$LÅZENGER new base
As the last employee of $LÅZENGER filed into the grand hall, Thomas's voice echoed through the room,
"Alright, everyone! Our new venture is finally taking shape. Let's celebrate our cunning and celebrate our victory!" The staff erupted into cheers, and the sound of music and laughter filled the air. But just as the party was getting started, the company's alarm system pierced the noise, sending a chill down everyone's spine. Thomas's expression turned serious,
"Everyone, back to your units. I'll handle this."
The staff responded in unison, "Yes, sir!" and scurried to their respective workstations, leaving Thomas alone to face the unknown threat.
Thomas stood outside, his eyes fixed on the entrance, awaiting the arrival of the mastermind. Two minutes ticked by, and a sleek Honda CR-V pulled up. The mastermind stepped out, his presence commanding attention.
As the mastermind opened the car door, Thomas felt a sudden jolt of pain as the door caught his nose. Blood began to trickle down his face, but he quickly covered his nose, trying to conceal the evidence of his injury.
The mastermind, oblivious to Thomas's predicament, strode towards the building. The mastermind's voice cut through the air like a knife, "Where is Thomas?" Thomas's heart skipped a beat as he hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper, "I'm Thomas, sir."
The mastermind's gaze locked onto Thomas, his eyes narrowing into slits,
"I meant Felix, idiot. And why is your hand covering your face? Put it down!" Thomas's hand trembled as he slowly lowered it, revealing his bloody nose.
The mastermind's expression twisted in disgust, and without warning, he delivered a swift slap across Thomas's face, sending him stumbling backward. "How the hell did I hire such a weakling?" the mastermind sneered, his tone dripping with contempt.
As the mastermind stormed into the company, Steward fell into step beside him, "This way, sir." They walked in silence until they reached the punishment room. The mastermind's hand slammed against the wall, making Felix cower in fear. The sound echoed through the room, and Felix's eyes darted up to meet the mastermind's intense gaze. The mastermind's voice dripped with venom,
"Do you want to bring down my company, Felix?" Silence hung in the air.
The mastermind's anger flared, "Are you deaf? I asked a question!" Felix's voice was barely audible, "It's best I keep silent, sir."
The mastermind's face twisted in rage. He pulled out a pocket knife and, with a swift motion, plucked out Felix's eye. Felix's scream echoed through the room.
The mastermind's voice was cold and calculating, "I'll ask you one last time: do you want to bring down my company?" Felix's thoughts racing, he knew answering wouldn't change his fate. He remained silent.
The mastermind's patience snapped. He drew his pistol and shot Felix in the head. Felix's lifeless body slumped to the ground.
Caleb, Felix's best friend, had been watching in horror. He sent a video of the company's base and the mastermind's identity to the entire city of Melbourne, seeking justice for Felix's brutal murder.
*****
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Andrew, Hart, Gabriel, and Tom arrived at Carlton Gardens, their mission to infiltrate the company's secret base underway. The clock struck ten, and they gathered near a lamppost, their eyes scanning the surroundings.
Gabriel spoke up, "How do we find the entrance without drawing attention?" Tom unfolded the paper with Felix's cryptic message, "According to this, the entrance is marked by a tree with blue paint."
Hart's brow furrowed, "So, we're searching for a specific tree with blue paint?" Tom nodded, "Yes, that's right." Andrew's concern was palpable, "But there are hundreds of trees here. How will we find it in time?"
Tom's plan was straightforward, "We split up, cover more ground, and whoever finds the tree first alerts the others." The group nodded in agreement and dispersed into the darkness.
Andrew's phone buzzed shortly after, "Guys, I found it!" He stood beside a towering tree with a small blue mark on its trunk. The others converged, their faces illuminated by the moon.
Tom inspected the area, his footsteps quiet on the dry leaves. He stopped, his ear pressed against the ground, "This sounds hollow." With a sweep of his hand, he cleared the leaves, revealing a wooden door.
The door creaked open, and Tom led the way down the stairs, his phone's flashlight casting eerie shadows. The others followed closely, their hearts pounding in unison.
