CHAPTER 10

Dear diary,

         May be life is overrated - how everyone says that every living creature on earth has the right to survive contently. They feed, the wear clothes and they get involved in recreational activities. But how much significance does it have compared to the whole universe? Sometimes I think that if I disappear from the face of earth one day without a trace, not a single thing will change. Or maybe it's too late for that.

        Love, Sam

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"Take a look at this."

The five warriors lowered their heads and stared at the red marked areas on the map spreaded in front of them.

"These are the suspected hot spots for the trafficking by Black Pegasus. As per our informers, the areas are mostly crowded during weekdays and working hours. Can you guess why?"

"Nice strategy, nobody wouldn't even doubt anything. It's like regular business only." Sumire spoke up.

"So the mouse lies inside the grain bags. There are some photographs I'm gonna show you."

While Atticus unpinned the pictures from the board, Samantha keenly observed the marked area. The places looked completely random from a normal point of view but she felt there has to be something common between them. Before she could think any further, four pictures were in front of her.

"These were taken from the CCTV footage recording located on the spots."

"Amateurs didn't disarm them?"

"That's the thing. They didn't do anything that might raise suspicion. They appeared there like regular folks, did their jobs and vanished."

"So how did you get them?" Gustavo asked.

"It was not easy. But thanks to my informers; do you see the sling bag they are carrying? All the times they appeared there; solo, because valuable things need to attract less attention; they brought the same bag. This was the only thing found common among them. There might be many others involved in these activities here in the city; but everything is a hypothesis now. It's your responsibility to find those pests of society and eliminate them, to the top."

Samantha didn't fail to notice the shade of betrayal that played in Gustavo's narrowed eyes. All of these was happening right under his nose and he had no idea. To be aquainted with the fact that Aatticus might have his own secret source of information must be a bit triggering for him.

"How long has it been going on?" He couldn't help but ask.

"About six months. And before you blame me for anything, I would like to mention that you were busy with other problems. But you know that already. Personal feelings is not something we let getting in the way, so if you have any doubts regarding my judgement feel free to mention."

The sudden coldness in Atticus's voice dropped the room temperature a few degrees. Gustavo never followed his superior blindly, always questioned his choices and never stepped back to express his own opinion. He did not give away his identity as Samantha did for the sake of very life.

"No sir." Gustavo returned the words with the same coldness.

"So, people, since we have very little information in our hands, we need to dig in more. And that's what I need you to do. You will stay in contact on regular basis and I will reach you via Sumire." She raised her chin. "Proceed with extreme caution, take extreme measures if you have to just don't let those bastards get away with it. Let them know that in the presence of Eirineftis, society can not be infected by corruption."

Samantha has always tried to figure out if her leader has narcissistic traits; but then again, this was Atticus. He has his way with words, his careful choice of vocabulary that can confuse everyone about his true intentions behind spoken sentences.

Since thinking about someone's behavioural traits is none of her business, Samantha tried to concentrate on the map open in front of her on the table. There was something she was missing. Turning it towards her angle, she closely tried to find a link between them, eyes moving around lanes and streets and buildings. For a moment it felt like she found something but then again it didn't add up to the others.

"So, when do we start?"

"Effective immediately."

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"Place looks changed."

"Does it?"

"You never see your kids grow up."

Since his house was far away, Samantha asked her friend to crash at her place. Currently they were chilling on her sofa with bear cans in their hands.

"Do you think we can get through this?" Gustavo asked after a long pause.

"After all this time? I don't know." She replied with a sigh.

"You're doing that again!"

"What?"

"That thing with your teeth. You rub them when you're tensed."

"Get a girlfriend moron."

"No time for that, gotta save the world!"

"I'm gonna go to bed."

"Hey, I'm tired AF, how come I'm the one on the couch?"

"I didn't say you have to, not if you have a problem with strangling.... "

"I'll knock you out!"

Even if she was tired, even if her thinking ability was deceased for that day, Samantha knew she won't be able to sleep tonight. When did it all started? When is this gonna come to end? Or if it will at all? Who knows.

Staring at the blank ceiling, she saw the reflection of her own mind.

Life is overrated AF.

"We shouldn't have kicked them out." Gustavo mumbled against the pillow from the other side of the bed.

"Since when do you have sympathy for babies?"

"I don't know, we should stick together or something."

"Hey have you noticed Larry and Christina?"

"What about them?"

"Hn, nothing."

The darkness in the smirk was denser than that of the room.