Prologue

Lisa Watson is dancing on the Fantastica stage, singing amazingly as everyone claps and cheers for her. She stands still as the song ends and bows to everyone. She made it this far! She actually made it. She is not a waitress anymore. And she doesn’t live in Bevin anymore. 

 

She looks at the audience who were clapping; Wade is clapping and smiling back at her on the far end of the table. She returns his smile. 

 

Chapter 1 - Entering Bevin

 

Two months earlier

James Scorpion, mid-twenties known for his mysterious behaviour, is a guy with too much trouble to bear. He is a tall, medium sized body, high cheek bones and a narrow nose, dark eyes that shone like a ruby, a dark hair that was brushed neatly, and a deep cat-like scar on his left eye. 

 

James walks out from a strange looking building known to be a variety shop in a small town named Bevin. James lit up a cigarette and smokes. Growing up with a disturbing childhood memories, all what James wished for is some new changes. Who murdered his father was not an issue anymore to James, for seeking a future is worth more than mending the past. At least that was what his father used to tell him.

 

Driving into the city of Bevin, Lisa Watson looks out of the car window at the strange town she is entering. The town is dull and void of activity.

 

The car stops at a building about half a mile away from where James is standing.

“This is it” the driver says as he looks at Lisa

 “Thank you” Lisa replied as she gives him the money 

“Good luck” the driver says as he takes the money and drives off.

 

Lisa grabs her bag and looked at the building which was addressed as {The Pastry Bar}.  

Lisa knew that this is her work place and walked straight in.

“You made it!” Jessica shouted as she ran to Lisa.

Jessica is Lisa’s best friend and her soon to be co-worker. Jessica was the one who invited Lisa to come over to Bevin after the horrible murder of her mother, and also the execution of her father. 

“Are you feeling better Lisa?” Jessica asked 

“I am much better, I mean that’s why I’m here, to forget all of my problems right?”

“Yes, you are right” Jessica continued “let me show you to your room”

 

They both walked into the Pastry bar, which was quite big and clean from the inside. They climbed upstairs to the second floor where there are some few rooms. 

“This is my room” Jessica said smilingly “and that will be yours!” 

“Oh thank you Jessica” Lisa said as she walks into her room “I will let you know if I need anything”

“Please do so” Jessica said as she walked away.

Lisa closed the door and looked at her small room; it was small yet cozy and relaxing in a way. She dropped her luggage on the floor and looked through the window. From the window she can somehow see the whole town of Bevin, from its beautiful garden to its tiny river, houses and parks. But the one thing that caught her eyes was the large, unattractive, building. She wondered what it could be. But it somehow looked like a flat where people live, and a shop underneath at the bottom floor. Lisa was still looking at the building when she suddenly saw James standing in front of it. 

Lisa cannot help starring at him, for he was somehow strange in way but yet the most attractive individual she had seen so far.

 “Lisa!” a voice shouted from behind the door.

Lisa spins and said “who is that!?”

“It’s me Jessica!” the voice shouted “the boss said that you should start working right away!”

“Alright” Lisa said lazily “I will be right there

 

James looked at the last floor of the building. The floor he was always longing to be; the floor in which the Magnificent Cat is being kept. James turned away and walked across the street, heading to the Pastry bar.

 

Mr. Bacilli, also known as the body guard of the building, is a stout, stocky individual, tends to annoy most of the employees, especially James. Bacilli watches as James leaves the building.  

 

James stomps down the street as usual; straight to the pastry bar just a few feet away from his so called home.

James walked into the bar and scans the place.

 

“Here he comes again” Jessica whispered to Lisa as she cleaned the counter.

“Who comes again?”  Lisa asked as she prepared some coffee.

“Look over there” Jessica said lowly.

 

Lisa turned and saw James standing at the door. She can’t help but noticed he was the guy at the large building. He was even nicer looking from near than when she saw him from her flat’s window.

 

James approached the counter and was about to say something.

 “Can I help you with something?” Lisa asked nervously  

 “No” He scans the place one more time and then walks off.

“What in the world?” Lisa said lowly.

“That was James” Jessica said as she walks to Lisa.

“James?” Lisa said lowly.

 

It’s the memories again! Childhood memories, why does it have to haunt him down again, and at wrong times and wrong places! James wondered over and over. James just decided he shouldn’t have breakfast and should head back to his work place.

 

James lived in this building for as long as he could remember. This building is not just his home, but also the place he works, the place this business takes place. James is currently living with more than 30 people in this particular building. They are all working under the control of a single boss, the owner of the Magnificent Cat.

 

James continue to walk down the street until something caught his eyes, “a girl”, he never saw this lady before she must be new in this neighbourhood.

He's never seen a lady as beautiful as this one.

The girl was actually with a man, walking right next to her, an older man, he was wearing the expensive clothes and shoes and was also holding a huge brief case 

James sees a sign of richness around him. He turned back to look at the girl but they both went into a shiny car.  

James watched them drive off, he then heads back to the building.

“Who are they?”  He thought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 - The Boss

The sight of the verandah and Mr. Bacilli already tells James that he’s home.

James opened the iron door of the house and walked down the corridor into a large hall, where he found his team sitting in a circle with Wade standing right in front of them as if they were on a meeting. 

Wade Carter, early-twenties, unlike James, Wade is more friendly and open hearted to people, no one can tell if he is a bad person or a good one, easy to approach and talk to, yet capable of killing without hesitating, maybe it’s because he’s into his job, or perhaps a real psychopath.  

 

Wade joined this team only few years ago, no one knows where the boss found him and brought him to the building, but ever since he came to the building he was more important than all the other staffs, this was one of the main reasons James hated Wade from the very beginning.

James ignored them and  walked straight to his room and shut the door behind him , he can never forget the day their boss picked Wade as his right-hand man instead of him , but he always have the feeling The Magnificent Cat will be his someday. Some dream.  

 

James could hear the main door open, and knew at once that it was their boss who came in, Armand Walker. 

 

Armand Walker is 6 feet tall, broad shoulders with short brown hair in his mid-forties. He has an oval shaped head with a unique bone structure which somehow look like a woman; he has very black eyes which look like holes.

 

James could hear his footsteps walking straight to the hall, James quickly walked out of his room to the hall to see what the boss got for them this time 

 

Armand walked straight to the crowd and looked at Wade.

“Follow me to my office will you?”  Armand said smilingly.

“Sure” Wade said happily as he follows Armand straight to his office.

James anger grew with rage inside him, he just hates the fact that Wade is closer to the boss than himself, he hates it so much. Will Wade take over this business after Armand; is he the heir of the Magnificent Cat? To James, it’s too painful to even think about it.

 

James actually saw Armand’s office only once, it was three years ago when Armand noticed that James was very serious with his work and never does any mistakes.

Armand took James that same day to his office and it was an experience of a life time.

 

The office was locked by an iron door, not once but twice, the first iron door was thick but the second is even thicker, and each door has the most high tech security system, at first James thought it was unnecessary, but when he saw the office and The Magnificent Cat and what this whole business is about, he was speechless.

 

The Magnificent Cat is not even close to being a cat, it is actually a scientific robotic object with a shape of a golden cat, engineered to go inside human soul without them knowing and also against their will, it is very illegal and everyone in the house knows, however Armand said that he uses it for only good purposes and hires it for people who only wants justice and other good things, but James sometimes think that Armand himself is using The Magnificent Cat to his own advantage and in a bad way.

 

That very day always flashes back in James’s memory , he thought that from that day on he will be seeing Armand’s office very often but it was three years ago and he did not see it ever since , this was the time James anger and rudeness started to eat him up.

 

James suddenly hears the elevator's door open; he quickly turned his head and saw Armand and Wade walking into the room.

“I have news for you all” Armand said loudly “it's important”

Everyone in the hall started to gather around the meeting chairs, each of them has a curious look on their faces, eager to know what the boss is going to say this time. 

James took his usual seat, a bit far from the other guys and a few inches away from the boss’s seat. Armand sat on his usual boss’s seat with Wade sitting right next to him; they both face directly to the team and James.

“We have a new member joining us to the team, guys” Armand started 

“What”

“When”

“How”

Everyone in the living room was asking questions, surprised of what they just heard 

“Quite” Armand shouted “I don’t want any more questions; I haven’t finished talking about him an-”  

“Does he know about the Magnificent Cat?” James interrupted

Everyone in the room turns and looked at James 

At first Armand didn’t know what to say but then he looked at James and said “As a matter of fact he does”

Everyone in the room became more surprised now and angry at the same time

“Is he going to be one of us” shouted a guy from the back of the hall

“No” Armand replied “he is going to be like a second boss to you all”

“What?” James shouted 

 “No way”

“Do you remember when we almost lost the Magnificent Cat?” Armand shouted “Did you all remember Andy! Ruddick’s spy, ready to posses it away from us, or Bob, the traitor who was working undercover with the police!”

All of a sudden the room became quite. 

“Well guess who saved our asses” Armand continued “Guess who made me realized that Andy was a spy!”

Armand stopped talking and walked around as if he was saying something extremely important, and then handed a file to Wade. James looked at him annoyingly trying to hold himself from shooting them both

“Guys, please welcome Ray Greenwood” Armand said finally 

 

All of a sudden, the room turned quite and everyone was focusing on the foot steps they hear coming from the corridor, and there they saw Mr. Greenwood coming in.

It was strange but James could feel that this man is familiar in one way or another, as a matter of fact he was too familiar but nameless. Suddenly it stroke him,

Ray Greenwood is the older man he saw earlier, with the girl he liked so much.

 

Chapter 3 - Innocent Patricia

Patricia Greenwood is staring out the kitchen window, pouring herself a cold glass of orange juice when she suddenly saw Ray Greenwood coming, she then hears the main door open and Ray walks in.

“Hello dad how are you today, and how is the new job?” she asked sarcastically 

“Its fine sweetheart, I think I am in the right place and at the right time” Ray answered

“Are you sure this is going to work, dad?”

“Yeah, first time in my life I am positive” Ray said happily while leaving the kitchen.

Patricia smiled and turned her head back to the window, suddenly something caught her eyes, and she saw James sitting angrily. She looked again and saw the huge building. 

 “Isn’t that the place you came from?” Patricia asked 

“Yeah, isn’t it amazing?” Ray said, but this time he walked out of the kitchen, just so she won’t ask any more questions. 

 

James stands at the verandah and smokes a cigarette, thinking over and over about the girl he saw earlier and her relationship with Ray, and what is Ray doing here working under his boss? 

“Oh actually Ray is my second boss” James said angrily to himself. 

James lit up another cigarette and started smoking when suddenly he turned and saw Patricia, he actually saw Ray coming out the same house at first, but now he could only see Patricia at the window.

He raised his hand in a sign of hello

At first there was no response from Patricia, but later on he could slightly see her from the kitchen window raising her hand 

A smile came on James face for the first time in months.

Suddenly he thought of introducing himself to her, at least not in details but just to know about her too.

James took a few steps on his way to Patricia when he suddenly hears the voice he never wants to hear 

“Where do you think you are going” shouted Mr. Bacilli 

“Not now Bacilli not now!” James said as he walks off.

Patricia saw James coming closer and closer and then realized that he is actually coming to the house. Patricia walked out of the kitchen and stood at the main door.

“Hi” James said 

“Hi” she replied

“Can I come in?”

“Sure” Patricia said lowly “please come in” 

James took a few steps inside the house and turned back to Patricia 

“Are you sure you want me to come in” 

“Yes, do you think I am scared of you? Is there something about you I need to be scared of?” 

James did not reply, he stood next to the kitchen door 

“Are you married?”

“No” Patricia replied surprisingly “why?”

“So what is your relationship with Ray?”

“Ray is my father, do you know him?” Patricia said smilingly

“Your fa-” James said “oh, ah, we work together”

“Is that your Job place?” 

“Yes” James interrupted “Yes that’s it, that's where we work”

"I am Patricia" Patricia said shyly 

"I am James” James said nicely as he stood outside the door

They both stare at each other awkwardly 

 

Was this a good idea? Is James making a mistake getting to know Patricia, But James couldn’t stop starring at her, she was irresistible to him, but she’s still Ray Greenwood’s daughter, a man that will soon join his “hate list” along with Armand and Wade.

“I have something to do right now, can I be excused” James said suddenly thinking that this might not be a good idea.

“Yes sure” she replied “it was nice meeting you” 

James walked out of the house and went straight forward to where he came from.

Patricia just sat and watched him as he walked straight out of the house.

 

James walked inside the house/office and sat on a table next to Mr. Picklock.

 

Mr. Picklock is the father that James never had, Mr. Picklock is the only person that James trusts in the entire building, and he loves Mr. Picklock more than everyone and always shares his secrets with him.

 

Mr. Picklock always loved James, for he was a good friend to both James's father and Grandfather. James is the only Scorpion left that could remind him of his dearest friends he once had.

"Good afternoon Mr. Picklock, how are you today?” James asked

"Oh I am doing great James how about you?"

"There is this girl I just met, and really can’t stop thinking of…”

"What, who…?" Mr. Picklock asked

"I am afraid its Ray's daughter, I mean I saw her earlier today…I didn’t know she was Ray’s daughter, but…”

“Ray? The new employee or I can say new boss?”

“Yep” James continued “Don’t even remind me, He just came in and all of a sudden he is a boss to us? Armand must be…”

"What about Armand?" Wade said while entering the main corridor 

"And why wouldn’t you mind your own business" James replied harshly 

"You are the one who's talking about the boss, James" Wade said annoyingly "seems like your business is other people's business"

"I really don't want to waste my time talking to you, you pathetic-"

"Ok stop it both of you" shouted Mr. Picklock "we are all supposed to be friends and stick together at all times"

"Well how can I be close to James if he all he wants is the Magnificent Cat" Wade continued jokingly 

“Stop pretending like you don’t care” James said as he walks closer to Wade “I saw the way you killed a man when he didn’t pay enough dough for hiring the Magnificent Cat”

“It’s not my fault Armand chose me over you, James” Wade replied annoyingly 

"I said stop it both of you!" Mr. Picklock repeated "I can't take this anymore, James can I have a word with you alone"

"Sure" James replied and walked away from Wade

"The battle is still on" James said while passing next to Wade   

 

 

Chapter 4 -The $60 million Magnificent Cat dealing

The day was turning darker, and it’s Lisa’s duty to close the Bar once all the customers are gone. Lisa shuts the Bar and was ready to go upstairs to her room when she hears a slight knock on the door.

“Is the bar still open?”  The voice called out right after the knock

"We're closed" she shouted

"Please just for one second" the voice shouted 

Lisa ran next to the window and piped, and then took a few steps to the door.

The door opened and Wade walked in.

"I am sorry to bother you this late but I need a drink" Wade said as he walks in.

"Why now" Lisa said as she walks to the counter.

"The work is really tough here and I don’t know if I can take it anymore" Wade said to himself as he poured a glass of vodka 

“You wha-“

“You are new here” Wade interrupted as he looks at her

“Yes, I started yesterday “Lisa said shyly "Where do you work?"

There was a sign of richness all around him, he was stylishly dressed and his cologne was all over the place. Lisa continued to look at him and can’t help notice that his skin was perhaps even smoother than hers 

“Where do you work” She asked as she checks him out slightly 

“What?” 

 “Oh…Where do you work?” she replied shyly “don’t mind my curiosity, for I just…” 

“No not at all” Wade said while staring at her as if he was examining her "Just a few blocks away from here, at the big building…you can probably see it from your roof top"

"Oh yes" Lisa continued "I saw it …it’s a strange looking thing"

"You have a very lovely voice" Wade said randomly with a poker face.

"Thank you" she replied quickly so he won’t say more. For his behavior was way too weird, she earlier thought that James was weird but right now she is wondering if perhaps everyone in that building are weird. 

"You don’t mind me saying that do you?" he questioned

"No, no, no" she interrupted "its fine with me, thanks again. Do you know that I always wanted to be a singer?" 

"Wow, I can tell" he replied "but … if you don’t mind me asking … ... why are you here?"

"Well it not easy to go to Talent land or Fantastica stage which is not far away from Bevin, I still will need more skills and profession, but anyways my boss here said that he will let me sing in this bar for some few weeks."

"That’s so good" Wade replied" this is actually a good idea, I would love to see you sing, it’s a step forward"

"Thank you" Lisa replied shyly.

"Ok I think I better go now, I have something to do" Wade said as he wakes up

"Thanks for stopping by" 

Wade walked next to the door and stopped; he then turned to Lisa and approached.

“I’m Wade” he said as he lends his hand for a shake

“Lisa” she replied as she shakes him smilingly

“Who knows we might meet again” 

“Of course” Lisa replied laughingly “I will still be serving here tomorrow morning”

“No, I meant at the Fantastica stage” Wade continued as he heads to the main door "Remember to follow your dreams, and don’t ever give up, because I will someday see you dancing and singing on the Fantastica stage"

Lisa looked at him as he closed the door and smiled to herself "Waw" 

 

The next day in Bevin is a sunny day, James walked out of the house with Mr. Picklock behind him; they stopped at the Verandah and stared.

"You should control your temper James" Mr. Picklock said immediately.

 "I understand" James answered "I am just starting to hate this place I don’t know why, but maybe it's because noting is changing, everything seems the same for the last three years , and that’s not good"

"Don’t worry" Mr. Picklock replied "you will be fine here plus you wanted to tell me something yesterday…about Ray’s daughter or something?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Patricia" James said as he looked at Picklock

"Patricia Greenwood!" Bacilli interrupted annoyingly "Damn the Greenwoods are becoming famous around here"

"I was not talking about Ray" James said angrily as he looks at Bacilli

"I know I know" Bacilli continued "you are talking about the girl…the daughter of our new boss!"

"Don’t you have some work to do" Picklock interrupted as he looks at Bacilli

"Yes sure" Bacilli said as he walks off.

 

Wade took the elevator which led straight to the office. He then went to a corridor which led to the first iron door of the office, he then took his private key and opened both door.

The first thing Wade saw was Ray sitting at his seat and Armand sitting at his table with a stranger standing right next to him.

“Oh, hello Wade we were waiting for you” Armand said nicely

“Hello Armand, I hope I am not late because it seems like you are having an important meeting here”

“Yes we are” Armand replied “I would like you to meet Mr. Stubbs; he is here for a deal about the Magnificent Cat”

“Ok” Wade replied 

“He said that his deal is fair and he would like to hire the Magnificent Cat for good purposes”  

“Yes, of course, that’s why we are here serving justice” Ray interrupted 

“I will pay you $55 million if you-” Mr. Stubbs started

“You are borrowing it for three weeks Mr. Stubbs so why don’t you make it $65 million” Ray said furiously.

“Ok how about $60 million if you don’t mind I can pay you the rest in the second week of my contract” Mr. Stubbs pleaded

“Deal” Armand replied.

Wade got up from his seat and said “Ok I will get the papers ready to register Mr. St-”

“Hold it Wade” Armand interrupted “Ray will take care of this; from now on Ray is my right-hand man”

Wade looked at Armand surprisingly and turned. He then saw Ray looking through some of the most important files and writing things into it, files that are highly secret, files that only he and Armand used to have access to. But now all what he could see is Ray using them and updating them.

“I think I should handle this sir, because I-”  

“I told you Wade!” Armand said angrily this time “Ray is my right-hand man now and he can do anything in this office in addition I told him everything about the business, he is now like a second boss, can't you all understand that!”

“Of course” Wade said angrily as he turned from Armand to Ray “so I don’t think you need me in here”

“Sure we need you Wade” Armand said surprisingly “you will have to sign these papers as a part of our agreement, don’t you want to do that?”

“Of course” Wade said lowly, still fuming about the situation. 

“So Mr. Stubbs….. The Magnificent Cat is yours now but of course it’s still under our control! And we will have to receive the $55 million by tonight at least or otherwise it will disappear before you know it, and also you can be dead and buried at our backyard, how about that?”

"I understand the rules Mr. Walker, no need to get serious and spine-chilling here I will make sure you get your money by tonight” Stubbs said while picking his brief case “I’ve got to go now perhaps you will send me this young man to pick up the dough”

“No" Armand replied "I will send someone else, perhaps James or Bacilli, just make sure you take delivery from someone tonight remember the code?” 

“Yes” Mr. Stubbs replied “I will be waiting”

Stubbs walked out of the office blissfully and nodded to Armand and Wade while leaving, as the second iron door closed behind him, Armand turned to Ray and shook hands with him.

“We did a great Job here partner, to tell you the truth I don’t even care if Mr. Stubbs is using the Magnificent Cat for good purposes, all what I care about is that our illegal business is going on smoothly and greatly” Armand said laughingly 

“That’s what I’m talking about” Ray replied happily.

Wade looked at them as they congratulate and appreciate each other, he could only see the fact that Armand is so happy with his new co-worker. Armand turned to Wade and said "Aren’t you happy?"

“What…?” Wade asked

“Aren’t you happy for this deal?” Armand repeated  

"I am" Wade replied lowly "I am happy for you…I mean us…or"

"Come here" Armand said as he walked closer to Wade and gave him a hug.

Ray looked at them and then turned away. 

"We are all one team now" Armand said as he looked at both Ray and Wade. 

 

They all know that the pressure of controlling the Magnificent Cat is not simple for a single person to handle. Especially when dealing with vicious rivals, such as Ruddick and Alden.

 

Ruddick and Alden are the most brutal and vicious people in another town called Slycity. They have already known about the Magnificent Cat and are always finding a way to seize it, for they have always thought that it was theirs and only theirs.

Ruddick is the big boss and he is constantly trying to find a way to get the Magnificent Cat, while Alden is the one who takes serious action. Anyhow, they are up for no good. All what they think about is too use the Magnificent Cat in a very terrible and violent way.

 

Chapter 5 - Lisa meets James

James woke up from his seat and stood next to Mr. Picklock.

“Can I be excused; I will go and take a walk, if you don’t mind” 

“Oh no I don’t mind, James” Picklock answered laughingly" you sure need a walk, just take your time and I will see you later” 

“Ok” James replied as he leaves the verandah.

 

Lisa has just finished serving her last customer, and was ready to shut down the pastry bar.

“Wait a minute Lisa, just leave it for a while, and let’s talk” Jessica said happily

“Alright, what do you want to talk about?” 

“Everything” Jessica replied “about the fact that the boss is giving you a chance to sing here in our bar!”

“Yeah, I know, I think it’s time I have to proof myself that I am a good singer”

“Sure you are Lisa! I think that you are even much better than what you think”

“Yeah" Lisa said smilingly "Wade told me that someday I will be singing at the Fantastica stage”

“Wade? Who is Wade…?” Jessica asked surprisingly “is there someone you are not telling me about?!”

“No, no” Lisa replied “I just met him last night, I mean he…”

“Last night?" Jessica said teasingly "why didn’t you tell me about him!? Do you know what that means?”  

“No I don’t know, and will you stop teasing here!”

“Why not” Jessica replied “are you not inte-”

“There is someone else I am actually thinking about” Lisa interrupted.

“Who is it?”Jessica asked curiously

“It’s that guy……. the one who came here the other day…very weird behavior, he’s name is John or Jam-” 

“James!” Jessica shouted 

“Would you shush?” Lisa said angrily

“I am just surprised, for I’ve heard that he’s all about trouble, but…well… I think he is so attractive, and not to mention HOT!”

“Yeah I know” Lisa replied lowly

“Well did you talk to him?” 

“No, no” 

“Well why not I don’t think that there is any harm in trying”

“Well, I will think about that…an-”

“Speaking of which have you heard about the dance on the 5th street?” Jessica interrupted.

“You mean the ghoul’s bar?” Lisa asked

“Yeah, that’s it, it’s going to be fun and plus it’s the 60s week and there will be a lot of rock and roll!” 

“Yes that will be nice” 

“Will you be there?” Jessica asked 

“Well I don’t think that I have anything else better to do, so I will b-”

“Great” Jessica shouted “we are going to have a lot of fun!”

 

The little doorbell of the bar ringed softly as James opened the door. Everyone looked steadily and saw James.

“Oh look what we got here” Jessica said teasingly “speak of the devil, oh…. Maybe you should ask him to take you to that dance!”

“Shush…, Jessica you are too loud, can’t you notice that he might hear you” 

“It doesn’t matter! Anyways I am leaving now, good luck!” Jessica said as she took her bag and winked at Lisa while leaving.

Lisa smiled to herself and turned back to rearrange the glasses on the shelf.

“Can I have a drink” James asks as he seated himself on the bar’s counter which is right in front of her.

“So what shall I get you” 

“Just vodka”

“Coming right up” 

Lisa was only thinking about how she is going to talk or at least start a conversation with James. The way he moves and the way he sits and talks, all of this is making an impact on her, sometimes she feels that she can’t even resist him.

She took the glass from the shelf and placed it in front of him. She then poured the drink into it and smiled. Suddenly the drink fall of her hand and the whole bottle broke into pieces. Every remaining staff in the bar turned to see what was going on.

“Are you ok?” James said worryingly “why are you shaking?” 

“Oh, sorry I’m ok” Lisa said while collecting the broken pieces from the ground.

“Just leave it” James said as he continued looking at her “I will pay for it”   

“No, no you don’t have to do that, it was my fault and I have to pa-”

“Leave it to me, its ok” James insisted 

“Thank you” she replied lowly

He opened his wallet and placed a large amount of money on the counter.

“You guys over there must be having one heck of a business” 

“You mean our shop?” James asked curiously

“Oh, it’s a shop…it doesn’t look like one” Lisa said “what do you sell?”

“We …we sell lots of” James replied nervously wondering if she is a secret police 

“I’m new here” Lisa said smilingly “I didn’t explore Bevin just yet…”

“Oh…ok, there is nothing really much here to explore but…” 

“Ah….if you don’t mind me asking wha-?" Lisa started

“What?” James interrupted nervously thinking she might know something about the Magnificent Cat.

“What is your name?” Lisa asked “I didn’t catch your name?”

“Oh, my name… its James”

“James, yeah James” Lisa said to herself, as if she never knew it from before.

“What's yours?”

“It’s Lisa” she replied quickly

“Lisa, well it’s nice to meet you Lisa”

“Likewise” She replied “I will try to be more sociable around here” 

“Yeah you should” James said while looking away as he sipped his drink

“I am actually trying to be famous around here” Lisa said with a smile. 

“I see, and how is that?”

Lisa smiled to herself and said “well, my boss is giving me a chance to sing here from time to time”

“That’s really good” James said without actually paying any attention to what she’s saying. 

“Thank you” Lisa replied happily “and my boss also said that if I sang well here, there is a chance for me in the Fantastica stage!” 

“I am very happy for you” James said while looking at his phone

“Thank you” 

“So when exactly are you going to start singing around here” James said as he looks at her again.

“Oh yeah I almost forgot, I am starting on Sunday would you mind coming to see me”

“No I won’t mind at all, don’t worry I will be here” James said nicely

“Thank you James, I would love for you to come see me, because I think that you are really nice guy and I-”

Before she can finish her sentence, James’s personal phone rang hardly. He woke up from the seat and picked it up.

“Yes?”

“Its Picklock, I need to talk to you”

“Ok” 

James closed the bottom of the phone with his hand and said “I got to take this call…… so see you on… Sunday…?”

“Oh it’s ok, yeah Sunday we will meet again” Lisa said as she cleans the counter

James nodded as he walked to the main door

“It’s nice meeting you” Lisa said it quickly, but knowingly that he did not hear her.

 

“Armand wants to see you for something” Picklock continued on the phone

“What is it?” James asked

“It’s about a delivery…to Mr. Stubbs I guess” Mr. Picklock answered “and that’s all I can tell you now, you have to come over to the house now”

“Ok Mr. Picklock I will be there”

James closed the phone and placed it at the back of his pocket. He was heading home, when suddenly he saw the vision of Patricia Greenwood. At first he wasn’t sure if it was her. But he looked again and somehow made sure that it was her.

James walked nearer and nearer to the figure until he heard

“Hi how are you today”

“Hi Patricia, what are you doing here?!” James asked surprisingly 

“Nothing” Patricia replied “I was just checking how this town looks like, because it’s kind of weird”

“What’s weird?” James asked

“This town…….Bevin…. it’s that its name?” Patricia said as she looked around

“Yes” 

“What I am trying to say is that there are no any activities going on” 

“Yeah I can see that” James replied

“My dad seems to be more excited to come here than I am” Patricia said calmly

James turned and looked at her straight “and why is that?”

“What do you mean” Patricia replied

“Does your father tell you anything about what is he doing here, or what his job really is, perhaps any clue”

“No” Patricia replied in strange tone “he did not and if you don’t mind James…. Could you change the topic, I really don’t want to talk about my father’s job; it’s really upsetting to know if he is doing something bad.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about Ray, I think he is doing fine” James said sarcastically 

“Alright, would you mind switching the subject?” Patricia interrupted

“Sure” James said with a smile, wishing that Patricia is somehow different from her father.

 

Chapter 6 - The Garden

Armand sat on a table next to Ray both of them drinking one of the best coffees found in the entire country.

“Is the package already been delivered to Mr. Stubbs?” Ray asked Armand

“I told Mr. Picklock to send for James but I did not get a reply yet maybe I should check out what is going on”

“I think you should Armand, you should be strict around here” Ray said in a laughing tone.

The second iron door opened and Wade walked in, he was not happy when he saw Ray sitting at his seat drinking the same coffee that he used to drink. But whenever Wade is annoyed he never lets it out. He always keeps it inside him.

“Good afternoon Mr. Greenwood, how are you doing today?”

“I am doing great, Wade, how about you? You look terrible, would you like some coffee?”

“No I am fine but thanks anyway” Wade replied

“Have you seen Mr. Picklock?” Armand asked Wade

“No I haven’t”

“Ok, have you seen James?”

“No I haven’t seen him either is anything wrong sir?”

“No, but can you get Mr. Picklock in here now” Armand said 

“Sure” Wade answered as he leaves the secretive room.

“So, Armand…since I am your right- hand man, what is Wade's position?”

“Don’t I deserve 2 right hand men?!” Armand said jokingly “ no, I mean he will always be very important in this business, I mean can you believe that before you were here, he was the one who was helping me out by finding the right customers, he is very loyal too and someone that I can truly depend on”

“I see” Ray said lowly to himself

“I mean I know how important you are to this business, Ray” Armand continued “I mean without you, the Magnificent Cat could be gone, or I could be sent away to jail”

“It’s ok” Ray replied “Just have faith in me, and everything is going to be alright”

 

The door finally opened and Mr. Picklock came in

“You wanted to see me, sir?”

“Yes Picklock, where is James? Didn’t I ask you to send him for me?”

“I did, Mr. Walker” Picklock replied “he said that he was coming right over”

“Well then where on earth is he?” Armand shouted

“I have no idea Mr. Walker”

“Ok what about Bacilli, where is he?” 

“You know that he is not here either Mr. Walker” Picklock said seriously

“Yeah, yeah” Armand replied “well you get me anybody else right now, maybe Nick or Joe, and tell them its argent!”

“Right away sir” Mr. Picklock said while leaving the room quickly.

“Mr. Stubbs must be really mad about this appointment” Armand said angrily

“Don’t worry about Mr. Stubbs, he would never back down for this deal” Ray said 

“I hope so”

“Why didn’t you send Wade to give him the package?” Ray asked

“It’s too risky” Armand replied “it’s better to send someone who is unknown around here; you should know that, Ray”

“I will keep that in mind” Ray said curiously 

 

 

James and Patricia walked towards the garden of Bevin. This garden symbolizes the beauty of Bevin, the way the tress grow bushy and the flowers blossom. It’s the place where all the couples in Bevin spend their times.

“This place is beautiful” Patricia said pleasantly "even though its night, I am sure it looks much better in the morning"

“This is perhaps the best place in Bevin” James replied

“I can see that”

“Yeah, would you like to sit over there” James asked 

“Sure I would like to sit over there with you”

They both walked to a seat which is always considered as the private seat in the garden, it is hidden between two big trees. The seats were covered with leafless stems of climbing roses, which were so thick that they knotted together. It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine.

Patricia sat on the left side of the seat where she could see the pretty roses in front of her. James sat on the right side, right next to her. 

“I couldn’t even remember the last time I was in a relationship, and sitting at a place so cozy like this” Patricia said while looking at the roses.

“What was your life like?”

“Nothing interesting” Patricia replied lowly “My dad never had a stable job, He was so anxious to come here to Bevin, I’m guessing this is the right job for him”

James winced and looked the other way, just so she won’t notice his annoyance to that.

“How long have you been in Bevin?” Patricia asked

“All my life” James replied “I was born and raised here, in that particular building” 

“So it’s your house and your workplace?”  Patricia said with a smile “how come-”

 “Why do you care Patricia” James asked in a strange way while looking straight at her

“Because I feel something whenever I see you James, I really like you”

“Me too” James interrupted “I feel something too”

“But it’s complicated James” Patricia continued “we can’t have a relationship, my father won’t approve-”

“No, Patricia don’t say that” James shouted “it’s enough that Ray is controlling the business more than he’s suppose to, but he can’t control us too, I won’t let this happen!”

“Is he controlling the business very severely?” Patricia asked

“Yeah, yeah” James said it calmly this time “but I know you wouldn’t want to talk about it so let’s just leave it that way” 

“I have to go now” Patricia said as she stood up from her seat

“Why…?  Are you mad or som-?”

“No, No, don’t take this personally James, but I have to go now"

Patricia grabbed her purse and took off without turning back. James looked at her as she leaves the place. He looked at his watch and saw that it was 3 am; he finally remembered Mr. Picklock’s call, and that he had something to do.

“Shit!” James said loudly to himself.  

 

   

Picklock sat in front of the veranda when Wade called him.

“Mr. Picklock!” Wade shouted “are you there?”

“Yes Wade” Picklock replied “I am here is there something wrong?”

“Did James show up?” Wade said as he approached “Armand is waiting for him to deliver the package to Mr. Stubbs”.

“I am right here” James said as he comes from the other side of the street.

“Where were you?” Picklock shouted “we’ve been looking for you this entire time”

“It’s important” Wade added 

“What do you want Wade?” James said rudely as he rolled his eyes to Wade.

“Ok, ok” Picklock said to end the feud between them “there is a package you will have to deliver”

“Sure” James said rudely again “that’s all I do over here, deliver and clean up!”

“When are you ever going to appreciate your position and accept it” Wade said seriously 

“You better mind your own damn business or suck it before -” 

“Stop it right now!” Picklock shouted loudly “I am fed up, don’t you both have something very important to do right now!”

“Yes Mr. Picklock, I am sorry” Wade said politely as he goes.

James looked at him and turned away.

“Hello James” Joe greeted “where were you? We were -”

“yeah, yeah I know” James replied I am going to deliver the Mag-, I mean the package right away, damn will you guys leave me alone”

“Well you don’t have to any more” Joe replied “Nick already delivered it”

Joe passed by and walked on straight as James looked at him.

“I sent Nick to do it” Picklock said as he looks at James “I hope you were doing something important…for the boss doesn’t know”

“Thank you Mr. Picklock” James said as Picklock walked away

 

Chapter 7 - An uninvited guest

The Magnificent cat, a very bad and illegal object, used for an immoral purpose, no one ever hires it for good reasons, but that doesn’t make Armand stop this entire blood business. No one blames him either, for a $20,000,000 weekly salary is not an easy thing to give up. Armand for instance has a massive mansion far away from Bevin, while Wade has a lavish apartment in Bevin; they both are living a luxurious life any one could imagine. Today, Ray has joined this licentious group; his salary is growing rapidly, for the fact that he knows more people to hire the Magnificent Cat easily and with good overstated prices.

 

James and Picklock on the other hand are the second class workers on the team besides Joe and Nick and the other staff, but there are more workers lower than them and doing the tougher jobs. There are also additional staffs apart from the 32 people that are not living in the building; they are just there ready and waiting for war, waiting for Ruddick and Alden to make a move if they can. 

Mr. Bacilli is known as the guard man, no one knows what’s his job really is towards the Magnificent Cat, therefore Mr. Bacilli is just known as a guard with a $300,000 salary.

 

The Magnificent Cat is not an easy thing to protect since it’s a money making machine with bad intentions, rivals like Ruddick and Alden will never give up until they have the Magnificent Cat in their hands, but possessing it can be difficult and they might do anything to the extreme in order to have the one thing in the world they desired.

 

Armand walked freshly into the secretive room and looked at the Magnificent Cat through a high sensitive thick glass covering the object.

“You are as amazing as you look” Armand said lowly to himself 

The second iron door opened the next minute and Wade walked in.

“Good afternoon” Wade greeted

“Hello” Armand replied as he walks to his desk.

“Ok” Wade continued “I found this new customer, very private, wants to hire the Magnificent Cat for $1,000,000. But just for 2 days and returns it on time”

“Well Ray actually found a guy who wants to higher it for $2,000,000 and for just one day” Armand replied sharply.

Wade looked at him sadly and turned away to his desk, he then looked at Armand and said “well don’t you think…”

The second iron door opened just when Wade was talking and Ray walked in.

“Hello Ray” Armand said happily 

“Hello Armand” Ray replied “I have good news today too”

“Sure you do” Armand said laughingly “but just a second…Wade, what were you saying?” 

“No…nothing, I was just asking to be excused” Wade said as he leaves the room.

“What is wrong with him?” Ray asked 

“Nothing is wrong with him” Armand replied harshly “he is just exhausted maybe, that’s all, so what’s the good news you wanted to tell me?”

“It’s about the Magnificent Cat of course” Ray started “there will be a meeting next week because there are two people who wanted to hire it on the same day, but we only have to give it to one of them don’t we?”

“Of course” Armand replied “according to who pays the highest, you know that”

“Absolutely” Ray continued “so basically this meeting is going to be some kind of an auction”

“But you know I can’t attend this meeting Ray” Armand said “I have to take a short leave and go see my family for a while”

“Oh sorry Armand I forgot about that” Ray replied “I think I should postponed it or-”

“No, no, no” Armand interrupted “you can still carry on with this meeting, I trust you, I want you to do this meeting with Wade, and find the right person to hire the Magnificent Cat”

“Thank you Armand” Ray said happily “you won’t regret a thing!”

 

 

James sat on a chair in front of the Veranda just to look at the Greenwood’s house, hoping he would get a glimpse of Patricia Greenwood. 

“Excuse me sir, what do you sell here” a woman asked while passing the building

“What?” James said surprisingly “oh I mean…what you want?”

“Well what do you have here?” the woman asked again

“What are you talking about? This is no pawn shop or something…”

“Well I heard from a neighbor that this building is a shop” 

"Well you got it all wrong" James replied angrily "are you an inspector or something?"

“No! I am just…” the woman said surprisingly 

Patricia walked out of the main door and looked at James.

“Excuse me madam, but I’m sure that there other shops here in Bevin, so…” James said annoyingly as he walked off.

“What!” the woman shouted “where are you-”

Before she could finish the sentence, she already saw James walked to the other side of the street.

 

“Hello James” Patricia greeted as he approached.

“Hey” James answered “I was longing to see you” 

“I was just looking for my Father, have you seen him anywhere?” Patricia asked anxiously.

“No, I haven’t seen him” James replied “but I am sure he is working upstairs…ever since he came here he is always at the main office”

“But that’s a good thing right?” Patricia asked as she looked at him straight in the eye.

James looked back at her without anything to say, he quickly turned away to think of a straight answer.

“What is the matter?” Patricia asked “oh…that depends on what the main office does, Right?”

“I thought you don’t want to talk about your father’s job Patricia” James said sharply

“But this is also your job” Patricia replied “and I am actually worried about you, I want to know more about you James”

“I know that but...” James didn’t finish his sentence when he heard the siren sound and a dozen of police cars buzzing at their building.

“What is going on?” Patricia shouted “Oh no! My dad is in there!”

“Go back to the house” James said as he turned away “I will handle this”

 

“Open up! This is the Police!” a police man shouted

“Can I help you officer?” Bacilli asked as he runs from the backyard.

“We are hearing a lot of accusation” the officer replied “can you open the door”

“What is the problem?” James shouted as he runs from across the street.

“Don’t make me arrest all of you…just open the Goddamn door!” The police shouted even harder.

“Ok ok” James replied “but-”

The door opened and Wade stepped out.

“Is there a problem officer” Wade asked “can I ask why you are accusing us sir?” 

“A lot of things, including drug dealing!” another police shouted 

“Well then if you are looking for drugs sir” Wade continued “I am afraid you won’t find some here”

“Then you won’t mind us coming inside would you?” 

“What?” 

“I’m going in” the officer answered as he let himself inside the building.

“Be my guest” Wade said angrily

“What the hell is going on?” Bacilli shouted “why is this happening! I don’t want to lose this job! Or worst of all I don’t want to be put to jail for years!”

“Would you shut up Bacilli” James shouted angrily 

“We should calm down” Wade whispered “the more they suspect less about us the easier we can trick them of getting out of here”

“Well, look who is talking” James snapped “the only one who is going to ruin this will be you, so my advice for you is to act less junky!” 

“James!” Bacilli shouted “what are you saying?”

“He understood me well” James replied as he looked at Wade.

“Are you hooked on drugs, sir?” Bacilli aasked

“No I am not!” Wade shouted “and I think we are all wasting our time talking non-sense while the police are checking the house!” 

“Well but we both know that this is not non-sense and-”

“Oh just shut up James! Don’t you think it will be a hell lot better if they think I am a drug addict, or maybe found a whole bag of drugs in the office than finding out what our real business is about! Now don’t you prefer just me to go to jail or this entire building burned down with all of us put to jail and most likely facing death penalty!” 

“Oh I think we will both prefer the first part, because you can simply bail yourself out of jail even if the police found your entire apartment full of drugs!” James said 

“Is that so?” Wade said as he turns to James

“Fucking sure”

“Go fuck yourself”

“Ok that’s it!” Bacilli shouted “let’s go in check what the hell the cops are doing!”

 

The police walked in and saw a big crowd sitting together in the main hall.

“What the hell is this? What are you all doing here?!”

Before anyone can start talking, they all hear a footstep coming from the stairs. Everyone turned to see who was coming.

Armand walked into the main hall with Ray behind him.

“Good afternoon sirs” Armand said happily to the police

Armand was acting very calmly and doesn’t even mind that the police are actually in the building.

“Can I please know what on earth is going on here?!!” the police asked angrily.

“I am afraid this place is secretive officer” Armand replied

 

James, Wade and Bacilli walked into the building and saw the police standing in front of Armand and Ray.

“Excuse me!” the police shouted “are you telling me to step out of here…then you must be crazy because I am not going anywhere until I know exactly what you people are doing!”

 

“We are doomed” Bacilli said lowly

“Shush…, Armand will fix it, I have faith in him” Wade said as James rolled his eyes.

 

“As I told you officer, this place is completely confidential, and I am not asking you to step out since you already came in”

“Alright then show me some papers, license, and occupation purpose...”

“I can’t” Armand interrupted

“And why is that?” the police asked as he touched his gun

“Hey take it easy, will you!” Ray shouted

“These are my workers” Armand continued

“What workers?” the officer asked angrily, still touching his gun.

“I am starting a new business here…” Armand replied “each person has their own special talents and any one can come here and ask any kinds of request they want! Those people are seeking for jobs in years and never got a chance! Do you know why? This is because they have bad backgrounds! Most jobs don’t accept people with bad backgrounds!"

 

"Is he telling a story of his life?" James said angrily

"Shut up James!" Bacilli shouted lowly "Armand is fixing it!"

 

"But those people are talented! I mean screw criminal records!" Armand continued "they are designers, accountants, traders and so forth…no one needs to know their background! That’s why this place is secretive"

“What?” the officer asked as he put down the gun “I have never heard such a thing before”

“Until you met me, officer” Armand replied “see…I am a rich man officer…and what will be the best way to use this wealth than investing it in talented people..!”

“And where did you find these talented people?” the officer asked angrily 

“Oh well officer…haven’t you heard of the newspapers, magazines, and interviews, I am sure this isn’t your real question…you just want to know what do they really do” 

“Well…whatever makes you happy” the officer replied “a little tour won’t hurt right?”

“Oh well” Armand started “as you can see over there are the architects they can design any kind of buildings, houses, schools…etc. And these guys are the best importers and exporters of all the goods we import and export” Armand says as he points out Nick and Joe to the police. “And this fellow worker of mine” Armand said as he looked at Ray “he is my amazing advertiser, he would find the best buyers I will possibly want to buy all of these goods”

“Ok” the officer said “go on…”

“Yep…and now this old man…” Armand said as everyone looked at Mr. Picklock “he is just a good writer, well I mean he loves to write stories but I am just allowing him to write all our records and stuff…you know”

Picklock looked at Armand angrily and walked away.

