FicWad

Sonia looked around at the marble entryway, soft pastel lights, and some potted tropical flowers and trees. “Wow, I’m impressed.” She said as Shadow led her to the desk.“I was expecting this to be a rundown nightclub tucked in a creepy alley.”
“Act like you belong here.” Shadow whispered. He handed the clerk, who was Sticks the Badger, two silver coins.
Sticks raised an eyebrow, but nodded. “Okay, you know the rules, Shadow.” She replied. “No business on Guild grounds.”
Shadow nodded his head at Sonia. “She won’t let me conduct business anyway.”
Sticks chuckled. “Keep him in line, Sonia.”
Sonia flinched. “How do you know my name?”
Sticks leaned over the counter. “We know all of the GUN agents.” She said in a low tone. “Don’t make a nuisance of yourself. Guild members don’t particularly like GUN agents.”
“Of course.” Sonia replied.
“Enjoy your visit.” Sticks said, smirking.
Sonia started to walk away.
“Someone’s waiting for you in the pool room alcove.” Sticks said. She leaned back in her seat.
Shadow nodded. He walked away and quickly caught up to Sonia, who was waiting by the group of elevators.
“What did she want?” Sonia asked.
“We have a meeting in the pool room alcove.” Shadow replied. He pressed a button for the elevator. “It’s basically a small lounge between the locker room and the swimming pools.”
*
Shadow and Sonia turned the corner.
Sonia froze, her jaw dropped. “Manic?”
Manic leaned away from the wall and walked over. “‘Bout time you showed up.” He said. He hugged Sonia. “Sorry, Sis. We had to do it to survive. I hated to hurt everyone.”
Sonia hugged Manic. “I’m just glad you’re all alive.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you, Sonia.” Shadow said.
Sonia let Manic go and looked at Shadow. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“To keep him and his family alive while we dealt with Surge.” Shadow replied.
Manic shrugged. “I knew you’d find out eventually.”
“I’m only allowing you to join us because I don’t know how to pick locks, Manic.” Shadow said. He led Sonia and Manic through the hallway. “Otherwise, I’d make you go back to wherever you’re hiding.”
“So you don’t know how to pick locks?” Sonia asked. “Is that why Manic saw the chopstick thing?”
“Yep.” Manic replied.
“I can’t believe you assisted in a hit, Manic.” Sonia said.
“You do a lot of things you’re not proud of in the Guild.” Manic replied. “I got out as soon as I could for Jade and the kids.”
“I can see why.” Sonia said.
Manic scoffed. “But that guy?” He asked. He shook his head. “He had it coming.”
Sonia looked at Manic.
“Sonia, if you knew what he did, you’d agree.” Manic said. “You remember that documentary we stumbled on the last time we hung out?”
“Yeah.” Sonia replied.
“It was about that guy.” Manic said.
Sonia bit her lip. “That’s still vigilante justice.”
“This is coming from the female who went into a two hour rant about there not being harsher sentences for rapists.” Shadow said.
Sonia rubbed her forehead. “Harsher sentences are different from taking the law into your own hands.”
“Then the law needs to get their hands out of their butts.” Manic muttered under his breath.
Sonia sighed. “I miss when I had no clue what my brother did for a living.”
*
Shadow, Sonia, and Manic wandered around the dimly lit secret lounge in the bar area.
Muffled electronic music played in the background.
Sonia sat down on one of the couches with her eyes closed. “Why do they have to have strobe lights?”
Shadow knelt down in front of Sonia. “Are you okay?”
“I think I’m getting a migraine.” Sonia muttered. She pulled her purse around. “I’ll be fine.”
“She’s not here.” Manic said, walking over to Shadow and Sonia.
“Then she’ll be at the Underground hotel.” Shadow replied. “Do you know where she lives if she’s not there?”
“She lives in penthouse five in the hotel.” Manic said.
Shadow got up and picked Sonia up. “Let’s head out the back way.”