III. Then There Were Two

Lily and Ivory were laughing while a metal song played on the radio. The two were happy to return to the base, wondering what the latest juiciest gossip would be. The two were ecstatic to be back from Greece and back in good old New York City. Ivory could never imagine living elsewhere.

Ivory relived her time at the beautiful blue and clear island. The beaches, food, and scenery were beautiful and eye gawking, but Ivory was happy to be back in New York.

Ivory was so young and felt so accomplished, but she felt her colleagues were more successful. Ivory knew that it was an age thing and that when she would be in her mid-20s, that she'd have a stable income and would have more latitude.

Ivory felt her phone buzz, seeing that Hawks had texted her.

"Don't come back," was what the text message said.

Ivory made a face, wondering what Hawks meant. She messaged him back, "Why? What's wrong?"

Hawks quickly answered, "You're in danger, Ivory. I'm not allowed to tell you, but if you come back today, you'll be sorry. You and Lily should go to the nearest base and stay there. I'll meet you there and explain everything."

"Hey, Lily," Ivory said as Lily glanced. She then read to Lily what Hawks had sent her.

"That's strange," Lily said as her phone buzzed. "Do you mind reading my phone?"

Ivory took Lily's phone and saw that Harley messaged her sister. "It's from Harley; she said you two need to go to base four."

"Oh no," Lily pulled over and began dry heaving. Ivory looked and saw other cars speeding past them. "Ivory, we need to get out stuff and go! I didn't think it would be so soon. The poor woman Blue found!"

"What's happening?"

"People go to base four when the leader finds a wife."

"What does that have to do with us?" Ivory asked. "And why do people leave?"

"We can't stay at the Staten Island base anymore; that's all that means. When the leader finds a wife, we stay at other bases nearby until the wedding is over and the wife bears the heir," Lily explained. "Blue will have men watching over the Staten Island base, but all that means is that Blue has found a wife and he's taking her somewhere private. He takes her to a different base where they live in seclusion. When the son is a year old, the gang moves to another base, one where the family lives on a separate floor from the other members."

"Okay, but why would Hawks say that I'm in danger?"

Lily started to shrill. "Ivory, that's it!" Lily grabbed Ivory's shoulders. "Why do you think Blue shredded your files and your diploma? Why do you think he won't allow for you to drive? The others have their high school diplomas and drive! Why do you think you're his assistant? Lastly, why do you think your bonus was a ring?"

Ivory gasped and then shook her head. "That's impossible, Lily. I can't be Blue's wife."

"Ivory, I won't allow this! Harley told me details, but she never mentioned this. You cannot marry Blue; that's so absurd. You're so innocent, and he's so demented! We'll get your stuff and try to sneak you into base four."

"Lily, it can't be me."

"Ivory, I think that's what Hawks meant. Hawks was told by Blue to watch you and Viper. Hawks knew why Blue needed you, but he wasn't allowed to tell you. Hawks is warning you, Ivory. And since you and Hawks kissed, Blue probably found out and isn't too happy. I think this is why Hawks is messaging you now. Blue always waits before he strikes!"

"Hawks can't help that he likes me."

Lily laughed and sniffed her nose. "Hawks can't like you; I'm not too sure what Hawks thinks. He and I are good friends and he never told me that he's interested in you. Look, we don't have time. We should go, pack our things, and leave."

Lily sped to base two and the two girls saw that no cars were there. Lily parked into the garage and the two women got out.

"Okay, no one is here, we have time to get our stuff and leave," Lily said.

Lily and Ivory ran through the hallway and opened a black door that led to the main section of the base. Lily and Ivory quietly but quickly saw that no one was on the first floor, and Lily decided that they check the basement to make sure no one was hiding.

The girls ran down the staircase to the maid's headquarters, and saw that the maids were missing, too. Everyone had vanished, and the whole situation was alarming and eerie. For once, Ivory wasn't nervous as so much had happened; she had become less sensitive towards things.

"Wow, this is creepy," Ivory remarked, seeing that they were the only ones in sight.

It felt like people were hiding amongst the shadows and would jump out and attack any second. It felt like all eyes were on Ivory and Lily. Whenever Ivory would turn, no one would be there.

"Ivory, look," Lily pointed to the other half of the stairwell, which led to the basement.

The girls saw that a gun laid at the top of the staircase.

"Lily, maybe the base was attacked by rival gang members again."

"No, this feels personal. I think everyone got heated while we were gone."

Ivory then thought about something. "I think Blue sent us both on vacation on purpose. I know workers get vacation time, but he wasn't acting his usual self when he told us to take our two weeks."

"I hate to say that I agree, but I think you're on to something. If that's the case, then I wonder why he would do that."

Ivory and Lily peered towards the stairwell, and both instinctively ran to the stairs.

The two women clung to each other and headed forward, seeing fresh blood coming from the main staircase. The two walked down the final staircase, but Ivory stopped to tie her shoelace as Lily choked out loud; her hands covered her mouth.

Ivory ran over to ask what was wrong, but stopped and stared at the still body laying down on the floor. Ivory usually carried fast and assertive reflexes, but all she could do was stop and stare. Ivory couldn't believe her eyes. Ivory was so shocked that her body experienced hot flashes, and it felt as if time had stopped.

The young woman saw Lily wailing on the floor as some of the blood stained her clothing, but Ivory couldn't speak, nor could she move. Ivory felt numb; she wasn't too sure what she should feel. The worst had happened, and she missed the tragedy.

Ivory stared at all of the blood; she never predicted that a very good friend would have died so soon.