KIDNAPPED BY THE AGENT | Project Callister Book One

xiii. murders after midnight

xiii. MURDERS AFTER MIDNIGHT

Stars were smattered against the dark night sky above. The stars were bright and lonely beings were stuck in a void of emptiness, but when I looked up to them, liberation was the first word to surface.

It was two in the morning, and everyone had fallen asleep after a mission. A mission I wasn't allowed to go on due to my injured back.

I cast my eyes into the lively city outside my window, yearning for some measure of freedom, especially since my bum back has kept me grounded for the better part of a week.

Tonight, I was sneaking out.

I change into a dark hoodie and comfortable leggings. Inside my backpack were my badge, my computer, and just for fun, a .22 caliber pistol.

The entire penthouse was hushed over like a hibernating bear. On the drawer next to the sofa sat a pair of earbuds. I grab them, unsure of exactly who they belong to.

My fingers run past their odd shape and lands on the very edge. Curious, I put them in. Without warning, every single whisper, breath, and rustle overwhelmed my ears.

These must have been like the earbuds Eve Miyazaki had used to listen to the world around her. They amplified every sound within a large radius.

I put them in my pocket as I prepare to leave. Just my hand turns the doorknob, an all-too-familiar voice interrupts me.

"Where do you think you're going, Cupcake?"

I freeze.

My eyes lock with stern golden eyes. "I just wanted some... groceries."

Ace's arms are folded across his chest, and he raises an eyebrow filled with accusation. "You mean you wanted to get groceries at 2 in the morning?"

"Yup," I state lamely. "Xavier's been eating all the cheesecake and I wanted some."

Ace pinches the bridge of his nose. "Your ability to think on your feet is worse than your nonexistent ability of aiming."

My hands balled into fists. "You can't stop me, you know. I'd rather get shocked into unconsciousness, or have to fight you off, than staying here like your prisoner."

My verbal assailant gives me an amused look. "As entertaining as that sounds, I'm not going to stop you."

Ace's response stuns me; I wholeheartedly expected to be tackled to the floor by him to prevent me from leaving.

"Well alright then," I state, quickly recovering from the initial shock. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Be safe," Ace says in a low tone. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

~

There wasn't an exact place where I wanted to go. I just wanted to be, for once, on my own accord and out of that luxurious prison. Having the entire city waiting at my disposal was almost paralyzing in the number of options offered.