Chapter 56 - going back to the hood (Part 16) - Natalie side story (an unknown person)

"Alex...he vanished into thin air in the ward, only to reappear just as suddenly. I need to keep a close eye on him, make sure he doesn't slip away again. But what's with that girl, Mika...now another girl is targeting my boyfriend? That bitch!"

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Night at the Observatory

I saw Alex slip out, his expression troubled, as if weighed down by his thoughts. I wanted to approach him, offer support, but he glanced at me with a look that said he wasn't ready to talk. His eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, and I knew he needed space.

I tried to speak, but he walked away, leaving me with only a faint promise: "Just be safe, okay...I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you..." He turned back suddenly, his eyes locked on mine, filled with a mix of concern and uncertainty.

Just then, Mika's voice cut through the tension, her tone laced with skepticism: "Are you sure you're his girl?" Her words ignited a fire within me, and I glared at her, my anger simmering.

Meanwhile, Mariam seemed to be plotting something, her eyes darting between us with a calculating intensity.

"Kukuku, see babe, I told you your boy is popular," Mariam said with a smirk, as if gloating about something.

"When I get my hands on you, Mar—" I started to say, my anger rising, but Mika cut me off.

"You know what? Maybe I'll take this as an opportunity. He's my type, you know..." She crossed her arms, her expression arrogant and challenging.

I glared at her, my eyes blazing with anger. "Bitch, you know who you're talking to?”

The tension between us was palpable, and I could see Alex sitting in the distance, looking confused and overwhelmed. I wanted to go to him, but Mika was blocking my way.

"He needs space," she said, her voice firm and unyielding.

I was about to push her away

"Nat, give him some space," my dad called out, intervening in the tense moment.

"But, Dad!" I protested, frustrated.

"No buts, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Come on, let's leave," he said firmly, not budging.

I was confused and upset, thinking, What are you doing, Dad? You're supposed to support me!

But then my dad approached Alex and they had a brief conversation. He returned to me, asking me to follow him back to UCLA.

Mika smirked at me, saying, "I'm not just a third wheel..." She was pushing my buttons.

"Go check the dictionary and understand the meaning," I shot back, giving her the middle finger.

That's when the catfight started, with Mika charging towards me. But Mariam stepped in, stopping the fight.

"Hey, hey, girls, let's not do this here. Maybe we can settle this somewhere else, when everyone's not so tired. I can set something up," Mariam said, her voice calm but firm.

My dad laughed, seeming to enjoy the drama, but I was still confused and frustrated. "Mar, what the hell are you doing?!”

Mariam's mocking laughter grated on my nerves. "Kukuku, you can thank me later, kukuku..." I wondered if Alex had to deal with similar situations.

Mika and I exchanged heated glares, our rivalry palpable. I was certain she had fallen for Alex, and I wasn't having it. We turned our backs on each other, simultaneously shouting “Hmph!"

I walked back to my dad, who was smiling amusedly. "How do you feel now? With Cheveyo (Alex's Native American name) being so popular, I already knew he'd be a heartthrob," he chuckled as we drove back to UCLA.

I sulked, my concern for Alex growing. I asked my dad seriously, "Tell me more about Frederica, Dad. You seem to know more about her…"

My dad took a deep breath before responding, "Frederica is no ordinary girl, Nat.

She's...special. Or you could say, a miracle." He paused, collecting his thoughts.

I pressed on, "What do you mean, Dad? What's so special about her?"

My dad smiled, explaining, "One thing's for sure, Nat - Frederica and Alex share the same essence." I was perplexed, digging deeper. "Dad, what do you mean? Is Frederica related to Alex?”

My dad's smile hinted at a deeper secret. "In a way, they're connected through blood links, but I don't understand why Puan Mas hid this from Alex. Does he even know they share a common ancestry?" My mind raced with questions.

My dad's expression turned serious. "What concerns me is Puan Mas's experiments on Alex's body. It's as if she's testing something." I couldn't believe what I was hearing - Alex's mom, experimenting on her own son?

