Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The following morning, the group waited patiently for Matt to finish his private conversation with Joe via telephone. Jenna turned to Darren with a worried look “Was Bonnie scared?”
He smiled softly “For a few seconds but she’s okay. Thanks for asking.”
“What kind of freak would murder someone in a restaurant?” Leah shook her head while she shivered away the thought.
“The poor girl was probably shaken up for the rest of the night.” Mark commented.
Darren nodded blankly, he had to hold Bonnie until she fell asleep in his arms “And I suppose no one cares about me?” Mia said with a hint of jealousy.
“I was going to ask.” Erin smiled.
“Thanks but no thanks.” Mia wrinkled her nose in the air. Erin could tell when her friend wanted attention. She turned to Ted with a smile and within seconds Mia couldn’t hold it in “I was so scared! There were just gunshots out of nowhere. If it weren’t for Darren, I don’t know what would have happened!” she gasped for air when she explained in one breath.
Doug raised his brows “And for her next trick, she will talk with her mouth closed.”
“Shut up!” Mia snapped, “Do you realize that you will never hear those words from me again if that shot hit me last night?”
“Yeah, that’s what I’LL miss.” Doug snorted.
The group was silenced when Matt walked in with a grim expression “Good morning. Darren how is your girl?”
“Oh, I’m fine but Bonnie was a little shook up.” Mia replied. The group looked at her strangely “What?” she asked.
Matt sighed “Well that’s good, because God knows if he knew you two were there, you would be gone too.”
“It’s someone that knows us?” Ryan asked.
He nodded “Could be. That’s what Joe and I think. He’s in the dark and we’re in the light, it’s almost impossible to catch him in the act. But it looks like he’s giving us a lead way. The list is very accurate, that is unless he will pull a fast one on us.” Matt stressed, “If it is correct, Reina is next.”
“We have to help her!” Mia argued.
Matt agreed, “We want to, Mia. But the legal system has rules to go by. She is not done with her sentence. We cannot pull her out because her life ‘might’ be in danger.”
“There must be something we can do?” Erin too grew worried for her once enemy.
“Unless we can prove that her life might be in danger. Then again, how will we prove that when we are outside and she is in there?” Matt questioned.
Ted turned to the lieutenant “I know the head guard at the women’s prison, maybe he’ll give me a heads up if he knows something.”
“It could be happening right now as we speak!” Mia cried with wide eyes.
Matt nodded in agreement “Ted, can you make the call now?”
“Yes, sir.” He got up and exited the conference room to make the call.
**********
The day was like any other. Routine and boring, Reina got in line to collect her lunch as usual. Her life had been calmer since she made her peace with the P.R.A. She would never admit that she was touched by what Joe said to her ‘Once a P.R.A. agent, always a P.R.A. agent.’ An easy smile spread across her face as she recalled the day.
“Next!!” the woman passing out the awful looking pile of rice barked.
Reina was quickly reminded where she was. She was in jail and she deserved to be there for killing a person. She was lucky enough to have her sentence lowered due to her good behavior and willingness to cooperate with the team three years ago and caught the psychotic man who was in it for money.
Taking her usual seat by the corner, she ate on her own as she wondered when her next visit from Mia would be. The girl was as talkative as ever, even more so with her two year old daughter. They wouldn’t allow her to bring in a child but Reina was happy just to see pictures. The girl had Mia’s features but her personality came from Darren, or so Mia explained.
Her quick perception seemed to noticed someone behind her. The steps were slow and calm and not normal. Reina moved her head to the left where the shadow appeared holding up a plastic knife in hand ready to stab Reina in the back. Had it not been for her dart movement, she would have been easily stabbed. A few girls cried out “Fight! Fight!” while some others called for reinforcements.
Reina dodged the vicious stabs from the woman she did not recognize. Each strike aimed for her face or stomach. She was pinned to a corner while the other cellmates surrounded the girls not letting the guards get through. The fight was not planned and it showed with each attack and Reina’s close shave with the weapon.
She was not prepared when another woman came from behind her and wrapped an arm around her neck to hold her in place while her obvious partner smiled showing a broken tooth. Whipping her hand back, she struck at Reina’s neck. The stab was short and painful as the woman pulled her hand back for another when the guard made it through. Using his shocker, he stopped the fight and freed Reina’s from her attacker’s grip. She fell to the ground gasping for air while covering her wound.
“Backup!!!” the man yelled out into the crowd which was slowly being contained by a group of guards. He cradled Reina’s head under his arm “Hold on, we’ll get you out of here.”
It echoed in her head until she could hear no more chaos and cries. Her hand limply fell to the ground as she was picked up by the guard. When she woke, she noticed it was the jail’s hospital room. She was chained to the bed but was happy to be alive. The wound was bandaged but it still ached from the sudden pain.
The door opened and a nurse in white appeared “Don’t move so much, you’re lucky to be alive. If the wound were a centimeter to your left, it would have hit your larynx where your blood vessel leading to your brain lays. You could have died.”
“Nice to know.” Reina whispered. Her throat was in pain as she winced away the ache.
