Once we're all settled on the couches - Mark and me on the three-seater and Erik on the single - he begins to speak.

"Before I start, I'd just like to ask you please withhold any questions until after I have explained everything. It'll be quicker this way," Erik says with an air of sophistication. He pauses before continuing. "So, as you probably recall, a few weeks ago I attempted to warn you of what was coming, but unfortunately, before I was able to get to the point, your mother arrived, and I believe it's better she stays out of this."

I shake my head, wondering what this had to do with anything, but I keep my mouth shut, deciding to let him speak.

"Believe it or not, we have met before that night," he says, and I raise an eyebrow in disbelief.

I think I'd remember a hooded guy creepily standing outside my door.

"I highly doubt you'd remember. After all, you were quite young. Your father and I were good friends, though."

I gawk at him. Did he just say he was friends with my dad? Maybe I misheard him.

"We worked together actually," he continues. "So I can sympathise with you after that tragic incident..."

"It was a car accident." Up until now, I had done what he asked, but I can't remain quiet any longer. "He died in a car crash." My voice sounds hollow and detached, and I find myself staring at the ground now, willing it to swallow me whole.

"Car crash, yes. But an accident? Not quite."

I snap my gaze towards him, wondering who on earth this Erik guy thinks he is.

I've spent months blocking out memories of my father. What gives him the right to dig up all that pain again? Does he think it's amusing?

"Unfortunately," he clears his throat uncomfortably, "They got to him before I could, and for that, I will never forgive myself, but you must understand..."

"Stop," I grit my teeth. This guy is obviously some phoney playing a cruel joke on me. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the 'Queen Bees' are behind this.

"Audrey..."

"Just stop." This conversation is just raising more questions than answers, and I didn't come here to talk about my dead father.

"Dad died in a car accident. I repeat: accident. I don't know what game you're trying to play but..." I trail off as he holds up a hand for silence.

I'm not sure what more I was going to say even if he had let me continue. I can already feel the lump forming in the back of my throat but I force it down.

There's no way I'm going to cry in front of Mark, again.

"Audrey, I know it may be a lot to take in, but I'm not lying to you. These people, they wanted something from your dad. He refused to give it to them and now they're after you. It's only a matter of time before they start hurting the people closest to you, and judging from today..." he pauses, leaning towards me. "It's time to give you all the details. This 'they' I've been mentioning is a deadly organisation that will stop at nothing to get what they want."

"You mean they're assassins?" A shiver runs down my spine when he doesn't answer.

"They're hunting you down, Audrey. When they couldn't get it out of your dad, they decided to get rid of him. Now they're after you."

"What are you talking about?" I stutter. "My dad was an engineer!"

"Yes, an engineer would make a pretty good excuse for all the travelling he did, don't you think?" Erik replies.

I shake my head in utter bewilderment, not knowing what to think, let alone what to say. None of this is making any sense, yet a small part of me seems to think it does.

I glare angrily at Erik. The truth is, I never really mourned over my dad's death. I preferred to push away the pain, even if that meant pushing away the memories that were dearest to me. It's just easier that way. Not that this guy is helping much.

"Audrey, your dad wanted to protect you. Trust me when I say he cared for you with all his heart. That's why he never told you the truth."

"What truth?" I ask, thoughts spinning.

"Your dad was a thief, Audrey."

I'm not sure how to react to that news, but Erik seems to take it as an opportunity to continue. "Your father was a good man. The two of us started a whole network..." seeing my bemused expression he shakes his head. "Long story short, your father stole the stolen, then return it to the rightful owner." He relaxes back into the couch. "Your father trained you when you were younger too. Remember 'Pick the Pocket'?"

My jaw slacks and my eyes widen in astonishment. 'Pick the Pocket' was my favourite game as a child. It was something my father had made up.

"My dad," I say, my voice barely audible, "He would tell me that I had the whole day to try and pickpocket anything he had on him. If he caught me, it was game over for me. If I won, he would take me to a gelataria for ice cream. It was just a game, though..."

Erik smiles knowingly. "Were you any good at this 'game'?"

