Chapter 8 - The Handler
The blinding flash of white light knocked me to the floor, leaving a high-pitched ringing in my ears.
I covered Leo with my body as heavily armed men swarmed into the underground bunker.
Julian fired blindly through the smoke, but a heavy blow to the back of his head sent him crashing to the concrete.
Rough hands grabbed my arms and violently hauled me to my feet.
The smoke slowly cleared, revealing a tall, well-dressed man standing in the center of the room.
It was Mr. Henderson, the friendly old landlord who managed my apartment building.
He smiled warmly at me, exactly the same way he did when I paid my rent every month.
"You have performed your duties perfectly, Subject Zero," Henderson praised me.
He reached out and stroked the baby's blonde hair, completely ignoring Julian's unconscious body on the floor.
"You successfully infiltrated the Rossi family, and you secured the heir for us," he continued.
I struggled against the guards holding me, pure rage replacing my fear.
"I do not know who you are, and I am not your subject!" I screamed at him.
Henderson chuckled, pulling a small silver remote from his pocket.
"Your memory blocks are holding up remarkably well, considering the stress you have been under," he noted.
He pressed a button on the remote, and a sudden, agonizing jolt of electricity surged through the base of my skull.
A microchip I never knew existed flared to life beneath my skin.
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"Now, pick up the gun from the floor, and put a bullet in your husband's head," Henderson commanded.
I looked down at the weapon, realizing my hand was already reaching for it against my own will.
