I was dangling with one hand, my grip the only thing keeping me from certain death.
I looked down.
Nineteen floors.
My stomach lurched as the wind rushed past me. I called out for help, my voice echoing uselessly into the abyss, but my partner was still dealing with the enemies on the previous level. There was no one coming.
"Marx," she called out, her voice steady despite the chaos around us. "If you had just agreed to my proposal, we wouldn't be here right now. Let me help you."
She extended her hand.
I looked up at her face—calm, composed, almost pleading.
Then I slapped her hand away.
As my fingers loosened their grip, I let go and fell.
Two months earlier
I stood behind the register, eyes fixed on the clock, waiting for my shift to finally end so I could go home and rest. The pub was unusually quiet, the dull hum of conversation barely masking my exhaustion.
Suddenly, the door swung open with force.
A tall man with blonde hair stepped inside first. He wore a grey suit and dark shades that concealed his eyes, his presence immediately commanding the room. Right behind him was a girl, slightly shorter than me.
Her golden-yellow hair caught the light, and her ruby-red eyes were striking—almost unreal. She wore a black crop top and a white skirt patterned with black cross stripes. Her fair skin and confident posture made her impossible to ignore. Calling her an angel would have been an understatement.
She walked toward the counter, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Aren't you a bit young to be working in a place like this?" I asked, half-joking. "Mind you, I'm seventeen."
She smirked. "I should ask you the same thing," she replied, placing a finger lightly on my exposed chest. "Aren't you my age?"
"It depends," I said, clearing my throat. "So… what can I get for you?"
She chuckled softly. "Depending on what? Anyway, I'll just have a cup of red grape juice."
"Coming right up."
I poured the juice into a cup, added a bit of sugar, sealed it with another cup, and shook it before transferring the drink into a glass.
"What about mine?" a deep voice demanded from behind her, reminding me of the blonde man's presence.
"Don't worry about him," the girl said casually. "He isn't supposed to drink right now."
I nodded and glanced at the man. He already looked irritated. The damage was done, so I decided to add fuel to the fire.
"Can I get your name?" I asked her.
"My name?" She smiled. "Sure. I'm Kenzie. Kenzie Quinn."She tilted her head. "What about you?"
"I'm Marx," I muttered. "Marx Cartez."
For a moment, her eyes lingered on mine, as if she had seen something familiar. Then she let the feeling pass, took her drink, and walked over to a table near the window.
My phone buzzed shortly after—my shift was finally over.
I removed my red sleeveless work coat, placed it in my locker in the staff lounge, and headed out. As I stepped into the main area, I saw Kenzie leaving with the blonde man.
"The money's under the cup," she called out with a wink before exiting.
I lifted the cup and found not only the payment, but a folded note.
The extra amount is a tip for you.
The tip was twice the price of the drink.
I was stunned—but I didn't think too much of it.
...….
"Make sure we keep him on a short leash," she said.
"Are you sure it's him?" the man asked. "He seems… polite. Normal."
"I'm sure," she replied calmly. "In chess, the best way to secure victory is to protect the king with a queen—or promote a pawn into one."
He sighed. "Fine. I'll pull some strings, recruit him, and gather more information. But if he really is the infamous Specter, why is he working in a pub serving pretty girls?"
"Maybe he's lying low," she said. "Either way, I want him."
"Your wish is my command."
...….
Under the orange glow of the setting sun, I walked home, my mind fixed on the high school I was working so hard to get into. The fees were steep—that was why I worked at the pub in the first place.
If my calculations were right, I had enough for the first semester.
At home, I lay on my bed, replaying the day's events. Something brushed against my pocket. I reached in and pulled out the note she had left behind. Come to think of it, I had never seen her around this part of the suburbs.
Before I could dwell on it further, my phone rang.
"Son," my boss said, "you've done good work. But it's time to let the chick fly out of the nest."
"I don't understand," I said.
"Some people reported that it's illegal for you to work here. An inspector's coming tomorrow. I tried to convince them otherwise, but they wouldn't budge. I'll have your paycheck ready—come by tomorrow. Good night."
The call ended.
I held my head in my hands as sleep slowly took me.
The next morning, after getting ready, I decided to collect my paycheck first. Living alone had its freedoms, but my real goal was to move into the dorms at Code Legacy High—a school for upcoming tech geniuses. I wanted to refine my coding skills and prepare for the future.
By the time I reached the pub, it was already noon. The sun was blazing, and my worries were growing. I still had no idea how I'd make more money.
At the counter stood my replacement—a tall, muscular man with overgrown hair. He eyed me like a customer.
Without saying a word, I headed for the staff lounge, but he blocked my path.
"Can't you read?" he snapped. "Staff only. This isn't a washroom."
He shoved me aside.
Before things escalated, the manager stepped out. "I invited him," he said firmly. Turning to me, he slipped an envelope into my hand.
"Oh—and by the way," he whispered with a wink, "a pretty girl who said she was your friend stopped by earlier. I gave her your address."
"Friend?" I muttered as I left the building.
Outside, I stared at the envelope. Who could that be?Then her face flashed in my mind, and I smiled—only to dismiss it. She already had someone.
As I walked home, I considered other ways to earn money: dog walking, house sitting, anything.
I reached my door, keys in hand, still lost in thought, when a faint voice spoke behind me.
"Excuse me…"
I turned.
Kenzie stood there, breathing hard, her eyes darting around as if she were being hunted.
"Sorry," she said quickly. "Can I hide here for a while?"