I stop and think. As a kid, I would get so frustrated when I got caught, but that wasn't very often. However, I also remember my dad had a marvellous talent of stealing stuff off me. One minute, I'd be holding something. The next, it would be replaced with something of a similar size and shape. When I looked at my dad, he would just smile, his green eyes shining mischievously. I remember watching my dad in fascination, begging him to teach me more. I recall his laugh as he taught me new tricks.

At least I thought they were just tricks.

"I was alright," I say, realising I hadn't yet answered his question.

Erik nods thoughtfully. "Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough."

"So..." I say uncertainly. "I'm being hunted by..."

Marks speaks up for the first time in this whole conversation. "They don't have a name exactly. They appear and disappear without a trace, so not that many people have heard of them. Even the few FBI agents that have heard of them give up after a few months."

I shake my head stubbornly. "The police will get them this time. After that scene at school..."

Mark and Erik share a glance.

"Audrey, they're long gone by now. They've probably already disposed of Anita's body as well," Erik says in a gentle tone.

They can't do that. I shake my head in denial. They can't. It's inhumane.

"How did you know they were coming?" I demand.

Erik shakes his head sadly. "I only discovered their plan when I caught them with that girl..."

"Anita," I say stubbornly.

"Yes, Anita," he corrects. "When you have a job like mine, you have to learn how to sneak into places efficiently." He fishes around in his hoodie pocket before pulling out a librarian ID. A picture of Erik was on it, but the name below read: Jake Mott. "Fake IDs are always useful too." He puts the ID away before relaxing back into the couch. "I only had enough time to sneak into the school and send Mark a warning text and..."

"How did you know they'd be on the library steps?" I accuse, my eyes narrowing suspiciously. For all I know, Erik could be on their side.

Erik shrugs. "I've been studying them for some time now, but to be completely honest, I would say it was just chance. This fake ID as a library assistant was the only relevant form of ID I had. Plus, the library is right in the middle of the school. Wherever they decided to strike, it wouldn't have taken me long to arrive there."

"And Anita dying was..." I choke.

"Collateral damage I'm afraid," Erik states grimly.

"I don't understand," I say in frustration. "What are you trying to say? What can I possibly do?"

"The three of us have tried to protect you, Audrey. But now it's become too dangerous to keep you in the dark." Erik's mouth becomes a thin line.

"The three of us?" I repeat, glancing between Mark and Erik.

As if on cue, a knock sounds at the door, and Erik swiftly stands, taking out a switchblade from his hoodie pocket.

What the hell does he stash in there? I think in horror. The blade glints, reflecting the sunlight that streams through the far window.

Erik strides towards the entrance door, holding the knife ready with one hand, the other placed on the doorknob.

Mark stands up suddenly. "Erik, wait. Maybe we should tell Audrey ourselves first."

Erik glances back at the boy. "She can handle it."

Mark bites his lip. "It's a lot to take in... I should know."

The two share a look as if they were communicating telepathically.

"Um, I'm right here," I say in obvious annoyance.

Erik gives Mark an apologetic look. "Well, it's too late now." He nods towards the door just as another knock sounds. He opens the door a crack, peeking outside.

"I thought it was you," Erik says, sliding the knife back into his pocket.

"No kidding. You knew I was coming, but I assume you had a knife ready? Just in case?" says a girl's voice jokingly. It was a voice I knew well.

But it can't be.

"Always good to be careful," Erik replies.

I glance at Mark, but he seems to be purposefully avoiding my gaze. Does he recognise that voice too?

I stand up abruptly. I do know that voice. My heartbeat seems to triple in speed as Erik opens the door, revealing the girl behind it.

It can't be true, yet it is. There's no mistaking that long, dark brown hair, or those dark eyes I had known since as long as I can remember.

For a moment, there is complete and utter silence.

Finally, I find my voice. "Justine?"

She smiles sheepishly. "Hey, Audrey."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

| Dedicated to AddilynStarr |

Thanks so much for all the feedback <3

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Remember to vote, and let me know what you al think so far. One mystery unravels, and yet another unfolds. Thoughts on Justine?

EDITED ✔