It's been a week; Varneth has triggered me twice so far. One was in front of Caleb, and one was my sleep paralysis. Thankfully, he didn't ask anything about the incident he had witnessed. He is distant after that day, with no stupid jokes, not interfering in my matter, nor coming into my room. Does he finally understand the boundaries? I don't know.
The house is small, so he would just call me while sitting in the living room; he would ask me to come out if there was some information to be discussed.
Recently we found out that Kairo was indeed active in Oured, and he had made deals in Varneth. Some local people who closed their shop after midnight have mentioned that they saw cars, one after another, like some high-class people or criminals. They explained it like some high-profile people gather to meet. They couldn't see the face but explained that they gave us a few number plates for the car, and they are linked to the Kairo family. We are still not sure if we are on the right track or if Kairo is misleading us by feeding us false information.
It could be plausible that he knows we are committed to him. He could be bribing the locals to give us wrong information so we don't catch up to him.
To stay out every night and verify the testaments of the locals, we got ourselves some night shift jobs. I saw a flyer for the night shift in a convenience store, so I went there and got the job. The owner didn't ask many questions. Just named some past experience, and he was fine with having me as his employee.
The job is pretty easy and simple. I just have to restock anything that finishes, remove the expired food from the racks, stay by the counter and deal with customer payments. The customers at night are few, so I have a lot of free time to deal with other things.
Caleb, on the other hand, got a job in a club. He said they were hiring a waiter, and he applied there. The bar isn't as big and luxurious as Gilded Fang, but local customers and some small gangs would appear once in a while, which could be helpful.
Although criminals are active during the day, the darkness of night hides more secrets than day. Drunk people unknowingly spill lots of details.
"I am leaving," Caleb said. He pulls out his coat and goes for his shit. The weather at night is chilly, even in spring. I am so used to the atmosphere of Zena that I am finding it hard adjusting to Varneth.
I haven't visited the place Caleb goes to… I guess I'll follow him today. I instantly grabbed my jacket and walked out. A chilly gust hit my face and made me shiver instantly. My hair flew back with the wind, and my lips got cold and dry instantly. 'Need hydration,' I whispered to myself.
The yellow streetlights were falling on the ground, making the road and surroundings slightly visible. In addition to that, moonlight was making the night mesmerising. Tree leaves dancing with the wind. The wet cement smell was spread all over the residential place.
As I passed by each house, I could smell cooking… steaks… barbecues… fish and much more. It reminded me of the time with Rafe's family, because I never had a warm and nice family dinner at my house.
I got lost in my surroundings and lost Caleb. Instantly, I ran in his direction only to see two men walking behind me. They were at a safe distance, but their presence wasn't unrecognisable to me. I caught a glimpse from the edge of my eye when they tried to hide. I failed to follow Caleb because I got two men on my trail.
I kept my calm and stayed on the same road. If they are after my identity, I must play the role of Anna perfectly. Although it's not the route to the convenience store, I must go through alleys this time to deceive them. After walking through a few alleys, I managed to hide in the darkest one next to the big trash bin. They followed the route, as it was too dark to see anyone in the distance.
I slowly walked out of that alley and ran as fast as I could. After a few minutes, when I was sure they weren't following anymore, I stopped running to catch my breath.
"Wait, why the hell did I run?" Did I panic again? " I should not do it. I am strong enough to handle two men, and Anna has been in jail, so she is not naive, and she does know how to fight. I could have fought back, and they wouldn't have doubted that I am some sort of spy, and in case they did, my data would show Anna.
I have never run away like this after that incident. How come this happened? I sat on a bench outside someone's house, ran a hand through my hair and removed my jacket. The wind no longer felt cold because of sweating and running.
I sat there for a while silently with my thoughts, looking at the moon, as I still had time for my shift. The moon was bright and big among the small stars. The sky at night, especially in Varneth, looks so beautiful. Because of the place being close to mountains, there is less city pollution, and we get to see a beautiful night sky. I guess it's too common for the living here, as they witness it every day. I closed my eyes, and the moment that just happened rewound in my head.
I panicked because of Varneth Alley… I'm not sure, but it must be the reason. Before this, I had taken care of men without any fear, but this time, a sudden fear to just abandon everything and run came over me. I need to keep my brain at ease all the time; I cannot afford to make any impulsive mistake. One mistake and all my efforts for years will go down the drain.
This mission may take months just to collect data on Kairo. During this time, I need to recollect my thoughts and push back my trauma and black flashes. I need to practise more calming techniques to keep my brain and heart at ease.
I sat there under the moon for half an hour and then started pacing towards my job. Thankfully, I didn't encounter them again. I entered the store and greeted the boss. He greeted me and came out from behind the counter. "Anna, make sure to check the IDs of anyone who wants to buy alcoholic beverages and cigarettes." He advised and left the shop.
