Chapter 27 - 27: Exposed

"In any case, his death or life doesn't concern APF. Why are you here for him?" Doctor Rao asked Xander, frowning deeply.

Doctor Layman also chimed in, "Your APF should be involved with matters related to the Variants if I'm not wrong. Even though Lucifer's parents were Variants, he hadn't awakened even after he turned 10. Even if he died, that shouldn't be your concern."

Xander Blake glared at Doctor Layman. His single gaze was enough to intimate the white-robed man who had just spoken.

Sweat appeared on his forehead as he lowered his gaze.

Xander also shifted his gaze to look at Doctor Layman.

"It is our concern. Yes, we are only involved with Variants, but Lucifer is also a Variant according to what we know. Not only did he not die, but he's also killing people instead," Xander informed Doctor Rao.

"Impossible!" Doctor Rao smashed the table with a look of disbelief on his face as he stood up. "He can't be alive, and even if he is, he can't be a Variant! No one can awaken their powers after they turn ten years old. It's a proven fact!"

Xander also pushed his chair back as he stood up.

"Look, Doctor. I don't care about what you think is possible and what you think isn't. As for your facts, you can pick them up and shove them up to your vault somewhere. Don't talk about facts before me. I know more about this than you think I do," Xander retorted to the Doctor, seemingly upset.

Doctor Rao was taken aback to see someone talking to him in such a condescending manner.

How dare someone half his age talk to him like that? He was boiling inside, but he kept his calm and didn't let his emotions show on his face.

"Xander, it seems to me like you're overstepping your boundaries here," Doctor Rao said as he calmly sat back again.

"Enough of wasting time here. I'm not here for the back and forth. I just want to know why an innocent kid who was brought here when he was only five turned into a killer. What did you do to the boy here? What made him a killer?" Xander inquired.

"I don't have anything to say to you. We did nothing wrong here. Even if I were to believe you for a moment that he is alive, that doesn't have anything to do with us. Please go back," Doctor Rao replied.

"Alright. Since you won't answer, I'll get answers from other places. I want to talk to everyone in the facility. If you did nothing wrong here, you should have no problem with it." Xander let out as he gazed towards Doctor Layman.

He had a feeling that this man could give him some answers if he could get alone with him.

"That's not possible. I already wasted my time talking to you. It's a facility that contains a lot of classified information. I can't let you do as you please. If you still want to do it, come back with the permit from the Army or the government," Doctor Rao straight away refused to allow Xander to interrogate anyone.

Ring! Ring!

Xander opened his lips to say something, but before he could speak, he heard his phone ring.

He picked up the call and placed it near his ears.

"Xander here," he said.

"Sir, there has been another mass murder. More than twenty people are found dead this time. It seems like the work of a Variant," the person on the other end of the call informed him.

As soon as Xander heard the news, a frown appeared on his face.

He walked outside the room to make sure that the others didn't hear his words.

"Another mass murder? Where?" he asked after he stepped outside.

"This time, it's in a restaurant in Legion City. The couple who owned the restaurant, along with twenty more people, is found dead. This seems like the work of the same Variant that we're after from the initial investigation," the other person answered.

'Legion City? Lucifer is the killer since it matches the murders previously. Why did Lucifer travel so much to get to Legion City?' Xander thought as he frowned.

'Legion City... Legion City... That's right. How could I forget! It's where Zale Azarel used to live five years ago! That's where Lucifer's home is! That's right! We can get him if I'm right,' he thought as he understood what was in Legion City.

He had been a fan of Zale Azarel when he used to live. He had known about his home. After all these years, he had forgotten about it but hearing the name of Legion City once again reminded him.

.

"Zach, your team is in Legion City, right? Find the address of the house where Zale Azarel used to stay! Take your team and go to that house. If I'm not wrong, the killer should be there," he commanded the person called Zach, who was on the other end of the call.

"Be careful, though. He might look young, but he's powerful. Don't underestimate him! I'll try to get there as fast as I can. You should be able to handle him, though, as long as you're careful, " he added.

"I'll handle it," Zach responded before he disconnected the call.

Xander placed the phone in his pocket before he opened the door.

"All of you, come with me. We're leaving," Xander told Flourance and the others before he shifted his gaze to Doctor Rao.

"This isn't over. I'll get the truth of this facility out. Just you wait."

He turned back and left with his team.