(WARNING!!!
THERE ARE SOME UNPLEASANT MOMENTS AND IMPLIED THINGS IN THE CHAPTER. SPECIFICALLY, THE YOU-KNOW-WHAT ASSAULT TO THE KIDS. BUT NOT GRAPHIC.)
worse than I thought. What he told me was so sick and vile that I thought he was messing with me. If I thought human trafficking was unbelievable, what he told me makes me wonder how any human can do such things; it's actually sickening.
I didn't believe him at all. That is, until after I knocked him out and grabbed his laptop hidden in his car nearby, in the abandoned warehouse. Thanks to my SEE Goggles and Gavin's skills, we got access to his password and, most importantly, dozens of files and lists. Emails, pictures and even some explicit footage told me that Jack wasn't lying.
Gavin tried to keep me from seeing them, but my SEE Goggles automatically showed me dozens of…unpleasant things. I won't describe them. Let's say it's full of explicit content and they weren't very consensual. I thought about this happening to my sister. It took every restraint and beyond, as well as Gavin pleading for me to calm myself, not to move to that place at full speed.
The place I'm going to is probably one of the most secure locations on the planet that isn't government-related. Well, it is government-related, as from the emails, I knew several politicians or lawyers that I saw on the News taking photos on that certain island. If that place is that secure and meant to keep people like me out, security will most likely be tight. A sonic boom isn't exactly the quietest and most subtle thing I could do when trying to sneak in.
I came to a stop as I arrived at the location. An island came into view. According to the files, its name is Paradise World. It had a helicopter port and a ship dock, housing the most expensive yachts and boats I've ever seen. My goggles zoomed in, showing about twenty or more guards patrolling the premises.
Then I looked at the main attraction, which was the huge and pompous mansion that looked more like a medieval white castle than a mansion. Golden lights illuminated the glass, and I could feel dozens of silhouettes partying and moving inside. My face slowly scrunches up as I bite my lip, hard.
I felt the copper taste in my blood. How could they be partying? I could imagine them having fun, smiling and talking like they hadn't committed the worst crimes of humanity.
"You've arrived. Alright, let's review the plan." Said Gavin. "Right now, going on an assault isn't optional. As I speak right now, Jason and I are trying to crack the code for their security so we can use their data and everything as evidence."
"..." I said nothing as I glared at the island hatefully.
"It's tough even for the two of us. Meanwhile, you need to sneak into the mansion, try to find where they're holding the captive kids."
"Got it."
"And Red…don't lose your cool. I saw what happened to Jack Lener; you could have killed someone who could testify and give information." Gavin paused. "I get it, okay, kid. I know how you feel, just please, if you want to make this as smooth as possible, do not engage."
My eyebrows furrowed at the island for a couple of moments before I craned my neck to look at the sky instead. The falling soon, bathing everything in an orange glow, making everything beautiful, eased my temper a little. With a deep, frustrated sigh, I finally responded.
"Roger."
I looked at my CE gauge. I'm nearly a hundred percent, more than enough. I took a deep breath and started vibrating. To the naked eye, I was no longer present, but I was still here. Ready to take down some scumbags. I carefully moved to the island.
I passed by the security guards unknown to the fact that someone had walked by them. I narrowed my eyes on one of them; he looked ready to pass out. My gaze drifted to their ID card that was attached to their breast pocket. In a slick move, my hands quickly snatched away from him. Gently, though, so as not to cause an alarm.
Thankfully, he didn't notice at all, standing guard, trying his best not to fall asleep. Eventually, I reached the mansion. The garden area leading to the entrance had the scent of a rich aroma. I swallowed a lump in my throat as, with a shaking hand, I entered. At first, it's nothing special.
Just a long hallway with a red carpet. With knight armour, they stand posing in a row. I took a breath and continued further. Soon the music grew louder. I could hear the sounds of conversations in a joyful tone and the music of the piano. I went inside, and it's pretty much what I expected.
Fancy high-tech lighting, people wearing expensive suits and dresses, dozens of foods that look gross, but since it's expensive for the rich, that means it's high quality. All of them were wearing half masks, like at a ball. All of them are conversing with one another while swirling their wine as they talk about business and income or whatever crap rich people talk about. I grit my teeth and close my eyes, trying to find smaller silhouettes. But I didn't get anything.
There are too many people here, and it's making a mess with my spatial awareness ability. Having no choice, I stepped forward on the red carpet. Avoiding bumping into people so as not to cause a scene, which is easier said than done, since this whole place is swamped with people. Along the way, I get increasingly angrier.
