Bourne Reminiscence

Chapter 1

The taxi swiveled around the curb and continued towards the Times Square as the heaviest downpour of the year hit the ground. The fare in the taxi stared out of the window, lost in thought, yet aware and vigilant with her back straight and muscles tensed, as if waiting to pounce, her source of dread unknown.

This was it, she thought.

There was no way to avoid it now.

Always hiding in plain sight, they said, a chameleon.

Her hands rested on lap, fingers stapled and thumbs circling without touching. An irrational habit, but a gesture giving away the turmoil hidden behind those stark grey eyes. The driver noticed the striking lady's strange behavior as he sneaked a glance in the mirror, only to be caught by the unflinching stare she fixed him with. He quickly looked away, muttering something about impolite young ladies these days.

She got out on the 34th street, in front of a classic souvenir shop.

Everything about this woman felt so familiar yet alien. As if she was a part of his forgotten past. But Bourne couldn't afford a lapse of concentration, not here. Not now. Still hyper alert of his surroundings and privy to the details of their arrival he stood there. Waiting.

There was no way they could avoid it now.

There were three exits to the subway, two commercial and one fire escape.

But something was off. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

He went over the scenario again. Everything was just as it should've been, the bait in place, while the marksmen hiding in the shadows waited patiently for their target to walk into the trap.

It was perfect. Too Perfect .

He broke into a run, startling the young couple standing in front .

Damn it. He should've realized, hiding behind the soft and naive exterior was a calculative but strong minded women. She'd never go for the safe option. Risks were always worth the impression left behind.

Only seconds away now. No more hide and seek. No more games. He adjusted his stance, so the knife he kept for special purposes like this one would be out of the view for people swarming around him like bees. As the train left, he eyed the women in beige overcoat and heels, entering the now almost deserted subway. His mouth turning up in a twisted smile.

Bourne jumped the stairs and kept running. They were supposed to meet in the corridor that led to the emergency exit. This was a peace offering. To show himself would mean that something was off the wire. That's it. All it would take for her to realize that the guy she'd saved that night, was here. Again.

Only this time, he didn't need saving, she did.