University Garden
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," I said, catching my breath as I reached the secluded bench where Eden stood.
"It's fine, don't worry about it," he said, giving me a soft, almost nervous smile.
"So... what did you want to talk about?"
Eden took a step closer, his gaze dropping for a moment before meeting mine with newfound resolve. "Look, I haven't been here long, and you were the first person I truly met. But you've become more than just a friend to me."
"Straight to the point, please," I cut in. I wasn't used to long, romantic build-ups. My tactical brain was already scanning the perimeter.
"Right," he laughed weakly. "The point is... I like you, Erina. A lot. Will you be my girlfriend?"
I froze. I can't believe this. Marie was actually right. What am I supposed to say? 'Sorry, I'm actually a thirty-year-old military agent in a student's body'?
"Eden, I..."
— B-B-BANG! —
A massive explosion ripped through the air. The ground heaved, and both Eden and I were thrown to the grass.
"What was that?!" Eden shouted, clutching the ground. "An earthquake?"
"That wasn't an earthquake," I hissed, my instincts screaming. "That was a high-yield explosive. Oh, no..."
In an instant, the peaceful garden turned into a nightmare. Screams echoed from the main buildings as students began fleeing in every direction.
"I'm sorry, Eden! We'll talk later. I have to go!"
"Erina, wait! It's dangerous!" Eden yelled, scrambling to his feet to follow me.
A bomb? Here? How? I ran toward the main gates, but the way was already blocked by faculty and security.
"Let me in!" I demanded, trying to push past a panicked professor.
"No one is allowed inside!" the professor yelled. "The military is on its way to handle it. Everyone out!"
"Where was the blast?"
"The main research laboratory!"
My blood turned to ice. "The main lab? That's where the professors work! Where are my parents? Where is Professor Philip?!"
"They were inside... we don't know yet. We're looking—"
"I'm going in!" I barked.
"Erina, stop!" Eden grabbed my arm, his face pale. "You can't do this! It's suicide!"
"Let go of me!" I snarled, wrenching my arm away with a strength that shocked him.
I needed a way in. My eyes darted around until I spotted a small, half-hidden window near the gardener's tool shed. It led directly to the maintenance corridor. That's my way in.
"Where are you going?" Eden called out.
"I... I'm going to find Marie!" I lied, giving him a quick, fake smile before disappearing around the corner.
Inside the University Building
I slipped through the tool shed window and into the smoke-filled corridor. The air tasted like ozone and burnt chemicals. As I drew closer to the lab, my heart sank. There were bodies on the floor—but they weren't wearing lab coats or uniforms.
These aren't students, I thought, kneeling by one of the corpses. High-grade tactical gear, hidden holsters... this looks like a professional hit squad. Mafia? What is the mafia doing at a Science University?
Then, I saw it. A discarded handgun lying near a fallen mercenary. I picked it up, checked the magazine, and slid the safety off. The familiar weight of the weapon settled my nerves. Silvia was back.
Suddenly, voices echoed from the end of the hall.
"You're coming with us!" a rough voice shouted.
"Never! You'll have to kill me first!" That was my father—Professor Philip.
I crept forward. Near the entrance to the lab, I found a woman collapsed on the floor. "Mom!" I whispered, checking her pulse. She was unconscious but alive.
Father is inside. I have to move.
I slipped into the laboratory, staying low. The room was a wreck of shattered glass and sparking wires.
"Who's there?!" a man shouted, leveling a rifle at the shadows. "Show yourself or I'll fire!"
"Erina?!" my father cried out, his face bloodied. "What are you doing here? Run!"
"Father! Let him go!" I stepped out, my gun aimed directly at the man holding my father.
The man stared at me, then let out a dark laugh. "So, this is the famous daughter? How dramatic." He swung his weapon, striking my father across the neck. Professor Philip crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
"Let him go, or the next thing you feel will be lead," I said, my voice as cold as a grave.
"Little girl," the man sneered, "do you think that's a toy? This isn't for putting on makeup."
"I'm not joking."
"You're shaking with fear," he mocked. "How are you going to shoot me?"
— BANG! —
I pulled the trigger. The bullet whistled past his ear, grazing his hair and shattering a glass vial behind him.
"The next one goes between your eyes," I said, my hand perfectly steady.
The man froze, his eyes widening in genuine shock. "I... I am known as the 'Black Bullet.' You think I'm afraid of a child?"
"We'll see who's afraid once you're bleeding out."
While the Black Bullet kept my attention, I sensed a shadow moving behind me. One of his men was flanking me from the rear.
"Watch out!!!" a voice screamed from the hallway.
— BANG! —
Everything happened in a blur. Gunsmoke filled the room.
"See you next time, little girl!" the Black Bullet shouted, throwing a flash-bang grenade as he and his men retreated through the back exit.
~ to be continued