Protectors

prologue

subject 85.

code name: Artemis

stage: 4

location: central London

objective: capture and maintain

Reese looked over the text message again and again, but he still couldn't believe it. the girl serving the lonely man at the bar a drink was a stage 4, though she dint even look like she practiced. they called her Artemis after the Greek goddess and Reese thought the name fitting for her. he draw circles with his finger around the rim of the beer he had ordered and listened into the nearby conversations of the drunks. he kept his eyes down and was hidden away from everyone in the corner but he knew she could see him. the entire bar smelled of liquor and sweet things, the air was hot in the small crowded bar. slowly but surely people started to leave the bar, it was near closing time when only a few people remained and she kindly told them that after they had finished their drink they would have to leave but she made no move to try to talk to Reese. once everyone was gone and she was left picking up the discarded glasses she finally spoke.

"you an agent?" she asked still not looking at him.

"not yet" he replied finishing off his drink and watching her carefully. she still didn't look like she practiced to him but she clearly knew who Reese worked for.

"let me guess; you take me in and you get a promotion is that it?" she asked still not looking at him.

Reese shrugged. "i'm not sure what will happen when i bring you in, if i bring you in" he said waiting for her to meet his gaze

"I've done nothing wrong, I've kept to myself for nearly three years with no issues" she said cleaning the counter top 

"hawthorn wants you back" Reese said plainly hoping it would encourage her slightly.

she sighed and finally met his gaze "the last time Hawthorn wanted me back, i ended up with seven holes through my back. so as far as i'm concerned he can jump off a bridge" 

"he said you wouldn't be enthusiastic about coming in" Reese said and got up.

"so he told me to tell you something and hopefully you'll change your mind" he said handing her a business card with only a number on it and his empty glass.

"nothing ended in Chicago"

and with that he left her alone in the bar with a card, an empty glass and old memories swirling around in her head. she looked at the card and sighed then looked back up at the door he had just left out of. she had promised herself years ago that once she left she would never go back and no matter how much she wanted to keep that promise to herself she couldn't help but wonder if what he said was true. and although she had a million reasons to stay away from all this drama, the one reason she had to go back outweighed them all.