The Zetta Sonic
Pick Up

Alex finds himself in a dilemma. On one hand, he was disappointed to not find anything at the location of the first coordinate point. On the other hand, he was also relieved because he could still blame Caitlin.

The coordinate point he received, which also came from the city, was nothing more than a suburban bar. The bar was not only rundown but also forgotten. Not many guests came. ICPA agents swallowed the fact that maybe the bar was just one of Marcel's favorite bars.

From Emil, Alex gets his latest development. Fergus orders his men to check Marcel's closest circle and when was the last time the former ICPA agent was seen. At least that information was enough to calm Alex down. He slept well that night. Unfortunately, when morning came, all those problems seemed to come back.

Alex nodded in his chair. Alone. His mind was already murky even though it was still morning. He tried to put himself in the position of the kidnapper. Where are we going to hide Jayden from the ICPA?

“...x. ..lex. Alex?”

Alex gasps after realizing that his name has been called repeatedly by his favorite girl. Leta stood beside him. His gaze was attached to the boy. Finally, he pulled out an empty chair and sat down beside Alex. At that time, Willy had not yet arrived.

“You all right? Your face is spooky,” Leta said again.

“Yes. I'm just a little unprepared for later.”

“Biological test today?” guess Leta.

Alex shrugged his shoulders while smiling thinly. It happened again. The lies saved him from awkwardness. “You've learned?”

“Not also.” Leta threw her gaze at the bracelet in Alex's hand. “Actually, I wonder what it is.”

“Care watches. The model is unique, right?” Alex wiggled his left hand. When he thought that it wasn't going to be a problem, the Zet-Arm flashed. Alex knew a message was coming for him.

“Ya, quite unique.” Leta answered. He didn't seem to see what had just happened to the device. “Actually, I've been curious lately. You look a little different, Alex.”

“Really?” Alex pulls his left arm under the table, hiding Zet-Arm from the sight of Leta and the other students passing by.

“You don't talk much. To me. On Willy.” Leta paused for a moment, biting her lips. “I wonder if lately there are problems that you are facing alone. I mean.. You know, we're worried about you.”

Our.

Those words are not entirely correct. Alex wasn't sure that Willy was worried about her. Alex even felt that Willy himself did not want to get close to him. Call it since he scolded Willy for taking Cody's new technology, their relationship has been cold. Not that if they no longer have lunch together, it's just that all the jokes now become awkward.

“My current problem is only a matter of biological testing.” Alex forced himself to laugh. At that moment, the phone in his pocket shook. Alex can guess who called him. That makes him even more nervous.

“You can talk to me.”

Leta's words make Alex misbehave. He was confused about whether to smile or even frown. None of it feels right. Finally Alex could only open his mouth without saying anything. The Leta in front of him did not change his expression. His eyebrows were intertwined and his eyes were still attached to Alex.

“I'm serious.” Leta repeated her words. “We're your friends. If there's a problem, whatever, you can tell. Maybe it'll make you a little more relieved. I know a lot of kids who have problems at our age. Too mature to be considered children but also still too children to be considered adults. Sometimes we feel incomprehensible to parents. I understand how it feels. Especially when you rarely meet your parents.”

Leta, on the other hand, is even more trying to emphasize her point. “I care about you. I'm here for you. If there is a problem, just tell me. I'll listen to it.”

Without realizing it, Alex's hand was clenched. “It's very. I mean, soothing. Excuse me. I... There's a phone I have to pick up.”

Alex stands. He passed Leta quickly without giving Leta the slightest chance to respond. Alex has gone. A thing Alex wouldn't do just yet. He wanted to get the girl's heart. If asked to choose between ICPA or Leta, he does not need to think long to answer. Again, it's different now. Alex doesn't want to be in school. He has a new priority.

“What?” Alex picks up the phone before he even reaches the deserted park.

[We got a problem, kid.] Tiger's voice sounded. Breath hunting. [I'm at the back door of the school.]

Alex turned around. “Say that you found Jayden.”

[I hope so. Unfortunately, we found another.]

“Don't give me bad news, Tiger.”

Alex ran towards the back door of the school. He saw a white SUV turn sharply from a distance. The car stopped right in front of the back door. Alex ran to him without any worries. He knows Emil will outsmart all the school's CCTVs later including making excuses why he didn't show up in class that day.

Alex opened the front door, jumped into the car, looking at Tiger who was driving with questions.

“Safety belt.” Tiger gave the order. It was only after Alex put it on that Tiger was running his car back at high speed. “Damon back. Making a mess in the plaza. He's looking for you.”

“What? Why are criminals so complicated? He can come to my house if he wants.” The sentence slid easily from Alex's lips even though he knew that he didn't expect it to happen.

“Actually, can. But, he has another purpose.”

“What? Show off? Showing his ability in public to decorate the headline?”

Tiger glanced at Alex beside him. “You are now starting to think like criminals,” replied Tiger, “and ICPA agent,”.

Alex fell silent. He's starting to understand.

Tiger took her to a plaza close to the city park. That place is fucked up. People are scattering out. Some of the merchandise on display outside the store had already been destroyed. The part of the wall decorated with murals was now messy on the ground. The long hallway was filled with smoke, dust, and screams.

After the people scattered away, Alex could see a large tall figure walking out of between. He was dragging a man dressed in police clothes covered in blood. Alex doesn't want to imagine what happened to the man. However, he was clearly curious as to what had happened to the figure.

Damon is now taller, bigger. His skin is also darker in color. And, eyes. His eyes were red and glaring. His figure is like a giant. Ah, no. Not a monster, but a monster. As he roared, Alex swore that the windshield of their SUV was shaking. His fight with Damon this time will not be easy.