The crispy night air caressed the world, the moonlight casting her silver glow on the pavement. The city was almost silent except for the sound of a car in the distance. Clouds slowly dragged themselves in front of the moon, hiding her face from what would ensue below.

The darkness concealed the figure pressed against a wall in an alley. The night was almost a familiar friend, so that wasn't what made his blood run faster through his veins. Catch any who'd try to escape—those were his orders. He never questioned orders—a learnt habit. His firearm raised in alertness, he was confident. Whatever he aimed at, he shot—clean.

From his eye view, he saw several others dressed in their night gear, popping in and out from different directions. This was a surprise raid on some unlucky Hawks. Levi was just keeping his promise—even though a little later. Valuable information had been gathered in that precious time. This gang was a part of Greenwood's chain. There was high suspicion that there was another link, but for now, they'd be taking one out at a time. The Hawk's leader for example, was working really close with the guy. And "Kristal" had accidentally glanced at, while cleaning his office, something stating some cash transaction from Greenwood to some Mr. Shift. No one knew who Shift was, until Levi had checked out with some guys who dealt in that circle of people.

Levi pulled his hood lower over his face, his ears catching sounds of the night. Each second, a voice, different each time, would whisper the perimeter scanned as "all-clear" in his earpiece. It was about to start—they weren't expected. Levi grinned maliciously at his idea. It hadn't been too hard tracking down one of the girls of the gang. It turned out she got her heart broken and was willing to help out in the plan—for revenge purposes. He silently watched the slender figure in a winter jacket approach the alleyway. Her back was to him as she knocked a code on the door.

The door opened a crack—then widened. A guy with messy dark hair looked both ways suspiciously then at her. "What are you doing here? I thought you said—"

"Look, I know what I said!" she cut in hotly. She sighed, cooling. "Could I speak with Wade? Out here?"

Levi mentally begged the guy to quit badgering the girl with questions and get the Wade guy.

The girl was clutching the front of the guy's shirt, begging him.

"Why don't you just come inside?"

She stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets—a jacket with a bulletproof vest underneath. "I need the privacy."

"Since when have you been one for privacy?" From where he stood, Levi couldn't hear what she'd whispered into his ear. Sloppy Hair rubbed his neck—aggravated. "Okay, fine." He turned back into the building.

Levi pressed his earpiece which sent the signal. From hidden places, all agents were on guard. Like ghosts, they were hardly heard. All possible means of escape were covered.

Some guy with a good build appeared at the door. He addressed the girl. "I thought I told you to beat it," he growled.

Levi knew something was wrong—terribly wrong. Whoever that was, it wasn't Wade. The girl seemed frozen. The man pulled out something. Levi took the liberty to step out of the shadows. Just then, the girl whispered hoarsely, "Shift!"

The night silence was shattered, the sharp air of a bullet zipping past Levi's shoulder, the effect. He dogged the two more shots fired. Levi cocked his hammer back—but Shift was faster. The man's muscular arm locked around the girl, whose eyes were wide with horror. Levi stalled to fire. The man sauntered out into the middle of the alley. He turned the barrel to the girl's temple. "You wouldn't do it," he hissed.

Levi lowered his weapon—before he felt a bullet rip through his upper arm. His paralyzed arm managed to toss the firearm to his left hand—just as good in aim as his right. Other sounds where around—but all he was set on was getting Shift down—just like Hide. He felt nothing but satisfaction as the man screamed in agony when he shot the weapon in his hand.

The girl crumbled to the ground when Shift let her go. She screamed hysterically as shots were fired from all different directions, people pouring out of the doorway, agents appearing, some zipping down from the roofs above.

Ignoring her, Levi dove for Shift. Shift turned over, Levi's back hitting the ground. His head whipped as a hard fist met his jaw. He swung his operating arm, Shift's skull cracking as his gun met his head with a rage-fueled force. Levi pushed the unconscious body off his chest. In all the mayhem, he managed to cuff him with his working arm.

"Oh, God, help me!" the girl hysterically screamed, curled up in a fetal position on the ground. The agents had the upper hand, but the Hawks were still throwing their stuff. "God, I promise to change! Please, help!"

Levi felt something in him move at what she was saying. For the first time that night, he felt compassion. He pulled her up though she heedlessly fought him. He hoisted her light weight over his shoulder. It couldn't hurt to be somebody's guardian angel.

...................................................

Thomas watched his brother pace back and forth, as restless as a caged lion, as fierce as a dragon. It was hardly five a.m. In times like this, it was wisdom that kept one from answering his questions.

"Tell me! How did this happen?" he bellowed, eyes spitting fire. He thumped his fist on his office desk. "Ha?"

Thomas dropped his gaze to his tapping foot.

"It seems things aren't as airtight as we thought! Do we have a peeping mouse?"

He'd wondered the same thing. But that was unlikely. The only guy left, after last night, was currently somewhere in South America. Thomas had only learnt the second partner's name this morning—Shift—an alias. Something for sure had slipped—but how? The Hawks had been silent in criminal activity of late, and it had not been the police who'd rounded them up last night. No, this was Intelligence. And Thomas knew the root of Richie's stress—they had eyes on them for sure. This was an act of breaking up the chain—one link at a time.

Thomas bit his tongue as his brother hurled the most graphic profanities. "The only place I even spell the nitwit's name is here in my office! Who else comes in here except you and me?"

Thomas almost rolled his eyes. "Some of the staff," he mumbled. Then the realization hit, heart sinking.

Richard stilled, sanity returning to his irises. "The staff," he mused, stroking his clean-shaven chin, "Of course."

Heaviness settled over him, like the humidity before a thunderstorm.

Richard's cerulean eyes almost twinkled. "Kristal," he purred lowly, an almost sinister smile in place.

