The drive was quiet. Neither Neshoba nor Claire wanted to break the silence and talk about what was violently festering in their minds. They wondered what the heart of the Order was, and if that heart needed changing. Were their ways outdated in an ever-changing world, or had they moved separately from the world they were meant to protect? Should they be the ones to change what was established, or have someone else do it?

  None of these questions was comfortable for them. They all believed in the idea of the Order and what it represented, despite the harshness of it all. The Order was humanity’s shield and every line of defence against the unknown. Its secret guardian angel it needed.

  Yet, to think there was someone within the Order going against the core beliefs and tenets all swore to were alien to them. Everyone in the Order made an oath to protect humanity at all costs and to hide the knowledge of horrors that threatened their species. To give every stranger, regardless of flag or creed, a chance to sleep soundly as their nightmares were beaten back into the darkness from which they came.

  Jackson was a former member of the Order Horrifica. That was a fact no one could deny, even if they wanted to reject the person because of his past actions. Because he was also a monster, an individual designed with only a singular purpose in mind. Destruction.

  The reptile should be dead, yet somehow, he is still alive to cause terror among the people who had wronged him over 75 years ago. He shouldn’t be allowed to continue butchering his way through the south. Neshoba should’ve been given the order to continue to hunt the reptile down and kill him.

  Neshoba glanced at the document while he drove. He knew the containment facility that held sensitive information was in Kentucky. The opposite direction from where Jackson would theoretically be located. Well, that was if he was still alive after the gunfight at the research facility.

  However, dead or not, he would still be out there and could be used as proof of the existence of horrors to the regular world. No one in the Order would’ve risked that, but somehow, for some reason, someone did. Which is why Neshoba demanded answers. Why risk the world for some short-term gain?

  Hearing where he needed to be. Neshoba pulled his car over and hopped out, grabbing his pistol, torch, and a combat knife before trekking deeper into the forest to find the old containment facility. He could be packing heavier firepower, but there was also a risk of a civilian seeing him. It was wiser not to draw attention when everyone was worried about a secret war going on.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  With every step he took, the heavier his breath became. The future of the Order would be in that facility; he just needed to find it and head inside.

  ‘Nes, you there?’ Claire said over the earpiece.

  He sighed, glad to hear her voice. ‘Yes, I’m here. What’s the problem?’

  ‘I caught some chatter from ProTech communications. Jackson Abernu is alive and had been captured by ProTech.’

  ‘That’s not good. Anything else I need to know?’

  Claire stuttered as she read through her report. ‘They escaped. Jackson is back on the hunt.’

  Hearing that Jackson was both alive and still on the loose to continue his rampage, Neshoba swore. Wondering whether going after some answers besides finishing off Jackson was a good idea.

  ‘Claire, keep an eye on them and see what they are trying to do next. A Disposal Unit should be stationed in Miami. Should be Unit 721, if memory serves me correctly. Relay any information about Jackson to them whenever possible.’

  ‘That won’t be necessary,’ Claire explained. ‘Unit 721 has just been relocated, seemingly the week after news of Jackson broke out.’

  Neshoba sighed, seeing that there was no other option, he kept going. There was no point in turning back now. He could have his regrets, but that didn’t mean he would fail. Though there was no one to stop Jackson from preventing further harm, he could at least bring someone to justice within the Order.

  Then, he arrived at where the facility was meant to be. Right on top of where the facility should be. After walking around for a bit, confused about whether he was lost or had read the coordinates wrong, he realised the ground felt odd. After kicking the leaves out of the way and moving a thin layer of earth, he found it. A metal door underneath with a large M on it.

  He groaned, frustrated that he hadn’t brought a shovel to clear the area to open up the facility. It wouldn’t take long to make a clearing, not when he knew he had two fully functional hands.

  ‘I found it,’ Neshoba announced to Claire. ‘Let’s just hope they have what we are looking for.’

  Claire sighed, ‘in that case, I wish you luck. Just stay safe and alert, I’ll be your eyes in the sky.’