Chapter One
I gripped the pistol tightly in my right hand. The gooey grip seemed to linger in between my fingers. Was my grip getting tighter? Or was it just me?
I slowed my pace and crawled over to the window nearest to me. Poking my head up proved effective. I noticed two soldiers standing by each other, chatting. Judging by the patches they bore, one was a new recruit, and the other was a long time veteran.
The veteran slipped away into a shadowy room. The recruit nodded to him and drifted toward my window. The old-timer was long gone, so why not. I didn't move a muscle. "'Sup Jazz?" The words slid off of his tongue like it was an instinct.
"Hey man," I hesitated, "do I know you?"
"You're kidding dude!" He held out his hand for knuckles.
I knuckled back and said, "Man, no disrespect but no. I've never seen you in my life."
"Dude it's me!" He just about yelled, "Ty!"
He slipped off his mask and smiled. I couldn't believe my eyes. I hadn't seen Ty in years. Ever since he turned 18 and left for collage, I had forgotten about him.
Then it clicked. I knew I would have a spy on this mission. I knew he was related to me. I thought it would be my brother, Jacob. But Ty? Never would have thought of it. Such a long time ago. How many years was it now?
"Wow" Ty broke the silence. "Eight years ago, I left for military school and left you behind. I can't imagine how that felt. I'm sorry dude. That's why I came here, with you. So I could make it up."
I was in awe. I just couldn't talk. A heavily-accented Russian voice shouted from behind me. I waved bye to Ty and ducked down to crawl toward a tall, rugged wall. I climbed up about fifteen feet when I glanced toward my holster. Nothing. Crap!
I positioned myself, ready to jump. I hopped down and rushed toward my gun. Sliding, I grabbed it. I would have turned around, but the voice got louder. I turned a corner, the voice close behind. Another. Another. I hopped over a rail next to a staircase and ran down a straight hallway hoping the voice wasn't as close as it sounded.
The hall was long enough that even if he got there thirty seconds after me he would see me rounding the corner. Adrenaline rushed through my body as I pressed the gas pedal deep in my soul. I heard footsteps in front of me, too. Could this be the man that was chasing me?
Ty rounded the corner with an intent expression on his face. The barrel of his pistol rose toward me. Was he aiming behind me? Or at me?
I did what came to instinct: I lowered my head and smashed my shoulder into his belly. We tumbled down and I felt the sharp edge of a needle in my stomach. Ty was knocking me out. Was it all part of an act? Or what if he was a double spy? Or even worse, what if he never was a spy? Or, worst of all, what if this man wasn't even Ty?