 

“What a moron!” James said lowly “how could he say something bad like that about Mr. Picklock, who has only been loyal to him all these years!”

“He is just helping all of us” Bacilli replied 

“Yeah right” James said as he rolled his eyes.

 

“Oh…and this young man…” Armand said as he points the police to Wade “he is just a talented software designer; I mean he can provide us with all the information technology needed in the organization”

“I see” the police answered

“As for this fat man” Armand continued and looked at Bacilli “he is our body guard…he just love to protect this place”

 

“He just called you a fat bodyguard” James said lowly to Bacilli.

“I don’t care!” Bacilli replied angrily

“What about him?” the police asked, as he turned his direction towards James.

All the staffs in the building became silent and looked at the police.

“Oh Yeah” Armand replied “I almost forgot…I mean that’s James and he is…”

Armand ran out of speech and stood there silently “he is a….”

“What!” the police shouted

“Come on Armand don’t blow this” Wade said lowly to himself.

“He is just the trash collector” Armand said suddenly 

“Oh shit” Wade said lowly 

James looked angrily at Armand with a straight face and wished to blow it all on his face, but as he turned, he saw Mr. Picklock’s face giving him the sign of “it’s ok… just let it go” 

“What is it James?” Armand said to him “there is no shame in being a trash collector”

“But I am not just a trash collector…Armand; I also cleaned your car!” James replied with a rude smirk 

Picklock smiled to him from the back of the room.

“Ok that’s it” the police said “Do you know that you have to get papers for this shit, where is your freaking license! Are you avoiding tax payment…is that how you became a rich man in the first place?”

“Oh no officer, of course I will get papers, I mean I haven’t started the business yet, we are just having meetings…you know…future plans…”

“Alright, we have to run now…thanks for clarifying everything in here hope I don’t get any more complain from the people here in Bevin”

“No problem officer…don’t you mind these people, Just let Lewis pass by any day, I promise I’ll make it up to you all” Armand replied as he walked all the police out the building.

 

“I guess old man and fat guard isn’t the worst things Armand can come up with” Bacilli said to James laughingly as he walked away.

“I am proud of you James” Picklock said as he walks to him.

“It’s all for you Mr. Picklock” James replied

 

Armand walked inside the building happily and said “Waw I just got rid of them!”

“You are brilliant!” Ray said happily 

“Yeah you did a great job…you worthless piece of shit!” James shouted

“Hey watch your mouth!” A voice shouted from the back of the room

“Shut up pussy!” James said as he approaches Armand. 

A group of workers came forward and stopped him from getting any closer to Armand.

“Let go of me!” James said while trying to reach Armand.

“I just saved us all from being sent away to jail! And this is how you thank me Jimmy!” 

“No Armand!” James replied “you just saved your own ass! That’s all”

“Get him out of here” Joe shouted just to stop the fighting. 

“Yeah just throw me out!” James shouted as they threw him out of the building “you are all worthless pieces of shit!! Fuck you all! Useless pricks! Fuuuuuuuck you!

 

Chapter 8 - The miraculous rail road

 

About 200 miles away from Bevin, far deep in a very long road and there was Slycity. Slycity is barely a city; it’s just a road to Ruddick and Alden’s mansion. Armand’s worst enemies, this is because Ruddick and Alden will stop at nothing to get the Magnificent Cat. 

Ruddick and Alden’s building was the most mysterious-looking place anyone could imagine. The high walls which shut the entire big building were covered with spiky stems and bushes which were so thick that they tangled together.  This is one of the reasons that the police never suspected anything from the purpose of this building, other reasons will be that they haven’t had the Magnificent Cat yet. Ruddick and Alden are more prepared to handle the Magnificent Cat than Armand or anyone else ever will.

 

Alden typed in a secret number on an iron door. The iron door suddenly opened and a lift shows up. Alden entered into the lift and found himself on the last floor of the building. 

The last floor of the building is also known to be the main floor or perhaps soon to be the most important floor of the building.

 

Alden walked in and saw Ruddick standing in there looking at an empty table.

“I am so tired of looking at this empty table!” Ruddick shouted angrily as he turned to Alden “we have to get the Magnificent Cat!”

“I understand” Alden replied “but we need a plan here!”

 

Ruddick is the guy with the master plan, he is in charge of planning when and how the Magnificent Cat can be snatched away, While Alden is the guy who takes the serious action.

“What is it this time Ruddick?” Alden asked “any plans?”

“I always have plans, and you know that!” Ruddick replied

“Yes I know” Alden said “but is it good enough this time, I mean… I don’t want to repeat this but, we always loose all our wars to get the Magnificent Cat from Armand”

“But this time we have more men, guns and traps” Ruddick snapped “we are more than ready!”

“So you mean we can take them down right now!” Alden shouted surprisingly.

“No” Ruddick replied while smiling “This time we will be totally and completely ready, the Magnificent Cat will be in our hand before you know it”

“Yes I can tell” Alden continued 

“But that’s not everything” Ruddick replied “people, guns and traps is just the defending part! Right now I am just seeking important information about the Magnificent Cat”

“What kind of important information?” Alden asked nervously.

“Information we’d never thought about before” Ruddick replied happily “information about where did the Magnificent Cat came from? Why is it designed… and to who is it designed for?”

“You are saying…” Alden questioned

“Well I mean it has to be for someone right?” Ruddick continued “it belongs to someone in some way, it came from a place before Armand seized it and clearly can’t let go of it!”

“You are right, Ruddick” Alden said laughingly “I knew you will be ready this time, I mean I never thought of all that information before” 

“Well since everything is planned out well this time, and not to mention already in the move…I can say that the Magnificent Cat will be in our hands the end of the month” Ruddick said happily as he looked at the empty table, but this time with hope.

 

 

Armand walked into the secretive room with Ray behind him as he closed the door behind them. 

“I am so grateful” Armand said happily as he pressed down the secret code, just to check with the Magnificent Cat.

A small door-like window opened and the object was seen through a thick glass.

“I know how grateful you feel” Ray said to Armand as he looked at the Magnificent Cat as well “this is huge! And you have kept it for quite a long time now, you must be very lucky!”

“I am so amazed of what I’ve become today!” Armand said happily still looking at the Magnificent Cat. “And I will hold on to this very tightly”

“Can I ask you a question?” Ray asked as he looked at Armand seriously

“Sure Ray” Armand replied “you are already in this business, I am astonished that you haven’t even asked enough questions”

“Oh well, I just wanted to know if you have any rivals?” Ray said “I mean like people that are ready to snatch the Magnificent Cat away from you in a second…you know”

“I know what you are talking about” Armand interrupted “seems like you haven’t heard about Ruddick and Alden”

“Well I haven’t talked a lot to anyone around here” Ray said “I mean I only communicate to you the most, Armand, and maybe a little from Wade, but you can tell that everyone here generally dislikes me because of my…”

“Your position” Armand continued “you should try to communicate more with the other staff, it is important, and not to mention the fact that they do not like me either, but they respect me, apart from James of course” Armand said while laughing “but after all we are all one team and we work together and look forward to what the Magnificent Cat can provide us”

“So you are telling me that everyone here knows about this Ruddick and Walden…I mean Alden” Ray asked surprisingly

“Sure they do!” Armand replied “do you remember Andy? The guy you warned me about, that he could be a spy! Well guess what…he was working for Ruddick the entire time!”

“Well…” 

 “We are more cautious this time, and are also ready for war if they have to fight!  Trust me…my men will do everything they can to protect the Magnificent Cat.”

 “I see” Ray said happily “you are a very good boss, and you sure know how to protect the Magnificent Cat from both the police and your rivals, I am impressed”

“I have been doing this for over ten years now” Armand said as he shuts down the window of the Magnificent Cat “I am sure you can imagine how much money I make till this day”

“Yes I can see, plus no one here is poor, everyone is rich somehow”

“Not as rich as me!” Armand said laughingly “and speaking of my richness, I think I should take some time off and see my family”

“Sure Armand” Ray said “you can take some days off while I run the meeting with Wade, there is no problem”

“Yes I trust you Ray” Armand continued “and I also think that you should spend some time with your daughter too, you are really serious with the work” 

“I do spend time with my Patricia” Ray replied “she is my world!”

“I am glad to hear that” Armand said “and speaking of that, does Patricia knows about the Magnificent Cat and this whole business?” 

“Patricia!” Ray said while laughing “she knows nothing…she is as innocent as a baby”

 

 

The little door bell of the Pastry bar rang as Wade walked in. The place was quite with only a couple of people sitting at the far end of the bar. Wade scanned the place and saw Lisa rearranging the glasses on the shelf. 

“Hello there” Wade said shockingly as Lisa turned

“Oh…you scared me” Lisa said as she laughs “how are you today? I saw some bunch of police today at your building, what is wrong?”

“Oh…its nothing” Wade replied “they just wanted to know what we are actually doing in the building…I mean like what is our job.”

“And what is your job?” Lisa asked as she stops arranging the glasses.

“Ah…my boss said…” Wade started

“Hello everyone…” Jessica interrupted “are you all talking about the ghoul’s bar party… I know you are!”

“What ghoul’s party?” Wade asked 

“And why didn’t you offer him a drink Lisa?” Jessica asked Lisa while giving her a wink

“I was just going to, until you interrupted!” Lisa said laughingly.

“Ok I will just leave you two alone right now” Jessica said happily as she leaves.

“So…do you want anything to drink, eat…?” Lisa asked 

“No, thank you, I’m just here to see you Lisa” Wade said seriously

“Really…” Lisa said as she blushed “that’s really sweet of you”

“So is there a party you are not telling me about?”

“Yeah, the one Jessica is so excited about” Lisa replied as she continued to clean the bar’s counter. 

“You are not into parties, are you?” 

“I would love to go if someone is taking me?” Lisa said as she laughs

“Ok fine” Wade replied “I will skip work for one night”

“Are you sure you can do that?” Lisa said happily “you work 24 hours a day…You seem like a very busy guy, But it will be great…”

“I will try that” Wade said happily “what about Sunday? So, are you ready for your first performance in Bevin?”

“Yes I am quite ready for that” Lisa replied “it’s going to be after tomorrow and I will do my best to impress everyone”

“You should, and you will” Wade continued “you cannot be a waitress all your life! In addition you can’t build up any career here in Bevin; you need to move forward” 

“Yes you are right” Lisa said happily “you haven’t heard me sing yet, but you already have faith and hope in me…I am so lucky to even know you”

“I am the lucky one” Wade interrupted “ever since you moved here…I think about 2 weeks ago, I knew there was something more important to me than my job” 

Lisa turned and looked at him seriously. She was amazed and at the same time shy.

“Did I say something unpleasant” Wade continued “don’t mind me…I am just way too honest that I forgot other people’s sensitivity, I am sorry”

“No” Lisa said while smiling “don’t be sorry for being honest…and also…I liked what you just said, it means so much to me”

“Thank you” Wade said happily “come with me let me show you something”

“What, Where…” Lisa questioned as Wade held her hand and took her out of the Bar.

“Where are we going Wade?” Lisa asked again 

“Just come with me” Wade said as they both climbed the top of the Pastry Bar. 

 

Lisa stood up on the top of the Pastry Bar with Wade; they can simply see the whole neighborhood of Bevin. It was one of the finest moments she has ever experienced in her life. 

It was an early morning and the sun was barely seen, and a little wind was blowing – not a rough wind, but one which came in delightful little breeze and brought a fresh scent of newly fresh soil with the night shower rain. 

“This is beautiful” Lisa said as she smells the misty breeze.

“I know” Wade said as he looked at her happily “but look over there…”

“Where” Lisa asked 

“Over there!” Wade said as he points out a long rail road leaving out of Bevin.

“That look like an old rail road” Lisa said as she looked at him

“Its name was the miraculous rail road” Wade started “well…no more trains passes on it again, it was built in 1907”

“And where does it take you?” Lisa asked 

“Directly to the Fantastica stage” Wade replied “where talented dancers, singers, and actors perform and get the highest job ever”

“Waw” Lisa said “that’s amazing “how long does it take to get there!”

“About 50 miles from here; If you are really into becoming someone in the future I will take you there myself, we can walk all the way to the stage, and I don’t care if it takes days!” Wade said happily

“Are you telling me that you will leave your job just to come with me and follow my dreams?” 

“Perhaps…I mean no one knows what the future holds for oneself”

“But we always wish for the best, for both ourselves and others” Lisa said with a smile

“Oh I think I should be going right now” Wade said suddenly “I have something I should be doing…and…ah…”

“You have a very important job Wade, and I can tell” Lisa interrupted “I will see you later”

“Ok bye” Wade said as he looked at her and heads down.

Lisa looked at him happily and then turned back to look at the miraculous rail road one more time

 

A long extravagance car parked by the building just as the sun rises, everyone turned to see why it came so early in the morning.

James stood in front of the veranda to see what was going on.

“What on earth is tha-” James said loudly “another cops are coming?”

“That’s Armand’s car” Picklock said as he comes out of the building.

“What?” James asked as he looked at the enormous car again 

“Yes James that’s Armand’s car” Picklock repeated 

“And where the hell is he going?” James asked as he looked at Picklock

“Haven’t you heard?”

“Heard what?” 

“Armand is taking a vacation” Picklock said 

“What vacation?” 

“He just wanted to see his family for a while that’s all” Picklock answered

“I see” James said “he can take a holiday anytime he wants of course”

“He is the boss, James” Picklock replied “he is the boss”

 

“Can I shine your car sir?” Bacilli pleaded as Armand come out of the building with his bag.

“Thank you Mr. Bacilli” Armand replied “the car is good, and I assume you have a job to do right now, don’t you?”

“Sure boss” Bacilli said as he steps back.

“Now with Armand gone…” James said seriously “Ray is going to be the boss and look after the Magnificent Cat!”

“You got that right” Picklock replied.

 

Chapter 9 - Tonight's plan

Everyone stood there quietly as Armand’s car took off. They watched it as it drove off to the mist and then was barely seen.

“Alright then” said a voice coming from the building.

Everyone turned and saw Ray coming out of the building.

“I will be in charge here for this few days while Armand…I mean the boss is gone…or you can say on a short leave to see his family” 

 

Wade came from the other side of the street and saw almost all the staff of the building standing outside.

“Where were you?” Joe asked as he saw Wade approaching.

"At my apartment" Wade replied "what's going on here?"

“Well first things first” Joe replied “The boss is on leave to see his family”

“What…? Armand…?” Wade asked 

“Yep” Joe continued “which makes Ray in charge and everyone is freaking out”

“Oh hello Wade” Ray greeted “I want you to come with me to the office now”

“Sure” Wade said as they both enter to the building and into the elevator.

“This is just great!” James said loudly as everyone turned to him.

“Shush” Picklock said lowly “they might hear you”

“I don’t care!” James shouted again “can’t you see this place is turning upside down!”

“No James” Picklock replied “we are still making money and that’s all what it matters, right?”

“Yeah right” James said as he rolled his eyes “trust me Picklock, we only gain the leftovers of their money that’s all”

“As you say James” Picklock said laughingly

“Ok, I think I will just go arrange some shelve and pretend this place is a talented people place or perhaps a freak show with a bunch of clowns” James said angrily

“Yes you are right” Picklock said laughingly “Armand was not smart, the police were just dumb!”

“Yes that’s true” James said while laughing as he goes to the back of the building.

James walked to the storage room where they keep the unnecessary goods. He took off some goods from there just to prove that the building is actually a “magical shop”.

“Hello James” a voice said as James was carrying some books.

James turned and saw Patricia standing in front of him.

“What are you doing here?” James asked 

“Is that what you are selling here?” Patricia asked as she looked at the books he is carrying

“Ahh…we sell a lot of things here” James replied “we go according to people’s orders”

“I see” Patricia said nicely “so you must be very busy right now?”

“Yes I am quite busy” James replied “but if there is anything you want me to do I will be happy to”

“How charming” Patricia said with a smile “but I just wanted you to come with me somewhere tonight”

“Tonight..?” James said “Where?”

“At the ghoul’s bar, there is going to be a party tonight and I want you to take me”

“I really can’t go to a party right now Patricia, I am sorry” James replied

“And why not” Patricia asked sadly “don’t you want to spend some quality time with me? This is our chance!”

“See…our boss is on leave and I really have to watch and somehow supervise someone very well, make sure everything is going on well”

“I don’t know what's that supposes to mean” Patricia said angrily “but I have the feeling that your supervision thing has something to do with my father!”

“No Patricia” James said as he comes closer to her “it’s just that…well I mean the boss is on vacation and someone has to…”

“I am not hearing anymore of this” Patricia said as she moves away.

“Patricia! Wait!” James shouted as she crosses over to the other side of the street.

“Damn it!” James said lowly to himself.

 

Ray and Wade entered into the secretive room and closed both doors behind them.

Ray went straight and sat at Armand’s desk.

“So what’s new?” Wade asked as he looked at Ray

“We are having a very important meeting tonight” 

“Meeting..? At what time…?” Wade asked tensely 

“At about 8 as usual, you know that, what’s wrong?”

“I have somewhere to go tonight” Wade said timidly

“Aha, and do you mind telling me where?” Ray asked as he looked at him seriously

“It’s personal!” Wade explained “it’s private”

“Haven’t you heard what I just said…meeting…Magnificent Cat…money? What’s got into you?” Ray continued “Armand is looking forward for both of us to do this meeting; we don’t want to let him down now do we?”

“Of course not, but I really have to go to this dance”

“A dance…?” Ray said laughingly “Are you saying you have to go to a dance?”

“I sort of promise someone” Wade said shyly.

“Since when does a “someone” come between you and the Magnificent Cat?” Ray said seriously as he continues to look at Wade.

“Since when do you know me?” Wade replied rudely 

“Alright, alright” Ray said as he smiled sarcastically “you can go to the dance…I will run this meeting myself, and I will make sure I tell Armand that we both did it, ok?”

“Ok” Wade said with a strange look on his face.

“What?” 

“Nothing” Wade replied as he turned away 

“I saw that look; you don’t trust me, do you?”

“No, no, it’s not that” Wade said as he looked at his watch

“Don’t lie to me!” Ray interrupted “you don’t want me to run this meeting alone, or worst, you don’t want me here alone with the Magnificent Cat”

“Please Ray…don’t take this the wrong way, but you are quite new here, and running a meeting alone will make this quite unreasonable, don’t you think so?”

“But I am good” Ray replied “and that’s the only reason Armand made me his right hand man, I can find the best clients for the Magnificent Cat and with good purposes…and its better that you all understand that, besides, I am letting you go to a fucking dance!” 

“I do understand” Wade said angrily 

“Well then, let me run this meeting and you can go to the dance, what do you say?”

“Sounds good” 

 

Ray went to Armand’s desk and picked up the phone.

“Hello” A voice answered through the phone.

“Hello” Ray replied “I am calling to confirm our meeting tonight at about 8:30”

“Is it about the Package” the voice asked

“Ye ye” Ray said “we will talk about that during the meeting” 

 

Lisa served her last customer at the back of the room and walked back to the counter.

“I really don’t feel like working” Jessica complained as Lisa approached

“And why is that? Is it because of the dance tonight?”

“I think so” Jessica said laughingly “I must be really excited”

“I can tell” Lisa said laughingly 

“So any luck with James?” 

“No” Lisa replied “Wade is taking me”

“Wade!” Jessica shouted “that’s so sweet; I told you that he was right for you!”

“Come on Jessica” Lisa said while smiling “we are just going together as friends”

“Yeah right” Jessica said as she rolled her eyes

“You can think whatever you want to think” Lisa said as she moves to the kitchen “this is between me and Wade, we both know about our status”

“You sure do” Jessica said sarcastically “best of luck!”

 

“Hello Lisa” Colin Lennox said happily

 

Colin Lennox is Lisa’s boss and also the owner of the Pastry Bar, he was the first person to build a Bar and at the same time a pastry shop, where people can eat breakfast during the day and drink during the night. 3 years ago it was just a Bar, but today Colin added the Pastry Shop to gain more customers, the ghoul’s bar on the other hand only has drinks and from time to time they would make a little dancing party like tonight’s just to make sure they can somehow compete with Colin’s Pastry Bar.

 

“Oh hello Mr. Lennox” Lisa said as she put away the dirty dishes.

“I know you are going to the ghoul’s bar tonight” 

“Yes I am” Lisa replied shyly "is there a prob…" 

"No, no" Collin interrupted “I have no right to interfere in your personal life” 

“Thank you boss” Lisa said in relief

“I just want to remind you about your performance tomorrow at my bar”

“Yes sure boss” Lisa replied “how can I forget that”

“I trust you Lisa” Colin added “I don’t want you to get dizzy or anything else from the party that might distract your performance tomorrow”

“I promise I will be great tomorrow” Lisa said with full confidence  

“Good to know” Colin said as he leaves the room.

 

Picklock walked to James and sat on a small wooden stool.

“What is wrong James?” Picklock asked 

“Nothing is wrong” James replied as he looked at him “why do you think something is wrong?”

“I know you too well James” Picklock replied “you are not feeling ok, and I can tell”

“Well then it’s nothing important” James said as he started to rearrange the books on the shop’s shelve

“Is it Patricia?” Picklock asked seriously “you wished you can spend more time with her, am I right?”

James put the books away and looked at Picklock “that’s true…you know, sometimes I think you know me too well”

“Your personal psychic” Picklock said laughingly 

“Well you don’t get to spend enough time with your family either? Like your sons and two daughters, we both know that this job is putting too much pressure on both of us”

“I know you want to see Patricia” Picklock interrupted 

“And you want to see your children too!” James repeated “let’s face it, it’s not just me!”

“I know” Picklock continued “my family understands, but Patricia doesn’t, well I am not sure but I think she is somehow lost in what’s really going on here, she wants to know what’s so important…I mean for heaven’s sake she lives across the street”

“She wants me to take her to the ghoul’s bar tonight” James said 

 “What for…?” Picklock asked

“There is going to be a dance and she wants me to take her”

“Then I think you should go” Picklock replied 

“And leave the Magnificent Cat alone with Ray!” James shouted

“What on earth can he possibly do” Picklock asked “he is not going to run away with it, we all know that the Magnificent Cat has little sensor that can kill anyone who runs away with it”

“A sensor…? I see…” James said as he wakes up “what if he deactivates it or something”

“Come on, James” Picklock said as he laughs “Armand is the only one who has the remote to do that, and he will know how to take care of that person, even by exploding the person without destroying the Magnificent Cat”

“That Moron is somehow smart in a way” James said as he continued to arrange the books again

“So in this case” Picklock said as he woke up from the small stool too “I suggest you think again about the dance tonight with Patricia”

James turned and saw as Mr. Picklock left the verandah 

 

Patricia was in her room when the door bell rang. She walked slowly in the corridor and stopped at the main door.

“Who is it…is that you dad?” Patricia asked through the door

“It’s me James” The voice shouted “open the door” 

“What do you want James” Patricia said angrily

“I just need to talk to you” 

Patricia paused for a minute and then said “fine”

She opened the door slowly for James to come in.

“I will take you to the Dance”

“What?” Patricia said surprisingly 

“You heard me” James said while smiling “I will take you”

“I knew you were different” Patricia said happily “you are adorable as I thought you were. I know I can trust you”

“And I did not mean what I said earlier…I was just nervous, but you know I will…”

“Stop it” Patricia said

“What?” James asked as he looked at her

“You don’t have to explain” Patricia said as she stepped closer to him and kissed him.

 

 

Chapter 10 - The Ghoul's Party

Its 8:00 Pm and a loud music can be heard from the 5th street. The music was so loud and the beats were very thunderous. The ghoul’s bar was visibly clear to find due to the loud noise.

 

“Are you ready to go” Lisa asked Jessica as she grabbed her purse.

“Yes I am going to the 5th street right now, aren’t you going to wait for Wade?” Jessica asked   

“No, we agree to meet over there”

“Ok that’s nice” Jessica replied as they both walked out the door.

 

Picklock walked straight to the building and saw Wade coming down the stairs

“Hello Wade” Picklock greeted “where are you going in such a rush?”

“Oh hello Mr. Picklock” Wade replied “I am just going to the ghoul’s Party”

“You are also going? I thought you’re having an important meeting today”

“Yes we do have a meeting today, but Ray said that he will take care of it”

“I see” Picklock replied “but is that ok with you?”

“Well we are going to have to trust him sometimes” Wade said as he leaves the building and gets into his porch 

“I hope so” Picklock said lowly to himself.

 

The ghoul’s bar was not empty and at the same time not full, it was only occupied by some of Bevin’s society with hardly any people from other cities.  

Lisa and Jessica walked into the bar and saw it for the first time.

“Not bad” Jessica said

“Are you saying this place is better than our bar?” 

“No” Jessica replied laughingly “but all I know is that it’s going to be a hell lot enjoyable than our bar!”

“That’s funny” Lisa said as they both approached the large counter.

“Let’s get two cold beers shall we” 

“I think I will get a cocktail” Lisa said nicely to the bartender 

“One beer and one cocktail coming right up” the bartender replied

“Don’t you want to get drunk tonight” Jessica asked “I mean it’s a party after all!”

“No I am not planning to get drunk tonight Jessica, did you forget about my performance tomorrow at our non-fun bar!”

“Oh yes” Jessica shouted “I am so sorry; you are not getting any drink tonight!”

“That’s true” Lisa said laughingly. “I have to make sure-”

“Look who is here” Jessica interrupted as she points slightly to the main door

Lisa turned and saw James walking in alone from the main door of the bar.

“Oh my God, what is he doing here?” Lisa said nervously 

“What do you care?” Jessica snapped “you are here with Wade aren’t you?”

“Yes I know…” Lisa said still nervously “but James is here!”

“I still don’t know what's that supposes to mean” Jessica said as she rolled her eyes.

“I have to tell him about my performance tomorrow”

“What?” Jessica shouted “I thought you already told him that!”

“I mean I should remind him” Lisa said happily

“What’s the point of that, he will only pose a distraction to your performance that’s all.

“Excuse me but I have to tell him” Lisa said as she walks straight to James.

 

“Hello James” Lisa said as she approached 

“Hey” James said as he saw Lisa approaching “you must be…Lisa right?”

“Yes, the one who works at the Pastry bar next to your building?”

“Yes I remember you” James said as he looked back at her “so you’ve been here a long time?”

“No I just came” Lisa replied happily “it’s quite boring”

“I can tell” James replied “I’m not into party myself” 

“Then why are you here?” Lisa asked curiously

“I was invited by someone” 

“Ok, that’s nice” Lisa said smilingly 

 

Wade almost got his car crashed when his phone rang loudly during a cross road. Wade took a sharp break and stopped the car right in time. He was still in shock when he picked up the phone to see who it was, only to his annoyance it was Ray phoning. 

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Wade answered angrily 

“It’s me Ray” the voice replied “what’s going on, are you ok?” 

“No Ray, what do you want?” 

“Are you on your way to the party?”

“Yes I am, and you are making me late”

“I just want to tell you that this meeting might not take place”

“And why not…?” Wade asked angrily 

“I don’t trust these people” Ray replied “I have to be careful these days while Armand is not around”

“We will talk about this later I have to go now” Wade said as he shuts the phone.

 

“What an idiot” Ray said as he puts down the phone “no wonder they are all idiots”

 

“Useless Prick” Wade said angrily as he drops his phone, he then reached out to his pocket and took out a piece of paper which contains some heroine. He sniffed it 

 

Ray looked from the window and saw no one but Mr. Picklock sitting downstairs at the veranda. Ray took the stairs and heads downward.

“I do have a meeting today, and it’s about the Magnificent Cat but it’s just with someone else” Ray said lowly to himself

Ray walked straight to his car and drove at high speed. None of the employee saw him. He took the highway which led out of Bevin.

 

“So you know about the performance tomorrow” Lisa asked smilingly

“What performance?” James questioned 

“My performance” Lisa said angrily but jokingly 

“Oh yeah, I forgot, thanks for reminding me, it’s at your bar?”

“Yes, tomorrow night same time as tonight”

“I will be there” James said as he looked at the main door.

 

The main door of the bar opened and Patricia walked in.

“I have to go now” James said nicely to Lisa

“You are going now? But you just came”

 “No, I am going to her” James said as he pointed to Patricia 

“Aha, I see” Lisa said angrily and in a low voice

“She is the one who made me come here in the first place” James said as he laughs

“Then I think you should go”

“See you tomorrow?” 

“Yes, tomorrow it is”

James nodded and then walked off to Patricia. Lisa watched as he goes to her happily. Why does she feel jealous? Why does he keep sweeping her off her feet? Is this Love? She hopes not, especially knowing that this feeling is definitely not mutual.

 

“Hey” James greeted

“Thank you for coming” Patricia said happily

“You look stunning” James said as he looked at her closely

“So do you” 

“Would you like to dance?” James asked 

“Absolutely” Patricia said she holds his hand and walks to the dance floor.  

 

Lisa saw Jessica at the counter still drinking her beer.

“Hey” Lisa said angrily as she sat next to her.

“What’s going on? Where is James?”

Jessica looked straight at the dance floor and saw James dancing with Patricia.

“Who the hell is she?” 

“I have no idea” Lisa said as she asks for a drink

“Hey don’t get drunk!” Jessica shouted “you are having a show tomorrow”

“Yes I know, and James is coming” 

“You told him!” Jessica shouted

“I reminded him that’s all” Lisa said as she sipped her drink.

 

“Have you always been to parties” James asked Patricia as they are dancing

“Not really” Patricia replied “but I love Parties”

“You sound like that, but you don’t look like a girl who loves to party”

“Well, that depends; sometimes my father won’t let me go to places he doesn’t like”

“That doesn’t sound reasonable” James said as he looked back at her

“We care a lot about each other” Patricia continued “we look after each other, I am all he’s got and he is all I’ve got”

“That’s sweet in a way, I’ am so glad to know you”

“Me too” Patricia said happily “it’s as if we are destined to meet here in Bevin”

“I agree” James said as they continued dancing together 

 

The main door opened and Wade walked in. James looked at the door to make sure that it was him standing there.

“Will you excuse me for a second” James said as he stopped dancing

“Where are you going?” Patricia asked as he walked away to the main door.

 

“What are you doing here?” James said lowly as he approached Wade

 “What do you mean? What about yourself? What are you doing here?”

“Don’t answer a question with a question” James replied “aren’t you suppose to be at the building right now”

“No, I took permission from Ray to be here, did you?”

“What’s that suppose to mean” James questioned angrily “did you actually left Ray there alone with the Magnificent Cat?”

“Did I leave Ray alone with the Magnificent Cat?” Wade said furiously “ I suppose I did…but Armand trusts him and I suggest we all do the same thing too, it’s not that he’s going to fly up with it, is it?”

“Sometimes I only wonder how on earth you ended up being Armand’s right hand man or even work in the same building with us” James said as he looked at him angrily.

“Think whatever you want” Wade replied as he walked away “I – don’t – give – a – Shit”

“You are truly unbelievable” James said as he grabbed his coat “I’m out of here”

 “Go back if you want to” Wade replied “it’s your choice” 

 

“Where are you going” Patricia shouted 

“I am sorry” James replied “but I have to go” 

“Don’t you dare leave me now” Patricia shouted 

“This is important”

“And what about me” Patricia said as she burst into tears “don’t you care little about me”

“Of course I do” James said as he leave the main door and walked closer to her

“You don’t just agree to come here and then leave me behind, that will be just unforgivable, and if you walk out that door I will never forgive you”

“It’s ok I won’t go” James said as he hugged her “I will stay here with you”

“Thank you” Patricia replied as she hugged him back.

 

Wade saw Lisa at the counter of the bar and walked straight to her.

“Hey Lisa, how are you?” he asked nicely

Lisa turned and saw Wade standing in front of her.

“Hey Wade” she replied “I am fine… how are you?” 

“Not bad” he replied “you look stunning”

“Thank you” she replied shyly as she looked at him “you look nice too”

“Thank you” 

“I am going to dance” Jessica said to Lisa as she leaves the counter.

“See you later” Lisa said to her as she turned back to Wade

“Have a seat” Lisa said as he seated next to her.

 

It was a dark night and Ray was driving at a high speed, just to make sure that he reaches on time. The night was also windy and somehow foggy, the road is going to be a long one but Ray was indeed prepared for it. He drove further and further through the main highway.

Ray speedily took a sharp turn in a much a smaller road that leads to Slycity.

 

Ray is now driving in Slycity, simply heading to Ruddick and Alden’s mysterious building, he then took a much known short cut and parked the car right in front of the building. Ray stepped out of the car and walked to the gigantic gate of the building. He then rang the door bell which was answered by a voice.

“Is it you?” the voice asked

“Just open the door” Ray replied 

 

The gigantic gate opened within the second and Ray walked in as the gate closes behind him. Ray then took a secret elevator from the back of the building which leads to the main office.

Ray walked to the main office and saw the door closed again. Ray sighed and rang the bell again.

“Yes” a voice said again.

“I told you to open the door, do I have to repeat this over and over” Ray shouted

The door opened and Alden was standing in front of him.

“Come in Ray” Alden said nicely “we’ve been expecting you”

“I can see” Ray said sarcastically as he walked in the room

Ruddick was sitting at the chief desk when Ray walked in.

“Where is Patricia?” Ruddick asked angrily “why didn’t you bring her?”

“It’s too risky” Ray replied “I will only bring her with me when it is necessary to”

“She is my fiancée damn it!” Ruddick shouted

“I know” Ray replied “but there was no way she could tag along tonight”

 

Ruddick is a guy who never takes “No” for an answer; an arrogant selfish killer might just be the perfect description. He is definitely not the guy to double-cross. 

“Well, anyways” Ruddick asked as he stood up from the desk “any news that will be somehow valuable to all of us”

“I do not have much time” Ray said as he sat on a chair “I must get going before dawn, and this is the only way I won’t get caught” 

“Ruddick asked you a question” Alden said angrily as he looked at Ray

“I was getting there…what do you think?” Ray said annoyingly

“Well then answer me already!” Ruddick interrupted “any news?”

“More than you could imagine” Ray said with a half smile. 

 

 

Chapter 11 - Dirty secrets

 

The 5th street was still loud with new and old rock and roll songs; everyone was dancing happily and enjoying the night.

“I will like a beer please” Wade asked the bar tender nicely.

“It was nice of you to come” Lisa said happily as she looked at him

“I came for you, no other reasons”

“Thank you” Lisa said timidly as she blushed 

“You have a show to do tomorrow at your bar” Wade said as he looked at her seriously

“Yes I do” Lisa said surprisingly “you actually remembered!”

“Of course I do, how can I forget, I think you should reserve a front seat for me”

“That will be nice” Lisa said as she laughs “and I will like that too”

“I will be supporting you all the way, until the day you will take that road to the Fantastica stage”

“You mean the old rail way?” 

“Yes” Wade replied “once you follow that old rail way, you will find yourself at the Fantastica stage in no time”

“That’s nice” Lisa said as she imagined it happen “but I have to get accepted first right?”

“Don’t worry about that” Wade continued “they might ask for an audition someday”

“Hopefully” Lisa said as her expression changed when looking at James and Patricia.

 

“Thanks for staying” Patricia whispered into James’s ear.

“Don’t mention it” James whispered back “I just hope everything is ok”

“Everything will be alright as long as you are with me” Patricia said happily.

 

The night was getting darker and somehow darker at Ruddick and Alden’s building in Slycity.

“You mean you found the information I asked you to find” Ruddick asked Ray seriously

“As a matter of fact I did” Ray said as he grabbed a cigarette

“You know who the Magnificent Cat belongs to?” Alden asked nervously

“The Magnificent Cat actually does belong to someone as you said” Ray continued

“Well who is it!” Ruddick questioned

“His name is Wade Carter” Ray replied 

“Wade Carter?” Ruddick repeated “are you sure about that?”

“Actually it did not take long for me to figure it out” Ray said as he smokes “Armand is using the guy…and pays him by taking good care of him”

“Well that’s obvious” Ruddick said “I assume you do the same thing too”

“Yes I am” Ray replied “I am trying my best to be close to Wade, I don’t think it’s even difficult, for he is naïve and sympathetic”

“But does he know?” Ruddick interrupted “does Wade know that the Magnificent Cat belongs to him?”

“No” Ray replied “of course not, he has no idea, and he shouldn’t know either”

“I see” Ruddick replied “this is good; Armand is doing a good job on that part”

“Is this the main information you wanted to know” Alden asked Ruddick

“Yes” Ruddick replied “we are in the right track this time.

“I will still get more information about the Magnificent Cat itself” Ray continued “the Magnificent Cat is ours this time and nothing can stop us from taking it away from Armand”

“Talking is easy” Alden interrupted “taking the action will be the real deal”

“We have to have plans first” Ruddick continued “we cannot take action without any further strategy” 

“Ruddick is right” Ray said happily “I have heard about your past failures with snatching the Magnificent Cat”

“Let’s not talk about the past now” Ruddick interrupted angrily “there will be no use to that”

“I am just reminding you about the past just to show you that I won’t fail you” Ray continued.

“We hope so” Alden said as he looked at the empty table “we just hope so Ray, because otherwise you will be six feet under just like the rest of our informants”

“That’s not funny” Ray said angrily “you are lucky to have me from the first place”

“No Ray…” Ruddick said annoyingly “you are lucky to have us! We were the one who took you and Patricia out of your poverty 5 years ago, did you forgot that?”

“No I did not forget that” Ray said as he stood up from his seat “but right now Armand is paying me quite a lot of money, I mean if you call hundreds of thousands a lot!”

“But I will pay you twice as much!” Ruddick shouted as he hits the table “don’t you enjoy the dimes Armand is paying you! Try to focus on getting the Magnificent Cat here to us! We will all be rich!”

“Of course” Ray replied “I want more money…of course I will get the Magnificent Cat here as soon as possible”

“Alright” Ruddick said as he clams down “I mean so far so good, you got me the information I needed about Wade Carter, you are being more helpful than the other spies I’ve sent”

“Well then I have to go now” Ray said as he opened the door “someone could be back at the building now”

“Ok, see you next time with more news” Ruddick said as he walked “and I really want to see Patricia next time”

“Fine, I will see what I can do” Ray said as he closed the door behind him.

 

The party was ending at the ghouls’ bar; many people took their coats and went home. There was a slow song playing where most of the couples at the bar danced romantically.

“Do you want to dance” Wade asked Lisa nicely

“Ah…I guess I should” Lisa said dryly  

“No you don’t have to” Wade said seriously “I mean if you don’t want to, then you don’t have to”

“Ok…in this case I will want to dance with you” Lisa said laughingly

“Thank you” Wade said as he held her hand and walked to the dance floor.

 

They are now dancing in the center of the dance floor beside James and Patricia and many other couples.

 

“Listen James” Patricia said as she looked at him “whatever happens, it is never my fault, I mean my father have put me through a lot”

“What do you mean?” James asked “I don’t understand”

“Well I will always be with you no matter what” Patricia said nicely “my dad can never come between us”

“I hope your dad doesn’t come between anything” James said as he looked down

“What’s that suppose to mean?” 

“It’s nothing” James replied sharply “never mind what I just said” 

“It’s nothing” Patricia said as she continued to dance "I just hope everything will be fine”

 

“You are a good dancer” Wade said as he danced with Lisa

“Thank you, I think I dance as well as I sing”

“Is that so?” Wade said as he laughs “A true performer I see…”

“I would love to entertain the people here in Bevin, it will be my pleasure”

“Well, you are already entertaining me to a great extent” 

“I am glad to hear that” Lisa said as she laughs “I have to say likewise here”

“You just made my day” Wade said as they both laughed and continued dancing.

 

During their dance Lisa turned and saw James walking with Patricia to a seat where they both started kissing.

“I have to go” Lisa said as she stopped dancing with Wade.

“What’s going on?” Wade asked “are you ok?”

“Yes I am fine” Lisa said angrily “I just have to go"

Wade watched as Lisa grabbed her coat and walked out of the bar.

 

“Do you want to take a walk to the garden I loved” Patricia asked James

“Alright” James replied “but I need to get back to the building on time, I don’t want to look bad towards my job”

“You will be there, now come on let’s go” Patricia said as she pulled him out of his seat.

 

It was a late night almost dawn when almost everyone arrived at the building

“The party was great” an employee said to the other

“I met a pretty girl too” the other replied as they walked to the building.

 

Picklock stepped from the building and watched as everyone arrived 

“Wade!” Picklock greeted

“Hello Mr. Picklock” Wade replied

“How was the Party? Did you enjoy it?”

“It was ok” Wade said to avoid the subject “I just hope everything is ok around here”

“Yeah everything seems ok, do you think Ray did the meeting alone?”

“I have no idea” Wade replied “I think he told me…he didn’t…or…where is he anyway?” 

 

Suddenly they both hear footsteps coming from the stairs.

“oh…Welcome back” Ray said annoyingly “did you all enjoy your free times, while I stay here alone working…I hope you did because I think you should all get some sleep before Armand comes tomorrow in the morning and sees you dizzy!, remember…your secrets are safe with me!”

 

 

Chapter 12 - An odd welcoming

It was an early morning, and the sun was shining brightly on top of the building. Everyone woke up early that day, knowing that the boss is coming very soon.

James woke up first, but it wasn’t because Armand was coming, it was because he had a great time last night, he totally forgot about the Magnificent Cat and Ray being left alone.

“Good morning Mr. Picklock” James said as he walks outside

“Oh, Good morning James” Picklock replied “how was last night?”

“It was great” James said happily

 “The boss will be here any minute” Bacilli said as he approached them

“Yes we know” James replied “what’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is that he is the boss, and he owns the Magnificent Cat” Bacilli said annoyingly

“Ok, whatever” Picklock said “all what we have to do is stand here and wait for him”

 

Wade just woke from the couch in the secretive room later than everyone else, he forgot about Armand’s return from his short leave, Wade was only thinking about Lisa, the way she reacted the night before, and why did she leave early.

Wade heard a hard knock on his door.

“Come in” Wade said

“Good morning” Ray said as he entered the room “Armand will be here any minute now, don’t you want to wait for him down stairs”

“Yeah I will be right there” Wade said

“Ok” Ray replied “I will be waiting for you down stairs”

 

Everyone at the building can hear the sound of Armand’s lavish car approaching from miles away, they were sure that it was him.

“He is here” Nick shouted

Ray came out of the building and stood with the crowd

“What a moron” James said lowly to Picklock “all what he wants is to show Armand that he has been taking care of this place”

“Well he did take care of this place when you all took your breaks last night” Picklock replied 

Armand’s car stopped in front of the building and Bacilli ran fast to open the door for him.

“Thanks Bacilli” Armand said “it’s nice to see you again”

“Nice to see you back too, sir” Bacilli said happily

“Oh, you are all here” Armand said surprisingly “how welcoming!”

“We can’t wait to have you back” Joe replied

“How are you all doing” Armand said as he looked at James and Picklock

“We are doing ok” Picklock said, but James did not give reply

“I see” Armand said as he looked at James and walked away

“How was your vacation” Ray said as Armand approached

“You were right” Armand replied “I actually needed it”

“I told you so” Ray said laughingly “you have to see your family”

“Yes it was great” Armand replied

Wade walked from the building and said “Armand you are back!”

“Hello Wade” Armand replied happily as he gave Wade a hug

“Sickening” James said as he looked at them.

“This is only because Wade is very important guy around here” Ray said as he looked at James annoyingly

“Was I even talking to you?” James said angrily at Ray “you are twice as worse as they are, and there will be no use complaining to you”

“There is no use complaining at all! James” Ray said nauseatingly “you are just being annoying and that makes you even more useless”

“Stop it right now” Picklock said as he looked at both of them

“Sure, I have some more important thing to do” Ray said as he walked to Armand and Wade.

“This is exactly what I hate to see” James said angrily

“It’s ok” Picklock said while James walked away.

 

Armand, Ray and Wade walked into the building and into the elevator to the secretive room.

The second iron door opened and they both walked in.

“Aren’t you beautiful” Armand said as he looked at the Magnificent Cat “how I miss you already”

“Ok” Ray interrupted “the meeting did not take place”

“What?” Armand asked “why not?”

“I already told you so… right?” Ray said as he looked at Wade

“Yes you did, but I see no reason why it happened” Wade replied

“I did not trust those people, so I canceled it…as simple as that” Ray said smilingly

“What do you mean you don’t trust them?” Wade said angrily

“That was a brilliant idea” Armand said as he looked at Ray.

