~ flash back~
{ Xander }
The room was cold — not because of the air, but because of what it held. Shadows clung to the corners, and silence pressed against the walls like a second skin. My weapons lined the shelves like art pieces — blades sharpened to perfection, guns cleaned and ready, and a few tools meant for messier business.
I sat behind my desk — a slab of black marble that had seen more blood than paperwork. A silver pistol rested beside my glass of scotch, catching the low light. Every inch of this place was built to remind people what I'm capable of.
And yet she stood there. Trembling. With excuses.
" You told me you'd end her... It's been 10 years and She's still alive?! " I scolded harshly making even my men wince.
" I-I'm sorry sir... I-I just need more time..." She whispered under her breath.
" Sorry ?! " I chuckled. There's no room for apologies... You have one day exactly... And if I don't see her dead corpse lying on this table by tomorrow..." I sighed. " You'll see what sorry really means." I whispered. " Now, you can leave." I smiled cruelly gesturing my guards to take her away.
" N-No I'll do anything just don't —"
" If you don't do it I'll send someone else to bring her to me and you'll watch everyone die in front of your eyes."
He eyes widened as tears began to spill. " P-Please..." She whispered.
" Take her away." I ordered checking my phone.
" We need to end her... That weakling won't do it..." A voice in my head whispered.
" You're right..." I exhaled setting my phone down. " We need a plan but first... We need find her first..."
" What do you mean ? "
" Well, for starters I don't even know what she looks like."
" Wait... You don't even know what your target looks like ?! Then why the hell do you want her dead ?"
I sighed. " It was my father's mission... He killed her parents, her family, now all that's left is her... It was father's final wish.... He told me, ' find her... Kill her... End her...' the exact words he said on his death bed..." I whispered wiping a tear, eyes drifting to the old family ring still on my finger - the only thing he left me.
" Alright I think we need to talk to a private investigator... Not one of ours... A new one..."
" Why ? "
" Well my friend... I don't trust them with this. There have been reports on a rat among them I can't risk any new getting to her that we're going to kill the girl ourselves..."
~ end of flash back ~
{ Mia }
I froze, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. The sound of typing that once filled the room had vanished.
Ace and Lex had gone out shopping in the city, leaving me behind to keep up the whole "oh no, food poisoning" act.
Scarlett's voice crackled softly. "What's wrong, Mia? You're unusually quiet."
"Nothing's wrong… it's just…" I hesitated, chewing my bottom lip.
"Just what?"
"I may or may not have signed up… as a private investigator."
There was a pause. Then, a snort. "You? A private investigator? Because you're so good at minding your own business?"
"Heyyy. I'll have you know I'm excellent at gathering information."
"You mean stalking."
"It's called research, Scarlett."
"Mhm. And I suppose next you'll be offering 'research services' to strangers online."
"Exactly."
"…Oh no, you actually are, aren't you?"
I grinned. "Already submitted the profile. 'Discreet, highly resourceful, and experienced in digital forensics.'"
"You literally googled that last week."
.....
I refreshed the freelance site for the fifth time that hour, even though I knew nothing new would magically appear.
Scarlett hummed. "Still no takers on the 'teenage detective with sarcasm issues'?"
I rolled my eyes. "It's called being resourceful. Besides—"
Ping!
A new message popped up on my screen.
"...Never mind," I muttered, clicking it open.
[[[[[[[[[
Client Username: ShadowHire87
Request Title: Need assistance locating someone.
Details:
I'm searching for a person who may be in hiding. Female, early to mid-teens. Last known area: within city limits. This must be done discreetly. No police. No questions. High compensation guaranteed upon results.
If you're good at digging without leaving traces — consider it done.
]]]]]]]]]]
Scarlett was quiet for once, reading over my shoulder.
"Creepy much," she said finally.
I nodded slowly, rereading the message.
The offer was vague — and had red flags all over it — but something tugged at me. There was no name. No photo. Just... a vague silhouette of a girl who sounded way too much like me.
Coincidence?
Maybe.
My finger hovered over the "Accept" button.
"Are you sure about this?" Scarlett asked. "This smells like trouble."
"Trouble's been my roommate for months now," I said quietly.
And clicked ACCEPT.
{ Xander }
"I don't care who you find," I said, adjusting the ring on my finger. "As long as they're quiet, competent, and desperate enough to take the job without asking too many questions."
The man on the other side of the call hesitated. "And the girl—what do I tell the PI?"
"Tell them she's dangerous. And that I want her location. Alive or dead... I'll take care of the rest."
The message popped up on my screen again. Another freelance investigator request. I barely glanced at it — too many cases flooding in, none that made sense. I closed the tab quickly, wanting to keep my focus.
Suddenly, a faint noise by the window caught my attention.
"Shh," Scarlett whispered. "Ace and Lex. They're sneaking in."
Great. Just what I needed.
I yanked the laptop closed and stuffed it under my bed, out of sight, as the window slid open quietly.
Ace's face appeared first, smirking. "Miss me?"
Lex followed, scanning the room like a hawk.
"What are you two doing, ninja-ing into my room like burglars?" I whispered, trying to sound annoyed but mostly just relieved.
"Can't let you get into too much trouble," Lex said, stepping inside.
Ace flopped onto my bed. "You really are a drama queen, you know that?"
I rolled my eyes and sat on the edge of the desk, still keeping my computer hidden.
Scarlett buzzed softly. "By the way, those encrypted signals you picked up? Definitely someone's watching — but no direct threat yet."
I didn't say anything. I wasn't ready to admit just how much I felt like I was being hunted — or why.