“Lector? Lector!” Lector was so numb and half-conscious that he didn’t realize they moved him to a holding cell. The sound of a familiar voice pulled him back some. He winced barely able to open his eyes. “Oh good… you’re still alive, Kara,” Lector coughed, “How is your ankle?” “Just fractured, but don’t worry about me, Lector. You look awful,” Kara cried, “I can’t believe anyone would do something like this.” “It’s not so bad,” Lector’s face was so swollen she could barely tell he was smiling. She stared at Lector. “Okay, it is pretty bad, but 3/4 of the way through I stopped feeling. I think that’s about when he started getting bored I guess,” Lector coughed. “We have to get out of here,” Kara began. “Can’t… Disaster will kill you and the kids along with me, Lisa, and himself,” Lector closed his eyes, “We— just have to wait for Lisa to kill me. The boss will take care of everything you need after that.” “Lector, that’s crazy! Lisa isn’t going to kill you!” Kara shook her head. “She doesn’t have a choice. It’s either kill me with her own hands or a bunch of people I care about die with me,” Lector sighed then winced. “What about your boss? I’m sure he could come up with a plan to get us out of this? He’s really smart, right?” Kara insisted. “The boss is a genius. He helped me pass my ACTs to get into fashion school,” Lector nodded, “but I think this is unsolvable even for him.” “Well, if it’s any consolation the kids are with their father overseas. He had a business trip to China and we had the extra money so the kids could go on vacation,” Kara explained. “Zhao hates Disaster, so that’s good, but you’re still here,” Lector was still defeated. “Lector,” Kara crawled over to him to let him lean on her, “I know I was a mess and— I’m still terrified, but please don’t give up. The kids will miss you more than they already do— I’ll miss you,” Kara stroked his hair. “Kara, I’m tired,” Lector managed. “I know, Lec, but we’ve got to keep you awake. I’m sure you have quite a few concussions,” Kara encouraged, “and anyway we need a plan.” “Okay, Kara, I’ll try,” Lector furrowed his brow. “Thank you.” — The Jet hit the ground at Chaos’s feet with a thud. “Hello, Jet. It seems we need to have a chat,” Chaos knelt glaring. “I don’t know what you’re playing at Chaos but tell your goons to get off of me,” the Jet struggled. “I got an interesting phone call from Disaster today,” Chaos continued ignoring him. “I don’t know what that has to do with me.” “One of my men is missing, and it turns out Disaster surprised me with my missing man busted up pretty good. This man is my best sniper and spy, so I had to wonder how after all these years Disaster got his hands on him?” Chaos tilted his head to the side. The Jet was cold, “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.” “You’re such a fucking liar, Jet. We briefly grew up together,” Chaos was incredulous, “that’s one of the things you do when you lie. You put on… This mask.” Chaos gripped the Jet's face, “You’ve got two minutes to explain how exactly Lector is currently in Chaos’s hands or I’m going to carve up your face. I wonder how handsome women will think you are then.” “Okay! Okay! Not the face,” the Jet conceded, “Disaster asked me to grab him and unfortunately when I went to do so, his sister walked in. She saw me, so I took them both.” “So… you intended for Disaster to kill Lector and his sister?” Chaos raised his eyebrows. “Just the sister. She was pretty homely looking anyway,” the Jet muttered. “And society thinks I’m a low-life piece of shit,” Chaos stood up, “where did you take them?” “Even if I told you he scrubbed the place. I’ve never once been in the actual location of Disaster Inc. Or I haven’t walked in without being abducted and blindfolded.” “Damn it,” Chaos punched the wall. He was silent for a long moment before he said, “Here’s how you’re going to fix this, Jet. Lisa is going to be there, so I need you to use your speed to pull Lector out and rescue his sister.” “How much are you going to pay me for it?” The Jet asked. “Not shit! Are you kidding me right now? I thought you were a hero, not a mercenary,” Chaos shouted. The Jet tsked, “Whatever. If it’ll get you out of this pissy mood I guess I’ll do it, Chaos.” “Are you fucking serious? Why are you like this? You were always a spoiled ass, but there was a time when you were somewhat decent. We even got along for a time,” Chaos shook his head. “Well, things change. Let’s just get this over with so we can go back to doing what we were doing,” the Jet sulked. “That’s fine by me,” Chaos exited the room, signaling Victor and Charles to secure the Jet until the appointed day and time came. — There were about 10 hours before the event happened and Lisa couldn’t come up with a solution that didn’t involve her pulling the trigger. “Even if I miss, Disaster will also have a gun and is a better shot,” Lisa muttered, tapping her locket on the table. “Lisa if you aren’t going to eat at least try sleeping,” Ben watched her let her takeout get cold, “it’s been almost 3 days.” “Ben, there’s a 97% likely hood that I’m going to kill Lector in less than 10 hours if I don’t think of something,” Lisa sighed. “Have you at least contacted Chaos?” Ben asked. “There is nothing I have to say to him at the moment.” “Lisa!” “Ben!” Lisa mirrored him. “Real mature,” Ben rolled his eyes. Lisa sighed, “Fine. I’ll call him.” Lisa pulled out her phone and Chaos picked up on the first ring. “Little flower are you okay? Is Ben being appropriate?” Chaos asked. “What? Ben should be the least of your worries right now,” Lisa sounded annoyed, “I knew calling would be a bad idea.” “Wait! Don’t hang up,” Chaos shouted. “What?” “I know you’re mad. You have every right to be. I made a rash decision,” Chaos admitted, “but you really should stay put.” “You say that like