At the bottom of the stairs, a narrow tunnel stretched out before them. A bright light beckoned at the end, and they quickened their pace. Emerging from the tunnel, they found themselves in a vast, empty space with scattered items on the floor. Tom's anger boiled over, "Fuck! We're late!" He yelled, his voice echoing through the cavernous space. Unbeknownst to them, Felix's best friend had just sent a message that would change everything.
As they prepared to check the message, Andrew cautioned, "Hold up, guys. I don't think we should check it. It might be a trap." Tom's suspicion grew, "What trap? We don't know who sent it."
Andrew continued, "Felix's name is clearly written there. Let's not trust him after what happened last time..." Tom cut him off, "Cut it out, Andrew. I'm checking the message."
The image revealed the new hideout of $LÅZENGER and a shocking photo. Andrew, Hart, and Gabriel exchanged stunned glances, while Tom remained impassive.
Suddenly, noises echoed from above. They hid, watching as Officer George approached, "Tom, are you here?" George's voice was a welcome relief, and they emerged from hiding.
George's eyes locked onto Andrew, and he charged, knocking him to the ground. "I need two officers down here now!" George yelled into his walkie-talkie. Andrew struggled, but George's grip was firm.
Tom's smile was unnerving as he walked over to them, looking down at Andrew. The dynamics between Tom and Andrew had shifted, and the consequences were about to unfold.
"You thought you could get away with all this? I knew it was you the whole time. It's no surprise you found the tree first."
Andrew's protests were futile as George knocked him out. The two officers arrived, handcuffing Andrew's wrists. "David, take him to the station. Derek, stay here with them and see what you can find."
With Andrew gone, Tom's expression turned calculating. "Tom, I'll go with the other officers to $LÅZENGER's new hideout," George said before disappearing into the darkness.
Tom's response was smooth, "Sure, thank you very much, George." As they watched George leave, Hart's voice was laced with disappointment, "I can't believe Andrew's the mastermind."
Tom's tone was matter-of-fact, "I can, and I told you, but you wouldn't believe me. At least let's go home now. He's been arrested, and George will take care of his men."
Gabriel's curiosity lingered, "But why did he follow us here?" Tom's explanation was convincing, "Obviously to keep us away. But unfortunately for him, his own man betrayed him."
As they left, Hart and Gabriel exchanged uneasy glances. Something didn't feel right, but they pushed the doubt aside, trusting Tom's assurance that justice had been served.
*****
At The Wayne House
Jaden burst into the room where Shawn and Mia were engrossed in conversation, "Sorry to interrupt, but Andrew's the mastermind!"
Their reactions were immediate, "What!" they exclaimed in unison. Jaden showed them the message on his phone, and Mia's expression turned thoughtful, "So my dad was right about him."
The trio quickly grabbed their phones and dialed their father's number, but it went straight to unreachable. Shawn frowned, "My dad didn't pick up." Mia nodded in agreement, "Same here."
Their concern grew, and they wondered what was happening. Little did they know, events were unfolding that would change everything.
Mia's brow furrowed, "My dad didn't pick up."
Jaden nodded, "Same here." Shawn's eyes widened as a strange noise echoed from upstairs.
The trio exchanged nervous glances. "What was that?" Mia whispered. Shawn shrugged, "I have no idea." Jaden added, "I thought we're the only ones here."
Shawn's voice was laced with uncertainty, "I thought so too, maybe it's Julie." He called out, "Julie!" but the noise only intensified.
The trio exchanged uneasy glances, their curiosity piqued. They decided to investigate further, despite the growing sense of unease.
As they approached the source of the noise, the tension mounted. What would they find? Was it indeed Julie, or something more sinister? They cautiously approached the attic, as the lights illuminated the attic, a bat fluttered around the room, its wings beating wildly before it escaped through the open window. The trio's eyes followed the bat, then shifted to a locked cupboard, from which the noise seemed to emanate.
"Do you have the key?" Jaden asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Shawn shook his head, "No, I don't. I didn't even know we had this."
The sound came again, this time accompanied by a woman's voice, "Shawn, is that you?" Shawn's response was instinctive, "Mom?" His eyes locked onto the cupboard, his mind racing with possibilities.