Chapter 12

After Agent Johnson left, Logan went to tidy up the bar but was forced by Rebecca to take a break. Grace went to wash her hands, and once they were all ready, they made their way to the community centre.

Agent Johnson and Agent Monroe stood side by side with their hands behind their backs, facing out to the growing crowd. Several armed agents formed a line in front of the senior agents.

Logan, Rebecca, and Grace noticed Darrell and his family standing off to the side, so they wandered up and joined them.

Grace ran off to play with Toby, who was equally excited to see her. Logan was beginning to wonder if he should ban Grace from playing with him, worried that Darrell’s bad influence would rub off on her.

Then again, Grace was absolutely perfect in every way, so Logan knew she would never end up a dropkick like Darrell.

“I know that look, you are thinking bad things about me,” Darrell snapped, pointing his finger accusingly at Logan.

“No idea what you are talking about,” Logan replied, trying to avoid his eyes.

He eyed Logan suspiciously, then let out a heavy sigh and shrugged.

“Well, regardless, what do you think this is all about?”

“I haven’t the faintest,” Logan replied with a shrug.

“Is this your doing, damn brat?” Madam Esmeralda asked, shooting daggers at Logan.

“Why is your instant assumption that I did something wrong?”

“Granny Relda,” Grace sang, rushing up and giving the wrinkled witch a loving hug.

“How is my little Grace going?” Madam Esmeralda responded with an equally loving gaze. Logan was amazed by Grace's ability to tame the old bat. He was slightly jealous of his five-year-old daughter.

“I’m going well. My daddy bought me Mr Bunny,” she held up her plushie proudly.

“Oh my Mr Bunny is very cool, isn’t he?” Madam Esmeralda continued to play along whilst Logan questioned who this person was and what they did with the real vixen.

“Mr Bunny is cool, but not as cool as Daddy,” she quickly ran back to Logan and gave his leg a big hug.

Their discussion was interrupted by a loud rumble as a pitch-black helicopter flew overhead. It whipped up the sand as it landed behind the wall of agents. The engines died down, and out of the helicopter stepped the lanky man who could silence an entire town.

Mr Big.

Despite it being five years since they last saw him, Mr Big hadn’t aged a day. In fact, none of the agents appeared to show any signs of aging. Whatever SPF sunscreen they used must have done wonders for their skin.

“It has been some time since we last saw each other.”

Not long enough. Logan thought, but didn’t dare say out loud.

“I’m sure you have many questions, but unfortunately, I cannot answer them at this time. I am simply passing along new instructions for the town,” he offered a smile as trustworthy as a snake in a suit.

Mr Big stood in absolute silence for a moment. Perhaps testing his full control over the town. Nobody dared to be the first to speak up against him.

“If I may…” Darrell asked nervously. His entire body was shaking as he avoided looking directly at Mr Big.

“You may,” Mr Big smiled back, his eyes completely fixated on Darrell as if he was staring deep into the recesses of his very being.

“What might be the purpose of your visit if not to answer questions?” Darrell asked with a degree of sophistication and respect that made Logan genuinely begin to question whether this was the real Darrell.

“Why yes, the reason for my visit is that due to an unforeseen incident, effective immediately, at seven o’clock tonight, there will be a strict curfew. You are not permitted to leave your home under any circumstances.”

He stamped his cane on the ground, and even the chirping of the crickets ceased to sound.

Madam Esmeralda raised her hand.

“Miss, Esmeralda, were my questions not clear enough for you?”

Although he maintained his smile, his eyes were venomous. Logan couldn’t believe Madam Esmeralda had the guts to speak up.

“What if we have to leave for some reason?” she asked.

“I am sorry, but there are no exceptions. It is for the safety of everyone.”

Logan felt a tugging on his pants. He looked down to see Grace gripping her bunny leaning against his leg.

“Daddy? What is a curfew?” she asked, looking at him.

“It means we can’t go out at night,” he explained as he picked her up in his arms.

She tilted her head, as if she didn’t fully understand. “Why can’t we go out at night?”

Logan placed his free hand on her head.

“I’d like to know that myself, but we just have to listen to them.”

He placed her back on the ground, and she hugged his leg. The townsfolk turned to leave, but Mr Big brought down his cane once more, and everyone froze.

“Before you think about leaving, I do have one additional announcement to make. For the next few weeks, I will be personally staying in this town.”

As if on cue, an unmarked black SUV pulled up. Mr Big took several long strides over to it and hopped into the back. A moment later, the car sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind. The silhouette seemed to vanish into the sprawling desert.

Just as the helicopter had vanished, the agents dispersed into the town, leaving the townsfolk to process the instructions they had been given.

“They can’t tell me what to do,” Shane complained, shaking his fist in the air.

“You should be careful, Shane,” warned Rebecca.

“Shut up bitch,” he snapped back.

“Oi, lay off her, will ya?” Logan interjected, stepping between Rebecca and Shane. Seeing the judging gaze of the townsfolk, Shane turned his head, spat and walked off.

“God, what a prick,” Rebecca commented, flipping the bird towards Shane.

“He needs to be careful; one of these days, he’ll piss off the wrong person if he keeps carrying on like a pork chop.” Logan turned to face her. “I hope you’re alright.”

That night, the curfew took place. As curious as he was to what would happen if he violated the rules, he decided, for Grace's sake, that he would comply.

He read Grace a story and put her to bed, making sure she was happily cuddled up to her bunny before switching off the light.

He hadn’t even fully closed the door when he heard a sudden, rapid popping noise from outside.

Gunshots.

Logan ran to the window to try to see what was happening outside. Several agents were swarming the streets, their guns raised.

More gunshots could be heard before the night fell silent.

୨⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯❤︎⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯୧

End of Chapter 12