Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt: Hunter x OC

Deceived

If you've seen The Bourne Identity, this chapter is an attempt to channel those vibes.

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Hunter waited until the door clicked then abruptly sat up, mind racing with her mysterious words and the undeniable air of guilt hanging over her as she'd kissed his forehead. He pulled on his clothes at breakneck speed, tucking his weapons into their usual places and slipping into the hallway. Keeping a nonchalant pace, he headed for the stairs, peering down the middle of the spiraling steps to see how far ahead she was. But there was no sight of her.

Backtracking to their door, he found no exits, just other hotel rooms. He returned inside, throwing his few things into his bag and slinging it over his back. Some raised voices in the courtyard below caught his attention, and he rushed to the windows, peering down to see the source.

His heart stopped.

Imperial troopers were pushing through the crowd, heads swiveling back and forth on high alert as they appeared from all directions and converged upon the courtyard at the base of the hotel. He cracked the window slowly, just enough to be able to hear their words.

"Standard ground op. Target is to be brought in alive. Let's go."

Hunter couldn't believe it. Did Lyra know more about his past than she'd let on? Was this her doing? Where was she? And why had she apologized? He shook his head, clearing the thoughts and narrowing his focus to the well-worn habit of observation, assessment, and strategy.

The troops fanned out when they reached the door of the hotel, some going around the sides and others taking up posts around the open area. Hunter scanned the nearby rooftops, empty as far as he could see, and went through every feature of the building he'd taken mental inventory of as they'd arrived. He secured his pack, ensuring his disguise was readily available, and narrowed his eyes.

It was time to move.

He looked at Lyra's suitcase, tempted to grab it but reeling with the implication of all that was occurring.

She could get it herself, he decided, ignoring the stabbing pain in his chest and slipping into the air duct.

"Hostile engaged."

Hunter squeezed some careless cover fire over his shoulder, spinning behind a wall.

"Headed north. All units converge."

A leap between buildings, a roll upon landing.

How could she have done this to him?

"Get us eyes in the sky. Hostile is utilizing the roofs."

He sprinted across an open area, noting the trajectories of the troops below.

Had it all been a lie?

"Cut him off at the marketplace."

He sprang from balcony to balcony, sliding down the last part of the wall and ducking into an alleyway.

There had to be some kind of misunderstanding. She really... She'd really seemed to...

"Don't let him get to the bazaar."

Forcing nonchalant body language as he bent over the barrels of a fruit stand, his breath was hot against his own face as he panted beneath his quickly-donned disguise. Two troops ran past, boots heavy as they matched the beating of his heart against his ribcage. He'd gone soft, he grumbled, purchasing a jogan fruit and strolling slowly through the densely-packed stalls of merchants.