Chapter 2

Two winters after the ambush.

The doors to the bar chimed as they slid open. And Delenor stepped in. She took off her oversized coat, having snow all over it. She hung it at one of the railings to the sides as the hums of lively chatter and clinking glass filled the atmosphere, oblivious of her presence. She took a small pouch from her coat's pockets and headed for the bartender. She sat and watched the dim neon lights refracted in the cocktails he mixed. She tapped the table to gain his attention and he turned to her.

"Hello kid,"

She dropped the pouch on the table.

"Oh… business it is then," he said then dropped the cocktails. The middle aged attended to the customer and adjusted his pants before taking a seat.

He whispered to her,"Well, information ain't easy these days kid." He tapped the pouch, "this ain't gonna do it."

She whimpered, "but your last lead was a bust."

"Very sorry for that,"

"You led me to a choir group."

"Oh that bad huh," he said. "Try going somewhere else then, if they won't have sold you out already."

He's right, she thought. He's all I've got, just have to wait long enough.

The bartender spoke up as he leaned to the table, "look, I'm all you got, so pay or go get yourself sold." He said then turned to attend to a new customer.

"Heeey, Jacks…"

Delenor grumbled as she leaned on the table. She puffed as she watched the bartender ignore her then got up.

If I don't find Gengs this time I'd take my chances with other informants, she thought as she headed back for her coat. She took another pouch from the pocket and glanced at the bartender who shook his head. She dug in and brought out another pouch. This time he grinned then turned back to her seat. Delenor headed back and dropped both pouches.

"Now we're talking," he said.

"So, what do you have for me?"

"Well the black hair dye's fading. It's turning red."

"None of your business."

"Alright," he said, then brought out a holo-map. He pointed at a location, "this right here's the real deal. The guys say a history teacher, young enough to be my kid."

Her eyes widened, this must be it.

"If she 's anything you explained, that's gotta be her," he said then sat up.

"This hero you're finding, I'd say one year's enough recovery ti–"

"Save it," Delenor got up and headed for her coat.

"Well believe it or not, there's a fine line between recovering, and hiding," the bartender said.

Delenor clenched her fist and slammed his table, "She is not hiding."

Her yell silenced the bar as every eye turned to her. "She's not hiding" she whispered as she glanced around the bar. She headed back to her coat, and took it down. She could still feel the glares of the customers at the bar even if she didn't look. She turned to the door and it slid open before she got to it.

She gasped as about three figures wearing red cloaks walked in. Uh oh, she put on her coat quickly before they turned to her. She put on her hood and walked towards the exit, ignoring their glare.

"Stop…"

She ignored the voice, but one of them held her arm. Please, not this, her heart raced as she lowered her gaze as he inspected her.

"Take off the hood, and the mask."

"..."

"I said–"

Screw this,

She drew out a gun and slammed it into his face. She leaped to the nearby table, before the others reacted. She landed on one leg and hopped off the table in quick succession. The glones drew out varying coloured plasma in their hands. Each launched their flames at her. She rolled as she landed, dodging the flames.

Taking a deep breath, she scrambled for the exit. The doors opened slowly as she came close. She aimed her rifle and shot the doors sensors and its manual control. And slipped out before it shut itself.

Now you won't be out for a while, she thought as she headed for her bike. It gave off multiple chimes and a light hum as it activated. She sat on it,

A young history teacher, this must be it, she reassured herself as she zoomed off.