Chapter 2
Chapter 2
The sound of the gunshot was deafening. Blood splattered all over me.
I looked behind and saw Shahzad collapsing to the ground, a bullet hole right in the middle of his head.
I turned toward the man who had just shot him. He wasn’t a cop. He wore a long black jacket and dark sunglasses. I couldn’t quite see his face, and I definitely didn’t recognize him.
I stood up and walked toward him.
“Who are you?”
He rested the gun on his shoulder, turned, and began walking away without a word.
“Hey,” I called, quickening my pace.
But he headed straight to a black bike parked at the other end of the alley. He kicked the engine to life.
Before I could reach him, he zoomed off into the night.
I exhaled sharply, my hands on my hips. Who the hell was he?
My phone buzzed. It was James.
“Where the hell are you, James? I thought you went after Shahzad!” I shouted over the phone.
“I’m really sorry, Ariel. I got caught up by his men. Where is he? Did you catch him?”
I turned to look at Shahzad’s lifeless body on the ground.
“Well, you could say that.”
“Send me your location. I’ll be there,” James said and ended the call.
Back at the office.
I waited for James, but he never showed. It was the backup agents who came and took Shahzad’s body away.
I packed my things and walked home, tension still running through my veins.
James’ phone had been switched off since that call. I couldn’t reach him, and it worried me. Something felt… off.
I decided to stop by his apartment. Luckily, I caught him just returning home.
“Hey. What’s going on? Everyone’s been asking about you at the office. You said you’d come, but I didn’t see you.”
James wiped his nose and sniffled. His fingers looked dirty, and his voice had a strange, shaky edge. “I’m sorry. Shahzad’s men came after me.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay, James? You’ve been acting... off lately.”
“Of course I’m fine,” he said, straightening up. “It’s been a long day. I’m just exhausted. Why don’t we hit a bar or something?”
“Right now?”
“Yeah,” he nodded. “Our mission was a success today. We should celebrate, don’t you think?”
I paused. I wanted to talk to him about the strange man from earlier, the one who killed Shahzad and vanished. But maybe this wasn’t the right time.
“Alright. That’s fine. Pick me up by ten,” I said, playfully tapping his shoulder before walking off.
A dark lipstick, short leather skirt, and a cropped jacket.
Perfect for a night out. I wasn’t exactly the clubbing type, but James was.
We’d started dating after our first mission together. It was great… mostly.
I heard the horn of a car downstairs. James was here.
I smiled, grabbed my purse, and walked down to meet him.
As soon as I opened the front door, the car sped off.
The club was packed, even more than usual. Bodies swayed, music thumped, and the air smelled like sweat.
James and I took a table in the corner. He ordered our drinks.
“Here you go,” he said, handing me a glass.
I raised it for a toast as he set the other bottles down. He looked more relaxed than earlier, maybe it really had just been a rough day.
“Wanna dance?” James asked, already standing.
I laughed.
“Oh, come on,” he said, already moving to the beat with a goofy grin.
I nodded, placed my drink on the table, and got up to join him.
He grabbed my hand, and we made our way to the dance floor.
The DJ switched to heavy hip-hop. I closed my eyes, moving to the rhythm, letting go just a little.
We left the club drunk and stumbling. I was more gone than James, he hadn’t drunk nearly as much.
He helped me into the car by the driver’s seat. I leaned back, resting my head, letting the night spin slowly in my mind.
I glanced at the rearview mirror and saw James talking to someone.
I squinted, but my vision was too blurry to make out the person. James slid back into the car and started the engine.
The next morning, the alcohol had burned off. I got up, groggy, and got ready for work.
James had dropped me off last night, I remembered that much.
As I sipped my coffee, my phone buzzed. A message from my coworker popped up.
“Check this out, Ariel.”
I clicked the image while walking to the couch. As the download was processed, I took another sip.
When the image finally loaded, I froze.
It was a crime scene photo. Someone had been brutally murdered.
I scrolled further.
The victim's face came into view.
Blonde, Yellow hair. It was her, the same girl from the club. The one I saw with James.
I nearly spilled my co
ffee.
Another message dropped.
“You’re needed at the office. Now.”
I grabbed my coat and car keys and rushed out the door.