These people. The way they themselves. The way they talk and how they describe how screwing up the poor was somehow a positive thing. They keep saying the phrase that everyone should be happy, even if everything is taken from them.
They will own nothing and be happy. And I'm just staring at them in disbelief at the sheer lack of empathy. They don't act human, they act like they're gods. I looked around, scanning their faces with my SEE Goggles. Their mask is doing nothing to stop me from getting all their data from them. Some of the guests I had never heard of, like the guy who owns some big shot shipment company or something random like that.
Though there were people I recognized. It wasn't just businessmen and women. But celebrities, singers, and actors in movies. Even ones from superhero films. I went downstairs and narrowly avoided a server carrying a glass of alcohol.
To my surprise, one good look tells me that the server was blind. His pupils are almost white. I first thought it was weird for a blind person to be here, until I looked around, this time closely at the staff. All of them, including the guy playing the piano, were either blindfolded or blind. I shook my head, unsure how to feel about, well, everything.
It seemed like a normal party, but there was this sense of evil and malice in the air. I don't know how to describe it, the closest one is the time when I was walking out at night at Mount Everest once. I had my powers, and with my Mind's Eye, I shouldn't feel threatened, but the dark space chilled me to the bone. This place gave me a similar feeling.
I stopped walking when I spotted a tall man in his mid-sixties. He differs from the guest as he's the only one not wearing a mask. Wearing a black suit and conversing with one of the guests with a charming smile. My fingers twitched as a sudden wave of fury filled my body. Geoffrey Blackstein.
He's the owner of the island and the one running the whole human trafficking operation. He's Jack Lener's boss, the guy whom he's afraid of. The worst part, I think, is what he looks like. He looked like a normal guy. He wasn't an imposing bodybuilder like Atlas.
The presence of Arc. He just looked like you would see when out shopping. He didn't look like a super villain. And yet knowing everything from reading the files, the emails, the texts. Geoffrey Blackstein is the most vile person whom I have displeased knowing.
I could beat him right now. Kick his crusty little ass in front of his goddamn minions. But that isn't important right now. What I need to do is keep moving forward and not bring attention. They'll face justice once Jason and Gavin gather evidence through their hacking. I was about to continue forward until a man who nearly bumped into me greeted Blackstein.
Wait a second, I know this guy. Wasn't he the director of kids' shows? Daniel Shedder? They both shook hands and started talking, and against my better judgment, I stepped forward and listened to their conversation.
"Ah, Daniel, how's the party?" Blackstein asked.
Shedder grinned in a way that made me incredibly uncomfortable. "It's perfect as always, Geoffrey, how do you do it?"
"Oh, you know me, my love for parties. It doesn't help that I have the money to afford all this."
"Yes, it's very impressive."
Then all of a sudden, Shedder has a dark gleam in his eyes. I mean, that's a face of pure evil; there is no other way of describing it. It kind of reminds me of the devious face of cartoon villains when they're about to scheme or do something bad. Only this is real life, and real life looked uncanny.
"I'm planning on retiring tonight," Shedder says in an ominous tone, as if saying a secret pass code.
Blackstein's smile became wider. "A little early, but I suppose I don't blame you. Of course, anyone that catches your eye?"
"That boy, number 40." He sighs, dreamily. "Man, he's feisty. I like them in youngsters. Is he still available?"
"Unfortunately, number 40 has passed. I'm afraid you're too rough with the boy and passed."
Shedder's smile dropped, looking sadly. But it wasn't a sad look of someone who had lost someone important. No, it's that sadness you would see when your mom didn't buy your toy in the store. Blackstein slapped his friend's arm playfully.
"Oh, cheer up, you pig. We've recently received a new, fresh batch."
Shedder's eyes sparkled again. "Fresh?"
"Indeed, there's this redhead girl with green eyes. Eight years old. The roughest and bravest even bit one of the guards' thumbs. She's in room 28 if you're interested."
Shedder shrugs. "A little bit on the older side, but hey, your recommendations never disappointed me before!"
"Go wild, man."
"Oh, I will." They both laughed and shook hands.
They both say their farewells as Shedder leaves. Meanwhile, I was in a state of disgust and horror. I knew what was happening. I read the files about why they kidnapped children, but actually hearing them conversing about it so casually and with such a happy tone. I was surprised that I didn't vomit on the floor.
I wasn't just disgusted; a fury lit up in me like never before. I was tempted, oh so tempted to deliver blows on Blackstein as well as all of the sick bastards in this god-forsaken party. In fact, I would've. To hell with the plan, I wanted everyone in this room to pay!
