Just A Show

Chapter 4: First Assignment

I gurgled my mint tea and spat it on the sink. Best remedy for fresh breath. I scanned the folder again. Martha came and carried a stack of plates. I hid the folder on my lap. She gave me a smile and crossed the isle to the dining area. I read a page of my first target.

Kella Park, Course: Fashion Designing

I glanced at my watch. It's 6:30 am

"I'm leaving." I called out. I snatched the folder and placed it in my bag. "Tell dad I'll be late going home."

"Sure, sweetie!" Martha cheerfully answered.

I hurried outside and got in the car. As I wait for Sander, I contacted Aden with my phone.

[I'm out.]

I waited for a few seconds after hearing my message ring tone. But it wasn't from Aden.

[Hey, are you okay now?]

That's strange.

[Um yeah? Did something even happened to me?]

I didn't realize the car door open and Sander got in. "Straight to school, Madam?"

"Yes, Sander." I said.

*whistle

[You suddenly fainted while going to the school cafe. Prof. Aden luckily caught you and carried you to the clinic. After lunch, he told us that you're not feeling well and is excused to go home. You didn't remember anything?]

What? I never- Oh! That incident.

[I remember now. I'm okay.]

It took a while before he replied.

[Take care.]

I smiled and felt my heart skip a beat.

[You too.]

I bolted upward when the car suddenly stopped.

"What the--?" Before I could finish my sentence, the bulletproof glass behind me pattered. It's safe so I took a peek. Black vehicles swarmed the whole crossing, men with masks pointed guns at us. I looked left and right and saw more vehicles. Oh God, we're trapped! I'm gonna die!

"Sander, what do we do?" I frantically asked. "Should I call dad?" He didn't answer me. "Sander?!"

I looked at Sander. He loaded his pistol and made a sign of the cross. I watched him prayed. He bowed his head a bit, hoping God will hear us plead. "Contact King Julius, Princess, now." He finally said.

I did what he told me and called dad. "D-dad, the terrorists, they trapped us in!"

"Trapped you-where are you now?" I heard him say. "I'll call the cops."

"Finn Ernest c-c-crossing." I replied, trying my best not to cry.

"Stay right there, help will come."

"Okay."

"Don't go outside." He said. "Hide, yes! That upholstery you're sitting on, look for a red button placed on the left, push it. You'll find space for you to hide. Don't worry, you can breathe in there."

"Okay."

"Contact me again, whenever something happens."

I bit my quivering lip. "You'll hung up?"

I heard him sigh. "I have to contact state security now, Cassie." He paused. "I'll be there, I promise."

I felt my tears roll down on my cheek. "Okay."

I heard sniffles from the other end. "I love you, Cassie." Then he hung up.

I let the shootings outside be heard as I cry.

"I'll patrol outside," Sander said. "Hide in the compartment while I'm gone. I'll tell you when coast is clear."

I did what dad told me and hid in the backseat's hidden compartment. "Hey, Sander." I called. "Be careful, okay?"

He gave a sad smile and went out. I saw him hid behind a deserted cab.

I lay down on my side, silencing my sniffles and sobs. I fumbled for my phone to contact Aden.

"Cassie?"

"God dammit Aden, don't you know I'm trapped? Terrorists are onto us!" I hissed.

"Trapped?" His voice is surprisingly calm. "Where are you, again?"

"Wait a minute. What do you mean 'again'?"

"I know that you're under ambush now where the fuck are you?"

My mouth hung.

"Finn Ernest crossing. All four ways are swarmed with black cars, masked men pointing guns at us." I replied.

He hung up.

I trembled, as my last hope shriveled to dust. He abandoned me. He freaking abandoned me!

Wait, did he? I mean he can't just...

OH WHO AM I KIDDING?! He can abandon me every damned time he want.

I wept, hands sealing my mouth. I heard more deafening gunshots and screams everywhere. It's like the bombing. Wait, I'm going to die like my mother? My heart raced.

Dearie, calm down, dad will be here any minute. I thought, trying to soothe myself. Or Aden! Maybe he hung up because he's saving you right now!

Right?

I waited. Waited more-

Until I heard everything go silent and the car door open.

It's the end! I'm gonna die...

"Cassie?"

Aden?

I called him again to make sure it's really him. A distant phone rang.

"Cassie where are you? Did you go out?" He said, his voice shaky.

I let myself cry and pushed the upholstery up. I hugged my knees as his arms pulled me up. "Hey," He said.

I wiped my tears. "W-why are you l-late?" I stuttered.

I suddenly remembered Sander. I looked anywhere and caught something. It's him, waving his arm--He suddenly dropped face-first on the ground. I caught a glimpse of something black. It was a terrorist, running, grasping a bloody knife.

Blood seeped from a wound on his back. Another wound is on his chest. The knife must've been so long that it passed through.

His eyes closed and his breathing got slow.

__________

Help came a few moments later.

Aden offered me a ride back home.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't realize that we're already at the palace gates.

I felt alone again once I set foot on the palace grounds.

Weird. How come I felt that when security is definitely the highest here?

"Cancel the mission."

I was startled when Aden suddenly spoke.

"Cancel the mission. It's too dangerous for you."

Then his car drove off. I was left in front of the gates contemplating why he said that.