“What do you mean brilliant” Wade repeated as he looked at Armand

“He did not trust them so he canceled the meeting that was amazing and smart”

“Well thank you Armand” Ray said happily 

“Wait a second” Wade continued “we might have just lost 8 million and you like the idea of canceling an important meeting”

“But he did not trust them Wade!” Armand shouted “and you should know that, we should not make a deal about the Magnificent Cat with everyone!”

“Alright” Wade said as he looked away

“I am sorry…I don’t mean to yell” Armand said as he looked at Wade

“Yes, he did not mean anything” Ray added 

“I know” Wade said “why is everyone treating me as if I were a child?”

“No…don’t get this the wrong way” Ray continued “you are just special to us”

“What? Special?” Wade said as he looked at Ray.

“Nothing…Ray is just being strange today” Armand said as he looked at Ray suspiciously.

“Never mind” Ray interrupted “can I be excused, I need to go see my daughter”

“Sure” Armand replied “it’s time for you to take a break right?”

 “Yes, thank you” Ray said as he closed the door behind him.

 

It was 11:00 A.M when Lisa found out that she was still sleeping. She got up fast from bed and ran downstairs straight to the Bar.

“Oh my God, why didn’t you call me” Lisa said angrily to Jessica as she wore her apron to start working.

“I thought you were tired from last night” Jessica replied “and plus you have a performance this evening, I want you to be ready”

“Ready?” Lisa said as she started making the coffee “you should have called me earlier”

“It’s ok” Jessica continued “the boss doesn’t know”

“I did a terrible thing last night” Lisa said as she stops working.

“What is it?” Jessica asked seriously “well apart from leaving the party unexpectedly” 

“I didn't just left the party unexpectedly, I left Wade”

“And why did you do that?” Jessica asked angrily “is it because of James!”

“Yes” Lisa said shyly “I saw him kissing the girl and I think I got mad of it” 

 “That’s bad” Jessica said as she stops working “I think you should go see him”

“See who?” Lisa asked 

“Go see Wade! Of course Wade…what do you think?” Jessica continued

“Yes” Lisa said as she stops making the coffee “I should go to the building where he works”

“Well then go!” Jessica said happily “I will serve the rest of the customers” 

Lisa ran out of the bar and heads straight to the building.

 

When Lisa approached the building, it was much bigger than she thought it was. She never stepped closer to it. It was larger and superior than the way it looked from the Pastry bar.

“Can I help you?” Bacilli asked as she approaches “Are you from the FBI or something?”

“No” Lisa replied nicely “I am here to see Wade”

“Wade Carter?” Bacilli asked “What for?”

“I just need to talk to him” Lisa continued “can I see him now”

“I am afraid not, he is very busy now, plus I cannot let you enter the building”

“Where is he?” Lisa asked curiously

“That’s it” Bacilli replied “no more questions, you are not a police, so I don’t think you should ask any more questions”

“Ok, ok no need to get angry now” Lisa said as she turned and saw James “I will ask him, he might let me enter the building”

“What” Bacilli shouted “you want to ask James about Wade?”

“What’s the problem” Lisa asked curiously 

“You sure don’t know a thing” Bacilli said as he started to laugh hardly “James and Wade are like fire and water, or a frog and a fly, perhaps a mouse and a Cat!”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean if you put these guys together in one room, only one of them will make it alive!”

“Wow” Lisa said as she looked at James “and why is that?”

“Oh well they do have some differences” Bacilli continued “but I already told you that I am not answering any of your questions again”

“Ok then” Lisa said as she sighs “I don’t have to talk to James, so can you please tell Wade that I was here…tell him Lisa was here” 

“If he comes around I will” Bacilli said as he walked away.

 

Lisa took a second glimpse at the building; she was just wondering what sort of place is this, and what is Wade doing that was so important?

“What are you doing here?” A voice shouted behind her.

Lisa turned and saw Ray standing in front of her.

“Nothing sir” she replied “I must be going”

“What do you mean” Ray interrupted “did someone send you to come here!”

“No, no” Lisa replied “I am just here to see Wade but since he is busy, I guess I will have to come some other time, or perhaps meet him at the bar”

“Why do you want to see Wade?” Ray asked angrily 

“Leave her alone” James said as he walked to them

“Excuse me?” Ray said angrily as he looked at James

“No need to get rough I said” James replied “don’t try to be over protective!”

“I don’t mean to cause any trouble” Lisa interrupted “I should be going”

“Screw you James!” Ray said laughingly “I have no time for you or her; I have to go see my daughter now and then come back to Armand at the office”

“Why are you telling me this?” James asked 

“Because I just feel like it” Ray said as he stepped closer to James and whispered “an office where you will never step foot in!”

“Go to hell” James said as he stepped away from him.

“Good bye” Ray said annoyingly as he crossed the street and heads to his house.

 

James looked at him angrily and then turned and saw Lisa leaving

“Hey! Wait!” James shouted.

Lisa turned and saw James approaching her. She stood still nervously.

“Are you ok?” He asked nicely

“Yes I am fine” She replied “I shouldn’t have come here”

“Why did you come here?” 

“Oh my God, what’s the big deal about this place…everyone has to ask me what I am doing here! Well don’t mind me” Lisa said as she laughs “I mean I was just here in Bevin for few days, I just wanted to look around that’s all”

“Ok” James said weirdly “I am guessing…are we supposed to meet or something?”

“Yes” Lisa replied happily “my performance is tonight! Are you coming?”

“Oh yeah” James replied as he laughs “I totally forgot…again!” 

“No problem” Lisa replied “I will see you tonight then”

“Ok” James said with a smile “I will see you tonight”

 

James watched as Lisa leaves and waved him from across the street. 

 

Ray crossed the street and heads to his house. He then picked up his key and opened the main door.

“Patricia!” Ray shouted “are you home?”

“Yes I am here” Patricia answered as she came from her room “what are you doing here this early?”

“I am here to talk to you” 

“Armand must be waiting for you; I don’t think you should be here” Patricia said 

“I already took permission” Ray replied “relax!”

“Alright” Patricia said “but I think you should hurry”

“Did you have fun at the party last night?” Ray asked as he pours himself a cup of coffee 

“Yes I did, but let’s talk about the serious issue here”

“What serious issue?” Ray asked  

“So, did you go to Ruddick and Alden last night” Patricia asked with a smile on her face

“Yes I did” Ray replied as he smiled “as matter of fact I did”

“That’s good, did you provide them with the information they needed”

“Yes I did, I was glad for last night’s meeting, it was useful”

“It should be useful; it is not easy to get a free time for a meeting at Slycity!”

“Yes, you are right” Ray replied “Ruddick was asking for you, he wanted to see you so badly”

“But that will be impossible” Patricia said 

“Ruddick is your fiancée! And don’t you dare forget that”

“I won’t” Patricia replied “but I have to be with James now…you would never got the chance to have that meeting if it wasn’t for me…I was the one who pulled James back each and every time”

“I know” Ray continued “and I thank you for that”

“Well it’s not a hard task” Patricia said as she laughs “James is a very attractive guy, I had a blast last night, and not to mention a good kisser!”

“Stop it right there!” Ray shouted “I don’t need details!”

“Well I am just saying that-”

“Don’t say anything else” Ray interrupted “I don’t want to hear anymore and neither will Ruddick, so I assume you focus less on James and start concentrating on Ruddick”

“No dad” Patricia continued “we did not possess the Magnificent Cat yet, I should keep my eye on James for the mean time, just to ensure he won’t come on our way”

“You are right about that” Ray said angrily “we have to get the Magnificent Cat as quick as possible”

“Speaking of the Magnificent Cat” Patricia continued “did you find out who is the real owner?”

“Yes I did sweetheart” Ray replied happily “I am so proud I did”

“Who is it?”

“He’s name is Wade carter” Ray replied “do you know him?”

“No” Patricia replied “I don’t know everyone over there!”

“Anyways we won’t have a problem about him”

“I hope not” Patricia said as she also pours herself a cup of coffee “the Magnificent Cat will be ours this time!”

“It sure will” Ray replied “we will soon be billionaires”

 

Chapter 13 - A memorable night

The day at Bevin was turning darker as noon became afternoon, it was a nice breezy afternoon and everyone at the building are still working hard.

“What took Ray so long?” Armand said as he looked at his watch.

“I have no idea” Wade replied 

“I thought he said a short visit” Armand said as he laughs

Wade turned to look at Armand straight in the eye “can I say something”

“Anything” Armand replied surprisingly “you can say anything Wade! You don’t even have to ask me!”

“Alright” Wade said nervously “it’s about Ray”

“What about him?” Armand asked as he looks through some files

“I don’t trust him” Wade continued “there is something fishy about him”

“You are not serious, are you?” Armand said while still looking through the files

“Why won’t I be serious?” Wade said angrily “I am talking serious and you are not even looking at me!”

Armand dropped the file on his desk and turned to look at Wade “well…listen to me Wade, I can’t do this job all by myself, and Ray is being very helpful right now”

“What about me!” Wade continued “are you saying I am not helpful?”

“Oh No” Armand said as he laughs “trust me you are very, very indeed helpful in many ways, don’t get this the wrong way”

“Well then why is Ray so much into this? We were doing great when it was just the both of us!”

“That’s enough!” Armand shouted “I don’t want to hear anymore word concerning Ray’s territory”

Wade looked at Armand and then turned away angrily.

“I am sorry” Armand replied “don’t be angry…forgive me for shouting”

“It’s ok” Wade replied as he grabbed his coat

“Where are you going?” Armand asked 

“I have somewhere to go” Wade replied “I won’t be long”

“Aha ok…take your time” Armand said as he continued looking through the files

“See you later sir” Wade said as he opened the first iron door 

“Wait!” Armand shouted just as he was going.

Wade turned and looked at Armand   

“Call me Armand, not sir”

“Sure” Wade said he closed the door behind him.

 

The day in Bevin turned even darker and the lights at the pastry bar was shining brightly, everyone heard that there was going to be a singing performance by one of the waitress so the bar is somehow full in a way.

 

Jessica ran upstairs to Lisa’s room to make sure that she was ready.

“Lisa!” Jessica shouted through the door “are you ready?”

“I will be down” Lisa replied “I am just practicing that’s all”

“Be quick” Jessica shouted as she heads down.

Lisa stood there at her room and looked at herself in the mirror “don’t be scared, everything is going to be fine…don’t let the people or James make you nervous”

 

James walked out of the building to get some air, all of a sudden something struck his mind, he remembered that he had something to do, or perhaps somewhere to go…

“What is it? What is it?” James said lowly to himself as he thinks, for all what was in his mind was the Magnificent Cat.

“Lisa!” James said finally “I have to go to the pastry bar! It’s her performance night!”

James looked at the glass window as a mirror, prepared his hair and was heading to the bar.

“Where the hell do you think you are going!” a voice shouted just as James was about to leave.

James turned and saw Bacilli standing right behind him.

“Excuse me?” James said angrily as he looked at Bacilli

“I said where the hell you think you are going” 

“I heard you” James said angrily “but I just don’t see if it is any of your business!”

“Sure it is” Bacilli answered annoyingly “I am just fed up of you James I am fed up”

James looked at him weirdly and said “you know what Bacilli, I really don’t have time for this…I should be going now, I am already late”

“You are not going anywhere” Bacilli continued annoyingly “I can’t take this anymore!”

James stopped walking straight and turned back to look at Bacilli “take what?”

“Everything” Bacilli continued “can’t you just stay one place at least for once!”

“What’s this?” James said as he walks closer to Bacilli “I have had it with you…anywhere I go I see your damn face! I think it’s time you should leave me the hell alone!”

“I’m afraid I can’t” Bacilli said as he looked at James straight in the eye

“What?” James asked angrily and surprisingly 

“You Scorpions are very annoying indeed” Bacilli said as he smokes “you never change…its very genetic”

James looked at Bacilli for some few seconds and then says “I am out of here”

“Do you want to know when my favorite day was?” Bacilli said as he smiles

“I don’t have time for this shit” James said as he walks away to head to the bar.

“The day I saw your father dead, stabbed on his bed” Bacilli shouted

James stopped walking and turned slowly to look at Bacilli 

“What did you say?” James asked nervously “you can’t be saying that”

“But I just said it” Bacilli said as he laughs 

 “You can’t possibly know that!” James shouted as he approaches Bacilli again “I was the only one who saw him that way…I remembered it as if it was yesterday…I was 7 years old and I was the only one who saw him that morning”

“Don’t be silly, James!” Bacilli said as he continued to smile “you should be wise enough to know that the killer was the one who saw him first before you!”

James froze for a moment or two without speaking; he was speechless and shocked before he finally said “you killed him?”

“You got that right” Bacilli answered annoyingly “I had to do it”

“What do you mean by that?” James said while still in shock

“The Magnificent Cat is mine! Not his or yours! I have to posses it before he does!”

“The Magnificent Cat is ours?” James said hectically 

“Of course it’s yours” Bacilli said as he laughs “but it was supposed to be mine! I was the one who work all day with your idiotic grandfather…I should keep it after his death but all he cared about was his son…who was indeed-”

Before Bacilli could finish his sentence, James took out his protection gun and fired three shots.

 

Lisa wore her favorite outfit and was finally ready to perform.

“Lisa!” Jessica shouted through the door “are you ready?”

Lisa opened the door and saw Jessica standing right in front of her.

“There you are” Jessica said happily “you look stunning”

“Thank you” Lisa said happily “is there lot of people downstairs waiting for me?”

“You can’t even imagine” Jessica said as she laughs “oh and that guy came too”

“Which guy?” Lisa asked “is it James? Did James come?”

“No silly!” Jessica replied “the other guy came”

“Wade? You meant Wade?”

“Yeah Wade” Jessica said happily “and he is sitting at the front row!”

“What about James” Lisa asked nervously “did you see James anywhere?”

“No honey I am sorry, but you should forget about him, focus on your performance that’s all!”

“Yes I should” Lisa said sadly “but I reminded him this afternoon!”

“Don’t you talk about James now?!” Jessica said angrily “go, go now! The people are waiting for you downstairs”

 

Lisa walked with Jessica down the stairs where Jessica later goes to the kitchen to inform Mr. Lennox that Lisa was ready.

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my own waitress who dreamed of being a singer…Lisa Watson!”

Everyone in the room start clapping happily as Lisa walked into the small stage. It was barely a stage; it was just one of the bar’s chairs with a short microphone in front of it.

 

Lisa walked to sit on the chair, but before she sat down she took a glimpse on all the people that arrived, she could see Wade sitting at front seat clapping happily as he gives her a smile, she also saw some of the regular customers who came there all the time, and at the back of the room there were some new faces she haven’t seen before. Lisa saw all of these people but did not see James; she was just wondering why didn’t he come? Why wasn’t he there…she reminded him three times. But Lisa doesn’t want to take it seriously and ruin her performance thinking about James; instead she just grabbed the microphone and started to sing.

It was an amazing moment, not just for Lisa but for the entire bar, everyone in the room was astonished and surprised for they were not expecting any of this, she actually sang marvelously. 

Lisa sang for almost 4 minutes but the people wanted it to last even longer, it was this very moment that  Collin Lennox believed his bar was going to be a better one than the ghoul’s bar.

Lisa puts down the microphone and stood up. Everyone else in the room gave her a standing ovation. She was surprised when they did that for she was never sure she had a good voice.

Wade went closer to her and said “you were amazing, amazing as I thought you were” 

“Thank you” Lisa said happily as she looked at Wade “thanks for coming too”

“It’s my pleasure to be here” Wade said happily “trust me”

“You are great!” someone shouted from the back of the room

“Thank you!” Lisa shouted “thank you everybody!”

Lisa felt that this day was one of the most amazing days of her life! She sang beautifully and Wade was by her side.

 

James didn’t know exactly what really happened, it was so sudden. All what he could see was Bacilli’s dead body lying in a pool of blood and a gun on his hand!

James dropped the gun on the floor without realizing anything.

“Oh my God..!” James shouted “Oh my God..! What have I done?”

James stood there shockingly; he had no idea what to do. How on earth can he clean this mess! 

James went to the back store as quickly as he could. He took a big barrel of kerosene and ran out of the store. The night was dark and no one knew where James was, everyone at the building finished their work and its time they all have dinner.

 

It was very dark when Ray finally arrived. He knew everyone were at the kitchen having supper, he quickly took the elevator to the secretive room.

 

Armand turned towards the door when he heard the second iron door opened.

“Hello Armand” Ray said as he closed the door behind him.

“Finally” Armand said annoyingly “what took you so long?”

“I just went to see Patricia that’s all” Ray said as he sits on the opposite side of the desk.

“We have a lot of work to do, why don’t we get started” Armand said as he hands Ray a thick bundle of files.

“What is this?” Ray said lazily “am I suppose to read all of this”

“Of course” Armand replied sharply “this is the information about our next client…he is willing to pay 5,000,000 to rent the Magnificent Cat, I want your decision on whether he is allowed to rent it”

“Aha” Ray said as he looked through the files slowly “I thought we are done working now…can we just have dinner like the rest of the crew?!”

“No we can’t” Armand replied seriously “we have to know about this person at least tonight, for I have a meeting with him at noon tomorrow”

“Great” Ray said sarcastically as he began to look through the file.

 

James dragged bacilli's corpse to the back of the building and then poured the kerosene on Bacilli as fast as he can, he then lights a match, threw it on Bacilli and walked backwards. The flames were blazing stronger and blistering. 

 

Ray looked at Armand weirdly and said “did you smell that? I smell something burning” 

“Ray!” Armand said angrily “we have to finish this work by tonight!”

“Sure” Ray said angrily as he continued looking through the file.

 

James stood there silently and watched as Bacilli burned into ashes.

“What have I done” James said lowly to himself “this is horrible”

The flames were getting bigger and the fire even hotter and violent.

James looked at it as it grew bigger, he cannot remember how all of this happened but he can never forget what Bacilli said to him

James turned away from the fire and said “the Magnificent Cat is mine?” he said over and over “the Magnificent Cat is mine!”

 

Chapter 14 - The truth, only the truth, and nothing but the truth

The night in Bevin did rain that day it was a shower rain, the rain was very weak that it was barely noticed by anyone. The rain started at midnight, it was a non-stop showery rain which lasted till dawn, and this was the reason why Bevin is always wet in the morning. 

 

It was a fresh day for everyone to start a new day. Everyone woke up at their usual time to start working. Some of the crew will go to have breakfast at the pastry bar which is not far away, while some will just eat at the building and get to work directly.

Picklock woke up early as well and stood at the verandah, he was surprised when he didn’t see James, for James is always the one who woke up early and goes to the pastry bar to get his usual.

“Where is he today?” Picklock asked himself.

 

Armand and Ray just got 2 hours sleep last night at the secretive room, Armand slept on his gigantic chair, while Ray slept on the couch.  

“Wake up Ray!” Armand said as he wakes up from his seat “I have to call Jumbo today”

Ray woke up lazily from his couch and said “who is Jumbo?” 

“That’s the code name for the guy who is renting the Magnificent Cat…were you sleeping last night? I thought we already talked about this!”

“Aha yes, yes” Ray said lazily as he yawned “he seems like a good person…he can use the Magnificent Cat for 3 days, its approved…No, no,  wait…,wait... he cannot borrow the Magnificent Cat because we don’t know anything about this guy! He could be a cop or worse of all a thief!”

Armand looked at Ray weirdly and said “I gave you an entire file about this guy last night, did you read anything?”

“Of course I did” Ray said dryly “but I prefer to see him first, you know for me I have to see the person to tell if he is a good one or not…”

“So I should call him!?” Armand said as he continued to look at Ray in a strange way.

“Yes” Ray replied “a meeting can be held by noon”

 

It was 10:00 A.M and Picklock did not see or hear anything from James. He was somehow starting to get worried, for James is an unstable guy.

Suddenly out of nowhere Picklock saw James walking very fast and angrily, almost running and approaching the building.

“Where were you James?” Picklock questioned as James approaches “I was worried”

“I have to do something very important right now!” James said as he continued walking and entered into the building.

“What?” Picklock asked “where are you going?” 

James walked straight and was heading to the stairs to the secretive room.

“James!” Picklock shouted “James, where are you going?”

“I am going to take what is mine!” James shouted as he turned and looked at Picklock 

Everyone in the hall turned to look at James and wondered what is going on.

“What are you saying?” Picklock said as he looked at James.

“I said I am going to get the Magnificent Cat!” James continued shouting as everyone in the room looked at him even harder, some of them even started to laugh.

“The Magnificent Cat is mine and I am going to get it!” James said as he continued shouting

“Is he crazy?” everyone one in the room start talking to each other.

“No one is going to stop me this time, because it is mine!” James shouted

Picklock walked closer to James and whispered lowly in his ear “I know”

“What!” James shouted even louder “what!”

“Calm down” Picklock said lowly as he looked at James 

James stood there silently and in shock, he cannot believe what is happening at that very moment.

“Perhaps we can talk outside” Picklock said nicely “why don’t we go outside”

James looked at him shockingly but eager to know what Picklock has to say.

Both Picklock and James walked out of the building quietly, everyone in the building stopped what they were doing and looked at them as they leave.

“What was all that about?” an employee asked curiously 

“Let’s get back to work” Joe shouted “it doesn’t matter”

 

James and Picklock walked together silently to the Central park of Bevin, it was one of the most beautiful places in Bevin, but a disturbing story will be told right in this very place.

“James…” Picklock said as he breaks the silent “in this world there are good and evil”

“Stop it!” James shouted “you said the Magnificent Cat was mine back there at the building, you said you knew it was mine…I want to know exactly what happened”

“Alright” Picklock said “if you insist, for I always wanted you to know the truth”

“Is the Magnificent Cat mine?” James repeated. 

Picklock looked at him straight in the eye and said “yes…yes it is yours”

This was the moment James knew he wasn’t hallucinating, but at the same time knew that reality is either going to be painful or enjoyable.   

“The Magnificent Cat belongs to your Grandfather” Picklock continued “and it was meant to be yours or perhaps I can say designed to be yours”  

James still in shock did not reply nor look at Picklock’s face; he just stared at the leafless stems of the garden.

“James…” Picklock called out “are you listening?”

James turned his head to Picklock and said “how on earth did Armand posses it!”

“I was reaching there” Picklock continued “from the beginning, I did not know where your grandfather brought it from, your grandfather just happened to have it, he wasn’t even willing to use this illegal device, until he met Bacilli”

“Bacilli..?” James repeated curiously.

“Yes” Picklock continued “he was very close with your grandfather; I always knew he was close because he wanted the Magnificent Cat very badly”

“That’s obvious” James said as he turned away.

“I myself was very close to your grandfather, he would always tell me about his problems or ask for my advice…but Armand will just ignore all of that”

“What?” James shouted “did you say Armand, did you guys know each other long time ago?”

“Yes” Picklock replied “I knew your grandfather way before he even had the Magnificent Cat, I was only a friend of his, but Armand was more close to Bacilli”

“I bet they were both trying to get the Magnificent Cat!” James said angrily

“I can’t be very sure about that” Picklock continued “for Armand was young at the time and didn’t care or know what your grandfather was about, Bacilli on the other hand knew exactly what the Magnificent Cat is capable of, and he was the one who told your grandfather to start a fatal business like that!”

“What was my grandfather planning to do with the Magnificent Cat?” 

“Nothing” Picklock replied “he just liked it and kept it as a décor, Bacilli was the one who persuaded your grandfather in using it for those immoral purposes, for that guy loved money!”

“I can tell” James said as he remembered everything 

“Well Bacilli later on asked me and Armand to join in for this business; you know he wanted me to convince your grandfather in running this business”

“And what did you say?” James asked curiously

“I said no…” Picklock answered sharply “I told Bacilli that it has to be your grandfather’s decision… no one else, but I think Armand disagreed and joined Bacilli”

“That’s very typical” James said angrily as he walked left and right.

“Well I wasn’t there when this whole business started” Picklock continued “I was far away having a great life, a normal job, when suddenly I heard about the death of your father”

James looked at Picklock sadly; he then walked and sat on the bench next to him.

“I was in shock” Picklock continued “I had to see your grandfather again; I have to see how he is coping with all of this!”

“Bacilli killed my father” James said as tears filled his eyes

“How did you know?” Picklock asked shockingly

“Bacilli told me” James said “it doesn’t really matter now, can you please go on”

“Alright” Picklock said as he looked at James “your grandfather was very sad indeed, he grew very sad and sick in a way, he never knew he can lose his son this way”

“I was the one who saw him that day!” James added “I remembered that”

“Exactly” Picklock continued “when I came there I didn’t even knew you, I never thought he had a grandson, it was very surprising, but anyways your grandfather was very sad and angry at the same time after your father’s death, especially when he knew that Bacilli was the one who killed him, for Bacilli was like a son to him and he was helping him the entire time, even though all what he wanted was the Magnificent Cat”

“How did my grandfather know Bacilli did it” James asked seriously

“Armand told him” Picklock replied “Armand grew very fund of the Magnificent Cat, he wanted it so badly”

James anger grew tensely as he stares at the sky.

“It seems that you are not the first one who saw your father dead that morning” Picklock said sadly

“Of course” James replied “the person who saw him first was the one who killed him, and that is Bacilli!”

“No” Picklock said sharply “the one who saw him first, well I mean after Bacilli was Armand”

“Armand..?” James said surprisingly

“Yes Armand” Picklock continued “Armand saw your father dead that morning and knew directly that it was Bacilli who did it. It was crystal clear to him, he had the motive”

“Why did bacilli kill my father?” James asked as he looked at Picklock 

"It's obvious!" Picklock said "your grandfather wanted to give the Magnificent Cat to your father! Even though Bacilli was the one who worked hard to make this business go successfully, your grandfather just decided that your father should have it, he wanted it to belong to the Scorpions, only the Scorpions"

James looked at Picklock seriously trying to analyze every bit of the story, for it was never imaginable.

"So when Bacilli found out about your grandfather's will, he was in shock, he believed the Magnificent Cat belongs to him. Your father on the other hand never touched, used or even saw the Magnificent Cat, but was killed the next morning because of it"

"That’s horrible" James said angrily 

"It is" Picklock continued sadly "when your grandfather found out about his son's death he was devastated , he grew even angrier and made sure never to trust anyone again! At first he wanted to give the Magnificent Cat to Armand instead of Bacilli but after your father's death, he knew he can only give it to one person"

"Who…?" James asked nervously 

"You …!" Picklock replied sharply "when your grandfather grew angry and mad, he made a choice, a curse, and a deal that should never be made!"

"I am not following this" James said as he looked at Picklock seriously

"Well I told you that your grandfather wanted the Magnificent Cat to belong to the Scorpions"

"Yes, he was reasonable" James said

"Your grandfather disappeared 2 weeks before his death" Picklock continued "no one knows where he went, my guess was that he was planning to give the Magnificent Cat to whom it really belongs to, but instead I think he just made a deal with the devil!"

"How..?" James asked "did he take the Magnificent Cat with him?"

"Yes he did" Picklock replied "so when he came back, Bacilli and Armand were so happy; they were in fact very thrilled to see him come back with the Magnificent Cat, but never knew what awaits them next"

"What awaits them?" 

"Well" Picklock continued "they knew the Magnificent Cat will somehow belong to you, but they weren’t threatened by a 7 year old"

"You mean my grandfather just gave up and gave the Magnificent Cat to Armand!"

"No he didn't" Picklock replied "he told them directly to their faces that the Magnificent Cat belongs to his grandson and no one else!"

"They must be shocked" James added

"Well Bacilli stood up and said how possible can a 7 year old run a business!"

Picklock stopped talking for a few second and looked around

"Go on" James insisted as he looked at Picklock seriously

"Your grandfather stood up from his seat and said {he can take care of the Magnificent Cat, because he is the Magnificent Cat!}"

"What’s that suppose to mean" James asked curiously 

"That was the same thing Bacilli asked when your grandfather said it" Picklock continued "your grandfather cast a spell on you James, he shouldn’t do it but it was for your own protection!"

"What do you mean?" James asked nervously

"James…." Picklock said as he looked at him seriously "the Magnificent Cat doesn’t only belong to you…You are the Magnificent Cat!" 

"I am the Magnificent Cat?" James shouted loudly as he woke up from the seat next to Picklock "what the hell!"

"Keep your voice down!" Picklock yelled "this is a top secret!"

"I am the Magnificent Cat!" James continued to shout "how on earth did this happen!"

"I can't explain it" Picklock said worryingly "I don’t really know how he did it! He put a curse on you that’s all…"

 "That’s all!?" James shouted "that doesn’t even make any sense!"

"That was the last thing he did before your grandfather killed himself, Well Bacilli knows exactly how it happens…" Picklock interrupted "let me get him to explain everything"

"Well he can't!" James said as he turned away "he is dead!"

"What?" Picklock shouted "What? When? How did this happen?"

James continued to stare the other way without saying anything.

Picklock stood from his seat and walked closer to James, he turned James around and asked him straight in the eye "What happened to Bacilli?"

"I killed him!" James shouted as he moved away from Picklock "he confessed to killing my father and I shot him!"

"What the hell!" Picklock shouted "what did you do! Oh my God"

"He was pissing the hell out of me!" James continued shouting "everywhere I go I will see his face! That guy just can't leave me the hell alone!"

"That was his Job!" Picklock shouted "that was his job! He is supposed to follow you around!"

"What?" James asked as he looked at Picklock seriously 

"Damn it James!" Picklock said as he looked away "this is crazy"

"What are you saying Picklock?" James asked again "are you saying that Bacilli used to baby sit me? Because that’s just silly…oh I think Armand send Bacilli to follow me around, just to make sure I don’t find out the Magnificent Cat is mine!" 

"Stop it James" Picklock said seriously "haven’t you been listening to me? Yes you are right about Armand…he did send Bacilli to follow you around, but only because you are the Magnificent Cat"

"What does that even mean?" James shouted "stop saying this, stop it!"

"It’s the truth" Picklock shouted back "you are the Magnificent Cat! And you need protection!"

"Screw this!" James shouted "what kind of protection do I need? And from Bacilli too…?"

"Because if anything happens to YOU the Magnificent Cat will get destroyed, this is the reason no one killed you! Your grandfather did protect you! I mean knowing you were an heir, Bacilli would have killed you a long time ago!" Picklock interrupted

"What?" James asked shockingly 

"That’s right" Picklock continued "and the same way around as well, if the Magnificent gets destroyed…you will die!"

James stood there and looked at Picklock still in shock 

"As I said earlier James" Picklock continued "you are the Magnificent Cat!"

"I need to be alone now"

"What?" Picklock asked

"Excuse me" James said as he walked away

"James please" Picklock begged "don’t go…don’t think too much, try not to think too much!"

James continued walking without turning back

"This is a top secret!" Picklock shouted hoping that James could hear him.

 

Chapter 15 - Crystal Dove

 

James walked in the street angrily and still thinking about all what happened, all what Bacilli said and all what Mr. Picklock added.

“Why is this happening to me?” James shouted at himself as he walked down the street “this can’t be true! The Magnificent Cat is mine this entire time and I saw it only once! This is insanity…Armand stole it from us Scorpion…why am I talking to myself!” 

 

James was still furious, fuming and frustrated as he walked across to the Greenwood’s house. 

“Armand should be sitting in the street digging up the trashes…or maybe sweeping up the pavements…Who the hell he thinks he is to use other people’s money and build up a mansion as well with it…why am I the bad one to him! Oh I know why…That’s because the Magnificent Cat is MINE! That’s the only reason why…well I promise that once I get my hands on it, the only thing he will be eating is trashes! Meals from the trashes, oh and let’s not forget the rich brat Wade, I swear that person doesn’t even belong to the street…the trashes and the streets are way above his standards, that guy should be tossed into the sewer. And how can I forget about that piece of shit Ray! That sick worthless piece of shit is just a disposal, disposal as diapers; he is not even worth talking about!”

 

Patricia looked out the window and saw James standing right in front of the house.

“What is he doing here now?” Patricia said lowly to herself “and…is he talking to himself?”  

Patricia opened the door and saw James standing there still talking to himself.

“Are you ok sweetheart?” Patricia said she walked out of the door.

James turned and saw Patricia looking at him strangely.

“I am sorry you have to see me most of the time like that” James said as he puts a fake smile.

“What do you mean?” Patricia asked

 “I meant furious and mad all the time”

“Is everything ok?” Patricia asked nicely “you know you can always talk to me”

“No Patricia” James said as he looked at her “everything is not ok”

“What is it James?” 

“It’s not about you” James said as he looked away “its personal and I can’t tell you”

“Don’t you love me?” Patricia said as she walked closer to him

“Of course I do” James replied “it’s just that I don’t know what to do anymore”

“You are acting strange James, is it about your job?”

“It’s more than that” James replied “it’s complicated; I can’t live like this anymore”

“It’s my father right?” Patricia said angrily as she turned away “this is why you are not talking to me!”

“I told you Patricia, is a mess for me right now; I don’t really know what is going in my head”

Patricia turned to look at him straight in the eye.

“All what I know is that…”

“That what…” Patricia said as she looked at him seriously.

“All what I know is that there will be war!” James continued “there will be war with whoever comes in my way!”

“What?” 

“I will talk to you later” James said as he walked away even faster and more fuming.

 

“Damn him!” Patricia said angrily as she watched him go “my dad is right…this guy is going to be the toughest one on our way to possession, I wonder why? All I know is that the Magnificent Cat will be ours!”

 

Lisa looked through the window the same way she did when she first arrived to Bevin, she looked at the parks, garden, shops, houses and of course the strange looking building which is just a few feet away.

She started to think about everything that has happened here in Bevin, all the fun, the work and of course her performance. As Lisa looked through her window her telephone rang loudly. 

She ran to pick it up and answered “hello”

“Hello” a voice replied “is this Lisa Watson?” 

“Yes this is she” Lisa replied curiously “who is speaking?”

“I am Stacey Montana” the voice replied “and I am one of the judges for the concert auditions, which is going to be held at your town in Bevin”

“Oh hello again” Lisa said happily “am I a candidate?!”

“Yes you are Lisa” Stacey replied “I was there at your bar; I heard you sing, and you were darn good!”

“Really…?” Lisa said even happily “oh my God thank you!” 

“Just be ready for the concert we are opening in Bevin” Stacey continued “this concert is going to be big, with talented people all around the country coming to Bevin!” 

“I will be ready” Lisa said still laughing happily over the phone “I will do my best”

“Good luck Lisa” Stacey continued “we will inform you for the time and date soon”

“Thanks for calling, good bye” Lisa said as she closed the phone.

“Waw…!” Lisa said happily as she jumped on her bed “this is the best thing EVER!”

Lisa jumped over and over happily and started to think and dream big. She thought about the Fantastica stage and all her dreams will come in true! She then thought about getting to the Fantastica stage…she remembered the railroad Wade showed her. 

“I should check out that place” Lisa said to herself as she jumped from her bed, grabbed her coat and walked out the door.

 

Lisa walked down the street trying to figure out the exact way Wade pointed out in order to reach the old Rail Way. She walked across the opposite side of the road and through narrow bushes of old trees. It was clear that the way was not used by anyone anymore, no people walk to that road again and no trains branch across that rail way again.  Lisa walked deeper into the bushes trying to find her way. These bushes were once a pavement leading to the train station. Lisa walked until she saw the rail road on the ground. 

“This is the path” Lisa said as she looked at it “I will have to follow this path to get there!”

Suddenly out of nowhere, Lisa could hear a voice singing, she was sure it was a person singing beautifully, a familiar voice as well.

Lisa stood there quietly to hear the voice well again; she is trying to find where this sound is coming from.

“Hello!” Lisa shouted as the voice stopped singing “Who is there?”

“Is that you Lisa?” the voice shouted

Lisa turned and saw Wade standing in front of her.

“You scared me” Lisa said as she laughs “What are you doing here?” 

“I should be asking you the same question” Wade replied as he comes closer to her

“Well I got a call from the concert judges and they were thinking of adding me as a candidate to perform in Bevin’s first concert, so I was just checking out the place you showed me, just in case I got accepted to the Fantastica stage”

“That’s great Lisa!” Wade interrupted “I am so happy for you…I told you that you were amazing, you are not going to be a waitress for the rest of your life!”

“Thank you Wade” Lisa replied “that’s so sweet of you, I want to thank you again for coming to my performance the other night, I can’t help noticing that you are always there for me anytime I needed someone to”

“I care about you too much” Wade said as he looked at her “I wanted something to be valuable with my life, I can’t go on living without something I really care about, and I think I found what I really wanted, and that is you!”

“Oh my God” Lisa said as tears filled her eyes “this is amazing because I started to feel the same thing towards you”

Wade walked closer to her and hugged her tightly. 

They both stood there holding each other for over 2 minutes, the moon was full and the night was bright with only moonlight rays shinning on them.

They finally let go of each other and looked at the big full moon. Wade sat on the grass as Lisa sat right next to him. 

“I come here almost all the time, I mean as a break from work” Wade said as he looked at the little lightning bugs flying around them “it’s very peaceful around here, sometimes I just wish to leave everything behind me and  follow this rail way just to go away”

“Why is that?”  Lisa asked as she looked at him seriously 

“It’s complicated” Wade continued “but I love everyone there, I don’t want to disappoint them like that”

“Your colleagues….?” 

“Yes, we are not suppose to leave that building”

“Sure you can” Lisa said “my father once told me that…”

“What’s your father's name again?” Wade asked as he interrupted Lisa’s speech 

“It’s Bob…” Lisa replied “Bob Watson”

Wade gave her an odd stare and repeated “Bob Watson..?”

“What..?” Lisa said as she stood up “do you know him?”

“No” Wade said as he turned away.

“Tell me!” Lisa shouted “what do you know about my father?”

“I thought I knew something” Wade replied “but I don’t, I got mistaken with someone else”

Lisa looked at him strangely still not convinced about what he is saying.

"You must have heard about him in the news" Lisa continued "you know the guy who killed his wife"

"Yes that’s true" Wade said as he looked at her sadly "that’s exactly how I knew him, I am sorry about that"

"It's alright; let’s talk about you" Lisa interrupted to change the topic “how did you end up in Bevin?” 

“Well… let’s just say it’s a coincidence” Wade said as he stares at the sky “We weren’t intentionally coming to Bevin”

“Who…?” 

“Me and my mother” Wade continued “we were going to the Fantastica stage; my mom thought I was a great singer and insisted that I should try my luck in an audition at the Fantastica stage” 

“And why didn’t you go to the Fantastica stage?” Lisa asked

“Because the train crashed here in the Bevin, the train crashed right here in the miraculous rail road, I was the only survivor” 

“I’m sorry” Lisa said sadly

“I was only 5 years old” Wade continued “I was then taken to an orphanage here in Bevin; I grew up there, until one day…” Wade paused for a second or two “this wonderful gentle man came and offered me the job” 

“Who is that?” Lisa asked surprisingly 

“My current boss” Wade said as he smiled “hell I was so thrilled, I never knew I can be loved again, I thought it’s all over, it’s really nice to have some” 

“It sure is” 

 “Let’s talk about your audition now…what are you going to sing?” 

“Well it’s more than an audition” Lisa said happily “it’s a concert, Bevin’s first concert…I am so excited about that”

 

  “     You are more than a love, an amazing treasure with an angel smile, take me by surprise but I mean nothing when you’re around…you think that I’m a fool, nothing more but an innocent fool, take me by surprise or wonder why…    ”

 

It was the most amazing voice Lisa has ever heard when Wade sang that line.

“Waw” Lisa said surprisingly “you know I can never sing like that!” 

“Sure you can, the song’s names is {crystal dove} you just have to practice it that’s all”

 “No” Lisa said as she laughs “that’s too hard, I think I am just going to sing {Bright star} the song my mom thought me when I was a little girl”

“Alright” Wade said happily “at least you have something to sing, something meaningful and worth singing for, I mean just remember that the song you will be singing on that concert must mean the world to you”

“It will” Lisa said as she imagined herself singing on a big stage in front of all the people of Bevin.

 

Patricia reads through Bevin's Daily news paper. 

“I am not relaxed with all of this! This problem must be solved!” Patricia said to herself as she dropped the newspaper.

Patricia walked to the table, picked up the phone and dialed.

 “Hello” Ruddick answered at the first ring

“It’s me Patricia” 

“Oh my God Patricia..!” Ruddick replied happily “it’s amazing to hear your voice again”

“Yes but I can’t talk much sweetheart” Patricia said nicely “I think we should meet up really soon”

“That’s what I always dreamt about honeybunch, I really want to see you!”

“I want to see you too” Patricia replied “I will set a meeting with you, Alden and my father…don’t you worry, we have a very serious issue to talk about”

“Alright” Ruddick replied “looking forward to see you”

 

James walked to the building still thinking about the Magnificent Cat, it was hunting him the entire time and he was not having a good day at all.

“Should I go in?” James asked himself “what should I do? I can’t go in!”

James stood there in front of the building wondering what to do, especially knowing the fact that the Magnificent Cat belongs to him.

“I have to go in” James said loudly to himself “I can never tear myself apart from the Magnificent Cat…it’s my grandfather’s wishes that the Magnificent Cat stays with me for good…as a matter of fact I am the Magnificent Cat” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 16 - Rightful Share

The night passed fast and the morning came delightfully the next day in Bevin. The sun was warm and the air was breezy. It was a morning that gave everyone the best mood to wake up and start a fresh new day. 

Armand woke up happily from his luxurious room at the top floor; he was also in a good mood and had lots of ideas on his head.

 

Picklock woke up early as well and sat in front of the building, he was not surprised when he didn’t see James at the verandah pretending this place was a shop. Instead Picklock just stood there and does the job himself.

“Good morning Mr. Picklock” Wade said as he come from upstairs 

“Good morning Wade” Picklock replied ‘you seem happy”

“I am happy” Wade replied laughingly “and I also heard that the boss has some good news for everyone here”

“Is that so?” Picklock said “what is it?” 

Suddenly everyone saw Armand coming from the secret elevator with a smile on his face.

“Good morning boss” Nick said as he saw Armand coming.

“Good morning boss” everyone else said as they saw Armand 

“Good morning everyone” Armand replied happily “how are you all doing today?”

“We are doing great” Picklock replied “are you planning to tell us something?”

“Yes I am” Armand said happily “I am in fact planning to give all of you a raise!” 

“A Raise..!” Joe shouted from the back of the room happily

“A Raise..! A Raise..!” Everyone else in the building started shouting and hugging each other happily.

“And it’s not just a raise” Armand continued “it’s a 100% raise! How about that..!”

Everyone in the room began to cheer even more and the place became as noisy as a free market. All the staff were happy and celebrating it with joy.

“To get your 100% raise you can just go to Wade Carter over there…he will get your entire money ready” Armand said as he looked at Wade and smiled. 

Wade smiled back and said “you can all come one by one at noon; I will be waiting for you”

“That’s awesome” an employee said happily 

 

“What is going on here?” an angry voice said as everyone turned and saw James standing at the back of the room.

“We are celebrating” Joe replied as he looked at James “don’t worry its good news”

“What are you all celebrating about?” James asked with an evil smirk 

“It’s nothing James…” Picklock said to calm things down “it’s just…”

“I am offering everyone 100% more on their normal income” Armand interrupted “isn’t that great?”

James paused for a moment and looked at Armand straight in the eye.

“Isn’t what great?” James said at a much angrier tone.

“James, listen to me carefully” Armand continued “I am giving everyone a raise including you James!”

“Including me?” James said it with a very odd sarcastic smile “what the hell is that suppose to mean?”

“Why can’t you just be happy for once?” Wade said as he looked at James seriously.  James turned to look at Wade and said “I will just pretend I didn’t hear that”

“What’s wrong with you?” Armand said still looking at James curiously and at the same time scared for what is really happening.

James turned back to Armand and looked at him straight in the eye “how does it feel for you, using other people’s money and pretending that you are the one who is being the generous one! How sick is this?”

“Those are not other people’s money!” an employee shouted from the back “those are clients”

 

Armand knew exactly what James was talking about it was crystal clear. He was just starring at James’s eye for quite a long time.

Armand turned and looked at Picklock for a few seconds and then turned back to James.

“Can I see you at my office?” Armand said as he looked at James seriously.

“Your office..?” James said laughingly “you are actually letting me see your office after all these years hallelujah…!”    

“Now..!” Armand shouted as he walked and pressed the bottom to the secret elevator.

 

Armand and James both walked straight to the elevator that leads to the secretive room. While they were walking everyone can’t help starring at them with curiosity.

“What’s going on?” Wade asked as he looked at Picklock “is everything alright?”

“I hope so” Picklock replied “I hope so”

 

Both Armand and James stood in the elevator silently without saying a word to each other, it was the most awkward 15 seconds both of them have ever experienced.