The only thing keeping me from actually doing it is Blackstein's conversation with Shedder. A fierce red-haired girl who is eight years old. That's most likely, Athena. I moved and followed Shedder. He moved into another corridor separated from the party and headed up a flight of deep red stairs.
Then we find ourselves in a hallway. Dozens of doors filled the entire area. They had numbers from 1 to 100. Using my Mind's Eye, to my further horror and disgust, each room had a single silhouette lying on a bed. They seemed to be restrained with handcuffs.
The silhouettes vary in size, some nearly adult size, some even smaller than Athena. It took everything within me not to mentally collapse by the sheer depravity of what I'm experiencing. Like, how could this happen in real life? Am I dreaming? I was snapped from my dark thoughts as Shedder opened door 28.
I could see through the gap. Inside was a master bedroom. Inside was a bathtub on the left. There is a projector, showing a girl in her teens smiling nervously at the camera. It's paused, only leaving her seemingly frightened face, frozen on the screen. On the bed, which was shaped to look like a heart.
Bound in handcuffs, trying to struggle free was my sister, Athena Armstrong, wearing a long and loose white shirt. Even though he had his back turned to me, I could feel his face transforming into a vile expression.
"Well, ain't you cutie~"
Athena flinched, eyes widening in fear. Shedder took one step, and before he could take another. I couldn't take it anymore. I zoomed in and body checked him, sending him tumbling and yelping on the floor, clutching his backside. I stopped vibrating as I slammed the door shut.
Shedder backs away, eyes widening the size of plates when he looks at me.
"It's…you. H-How are you-!?" He swallows. "Please, this is just a misunderstanding-!"
I didn't let him finish. I just couldn't take it anymore. Depravity. The lack of compassion. The fact that they're doing these sick acts against kids even younger than I am. And if I had arrived late, Shedder without a shadow of a doubt would have hurt Athena.
Then he had the fucking gall to say all this was just a 'Misunderstanding'? Before I knew it, I marched and raised my foot and brought it down on his shin. Shattering all the bones. Shedder opened his mouth to scream, so I grabbed his head and slammed it on the floor. I pinned him down, making sure he didn't escape.
I raised my free arm and started delivering punch after punch to his face. My ears rang, and my body moved on its own. The only thing I could do was hold the urge to actually deliver a powerful punch to pulverize his head. Instead, I delivered human-level punches. Not just because I didn't want him dead despite everything, but I wanted to feel the pain.
To suffer. To make him feel helpless like the kids he's hurt. After eight punches, I tried to stop. I really did. But I couldn't, I was too filled with all this rage.
Just a few more, and I might just kill him. I raised my arm again, which was now stained with his blood. I was about to bring it down again, only to be stopped by a whimper. It didn't come from Shedder; instead, it's from Athena. Who backed away, trying her best to keep distance from me as much as she could while still being handcuffed in the bed.
Suddenly, I felt disappointed in myself. I lost control, scaring my sister. I looked down on Shedder's face, which was mangled and swollen into comical proportions. He's hurt badly, but he'll live. I got up and slowly approached Athena.
"Shhh, it's okay, I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." I said, taking a step towards her.
She flinched. "Stay away!" Athena cried out.
My face twitched. I really did mess up, huh? I got ruled over by my emotions, acted like a vengeful vigilante rather than the superhero I'm supposed to be. But I didn't have time to stay here long. I needed to get her and every kidnapped child here.
However, I didn't want her to be afraid of me. It'll be hard to save someone if they don't trust me. Then an idea popped into my head, out of nowhere. That's right, she may not trust and be afraid of Red Justice, but she's going to trust Ben Armstrong. I raised my arms and stepped forward, and almost at the same time, my visor split apart, revealing my face.
Her eyes became wide, her jaw slacked. I slowly reached for her until we were at arm's length. We both just stared at each other for a long time.
"Hey, Tina."
"Benny?" Her voice came out so small.
"Yeah," I said quietly. "It's me."
We continued to stare at each other. I wanted to reach out to hug her, but I quickly disregarded the thought. My right hand and some parts of my suit had blood on them. Courtesy of the pig of a man just a couple of metres away from us. Instead, I released an exhausted sigh.
"I'm sorry," I said, unable to meet her eyes. "I'm sorry, Tina. I'm so, so sorry."
I could feel her gaze. I felt ashamed for making her see me like that. She must feel so scared. I closed my eyes.
"And I'm sorry for…" I hesitated, feeling my chest tighten. "For always being gone."
Athena did not speak until I heard her move, touching my hands despite them being stained with blood.
"I'm sorry, too, Benny. I didn't know you were Red Justice, you're probably kicking bad guys' butts, and yet I called you a dummy."
