Mr. Abrams read the very long text. Normally, such length isn’t something one would have time to read while on a battlefield. Doing so is equivalent to suicide. In fact, just pulling out one’s cell phone while out in the field will get them killed.

For a second there he felt like replying. How many people could claim to have responded to a text while staring down a criminal?

However just as his uncurled index finger inched close to the touch screen-generated keypad; the man backed off, putting the phone away.

If normally, reading a text while standing on a battlefield can easily get you killed: then just how much would Houdini suffer responding to one?

But of course, in his case; his awkward case where he was making his adversary perform a spiritual contract using that same enemy’s soul, rather than capturing him outright like any proper hero would…

as every proper hero SHOULD...

...There was really no room for the word ‘normal’. Especially so, since NORMALLY an opponent would fight for their freedom, rather than strike a deal over information.

…

Mr. Abrams: “...Chat buddy…”

One: “...Hel-hello? Other than handing you his contact information, I CAN act as an informant between you and the boss! If you ever need me-”

Mr. Abrams: “Haaah. No. It’s fine. Save your breath. It seems I’ve stumbled into my OWN method of contacting him.

(...Chat buddy. He, a leader of some petty criminal organization like the ‘Numbers’ DARES to consider me as some type of...’buddy’?! If I allow this miscreant a chance to spread word around Herotopia that I of all people am his...buddy, the entire Society of Heroes would question my credibility. Questioning my credibility can potentially put these kids in danger – ESPECIALLY since I just learned today that hidden within our high school campus is a vicious monster that not only wishes to kill the non-combatants in my class, but all three classes! If I had allowed those two Mr. Pierce and Mrs. Haldeen to enter that forest infested with villains like I was instructed by my mission to do… had those two teachers not Broken the brainwashing effect that somebody cast down on them during the orientation games… and had these kids not pulled off some…stupid-seeming miracle by both holding off the mercenaries AND reviving the dead...Does this guy think I’m a joke? He does, doesn’t he?

...Furthermore...*Looks around* Where are you watching from? I can’t see a camera anywhere, and I don’t ‘feel’ an otherworldly presence here at work...)

Fine. Forget the last demand from rule # 4. Just tell me everything you know about the next attack, as well as your client…

…

No. In fact: forget about that. I’ve changed my mind. I’ll take a look myself.”

One: “Pardon? N-Now?”

Mr. Abrams: “...Ah. That’s right. You just reminded me.”

*Vwish!*

…

Six woke up shortly after blacking out, but was extremely upset. She was THIS close to succeeding! THIS close to making enough money!

And ‘this’ close to bringing her mother and baby brother the treatment they deserve.

She vividly remembers it. Effortlessly recalls each frame - by – frame still in her memory of the kids meeting their demise at her hands. She SAW it! Her magic bullets exploded them all from the inside, leaving only their heads - So WHY were they still in one piece??

Just what the hell happened??

Did she miss?

--NO! She has photographic memory!

...or so she likes to think. Anyway; she has really GOOD memory! There’s no way she wouldn’t remember laughing like a wacko after killing a couple of kids…!

...Granted, it wasn’t one of her FINER moments…

But she would repeat her actions all over again ANY DAY she needed to, in order for her father to receive the rest of this mission’s money. Her mother, and more importantly her baby brother, their lives are BOTH on the line! Choosing to do something without wanting to go through with it – she’s gone on several missions with unhappy endings. Never one where she actively takes part in the killing – but it doesn’t mean her father is a saint, and it definitely isn’t enough to condone her actions as an accomplice during those missions.

Just like now. Although she was given the easier route, she still almost lost to a boy and his rubbing alcohols. She almost lost to RUBBING ALCOHOL of all things! How embarrassing would that even be if the other numbers – or if the REAL 6 caught wind of this?