The person owning the store is in his 50s; his name is Albert Anderson. He has pale skin just like the rest of the locals; all his hair is white. He is well built and doesn't look his age. All the people in Varneth are fit because of walking on the stepped roads. It's like climbing a hill every day but through a road or pavement.
I removed my jacket, hung it on the chair and wore the store blazer. It's blue in colour and has the store name written on it. At night, I don't encounter many people. I tried to look for a job in a commercial or busy area, but no one was hiring. So, I had to get this one to maintain our disguise.
I scroll through my phone more than deal with customers. A normal girl's behaviour must be maintained. I keep my burner phone with me in case anyone from my team wants to contact me.
This morning, I received an email from Evan that agent Karl has taken over the case of Vayric. It infuriates me that the case I was supposed to close is passed over to another agent. I don't lack any capabilities to solve any case, but we are also meant to follow the orders.
So far, no agent has been found guilty of being a traitor and helping Kael run away, which is very unusual. The CCTV footage was deleted, and Caleb's team is working on retrieving it. I am failing to understand the reason behind it. Is it their incompetence or something else? Is someone gatekeeping it from coming to the surface? All these things make my suspicion of Caleb being a traitor stronger.
About the Marno family, we got to know they are business tycoons of Ravska. The head of the family, Aurelio D'Marno, laid the foundation of his company in his youth, and now his sons are taking care of it. They manufacture weapons of all purposes, from guns to tanks to nuclear bombs. The company name is Blaze Arms.
According to our intel, the Marno family is very secretive, and they used to have no interest in any mafia stuff, but one of their sons, most likely Kairo, is actively involved in it.
Their family business, Blaze Arms, is under their eldest son; the middle one deals with illegal stuff that we need to dig out and the youngest is working under his father in their new company named NyxCell, a biochemical company. We are yet to know the names of his two sons. We only know the name of Kairo, Aurelio's second son.
I was deep in my thoughts when a man approached the counter and placed two beer cans and asked for a pack of cigarettes. I looked up at him. This man was wearing a black tee which was skin tight to him. His body structure was prominent; his muscles showed his hard workout. Veins were popping out of his skin. My gaze travelled from his body to his face.
Dark black hairs falling on his face, a little wet as if he were sweating, he had double-lid eyelids which weren't visible enough for me to notice his eye colour. His face structure looked like the golden ratio of a handsome face. "I know I am handsome, but can you please do it quickly?" he said. There was no annoyance in his tone. "Yes, you are, I must give you that…" I said and turned behind me to grab the cigarette he asked for. "Card or cash?" I asked, and he handed over his card. It was a black card; he must be rich. Then why is he here… in a small and local store? I swiped the card and put his purchase in a bag and slid it towards him.
Before picking up the bag, he came close, leaning over the counter. "Don't call any man handsome. Someone won't like it," he winked and left. What does he mean by it? Who won't like it? I immediately ran after him. He left in a car before I could call him. I need to act fast and make my brain work later.
How would I be able to relax now? I stomped my feet on the ground and walked inside the store.
…
I failed to investigate the bar Caleb was working at again. He is being too secretive about it. He did give me a name, and it does exist, but whenever I plan to follow him, I always somehow fail.
One time some people followed me, one time he vanished from my eyes, and other times I couldn't enter the alley. That alley was identical to the other I almost died in. Although I can go to that bar anytime in the day and ask them about Caleb, it has always been closed the times I went there, which raised my suspicion further.
I couldn't track him, I can't investigate the bar he is working at, and I can't blindly trust him as well. After the day Kael broke through the highest security, my brain is arguing that Caleb knows something.
"Hello Chief," I called the chief after I made sure Caleb was sleeping and walked out of the house. "I want you to send me a spy not from my team nor from Caleb," I requested. "What happened? "You got some lead?" he enquired; his voice sounded distant and dry but he appeared cheerful about leads. "No, I want you to keep it between us – not a word to any other agent, not even to Elise." My voice tensed; I inhaled before continuing. "I am suspecting Caleb and before you say something contradictory, I want you to consider every single possibility regarding every agent." There was a long silence on the other side. No answer, just a hmm…
"I'll update you on it soon," he said and cut the call. I think he suspects him too, and maybe he suspects me too. But Caleb has been with him for years, and if he turns out to be a traitor, then it will break his heart and trust.
"Elise… it can be her…" I spoke to myself. I rushed back inside, grabbed the laptop from my room and emailed Evan. He had sent me some stuff, but I will see that later.
Evan, keep an eye on Elise. Inform me of any unusual behaviour.
Ask Talia or Zara to accompany her to lunch and follow her. Don't make it too obvious; just lie low. I have my suspicions about her…
And one last thing, make sure all these mails are encrypted and deleted after reading; no trace should be left.