My dad continued, "Alex is special, Nat. He's connected to the bloodline of Shariful Ahmad, rumored to be related to the legendary Dhul-Qaryn.” I was amazed, never knowing this about Alex's heritage.

"Frederica's bloodline is also linked to Lilith, the girl I told you about, who I met in the deep forests of Borneo. She was a special girl with supernatural powers, connected to nature..." My dad's words trailed off, leaving me with more questions than answers.

"Then does Alex know about this?" I asked, seeking clarity on the danger that lay ahead.

My dad's expression turned solemn. "Nat, I believe God has brought you and Alex together for a reason. You two are meant to be, but I need you to be strong, for both of you. You'll understand what I mean when you begin to realize each other's true potential.”

I gazed out the window, still trying to process why Puan Mas would do such a thing. My mind raced with questions, and I turned back to my dad. "Did she test on Hana and Sam as well?”

My dad's expression turned grim. "I hope not, but Alex is strong enough to resist. And I sense that Hana has a similar strength within her.”

I pressed on, curious about the mysterious person my dad had met. "What about Maruk? You mentioned him before.”

My dad's expression turned serious, his tone cautious. "Maruk is a complex figure, Nat. He could be an ally or an enemy. That's why I wanted Alex to avoid him.”

The conversation was getting more confusing by the minute, but I was determined to uncover the truth.

As we arrived at the UCLA campus, my dad asked me to head to his office while he made a phone call in the car. I could sense his concern from the expression on his face.

As I walked towards the old walkway, I noticed a woman waiting outside my dad's office. She had a ponytail and blonde hair, dressed in a professional suit that screamed government worker. She smiled at me and asked, "Hey kid, may I know if I could talk to Professor Dr. Hawk?”

I offered to let her wait in the office, and she accepted. "Would you like a drink?" I asked, trying to be hospitable.

"Coffee, please," she replied with a smile.

I led her to the office, still curious about her unexpected visit. She seemed confident and professional, but my instincts told me to be cautious.

"So, what brings you here today?" I asked, trying to sound friendly.

"I'm here to discuss some research with your dad," she replied, her smile warm and engaging.

We chatted for a few minutes, and she seemed knowledgeable about her topic. But I wanted to test her legitimacy.

"So, I'm sure you know that my dad has a personal warrant for his research. What's the government procedure for meeting with someone with that kind of clearance?" I asked, watching her closely.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking to the side. "Oh, well... I'm sure it's just a matter of filling out the proper forms and getting clearance from the relevant agencies."

My gut told me she was faking it. That wasn't how it worked at all. "That's not quite right," I said, my tone polite but firm. "The procedure involves a lot more scrutiny and security protocols. Are you sure you're familiar with the process?”

Her smile faltered for a moment, and I saw a glimmer of something else in her eyes. "Oh, of course, I must have misspoken. I'm sure it'll all be clear when I speak with your dad."

I knew then that she was hiding something. She wasn't who she claimed to be, and I needed to get to the bottom of it.

"Well, if it's possible, would you like me to help you get what you want?" I asked cautiously, trying to sound friendly while my mind raced with suspicions.

"Oh, it's fine, because I need you two to be together..." She suddenly stood up and locked the door of my dad's main office. My hunch was true; she was a fake. But I kept my composure, pretending nothing was amiss.

"So, what's with locking the door?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant while my heart raced.

But instead of answering, she pulled out a gun from her suit. My instincts kicked in, and I swiftly threw a bunch of papers and books at her, using the distraction to escape through the secret backdoor. I sprinted towards a safe space, my mind racing with thoughts of where to hide.

As I ran, I knew exactly where to go - a hidden spot that students often used for clandestine meetings (or so I'd heard). I pushed aside my inappropriate thoughts (What am I thinking?! This is not the time!) and focused on finding safety. Finally, I reached the hiding spot and caught my breath, trying to process what had just happened.

