NEON WAS HERE

"Doc there", he said pointing behind me, "has something that we want, we just need it, so step out of the way kid". He said.

Wait... did he just call me kid??___ twice!!!.

"I'm nineteen," I said dryly. and I'm surprised that you don't know me.

"Oh by the way, where are your colleagues? Are you not supposed to call for backup? Or do you want to take all the credit for being the efficient one?" I mocked. I'm not the talkative kind of person, but I have to learn how to talk if I want to keep up with Stacy.

I'm already making plans without even talking to her, I chuckled internally.

There were six of them all, Flint should probably be having fun with the one standing watch outside, three are sleeping soundly, thanks to me.

This punk is blocking my way, and for the last one___ perhaps he'll join the reunion soon.

"I don't need backup to handle a baby and his fragile grandpa. Do you think you can protect your grandpa, kid??" He

 said confidently.

"Aren't we supposed to be fighting?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Fight ?__ with you??" Mr punk Chuckled. "Why should I fight when I've got the gun, and you... you are.... you've got only those weird goggles."

"Night Vision," I corrected.

Now step aside, he said intimidatingly. The atmosphere became tensed

I smiled. 

Before he could raise his gun, I already had it in my hands.

Not that I couldn't fight, but why should I waste my energy when I could just use my gadgets.

He was baffled as he stared at his gunless hand. "what___ how.... you.... "

he looked from his hand to me and back, stuttering.

"OH... I said I hate metals. Well, actually I collect them, to free people." I explained waving my hand in the air, to flaunt what served as a magnet ___ my watch.

 Mr punk was speechless, he did not even take note of the guy behind him.

Only when he heard a loud _tud_ did he turn to meet his colleague on the ground, courtesy of my tranquillizer needles.

I made sure to fling the needle with speed and precision, even Mr punk did not see it coming, talk less of Mr backup.

Oh... don't bother, he is not dead, just paralyzed____ temporary. I said when Mr punk turned and looked at me with horror in his eyes. 

I took gentle steps towards him, gradually dismantling the gun as I approached him slowly, " you see..., it could have been you down there, "I spoke menacingly. But I need you to take my message back.

Tell your Boss that, "NEON WAS HERE"!!

I was already standing close to him by this time. I noticed the knife he held discreetly, so when he tried to plunge it in my abdomen, I gripped his hand __ stopping him, then I immediately swung my hand behind his neck and inserted a needle just at the beginning of his spinal cord, making him freeze.

The others would not remember anything on waking up, but Mr punk was still fully conscious, but immobile until the needle gets pulled out.

"They have two of the rings". Dr Murphy said behind me, once I pulled away from Mr punk.

"Where's the last one?" I asked, turning to face him.

"Somewhere safe". he said

"How did they get those two in the first place"? I asked stopping to look at him.

"It's a long story", he smiled nervously while scratching his head.

"Ok, let's get out of here," I said, turning towards the way out. "We will deal with that soon''. I couldn't start reprimanding him now, instead, I should focus on making sure they do not get the last one.

"But why the hell did you not call me when they showed up, you waited until now"? I could not help but ask as we walked towards the rusted stairs leading up.

"I panicked ok? Plus, I thought I could handle them," he said. "This old man's still got moves". he chuckled while raising his hand to me showing me his biceps.

Shaking my head, I just let out a defeated sigh, with a smile of course.

"You did great, Doc" I praised.

"At least you did not allow yourself to get caught, you've actually got the moves" I smiled, squeezing his shoulder lightly.

Climbing out of the bunk. Well, Dr Murphy climbed first, but he sort of froze as soon as he stepped out. I immediately went on alert mode, thinking that we had unwanted company. Which we actually did though.

I poked my head over Dr Murphy's shoulder and... 

Oh boy!!!! my mouth remained shaped like an "O".

We just stared in the same direction for what seemed like forever.

Well, Flint, my robot was busy entertaining himself and rendering us speechless at the same time.

"What's that for, Flinty"? I asked, breaking the silence as I took hasty steps towards him….or it.

"You asked me to take care of him" Flint responded like a confused child

It was already dark when we stepped out, except for the campfire that Flint lit, illuminating the arena.

Flint sat beside the fire, carefully placing stickers on a guy wrapped in foil paper like Lazarus.

That's the scene we met when we climbed up. I had no idea where he got those stickers from, the foil paper, perhaps, that could come in handy as backup, it's understandable.

"I'm taking care of him, he is cold". Flint said motioning to the guy on the dirt.

"By foiling him up like a human salad"? Dr Murphy asked. "and what's with the stickers"? he added

"Oh, he had tattoos..... so I had to tattoo this new layer of his". Flint replied, standing up and explaining excitedly.

