Walmart Security's Journal: Episode Seven: Deviation

"This world isn't yours," the man told Peter, his animosity emphatic. "We've taken it from you. Even the police fear us now, though they'd never tell you." Soft fluorescent lights illuminated the warehouse, exposing hundreds of ambiguously marked cardboard boxes and one car.

"Very soon now, we'll overthrow them and restore anarchy." Peter was shivering; he couldn't defend the world from this threat. The man's black eyes pierced his own. "You are quite intimidated, obviously. I was never your protégé, old man. You're shivering; I can see it from here." He stepped closer.

"Why, Robert?" Peter asked, his voice rising. "My Wal-Mart provided nothing to you or your organization! It never has and it never will."

"At first, my assignment was to infiltrate EZSECURE and terminate the company president. That was until I met you, of course." He stepped closer and tapped Peter's shoulder.

"No, don't hurt me!" he recoiled. "Please-"

"Scream in my face again and I'll kill you," the man cautioned. "I'll kill you slowly. Anyway, nobody would even believe your story if I did release you. You'd be guarding the mental institution. You see, when I met you, my objective became more personal. The original plan was to dispatch you with the SUV. However, I decided it'd be more impressive to confirm your beliefs and then watch the agony on your face as-"

With a deafening crash, the fluorescent lights shattered. Robert covered his ears and fell to the floor as two people descended from above. Their black clothing and automatic rifles intimidated Peter, who had retreated to the nearest corner. Spotlights illuminated the room, revealing a trail of blood that led to a closed door.

"Units fourteen and fifteen have commenced operation six-two," a man radioed as he landed. "Objective has been located; we're taking him through the roof. Rendezvous at location alpha."

"Who are you?" questioned Peter as they drew closer. The men remained silent.

Peter desperately clutched a cable hanging from the ceiling. As they ascended, shots rang out from below.

"Returning fire," radioed the soldier as he removed a grenade from his belt. "Fire in the hole!" With a click of the pin, he tossed the grenade. It erupted into a ball of flames, engulfing the contents of the warehouse. Peter looked down from far above, observing a burnt table, hundreds of boxes, and one scorched body that continued to burn...