Finally the elevator stopped at the last floor and the door opened. James saw the iron door once again. James was so fond of the place he remembered it as if it was yesterday even though it was more than three years ago when Armand decided that James deserves to see the Magnificent Cat.

Armand took the key from his pocket and opened the second, thicker iron door after the first one. The scent alone that came from the room gave James so many memories, not just memories about the day Armand brought him to this room, but also memories about the time of his father’s death and his grandfather’s wishes, James thought that seeing this room again will make him a step closer to becoming someone, but instead it was just an ordinary haunting experience.

“Come in” Armand said as he looked at James 

James walked in slowly staring at the place carefully inch by inch, the room was pretty much the same as it was three years ago when he first came in.

James walked into the room deeper and deeper until his eye caught something he was longing to see, The Magnificent Cat.

 James stood there silently starring at it, the way it glows behind its protective glass surrounding it. 

“Nothing can tear James apart from the Magnificent Cat” his grandfather’s voice echoed in his ears.

“Alright” Armand said nervously as he watched the way James stared at the object.

“What do you want” James said as he continued starring at the Magnificent Cat.

“I assume you had a talk with Mr. Picklock” Armand said seriously “what did you and Mr. Picklock talked about?” 

James turned his head from the Magnificent Cat and looked at Armand straight in the eye “leave him out of this”

“What?” Armand asked angrily 

“I don’t think it will be necessary to blame him for your theft” James said annoyingly as he sat on one of the chairs.

“You have no idea what you are talking about!” Armand shouted “the Magnificent Cat is in my hand right now because it is meant to be in my hands!”

“It’s that what my grandfather told you?” James shouted back angrily “or it’s just a deal you made with Bacilli!”

“It doesn’t matter” Armand continued 

“Are you saying it doesn’t matter?” James asked angrily “but it sure matter to you, Wade and the idiot Ray?” 

“Where is Mr. Bacilli?” Armand interrupted to change the topic “I haven’t seen him around lately”

“I think he quits” James said as he lights himself a cigarette “or maybe he is dead”

Armand looked at James for a few second and said “What?”

“You heard me” James said as he smokes 

“I will look for him myself” Armand said “but for the mean time I would need someone else to do his job”

“I hope you mean a different job” James said as he looked at Armand 

“What?” Armand said even more nervously wishing that James does not know that part of the story.

“I can take care of myself Armand!” James said it with harshness “you don’t have to hire someone to follow me around just to make sure I am ok, oh sorry I meant just to make sure the Magnificent Cat is ok…this way you can pump up more money…, am I right?”

Armand was shocked and full of range from the words that James has just spoken.

“I need to be alone for now” Armand said as he sits down on the main office chair

“Are you sure?” James asked as he laughs 

“I really need to be alone now, if you don’t mind-”

“Alright, alright…” James interrupted “I think you do need sometime alone to think, but just make sure you think twice about my tiny, tiny raise!”

James went to the table and grabbed a handful of Cuban cigars, he then looked at Armand, gave him a smile and walked out the door to the secret elevator.

Armand throws a big vase of flower just as the door closed.

“Damn Him!!” Armand shouted loudly “Damn Him!!” 

Armand picked up the phone and dialed a number fast.

 

“Hello Armand?” Wade replied wondering why Armand is calling him.

“Is Picklock next to you?” Armand asked angrily “I want him at my office now! Privately”

“Sure” Wade replied “is everything ok?”

“Just get me Mr. Picklock now…alone” Armand said as he shuts the phone

 

“Armand wants to see you now…it sounds urgent” Wade said as he looked at Picklock.

“Aha” Picklock replied “I will be there”

“Everything is going to be fine” Wade added “Armand is just stressful sometimes, but I am sure he is in a good mood, I mean since everyone is getting a raise!”

“I hope so” Picklock said as he walked and took the stairs instead of the elevator.

“Hello Wade” a voice said behind him.

Wade turned and saw Ray coming from outside.

“Hello Ray” Wade said and turned away

“How are you doing today?”

“I am ok” 

Suddenly the elevator door from the secretive room opened and James came out.

“Where the hell did he come from?” Ray shouted  

“From the secretive room I guess” Wade answered as he looked at Ray’s weird behavior.

“What? When? How..?” Ray shouted even louder 

“Relax..!” Wade interrupted “Armand asked to see him, what’s the big deal?”

“What’s the big deal?” Ray repeated sarcastically “that guy might steal the Magnificent Cat!”

 

James approached them and said “oh well hello Ray, did you say something about me stealing the Ma-?”

“What the hell were you dong up there!” Ray shouted at James 

“There is no point answering you” James said as he lights another cigar

“Why are you smoking those cigars?” Ray asked angrily with rage

“I am glad I saw you both here” James said as he looked at Ray and Wade “I will be going to the secretive room as often as you guys do…from now on…things will be different around here”

“What’s that suppose to mean?” Wade asked curiously and angrily

“Well haven’t you heard about the raise Wade?” James replied “well that’s my raise”

“What? What the hell is he saying?” Ray asked angrily as he looked at Wade.

“Don’t ask him” James interrupted “why don’t you ask “the boss” he knows exactly what I am talking about”

“Go to hell James” Ray said angrily “you are just living a fantasy right now”

“I don’t really care what you think Ray” James said as he laughs “now…where is Mr. Picklock? I have to see him”

“Armand asked for him as well” Wade replied “perhaps he is also getting a huge raise like you”

“What? What? What the hell is going on here?” Ray shouted angrily as everyone in the room turned to look at him.

“Where is Mr. Picklock again?” James asked seriously as he looked at Wade

“I said he went to Armand!” 

“I have to go” James said as he heads to the elevator

“No!” Wade shouted “he wanted to talk to Picklock alone”

“I don’t care” James said as continued walking

“Lay off, James!” Wade shouted “give them some privacy”

“Stay away from that office!”  Ray shouted as he looked at James hardly

“Nothing is going to happen…Armand is in a good mood today, he just wanted to talk to Picklock that’s all” Wade said as James was going.

“Good mood?” James repeated with a smile “didn’t you hear him yell just after I left”

“What?” Wade asked “why would you make him angry James? Why do you have to ruin everyone’s happiness?”

“Because he is worthless piece of garbage, that’s why” Ray continued angrily 

“Suck it Ray” James said annoyingly “I need to see Picklock now!” 

“You can’t” Wade shouted “you don’t have the key to both iron doors!”

“Shit” James said lowly to himself as he was going to the elevator.

James turned back to look at Wade and said “give me the key to the office”

“No way I’m giving you anything” Wade answered 

“Give it to me” James shouted “this is important”

“Go to hell, he will never give it to you” Ray said as he approached James 

“I am not talking to you” James said as he looked at Ray and then turned back to Wade and said “I have to go there”

“You are not going anywhere” Wade repeated “Armand wants to see Picklock in private and you have to respect that!”

“Screw you Wade” James answered angrily as he walked away.

 

Both iron doors were already opened when Picklock walked in. It immediately closed as he entered the room.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Armand said just as Picklock entered

“What are you talking about?” Picklock asked nervously 

 “Don’t you mess with me now..!” Armand replied with anger “I am talking about James and you know exactly what I was talking about”

“Well he happened to find out… what can I do?”

“I trusted you!” Armand shouted “I never thought you will be the one to blow this!”

“Well he is going to find out about it anyways!” Picklock replied 

“No..!No..!No..!” Armand continued shouting “this was meant to be a secret! And I was sure you were to keep it that way! I never thought you will blow it Picklock! I thought it will be Bacilli!"
“Well Bacilli started it” Picklock replied “I just finished it for him” 

“Bacilli started it? What do you mean by that?”

“Bacilli was the one who told him” Picklock continued “he told James that the Magnificent Cat belongs to the Scorpions and-” 

“What!” Armand interrupted “I have to see Bacilli right now!”

“He is dead” Picklock said in a low voice “James killed him”

“What!” Armand shouted “did you see how things are getting out of control around here! What the hell is going on?”

“Well James knew that Bacilli killed his father so he killed him, and I assumed that you were next…”

“I swear I will gun that guy down if he wasn’t the Magnificent Cat” Armand said tensely 

“But you can’t!” Picklock shouted “this is because James is a very important around here, and I am happy he knew the truth, and I think it is time you treat him like an important person!”

Armand turned to look at Picklock straight in the eye “how about no!” he shouted angrily “I think this time you blew it Picklock! I think you blew this one big time!”

“Armand…” Picklock said gently “James deserves to know the truth”

“No he doesn’t” Armand said angrily “that was a huge mistake, and I think you should pack up your things and get the hell out of here!”

“What do you mean?” Picklock asked sadly “I don’t have any other job, where am I suppose to go”

“I don’t care” Armand shouted “to your family I guess…tell them you were fired!”

“You can’t do that to me!” Picklock begged

“I trusted you with this secret and you failed me, I want you leave and never to see you again!”

Picklock turned away to leave the office. He opened the first iron door and was about to open the second one.

“Wait!” Armand shouted 

Picklock turned to see what Armand has to say.

“Don’t you dare say anything about our business to the police once you are out of here” Armand said annoyingly “you don’t want to end up like Mr. Watson, do you?”

“No I don’t” Picklock replied angrily

“Yes, I don’t think so either” Armand continued “whatever you wanted to do just remember we have the Magnificent Cat, and we can use it on you! We can turn you into a fool or a criminal…so if I were you I wouldn’t mention any of this to anyone outside, do you understand!”

“I think I am old enough to know about the Magnificent Cat and what it does…I have been working here with you for 15 years now…” Picklock said seriously

“And you just couldn’t keep one secret” Armand said as he turns away “now I want you to leave!”

“I will be gone by noon” Picklock replied as he opened the second iron door “farewell my dear old friend”

 

Chapter 17 - Hasty Valediction

Everyone downstairs got back to their work happily thinking about their raise, but James was just nervous about what is going to happen.

Suddenly everyone saw Picklock coming from upstairs; he was holding his car keys 

James ran straight to him and asked "is everything ok?"

"I will be leaving"

"What?" everyone in the room started to shout and question each other "How? Why?"

"You are not suppose to leave this business once you are in it" Joe said to another employee next to him

"What happened?" James asked lowly to Picklock

"I am fired" Picklock said as he looked at everyone in the room

"What!" Wade shouted "that’s impossible"

"Yes" Picklock repeated "and if I say anything about this business to the police or anyone I will end up like Mr. Watson"

"No freaking way!" James shouted "Armand can't fire you, he has no right!"

"Yes he does" Ray said happily "he is the boss here, and I assume Mr. Picklock should leave the building right away"

"Shut up!" James shouted "shut the hell up before... Picklock you are not going anywhere!"

James stopped talking and was heading to the elevator.

"No James!" Picklock shouted as he grabbed James by the hand "you are not going back up, this is settled, this is done! There is nothing else, I will sure miss you all but I think it’s time I go now"

"Why is this happening" Wade said as he sighs 

"Good bye Picklock" Ray said annoyingly as he opened the door for Picklock to leave.

Picklock walked out of the door quietly as he waved to all the staff in the building.

"Wait a minute" James said as he follows Picklock outside.

"I hope you join him soon" Ray said as he looked at them.

 

"Wait!" James shouted as he follows Picklock.

Picklock turned to look at James and see what he has to say.

"You know that I can fix this, you know that!"

"Not everything can be fixed, James" Picklock said as he looked at James seriously

"You can't leave Picklock" James said sadly "you just can't"

"I have to" Picklock said "you blew this James…I thought I made it clear that it was a top secret"

"But I deserve to know the truth!" James said angrily

"That’s true" Picklock replied "but you should have kept it to yourself, you shouldn’t have let it out easily like that!"

"I…I…" James said "I am just tired of living this way…I want to own the Magnificent Cat… I want to be someone…"

"It's always about you, isn’t it?" Picklock said as he looked at the sky "all what the Scorpions think about was themselves…and that’s why you all end up in trouble"

"You have to understand me Picklock!" James said as he approached "I just…"

"I know, you want to be like Armand and Wade…you want to live in luxury…listen to me James, the Magnificent Cat will only last as long as you shall live. You are the Magnificent Cat! And it will always be running in your blood…nothing can take the Magnificent Cat away from you, that’s what your grandfather said and that’s what he wanted"

"I don’t know what to do anymore" James said as he looked at the ground "I need you Mr. Picklock…I can't stay here all by myself, you were the one who made me go through all this mess and nightmares"

"Don’t say that" Picklock said as he looked at James seriously "you can make it, I am very sorry, but I want you to stay strong, you will find love in this house, there will always be love somewhere, somehow…just be strong and careful, that’s all"

"I will" James replied "I will for you…I am so sorry, I am so sorry... I…oh my-"

"Don’t be" Picklock interrupted "let’s all forget about the past…the past will always be the past…we should only think ahead"

"Thank you for everything" James said as he looked at Picklock sadly and hugged him.

"James…please I beg you for the last time…don’t let anyone know about this information, don’t let anyone know you are the Magnificent Cat, and especially Ray! I don’t trust that person, I never did, please don’t let anyone know the truth!"

"I won’t" James replied "I won’t make a silly mistake again, I must have got a big lesson today, seeing you leave is just terrible"

"Be strong that’s all" Picklock said with a smile "keep the secret safe…for all of us"

 

All the staffs in the building were still wondering about what really happened, they thought Mr. Picklock was the one who left, but the fact that he was fired got everyone really mystified and suspicious.

"Are you ok?" Ray said as he approaches Wade.

"How can I be ok?" Wade said angrily "I don’t know how you are still smiling!"

"Hey I wasn’t the one who got him fired, or perhaps killed" Ray said annoyingly

 

The main door suddenly opened and James walked in.

"You son of a bi-" Wade said as he approaches James "I knew you have something to do with this!"

"Shut up! I have nothing to do with this!" James shouted back "why don’t you go talk to your boss!"

"If anything happens to Mr. Picklock" Wade said as he looked at James angrily "I swear I will-"

"You will what?!" James shouted as he gets closer to Wade ready to fight

"Knock it off!" Nick shouted as he walked between them

"Stay away from him!" Ray said as he pulled Wade away from James

"Leave me alone!" Wade shouted "I have to go home now! I can't work like this! Tell Armand I will back tomorrow"

Wade picked up his cell phone and walked out of the building.

"Yeah just get out of here!" James shouted from the building 

"Shut up James" Ray said angrily "leave him alone!"

"And who is he to you?" James said as he laughs "your boyfriend?" 

"I am just going to make sure you join Mr. Picklock very soon" Ray said as he smiled back "all the way to your grav-"

"Ray!" Armand shouted as he stepped out of the elevator 

"Yes Armand" Ray said as he turned from James annoyingly to face Armand.

"Let’s go to the office" Armand continued "where is Wade?"

"He took off like a pussy" James said as he looked at Armand 

"He will be back tomorrow" Ray said as he looked at James angrily "let's go to the office now"

Armand looked at James for a minute or two without saying anything.

They both looked at each other without saying anything to each other, it was one awkward moment where no one understands what was going on, and not to mention the fact that James and Armand barely communicate.

"Yes, let’s go to the office now" Armand said as looked at James one last time and heads in the elevator.

"Get ready for changes, Armand" James said lowly to himself as he looked at Armand and Ray entering the elevator.

 

"What's that?" Jessica said angrily as she walked into the kitchen "we barely have any customers today, when are you going to sing again!"

Lisa looked at Jessica and laughed "I am not singing at the bar until I sing at the concert!"

"Why is that" Jessica asked

"Because I need to practice with that song and only that song" Lisa replied" I have to sing a song that will mean the world to me, I have to make sure everyone sees my passion with music, and also to win Stacey's vote for me, I might end up performing in the Fantastica stage soon"

"That’s really nice!" Jessica said happily "so what Special song are you singing!"

"I am going to sing {Bright Star}"

"The song your mother taught you!" Jessica said happily "that’s so sweet"

"I know, it will be great, this will surely please her"

"She will be watching you from above, you will do great at the concert, Lisa don’t worry"

"Thanks Jessica, I just hope no bad memories overcome my performance at the concert"  

"No" Jessica shouted "this is your dream...I always wanted you to get out of Bevin, I am sorry if I called you back here for this ridiculous job"

"No don’t say that!" Lisa interrupted "if it wasn't for this job I wouldn’t even get the chance to sing in public and get noticed! And if it wasn't for Bevin, I wouldn’t be able to sing and audition in a concert!"

"Yeah, yeah" Jessica said as she laughs  

"And if it wasn't for Bevin" Lisa continued as she starred at the kitchen's window "I wouldn’t have met Wade"

Jessica stopped working in the kitchen and looked at Lisa seriously "are you saying he means that much to you"

"Well" Lisa started with a smile "he do mean something to me, a lot, I can't tell if Wade or my singing dream mean more to me"

"That’s huge" Jessica said as she laughs "I am really happy for you, I can see that everything is shinning for you these days"

"I hope so" Lisa said happily.

"Now let's go to the counter, there may be some customers"

"Hey Girls" Colin Lennox said just as he saw Lisa and Jessica walked out of the kitchen.

"Hello Mr. Lennox" Lisa said politely

"Lisa…" Lennox started as he looked at her "if you need any time off for your practices, I will be more than happy to give it to you"

"No thanks Mr. Lennox" Lisa replied happily "I will be fine"

"You know the concert is only a few days from now" Lennox interrupted "you might need some time to get everything together"

"Don’t worry about Lisa" Jessica said as she smiles "she will do great I know it"

"That’s right" Lennox replied "I know very well that she will do great, and that’s why I am scared of losing her, once they accept you to go to the Fantastica stage, I will lose my amazing waitress"

"Don’t say that Mr. Lennox" Lisa said as she laughs "you know that I will always come here for a visit

"I don’t want a visitor" Lennox continued "I want my waitress back"

"Come on" Jessica said happily "the next time she sees us, she will be paying you instead of you paying her!"

"That’s right" Lisa said as she looked at both Lennox and Jessica "but let’s not go to conclusion fast, I am not even sure if I will make it"

"You will" Jessica said as she started to collect all the cups "you will"

"Thank you" Lisa said "it will be a wonderful dream"

"Alright, I will talk to you girls later, if any of you need anything, I am at my office"

"Sure Mr. Lennox" Jessica replied "thanks"

Suddenly the pastry door opened and Wade walked in, he walked straight directly to the counter.

"Wade!" Lisa said shockingly as she looked at him "hi, how are you?"

"Hey Lisa" Wade said as he forced a smile "can I have a vodka, please"

"Oh Wade we don’t serve drinks now, it’s just a pastry shop now"

"Please" Wade continued to beg "just one glass"

"What can I say…?" Lisa said as she looked at him worryingly "I will-"

"Ok wait!" Wade interrupted "wait, no need for the drink, just, just…"

"What is it?” Lisa asked as she looked at him closely.

"Come with me for a walk, will you?" Wade asked politely as he gazed directly into her eyes.

"Right now…?" 

"I will cover for you" Jessica interrupted "we don’t have any customers anyway and I will make sure Lennox thinks you are here"

"Jessica…you can't…"

"Just go" Jessica said to Lisa

"Thank you " Wade said as he looked at Jessica.

"I owe you everything" Lisa said to Jessica as she walked out of the shop with Wade.

 

Lisa and Wade both walked side by side down the road of Bevin, it was breezy afternoon.

"So how is everything?" Wade said as they walked straight on.

"Hold my hand" Lisa said as she looked at him

He looked back at her and held her hand tightly

"So what's the problem?" Lisa asked "you don’t seem happy like any of the other days? Is something wrong?"

"Well lots of things happened lately, worst of all today" Wade replied

"What is it? Is it something to do with your business?"

"No, well yes…Lisa, this business is all I got, and a good friend of mine is gone now"

"What do you mean?" Lisa asked "I thought you said no one can leave the building"

"Exactly" Wade continued "he was fired, and that’s not a good sign"

"You seem worried, I can tell" 

"I am" Wade said as he looked at her "I will pay him a visit someday"

They both continue to walk down the street hand in hand.

 

Armand and Ray walked into the secretive room without saying a word to each other they just entered the room and started to work.

"I think James is being very annoying these days" Ray said just to break the silence 

Armand looked at him without replying and looked back at his work.

"Are you listening to me" Ray said loudly 

"What?" Armand asked as he looked at Ray again 

"I said…I think James is be-"

"James is always annoying" Armand interrupted sharply "you don’t have to say it over and over, everyone knows that"

"I think he should leave as well" Ray said as he looked at Armand 

Armand turned and looked at Ray straight in the eye "listen to me Ray, I really like your work here with us, you are smart and you get me good customers, but please don’t interfere in this! Who stays and who goes is my call, no one else!"

"Sure, sure" Ray said angrily "you are the boss, at least I admit you are the boss, unlike James"

"I don't give a shit what James thinks!!" Armand shouted "I am the boss here and he will know that sooner or later"

Ray walked to his jacket as his cell phone rang; he picked it up and asked "who?"

"It's me" Patricia replied "you should come right away!"

"What for…?" Ray asked in a low voice as Armand looked at him.

"Who is it?" Armand asked curiously

"It's Patricia" Ray said as he closed the mouth of the phone.

"Alright" Armand said as he looked through his files again "take your time"

"What is it Patricia?" Ray asked angrily

"Just come home now!" Patricia said as she shuts the phone.

Ray looked at his phone and then looked at Armand "can I be excused, there is a problem"

"What problem?" 

"Just some family issues, you know Patricia and her issues…long story"

"Not interested, alright, see you later"

Ray nodded his head and walked to the door.

"Wait" Armand shouted 

Ray turned to see what Armand has to say.

"Good luck" Armand said with a smile 

"Oh, thank you" Ray said as he walked out the room

 

Ray walked down the stairs and saw all the employees still talking about Mr. Picklock.

"Will you all get back to work already?!" Ray shouted as everyone began to scatter to their positions.

James stood there and looked at him without moving.

"And that include you, James" Ray continued as he walked closer to James.

"I am really not in the mood to kick your ass right now, Ray" James said annoyingly

"Neither am I…" Ray replied "I have something to do right now, but I suggest that when I'm back you do your work, and also be more respectful"

"In your dreams" James answered 

"You know what" Ray said as he moves away from James "I feel sorry for you"

 

James looked at Ray as he walked outside of the building. "We will see who is sorry in the end"

 

Chapter 18 - Wade's deadly confession

The weather was still breezy when it turned from noon to afternoon; Ray crossed the street sharply to get to Patricia on time.

"What's the problem Patricia?" Ray asked just as he entered in the house.

"We have to go right now" Patricia said as she picked up her purse

"Where…?"  

"To pay Ruddick and Alden a visit" 

"Are you joking?" Ray asked as he smiled "I mean you can't be serious"

"Dad, I don’t joke about business!" Patricia said as she walked to the main door "let's go now!"

"Why now!" Ray shouted "I have to go back to Armand, he is expecting me!"

"I think you already told him that this is a family issue" Patricia asked

"Yeah but-" 

"Then I think we should be on our way to Slycity right now!" Patricia demanded

"We better be quick" Ray said angrily.

 

Both Ray and Patricia walked quietly to their car avoiding all suspicions from around the area, Ray knew if Armand found him this time, he will kiss the Magnificent Cat goodbye.

They drove further and further through the highway and took the sharp turn to a much smaller road which will lead directly to Slycity. 

They are now heading closer to Ruddick and Alden's mysterious building, Ray drove the car faster until the building and then parked in right in front of the gigantic gate.

"We are here" Ray said as they both got off the car.

Patricia rang the bell which was answered by Alden.

"Who is it?"

"Open the door!" Patricia replied as the door opened sharply

"Let’s go" Patricia said as she looked at her father.

 

They both took the secret elevator from the back of the building which leads directly to the main office; the door of the main office was already opened when they both walked in.

"Patricia!" Ruddick shouted just as he saw her walked into the room. "What a surprise!"

"Do you like it" Patricia said teasingly as she walked closer to kiss him

"I love surprises" Ruddick replied "especially when it involves you"

"Stop it right now" Ray interrupted "why are we here Patricia?"

"She is here to marry me" Ruddick said as Alden laughed from the back of the room.

"You know I won't marry you until you have the Magnificent Cat" Patricia replied

"Yes I know" Ruddick said angrily "hopefully we will get it soon, isn’t that right Ray?"  

"Not if I continue disappearing randomly" Ray said dryly 

"Very soon than you think…" Patricia interrupted 

"What do you mean?" Alden asked seriously 

"I mean the Magnificent Cat will be ours by the end of this week" Patricia replied

"How is that possible?" Ruddick asked curiously

"Yes Patricia" Ray asked surprisingly "how is that possible?"

"Well besides keeping my eyes on James I am doing a hell a lot of job back in Bevin"

"What job?" Ruddick asked 

"I found out that there is going to be a concert this week" Patricia replied "and I suggest that it’s the best time to seize the Magnificent Cat!"

"No, No, No, Patricia" Ray interrupted "I am working inside with them and I know exactly when, where, and how we can seize the Magnificent Cat!"

"I think Patricia’s idea is amazing" Ruddick said as he looked at Patricia happily

"What?" Ray shouted "you can't be serious?"

"I think it is one of the most brilliant ideas I have ever heard!" Ruddick continued

"Me too" Alden said as he imagined the future 

"Trust me dad," Patricia said as she smiled "when I heard about this concert, I felt the Magnificent Cat, I can smell it, and that’s a good sign"

"Everyone will be busy, entire Bevin will be busy, and we have no interruption" Ruddick said happily as he looked at Alden.

"They would probably be drunk; they can't tell that the Magnificent Cat is missing from the office!" Alden said laughingly.

"Wait, wait" Ray said as he looked at all of them "this concert might distract James or probably some crew, but Armand won’t fall for a silly concert, he would probably still be at the office with his bodyguards or perhaps his armies, we can’t stand a chance!"

"Sure we can" Ruddick replied "we can defeat Armand and his ridicules body guards, once we get rid of the other crews"

"Were you listening to me?" Ray shouted  

"Yes" Alden replied "do you know that we have 500 men downstairs waiting for this war to happen! I gathered them last week, and to defeat Armand's armies will just be a piece of cake to them!"

"You gathered 500 men?" Ray asked surprisingly

"Yes they did, Dad" Patricia said as she rolled her eyes "you seem 10 years behind, we are moving forward now!"

"I think you spend way too much time with Armand" Ruddick said jokingly

"I actually think this is a good idea" Ray said as he smiled

"Finally..!" Patricia shouted "we better get it at that time!"

"It's also a good chance not to hurt Wade, I mean since he is the Magnificent Cat…" Ruddick said "you have to make sure Wade goes to the concert, Ray"

"He will go" Ray said "I promise he will be out of the way"

"We can't lose everything!" Patricia said worryingly "seriously, what are we going to do about Wade?"

"For the mean time" Ruddick started "we just have to try not to hurt him or even touch him, and later on we can figure how to get this curse off!"

"How did he end up being the Magnificent Cat?" Alden asked curiously

"I have no idea" Ray said "but I don’t care, we should focus on getting the Magnificent Cat now, that’s all"

"This is going to be perfect" Alden said "I will make sure the armies are ready"

"I will inform you immediately when the concert takes place" Patricia added

"I know you will" Ruddick said as he looked at her happily "you are the smartest, sexiest looking thief I have ever seen"

"Thank you sweetheart" she replied with a wink

"Don’t spend too much time with James" Ruddick said angrily

"Don’t be jealous" Patricia said laughingly "I am only doing my job"

"I will make sure I put a bullet on his head before this war is over!"

"I can imagine you doing that" Patricia said with a half smile.

"Alright let's go back now" Ray said to Patricia

"Wait a second" Ruddick called out "I have $7,000,000" at my desk, I want you to pretend that there is a new customer willing to hire the Magnificent Cat for that amount"

"Who is the customer?" Ray asked

The main door opened and a tall man walked in. 

"I want you to meet Mr. Herbert" Ruddick said "or at least call him Mr. Herbert, because this is his fake name"

"I will stop by your office with the $7,000,000, and pretend to be a good customer" the tall man said to Ray

"Alright" Ray said as he laughs "that’s sound like a lavish idea"

"I need that money back though" Ruddick said "I am just doing this because I know we will be getting the Magnificent Cat soon, but make sure Armand doesn’t touch this money!"

"What Ruddick is trying to say is that you are just borrowing the money, and of course use it to gain Armand's trust, that’s all" Alden added

"Yes I got it" Ray replied "I think we should go back to Bevin now"

"Don’t act suspicious" Alden warned them as they leave.

"Sure, and I will be seeing you soon" Ray said to the tall man as he closed the door.

 

 

Lisa and Wade stopped to look at the lake, it is the only lake in Bevin, it is very small but yet peaceful, and it was a perfect place to relax. They both stood there and stared at it.

"Do you have dreams?" Lisa asked as she looked at Wade

"I do" Wade said still starring at the lake "I always wanted love and peace" 

"That’s a strange dream for someone your age" Lisa said laughingly 

"Why not…?" Wade said as he looked at her and laughed "I think it’s fair, and also I think I pretty much have everything else"

"You have everything, but love and peace? I don’t understand…"

"I want to go home" Wade said suddenly

Lisa looked at him strangely and said "am I bothering you?" 

"No" Wade replied as he laughs "not at all! I want you to come with me to my apartment"

"Oh…" Lisa said as she smiled "you are inviting me over to your place?"

"Yes" Wade replied "it’s a bit far from here, so I guess we should take the car.

Lisa turned and saw a lavish sports car parked right beside the lake.

"Is that your car?" 

"Yes, it is" 

"Oh my God" Lisa shouted with excitement as she entered the car "this is amazing!" 

"Let's get going shall we?" 

They drove off for only few blocks away and parked the car in front of a local building. 

"We are here already?" Lisa asked as she looked at the building

"Yes" Wade replied "the second floor is my apartment" 

"Your house is in Bevin!" Lisa said laughingly "We should have walked"

"Well didn't you have a great ride in my car?" Wade asked with a smile

"For that I can't argue" Lisa said as she smiled back.

 

They both walked into a local building, the building was quite old and there were cracks on the wall.

"This place is quite similar to my apartment" Lisa said as she looked around "you must have spent much money on the car than your apartment"

"My car was a gift from my boss" Wade replied "I didn’t buy it"

"My goodness, your boss is amazing!"

"He sure is" Wade said as he searched for his keys in his pocket.

"This is the apartment?" Lisa asked as she looked at the door

"That’s my door" Wade said as he pulled out the key and opened the door.

 

From the moment Wade opened the door, Lisa cannot believe her eyes, it was a complete reverse of what she saw outside, the apartment was exquisite, way too glamorous than any other apartments ever seen.

Lisa walked in with her eyes opened and she looked around, there were classical pictures on the wall with golden frames, chandeliers that can costs a fortune and that was just the entrance. 

"Come in" Wade called her as he walked into the living room.

"Seriously, Wade" Lisa started as she looked at him "what do you do?"

"I am a…" Wade said as he walked to the drinks bar "do you want anything to drink?"

Lisa walked into the living room and saw luxury, everything was golden, from the entrance to the living room, and the couch was very classical with lavish décor.

"What is this?" Lisa said as she continued to look around "seriously?"

"Lisa, you are embarrassing me" Wade said as he laughed "please have a drink"

"Thank you" Lisa said as she took a glass from him.

"That’s a red wine from 1903" Wade said as he sat on one of the exquisite chair.

"Are you kidding? 1903?" Lisa said surprisingly "and you still come and drink at the pastry bar?"

"Well, its sociable, and also I came to see you; I mean most of the time"

"That’s so sweet" Lisa said as they looked at each other.

"Please have a seat, do you want anything?"

"Yes" Lisa said sarcastically "I would like some caviar in a golden plate"

"Alright" Wade replied "just give me a second"

"No, I was just joking!"

"What?" Wade asked 

"You mean you have that right now?" 

"I eat that on regular basis" Wade replied "I don’t understand?"

"Oh my God…" Lisa said "what do you do again?"

"I told you" Wade said uncomfortably 

"No you didn’t" Lisa said smilingly “you keep avoiding the question” 

"Well I am a designer…and my salary is pretty much big"

"I can tell!" Lisa said as she laughs "I heard that your building gathered a bunch of talented people in order to serve the people of Bevin, is that true?"

"Yes" Wade said as he turned away "that’s exactly what we do"

"That’s very interesting" Lisa said with a smile "maybe I should forget about the Fantastica stage after all, and work at your place! That’s true! I can sing at your work place!"

"No, no, no" Wade said sharply "we are not looking for this sort of talent!"

"What do you mean" Lisa asked as she sat closer to him "I want to work with you, in this way we can see each other more often"

"I think you should follow your dreams, Lisa" Wade said seriously "I will make sure I see you all the time, don’t worry about that, but I really want you to go to the Fantastica stage!"

"What will happen if I leave Bevin?" Lisa said sadly "I won't be able to see you again?"

"Of course not" Wade replied sharply as he looked at her "I will never do that"

"But you can't come with me?" Lisa continued "you can't leave your job"

"I will find a way" Wade said nicely "I promise, you have my word"

"Alright, I will have to focus on the concert and do well"

"Yes, you should focus on the concert, what song are you singing again?"

"My mother's song" Lisa replied "I told you, as a matter of fact I think you should come to my place right now!"

"Right now…?" Wade asked 

"Yes!" Lisa shouted happily "I will sing it for you! Yes that will be the best rehearsal!"

"Are you sure?" Wade asked 

"Yes, get up!" Lisa said as she held his hand and pulled him from the couch 

"Where do you live?" Wade asked as he got up

"Right above the pastry bar…!" Lisa replied "now let's go for a ride in your porch!"

 

 

James walked to the ugly verandah and sat on a small stool; he looked around the place and remembered everything that has ever happened to him. As he looked around he can somewhat see Mr. Bacilli mumbling and complaining as usual, while Picklock sat next to him and advising him about the right things to do in this building and in life.

"You miss him do you?" Nick asked just as he approached James 

"What?" James said as he looked at Nick

"You miss Mr. Picklock" Nick repeated 

"Of course I do" James replied "this is wrong!"

"Well he is still here in Bevin!" Nick added 

"He will leave at the end of this week" James continued "he will go to his small village to his family”

"That’s very sad" Nick said as he looked around "it's not easy to find a job these days, or let's just say he will never earn such money again.

"I think I should pay him a visit now" James said as he stood up

"Alright" Nick said and walked away.

James stepped out of the verandah and was heading to the street.

"James!" a voice shouted just as he was ready to leave

James turned and saw Armand standing in front of the building.

"We need to talk" Armand said as he looked at James 

James stared at the sky angrily and then said "about what?"

"Everything" Armand continued "and you know exactly what I am talking about"

"I have to see Mr. Picklock now" James replied

"That can wait, but right now I need you at my office"

"Your office…" James said as he laughs "you are right about your office, but as for what is in it… that’s not yours at all"

"Will you shush?" Armand shouted "I am going up, I insist you follow me"

"I am right behind you" James said annoyingly

 

They both walked into the building straight to the elevator, and before they know it, they are already in the secretive room.

James walked in after Armand and stared directly at the Magnificent Cat.

"James you have to listen to me carefully" Armand said just to take James's attention from the Magnificent Cat.

"What is it" James asked as he turned away from the Magnificent Cat

"Well, I still think you need protection" Armand said 

James looked at him and laughed annoyingly "you really love the Magnificent Cat do you?"

"Of course I do" Armand shouted angrily but yet shamefully "and I cannot lose it because of your silly actions!" 

"You will never lose it!" James said angrily "it's not even yours in the first place!"

"It’s mine now…!" Armand shouted "it was mine 15 years ago and it is still mine!"

"Is that what my grandfather decided?" James asked seriously 

"I don’t care about what he decided; I was the one who took care of it! And I am still doing so, and that is why I said you need protection!"

"That's true" James said annoyingly "all what you care about is the Magnificent Cat, that’s all, you won’t care if something tragically happened to the Magnificent Cat and I die! No, for that you don’t care…"

"I am taking very good care of the Magnificent Cat!" Armand shouted "unlike you, it is more possible that you will be the one to kill the Magnificent Cat than the Magnificent Cat kills you!"

"We can't be sure" James said as he walked closer to Armand.

Suddenly the secretive door opened and Ray walked in. 

"What is going on?" Ray asked as he looked at both Armand and James.

"Nothing" James said sharply as he moved away from Armand "I was just leaving"

"Haven’t I told you never to enter into this room again?!" Ray shouted

"No you haven’t" James said as he smiled "or maybe I just don’t give a shit!"

"Just get out" Ray said as he took off his coat and sat on the chair

"You can't get rid of me this easy, Ray" James said as he opened the iron door.

Ray looked at him angrily with rage.

"Oh, I almost forgot" James said as he turned to Armand "I want salmon for dinner tonight, I am fed up of those hamburgers you gave us…just get me some salmon…, if you don’t have some, a crab will be fine as well"

Ray looked at James as he leave the secretive room and turned back to Armand

"What the hell was that?!" Ray asked angrily "when are you going to kick him out of here!"

"Very soon" Armand said as he looked at Ray "very soon"

"The sooner the better" Ray said seriously "I really can't take this anymore!"

 

Wade parked the car right in front of the Pastry bar, walked out and opened the door for Lisa.

"Thank you" Lisa said happily as she walked out the car "that was a nice ride"

"It sure was" Wade said as he looked at her 

"Ok let's go in" 

"So you live on top of the Pastry bar?" Wade said as they both climbed the stairs 

"Yes my friend Jessica got this room for me" Lisa replied "it is great to have a house right above your work"

"That's true" Wade said as he laughs 

Lisa pulled out the key and opened the door.

The apartment was small and it only contains 2 rooms, it was originally built for a storage room where all the Bar's drink could be kept. Wade stood at the door and took a look around.

"Don’t even compare it to yours" Lisa said as she laughed "come in!"

"Nice place you got here" Wade said as he walked in "don’t get me wrong"

"You are just being sweet that’s all" Lisa said as she sat down on the sofa.

Wade walked and sat right next to her.

"I wish I could freeze this moment and time" Wade said as he looked at her romantically "I wished I could also freeze the time when we were at the miraculous railroad" 

"Me too" Lisa said as she looked back at him "I don’t feel like practicing anymore, I just want to be with you"

Lisa moved more closely to Wade and they both cuddled.

"I don’t want to go to the Fantastica stage" Lisa said sadly

"You have to go, I mean you will go"

"I am still thinking about your building" Lisa said as she smiled "I mean maybe you should talk to your boss, because I am talented"

"No, Lisa" Wade said nicely "forget about the building"

"But you have good payment" 

"Trust me" Wade continued "you will be better off at the Fantastica stage"

"That would have been my mother's dream" Lisa said sadly "I really missed her"

Wade looked at her awkwardly and turned away.

"She wanted me to be a stage singer, she was such a sweet lady" Lisa continued "my father murdered her for nothing"

Wade suddenly let go of her and stood up from the sofa angrily.

"What is it?" Lisa asked "are you ok?"

"I can't take this anymore!" Wade shouted

"What's wrong?" Lisa repeated as she stood up from her seat.

"I don’t know how to explain this" Wade said "oh my God!"

"What...?" Lisa shouted as she looked at him walking around nervously

"Why… Watson? Why?" Wade said lowly as he continued to walk around

"What are you talking about?" Lisa asked again "do you know my father?"

"I can't lie to you anymore" Wade said finally "I just can't…I love you too much Lisa, I can't do this"

"It's ok Wade" Lisa said as she walked closer to him "tell me what is wrong?"

"It’s the business!" Wade shouted "we are not talented people or any of that crap!"

"It's ok, its ok" Lisa said calmly to him "just calm down, it’s ok, I mean whatever you are, whether you are drug dealers or…, I promise I won’t tell anyone"

"No" Wade said as he looked at her "we are not drugs dealers"

"Ok then what-" Lisa started to ask "what is the problem?" 

"Your father did not kill your mother, Lisa" Wade said as he looked at her sadly

"What are you saying? What are you talking about?"

"He did not kill your mother" Wade continued "we did"

"What the hell are you saying?" Lisa said as she stepped away from him "you know my father?"

"Yes" Wade answered "Mr. Watson used to work for us"

"What?" 

"He never mentioned anything about you" Wade continued "I guess it was for your own protection, but he used to work for us perfectly until he-…"

Lisa looked at Wade in shock, she cannot believe her ears.

"He decided to report us" Wade continued "and that is why my boss made this decision"

"What decision!" 

"My boss sent someone to kill your mother, so that we can frame your father"

"You are lying!" Lisa shouted "I was there at the hearing! I heard him confess to killing my mother!"

"That’s because we used the Magnificent Cat on him!" Wade shouted

"What?" Lisa asked "I don’t understand… Magnificent What…?"

"We used the Magnificent Cat on him" Wade repeated "he was not saying what he was saying; my boss was saying everything he was saying!"

"Shut up Wade!" Lisa shouted "I don’t know what the hell you are talking about and its making me angry!"

"You have to listen to me!" Wade continued "it’s the truth…all what he said was not his words! The Magnificent Cat is a device that is used to make someone control another against their will! And that’s our job! We hire the Magnificent Cat to people that wants to control other people! That’s exactly what we do, it’s illegal and we can all be sent to prison for life!"

"I am not listening to this crap!" Lisa shouted "I know what I heard and you can't be serious! My father confessed to me and to the judge about killing my mother… it was him and it was his damn voice! Don’t you dare tell me it was someone else talking in him! Who do you think I am to believe such non-sense?!"

"I am not joking, Lisa" Wade shouted "it wasn't him! He did not kill your mother"

"Shut up" Lisa shouted "he said I have to kill her for she was-" 

"Annoying as hell" Wade interrupted as Lisa looked at him with shock.

"What?" Lisa said as she stepped even further away from him.

"She was annoying as hell, I just found out she cheated on me and I have no idea what to do, I shouldn’t have killed her but I had no choice! I can't overcome my anger! It was out bursting deep inside me, but on a second thought I think she deserves to die!" Wade said as he looked at Lisa.

"How did you know he said that?" Lisa said as tears filled her eyes "how the hell did you know!"

"Because it was my boss's words, not your dad's, he can't help it but watch himself say those things…that’s the Magnificent Cat…that’s what the Magnificent Cat does!"

Lisa walked to the door and opened it 

"Get out!" she demanded as she stood in front of the door "I want you to leave right now!"

"Wait a second, Lisa" Wade pleaded "I just thought you deserve to know the truth, please don’t…don’t hate me"

"Get out of my house now!" Lisa shouted "don’t make me call the police"

"Lisa, please" Wade continued to plead "what I've just told you is a big secret, I really don’t want you to get hurt"

"I can take care of myself…"Lisa said angrily "unless you decide to use the Mag-" she paused for a second and then said "I don’t want to see your face again” 

"Lisa, don’t say that!" Wade said as he comes closer do her

"Stay away from me" she shouted loudly "I really think you should leave"

"What about our love!" Wade said nicely "you can't just let this go to waste"

"It won’t" Lisa replied "because there wasn't any love! I never loved you! I love James"

"What?" Wade said as he looked at her sadly “James? Wh-”

"I told you" Lisa shouted "I had this love at first sight thing with James” 

"What are you saying?"  Wade asked “you can’t be serious, you don’t really mean that do y-"

"Wade, you are a criminal!" Lisa shouted again “You killed both my parents!! GET OUT” 

Wade walked out the door sadly without turning back. And just as he reached the corridor he could hear Lisa's door slammed hard right behind him.

Wade also slides down next to her door heartbroken. 

 

Lisa shuts the door angrily and broke down into tears 

"Why is this happening to me" she cried over and over.

For a second she could remember the day at the court when her father said those words, she remembered when she looked back at him and called him a monster the last time.

"I am so sorry, dad" Lisa said as she continued to cry "I am so sorry!"

 

She walked away from the door and glanced at the window, she can somehow see Wade walking out of the bar and straight into his car.

 

"I love you, Wade" she said lowly to herself "Why am I in love with the guy who literally destroyed my life!"

 

Chapter 19 - Meet Lewis, the Police

Armand sat down on the table next to Ray he picked up a picture and said "this is Lewis; you haven’t met him before did you?"

Ray looked at the picture and replied "No, I haven’t seen this fat guy, who is he?"

"He is a police" Armand replied "a corrupted one too"

"What about him?" Ray asked 

"Well he knows about the Magnificent Cat!"

"What?" Ray shouted

"Relax" Armand replied "he is working with us; we bribe him with 50,000 every month, just to make sure the other police stay out of our backs!"

"I see" Ray said in relief "that’s very smart Armand, very smart"

"Thank you" Armand said happily as he looked at the Magnificent Cat "I will do everything to protect the Magnificent Cat!"

