Mayhem erupts. People jumping to their feet, running.

I stand with them, my eyes on the glass, seeing the shattered pieces but only focusing on the bullet proof one before I twist, running my gaze over the patrons, trying to narrow down the shooter.

A hand lands on my shoulder, turning me around, Archer's mouth moving, saying something I can't hear over the chaos.

I furrow my brow, but he only grabs my wrist, pulling me behind him as he begins running and it takes me only a second to follow, feet pounding along the floor as we race for the exit, the team following behind.

I twist out of his hold and begin to run in front of him, slamming out of the door into the streets.

The people spread, running every way they can as another bullet hits the night. My eyes narrow of the market at the end of the street, bustling with bodies.

"C'mon." I mutter, beginning to run towards it, hearing Archer beside me. I quickly look behind me only to see the team missing.

Archer answers my unspoken question, "We got separated in the escape."

Bullets hit the air and I duck, Archer's hand finding mine as he pulls us forward, racing along the sidewalk.

A shout echoes, my eyes scanning the area.

I quickly pull us down a side street, my body almost colliding with a shoppers when Archer pulls me into his, pulling us further into the market, walking past shop fronts.

"C'mon." Archer shouts racing between the stalls.

I follow, glancing behind us periodically, checking we aren't followed.

Another shout erupts, many following it as more bullets pierce the night.

I duck, covering my head as a shop window beside us explodes in a downpour of glass.

I lift my arms instinctively as glass rains down on Archer and I with a piercing shriek, my ears ring as chaos ensues.

Ducking low, Archer grasps my hand is his, his mouth is moving but I can't make out the words with the ringing in my ears.

He pulls on my arm, and we start running again.

Another shot cuts through the air, bending at the waist quickly, I grab a random table and flip it over. Pulling Archer behind it with me.

I take huge lungsful of air as I struggle to regain my hearing and sense again.

The ringing in my ears stops at the same time the shots do. I glance at Archer and find him doing the same.

"You, okay?" He asks shortly, his eyes searching over my head at the direction of the shots.

His voice is washed away by the sound of more bullets, and I press my back closer to the upturned table. Reaching down I start to take off my heels.

"What are you doing?"

"Heels are hot, but they're stupid to run in."

He chuckles, shaking his head before peaking over the table.

I turn my head, noticing the shopfront we crouch in front of, the one with the broken window.

Archer looks at it too, nodding his head.

"In Three."

Two

One.

We stand, running for the shop. My feet hit the glass and cobblestone, but I ignore it, climbing through the window as Archer follows.

He turns, racing for the back wall and the cubicles lining it.

I follow, blonde hair flying behind me.

Once I reach him, Archer drags me inside and locks the door behind us, stuffing his gun back in the waistband of his pants.

The changing room is small, and we struggle against each other as we try to get comfortable.

Archer's' chest rubs against mine as he grabs his phone from his pocket. He tries to bring it closer to his face, but the tight enclosure makes it impossible. Looking me in the eyes he lifts his arms and rests them on my shoulders, his phone behind me.

My heart beats harshly in my chest, eyes staring at the side of Archer's head as he glances over my shoulder, eye on his phone.

He tightens his arms, forcing me forward, stumbling into chest. I angle my head away, glaring up at him but he only grins.

"Couldn't see." He says as a way of explanation, hazel eyes dark on mine.

I look away, focusing on the timber panelling behind him.

A breath escapes me when Archer moves slightly closer. His aura hot against my face as he looks down at me beneath dark lashes.

My heart beats harder in my chest as I will myself not to glance up at him and fail. His hazel eyes take in my face, tracing the dips and plains, the freckles that lightly dust my nose.

"Well, that was fun."

I force the laugh from my chest, scanning the wall behind him.

His arms move from my shoulders and trail down my arm. I suppress a shudder but still don't look at him.

"Eleven."

"What?" I reply.

His hand moves, tipping my chin up, forcing my eyes to meet his.

The hazel depths capture my attention and I find it hard to look away.

That is when the door rattles.

My back hits the mirror behind me. The coldness of the glass bringing me back to reality.

Archer hands dip under my suit jacket, finding the handle of my gun, slipping it free, knuckle coasting along my lower back before he aims it at the door.

I stare at the door, hands balled into fists at Archer's back, wishing I could move more in such a tight enclosure.

A shout echoes throughout the clothes shop and Archer stills against me, his free hand finding my waist, fingers tightening. Hand gripping the gun steady.

I glare harder at the door.

The door handle rattles as the person on the other side tries to open it and I bite my tongue to keep from cursing.

Archer's grip on my waist tightens ever so much before he is letting me go completely, manoeuvring my body so he is in front of me, facing the door, putting me at his back.

My gaze stares hard at the expanse of his back, the blood and sweat still coating his skin and I swallow, noticing the tenseness in his shoulders as he stare at the door, ready to take a bullet for me.

It rattles again and Archer switches the safety off the gun, the click a resounding explosion in the near silence.

The rattling stops.

"Guys?" Liam's voice falls through the wood, and I let out a breath of relief.

"Liam?" Archer replies, the word strained.

"No, it's Santa Claus." He replies sarcastically.

The door swings open, showing a grinning Liam on the other side, holding the door handle in his palm. The one on our side barely holding on without its other half.

"You guys can come out now." Liam says, looking at our position.

I step out, brushing past Archer and Liam, refusing to glance back as I blow out a slow and controlled breath before turning to face both of them, arms crossing in front of me.

Night air caresses my cheeks when I exit the shop and continue to walk down the street.

"Where are you going?" Archer's voice erupts from behind me, and I clench my hands, refraining from turning around.

"I have stuff to do."

"It's almost midnight."

"Don't wait up for me."

A hand latches around my bicep spinning me to face them. I rip my hand from Archer's hold, taking a step back.

"Eleven, what is going on?"

"I have stuff to do, that doesn't involve you."

"We were literally just hunted by people with weapons, and you want to go off on your own, are you stupid?"

"Yes." I smile sweetly at him and spin on my heel, walking away.

"Eleven!"

"Archer!" I shout.

"Get your ass back here."

"No."

"You're going to get yourself killed."

"I'll be fine." I look back at the both of them, "Promise. I'll be back at the house later."