'Hidden Chest'

I know who came here and I'm sure he found out about 'Nicolai'.

"Helena" Finn gave me a sign. However, I felt sad for leaving Finn alone.

"Go." As I was holding myself what to do I felt like this is something I had to do.

"I'll be back." Without uttering any other word, I took Nicolai, the child we adopted years ago. I could hear the constant knocking on the door.

"Mum.. why're we running? Shouldn't we fight?" Nicolai asked me with a confused face. I was so focused that I was unable to give an appropriate answer. "Let papa handle it. It's adult matters."

As we went upstairs to Nicolai's room, A loud noise was heard. I could imagine someone slammed on the floor. It gave me goosebumps. There's no time to waste.

I glanced here and there to find a suitable place to hide Nicolai. There wasn't much in this room but something got my attention. It was a box that could be found in video games, also known as 'Hidden Chest' It was something Finn brought for Nicolai a long time ago. I clearly remember that day. Nicolai was so founded on the box that he wouldn't come out of the box in the shopping mall. Finding no other way, Finn brought it for him. This is supposed to be his hiding place.

I lifted the lid of the wooden chest that was made out of plastic. It was skinned with a wooden texture, giving it a little realism. After opening it I placed Nicolai in it. It was enough to hold a small kid inside without having much space problem.

"Stay here. Don't come out no matter what happened."

"Y-You are coming back, right?" I don't know what I felt but it was an odd sensation. I just kept glazing at him. How cute he's looking… I want to save the smile on his face.

"Are you crying, Mom?" Unwantedly, tears fall from my eyes. I mean there's no way I could feel emotions. It's impossible.

"N-No, It's just dust that went in…" I stuttered at first but then again I regained my composure.

The smile that appeared on Nicolai's face was so magnificent that it gave me an untold motivation.

"Thanks, Dear." I wiped my face. "Be sure to wash your hand before eating, don't run wild, and… be good to others…"

"Mom...Why're you saying that? It's not like you're leaving me." I was leaving him but how could I say that to him.

"Mom can't be with you all the time. You have to grow up."

I was about to close the lid but then he grabbed me hard. His hand was shaking violently. "Don't leave me."

"There's nothing to fear. Me and Dad gonna protect you."

"I can save myself, I'm strong."

"Maybe you are but not much. You have to very strong to protect yourself and others."

As the conversation was going, I wanted to cut this short. I have to hurry. Finn is handling it alone. If I don't hurry only god knows what will happen.

***** Meanwhile Finn was keeping the

I told Helena to hide the kid somewhere safe. Not I have to deal with this.

"What's that took you so long to respond? Did you perhaps having fun with the lady?"

"N-No, that's not the case."

"Don't worry, I was joking. You don't have to be serious." The man who tried to joke with me was the leader of 'Underground Dogs' Both me and Helena is a member in this group. We had to be in this group because of the sole reason of serving. Like a different species than humans, we had to be in one of the groups. This man handles the most powerful group in CPA-4. He posses the power to even take down the entire police department. Whether it is true or not that was another case. He has his assistants standing behind. I could gasp at their face but wasn't able to grasp their level. Level 2? No, it would be higher.

"What brings you here today, Mr. Andrea?"

I asked him but instead of answering, he asked me another question.

"How's Helena? I don't see him here." He passed my blockage with a slight tackle.

"Well, what can I say. You know her. She would be bathing or sleeping in her room." I tried to change the subject as soon as I can. However, my attempt was kept failing. He went abroad and sat on the couch with his leg crossed. With him, his two assistants or more likely bodyguards entered and stood behind the couch. They were wearing black suits with white neckties.

"Well, then walk her up. I want to see her." He ordered me but I was still worried about Helena's current situation. Did she able to hide him? The question arose in my mind.

"I have heard something about you and Helena, Finn."

"Me?" I tried to act.

"Certainly. You asked me why I'm earlier. It's because I want to confirm what I heard isn't true. I have known you and Helena for years. You guys have contributed more than enough."

"Thanks for your concern but don't you trust us?" I made an unusual statement to throw him off but he was clever enough to dodge it smoothly.

"That's more reason for me to prove that you guys are still a valuable asset to the organization." He continued while unboxing a new pack of black cigarettes. "You guys have fought for me for years. We have changed the CPA-4 completely. We crushed other gangs that wanted to keep their heads up. But without notice, you wanted to stay put from fights. I thought you guys might have gotten tired of it. I let you guys have a vacation. In my mind, I thought you guys would join the front line after a while. However, you guys never came back. Why was it? Was it because you guys got something to hide? Or something precious to protect?"

"You have got it all wrong Mr---"

"When the 'Underground Dogs' needed you the most you were never there?" He seemed angry with me. I had to distance myself from the group as it creates a great risk for the kid.