𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 - Mitch Rapp

Chapter Two - Things are never as they seem.

Neatly folding formal clothes into one of the lockers in the training room, Ava couldn't help but think about the fast approaching case.

Truth be told, she never had to deal with criminals involved in sex crimes before, and she was unsure whether or not Irene was right about it being too close to home for her to handle. You see, Ava lost her little sister Mia over a year ago- and the details on her death is something she has yet to emotionally, and mentally deal with. She was there the night it happened,  just arriving home from work when she saw that the door was blatantly left ajar, and the latch had been snapped clean off the hook. Ava was met with deafening silence while walking through the threshold, even after she called out her name. This made alarm bells ring inside her head, so, without further wait, she rushed upstairs to check her room, and what Ava saw- still never left her mind to this day. Someone had broken into theirhome, and brutally murdered her sister- her only family she had left. Ava knew there was other revolting crimes committed on her sister, but had asked the police officer to not tell her. He didn't have to, though, considering she had found her without any pajama bottoms on- so that was enough evidence to confirm what had happened.

The traumatised girl was sent into a rehabilitation centre soon after, but even with numerous different therapists and exercises, nothing could've cured her from the trauma. So, after three months, she was discharged. Unbeknownst to everyone that tried to help her recover, Ava became a different person the day I she was released- finally unearthing a coping mechanism- punishing those who committed unjust crimes. Did it work?

Sort of.

Did she regret killing those misogynistic, sick bastards?

Absolutely not.

Still swarmed within her own thoughts, Ava subconsciously got dressed into a fitted Navy tracksuit, and sneakers, failing to even notice the loud voices echoeing from the training room until someone knocked on the locker room door, reeling her tormented mind back to reality.

"Just a sec", she called out while tying the shoe laces into knots.

The door opened regardless, revealing a very pissed off looking woman around her age.

" Uh, can I help you?", Ava asked as she stood up, continuing to tie her hair into a pony.

The petite blonde raised a brow while her hand rested on the door knob, eyeing Ava up as if she had the audacity to speak to her. "Stan wants everyone lined up out there, including you, princess. I don't recall anyone getting special treatment and being allowed to show up late to training", she retorted with sheer attitude in her tone.

What's with the cia and recruiting complete assholes?, Ava pondered.

" Oh, my bad. I'll put in a good word with Irene and see if she'll grant you some of the special treatment I clearly get", she replied with an eat shit grin while strolling by the blonde's scowled exterior.

Satisfied with the evident accomplishment of putting the blonde in her place, Ava made her way onto the large incline mat that took up most of the gym floor, idly noticing a very familiar brunet standing on the opposite side. The brunette tried to act somewhat calm and collected- not wanting to let him aware that she was still a little embarrassed over their first encounter. However, to her surprise, he grew a dominant smile as soon as she caught his stare. Ava wasn't sure what this guy's demeanor was since he acted so apologetic earlier, and now looking as if he has more power over her. Well, if he wants to play that game - let the best trainee win.

"Eyes front and centre", Stan suddenly yelled as he approached the mat.

Ava knew to never cross the stern man, after witnessing first hand what kind of consequences occur. Stan Hurley doesn't like a lot of things, but one thing he hates the most is a disrespectful trainee.