Chapter 142: How The Villain Stole Christmas (2/2)
”Any ideas Scarlett? Do you have any long-lost siblings we should know about?”
She shook her head. ”No. Not that I'm aware of.”
Alton sighed, shaking his leg biting his thumb. ”The Crystal Night Ball. Why attack this place? It has nothing to do with V.I.R.A.L apart from the fact Harmony is signed up to play. The more we learn of their plans, the more this family makes little sense.”
Scarlett stood up, getting their attention as she seemed frustrated. ”This is Riley! I know it is. This isn't about V.I.R.A.L. It's about me. She wants to get back at me, that's what this is all about right now… When I was young, still with the family, there was one night where I could get away from all of the conspiracies and torture—the Crystal Night Ball. Riley and I snuck out on that night to see it with our own eyes. It caught our imagination and never let go. That was the deciding factor for me to get away from the family. I wanted to preserve the beauty in this world while my father wanted it dead. She is going to target the ball as a way to get back at me for abandoning her. It's the last good memory I have of her.”
Alton continued to stare at the map nodding. ”Alright, then. We'll go with your plan Scarlett.”
”Are you sure Alton, you said it yourself this is off,” Gale stated?
”While it is bizarre, to say the least, who am I to say no? We're team Rhapsody we don't only help the weak but each other. We're family, we help each other. This isn't just about stopping Syndicate but preserving the happy memories.”
”Alton… Thank you.”
”The Ball is on Christmas Eve. We only have a few days; we will need to prepare if we can stop any causalities.” Zinnia whispered. ”I still don't agree with this, but I'm going to try and avoid any unnecessary injuries.”
”I'm going to get in contact with the Montagues. They might be able to help with forces.” Emil stated. ”Gale, can you help?”
Gale walked over as Emil placed his arm over his shoulder whispering. Operation Lockhart is still in motion. This is the perfect chance for the plan to go ahead. Remember what Diego said about the scene? A ball is perfect.”
Gale smirked nodding giving him the thumbs up. ”Defeat Syndicate and get Alton and Zinnia together with a slow dance. Ha, a real Christmas miracle.”
”We don't have long to plan this. I have favour with Harmony. This is perfect.”
Alton kept staring at the map as he was left with Scarlett. ”What will you do when we take your sister down?”
”What do you mean?”
”What I mean is are you going to kill her?” He brings up.
Scarlett flinches falling silent. She gives a short one-worded reply. ”Yes.”
Alton nodded. ”Alright. Then let me do it.”
”Huh? Why you?”
”You make act all tough thinking you can do this alone but killing a family member. Crossing that line will haunt you for the rest of your life. You still love her, yeah? You don't need to pretend; otherwise, you wouldn't care this much about it. You feel regretful you couldn't save her.”
”I am…”
”Then, when the time comes, I'll put her down. Will you allow me that?”
Scarlett gave a small nod of acknowledgement. ”Alton… I just wanted to say… Thank you for all of this. When we first met here so many months ago never did, I expect you to be so kind and caring. I love you very much for that. My family will say the same. When the time comes, I will return the favour. When your father comes, I'll help you stop him once and for all and get the revenge for your mother.”
”We met at Zinnia's birthday party.”
”Excuse me?”
”You said we first met here at the Karaoke bar. I wasn't here, remember? You came to warn them about Vanguard. We met at the orphanage.”
”Of course, sorry. My mind is all over the place with the plan. We cannot fail, no matter what.” Scarlett held her hand out, smiling. ”Let's bring the family down together.”
Alton nodded, taking her hand glancing back at the map still feeling a small clutch of uneasiness clinging onto him never entirely leaving.