t h i r t e e n

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Eden felt the cool breeze on her skin as she adjusted her gear, securing the knives to her belt and checking the weight of her gun. Clint was already leading the way, his stride purposeful and steady as he moved through the streets with the kind of ease that spoke of years of experience.

They reached the rooftop of a building opposite a towering apartment complex. Clint stopped at the edge, crouching down and pulling out a pair of binoculars from his pack. Eden glanced at Kate, who was fidgeting with the quiver of arrows on her back.

"You wanna tell me what we're doing here?" Kate asked, her voice tinged with impatience.

Clint didn't look away from the binoculars as he answered, "Something very important to me is pinging inside that apartment. It was stolen from a black market auction. I need it back."

Eden peered at the building across from them. It was dark, the windows revealing no signs of movement. No lights. No people. Perfect for an infiltration.

Kate sighed, crossing her arms. "This would've been easier if we were on a higher rooftop."

"That's what you think," Eden replied, a hint of a smile on her lips.

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, exactly. That's why I said it."

Eden shook her head slightly. "Bishop, you always want to prioritize a quick exit over a quick entrance. When things go sideways—and they usually do—you need an exit strategy."

Clint finally lowered the binoculars and glanced at Eden with a nod of approval. "That's why I chose this spot. It's got good sightlines for all my exits. Entry should be easy."

Eden studied the building again, mentally mapping out the quickest route inside and back out. "Should take us about three and a half minutes to get in."

"Right," Clint said, tucking the binoculars away. "If you see anything out here, just give us a signal, Kate. All right?"

There was no response. Eden turned to see an empty spot where Kate had been not even a minute ago. Her heart jumped slightly in panic and her eyes darted around the area trying to find the Archer.

"Kate?" Clint asked, confused.

Eden spotted the brunette on the streets below. She let out a slow breath, relieved to have eyes on the brunette again. "There you are. I told you, you're supposed to be lookout."

Kate crossed the streets, multiple cars honking at her, which Kate chose to ignore. Her hand on her ear to activate the comm. "Yeah, but of the three of us, who do you trust up there not to get distracted?"

Eden rolled her eyes. "That's not fair, that your inability to act like a grown-up helps you get your way."

Kate smirked. "No, it's not. But it is what it is."

Clint sighed, clearly running out of patience. "Kate, I need you to use your grappling hook arrow to anchor yourself in. Prop yourself down the side of the building to the window. If it's locked, break in quietly."

Kate's eyes lit up, the challenge clearly exciting her. "Yeah, love all of that. Great plan, just a slight tweak though."

Before either Clint or Eden could respond, Kate suddenly walked out of their eye-line, leaving both spies in complete darkness about what she was planning. Eden sighed, exasperated.

lonely heart - k.bishopWhere stories live. Discover now