BEING REWRITTEN

6 |Mira

Wednesday, November 27, 2019 | 12:10 pm

"Within the next day or two, you're probably going to be kidnapped."

So that's how Mira started out her apprenticeship. The first official words spoken to her by her mentor were ones that detailed how she probably was going to be taken hostage or something.

"We're going to use you as bait." Wolfe, at least she thinks that's his name, said. He never really introduced himself, they just got to business.

"Well.. What if I don't want to be used as bait?" Mira knit her eyebrows.

"It's either that or you get kidnapped for real."

Oh. So those were her options.

"These are the men we're looking for." Amos took three pictures out of a file, setting them in front of Mira.

Oh. Oh.

"Um.." She pointed to the picture on the far left. "That's Chance, I don't know his last name. He's been a regular as of late. He's always been a bit flirty, but not usually interested in me. He seems to like my coworker Clarissa, but she's not a mage and lives on top of the cafe, so she doesn't leave at night very often."

Wolfe and Amos glanced at each other, then back at Mira, seeming to be thinking the same thing.

"If I had to guess, he's paying more attention to Clarissa to stay under the radar." Wolfe leaned his elbows on Amos's desk. "Have you seen the other men at all?"

"If I have, they probably don't come in often. The cafe doesn't get a lot of business compared to others, but I still see a lot of faces come through during the day. It's easy to forget." She paused. "So what exactly is it you want me to do?"

"Absolutely nothing. Pretend like you don't know a thing. You have a shift today, right?" Amos asked and Mira nodded. "Wolfe and I will be there in case the guy or his friends show up, especially now that you know who you're looking for. How good are your acting skills?"

"Pretty good, I guess. I've been in a couple school musicals."

"In that case, I expect you to really sell that you don't know anything. If Chance comes in again, ask him if you uh.." Amos sighed, awkwardly scratching his beard. "Sorry to ask you to do this on the first day, but ask him if he, you know, wants to meet after your shift."

"Oh, that's no problem." Mira laughed politely. "Kind of awkward, but given the way he's been acting and the circumstances surrounding the way these girls have been kidnapped, I can't think of any other way to catch this guy without making a scene."

"We're glad you understand. I don't think you'll have a problem." Wolfe nodded to Mira.

"What if he says no?"

"If he says no, don't push it." Amos said. "At that point, Wolfe and I will both be in the cafe, and if he leaves one of us can tail him."

"Oh, okay then."

"We'll be at your shift when the time comes. In the meantime, why don't we go walk around the area a bit and see if we can spot any of the other suspects lingering around the area." Amos suggested. "Mira, do you have any other clothes? Your uniform can be kind of.. easy to spot in a crowd."

Mira knew exactly what he meant. Bezalel's uniform was known city-wide, and if she were to be seen by any of the suspects or do something to stand out, anyone would be able to recall her by that key factor. "I have a coat that'll cover it. It's getting kinda cold out, anyway."

"Perfect." Wolfe turned to look over at Aldritch. "Old man, we're going out for awhile."

"Alright, be safe you three. I don't want to hear about anymore dumpsters being blown up." He responded cheekily.