Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The three ate peacefully in the crowded restaurant. Julie became distracted after a moment when she saw a familiar face. Cass was beginning to get dizzy from the spinning. Will looked at her carefully “You okay, Cass?” he asked with genuine concern.
She nodded with a smile while her fingers pressed at her temples, her eyes closed. “Yeah.”
He laughed “You look like you’re about to hurl.” He shook his head “Okay, superwoman, let’s go home.”
“Thank God!” she breathed. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Will paid for dinner as he helped Cass out of her chair. He turned to help Julie but she was still staring at the oddly familiar male sitting by the bar. “You know someone?” Will asked.
Julie looked at him with a short nod “Yeah. An old friend.” She lied.
He shrugged “Okay, I’ll meet you at home.” He waved for Cass to walk out first while he walked behind her making sure that she wouldn’t faint.
Julie approached the person from behind, the guy looked up and she instantly pointed to him “Andy!” his hair was shorter and he was clean while his clothes looked neater than ever and there was no glasses. Although he looked different, she could still recognize him.
The guy snickered at her “You have the wrong guy, my name is not Andy.” He seemed a bit tipsy as he got up from his chair and almost tripped over his own foot.
“I don’t forget a face. Just because your hair, clothes, face is different. I can still recognize the voice.” She insisted.
He waved his hand drunkily “You mistaken.” He began walking towards the exit.
She was quick to follow him, determined not to lose him again. “You don’t have to lie to me, I know who you are.” Her footsteps close.
He only ignored her as he stumbled to the elevator and struggled to press the right button. Eventually, she reached over and pressed it for him “Thanks…” he mumbled politely.
Julie followed him without speaking. For a few blocks she kept her distance close making sure that he would not get away from her. He walked towards the harbor and stopped abruptly by the edge separating water from land. She stood behind him, her arms crossed as she analyzed the guy she thought she knew. She began to doubt her own thoughts “You’re really not Andy?” she asked after a long moment of silence.
He turned with a surprised expression on his face “You’re still following me?”
Julie smiled shortly “Not anymore. Sorry, I guess I did get the wrong guy.” She turned to leave. Within seconds of her turning to leave, she found him standing in front of her. Her brows wrinkled “What do you want?”
His face suddenly looked completely sober with a smile that told her he was indeed Andy “Want to play a game?”
Her eyes wandered to the ground and back at his face “What game?”
Andy smiled “If you can catch me, I’ll tell you exactly who I am.”
She smiled with obvious interest “Sure.”
He tilted his head “Ready?” she nodded as he turned and to her awe, he jumped over the ledge of the harbor and soared into the dark ocean. She raced to the edge and looked into the ocean but it was too dark to trace him. She brought out her watch and commanded “Light.” The beam of light was strong as it brightened up the whole area where he jumped into but she could not trace a wave anywhere. She pounded her fist into the metal rail “Damn! Lost him again.”
*******************
The next few weeks at work was stressful for Julie, Leo wanted her in his office every five minutes. Sometimes because he was just bored and wanted to see her face. She barely saw her sister or Will during working hours and it was almost impossible to find Andy. When she thought they would never find another clue to their mystery work, she caught Leo talking with James Chung, head of director on the 8th floor. What surprised her was that she did not see him walking into Leo’s office. “I’m sorry…” she nodded politely when she disturbed them.
Leo didn’t seem bothered while James had a scowl on his face “It’s okay, Julie. Just close the door, we’ll be in here for a few hours.”
Julie nodded but inside her little head, she was already analyzing how he got into the office without her knowing. She looked around for anyone else as she pressed the intercom button to talk to Will “Did you see James Chung leave?” she asked.
“No.” he replied after a one second delay. “I think he’s still in his office.”
Julie replied “He’s up here with Leo Fung. I didn’t see him come in. Maybe a trap door we don’t know about?” she asked shortly.
“Maybe. We’ll come back tonight to look.” He suggested.
“Okay.” She cleared the button and they were off the intercom.
That night they told Cass they wanted some time alone to talk. She seemed to be fine since she had her own plans with some old high school friends. Julie and Will changed into their black outfits designed to hold all the gadgets and weapons. A mask was fitted for each of them as it covered half of their top face. Both had black trench coats to cover their uniform while the mask sat peacefully in the right side of the coat. They stood by the bridge that would soon lead them to the glass building as they waited for the last light to turn off on the 10th floor before putting on their masks.
“Now.” Julie commanded as they raced down the bridge. They stood before the machine that would stop them from entering the building after hours. She reached into the side of her belt as she pulled out a tiny device shaped in a circle. Julie placed it over the machine as it beeped and opened the glass doors for the two to enter “This will only hold us for an hour before it deactivates.” She whispered to Will.
He nodded as he pointed to the elevators “We can’t use it.”
Julie looked around as she easily spotted the three corners on the 1st floor. “Come on.” She pointed to the cameras as they used a special spray that would block out their specially made uniforms. “We’ll take the stairs. Leann said the third one is always open just in case of an emergency.” She pointed the door that read ‘3’ which indeed was open.
They raced up the stairs to the third floor and again camouflaged the cameras. Will pointed down the end of the hall where the ‘No Trespassing’ zone was. They looked around for any signs of people as they tried the lock with their leather gloves. Julie placed her ear against the door as she twisted the knob “Three locks, brass door, probably 1 ton.” She analyzed carefully.
Will nodded as he took out a device shaped like a pen, with a push of a button a long sharp point appeared as he stuck it into the keyhole. The device did it’s magic as it worked to mold itself into the lock. Within seconds they were able to open the door. They nodded once indicating to continue. It took both of their strength combined to open the heavy door. What they saw behind the doors intrigued them. It was another brass door. Again Julie leaned into the door as she twisted the knob “Two locks this time.” She whispered.