I know I have to act fast, but I'm not Alex or Mariam - I'm just Natalie, a college student with a quick mind and a determination to protect those around me. I need to find a way to ensure that no one gets hurt by this mysterious and dangerous woman.

As I hide in the library, I tried to make a phone call. I carefully make my way back to the shelf, trying not to draw attention to myself. To my relief, the woman is nowhere to be seen, but I spot a few students still studying at their tables.

I try to blend in, pretending to study like the others. But my eyes are fixed on the entrance, waiting for any sign of the mysterious woman. And then, she walks in, acting as if nothing has happened. She's good, really good - she blends in seamlessly with the other students.

I watch her carefully, trying to gauge her next move. She seems to be scanning the room, her eyes locking onto something - or someone.

My heart races as I realize the mysterious woman is looking for me. I know I have to act fast, but I can't confront her directly. Instead, I use my cunning to come up with a plan. I quietly get up and make my way over to the student, trying not to draw attention to myself.

As I approach, I pretend to drop something on the floor, using the distraction to whisper a warning to the student. "Hey, you need to get out of here, now. Trust me, it's not safe." The student looks at me confused, but I urge them to leave quickly. To my relief, they get up and walk away, unaware of the danger they just avoided.

I slowly escape from the library and manage to call my dad. As soon as he answers, he urges me to get out of there, confirming my suspicions. "Nat, get out of there! She's dangerous!”

I make a run for it, but she appears again, this time with a taser. I quickly kick her arm and deliver a jump kick to her face, making a swift escape. I hear a gunshot behind me, and my heart races with fear. Is this what Alex went through before?

I dash for cover, using my cardigan as a distraction and leaving myself in just my shirt. My hard leather boots come in handy as I utilize my Savate training to deliver precise kicks. She approaches cautiously, and I use my agility to evade her attacks.

When she tries to take another shot, I somersault her hand, and her gun flies out of her grasp. I seize the opportunity to make another run for it. This time, she's closing in on me, but I manage to reach the main campus gate, where my dad, Detective Tracy, and a team of policemen are waiting.

My dad explains that this is a coordinated attack targeting those involved with Damien and Alex. I turn to Detective Tracy for answers, and he fills me in on the situation. "Your boyfriend has uncovered crucial evidence that could bring down a massive criminal network involved in Darrel's death.

The power struggle between gangs and Mayor Kingston, also known as Boulder, is the root of the problem.”

I'm shocked and relieved to finally understand the scope of the danger we're facing.

As we stood there, a group of armed men arrived in SUVs equipped with machine guns, catching us off guard. I wondered if the evidence Alex had uncovered was really that valuable.

My dad suggested avoiding confrontation to prevent damaging the university, but the police were outnumbered and outgunned. Panic set in as people ran for cover. "This is not good!" a policeman exclaimed to Detective Tracy, as we saw helicopters passing by, including a news helicopter hovering above.

Detective Tracy urged us to call for a helicopter to escape, but it was too late. One of the armed men fired a rocket launcher at the police helicopter, hitting it directly. We ran for cover as the helicopter crashed towards us.

As we fled, my dad remarked, "Lucky Mom and Phylis aren't here, or we'd be in even more trouble." I agreed, prioritizing my dad's safety over my own.

We found ourselves in a war zone, with the police struggling to keep up. Then, the "terminator lady" appeared, walking towards us with an ominous grin. I declared her a new problem, and my dad suggested finding shelter. But I had a better idea - the university bus, where a group of students were hiding.

As we made our way to the bus, the "terminator lady" approached us. But just as suddenly, Damien appeared, attacking her without a word. My dad was stunned, and I tested whether this was the same Damien we had met in Arizona.

"Hey, Damien!" I called out, and he replied, "Later, girl! I know I have a lot to explain, but it seems your boy Alex got a head start! Damn, there's a lot going on right now!”

Damien's trash-talking confirmed his identity, and I asked him about Alex. "I last met him at Darrel's old crib, and then all hell broke loose with someone impersonating me! Son of a bitch, I wonder who's behind this!”

