Chapter 3:

“Shadow, I’m hungry.” Echo groaned from her spot in the backseat, I looked over my shoulder at her, “You can’t be serious,” I groaned as I pulled off an exit, “What? I’m a girl, I have my needs.” She mumbled as she crossed her arms over her chest. I rolled my eyes as I mumbled under my breath, I pulled into a MacDonald’s, causing Ezra to wake up from her spot in the passenger side, “What’s going on?” She asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, “Echo is hungry,” I answered as I turned the car off, Ezra looked back at her, “You can’t be serious,” She commented, Echo groaned, “What? Do you people not eat?” She asked as she slipped out of the back and ran in, Ezra looked over at me, “So, are you going to tell me what happened this morning?” She asked, I watched Echo through the window, she stood in line, grinning like a little girl as her eyes scanned over the menu, “Shadow.” Ezra broke my train of thought, causing me to look over at her, “What?” I asked, annoyance filled my tone, Ezra glared at me, “What happened to your side and I know it didn’t happen when we escaped your Clan.” I sighed as I went to answer but something stopped me, I watched as two figures stood behind Echo. “Shit,” I pulled out the dagger out of the holster that rested against my boot and got out of the car just as the figures grabbed Echo and started dragging her away. Echo screamed as she kicked and struggled, I pushed open the door, “Leave her alone!” I growled as I threw the dagger, plunging it into one of the figure’s throat, blood spattered against Echo’s face, causing her to fall to the ground as the other figure released her. I jumped off the table and tackled the figure to the ground, we rolled and came to a stop with me on top, I punched the figure repeatedly, I then grabbed the dagger from the corpse and plunged it into the head of the figure, causing the body to go limp. Echo was pushed against the counter with her arms around her legs, “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t see them.” She panicked as she shook her head, I leaned down and pushed her hair behind her ears, “Echo, it’s okay, it’s over now.” I grabbed the bag of food she ordered and helped her up to her feet, “Let’s go before more show up.” I helped her back to the car and we left the scene.

We were on the road again, with only a few hours to go before we reach New York, I glanced behind me at Echo, she was laying across the back seat, sound asleep, the bag of food rested on the floor, untouched. “Is she going to be okay?” Ezra asked as she looked behind her at Echo, I sighed, “I don’t know, she never been in action like this before.” I felt like it was my fault, I should have convinced her to stay, or at least I should have went in there with her. I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white, “I’m going to kill them all.” I growled lowly, Ezra bit her lip as she watched me, “Shadow, it’s okay, once we get to the safehouse I promise she will be safe.” She reached over and rested her hand on mine, soon my grip on the steering wheel released.  “Yeah, I hope you’re right.” I sighed as I leaned back in the seat.

Soon we finally made it to the safehouse, I stopped the car and got out, Echo got out and looked around, “Hm, nice crib,” She commented as Ezra got out, “Let’s go.” Ezra walked towards the building, I grabbed Echo’s arm, “Hey, are you okay?” I asked as I looked at her, “Oh yeah, I almost died trying to get a simple cheeseburger but I mean who hasn’t right?” She chuckled as she tried to walk but I stopped her, “Echo..” She cut me off, “Shadow, I’ll be fine, just gotta give me time to get used to this,” She then pulled out of my grip and walked inside. I sighed as I followed her, I walked inside and looked around, the house was decorated with simple black and white walls and simple furniture, well except for the massive computer that ran across the back wall, “Oh my god, I think I just had an orgasm.”  Echo awed as she looked over at the computer, I raised a brow at my friend’s comment but she waved it off, “Something you know nothing about.” She replied as she walked over to the computer.  “How do you know?” I asked as I crossed my arms, she chuckled, “That’s the thing, I don’t know and I probably don’t want to know.” She commented as she looked away, a blush forming on her cheeks.  “They won’t be able to find us here, I have a constant EMP shockwaving around the building so they won’t be able to pick up on anything.” Ezra informed us as she walked into a room, which I’m guessing it’s her room.  “Oh my god, can I stay here forever?” Echo looked over at me as she turned the computer on, “Hey, Echo can you bring up a list of the targets from our mainframe?” I asked as I walked over to her, she typed a few things on the keyboard and soon a list of names filled the screen, along with pictures.  “Now, show me the targets that listed as ‘Casters’.” I said, she nodded as she typed again, the list soon got shorter. I read the names and froze on certain target, “Whoa, click on that file.” I pointed to the name, Echo looked at me, “Apparently you forgot the word ‘Please’.” Echo mumbled as she clicked on the name, once the picture of the target pulled up anger instantly boiled inside of me, “T-that’s my mom.” I clenched my fists. Echo blinked a few times and looked at the picture, “Wow, now I know where you get your good looks from,” She commented then blushed deeply as she realized what she said, “Let’s pretend I didn’t say that.” She added as she looked at me, “Shadow, are you okay?” She asked as she looked at my face, “He sent them to assassinate her.” I backed up as I growled, “I’m going to kill him!” I turned and walked towards the door. Echo shot up from the chair and ran towards me, “Shadow, if you go after him, you will get slaughtered,” She said as she grabbed my arm, “I’ll kill him before I do.” I said as I pulled my arm away, my eyes flashing to a pitch black, ‘Yes, let the anger flow.’ A dark voice echoed in my mind, Echo bit her nails then she ran up in front of me and slammed her body against my chest, wrapping her arms around me, “Please don’t do this, I can’t lose you, you’re all I have!” She cried out as she buried her face into my chest, I froze, looking down at her, “I’m scared, Shadow, I’m terrified and you’re the only thing that’s keeping me from losing it!” She cried, her voice caused the anger to disappear as I wrapped my arms over her and held her as she cried. As soon as we heard the door open Echo pulled away and wiped her eyes, walking back over to the computer, “What’s going on?” Ezra asked, dressed in her gear, “I got my next target.” I said as I walked back over to the computer as well, “I’m going to find my mom.”