Athena

I know from the moment he asked me to leave and go get the coffee from the safe, something bad was about to unfold. My manager taught me about the safe room; that if there was something bad to happen we needed to rush to his office and press the red button and the titanium doors would keep us safe until one of the company's security men came to open it for us. A security measure that I didn’t think was necessary for a coffee shop.

I tried calling my manager but then I realized that my phone died because I forgot to charge it. Of all the times to forget to charge it, it just had to be today. I cursed myself silently for my forgetfulness. I tried the phone on my manager's desk but there was no dial tone. I was tempted to press the red button but I know that I am not heartless to just leave the owner of the shop and his driver alone. I berate myself one last time as I know that I will regret the decision I am going to make right now. As I quietly sneaked out to see what was happening outside.

I hid in the dark as I watched the owner, Mr. Drake, whose name I just found out, is still talking to Archer. I can’t hear what they are talking about but from the look on Mr. Drake’s face, I know that whatever it is that they are talking about might not be going well. 

Just then the back door opened and additional men, which I am guessing are Archer’s, filled the cafe. I saw Mr. Drake’s driver walking in front of him, shielding Mr. Drake not only from my view but I am guessing he is also trying to protect him from Archer’s men. 

Four of his men held Mr. Drake’s driver and two of his men pulled Mr. Drake’s wheelchair, bringing him in front of Archer. He looked so small in front of Archer, but even so, I never sensed even a small amount of fear in him. 

Archer took the first blow, which Mr. Drake dodged and countered with a punch that hit Archer’s left cheek. Archer tried to throw another punch and Mr. Drake moved his wheelchair making Archer fall to the floor. I almost laughed out loud as I imagined the look on Archer’s face. I was amazed at Mr. Drake, what else can this man do? Just then I saw one of Archer’s men holding Mr. Drake’s wheelchair still. Archer then threw another punch and Mr. Drake tried to shield his face. Two of Archer’s men held Mr. Drake’s arms making him powerless. Archer started throwing punches one after another.

I know I need to do something. I can’t stand here and do nothing. Just then I saw Archer whisper something to Mr. Drake and then he took out something shiny. I already know what it is judging by its shape. 

I used to hold different types of it. My mother and father taught me how to use it. I remember them saying how a knife can be your friend and enemy. 

I saw Archer raise the knife and strike it on Mr. Drake’s knees. I had to look away as I heard Mr. Drake shout in pain. 

Anger rose in my chest as I felt how unfair the situation was for Mr. Drake. Something is telling me that he is not the bad guy in this story. And I can’t just stay still and watch him suffer. I removed the heels that I was wearing and walked toward the stockroom. 

I took out all the knives that we have as quietly as I could. Tied some on my legs and the rest I placed in one of the aprons. 

As I returned to my hiding place I saw Archer as he walked toward Mr. Drake, knife in his hand aiming for his chest. 

I took one look at Mr. Drake and I hated the look he now has on his face. I know that look, I’ve seen that look. It’s the same look my parents had when a group of men came to our house and killed them. I was only a young kid then, I felt scared and helpless. But I am not the same girl that I was before. This time I will save someone, I will save Mr. Drake. 

Archer was about to strike Mr. Drake. I held one knife from the apron, closed my eyes, and remembered my parents and my aunt’s training. 

“Hold it like how you would hold a paper airplane,” my father said with a smile.

“Then think about where you want it to go and let it fly.”

And just like that, I let the knife in my hand fly. It hit Archer on the back. I did not stop there as I let more knives fly in the air and hit Archer’s men one by one. After seeing them fall I ran toward Mr. Drake to make sure he was ok. 

As I looked into his eyes he was angrier than happy to see me. Which made me angry because I just saved him. 

“You are a pest you know,” a voice behind me said. Chills ran down my spine, surprised to find that he was still alive. 

I turned just in time to see him try to strike the knife on my back. I caught it with my left hand slicing me. I struck him with the knife in my right hand and he jumped back. 

“Leave her alone Archer,” Mr. Drake shouted. 

“I already gave her a chance to run away, Drake,” he snickered.

“I now get why you like her, she’s feisty,” he added.

Mr. Drake tries to pull me behind him, but I wouldn’t allow him. I see Mr. Drake’s driver fighting several of Archer’s men. I just need to keep Archer away from Mr. Drake until help arrives.

Help is coming! Help is coming! Help is coming!

I keep repeating to myself even though I am not sure if there is help coming.

“Athena stay behind me,” Mr. Drake ordered.

“No!” I replied.

Archer laughed.

“What is this Drake?” He asked, laughing.

“You can’t get your woman to follow you?” He added. 

Archer looked at me and smiled. 

“After I am done with Drake, I will take you home,” he said to me.

“You deserve a man who can tame your wildcat.” He added with a laugh. 

“Athena!” Mr. Drake growled. “Get behind me!”

The sound of his voice took me by surprise. I turned and looked at him and saw a panicked look in his hazel eyes followed by the excruciating pain on my side as I felt the sharpness of the knife hit my skin. 

I closed my eyes as I will myself one last fight I turned to face Archer and took the knife tied to my leg as I jumped at him and sank my knife into his left eye and twisted it. 

He pushed me away from him, it was so hard that I hit the wall. I saw Mr. Drake rush over me but my eyes never left Archer until he fell. Mr. Drake held my face between his hands looking at me worriedly. 

“Your safe sir,” I whispered. 

The world around me is becoming hazy and blurry. I can hear the shouts but I can’t understand what they are saying. I saw someone running toward Mr. Drake and my body automatically went on alert. I reached for the last knife on my ankle and threw it with all my might. 

The man shouted, “Fuck!” as my knife went straight to his knee.

Mr. Drake looked at the man and then back at me and gave me a tired smile. He fell from his wheelchair and moved closer to me. He then wraps me in his arms, which feels so warm. 

“It’s safe now,” I heard him whisper. 

"Help is here," He said as he stroked my hair slowly.

“Stay with me Athena,” he pleaded. 

I want to tell him that I want to. I want to tell him that he needs to pay me five times more. But my eyes felt heavy and I let the darkness envelop me.