Extraction

1 - Mercenary

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THE KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA
Jane

My hands were on the steering wheel. I was holding my breath, clenching my teeth and holding my tears back.

I counted from one to three and then from three to one. My hands started to shake and my head started to hurt. I brushed my tears away and sniffled, feeling relieved once I spotted my house. A familiar truck was parked in my deserted garden.

One

Two

Three

And I successfully parked my car in my spot. I took the key and walked out, trying to look for the person the truck belonged to. I sighed and then noticed a woman sitting on the porch.

I looked at her and blinked as the realisation hit me. I shook my head lightly and walked inside my home, knowing she would've followed me anyway.

My house was small: one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchen connected with the living room. I didn't need more, since bigger spaces made me anxious anyway. I reached the table and grabbed my anxiety pills, swallowing them with water. I grasped another pillbox and gulped a pill down with some water.

"What was that for?", she spoke. My hands held onto the edge of the table as I felt a wave of tiredness hit me.

"Back, shoulder, knee.", I responded and grabbed a small glass. The bottle of whiskey was calling my name from the counter.

"The other."

I didn't respond, because she simply wanted me to admit the known.

"Want some?", I pulled out one of the chairs and sat down. The glass of alcohol in my hand as I motioned it to her. She shook her head and looked outside of the window.

"It's smaller than the other one.", she vaguely said, probably talking about my property.

"Don't need more, Nik. It's just me.", I told her and gulped down the drink. Nik looked at me sideways and then moved her gaze again.

"I told you I would be out of this.", my words echoed in the room.

"How do you know what I'm here for?"

"There's always a reason."

"I can't visit my friend?"

"Nik.", I pushed, tired of her bullshit.

"Drug Lord's son. Kidnapping.", she sighed. "Rival's gangster is holding this kid in Dhaka.", I stood up and walked towards the sink, rinsing the glass and then leaving it to dry. I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes, trying to memorise her words as there was a constant ringing in my head.

"Gaspar. He lives there."

"He's out of the game.", Nik said, making my eyes snap open.

"Since when?"

"After yours and Rake's last mission.", she sighed and moved towards me. I closed my eyes again and crossed my arms on my chest.