“Ugh, my head.” Richard opened his eyes and rubbed his head.

He blinked, clearing his vision, and finding himself in a new location. Richard didn’t know where he was or why he ended up here. Fawn seemed just as confused as him but didn’t say much in response. All she told him was in due time, they’ll be judged for their actions and pay the penalty if deemed guilty of their crimes.

The group approached a wide gate with loudspeakers attached to the far corners of it and waited for further instructions. Cyborg walked over to the tower next to the gate and knocked on it. Eventually, the entrance slot opened as a man looked over at him in annoyance.

“So, I take it that man is with you?” He asked.

“That’s right,” Cyborg replied.

“Why did you bring him here?”

“We’re taking him to the boss. Do you want to watch the event unfold?”

“Can’t, my shift doesn’t end until much later.”

“Is that so?”

“What’s the password?”

“01100010011011000110111101100010,”

“Correct, you may enter, hold on.” The others stood back as the man in the tower opened the gates.

Lightning and Cyborg led Richard and Fawn to The Shadow Heart Estate, the hideout facility run by a group of gangsters and thugs. There were multiple floors, each with its own viewpoint, where many people watched from below. Some stood, others sat down on the edges of the levels. Black walls with red and white graffiti were all around the base. The group trod on the gray, cemented floor. In the center of the area was an embroidery of the Shadow Heart symbol plastered below a midnight blue fountain.

Lightning took the escalator to activate a secret switch. The center room soon separated itself as the fountain sunk down below and a long rope rose to pull out a cage-like elevator. At the bottom of it appeared to be other floors residing, leading to another potential underground base.

Lightning slid back down and ordered Richard and Fawn to get in. They all went inside as the mechanics started turning and moving, making the elevator slowly ascend to the top.

Richard looked around the area as they ascended; it dawned on Fawn that Ashley wasn’t with them anymore. Cyborg told him she went off to do something important, wanting them to buy her some time, and go without her in the proceeding room. Hearing that made Fawn more anxious about what’s going on, while Richard raised an eyebrow, perplexed at the conversation. Something then dawned on Richard’s mind that didn’t occur to him before.

“Is there something on your mind?” Fawn whispered, noticing that something was on his mind.

“Yeah,” Richard replied. “Did you hear what those guys back there talked about?”

“Depends. Which are you referring to?”

“The one about that password. The way that guy said it, it sounded like some sort of binary code.”

“Yeah, maybe it means something. But, why are you worried?”

Richard scratched his chin. “I’ve heard of it before. Somebody else said a password that was also like a binary code.” He pondered about it. It was escaping him, but he could’ve sworn he heard something like that used for a password before. “Maybe, I mean, I feel like there’s some sort of connection to—” His mind immediately went to that scientist that put him through this mess in the first place and he clenched his fists. “I need to get that cure.”

“Are you ok?” Fawn asked.

“Yeah, but we need to pay a little visit to this leader. Maybe he knows a thing or two about my condition.”

“And my parents, or at least, have a tie-in to my murderer.”

“Only one way to find out.”

Soon, the elevator came to a complete stop on the highest floor. The cage doors opened as the group walked along the long corridors until they reached the large doors in front of them. The doors opened as everyone headed inside to approach the leader.