I clenched my fingers around the knives and pointed them towards the trespassers.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4a3ehaoyS
Adrien stared me down. "You don't want to mess with me, Atlas. I've obliterated men that are three times your size and twice as strong. I could kill you in an instant if I wanted to, so I suggest you stand down."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiIfSHMy2f
My resolve faltered, I disconnected my cerebral link with Chase, and I lowered the knives. I knew I couldn't survive a fight with Adrien Kumar.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRU5z7Ma4S
Chase shot me a look that said. Are you crazy?
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wnj8lw2Cv
Gabriel folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "Tuck those knives away, Curseword. You don't want to get on my bad side."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡips8ultwF4
"I'm pretty sure he already got on your bad side when he pickpocketed the map from you," Chase said.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1BZjf6k37
Gabriel waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, the map. I don't care about the map. You can keep it. That thing is way more trouble than it's worth."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp47HhZOB4D
"Yeah right!" I snapped. "You sent someone after us!"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz7o2c6tMZ
"I have no clue what you're talking about, and I really don't care. I'm here to discuss something else," Gabriel said.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEZLEfHdAC
What other reason could he have for being here? I'll admit it, he'd piqued my interest. I wanted to know why he was here. I clenched my teeth and shot him a dirty look, as I sheathed my knives.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIlX31LDyP
Gabriel shot me a satisfied smirk. "Attaboy. Let's talk things out, like gentlemen. By the way, I like your suit."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdQP72nm9s
Now I'm tempted to burn the suit out of spite. "If you're not here for the map, then why are you here?"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqP1fb3aQu
Adrien pounded his fists on the nightstand. "I want to know what happened to my favorite fighter!"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8UQZ95DhI
"How should I know?" Chase asked.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltN4iN48p3
"Ever since your little pathetic little skirmish at the Cybrawl, Vindicator has been MIA, and I'd like to know what the hell happened to him!" Adrien spat.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA0mqa3CTx
"Oh, Vindicator is your favorite? You should pick someone better. We kicked his ass twice in less than twenty-four hours." Chase said.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9d8f0DBNz
"Hey, he's new at this!" Adrien defended. "With time, he'll grow up to be an absolute terror in the arena like me." Adrien shot me an icy stare, and said, "Gabriel has his favorite fighters and I have mine."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gYij0Nx1c
"Well, I've got some bad news about your golden boy, we kinda sorta threw him into the sea," Chase said sheepishly.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMq7p7hQrr
Gabriel quirked an eyebrow. "You two tossed him into the ocean?"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JltMdzjRW
Chase nodded. "We chucked his ass into the sea, just like Rose threw the necklace at the end of Titanic. I'm pretty sure he's gone for good now. What a shame."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8ShppyIHD
Gabriel shot me a piercing stare. "You're being awfully quiet."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFuUO1Y2iO
"I haven't made a sound in five years." I signed.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ514C32vZwN
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Do you want to tell me what really happened?"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEqFPWp59T
I shrugged. "It's exactly like Chase said. He's probably lying dead on the ocean floor."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuMSvA73Ug
Gabriel shot me a disbelieving look. Then why does our tracker say he's in this house."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThpD97U3bw
I froze. He's in this mansion right now? He can't be! The last thing we need is another obstacle in our heist.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEzw6ZY943
"You track your fighters?" Chase asked.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaUft5DSCE
"Of course I do. It's important to keep tabs on my investments," Gabriel said. "Ever since footage of your Cybrawl went viral, he disappeared without a word. I doubt that's a coincidence."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B4vUmMJXD
"Are you implying we kidnapped him?" I asked.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHupPpWWZvU
Gabriel picked at his nails. "I'm not implying anything, I just want to get to the bottom of this."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ4k9dYcl4
"Wait! Our Cybrawl went viral?" Chase interrupted.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKPYwJEZOD
Gabriel nodded. "All the fans are talking about it."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4PxLx3LnC
"What are they saying?" Chase twirled his thumbs anxiously."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qY0FKzpjl
"They hate it," Adrien remarked.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43YD5gbn6b
"It's one of the lowest-rated fights of the decade," Gabriel said.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VDVyz5SYK
"Some fans are calling it the worst Cybrawl of all time," Adrien added. "Quite frankly, there wasn't nearly enough carnage to satisfy the audience."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwoxMOD0xu
Chase scoffed. "Sorry, I wasn't brutalized enough for you."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvI5ogET23
Adrien scowled. "Apology not accepted."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCdqL3DaD8
"Let's get back to the topic at hand. Vindicator. I know you sent him after us! He told us so himself."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXhFtwdAUH
"That's ridiculous. Do you think we'd ever waste one of our most promising fighters on someone as insignificant as you?" Adrien sneered.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2qKBFr79k
I glanced from Gabriel to Adrien, searching for any telltale signs of dishonesty, but I couldn't detect any. "Vindicator said you sent him after us."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGkDObTDYw
"That'snot entirely true," Chase interjected. "What he actually said was," He lowered his voice into a poor impression of Vindicator. "You stole it from my employer, Gabriel St. Martin, and I've come to take it back." Chase quoted. "Technically, he never said Gabriel sent him. It was just implied."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa2Sq1BV9e
