Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen



As the last words echoed into silence, the short film came to an end.

NightKing held his phone, gazing at the now dark screen. Reflected in the screen was his own chilling, dangerous expression.

His grey eyes narrowed. With a clatter, he tossed the phone onto the table, took another drag of his cigarette, but the hint of a smile played at the corners of his eyes.

Meanwhile, Eileen slipped her phone into her jean pocket.

She crouched down, looking at the two hulking men on the ground, devoid of any fight left in them. "Why'd you try to snatch me?" she asked coolly. The two exchanged panicked glances but said nothing.

"Ever do time in a the jail called Crestonia? Fancy a taste?" she prodded, one eyebrow arched.

Still, they remained silent.

Eileen grabbed one by the collar and hoisted him with one hand, pinning him against the wall, her other hand raised, "Are you gonna talk or not?" The man stuttered, "I... I don't know."

She thought of NightKing's ways. True to form, he only gave orders, never explanations.

Eileen recognized the familiar face.

This man had been with NightKing since he was twelve. She remembered once, failing a training session, she was punished by being locked in a cage with a leopard. She was mauled, and it was this man who had carried her to the med bay.

With a click of her tongue, Eileen let him go, then turned her attention to the other thug on the floor. He too was an old acquaintance, the one who'd sneak her midnight snacks in the med bay while she recovered.

In her past life, during this time, she would have been training with NightKing, and every member of the Bloodbane Shadowsociety, from enforcers to assassins, to finance and logistics, she had some dealings with them.

She couldn't bring herself to truly harm these "old friends."

Hands back in her pockets, Eileen said nonchalantly, "Get lost."

Without another glance at their stunned faces, she turned and left the restroom.

Walking back to the private booth, Eileen noted at least half a dozen lurkers in the vicinity.

Geez, these guys were so obvious, not trained by NightKing, that's for sure. Sending these third-rate goons after her, did they not actually want to catch her?

Wait, not want to catch her? The thought stopped her in her tracks. Perhaps NightKing didn't want to apprehend her at all, maybe... it was all a test? Considering this, it made sense. NightKing had ties with the Crestonia military; during a collaboration like this, he wouldn't openly order a kidnapping. Realization dawned on Eileen, and she chuckled to herself.

A test then, let it be. As if NightKing could ever guess she'd been reborn.

Brushing off the thought, Eileen pushed the door to return to the booth.

But as she did, someone emerged from within.

Eileen paused, surprised to see Egbert with a grave look on his face.

Upon seeing her, he visibly relaxed, took her hand, and furrowed his brows, "You alright?"

Caught off-guard, she guessed he'd just gotten the news, "Yeah, I'm fine. What's up?"novelbin

He just stared at her in silence.

The booth was as lively as ever. Sylvia was eyeing her like a hawk.

Eileen nudged Egbert, "Let's go back in."

His frown deepened.

After pushing Egbert back to his seat and settling down, Sylvia suddenly grabbed Eileen's sleeve. Eileen turned to see Sylvia pouting, her anger palpable, "Out with it! What's going on with you two?" Eileen's mind was elsewhere, she glanced at Egbert and brushed Sylvia off, "It's nothing."

Just then, Egbert's phone rang again. He checked it and abruptly stood up.

Eileen followed suit.

Sylvia was beside herself, "Where are you going now?"

Eileen saw Egbert exit the booth, and hurriedly followed, fibbing, "Bathroom break."

Sylvia protested, "Didn't you just come from there?"

Eileen replied, "Walked into the men's by mistake. Need to use the ladies' room now." Sylvia was speechless. With that, Eileen pushed past her and rushed out.

In the booth, Sylvia was fuming.

Hobson chimed in, "Let it be, Sylvia. We all know what's up. They're obviously dating."

"No! It can't be!" Sylvia insisted, "I think they've been together and broken up. Why else would he call Eileen earlier? They must be over. I need to get to the bottom of this!"

With that, she stormed out after them.

On the other side, Eileen followed Egbert into the stairwell. Just as she stepped in, her wrist was seized. In the next moment, she was engulfed by his familiar scent, as warm hands gripped her waist and pinned her against the stair railing.

Egbert's voice was a cold whisper above her, "Why cover for them?"

Eileen swallowed hard, the darkness of the stairwell limiting her vision. It took a moment to make out Egbert's face. His expression was stern, his eyes, a fathomless dark.

She clutched at his sleeve, guiltily, "Cover for what?"

He released her abruptly and turned to leave.

Eileen grabbed him, "I thought it's better to play the long game, catch the big fish."

He gave her a cold look.

Eileen knew the excuse was weak. Both of the two guys were her "old friends", and they were just carrying out orders. The real issue was NightKing's rotten plan.

If it had been NightKing in person, she wouldn't have interfered. As long as Egbert didn't kill him, she was open to any form of payback. Suddenly, faint footsteps sounded from above. So faint, an ordinary person might have ignored them. But Eileen and Egbert found themselves simultaneously glancing up the staircase.

With purpose in his stride, Egbert made his way upstairs, Eileen in hot pursuit, even managing to outpace him.

Sylvia had been rummaging through the restroom for ages without a trace of Eileen. Fuming, she was about to head back to their private room when, out of nowhere, a figure emerged, pressing a foul-smelling cloth against her face.

She struggled for a bit, and within seconds, Sylvia's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed into unconsciousness.

Eileen reached the top of the stairs only to find the sound that had drawn them there had vanished.

Egbert was a step behind her when the motion-sensor lights flickered on. Turning around, Eileen found herself staring into Egbert's icy gaze.

Touching her nose in an awkward gesture, Eileen asked, "The message you got earlier, was it from the military? What did they say? Were you ordered to capture those people?"

Egbert replied curtly, "It's classified."

Eileen dared not probe further when suddenly, a ringtone echoed through the hallway.

She reached into her pocket, and Egbert turned to look at her.

Pulling out a phone, Eileen realized it wasn't hers but one she'd lifted off one of the thugs earlier. Seeing the phone, Egbert's eyes narrowed even further.

Not daring to meet his stare, Eileen unlocked the screen and was greeted by a video clip.

The footage showed Sylvia, eyes shut, lying on a pristine white bed.

Eileen was stunned.

Seconds later, the clip ended. Then, another notification - a message had come through.

Eileen glanced at the text.

It must have been written by NightKing, it read - "Hello Ms. Lopez. Just thought I'd shoot you a video to let you know, you're a loser!"