Shadow Warriors

Chapter two

The high pitched screaming of Sarah's alarm clock woke her up with a long stretch. She moaned, feeling as if she hadn't gotten close to enough sleep during the night - but she couldn't remember if she had any strange dreams that kept her restless. Anything other than the usual nightmare, at least.

She scanned her bedroom, looking for any sign of movement through the night, but all appeared to be well. With a heavy sigh, she rolled onto her side, and slammed her palm onto the snooze button, silencing the ear-piercing sound of the clock.

Laying on her back, staring at the ceiling, Sarah tried to think back to the night before. She could remember going to sleep, and having a dream about the accident like she did every night, but nothing else.

No time to rest, Sarah. You have a big day today!

With that thought, she rolled out of bed and stomped to her bathroom. A quick shower later, she sat by her dressing table, getting her war paint for the day on. Lexi, her best friend, would be there in twenty minutes to pick her up and drive her to Mr. Takamori's house in the Hamptons.

As she applied the mascara onto her lashes, her gaze kept drifting to the corner of her bedroom. It was where the smoke always appeared, but never during the daytime. Yet her mind and her eyes kept going back to that spot, as though anticipating its arrival. No, it's not that. I... want it to come back. Is it? What the fuck, Sarah?

The little black brush slipped out of her hand, leaving a long smudge on her beige shirt, and Sarah cursed out loud at the stain.

With a shake of her head, she darted to her wardrobe and grabbed another shirt just as her phone rang. Swiping to answer, she placed the call on speaker and began unbuttoning her ruined blouse.

"Hello?"

"It's me. I'm just getting us coffee and should be at yours in about ten minutes. You ready to go?" Lexi's voice was muffled by the loud background voices of the patrons in her local coffee house. Smooth jazz, the hiss of steam, and strangers getting ready to start their day, unburdened by nightmares. Sarah glanced at the clock.

"Hey Lex, yeah, I should be ready. Just have to change quick."

"It's not a date, Sarah," Lexi mocked with a hint of a laugh in her voice, "Mr. Japan is like, seventy. I know he's rich, but eew!"

Sarah chuckled. "Double espresso with extra sugar. I need the pick-me-up today."

Lexi placed the order, before coming back on the line. "Are we still on for Friday night?"

Sarah did up the last button on her red blouse and grabbed the phone, taking it off speaker and placing it to her ear. "You bet we are. And Lex, please don't set me up with some weirdo from your work. The last time was bad enough."

Lexi laughed. "I won't, I promise. It's just going to be the three of us. We can discuss the details in the car. I have the coffee, see you in ten."

With that, the call ended, and Sarah tossed her phone onto the bed. Her hair still hung in long curly wet blonde strands. Her shoulders slumped and she grabbed for a brush.

Once she was ready, Sarah rolled the all-important plans into a long tube, checked she had her tablet in her handbag and found her apartment keys. The ping of a text coming in told her that Lexi was downstairs.

With one last look around her small home, she unbolted the door and made her way to her friend. The sights and smells of the city street banished the last vestiges of sleep as she opened the front door and stepped out. Typical. Lexi had found a parking space right in front of her building. Anyone else would have been circling the block for hours.