The Mystery of Hannah Grace

CHAPTER 1: GRACE IN THE DARK

The city was still, veiled in that ominous quiet which seemed to descend after the clock had struck twelve. Ray had just arrived in Germany and was getting acclimated to university life. One cold-dark night, he was walking briskly down the cobblestone path that cut through the very heart of the university campus, his breath fogging in the cold, crisp air. He had just finished classes and coding practice for a long, long evening, and there was that familiar exhaustion from coming to terms with this whole new life in Germany. The streetlamps sent long shadows that seemed like they would never end, but Ray couldn't shake off the feeling that he was not alone.

As he swung the corner, a loud thud split through the nighttime stillness. Across the street, in the faint luminosity, he could distinguish a grainy image, a couple of figures in masks frantically shoving sacks into a black van parked by a minuscule bank. He could hear their low voices rising sharp and urgent to shut the door and then fling off into the dark.

It was then, in that moment, when something happened. A shadow slid out of the alley to the left-a figure, small and fast, heading for the van. She hurled something small in one quick motion, something like a stone or maybe heavier, at the back of the van. It clattered into the metal with a hollow thud and stuck in it, and she moved away as fast as she'd come, disappearing into the dark.

Ray's curiosity finally got the better of him. He took a few steps forward, eyes staring into the alley where she had disappeared. What just happened? A robbery-gone-wrong or something different? He felt his pulse racing as he advanced, surveying the deserted street as if searching for some clue as to where the mysterious girl had gone. When he saw that silhouette disappear up a narrow lane next door, he picked his pace up, catching on to ensure that she was in good shape.

Hey—wait!" he breathed sharply, hurrying down into the alley; his eyes ran slowly ahead in the dusk. He overhauled her at last when she sank to the paving just within his reach, gagging in her breath. In the pause that it required him to speak another word she wheeled upon him. In that flash of instant he chanced to stare down a cold blue nose and sights of steel against his body. He was gunned down by her with a .22 calibre gun.

Who are you?" she demanded, low and clear. Her eyes keen, as if she had already calculated him for a danger.

Ray instinctively thrust up his hands, and his heart pounded in his chest. "Hey—wait," he stammered, "I mean no harm, I swear! I just.I saw you throw something at that van, and I-I wanted to make sure you were okay. W-Who are you, really? I'm new here, just curious. Thought I'd help the poor lady.".

Her features wouldn't soften, but something flashed in her eyes. Curiosity, perhaps. Her gaze narrowed as she sized him up.

"You should have kept out of this," she muttered, warning him.

Ray swallowed down the bile rising in his throat. He tried to steady his voice. "Guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.".

She tilted her head to one side, gun still drawn on him. "Perhaps," she said, almost thoughtfully now, taking a step back into the shadows. "Or perhaps you are exactly where you are meant to be.".

Ray was shocked on hearing her words, what she meant to say? He just came to the country. He could hardly make a head or tail of all that was going on. How could he be useful to her in such a situation?

Gather some courage, and still he spoke softly, full of fear: "Um hello. What's that supposed to mean.? Just now I came here, see? And I'm absolutely useless to you, not the slightest idea how.?" He and this woman were total strangers to one another. He didn't even know her name.

The girl raised her eyebrow. "I'm Hannah Grace. I specialise in cybersecurity. That's all you need to know about me for now," her piercing stare not wavering while she regarded him, as though weighing his worth. She regarded him with a pointed gaze and said, her lips sporting a hint of a smirk, "You look like a university student." "Hmm. Perhaps you might actually be able to help.".