Caught in a corner

This was unexpected. By now, Jamie should have started expecting the unexpected. It should be the norm. But no, she was still shellshocked, just because she never thought that it could go this way.

The unexpected is good. The unexpected is bad. The unexpected is a surprise.

"You don't have to look so shocked. I hear you finished the task?"

Jamie schooled her features into what she thought was a stoic expression but it was more like an "I can control my face" thing.

She sat down and waited for Sawyer to sit.

"I didn't think you would issue this mission."

Sawyer had changed his clothes. He wore a white shirt and blue pants. His hair was styled. It looked like the people in the city lived normal lives. With many facilities.

Maybe it was that way. It was similar to how it was in ancient times. Like when wild animals came and attacked, zombies were the same when you stayed protected in a city. They regularly sent people to kill the zombies and then they could live happily.

And Sawyer, well he used to be one of those somewhat happy people, She didn't know how exactly the city was and how it functioned.

"Well, have you got what I asked?"

Okay, so she was to stay on topic. Got it.

"Yes, should I show you now?"

Sawyer shook his head.

"Come with me."

He didn't wait for her to get up and left.

Jamie followed him. The man who had talked with her earlier was talking with Sawyer.

"We are going to talk somewhere else. I'll send you the commission soon."

The man gave him a big smile. The attitude of pleasing high-paying customers, is good to see that again. Because in her time, no one was guarding any super mart.

Sawyer took Jamie to the outskirts. He had a bicycle kind of thing. But it was like a hoverboard too. And they could sit. So is it a car? What was it? It puzzled her the entire way.

"Come on."

He took her to a building. It looked dilapidated but well maintained.

Through doors and stairs, finally, the destination was here.

It was a big room with chairs and what she knew were cushions. How did he get those here?

"Make yourself comfortable."

Jamie sat down and watched him. He brought a water bottle and sat before her.

"Now you can show them."

Jamie took out the crystals from her space but she kept her satchel as a cover.

The zombie crystals were like red gems. It looked like they were on fire or they were just removed from a fire.

Sawyer was surprised. His eyes told her. That was satisfying to watch.

"Five crystals of level five zombies. Good."

"My coins?"

Jamie wasn't that interested in coins but she wasn't letting go of any advantage she could get from Sawyer. Being petty came naturally to her when she was with him.

He raised an eyebrow. Why did everyone know how to do this cool thing?

'Gem, I want to learn too.'

Laughter.

'Sis, you try daily.'

'Haha, you look like you are an out-of-control bot. Haha.'

'Nate, I know you can't do this.'

'I can.'

Jamie abruptly focused on Sawyer. He was watching her. She didn't space out and not listen to something he said?

"I'll transfer them. I think you don't have an account?"

Jamie didn't.

"And, I think you want to hide some things. It's better for you to have a proxy account and a fake ID too."

Well, where did he get that info from?

"No need to act surprised. We are the same kind of people. I'm just more vengeful than you. I hold grudges. And I am not merciful."

Jamie laughed.

"You'd be surprised if you knew I hold grudges as well."

Jamie knew her money was safe. She was observing the location and then she realized something. It was jumping in a clown costume all along and she noticed it now.

'Oh, you are losing your edge, Jamie.'

She looked at him with rare amusement.

"I never thought I'd meet someone who wanted to rebel," He opened his mouth, and she quickly added, " And change the system."

Sawyer leaned back as if they were discussing their dinner menus.

"I'm surprised you caught this."

She shrugged.

"Not difficult. A year took you to change from an Inner guy to a respected Outer fighter. I'm sure you were gathering your team then. And you remodeled these like buildings long before the Apocalypse. You also gave up your surname. Because you wanted something that would be more than a surname. You posted a recruitment offer in the guise of a mission. I'm sure there are missions like these in every tradepost."

He smiled.

"You caught me. What makes you think I'll let you leave unscathed?"

Jamie chuckled.

"Yes, that's the question, isn't it? I caught you, a big bad wolf in your game and in your lair. With so many obvious loopholes in your plan."

He didn't say anything when she paused.

"I can leave because you think I'm good enough. Otherwise, why would you bring me to your main base?"

"That still applies to eliminating you. No one would know if you didn't come back. "

"I'm more valuable alive. You know my abilities."

Sawyer chuckled.

He came closer to her. He clutched her jaw.

"Yes, you are a valuable soldier. A fighter, a member but Miss Jamie," He whispered," Do you know what happened to over-smart people?"

He was really close. If his goal was to intimidate her, he had done it. There was something dangerous in a person who was mad about his goal. Not like Marc who was a coward and did what suited him best.

Sawyer was mad. He wanted his goal. Such people were scary. To Jamie, he was really scary.

Jamie had no other choice. He could get her where she needed to go. He was a shortcut she needed to take.

"Smart people know when to take a step back. Jamie, I'm sure you know that too." He patted her cheek twice.

He sat back in his chair. Jamie nodded. Yes, she knew that. She will never try to know more about him. If possible, she would like to get him out of her life.

"Let's get you some documents."