Chris III:

Chris’s own investigation barely forwarded his progress. With Emma’s intel, he frequented around the hotel Eugene was staying at. Yet no activity aroused any suspicion. By the next day, Chris had given up on babysitting the man. Instead he tried for the mines.

As he was walking to city’s mine, the familiar white uniform of the CIA caught his attention. They were tailing him still, using any chance provided to get their hands on the virus first.

He wouldn’t let that happen.

His fake FBI badge came in handy for investigations like this. While the P.A.L was a sanctioned foundation, their existence wasn’t very known to the public. Limited information was provided about them. The people simply saw them as scientists working to help against biological weapons. Not as an underground military organization with special forces.

Chris approached two miners who were in the midst of conversion. He held the fake badge in front of him.

“Detective Moore, here to investigate the premises.”

They looked to him confused, the taller one spoke while the short one eyed him suspiciously.

“What for?”

“Potential escapee. All I can disclose.”

They gave each other a long stare, before turning to him and nodding their heads. Chris continued onward, scanning the area. Workers were either on lunch or hacking at the rubble. One thing was clear this place was too exposed for a deal. Which means either Eugene set them up or there was something missing.

After walking for a few minutes, the sight of a miner entering the shafts below through a large opening gave him the right idea.

“Looks private enough.” He murmured, stepping in front of the opening. It was lit by torches with many paths carved. Ideal for the exchange of illegal items.

With a quick look around him, Chris ventured inside. It got dark quickly, the torches and lanterns provided enough light for him to get through easily enough.

The sound of voices talking caught his attention. Chris leaned against a cave wall, listening to the hushed voices on the other side.

“We need the place cleared out by tomorrow. Everyone’s schedule is clear. Everyone.” This voice was older more experienced with the matter it seemed.

“What are we gonna say? Just give everyone a day off and expect no questions? What will upper management say?” The second was younger sounding, much less assured and anxious.

“Let me deal with upper management. You just clear the schedules.”

Chris continued to listen, his reflexes kicking when a rough hand tried to grasp his shoulder.

Quickly he spun around while diverting the man’s arms, twisting it behind him and pushing him to the cold cave wall.

The assailant grunted in pain as he twisted. Chris immediately began his questioning.

“Who are you?”

The man didn’t answer only trying his best to pry himself free. But he was no match, Chris’s appearance wasn’t for show. His grip was unbreakable. The mans resistance only made him twist harder.

The familiar loading of a gun sounded behind, causing Chris to spin back around with the man still in his grip. Two people, the ones he heard speaking most likely stood before him. The older one with the gun aimed at him. The younger more meek and hiding behind him.

They stood at a stand still, waiting for the other to make the first move. Chris pushed the man in his arms to the one with the gun in his hand, causing him to divert the gun away to catch him. Chris wasted no time, rushing forward and disarming him. He delivered a quick jab to his gut then to his jaw, knocking the man out cold. The first assailant now recovered tried to attack, only to meet Chris’s fist as he charged forward. He too joined his partner on the ground.

Chris turned to the last one. The meek young man. He didn’t even need to resort to violence with this one, the young man already holding his hands up and getting on his knees.

“You’re smarter than your friends. Mind telling me what you were talking about?” Chris stared down at the young man, seeing his already weak resolve break.

“We….we’re clearing the place out! Tomorrow. Man called asking for it to be empty.” He whimpered out, shaking under Chris’s gaze.

“Phone.” Chris reached his hand out.

The young man slowly reached in his pocket, handing Chris the item shakily.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Stay put.” Chris said as he walked out.

Seemed the place was paid off like he expected. With this phone maybe Emma can trace the location. Before he left the site, he looked at the tracking CIA agents dead on. He pointed a thumb at the shafts behind him before continuing on.

Chris’s path led him to the towns famed park, he needed a quick break from work. The blueness of the river was nearly magical. The scenery made him relax only slightly. Hesitantly reaching in his pocket, he took out a cigarette. Smoking them made him feel bad. So he always did his best to avoid them. But eventually he always came back to them.

