Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Loud sirens blared in the background, smokes and dust condensed his nostrils while his hazy vision lazily revealed the starry night. His ears could vaguely pick the agitated voices of fire fighters and other first aid crew.

Collins grunted as pain bloomed from his forehead and to his knees. He stomped his dusty shoe against the concrete in a lazy fashion. Reviewing the damaged building engulfed in fire.

"We have a survivor!" One of the firefighter blared. In a strange way, it jolted Collins back to his senses. He recalled everything in a flash.

"Doctor Roberts!" His eyes widened as he exclaimed weakly. He began to wobble towards the wrecked living room whilst fear engulfed his entirety.

"Leave me!" He growled as a firefighter held him from behind. But the man wavered not, preventing him from progressing.

"I said let go of me!!" Collins barked as he jerked the firefighter off him. He was about to progress until the corner of his eyes caught glimpse of a lab coat stained in red.

Air escaped his lungs as his legs inadvertently took him to the ambulance where this lab coat was placed. He could recognize that cloth any day, anytime.

"Quick! Get him to the ambulance!" A man Collins presumed to be the captain stopped him from reaching the vehicle. But Collins cared less, his gaze solely based on the blood stained lab coat as his heart thumped. Like it would soon explode through his eardrums.

"What happened to Doctor Roberts?!" He thirsted to yell but his vocal cords pronounced those painful words weakly.

"You need medical attention." The Captain coaxed. Tears began to soak his eyelids.

"What happened to Doctor Roberts?!!" He screamed as those warm tears trickled down his cheeks. The Captain successfully held him back as he vehemently struggled.

"I'm so sorry." The man quietly said while blood streamed from Collins forehead to his left eyelid.

"Collins!" His breath ceased while his ears entertained the overly familiar fine tune behind him. He turned to the teary face of his team members. Lola, Marcus, Theodore and Michael. She inched closer and gently embraced him. Where he sobbed quietly in her warmth.

#############

"What a sad night it has been for citizens of York City." Collins heard the male anchor blare from the TV.

"At least two hundred lives has been lost with hundreds of severely injured people to the bomb blast explosions which occurred in several parts of the cities. Hotels, Train stations, police departments, Hospitals, and York City international airport.  Reports just coming in states that, a mansion owned by famous scientist, Doctor Roberts also exploded. Sadly, he and his personal assistant, Rita Madeline, lost their lives in the process.

Senator of York City has deemed this act as a declaration of war and vows to punish the perpetrators behind this unfortunate incident. The Chief-in-Power, Mr. Matthew Lancelot has also released a statement ---"

His gaze pulled away from the TV to the luxurious rug of the living room. Dimly lit.

His ears failed to welcome more of the heart wrenching news. At the same time, all that raided his head were questions he had no answers to.

Who did this? Was it The Revolution or someone else? Above all, how could Doctor Roberts die? How?

His palms curled into a fist thinking about those questions. Doctor Roberts was a man he deemed untouchable by the enemy but this night proved him wrong. He watched the Doctor and his beautiful assistant die miserably.

"I'll give you guys some space." Kira's voice jolted him back to painful reality. He watched the stunning red haired quietly tour up her stairs. Leaving he and his team members alone. Silence descended amongst them but all he focused on was how his blazers were now tattered as he relaxed to the couch. Blood still streaming from his forehead.

"Who do we think we are?" Marcus broke the silence. "Just a bunch of nobodies who got lucky to be under the supervision of a famous billionaire. If we can't even protect ourselves, how can we protect lives?" He mumbled and Collins felt a pang of guilt and pain rage in his chest.

"Doctor Roberts and Rita are dead, The Trainer and Ariel are missing. An attack is coming soon. Maybe even sooner than we expected." Theodore added in a low tone.

"Whoever killed Doctor Roberts probably tried to kill us. They know we're here and they know our purpose. But we can't back down, we mustn't succumb." Lola continued on Theodore's soft and low note.

"How do we plan on doing that?" Marcus queried in a depressed tone. "The man we all depend on, is gone."

"Whoever killed Doctor Roberts," Collins growled as his nails began to dig into his palms. "I'll find that bastard and when I get him, I'll rip him apart even the devil will weep!" He sinisterly avowed.

