Chapter 2: The Day After

	Richard drove up the driveway, fast, his Mercedes Benz SLK McLaren 
revved up when it reached the climax of third gear. It stopped as fast as it could 
accelerate, parking horizontally in front of the once beautiful front entrance. But 
Richard jumped out of the car, not even bothering to rev the engine or turn off the 
car. Everything was left on, the headlights, engine, everything vital to the car's 
performance. The man ran for the villas door when Jesse and James walked 
down the curved staircase inside. From his viewpoint, Richard could see James 
was unhappy and Jesse was sad. Her face was beat red and so were her eyes.
	"What happened here?"
	"Matrix. It was-it was Matrix. He stormed in-and-and he brought dozens of 
mercenaries. Richard…Matrix took your granddaughter."
	"Jade?"
	"He took her." She couldn't continue talking, it was too much for her and 
even for James to bear to say.
	"Where are Ash and Misty?"
	"Misty is on the dock, Ash is with Melody in the back. She's cleaning him 
up."
	"What happened to Ash?"
	"He fought Matrix and ended up out a second story window."
	"Oh my God-"
	"He held up against Matrix."
	"Is he hurt?"
	"Just his leg and face. His back went through the window first." James 
replied pulling Jesse away from Richard.
	He ran through the apocalyptic villa, jumping over a large chandelier and 
other household obstacles. Yet he still reached the sliding door in the kitchen and 
was able to run out onto the large deck. To his left was Melody, she was pulling 
small shards of glass out of Ash's arms and legs.
	"Ash, are you al right?" Richard ran to his side and looked at his cut up 
arms. "Oh my God."
	Ash didn't respond though he did continue to constantly stare into 
Richard's eyes. 
	"Ash? What's wrong?"
	"Leave me alone."
	"Excuse me?"
	"Go talk to your daughter!"
	Richard took the attitude lightly, assuming it was just from the loss of 
Jade. But he listened to Ash and walked slowly down to the outstretched dock. 
Tied to the end was a long speedboat with a noticeable engine that read on the 
back, 'VIPER.' At the end was Misty. She had her back to Richard, her face 
directed toward the calm lake.
	"Unless you want to tell me about Jade, screw you!"
	"What? What's wrong Misty?"
	"You are what is wrong!"
	"What did I do?"
	"It's what you didn't do!"
	"I don't see where this is going?"
	"What's my maiden name?"
	"Waterflower, why?"
	"Who was my dad?"
	"He was Robert Waterflower, and my best agent-"
	"Best turned agent!"
	"Who told you?"
	"Matrix told Ash."
	"Let me set the record straight. Your dad once worked with Matrix, but he 
turned him and sided with the IEA after seeking asylum from Matrix. He went 
insane, apparently he claiming his mind was being bored. After that, Matrix 
became the most dangerous terrorist in the world. Before he was, just a terrorist, 
as was your father."
	"You're not telling me something."
	"I told you everything I know."
	"So you just forgot that my dad trained Jade?"
	"Your father? How could he train Jade? She would be only-"
	"Ten."
	"Ten?"
	"It would explain why Jade looked out for me. One day, a group of chicks 
tried to start a fight with me but…Jade showed up and protected me from that 
point on. I never knew why she did it. But now I know. She was extending the 
favor on what my dad did for her. And why didn't anyone else in the family want 
to adopt me? Why did you?"
	"We wanted you safe. If you lived with another family we wouldn't be able 
to protect you."
	"Protect me from what?"
	"This is where Matrix's first plan kicks in."
	"Matrix wanted me. But why did he kill my dad to get me? Why not 
humiliate him while he was alive?"
	"I don't know. I personally believe it was because of the threat of his plan 
failing."
	"Oh. So, my dad was a terrorist?"
	"At one time, yes. Much like your situation, you were once a terrorist and 
now you're a spy."
	"Sorry dad."
	"Don't worry about it, Misty. Matrix has the power to influence people with 
his words."
	"Yes he does."