Chapter 29: Chapter 29

AUGUST, 2023

PRETORIA.

"Please, let's welcome Marcus Robbins!"

Marcus gently trailed to the stage, gleaming handsomely over his white tie attire. His body was donning a stunning Black tail coat, black pair of trouser, white pique formal wing tip formal collar shirt, white pique bow tie and best complemented with polished black shoes.

His heart thumped at an abnormal pace, his eyes gleamed hints of anxiety and his lips parted into a tiny smile. As he glimpse through the fine crowds, dressed elegantly. He briefly recalled the last memories he shared with his parents. His eyes soon landed on Collins dressed finely in a blazing black suit, and then Michael as well as the others except for Lola. Absent amongst the crowds. He found Doctor Roberts too, seated alongside his Personal Assistant, Rita. Both of them donning a sweet smile. He engaged his gaze deeply with the Doctor, mentally recalling Doctor Roberts proclamation back at The Shining's abode.

************

"This year's Dé Deluxe is going to be very different." Doctor Roberts had declared.

"In what way?" He had asked. The Doctor smiled devilishly, drowning them further in confusion.

"There's going to be an assassination attempt on three dignitaries tonight." He answered.

"Oh my God! We need to inform the security authorities immediately." Lola had pitched but the Doctor once again donned that sinister smile.

"That's a very brilliant idea, Lola." The Doctor responded. "But we're not going to encourage that action."

"What mystery are you up to this time? Old man." Collins had retorted.

"Just don't say we're going to save these people." Theodore added.

"Oh no!"

The Doctor giggled in a cunning fashion, rubbing both palms together excitedly.

"We're going to do something more interesting."

"Are we going to buy candies?!" Michael chirped.

"No." The Doctor sharply replied. "We're going to kidnap this three people." He laughed in his devilish manner yet again.

"Why?" Collins growled. "And who are these people?"

"The better question should be," Marcus interjected. "How are we going to abduct three people amidst an assassination attempt tonight?"

*************

He bowed his head courteously before trailing to the polished Black Piano at the center. He adjusted his coat briefly even though it needed no adjustment before relaxing to the chair. Exercising his fingers whilst calming his nervousness amidst the silence the crowds rewarded him with. He heaved a light sigh and then a smile accompanied his face as he tapped gingerly yet skillfully on the keys. Sonorously playing a note he had once composed before the infamous explosion.

At the same time, he recalled another of Doctor Roberts instructions.

***********

"This assassins will certainly make their move when the show is at it's interlude. When everyone is relaxed and oblivious of their environment." The Doctor explained. "They'll probably start with a grenade and shootings in the air so as to rule everyone's hearts with fear and agitation. Security officers will try protecting their assigned designates but will fail horribly. It's a perfect avenue for assassinating their targets and escape using the crowds as hostages."

"So how do we stop the assassination and kidnap their targets?" Collins asked.

"This is where we come in," Doctor Roberts answered. "Lola will be by the power source of Dé Deluxe and when the bombing or shooting kicks off, she'll drain the power source."

"But that will leave us in the dark!" Lola pitched.

"Yes but I have a perfect device that can correct that flaw. Theodore, with your night vision, you alongside Collins and Marcus will be in custody of our targets." The Doctor paused as he glanced across their faces. "According to the building's geography, There's a tunnel at the backstage of Dé Deluxe. With your super strength, Marcus, you'll have to smash the ground open. That's you guys escape route."

"We're talking about a tunnel here, you expect us to travel with our targets underground. What if-" Marcus interjected but Doctor Roberts cut him off.

"The Trainer has got that part handled, there's nothing to worry about."

"What about us?" Michael announced.

"Damage control." The Doctor simply answered. "You and Ariel will deal with handling the enemies or better still protect as many as you can from stray bullets."

"What about you?" Collins queried.

"Blend with the crowd." The Doctor answered.

"What if you're a victim of stray bullet?" Marcus added.

The Doctor smiled.

"I'll rather suggest you guys to focus on your roles because any slight mistake could cost lives or yours."

*********

Marcus heaved another light sigh as he focused on the keyboards, awaiting the enemies attack. He could hardly believe this fine crowd will soon transform into agony and bloodshed. As he played the ending notes of his music an unexpected explosion rocked from the far end. Fear gripped him, his hands froze on the Keyboard as the lights instantly died. Screams exclaimed throughout the room with several gunshots dosing the tension. What happened to be a peaceful environment slipped into chaos. Like Doctor Roberts had previously stated.

Marcus still remained statue-like on his seat, Petrified by his fear. Sweats breaking on his forehead as his entirety shivered. Doctor Roberts had prepared them for this event but still he was failing his role. The same way he had failed to save Mr. Williams.

**Marcus!!** Theodore's exasperated voice from the Tele-Talkie electrified him back to the harsh reality. He briefly recalled Lola's words.

"---and just because you failed to save a life today doesn't mean you can't save millions tomorrow."

His palms curled into a fist as his teeth gritted. In a strange way, her words drowned his fear and this unexplained boldness took over.

He arose sharply, tearing his attire revealing a perfectly modeled black bionic suit. It had a large White Castle insignia imprinted on it's chest. He took slow breaths, mentally isolating himself from the chaotic environment. His muscles slowly expanded, his average stature gradually morphed into a bulky structure. A 6'6 feet body.

**Got the targets?!** He yelled in the Telepathy network.

**Got one!** Theodore returned.

**One?!** He frowned while he wore his night vision goggles, before storming to the ----

**That son of a b*** teleported away!** Theodore growled. Marcus wriggled his head as he navigated through the room, amidst helpless fear stricken people. The designated position of the tunnel. In haste, he effortlessly delivered powerful blows to the concrete ground. The grounds quaked but his force only intensified. Smashing the concrete till it cracked open, revealing a metal panel.

**Where are you, Theodore?!** He pitched through his Tele-Talkie but no answer came forth.

**Theodore?!** He growled. **Theodore you there?!!** He impatiently queried, again still negative.

"Darn it!!" He smashed the metal plate furiously causing the object to sink into the tunnel. Dark and eery.

"I'm here man, got the tunnel open?!" Theodore groaned as he appeared with his super speed. Holding a petrified woman in his arms. His bionic suit also coated in blood stains. Precisely the large white Castle Chess piece inscribed at the blonde's suit arms.

Marcus heaved a sigh of relief before nodding. All three lowered into the tunnel. Coldly greeted by dark eeriness and mashy dirt that reeked. He didn't even know the purpose of this tunnel or why it was so large in diameter. All he thirsted for was to escape out of this creepy environment.

"Okay," Theodore growled. "What's gonna happen now."

Car headlights suddenly brightened the tunnel. Marcus squinted his eyes away from the vehicle poised meters away.

Once his eyes adjusted, he returned his gaze to the vehicle but his eyes twitched and his jaw dropped.

"Doctor Roberts?"