ADA

"ZAZA, CAM, WE have a HUGE problem."

"What else is new?"

"Unless it's life or death, can I call you back later? Kinda in the middle of–"

"He found me," I cut Zaza off, a thick veil of silence landing over us like a blanket used during winter.

"Oh shit," Cam whispered.

"Oh shit indeed," I agreed, flopping on the bed. I winced when I heard it creak and squeal. "What do we do?"

"Okay, um, maybe he doesn't know where you are?" Zaza's voice was high-pitched and cracked at the edges.

"I got a message on my computer."

"Right, well, now, that's- uh. I think you should lay low for a bit. And probably destroy your computer."

"She can't. She's on a- shut up!- mission. Sorry, give me one second." I heard a small thud as Cam put the phone down. Her voice got quieter as she walked away. "Dude, what do you want?"

"We have to leave now!"

"Can't you see I'm currently in the middle of something right now?"

"We are being surrounded by people with guns! And I think one guy has a tree branch!"

"Well you're the one who blew up that warehouse!"

"What do you think is happening?" I whispered.

"Shh I wanna listen," Zaza said.

"That was you!"

"Well why didn't you stop me?"

"Nothing can stop you!"

"He has a point," Zaza murmured and I hummed in agreement.

Much to my disappointment, Cam muted the call and we were unable to eavesdrop.

"No, don't deprive us of our tea," Zaza whined.

I snorted in reply. "Is that all you care about?"

"Duh. It is what my business is based on."

"Oh right! How's that going?"

"Not too bad, if I'm honest."

"Good to hear. Got any clients right now?"

"Just a family who wants dirt on another family for some petty revenge."

"Sounds fun."

"Oh it is... the family doesn't know I'm also selling their secrets to the other family."

I laughed. "Money comes first, right?"

"Always."

"Hey guys, I'm back!" Cam's voice was hard and tinged with irritation. I assumed that whoever she was talking to was either dead or severely injured.

"Right. So, Addy. I can get as much information as possible. I'll have my best people working on the case," Zaza assured me. "That bastard won't touch us ever again, let alone reach out with other methods."

"And I'll threaten- uh, I mean ask- some people to spread rumours that we've fled somewhere abroad even farther away from him," Cam said with determination.

"Thanks guys." I rubbed my eyes tiredly, a yawn pushing past my lips before I could stop it. "Once I've woken up...I'll...edit some...footage to show that...we're boarding something..." I barely heard my own words as my eyes slowly closed shut from the overlapping exhaustion.

I heard them chuckle and wish me a good sleep, but I was too exhausted to respond.

***

Waking up to a knife in your face is exactly as terrifying as you think it is.

Or at least, it's terrifying when your brain isn't jet-lagged or sluggish.

"Dude, do you mind? I'm trying to sleep!" I snapped, pushing the knife away from my throat. I turned over and pulled the covers up to my chin- Huh... I don't remember putting this blanket on me before I slept- wait. Knife?

I screamed, but it was cut short by a hand clamped over my mouth. I thrashed around, jerking my body around before they pressed me even more against the bed.

"Quiet!" The assassin hissed, their low, grating voice made it difficult for me to determine gender, "If you continue to fight, I'll- ow! Did you just bite my hand?"

"Help!" I shouted, hoping that Carter was a light sleeper just as much as I was.

The assassin swiftly wrapped their calloused hands around my throat and squeezed it tight. Silencing my cries for help as I stretched my arms and clawed at their face in a vain attempt to free myself.. But they were protected by a black mask. I pulled at their hands, but they must've had muscles made of titanium because I couldn't move them an inch. Or maybe I was just weak.

Remember what Diane said–

"You cannot defeat your opponent by force alone. Use Physics, child."

I hate Physics.

I pushed my hands through the gap between Assassin and me, palming them on the nose. While I doubted my pathetic strength would shove them away, it certainly surprised them enough so their grip around my neck slackened.

I shook them off and scrambled away. They recovered and grabbed my ankle. I kicked them and dug my toes into their eyes. I used their face as a launch-pad to propel myself off the bed.

I landed on the ground in an undignified heap.

"Carter!" I screeched, choking. "Wake up an hel-!"

Assassin landed on my back and pinned my arms to my side. I couldn't even follow their movement in the darkness, and before I knew it, a knife was pressed against my neck.

"Shut up!" They growled, drawing a thin sliver of blood, making it fall in my hood.

"You shut up! Your voice irritates- argh!- me."

"Your face irritates me."

"Well you're not exactly an oil painting yourself." I yelped as Assassin twisted the knife and pushed it harder into my throat.

"Oh I am going to enjoy slitting your throat once Boss has finished with you," they growled, slowly getting off me. "Now stand."

I staggered to my feet and touched my neck. The tips of my index and middle finger were stained with blood. His blood.

I blinked.

No. It's my blood.

Right?

"Move." Assassin hissed, jabbing my back with the sharp object as he forced me to take a step forward.

I then made a decision that was either very stupid or very brave.

Probably the latter, but I'll decide that later and if I make it out alive.