"Speaking of the Magnificent Cat" Ray said "I found an excellent client to hire it"

"Really…?" Armand replied "how much?"

"$7,000,000" Ray replied with a smile "$7,000,000" for only 1day!"

"How sweet is this?!" Armand said happily "Ray, you are amazing, you are really perfect for this job!"

"I know I am" Ray said "this is my pleasure"

"I think we should have dinner now" Armand proposed "let’s go to our special buffet"

 

James walked to the dining hall where he saw all the crew of the building waiting for their dinner.

"Hello everybody" James said as he walked in and grab a seat.

"Do you want a cheese burger, beef, burger, chicken burger, fish burger…?" Joe asked lazily.

"None of those, thank you" James said as he smiled

"Are you saying that you are not eating?" Joe asked

"No I am just eating something else today" James replied “Salmon perhaps”

The entire staff looked at him strangely and turned away.

 

The main dining hall opened and worker walked in.

"Where is James Scorpion?" the worker shouted

"Right here…!" James replied 

The worker walked to him and gave him a plate of delicious salmon.

"The boss said that this is for you" the worker said as he leaves the room.

"Thank you" James said happily as he looked at the meal 

 

The telephone rang at the secretive room and Armand picked it up

"Who is it?" he asked 

"It's me Lewis" the voice replied "I am downstairs right in front of your building "can I come in?"

"Come right up" Armand said lowly "take the elevator I will open the door for you"

"I will be right up" Lewis said as he closed the phone.

"Who is it?" Ray asked just as Armand shuts the phone

"It's Lewis" Armand replied "he is coming in now"

 

A slight knock was then made at the door. Armand woke up from his seat and opened the door

"Hello Armand" Lewis greeted as he walked into the room.

"Hello Lewis" Armand replied "how's everything today?"

"Everything is great" Lewis answered "as long as the money comes in my pocket"

Ray turned and looked at him angrily. 

"Oh, this is Ray" Armand said as he introduced Lewis to Ray

"Hello" Ray greeted angrily "nice to meet you"

"Likewise" Lewis replied with half a smile.

"So how is our deal?" Armand asked as he sits at his table.

"The police are off your back for sure" Lewis replied "don’t worry about them"

"I hope so" Armand replied 

"I heard something about this place being known as a talent people place" Lewis said as he burst into laughter "who came up with this shit?!"

"I did" Armand replied sharply "and that’s only because cops are morons!"

Lewis's laughs turned to anger and shame "anyways I need some money"

"Where were you when those police walked into the building last time?" Ray asked as he looked at Lewis.

"Well, Armand did not give me any money" Lewis replied "and trust me if there is none in my pocket, please expect everything at your door, including the feds!"

"Fine" Armand replied angrily "here is $20,000 for the next couple of weeks, is it ok?"

"It's perfect" Lewis replied as he grabbed the money.

"So you will stay away from us this week, including the day of the concert?" Ray asked.

"What concert?" Armand asked 

"You haven't heard about the concert?" Lewis said laughingly "Bevin's first Concert, I have no idea who came up with such a ridiculous idea"

"It's not ridiculous" Ray interrupted angrily "I mean this dull area needs some action"

"Let’s get down to business shall we?" Armand said as he looked at both of them 

"You mean you don’t want to go?" Ray asked nervously.

"I don’t care" Armand replied "if you all want to go you can just go! I will stay here with my army and the bodyguards…the Magnificent Cat needs protection"

"It sure does" Lewis said happily as he counts his money.

"I won't go, if you need me" Ray continued "I mean I will only go if Patricia wants to go" 

Suddenly they all heard a knock on the door.

"Is that you James" Armand shouted "please leave right now!"

"Get the hell out of here!" Ray shouted

"It's me, Wade" the voice shouted through the iron door "let me in"

"Wade..?" Armand said as he woke up from his seat.

"Where are your keys?" Armand asked as he opened the door

"I can't remember" Wade replied as he walked in exhaustedly 

"Are you ok?" Lewis asked "you look like one of those junkies we arrested yesterday"

"Just shut up" Armand replied to Lewis

"Why don't you have dinner" Ray said as he looked at Wade "there are lots-"

"Yes" Armand interrupted "there are lots of specials today at the buffet

"I am not hungry!" Wade shouted "I am jus-"

"Alright, alright" Ray said calmly "the whole buffet is yours whenever you feel like eating"

"Can I talk to you alone" Wade said as he looked at Armand

"Of course" Armand replied

Armand looked at Ray and Lewis and gave them a nod to leave the room.

"Fine" Ray said "I will just be waiting downstairs with the losers"

 

Both Ray and Lewis walked out of the room and closed the iron door behind them.

"What is it?" Armand asked Wade nicely

"Everything" Wade replied "I am tired of this job! This is crazy!"

"Don’t you dare tell me that you are leaving this job!?" Armand said angrily 

"I am just saying-" Wade said as his nose started to bleed

Armand was still looking at him when he grabbed a tissue to wipe it off

"Were you using drugs?" Armand asked seriously

"Can I do the talking here" Wade said angrily

"I said were you inhaling cocaine off a pot a few minutes ago" Armand asked again

"We all have problems" Wade shouted 

"No, no, no" Armand said as he rolled his eyes "Wade, Wade, Wade"

"I don’t have any other choice, I-"

"Don’t say that" Armand interrupted "yes, this work is very stressful, but we have to deal with it! We have to control it before it controls us"

"Easy for you to say" Wade said as he turned away.

"I mean it" Armand continued "I am also having problems myself!"

"Oh, you finally know the truth about Ray" Wade said annoyingly

"No, I am talking about James" Armand said sharply 

"I think James is pretty much annoying to everyone!" Wade replied just wishing Armand doesn’t mention his name "don’t you have bigger problem to worry about"

"I am serious" Armand repeated "it's my job to rule things around here, and the way James is behaving lately… its getting tougher for me"

"What did he do this time?"  Wade asked angrily still furious about the subject

"He is coming here more often" Armand continued "he is addicted to this room"

"Who isn’t?" 

"Listen to me, Wade" Armand said nicely "I don’t want anything to bother you, just remember you have everything!"

"I know-"

"And you have me" Armand interrupted "you also have this office! This office will be yours someday, just remember that!"

 

Ray and Lewis went downstairs to the main hall of the building

"I see you are new here" Lewis asked Ray as he lights a cigar

"Yes I am" 

"I am surprised Armand trusts you" Lewis said annoyingly "I mean you are new here but, you are higher than most people around here"

"Of course" Ray replied sharply "because if it wasn't for me, you won't be receiving a dime from Armand"

 

James and Nick walked into the hall and saw both Ray and Lewis standing there.

"Well hello there" James said as he looked at Ray "you fired yet?"

"Maybe when Mr. Picklock flies to the North Pole" Ray replied "that will be perfect time to fire me, don’t you think?"

James's smile turned to anger "screw you Ray, the topic was about you, no one else"

"So you are interested in going to the concert?" Nick said to avoid problems

"What concert?" James asked as he turned from Ray to Nick

"Bevin's first concert" Lewis continued "hasn't anyone cared to notice the signboards on the street!"

"No Lewis" James said annoyingly "don’t you think we have better things to do here"

"Why did you even talk to him" Ray said as he looked at Lewis "I think we should go back up"

"I think so too" Lewis said as he gives James a dirty look

"Good bye" James said as they entered into the elevator "say hello to your mommy for me"

 

The second iron door opened and both Ray and Lewis walked in.

"I hope you are done talking, because I can't stay down any longer" Ray said as he walked in.

"We are done" Wade replied 

"Ok let's talk something important" Ray said as he sits on the main desk

"What is it?" Armand asked

"Mr. Herbert" Ray said happily "let's give Mr. Herbert a date, shall we?"

"Okay" Armand replied 

Armand turned to Lewis and said "I think your job here is done. Come again later"

"Aright, aright" Lewis replied "I know you have a business to run, I will leave"

Lewis left the room and closed the iron door behind him.

"Who is Mr. Herbert?" Wade asked curiously

"Well, Wade" Ray started as he looked at Wade "Mr. Herbert is a guy willing to higher the Magnificent Cat for 7,000,000 and only for 4 hours!"

"It's fake" Wade said sharply

"Wade!" Armand shouted "please"

"I mean it" Wade continued "I think it's fake, there is something behind this"

"There is nothing behind this!" Ray shouted "are you jealous I find better customers for the job than you do!"  

Wade looked at Ray angrily and was heading to the door

"Wait a second" Armand called out "Wade don’t go"

"I am leaving" Wade replied as he looked at Armand 

"No, wait" Armand repeated "just stay for a minute"

"I am sorry, Wade" Ray said calmly as he stood up "but you are starting to get a bit annoying"

"Ray!" Armand shouted "stop it both of you! Let’s talk about the meeting; I say we do it tomorrow"

"Sounds great" Ray said happily "I will make the arrangement"

"Let it be held tomorrow afternoon" Armand repeated "confirm that"

"Sure will" Ray said as he looked at Wade annoyingly "we should all be here when he arrives"

"We will" Armand replied "right, Wade?"

"Yes" Wade replied dryly "of course"

 

 

The night passes quickly as it turned to dawn and soon afterwards it was morning before anyone knows it. 

"Lisa!" Jessica shouted as she knocked the door "Lisa its 9:00 in the morning we are already late to serve breakfast"

Jessica continues to knock but there was no reply from Lisa

"Lisa!" Jessica shouted again "are you in there with Wade? Is everything alright?

Suddenly the door opened and Lisa was still wearing her pajamas with her hair messed up and sick from crying the entire night

"Oh my God, Lisa" Jessica said as she looked at her "I was starting to get worried, what's wrong? Are you ok? You sure seem chaotic"

"I really can't go to work today" Lisa replied with a soared voice

"Have you been crying?" Jessica asked seriously

"I feel horrible, can you please give Mr. Lennox an excuse, I mean anything; just tell him that I am very sick and tired"

"Sure I will" Jessica replied "just forget about Mr. Lennox, let me come in, I think we need to talk…tell me everything!"

 

 

Far away in Slycity Ruddick and Alden cannot wait to snatch away the Magnificent Cat, as a matter of fact they are even more excited for the war, they are considering their plans to be the best ever made.

"When is the damn Concert?" Alden asked Ruddick

"Patricia will give me a call" Ruddick replied "don’t you worry at all, this war is on!"

"Don’t you love our team" Alden said happily

"You mean my future wife and future father-in-law" Ruddick interrupted 

"Yes" Alden replied with a laugh "We are one big family, aren’t we"

"Only if things go smooth" Ruddick replied.

 

 

"What the hell?" Jessica shouted just as Lisa finished telling the story.

"Your father was executed for no reason!" Jessica continued "what is the Magnificent Cat? What the hell is this?"

"I have no idea" Lisa said as she continues to cry "he was talking about it on and on and I just can't take this anymore! I asked him to leave"

"But what happened to your father wasn't entirely Wade's fault"

"It wasn't his fault at all" Lisa continued "or maybe…I really don’t know what happened last night, it was just horrible"

"Don’t worry" Jessica said "for the mean time I think you need some space and time to think, but later on I think you and Wade need to talk this over"

"I don’t think that is going to happen" Lisa said

"Why not" Jessica said with a smile "he likes you a lot…I think we both know that"

"I said something horrible" Lisa continued "I sacked him horribly, I told him that I love James" Lisa said as she started to cry again

"Lisa?" Jessica said surprisingly "Do you really have to bring James up in the conversation? Oh my God, Lisa, even if that was you true feelings, do you have to say it to his face! What are you thinking?"

"My true feelings…?" Lisa said seriously as she stopped crying "you think that’s my true feeling? That’s NOT my true feeling, I don’t love James, yes I liked him, I had a school crush on him but I love Wade, I love Wade!"

"Oh my God" Jessica said as she looked at Lisa seriously "you Love Wade"

"I do" Lisa said shyly as she smiled “I love him, I love the way he smiles…his kindness” 

"I knew it" Jessica continued "I always knew it!"

"I re-"

"I think you should go talk to him!" Jessica interrupted "you should talk to him"

"Right now…?" Lisa asked surprisingly 

"No" Jessica replied "At the Concert!"

 

Chapter 20 - A close call

Armand walked into the secretive room feeling like a king, for a moment he just knew that everything can be controlled only by his own permission.

"What a wonderful World" Armand said happily

"What did you say?" Ray asked as he walked into the room with Wade.

"Good morning" Armand said as he looked at them "you are up early"

"What a wonderful World?" Ray repeated as he laughed 

"When is the meeting?" Wade asked angrily to change the topic

"This afternoon, Wade" Armand replied "you know that"

"I confirmed it as well" Ray added "let’s just make sure everything goes smooth"

"It will be smooth" Armand said "perhaps let’s just make sure James doesn’t interrupt"

"He won't!" Ray shouted "why is keeping James out of the way a big problem?!"

"It's not a big problem" Armand interrupted nervously "now let’s clean up the place for a nice loaded meeting"

"I will make sure everyone downstairs knows that a meeting will be held" Wade said dryly as he left the room.

 

James woke up later than anyone else in the building, he wasn't feeling well. He woke up from his bed and looked at his reflection in the mirror.

"Am I still human?" he said lowly to himself as he continued to look "what? What is going on?"

James changed his cloths and ran downstairs; he walked out of the building and heads straight to the Greenwood's house.

 

Patricia was packing her things when she heard the door bell rang. She walked down the corridor and opened it.

"James?" she said as she opened the door "what are you doing here?"

"I am here to see you" James replied "what do you think?"

"Of course" Patricia said with a smile "I am just guessing …."

"Is your dad home?" James asked as he looked inside

"No" Patricia replied "isn’t he at your building?"

"I really have no idea" James continued "can I come in"

"Sure" Patricia replied with an awkward look 

James walked in and saw her dresses all packed up in a luggage.

"You are going somewhere?" James asked as he looked at her seriously "are you leaving?"

"No, silly" Patricia replied as she laughed "I am unpacking! Well my dad told me that we will only stay here for a short time, so I didn’t unpack all of my things, but yesterday he told me that we will be here for quite a long time!"

"I see" James said with doubt in his eyes "did he actually say quite a long time or for good?"

"Are you asking because you want me to stay or because you wanted my father to leave as soon as possible?"

"Patricia?" James said as he walked closer to her "it's always you"

"I hope so" Patricia said as she looked at him "I sometime feel that your mind is far away from me, it is as if you are hiding something"

"No, no" James replied sharply "I am not hiding anything, trust me"

"I think you are just more mysterious than I thought" Patricia said as she smiled "I like that, and you know why, it's because I will figure it out one way or another"

James was not listening to a word Patricia was saying, his mind was only focused on the Magnificent Cat, he really wanted to know what really happened that very day when his grandfather made him become the Magnificent Cat. He knew that his grandfather had no choice, for if James wasn't the Magnificent Cat, he will be dead by now, either killed by Bacilli or Armand.

"I have to go" James said suddenly as he walked out of the house

"James!" Patricia called out "where are you going? We are still talking!"

"I am sorry" James shouted "I have to talk to someone"

Patricia looked at James as he walked down the street to the other side and straight to the building.

"This is just great" Patricia said angrily and sarcastically "this is just great, I don’t know what is up with you, James, but I will find out"

"How come I never heard your side of the story, Armand?" James said to himself, as he walked across the street to the building "I deserve to know the truth about what happened"

 

Armand and Ray started rearranging the secretive room for the meeting; they made sure it looks cozy and professional.

"Mr. Herbert is a very important client" Ray said as he arranged his desk "we better not blow this meeting"

"No one is going to blow this meeting, Ray" Armand said as he looked at Ray "why do you think this meeting is going to be blown off!?"

"No I don’t think that, I am just making sure everything will go on smooth, that’s all, you know…no James involved"

"It will" Armand continued "lets juts get this place ready, shall we?"

"You are right" Ray said sharply "he will be here at noon"

"Noon…?" Armand asked surprisingly "I thought you said afternoon"

"I am not sure anymore" Ray said confusingly "let me call him and make sure"

"Yes, I think you should do that" Armand replied as he looked at Ray strangely.

"Alright" Ray said as he grabbed his cell phone and walked out of the room.

 

Ray stood behind the second iron door and started dialing.

"What is it?" Ruddick said directly as he answered the phone

"When is the Herbert guy coming?" Ray asked angrily "is this trick even working"

"Relax Ray" Ruddick replied "he will be there afternoon at your ridiculous building"

"Well he better be here" Ray continued "with the $7,000,000 Cash!"

"Don’t get too excited about that?!" Ruddick said angrily "remember that the $7,000,000 is mine! And not to mention we are broke without the Magnificent Cat, you better not let Armand touch that money!"

"He won’t" Ray said sharply "it's our money! Same way the Magnificent Cat will be ours"

"Now you are talking" Ruddick said annoyingly "just go do your job or whatever…Mr. Herbert will be there afternoon"

 

Ray walked in the secretive room.

"So?" Armand said as he looked at Ray entering the room.

"What?" Ray asked weirdly

"Is it noon or afternoon?" Armand asked with harsh tone

"Oh its afternoon, Mr. Herbert will show up this afternoon with 7,000,000" Ray replied nervously 

"Time and Date is very important I will let this pass for now" Armand said angrily "but the next time I asked you to confirm something you better do it!"

"Definitely" Ray replied in relief 

 

James walked to the verandah and saw everyone from far away busy doing their job outside. James walked into the building ready to head to the secretive room.

The building was empty when James walked in; he was indeed willing and eager to hear Armand side of the story, what was his point of view?

Just as James was walking to the elevator leading to the secretive room, he saw Wade standing right in front of the elevator

"Where do you think you are going?" Wade asked as he looked at James seriously

"I am going upstairs to ask Armand about something" James replied angrily "I don’t have time nor feel like explaining things to you"

"That’s it, James" Wade shouted "We are having a meeting today and Armand is very busy and clearly not willing to see you"

"Why do you care? Why don’t you go mind your own business"

"I am" Wade continued annoyingly "in case you didn’t notice, Armand, the secretive room, the Magnificent Cat are my business, James"

"you mean you got no life" James said smilingly as he looked at Wade "you know I am not really in the mood to stand here and talk to you all day, I will just leave now and somehow later on today, I will go back up to the so called secretive room and piss the shit out of Armand"

"Fuck you" Wade said sharply as he looked at James angrily and with rage. All the annoyance, James’s behavior and Lisa’s words were going though his head and driving him crazy.

"I will be back" James said to Wade as he walked off.

 

All of a sudden Wade walked behind him and pushed James with a great anger.

James fell on the ground without knowing what hit him; he turned back and saw Wade looking back at him.

"You shouldn’t have done that" James said as he woke up from the ground

"But I just did" Wade replied annoyingly as he looked at James.

"I know, you just shouldn't had" James said as he took off his jacket to start a fight.

Wade started to remove his jacket as well, but before he can finish doing that, James grabbed him and threw him to the ground.

 

"Did you hear something?" Ray asked Armand as they continued to prepare for the meeting.

Armand stood still for few seconds and then said "no, I did not hear anything, why don’t you just help me finish cleaning this place up before Mr. Herbert comes"

"Sure" Ray said angrily as he rolled his eyes.

 

"You like that" James taunted as he looked at Wade on the ground.

Wade woke up angrily just to punch James fatally on the face. James pitched backward and smacked his head on the table's edge.

"Ouch" he shouted lowly as he woke up again. James took a few steps forward and started punching Wade, his arms seemed to move quicker than his thought, he felt Wade's ribs break and heard his jaw-bone cracked, he did that continuously until Wade yanked backwards and slid down the wall.

All of a sudden Wade woke up to continue hitting. James staggered back; surprised by the force of the blow Wade strikes on him. Wade took out all his anger and gave James a hard blow bearing down on him like a missile. James fell to the ground and rolled away.

"Damn it…!" he grunted, and rolled again to avoid a well-aimed kick from Wade. Cat-like, he leapt back up to grab anything, but there was nothing on the main hall's table.

"Where, where are you going?" Wade asked tiredly 

James continued to gaze around the room without saying anything. Wade followed up his advantage, breathing hard; in quick succession he landed several more kicks at James's back. 

 

"I think I heard something again downstairs" Ray said as he looked at Armand seriously 

"Like what?" Armand questioned annoyingly "because it might be Mr. Herbert's footsteps, meaning that we are not even ready for the meeting with our papers flying around the office!"

"Relax Armand" Ray said angrily "you seem scared, this meeting is not going to blow! Mr. Herbert will hire the Magnificent Cat for 4 hours and $7,000,000; nothing is going to stop that!"

"I hope so" Armand replied as he continued to prepare his own desk.

 

James couldn’t handle the beating anymore, he turned around and kicked Wade hardly against the wall. Wade hits the wall and stared at James angrily.

"That’s it?" James taunted "that’s all you got?" 

"Not really" Wade replied 

James walked closer to him and continued hitting him, he wasn't taking any chances, using enough energy power to continue the fight, Wade reach out blindly from behind and grabbed an old picture frame that was lying on the ground, he then picked it up angrily and hits it hard across James's head.

James turned away putting his hand on his head and bending over as if he were in terrible pain.

Wade stopped hitting and looked at him seriously; he somehow felt sorry and looked closely at James.

"Are you…?" Wade asked as he continued to look closely at James.

"Step away from me!" James shouted "go away!"

For a second or two Wade can somehow see James's eyes turned into colors, it was greenish yellow which somehow look like a cat.

“Oh my God, is everything ok?”

“I said stay away” James shouted as he grabbed Wade all of a sudden and raised him from the ground.

"You piss the hell out of me" James shouted with rage "I can't take you anymore!"

He raised him higher and placed him hardly on the main hall's table.

Wade can hear his back cracked after the strong hit and shouted loudly right after it.

 

"I heard something" Armand said as he finally heads to the iron door

"I told you" Ray said as he followed him to the door "you just won't listen to me"

Both Armand and Ray heads to the elevator and down to the main hall. 

 

At the main hall just as Armand and Ray arrived, to their surprises all what they saw was Wade lying on the table and James on top of him throwing punches.

"Stay away from him" Armand shouted as he approached them 

"What the hell is going on here?" Ray shouted 

 

All the entire staff outside the building heard the noise and ran to see what was going on in the main hall. Every one entered the building and saw both James and Wade fighting while Armand tries to stop them.

Nick ran to grab James and part him away from Wade, while Armand on the other side helped Wade get off the table.

"Are you ok?" Armand asked Wade nicely

"Yes I am fine" Wade replied as he stood up 

"Are you sure?" Ray asked with an overprotective manner

"I said I am fine!" 

 

"Let go off me" James shouted as he freed himself from Nick and ran straight to Wade to continue hitting him.

"Hey!" Nick shouted as well as all the other staff in the building, but this time both Armand and Ray pushed James away from Wade.

James is now thrown back by Armand and Ray as well as everyone else. Every staff in the building held James back and far away from Wade as if he was a fierce animal.

"Let me go!" James shouted loudly "get off me!"

"Don’t let go of him!" Armand shouted at the staffs that are holding James back "take him outside”

"Leave me alone!!" James shouted even loudly 

"Just get out James!" Armand shouted back at him

“Just get out James!”

“Just get out James!”

Armand voice echoed over and over in his head. 

James rage grew even angrier when he heard the words Armand said, he struggled strongly just to let go of all the staffs that are holding him behind, he finally let go of them and climbed up the hall's gigantic table where he stood there staring at everyone.

"Hey get him!" Ray ordered the staffs including Lewis. 

James took off his small protection gun from his pocket and placed it on his own head.

"Is that what you want, Armand!" James shouted loudly for everyone to hear him "Is that what you want!?"

"Calm down James" Armand said nervously "please don’t do that"

"Please?" James repeated "are you begging me now?"

Armand turned and saw everyone in the room starring quietly at them.

"James, listen to me" Armand said calmly "just put the gun down, you are not thinking straight"

"If he wants a hole in his head, just let him get a hole on his head" Ray shouted 

"Shush" Armand said angrily to Ray "we don’t want things to get messy here"

"Is that true" James continued "is that the real reason why you don’t want me to blow my fucking brains off!"

"Stop it, James" Armand shouted "Stop it! Just drop the gun we can talk this over"

"Well, start talking!" James said still holding the gun on his head "I don’t have all day, to tell you the truth I am sick and tired of my situation here in this fucked up business, maybe I should end all of this, right here right now!"

Lewis walked slowly from behind and tasered James shockingly. James fired the gun just as the electricity passes through his body.

All what everyone could hear was a loud shot. The bullet however missed James's head and went up the chandelier.

James fell on the ground unconsciously and dropped the gun.

"What!" Armand shouted "oh my God, what did you do?"

"He is fine" Lewis said annoyingly "you asked him to stop, he wouldn’t stop, and I had to do something"

Armand walked closer to Lewis and said "do you have any idea what you just did"

"I tasered him" Lewis replied "what's the big deal?"

"He had a gun to his head" Armand shouted "you almost killed him!"

"Relax Armand" Ray said seriously "James got it coming anyways"

"I wished I did kill him" Lewis said annoyingly as he smiled "he was a pain in the ass"

Armand turned to Lewis direction and picked up his shot gun.

"Armand what are-" Wade shouted but before he could finish talking Armand fired one shot straight onto Lewis's head, blowing his brains all over the place.

"What the Hell!" Ray shouted loudly

Everyone else in the room stood there in shock of what just happened.

"Oh my God" Joe said as he looked at the blood on the floor and splashed all over the wall.

"I want everyone to stop doing their jobs today" Armand said calmly "your jobs today is to clean up this mess, I want this place cleaned as if nothing happened"

"Sure boss" Nick replied sharply

"And I want you to take James back to his room" Armand said as he walked away

"Armand what have you done!" Ray shouted as he followed him "have you realized that you killed a Police, a Damn Police!"

"So what…?" Armand replied "we can cover it up"

"The entire force of Bevin will be behind our back" Ray shouted

"No they won't" Armand replied "they won't even know he is dead, we have the Magnificent Cat, remember?"

"So…?" Ray asked

"So we can use the Magnificent Cat on his wife and say he travelled to Hawaii or something" Armand answered "my goodness, don’t you know the trick already?"

"Sure, sure" Ray replied angrily

"While everyone cleans up this mess, Ray, Wade, follow me to the secretive room now! We have a meeting to proceed, let's go!" Armand ordered

"Right away" Ray said as he followed Armand

Wade stood there still in shock of everything that happened earlier, had no choice but to follow Armand to the secretive room.

 

Armand, Ray and Wade walked into the secretive room and closed the second iron door behind them. 

"What the hell was that?" Armand asked angrily as he looked at Wade "I can expect a foolish behavior like that from James, but you? You are way smarter than that!"

"You are talking about me?" Wade shouted

"Yes you!" Armand replied "first there were drugs, then fights!"

"Listen to me, Armand" Wade said angrily "I am not the one who fired a loyal employee, hired a person I barely know about, and not to mention shot a police officer in the head!"

"Shut up!" Armand shouted

"No" Wade shouted back "you are not the Armand I knew! I don’t know who you are anymore!"

"Wade we have a meeting in few hours I recommend you clean up nicely and get ready, damn it" Armand said as he walked to his desk

"I am not attending this meeting" Wade said as he walked to the door.

"Wade, don’t go" Armand begged as he walked out.

"I am leaving! I might not even come back!" Wade shouted as he closed the second iron door.

"This is just great" Armand said as he sighs 

"I know!" Ray interrupted "I have the feeling that this meeting was not going to go smoothly, and I knew it has to be somewhat caused by James".

 

Chapter 21 - A friendly visit to Mr. Picklock

The day turned from noon to afternoon and finally into night. It was a showery night; the rain was barely seen or felt. It was a very light rain that poured the entire night. 

 

Patricia looked out of the kitchen window and can somehow see her father coming straight to the house.

"Hello Patricia" Ray said as he walked into the house.

"How's your day?" Patricia asked as she followed him to the living room

"Horrible" Ray replied "but at least the meeting went well"

"Which meeting…?"  Patricia asked "the fake one?"

"Yes" Ray replied "Mr. Herbert played it well and we gave Armand the $7,000,000"

"That’s a lot of money" Patricia said seriously "we have to get it back!"

"Sure we will" Ray replied "don’t worry"

"So where is the Magnificent Cat now?" Patricia asked as she smiled 

"It's with Mr. Herbert" Ray replied "I have to take it back from him in 4 hours time"

"Why don’t we just steal it right now?" Patricia said excitingly "let's drive off with Mr. Herbert to Sly City tonight!"

"Are you mad?" Ray replied "don’t you know that the Magnificent cat can be detected by Armand anywhere it goes! And once the Magnificent Cat leaves Bevin it will send Armand a signal"

"Really…?" Patricia asked curiously

"Yes, and do you know what he will do next when he finds out that the Magnificent Cat is out of Bevin"

"What can he possibly do?" 

"Well he will explode us before we even know it!"

"Waw" Patricia said as she laughed "but wouldn’t that destroy the Magnificent Cat as well!" 

"Of course not" Ray replied "the Magnificent Cat is more protective than you think; we will be shattered into Pieces while the Magnificent Cat stays clean"  

"This is very interesting" 

"Yes" Ray said smilingly "There are only two ways in which the Magnificent Cat can be destroyed, the first way is if Armand decide to destroy it himself, which can never happen clearly, and the other way is if something happens to Wade, that’s all"

"I see" Patricia said curiously "I have been doing some thinking about this"

"About what…?" Ray asked 

"About Wade" Patricia replied "I don’t think he is the Magnificent Cat"

"How can you be so sure, you have no idea what really goes on in that house"

"I think James is the Magnificent Cat" Patricia said sharply

"James?" Ray repeated as he laughed "of all people…James?"

"I don’t really know why, but I just see it in him"

"Patricia, you haven’t even met Wade" Ray continued "in addition to that you should have seen the way Armand treated James in comparison with Wade"

"I don’t understand" Patricia said as she looked at Ray seriously.

"Armand doesn’t care about James!" Ray continued "I don’t think Armand can risk something like that"

"Maybe it’s a cover up" Patricia added "it can be a cover up, pretending that Wade is the Magnificent Cat while James is the real one!"

"That’s impossible" Ray said as he thinks about everything that happened "I am not sure but I don’t think its James"

"You better be sure about information like that!" Patricia shouted "we are going to get the Magnificent Cat sooner or later, we better be ready for it"

"you are right" Ray said "but I can swear on your life that its Wade, I mean people like us, me, you, Ruddick, Armand, James, we don’t own the Magnificent Cat and that’s why we want it so badly! But Wade, I mean if you look at Wade and really study him, you can tell that he is not much into it, and that’s what is ownership, once you own it, you barely notice its yours"

"Not convincing" Patricia said as she looked around "I still think that if something is really yours but owned by someone else, you will be aggravated and annoyed all the time, and that’s James"

"Your point of view is interesting, Patricia" Ray said as he looked at her "but Ruddick is acting the same way, he is definitely not the Magnificent Cat nor does he own it"

"I see" Patricia said as she looked away

"You are spending way too much time with James than I thought" Ray said seriously "I don’t like it anymore, and I think you are over studying him"

"It doesn’t matter" Patricia interrupted "I am just doing my job, after all I will get married to Ruddick in the end, but only if he owns the Magnificent Cat."

"We will own it; it's just a matter of time"

"Speaking of time" Patricia interrupted "I know when and where the concert will be held"

"You do?" 

"Yes" Patricia replied "it’s the day after tomorrow

"Waw, that’s soon" Ray said surprisingly "let me call Ruddick now"

Ray dialed the number as fast as he could

"Any news…?" Ruddick asked just as he heard the first ring

"As a matter of fact, yes" Ray replied "the concert is after tomorrow, do you think the plan is possible?"

"Everything is possible" Ruddick replied "to tell you the truth; I am actually tired of waiting"

"Then you don’t have to" Ray continued "by the way the meeting was great, Mr. Herbert did a great job"

"I don’t need to know about the meeting" Ruddick interrupted "just get me my money back"

"Sure" Ray replied as he shuts down the phone

"I think our job is almost done here in Bevin" Patricia said as she walked to her room and continued packing 

 

Ruddick shuts down the phone and called Alden to the main room immediately 

"Alden!" he shouted 

"What is it?" Alden asked as he walked in the room

"I think I have a date for our possession" Ruddick said with a smile.

 

The next morning in Bevin was a nice fresh weather. 

The pastry bar was somewhat occupied with customers, it was more active than most days in the past weeks.

"Where is Lisa?" Collin asked when he saw Jessica working alone

"She is doing her rehearsals" Jessica replied "the concert is tomorrow"

"Oh I almost forgot" Collin said 

"And that’s why the place is full today" Jessica added "they are here for the concert"

"Thanks to Lisa" Collin said as he laughed 

"No, thanks to you" Jessica interrupted "you are the one who gave her the opportunity of singing in your bar, no one would have noticed her"

"Trust me" Collin continued "the pleasure is all mine"

 

Wade woke up early and was heading downstairs out of the building.

"Wade" Armand called out as he walked out of the elevator.

Wade wanted to ignore but instead he just turned around to see what Armand has to say.

"Wade, listen to me" Armand said as he approached "where are you going?"

"Is that what you want to ask me?" Wade said as he takes a step closer to the door.

"No, no, no" Armand continued "I just want to talk to you, that’s all, like usual"

"I have to go somewhere now" Wade replied 

"Wade, we are $7,000,000 richer last night" Armand continued "don’t you want to celebrate it with me"

"I can see you are happy" Wade said as he looked at Armand "but these things don’t make me happy anymore"

"Wade?" Armand said surprisingly "you are not quitting on this are you?" 

"I don’t know, Armand" Wade replied "I need to do some thinking"

"Wade, why are you doing this?"

"I have to go" Wade said suddenly "I will talk to you later"

 

Wade walked out of the building and saw Armand still standing in front of the main door, fading slowly as he continued to walk further. Wade hated the sight of this, for he always liked Armand and never let him down in any way.

 

James woke up from his bed surprisingly, he thought it was morning but it was noon already. He felt pain all over his body, he can't tell if it was from the beating or the electric taser Lewis gave him.

"Oh my God" James said as he woke up from his bed "what happened?"

He got up and looked in the mirror; he can see the bruises and scars on his face, but none as visible as the scar on his left eye, which looked like a giant cat scratch. 

"What did I do?" James said quietly "what is wrong with me?"

He didn’t feel like going back to work, nor seeing anyone faces, he just felt like leaving, but the fact that the Magnificent Cat belongs to him is somehow keeping his thoughts messed up.

James walked out of his room and slowly out of the building. He found himself standing in the middle of the street with nothing on his mind; he looked straight at the Greenwood's house, but changed his mind about going there, and instead took another street, the street that heads out.

James thought that this can be the perfect time to visit someone he really missed and technically depended on for his entire life.

"I have to see Mr. Picklock" James said to himself "I hope he didn’t leave town yet"

 

James walked on and on until he reached a small cottage in which Picklock is living in for the mean time, as James walked nearer and nearer to the cottage, he can somehow hear voices, voices that came out of the cottage. At that time he knew Mr. Picklock was not alone, but talking to someone else.

James walked closer to the main door until he heard a familiar voice saying "ok, I have to leave now, Mr. Picklock, I will talk to you later"

Suddenly the main door opened and Wade walked out, only to find James standing in front of him.

They both looked at each other awkwardly without saying a word to each other.

James thought that the bruises and scars on his own face this morning was awful but it was just as bad as those on Wade's face. 

Wade turned away sharply and walked straight to his lavish car.

James looked at him as he drove off and turned back to the main door to ring the bell.

 

Wade drove off as fast as he could, he wasn’t in the mood to go back to the building or to see anyone's face, and he just drove further to the old Rail Way. 

Wade parked his car right underneath a bushy tree and walked off to the bushes of old trees, he walked deeper and deeper into the bushes which was once a pavement leading to the train station. He sat there quietly hoping all his problems can disappear, he just sat on the grass and gazed onto the sky.

He looked up in the sky and then started to sing solely.

 

  "       You are more than a love, an amazing treasure with an angel smile, take me by surprise but I mean nothing when you’re around…you think that I’m a fool, nothing more but an innocent fool, take me by surprise or wonder why…    ”

 

 

James rang the bell twice before the door was finally opened by Mr. Picklock

"James!" Picklock shouted happily as he gave James a big hug

"I am so glad to see you, Mr. Picklock" James said happily "I have missed you"

"I've missed you too, James" Picklock replied as he looked closely at James "oh my God, look at you! You also got bruises! What is going on James?"

"I don’t know" James said as he let himself in and sat on one of the couches "I really don’t know"

"Life is tough, James" Picklock said as he sat next to James "but we all have to deal with it one way or another"

"I wanted to kill myself yesterday" James interrupted "I just can’t handle anything anymore, I almost made Armand confess that I am the Magnificent Cat right in front of everyone, including Ray, and I wanted to die just to end all this which is probably the best revenge for Armand"

"Don’t say that James, the Magnificent Cat belongs to you, and that’s what your grandfather wanted it to be"

"My grandfather will be very disappointed if he was still here" James added "with me all grown up and the Magnificent Cat is still in Armand's hands"

"No, James" Picklock continued "he will be disappointed if he heard you tried to kill yourself! That will surely break his heart! As matter of fact he will be glad to know that the Magnificent Cat is with Armand and not with Ruddick!"

"What difference does it make?" James asked angrily "both Ruddick and Armand are not Scorpions! Are they?!"

"No they are not!" Picklock replied "but the fact that the Magnificent Cat is with Armand it will be closer to you!"

James turned to look at Picklock seriously and said "No one knows I am the Magnificent Cat, right?"

"That’s right" Picklock replied "even you are not suppose to know, but…let’s just say this is a very delicate secret"

"This is horrible" James continued "but no one will touch me if they know the truth"  

"Who…?" Picklock asked "do you mean Ruddick and Alden?"

"Yes" James replied "I can take them down easily, they cannot hurt me if they want the Magnificent Cat"

"James, no one is going to believe that you are the Magnificent Cat" Picklock added "you can't just go over to them and order not to be killed because you are the Magnificent Cat!"

"Why not…?" James shouted "I… I will tell everyone that I am the Magnificent Cat!"

"No, James" Picklock shouted "they don’t even know that the Magnificent Cat belongs to someone or is even someone"

"What?" James asked

"The Magnificent Cat to them is just a sole object nothing attached to it!" Picklock continued "you shouldn’t let anyone know you are the Magnificent Cat"

"Ruddick is smart" James added "he can do a background check and find out that it does belong to someone, my grandfather"

"I don’t think so" Picklock replied "just stay safe, James, that’s all I am asking from you right now, that’s all"

"Thank you Mr. Picklock" James said as he smiled "are you leaving Bevin for good?"

"Yes I am, James" Picklock replied "I don’t want to end up like Mr. Watson, I will miss this place though, but most of all I will miss you"

"I will miss you too, Mr. Picklock" James said as he stood up and gave Picklock a hug

"But I will be here for the concert" Picklock said happily "I will see the concert before I leave, and that’s for sure"

"In this case I will be there" James replied "we shall meet there"

 

Chapter 22 - An eccentric investment

The next day in Bevin was quite, there wasn't any busy street, and this is because the people of Bevin were instead preparing for the concert the next day.  

The Beautiful garden was the main place for all the guests attending the concert, while a new huge stage will be fixed at the end of the garden. 

 

Jessica knocked on Lisa's door to check out with the preparation.

Lisa opened the door and said "Good morning Jessica"

"Good morning" Jessica replied "how's everything going with the music?"

"I am still practicing, well I mean revising everything"

"You got a big day tomorrow" 

"Yes I do" Lisa said nervously

"And it's not just the concert; you also have to talk to Wade"

"That’s true" Lisa agreed "it is as important as the concert, I have to see him"

"You will see him" Jessica said seriously "I am sure he will come"

"Oh my God, what if he don’t want to see me" Lisa said nervously "he might not even come to the concert"

"Trust me" Jessica said seriously "he will be there"

 

The Magnificent cat was returned last night by Mr. Herbert and Ray, and was promptly placed back to its protective spot.

Armand walked into the room happily and looked at it proudly.

The iron door opened suddenly and Ray walked in.

"We have a problem" Ray said angrily

"What is it Ray?" Armand said without paying any attention.

"Lewis is reported missing" Ray continued "all of Bevin police are publishing this story and are also making a move; they might come here very soon"

"No one is coming here" Armand replied "relax, I will take care of this, I will make sure his wife said he travelled somewhere, and he would not be missing again!"

"Where is his wife?" Ray asked "do you even know her?"

"Sure I do" Armand replied "she leaves far away, I think in a city called Cleland"

"That’s very far"

"Well I can go there anytime now with my new jet plane" Armand said smilingly

"What jet plane?" Ray asked "since when do you have a jet plane?"

"Since this morning" Armand said laughingly "don’t you want a ride?"

"What the Hell!" Ray shouted "What are you thinking? Did you use Herbert's money to buy it?"

"Herbert's money…?" Armand asked curiously "what do you mean by Herbert's money? That money was mine, Ray. Mr. Herbert hired the Magnificent Cat and gave me my money…? Are you ok?"

"You used all the 7,000,000 to buy a Jet plane?" Ray shouted "I can't believe you"

"Ray, I can buy anything I want" Armand said seriously "you can’t tell me what to do, you are just an employee working for me"

"What I am trying to say is that…" Ray interrupted just to change the topic "I am just saying that you should lower your spending here"

"Ray, you are not my financial advisor" Armand interrupted "I know what I am doing"

"But I just mean-" Ray started 

"You mean nothing" Armand added "if you are worried about your salary; don’t be, because I still have a lot more money than that $7,000,000, everyone will get paid each month, no one ever complained about that, as a matter of fact they are so loyal to me"

Ray rolled his eyes and turned away

"They are too loyal indeed, I have to give them a surprise" Armand said thoughtfully

"What is it?" Ray asked angrily "are you going to raise their salaries again?"

"No… I am giving them a break" Armand said as he walked out of the secretive room.

"Shit!" Ray said angrily as he thinks about the $7,000,000. What is he going to tell Ruddick?!

Ray followed Armand to the main hall downstairs.

 

Everyone in the building gathered to the main hall to see what their boss has to say this time.

"Good morning, Armand" Nick said happily as he saw Armand 

"Good morning, everyone" Armand said o the crowd "I have an announcement to make"

Everyone stood silently to hear Armand.

"I want everyone to take a day off tomorrow and enjoy the concert!" Armand said happily "no one has to be here"

"That’s great" everyone said happily as they looked at each other

"Are you sure about this?"  Ray asked Armand lowly

"I am positive Armand replied "I think Mr. Herbert made my day!"

"As you wish" Ray said as he walked away

"I want everyone to enjoy their day tomorrow" Armand continued "that same way I am enjoying mine now"

One of Armand personal bodyguard walked next to him and said "are you sure I should leave too, sir"

"Yes of course, this news is for everyone!" Armand said as he turned to look at his bodyguards "you should all have a break"

"I can't leave you" one bodyguard said as he approached "I love guiding this place"

"Me too" Joe said as he walked forward "I don’t really like concerts anyway"

"As you wish" Armand continued "for those of you who don’t want to go to the concert can just stay here with me, we can do some talking, for there will be still no work"

"Thank you Boss" everyone said happily as Armand walked away

"Are you sure you don’t want to go" Nick asked Joe curiously

"No" Joe replied "I would love to stay here and have a talk with Armand, I think that will be much fun than the concert"

"That’s true" Nick agreed "but I just can’t miss Bevin's first concert, unless the boss wants me to stay, well then that’s an exception"

"The boss wants you to go, Nick" Joe said happily "just tell me everything when you come back"

 

Ray walked out of the building and went to the back where no one is watching.

He picked up his phone and dialed quickly.

"Hello Ray" Ruddick said sharply as he replied the phone.

"Ruddick, I have some bad news, but you have to listen carefully to me"

"You lost the money, did you?" Ruddick interrupted "how could you?"

"Well Armand spent it on a fucking Jet plane! I have no idea how that happened, but I was ready to protect that from happening" 

"This is horrible, Ray" Ruddick continued "we are completely broke now"

"No we are not" Ray added "I want you to consider this as an investment"

"Bullshit" Ruddick interrupted "what kind of sick investment is this? I am sorry but donating money to Armand doesn’t sound like an investment to me"

"Sure it was an investment" Ray continued "you made him happy"

"Are you trying to piss me off or be funny?" Ruddick asked angrily

"And the fact that he is happy, he made his entire employee and troops go to the concert tomorrow, leaving the place empty and easier for us to snap The Magnificent Cat"

"Are you serious?" Ruddick asked curiously "he seriously made all his people leave?"

