Fiction Friday: Chapter 18

The men saw Mr. Li in the garage an knew exactly what that meant. He had specific instructions that he wanted to handled precisely the way he requested and he wanted to make sure the girls understood who it was they were dealing with. He stood calmly between his gunmen.

Inside the first car to arrive, the black SUV, the man located for a signal from the boss, letting him know he should get out. Mr. Li waited. It would be fifteen minutes before the second car arrived and he had no patience to repeat himself. The chameleon started to worry. He couldn't stand the wait.

He grabbed the handle to get out and tell the boss everything that happened. He wanted to explain why he had taken his power back there at the gas station. Explain that he thought it was the only way. Reduce the trouble he would be in for misusing the device. The older man, the one who once could locate, beside him grabbed his arm before he could pull back on the handle. "Li has not given the signal," was all he said. The younger man waited.

The kids in the back said nothing. They did not like the look of the Asian man standing outside.

The flex arrived in a few minutes. Mr. Li took a deep, measured breath. He raised a sink hand and gave the signal. The men of both cars opened the doors and stepped out of their vehicles. "Get the girls," Mr Li said. He could take care of discipline and make sure the girls stayed in line at the same time.

With the girls out of the car, Mr. Li started explaining what would happen. "Do not consider using your powers against us," Mr Li paused, his eyes falling on Sarah, the shocker. "You can not take us all out faster than we can kill you. Additionally, as you can tell," this time he stopped in front of Savannah, "your parents are here, but only kept safe by my word. If I come to harm, they will be killed."

Shelby craned her head in all directions pealing back the layers of the building her her mind, trying to reveal her parents. She found them in a small room made to look like a bedroom on the top floor. Savannah was also looking that direction. The others stared at Mr. Li.

"The device," he said holding out his hand. The chameleon stepped forward and placed it in his hand. "Thank you, William."

The young man turned, relieved, he thought he had escaped Mr. Li's wrath. Walking back to his spot, he didn't see he boss pull the large pistol from his shoulder holster. He caught a glimpse of the girls large eyes just before the explosion rang in his ears. To him the world spun and went black.

The body of the chameleon formed a heap on the floor. His wish faded from the wall in the gas station. Mr. Li spun on his heal and smiled, the message sent. "Take the children to their rooms and clean up this mess.".