Carver

Chapter Eight- Under the Cover of Darkness

Sarah watched as hues of purple, blue and black swirled around the water and vanished down the plughole as she rinsed the temporary black dye from her hair. Her back ached from kneeling at the basin of her shower. Her usually crimson locks had been dyed a deep shade of black and hung limply over her face, dripping into the basin. Slowly, Sarah came to her feet and hooked the shower head back onto the holder. She quickly turned the chrome knob to turn off the water. The steaming water went from crashing into the basin to a steady dripping. Sarah turned to the sink and wiped away a patch of condensation from the mirror with the palm of her hand. She barely recognised her own reflection as it stared back at her. The dark hollows around her eyes looked even darker and her skin was paler than usual with the black hair that now framed it. The water dripping from the ends of her hair traced with a gray tinge over her pale shoulders. Sarah quickly wrapped a towel around her hair and another around her torso, then padded through to her bedroom. A shopping bag lay haphazardly on her unmade bed. Sarah opened the bag and tugged out the contents, setting them neatly on her bed. She gazed at the clothing which was far from anything she would ever choose for herself- a short, leather look skirt, a slinky black camisole and a leopard print faux fur jacket.

Sarah sighed and sat down on the edge of her bed, taking the black kohl eyeliner, mascara and blood red lipstick into her hands. Make up was never anything she had an interest in, but for one night, it would have to be. She returned to the bathroom and used the mirror on the medicine cabinet to guide her. First, she applied a thick line of eyeliner over her upper eyelid and dragged it out into a flick at the outer corner of her eye, then made a thinner line on the waterline of her lower eyelid. She repeated the action on her other eye, though found this somewhat more difficult. She set the eyeliner down on the back of the basin and picked up the mascara. Sarah quickly swept the brush over her upper and lower lashes. Her eyes suddenly appeared darker and more hollow. She made a mental note to take better care of herself, and maybe use a sunbed every once in a while.  She applied lipstick and smacked her lips. Sarah chuckled as she realized that she somewhat resembled her teenage self during her goth phase.
Sarah made her way back to her bedroom, ruffling her hair with the towel. She quickly dressed herself in her underwear, then the uncharacteristic outfit she had bought from a charity store. She took out her hairdryer to blow dry her hair, and then curled it with a curling wand she had acquired from one of the other agents at the field office. She glanced at her clock- Luke would be due to arrive soon.

Luke pulled silently into the parking lot of Sarah’s apartment complex and turned off the engine. He watched as a figure descended the stairs and exited the building. The figure approached the car, a faux fur jacket pulled tight around her torso, a pair of pale yet stunning legs carrying her in swift steps.  A face appeared at the driver’s side window, causing Luke to jump in fright. Sarah grinned at the man clutching his chest as she made her way around to the passenger side. She slid herself into the seat and tugged the door closed. Luke glared at her.
“Jesus, Sarah!” he gasped, resting his head back against the headrest of the seat. Sarah giggled at him. She snatched up the small black case in the center console and popped it open. She took out one of the earpieces and pushed it into her right ear. Luke, having managed to compose himself somewhat, took the other and pushed it into his own ear.
“All good?” asked Sarah. Luke nodded and gave a thumbs up in response. Luke sighed and gripped the steering wheel with both hands, staring out of the windscreen at the swaying trees ahead. Sarah raised an eyebrow, her piercing green eyes boring a hole into his head.
“Luke?”
“Are you sure about this, Sarah? I mean, you’re not exactly in the best of health right now and-“ Sarah quickly cut him off, her eyes blazing and her lips pursed.
“Luke. No one else is suitable for this. I am. I can do this. Do not underestimate me.” Luke swallowed thickly as he turned his head to face the woman sitting next to him.
“Just... Please be careful.” Sarah turned to look out of the window. Luke started the engine and pulled out of the parking complex.

Sarah hugged herself as she slowly walked down the street, her heels clicking rhythmically against the sidewalk. She was very much alone. The breeze whipped empty candy wrappers and chip packets around her bare ankles. Her hackles raised at a presence approaching behind her. She tightly gripped the handle of her firearm which was hidden beneath her jacket. She glanced around to find there was no one there. Sarah picked up her pace, heels clicking more frantically. Her hold on her glock tightened, knuckles white. She spotted a back alley nearby. Silently, Sarah slipped into the back alley and hid in the shadows. Heavy footsteps approached and stopped. She held her breath and slid the glock out from under her jacket. As the footsteps moved into the back alley, Sarah swung her arm out and the butt of the gun connected with something fleshy. A grunt followed. Sarah glanced out to see a figure entirely in black clutching his face.  Luckily for Sarah, she excelled in the physical aspect of her job. She broke into a run, darting past the figure and made her way down the street. Luke’s voice came through her earpiece.
“Sarah! Is everything okay?” asked Luke, a hint of panic in his voice.
“Yeah. He found me though I think I may have broken his nose.” She whipped her head around, her hair being carried by the breeze and getting caught on her eyelashes. The man had broken into a run and was following behind, “He’s on my tail.”
“I haven’t got a visual on you or the suspect,” responded Luke.
“I’m getting close.” Sarah stopped and faced the man who was gaining on her. She pointed her glock at him and fired a single shot. The man sagged to the ground. Luke’s voice crackled again over the earpiece.
“Sarah! I heard shots!”
“I’m fine. Suspect is down.” Sarah holstered her gun under her jacket and sighed. She moved over to the man and knelt down beside him, taking care to maintain her modesty. She grasped the bottom of the ski mask and tugged it upwards. The man had a track of blood over his lips and chin from a very crooked nose. His blue eyes were surrounded by deep lines. A small patch of dark hair adorned his chin, just under his bottom lip. A dark pink scar snaked over his left eye, coming to rest near the corner of his mouth.
“Caucasian male. Blue eyes. He has a scar over his left eye coming down to his mouth. Black hair. Looks to be in his forties,” said Sarah, her eyes fixed to the unconscious man in front of her. Blood was spreading from the hole in his shoulder, across his black sweater. Without warning, a hand shot up and tightly gripped the back of Sarah’s hair. She grasped the hand with both of hers to try and dislodge the fingers that were entwined in her curls. The hand dragged her head down until her forehead connected with the pavement. Sarah dropped to the ground, blood running down her nose from an abrasion to her forehead. Her surroundings swam hazily before her eyes. She vaguely heard the sound of running, then Luke appeared over her.
“Sarah! Sarah! Can you hear me?” Sarah wanted to respond but it was as if the messages were not reaching her mouth from her brain. Black spots danced before her eyes, Luke’s voice sounding like he was under water. Sarah was unable to stop herself from succumbing to the darkness.