"Yes he did" Ray replied "tomorrow is the big day, Ruddick, and it turns out to be more easier than we thought"

"It sure did" Ruddick said happily "are you saying that the $7,000,000 just bought us the Magnificent Cat?"

"I told you it was an investment" Ray said with a smile.

 

Ruddick hanged up the phone and walked into the main hall proudly, in the hall there was a big screen hanging on the wall for instruction.

"Do you want me to send in the troops" Alden said happily as Ruddick walked into the hall.

"Sure" Ruddick replied "it’s time we get things straight.

About 500 armies walked into the building where they can see Ruddick standing right in front of them, ready for a speech.

"Good afternoon everyone" Ruddick said happily "Ready for War!"

"Of course they are ready for war" Alden interrupted "they are waiting for years now. They have nothing to do"

"Yes we are ready, Sir" the troops answered together.

"Great" Ruddick continued "because our big day is tomorrow"

"Did Ray confirm" Alden asked 

"Yes he did" Ruddick replied "the concert is tomorrow, so we don’t really have a choice"

"Alright then" Alden said happily

"Attention" Ruddick shouted "there is one important thing I want every single one of you to know"

Alden turned back to switch on the big screen that was hanging behind him.

On the screen there was a big picture of Wade Carter, with all the description.

"Who is he?" an army on the front row asked 

"As much as we hate all of them over there in Bevin, trust me you don’t want to hurt this one!" Ruddick continued seriously "this is very important"

"And why is that?" another army asked "aren’t we suppose to clear them all!"

"No" Alden shouted "not him, if you touch him we will lose everything!"  

"What, what?" everyone said at the same time

"Hey!" Ruddick shouted to shut them up "what Alden is trying to say is that the person you are looking at now is actually the Magnificent Cat"

"What?" everyone continued to ask "how is that even possible?"

"Just shut up and listen!" Ruddick shouted "we don’t have time to talk shit that happen in the past"

"Ok then, what are we suppose to do?" one army asked

"Now that's a better question" Ruddick replied "Well during your attack tomorrow, just make sure you don’t touch him! I bet he will be at the concert tomorrow, but just in case he wasn’t, please make sure he stays safe! Understand!” 

"Yes, Sir!" the crowd shouted

"Well then get your guns ready tonight" Ruddick continued "and down to business tomorrow".

 

James spent the whole day at Picklock's cottage to escape all his problems; it was also a reminder of old days.

"I think you should go now" Picklock said kindly "they must be worried at the building"

"No one gives a crap about me, Picklock" James replied sharply "but I will leave any way, see you tomorrow?"

"Yes" Picklock replied "we will meet at the concert, no need for me to see the building again"

"It's alright" James continued "I will see you at the concert"

"Will you be alone when I see you?" Picklock asked seriously

"I don’t know" James replied "I might bring Patricia along with me, if that’s ok with you?"

"Its fine" Picklock answered 

"I want you to meet her" James said with a smile "we should all meet together happily tomorrow"

 

Chapter 23 - Ruddick’s intentions

It’s the concert day; everyone in Bevin is ready for the big day, the street of Bevin was full of balloons and fireworks which make the concert look more like a festival.

 

Lisa was still rehearsing when Jessica walked into her room.

"Are you finally ready, Lisa?" Jessica asked

"Yes, I think my time is 4:00" Lisa replied "that’s the time I will be performing"

"The owners of the Fantastica stage will be there to watch you!" Jessica said in excitement

"Are you trying to make me nervous?!" Lisa said laughingly

"Of course not, I just want to remind you how important this is"

"Wade is important" Lisa replied sharply "he should be there"

"He will" Jessica said "trust me; he will be there to see you!"

 

James woke up late as usual and was not willing to work at all; he got up and looked at his huge scar before he left his room.

 

James walked straight out of the building and crossed the street to the Greenwood's house. He then rang the bell twice.

The door opened and Patricia looked at him surprisingly.

"Good morning James" she greeted with a smile

"Patricia, I want you to come with me to the concert" James asked sharply as he looked at her.

"Concert…?" Patricia asked "What concert?"

"Bevin Concert" James replied "it's going to start in a few hours"

"Really…?" Patricia asked nervously "what time is it going to start?" 

"At 2:00 noon" James replied "are you coming or not?"

"Sure" Patricia replied with a smile "I will definitely accompany you, sweetheart"

"Good" James replied "I want you to meet Mr. Picklock, for he is a wonderful person you will ever meet"

"I am looking forward to that" Patricia replied 

"I've missed you" James said as he reached for her hands

"I've missed you too" she replied nicely "I am so happy we can spend some quality time together at the concert"

"I am glad too" James continued "for now I think you should get ready and I will pick you up at 1:30"

"I will be waiting" Patricia replied happily 

James looked at her romantically and then walked away straight to the building. Patricia continued to look at him until he left off. She smiled to herself as she feels the love for him. 

"Oh my God" Patricia said lowly to herself "don’t fall for this …you will soon get married to Ruddick… "

She went back inside the house and picked up her phone.

 

Armand knew that today is the Concert day, and also knew that he gave everyone a holiday to be at the concert. One thing he knew for sure was today is the day he will definitely spend some time alone with the Magnificent Cat.

 

"Good morning, Armand" Ray said happily as he walked into the secretive room

"Good morning, Ray" Armand replied still looking at the Magnificent Cat. 

"Everyone's downstairs and are extremely happy for their break today"

"Sure they are… I gave them the chance to go to the concert only because they deserve it"

"Of course" Ray continued

"Loyalty is very important to me" Armand said seriously "I hate traitors, and that’s why Mr. Watson got what he deserved"

"You are right" Ray said uncomfortably

"So, have you seen Wade?" Armand asked

"No I haven’t seen him" Ray replied "I don’t know where-"

"What the hell is going-?"

Armand did not finish his sentence when Ray's phone rang. Ray picked up his phone and looked at it.

"Excuse me" Ray said as he reached to the door "I have to take this, its Patricia"

"Take your time" Armand replied

 

Ray walked out of the secretive room and stood at the stairs where no one could hear him.

"Is Ruddick and Alden ready?" Patricia asked

"Sure they are" Ray replied sharply "is that why you called?"

"Well I will be going to the concert" Patricia added "James is taking me"

"James is also going?!" Ray asked 

"Who exactly are going?" Patricia asked 

"Every single person" Ray replied as he laughed "and I mean the guards, the security and the force!"

"This is amazing" Patricia said happily "snatching the Magnificent Cat will be a piece of cake" 

"It sure will be" Ray replied "I just hope James stays as well just so we could put a bullet on his head"

"I will never let that happen" Patricia said lowly

"What?" Ray asked angrily 

"Nothing" Patricia replied sharply "so everything is going on well, right?"

"Yes" Ray replied "we just lost track of Wade, that’s all"

"Damn" Patricia said "I hope he comes around later, we need him"

"He will" Ray replied "now it’s time to get the Magnificent Cat!"

 

Far away in Slycity, Ruddick has never been more ready to get the Magnificent Cat into the office. Ruddick called out a last minute meeting with his entire Army.

"Listen up everyone!" Ruddick shouted "Today is the day we have all been waiting for, nothing is going to stop us from what we are about to do, we planned this way too long and I don’t accept any failure, understood?"

"Yes Sir" the crowd shouted

"They are ready" Alden said as he turned to look at Ruddick "the concert is going to start at 2:00, so there is no time to waste"

"When is the war going to start, or let’s just say when are we going to snatch the Magnificent Cat?"

"2:00 will be too early" Alden continued "I mean it is better to get them in the middle of the concert, where everyone is drunk already"

"The Concert is lasting till the night, what do you think?" Ruddick asked

"That’s good" Alden replied "around 4:00 will be the perfect time for the attack"

"Then four o'clock it is" Ruddick said loudly

"You heard him" Alden shouted loudly to the crowd "now it’s time to go to the basement and grab your favorite gun! Let's roll"

"Yes sir" the crowd shouted again 

"Wait up!" Ruddick shouted just as the troops were about to leave "don’t forget your mission! Handle the Magnificent Cat well...careful with your moves and this include Wade Carter, and not to mention Burning down the place"

"I will just give Ray a call to take care of these things" Alden said as he leads the troops out side

"I have a better idea" Ruddick said as everyone turned to look at him "I will be joining you later"

"What?" Alden asked seriously

"Yes, that’s right" Ruddick continued "it’s time I give Armand a visit, I missed him" 

"Are you sure about that?" Alden asked again

"Yes I am" Ruddick replied annoyingly "just let me know the time you are leaving "I will give Ray a call myself"

 

Ray walked back into the secretive room without saying a word.

"What did Patricia want?" Armand asked as he looked at Ray

"Well she just told me that she wanted to go to the concert" 

"So you are going with her?"

"No" Ray answered "believe it or not, she is going with James"

"James?" Armand questioned surprisingly "Patricia and James?"

"Don’t remind me" Ray said angrily "let’s just say I am trying to avoid her personal life for the mean time"

"I can see that" Armand said "so you are not going to the concert?"

"No, I will just stay here with you"

"Alright" Armand said happily "we can just sit here and celebrate our time of working together"

"Yes" Ray replied with a smile "it’s time we finally celebrate!"

 

At the main hall downstairs, Nick saw Joe standing at the corner of the hall.

"Are you sure you don’t want to go" Nick asked Joe

"Yes, Nick, there is no need for me to be there; I mean I can finally spend some time with Armand!"

"Yes you are right; I will make sure I tell you everything about the Concert"

"Thanks, Nick" Joe said as he looked and saw James entering the building.

"Hey" Nick replied "how are you doing?"

"Actually I feel good today" James said smilingly 

"You are going to the concert aren’t you?" Joe asked 

"Actually I am" James replied "I have to go; this could be my last day with Mr. Picklock"

"Mr. Picklock?" Nick shouted "is he going to be there? That’s great"

"Yes" James replied "and he will leave Bevin tonight, for good"

"That’s sad" Joe said as he sigh "he should stick around for a while"

"No" James continued "he just doesn’t want to end up like Mr. Watson"

"Yes you are right" Nick said sadly "I can't wait to see him today though"

 

Chapter 24 - Fall of the Boss

The Day in Bevin is still bright day light, but that doesn’t stop the concert from playing the music loudly. Its 2:00 PM and the owners of the Fantastica stage sat on their enormous seat where they could see every bit of the show. They are ready to spot any new talent wanted for their stage far away from Bevin.

The seats started to fill up just as the first entertainers walked onto the stage.

 

"They started! They started!" Jessica shouted as she walked into the dressing room.

"I still have two hours, Jessica" Lisa said nicely "I told you my time is 4:00"

"Mr. Lennox and I couldn’t wait to see you perform" 

"Thanks Jessica" Lisa said as she smiled "hope I do well myself"

 

Patricia heard the door bell rang and knew immediately that it was James. She ran to the main door and opened it.

"Hello" she greeted nicely as she looked at James

"Hello" James greeted "you look stunning, am I late?"

"No, you are not, it's just the beginning; we don’t have to be there early"

"Yeah you are right, but I hope you have nothing to do right now"

"No I don’t" Patricia continued "I want to be with you the whole day today"

"So be it" James said as he laughs

Suddenly Patricia's phone rang, she looked at it and then said "it's my father, will you excuse me for one second?"

"Sure" James said as he turned away 

 

"Yes" Patricia said

"You shouldn’t be going to the concert" Ray said sharply

"Why not…?" Patricia asked

"You should be packing!" Ray continued "do you have any idea about what is going to happen today?"

"Of course I do!" Patricia shouted 

James turned to look at her and gave her the "what's going on" look

She smiled back at him to show that everything it's alright.

"I already packed everything" Patricia said in a much lower voice

"Are you sure?" Ray asked "we are leaving today…you know that!"

"I will be there when everything is over, alright?" Patricia said angrily 

"Ruddick is on the other line" Ray interrupted "I have to take this, and I will talk to you later"

"Just talk to Ruddick" Patricia said as she closed the phone.

Patricia walked over to James and said "are you ready to go?"

"Of course" James replied "is everything ok with you and Ray?"

"Yes, no worries about that" Patricia added "shall we go now?"

 

Ray answered Ruddick and said "hello, last minute changes?"

"Of course not" Ruddick replied "I just want to know if everyone left already"

"No" Ray replied "the Concert just started and it will be a silly thing to attack now"

"I know" Ruddick replied "we are not coming now! Well we are prepared alright but we will come at 4 or something"

"Nice timing" Ray said "but let me make sure that everyone is gone, I will give you a call as for the perfect time to send the troops"

"That will be useful" Ruddick said as he shuts the phone.

 

"You can drive my car" Patricia said nicely

"What for…?" James asked 

"To go to the Concert" Patricia continued as she laughs

"We don’t need a car; it’s not that far we can just walk"

"Are you sure?" Patricia asked 

"Yes, it will be much enjoyable too"

 

Both Patricia and James walked the whole way chatting and laughing, on their way they could hear the loud music and see the fireworks closer and closer, it was beautiful as the day started to turn a little bit darker.

"Isn’t this amazing" Patricia said as she looked at the fireworks

"I know" James replied "it's wonderful"

"It truly is" Patricia said as tears rolled down her chicks

James stopped walking to look at her.

"Are you ok?" James asked seriously "is everything ok?"

"Yes" Patricia replied as she dried her tears "don’t mind me, I just…I just like Bevin a lot"

"You are not leaving Bevin, are you?" James asked seriously

"No! It's just that we can never know our future"

"Is your father planning to leave Bevin?" 

"No" Patricia replied "he loves his job, why would he leave it"

"Yes, I thought so too" James said as he turned to look at the fireworks

"Can we just stay here" Patricia said "we don’t have to go to the concert, let's just stay here, me and you, and watch the fireworks, it will be very romantic"

"I would love to" James said nicely "but there is someone we should see"

"Oh yes, Mr. Picklock" Patricia said "I totally forgot"

"But after the concert we can spend some quality time together here in this very spot"

Patricia looked at James sadly knowing that it can’t happen "that will be great"

"Come on, it's ok" James said as he laughed "stop worrying about everything"

"Let’s just go now" Patricia said "there is no time to waste"

 

Ray walked back into the building and saw Nick all dressed up exiting the building.

"Where is everyone?" Ray asked 

"Most of the staffs are already at the concert, sir" Nick replied

"Are you all going?" 

"Well the boss gave all of us the day off" Nick answered "but I am not sure every single person is going"

"Well it’s a shame if they miss a Concert like this" Ray added

"What about you, Sir, don’t you want to attend it as well"

"No" Ray said as he laughed "I have much more important things to do, don’t you think so?"

"Of course" Nick said shyly "see you later then"

Nick walked out of the building and Ray continued to go to the elevator to the secretive room.

 

Ray used his keys and entered the Secretive room, only to see Armand having a bottle of Champaign.

"You are celebrating already?" Ray asked as he laughed

"I was waiting for you" Armand replied "we can consider this to be our break as well, Mr. Herbert's 7 million is sure as hell not finishing from my pocket"

"Enjoy it as much as you like" Ray said as he turned away angrily

"Alright, I suggest you have a glass of Champaign?" Armand asked

"That will be great" Ray said with a smile.

 

James and Patricia finally reached the Center of Bevin where the concert is being held. The place was starting to be crowded with the second entertainers already starting their performance.

"Let's get a seat over there" Patricia said as she pointed out the front seat

"No wait" James interrupted "there is Mr. Picklock he is sitting over there"

Both James and Patricia walked between the people until they found their way to Mr. Picklock.

"Hey Mr. Picklock" James said happily

"James!" Picklock greeted in excitement "you came"

"Yes indeed" James replied happily "this is Patricia"

"Hello" Picklock greeted as he looked at her "you must be Ray's daughter"

"Yes I am" Patricia said shyly "nice to meet you"

"Nice to meet you too" Picklock replied "let’s sit over here, I saved a place for you"

"Thank you" James said as he sat down next to Patricia 

 

Jessica walked out and looked around the entire place, for the place is much more crowded than earlier, more and more people were filling the seats.

 

"They sang nicely" Patricia said as she looked at the singers on the stage

"Yes they did" James replied as he smiled at her

"Did you notice something" Picklock said as he looked around

"What is it?" James asked 

"I am seeing almost everyone here" Picklock replied "everyone from the building"

"Are you sure?" James said as he looked around.

"Well I can't be sure but…"Picklock said as he continued to look around 

"Let's just enjoy the show, shall we?" Patricia interrupted.

 

Wade walked into the crowd and looked around, he didn’t imagine that the concert  is going to be this huge, for it was filled with Bevin's citizens and other from other towns joined together to enjoy this very day.

 

"Is that Wade over there?" Picklock said happily as he waved him.

Wade saw Picklock and waved him back smilingly, next to Picklock he could see James and Patricia sitting in the same row, and didn't feel like approaching neither of them.

 

"Who is he?" Patricia asked curiously "is he Wade Carter?"

"Yes" Picklock replied surprisingly 

"Do you know him?" James said as he looked at her seriously

"No I don’t" Patricia replied sharply "it's just that my father talks about him sometimes, I think they are close"

"Wade doesn’t like your father at all" Picklock said as he turned back to look at the show

Patricia looked at Picklock angrily and said "there is nothing wrong with my father, maybe if you all gave him a chance to be nice to him, you will see the good in him"

"It's not like that at all" Picklock started 

"Can we not talk about this" James interrupted 

"You are right, James" Picklock said "we should be enjoying the concert, and especially for me, I think I should put all of this behind me"

James looked at Picklock sadly and said "I will surely miss you"

 

Wade walked between the people and saw the front seat empty; he knew it would be the best place to see everything clearly.

 

"Lisa! Lisa!" Jessica shouted as she ran into the dressing room backstage.

"What's the problem?" Lisa said worryingly "is everything ok?" 

"He is here" Jessica said suddenly with a smile on her face

"Wade is here?" Lisa asked "are you sure?"

"Yes" Jessica replied happily "thank God…now you can finally perform without worries in your head"

"Thank God" Lisa said as she smiled to Jessica "shall I talk to him now?"

"No" Jessica replied "talk to him after your performance, you can have the entire night all for yourselves!"

"Are you sure?" Lisa asked smilingly "I want to talk to him very badly"

"No, not now Lisa" Jessica continued "Just think about your performance now!"

 

Joe walked into the kitchen and saw only five guards sitting there.

"Hey" Joe greeted "you are also missing the concert?"

"Yes we want to have this one on one time with Armand" one guard replied

"Me too" Joe said happily

"But he haven't left the secretive room at all today" another guard said worryingly "he doesn’t seem like he wants to talk to us"

"He will talk to us, come on, we have this entire night! Do you know the concert may last till 1:00 a.m?"

"He will talk to us whether he likes it or not!" the other guard said as he laughs

"Now let's drink to that!" 

 

The third entertainers came to the stage and everyone gave a loud round of applause.

"There are drinks over there" James said happily "what can I get for you both?"

Patricia woke up from her seat and said "please allow me to get you the drinks"

"No, no" James said as he stood up "please have a seat, I will get the drinks"

"No" Patricia replied "you have done too much for me, let me do something for once"

"Alright then" James said as he laughed and sit back down.

 

Patricia walked all the way to the giant buffet where everyone was picking up food, drinks and dessert.

"Three drinks, Please" Patricia asked the bartender. She then walked left and right feeling nervous about what could possibly happen. 

 

Ruddick looked at the time and saw it 3:30 Pm.

"It’s time" he said as he looked at Alden

"They are ready" Alden said as he looked at his wrist watch "it's your call"

"And I say now!" Ruddick shouted.

 

"How is everything going?" Picklock asked as he looked at James

"Everything is great" James said "are you talking about Patricia?"

"I rather not" Picklock replied "this is your personal life"

"Mr. Picklock, you can say anything to me, it doesn’t matter"

 

"Here are you drinks" Patricia said as she approached them with three glasses of Champaign.

"Thanks a lot sweetie" James said as he grabbed two glasses and gave one to Mr. Picklock.

"So what are you guys talking about?" Patricia said as she smiles

"We are just watching the show" Picklock replied 

"This song is not as good as the first one" Patricia said as she looked at the performers on the stage"

"I agree" James said "look at the panel of experts over there, they seem disappointed"

"Yes they do" Patricia said as she laughed.

 

The time went faster with fun and joy, every single person in Bevin didn't expect their first concert to be this big with a huge crowd of audiences. Wade starred at the stage and could see Mr. Lennox preparing for a speech, he immediately know that this is Lisa's boss.

 

"Ok, thanks a lot" the host said to the performers as they leave the stage "Ladies and gentlemen one last round of applause for the Amusers!"

The entire crowd clapped loudly as the Amusers left the stage.

"And now I present to you Mr. Collin Lennox, who wants to make an introduction for our next performer.

Everyone clapped as Mr. Lennox walked on the stage.

 

"Good afternoon everyone" Mr. Lennox said "it's been an amazing day! We have seen many talents and celebrations, with this incredible fireworks, but now it’s time for me to present my own employee to this big stage, she never believed in herself until I allowed her to perform at my Bar, perhaps you all know the Pastry bar and may have attended her first performance, but this time she is stepping up her game, ladies and Gentleman please welcome Lisa Watson singing {Bright star!}”   

 

Lisa walked into the stage and everyone clapped loudly. Lisa stood in the middle of the stage and looked around, she turned round until she could see Wade and then gave him a smile.

Wade looked back and smiled at her.

"Well, Mr. Lennox did an amazing introduction about me, thanks a lot, but Mr. Lennox said that I will be singing {Bright Star}, well there is a last minute change of song and I will be singing something else.

Everyone in the seats started whispering to each other "what does she mean?" 

“I will be singing {Crystal Dove}” Lisa continued “because someone dear to me once told me that the song the song I’ll be singing today should mean the world to me. And this one surely does mean that” 

Wade looked at her in pure surprise, amazed by what he just heard.

Lisa grabbed the microphone and started to sing. 

 

  “      You are more than a love, an amazing treasure with an angel smile, take me by surprise but I mean nothing when you’re around…you think that I’m a fool, nothing more but an innocent fool, take me by surprise or wonder why…    ”

 

Everyone became quite as they hear one of the most amazing voice ever heard.

"That’s a very good start" one of the experts on the panel said to the other.

 

Lisa continued singing before the band and the instruments started to play behind her. Instead of just sitting and watching, everyone got up of their seat, clapping with the beats of the song.

 

Wade looked back at Lisa happily as he gave her a smile "You are amazing" he said lowly but knew Lisa understands him.

Lisa smiled back at him and continued to sing, she was indeed having the time of her life.

 

"She is good" Patricia said as she watched "I never admit such a thing but she is really good"

"I totally agree" James said as he clapped "I think…she's always good"

 

 

Joe looked at the time and saw it as 4:15

"Forget it, brother" said one of the guard "Armand is not going to talk to us, he is already having a good time upstairs with Ray and the Magnificent Cat" 

Joe looked at the guard sadly and then said "Maybe we should go upstairs"

"What?" the guard asked as he laughed "are you crazy?"

"He might be expecting us"

"no way on earth" the guard continued "we are not allowed to go there, I don’t know how James managed but I don’t think we are allowed to even step foot on the elevator leading to it."

"Alright, alright I will just wait outside, if he comes down, just let me know" 

"Sure thing" the guard replied "enjoy the fireworks!"

 

Joe walked outside of the building. He can hear the loud music from the concert and also see the fireworks blasting in the air, but there was something else that caught his attention the most. He could hear something heavy approaching, something like a tank or an army. Joe stopped walking and stood still to hear what sound was approaching. The sound became louder and louder meaning that it is approaching nearer and nearer.

 

"What in the world?" Joe said to himself as he continued to listen

Joe ran to the top of the building to see what was approaching. As he reached to the top of the building, he picked up his binoculars to see what was on the way. At first Joe couldn’t believe his eyes, for what he saw was way beyond everyone's expectation.

"This has to be a joke" Joe said as he continued looking through his binoculars 

 

There were about two war tanks with six cars driving behind it; each war tank has a large missile on the top ready for firing. It was the most disturbing thing ever to see.

 

Joe ran back down as fast as he could. He ran straight into the building and shouted

"Attack…! There is an Attack!" 

"Calm Down" the guard shouted "what's wrong?"

"There is an attack outside there is no time to waste!" Joe continued to shout

"Joe, there is no attack!" the guard said as he laughed.

"Listen to this!" Joe said as he stood still "can't you hear anything?"

All the guards and Joe stood still to hear as the sound came closer and closer to the building.

"This is probably the fireworks from the concert!" a guard said "nothing else" 

"I saw the war tank!" Joe shouted seriously

"What war tank?" one guard said laughingly "are you dreaming?"

"Shut up and listen to me" Joe shouted even louder and everyone became quite "there are two things we can do, call all the rest of the guards right now from the concert! Or inform Armand right now so that the Magnificent Cat can be protected!"

"Joe, listen to me" one guard said "we are not going to humiliate ourselves, I mean not today, not on our very first break from work"

"I am freaking serious, please don’t make this even worse than what it already is"

"Joe, listen to me" the guard continued "calm down, there is no attack on concert day, and beside that, who on earth is going to attack us right-"

Before the guard could finish his sentence he stood still with his eyes wide open.

"What is wrong?" Joe asked as he looked at the guard

"What the-" the guard started to say as blood poured from his mouth.

"Oh My God!" the other guard shouted "What the fu-"

 The guard fell on the ground with a huge bullet hole on his back.

"Get down everyone!" Joe shouted as the guards docked down and heads to get their guns.

More shots were fired to the building, breaking the windows and cracking the walls with holes.

"Keep shooting, keep shooting!" Ruddick shouted at his troops.

 

"What's that?" Armand asked as he looked at Ray.

"I don’t know" Ray replied "it's probably the fireworks from the concert"

The noise got louder and it was as if the entire building is falling into pieces.

"No" Armand continued "there is something wrong downstairs!"

"Just wait here" Ray said "I will go check what's downstairs, just stay here and take care of the Magnificent Cat!"

Ray opened both iron doors and heads to the elevator.

Armand turned back and looked at the Magnificent Cat "everything is going to be fine" he said as he continued looking at the unlawful object.

 

Ray walked downstairs and heard the fire shots as they enter the building.

"Damn" Ray said as he docked down to avoid the bullets.

"Go back up, Sir!" Joe said as he looked at Ray "go tell Armand to get out of here! I will make sure to inform the other guards to arrive as soon as possible.

"Let me handle this!" Ray said as he ran to the main door.

"Don’t go there, sir! It's dangerous!" Joe shouted 

 

Ray walked out of the building and shouted "Stop shooting! Stop shooting!"

"Stop shooting!" Ruddick shouted to his troops.

"Ruddick…?" Ray said surprisingly "what are you doing here?"

Ruddick jumped out of the war tank and approached Ray "is there a problem?"

"of course there is" Ray shouted "I told you no one is going to be here, can you tell me what the hell is all of this! Two war tanks…? Six cars…?"

"I was just making sure" Ruddick said calmly "this doesn’t seem like a problem does it?"

"Alright, I will need only seven or eight gunman to come in with me upstairs" Ray said seriously "it’s time"

 

Joe ran to peak out of the window and see what is going on, and why did they stop shooting. He looked through the window and saw Ray talking to the troops; it was one of the most troubling and upsetting thing to see but worst of all he could see Ruddick standing with a huge riffle in his hand.

"Holly Shit! Holy Shit…! It's Ruddick!" Joe repeated on and on, for he knew there was nothing left to do now, up stairs was too dangerous and walking out is even worse, the only thing left for him to do was to get out of the building through the back door and get the other guards as soon as possible.

 

Joe ran as fast as he could to the back door, on his way he saw the rest of the five guards carrying their guns ready to defeat.

"No!" Joe shouted "you can't do anything! Its Ruddick out there, I saw him!"

"This is our chance to finish them" one guard said "they are not firing anymore; it’s time we take them down"

"Listen to me" Joe said seriously "I am going out right now to get all the rest of the guards; I suggest you stay hidden for the mean time"

"No!" the guard shouted loudly "no one is going to take the Magnificent Cat away from us!"

All the guards continued to head to the main door leaving Joe behind confused and scared.

Joe ran to the back door and peeped back to see what is going on. He turned back only to see all the guards shot down to the ground personally by Ray. Joe looked as it happened in shock and ran out from the back as fast as he could. 

 

"I am proud, Ray" Ruddick said laughingly as he looked at the dead guards on the ground "Those were your colleagues, Ray"

"Let’s get down to business, shall we?" Ray said as he looked at Ruddick angrily 

Ray heads straight to the elevator and opened it with his access card.

"That’s it?" one of Ruddick's men asked "those are the guards only?" 

"Yes, you moron..!" Ray replied "I thought only a few of you will be here, not the freaking entire army!"

"Let’s just go in the elevator" Ruddick said "I am starting to lose my patience"

Ray, Ruddick and 3 other gunmen entered into the elevator as they head to the secretive room.

 

Armand waited at the secretive room, unaware of what is happening. He stood there waiting for a reply from Ray.

Suddenly the second iron door opened and Ray walked in calmly.

"Ray, is everything ok?" Armand asked as he looked at Ray "I heard gunshots downstairs-"

Armand did not Finnish his sentence when Ruddick walked in the room behind Ray. Armand stood there in shock of what he is seeing in front of him.

Ruddick walked into the room with the other 3 gunmen behind him.

"Ray…? What the hell is going on?" Armand asked scarily and trembling

"Is that how you welcome your guests?" Ruddick said annoyingly "it's nice to see you too Armand"

"Get the hell out of my office" Armand said angrily as he tried to reach for his gun.

"I will" Ruddick continued to speak annoyingly "but only with the Magnificent Cat, I think that’s fair enough right?"

Before Armand could reach his gun, Ruddick pulled out his pistol and shot Armand twice in the chest.

Armand took one last glance at Ray before he hit the ground bleeding.

"Grab the object" Ruddick said to the gunmen as they ran to snatch the Magnificent Cat.

“Careful with that” Ray ordered 

Armand continue to look at Ray with complete shock.

Ray walked closer to Armand who was lying on the ground and said "by the way Armand, you are a terrible, terrible boss, The Magnificent Cat was unlucky!"

Armand looked up at Ray unable to speak but stare at him, unbelieving the fact of what is truly happening.

"Goodbye mate" Ray said as he picked up his gun and put a bullet on Armand's head.

 

The Music got louder and the fireworks came blasting up when Lisa hits the biggest note everyone could imagine. Right now everyone woke up from their seats and gave her a big standing ovation and praise for her wonderful performance.

Wade woke up from his seat as well and clapped hardly for Lisa.

She looked back at him and laughed.

He laughed back, knowing that she was actually singing ‘his song’ when she thought she couldn’t. It was an amazing experience for both Lisa and the entire audience. The panel of experts was very sure at this point that Lisa will be their next entertainer on the Fantastica stage.

Picklock also stood up from his seat to give Lisa a huge standing ovation.

 

Joe continued to run all the way from the building making sure none of Ruddick’s gunmen sees him. He ran as fast as he could just to make sure he reaches the center where the concert is being held.

Joe ran faster and faster until he saw a large crowd of audiences filled with people applauding happily and fireworks firing beautiful colors up in the air.

He stopped for a moment and looked around; he could see all of the guards partying together and having a good time.

“Help…! Help…!” Joe said as he approached them.

“What is going down” the guard said

“Relax” Nick said as he drinks a glass of Champaign “people are watching!”

“We have to go back!” Joe continued to shout “there is a problem, a big one!”

“What are you talking about?” Nick asked 

Joe turned and saw Wade standing at the front seat enjoying the concert.

“Wade!” Joe shouted as he leaves the guards “Wade!”

Wade turned to see who was shouting and saw Joe all messed up and worried

“Joe…?” Wade said as he looked at Joe “what is going on?”

“Wade, there is a big problem, you have to get all the guards right now at the building, everything is falling into pieces!”

“What problem are you talking about?” Wade asked seriously

“The Magnificent Cat...!” Joe shouted “Ruddick is at the building! I saw him!”

Wade looked at Joe shockingly, he looked up at the stage to see Lisa one more time but then turned away to look for the guards.

 

Patricia looked as all of this happened and picked up her phone.

“Excuse me guys” she said as she looked at James smilingly

 

She walked further away and called her father as quick as possible.

“We are doing great, Patricia” Ray said just as he answered the phone “no need to worry”

“I think they know” Patricia said seriously “get out of there right now!”

“What do you mean they know?” Ray asked

“All the rest of the guards could be heading back to the building in a minute or two” Patricia replied “I suggest you get the hell out of there and avoid suspicion!” 

“Alright, alright” Ray said “I don’t want you to go back home, get your car and drive straight to Slycity, don’t you come back to Bevin”

“I am just going to grab our stuff, dad” Patricia continued “no worries!”

“No!” Ray insisted “forget about those damn stuffs, we are heading to Slycity now and I recommend you do the same!”

“Don’t you worry about me” Patricia replied “I will be there in no time”

 

“Something is going on, James” Picklock said as he looked at James 

“Like what?” James asked as he continues watching Lisa on stage.

“It looks like Wade is calling of all the guards from the concert” Picklock replied

“What guards?” James asked “were there any guards here earlier?”

“Yes they were” Picklock replied “and I told you so!”

James turned to look around, he could see Wade worried and calling off all the guards one by one to follow him back to the building.

James continued to look seriously and for some reason couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw that almost all the guards of the building were at the concert.

As he continued to look he can somehow see Wade turned to look back at him and gave him a sign meaning to join them.

“Let’s go” James said as he looked at Picklock

“Are you kidding?” Picklock asked “you out of your mind?”

“I mean it” James said “let’s go to the building"

“James, I’m fired!” Picklock shouted

James turned to look for Patricia just as she finished talking in the phone.

“I have to go” James said “I am sorry we couldn’t spend the quality time you were wishing for”

“What’s wrong?” Patricia asked “where are you going?”

“Don’t worry about me” James said as he walked back slowly “I just have to go now”

Patricia looked at him angrily as he walked away from her.

“Mr. Picklock!” James called as he walked “come on”

“Alright, alright” Picklock said as he followed James.

 

As Lisa continued to sing on the stage, she can’t help noticing that Wade is leaving the place. Lisa wasn’t singing as well as before and started to lose her focus.

Lisa stopped singing and jumped out of the stage.

“What?” “What is going on?” “What is happening” everyone in the crowd started whispering to each other.

“Wade! Wade!” Lisa shouted as she ran through the crowd

“Is she ok?” one expert asked as they looked at her running through the audience.

“Yes she is fine!” Mr. Lennox said as he looked down “Lisa! Lisa!”

“Lisa! Lisa!” Jessica joined in to call Lisa back to the stage.

 

Lisa ignored everything and was just finding her way through the people yelling “Wade! Wade! Come back!” 

She shouted over and over but it was no use, for Wade and the other guards and crews were already in the car heading back to the building.

Lisa stopped running and looked as they drove off.

 

“Lisa, come back!” Jessica continued to shout 

Lisa walked back to the stage with a gloomy look on her face, but just as she stepped foot on the stage, everyone gave her another round of applause.

“Thank you everybody, thank you” Lisa said while trying to put a smile on her face

“That’s not all” one expert said as he stood up “I would like to offer you something”

“Oh my God…!” Jessica said as she looked at the judges from the Fantastica stage. 

“For this very day, Miss Lisa Watson, I would like you to join us to the Fantastica stage; I think you truly belong there”

“That’s wonderful” Mr. Lennox said “this is her dream”

“Lisa looked at the panel of experts and smiled “thank you very much” she replied “I can’t believe this, I am so grateful”

“You deserve it honey” the expert continued

“But I have to go somewhere now” Lisa said sharply

“What!” Jessica interrupted “what are you talking about?”

“Jessica, remember when you asked me if my career or Wade is more important?”

“Yes…?” Jessica replied

“Well I think I know the answer now” Lisa continued “and the answer is Wade!”

Everyone looked at Lisa strangely as she walked out of the stage and ran off to the crowd, she ran further and further until no one else can see her.

“Oh My God…!” Mr. Lennox said surprisingly as he looked at Jessica “do you know about this?”

“As a matter of fact I do” Jessica said as she looked at Lennox and sighs. 

 

"I am loving this" Ruddick said as he looked at his gunmen carrying the Magnificent Cat "careful, now…slowly, slowly"

"We have to go now!" Ray said hurryingly "Tell your troops to get moving now!"

"What's the problem?" Ruddick asked calmly "we have it all now"

"They are coming on their way, we have to keep moving!" Ray repeated 

"How do you know?" Ruddick asked

"Patricia told me!" Ray shouted "there are many of them!"

"So what…?" Ruddick continued "we can take them down easily!"

"Too risky" Ray continued "what are you thinking? We could lose the Magnificent Cat from gunshots and fires and we could also kill Wade accidently, listen to me, we are not loosing this now, not now!" 

"For the first time, Ray" Ruddick started with a smile "I actually think you are right!"

"Well then let's move it!" Ray shouted

"Move it everyone!" Ruddick shouted at his gunmen "careful with the Magnificent Cat"

They both went onto the elevator and came out.

"Hurry, hurry…! No time to waste" Ruddick said to the rest of the troops downstairs "let's get going!"

"Move it, Move it!" Ray added as all the troops get back on their cars and war tanks

Ruddick picked up his walkie-talkie and said "Alden, can you hear me, Alden!" 

"Yes" Alden replied through the walkie-talkie 

"We are heading back to Slycity" Ruddick continued "make sure the main door is open and make sure it's closed tightly just as we come in.

"Very well" Alden replied "is everything going on well over there?"

"Perfectly" Ruddick replied as he shuts the walkie-talkie.

 

Chapter 25 - Together

Although the road from Bevin's center back to the building is not far at all, it was one of the longest drives for everyone returning from the concert to the building. The drive was so long and everyone was worried and trying not to think the worst of what could happen. 

"Why are you all here?!" James started to shout "how on earth did you leave the place empty?"

"The boss gave us a day off!" the guard replied "we were all thrilled to be at the concert!"

"That’s true" Nick continued "today is our day off only because we deserve it"

"Bull shit" James shouted "do you all think we work in a lollipop factory!"

"That’s enough, James" Picklock interrupted "no need to make this worse than what it already is!"

"I am just shocked" James continued

"What about yourself?" the guard asked "why did you go to the concert?"

"In case you didn't know" James said seriously "I am not a security guard" 

"Cut it off" Picklock said "let’s just pray for the best, shall we?"

 

In front of the other cars, Wade was driving his own sports car with Joe sitting next to him and three other guards in the back.

"Are you sure about this, Joe" Wade asked seriously "I am not feeling well now, you are making me scared"

"I saw Ruddick!" Joe repeated "heavily armed too, Ray was the one who planned this the entire time"

"Oh my Goodness" the rest of the guards at the backseat said it shockingly "how? When on earth did they plan this?"

 

At last Wade parked his car right in front of the building and got out.

All the other cars stopped as everyone got out and ran to the building.

The building was messed up indeed. The walls were filled with bullet holes all over the place. All the remaining people who did not go to the concert gathered around the building to see what was going on.

"It's just a shop" one woman said as she talked to her friend "why would anyone destroy a shop?"

"Get out of here!" one guard shouted at all the people surrounding the building "get the hell out of here! Go home!"

Everyone ran off scarily to where they came from, leaving James, Picklock, Wade and all the other guards standing in front of their destroyed yet beloved workplace.

"Holly crap" James said as he looked at building

"What in the world?" Picklock said as he also continued to look at the building.

Wade ran into the building with most of the guards running right behind him. James and Picklock followed them inside as well.

 

As they entered the building they could see the seven dead guards lying on the ground.

"Oh my God…!” Nick said as he bends down to look at his colleague's dead body on the ground. 

Everyone continued to stare at the shattered place without saying a word to each other. For it was horrible no words could express it.

Wade looked around and then ran straight to the elevator.

James continued to follow him but Picklock held him back.

"No" Picklock said seriously "don’t go there!"

"I have to" James insisted as he looked at Mr. Picklock and ran off to the elevator.

The other guards followed them; some took the elevator while the others took the stairs from the back of the building. 

 

The fact that both iron doors of the secretive room was left wide open, already gave everyone the bad feeling.

Wade was the first to run into the secretive room, he directly saw Armand's dead body lying on his own pool of blood.

Wade continued to look, still in shock, without saying anything, he looked at Armand's messed up body shot twice on the chest and a bullet on his head.

Wade dropped on his knee next to Armand's body, with his mind blown away, his heart crushed and his feelings shredded apart. For a second or two he was actually not feeling himself around. He started to breath hard and covered his face with his hands.

 

James, Picklock, Nick and the other guards finally entered into the room, only to see Wade lying down next to Armand's dead body in pain and heartbreaking.

Picklock stood at the door in shock without saying anything. Everyone continued to be quite, not saying a single word to each other. 

James walked deeper into the room and looked at the empty spot where the Magnificent Cat used to be. At this point he actually felt that he lost his other half. He never understood what is meant by the fact that he is actually the Magnificent Cat, but in this very moment he can feel it. It was a strong feeling as if he's other half is being taken away from him, and this time for good. Did he actually lose his grandfather's will ?

James continued to look at the empty space, feeling down and sadden. He turned back to look at Wade sitting next to Armand's corpse, all of a sudden he could see himself, he could see himself the day he first saw his father lying on the ground dead, stabbed in the neck by Bacilli, it was the most horrible day of his life.  

Wade got up silently and was heading down stairs solely.

 

"Wade!" James called out suddenly to break the silence.

Wade turned to look at James. Everyone else in the room turned to look as well.

"Wade, I want you listen to me" James started "I am so sorry…I-"

"Stop it!" Wade interrupted as he holds himself from bursting into tears "Stop it right now! I am not going to stand here and listen to the crap you are saying"

"Don’t say that!" James continued "I just said I am sorry…"

"Don’t say things you don’t mean, James!" Wade shouted "you never liked Armand and I am sure you don’t feel a thing right now, for all what you care about is the Magnificent Cat!"

"I haven't-" James started to talk but Wade ignored and went into the elevator.

"Damn it" James said as he took the stairs instead to follow Wade. 

All the rest of the staffs and the guards followed them as well.

 

Lisa ran as fast as she could until she finally reached the building, she was still dressed in her performance clothes and her hair was all messed up.

Lisa couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the building all filled with bullet holes and torn apart.

"What…?" Lisa said lowly to herself

"Don’t go in there!" a woman shouted from behind 

Lisa turned to look at the woman and said "what?"

"I said don’t go in there" the woman repeated "I think there is a serious problem"

"Lisa ignores the woman and ran into the building.

 

As Lisa walked into the building, all she could see was the dead guards on the ground.

Lisa screamed and ran out of the building.

"Oh my God!" she repeated to herself "oh my God!"

 

Wade walked out of the elevator angrily into the hall and was heading to his car.

"Wade!" James called again "wait a minute"

Wade stopped walking and turned to look at James.

"I am not going to lie to you" James said as he walked closer "it's true, I never liked Armand, and I am not hurting like you are right now"

"Then why don’t you just leave me the hell alone!" Wade shouted 

 

Lisa heard Wade's voice and walked into the building slowly. She peeped behind the door and could see James and Wade talking to each other.

Everyone ran down the stairs and stood there also to look at both James and Wade.

 

"It's just that you remind me of myself" James continued "believe it or not, but I was there, and I felt exactly the same"

"No James" Wade replied "you don’t know how I feel"

"Of course I do" James interrupted "the day I saw my father dead on the ground, I … felt horrible and torn, and I was only 7 years old"

Wade for the first time looked at James seriously and was actually listening.

"I was 7 years old and I felt the world is going to end, I actually wanted to die! I was completely lost and suicidal at that very age, if it wasn't for Mr. Picklock who looked after me and helped me throughout the years, I wouldn’t be here today"

Wade turned to look at Mr. Picklock standing at the corner of the hall. Picklock nodded his head to point out that James's words are true.

Wade tuned back to look at James and said "well, I am sorry too"

"I went through this every single day of my life!" James continued "but sometimes you just have to move on"

"You are not making any point, James" Wade continued "can’t you see it’s over, it’s all over, sooner or later the police will be knocking on our door asking for explanation!"

"That won’t happen" James said "but only if we all stick together"

"I can't do this!" Wade said as tears rolled down his face "I just can’t, this is horrible!"

"Don’t say that" James shouted "it's not over! Let's show them that we can't be overpowered easily!"

