Death Trap

Four

Saffron

It’d been longer than half an hour. We were sitting around just twiddling our thumbs. The door opened. A cold breeze blew inside the room sending shivers down my spine. A man stepped in. The room seemed to freeze. No one dared to breathe. Was this Robert Carson? He had black hair and soulless grey eyes. He wore a metallic grey suit with a black shirt and a black tie. He was a medium build and was quite tall. Vanessa Scott followed him in. His eyes scanned the room. They stopped at Jared.

“Ah, so the prodigal has returned. And I see you brought the girl. Vanessa tells me she had to go through a lot to get hold of both of you. You should do what you’re told Jared. Maybe you wouldn’t get into so much trouble. Luckily for you you’re more valuable to me than Kyle and Trevor. Much, much more.” He smiled darkly. He turned his attention to me. “I never thought I’d live to see the day. Saffron Bridges, how nice it is to finally meet you. It is a shame that your brother isn’t here.”

I cringed away from his gaze. His smiled widened. He obviously liked having that effect on people.

He sat down. “I do believe it is time for me to tell you what our plans are.” He paused. He put his hand inside his jacket pocket. He took out a photo and set it on the coffee table in the middle of the room. It was a picture of a man with hard blue eyes and jet black hair. He tapped the photo with his index finger. “This is Samuel Meyers. He’s a menace and he is constantly in the way of my plans. Your task is to track him down and dispose of him. Quickly. I want no mistakes. You slip up and you’re a dead man.”

“What if I don’t want to,” I said bluntly.

The silence was deafening. Carson turned towards me. His grey eyes bored into mine. I flinched. And I wasn’t the only one.

He tilted his head to one side. “Excuse me?”

I gritted my teeth. “What if I don’t want to?”

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jared tense. Everyone waited for Carson to flip. Even I expected it to happen. He laughed. The room relaxed slightly.

“My dear Saffron, you have no idea. That man, Samuel Meyers killed your family. He’s the reason why you’re here.”

Jared

“What did you just say?” Saffron whispered.

Carson smiled again. “Samuel Meyers killed your family. You should want to.” He paused. “And you will.”

She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. “How do you know?”

“That doesn’t matter. You will do as you’re told. Or there will be a severe punishment that neither of us will enjoy.” The threat hung in the air. “Vanessa, did you show her the… artilleries?” he asked.

“Yes, Brady and Jared took care of that,” she replied smoothly.

Carson gave her a look.

“Very well. I want them trained. Rhys, you know how to do martial arts. Teach it to her. Brady, Jamie guns, show her everything and tell her what she needs to know. Jared target practice. Teach her how to shoot straight and kill with one shot. Vanessa, get Lauren and Alex on the phone and tell them what I want and what is going on. Make sure Alex is using a safe line and not a Bluetooth, or he’s on his own. I mean it this time. Remember, no mistakes.” His face was stern. Saffron opened her eyes. She stared at me like she was in agony.

Carson began again. “I want it done within a month. During that time I also want you to find out where Meyers is and how to find him. I want to know his every move. What time he wakes up in the morning, where and when he goes out who he sees what time he goes to sleep. I want to know everything.” He stood up. “One month.” He walked out the door and the countdown started.

ONE MONTH LATER…

Saffron slammed Brady into the floor. That was three times now. He groaned and clutched his side. Saffron stood ready in her defence position waiting to strike as soon as he got up. Brady stayed on the floor.

“Get up Collins, stop being such a baby,” she sneered. She didn’t once drop her guard. Two days ago she had told me that that was how her parents were killed. She’d changed. During the month of training she had become harder and more focused on what she wanted. She’d become a deadly assassin. And she didn’t take any crap from anyone. That included Vanessa. Between her and Rhys they had shown so much disobedience that they had pushed Vanessa to the limit and she had almost lost it. Controlling her was the hardest part of the change. She would flip over just about anything. Her loss had caused anger and as a result she wanted revenge more than anything.

“No flippin’ way,” he panted. “That is the last time I ever verse you. Jeez, were you trying to kill me?”

“How could you tell Brady?” she said sarcastically. She dropped her stance and started to walk away. Brady automatically stood up. He was quick but she was faster she spun round and floored him again. Saffron laughed. “Nice try.”

“Saph, what did I tell you? Keep your back to the wall at all times. Anyone could come up behind you.” Rhys told her.

“Yeah, right, back to the wall. Got it…” Saffron muttered.

Brady stood up. Saffron watched him as he did so ready to pounce. Brady used his brain and backed off.

She grinned. “Aww, are you upset ‘cause you got beaten by a girl. Again.”

He ignored her. Rhys giggled.

“Is it over? One month to train and find him?” Alex asked. Saffron glanced at him. She liked him and he liked her. It was an uneasy friendship. He ran his hand through his dark blonde hair.

“Yeah, we just have to wait for Carson and Vanessa’s decision,” Lauren answered. Saffron glared at her. Lauren hated her and Saffron hated her. She wasn’t the only one…

When Saffron had met Lauren they got on like a house on fire, but not in a good way. It was more like arson. She got on better with Alex which annoyed me slightly. I really didn’t and never had liked him. But Saffron didn’t know them that well even though they’d been working together for a month. Probably because she’d been working so hard and being so focused on Samuel Meyers.

“It’s time.” Vanessa’s voice rang like a clear bell.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up. Robert Carson stood beside her.

“I expect that you found him. I also see that she can knock Brady out in ten seconds flat. Well done Rhys.” He turned to Jared. “Can she shoot?”

Saffron watched me cautiously.

“Blindfolded,” I replied.

“Very good Jared.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “I believe it is time to start hunting.”