Chapter 11: Busy Killing Your Mission Partner?

After walking down the street basically looking like I just got out of a mental institute, I got some more comfortable clothes to wear and bought some knives from a very low-cost retail store with some money I took from a nearby ATM.

After a while of regaining my composure, I was soon walking around, hopefully unnoticed.

Question is, where do I go now?

Surely, I need to be going back to what I was doing before.

A motel? Sure, but RAYA can easily hack security cameras.

Crash in someone's house? That would be rude.

You just mercilessly killed someone and burned their body and you don't want to be rude?

Shut up and let me think.

Or I can just find a car and drive away from here to somewhere I actually know. I have never been to Denver, and I'm already sick of it.

Okay, hijack a car, it is.

I started eyeing every car that crossed paths with me until I found the right one. And I did.

It's simple, fast, and doesn't draw much attention.

It was quite easy to hijack a car. I did it all with ease by the time I was eight. They shouldn't have taught me how to do that.

And now, a destination.

Where shall I go?

The thrift shop, maybe. I don't know it's just a suggestion, it's not like you have blood all over you and they may think you just killed someone, which you did, you know?

Good suggestion, but no. We should go to a minimarket first, I'm hungry.

➰➰➰

"Sa- Phoenix X, I've been expecting you, love."

After taking a car, I decided that it's time for me to visit someone from my past.

"Be careful with that name there, D. You know I hate being called that," I said, greeting an old friend with a hug.

"I know. Old habits die hard, I suppose," Diego said, pulling back. "How have you been, love?"

"Oh, you know, just been keeping busy," I lied. Well, not technically. I am very busy.

Busy killing your mission partner?

"Well, that's a lie I would not want to hear about," he said, ushering me inside his condo. I can only assume he knows what I came to him for.

"I assume you know what I came to you for," I said, sitting down on his sofa.

"Yes, I owe you a favor," Diego smirked.

"Well," I chuckled, "Two, if we're counting."

"I am aware of that too. And I heard a rumor that you killed a mission partner of yours?" He suggested.

I scoffed, "Where did you hear that?"

"Words get around, you know. It's a shame though, I would've thought Rogue F would last longer."

He thinks I killed Rogue F.

"Yes, well, he wasn't very effective. But what about that favor now?"

"I have it right here, your mother's possessions," Diego handed me a box.

"Thank you, Diego, but this isn't the favor I meant," I said, pushing the box back into his lap.

"It wasn't?" He subconsciously asked, taking the box back.

It was a pointless question. We already know the answer to it so why even ask?

"I need a place to stay in for a while. I was hoping that you would let me stay here for a while? Or help me find a good location?" I suggested.

"Well, love, I can't exactly let you stay here. RAYA knows we keep in contact. But I kept a few places you could crash in, just tell them you're with me. To be safe, though, shouldn't stay at the same place for more than two nights. Got it?"

"Got it. Give me a pen and paper and I'll write it down," I said, instantly receiving the things I asked for. And I've come to realize the paper was already listed in.

"Uh, D? This paper is used," I said, interrupting his tea-making minutes.

"Yes, that's a list of the places you would be staying in for up to as long as three months. It's the safest way to hide from RAYA and also the most effective, unlike your late mission partner," Diego said, sipping the tea.

"Thank you for this, Diego. I really appreciate it," I thanked him.

He scoffed, "Don't mind it, love. And try not to kill anyone while you're in hiding. Wouldn't want to drive yourself attention, now would you?" he winked.

"I'll keep that in mind. 'Till next time, then?" I gave him a sad smile. I would miss him. But what I have to do after this, I would take no joy in it.

Liar.

"Until next time," he hugged me. "On your way, now. And be safe!"

"I will try my best," I smirked, knowing I would be far from safe.

"You do that."

And I left. With a heart beating as loud as a lion, and a head filled with worries and thoughts.

For now, I should stay covered. These hills have eyes all around, and I wouldn't want myself being seen.

➰➰➰

It has been a total of 2 days since I visited Diego and he gave me the list I am currently holding in my hands. Undoubtedly, his help was more than helpful.

I had managed to get the remote-controlled taser under my skin out with one of the knives I purchased. It hurt like a bitch, but it's done.

Surprisingly, RAYA's efforts to find me are as good as nothing. Hell, they think I'm in Europe. They're not even looking in the right continent.

What I need to do now is move onto the next shelter on the list. Granted, I can't keep doing this forever but I figured that I would at least need some tech to get my plans in action.

One is already. Runaway and figure it out. The running part was easier than I expected.

I'm not very good at figuring anything out. Downsides of not actually going to school.

The wind chilled me, making me shiver and walk faster. I need to get to that store quickly.

Which store, you ask? The store has no CCTV cameras and sells the cheapest technological gadgets I can use right now with the money I took from the ATM.

All I need to get is a gun, a tablet, and a microchip or USB, whichever one I prefer buying later on, though a microchip would be more useful.

I walk into the store, examining every corner while pretending to be looking for something before dropping a plastic bottle that was in my hands before. Bending down to pick it up, I have full acknowledgment of what I'm doing as I rose back up.

It's very easy getting a store clerk's attention, you know. Not that I'm encouraging this behavior, but a girl's gotta survive.

I smirked, holding the bottle with both hands in front of my chest, which is barely covered by the dress I'm wearing. My shoulders are, but my chest, not so much. High school teachers would be proud.

"Hi there," I said, smiling innocently, brushing my knife that is strapped to my thigh under my dress.

The store clerk looked at me with desire. I swallowed my nervousness and got to work.