MCCALL'S MANSION*

It was eating peacefully as Roonie climbed the stairs, dialling Pearl's line for the 21st time

*

TERRAVERDE GRILL*

Rook pulled his new car up in front of the building, and he was smiling as he stepped out.

He admired the red Maybach for like two minutes before entering the grill.

He waited by the door, searching with his eyes till he saw Issac.

Isaac waved, and he walked to him, rolling his car keys in hand.

"You got a new car? Cool" Isaac smiled.

"Sure, you heard about Lizzy's death?" Rook asked.

"Of course, it's the news of the night. They said it's suicide, she was obsessed" Isaac replied, and Rook nodded.

"Well deserved"

"Why did you want to meet me?" Isaac asked.

"It's about Hyce" Rook replied.

"Did he send you to...me?" Isaac asked quickly.

"Nuh-uh... I'm here on my own. Look, i know you're not gay, but maybe if you just become friends with him, he might be ok with that. This guy will do anything for you. You're like his button" Rook said.

"Hyce is cool and kind. He's like my helper, but...

"But what?" Rook asked.

"But he hates me now" Isaac replied.

"That's bull, he doesn't. In fact, he's at his father's mansion tonight, and it's not far from here. You know McCall mansion right? You can go confirm" Rook said.

"For real?" Isaac stood, grabbing his bag.

Rook nodded, and Isaac rushed out of the grill.

"Mix beer and rue for me please!" He hollered at the bar man.

"Sure!" The man replied, and Rook smiled.

*

MCCALL'S MANSION*

It'll be boring to sleep at Roonie's mansion alone, and going to the Loft is a no since Roonie loves being alone after a kill, so Hyce decided to come home.

He looks damn tired as he pushed the door open, meeting his dad in the living room.

"It's been close to two months since you last stepped your father's house" General McCall said.

"Not my fault. You always nag anytime I come, so staying at Banks place is much more comfortable" Hyce replied, walking towards the stairs.

"What was the fingerprint you came to my office to scan?" General McCall suddenly asked, and Hyce stopped, gritting his jaws before turning back.

"I'm a General, Hyce. You don't expect me to not find out, and the fact that you're my son doesn't mean you get to do what you want. Is Banks corrupting you?" The man said, and Hyce frowned.

"What!"

"He's the leader of a frat club, and his father runs an illegal business. How sure am I that you're safe with him?"

"Banks is more than my best friend, dad. He's like my brother" Hyce replied plainly.

"Who's his mother?" The man came closer.

Hyce sighed.

"Who's his mother, Hyce?" He asked again.

"Xusan Zheng... she's Chinese, from a family of fighters" Hyce replied, and McCall's eyes widened.

"Did you just say Xusan Zheng? Oh Hyce...you know nothing, do you. They're not just a family of fighters, but they're bloody assassins, and this Xusan was the scariest female in the family. They possess the deadliest fighting weapons, and they keep dangerous wild animals as pets. They killed more than two thousand people some years back in China. Killing is in their blood and death follow them around" McCall explained vividly.

"But Xusan changed when she met Master X" Hyce defended.

"So you know the story?" McCall said shockingly.

Hyce kept quiet.

"The fact that she changed doesn't change the fact that she was an assassin, and that Banks is her son! A student died some hours ago and she was obsessed with him, who knows if he did the job!" McCall said.

"Dad!" Hyce snapped.

"End your friendship with him" the man said, and Hyce smiled, going closer.

"NO" he said to his face, walking out straight.

"It was a mistake coming here" he muttered.

"Hyce! Hyce McCall!" He called after him, but Hyce was already out.

He was about to get in his car when he saw Isaac standing beside it, and his eyes calmed.

"Isaac?"

"Hey ... Rook told me you'd be here and... I came to say...sorry" Isaac said, and Hyce walked up to him.

Isaac blinked in a girly manner, and Hyce smiled before pulling his cheek.

"Aren't you such a silly boy?"

"Thanks to you, my mum is getting better, and she's looking forward to seeing you again" Isaac said.

"Let's go see her" Hyce replied.

"Really?" Isaac smiled.

"C'mon" Hyce replied, and they both got in his car.

Hyce drove them out of the mansion, sighing from time to time.

He has been restless since Lizzy's death, and anytime he feels this, it means something huge is coming.

Why does it feel like this is just the beginning of the battle?

*