I whirled around to glower at Chase. "What side are you on?"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJZ7bFLdh4
Chase raised his hands in surrender. "I'm just relaying what happened so we can get to the bottom of this.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxti8yspufs
Gabriel shook his head. "You should know better than to jump to conclusions, Curseword."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQYifC5idJ
I clenched my teeth and waved my arms furiously as I signed. "Do you expect me to believe that you'd let me go after I stole from you? I've seen firsthand how you treat your enemies."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9yRqKGDqR
Gabriel's expression softened. "Deep down, I've always had a soft spot for you, Atlas. I can never stay mad at you, no matter how badly, I might want to. You're not my enemy, you're my Godson."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PzvaXXN6n
I refused to make eye contact. "Give me one good reason why I should trust you."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8s8l7rUlG
Gabriel slid his hands into his pockets. "I don't have one. I suppose you'll have to take my word for it. "
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKejetBcS2
I rolled my eyes. "We both know your word isn't worth a damn thing."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3mBatEdZj
Adrien laughed. "He's right, Gabriel. No one in their right mind would trust you as far as they could throw you."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhdI2BxXF2
We're supposed to be partners, Adrien. You're supposed to back me up!" Gabriel hissed.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1FI6mSqKX
Adrien picked at his nails with an unamused expression on his face. "I'm my own partner. You should know that by now."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu5sKPUGpz
Gabriel muttered something foul-sounding under his breath.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSWtVxHBfb
"Why would Vindicator come after us if you didn't send him?" Chase asked.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yasXeHFvO
"I don't know. That's a question you'll have to ask him yourself, but I'd guess it's because that map is worth a lot of money. He probably wanted to sell it," Gabriel said.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiTxTsBCck
I stroked my chin, then shook my head. "No, that seems out of character for him. He doesn't come across as the type to be driven by money. His motives feel much more personal."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dhoQCN0FD
Gabriel gave a half shrug. "You could be right. I don't know what the fighters are like outside the arena. It's better that way. It's best not to get too attached to any one fighter. Most of them don't last long."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNtY89gvl0
Adrien pushed his glasses up his nose and shot me a discerning stare. "You act as if you know him."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR80yUjVTSk
"Yeah, we've had a few run-ins with him." I crossed my arms across my chest.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cNRXgDnHm
Adrien didn't waver. "No, you know him, don't you?"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgybAVVEHci
Chase shot me I puzzled look.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofY7PwQpBT
I shook my head furiously. "I don't know him, I swear! About a month ago, he attacked me in an alleyway, that was the first time we met! I don't know why he hates me!"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPf1dIvKTY
"Woah, it's okay. We believe you, man. There's no need to get so worked up." Chase shot me a questioning look. "Unless there's something you're not telling me."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDnl1bWGOP
My mind flashed back to the time and place where I was torn apart. The awful memory played in my head on repeat. I couldn't get his last words to me out of my head. "I'm sorry it had to be this way. I know you didn't ask for the Annihilation Code. I must protect our fellow cyborg brothers and sisters, and this is the only way. I'm sorry." My entire body trembled, and I gasped for air. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No! No! No! No! No!No! No! No! No! It can't be him! It can't be! But deep down, I knew it was. I'd suspected it for a while, but I hid my suspicions from Chase because I was in denial. I didn't want it to be true. I couldn't cope knowing the man who ripped me apart was back to finish the job. I'm not strong enough to face my past. "I said I don't know him!"I snapped.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOSGE2QRLJ
Chase recoiled. "Okay, I believe you."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxDeKUGqMH
I wanted to lay down and cry, and possibly throw up. This was all too much. I couldn't handle it. I shot Gabriel and Adrien the most menacing look I could muster. I pointed to the door, then signed, "Get out."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtscnjIwve
Adrien looked affronted. "Excuse me? Our conversation is far from over. We still don't know why Vindicator skipped town, and—"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiARyOQBExa
Gabriel interrupted him. "You heard the kid, he wants us to go."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHr7GSoyL4
"You're seriously going to leave without answers?" Adrien gave him a surprised look.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LqmVpI1NC
Gabriel nodded. "I am, and you should too." He shot Atlas a pitying look. "Look at the poor thing; he's on the verge of a panic attack."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxexwkqGLOA
Adrien laughed.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWGxnfkj1V
Chase clenched his fists. "What's so funny, asshole."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccSTuVV0gf
"Nothing, I just didn't know Gabriel became such a sissy in his old age."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S0QIq5kV8
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Oh please, I could beat your ass if I wanted to."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kvlGoxejm
"Then let's do it right here, right now! Fight me!" Adrien demanded.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDKIRPbxSz
Gabriel shook his head. "No way. Do you remember how we got permanently banned from the Wan's residence?"
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdwXYCUt8J
"You won't fight me because you know you'll lose." Adrien quipped.
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g5dMjobSQ
"Whatever you say, pal. Now let's give the kid some space. He's clearly done with this conversation." Gabriel waved at me. "I'll see you around, Curseword."
394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WKn2HDPyU
As the door slammed shut behind them, I let out a silent scream.
ns216.73.217.1da2
然後按「加至主畫面」