something that the protagonist is willing to part with. This threat left an overshadowing feeling within the vicinity of me and such-and-such. I could sense Chase and Alessandro bristled with the desire to continue the argument. But before they could speak, I made a decision,

“You are right, of course,” I stated as I could feel the erotic storm within me, “We are not trained to handle this, we are no more than lambs left to embark on a journey each year, in waters we don’t know. ” I could feel the boys’ shocked stares at me, but I maintained my sight on Agent Harris whilst asking, “We will withdraw. Allow you to work. But in return, let us not be kept in the dark. ”

Harris’s body language eased slightly, and an expression of mild relief appeared on the man’s face. “That is a good idea, Miss Brianne I assure you that we will do all we can to protect you as well as get your father to face justice. ” I nodded, standing up. This Chase and Alessandro did, both looking genuinely bewildered and agitated. “That’s okay, Chase,” said Agent Harris, smiling at me in return, and I thanked him for his time. I thought this over and said to him: “We will hear back from them if we hear anything else. ” I could sense the boys’ looks boring into me once we were out of the office, but I allowed myself no retreat and briskly walked till we got into the lift. The second the office’s doors shut, Alessandro turned on me. “And what the fu- was that, Bri? Did we just, like, give up?” “Of course not. But arguing with Harris wasn’t getting us anywhere. Sometimes you have to appear to retreat in order to advance. ” The realization of the situation finally set in Chase’s face. ‘You were leading him,’ he said, having returned the slow smile. I nodded. ‘Harris was never going to give us his blessing. But now he thinks we are out of the game, he will let his guard down and focus on his so-called real investigation. ‘ ‘Well, we got to do what we have to without the FBI on our backs,’ said Alessandro, and he nodded appreciatively. ‘You sneaky, Brianne, he said before pausing and adding, ‘I didn’t expect you to be this cunning’. After we stepped outside the building, and back to Chase’s car, I found a fresh determination inside of me. We were exclusively on our own now, as it were, for better or for worse. But perhaps it was exactly what we had to be. “So what’s the plan now?” Chase wanted to know as we exited the lot. For a moment, my head was spinning with the number of things that the three words could imply if not the obvious ones. ‘We lack information. ‘ The Ravens letter spoke of ‘loyal followers. ‘ ‘We need to identify these people, where they operate from. ‘ Alessandro leaned forward and looked into the backseat of the car. “I might have an idea about that. There is an old warehouse at the outskirts of the town where sometimes people unknown to the town inhabitants are seen going in and out. ” That prickling sensation you get at the back of your neck? I got that. It was thin; it was almost nothing but a head start at best. “That is something to look at though. ” “But we need to be wary. If it was one of the Phoenix places, it would be deadly. ” Chase looked at me and nodded, his face set in a grim line. “We would require things like food supplies, and video cameras, for instance. We should choose an appearance for the outside world just in case we are captured. ” While Chase was driving, we tried to create the initial outline of the strategy. It was reckless despite being the kind of decision that could have been regarded as reckless to the point of foolishness. But it was action, and after days of doing nothing but waiting for the other shoe to drop, as it were, it was fine to finally get a chance to be active. After that, we agreed to assemble the following day after class to firm up our strategies and prepare necessary materials. As Chase dropped me at home, he grabbed my hand before I alighted from his car. ‘ ‘Are you alright with this, Bri?’ he inquired, his gaze probing my face. “It’s not too late to back out,” said the man abruptly, “to let the professionals handle it. ” I was glad that I could be at his side to comfort him and I gave him a gentle smile before reciprocating our grip with both my hands. “I’m sure. This is our battle, Chase. It has been from time immemorial. How can we leave the field now?” He nodded, and then he hugged me and gave me a brief kiss. “Very well. Then we’re on the same team. To the end. ” As the car pulled out and disappeared round the driveway, there was fear that it was a cocktail of something else. Fear of the unknown or what tomorrow holds for the individual and the world. But also a feral drive, a righteousness. Here was our opportunity to seize the initiative, to go after the blackness instead of always cowering before it. I pondered family, I thought of The Raven, of the things he threatened in his letter. He believed that he had me figured out, that he knew every next step that I would take. But he was wrong. I wasn’t the scared little girl that he remembered and deep inside I know that it pleased him. I was stronger now; I was smarter. I had one thing he could never comprehend. That was true loyalty, that was true friendship. When I got into my house, my brain was already geared up thinking of what preparations to make on the following day. However, terrible The Raven and his Organization was. However vile the things he had in store for us were, we would not be powerless. We will fight. And this time, we would not lose and this did not die before being heard in our camp.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.