Benjamin sat with his classmates in the library at Mar-Jam Academy. The building was illuminated by the electric bulbs on the ceiling and the single skylight, allowing the sun to fall in. The library was 175,000 square feet, housing hundreds of books across the towering shelves in neat rows. The class congregated around numerous wooden, rectangular tables. They studiously read through the books assigned by their teachers until something caught their eyes. The students saw Princess Abigail with her bodyguards, hurrying over to her.

  The young men and women were captured by her beauty as they saw her long, golden hair and flawless Caucasian skin. The men were enamored by her grace. However, the women were consumed by intense jealousy as Abigail lured the admiring gazes of their classmates. Still, Benjamin was among them, more curious to meet a princess for the first time than anything else, seeing that he had Vanessa. But the bodyguards quickly got rough, knocking Benjamin and many of his classmates down.

  "Stop it, guys. Honestly, I—"

  As Abigail saw Benjamin trying to get up, she blushed, running to help him.

  "Hello there, my name is Abigail."

  "Oh, I know. It’s been all over the news that you were coming.”

  “And I thought I could escape such things in America.” Abigail sighed.

  “My name is Benjamin Jones. I hope I don't sound rude, but why does a princess want to become a lawyer?"

  "It's a long story. But when my sister takes over for Daddy, I don't want to sit bored in a castle. And you?"

  "To fight for justice.”

  “How blunt.” Abigail giggled.

  “It’s no joke. When I graduate, I'll be the lawyer who fights for the little guy."

  "Well, this is awkward with the behavior of Daddy's goon squad. I swear they make finding the right school nearly impossible."

  “I would enjoy whatever attention your pop gives you.” Benjamin took a heavy breath. “You never know when you might not get more.”

  “I dare say you sound like you’re talking from experience.”

  Benjamin nodded.

  “I’ll keep the advice in mind.”

  “Great,” Benjamin uttered an anxious laugh.

  “Benjamin, after class, would you mind accompanying me to d—“

  The library was filled with the sounds of battle from outside. The echoes of gunshots bounced off the walls, hitting their eardrums like a hard projectile. Abigail's bodyguards moved to defend her from any upcoming threat, encircling her. But like lightning, James and a small army of gangsters burst through the doors and attacked. The gangsters quickly gunned down the guards, drawing screams from the students.

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  Abigail looked at their bodies, horrified, as James grabbed her by the neck. Benjamin went to help, but James backhanded him to the floor. Finally, shooting another shot at the ceiling to silence the cowering students.

  "Men, gather the hostages in one spot. And take up defensive positions around the building immediately."

  ***

  Daniel walked through the city enjoying the sunny day, holding hands with Karen.

  “Where do you want to go next, angel?”

  “Some place romantic. Perhaps the beach, or a nice restaurant.” Karen put a finger to her lips. “Or both.”

  “I have to say, the thought of getting you in that water doesn’t sound half bad.”

  Karen rolled her eyes. “If you behave yourself during our meal, that is.”

  “You drive a hard bargain, but—“

  Daniel spotted a crowd totaling more than a hundred people, gathering around a radio, and sprinted over, dragging Karen with him.

  “No rest for the weary.” Karen sighed.

  "We are receiving confirmation now. An unknown group of assailants has taken Princess Abigail hostage," A reporter said over the radio.

  Daniel prepared to take action as he heard the radio.

  "And we now have the location of the incident, Mar-Jam Academy."

  As Daniel heard the radio, terror crippled his body as he realized Benjamin was also in peril. He soon punched himself in the forehead. He saw the extra security around the school, knowing something was coming, and still left. Now, his brother and scores of innocent people were in danger because of his mistake. The world around him became blurry. He collapsed to the ground in a panic attack, breathing heavily and clutching his chest as his heart pounded.

  Karen saw Daniel and hurried to him, making him look her in the eye. She gave him another of her soul-piercing stares. “Get up.” And Daniel regained his nerve. With no time to lose, the couple ran off to take action.

  In an abandoned warehouse, Daniel donned his armor as Karen put on her black mask and skin-tight bodysuit.

  "Angel, I don't like this plan. I should be the bait. It's harder for their guns to kill me."

  "If you or any police try a frontal assault, they'll most likely threaten the hostages to gain a tactical advantage. However, they have no idea who I am. So they won't use that option right away.” Karen put on red lipstick. “Besides, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to lure an enemy patrol."

  Daniel raised an eyebrow. "One of these days you're going to tell me what happened to you in that war."

  "Of course, I will. But not today."

  With a kiss from Karen, Daniel donned his helmet. The couple dashed for the Chrysler Thunderbolt. And as they entered the car, they drove out at top speed.

  ***

  James's gangsters forced the students, and the library staff, into a corner. But they threw the corpses of Abigail’s bodyguards into a different corner. She looked on, with her face turning the palest shade of white.

  "Boss, we have all the hostages taken care of, but we're receiving calls from the men. We're a bit shorthanded in some parts of the building."

  "Then take everyone here and cover our weak spots."

  The gangster pointed at the hostages. "But what about—"

  "Don't worry about it. If anyone here tries to be a hero, I'll rip out their windpipe," James interrupted.

  As Abigail heard James, she ground her teeth, breaking away from the rest of the hostages as she stomped over to him.

  "I like to know how you plan on leaving this college alive. Let alone this city, filth. When my father—"

  James slapped Abigail in the face, knocking her to the floor. As Benjamin saw, he dashed to help, but one of the gangsters punched him in the stomach.

  "The transportation arrangements from the college are not a worry. And we won't need to leave the city.” James grew a sinister smile. “Because, princess, you and all the hostages here will meet your untimely end at the hands of radicals from a terrorist nation.”

  Abigail scowled at James. “Go to hell.”

  “Don't worry, when your father and the US see your corpses, they'll avenge your deaths. I just so happen to know of a benefactor who will kindly supply the weapons."

  Abigail clutched her face in pain and looked at James, seething. But as she gazed at him, she cried, trembling, knowing death was upon them.