We run through the backstreets of the underground, weaving through shadowy alleyways as we head back to the safehouse. Smoke still trails through the air, and the orange glow from the fire can be seen from blocks away. I glance around, checking every angle before we dash across the street. David is careful with the girl on his back, her limp form bouncing slightly with each step. Peeking out from around the corner, I whisper, "Okay, let's make this quick. Last thing we need is to get caught now."
He nods. I glance at the girl again—still passed out, probably from shock and that busted ankle.
"Now!"
We fire our ODM gear and zip over the heads of the crowd below. Flying down here is like painting a target on your back, but walking the streets is a worse option tonight.
We land on the roof, then drop into the alley behind our safehouse. I crack the door open and slip inside, holding it for David. He carries her in and lays her down gently on the bed in the back room.
I lock the door behind us and walk straight to the sink. My hands are sticky with dried blood. As the water runs, I stare at the red swirling down the drain.
"Hey," David says, walking out of the room, "she's out cold. What are we gonna do about her?"
Still scrubbing, I glance over my shoulder. "I don't know. It's our fault she got hurt and lost her place, even if it was that disgusting brothel."
Turning off the water, I dry my hands and lean against the kitchen counter. David flops onto the couch.
"I think we patch her up best we can and send her on her way."
He shakes his head. "Have you even looked at her? She's young, Scarlet. Like, fifteen maybe. If we toss her out, she'll just end up back in a place like that. You know it."
I push off the counter and start pacing. This is a mess. We've never brought someone home before, especially not someone like this.
"Tsk... We can't just keep her. She's not a damn stray, David."
But still, there's a tight pull in my chest. I know he wants to help her. Hell, I want to help her too. But how?
"I know that, Scarlet. But she said she has nowhere to go. She's too young for that kind of life."
He stands, eyes serious now. "You know better than anyone what it's like to be alone, to have no one. Let's do what we can... like Charlie did for us."
I stop pacing, eyes on the floor. Charlie saved me. Gave me a purpose. Gave me this double life. People might say I'm dangerous now, but up top, I'm just Jade—the seamstress helping keep the underground afloat. Maybe I owe that back.
Hands on my hips, I sigh and pout, "Fiiine. But the second she causes trouble, she's out. We don't know who she is or what she might do. And she saw our faces—she saw what we did."
I start pacing again, trying to calculate every risk in my head. If she's smart, she'll play by our rules.
David grabs my shoulders, stopping me in place. "I'll take care of her. I'll get everything sorted. I just want to help—like someone helped us."
That damn look. He knows I can't say no when he gives me that look.
"Ugh... fine. FINE."
Then it hits me. I smack the back of his head. "Wait. You just want to watch over her 'cause you're a pervert! I'm not leaving her in your sleazy hands!"
He throws up his arms, face horrified. "No, no, no! That's not it at all! You know me better than that—she's way too young! You're the pervert!"
"What?! How the hell am I the pervert, you idiot?!"
We bicker until a sharp knock cuts through the room. Silence falls instantly. We exchange looks. I tiptoe to the window and peek through the blinds. Empty.
Opening the door slowly, I spot a note on the ground. Red wax seal.
Shit.
I pick it up and close the door behind me, then sit beside David and break the seal.
It seems the target, Thomas Granger, has slipped away once again. A disappointment not only to me, but to the countless lives he drains daily.
I hope the next time you are in the same room as him... it will be his last breath.
—C
My throat tightens as I finish reading it out loud. David just stares at the note.
I shoot to my feet, already gathering my things. "Okay, he's pissed..."
I try to laugh it off, but my hands are shaking.
David checks on the girl in the room before coming back. I speak before he can.
"I've been thinking."
He raises a brow. "That's dangerous. Try not to hurt yourself."
I glare at him. "Shut up, I'm serious. We're in deep shit, David. Thomas Granger got away. Not only is Charlie disappointed—I'm fucking furious. We let that piece of garbage escape."
He flinches. "Scarlet, we did what we could—"
"WE DID WHAT WE COULD?! That's not good enough! We let our guard down. We got lazy. It's my fault. I should've done more."
He steps forward, voice rising. "I know that! I'm the one who let him get away while you were fighting off the others. It's my fault! Don't take all the blame."
I lunge at him, fists raised, but he catches my hands and we push against each other, toe-to-toe.
"No, it's mine!"
"Nooo, mine!"
"No, mine!"
We shove harder, feet skidding on the floor.
"Wwwhhyyy can't you just trust meeee?!" he groans.
"I do trust you!"
"Then stop blaming yourself! That's why you're so angry—you think it's always your fault!"
I press in, voice cracking. "I blame myself because I wasn't strong enough! I let you down. You're always watching out for me."
He stumbles backward, crashing onto the floor, dragging me down with him. I land on top, still holding his hands down.
I stare down at him, my eyes burning.
"I never want to lose someone again. I never want to be too weak to protect them."
He blinks, stunned.
"Then... lean on me."
My chest aches. I want to fight it, but the tears break free.
"If you're not strong enough right now, let me lend you my strength."
I can't speak. I just cry. Ugly, silent, heaving sobs I didn't even know I had left in me.
We sit on the floor, David holding me while I cry into his shoulder. I feel like a child. And maybe that's okay.
Eventually, I sniffle and wipe my eyes. "Okay. I think I'm done being a bag of balls."
David blinks. "What the hell does that even mean?"
"You know. Balls are sensitive—touch 'em and guys cry. My 'girl' is strong and invincible."
I stick my tongue out. He ruffles my hair.
We laugh.
"Alright, I gotta go. Still have work in the morning."
I stand, groaning. My body is sore from earlier, and my lip still stings.
"Keep an eye on her, will you? I trust you. Besides, I've got deadlines and won't be around."
David grins. "I promise. Like she's my own daughter."
I already regret it.
"Well, with that ankle she won't be running off anytime soon. Just make sure she doesn't end up in trouble."
I open the door. "Thanks, David. For always having my back."
We smile at each other.
"To infinity and beyond."
I smack him in the face. "You idiot."
I slam the door, pull my hood up, and disappear into the shadows.
—
The streets above are dead quiet. The moon lights everything up—it's always too damn bright up here.
I yawn. I'm exhausted.
Turning a corner too fast, I slam into someone. My cloak flares open, the moon catching on the metal glint of my ODM gear and golden spikes. My red hair spills out of the hood.
I spin, casting a long shadow behind me.
"Oopsie poopsie. My bad," I giggle.
But then I see his eyes. The way he's staring—not at my face, but at my gear.
"Where did you get that? Who are you?"
Shit. Military uniform. A Scout. And... oh. He looks familiar.
I smile, tapping my chin. "Hmm, if I told you, I'd have to kill you."
I giggle again and take off.
"Get back here, you thief!" he shouts.
I glance back. Yep—he's chasing me. No gear on him. I use my hooks to shoot up and leap over rooftops, my red hair streaming behind me.
He climbs. He's still coming after me.
"When I catch you, you're dead, brat!"
He's gaining.
"Don't threaten me with a good time, Captain Levi!"
I fire my hooks again and disappear into the night, the smirk never leaving my face.
Let's see if you can keep up, Captain.