"I can only do that if Armand was around" Wade continued "but I was bad to him during the last couple of days, I was being childish, rude, and now he is gone! There is no point of fighting back now"

"Do you think Armand would want that?" James asked "letting his killers free and surrendering to the police! I don’t think so"

"I can't repay him anything" Wade replied "he is dead"

"So is my father" James added "but that doesn’t mean I should join him just yet, as a matter of fact I continued living with not even one purpose of living! I don’t even have an idea how I got this far, for I am nothing around here"

"Don’t say that, you can't be nothing…you are somebody"

"Not like you, Wade" James continued "I don’t get special treats like you, I have never lived half the way you live, I am miserable ever since my father's death"

Wade looked at James sadly and walked closer "I don’t think anyone meant any of this to you, I mean-"

"I use to have a lot of love in my heart" James continued "I was a very jovial and fun-loving child, these days I am only full of hatred and jealousy, imagining horrible things, left alone, sometime I would imagine myself killing every single one in this building especially you…”

Wade continued listen to James as he looked at him seriously.

“Regardless of how hateful I was” James continued “sometimes I would imagine how would things be like if we were both friends, things we will be telling each other, fun that we might have…but it never gets me anywhere” 

"Believe it or not…I sometime…" Wade started but couldn’t hold himself from crying "I… no matter how I dislike you or even avoid you, I …I imagined the same, what will it be like if we were friends, I…I…"

"Thank you for understanding" James said nicely "this is a-"

James did not finish his sentence when Wade walked closer to him and gave him a hug. James was still in shock but hugged him back nicely

Picklock, all the other staffs and guards looked at them shockingly but yet relieving and could actually see changes and hope is yet to come.

"Amazing" Picklock said to himself as he continued to look at them.

 

Lisa started to peep through the main door. Just as James and Wade stopped hugging themselves, Lisa ran back outside just to make sure no one saw her.

"We will find out who took it! We will get it back from Ruddick and Ray" James said seriously

"Where are they now?" Wade asked

"They went to Slycity for sure!" James replied "but how on earth could we fight Ruddick!?"

"That’s true" Picklock interrupted "I don’t want any of you to do something stupid"

"Well we do have more armies in case of any problems" Wade replied "I know how to get in touch with them, as long as we tell them the Magnificent Cat is gone; they will be ready to help"

"You mean there are more Armies!?" James asked

"Yes" Wade replied "under Armand's payroll too, I can call them right now"

"Good" James added "you do that, but first of all I want you to do something for me"

"What is it?" 

"I want you to make everyone listen to me, call their attention, I want to make a speech"

"Sure" Wade replied

"Listen up everyone!" Wade shouted

"Yes sir!" everyone else on the room replied

"I want you all to listen to James!" Wade continued "he has something important to say; and I recommend you all listen to him"

Everyone in the room turned to look at James.

James got up on the top of the hall's table, the same way he did when held the gun on his head. But this time he stood there bravely.

"Listen up everyone" James started "I think you all know where this is going…"

Everyone in the room stood there and looked at James seriously.

"There will be a war!" James shouted "they think they can get us easily, but we won't back down for a concert! They want to get us the easy way; well we will fight them back the hard way! Let's show them that we can be defeated, but never destroyed!"

"YEAH…!" Everyone shouted just as James finished speaking.

"I am sure they will be ready for us tomorrow!" James continued "they think we won't notice a thing right now, but guess what, we are fighting them tonight! As a matter of fact…Right now…!"

"YEAH" everyone roared again 

 

Far away in Slycity, Ruddick and his Troops finally reached their own building. The gigantic gate opened and they all walked in victoriously. 

Alden ran downstairs to them and said "Welcome back and congratulation"  

"Close the Gates!" Ruddick shouted as the Guards closed the gigantic gate.

Ray picked up his phone and dialed Patricia.

"Where the hell are you?" Ray asked just as Patricia picked up the phone

"I am at home" Patricia replied "I left the concert"

"Where is James?" Ray asked

"He left as well with all the armies!" Patricia replied "I think they know the Magnificent Cat is missing"

"Are you saying they are at the building now?" Ray asked

"Yes" Patricia replied "I can see them from my kitchen window"

"I want you to get the hell out of there, now!" Ray shouted 

"I will" Patricia replied "I am half way of putting the stuff into my car"

"Patricia, I told you to forget about the stuff!" Ray shouted

"It’s ok" Patricia answered "I will be right there!"

"We have to prepare for war" Ray said to Ruddick as he shuts the phone

"What are you talking about?" Ruddick asked

"They know!" Ray continued "they are at the building right now, and are probably preparing for a war!"

"Are you kidding me?" Ruddick said laughingly "they are probably drunk as a skunk, with songs from that lame concert in their heads"

"I am serious" Ray repeated "We better get ready"

"I will take care of this" Alden said "you go put the Magnificent Cat in the office upstairs where it belongs!"

"Right away" Ruddick said with a smile.  

Everyone followed Ruddick and Ray as they entered into the Main office and placed the Magnificent Cat on the table.

"Get out of the office!" Ruddick ordered as everyone leaves as quickly as possible

Alden walked in to the room and closed the door where Ruddick, Ray and himself, are remained in the room with the Magnificent Cat.

Ruddick looked at it closely as it was placed on the table; he was actually falling in love with it the very first moment

"This is amazing" Ruddick said as he looked at it

"I think we should talk about the war" Alden interrupted "they could be on their way"

"Shush" Ruddick said as he continued to look at it more closely.

"My Goodness, you are worse than Armand" Ray said annoyingly

Ruddick turned to look at Ray angrily and said "I want to try it"

"Right now…?" Ray asked "come on! It's ours, why now?"

"Shut up, I want to try it right now!" Ruddick shouted

"Fine, Fine" Ray said as he rolled his eyes "Pick up the tiny microphone next to the Cat's ear and call out the name of who you want to…you know…control"

"I know how to use it" Ruddick replied angrily "I said I want o try it"

"Well then go ahead" Ray replied

Ruddick tried to use it but it was not operating. "What's wrong with it" he said angrily 

"Its locked or something?" Alden said as he looked at it closely

Ruddick continued to look at it closely and finally saw a tiny lock box which requires a key to open it.

"It's locked!" Ruddick shouted "It's locked! Fuck, it's locked!"

"What?" Ray asked "that’s impossible"

"You are fucking kidding me" Alden added "it's actually locked?"

"You Bastard" Ruddick shouted at Ray "what the hell… don’t you even know that the Moron locks it!"

"I have no idea about this, I swear" Ray said as he looked at the tiny lock box

"Where is the Key…?" Ruddick shouted "what are we going to do about the key!"

"It must be somewhere there in Armand's office" Alden said 

"Are you saying we should go back there?!" Ruddick said angrily "how on earth can we go back there!"

"This is shit!" Alden said angrily as he walked away

"Wait, Patricia is still there in Bevin" Ray interrupted "I will ask her to look for it in the secretive room"

"How so…? Ray…" Ruddick said angrily "you expect her to go into the fucking building and ask for a key that belongs to the Magnificent Cat, or perhaps they will just lend her one because clearly her father is the one who took the Magnificent Cat"

"Let’s be serious here, Ruddick" Ray said angrily

"Guess what, Ray, I am serious" Ruddick interrupted "and you know what too, I think of all the dumb spies we sent over the years, you turn out to be the worst!"

"Excuse me?" Ray said angrily "if it wasn't for me, you wouldn’t be seeing the Magnificent Cat!" 

"That’s true" Ruddick said angrily "that’s all what I can do…see it, but not use it!"

"I will be grateful if I were you" Ray continued

"Well the good thing is that…" Ruddick said as he picked his revolver "you are not me"

"What are you-" Ray said but couldn’t finish his sentence when Ruddick gunned him down to the ground

"What the Hell!!!" Alden shouted as he watched the blood scattered on the wall.

"Useless son of a Bitch" Ruddick said as he looked at Ray dead body on the ground.

 

Chapter 26 - Huge Danger

Its 5:00 Pm and the day in Bevin is still bright day light. Everyone in the building got their bullet proof vest on and pretty much ready for their big fight.

"I will open the basement to get the guns" Wade said as he looked at James

"We have a basement?" James asked 

"Yes" Wade replied "that’s where Armand keeps all the weapons”

"Alright" James said as he walked down from the top of the table "go get the guns, and make sure everyone is heavily armed! I mean I want us to use that room…take all the guns with us… everything!"

"Definitely, and I already called the other armies, they are on their way"

"That’s great” James said as Wade heads to the basement.

 

Picklock approached James and said "we need to talk"

"What is it?"

"We have to talk privately, can you follow me to the back"

"Alright"

 

James and Picklock went to the back of the building where no one could hear them.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Picklock?" James asked seriously "because there is no time, we have to go to war!"

"You shouldn’t go to the war!" 

"What are you talking about?" James asked 

"You know damn well what I am talking about" Picklock interrupted "what are you thinking? You can't be seriously fighting Ruddick and Alden with the other troops!"

"And why not…?" James said angrily "I have to go get what is Mine, Picklock!"

"James…you have to be kidding" Picklock continued "All of our people here are going to fight for the Magnificent Cat in order to get their jobs Back! I mean they need it more than anything"

"So do I" James interrupted

"But there is no guarantee you will all come back alive!" Picklock shouted "James, if anything happens to you, it will all be over…if you die, the Magnificent Cat is going to die with you! Think about what could happen to all of these people inside! How are they going to go on with their lives! They have families and no other jobs"

"I am not going to die!" James interrupted "and I will definitely be fighting this war! I am sure this is what my grandfather would want"

"No, James" Picklock said sadly "you can't….don't do this!"

"I have to" James replied "besides if everyone here is thinking about death, we will never be able to defeat Ruddick, but the fact that we know we are stronger than them, we will definitely win, the next time I see you Mr. Picklock is with the Magnificent Cat in my hand"

"James, wait a second" Picklock said as James walked away "James!"

 

Wade walked into to the front of the building where a great hidden door is placed. No one knew that that door leads to the basement.

Lisa looked at him from far away and was approaching slowly.

Wade opened the door and entered into the basement.

Lisa continued to follow him and was surprised to see a huge hidden door leading to an underground room. She continued to walk until she saw Wade entering a dark room.

Wade switched on the light and Lisa couldn’t believe her eyes for what she saw was way beyond her imagination.

The entire basement was filled with all kinds of Guns and Bombs, which includes a huge missile and other deadly weapons.

"Oh my God" Lisa said lowly to herself

Wade continued to look at the weapons; he picked some of them and laid them on the ground, while he loads some with more bullets.  

Lisa walked slowly behind him; he was so concentrated he didn't hear her.

"Wade" she said calmly as she stands behind him.

Wade turned around only to his surprise saw Lisa standing in front of him.

"Lisa!" Wade said shockingly as he dropped the gun "Oh my God, what are you doing here?"

"It’s ok, it’s ok" Lisa said nicely "I just want to talk to you…please that’s all"

"Lisa you should go back to the concert!" Wade said sharply "I think you are accepted to the Fantastica stage! Why aren’t you there to receive your honor?"

"Because I want to talk to you" Lisa repeated "don’t you get it? I am in love with you!"

"No I don’t" Wade replied "I never get you, Lisa; you are way too complicated for me. You should be going to the concert! It's your dream to perform on the Fantastica stage, have you forgot about it?"

"No" Lisa replied "how on earth do you expect me to go to the Fantastica stage far away from here while you are fighting in a war!"

"How do you know we are going to a war?" 

"I heard James talking" Lisa said

"Oh yes, of course" Wade said “you can’t miss that one, can you? I think you should leave…” 

"Wade…?" Lisa said sadly "please listen to me, I need you…I can’t go on without you, yes I do want to be a performer hopefully, but I need you to be beside me, I need you by my side, I need to know that you love me and support me all the way, or otherwise I won’t even go all the way!"

Wade turned back to look at her. Their gazes met and locked, sweeping her out of reality on a tidal wave of emotion, like always.

"I have always loved you" Wade said finally "I never stopped loving you, and today, at the concert, I loved you even more…but I am guessing you still have feelings for som-"

"Shush...you don’t have to say anything" Lisa said as she pulled him close and brushed his hair out of his eyes. "I want to be with you”

For the first time, their lips met. They continued kissing each other and then smiled at the end of it.

"I missed you…" he said, slightly shyly, in his attempt to be sweet. He fell backwards to the ground just as Lisa kissed him again.

She continued to kiss him just a little before pulling away slightly, she looked at him and then moved her lips to his neck and started kissing him slightly there as well.

"I have an idea" Wade said suddenly

"What is it?" Lisa said as she continued to kiss him

"Lisa, listen to me" Wade said as he looked at her laughingly 

"I just want to kiss you" Lisa said

"Yes, so do I" Wade said as he laughed "and we will have all the time in the world for ourselves, don’t worry"

"Alright" Lisa said as she pulled away and held both his hands in hers "what do you want to say?"

"I want you to wait for me here" Wade replied "for the mean time only, I have to go to this war, and when I return we will both go together to the Fantastica stage! We will walk through the miraculous railroad and hopefully go there together"

"That’s awesome" Lisa said excitingly "you want to come with me to the Fantastica stage?"

"Yes" Wade replied happily "but I have to go to fight first"

"Please don’t go" Lisa pleaded with a sad look on her face "I don’t want you to fight those who stole the-"

Lisa stopped talking and walked away.

"Lisa…I have other plans" Wade said as he followed her "well I might have said different things to James earlier but I have something else in mind"

"What do you mean?" Lisa asked as she turned back to look at him

Wade walked closely to her and whispered in her ears "I want to destroy the Magnificent Cat"

Lisa looked at him in shock and said "you are planning to do that?"

"I have been thinking about it this entire time, Lisa" Wade continued "that device is up to no good"

Lisa's face saddens as she looked away.

"Who am I kidding?" Wade said angrily "you should know best, you are the victim"

"We don’t have to talk about it" Lisa interrupted "it’s all in the past now"

"that’s true" Wade said nicely "that’s why I am thinking about the future, I don’t want anyone to go through what you've been through…its horrible what that device did to families and lives"

"Are you really planning on destroying it" Lisa asked seriously

"That's my only wish so far" Wade answered "I want us to live happily ever after…I want us to go to the Fantastica stage with nothing in our minds to worry us"

"Then I will come with you to fight" Lisa said as she walked closer to him

"What?" Wade asked as he laughs "you can't be serious?"

"I am serious, you want to destroy the Magnificent Cat, well guess what so do I … I suggest we both do it together"

"No, Lisa" Wade shouted "No way on earth I am letting you risk your life"

"What about yourself?" Lisa continued "once we have each other, nothing on earth can hurt us"

"Lisa, this is a fight, a warzone, not an amusement park" 

"I don’t care" Lisa argued "I have to be with you, no matter what, I have to be with you every minute of this"

"Lisa, come on, don’t do this…I am trained to shoot, I know exactly what to do, you can't accompany me…"

"I have to" Lisa said "or otherwise I will just sit here and die from worries and fears"

"Fear of what…?" Wade asked

"Fear of you not coming back to me!" Lisa shouted "please, I beg you, Wade, let me come with you"

Wade looked at her for a while and then said "alright, I don’t believe what is happening now, but…alright"

"Great" Lisa said as she jumped and gave him a big hug "I will never let go of you"

"I will never let go of you either" Wade said smilingly

"We should fight hard! And we should destroy the Magnificent Cat once and for all!" Lisa said with passion in her voice.

All of a sudden, Lisa and Wade could hear a loud crowd approaching to the basement.

"They are here" Wade said as he continues to listen

"Who..?" 

"The armies" Wade replied "it’s time"

 

About 350 men walked inside the basement with strange and grave look on their faces

"Hello, sir" one gunman said as he looked at Wade "I am sorry about Armand"

"No problem, please feel free to select any gun"

"Thank you" the gunman said "we will get the Magnificent Cat back, don’t worry"

The entire crowd walked into the basement and started to select the guns on the shelve

 

After a few minutes, the rest of the guards walked into the basement.

"Waw" one guard said as he looked around the place "We have this underneath the building? This is amazing!!"

"Look at all these Armies!!" Nick said as he looked at the Army "Armand has an army we don’t even know?"

"That’s right" one Army said to Nick "and if we don’t get the Magnificent Cat back, we will never get paid again!"

 

Lisa and Wade looked at each other awkwardly and worryingly for they have other plans in mind.

 

James finally walked into the basement and looked at the guns hanging on the wall and on the floor. He continued to look around and saw all the Armies ready and willing to fight for the Magnificent Cat, he then turned and shockingly saw Wade standing with Lisa at the corner of the room.

"What?" James shouted as he approached them "What the hell is she doing here?"

"Calm down, James" Wade interrupted "no need to panic, she-"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" James continued to shout "are you planning to party in here! Aren’t we going to a war?!"

"Yes, yes, of course" Wade replied "and she knows too"

Everyone in the room turned to look at them

"Look there is a girl…." Everyone started to talk to each other "what is she doing here?"

"You are the girl from the concert!" Nick shouted happily "you are the one who sang amazingly!"

"Shut up everyone!" James shouted as the room turned silent, he then looked seriously at Wade and said "what do you mean she knows?"

"She knows we are going to fight" Wade continued 

"Fight for what?" James asked even more seriously "a Lamborghini?"

"No" Wade said seriously "she knows about the Magnificent Cat!"

"Woooooooh" the crowd started to groan surprisingly

"What the hell? What is the matter with you?" James shouted at Wade "what on earth are you thinking? …why would you…"

"It's alright" Lisa interrupted as she stepped closer to James "I am fighting with you"

"I recommend you get out of here right now!" James insisted

"She will know about it one way or another" Wade interrupted "she is Mr. Watson daughter!"

James stood there in shock of what he is hearing "Mr. Watson?"

"Yes" Lisa said lowly

"Holly crap" Joe said as he hears them.

"She wants to join us in the war" Wade added as he looked at Lisa

James turned from Wade and looked at Lisa straight in the eye. The way he looked at her gave her chills running down her spine, for he was very attractive yet eerie and for some reasons his eyes changes colors.

"If you are Mr. Watson daughter" James said while still looking at her "why on earth do you want to fight for the Magnificent Cat?"

Lisa stood there speechless as she continued to look at him; she was very scared and turned to look at Wade.

“I don’t think you will be a big fan of the object now will you?” he continued to ask

"Because, because" she said as her voice shakes "I love him, because I love him"

"What?" James asked with a strange look on his face.

"I love him" Lisa said it straight this time "I love him more than anything in the world"

She looked back at Wade and he smiled back to her.

"I have to go with him" Lisa continued "everywhere he goes, I should be with him, I can't let him go to the war alone, I have to be him, I mean can you be separated from the one you love?"

"I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go" James said calmly this time "I am sure Wade thinks the same thing too…am I right?"

"Yes you are right" Wade replied "but sometimes when two people are in love, there is no choice but letting them be crazy to the extreme"

Lisa looked at him and laughed happily; she then approached him and kissed him slightly. Everyone in the room looked at them unaware of what’s going on. 

James looked at them and then all of a sudden he thought about Patricia, he totally forgot about her. Is it possible to know what happened with her father? Is he the one who took the Magnificent Cat?"  

"Excuse me" James said as he walked out of the basement. 

 

Joe walked to the back of the building when he saw Mr. Picklock standing there alone and worried.

"Are you ok Mr. Picklock?" Joe asked "it's really nice to have you back"

"Thank you, Joe" Picklock said still worryingly "you ready to go?"

"Yes" Joe replied "I am just on my way to the basement, to get my guns"

"Good" Picklock said as he turned away

"You don’t like the idea, do you?" You don’t want us to fight"

"No it's not like that" Picklock replied "I mean, its Ruddick, he won't back down easily"

"You have no idea" Joe continued "I witnessed a horrible scene, Mr. Picklock; I had to see my men gunned down by Ray! I mean Ray! The man we all trusted and complied with"

"I understand" Picklock said nicely "you should all seek revenge, it's your time"

"That’s true, now I would like to be excused; I need to get myself armed"

"Sure" Picklock said as Joe walked away.

Picklock looked around the place and never thought the building will end up torn apart this way. 

 

James crossed the street as fast as he could only to see Patricia's car parked and the bonnet full of luggage.

"What in the world?" James said as he looked at the car and the luggage at the back.

Patricia walked straight and could see James from the kitchen window.

"Shit" she said loudly "what the hell is he doing here!"

She tried to call her father but there was no reply.

"Patricia!" James shouted in front of the main door "Patricia!"

Patricia walked out of the house with same innocent face and loving personality.

"What is it? James?" she asked "why are you yelling?"

"Where is he?" James asked seriously

"Who…?" Patricia said nervously

"Stop playing games with me" James said seriously, for he had never spoke gravely to Patricia before

"James…" Patricia said to calm him down "I don’t know what you are talking about?"

"Bullshit!" James shouted "Bullshiting all the time, both you and him"

"I guess you are talking about my father, aren’t you" Patricia said with harder tone

"You finally figure it out!" James said angrily "where the hell is that son of a bitch!"

"Why are you asking me?" Patricia said angrily "isn’t he your boss, shouldn’t he be with you at this very moment"

"No" James replied "I never liked him, I never listened to him, he was never my boss"

"But he was working with you" Patricia said annoyingly as she laughed

"Hold on a second" James said angrily "where the hell are you going?"

Patricia looked at him without replying she just went inside and packed more luggages into the back of the car. 

"You can't be leaving" James asked surprisingly "please tell me where the hell is he!"

"Are you worried about me or him" Patricia said angrily "I can see that you are much more worried about where he could be than where am I going"

"I have to know where he went, it's important"

"More important than me" Patricia said as she looked at him "I guess so"

"You don’t understand" James said as he walked closer to her

"What is it? What did my father do to make you go crazy like this, huh?"

"Something huge" James said seriously 

Patricia wanted to get the rest of the goods but stood there silently as she stares at James. She looked at him more serious and deeper than ever.

"What?" James asked as he stared back at her

"Oh my God" Patricia shouted as she continued to look at him "Oh my God"

"What?" James shouted "what's wrong!"

"It’s you" Patricia said finally "you are the one"

James looked at her nervously and shockingly about what he is hearing, he just hoped it's not what he was about to hear.

"You are the one" Patricia repeated "you are the Magnificent Cat!"

James was still in shock and didn’t know what to say, how on earth did she know about the Magnificent Cat ,and worst of all already knew that he is the Magnificent Cat, it was indeed a shock James was never expecting.

"What are you saying, Patricia?" James said with his voice shaking still in shock

"I knew it all along" Patricia continued while looking deeper into his eyes "I always knew that you are the Magnificent Cat!"

"Shush" James said as he walked closely to her "stop saying it…stop it!"

"Oh my God" Patricia said still looking at him

"I am warning you" James shouted "now tell me where the Magnificent Ca-?"

Before James could finish his sentence Patricia picked up a tennis racket and hit him hard on the head.

James fell backwards holding his head on his hand still conscious and yelled "Patricia!"

Patricia looked at him and threw the tennis racket at the back of the car; she then walked into the car and drove as fast as she could.

James tried to follow her but failed to catch up due to the bad knock on his head.

He ran back to the building as fast as he could.

 

James ran and started to look around the entire building

"What is going on?" Picklock asked surprised to see James all messed up "are you ok?"

Without any reply, James continued to look around until he found Wade's car.

James jumped into Wade's car and drove as fast as he could.

"Where are you going?" Picklock shouted "what is going on?"

Picklock watched as James drove off fast with no reply

"Oh my God" Picklock said worryingly "this can’t be happening"

Picklock ran to his old car as quick as possible to follow James, he stepped into the car and drove at a very high speed, hopefully to catch up with Wade's Porsche.

 

Patricia drove fast and at the same time picked up her phone to call her father

"Pick up, pick up!" Patricia said as she looked at her phone.

The phone continued to call but no one answered 

"Damn it, dad" Patricia said to herself, for she cannot wait to inform everyone James is the Magnificent Cat. 

Patricia continued to drive as fast as she could she took a quick look at her mirror and saw the sports car with James init right behind her

"No freaking way!" she said as she saw James driving right behind her, following her as fast as he could

"Pull over!" James shouted

"Get lost James!" Patricia shouted back "it's over!"

James's car drew closer and knocked the back of her car hardly. Patricia held up a small gun from her purse and tried to shoot the car's wheels several time. It didn’t work.

"Please!" James continued to shout "pull over!"

Patricia took a sharp turn exiting Bevin and entering the short cut on the way to Slycity. James did the same and continued to follow her.

 

Patricia drove even faster at Slycity and was honking and beeping the car's horn on and on. She didn’t slow down at all.

James knew exactly where is this going, he knew he was heading to Slycity, he knew he was definitely entering Ruddick and Alden's territory, but also knew he is getting closer and closer to the Magnificent cat and that all what it matters to him.

 

Patricia finally approached the gigantic main gate and continued to blow the horn.

"Did you hear that?" Alden asked as he tried to pull Ray's dead body out of the office.

"Are they here already?" Ruddick questioned as he looked at Alden "leave the body here, why don’t you instead get the army ready!"

Alden dropped down Ray's corpse and went to check on the army

Ruddick looked through the hidden camera at the main gate and could see Patricia honking the horn as if she was in a hurry.

"It's Patricia" Ruddick shouted hoping Alden could hear him "I am opening the gate"

 

Patricia continued to blow the horn until the gigantic gate opened a little.

Patricia jumped out of the car; she ran and pressed a hidden button right behind the hidden camera in order for the gate to open wider.

James jumped out of the car and yelled "Patricia! No!"

She ignored him and entered in to the gate as quick as possible

"Patricia!" James Shouted

"Back off, James" Patricia shouted back as she entered in.

The main gate was starting to shut down slowly James ran as fast as he could to catch up with the closing gate. He ran and placed a little stone at the tip of the gate just to ensure that the gate doesn't close back.

By the time James entered the main gigantic gate he could see Patricia already reaching the half of the compound and heading to a very large building.

James looked around the place and it was indeed scary. "Patricia!" he shouted

He continued to look around and could see the main gate closing at him and bombs were around the entire place. He ran forward to continue chasing Patricia, but the entire place was full of traps and he wasn’t even carrying his protection gun. Suddenly James could see a large bulb buzzing. And as it buzzes, automatic shots were being fired randomly throughout the compound.

James ducked down for cover and turned back quickly and started to run the opposite way, wishing that the main gate is still open for his final escape.

 

Patricia went to the back of the building and took a secret elevator which leads directly to the main office on the top.

 

Alden ran to the office and said "I think someone is here! Did you hear the Alarm buzzing?

"Are you sure?" Ruddick asked seriously

Ruddick ran to the Spy Window and could see a person standing at the main gate

"Impossible…I saw Patricia earlier at the gate" Ruddick said angrily as he went to pick up his weapon "who the fuck is that? Who the fuck did she came with!"

"What are you doing?" Alden asked

"I am trying to shoot an intruder, you idiot" Ruddick shouted "why don’t you go and get the armies ready as I told you"

Alden left the room hurryingly.

 

Ruddick aimed his weapon at James and started to shoot.

 

James could see a huge missile approaching which looked like a chopped iron; he dodged as fast as he could, trying to escape the missiles.

Ruddick continued to shoot more irons.

James is now heading to the gate hoping it wasn't completely closed. 

Just as James was trying to reach the main gate, he felt the iron stabbed through his back hardly, it was the most painful thing anyone could imagine.  He fell down and hit the ground hardly, at this point he knew he was shot, and shot badly

"Ahhhhh" James cried in pain as his face touched the ground. 

 

Ruddick smiled as he watched James dropped to the ground, he quickly reload his gun to aim for another shot, a better and final one.

 

"Stop" a voice shouted

Ruddick turned around and saw Patricia coming out of the elevator.

"Trust me, you don’t want to do that!" she shouted "stop shoot-"

Patricia did not finish her sentence when she shockingly saw her dead father's corpse lying on the ground.

"Oh My God…!" She shouted "Holly Shit…What the hell! No!"

Ruddick looked at her and rolled his eyes "I have business to take care off" he said as he turned to look back at the Spy window.

"You did that, did you?" Patricia shouted as she started to cry "You did this!"

Ruddick turned back to look at Patricia and said "Yes" 

"You sick, twisted monster" she said as she looked at him dirtily

"Well your father brought the Magnificent Cat without a fucking key!" Ruddick shouted

“What the hell are you saying?” Patricia said angrily “I don’t give a fuck!”

Ruddick walked closer to Patricia and said “let’s face this Patricia, I am not going to marry you, I am never going to marry you! I am not marrying a whore who sleeps around with losers like James”

Patricia looked at him shockingly and mad at the same time.

“Yes that’s right” Ruddick continued

“That’s not the real reason” Patricia interrupted “you are jealous”

“What?” Ruddick said with an angry smile

“You are jealous” Patricia repeated “you are jealous because James is twice the man you are! Much nicer, probably luckier and much more handsome”

“Shut up, Bitch!” Ruddick shouted

“Look at you” Patricia said again “you are nothing compared to James! Nothing..!”

“I can’t stand anymore of your bullshit!” Ruddick said angrily as he used his missile to fire one shot. The shot was so strong it blew Patricia out of the window next to the elevator she came from.

 

James still lying on the ground bleeding can see as Patricia falls out of the window; he was way too weak and didn’t know what was happening.

“Pat…Patricia” he said lowly to himself.

All of a sudden James could see a hand reaching for him.

“Hold my hand” the voice said “come with me, let's get out of here!” 

James grabbed the hand blindly and falls unconscious. 

 

“Slut” Ruddick said as he watched Patricia’s dead body on the floor twenty feet down. He turned back to the spy window to finish what he stared, only to his surprise couldn’t see his target anymore.

“Where the fuck did he went…!” Ruddick shouted “and who was that?!”

 

Chapter 27 - Speedy Recovery

Some of the army has already hopped into the giant motor vehicle which they came from.

"We have to go" the chief gunman said loudly

He turned to look at Wade and said "Ready?"

"Yes" Wade replied "you are…"

"I am Steve" he replied sharply "I am the chief gunman for all these people, I mean that’s what Armand told me to do…you must be Wade?"

"Yes" Wade replied with Lisa by his side "nice to meet you Steve"

"Likewise" Steve replied "I have to lead the men to war, or do you want to do that yourself?"

"No, its fine" Wade answered "you lead your men and I will lead mine…I mean the ones that work here, well they know me more I can say"

"Alright then" Steve continued "we should be the boss here, let's get going, we don’t want to fight in the dark do we?"

"I will be right behind you" Wade said sharply "get the gunmen ready; I just have some few guns to arrange"

"Alright" Steve said as he looked at Wade and then turned to Lisa "Good luck"

  

Wade and Lisa watched as the army drove off with guns in the trunk of the truck.

"We should be going too" Wade said as he turned to Lisa

"I feel bad" Lisa said seriously.

 

Nick walked into the room without Wade or Lisa's awareness that he was in the room.

"Don’t back down now, Lisa" Wade said

Nick approached and hid behind a wall to hear them talking 

"I mean…it's ok if you don’t want to go" Wade continued "I will do it alone"

"No it's not that…" Lisa replied "I am definitely going with you, it's just that…"

"The Magnificent Cat must be destroyed, Lisa" Wade interrupted

"What?” Nick said lowly to himself

"I know" Lisa said calmly "but what is going to happen to them…everyone?!"

 

"That’s what I want to know too" Nick said as he joined in angrily

Wade turned and looked at Nick scarily

"Oh my God" Lisa said as she sigh 

"What the Hell is going on here!" Nick shouted

"Shush" Wade interrupted "let me explain"

"Explain what!" Nick continued to shout "I heard you! You are planning to destroy the Magnificent Cat, the only thing we've got!"

"As much as you hate what I am going to say, Nick" Wade said calmly "it is the right thing to do, trust me"

"The right thing…?" Nick shouted "are you thinking straight?"

"Yes, Nick" Wade continued "We had our enjoyment, it’s time to act fair and reasonable"

"Enjoyment…?" Nick questioned angrily "Wade, you are the one who had your enjoyment! Your luxurious apartment, your Porsche, and now you are just fed up and ready for an early retirement!"

"It's not like that!" Wade shouted "think about it, Nick, do you want to live in a world where No one ever says half of the things they said! What kind of non-sense is that?"

"Oh, you just realized what this business is about!" Nick shouted "after all these years, you just knew that!"

"Well" Wade said as he turned to Lisa "she is a victim, this girl lost both of parents to the Magnificent Cat! Now let's just imagine how many people are going through the same thing and suffering as well"

"I don’t care" Nick said angrily "this is my job and this is all I've got"

"So do I, Nick" Wade said nicely "and I am sure you can find a job…a better one too"

"Go to hell" Nick said as he dropped his gun "I am not fighting for nothing!"

"I respect your decision" Wade said "and I will be glad if you respect mine"

"I have no choice" Nick said as he walked away.

"Wade, maybe we shouldn’t" Lisa said sadly

"Lisa, do this for your father and mother, I think it’s the least you can do"

"You are right" Lisa said as she looked at him closely "you know I love you"

"I love you too" Wade said with a smile "now I think we should be going"

"Alright" Lisa said as she heads first to the door

"Wait!" Wade shouted "Take this!" 

Wade walked closer to her and handed her a big Shot Gun.

"Oh My God, Wade?" Lisa said surprisingly "I don’t know how to use those; I don’t think I need it"

"Of course you do!" Wade said seriously "you are entering a war zone, Lisa! You have to carry that with you, it's my job to protect you"

"Or maybe I protect you" Lisa said as she smiled "where do I…"

"Just pull the trigger" Wade interrupted "it reloads automatically" 

"Alright" Lisa said "but there is no guarantee that I might use it"

"It doesn’t matter" Wade said nicely "I just want you to have it, it will make me feel better, and that’s all"

Lisa looked at him smilingly as she heads to the door.

 

Everyone gathered around the car ready to head to Sly City

"Everyone ready..?" Wade shouted

"Yes" the crowd replied 

"Let's go get it!" Joe Shouted 

"Where is James?" Wade asked as he check his gun

"I don’t know" one gunman replied 

"Where is Nick?" Joe asked 

"Let's just go" Wade interrupted "for does who don’t want to come, its fine"

 

 

James finally started to feel himself; he could hear sounds echoing from the room, he couldn’t hear any words the familiar voice was saying.

James opened his eyes slightly and could see a room.

"Stay down, stay down" Picklock said with blood all over his hand "No need to hurry or anything"

"Mr. Picklock?" James said as he forced the words out "where am I? … What is go-?"

"You are in my Cottage" Picklock replied "No need to talk now, I will take care of you"

James forced himself to sit up and somehow could see his stomach sewed with thread and needle.

"Mr. Picklock, what are you doing?" James asked 

"Be quite, James" Picklock replied "I am sewing you back, I would love to get you to a hospital but that’s sound impossible, since they will be asking questions"

"I have to go" James said as he forced himself up

"Sit back down!" Picklock shouted "where do you think you are going?"

"I have to fight" James shouted as he feels pain running down his spine "aaah"

"What are you thinking, James?" Picklock started "I think you lost your mind the same minute you followed Patricia! Are you aware what could happen to the Magnificent Cat?"

"Of course I am aware" James said as he lies back down 

"There are people out there…your people!" Picklock shouted "fighting for the Magnificent Cat! Fighting to get it back! To get their jobs back…how is it going to be if you die on them! If you die, James this is all over, I mean all over!"

"What if the Magnificent Cat gets destroyed?" James asked

"What?" Picklock said as he looked at James seriously 

"If the Magnificent get destroyed…I die" James repeated "there is no guarantee in that, right?"

"Why would anyone want to destroy the Magnificent Cat?" Picklock asked 

"I don’t know" James replied "I just have to go"

"No you don’t" Picklock said sharply "firstly, you are a wreck and secondly, no one is going to destroy the Magnificent Cat and that’s final!"

"Picklock…pleases…" James said lowly "this is important"

"I am going to get some bandages, I recommend you stay put" Picklock said as he walked to the door "on a second guess, I don’t trust you"

Picklock walked closer to James and handcuffed him on the couch 

"Is that really necessary?" James said tiredly as he rolled his eye

"I will be back" Picklock said as he walked out of his cottage.

 

The road was long and bumpy from Bevin to Slycity and the armies are willing to get there before the night fall.

"Where are we going?" Lisa asked Wade scarily

"Slycity" Wade replied "that’s where Ruddick and Alden have their own building"

"What building?" Lisa continued to ask

"Building similar to ours" Wade replied "they are planning to do the same business"

"This is awful" Lisa said lowly

 

They finally reached Slycity and could see the gigantic gate of Ruddick and Alden's building, closed as tightly with not even an air to pass through. Right in front of the building they could see Steve's army standing and looking at each corner of the God forsaken building.

Wade jumped out of the car and ran closer to them.

"What's going on?" Wade asked

"It's pointless" Steve replied "We cannot enter!"

"Are you sure you checked everywhere?" Wade questioned as he looked around

"We all did" Steve answered "they must have secured this place well

Lisa jumped out of the car and followed Wade

"What is going on?" she asked "is this the place?"

"Yes" Wade replied "We have to get in"

"Waw" Lisa said as she looked around "sound impossible"

"I can ask my army to start shooting the gate" Steve interrupted "maybe that will help"

"No, no" Wade replied sharply "We don’t want them to know we are here, who knows how many armies they got in there…and traps too"

"That’s right" Joe said as he walked closer to them "the way I saw them earlier, I can tell that they have planned everything"

Wade held his hand on his head and sigh "there has to be a way"

"Well figure one out…I don’t have all day" Steve said angrily

"Of course you do" Wade interrupted "this is your only job"

"Maybe he's right" Joe said as he looked at Wade "maybe its pointless being here…at least today"

"No one dare give up!" Wade shouted "they faced us and killed our boss and we can't even get through the gates!"

"Well they had Ray to help them" Joe interrupted 

"We will fight them today!" Wade said angrily "no backing off now!"

"Of course" Steve said sarcastically "we just have to find a way in"

 

Picklock bought all the necessary medical apparatus needed to heal James. He walked into his cottage and only to his surprise found the couch empty and the handcuffs in which James was attached to cut off unbelievably, it was as if it was cut off by a hot sharp knife.

"How in the world…" Picklock said surprisingly as he looked at the broken handcuff “James! Where are you…damn it!"

Picklock ran out of his cottage and entered into his old car. He drove off as fast as he could to the building.

 

Picklock finally reached the building and ran in. the building was empty and it was clear that everyone left.

"James!" Picklock shouted "James!"

He looked all around the entire place and couldn’t see any one; he finally looked at the back of the building and saw Nick sitting solely

"Nick!" Picklock called out

Nick turned and saw Picklock approaching 

"Mr. Picklock?" Nick said surprisingly "what are you doing here?"

"I am looking for James" Picklock asked "have you seen him around?"

"No" Nick replied "he might have went with them"

"Them?" Picklock asked "the war?"

"Yes" Nick replied "I thought you are aware of it"

Picklock was heading to search around the building but he then turned to Nick and asked "why aren’t you with them? Why didn't you join them?"

"You mean the pointless war?" Nick said as he walked away

"What?" Picklock asked as he followed Nick "they are going to get the Magnificent Cat back…you call that pointless?"

"That… you are wrong" Nick said angrily "that’s not exactly what some people are trying to do today"

"What do you mean?" Picklock continued to ask "who are you talking about?"

"I am talking about Wade and the girl" Nick shouted

"What about them?" 

"They are planning to destroy the Magnificent Cat!" Nick continued "without anyone else's opinion and awareness; they just thought it’s the right thing to do, ignoring the whole world around them"

"This is horrible!" Picklock said scarily "they can't do that!"

"Same thing I said but they won't listen"

"James!" Picklock shouted "they can't do that to James!"

"James?" Nick asked curiously "what are you talking about?"

"They will kill him!" Picklock shouted "if they destroy the Magnificent Cat, James will die!"

"Just James…?" Nick said as he smiled "apparently all of us will die being jobless!"

"No, Nick" Picklock said seriously "I meant this literally!"

"Oh…he likes the Magnificent Cat way too much he might get a stroke…well that will make sense" Nick said annoyingly as he turned away. 

"Listen to me!" Picklock shouted "James will die because he is the Magnificent Cat!"

"I don’t get it" Nick said as he looked at Picklock weirdly "I am not following this"

"James is the Magnificent Cat" Picklock repeated "You don’t have to know the details or how it happens…all what I have to say is that he is the Magnificent Cat…do you know why the Magnificent is still working, it’s because James heart is still working and if either of them stops…either of them shall die as well"

"Holly Shit! Mr. Picklock… Are you ok? What are you saying?"

"I won't be ok until I find James" Picklock shouted "could you get in touch with Wade…call him on his cell phone!"

"He did not take his cell phone to war!" Nick answered sharply "there is no way to get in touch with any of them!"

 

"So, any idea…?" Steve said as he walked closely to Wade

"None so far" Wade replied as he sat on the ground next to the gigantic gate.

Everyone else sat down hopelessly as they looked at the gate once more.

"He is here!" Joe shouted as he pointed to the opposite street.

"Who is here?" Wade asked as he looked at the place Joe was pointing

James walked closer and closer to them with a huge Riffle in his right hand, an axe on his left and 3 pistols hanging on his jeans

Lisa turned and looked at him as he walked bravely towards them.

"Let's do this" James finally said as he looked at the entire troop

 

Chapter 28 - The Battle is on

Its 6:00 evening and the day was still bright day light, far away in Bevin the concert was still going on joyfully and everyone is having a good time. The music was still as loud and it can still be heard in everywhere near Bevin including Slycity.

 

James walked nearer to everyone and said "Waw" we have a lot of army do we?"

"This is Steve" Wade said as he introduced James to Steve "and those are his men, they are all under Armand's payroll"

"So they must be desperate to get the Magnificent Cat back" 

"Yes we are!" Steve replied sharply "but there is a little problem in accomplishing that…we cannot get in…!"

"Are you sure?" James said as he looked at the gigantic building "did you try looking behind the secretive camera over there"

"What secretive camera?" Wade asked as he looked at the door

Steve walked nearer to the camera and opened it, in the camera there was a small bottom. Steve pressed the bottom and the gigantic door started to open slowly.

Wade turned to James and said "have you been here before?"

"Duck down!" Steve shouted as everyone stayed out of sight.

Wade crawled to Lisa and said "stay with me"

Lisa replied to him by nodding her head scarily

James hid behind a wall and started to load his gun.

 

Ruddick looked through his spy window once more and could see the gigantic gate opening.

"They are here!" he said lowly into a small mic.

Alden heard it and gave his armies the signal

All the armies which were at the top of the building readied their guns

"Fire…!" Alden shouted loudly as they all started to shoot.

 

Lots of bullets and missiles were fired at their direction when Steve’s Army hid behind every wall and docked.

"Wade, I am scared" Lisa started to complain "this is scary"

"Don’t be scared" Wade said loudly due to loud sound of fire shots "We will get through this"

"Those people have no mercy" 

"I know" Wade replied "but we have something important to do, remember?"

Lisa looked at him and nodded.

 

"Ready!" Steve shouted "Now!"

All of Steve men aimed their gun to the top of the building and started shooting.

Their guns were much stronger than Ruddick's men and were able to aim further too. They continued shooting until everything went silent.

 

"Let's go in!" Steve shouted as they all ran to the building's compound shooting at the same time.

James ran and joined them with shot gun in both of his hand and an axe hanging on his left pocket.

"Let’s go in" Wade said to Lisa as he pulled her hand "you have the gun…you know how to operate?"

"Yes" Lisa replied "not that I want to but…"

"Get down!" Joe shouted at them just as Wade and Lisa docked to the nearest wall.

 

"Damn it!" Ruddick shouted as he looked through to spy window and saw them approaching.

 

"They will be coming out of the building very soon" James said to Steve "get your men ready for that direction"

"James, I make the rules here, alright" 

"Trust me they are sharp!" James continued

 

All of a sudden about 150 armies came out of the building shooting without considering.

"Watch out!" James shouted 

Steve's army stared to shoot as well with both sides firing at each other.

James picked up his shotguns and started to shoot as well.

 

"Stay here" Wade said to Lisa as she hid behind the wall “you can’t get any further than this” 

"Ok…"Lisa replied

"Could you stay here with her?" Wade said to Joe.

"Alright" Joe replied "don’t worry"

Wade picked up his heavy gun and walked off.

"You shouldn’t have come" Joe said to Lisa lowly "why did you come?"

"I don’t know anymore" Lisa replied "please don’t make them see me"

"No one is watching us, we are hiding…it’s ok"

Lisa couldn’t help hearing the loud noise…she piped behind the wall to see what was going on.

Lisa couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the way people shooting and killing themselves in cold blood, she looked closely and could see Steve throwing grenades on Ruddick's army, she looked the other side and saw Wade, her love, only shooting people’s brains off, one after the other, violently and fatally.

