Dedicated to someone who I have spent many conversations with debating the merits of serial killers and who writes a psychological suspense thriller about her serial killer character, Duke. Hope you like Rush!

Author's note: Never invite assassins to parties. They're killjoys. Get it?

Maria:

"Dad, can I talk to James about something real quick?"

"Alright. I'll stand guard outside though.", he responded.

In a flash, I was facing James and realized that my dad was no longer by my side.

"Stay safe Maria.", he kissed me on the forehead and then left.

Wow. My dad sure does trust me a lot to let me do this or maybe it has to do with the fact that he wants me to stay in one place and not wander off during a lock down?

I figured it had to be both.

I was jolted out of my thoughts when the lights turned off.

An assassin is trying to kill me.

I'm so dead.

"Maria, Maria, are you even listening to me?", James waved a hand in front of my face and I swatted it. After this was all over, he was going to get a piece of my mind!

"What?", I responded.

"We need to get out of here."

"But my dad...", I objected only to be cut short.

"Only one thing matters right now-our survival-and the chances of us surviving to live another day seem bleak if we stay in here trapped and waiting for him to find us. Its better we escape the school and go someplace else.", he told me.

"How? I thought you said he had superspeed?", I asked.

"Yeah and I have it too so let's go."

He took me by the hand and pulled at me to go out the door.

"The door is still locked though..."

"I got the key from the agent when he grabbed me by the cuffs.", he stopped when he saw me glaring at him.

"You really are a thief, aren't you?"

He didn't answer and unlocked the door.

"After you, Princess."

"Thank you. I always love being first to encounter a psychopath."

"We all have flaws. He maybe...different, but he is my brother.", he replied.

"He kills people for a living."

"I didn't say I agreed with how he earned money.", he muttered.

"Can we save this discussion for after we get out of here?" Looking to the left, I sneaked around the corner with the dim emergency lights guiding me away from the newly discovered wing.

"Maria, once we get outside...go and search for your father, ok? I've already accepted my fate. You're not the object of his rage. Leave and save yourself.", he begged.

"I am not letting you die alone!", I cried.

"Please, I can't bear to have someone else's death on my conscious..."

I could just imagine what my dad would say when he found out what James was.

"He lied to all of us about who he is!"

"I know."

"We can't let him stay here!"

"He has not done anything wrong!"

"So you're defending him."

"Dad, just because he's not one of us..." My father interrupted and reminded me that not only was he not GEAR, he is the brother of Rush, an AoE assassin..

Heroes don't associate with villains. Its just not how it's done.

However, James isn't a villain...yet.

No. I stopped thinking about what could be and focused on the here and now.

"I'm coming with you James. We're in this together."

He frowned and kept walking until he found an exit.

He opened the door only to shut it again.

"Why you..."

"Hello brother...did you miss me?"

A tall blue-eyed adolescent in regular clothing stood in front of us and smirked.

"He looks like a normal teenager.", I whispered.

"Appearances can be deceiving.", he answered.

"That's right, brother. When did you learn that valuable lesson? Rush is surprised to see you even got a girlfriend in all this time. Too bad Rush didn't keep in touch.", his grin widened and his eyes looked eerie in the red backup lighting so much so that I got frightened.

"I take it back. He's creepy."

"Rush is flattered. Now, Rush has made a name of himself as a silent killer. Initially, a reporter called him the Blur, but that person is dead now. Rush doesn't know what he enjoys more. Killing people other people want dead or his days as the Masked Death."

"Your brother is the Masked Death! But I thought he was dead...", I said.

"Oh, the police found another body they assumed to be him.", Rush disclosed.

"And I bet you killed that guy...", James stated.

"Kinda hypocritical for the liar to be judging, isn't it?", he made a pouty face and then smiled to reveal all his teeth.

"Now, Rush is here to bring you both back to the AoE. James-our parents want you back, unfortunately. Maria-your due back at Warehouse 13 for your experiment.", he admitted.

"I am not coming anywhere with you! I'd rather die!", I yelled.

"Well, Rush actually doesn't plan on following orders this time. He wants to bring James to justice and if by killing the girl James suffers, so be it.", Rush announced.

"Aren't you going to deliver a monologue?", James postulated.

"No! Have you not learned anything from Syndrome? In addition to monologues are not useful for assassins, they're practically only helpful to the hero."

"So your the Joker and your brother is Batman?", I deduced.

"More like Sherlock and Moriarty. Think about it. They're so alike and share many similarities. Both anti-social intelligent people who dislike others around them."

"Except for one thing, their purpose. One's good and one's evil. Brother, please..."

"SINCE WHEN HAVE YOU ADDRESSED RUSH AS YOUR BROTHER?", he yelled.

Composing himself, he added, "And also, you have always been neutral. Did you suddenly change your tune and Rush not know about it?"

"Go away!", I shouted as I threw my shoe at him.

He turned and greeted me with a smile.

Not the best plan...

"And you of all people can understand Rush's reason to do this."

"I have nothing in common with you."

"I've read your file, Maria Cruz Santiago. I can tell you why your mother died."

Author's note: Hmm. Whom should Maria listen to? The serial killer/assassin or a chronic liar?