"Doctor Roberts is dead, Collins." Marcus heaved.

"We need to find the way forward and let the cops handle this. This is not the time to play detectives."

"Oh I can be many things!" He retorted as he ferociously eyed Marcus.

"You guys can carry on with your stupid plans. I'm going to find that bastard."

Marcus arose from the couch.

"Collins get a hold of yourself this is not the movies where you're one man army. This is real life, real danger, you could even die in the process of your stupidity."

"I'm a survivor!!" He yelled choosing to ignore the fact, his voice startled everyone.

"When that useless nuclear explosion happened, I was the only survivor in Lagos." He stated lucidly as he inadvertently arose from the comfort of the couch.

"Yet again, I survived this bomb blast, I've been through many near death experience and I've survived. I will find that murderer and I will survive. Get it!!"

"Why the sudden love for Doctor Roberts? You angry he didn't give you more billions?!" Marcus retorted and Collins anger peaked beyond control. His veins instantly glowed shiny bits of orange and it only took him less than a millisecond to teleport to Marcus. Pushing him to the wall as he held Marcus Suit jacket collar tightly.

"Doctor Roberts is the key to answers beyond your IQ." He huffed to Marcus's face.

"I had unfinished business with him so you better stay in your limits unless you want me to transfer my aggression on you!"

"Collins let him go!" Theodore ordered beside him.

"Shut up!! Catboy." He barked before returning his icy glazes at Marcus who struggled with his breathing.

"Guys, I think I know who killed Doctor Roberts." Michael fearfully announced. And all attention diverted to him. Collins frowned at his friend as he let Marcus go.

"The Trainer."

"Is that funny to you?!" Lola screeched. "Must you always say something stupid every time?!"

"The Trainer has long been in The Shining even before we joined. You're wrong, Michael."

"I'm serious here!" Michael protested while Collins squinted his eyes. "This morning when we were about to leave for the Chief-in-Power's office. I went back to the mansion to ease myself and then I found The Trainer in the living room--" Michael's voice trailed off as they circled about him.

"What happened next?" Collins queried while Michael gulped down his saliva.

"I saw him with some weird briefcase and he tampered with the building's CCTV."

Collins frown deepened.

"That's not possible! Trevor would never try killing any of us!" Lola vehemently argued.

"Then where the hell is he right now?!" Collins barked in return and her phone suddenly beeped. She peered at her phone nervously before cutting the call.

"I need some air." She voiced and immediately brushed past him towards the exit door.

Collins squinted his eyes. He didn't know why, but he felt the need to believe Michael. His friend might be stupid but he never lies. Not in matters like this. He was also wary of Lola. In a strange way too, he started suspecting Lola action after her phone rang.

She could be the devil in disguise after all but then he decided against it. There was nothing she could stand to gain.

"I know you guys don't believe me but it's the truth." Michael sounded in an extremely worried tone.

"I believe you." He was the only one to reply. "Lola's love for her boyfriend as obviously blinded her from the truth." He heaved a sigh. "Come on, Mike. Let's go find that bastard."

He urged leaving the Theodore and Marcus in their dumbfounded status. They both stepped out into the cold starry night patiently waiting for a cab.

"Get into the car, I'll drive." Theodore announced behind them as he remotely unlocked his sleek car.

"Why are you joining us?" He asked with furrowed gaze.

"I just wanna see the outcome of Michael's suspicion." Theodore clarified.

"We're talking about The Trainer here, and you guys will definitely need help subduing him."

Collins exchanged glances at Michael before resigning to join the ride. On a normal circumstance, he would have outrightly denied the blonde's help but today was different. He was already weak from the injuries he sustained.

"So where are we going?" Theodore asked as Michael took the front seat.

"Back to the mansion. Perhaps we can find some evidence." He answered from the back. "Maybe a camera or memory box or something."

"That place is already raked with fire, it's hopeless." Theodore ascertained.

"Are you going to drive or not. We don't have much time, you know." He growled while Theodore quietly jeered the car to life.

