Code Name Shadow

Chapter 9

Cody

The tv blares as I sit on the couch eating dinner. It's been a stressful week at work to say the least, and I'm glad it's finally over. I feel bad for my teammates, though. I don't envy the overnight job they've been given.

I'm three episodes into Criminal Minds when my phone rings. I groan. Our boss has been calling me all day to talk about the team's plan. Even though I'm not on this mission with them, I tend to do a lot of behind the scenes work when I can. I like helping with the more technical stuff as well, and he's certainly been taking advantage of that today.

Without even looking at the caller ID, I pick up. "Hello?"

"Cody? I-is that y-you?"

I bolt up from the couch at the sound of Brielle's terrified voice. "Brielle? What's going on?" my heart rate and adrenaline spike as worst-case scenarios run through my head. God, I never wanted to hear that scared voice of hers again but here we are just a week later.

"S-someone's f-following me home," she chokes out. I can hear how hard she's breathing, and it sounds like she can barely get any air in her lungs. She's definitely having a panic attack.

Okay Cody don't panic. She needs comfort and safety right now. Don't let her know how scared you are. I ball my fists to try to get my emotions under control.

"Okay, Brielle, it's going to be okay, alright? Where are you?"

By this point I can hear her sobbing, and as much as it breaks my heart, I need her to focus so that I can help her. She can't even get any words out, and I can hear her panic getting worse and worse. "I-I.."

"Brielle," I cut her off. I need to calm her down so we can get somewhere. "I know this is scary, but I need you to take some deep breaths for me, okay?"

"O-okay," she chokes out.

I try to keep her calm, soothing her with my words as much as I can before I finally hear her breathing slow. "You're doing so good, Brielle. Now, can you tell me where you are?"

"I don't know," she says softly. "I noticed him behind me as I was leaving Chipotle but once I realized he was following me, I took a bunch of turns so he wouldn't know where I lived." I smile to myself as she tells me the last part. So freaking smart.

"That was really smart, Brielle. Great job," I reassure her. "Can you tell me the name of the next street sign you pass?"

"It's uh...it looks like Maple Street."

I breathe out a sigh of relief. "Okay, that's really good actually. I live about five minutes from there. I'm gonna give you directions so you can drive to my house, alright?"

"What? No! I can't bring him to your house! What if he has a gun, or..or a knife or something!" she panics.

"Then he'll have to deal with me. I face worse on a daily basis, I can assure you of that."

She's quiet for only a second. "Okay. Tell me what to do."

Loving that she decided to put her trust in me, I smile to myself before giving her directions to my house. She's still panicking, but I keep her on the line and stay as calm as possible to help her relax as much as she possibly can.

When she turns down a road two streets from my house, I move from the living room into my bedroom. "You're so close, you can do it. Now look in the mirror for me real quick. Is he still behind you?"

She whimpers and lets out a sob. "Yes, h-he looks even closer than before!"

"Motherfucker," I whisper under my breath, not loud enough for her to hear. Heading over to my nightstand I open the bottom drawer and pull out my gun safe. I punch in the code and take it out, making sure it's loaded. "Okay, I need you to listen to me carefully. When you get here, do not park in the street. Pull right into my driveway, as far up as you possibly can. Then stay in the car. I'm gonna come out to you, and if he's stupid enough to try to get out of his car I'll deal with him. Do not leave your car until I come get you. Understand?"