Third Person's POV
Safe House
Alexander stood in front of Stone, his gaze steady and cold while Stone struggled against the grip holding him down.
For a moment, Alexander said nothing. Then he spoke.
"You've served me well," he said quietly. "You protected me when it mattered."
Stone let out a weak laugh, blood already staining the corner of his lips.
Alexander's expression didn't change.
"Tell me," he continued. "Who is the mastermind behind the Five Foes organization?"
Stone laughed again, this time louder, even with the pain.
"You won't get anything from me."
Alexander nodded slightly, like he had expected it.
"I know."
Stone's breathing became heavier, but his eyes still held defiance.
"They'll notice I'm gone," he said. "And when they do… they'll come. They'll do anything to complete their mission."
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"They're probably already on their way."
As if on cue, gunshots rang out in the distance. The sound echoed through the building.
A man rushed in and dropped to one knee.
"Puppet master," he said. "We have unwanted guests."
"What do you want us to do?", he continued.
Alexander didn't hesitate.
"Break his legs."
Stone's eyes widened.
"No!", he screamed.
The first strike landed. A loud crack filled the room. His scream followed immediately, sharp and raw as the club came down again. Blood spread across the floor while his body twisted helplessly.
Alexander didn't look away. Instead, he calmly pulled on a pair of gloves.
One of the men stepped forward with a briefcase and handed it to him.
Alexander opened it slowly. Inside was a small bottle filled with a grey liquid. He picked it up and held it where Stone could see.
"This is Lethex-9," he said calmly. "It was meant to be anaesthesia."
Stone's breathing became uneven.
"But it failed," Alexander continued. "It causes nausea and memory loss."
He stepped closer.
"In its raw form… it destroys the brain completely."
Stone began to shake.
"No… no…"
Alexander's voice remained calm.
"For protecting me, I won't kill you."
He paused. "I'll just make sure you can never hurt anyone again."
Stone screamed as Alexander injected the liquid into him.
His body jerked violently.
Foam gathered at the edge of his mouth as his eyes rolled back.
Alexander stepped away calmly, placing the syringe back into the case.
He removed his gloves, lit them with a lighter, and watched them burn.
Stone twitched on the floor. Then slowly, he went still.
Alexander closed the case.
"Leave one man here," he said.
Without another glance, he turned and walked out. Sebastian and two of the burly men followed behind him while one waited behind.
****
Moments later in the safehouse
The door burst open and Piper Redding stepped in, followed by men dressed in beige suits.
Her eyes scanned the room quickly.
Then she saw Stone lying unconscious on the ground, and nearby, a single man stood still with a scarf tied tightly around his mouth.
Piper stepped forward slowly.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous. "Where is your master?"
The man didn't respond.
Her eyes darkened.
"Take him."
The men moved, but before they could reach him, the man lifted his hand under the scarf.
A gunshot rang out, and his body dropped instantly, the sound echoing as it hit the floor.
Blood splattered across the ground.
They pulled the scarf away and froze.
The gun was still in his mouth. Silence filled the room. They looked at Piper.
For the first time, even she looked unsettled.
****
On the Road
The car moved smoothly through the road.
One burly man drove while another sat in the front seat.
They reached an intersection.
Without a word, both men stepped out at the same time and walked toward another car without a plate number parked quietly at the roadside. They entered and drove off immediately.
A few seconds later, Sebastian stepped out from the shadows and entered the driver's seat. He started the engine and drove off.
Silence filled the car.
"Master…" Sebastian said carefully. "Why did you leave that man behind?"
Alexander didn't look at him.
"There was a hidden camera," he said calmly. "It's powered by special technology."
Sebastian tightened his grip on the wheel.
"I knew they would come," Alexander continued. "I wanted to see who would show up for their silent mole."
Sebastian nodded slowly.
"I understand."
There was a pause.
"I'm sorry, master."
Alexander gave a quiet hum and closed his eyes.
His phone dinged and he opened it.
A faint smile appeared.
"Piper Redding came herself," he said, his tone light, almost amused.
He leaned back slightly.
"To retrieve her prince… the silent mole."