" Kian... Do you hear me? I am scared. They have me tied up... My hands have bruises, my leg hurts...They won't let me go until you come here. "
A very squishy voice came through the loudspeakers.
Kian was up on his toe. The rest of them looked around but the other passengers or officials were unbothered. It seemed like they didn't hear that voice or they heard something else.
" Good Lord! I swear that's Betty? What's happening? " He looked around at the others.
Just then there was a shuffling sound. It seemed like a mic was passed around. The voice that spoke in it made Kian grab his hair and sit down on the airport floor.
" Kian, I am so sorry my lad. Betty is just scared. Don't pay any attention to her... no matter what you do, don't come here. We will be fine... (smack)! "
A loud punch disrupted Kian's grandfather's speech.
The group hadn't recovered from the initial shock of it when another voice yelled in the microphone.
"Braze, listen to the old man. Don't come here no matter what they say. We will be fine. Save yourself baby. They look dangerous. "
It was Braze's mother.
"Mumma! " Braze leaped up and pulled a speaker down as if she was somewhere in there.
Evidently it attracted immediate attention and the security rushed in their direction.
" Not good... Not good... Xen muttered, looking around, judging the situation. He took the lead, shielding the three of them behind him as they slowly took one careful step back after another.
When they were almost at the edge of a glass wall, Xen looked around at them and signaled,
" On my cue, we jump out of here. There is no time for custody and jail. Alright? "
They had no other option but to accept.
As soon as the airport police charged towards them, Xen smashed the wall open and one after another, they jumped from that height, leaving them gaping with their mouths open wide.
They ran immediately after touching ground.
" Where to? "
Braze asked as Xen led the way.
" I know some people who might be able to help. I will need to make a call. Let's get out of here before police cars flood the street looking for us. "
He paused for a second , turned around to face them and flashed his cocky smile.
" Welcome to my world babies. You just officially entered the 'wanted' list. "
He burst out laughing as he turned around and ran while the three of them looked at each other as if they had swallowed a bitter medication.
When they were well away from the airport, they found a telephone booth and Xen dialed a number.
The others waited outside as he did his talking. He walked out of the booth with a triumphant smirk.
" We have our transport waiting. Let's get a cab and head over to my old friend's place. "
The three of them followed him like ducklings. It seemed like suddenly he was in charge.
" How did they get my grandpa? It's not easy to lay a finger on him. Why? His health is not too good.... " Kian buried his face between his palms after staring out of the cab's window for a while.
Braze's understanding arms went around him.
" They are trying to target our weakness. Can we be sure that these are Watchers and not Dark Mages? "
Braze looked at Xen through the looking glass as the driver threw him a side-eye, before turning towards the road again.
" Let's reach our destination. We will get time to discuss this later. "
*** After an hour long drive ***
The place where the can dropped them off looked absolutely desolate and shady. There were discarded cargos here and there, a long line of unused and dusty broken cars, tin shades and the air was filled with the smell of gunpowder.
Mira noticed something that she was very familiar with. Her hands immediately went around Braze and his eyes went over towards what she was staring at.
There was a gang sign hanging like a billboard and there were lights around it as well.
" Where did you bring us? Braze asked through gritted teeth, holding Mira's hand firmly , supporting her.
Xen scoffed at his aggression.
" You had any better plans? Any other alternative? "
Kian read between them. There wasn't any use fighting amongst themselves. They were running from the police and others... of course.... a gang didn't sound that bad anymore.
" Are you sure these people can be trusted? " Kian asked the important question.
" I know the boss.... he has been like a father figure to me... we fell apart... but that's another question... he is the only one who can help us and luckily he was in this country.... I knew he had a base here but I had no idea he was in town. I wouldn't have trusted his minions. But him.... I think we can go ahead.... besides, who else is going to offer us a free chopper ride? Your card is blocked. I don't have much money. Judging by the situation, your card must be blocked as well. We need to get to where the Watchers want us. No matter our powers, we cannot run our way to a different continent."
Mira stepped forward this time.
Seeing that symbol she had momentarily forgotten who she was. Her brain was flooded with memories of the horrors that came with it. She had forgotten she wasn't the meek, weak human girl anymore. She was the daughter of a devil Lord.
" Let's go. I am sorry. I didn't want to cause misunderstandings. "
They marched inside that dingy place , barely lit and mostly dark inside. Not even sunlight entered that place.
They went several steps inside through what looked like an artificial tunnel.
At the end of it there was some light and a husky voice called out.
" Look who is finally here. Welcome... Welcome my dear boy. Welcome Xen. "
The three of them stood in the background as Xen went ahead and shook hands with a middle aged man.
The place was filled with cigarette smoke and the smell of burnt tires.
" I thought you had decided to walk down a different path. Seems like you couldn't resist following your godfather's footsteps after all, huh! " He punched Xen jokingly at his ribs before looking over his shoulder at the three of his comrades.
" Who exactly are these people Xen? "
His tone suddenly took a different tone as he whispered in Xen's ear in the pretext of giving him a hug.
" They are my friends. I told you. " Xen looked at him with confusion.
The man smirked.
" Don't give me that shit boy. You know and I know that people don't call them Mafia bosses for petty thieves and students,son.I can help you with your heist mate. Fifty-fifty, what do you say? "
Xen felt like the roof had fallen over his head.
" What are you talking about? " He asked as the Mafia's men positioned themselves behind his friends and stared at their boss for his signal.
" I am telling you that I want part of your profit. I was called this morning and offered a deal for them. I denied when I heard my man, my boy, Xen was in it. Come on now. Don't try to cheat your godfather, Xen. Whatever you earn, fifty-fifty. That's all I am asking. These kids must be bigshots. "
He winked as sweat beads started forming over Xen's forehead.
He knew he messed up and he had very little time to think his way out of there, along with the rest of them.