############

The traffic alone intensified Collins anger. Could his day get any worse?! First, he was jailed. Then Doctor Roberts died and now they've found a lead, Traffic held them back!

As he peeked through the tinted glass, his eyes darted across the road, where and hotel was rooted. But something else caught his eyes. There was a Jeep that parked by the building and the person who alighted off the vehicle shocked him to the core.

"The Trainer!" He whispered to himself. "I'll be right back guys!" He muttered and briskly alighted without waiting for their response.

He crossed the blocked road in haste and cautiously entered into the hotel where The Trainer was just leaving the counter for the elevator.

"Hi!" He pitched to the lady receptionist who easily eyed him with skepticisms. And then Collins recalled how tattered and weary he was looking.

"How may I help you sir?" The lady finally mumbled.

"What room did that man who just left Lodge in?" He bluntly asked while the lady frowned.

"May I ask why?" She queried. Collins gritted his teeth, mentally racing for lies.

"I'm from the Utopia Secret investigation agency and that man is a major suspect behind this evening's bomb blasts." He answered with a stern expression.

"W-well I need some form of identification." The lady stuttered.

"Sources tell me he's planning to blow this hotel up so will you let me do my job or waste precious seconds for an identification." He growled. She gasped.

"Room 337. Third floor." She replied and he grinned.

"Thank you." He quickly launched to the elevator, impatiently tapping on the buttons before it pinged open.

As he threaded the hallway of the third floor, all he could think of was ways he would severely punish The Trainer to get the truth out. At the same time, he wondered what The Trainer stands to gain for betraying The Shining.

"Room 337." He mumbled as he neared the door. Leaning against it, trying to decipher any conversation but when he heard nothing. He smashed the door open with a kick.

"Oh hi!" The Trainer grinned sheepishly from the bed edge. Showing no signs of being startled or anything.

"You bastard!" Collins growled as he fiercely stood inches away from him. "You killed Doctor Roberts! You were the one behind the explosion." He accused and The Trainer burst into a mild mocking laughter.

"Explosions you mean." The Trainer muttered with laughter still minting with his words. "Honestly, It was so easy killing that man. Although I didn't think you would survive."

Collins exhaled as he froze. He couldn't understand why he was so taken aback. Maybe because some part of him secretly expected The Trainer to deny his claims.

"You bastard! You deserve to die!!" He barked and a portal appeared inches away from his head. His beloved metal bat dropped into his right palm while the portal diminished.

"You know, you're the fool here. After what you went through, you still have the audacity to challenge me?!" The Trainer's countenance morphed into a monstrous look but Collins anger wouldn't let him waver.  He trotted towards him and aimed to smash his bat against The Trainer's head.

But then, his body suddenly stopped working. His entirety froze except his eyes and breaths. It was like he suddenly lost control of his body. And the bat was only inches away from The Trainer's head. His eyes roamed in confusion and fear intertwined.

"Well well well," A stunning brown skinned man emerged from the bathroom. "If it isn't Collins, the teleporter."

Collins could have gasped but his body wasn't in his control anymore. He couldn't believe his eyes either, fear struck it's cords even louder in his heart. He was standing in front of the leader of The Revolution, Timothy Chamelet. Timeron.

"I'm sure you must be wondering what kind of relationship exist between Trevor and I." Timothy grinned while Collins briefly recalled Doctor Roberts saying this man had the powers of Chronokinesis. Time manipulation.

"I'll tell you what." Timothy's harsh voice sounded while The Trainer giggled mockingly. "You're not going to get answers to any of that." He continued while he wore his wristwatch and The Trainer arose from the bed.

"But just so you know, Utopia is going to be destroyed tomorrow." Collins eyes exclaimed. "The funny thing is, you won't be there to stop it."

Timothy grinned devilishly and Collins eyes started to twitch from horror. "You escaped death once but you won't escape it this time."

As those words dropped, The Trainer removed a grenade's strike lever.

"I hope you meet Doctor Roberts on the other side." Timothy joked while he exited alongside The Trainer.

And there, Collins knew he was a goner. He was not going to survive death this time. He regretfully sealed his eyes, patiently awaiting the horrific fate that would befall his body.

Death.