Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty-two
Pablo swam out of the water to shore breathing heavily. He lay on the sand staring at the sky trying to catch his breath. He quickly got up and looked around the beach. There wasn't anyone anymore. It's like no one saw what happened. No one called the cops. But the only thing he can't quite fathom is how they found out he was at this beach. Because he was sure he fooled them and no matter how far they can see, it was impossible, unless maybe they did find out about his plan. Or maybe someone that knows his plan told them.
"A…Alexa" he muttered.
He quickly shook the thought away. He doesn't even want to think that his best friend is trying to kill him. He stood up from the ground, dust himself up, and headed to Alexa's apartment. To think that the person he had been with all these years, told literally everything was a member of the eye. Everything starts to piece itself together. The pictures and videos of him they sent when he was at Alexa's aunt's home.
"It must be how they know everything I'm planning…" he muttered under his breath as he walked forward.
The more he thinks about it, the angrier he becomes. After a very long walk, he arrived at her apartment. He knocked on the door but there was no answer. He looked around before pulling out the spare key he had with him. He stuck it into the keyhole and pulled the door open.
He closed the door behind him as he walked into the room. It's been quite a while since he entered her room since they usually hang out in his. Her apartment is somewhat like his, just more organized.
"Alexa?…" He called out before walking into the bedroom.
She wasn't there either. He didn't even know what he was looking for as he went through her stuff. It made him wonder what would have happened if his hunch was right and he did meet her as he came to the house.
His jaw dropped as he pulled open her wardrobe and a jacket fell out. It was the same one the biker that shot at him in the alley had on. He remembered clearly. His hands started to shake as he held the jacket in his hand. He quickly pulled out his phone from his pocket to take a photo of the jacket but his phone buzzed before he could, it was a call from Alexa.
He jolts and dropped the phone. He ignored the call and quickly took a picture of the jacket before tucking it back into the wardrobe. But as he closed it shut, he screamed as he noticed Alexa staring blankly at him with her phone in her hand.
"Ale-Alexa I… I… don't… A… " he stammered as he searched for words to use but nothing came out.
She exhaled softly before slipping her phone into her pocket.
"Why don't we go for a walk Pablo," she gestured at the door.
He looked between her and the door, his heart racing fast.
The sun had finally set when the two walked down the dark streets of the city. Pablo could hear his heartbeat as he walked next to Alexa- she was calm.
Pablo didn't say anything, he followed Alexa as she led him away from their apartments "I'm sure you have a lot of questions" she finally said, breaking the silence "Allow me to explain" she offered
"It all started in the 9th century," she began "when a king in the east suspected some of his ministers were plotting to overthrow him. As such, he gathered his most trusted friends in the palace to form a group he called the "oretes" which translates to "those who watch" or simply "the watchers". Their mission was to spy on the suspected ministers so that the king would always remain a step ahead of them.
"As time went on, the group was reformed, then abolished, then revived, reformed again until finally in the 19th century when it was reformed by a group of five, intending to provide help to the needy and replace corrupt people from higher political offices. With time, the group which already had members in high places took over the world and we became everywhere."
"Replace corrupt people?" Pablo said sarcastically, catching both of them by surprise. He didn't even know where he got the courage to say that from
Alexa lets out a short laugh "Everything comes with a price. If we don't get our hands dirty, then we will be in the dirt" she stated
"But you force people you help to do things they don't want to, how is that helping the needy when they end up in an even worse predicament"
"Everyone wants to be happy, P, but no one is ready for the hard work that comes with it"
The nickname rolled off her tongue easily and that pissed Pablo off. All this while, he called her his best friend and confided in her not knowing she was part of the very group he spoke against. "You seem to know a lot about a secret society," he said
"That's because one of the five that reformed it was my ancestor" Alexa revealed
Pablo frowned. All this time, she kept advising him to stay away from the eye, was it all a test? "Did you recommend me to the eye?" He asked, his voice stammering despite the rage in his heart
Her face falls "Sadly," she answered. "I saw how you were desperate for money for the next session's tuition fee and because of that, I recommended you to the eye. Believe me, when I say this P, I never expected any of this to happen, I just wanted to have my best friend by my side, without any secrets as to why I'm always gone most of the weekends. I thought you would remain loyal to us, to the eye," Alexa stopped for a beat
"But I was wrong. I never should have recommended you," She continued "I guess that's a mistake I would have to live with for the rest of my life"
Pablo raised his eyes to meet Alexa's. It now dawned on him that she had led them far from the main city into a secluded area "Are you going to kill me?" He asked trying to sound calm but his crooked voice betrays him
"No," she shook her head "he is"
Pablo turned around to see "Ibrahim?" He said surprised
The phone in his pocket rang
GUNSHOTS!
End of story.
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