I lunged at Assassin, throwing caution on the bonfire, and pushed them as hard as possible into the dresser.

Then I leapt on them while hollering out a war cry, digging their fingers against the smooth wood before raising their masked gaze.

I battered them with my fists. "This- is- for- trying-to- kill- me- you–!" I punctuated each word with a lovely punch, surprised that Carter hadn't woken up yet.

A sharp pain exploded in my abdomen.

I looked down in disbelief.

They stabbed me.

They actually stabbed me.

What the heck?

I pulled the handle out with a soft gasp, thankful it wasn't too deep, little more that a serious scratch. The silver blade caught on the moonlight, bathing the blood in an eerie glow.

My hand moved of its own accord. I leaned back and swung the blade down as hard as I could on the throat. I repeated the action several times- long after the light had disappeared from the attacker's eyes.

My hands, clothes and even face were covered in blood.

A flashback.

His kind smile as he offered me a piece of bread.

Our cheers as she stumbled through her first steps.

I have blood on my hands.

Carefully trailing its crimson path down my arms.

I clutched the edge of the dresser and pulled myself up.

My clothes were covered in blood too.

I do not know how much of it is mine.

Something loud and rhythmic echoed in my ear, sending shockwaves through my body.

My heartbeat?

Or a gunshot?

Was there a difference?

The gun lived inside of me now. It hammered away like a timebomb. Clawed at my guilt. Ready to implode at any moment. A spasm of pain soared from my stomach, igniting a path through my body.

The gun was silenced. For now.

I stumbled out of my room, leaving a smeared, bloody handprint on the frame. I made my way to Carter's door- which was barricaded with furniture.

Probably why he didn't hear me shout earlier on. The thought pierced through the hazy pain.

I heard a shout from behind the door.

"Ada? Can you hear me? Open the door! This is not funny!"

I was too exhausted to talk, and with great difficulty, I managed to shift the blockage and crack the door open. Beaded sweat trickled down my forehead and coalesced on my upper lip. I wiped it away with my sleeve. I twisted the handle with a shaking hand and pushed the door open, immediately collapsing into Carter.

"Woah!" His hands flew to my shoulders . He steadied me just in time as I felt my knees buckle under my weight, giving in to the need known as resting. "What's wrong? Why did you- wait. You're bleeding. Why are you bleeding? You shouldn't be bleeding. You've lost a lot of blood."

"No I haven't... I know where it is...it's in my room."

"Why is it out of your body?"

"Probably from the stab wound."

"You were stabbed?" Without a doubt he'd just broken an eardrum of mine.

"Oh definitely...someone...attacked me..."

"That same person probably drugged and locked me as well," Carter muttered, lifting me up and adjusting my head in a more comfortable position.

"So sleepy," I murmured, snuggling against his shoulder.

"No, you have to stay awake, Wilson." Carter demanded, slapping my face. He grabbed our emergency bags and carried me out of the suite.

"Let me sleep..." I whined, closing my eyes.

Thankfully, it was early. Nobody- not even the hotel staff- were out to prepare the hotel for the upcoming day of work.

Unfortunately, this was also the time when gangs roamed the streets.

I was vaguely aware of Carter setting me down in an alleyway. Is that bastard just gonna leave me here with a stab wound?

My breaths came out in short, heavy pants and everything hurt. Getting stabbed hurts. I do not recommend it, children, don't try it at home.

A coat was draped over me and I nestled into the warmth.

At least he has the decency to give me his coat. I'll make sure to stain it with all the blood I have left so that he can never fully wash it.

"Wait here...breaking...car," Carter's words were slurred and I couldn't make out what he was saying.

I heard him run away and I dropped my head back, my sweaty hair sticking against the wall as I tried moving my head to look at whatever Carter was gonna do.

I heard the shattering of glass and the stuttered roaring of an engine coming to life.

Drunk and violent shouting came closer to my hiding spot. I groaned and tried to shuffle back. But I only succeeded in pushing myself over and hitting the back of my head on the ground.

Black and white stars burst in my vision, along with the taste of iron. I chased them away and coughed, another spurt of blood dribbled down my chin.

I couldn't sit up. Paralyzed by pain, I curled up loosely and prayed that Carter would return soon.

I closed my eyes and shivered, pulling the coat around me in a futile attempt to keep warm.

Frantic steps approached me and skidded to a stop right by my head, "Wil- oh shit! Ada!" A hand gently supported my head as I was lifted.

"Stay with me, Wilson," Carter muttered, his pace picking up. "Help is on the way."

"It...hurts..." I whimpered as another bolt of pain shot through me.

"I know, but you have to fight it... Nobody but me is allowed to kill you."

Jerk, you can't wait to do that, can you?

I chuckled and instantly regretted it as fresh pain waves washed over me. I was placed in the passenger seat of the car and the seatbelt buckled me in place. I pressed my wound and sucked in a quick, sharp breath.

"I'm sorry," I whispered as Carter sat behind the wheel.

The last thing I remember is his panicked expression and shouts before the world faded to black.*********

Small cliffhanger! 

I hope you guys liked it! 

Stay safe and thanks for reading :) !