PROLOGUE

Jace and John were bubbling with excitement; they had just received an award for the best paperwork and were heading back to their workplace to pack what they needed for their jaunt. Standing outside the building, they reveled in their accomplishment and were proud of what they had achieved at a youthful age. The story-building portrayed a mixture of creativity and excellence. All around the building was painted with luxurious white and orange while the roof was artistically beige. It was simply perfect. Entering the building, they switched on the lights and stopped to view it for a minute. It was painted yellow and blue, and the walls were accented with several of their artwork. Offices were located on the ground floor, the first floor had a living room, two rooms, a kitchen, and a room with several workout equipment.

They were still in their moment when the lights suddenly went out

"Go and bring the flashlight from the kitchen while I check the junction box," Jace said to John as he headed downstairs

He checked the box but there was nothing wrong with it- at least to him. He went to assist John but heard glass shattering. In a fit of fright, he leaped, letting his phone fly from his fingers and break into a billion pieces; he was now in complete darkness and had to rely on the railings as he ascended the stairs.

"John" Jace called as he reached the top of the stairs, but got no reply

He had gone a little further when he heard a scream.

"You alright, bro" he called again trying to find his way through the darkness but still got no answer.

His heart rate doubled but he continued, he could not shake the feeling that something had happened. Even though, he wished for the scream to have been nothing out of the ordinary until he saw something he could not believe no matter how long he stood there.

John, his John was laid down underneath someone. The beautiful moonlight illuminated the pool of blood and organs. Jace felt sick. He started to move, to attempt something but stopped again when John's helpless, tear-filled bloodshot eyes locked on his eyes. He gave a small smile as he shook his head at Jace. Jace watched as the attacker stood and placed set bombs on the walls. Jace felt cold as the attacker turned to him,

"Come to join the party?" he smiled and continued what he was doing

"Go" John mouthed

'Are you crazy?' Jace though; he could not find the strength to talk

Jace followed John's stare as he looked at one of the bombs. 30, 29, 28, 27, 26

He turned back to Jace, pleading. Jace was resolved; he was not moving an inch. But the attacker started walking towards him

"I know you want to stay with your friend and probably help him but that might turn out to be harder than you imagine. What do you say? Should I help you?"

Before he realized it, Jace began running. He tripped a few times, but he got nearer to the door

"7 seconds more!" he heard

It sounded like the voice was transmitted through a speaker

He almost broke down the door to escape. Just a few feet from the building, the building exploded, pushing him to the ground. Relief coursed through him but was short-lived when he remembered who was trapped in the burning building. Anger filled him; both towards himself for leaving his brother and the murderer. With the last dose of consciousness that he had, he vowed to get whosoever was behind everything that just happened