6

"Excuse me-ma'am." A knocking sounded on the motel room door. "Anyone in there?"

I froze. My eyes were trained on the pillow that was sitting on top of my come. The knocking continued.

"Miss, there's a package here for you."

This could be a trap.

The knocking continued for a few more seconds before the young man muttered something I couldn't here. He grunted. "It's by the door. If someone takes it, it's not my fault."

I heard his footsteps grow distant. I waited a few minutes to make sure he was gone before finally exhaling and walking to the door. I grabbed the box, quickly, shutting and locking the door behind me.

I brought the box over to the bed, setting it down. I debated whether to open it for what felt like an hour. When my head started opening, I ripped the box open. Curiosity had gotten the best of me.

What the hell?

Inside the box was a watch and glasses. I took the folded piece of paper that sat on top.

Small town, one local motel. It was too easy to find you, princess. You should consider being a tad more careful.

One task and I will consider your favour cashed in. There's a man named Dex who you are to meet. He'll tell you what he needs, you do as he says. The time, date, and address are at the bottom. You are meeting in daylight. Wear the glasses-they have a camera installed into them. There's a button on the side of the watch. Press it when you get there. It's a recording device. Do not come off suspicious, Elle. Leave and get what he needs done. Do NOT loose these objects.

Sylas

Shit.

Sylas is someone who I owe a favour to. A few years ago he had gotten me out of a bad situation. He helped me, although I never quite understood why. He could have left me for dead.

I understood now.

The way my world works, nothing is ever done unless you want something in return. When people like us cross paths, if help is required, you better bet wisely that you will be in their debt until it's time to pay up.

Frankly, I didn't mind that it worked like this. Nothing was for free. If someone did something for me, I owed them. When I paid up, I would know I then owed them nothing at all.

It kept things simpler.

Sort of.

I didn't have any idea who Dex was or why this was how Sylas was cashing in his favour. All I knew, I didn't have a say in the matter.

-

A Few Years Ago

"Shit." I gasped, breathing heavily. I tried to focus my vision in the dark of the night. I didn't know where I was. I didn't know where to go from here. I didn't have time to think.

"Hey, come back!"

When I heard one man yelling behind me, I started running again. My lungs felt like they were lit on fire. My legs were burning.

I inhaled the crisp air deeply, the wind blowing in my face as I ran and ran, still having no idea where I was going. I just needed to get away. I took a sharp turn and sprinted down the street. I couldn't look back. I didn't know how close they were.

On the end of the street, there sat a rusty, nearly torn down building.

I rounded the building, slowing down to catch my breath. I was panting. My skin felt damp despite the cool breeze. My legs felt heavier; my stomach churned with nausea. I glanced over my shoulder, staying close to the wall when I bumped into something.

"What the hell? Watch whe-"

"Shh!" I winced at the loud voice. My hand raced up to cover the guy's mouth. I stared at him with wide eyes, my chest heaving up and down.

I looked over my shoulder again, around the corner of the building as subtly as a mouse. I waited a moment before looking at the guy, lowering my hand slowly.

He opened his mouth to speak. I quickly put my index finger to my point, shaking my head slowly. 'Please', I mouthed-praying he would stay silent. He probably thought I was loony.

He listened, taking a small step backwards and staying silent. He eyed me curiously. I could feel his gaze on me, causing me to meet his eyes once again. Oddly enough, he didn't look anywhere near as concerned as a passerby should.

The sound of a gun cocking, followed by slow footsteps on the gravel caused my eyes to widen. I didn't have a chance to turn and look. The guy grabbed my arm and pulled me into the abandoned building, through a half-broken door. He pushed our bodies into a corner, hiding us from sight.

It was dark and I could hardly see anything. He still held onto my arm but kept his face up, listening carefully for a hint of noise.

"Oh, darling," the taunt-filled voice sung out in the night-the voice that belonged to the man who had been chasing me. "You can't hide forever. Where is there to go?" He laughed manically. "Everything catches up eventually."

The guy hiding with me looked down to meet my eyes. It was dark but the street lights shined in through all the broken cracks in the walls, through the shattered windows. His gaze was piercing and held me frozen.

For all I knew, he could very well be playing me. Maybe he would kill me himself. Maybe he was with the man who had been chasing me.

The conflicting ideas in my head made my heart start to race again.

The man outside was getting closer, I could hear his footsteps approaching. He walked slowly, like a cat ready to pounce on a mouse.

The guy holding me stepped out from the corner, making my mouth fall agape. What the hell was he doing? He had a death wish.

"What do you want?" He snapped. He was angry but not afraid. "Anything I can do to help you?"

I was going to die. He was going to die. We both were going to die because of me-and partially due to his own suicidal amount of confidence and courage.

