The Assassin | KITTYZ

Chapter 4: A Desperate Escape

HAERIN'S POV

Days turned into nights, and the safe house became our sanctuary, a place where we could regroup and plan our next moves. Danielle, Hyein and I operated like a well-oiled machine, our years of training and camaraderie evident in every decision we made.

I spent my days gathering information and monitoring the palace's movements. Disguised as a commoner, I would blend into the bustling markets and crowded streets, my eyes and ears always alert. The city was a web of secrets, and I knew how to navigate it.

One evening, while I was out gathering intel, I overheard a conversation between two palace guards in a busy tavern. They were discussing the progress of the investigation, their voices low but filled with urgency.

"The King has hired new detectives," one guard said, taking a swig of his drink. "They're supposed to be the best. They've been questioning everyone, even the palace staff."

The other guard nodded. "I heard they're focusing on the Red Sea Academy. They think the assassins might be linked to that group."

My heart raced as I listened. The King was tightening his grip, and our time was running out. I quickly finished my errand and returned to the safe house, my mind racing with the implications of what I had just learned.

---

Back at the safe house, I relayed the information to Danielle and Hyein. We gathered around the table, the weight of the situation pressing down on us.

"The King has hired new detectives," I began, my voice steady but filled with urgency. "They're focusing on the Red Sea Academy. We need to be even more careful."

Danielle frowned, her mind working through our options. "We can't keep running forever. We need to find a way to turn this situation to our advantage."

Hyein nodded in agreement. "Maybe we can use their investigation against them. If we can mislead the detectives, we might be able to buy ourselves more time."

I considered their suggestions, my mind racing. "We need to create a diversion, something that will throw them off our trail. If we can make them think we're hiding in a different part of the city, it might give us the opportunity to regroup and plan our next move."

---

The plan was risky, but it was our best shot at survival. Over the next few days, we carefully crafted a series of false leads, planting rumors and misinformation in strategic locations throughout the city. We enlisted the help of trusted allies, individuals who owed their loyalty to the Red Sea Academy and were willing to risk everything to help us.

As the false leads began to circulate, the palace detectives found themselves chasing shadows, their frustration growing with each dead end. Danielle, Hyein and I watched from a distance, our plan unfolding exactly as we had hoped.

But our respite was short-lived. One evening, as we were preparing to move to yet another safe house, a knock on the door shattered the tense silence. My heart raced as I signaled for silence, my hand resting on the hilt of my dagger.

"Oh shit, do you think they finally found us?" I whispered to Danielle. I glanced to the couch to see Hyein sitting nonchalantly on her phone with headphones on, it was obvious she couldn't hear anything since she was unalarmed.

Danielle shrugged, nervousness evident in her eyes as she eyed the door.

I travelled across the room, pulling the headphones of the younger. She jumped up, about to yell at me for interrupting her binge watching session before I covered her mouth, hearing whines and mumbles escape the cracks of my hand over her mouth instead.