Chapter 1
Rain pattered harshly against the large building. The trees bended so far it seemed as if they were close to snapping. Lightning flashed brightly illuminating the night sky for a brief instant followed by a booming thunder shaking the window panes of the building.
One would think with a storm this severe the occupants of the building would be at home, though one light in the back of the building remained lit casting a warm glow across the rain pelted grounds.
The office was like any other, with plain red carpeting, bookshelves on both sides and a large mahogany desk littered with papers in front of wide bay windows.
The occupant of said office was dozing off in the desk chair, hair tousled and clothes slightly rumpled from the position he was sitting in.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
His hand slowly inched towards the phone that lay hidden under various papers.
"H-hello," He yawned, sitting back up slowly rubbing his blue eyes and placing his glasses back on.
"Oh Alfred, Good I didn't expect you to answer," The voice from the other end said with a hint of relief.
"Arthur you have any idea what time it is?" Alfred yawned again looking at his desk clock. Bright red numbers showed it was 3:45 AM.
"Yes and I'm sorry to have to wake you up at such an ungodly hour but I needed to check up on a rumor I overheard my boss talking over with some others," Arthur whispered silently with the slightest hint of worry mixed in.
Alfred yawned again standing up to keep from dozing off, slowly walking to stand in front of the windows to watch the rainfall. "Rumors? What Rumors?"
"Well you see I'm not entirely sure exactly what they were talking about. Their voices were too low for me to hear everything," You could almost hear the embarrassed blush spreading across Arthur's face. "It's just got me worried is all," he snapped.
"Aw Artie you worry too much," Alfred laughed with his same goofy grin. "It's probably nothin'. Your age is getting to you."
"Oh shut it!" Arthur snapped back.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Are you still at your office Alfred?" Arthur asked incredulously.
"Yeah I may have fallen behind on the paperwork my new boss gave me," Alfred laughed and shuffled on his feet clearly embarrassed.
"Oh right your new president was sworn into office just two days ago correct?" Arthur inquired. "Wait, that doesn't answer the question as to who else would still be there!"
"Im sure it's just the janitor who saw the light was still on," Alfred laughed at Arthur's worries, walking over to the office door.
"Alfred, I really don't think it's wise to open that door," Arthur's voice called through the phone but Alfred merely rolled his eyes and placed it against his chest to silence the caller. He answered door.
"Oh Sam it's just you," Arthur heard Alfred laugh from the other side of the line. "Why are you here so late Sammy?" Alfred asked happily. The next few sounds were ones Arthur had heard many, many times before, but unlike the other times these still haunted him to this day.
Click.
"I'm sorry Alfred but I have to," the voice was hard to identify as either male or female. "They threatened my family!"
BANG!
"Alfred?" Arthur called, "ALFRED!"
