Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Chaos Controller ❯ Calm before the storm ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Shadow cleaned up the porch after mowing his older neighbor’s lawn for her.

 Aleena stepped outside and brought Shadow some water.

 “Thanks.” Shadow said. He took a sip of water.

 “Thank you for helping me keep this place up.” Aleena replied. “I appreciate it and so do my kids. They try to help out when they can, but you know how it is.”

 “It’s no problem.” Shadow said. “I don’t have much to do and it takes my mind off things.”

 “How’ve you been?” Aleena asked.

 “Some days are better than others.” Shadow replied. “Still find myself trying to make Rouge coffee in the morning.”

 Aleena sadly shook her head. “It took me a couple of years to be able to put my husband’s things away.” She said, leaning against the bannister. “Poor Sonic had to stay with me for months when his girlfriend died. Sonia and her friends went on a road trip to help her cope after her husband died.”

 Shadow nodded. “I had to move out when my sister died from NIDS.” He replied. “Couldn’t handle walking by her room every day.”

 “I’ve been there.” Aleena said.

 Shadow took another sip of water. “I’ll see you later.” He said. “Got some things to do.”

 “You should come by on Sunday for dinner.” Aleena replied. “I think you and Sonia would get along.”

 Shadow half smiled.

 “Just as friends.” Aleena said. “It’s too early for that. She’s still grieving too.”

 “I’ll see if I can come by.” Shadow replied. “Thanks for the water.”

 “You’re welcome.” Aleena said.

 Shadow walked away.

 

*

 Aleena sat in her house, reading a book on her tablet. 

 Her phone rang.

 Aleena picked up her phone and answered it. “Hello?”

 “Ma?” Manic sobbed. “I need help. I got kidnapped.”

 “What?” Aleena shrieked. “Where are you?” 

 “I dunno, some warehouse.” Manic said, voice shaking. “They’ll let me go, but you gotta wire them money through some app. The link is in your email.”

 Aleena opened her email app and saw an email in what appeared to be Manic’s email address. “I see it, sweetie.”

 “Kay, then click on the link and set up the account.” Manic said. “Enter in… uh… a thousand dollars to wire to the account in the second email.”

 Aleena switched between tabs as she tried to set up the account and wire the money to whoever it was. “Okay, it’s done.”

 “Thanks, Ma.” Manic said. “I’ll be home in an hour. I’ll call you when I get there.”

 Aleena breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, baby. I love you.”

 “Love you too.” Manic said. He hung up.

 Aleena hung up and set her tablet down. “Please let my baby call soon.” She whispered.

*

 Kit pinned his ears back as he pressed the button on his computer to hang up the call, then drained the bank account. “It’s done, sir.”

 Starline chuckled. “Stupid female.”

 Farrell glanced up from his paperwork. “That ai voice bot is amazing.” He said. “Sounds just like Manic.”

 “I’ve really outdone myself with that one.” Starline said, opening a bottle of wine. He glanced at Kit. “You can take off unless you want to celebrate with us.”

 “I think I’ll take off.” Kit said, getting up. “I have a headache.”

 Kit left the room. “I can’t believe I’m still here.” He thought. “I wonder if I can fake my death to get out of my debts.”

*

 An hour has passed and Manic still hadn’t called Aleena.

 Aleena picked up her phone and called Manic, praying he’d answer as she waited for him to pick up.

 Manic answered the phone. “Ma, I’m at work. I’ll call-”

 “What do you mean you’re at work?” Aleena asked.

 “I mean I’ve been working at this job for two hours.” Manic replied. “I was talking to my client when you called.”

 “But you just called me an hour ago, saying you were kidnapped and needed me to wire money to your kidnapper.” Aleena said. 

 “Ma, I’ve been working for two hours straight.” Manic replied. “I haven’t called you.” 

 “He hasn’t, Ma’am.” A male voice said. “I’ve been talking to him the entire time.”

 Aleena furrowed her brow.

“But….”

 “It was probably a scam bot.” Manic said. “They can mimic voices. Check your bank account.”

 Aleena picked up her tablet. “Okay, let’s see.” She said, opening her bank app.

 Her account was completely drained.

 Aleena gasped.

 “They ripped you off?” Manic asked.

 “They stole all my money.” Aleena replied.

 Manic groaned. “What were you thinking, Ma?!”

 “I’m sorry.” Aleena said, voice shaking. “I thought you were kidnapped. It sounded just like you and was crying. Do you have any idea what it’s like to believe your baby is in danger?”

 Aleena started crying.

 Manic exhaled slowly. “I’m sorry, Ma.” He said. “Listen, I’ll pick up Surge and come over as soon as I get off work. We’ll straighten it out, okay? Everything will be fine. Love you.”

 “Love you too.” Aleena replied.

 Manic hung up.

 Aleena sobbed into her hands. “How can I be so stupid?”