A Locked Box

Chapter 13

   Her hands were shaking as she sat against a tree. The leaves around her were dry, crackling at her every movement. Devin's words echoed in her mind. He had only been wanting to know what she was going through. He was a friend. A friend.

   "You've made friends," a mysterious voice drooled from behind Kat. Kat perked up, scanning her surroundings. When she moved to stand, the man stopped her. "Don't move, I'm just coming to speak to you," Kat reluctantly sat back down against the tree. "I hope you follow orders from now on," there was a pause as he cackled.

   "What are you going to do? Kill me? Because I would rather have that than be a puppet to you again," Kat growled, staring straight ahead.

   She could hear the man's arrogant smirk through his voice. "You wouldn't want to lose the few friends you have, especially after your little break-up,"

   Kat was speechless. She had forgotten to breathe as she took in his words. "Y-You wouldn't,"
The man moved to whisper in her ear. "Oh, I would. Of course, if you cooperate then we won't have a problem," he knew he had won.

   Kat tried to contained her anger. "You bastard!"

   The man gasped in mocking offense. "Now now, there is no need for such language,"

   "You're right," Kat looked at where she suspected the man to be. "That word was too kind for you,"

   The man was silent, clearly angry. "You have a week to choose how you want to play this. If you want to continue to defy us then expect the worst," the man threatened.

   "Kat!" Devin yelled, waving his arms as he turned the corner onto her stretch of sidewalk.

   The man was gone before Kat could turn and attack him. She checked the surrounding trees even though she knew that the man was gone.

   "What are you doing? Did you lose something?" Devin asked innocently.

   Kat shook her head, joining him by her tree. She sat down against it, running a hand through her light brown hair. Devin sat down beside her. "What do you want?" she hissed, unable to control her frustration any longer.

   Devin placed her school bag at her feet. "You left this in the cafeteria,"

   "So you're skipping class just to give me my bag?"

   "No," Devin's eyebrows furrowed. "Class ended an hour ago,"

   Kat was shocked. She had not known of how quickly time had passed. "Dang,"

   Devin chuckled. "You really don't pay attention to your surroundings,"

   Kat didn't join in. She was thinking about the man's words. "Devin," she was staring into his eyes.

   "What?"

   Kat hesitated. She had a feeling she was going to regret this. "Can I ask you a question?"

   "Sure, what is it?" Devin turned to look straight into her black eyes.

   "Would you kill someone to protect another?" her voice was no louder than a whisper, just as serious.

   Devin was taken aback by the question. His eyes narrowed in worried suspicion. "Kat, what did you do?"

   "I haven't done anything yet!" she said defensively.

   "Yet?" Devin was panicking slightly.

   She knew she was going to regret this decision. "I haven't done anything yet because I don't know what to do. That's why I'm asking you!" she said, starting to get annoyed. "If you don't want to answer then I'll just find another way around it,"

   Devin froze at her words. "Why would you have to kill someone?"

   Kat cupped her head in her hands. She took a deep breath, regretting all of her words. "It's a long story," she could not bring herself to meet his eyes.

   Devin seemed to swell with anger. "If it's important then you can make the time!"

   Kat had never seen him so angry before. Her eyes stared at him, hurt. "I-I can't tell you,"

   "Bull, you would have to if you want me to answer your question!" Devin roared.

   "Then don't answer my question! I'll answer on my own!" Kat roared back, standing. Snatching her bag, she threw it over her shoulder and stormed away. She was choking back stubborn tears as she opened her apartment door. She threw her bag down and did not even bother to kick off her shoes as she stomped into her bedroom. Tearing the envelope out of the trash, she glared at the yellow paper. Taking a deep breath, she ripped it open and pulled out the small stack of papers inside. Reading through them, Kat sighed. It was far too soon that she was back in this line of work again. The line of work was often frowned upon.

   Walking unwillingly to her closet, she dug around until she found her black duffel bag. Hauling it out, she slammed the closet door shut. Unzipping the bag, she pulled out a gray laptop and cord. Starting her research, her mind would frequently dash back to Devin and his words. Reminding her of how panicked and worried he had gotten and how angry he had felt when she was less than honest. She bit her lip ruefully.

   The target was Calvin Harper. A thirty-two-year-old man, married to Mary Harper and has two kids. A daughter and son, both no older than five. They were twins. Calvin frequently used social media as an outlet for his law firm and owned several different accounts dedicated to his wife and children lives. No crimes on his criminal record. He was a happy man with a steady job and a loving family. Overall an innocent man.

   Kat sighed. She was going to have to hurt this man. Hurt his family. Hurt his children. The thought made Kat sick. Could she kill again? Could she handle ending another person's life, right before her eyes? These questions went unanswered as she fell asleep.