Will used the same device and the door opened with ease. This one was 10 times lighter than the last. To their surprise, behind the door appeared a dark hallway leading downwards, the walls curved to the left. “Light.” Will commanded his watch as they walked down the hallway. It curved into a tiny maze. They both worked together to find the exit.
They came upon another door as they used their devices to get through. The door opened and inside was an elevator in a cylinder shape. “Where does this go?” Julie asked.
Will shined his light against the wall and it only read ‘UW’ “What do you suppose this stands for?” he asked curiously.
She shook her head “Only one way to find out.” She reached over and pressed it. The machine answered her command as it eased its way downward. She counted the seconds and looked up to Will “It just passed the 1st floor.” She looked around the elevator but it was dark as night “Do you think it’s going underwater?”
His face lit up from the light shining on his watch “Hence the initials UW.” It seemed like a whole minute before the machine stopped. When the doors opened, they didn’t know what to expect behind the elevator doors.
What they saw kept them in awe for a good long moment, the room looked like a huge corporation of it’s own. Three walls were made of pure glass. Julie pointed to the walls “It is underwater.” She saw the fishes swimming back and forth in the dimmed room.
Will quickly located 3 different doors “Let’s split up. Use the intercom if you need me.” He pointed to one of the doors “I’ll take that one.”
Julie nodded “Okay.”
“Be careful.” He warned. She smiled and went on her way.
She turned to see Will walking through the unlocked door as it closed before him. She took a deep breath bracing herself for anything she might be surprised to see. The door gave way as she felt a cold breeze attacked her face. Her coat blowing from the strong wind while she pushed on. She looked around in amazement as she saw huge tall human like machines, but they were scarier looking with red eyes. There must have been hundreds of them lined up in a row. Lucky for her they looked to be asleep. She walked down each row and noticed they all looked the same except for a different color of light that flashed on their chest.
She walked up another row and stopped abruptly when her instincts told her to turn around. To her worst fears, one of the machines was awaken as it noticed her presence; she reacted quickly as she raced down the row towards the door. She felt a strong hand on her shoulder as she looked back and found the human machine hovering over her, it must have been at least 7 foot tall. She twisted herself to get free. She backed up and it stepped towards her, it was not as quick as a human but it was 100 times stronger. She only feared that if she was caught, it would crunch her body in half.
Reaching to her side as she pulled out the triangular weapon that Cass was playing with earlier. She pressed one of the buttons as she aimed it to the machine’s clear red eyes. A laser blue beam shot out as it blinded the machine. It roared in pain as she felt her heart race, someone was bound to hear the horrid noise. While it was waving it’s arms frantically, she took no chance as she kicked it down. The machine crashed against the stone ground laying lifeless again.
Maybe it was wrong to do because when she turned to the rows of machines, the began to move towards her in a rhythmic tone. Clomping their heavy legs as it made a thundering sound. She pressed on her watch frantically “A little help!” she spoke into the device. She stood her stance as she paced herself back.
To her surprise, a dark shadow moved across the machines as it pressed on the colorful lights located on each of their chest, they instantly froze in place. Julie quickly caught up as she too carefully blocked herself from the swings and kicks. Together, they froze all the machines within minutes. She turned to the stranger “Thank you.” She breathed.
His masked covered everything but his eyes as it darted behind her “Watch out!” he quickly pushed her away before the machine’s arm came slashing down. But the stranger’s arm was cut deep as he held onto it breathing heavily in pain. He dodged another attacked while reaching to pressed the button on it’s chest.
Julie rushed to his side “Are you okay?” she asked as she saw his arm dripping with blood.
He held up his hand to shush her “Shhh, someone’s coming.” He pulled out a black cloth from his pant pocket as he wrapped it around his bleeding arm. Using his free hand, he grabbed onto her hand and took her behind a hidden hallway that she didn’t even see. She could only guess that he’s been there before.
Just as they were out of view, a voice called out “Julie!” it was Will.
Julie smiled at the familiar voice “It’s my partner.” She said brightly as she supported her life savor. They walked out together as she nodded to Will.
He turned to her and then the stranger she was holding on to “Who…” he began but was quickly cut off by Julie.
“There’s no time. They will see us if we don’t leave!” she hissed as they rushed out of the room. The door closed behind them as they reached the elevator. They were about to go in when she stopped the two guys “Wait, what if they use this to go down?”
“They use the glass elevators over there.” The stranger pointed across the rooms to another pole. The elevator opened letting the three intruders in as they sighed with relief when they heard sudden voices. “There are four poles holding up this building, two in which have elevators. One is from the 3rd floor and the other one can only be taken from the 10th floor.” The guy explained.
Will looked at him suspiciously “Why do you know so much? Who are you?”
Julie recognized his eyes before but she did not want to say anything. The guy only snickered “Its best if you don’t know.”
“You know too much, we can’t let him live.” Will reached into his side belt to pull out a weapon when Julie pushed his hand down.
“No.” she said firmly “At least get out of this building first.”
When they closed the second brass door of the third floor, Julie took off her coat as she placed it over the guy’s shoulder “Wear this, it’ll be harder to trace back with the cameras.” The three took the stairs as they exited the glass building in the nick of time before the device deactivated on the main entrance.
Like thieves in the night, they raced up the bridge and escaped safely. “You two were lucky this time.” The guy warned carefully.
Will turned to Julie “Now can we get rid of him?”
“Why?” Julie argued.
When they turned back to where the guy stood, he had disappeared into the night. She sighed with relief that he got away. “He got away!” Will cried. He turned to Julie “Who is he? I know you know.”
Julie shrugged her shoulders as she began walking briskly away “I don’t.” they did not turn back when the glass building suddenly brightened with lights on each floor.