I'm trusting you.
I wrote and hit send. If it's someone from the hacking team and they are watching everything, they will inform Caleb that I am spying on Elise, and if the chief mentions in front of Elise that I suspect Caleb, both will mentally be free, and they might make a mistake in the delusion that they are free of suspicion. That's when we will catch them. What I think is, Chief will definitely tell Elise about my suspicion; after all, he is too lazy to do paperwork for a new spy.
Let's catch the traitor and work on my current mission while looking for Rafe somewhere in Oured. And maybe I could find the one who walked into my house.
'Let's read what Evan has sent me.' I spoke to myself. Family tree of the Marno family. The subject of mail. I instantly opened it.
Aurelio D'Marno is the father and head of the family, with Celesto Virelli being the wife and mother. They have three children together.
Edran D'Marno, the eldest, 35 years old
Kario D'Marno, Middle, 30 years old
Matteo D'Marno Youngest, 27 years old
I am looking for any information available in documentation about Aurelio. This was their family record I got from the marriage registration and birth certificates in government data.
According to the small amount of information Evan sent me, Edran is running the Blaze Arms company and Matteo is in Nyxcell with his father. We got their names and ages so far.
This mission is difficult but I feel like someone is deliberately throwing information at us. Until one week ago we had no record of the Marno family and suddenly we got the record about their marriage, their names and their birth certificates.
Kairo is named as the mafia king in the underground world, and for a person named king, it won't be difficult to completely destroy the data on his family from government records, and I really think he did. Then why did it suddenly appear? Whoever is helping must be as powerful as Kairo.
…
"Hello, I am Rafe Calder. What's your name?" A child asked me as he sits beside me. "I am Mira Keene." I spoke. He had tan skin, a freckled face, and a sweet smile carved on his face. Thin lips and round eyes… he got chubby cheeks.
It was my first day in middle school. He was my desk mate. Over time Rafe and I become close friends and then best friends. He would come over to my house to play and I would do the same.
Most of my time was spent over at his house. His parents were so nice to me. His mother would cook me food, comb my hair, and give me treats, and sometimes I would sleep with her. His mother and father were loving. They would show affection openly without any worries or fights.
I had never seen us argue or fight. They also seemed to love Rafe a lot. They moved in Varneth a few days before the middle school started and his house was close to mine. I never felt happy at my own home. My parents argued all the time and most of the time neglected my needs.
Being with Rafe fills the gap that my family gave me.
"What are you doing?" Rafe hit my shoulder with a box inside a shopping bag. I was sitting on the bench outside the main building. "Nothing, just thinking about stuff," I replied. "Here," he placed the box on my lap. A wide smile appeared on my face as I knew there would be delicious food inside. Aunty often gives him food for me. "You need to say thank you." He spoke as I stuffed a piece of cream pie inside my mouth. It was so sweet that it melted on my tongue. The taste was beyond the world.
I smiled at him with my stuffed mouth and he laughed at me. "You are a messy eater," he said while wiping my mouth with a tissue. "I wow," I said while chewing. Words jumbled inside my mouth but he still understands. "I know, you meant…" He has been with me throughout my middle school and now we are in high school.
He is the nicest person I know. He never gets tired of my family drama. He shares his food, money and parents with me. Sometimes this poor guy has to share a room with me.
"Thank you," I said with the brightest smile. He didn't reply, and I continued eating my pie.
"Rafe…" I grabbed his attention. "Are you looking for a girlfriend?" I teased him. "What? No… what are… you talking about?" He blushed and stuttered.
"I saw you stealing a glance at the class president." I elbowed him. "Want me to set you up?" I offered. Suddenly the funny Rafe got all serious and his eyes shone. He grabbed the box and pie from my hands and put them behind him. "My pie," I cried. He turned back, grabbed my hands and said, "Can you?" He looked seriously in love. "I mean, yeah…" He hugged me tightly. He is cheerful and extroverted, but if he keeps hugging me, the rumours of him dating me are going to spread fast.
"Okay, now let go of me." I hit his back and grabbed my pie box. "I'll see what I can do but it won't be free, you know." I winked at him and he immediately knew what I wanted in return.
"Don't worry, you will get my mom's food," he assured. "Don't forget me once you get her, ok?" I warned him. "Don't worry, you will always be first." He patted my head and then took the pie and shoved it in my mouth. "Eat."
.
.
.
"Help me, Rafe," I winced, my voice barely audible to myself. One last cry for help, one last pleading for my best friend to save me. My vision blurred with the blood dripping from my head. I couldn't move as they hit my stomach, walked over my leg and injured me badly.
I saw him standing there watching his friends torture me, hurt me and beat me and not a single word came out of his mouth to stop them. He watched my body going lifeless and my soul leaving my body.
"Ra… Rafe…" That's all I remember before blacking out.