anyone has a choice. Disaster said come alone, so if you have a plan I hope it doesn’t involve you busting into the place like the Kool-aid man,” Lisa seethed before hanging up. “Told you that was a stupid idea,” Charles muttered to Victor. “She hasn’t eaten or slept,” Chaos sighed. “How can you tell?” The Jet shook his head tied to a chair, “she’s always like that to me.” “I wonder why,” Chaos grimaced. Meanwhile, Ben said, “That actually went better than I expected.” Lisa laid her head down on the table, “Ugh…” “Seriously, Lisa, eat something,” Ben encouraged having taken the time to reheat the takeout, “Lisa? She’s out.” — Disaster was putting the finishing touches on the setup, “Wonderful! Hey lackey! How is programming the hoe's children to die if Lisa doesn’t pull the trigger?” “They— aren’t currently in the states. Neither is her husband for that matter,” the lackey bowed then crumpled. “Damn it…” Disaster sighed, “No matter. I hope you smile real big, sniper. I stopped beating your face so you’re recognizable.” “Why can’t you just let Kara go?” Lector rasped. “She saw my associate so it’s my job to make sure that no one knows we are affiliated. You’re no snitch, sniper, but her? I don’t know her,” Disaster glared at Kara. “But if Lisa pulls the trigger you said you’d let her live and aren’t I supposed to die either way?” Lector shouted. “You’re right. I guess I’ll just cut out her tongue before I send her on her way,” Disaster shrugged. “Well, let’s get this over with,” Lisa stumbled into the warehouse. “Lesura are you okay?” Disaster looked delighted, “You look like you may not be able to hold up a gun which means multiple people are gonna die tonight.” “I can hold up plenty Disaster, but let me ask you this,” Lisa leered, “Are you truly prepared for the consequences of this?” Disaster nodded, “Oh yes. Society has become too complacent. Heroes, villains, regular people… all so dull… all content with the status quo.” Lisa shook her head and then looked at Lector. “Lector, I tried. I racked my brain for the last three days, and I don’t have a solution,” Lisa took a shaky breath. “You and the boss couldn’t crack it, huh?” Lector gave a half-smile. “Chaos and I— aren’t talking right now,” Lisa shook her head. “What happened?” Lector asked. “He tried to hold me captive after the feed was cut,” Lisa clenched her jaw. “Oh, boss…” Lector closed his eyes, “You’re going to forgive him though, aren’t you, Lisa?” “Lector, is mine and Chaos’s relationship really the thing we should be worried about?” Lisa looked away. “Lisa, no matter what happens today, I’m a dead man, so I’d rather die knowing you and the boss are going to be okay,” Lector insisted. Lisa began shaking, “Can you just be selfish for once Lector?” “This is me being selfish, Lisa,” Lector smiled, “I know if I ask this of you, living or dead you won’t let me down.” Lisa laughed, “Lector,” then she cried, “Lector…” “Don’t cry, Lisa. It’ll be okay, just pull the trigger and then forget about me,” Lector instructed. “I’m going to vomit,” Disaster said flatly, “what’s with all this sentimental crap. Not once have you begged for your life, you idiot! What is wrong with you?” Disaster pulled Lector’s hair. Lector shrugged, “I don’t know. My parents had every test run and we don’t know.” “There is nothing wrong with you, Lector!” Kara called out, “Take your hands off of him, Disaster!” “Shut up, bitch,” Disaster shouted. Lisa closed her eyes and took a deep breath, a pained expression on her face, “Just… hand me the gun, Disaster.” “Not until I see them again,” Disaster leered. “See what?” Lisa asked irritably. “The eyes, Lesura. You need to pull the trigger with the crimson eyes,” Disaster spoke to her as if she were an idiot tapping his temple with a finger. “I was hoping you forgot about that,” Lisa mumbled. She mustered all her strength and repressed rage. Since she was exhausted and hungry it wasn’t that difficult. “Yes… Yes!” Disaster danced with glee. “I’m glad this makes you so happy you sick son of a bitch,” Lisa snarled. “Don’t play high and mighty, Lesura,” Disaster smirked, “Your bloodline is stained so red even your great-grandchildren will be drenched in the sins of your ancestors.” “Once I kill Lector, I’ll gladly add yours to the amount of blood on our hands as well, Disaster,” Lisa’s voice was eerily cold. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, Lesura,” Disaster’s hand lingered when he handed her the gun. Lisa withdrew her hand in disgust. Then she turned her eyes on Lector. “You still have pretty eyes even like that,” Lector smiled. “If you knew Lector, you wouldn’t say that,” Lisa raised the gun, “I’m sorry, Lector. I’m so, so sorry!” “Wait! Lisa! There has to be another way!” Kara cried out. “Okay, this is it,” Chaos said, “Jet get ready. Jet? Jet!” “Um…” the Jet gave a shaky breath, “No can do.” “What the hell do you mean? And what’s wrong with you?” Chaos shouted. “My leg… my leg is stuck in this bear trap,” the Jet groaned. “Of course, he’d have traps set out for the Jet. I would do the same thing,” Chaos sighed, “if you want something done right…” Chaos burst through the door the second before Lisa pulled the trigger. Her eyes crimson. “Lisa! Wait!” Chaos ran forward. “Boss!” Lector called out in surprise. Ben gave a shaky breath, his own gun cocked between Lisa’s eyes from outside. “No!” Chaos and Kara screamed as the bullet left the gun. “Damn it,” Ben said pulling his own trigger. Then, something strange happened. Both bullets missed because Lisa and Lector were no longer where they started, both dangling by their collars, Disaster tied to a chair. Everyone seemed to be frozen, their minds hadn’t caught up to what happened. Lisa looked up at the figure holding her and Lector up, “G-g-gr-grandpa?” Captain Vice smiled down at her, “Hello, pumpkin.”