"He wasn't used to being at a loss. Usually he was the gentlman with the plan. Every little detail catalogued and put in its place. But now he had no place but the details were everywhere."

▪︎•~Lish McBride~•▪︎

The car ran through the streets of London to an unknown place. Alexis laid on the backseat watching Walker drive. Tears flowed from her eyes on the demise of her brother. Deep in her heart she wanted it but never knew it could be so heartbreaking although her own brother wanted to kill her brutally.

She was so weak and tired. Right at that time she was in shambles. Her eyes were so heavy. She closed them and let hot tears escape.

"I'm sorry Alexis. He left me no choice. I didn't want to kill him but he damaged you. Look at yourself. Look at your condition right now. You could've really died. I cannot lose you." Walker heaved a sigh. His grave voice was melodious.

She didn't reply. She had no power to. It was a 2 hour drive then the car pulled over near a lake. Infront of the lake was a big lodge.

Walker came out of the car and opened the door to the backseat.

"Come on Alexis." He held her arm gently but she resisted.

He opened her hands and untied the gag on her mouth.

She looked at her surroundings.

"What is this place?" She asked stepping out of the car.

"This lodge belongs to CIA. I have come here before. They use it for secret operations." August replied while unlocking the door.

Alexis stepped out but was too weak to walk. She started to fall and held the car door.

"I got you." Walker scooped her up in his arms. She looked into his eyes and he carried her inside. The lodge was very cozy inside. He placed her near the fireplace on a rug. He ignited the woods and the room started to become warm.

"I still cannot imagine my brother is no more. He was like a father to me. The one who raised me after our father passed away. I have no one left. I'm an orphan now and all alone." Alexis cried.

"Please don't cry Alexis. I'm here for you. You have a sister and a brother as well. The one who saved your life. The brother and sister from another mother." August held her hand.

"I cannot even Imagin how he changed a lot. He wanted to kill me just for the sake of his business. Money was everything to him I didn't even know. What are we supposed to tell everyone how he died?" She asked.

"You don't worry. I have made all the arrangements. I am sending his body to NewYork where my team will show that he was murdered. I have the pistol as well. That pistol belongs to the man I confronted outside your apartment." August said while rolling up his sleeves.

"You want some coffee. It's really cold here. The lodge hasn't been used in months so thats why its really cold." August said and went to the kitchen.

Alexis had something in her mind. She had her cellphone with her too. She took it out from her wallet and started looking at the screen. A smile had appeared on her lips.

August came with two coffee mugs..

"Here you go Alexis." He handed over a cup to her.

She started to gaze at the orange flames in the chimney. The smell of burning wood turning into charcoal. The orange hue filling up the room. The warmth.

There was a huge ground to ceiling glass window on her right where August was standing with his back to her.

She was so tired. Sitting on the floor she leaned against the big couch. Her eyelids became heavy. She looked at August who was standing near the tall window sipping his coffee. Her eyes got heavy and she closed them. She does'nt know when she slept.

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎

Zohra was still in London. She was in an unknown area. It was kind of cheap and the apartments were dirty. She didn't want to live there anymore.

Desparate to get out she tried Steve's number many times but his number was turned off. She then called her brother Akbar.

"Akbar I'm in trouble. I am stuck here. Steve isn't picking up the call. I don't know which place in London is this."

"Steve is no more." Akbar said.

"What! What are you saying? What happened to him?" Zohra bawled her eyes out.

"Alexis called me to go to New York and bring him to London. She said she wanted help. I brought him to her house where unfortunately Walker got me. He took my pistol. He entered her home and killed Steve who was inside. I ran away hearing the gunshots." Akbar was panting while explaining her.

"Akbar! How does Alexis know you? I thought she doesn't know any of us." Zohra was shocked.

"I think Steve had told her about us already. Look! There is something really messed up. Steve was killed by my pistol. It was taken by August. I am in real trouble. We need to go back to Afghanistan asap. I will take you with me." Akbar said.

"I have to settle some scores with Alexis first. We have to take her with us to Afghanistan. I think it was all planned by her and Steve. It's so confusing I am so puzzled right now." Zohra sat on the bed rubbing her forehead.

"We don't have much time in our hands Zohra. Why taking her with us? She is with August. She is safe." Akbar tried to explain.

"Akbar its not about if she is safe or not. I need answers from her. Its only possible if we take her with us. I need you to do this with me. Please." Zohra pleaded.

"Ok! But how will you know where August took her?" Akbar asked.

"Leave it on me." She said.

"Masalama sister!." Akbar said.

"Masalama and take care." She said and hung up.

■■■

God knows what time it was when Alexis woke up from her slumber.

She was not on the floor. August had placed her on the bed while she slept. He wasn't there.

Slowly she climbed out of bed and started to crawl on her toes out of the bedroom.

There was another room. She tried to open the door but it was locked. She crawled to the living room where she had slept on the floor. Moonlight was filtering through the windows and the environment was kind of mysterious.

She went to the window and peeped outside.

His car wasn't there. He was probably gone somewhere.

"Thank God he isn't here." She whispered.

She went to the couch and tried looking under it where she had placed Steve's Iphone. She snuck it while she was mourning beside her brother's deadbody.

"Ahh! Its here." She muttered.

She took it out and went straight to her bedroom. Closing the door and locking it then went to the bathroom and locked the door.

She switched on the phone. She had to dial a number asap. There were numeroud miscalls from a number.

Her eyes sparkled..

"Zohra Khan!" She smiled! ..now she just had to dial it..