"Is he still conscious"? I asked, kicking Mr Lazarus when I closed up to them.

Mr Lazarus grunted, attempting to wiggle. Good thing Flint did not wrap up his entire face, at least his eyes, nose and mouth were free. So I did not have to worry about death right now.

"loosen him up Flinty" I ordered.

"But... but ...why??? Flint stuttered, almost circling me as he asked, completely puzzled.

"What are you gonna do with this one"? This time it was Dr Murphy who asked.

"Put him to sleep like the rest, I don't have time." immediately after I uttered those words, Mr Lazarus looked up at me with horror in his eyes. I was so unfazed.

I made sure to drive Dr Murphy to one of my safe-houses. I know that they will come after him this time completely heated. Good thing that The Firm still thinks that there are only 2 rings and they are in possession of it. I'll prefer it stays that way.

I know that they would be coming after the core to start assembling the machine. I'll be prepared.

The week went by in a flash. The girls finally agreed to host a pizza party on Saturday night, but only when they made me pledge to do all their chores and take responsibility for their crimes for a whole month_____ One_whole month. They are evil!!!!. 

 The Firm had not yet contacted me again. 

I was looking forward to Saturday more than anyone else obviously.

I woke up on Friday to find Nisa sleeping comfortably beside me. I wanted to push her off my bed as usual but I decided against it, I mean, I still needed her tomorrow for the party. I had to be on my best behaviour even if I did not concord.

I slipped out of the bed like a gentleman and proceeded to the bathroom as silently as possible.

"Dahhh"!!!! put some clothes on. Nasi screamed when I walked into the room putting on just my boxers. She closed her eyes leaving huge gaps in between her fingers.

"what are you doing in my room"? I asked, not planning on putting on anything yet.

I opened my laptop as I sat down on the bed's sides-stool. 

"Jeez be romantic for once, every man loves to wake up beside a beautiful lady," she said sitting up while pulling the covers up her neck. "But here you are instead giving me an attitude _ punk!!!" she said while pouting.

"First of all, you are not beautiful, secondly, you are not my type, thirdly, shut the hell up". I said trying to act as stern as possible, which obviously never worked on this creature.

Actually my sisters were super beautiful, with their silky, black, long curly hair, with round brown eyes. All six of us had those brown eyes. I guess it was our selling point.

But being the very unromantic brother, I could not tell them that.

"Oh I see, only girls like Stacy are beautiful, huh B-R-O-T-H-E-R"???? she said creeping towards me teasing.

"Tell me, brother, I am right, right"?

I just ignored her teasing and busied myself on my laptop. I knew that I won't be let off that easily, rather every time, I'll have to endure all this bullshit coming from my siblings.

"Oh... somebody lost his voice now," she said, this time really close to my ear. It was creepy but I tried to act unaffected.

"Answer me if you want me to stop." She screamed in my ear.

I snapped.

I stood up, pulled her off the bed and carried her princess style out of the room.

We bypassed my father on the couch, he just glanced at us, probably because of the way Nasi was screaming in my arms right now. Dad did not utter a single word, he said there completely unfazed, with the you-can-kill-each-other-for-all-l-care kind of look. Neither did mother, as we bypassed her in the kitchen. I kicked the back door open with my leg. Nasi did not stop screaming at the top of her voice until...

...SPLASH... 

I dropped her in the pool. I watched her try to dive up, and I couldn't help but smile triumphantly.

Mission accomplished. I dusted my hands and turned to go in only to holt again.

Standing in my face was my mother, holding a wooden spoon in the air, readying her hand to land it on my head I guess.

Well, my smile faded instantly... well just for a sec, before I tried to smile charmingly again. Unfortunately, all my efforts still did not stop the spoon from hitting my head and shoulders multiple times.

When she was done with me, she walked back in like nothing of that sort had happened. None of us uttered a word, there was silent mutual understanding, I guess

My moment was double ruined when Nasi, all dripping, pushed me into the water. I had no idea when she managed to get out. she stood there looking at me super pissed.

"Karma is really a bitch...huh"? she mocked, as I tried to wipe the water off my eyes while still immersed in the pool.

The other four were standing on the second floor's balcony, killing themselves with laughter. 

The hunter became the hunted. In boxers.

After our little morning squabble, breakfast was smooth until Nevis and Nila almost killed each other because of a slice of bread.

I went back to my room after breakfast, I would be going to the office late today. Lost in thought, I jolted up when I heard my radio beeped. Then came.

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! BASE 1, 

THIS IS RABBIT 404. 

THERE'S BEEN A BIRD STRIKE, ONE ENGINE DOWN.

I NEED CLEARANCE FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

DOES ANYONE COPY!!