On a warm summer evening, Theodore and Eve are walking down a serene road with their child. The small child is getting more impatient, eagerly tugging on his parents towards the nearby supermarket. There is only one thought in his mind. He is hoping to convince his father to choose his favourite ice cream. Entering the supermarket, the sliding doors finally allow him to enter his icy heaven. He pleads and yank at his father’s jacket sleeve as both of his parents look down at him lovingly, noticing his eagerness, yet deciding whether to fulfill their adorable son’s wish by indulging him.

“Sorry, not this time,” says Theodore, starting to walk away. “Maybe next week. Let’s go.”

The child will not give up. He tip-toes to reach inside the fridge, but he isn’t tall enough. A tall man nearby sees the child struggling; he walks over to help the child. As the tall man opens the fridge door, his shadow hovers over the child. Startled, the child turns around and looks up at the man.

“Sorry to scare you, little one. Which flavour were you after?” the tall man asks. “Um. Cookies and Cream please,” the child whispers.

“Here you go,” says the tall man as he passes the tub of frozen treat to the child’s small, soft hands.

“Run along now, take it to your parents,” the man hints, glancing at Theodore and Eve.

“Ok,” the child says as he runs happily back to his parents.

Soon enough, the family is home and enjoying their ice cream. The child is slurping down every spoonful with glee.

“You know what that means don’t you?” says Theodore.

“You will have to go to the gym with Mommy!” Eve chimes in as she tickles her child.

A sudden ring at the door interrupts the family’s warm laughter.

“I’ll get it,” says Theodore, still grinning lovingly at his family as he presses his thumb on the scanner to open the door.

As the door opens, the tall man and three other men in black assault Theodore. They strike him in the neck and he falls to the floor immediately. Multiple screams echo in the house.

No. Please. Not the child.

This is a blur.

This is a remnant.

This is not normal. I use to only get remnants once or twice a year; it’s been three months since the last one. This remnant has haunted me, even when I am awake. Being agents, we are required to take the Regimen. Unfortunately the side-effects include remnants of events of the past century due to the unique genetic markers from when the Regimen was first developed. According to Wally, he’s the genius after all. I didn’t look too much into it. I know why The Agency allows us to take the Regimen. To make us stronger, smarter, and a more efficient killing machine. I walk past a cop, the Hong Kong moonlight glistening on his badge. That, would’ve been me, if only I wasn’t so eager to enlist for the Agency. ETA fifteen minutes, I am two minutes away from the meeting point and have time to spare. Out of the corner of my eye I spot a white Audi RSQ Sport Coupe driving above the speed limit. He’s coming into the intersection too quick. I calculate the speed and distance between the car the next intersection; he’ll never stop in time. As I scan the road, I see a light blue Honda about to turn. I know I am powerless, but I start to sprint.

The Audi crashes violently into the Honda. There are traces of blood and glass everywhere on the ground. I rush to the Audi and pry open the contorted door. Empty. It was on remote auto. I check the Honda, the driver is young brunette female inside. She is unconscious, and her legs are caught in the wreckage.

“I need emergency services to my location immediately.”

“Emergency services are being deployed. Estimated arrival time, three minutes” my earpiece responds.

“Incoming call from Emily Charlton.”

“Answer,” I commanded. “Go for Chase.”

“Agent Chase. Have you arrived at the meeting point?” Emily’s voice is distraught.

“I’m on my way. ETA two minutes,” I reply as I dash towards the meeting point.

“Hurry, there’s been a complication.”

“What is it?”

The call drops and all I hear is static. I throw my earpiece on the floor and crush it. I finally arrive at the meeting point. I see my contact sitting on the bench. Her blonde hair is disheveled, she is shaking and covered in bruises and cuts.

“I’m Agent Chase. We should move to a safer location now.” I extend my hand to her.

“No!” She grabs my arm tightly. “We have no time. In thirty minutes a proton bomb will detonate in Times Square!”