.The Eraser.

vingt-sept

                                                          -27-

A cold barrel of a gun was pressed hard against her forehead. 

Cold black eyes met her own.  

''Move an inch and I'll blow your brain out.'' 

There was a clicking sound as the stranger engaged the safety. Atara swallowed.  

Louisse and Richard rounded the corner as well and came to a quick halt behind their still daughter. 

They gasped in surprise, ''Mayor Larken?'' 

The stranger replied, ''the one and only.'' 

...Twenty seven minutes earlier... 

The hood of the boot finally opened and Onyx's distraught expression came into view. 

''Is the cost clear?'' she asked. 

''Clear.'' He turned his head sideways, searching for anyone around the room, and saw no one. His tired eyes rested on Atara's face again.  

''We are in the garage right now and thankfully there are no cameras anywhere in here.'' 

She nodded and moved her body from the fetus position to get out of the boot. 

''No!'' Onyx held her shoulders back as his eyes searched the room again. ''Not yet. You must stay in the boot. Once I leave, you may come out after two minutes.'' 

Atara wanted to protest, but his tired eyes held a solemn emotion. She opted to sit instead.  

Her heart was beating in a chaotic manner as she watched him. Onyx's movements were frantic, as he silently lifted the big duffle bag from the floor and placed it on the ledge of the boot. 

He pulled the following items out of the bag: a small brown box, a blue print sheet, a leather mask, and another gun similar to the one she already held in her hands. Her eyes held confusion and interest. 

''There's not much time.'' He said as he handed to her the box full of bullets. ''If you run out of ammunition, use these.'' 

She quickly pocketed the small brown box into one of the jumpsuit's thigh pockets. 

Secondly he passed her the gun.  

''What's this? I already have a pistol.'' She inquired as she eyed the second weapon curiously. 

Onyx's eyes once again searched the area before he replied, '' in case you lose that one, you have a backup.''