“Now, now, it’s not time to talk yet. Give it a few days to heal.” The nurse instructed. She nodded and relaxed against the pillow “There’s someone here that wants to see you.” She smiled as she dropped off the tray of medicine and opened the door for the guest.
Matt and Ted entered the room as they thanked the nurse for giving them privacy “Long time no see.” Matt commented.
Reina was confused as she tilted her head “Why?” she managed to whisper.
“I’ll explain in a minute.” Matt nodded to Ted, who then proceeded to unlock her hand cuffs. She looked startled as she sat upright and continued to look at the two “There is someone out there that is trying to play a game with us.” Matt began “He dared to send us a letter with a long list of people that they are attempting to wipe from this earth. They have accomplished three, you are fourth.”
Her brows raised as she finally understood why she was attacked that day “If it weren’t for Joe’s quick perception of the problem, you would not be able to walk out today.” Ted continued.
“I’m free?” she said hoarsely.
Matt nodded “Joe had talked to Mayor Chan before he was murdered the night before. He presented the letter and the Mayor was worried but yet he was confident that no one would dare try to kill him. Joe could not talk him into hiring body guards but he did talk him into releasing you early.”
Ted pulled out the legal letter with the Mayor’s stamp of approval “It pretty much says if your life is in any form of danger in the next month, you will be released immediately but only if you agree to join the P.R.A. and assist us in the future missions.”
The guys waited for her nod of approval but she sat still as can be, her eyes fixated on a tiny crack in the wall. Matt’s smile slowly faded as he turned to Ted “It is your choice, Reina. We are not here to force you. But I want to remind you that this is just the first of the attempt. If you go back, they will try again.”
“Who else died?” she asked curiously.
“Shelly and Eric.” Ted replied.
Matt let out a small sigh “So are you in or out?”
The crooked smile appeared ever so slowly “I’m not stupid.”
Ted laughed “No, you’re not.”
************
Erin and Mia were planning to do something special for Reina after they got the call from Ted advising that she is signing onto the team, again. They were on their way to the party store to get decorations when Mia had to go to the restroom “I’ll take you to that gas station.” Erin pointed as she drove quickly.
“No! I can’t…they stink and they’re dirty. Your home is the closest, let’s just go there.” She pleaded.
“That’s clear across town!!” Erin argued.
Mia rolled her eyes “If you’re worried about the gas, I’ll pay for it.” She crossed her legs painfully “Come on! You know I hate public bathrooms.”
“You are so spoiled.” Erin sighed as she turned towards her home direction. Mia sat there bouncing her leg while she gripped the car handle. The minute her car came to a halt, she opened her door and raced for the door “You might need the key!!” Erin called from the car.
“I don’t have time for that!” she reached under the mailbox where she knew a copy of the key was taped there for emergencies “This is an emergency!” she said when Erin gave her an exasperated look. Leaving the door open and the key still in it’s socket she raced for the stairs into Erin’s bathroom which was located in her bedroom.
“There is one closer!” Erin pointed to the one on the first floor but it was too late. The door slammed shut as she let out a short chuckle “Freak.” She muttered while glancing through the mail in her hand. She was quickly enveloped in a letter from Ethan’s office. He had concerns about Ryan and gave her short warnings about his frequent visits. Erin had not noticed it had been 10 minutes since Mia went in the bathroom. She stood at the nape of the stairs “Are you going number two??!” she screamed upwards.
There was no answer and then it occurred to her, she left the manila envelope on her dresser. Racing up the stairs, she stopped at the door where Mia was holding the contents of the photographs and correspondences from the detective “What is this?” Mia asked, looking hurt “Who is this? Are you cheating on Ted?”
“Mia, listen to me—” Erin began only to be cut off.
“NO! Erin, I’ve always looked up to you but you have just disappointed me even more. How could you? After all he’s done for you?” Mia shook her head in dismay “Who is this guy? Why did you hire a detective after him?”
She knew there was no getting out of it as she slowly nodded “I’ll tell you.” She walked to her dresser and pulled out the wad of pictures of Luke, which showed his face up close. She kept them in a secret place just in case Ted were to accidentally find the manila folder “His name is Luke Yam.” She handed the pictures to Mia.
“Why does the name sound so familiar?” Mia wondered curiously as she took the pictures from Erin and glanced through them. Her eyes widened and with each gasp, she understood why Erin did what she did “He…he looks like…splitting image…” she was at lost for words.
“Brad.” Erin finished for her.
“Thank you!” Mia looked at Erin “Who is he?”
“I don’t know yet. But I know he was adopted in China by an old couple by the surname of Yam. I have no idea if he has any relation to Brad as of yet. But I want to find out.” Erin said earnestly “If it turns out the two are twins, I…I don’t know…I guess I have to tell him the truth.”
“So you’ve talked to this guy before?” She pointed to the picture.
Erin nodded “A few times.”
Mia tilted her head to the side “Are you being vague?”
“You know me too well.” Erin smiled.
“This I’ve got to hear.” She pulled Erin to the bed and forced her to tell the story that she’s been keeping inside for the past month and a half.