A Cop and A Thief

Chapter Three: The Chase Is On

My heart pounded like a drum in my chest as I ran after her. Raven.

She was fast—too fast for someone wearing heavy boots. But I wasn’t going to let her get away. Not this time.

She weaved between parked cars like she knew the streets by heart. Her black leather jacket melted into the night, making it harder to follow her. Then she knocked over a trash can, hoping to slow me down.

“Really?” I called out, my breath short. “That’s your move?”

She looked back at me for a second. Her green eyes sparkled like she was having fun. “I’m just getting started, detective.”

Then she turned sharply and disappeared into a dark alley.

I didn’t stop. I didn’t even think. I followed her in.

The alley was tight. No way out—except the tall fence at the end.

Got you now.

But instead of stopping, Raven sped up. She jumped on a crate, pushed off it, and grabbed the top of the fence. In one smooth move, she climbed over and vanished to the other side.

I groaned. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

I backed up, took a running start, and pulled myself up. I wasn’t as graceful. My arms ached, but I made it over.

The second I hit the ground, I saw her again—already running down the next street.

“Damn it,” I muttered and chased after her.

She ducked into a construction site. It was half-built, quiet, and dark. Metal beams stuck out everywhere. Shadows stretched along the floor like arms waiting to grab someone.

I slowed down.

This place felt...wrong.

Too quiet.

She was hiding. I could feel it.

My footsteps were light. My ears strained for any noise. My hand stayed near my gun.

Then I saw something—a quick blur to my right.

I turned fast.

And just in time.

A metal pipe came swinging at my head.

I ducked. The air whooshed above me.

“Whoa!” I shouted, stepping back.

She stood there, pipe in hand, smirking like this was just a game. “Gotta keep things interesting,” she said.

I took a breath, steadying myself. “You know I have a gun, right?”

She tilted her head, raising a brow. “But you won’t use it.”

Damn it. She was right.

Before I could speak, she came at me.

I raised my arm, blocking the strike. Pain shot through me as the metal connected with my forearm. She was strong. Way stronger than she looked.

I grabbed the pipe and twisted it from her hands, throwing it aside.

But she didn’t back down. She swung at me again, this time with her fist. I moved just in time, caught her wrist, and twisted it behind her back.

“Game over,” I breathed out.

She laughed softly, her lips near my ear. “You sure about that?”

Then—pain exploded in my foot.

She stomped on it. Hard.

“Argh!” I loosened my grip. Just a little. But it was enough.

She slipped out, spun around, and before I could do anything, I felt something cold press against my chest.

I looked down.

Handcuffs?

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said.

Click.

They locked shut—around both of our wrists.

Raven grinned. “Looks like I win this round.”

I stared at her, stunned. My hand was cuffed to hers. She actually handcuffed us together.

She shrugged. “You wanted to catch me. Congrats.”

I let out a long sigh. “And now we’re stuck together.”

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Looks like we’ll be spending some quality time together, detective.”

This night just turned into a whole new nightmare.

To Be Continued...