He adjusted his glasses slightly before speaking, his voice calm but firm. "I am the only one who issues directives here," he said, scanning the room. "Every life on this team—each of yours—is my responsibility, and I will be held accountable if anything goes wrong."
There was a short pause before he added, "Of course, this is a makeshift arrangement. We've lost a few members… thanks to Zeck. But let me be clear—no one is to act recklessly. In fact, no one is to act at all until I give the order. Understood?"
The room was silent for a moment after the leader's declaration—until a small voice broke through the tension.
"Boring," Pixie whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
A few eyes darted in her direction, but she didn't flinch. The man in the cowboy hat simply nodded in her direction, tipping his hat with a calm, knowing gesture.
"Roger," the guy in the long coat muttered, nodding as well. He added a crooked smile—a strange expression that looked completely out of place on his face, as though he had borrowed it from someone else and didn't quite know how to wear it.
Satisfied with their responses, the leader gave a final glance around the room. His voice was firm, leaving no room for hesitation.
"Good. We move out."
With that, he turned on his heel and began striding toward the exit. The team followed without another word—each one slipping into motion like cogs in a well-oiled machine.
Pixie sighed dramatically, dragging her boots as she trailed behind the rest.
"Finally," she muttered under her breath.
Alistair slipped into the driver's seat of the van, the engine rumbling to life beneath his hands. One by one, the others climbed in, each settling into place with silent focus. The massive steel doors behind them groaned shut, sealing off the base with a final, echoing thud.
As the van pulled away, Alistair kept his eyes on the road but spoke clearly.
"We're headed to an abandoned building on the outskirts. Mission is to lay it to waste. No questions."
Melissa, seated behind him, leaned forward, concern on her face. "Wait, why—"
But Alistair cut her off, his voice sharper now. "Direct orders from the Scarred Man. I totally understand it could be a bit overwhelming but we don't question, we only do as we are told."
A heavy silence settled in the van after that. Everyone seemed to sink into their thoughts except Pixie. True to form, she bounced her legs restlessly and hummed under her breath, drumming her fingers against the glass as she stared out the window, seemingly unfazed.
Turning through different streets, Melissa began to notice something interesting. The surroundings were starting to look familiar. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned forward, scanning each passing corner with a growing sense of recognition.
She started quietly mouthing the next turns to herself—left, right, then another left. When the van made each one just as she predicted, her pulse quickened. She sat up straighter, eyes fixed on Alistair behind the wheel.
"Where exactly are we—" she began, but he cut her off with a faint smirk.
"You're right," he said without looking at her. "We're going back to your old neighborhood."
She couldn't believe her ears. Her lips parted in disbelief as she leaned forward in her seat, heart thudding.
"You don't mean—" she started to say, but Alistair, still staring ahead, cut her off again with the same calm tone.
"You're right."
That was it.
She snapped.
"Would you stop doing that?" she barked, sitting forward now. "Cutting me off like that—what the hell is wrong with you? What is this, some kind of secret cult where I only get half the damn information?"
The van grew tense, but Melissa didn't care. Her voice rose.
"And what do you mean we're burning down my house? Who decided that? Why?! Just because some scarred guy in an office muttered it like it's routine doesn't mean I'm going to sit here and nod like a good soldier!"
Pixie giggled softly from the backseat.
"Now it's getting fun," she whispered.
Alistair gave the slightest sigh and finally glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
"You done?"
"No!" she snapped.
"Good," he said flatly, "because we're not burning down your house." He paused, then added, "you will be the one burning it."
"What??" she exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. "You must be joking! If you think I'll be doing that, then you're out of your mind!"
She turned sharply toward Alistair, her eyes blazing with fury, but before she could continue, the van came to a sudden halt.
They had arrived—right in front of her house.
Her words caught in her throat as she looked out the window. The sight of her familiar front yard sent a chill down her spine. The others in the van sat silently as they awaited orders. It was like, all the scramble and offloading Melissa did was none of their business. Even Pixie, seated beside the window, looked up with mild curiosity.