Trapezoid (The Base)

Chapter 32

The crispy night air caressed the world, the moonlight casting her silver glow on the pavement. The city was almost silent except for the sound of a car in the distance. Clouds slowly dragged themselves in front of the moon, hiding her face from what would ensue below.

The darkness concealed the figure pressed against a wall in an alley. The night was almost a familiar friend, so that wasn't what made his blood run faster through his veins. Catch any who'd try to escape—those were his orders. He never questioned orders—a learnt habit. His firearm raised in alertness, he was confident. Whatever he aimed at, he shot—clean.

From his eye view, he saw several others dressed in their night gear, popping in and out from different directions. This was a surprise raid on some unlucky Hawks. Levi was just keeping his promise—even though a little later. Valuable information had been gathered in that precious time. This gang was a part of Greenwood's chain. There was high suspicion that there was another link, but for now, they'd be taking one out at a time. The Hawk's leader for example, was working really close with the guy. And "Kristal" had accidentally glanced at, while cleaning his office, something stating some cash transaction from Greenwood to some Mr. Shift. No one knew who Shift was, until Levi had checked out with some guys who dealt in that circle of people.

Levi pulled his hood lower over his face, his ears catching sounds of the night. Each second, a voice, different each time, would whisper the perimeter scanned as "all-clear" in his earpiece. It was about to start—they weren't expected. Levi grinned maliciously at his idea. It hadn't been too hard tracking down one of the girls of the gang. It turned out she got her heart broken and was willing to help out in the plan—for revenge purposes. He silently watched the slender figure in a winter jacket approach the alleyway. Her back was to him as she knocked a code on the door.

The door opened a crack—then widened. A guy with messy dark hair looked both ways suspiciously then at her. "What are you doing here? I thought you said—"

"Look, I know what I said!" she cut in hotly. She sighed, cooling. "Could I speak with Wade? Out here?"

Levi mentally begged the guy to quit badgering the girl with questions and get the Wade guy.

The girl was clutching the front of the guy's shirt, begging him.

"Why don't you just come inside?"

She stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets—a jacket with a bulletproof vest underneath. "I need the privacy."

"Since when have you been one for privacy?" From where he stood, Levi couldn't hear what she'd whispered into his ear. Sloppy Hair rubbed his neck—aggravated. "Okay, fine." He turned back into the building.

Levi pressed his earpiece which sent the signal. From hidden places, all agents were on guard. Like ghosts, they were hardly heard. All possible means of escape were covered.

Some guy with a good build appeared at the door. He addressed the girl. "I thought I told you to beat it," he growled.

Levi knew something was wrong—terribly wrong. Whoever that was, it wasn't Wade. The girl seemed frozen. The man pulled out something. Levi took the liberty to step out of the shadows. Just then, the girl whispered hoarsely, "Shift!"

The night silence was shattered, the sharp air of a bullet zipping past Levi's shoulder, the effect. He dogged the two more shots fired. Levi cocked his hammer back—but Shift was faster. The man's muscular arm locked around the girl, whose eyes were wide with horror. Levi stalled to fire. The man sauntered out into the middle of the alley. He turned the barrel to the girl's temple. "You wouldn't do it," he hissed.