The man snorted. I couldn't see his face because I was still tucked behind the wall. "Sylas. A pleasure."

They know each other?

"Don." The guy who had hid me spoke calmly. I could hear the irritation seeping in his voice. If they knew each other, Sylas, the guy helping me, surely had to be in some sort a gang-or something similar. This was just another typical day for him. That's why he wasn't afraid.

"You wouldn't happen to be hiding my friend, would you? Playing hero doesn't seem like your thing." Don's tone was mocking, taunting-sickeningly amused.

Sylas heaved out a heavy, impatient breath. "Leave, Don. We don't need to make this messy. Just walk away."

Don gritted his teeth. "Give me the girl and I'll walk away. Quiet and easy."

"Why?" Sylas didn't seem the least bit afraid of Don. He was dangling a carrot in front of a donkey, not scared to poke the sleeping dragon.

"She owes me." Don's voice was ice cold and growing more and more impatient.

"No, I do not." I stepped out from where I was hiding behind the wall. "You lost. That is on you, not me."

Maybe it was an idiotic mistake for me to expose myself to Don. He could have a bullet through my head before I had a chance to take a step. But Sylas, I didn't know him and he need to fight my battles for me. He was putting himself at risk-for me, to help me. I couldn't afford more blood on my hands.

"You cheated." Don's jaw twitched. His eyes had darkened.

I scoffed. "You can't cheat poker. I won. It's called skill and catching bluffs." I exhaled a shaky breath. I was the one poking the dragon now.

"So, that's what this is about?" Sylas looked between Don and I. He shook his head in disbelief, laughing. "Don, you sick son of a bitch. You're the sorest loser I know."

"She cheated," Don repeated, slowly. He glared at me.

"How much did you lose?" Sylas asked, cocking his head to the side as he looked at Don. "Couple hundred? A thousand?"

When Don didn't answer, I smirked. "Ten."

Sylas glanced at me, his eyebrows pulling together. "Ten thousand?" Surprise flashed across his eyes.

I nodded. "If he can't call my bluffs, that's on him. Not me." I was good at concealing my tells while picking up on everyone else's tells. Poker was a skill of mine. I was good. Simple as that. I didn't cheat-Don really was a sore loser.

For a man and buff and built as him, he could crush my skull for the sheer force of him hands. Considering his appearance, it made me laugh that he was such a big wuss.

Sylas blew out an exasperated breath. "Fuck out of here, Don. This is ridiculous."

Don snapped his gaze towards me, fuming now. "Give me back my money, you whore." He pulled his gun out from the inside of his jacket, pointing it at me.

"Or what?" I taunted.

You're treading in dangerous waters, Elettra.

"Shoot me. You won't get your money whether I'm dead or alive."

Don's free hand clenched into a fist. The gun was already cocked. I watched as his finger moved in-front of the trigger. Everything was happening in slow-motion.

A gun shot went off but I wasn't on the ground, Don was.

"Let's go." Sylas grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the building, shoving the gun of his own back into the waistband of his pants. We started running, Sylas still holding my arm. We ran away from the old building, racing down the street.

I glanced over my shoulder. Don hadn't come out. He was dead. Or he would be in minutes.

After we rounded enough corners, Sylas stopped. He bent down, panting as he caught his breath. "I think-I think we should be fine."

"You know Don?" I asked between sharp exhales.

Sylas nodded. He coughed as he stood up straight. "Yeah. I've known him since we were kids. He's always been the same jerk. He pisses people off, picks unnecessary fights and only ever makes things more complicated than they need to be." Sylas glanced around for a moment. "He never admits he own faults. Shortest fuse I've ever seen."

I croaked out a weak laugh. "I can see that."

Much gentler this time, Sylas took hold of my arm and started guiding me further away. Once we rounded the next corner, he let his hand drop to his side. "Do you have anywhere to stay?"

We walked down the dark and vacant street. The threat of Don being eliminated allowed for a sense of peace, not needing to run anymore. "I'll manage."

Sylas glanced at me from the corner of his eye. "How?"

I shrugged softly, looking at the ground as I walked. "Hotwire a car and head off."

"What brought you here anyways?" Sylas's eyes were narrowed slightly, intrigue lying behind them. "I would've heard of you if you were from around here. Not everyone manages to empty ten grand from Don. He is-was one of the best."

I smiled faintly, not looking at him. "I heard about the underground poker games from some contacts. I needed money."

Sylas paused for a moment. "You must have a lot of confidence in your poker skills." A small grin played on his lips.

I laughed airily. "A little."

We walked in silence for another minute before Sylas spoke again. "Anyways, I have an empty house. You can crash for the night. I can help you get on the bus or find a car tomorrow."