A Knock at the Door
A sudden knock made me spin around. I froze, instincts on high alert. It was nearly midnight. Only one person knows where I am.
Cautiously, i approached. "Who is it?"
Silence.
I reached for the small handgun tucked into his duffel bag. Another relic from my past life. I pressed myself to the side of the door, listening. The knock came again, quieter this time.
"Hector," a voice whispered. "It's me."
I recognized that voice—Daniel, I relaxed slightly. I cracked the door open, gun hidden behind his back.
Daniel slipped inside, eyes darting around the room. He wore plain clothes, but I knew he was armed. We stood in tense silence until Daniel let out a breath. "They're onto you, man. You have to move again."
I sighed. "I know. I just got a call."
Daniel nodded grimly. "They want the intel. And they'll do whatever it takes."
I rubbed a hand over his face. " I pray the goodbye message I sent her will them off her, If they think I've cut ties with her—"
"They won't," Daniel interrupted. "They're too paranoid. They'll watch her regardless."
My stomach twisted. The last thing I wanted was to drag Sarah into this mess. "Then I need your help. Watch over her if you can, but don't reveal yourself unless she's in real danger."
Daniel gave a curt nod. "I'll do what I can. But if they suspect you sent me—"
"They won't," I said, though i wasn't entirely sure. "She can't know who you are, not yet. Just… guide her if she starts poking around. Make sure she doesn't get killed because of me."
Daniel eyed him for a long moment, then clasped his shoulder. "You know this won't end unless you take them down or strike a deal."
Hector exhaled. "I'm past making deals. They crossed too many lines."
A flicker of admiration passed through Daniel's gaze. "Alright. I'll keep her safe. But you better finish this before it finishes you."
—
Packing Up
I threw my few belongings into my duffel bag: clothes, a fake ID, the battered laptop containing all the evidence I had collected. Evidence that could topple powerful officials if made public. I slung the bag over my shoulder and followed Daniel out.
We took the back stairwell, every step echoing in the concrete space. Daniel led the way, scanning each corner before moving. My heart pounded, adrenaline sharpening my senses. This was what my life had become—dark stairwells, cheap hotel rooms, a constant fear that each day might be my last, I might not see Sarah again. For the first time in a long time I was afraid of losing.
At the bottom, Daniel paused, peering through the glass door. "Looks clear."
We stepped into the alley, the smell of rotting garbage hitting us. I resisted the urge to cough. The city's neon glow reflected on puddles of dirty water. A stray cat darted away, startled by their presence.
"Where to now?" I asked, voice low.
Daniel handed me a slip of paper. "Safe house in the outskirts. The address is there. Stay low. I'll reach out when I can."
I nodded, pocketing the note. We parted ways without a word, Daniel disappearing into the darkness as if he'd never been there. I slipped into a waiting taxi, giving the driver an address a few blocks from my actual destination—just another layer of misdirection.
I glanced at my phone again, still powered off. A pang of guilt tore through him. Sarah would be worried, calling me repeatedly, searching for answers I couldn't give- yet. But if i turned the phone on, they could trace it. And if they traced it, they'd find me.
And then they'd find her.
—--
A Last Look
As the taxi pulled away, I caught sight of a billboard advertising a travel agency: a smiling couple on a beach, arms around each other. The tagline read, "Find Your Perfect Escape."
A bitter smile touched my lips. Escape—that's what I was doing, wasn't it? Except this was no tropical paradise. It was a labyrinth of lies, blackmail, and looming violence.
I closed his eyes, recalling Sarah's laughter once more, trying to memorize every detail—her soft lips, her bright eyes, the way she said my name like it was something precious. Would I ever see her again under normal circumstances? Or would this conspiracy devour us both before I could hold her in my arms again?
I forced the thought away. He had to stay strong. For her sake, for the sake of everyone these officials had hurt. If I caved, they'd keep exploiting innocent people. If I stood my ground, at least there was a chance to bring them down.
But that meant no more Sarah, at least for now.
The taxi merged onto a main road, neon signs reflecting off the windshield. I watched them pass, each flash of color feeling like a reminder of what I'd lost. He inhaled slowly, steeling himself.
Sarah, this is goodbye.
I repeated the words in my mind, hoping one day she'd forgive me for it.