"No, I am a dummy."
I finally looked at Athena, who flashed me a smile. "Sometimes."
We both chuckle lightly. We both stared at each other again, and before we knew it, we were embracing each other tightly. I could hear Athena whimpering.
"I was so scared…"
"I know, but you're so brave…"
"And Daddy-"
"He's okay, he's just resting in the hospital."
Finally, we separated. Giving each other a reassuring smile. For a moment, everything melted away; it's just Athena and me, being glad that we found each other. Athena's gaze soon trailed Shedder, but I immediately took her chin to face me. I didn't want her to see what I did.
That moment brought me back to reality. While I was happy that she was fine and safe, it doesn't change the fact that we're in a bad spot. We were still on this godforsaken island with a bunch of freaks and creeps partying nearby. I wasn't in physical danger; I doubt anyone on this island is a superhuman, but I was worried about Athena. I could vibrate and go invisible, but Athena can't.
And it's just my sister. The other poor kids, trapped in their rooms, desperately need saving too. I pressed a hand to the earpiece of my SEE Goggles.
"Gavin, I got Athena here. What's next?"
Athena blinked. "Wait, Gavin knows you're Red Justice."
"Long story. Oh, and can you not tell mom and dad?"
"Uh, sure."
The earpiece cracked as Gavin's voice called out.
"Good. We've nearly had full access to the files and emails, enough to expose them, but we should have all of it to further condemn these sick bastards."
"Yeah, but it's going to be hard to move Tina along with the rest of the children off this island."
"I see…give me a few minutes. For now, try not to draw attention."
I groaned. There's more waiting. Athena pulled on her handcuffs, trying to release herself. I reached out and broke the cuffs of her hands. She thanks me while rubbing her arm. Then her eyes suddenly widened, as if she had suddenly remembered something.
Athena grabs me, eyes watery.
"Wait, we've got to save my friend first! I know where she is!"
I tried to reassure her and explain to her that we have to lie low, promising her that I would save her friend. But one sad puppy face, I was unfortunately on board with her plan. We left the room, me focusing my Mind's Eye in conjunction with my SEE Goggles to spot any cameras or detect any guests that come down here. Thankfully, there was nothing. We jogged across the hallway, trying to make as little noise as possible.
With each door we passed, I felt a pang of guilt. Being able to sense them trapped in their bed and in handcuffs, and I'm not immediately saving them, made me feel horrible. We soon reached door 51. Athena opened the door before I could stop her. It's a similar-looking room to the one Athena's being kept in, only the projector was playing a rather nasty scene.
I quickly zoomed to the projector and smashed it, hopefully before Athena saw it. Athena rushed to get inside the room.
"Clary!" Athena shouted, running to the bed, where a familiar-looking girl lay flat on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Wait a second, that name and her appearance…could she be? The girl slowly turns her head to face us. Face blanked, eyes red and puffy, but the horrible part is how hollow her eyes were. It felt like there was no light to them. My SEE Goggles finished scanning her face, and without a doubt, this girl is Clarly Jensen. The first person I've rescued as Red Justice.
"Be-Red Justice, this is Clary. She's my friend, I met when we were in that metal container where they kept us."
I was speechless. What a coincidence that Athena made friends with the first person I've ever saved. I approached Clary, ready to comfort her, but she flinched, eyes becoming watery as tears dropped from her eyes.
"Please…don't hurt me anymore."
"N-No, it's okay. It's me, Red Justice, I'm not here to-" I paused as soon as her words finally settled in my mind.
Anymore? I looked at Clary closely. She had bruises on her legs and arms. Then a bite mark on her neck. My eyes widened as my gaze slowly trailed to the corner of the room. A child's panties with a unicorn on it, on top of that are large pants and underwear that were meant to be worn by adults.
No.
No.
No no no no no.
This isn't happening. This isn't real. It can't be. Athena looks between us with a confused expression. Athena tried to talk to Clary, but she seemed despondent and only looked at me.
Staring into my soul with her blank eyes. My breathing went shallow, and my heart was suddenly moving at Mach speeds. I gripped my hair. I thought…I thought I made it in time, as I saved them before anything could happen. But I was far too naive.
I was too late. Someone had hurt her in a way I didn't know what to even think about. I dropped to my knees and threw up.
"Benny!"
Athena rushed to my side, rubbing my back. But it did nothing to ease my horror and dread. Tears fell from my eyes and into my cheeks as I stared at Clary's corpse-like eyes. My body is shaking like a leaf.
Clary's lip twitched before trembling as if struggling to open her mouth.
"Why…" She croaked.
"Why didn't you save me?"