Well. At least there’s nothing more she can do here. Resting is a sign of resignation – but it isn’t like she has much of a choice. That punch destroyed her legs, ribs and arms. There’s no way she could move, let alone fight the ki--

…

6: “Ah. That’s right. *Stands up and stretches* I used my last heal so that I wouldn’t die. I can definitely move again! I still have a chance if I act now, to maybe get rid of those kids!!

.

.

.

...Pfft. Yeah, as if. Does dad---I mean, One expect me to shoot someone that can level a 5-6 story dormitory? Probably not. He sent me to the BOY’S side, after all. He even lectured me about ‘pulling out’ if this mission places me in danger.

…

Fine. I’ll pull out. Maybe I’ll sneak back to the underground surgeon where mom is-”

*Vwish*

6: “…(Did, did the Earth just suddenly change, or something? Why isn’t the crater still underneath me? And the trees! Why are they all still in tact?)”

In front of her was a collapsed hairy beast. Measuring based on its length, it had to have been at least a whole foot taller than her. Knowing this, and getting a good look at the fresh blood staining its claws, she couldn’t help BUT take an involuntary step backwards. Farther behind the creature, somewhere past the trees stood a blue energy barrier. Following it’s height all the way up to the sky felt natural. She wanted to know how high up it stretched!

But before she could reach the cone – like roof with her curious gaze, she felt a pair of soft – yet - firm hands touch her shoulders, causing her to jolt. Having a difficult time understanding where she was is bad enough. Having somebody she didn’t even register BEHIND her standing so close that they can reach out and touch her? This was a problem. And one she wasn’t excited to face.

6: “Huh? Just who exactly-”

Mr. Abrams: “Hello.”

6: “...”

Her face contorts from confused curiosity, to ripened fear. All semblance of caution is replaced by a rapid desire to flee.

Sweat dripped down from her temples; curving across her thinned eyebrows and reaching the tip of her sharply pointed nose.

*Plop!*

Her chest began to heave uncontrollably; as if gasping for air was about the only thing she could think of doing with her precious time left.

Well that, and the obvious yearning she harbored deep down to run away from her present location – with this horrifying and unforgiving man.

And then the young adult woman let a shrill shriek of terror escape from her parted lips.

6: “AAAAAAAAAHHHH! IT - IT’S THE MO – MONITOR MAN!! NOOO, STAY AWAY FROM ME!”

Mr. Abrams: “...Again with this ‘Monitor Man’ thing…? Just how am I going to correct this stupid title?!? *Turns* Was it YOU who poisoned your daughter’s mind with such a stupid name for me?”

One remained silent. He didn’t have the chance to collect his thoughts together before his adversary cast a magical circle on top of the soil-cluttered clearing – NOR did Mr. Abrams present him with an opportunity to respond towards his previous provocation. What was happening? Why did Monitor Man bring his daughter to their battlefield? Was it to make things even easier once the deal was made – and the oath was signed? Wow. This man definitely doesn’t match his reputation at all. Rumors will always be only that: rumors instead of well – grounded logic.

Still rooted by the fear of having boss’s brooch – which he’d gone out of his way to lend One - turn out completely useless, AND of being unable to stomach the idea that Mr. Monitor Man may just as EASILY double cross and arrest both he and his daughter on the spot; One silently prays that Six wasn’t brought to him for the sole purpose of arresting the family of three, right then and there.

But just in case his worst fears came true...he rhythmically prayed within the recesses of his conscious mind, that any mercenary Gods who might exist and favor him wouldn’t allow him to be arrested today.

And it worked! Nothing...not a single soul around was coming to arrest them. Nor did a single handcuff attach itself to him.

Instead, Mr. Abrams placed a single left hand on 6’s head, before beginning to chant aloud a strange series of verses. It took him roughly 10 seconds to finish chanting, and as he did, a weird set of symbols inscribed themselves onto her wrist.

Mr. Abrams: “Don’t think ill of me. I need to ensure that you keep your end of the bargain, WITHOUT seeking somebody else to help remove your soul oath.”

---