----------------------------------------

Jaene V:

Being in Freetown only made Jaene even more nervous than before she arrived. When she left her lab she felt confident, and prepared. Seeing the amount of CIA patrolling made her want to use the scapegoat her father offered her if she deemed it too dangerous.

One part of her wanted that. The other not so much. She was determined to see this through. She didn’t want to believe her pride was so strong. Her need to prove herself. It felt wrong walking away under pressure. Was her motivation so weak? What would her family think..

She shuddered at the mere memory.

The rubble. The fire. The blood. Their faces.

Everyday she tried to close it all out. Everyday she failed.

She tried to remember the last words she spoke to her family. But she was left with a blank. Nothing recalled except the collapse of their home.

She glanced across the street, her eyes widening. Their bloodied faces looked back at her. Judging her. Jaene’s heart clenched, causing her breathing to become erratic.

‘Stop. Stop it! If you can’t get one mission done correctly then what does he need you for.’ One side of her head said.

‘He doesn’t need you, he has Maria. She’s a real talent. She doesn’t carry the excess baggage you do.’ The other countered.

‘Shut up!’ She shouted inwardly.

When she reopened her eyes, she saw some of those passerby look at her. Their eyes held confusion and most of all pity.

She needed to step away. To clear her thoughts. Will she leave? Or will she stay.

The towns park came into view. The allure of the deep blue water lured her in. She sat down on a bench, soaking it all in. She didn’t even notice the man beside her until the scent of smoke reached her nose. Turning to the side she was surprised at the appearance of the man. He was tall, even sitting down. Short brown hair, his eyes matching. They were tired yet warm. His build was impressive, she wondered how one could become so muscular. Hoping she wasn’t staring too long, she gave a polite nod.

He met her eyes, seemingly scanning her as well before nodding back. Respectfully putting away the cigarette. Jaene went back to her own thoughts, though that was a mistake.

Their faces were ahead of her now. Watching her with an air of disapproval. Her hands began to shake. Maybe she should quit. Maybe she should..

“Miss are you okay?” A voice pulled her out of her world. She turned to the source, seeing it coming from the same man she was just admiring.

Seeing she didn’t answer, he asked again.

“You were shaking. Your eyes are watery. You okay?”

Jaene rubbed her eyes quickly, sputtering out unintelligible words of assurance. She didn’t know who they were for. Herself or the man beside her. He seemed to see through her.

“Tough times huh?”

Jaene’s stammering stopped.

“Yeah. You could say that.”

Those words hung in the air for awhile, before she continued.

“I was chosen for a job, something I really wanted to help with. Now I can’t help but doubt myself. I think why me? Why was I chosen?” She let more slip out than she intended, quickly covering her tracks.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to ramble.”

Aside from noticing his looks, she noticed his stoic nature. His expression barely changed even as he spoke. A stone mask seemed to be a passive accessory of his.

“No you’re fine. I understand how you feel. Not thinking you’re worth the opportunities given to you. But that’s exactly why you have to take them.”

He had her full attention now, she turned her body full to face his side of the bench as he continued.

“Whoever chooses you for these things. They see something in you. Something you can’t. That’s why you keep going, you unlock that part of yourself. When you get there you realize it wasn’t all that bad.” The man spoke as if he had dealt with this personally. She could see the years weighing on him, making her more interested.

“You having work issues too?”

“You could say that.” He replied.

She waited for him to continue.

“Let’s just say I’ve been there before. Currently things are going pretty smooth. Trust in yourself. Trust in those who believe in you.”

“And if I’m too afraid? If I fail?”

“It’s okay to be afraid. We don’t lose fear we only master it. If you fall, get back up. There’s always another chance.”

His words while simple were deep. Rich with an unexplained wisdom. She considered them carefully. He stood, his tall figure on full display.

“I’m off, but I hope things go well with your job.”

He offered her his hand.

“Thank your Mister..” She trailed off as he helped her to her feet.

“Chris.”

“Thank you Chris.”

Chris nodded, and begin walking away.

Jaene looked behind her, the faces were gone. Quickly turning back she called out without thinking.

“Jaene!”

Chris stopped turning around confused.

“My name is Jaene.”

He nodded giving her a small smile.

“Take care Jaene.”