Look Into My Eyes... Now Die For Me

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

You stand hidden in the shadow cast by the building, watching the young teenager cross the street self-confidently. The boy isn't aware of your presence or your involvement in this con he has gotten himself into, but you watch him. In fact, he reminds you of your brother when he was just starting out in the con world.

Lionel approaches a well-dressed lady, exchanging small talk while he slips his hand fluidly into her handbag. You appraise his pick pocketing skills, though he is a little sloppy. Still, you forgive him in view of his age, and recognise that he has potential. His father has taught him well, and you see a future where you may be working with the grown up version of this boy –that is, if you are still alive.

You pull up your hood to cover your hair and face, and step out from the shadows, turning down the street that the boy still stands on, walking off and counting his rewards from the woman's purse. You swerve your path into a kind-looking man, bumping lightly as you drop your wallet. You mumble your apology as the stranger bends to help you pick your wallet up, but your hand makes contact with his. He looks up in surprise, and you make a polite smile, your nail scratching a line on his hand.

"I'm sorry, but I need you to approach the boy further down the street. Pass him a message, and say that his deadline is almost up. He still doesn't have his key, and if he doesn't hurry, the CIA is going to get a call. Once you are done, forget meeting me and be on your way." You say, and the surprise wipes away from the stranger's face. He returns you your wallet, and nods impassively. You let go of his hand and sidestep, watching as he makes a beeline towards the boy.

You half-turn, watching the progress of the stranger. The boy looks up in surprise and confusion at the approach of the stranger, but his expression flashes with panic when the message is passed. Your stranger walks away after the message is passed, but the boy stays rooted, looking around. You stay standing directly in front of him, waiting for him to catch sight of you. It doesn't take long for him to find you, and danger and fear flashes in his eyes.

You step towards the sidewalk, waving a fifty in the air. A cab stops in front of you almost immediately, and you get in, speaking an address while you watch the boy start to run towards you. You have the distance planned out perfectly well, for the cab turns away just before the boy can reach you. You watch through the rear view mirror as he gives up chasing you, watching your receding back with the cab.

He is going to work harder to pass your test –even if he doesn't know that everything is a test. The boy must believe that he is in real trouble now, with his father 'overseas' and not around to watch after his back. You arrive quickly at the North end of the Central Park, paid your promised fifty, and get out to meet Skarpi who is waiting anxiously for you, for any sort of news.

He rises to greet you, to say anything, but you raise a hand to stop any words before they can make their way out of his mouth. He understands your silent order, and sits back down, zipping his lips as you take a seat calmly beside him, pulling your phone out to check the new notification. The notification is sent from the bank, revealing that the boy has finally made headway with his situation.

You pass the phone to the worried father, as he scanned the details of the message. He looks back at you with confusion colouring his eyes, passing back the phone.

"His mission was to buy and deliver a piece from Dubois for a profit before time runs out. He needed to raise funds of at least 4 million in an hour, find where to contact his client and deliver it. If he fails, he is threatened with exposure to CIA, and if the piece isn't delivered ten minutes afterwards, his profile is sent to the FBI. In 2 hours, if he fails, his information is passed to the International Security Bureau." You explain, watching a spark of understanding come to your old friend's eyes.