A thunderbolt of dread ran through him. Why had he mentioned the staff? Sure, the staff used to enter here until a month ago. Kristal was the first since then. The chances were high—even though she did have an air of clumsiness about her. It just simply couldn't be coincidence.

Oh, but not her! He'd seen it happen with Pauline. Richard was always one for experiments. Needless to say, Pauline didn't do so well. He had no idea why, but he couldn't bear the weight of guilt if anything happened to her. And Kristal, for what she was worth, was probably innocent! But the wrong answer or wrong reaction would most certainly get her killed.

Richard's mood having improved stroked a book on his desk. "She is awfully interested in chemistry." He lifted his eyes to his brother's chocolate-brown eyes. "Maybe I'll take her on a field trip," he said silkily. He chuckled.

Thomas had no clue why he dared defy his brother. He had to pass the hint to Kristal to keep her guard. His brother's blue gaze turned steady, penetrating—seeming to have the ability to read his thoughts—his intentions. He nodded in approval, salvaging whatever cover he had left. "Yeah, go get her!"

...................................................

The blessed rays of the morning light streamed through the blinds. It had seemed like forever but it was finally here—a new day. Levi had waited for it, hoping it would remove the night from his soul. After last night's ordeal, he'd gotten the bullet removed from his arm and bandaged up. Coming back to his new apartment, he'd fallen into a deep sleep—filled with one nightmare after another.

The beginning of the first, he'd been having a conversation with Christopher—about Fiona. Like his past, he was head over heels. But Chris didn't think to highly of a girl who threw herself to anyone who came along. In his dream, he'd enticed Chris by telling him of all he missed out on because he was so strict on himself.

Scenes changed and they both were about to jump out of a plane. Christopher told him, like he always used to when he got the chance, of redemption. He spoke of turning away from sin and believing in his Jesus. "Snipe, one of us may die on this mission. I know what I'm going to face. Please, for years you've slapped Jesus' offer of salvation from sin away just because you wanted to party one more time—"

"Dude, I'm a good guy now," Levi interrupted. He didn't need this.

Chris rolled his eyes, hastily buckling on his parachute. "You know it doesn't work that way." The plane's door opened, wind blasting in. His dark eyes met his. "I'm totally ready Levi!" He jumped into the wide expanse.

Then all went dark. He watched his friend die once more—worse than before. A bullet made its mark, sending into the deepest darkness filled with hideous beasts, fangs bare.

Then he'd woken up—and had stayed awake until now. He gazed listlessly at the beige rug as he fingered the circular-shaped scars on his shoulder. He'd never forget—as long as he lived. He'd forever be tormented. Only death could stop it. But could it really? Honestly, his fear of death had increased. He'd just have to live with himself. Maybe he deserved it. Maybe it was some divine punishment for the sucker's life he'd lived. Where could he find peace?

He groaned. What was he thinking? He entered the shower, letting the hot spray beat his skin. Yet the dark cloud still hovered over him as he dragged himself to his closet.

An urgent knock on the door followed—then the steady buzz of the doorbell. He ignored it. It was around seven in the morning, but his shift started at noon. His nerves were grated raw after a minute passed by. He pulled open the dresser, checking who was at the door through a surveillance screen. The person was in a white hoodie. Well, that person would regret several things. He hastily put on sweatpants, remembering he'd nearly had to fight in a towel the last time of unexpected visitors. He growled as the darn thing buzzed for a full ten seconds. Bare-chested, he stomped to silence whoever was at the door, shirt in his clenched fist.

For the "more security-wise" apartment, he hated the position of the camera. His nerves would be more settled if he knew who was at the door. He gave a sideward glance at the pot plant that hid a taser.

Yanking the door open, his eyes moved left, right, then down. His heart soared, all dark emotions vanishing—at the sight of emerald eyes. Her face showed stress, ashen with eyes wide. He hardly noticed, pulling Hopper—Chris, into a crushing embrace. His first grin in weeks broke over his face as she kicked the door shut while wrapping her arms around his middle, ear on his chest. Oh, how he'd missed her! And it almost scared him—that she was his sunrise.

..........................................................

Chris soaked up the temporary comfort. All that had happened had shaken her. It was time for backup before things got worse. And this was the only place she'd thought to find it. Finally finding the guts to use Michael's gadgets after the Shift guy, she'd used the tracker to find the one in whose arms she was in. Yet she couldn't shake the anxiety or the chills.

Levi held her at arm's length, his dark-brown brows knitting, deep blue eyes filled with concern. "You okay?"

In a wave, it all battered her. She stumbled to the couch and sank into it. She held her head, a strange headache building. She shook her head slightly. Nervousness churned her insides. She made her way to the window. She could see the private car across the street.

They were still following her.

She backed away from the window. What if they could see her? A solid back was against her. Steady hands were on her arms. Levi turned her to face him. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," she tossed heedlessly.

She saw the familiar glint enter his eye. Her spirits lightened as she realized she'd missed him. A weak chuckled escaped her lips. "I actually missed you!"

His jaws started working. He steps past her and whipped the curtain open—and then closed it in a gentler manner. She watched his bare back, the slightest movement making his muscles ripple—causing heat to creep up in her. He pulled his short-sleeved shirt on, back still to her. He turned slowly. His eyes narrowed at the curious color in her face—then a knowing smirk pulled his lips. He sauntered to her.

Chris couldn't bear it. She squared her shoulders and proclaimed more than informed. "Levi, I'm being followed." Then in lesser confidence, she said, "And I believe Richard Greenwood suspects me."

A curse slipped off Levi's tongue. Her last statement had duplicated all the anxiety and fear in her and given him a copy. What had the woman done?

Author's note:

That's it. For now, folks!