• Chapter 2:

    Carson Subway Station was built only 5 years ago and successfully connected Melcowe City directly to the major cities of Andrea. Previously, if someone had to go to Andrea they had only two options: either take a long and inconvenient train route curving through the eastern region of Geland into the south or venture beyond the safety of the city’s energy shields and risk getting killed by monsters to reach their destination. Because of this, it didn’t take long for Carson Subway to become widely popular for public travel.

    Lily’s green eyes glittered with excitement as she looked out the window of the train. When it finally slowed to a halt in the station she turned to the blonde woman sitting beside her.

    “C’mon, Becky!” Lily exclaimed as she grabbed her travel bag, hopped out of her seat, and sped down the aisle.

    “Hey, wait!” Becky called after her, but she was already one of the first people out the door.

    The weak yellow lights overhead illuminated the subway station in a dim glow. Hordes of people wandered the gray concrete platforms or were seated on hard stone benches waiting for the trains. Despite all the chaos caused by the crowds, the floor held no trash and the walls were fairly clear of marks indicating frequent maintenance by the station staff.

    Lily took a few steps further away from the train and was waiting for her lost friend to catch up when her eyes were drawn to a man standing on another platform across from her. He had his hands tucked in his coat pockets and was casually leaning his back against one of the station’s support pillars near the docking area. What had originally caught Lily’s attention was that he was wearing sunglasses, which was odd considering they were in a dark subway, but as she moved to the side with her luggage to wait for Becky, she became keenly aware that the man was watching her.

    Lily took a few steps back toward the train door, placing a crowd of people between them. Sure enough, the man idly took a step forward, into her field of view again, following her movements. She took another step, placing herself in front of the train door, and stared at the man letting him know she saw him. He didn’t move.

    Just then, Becky was exiting the train when she slipped on the step and stumbled down onto the platform, crashing into Lily. Lily couldn’t keep her balance and they both fell to the floor, drawing a mix of surprised and amused looks from the people around them.

    “Lily! What were you doing standing in front of the door?!” asked Becky as she scrambled to get off of her best friend.

    “Don’t try to blame this on me when you’re the one who tripped! Quick, get off!”

    Lily hurriedly got up on her knees to look back at the other platform, but the man was gone.

    “Lily? What is it?” asked Becky, noticing her serious expression.

    “Nothing. I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s just get out of here,” said Lily.

    “Okay.”

    Lily grabbed her bag off the floor and they left the station to go meet their client.

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    Adrian looked across the subway at the other platform to see what the sudden commotion was all about. One woman had somehow tripped while getting off the train and had fallen onto another young woman who had been stupid enough to stand in the way of the door.

    There’s a sign that says ‘Watch Your Step’ for a reason, idiot, Adrian thought. Then he shook his head. He knew that he was just looking for something to be annoyed when he should be paying attention…

    As he looked away from the senseless girls, a man with light hair and sunglasses lightly shoved passed him. Adrian glanced at him and caught a sneer that made him turn around and watch as the man kept walking, disappearing into the crowd.

    “The nerve of some people these days, hm?”

    The sudden voice behind him would have made Adrian spin around and place a knife in the speaker’s throat if he hadn’t recognized it.

    “Collins,” said Adrian as he came face to face with a man in his mid-30’s with slicked back blonde hair and wearing a dark business suit that probably cost more than Adrian’s apartment.

    Collins held out his hand and pulled up a pleasant smile.

    “It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Adrian Bar-” Collins cut off as Adrian brushed right passed him and walked over to a soda machine.

    “Don’t call me Adrian,” he said curtly, taking out a dollar and inserting it into the machine.

    Collins waited in silent shock as Adrian pulled out his drink and leant against a nearby wall.

    “I have to wonder, Mr. Barthel, do you always act this way or do I just keep catching you at a bad time?” Collins finally asked.

    “Maybe I just don’t like you. Either way, it’s none of your business. Can we move on?”

    Collins managed to keep his smile but his grey eyes were cold. Adrian noticed two men behind him discreetly move a bit closer. Collins made a subtle movement with his hand and the two relaxed into less threatening positions. Bodyguards.

    He’s not stupid, I’ll give him that, thought Adrian.

    “Yes, I apologize for straying from our purpose. Let’s move on to business,” said Collins.

    He pulled out a folder from the small suitcase he was carrying and handed it to Adrian who idly flipped through it.

    “All the information about him is in there. Anything else you will have to obtain yourself,” said Collins.

    “Great,” said Adrian.

    He started to leave when Collins called out.

    “One more thing,” he said. “You have three days.”

    Adrian came to a halt and turned, meeting Collins cool gaze with his own dark, menacing stare.

    “Including today,” Collins added.

    They stared at each other for a moment; both holding strong.

    He’s testing me, Adrian thought. Fine then, you b*****d. We’ll do it your way.

    He smirked, catching Collins off guard and making his confident mask falter. His two bodyguards looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

    “Consider it done,” Adrian said, his eyes filled with fiery conviction as he walked away.

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