The Intruders Novels & Stories

The lights dimmed into a tactical red hue, and the high-frequency jammers started humming in the background. “Protocol active,” Hershey reported, her eyes scanning the drone feeds. “They’re trapped in the courtyard, Bessy. They have no exit, and they have no signal.” Diana butted in, clearly amused by that these men have no idea who they messed with. “Clearly they don't know the power of Morgans’ Techs.” she mumbled to herself. “Good,” I whispered, looking at the main monitor where I could see the intruders scrambling in confusion as the house turned into a fortress. “Laxus, we are in lockdown. Take your time with Saga. We’ll handle the trash at our doorstep.”

Malditang sigaw nito. Ano ba 'tong company ni Zac? Nakakasira ng araw. Well, Andito na ako sa loob bawal parin pumasok? Grr... "I don't care!" At nagpunta na ako sa elevator para sumakay. Bigla nalang sumigaw ang babae. "Call the guards, there's an intruder." Sigaw nito. Agad naman umalis ang dalawa niyang alipores. Intruder talaga? Binigyan ko siya ng f*ck sign bago tuluyang nagsara ang elevator.

Ilang segundo siyang tumitig sa screen ng phone niya bago muling tumingin sa akin. “They couldn’t see the person’s face,” sabi niya nang dahan-dahan, “but they saw something else.” Pakiramdam ko ay biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. “What?” Huminga siya nang bahagya bago sumagot. “The intruder wasn’t alone.” Natigilan ako. “What?” Tumango siya. “There was someone waiting for them in the parking garage.” Parang biglang kumirot ang dibdib ko. Kung dalawa sila, ibig sabihin planado ang lahat ng ito. Hindi ito simpleng opportunistic theft.

tanong ko, gulat. Maxine: “Or unleash a bigger one?” Sabay kami tumingin sa altar. May nakaukit na bagong salita: "Debt Paid." Tapos bago kami makareact— May boses na mechanical: “INTRUDERS DETECTED. LOCKDOWN IN 30 SECONDS.” Ethan cursed. “RUN!” At tumakbo na naman kami. Pero habang humahakbang ako, may isa lang akong naiisip.

Kumuha siya ng hanger, sinilid ang damit at sinabit sa kabinet niya. Wala pa rin sa tamang katinuan si Theodore buhat ng nangyari kahapon. Naapektuhan di ang kanyang trabaho kaya maaga siyang umuwi at dumiretso sa night club. Tumugga ng kaunting alak, nakipagsuntukan at ngayon ay pasuray-suray na tinatahak ang pasilyo ng mansyon niya. Huminto s'ya nang mapansin ang nakasiwang na pinto at may malamlam na liwanang mula sa loob. There's an intruder.

Ang kanilang teamwork ay perpekto—isang tango lang mula kay Brayan ay sapat na para malaman ni Eizen kung saan pupuwesto. Habang papalapit sila sa rooftop, naging mas mahigpit ang seguridad. "Brayan, may problema," sabi ni Ivan sa comms. "May papalapit na patrol sa pwesto niyo. At hindi sila ordinaryong guwardiya. Praetorians." Huli na. Mula sa isang pasilyo, lumabas ang apat na Praetorian. Nakita sila. "Intruder!" sigaw ng isa.

Pero bago sila lumipad papuntang Kyoto, tumayo si Billie sa gitna ng war room. “We end this,” sabi niya. “Rafael wants a war? Then we give him one.” Pero bago matapos ang utos niya, tumunog ang comms. “Sir… we have an intrusion.” “What intrusion?” The guard swallowed. “A man just walked into the lobby.” “And?” “He’s asking for you. He said his name is—” The guard froze. Dane froze. Billie and Mariel turned sharply. “—Rafael Cortez.”

Humalakhak lang ang hayop sa sinabi niya at ang iba naman ang inaya nito habang siya naman ay pasalampak na umupo sa couch malapit sa full glass window at dumundungaw mula roon. “Damn, man!” dinig niyang ani sa ibang kaibigan. Maybe, nauto na naman ni Ryder ang mga iyon. His eyes were like a hawk staring at the people downstairs, especially at the entrance nang may tumapik sa likod niya at naupo katabi niya roon sabay wagayway noong dalang envelope sa pagmumukha niya. Antonios snapped at the intruder at palarong sinuntok sa hita nito na umani lang ng igik at sipa sa paa niya.

“Ruan, I'm sorry to disturb you at this point of time but an intruder entered your office.” It was Caiusent. Narinig ko rin ang boses ni Altro at Sever sa kabilang linya. “You fucking know what to do.” I dropped the call. Nang muli kong tignan si Zalaria ay hindi na siya makatingin pabalik sa akin. “I-Inaantok na ako.” Dahil sa tawag ay natauhan na ako kahit paano. It felt like she hang my lips in the middle of nowhere, but she wanted to go home already, and I had no plans of forcing her to stay in my condo.

His eyes landed on Adrian beside me. Then on our joined hands. A dangerous silence followed. Adrian slowly released me. Too late. Julian already saw. Of course he did. He saw everything. “What happened?” I asked shakily. Julian’s gaze remained fixed on Adrian. “An intruder.” The answer came too smoothly. Too prepared. My chest tightened. “An intruder?” I repeated. “Yes.” A pause. “One of the guards intercepted him.” Blood stained the marble beside us. I looked at the body again.