It's been two days since everything went down at the warehouse.

The morning after I got home, I found the place a bit trashed. I expected worse, but it looked like they only did a quick search. My important documents were untouched, but my weapons were gone. Well, only the ones I'd left out. The rest are tucked under a small hatch in the safe.

Mira was currently staying with me. She didn't want to go home, and I wasn't about to force her. If her father could be that cruel once, there was no reason to think it wouldn't happen again.

And what type of person would I be to put her through that again? I was a killer, but I wasn't heartless.

I'd asked her about school, but she didn't want to go back. I couldn't have her here and not go to school. She had a whole life ahead of her, one that I didn't want to see her throw away.

God, I sounded like a mother. The thought made me smile.

Presently, we were out in the city doing some shopping. She needed some clothes and other necessities. I'm planning to get her some books as well so she could atleast read.

"Can I have this please?" She asked, holding up a black top with a Juice Wrld print on it.

I smiled. "Of course you can. I have a few myself. He's one of my favourite artists."

"Thank you," she beamed and pulled the top off the rack.

Having her around was a strange feeling, but not in a bad way. I'd never had company or friends, so it was all new to me. The place wasn't really quiet anymore. When I wake up, I actually look forward to us making breakfast and talking about random things. Funny how that happened so fast.

As for Angel, I haven't seen or heard from him. I'm sure he's fine, the bullet didn't hit any vital organs. He'll recover in no time. Maybe we'll run into each other again someday.

Probably facing the same chaos.

We spent about half an hour in the store before leaving. I had three bags and Mira had two. The city was busy as usual, eveyone going about their own businesses.
Cars passed by, and people walked quickly, talking on their phones or carrying shopping bags.

"I want you to get some books,"I said, glancing at her.

"We can get some. I was also thinking that maybe I could change schools," she responded with a slight shrug.

"That would be a good idea, but you need a parent or relative to make that happen," I told her truthfully. Resigning from a school required a lot of paperwork and steps to make it happen.

"But why would you want to change schools? I mean, don't you have friends and teachers who love you?" I added as we passed a small coffee shop.

"I didn't really have much friends and the teachers were just okay. Besides, if I go back my father will know and he'll come for me."

I stopped and looked at her. She was more than right. She hadn't been to school for a while and that would raise suspicion. The teachers would definitely call her father.

A distant shout cut through the noise, sharp enough to make us stop. We looked up. A man was coming toward us and he was moving fast. I grabbed Mira's hand, and we both spun around and ran.

"Is he after us?" I asked, weaving through the crowd.

Mira didn't answer. The look on her face said it all. Did she know him? I had to get us to safety before getting my answers.

"Through there!" I shouted.

We ran down the narrow corridor, our feet pounding the ground as fast as they could. For the past few days, I can never seem to catch a break. Something always happens.

"I don't see him anymore,"Mira said, glancing over her shoulder.

I slowed down and looked behind us. The guy wasn't following us anymore. Mira was catching her breath beside me, her hand still gripping mine. We stood there in the quiet alley, the city noise fading behind us.

"I think we should head home,"I said as we continued down the path.

This was enough shopping for today.
But as we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was still watching us.

I shrugged it off as we hurried to the bus stop.

***

Mira had been quiet since we got home. She hadn't said a word, not even when I asked if she was okay. I wanted answers but I didn't want to pressure her.

We were in my room. I was laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, while she sat across from me, flipping through an old magazine I'd picked up a few months ago. Her face was calm, but I knew that was just on the outside.

I stood up from the bed and walked over to her, taking the magazine from her hand. She looked up at me, her eyes steady.

"You haven't said anything since we got back. I know I can't tell you what to do, but I need you to talk to me. Who was that man and why was he after you?" I asked her calmy.

She sighed, then patted the spot beside her. I sat down.

"He's my uncle," she said next, her fingers playing with her top.

"Was he there when your father let them take you?" I asked but she shook her head quickly.

"No, he wasn't. But my dad probably told him I ran away or something. He saw me today. That means he's going to tell him. H-He's going to search for me and l-let them take me b-back."

Her voice cracked at the end. I watched as tears spilled from her eyes, and out of instinct, I pulled her into a tight hug.

"Please don't let him take me, Skai. I don't want to die," she wailed, gripping my hoodie tighter.

I was torn. This added a whole new level of danger. I didn't know what type of man her father exactly was. He could be a gangster or a top business man for all I know. A man like that would have links and numerous people working for him.

"Hey, look at me. I won't let him take you, okay? You're never going back to that warehouse. If he comes looking for you, I'll make him regret it," I told her, cupping her cheeks and wiping her eyes with my thumbs.

She depended on me. She trusted me. I wished we could leave the city, but the questions I'd have to answer would keep us here, and all her documents were at her father's place with no chance of getting them. Leaving the city for me was easy, but I will not leave her behind.

"Thank you Skai. Thank you so much for everything," she said next, releasing a smile at the end. I returned one and kissed her temple.

My phone suddenly started ringing. I got up and grabbed it, pausing for a second. The caller ID was unknown, not unusual, but it made me a little uneasy. I finally picked up on the second ring.

I waited since I never talk first.

"Got a job. High risk. High reward. Interested?" The person said blandly.

"Who are you?" I asked. I had to know who I was dealing with.

"Where are my manners? You can call me Naz. I got your number from a friend of mine. So, you interested?"

I looked at Mira. Her eyes locked onto mine and didn't let go.

This is what I do. I feed on the rush because without it, I'm nothing. Danger's always lurking, but I was smart. Every move calculated, every risk measured. This was the path chosen for me and nothing will change that. I was an assassin, ruthless, detached, and broken in ways no one ever saw. I carried the scars inside like a weapon, hiding the pain behind a mask and a fake smile.

"Where should we meet?" I asked my final question.

Naz gave me an address that seemed oddly familiar. It was an all-night luxury club in the city. I had expected him to suggest a diner or café, so the choice caught me off guard.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow Naz."

"Hold on, can we meet around seven? I've got some stuff to take care of during the day."

I hummed. "That's a bit late, but sure. Probably safer than meeting during the day anyway."

He chuckled. "Great, See you then."

The call ended. I started chewing on my bottom lip harshly.

"Are you okay?" Mira asked, her eyes partially sad.

I nodded slowly.

"You're a terrible liar," she said next in a playful tone.

I chuckled. I didn't want to tell her the truth. I couldn't. She already had so much going on in her head, telling her would only cause more worry.

"Are we going to cook dinner?" she asked after a few seconds.

"Yes we are. Let's go prep,"I replied, and she got up from the bed.

I hope this Naz guy wasn't playing with me. If he does anything stupid, I will put a bullet through his skull.

I pushed my sinister thoughts aside and focused on meal prep with Mira.

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