"Stay back!" Joe shouted "no need to look there…"

"I have to see…" Lisa said lowly

"No" Joe shouted "we can move on when this area is cleared"

Lisa piped again and this time could see James. She was already speechless when she saw he had a gun on his right hand and an axe on his left. She was not suppose to see any of this but she continued watching, she saw as James aimed his gun on people and shooting them mercilessly, he then walked close to one of the enemy and raised his axe high to the air.

Lisa turned her head and hid back behind the wall avoiding the sight of that.

"Do you still want to peep?" Joe asked

Lisa looked at him angrily and sat down on the ground.

 

"What are you doing?" Wade said as he approached James 

"What does it look like I am doing?" James replied

"Why do you have an axe?" 

"It's my favorite weapon" James replied "I am good at it"

Wade looked at James surprisingly and smiled 

James smiled back and said "now let's get them!"

 

"Keep moving!" Steve shouted to his men "clear!"

 

"Where are the armies?" Ruddick shouted in the mic to Alden…"do you even have a plan?"

"Those psychopaths got game!" Alden shouted "they must be obsessed as much as you are"

"I don’t care" Ruddick shouted "Finish them!"

"Right away" Alden replied as he personally walked and lead 300 men.

For some reasons, the place seems way too quite.

"Let's move on and get them!" Steve shouted 

"Shush" James interrupted "focus…just focus"

Out of the blue, they could somehow hear a sound…more like a gunshot…a silencer.

"What was that?" Steve said as he looked around  

James continued to stay still and looked around as well.

Suddenly one of Steve's men fell to the ground with a large bullet hole on his back.

"Watch out!" Wade shouted 

Everyone readied their guns and started to shoot again. This time it was deadly and dangerously as bullets was coming out of nowhere and the enemies cannot be seen.

"Keep shooting" Steve shouted 

Slowly, slowly the enemies were somehow visible and they were wearing protective shield around them which somehow looked like a glass.

Steve's men didn’t stop shooting and their protective shield was weakening.

 

"Step Back" Alden said to his army.   

They turned, and fled back; and then their shields broke; and each time, like the incoming sea, they halted at a higher point.

"Watch out!" Alden shouted 

 

"Shoot them" Steve said happily and knowingly that he is actually winning this war.

James looked at the place closely as he continued shooting and flash backs was starting to hit his brain. He continued to look around slowly and knew that there will be some automatic shots. A loud alarm was then heard right after it.

"Run Back!" James shouted loudly "Run Back!"

"Shut up, James" Steve said angrily "can’t you see we are winning?"

"No" James shouted back "The alarm is going to set and an automatic machine gun will be shooting throughout the entire compound!"

There was no need for James to explain what he was saying, as everyone could hear gunshots from all around the building.

"Run!" James shouted again

"Let's get out of here!" Wade shouted 

"Retreat…!" Steve finally said to his men “Retreat!” 

 

Everyone started to run back as fast they could while some try to target these automatic machine shots by shooting everywhere and randomly yet fail at all their attempts.

"Wade!" Lisa shouted "Wade!"

“Stay down, miss” Joe shouted as Lisa ducked down

 

"Keep running!" James shouted as everyone ran "Don’t shoot just yet"

They could hear their own people falling behind getting shot as they try to escape.

"Keep running" Steve Shouted

 

Alden watched happily through his protective shield and was thrilled to see most of Steve's men getting shot in the back.

 

Steve continued to run and looked around to ensure all his men are safe. However he accidently tripped into a hole made as a trap by Alden. 

"Steve!" Wade shouted as he turned back instead to help him.

"Keep running!" James continued to shout 

Wade ran to the hole and held Steve's hand and was trying to help him out.

"Just hold on" Wade said as he continued to stay in hold of Steve "Help! Somebody help!"

"Whatever happen, I knew we won" Steve continued to talk "I made us win!"

Wade tried not to let go of Steve but he realized he was also falling into the hole.

"Let go of him" a voice shouted behind Wade.

Wade ignored and is now facing problem himself, for Steve’s weight was pulling him down.

Wade finally let go of Steve and almost fell into the trap himself, but before he knew it, James was already holding him from behind. 

Wade could see as Steve fell and disappeared into the hole.

"I told you to let go of him" James shouted as he pulled Wade away from the hole.

Wade looked at James still in shock of what just happened 

“Let’s get out of here!” James shouted “Now!” 

Now both James and Wade ran as fast as they could away from the automatic shootings 

James unexpectedly turned back and aimed his gun at the red buzzer.

"James!" Wade shouted "let's go!"

James aimed it properly and shot one shot at the red buzzer.

The buzzer stopped buzzing and the red light stopped glowing, at this point the machine gun stopped firing.

 

"Damn it" Ruddick said as he looked through the spy window "it was just starting to get interesting"

"It stopped" James shouted 

Every one walked back instead of running

"How did you do that?" Wade asked "how did you know about the red light buzzing over there!"

James looked at Wade without answering

"What is going on?" Wade asked

"I want everyone to follow my orders now" James replied

"Why is that?" Wade said angrily "do you have more surprises?"

"Please" James pleaded "we have to win this war"

 

All the army approached James and Wade and stood there surprisingly

"What's next?" they asked

"Steve is dead" James shouted "but that doesn’t mean we have to stop fighting!"

"Let me talk to them" Wade interrupted as he looked at James.

James stopped and gave Wade the chance to talk.

"Listen up everyone" Wade shouted "get your guns ready same as before…we are moving forward"

"Alright" the crowd replied  

"And I want all of you follow James" Wade continued as he looked at James

James looked at the crowd and said "I want everyone to spread up, every group in five and explore each sides of the compound!" 

"Alright" the crowd replied as they split up in teams. 

"Thank you" James said to Wade as he readied his guns 

"I will grab a team…I will meet you later" Wade replied as he walked off.

 

"Wade!" Lisa shouted as she saw him

Wade turned and saw Lisa approaching with Joe.

"Lisa" he said as he ran to her “what are you doing here? I told you to stay back” 

"Thank God you are ok" she said as she hugged him "what was that shootings! It’s horrible!"

"I know but we will make it" Wade replied

"No, Wade" Lisa shouted "let's go back! It's scary in here"

“Lisa, you should stay in a safe place, perhaps outside at the gigantic gate”

“No, I want to be with you” Lisa insisted 

Wade turned to Joe and said "I want you to stay with her"

"No Wade" Joe replied angrily "I am here to fight, not to baby-sit"

"I am pleading you" Wade said

"Don’t leave me alone" Lisa said to Wade

"I am not" Wade replied "but right now I want you to stay with Joe"

"Why? Where are you going?" 

"I have to finish what we've started, Lisa?" Wade replied "please wait for me, I will be back"

Wade walked up to Joe and said "thank you, I owe you"

 

Everyone split up and made their own team in fives, James has his own team which includes most of the building's workers, and Wade on the other hand has a team which consists of some of Steve's men.

 

Alden watched as they split up methodically and ready to win this war.

"Think you are smart, huh?" Alden said angrily "Goodness they won't back down! Well its fog time!"

Alden and his men hid in places where cannot be seen. 

 

James walked straight on with five men behind him

"Careful" James said lowly "traps could be everywhere, we never know"

"But I am sure you can detect some" one gunman said as they all laughed

James looked at them angrily without laughing 

"Seriously, James" the gunman continued "how on earth did you know about the automatic machine gun, and the giant gate's way of entering?"

James looked at them and said "when you wanted something so badly, I am sure nothing is going to stop you from having it"

"What are you talking about?" the gunman asked

"He is talking about the Magnificent Cat, you moron!" another gunman replied

 

Wade and his men walked into different part of the compound trying to find the best way to get to the building. All of a sudden the entire place turned foggy and misty.

"I don’t see anything and I don’t hear gun shots" one of Steve's men said "did we finish them all off?"

"Shush" Wade said angrily "they could be anywhere"

"What happened to Steve?" one guard said sadly "did he fall in the hole?"

"It doesn’t matter what happened to Steve" Wade interrupted "he died a brave man for sure, and that’s all what it matters"

"Are you sure he-" the guard didn’t finish his sentence when he fell on the ground with a knife stuck on his head.

"Oh my God" Wade shouted as he struggled to look around due to the huge fog and then saw all of his five men dead on the ground with knifes on their heads.

Before Wade could turn around to see who did it, Alden hit his head with the back of his gun. Wade fell on the ground and saw Alden standing right in front of him.

"Hello Wade" Alden said annoyingly "you are a hard one to track"

"Alden?" Wade said as he continued to look at Alden.

"By the way" Alden continued to talk annoyingly "dying by falling in a hole, also known as a trap does not make you brave, you little prick!"

"You are sick" Wade said angrily as he tries to get up.

Alden grabbed Wade's wrist quickly and handcuffed him to the nearest pole. 

"What are you doing?" Wade asked 

"Stay here!" Alden said angrily "we don’t want to lose everything"

"Loose what?"

"It seems that splitting up is not a very good idea" Alden said as he laughed

"What are you planning?" Wade said angrily as he tries to pry his hand from the cuffs.

"Shush" Alden said as he stood still to hear sounds around him.

"What?" Wade questioned

Suddenly Alden disappeared into the fog without saying anything.

Wade looked around and could see James approaching.

"James!" Wade shouted "James!"

James ran to Wade and saw him handcuffed to the pole.

"What's going on?" James asked "who did this?"

"Watch out!"  Wade shouted as James dodged a throwing knife from Alden.

James picked up his gun and started to shoot, shooting everywhere making sure to hit every spot. Alden also picked up his gun and was trying to aim it on James, Alden was every careful as James was standing next to Wade and Alden has to avoid shooting Wade.

"Move away you son of a bitch" Alden said lowly as he tries to aim James solely

"Where is he?" James asked as he tries to look through the foggy atmosphere with his gun pointing everywhere

"I don’t know" Wade replied "just keep looking and be careful"

James tried to focus, and for some reason he started to feel different and his senses tends to become much stronger he suddenly turned to Alden's direction and shoots.

The bullet went straight to Alden's hand.

"Damn you!" Alden shouted as he dropped his gun to the ground and ran to James. He grabbed James from the back and James's gun also fell on the ground 

Now, both James and Alden are wrestling on the ground exchanging blows. James punched and pushed Alden away from him; he then ran to Wade and picked up his axe. 

"What are you doing?" Wade said scarily 

James raised his axe and cut off Wade's cuffs freeing him from the pole.

"Give me your gun" James said as Alden struggled to look for his gun in the mist.

Wade sharply threw the gun at James and picked his own; they both aimed their strong guns at Alden.

Alden picked up his own gun but before he could even load it. He could see both James and Wade aiming their gun at him.

"Good bye" James said as he and Wade blew Alden to the sky by their powerful guns.

 

Silent, stillness and serenity was the only thing they could hear after their gun shot. The environment was still foggy and tough to look through 

"Back to back" James shouted as he and Wade goes back to back aiming each side of the compound. Silently they both concentrate on every angle.

"To your left" James shouted as Wade fired his gun to the left side.

"I hear something" Wade said lowly 

"Keep looking around" James replied as they continued to stay back to back looking at every angle.

"Check your right!" Wade shouted as James shot three shots and heard some armies scream.

They continued on until no footstep sound can be heard.

"It's clear" Wade said 

"Stay focus" James interrupted

The foggy weather was still misty and was difficult to look through.

“We shouldn’t go anywhere” Wade said as he tries to scan the misty compound 

A few seconds later the mists cools down and everything was clear again. 

 

All a sudden the main building was finally visible, tall and standing right in front of them.

"We are here!" Wade said as he looked at the building.

James looked at it as well with desperation to go in and get the Magnificent Cat.

"Do you hear something?" Wade said as he looked around

James stood still and could hear footsteps approaching.

"Ready your gun!" James shouted as both he and Wade readied their guns ready.

All of a sudden they could see their own army approaching.

"Wade…is that you?" one of Steve's men asked 

"Thank God" Wade said as he lowered his gun.

"Hey everyone!" the guard shouted "James and Wade are here!"

James lowered his gun and looked at the building again, he remembered when he saw Patricia fell of the window at the side of the building; it could be the only way to get in the building.

 

Ruddick looked at them as they approached the building and shouted "Damn it! Damn it!!" he ran straight to where the Magnificent Cat is laid and started to hit it. It was so protective all his power cannot defeat it. 

"Die, you silly device…die!" Ruddick said as he continued to hit the Magnificent Cat with every object on his way. He picked up the chair and threw on it but it still didn’t work. Nothing worked. 

"Where is the fucking key?!" Ruddick shouted loudly "Damn you Armand!!!"

  

"We did it" the army shouted "We won!!!!"

"Hurray" everyone roared "we won!"

"I have to go somewhere" James said as he looked at Wade

"What?" Wade asked "we will all go together, we can get in"

"The door is locked" one guard shouted "we are stuck again!"

Wade turned to looked at James and said "we will find a way" 

"No" James replied "I will find a way to get in, and I don’t want anyone to know I will let you all know once I’m in, I am sure I can open the door from inside"

"Alright"

"Alright" James said as he started to walk away

"James!" Wade called out as James was leaving 

James turned to look at him

"Thanks for everything, I appreciated everything; I mean…the axe did turn out to be useful after all"

James looked at him and laughed "it sure did…but I lost it…I can't find it"

"Please come back" Wade said "are you sure you want to do this?"

"Don’t worry about me" James said "I will be back, and I will make sure we catch up on everything we've missed…we will be closer than ever, you are a true friend"

“Stop it, you are going to make me cry” Wade said as he laughs

“Well don’t, because everything is going to be alright”

"I will see you later!" Wade replied "I like the catching up idea!"

James turned away quickly just to ensure no one sees him as tears rolled down his own cheek.

 

 

"Where are we?" Lisa asked "are the fogs gone?"

"Yeah" Joe replied "we did it, we are right in front of the building now"

"Everyone is here!" Lisa said as she looked around "everyone is here…."

Lisa looked straight on and could see Wade standing there in front of the building

"Wade!" Lisa called out "Wade!"

"Lisa!" Wade shouted back as they both ran to each other and hugged

"Thank God you are ok" Lisa said as she continued to hug him.

 

"We actually won the war?" Joe said as he approached them

"Yes we did" Wade replied 

"But we can't get in the building" one guard said as he approached Joe

"What do you mean?" Joe said as he looked at the hard gate

"We can still try" Wade continued "we have explosives and missiles..."

"I will see what we can do" Joe said as he looked at the door from each angle

"James is also trying to find a way in" Wade said 

"Where is he?" Joe asked 

"He went somewhere to the back" Wade continued "I don’t know where"

"He went inside alone?" Lisa questioned shockingly

"Yes" Wade replied "I told him not to but…"

"Ok let's just find a way in and get in there before he does something stupid"

 

Everyone around started to ready their guns preparing their explosives and grenades, trying their best to open to the door.

 

"We are finally together" Wade said happily as he looked at Lisa

"And that’s all what it matters right now" she replied as she looked at him smilingly

"There will be a way in" Wade said as he looked at the closed door "we will find a way in…we must get the Magnificent Cat and…"

"And destroy it" Lisa interrupted

Wade looked at her and nodded seriously "and then we go to the Fantastica stage"

"Together" Lisa said as she smiled "we don’t even need a car, we will walk all the way in the miraculous railroad tracks…all the way straight to the stage"

"That’s exactly what we should be doing" Wade replied.

 

Chapter 29 - Jame's True colors

The concert was still loud, fireworks was still flaming the skies above and everyone in Bevin were having the time of their lives.

 

"What are we going to do?" Picklock said as he walked left and right nervously

"I don’t really know what are you even talking about, Mr. Picklock" Nick replied 

"The more the time passes the more I worry" Picklock continued "this is not supposed to happen…James is not supposed to be the Magnificent Cat, his life is not supposed to be in jeopardy this way!" 

"How is that even possible?" Nick asked "who did this to him?"

"His grandfather" Picklock replied "I was there when it happened…I should go to Slycity…I must stop this!"

"What?" Nick shouted "you can't go there!" 

"I have to go" Picklock said as he climbed into his old car "I have to save James!"

 

The day turned darker but because of the bright lights and fireworks from Bevin's concert, the day still looked bright.

James stepped on the same place where Patricia fell. James could see that there was a secret elevator over there which can lead directly to the main office. But the elevator is now broken and clearly it was knocked down intentionally.

James looked up and looked at the remaining irons of the broken elevator.

"I have to do what it takes" James said as he started to climb the irons.

 

"We tried everything" Joe said as he approached Wade and Lisa

"Did you try the grenades with missiles at the same time" Wade asked

"Yes we did" Joe answered 

"Are you saying we can't get in?" Lisa asked

"I am trying my best" Joe said "if you have any suggestions please feel free to share"

"Maybe you should try banging it with the tank we came with" Lisa added

"What do you mean?" Joe asked

"She is right" Wade said "we left Steve's tank at the main gigantic gate, why don’t you get it back”

"Alright" Joe said sharply "I will send some men to get the tank"

"We have to get in there as soon as possible" Lisa said eagerly 

 

Five of Steve's men ran back to get the tank they came with.

 

James continued to climb as hard as he could; the iron was not even slightly easy to climb, yet James didn't hesitate not moving forward. James climbed up until he reached a small room filled with irons. He knew immediately that this was the elevator and the next room will definitely be the main office where the Magnificent is being kept.

James forced himself into this small iron room and then opened the door to see what's next.

The door opened easily and James could see the main office clear in front of him.

There was a huge long table considerably a meeting table. There was also a main desk like the one Armand had in the secretive room. James continued to look around as he watched the entire place ready for a whole new business; surprisingly he couldn’t see the main source of the so planned business – the Magnificent Cat.

James walked deeper into the room with cautions and alertness.

 

"Looking for something?" a voice said annoyingly

James turned sharply and saw Ruddick standing in the back of the room with the Magnificent Cat right next to him.

"Perhaps I am looking for something that belongs to me" James said as he walked slowly trying to approach the Magnificent Cat.

"James, James, James" Ruddick said as he laughed "same old pathetic James"

"Give it up, Ruddick" James said angrily "it's better to die easily than painfully"

"Look who is talking" Ruddick continued to brag "the looser himself"

"I shouldn’t have asked you a question" James said as he grabbed a stick from the ground "people like you, one way or another must die painfully"

Ruddick reached out for his own knife and ran forward to stab James.

 

 

Picklock drove as fast as he could, making his way from Bevin to Slycity.

"Come on" Picklock said angrily and desperately "you silly old car!"

 

 

James stopped the knife by the stick he was holding, pushing as hard as he could, he somehow managed to push away the knife which fell from Ruddick's hand to the ground. James quickly raised his stick landing a hit across Ruddick's head and two more into his stomach. Ruddick fell against the long table and slowly slid down next to some metal sticks on the ground.

"Having fun already?" James said annoyingly as he started to kick Ruddick on the ground.

Ruddick reached out for some metal sticks on the ground and hits it directly on James's wound which was barely sewed by Mr. Picklock.

"Ahhhhh" James shouted in pain and stepped back, blood seeping from the cut and his hands pressed to his stomach, James finally fell on the ground.

"To answer your question, James" Ruddick said as he rouse up "I am not having fun yet"

James still lying on the ground with pain didn’t answer or looked at Ruddick.

"I plan my moves, James" Ruddick continued "do you think I'm stupid"

Ruddick walked closer to James and pulled his hand away from his wound.

"Ouch…" Ruddick said annoyingly "that doesn’t look good"  

Ruddick continued to hold James's hand as he stood him up from the ground.

"Now I am starting to have fun" Ruddick said laughingly "just a little"

Ruddick raised James and hits him hard on the wall; he then tied him to the wall with strong irons.

"You like that, James" Ruddick said angrily as he hits him one more time in that particular spot hardly

James shouted again in pain trying hardly to pry from the iron but fails every time he gives it a shot.

"Didn’t I tell you I planned everything" Ruddick started "this is your spot of suffering, James, I knew it was you who came earlier, trust me it was crystal clear"

"Go to hell" James said angrily still trying to free himself

"Now tell me, James" Ruddick said annoyingly "who on earth will desperately enter into my compound solely after the Magnificent Cat and Patricia"

"You killed her" James said as he looked at Ruddick angrily

"Sure I did" Ruddick replied "don’t tell me you loved her…oh she did fool you big time!"

"You killed her without any sympathy" 

"Well that’s what I do" Ruddick continued "I kill things that are not useful anymore"

"She was more than a thing…you worthless piece of shit!" James shouted

"She was useless, Ray was useless, Armand was useless, and do you know what else turns out to be useless" Ruddick said as he approaches James.

"Let me guess" James interrupted "me?"

Ruddick looked at him closely and laughed hardly "you?" 

James continued to look at Ruddick with rage and anger.

"Of course not" Ruddick replied "you were never useful, you are very useless, you have always been useless, you are just an obstacle in everyone's' way" 

"I don’t give a crap about what you say, think, or even do" James replied "you are sick and you need help, let me give it to you"

"Look who is talking…" Ruddick said as he laughed "do you not know how people look at you? I mean you repulse them, you are too pathetic, and you made them sick!"

"The only help you need is bringing you down, Ruddick" James said "only death can serve you best"

"James, you are tied to a fucking wall…" Ruddick said angrily "I really don’t know where on earth do have the guts, if I were you, I would have committed suicide years ago…too pathetic"

"It doesn’t matter what you do to me now" James continued "if you kill me or not, the armies down there will come up sooner or later just to see you shattered in pieces"

"Of course" Ruddick said "but that’s only if they can come in! Silly of you to come all by yourself here, don’t you think so?"

"It doesn’t matter" James replied "they will come in…trust me"

"I don’t care" Ruddick continued "how stupid do you think I am, yes you can be right about the army, I am not naïve to believe I've won the battle! I know I've lost the battle, but that doesn’t mean you’ve won the war…especially when you don’t get what you are fighting for…."

"They know where it is, Ruddick" James said as he smiled and looked at the Magnificent Cat far at the end of the table "you didn't even hide it"

"And what's the point of hiding it, Jimmy" Ruddick continued "I don’t hide useless things…did you finally get what I meant earlier"

James looked at Ruddick scarily and shockingly.

"Yes, James" Ruddick said annoyingly "I kill things that are useless"

"Clearly you couldn’t do it" James interrupted "because otherwise you would already destroyed it"

"Yes you are right about that" Ruddick said as he walked closer to the Magnificent Cat "the silly key is missing…causing Ray to be useless or as I can say dead"

"The Magnificent Cat has a key?" James said annoyingly as he laughed "it’s a shame you never thought of that"

"Since I can't have it, no one can" Ruddick said "now, let's start torturing you…I would love to see the look on your face when the Magnificent Cat dies in front of you"  

"Well you can't destroy it" James said as he looked at Ruddick "you don’t have the key…remember?"

Ruddick walked closely to James and looked him in the eye "well I know the other way of destroying it"

James heart stopped in scare and suspicion. How on earth did Ruddick know about any of this? Can he possibly know about the Magnificent Cat's origins? The Scorpions…? About himself being The Magnificent cat? 

"What is it, James?" Ruddick said nauseatingly "did I say something top secretive!"

"Ruddick…listen to me" James started to plead "you don’t have to…"

"Look at you" Ruddick said as he laughed "pleading like a bitch, I am just having fun James, you asked me if I was having fun…and I am just starting to"

James didn’t understand when Ruddick entered into a protective glass next to the spy window.

"Where are you going?" James asked as he looked at Ruddick seriously

"Oh…I will be right back" Ruddick said as he entered the protective glass "don’t miss me too much"

 

Picklock continued to drive as fast as he could, for he never knew the short way to Slycity and had to take the long way through the bushes. 

 

All of Steve's men tried hitting the door with the tank several times but it didn’t work, the door was still as hard and protective.

"It's not working" Joe said as he looked at Wade "we should try something else"

"This is horrible" Wade said as he looked at the door "and why isn't James back yet? Did he actually found a way in?"

"Let's find the way James entered…let's start from the back!" Joe said

"What are we going to do?" Lisa asked

"Well one thing for sure…" Joe shouted "we can't depend on James…he could be dead!" 

"Let's not jump into conclusions" Wade interrupted "there must be a way in"

 

All of a sudden the spy window from the top of the building broke off powerfully.

"What is that!" one gunman shouted 

"Be careful" Wade shouted

Everyone started to ready their guns.

"Stay back" Wade said as he looked at Lisa

"What is going on?" Lisa asked worryingly 

"Just stay back" Joe shouted "go hide behind that rock!"

Next to the spy window, everyone could see a protective glass with someone init approaching them as it force to land.

Wade looked at it as it approaches closer and closer

"It's Ruddick!" Wade shouted as he picked up his gun "Fire!"

All the army raised their weapon to Ruddick and started shooting as fast as they could, firing ever inch of the glass.

Lisa closed her ears with her hands and lays down on the ground.

"Get out of here!" Wade shouted as he looked at Lisa "go hide behind that Rock"

Lisa ran as fast as she could and hid behind the rock.

 

Everyone continued to fire at the glass as it finally landed on the ground. Their shots were pointless as the protective glass was indeed shielding Ruddick in it.

Everyone could now see Ruddick clearly standing in front of them holding a long knife.

No one stopped shooting, everyone continued to shoot, but due to the protective shield Ruddick just stood there with the long knife smiling back at them.

Ruddick pressed a small bottom on the protective shield; suddenly a powerful force like a wind blew everyone causing them to lose their guns and flew away.

Joe flew and hit the rock in which Lisa was hiding 

"Joe!" Lisa said "are you ok?" she continued to say as she looked at Joe lying down unconsciously.

Wade stood there as he watched his people fell on the ground far away.

"Hello Wade" Ruddick said still inside his protective shield.

Wade loaded his gun again and started to shoot.

Ruddick's protective glass approached Wade closely in a second. Ruddick quickly got out of the Glass and threw Wade's gun aside.

Wade looked at Ruddick as his gun fell; Ruddick immediately used his long sharp knife and stabbed Wade on the chest. Wade stood there unable to scream as blood poured down.

 

"Wade!" Lisa shouted as she stood up.

"Goodbye, Wade" Ruddick said while still holding the knife "this wasn't my plan till lately…I am sorry"

Suddenly a huge gunshot aimed at Ruddick direction almost hitting him. Ruddick pulled out the knife from Wade and ran back to his protective shield. 

Wade fell on the ground and crawled as fast as he could to get away from Ruddick.

 

Ruddick looked from inside his protective shield and could see Lisa holding a big shot gun. Lisa continued to shoot without stopping, she has never used a gun before but knew that this moment is the right moment; she has to do anything to get Ruddick away from Wade. 

Wade continued to crawl away, blood pouring out of his mouth, he managed to go as far as he could while Lisa carries on shooting.

Ruddick looked at his protective shield and noticed the glass is starting to crack from that constant shooting.

"For heaven's sake…" Ruddick said as he rolled his eye and picked one of his smaller knifes "I hate interruptions"

He turned to Lisa's direction and was ready to throw the knife.

"Get down" Joe shouted as he grabbed Lisa and pulled her back behind the huge rock.

The knife missed her and sharply hits the ground.

Lisa looked at it scarily, for it was so close.

"Let me finish him" Lisa said as she tried to let go of Joe

"No" Joe shouted "you can't defeat him!"

Ruddick turned back to look for Wade, he quickly saw him and got out of his protective shield. He then dragged Wade from the ground and lifts him up again.

"Let go" Wade said as he tries his best to fight him off.

"I am not done with you" Ruddick said as he thrust his sharp knife again into Wade.

Wade stopped fighting back and looked straight into Ruddick's eye "Why?"

"I have to…" Ruddick replied "I can’t let anyone have the Magnificent Cat after me"

Wade weakened and dropped to the ground. Ruddick walked back to his protective shield and pressed the button to fly back up to the spy window where he came from.

 

"Wade! Wade" Lisa shouted as she moved from Joe and crawled back to Wade.

Wade turned to look at her as she came closer to him. She looked at his wound and said "oh No…this is bad!"

Joe ran closer to them and picked up his phone.

"Call the ambulance!" Lisa shouted

"Ambulance…?" Joe repeated "that’s impossible; we can't get the police involved now!"

"I don’t care!" Lisa shouted "just call them" 

"I will try to get in hold of Nick, he might get some help"

"Do whatever it takes" Lisa shouted at Joe and turned back to look at Wade.

"Don’t leave me" Lisa said as she burst into tears "don’t die on me now"

 

"Nick, pick up the phone!" Joe shouted when he hear several rings.

 

"I am glad you came with me" Wade said as he forces to talk

"I am here to help you" Lisa said as she tries to cover his bleedings

"I am glad the last thing I will be seeing is you" Wade continues to talk 

"No! Don’t say that! Help is on the way"

"Lisa, you should…" Wade said as blood spills out of his mouth "you should finish what we planned"

"No, we will finish it together!" Lisa shouted "and we will go to the Fantastica stage, leaving everything behind! Do you understand me…?"

She continued to talk but there was no reply from him

Lisa climbed on top of him and pushed his hair back from his face. His eyes still, and face pale and motionless. His grip finally loosened and a small golden key fell out of his palm.

Lisa reached down to his face and kissed him.

 

 

Ruddick's shield broke back into the spy window. He then walked out of it and sharply ran to see the Magnificent Cat without looking around the room or noticing anything around. He walked closer to it and watched it as it weakens.

"I am so sorry" Ruddick said as he looked at the Magnificent Cat "you are the best thing that ever happened to me, I sure as hell never planned this to happened, I liked you so much I couldn’t let anyone have you after me…"

Ruddick continued to look at it closely and said "I don’t want to see you die in front of me; I guess I should go before they arrive in here…I will just use my protective shield to fly out of here and that will be the end of both of us, I will sure as hell miss you"

Ruddick stepped back and said "I hope they find you and make a good funeral for you…for you were their income…they should appreciate you even if you don’t function again"

Just as Ruddick was heading to his flying shield the Magnificent Cat's eyes glows as bright as the sun, the machines was functioning stronger than ever…it was even newer than when Ray first brought it into the building.

Ruddick walked closer to it with his eyes wide open in surprise 

"What?" he shouted loudly "that’s impossible!"

Ruddick stood there looking at the strong Magnificent Cat in shock, he then slowly turned to where James was being tied up but couldn’t find James. He ran to the place and saw the iron broken into pieces.

Ruddick stood there and looked at the broken iron, flashbacks started to clutter his head, he could remember Patricia mentioning James several time, Ray confused with why James is still around, and also the strong motive to get the Magnificent Cat wherever it goes.

Ruddick grew angry and stood there starring at the Magnificent Cat in rage.

"Jaaaaaaaaaaaames…!" Ruddick shouted as hard as he could with very deep fury 

He picked up his knife and started to hit the Magnificent Cat, but nothing happened

 

"Did someone call my name" a scary robotic voice said right from the broken elevator's door

Ruddick turned to see who was talking.

Only to his surprise saw James standing there in front of him, as clean as a breeze as if they never got into a fight.

It wasn't even the same James everyone knew. His eyes were yellow and black which looked exactly like a cat, his body taller, stronger and his face paler and wild. 

"You…" Ruddick said scarily as he looked at James "you are the Magnificent Cat this entire time……?"

Just as James's eyes turned to focus directly on Ruddick he moved in a speed of light like a ghost. Ruddick trembled backwards scared of what he is seeing in front of him. He reached for a gun to shoot James but the gun automatically jumped out of his hand only with the fact that James was looking at it.

James quickly grabbed Ruddick, raising him from the ground and threw him powerfully on the long meeting table. 

Ruddick slid all the way in the meeting table until his head hit the back of the wall at the end of the table.

James now stood in front of the table and looked around until he saw an axe.

"Do I see an axe?" the robotic voice said again "it's my favorite weapon"

James's didn’t even approach the axe, he just stared at it, and the axe automatically went to his hand.

Ruddick eyes grew even wider; he was indeed shivering of the mystical and paranormal behavior that is happening before him.

James held the axe up and jumped on the table, he was more like flying towards the table as the table was 4 feet above the ground. James then walked straight to Ruddick, very cat-like and was ready to finish the job.

Ruddick quickly slid away and jumped off the table just as James raised his axe and hits the table instead.

James rolled his eyes and turned to Ruddick "you are wasting my time"

Ruddick looked at James and said "Armand played this one good…never in a million years I would have guessed you were the Magnificent Cat…this is…"

"You shouldn’t have fucked with the Magnificent Cat" James said as he jumped from the edge of the table with his axe raised high in the air and landing exactly on Ruddick's head cutting all the way as he comes down. Blood started to fill the room like river on the ground and on the walls.

Ruddick is now divided into two pieces, James dropped down the axe and could now feel himself again, his body turned back to normal, his eyes turned dark as they used to be and his face less pale.

James walked straight to the Magnificent Cat and looked at it. He looked at it closely and could feel it deep inside him. There was a strong connection, a connection that his grandfather intended for it.  He looked at his stomach and saw that his wound is gone. At that very moment he knew everything, he finally understood. He came to save the Magnificent Cat and the Magnificent Cat saves him back.

 

Joe ran into the middle and shouted "let’s get out of here, we have to go! The police might be heading here any minute now"

Everyone woke up as they try to gain consciousness.

"Let's go in the tank…Now, Now!" Joe shouted as he looked around and saw Lisa still lying on the ground next to Wade, holding him as tight as she could.

"Lisa, we have to go" Joe said calmly as he approached her

"I am not leaving him" Lisa said lowly

"Lisa, please" Joe said as he sat down next to her "I am extremely sorry about everything, but if those police finds single dirt on us, trust me there is no mercy, that’s all they were pinning for the last couple of years"

Lisa looked at him sadly with tears running down her cheeks "how can I leave him"

"Just come with me" Joe said calmly as he looked at the rest of the army waiting next to the tank "they are waiting for us…we have to get out of here…we cannot even get the Mag-"

Lisa finally let go of Wade's lifeless body and walked slowly with Joe. She then ran back to Wade and picked up the small golden key from his hand.

"There is something I should do first" Lisa said "before I leave this town I should do something very important"

"What are you talking about?" Joe asked.

 

"Lisa! Joe!" Picklock called out as he ran towards them. 

"Lisa…thank God I found you" Picklock said as he looked at her "what is wrong? Is everything ok? Why are you crying?"

Lisa became even sadder and turned away almost bursting into tears again.

Picklock turned around and could see Wade lying on the ground lifeless, Picklock turned to Lisa and said "I am sorry, indeed I am…I am very sorry"

"I…" Lisa started "I just have to…"

"But you can't" Picklock interrupted "I know what your are about to do, and I can't let you do that"

Lisa looked at Picklock seriously and said "it's his last wish!"

"What are you guys talking about?" Joe shouted "we have to get out for here! Why did you come here, Mr. Picklock?"

"I know it could be his last wish" Picklock continued "but he doesn’t know"

"Doesn’t know what?" Lisa asked angrily 

"Lisa, if you destroy the Magnificent Cat" Picklock said seriously "you will destroy another life"

Both Lisa and Joe looked at themselves and then at Mr. Picklock confused in their own ways.

 

Out of the blue everyone could hear footsteps coming from the top of the building. Everyone turned away from the tank and looked to see who is at the top of the building.

 

As everyone looked up, they could all see James standing at the top of the building

"Unbelievable" Joe said as he looked up.

 

James picked up the Magnificent Cat and raised it high in the air for everyone to see.

 

"Hurray" all the crowd roared in happiness that they have indeed won the war and also accomplished their mission.

Lisa turned to look at Mr. Picklock still confused of what he meant earlier. 

James continued to hold the Magnificent Cat in victory as everyone raised their guns in happiness and joy.

"I think it’s time we go now" Picklock said seriously

 

Chapter 30 - The key to everything

The night is over and so was the concert. It is late at night and everyone in Bevin is already exhausted and went straight away to sleep.

James walked into the pastry bar and was about to head upstairs.

"We are closed" Jessica said as she cleaned the counter.

"I have to see someone" James said as he walked closer

“I am guessing you are here to see Lisa?" Jessica said as she continues to clean the counter

"Yes I am" James replied 

"Well I think she is busy now" Jessica said seriously "I don’t think she feels like talking"

"This won’t take long…I promise, where is she?"

"Alright, alright" Jessica said "she is up stairs…she is in her room"

"Thank you very much" James said as he heads upstairs.

 

As James was walking through the corridor he could hear noises and saw Lisa's main door already opened. He walked closer and saw her packing her things, similar to the way he saw Patricia earlier when she was packing to leave.

"Excuse me…" James said lowly "hello….?"

Lisa turned and saw James standing at the door

"Hello" she said and then turned back to packing again 

"Are you sure about this" James said as he walked in gently "I meant leaving Bevin..."

"Yes, James, I am sure" Lisa replied sharply "I have to pack as fast as I could, for I am leaving tonight"

"Why so soon…?" James asked "Lisa, I want you to stay"

"Is that so" Lisa said angrily "I am guessing it’s because I know too much…are you going to use the Magnificent Cat on me like you did my father…well then go ahead, I don’t give a damn anymore"

"No, no, Lisa" James said seriously and nicely "of course not, I will never do such a thing to you, why would I?"

"Well then why do you want me to stay?" Lisa asked as she stopped packing

"I just…"James said as he walked closer to her "I am feeling very vulnerable right now, and I just need someone to talk to, someone who can understand my situation"

Lisa stepped back from him and said "I can't…James don’t do this"

James watched as she moved away from him

"I can't do this" Lisa continued "and plus, you have Mr. Picklock to talk to"

"Of course" James said as he sat on a small stool sadly "you are right, I understand"

"Don’t take this the wrong way…but…" Lisa started "no matter how this is going to sound but I …I can't look at you"

James looked at her sadly and then turned away.

"Mr. Picklock told me everything and the fact that you are the Magnificent Cat is sickening me" Lisa continued "I mean I lost everything to that device, I lost both my parents and I also lost the one I love"

"I am so sorry-" James interrupted

"Haven't being said" Lisa interrupted "the Magnificent Cat is not just your property or your inheritance…it's your life we are talking about"

Lisa walked closer to him and held his hand; she then put a small golden key on his palm.

"So I assume this belongs to you" she said when she closes his hand with the key "I  will appreciate if you take care of it…I mean take care of your life only, keep it in a safe place in order for you and the other people of Bevin to be safe”

"I will try-" James said

"No, I am not telling you what to do" Lisa interrupted "this is just my opinion, the rest is up to you, you only have one life, and what happens to it will only depends on the choices you make"

"I will take that into consideration" James said as he heads to the door

"I will surely remember you" Lisa said with a smile "that’s all I can say right now"

James smiled back and said "good to know"

Lisa smiled and turned back to pack her things 

"So where are going?" James asked as he stood at the door

"I am going to the Fantastica stage" Lisa replied "Jessica told me I got accepted after my performance at the concert, so I guess they must be waiting for me"

"Congratulations" James said nicely "do you need any transportation or…"

"No I am fine" Lisa replied "I will just take the Miraculous railroad"

"I thought the train crashed?" James questioned surprisingly “Are you saying there are still trains passing on it”?

"No there isn’t” Lisa said as she laughed "just the rail tracks, I am going to follow it and hopefully it will lead me there"

"I see" James said with a smile "so I guess this is good bye"

"No" Lisa said as she smiled with tears in her eyes "its farewell"

James nodded and slowly walked out of the door. Lisa followed and watched as he walked further and further in the corridor, she watched until he was nowhere to be seen. She never saw him since.

 

 

 

 

Present day

Lisa is dancing on the Fantastica stage, and singing amazingly as everyone clapped and cheered her. She stood still as the song ended and bowed to everyone. She then looked at the audience who were clapping; she could see Wade clapping and smiling back to her on the far end of the table, she returns his smile.

She can somehow hear him saying "you are great" before he faded away. And then she turned to the other side of the table she could see her parents sitting together happily as they clapped, they looked indeed proud of her. She watched them happily until they faded as well and will only be left in her memory. 

 

"Lisa" the host of the stage called out "Lisa, there is a phone call for you"

Lisa looked at the man scarily and was not willing for any phone call.

"I will be right there" she said as she left the stage

Lisa walked to the telephone booth and answered "hello"

"Lisa…! It's me Jessica"

"Oh hello my sweet old friend" Lisa replied in relief "it’s only 2 months but I have already missed you and Mr. Lennox so much"

"We've missed you too, Lisa" Jessica replied "a lot of things have changed here in Bevin since you left"

"Really…?" Lisa said "fill me in"

"Well the building have been demolished" Jessica said

"The building itself!" Lisa said surprisingly "it's demolished!"

"Yes" Jessica replied "it was tough for those guys; I mean the police were inspecting them deeply, they couldn’t find any evidence and they just decided to broken the building down!"

"Oh my God" Lisa said in surprise "so what is there now?"

"Oh, right now it's just a plain old shop built on top of it" Jessica replied "I sometime get groceries"

"Trust me, Jessica" Lisa said "that’s actually good to hear" 

"You've been through a lot, Lisa, I can't imagine how hard you managed to move on and ignore all those bad memories"

"Well it's just the past" Lisa replied "it’s all just history"

"I am glad" Jessica said nicely "and I am so happy for you, you are actually living your dreams!"

"Indeed I am" Lisa said happily "but that doesn’t mean I will forget you!"

"I know you won't" Jessica said smilingly "you will always be my best friend" 

"You will always be mine too, no matter what" Lisa continued "so how's the new waitress? Did you meet her?"

"No, not yet" she is starting tomorrow" Jessica replied "I hope we get along"

"Sure you will" Lisa interrupted "everyone will get along with you"

"Thanks, Lisa"

"I should be going now" Lisa said "thanks for telling me the good news"

"The building being demolished is good news for everyone in Bevin" Jessica added

"Right now I finally know the world is a better place" Lisa added

"It sure is" Jessica said smilingly "I will talk to you later"

"Please do…Bye" Lisa said as she shuts the phone.

 

"Lisa…" the host called her again "do you mind playing one more song for us, the audience are really crazy about you"

"Sure" Lisa said as she laughed "I would love to"

 

Lisa walked back on the stage and everyone clapped as she grabbed the mic. 

Lisa stood in the middle of the stage and started to sing: 

 

 “      You are more than a love, an amazing treasure with an angel smile, take me by surprise but I mean nothing when you’re around…you think that I’m a fool, nothing more but an innocent fool, take me by surprise or wonder why…  ”

 

Although the building is demolished, Bevin's street was still the same strange looking town. There was a showery rain as usual and the clouds were grey. 

 

A man walked into the new shop which was built over the building

"Good afternoon" the man said as he approached the counter

"Good afternoon" the shop assistance replied "can I help you?"

"Yes" the man replied "I am looking for the ginger drink please"

"Alright" the shop assistance replied 

"Are you Nick?" the man asked as he looked closely

"Yes I am" Nick replied as he raised his hat "the Ginger drink is underground, sir and I want you to ask that gentleman to take you there"

"Which gentleman…?" the man asked

"Over there" Nick pointed to an older man standing at the corner of the shop

"Alright" the man said as he walked straight on

"Hello sir" the man said

"Oh hello" Mr. Picklock replied "you must be Mr. Roger"

"Yes I am" Mr. Roger replied "you are the one I spoke to on the phone?"

"Yes, I am Mr. Picklock" 

"Pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Picklock" the man said as he reached his hand to shake Mr. Picklock

"Likewise…" Mr. Picklock replied

"So you are the one who owns the shop" 

"Yes" Mr. Picklock replied "I own this shop, I have always wanted to own a shop"

"That’s great" Roger said as he looked around "very nice arrangement too, my wife and I always shop from here"

"Thank you" Picklock said smilingly 

"Ok, right now I am looking for the ginger drink…I heard its underground"

"Yes it is" Mr. Picklock answered "why don’t we go get it now…follow me"

"Sure" Roger said 

Both Roger and Mr. Picklock entered into the elevator which leads to the underground

"How long have you been running this shop?" Roger asked

"Just a month and a half now" Picklock replied

 The elevator door finally opened and they both entered a secured place.

"Alright" Roger said as he sighs "I am fed up of calling it Ginger drink…let’s talk business now…I will give you $20 million, what do you think?"

"Well, Mr. Roger" Picklock said smilingly "I can't make the final decision, I am just the right hand man"

"What?" Roger shouted "you just told me you own the place"

"I do own the shop" Picklock replied "but I didn't say I own the Magnificent Cat!"

"Well who owns it?" Roger asked seriously as he looked at Mr. Picklock 

Picklock pressed a button on the wall which opened to a large office. In the office a huge desk could be seen, and a guy standing tall with his face facing the window.

Roger walked into the room and said "is $20 million good, sir?"

James turned around and looked at Roger straight in the eye, his huge scar on his left eye visible and his face glowing, eyes shining instead of darkening.

"Deal" James said with a smile. 

 

 

 

End 

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 13.03.2019

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