RED
Forty Minutes Later…
JUSTICE
I brought the yacht onto land, on a beach. Many people who were just walking around the area stared with wide eyes as I placed the large boat into the sand. Then I moved to check on them. Kids of varying ages sat looking scared, confused and relieved that they were off the island. Some were in their teens, some in elementary school.
In fact, the youngest looks to be five years old. Almost half of them shared that dead and blank expression Clary wore. Who was speaking off was being comforted by Athena. I'm proud of that girl; she's heroic even without superpowers. Her older brother, on the other hand.
I clenched my jaw and moved away. I released deep breaths as I tried to regain control of myself. I thought about what happened in the past hour. After Gavin took control of the system and got all the files, he disabled all the cameras and the security radio. Allowing me to transport every kid to a large yacht.
Which would in turn allow me to get all far away from that island and into here instead of going back and forth, wasting my energy. I did it, I found my sister and rescued a bunch of kids. I should feel proud of myself, yet I felt nothing but contempt for my so-called rescue and the scums on that island.
"We did it, Red. We got all the files. The police will no doubt be raiding the island soon." Said Gavin.
"I also contacted all the missing children's parents. They'll be here soon." Added Jason.
I said nothing as I stared into the waters and the direction of the island. All those people, laughing, acting like they're above it all. While also preying on the weak and enjoying it disgustingly. Movie stars, people in power, people who are important politically. The people who regular folk view as respectable and helpful individuals.
Unaware of the crimes they would be willing to do just for the sake of their own pleasure. They were far worse people than Arc and his New World Order. Their methods I don't agree with, but to the organization, their dark deeds are meant to accomplish something. Something positive. Even Atlas, as much of a maniac as he is, is only cruel as a means to an end.
To cement his name and create a legacy. But this…vile monsters. They are already wealthy and own things that common folk desire the most. However, instead of using that wealth to do something, they do it for their own twisted pleasure. They do it because it's fun and they can do whatever they want.
To them, consequences are below them. Even as I think about how horrible they are, I bet everything they're still enjoying their little party and also thinking how enjoyable it would be once they went to the bottom floor where their…playthings wait.
Is this why Arc was so hellbent on destroying the government? Knowing the sick people inside of it? I thought he was just crazy, but now I can understand why he did it. Was stopping Arc from destroying this sick and corrupt system the right thing to do? The fact that I had to stop and think about it made me physically ill.
"Red, are you okay?" Asked Jason with a cornered tone.
"No, I'm not okay."
"But you saved the day; this is grounds for celebration, man."
"Saved the day?" I repeated, trembling. "If I did save the day, no one here would've been hurt by them. If I did save the day, Clary Jensen and the other kids would have never experienced being…taken like that."
Jason became silent. I clenched my fist.
"How did this happen? This never should have happened."
I hear Jason release a sigh before he explains everything. Since he's relatively new as a Monarch and one that isn't as forceful as his predecessor, a lot fewer politicians who knew of his existence didn't respect or fear him. That's why even with his resources and knowledge around the country, he still has some blind spots where something like this could happen in his territory.
"But…" Jason quickly added after his explanation. "It doesn't change the fact that it's my responsibility. Forgive me, Red."
I frowned, not because of Jason. But it's because Jason is apologizing for something that isn't his fault. Those who should be on their knees, begging forgiveness are those animals on that island. Are they seriously just going to be thrown in jail? To be imprisoned and humiliated publicly?
After what they've done? It didn't feel right to me, not one bit. I felt exhausted restraining myself, and before I knew it, I was levitating off the ship, glaring hatefully at the island, which was zoomed thanks to my visor.
"Whoa, whoa. Ben, it's over. They're beaten! They aren't a threat anymore!" Jason cried out, but Gavin stayed silent.
I know, and I didn't care.
"Take their money."
"W-What?"
"They're probably going to use their riches to bribe the judges. If they're going to use that money that way. Take it all. Every single cent from their account. Put it to yours or mine, I don't care. They don't deserve their wealth." I spat out.
"...We could accomplish that, I mean, we already hacked their bank account."
"Wha-!? Gavin, that's-" Jason is about objects but cuts himself off.
Probably because a part of him does agree with me.
"What will you do then?"
I didn't respond, instead clenching my fist. As red lighting danced across my whole body.
"Fine. But are you sure you want to do this? You'll be taking a life-"
"I won't kill them." I immediately cut Gavin off. "I know I'm not like that, I just don't have what it takes to actually pull the trigger."
My face grew dark as memories of the entire event replayed in my head like a twisted horror movie.
"I'm not going to kill anyone, but I'll make them wish I did."