The young woman jumped to her feet immediately-the old man didn't matter. That girl had to be in her hands. Now.
She left the cunning, clicking man behind, drew her weapon from under her skirt, and quickened her steps silently. Penelope was moving fast as soon as she saw her; she didn't look back, only straight ahead. People stood in Keya's way, but she pushed them aside one by one, clearing her path. The noise of the crowd filled her ears, but her focus was solely on the small girl.
When she reached the door, her first move was to ask those stationed there. "Have you seen a red-haired girl, a child?" They pointed toward the side alley with their hands. Keya continued forward. At one point, she thought the men were laughing at her, doubted herself-but there was no time for mistakes or looking back. She had to hurry; she had to catch that girl. This was the most important mission.
She ran into the side alley, and right across from her hung a piece of fabric swaying lightly in the wind. On it was a small note:
"Find me, Keya. -Penelope"
The agent was astonished by this setup-they had planned everything. To the very end.
Keya glanced around sharply; the girl couldn't have gone far. She spoke into her earpiece, breathless. "Pierce, can you hear me?"
"He's here, Penelope's here, you need to check the cameras immediately!" came the voice.
"Right away... Keya, up!"
Keya looked up. She noticed the object hanging above; Penelope was waiting to cut the ropes. The small girl smiled. Keya responded by opening fire.
But it was too late-the ropes were already cut. Rolling, the woman muttered, "Damn it!"
After a loud crash, she got back on her feet, regrouped.
"Pierce?!"
"I'm looking, I'm looking!" her friend replied.
"Building number 42, now, Pierce!" Keya shouted again.
"Keya..." Pierce's voice cut off.
"Pierce?!" Keya yelled. No answer. She grabbed her earpiece to check, then angrily threw it aside.
Spinning around, Keya suddenly realized something. This street wasn't the alley she had entered. Her head throbbed, but there was no time to think. She stepped out of the street-and no matter where she looked, the girl was gone. She had vanished.
"Damn it..." Keya gritted her teeth.
The next morning, sunlight reflected off the city's metallic buildings. Keya dried her hair, yesterday's events weighing on her mind, Penelope's escape rattling her balance. This mission was crucial.
She removed her towel and looked in the mirror. The marks on her back were clear. A bad feeling churned in her stomach. Muttering, she dressed, muttering a few curses at her agent friend. It wasn't entirely her fault-Keya didn't make mistakes.
Her phone vibrated. The number was unknown. She threw it angrily aside. There was no time.
As she moved toward the kitchen, buttoning her shirt, the alarm on her smartwatch went off. She read the message carefully:
"Open the door, Keya."
It couldn't be a joke. She quickly armed herself and approached the door. When she opened it, she couldn't believe her eyes:
A bloody body on the floor, blood splattered everywhere, and a message written on the wall in blood:
"You should have answered your phone, Keya. - Penelope"