Zuri's eyes lit up "Really ?", Amare nodded, still looking at his phone "Yes, he's already at their house and has sent me the address". He spun on his heel and called over his shoulder " let's go", the rest got up and followed him.
Following the directions the DPO sent, they arrived at the house in no time. Amare rang the doorbell, they waited for a while before the door swung open to reveal a woman in her mind thirties. She had blue hair and grey eyes, wearing simple floral gown. Her lips parted to speak, in that instant the DPO appeared behind her, his face beamed as he saw the four of them.
"Ah, so glad you came. This is the victim I told you about, her name is Leora, she's 35 years old." The DPO turned to Leora " These are the detectives working on the case I told you about".
Leora's expression softened "oh I see", she stepped aside "come in". The four detectives stepped inside, Leora gestured to the couch for them to sit. She and the DPO sat on the opposite couch.
Amare straightened "so, you're one of the victims of the amnesia plague."
Leora gave a slight nod " yes I am".
Zuri drew her legs together and laced her fingers in her lap "but you are the only one who still has her memories".
"I can't remember everything, only fragments" Leora stated.
Veronica leaned back, notebook and pen placed on her lap "At this point even fragments are gold."
Leora narrated a particular day she decided to commit suicide, she went to an abandoned factory and went to the rooftop. She almost succeeded when she heard someone's voice.
She can't remember what exactly they said to her that day that made her forfeit the idea of taking her life. She does remember how soothing their voice sounded.
"I can't remember what they looked like but I do recall they handed me a black card, I also recall having therapy sessions that's all I can remember."
The crew exchanged glances, noticing a pattern: each victim had challenges and therapy sessions and now... a black card.
"Do you still have it ?" Jared asked.
"Yes, I think I do" Leora said slowly getting up from the couch "let me check..."
She had barely taken a step when her vision blurred and she slumped onto the floor.
"Leora !" The DPO exclaimed
Amare and Jared rushed over to her side. Amare pressed his two fingers lightly against her wrist to feel for a pulse "she's still breathing".
Jared's fingers hovered near her face watching for any sign of movement "she's unconscious." Zuri shot up from the couch "she needs to be taken to the hospital".
"Agreed, it'll be unwise to leave her like this, I'll order my men to search her house for the black card" the DPO said. Jared held Leora in his arms; one by one they left the living room heading for the front door, the creak of hinges and a rush could cool of fresh air marking their exit.
The Hospital is just a stone's throw from Leora's apartment, so they arrived there in no time. Amare, Zuri and Veronica waited outside while Jared and the DPO went in with Leora.
Amare faintly scratched the back of his head "I hope she'll be alright."
"I really hope so as well" Zuri said, a worried crease formed between her brows "this definitely isn't normal Amnesia."
Veronica crossed her arms and shook her head "Yeah... At this point... Amnesia is just a nice word for whatever the hell this is." Zuri placed her hand on veronica's shoulder, as a comforting gesture "don't worry, whoever is behind this we'll find them".
At that moment Jared and the DPO stepped out of the hospital. He turned to the four of them "Thank you for all your hard work. It's getting late now and you should be going, I'll give you a call tomorrow once we've found the black card". He bid them farewell and they parted ways.
The shadows of surrounding buildings stretched across the crosswalk. Veronica's gaze flickered to Zuri, Jared, Amare, then back to Zuri. "Sooo... Zuri, what's your ability ?" She asked.
Zuri wore a soft smile "My abilities are healing and remote viewing, I'm able to use the second one once I have my Target's belonging".
Veronica let out a low whistle "that's actually pretty dope" she glanced at Jared "what about you Dracula 2.0 ?"
Jared chuckled at the sudden nickname "Well... Let's see, I can fly, super strength obviously, enhanced senses, voluntary mind reading and pyrokinesis. My fire is blue by the way."
Veronica's eyes widened as she held her hand up "Hold on, so you're telling me you eavesdrop on people's thoughts by choice ? That's impressive... And terrifying, you're like a walking confession booth with no consent". Jared grinned at that, Zuri chuckled.
"What about you... Huh ?" Veronica's gaze flickered around "where's Amare ?". Her question made Zuri and Jared to realize Amare wasn't with them, their gazes flickered around. "Isn't that him ?" Zuri pointed her finger in the direction of a cafe.
The other two gaze followed her finger and secure enough, there was Amare, standing by a cafe door, chatting up a young lady. Zuri's expression softened and slightly shook her head "Amare will always be Amare".
Jared sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose "this is why we should never let Amare out of our sight".
Veronica waved her hand vaguely at two of them "c'mon let the guy shoot his shot, the woman doesn't seem to mind though".
Jared's gaze flickered to her "No, We have to get back to the hotel to report today's work, we don't have time... especially" he gestured vaguely at Amare "for this"
He marched up to Amare and without warning dragged him back to the group by his collar. Jared adjusted his hat "Can you please stay in one place".
Amare straightened the collar of his trench coat "What ? I didn't do anything wrong, I bumped into the lady, her things fell, I apologized by helping her pick it up; we got talking and..."
Jared rolled his eyes, voice full of exasperation "Yeah yeah, we don't need to hear the rest".
Veronica popped up behind Jared "By the way Amare, what's your ability ?"
"My ability ?"
" Yeah"
Amare ran a hand through his hair, his lips twitching upward, "Well, Yours truly ability is Foresight".
Veronica tilted her head, corner of her lips twitching upward "so you can have a glimpse into the future, that's... Basically a cheat code, not gonna lie".
Amare sighed "kind of, though I can't see the full picture, only half or the outcome. I can't see what exactly led to it or how exactly it happened".
" I see"
Atlas Haven loomed into view, the sunset reflected on the windows. The four walked into the lobby through the entrance doors, MJ could be seen at the reception desk cleaning her pistol.
"We're back" Amare said, his voice sing song.
"Welcome" MJ said flatly, not looking up from her pistol.
Amare pouted "geez you can't even look at us, you're all about your guns".
"Guns don't flirt with people" she said dryly, still not looking up.
The other three chuckled at MJ's dryness, Zuri clapped her hands "okay guys, let's go give our report to Mr Daisuke".
Veronica barely took a step when she felt shivers down her spine, she turned around; eyes darting left, right then at the door.
Zuri raised a brow "is something wrong veronica ?"
Veronica narrowed her eyes, she felt a familiar aura, it was the same aura she felt the day she went shopping with Eniola; when someone bumped into het outside the cafe where Eniola went to get coffee.
She shook her head and turned to face Zuri "Nope, everything is fine".