Black Out (24690 #3)

by A.A. Dark

Be careful who you get close to. Trust slowly. Listen eagerly. Talk only when you believe in what you have to say, and only if you know it to be the truth. Never break your word to those loyal to you, but never believe loyalty is unbreakable. It is our friends that will be the first to hurt us. React gracefully. You’re a Davenport. Someone is always watching. The way the world sees you is a mirror of how you see yourself. Let them see nothing but love. Then, when they’re not looking…drop the match and burn them to the ground.”

There was this thing about humanity, about life and emotion. Almost everyone felt a degree of love or hate. Maybe it was greed or rage. Seven and a half billion people on the planet, each experiencing a mass of emotions due to actions they could or could not control. It was the cause of miracles…of genocide. Emotion controlled everything, especially us.

To me…love, greed, suspicion. My emotions were vast. What I had even more of though was secrets. I had so many. Some would come out. Others would follow me to my grave. Maybe sooner than later. Overall, none mattered. Nothing existed for me but twenty-four-six-ninety.

Emotions. Perhaps they were the downfall of us all.

Flowers didn’t grow in the dark. Love didn’t flourish amongst evil. My child was dead by now. He was dead and it was all my fault.

“You can’t set hell’s playground on fire and expect it to make a difference. She’s already made friends with the flames.

“Beware wolves who clip their claws. Their teeth are always ready. That’s what my ex-wife used to say. We got lucky to strike before they did. Fuck.”

“That’s what I thought. Beware of women. Period. We always find a way to survive.”

“This is the beginning. No woman, man, child, or previous slave ever has to be afraid again. Whitlock Enterprise has paired with Jane Doe Inc and has set up a very generous fund for those trying to escape trafficking. If you can’t escape, we will help you do so. If you know a location that you suspect is associated with these crimes, we’ll find you. We will stop you. We are all over the globe, and you better believe we’re coming. Expect us.”