Episode 7

“Sir, what’s the next step from here? This helicopter has to land now,” Henry said again, his voice sounding urgent. He was worried about the safety of his boss and his men.

“We’re going in,” Daniel said, his voice firm and resolute.

“Babe, wait, it’s dangerous in there!” Jane shouted after Daniel, as he was already dashing towards the warehouse, once the helicopter landed. She wanted to go with him, but she knew he wouldn’t let her.

“That’s my uncle in there! Hey, Luis! Come here! Take her home. This scene is not for you. I made a mistake bringing you here,” Daniel instructed one of his men, as he handed Jane over to him. He was afraid of what might happen, and he didn’t want to put her in harm’s way.

She didn’t even hesitate, because she was scared to her bones. She quickly followed Luis, and got into the helicopter. She looked at Daniel, as he ran into the fire, and prayed for his safety.

“Uncle!” Daniel shouted, as he walked into the warehouse with his men. He was greeted by a horrific sight. The fire had died down, but it had left behind a trail of destruction. He saw so many black surfaces and metal, and walked over a lot of dead bodies. Some were burned, while the others had so many scars, but they were all lifeless on the floor.

His heart rate increased, as he went further into the warehouse, and saw his uncle, where he was seated on a chair, with his hands tied behind his back.

“Uncle Mark!” He shouted, running towards him, and quickly untied him. His uncle’s skin was already burned, and it looked terrible. He had blood and bruises all over his face and body.

“What the fuck are you guys doing, staring at him?! Fucking call the ambulance!” Daniel shouted, tending to his uncle, who was already very weak, and could barely sit up on his own. He held him in his arms, and tried to comfort him.

His uncle moaned in a lot of pain as he looked at his nephew. He managed to force a smile because he wanted to tell him something important.

“I’m… glad you came,” uncle Mark barely muttered, his voice weak and strained. Daniel leaned closer to hear him, his eyes full of concern.

“Uncle, I’m so sorry! I should have just given them the money and saved your life,” Daniel said, tears welling up in his eyes. Seeing his uncle in that state absolutely broke his heart.

“I wouldn’t like that… I’m old anyways,” uncle Mark said in a raspy voice. He was losing so much blood and energy, and Daniel could see that he didn’t have much time left. He wished the ambulance would get there faster, but they were stuck in traffic.

“Listen to me. I have something important to tell you,” uncle Mark started, but Daniel didn’t want to hear it.

“Uncle, don’t say anything. You’re weak. We’ll get you help and you’ll get back on your feet soon, okay?” Daniel said as he tried to caress his uncle’s hair, hoping to comfort him.

“No… I have to say it now,” his uncle pressed, his eyes pleading with Daniel to listen. Daniel nodded, wiping his tears and bracing himself for what his uncle was going to say.

“The people who are after the substance. They were a very close friend of your father’s. I know something that you can use to take them down,” uncle Mark said weakly, while Daniel listened attentively. He felt so angry, realizing that it was all a scheme. A well-played out scheme by the people his father loved and trusted, who were just jealous of his genius. His blood boiled even more for revenge, and he wouldn’t rest until he got it.

“They are part of the evil eye con fraternity. In my office, you will find their location. And when you find them, hit them with everything you’ve got. Nobody else knows the location, so they won’t even suspect you’re coming one bit,” uncle Mark said, his voice fading. Daniel nodded, memorizing every word.

“And how do you know this?” Daniel asked curiously, wondering how his uncle had such vital information.

“Because I was one of them. When they took your father down, they saw that their secret was no longer safe with me, so they decided to kill me. And now I am passing the secret to you, so you can avenge me and avenge your father,” he said, his voice barely audible.

“Okay, Uncle. I will make sure that I’m the last face they ever see on the face of the earth, but you will be fine! Don’t worry, okay?” Daniel said reassuringly, while uncle Mark smiled faintly and breathed his last.

“Uncle… uncle! Uncle!” Daniel cried out with a shaky voice, while shaking his uncle vigorously to see if he would wake up, but he didn’t.

Uncle Mark was dead.

“Fuck!! Fuck!!! Fuck!! Uncle!! Don’t do this, please! I can’t do this without you!” Daniel shouted, holding uncle Mark in his arms while he sat on the floor, sobbing.

His men came close to him and Henry put an arm on his shoulder, trying to comfort him.

“He’s dead! He’s dead and it’s all my fault!” Daniel said, looking at his uncle’s lifeless body in his arms.

“It’s not your fault, Sir. We promise you that we will not rest until his death is avenged. We will stand behind you till the very end,” Henry said with determination in his voice.

“We have to go. The police will arrive soon,” Henry said, while Daniel kept sobbing on the ground.

After a few minutes, he was finally helped up from the ground with the help of Henry.

Daniel and his men left the building, feeling sad and angry that they didn’t do it more discreetly.

Daniel’s phone rang and he picked it up in frustration.

“What the fuck do you want?!” He thundered the moment the call connected.

“I told you we needed just the money and the substance. You went ahead and brought your men. I hope your uncle’s funeral will be a memorable one,” the voice said coldly, as Daniel clenched his fist and gritted his teeth in anger.

“I am coming for each and every one of you. I promise,” Daniel grunted coldly and the line went dead.

They had to fly back home and Daniel was in a terrible mood once he got back to his house.

He opened the door, expecting to find Jane, but she was nowhere to be found in the house. He walked upstairs to his room to take off his clothes, as he smelled like smoke and his clothes were dirty.

He got out of the shower and his phone rang. It was Jane.

“Hey, babe,” he said with a sad tone.

“Guess where I’m at,” Jane said with an excited voice, and Daniel knew she’d only be that excited when she was out shopping.

“What? The mall?” He said, slightly annoyed that she didn’t even ask how it went with him.

“Lisa’s place. Your ex-wife,” she said, and his eyes widened.

“What? Jane. What are you doing there?” Daniel asked, alarmed.

“Get over here… I have a surprise for you,” she said and hung up. Daniel rolled his eyes and groaned, wondering what the hell his girlfriend was up to.

“There goes my sleep…” he muttered, as he got dressed and headed to his car.