That was definitely Damien, but what was going on? And who was this impersonator?

Damien suddenly pointed his gun at someone who looked exactly like him. I was confused. "Yeah...long story...so now who the hell are you?" The impersonator removed its mask, revealing the terminator lady underneath. What was going on?

My dad seemed to know more than he was letting on. "Impossible? I thought...damn..." He trailed off, avoiding my gaze. I glared at him, sensing he was hiding something from me again.

"Dad, what aren't you telling me?" I asked, my mind racing with possibilities. I knew he had been involved with the Brotherhood of Mason in the past, but that was a long time ago.

Damien shouted at us, "Hey! Aren't you all supposed to run away while I hold them off?" My dad snapped back to attention, yelling, "Right, let's go, Nat! Everyone, start the bus!" The bus conductor obliged, but just as we were escaping, an explosion rocked the bus, blowing out the engine.

One of the attackers began to assault us, and I wondered why we, a group of students, were being targeted. Was it because of my dad and me?

I decided to divert their attention towards me, and my hunch was proven true - one of them aimed at the students, and it seemed like my dad was also a target.

Without hesitation, I kicked one of the attackers, trying to get closer to my dad. It was a bold move, considering he was a trained killer, but Damien surprisingly took him down and quipped, "You know, girl, you're not Alex, at least, but you put up a good fight…"

I felt annoyed by his comment, but I needed to focus on diverting their attention while the others escaped. Damien then threw me a gun, and I hesitated, unsure how to use it.

"Uh, how do I use this?" I asked, feeling overwhelmed. Damien face-palmed, explaining, "Left switch arms it, then pull the trigger below - use your finger, got it?”

His instructions sounded complicated, but I managed to figure it out and started firing. The blowback was intense, but I hit one of the attackers. In response, they yelled, "She's armed!" and aimed at me.

Damien quickly threw a smoke grenade, taking down some of the attackers and providing cover for our escape.

After we escaped, Damien and I took a moment to regroup and process the chaos. He holstered his gun and exclaimed, "This is getting out of hand! It's like when I found out Darrel was dead...that bastard Boulder. I've been searching for him, but every time I get close, something goes wrong. The community is turning against me, and I just found out that someone is taking down De Santo gang members, just like me. And then Alex suddenly told me about my involvement...it's all too strange.”

I was perplexed and angry. "You're only realizing this now? Where were you before this? And what's with you shooting Alex?" I demanded, my voice firm.

Damien hesitated, "Uh...you know...Alex understood the situation..." His vague response only added to my frustration.

I pressed on, "What do you mean he understood it? You hurt my boyfriend, Damien!

Explain yourself!" My tone was firm, demanding answers.

Damien's expression turned serious. "I needed Alex to be the hound dog that everyone feared." I couldn't help but slap him for his thoughtless words, tears streaming down my face.

"I won't let him go through that pain again just for your closure!" I exclaimed, my emotions raw.

But I composed myself, needing answers from Damien. "Tell me about the girl you met in Malaysia," I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Damien's response was candid. "She's hot, but I had a hunch they might be married." His words sparked a surge of anger and awareness within me.

But before I could react, Damien wisely advised, "Hey, Nat, don't unleash your anger on me. Confront Alex about it instead." His sudden sensibility caught me off guard.

Just then, Damien's expression turned urgent. "We need to find a way to escape, now.

Just as we were about to make our move, the terminator girl sprang into action, her movements faster and more precise than before. Even Damien struggled to keep up, and I found myself easily overpowered. She lifted me off the ground, her gaze cold and calculating.

"You'll make perfect bait," she sneered, her words sending a chill down my spine.

Damien tried to intervene, but she swiftly knocked him out with a kick to the gut. I felt my vision darkening, my hopes fading.

But then, a voice rang out, shouting and firing a weapon. "Get away from her!”

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized Alex's voice. "Babe, you're still alive!" Mika exclaimed, relief evident in her tone.

I could hear Alex is talking to Mika. "What the hell is Damien doing here?”