Losing you once is enough

"Sonia Lukewarm; age nine, parents' names Avien Lukewarm and Damon Lukewarm, home address..." The principal's voice trembled as he read from the file. He cut him off with a curt. "Next." His eyes never left the agent's face. "Not her," he added, his tone dismissive. "Who are you looking for?" the agent asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. He smiled to himself, the thought of taking him down in an instant a tantalizing prospect. But he wanted to savor this moment, to enjoy the cat-and-mouse game they were playing. "None of your business," he replied, his voice cold as steel. The principal hesitated before speaking again, "Sonia Theo, age seven, parents..." He interrupted him once more, his patience wearing thin. "Still not her," he exhaled, his cigarette smoke curling lazily in the air. Jacob burst into the hall, his presence commanding attention. The agent's gaze flickered towards him, and in that moment of distraction, he saw his chance. He smirked, drawing his gun with lightning speed, and fired it at the agent's right arm. The agent groaned in pain as his gun slipped from his fingers, Jacob swiftly picking it up and tossing it out of reach. "Shit... f**k you," the agent mumbled, his face twisted in agony. He chuckled silently, impressed by his spirit. As he approached him, the agent gazed up at him with a mix of pain and hatred. He reached out, his movements deliberate, and retrieved the agent's ID. "Oh, so your name is Hunter. Agent Hunter," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. Jacob leaned in, his voice low and urgent. "Boss, the agent seems to have informed the others, and they're creating a ruckus at the compound. Two of our men were killed by the female agent. Her skills are unmatched." He took a deep breath, weighing his options. "Today, I wanted to come and go normally, without any bloodshed," he replied, his voice measured. "But some stupid agents had to intervene without an invitation. I don't want the kids to get hurt, so I'll hold my fire. But don't think twice about killing anyone who gets in our way. Also, gather information on this female agent." Jacob nodded, his expression grim. As Jacob dragged Hunter off the floor, his blood staining the pristine white tiles, the principal spoke up, his voice trembling. "Sonia... sir, I think this may be the Sonia you're looking for." He motioned for him to bring the file, and as he handed it over, his phone buzzed with an incoming message. He opened both the message and the file, his heart racing as he saw the photo. It was her. "Sonia Clerk, eight years old," he read, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mother's name: Diana Clerk." His eyes locked onto the name, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. "Father's name unknown. Unknown?" he asked, his voice sharp with curiosity. The principal's voice was barely audible. "Yes, Mr. Don, Sonia doesn't have any father relation, no one knows her dad nor Ms. Clerk's husband. Apparently, she's a single mother." The words hung in the air, painting a picture of secrecy and mystery. The principal's words snapped him back to reality, his voice laced with a mix of awe and fear. "You smiled?". He frowned. "Any problem?". "Nothing, Mr. Don... just seeing you smile feels so surreal. No one sees you smiling. You either smirk, chuckle, or kill." His words dripped with truth, and he felt a chill run down his spine. "Then it's good you know that," he said coldly, his mask slipping back into place. He stood up, his movements fluid, and walked out of the hall, leaving the principal's trembling form behind. As he stepped out, one question echoed in his mind: if she didn't get married or have a boyfriend, then who is the father of the kid? The thought that it might be his was a tantalizing prospect, a glimmer of hope in the darkness. Diana strode towards the school hall, the urgency in her footsteps echoing the desperation in her heart. She had scoured every nook and cranny for Hunter, and her teammates were safe, but her friend's whereabouts remained a mystery. The last message from Hunter had led her to this forsaken hall, and she was determined to find him. As she pushed open the creaky door, her momentum was abruptly halted by a solid chest. The impact sent her tumbling to the floor, her tailbone throbbing in protest. She winced, a string of curses escaping her lips as she glared up at the inconsiderate stranger. He didn't even acknowledge her presence, his long strides devouring the distance as he vanished into the fading light. The sound of his footsteps was like a ticking time bomb, leaving her seething. "What a heartless jerk," she muttered, scrambling to her feet. She debated whether to chase after him for an apology or prioritize finding Hunter. "Hunter is the reason I'm here; the inconsiderate stranger can wait." She mumbled, her eyes scanning the dimly lit hall. The school principal's warm smile greeted her as she entered, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He was bent down, gathering scattered files that littered the floor like confetti. Her gaze swept the hall, but Hunter was nowhere to be seen. "Ms. Clerk," he called out, his voice laced with confusion. She approached him, her footsteps echoing off the walls. "What's happening, Principal?" she asked, helping him gather the files. Her eyes widened as she noticed the names on the files - Sonia, repeated like a mantra. "Why so many files with the name Sonia?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. The principal's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Mr. Don requested them," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. Her brow furrowed in concern. "For what reason?" she pressed, her tone firm. "He's searching for a girl named Sonia Clerk... apparently, your daughter." The words hung in the air like a challenge, and her world came crashing down. Her eyes locked onto the principal's, and she felt her pupils dilate in shock. "Who the f**k is this Don?" she demanded, her voice low and menacing. Her heart was racing like a runaway train. "Michael Dickson; he just walked out of that door a few minutes ago. I assume you saw him leaving," the principal replied, his words dripping with an unspoken warning. Her breathing turned ragged, and her mind reeled with the implications. Could he have discovered her secret? Was he targeting her child, seeking to ruin her life once more? Without hesitation, she sprinted out of the hall, following the direction Michael Dickson had taken. The thought sent a shiver down her spine - it couldn't be him.