Kiss me if you dare [ENGLISH]

Chapter 14

Fleur

If it weren't for the minute hand rapidly approaching the number eight, Fleur's thoughts would be somewhere entirely different right now. She had received clear instructions that, in theory, weren't difficult to follow. She was supposed to wait for half an hour before taking action, but the ongoing anxiety about what was happening behind the concrete walls kept her constantly on edge. 

Nervously, she scanned her surroundings, going through various scenarios in case she were to be discovered. She did have access to a mobile phone, the question was whether she would have time to make a call before someone smashed the window. Did she dare to take the risk?

Fleur wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. She had no more patience than this. Her mobile phone was out in a matter of seconds, and she anxiously bit her thumbnail as she held the phone to her ear. It felt like an eternity for the signals to reach their destination, and she could finally hear someone on the other end.

"Hello...?" she tried, hoping that the nearest police station wasn't too far away, but the dense forest surrounding the gravel lot seemed endless.

"Hello?!" she tried again, sounding somewhat desperate, but it couldn't be helped. They needed all the assistance they could get, even if their undocumented mission risked serious consequences. Perhaps Mella would lose her job, but better that than both their lives.

It was clear that someone was trying to establish contact, but Fleur couldn't make out any words due to the static. She tried calling again but hung up when she realized it was pointless. Either the cell tower was broken or the phone carrier was at fault. She would make sure to switch if they survived this.

Clutching her head tightly, she stared intensely at the patterned carpet by the pedals. Could things go any more wrong?

Fleur began to search the car, lifting objects and checking the glove compartment - not entirely sure what she was looking for. When the front compartment silently opened, revealing the shiny black weapon, she froze. Had Mella forgotten it, or did she always drive around with a revolver in the car?

As far as Fleur could remember, James always locked his weapon in the safe and only took it with him when responding to emergencies. Now she sat there, unable to take her eyes off the pistol, and considered her options.

Her hand automatically reached for the handle, but she almost immediately pulled it back. She had no idea how to fire a weapon, and she had no plans to do so, but for some reason, she felt a certain obligation to help. She could question Mella's ill-conceived plan when they were safe.

Oddly enough, the weapon felt comfortable in her hand and molded to her grip as she stepped out of the car. Fleur was inexperienced, but even she could see that it was loaded. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to do more than hand it over to Mella - yes, it couldn't be more complicated than that.

Fleur took a few deep breaths and lingered in the cold as if it were her last day on Earth. Fortunately, there was nothing of value inside the car except for the vehicle itself. In these circumstances, she didn't care if it was gone when they returned as long as they were both alive.

As she rounded the corner of the building, she expected to see a row of cars in the gravel parking lot, but to her surprise, she couldn't find a single one. They must have somehow gotten here unless it turned out to be deserted once again. Maybe they were hidden somewhere in the woods.

She held her breath as she reached the people when she reached for the handle and was met with relief by a space. Her anxiety ceased instantly, and it no longer felt life-threatening to be in the factory-like building. The intersecting hallways confused her, and they were more or less identical. The biggest problem might be finding a way out. Fleur stopped at each turn, ready to encounter gunfire. Of course, she had the opportunity to call for Mella, but the risk of not being entirely alone was not to be underestimated. She was not a cop, but she wasn't that stupid either.