Episode 13: The First Assignment
980 Words
The word still echoed in my mind.
“Then you’re mine.”
I should have been scared.
I was.
But something else burned inside me now.
Something stronger.
Determination.
If this was a game…
I wasn’t going to be a pawn.
The next morning felt different.
Not quieter.
Not calmer.
Heavier.
Like something was about to happen.
I stepped into the main hall.
And immediately knew—
It already had.
“Good,” Alexey’s voice cut through the silence. “You’re awake.”
I turned.
He stood near the table.
Dressed in black.
Cold.
Controlled.
Always controlled.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“A test.”
My heart skipped.
“Another one?” I said bitterly.
“This one matters.”
Silence.
“What do I have to do?” I asked.
He watched me carefully.
“Deliver something.”
That sounded too simple.
“To who?”
“Sergei.”
My breath caught.
No.
“That’s not a test,” I said slowly. “That’s a trap.”
“Yes.”
He didn’t even deny it.
My chest tightened.
“And you’re sending me anyway?”
His eyes didn’t waver.
“Yes.”
Silence.
Heavy.
“Why?” I whispered.
“Because he asked for you.”
My stomach dropped.
Of course he did.
“And you agreed?” I asked, disbelief rising.
“He’ll come after you either way,” Alexey said calmly. “This way… we control it.”
Control.
Always control.
“And if I refuse?”
His expression hardened.
“You won’t.”
Anger flared inside me.
“You don’t get to decide that!”
His eyes darkened.
“No,” he said quietly. “But you already did.”
Silence.
He was right.
I chose this.
I stepped into this.
Now I have to face it.
“What am I delivering?” I asked.
He placed a small black box on the table.
“This.”
I stared at it.
Simple.
Small.
Dangerous.
“What’s inside?” I asked.
“That’s not your concern.”
“Everything is my concern now.”
Silence.
Then—
“Information.”
That didn’t help.
“About what?”
His eyes locked onto mine.
“About him.”
My heart skipped.
So this is a game between them.
And I’m the messenger.
Or the bait.
Probably both.
“You’ll go alone,” he added.
“No.”
The word came out instantly.
His jaw tightened.
“You said you wanted to be part of this.”
“I didn’t say I wanted to die.”
Silence.
“You won’t die,” he said.
“You can’t promise that.”
His eyes didn’t waver.
“I can try.”
That again.
Always try.
Never promise.
I took a deep breath.
Think.
If I say no…
He’ll still send me.
If I say yes…
At least I’m prepared.
“Fine,” I said finally.
His expression didn’t change.
“Good.”
Of course.
“Be ready in ten minutes,” he added.
“And if this goes wrong?” I asked.
His eyes darkened slightly.
“It won’t.”
That’s not an answer.
Ten minutes later…
I stood outside.
Alone.
The car waiting.
My heart racing.
This is insane.
“Last chance to back out.”
I turned.
Alexey.
Standing behind me.
Watching.
“Are you giving me a choice now?” I asked.
“No.”
Of course not.
“Then why say that?”
Silence.
Then—
“Because once you get in that car…”
He stepped closer.
“…there’s no turning back.”
My breath caught.
I looked at him.
Really looked.
For a moment—
He didn’t look like a monster.
Just… someone carrying too much.
“Why me?” I asked one last time.
Silence.
Long.
Then—
“Because he wants to break me.”
My heart skipped.
“And I’m the way to do that?” I whispered.
His eyes locked onto mine.
“Yes.”
Honest.
Brutal.
I nodded slowly.
“Then I won’t break.”
Something flickered in his eyes.
Respect?
Maybe.
“Good,” he said quietly.
Then—
He opened the car door.
I got in.
No hesitation.
No turning back.
The drive felt longer than it was.
My thoughts louder than ever.
What if this is the end?
No.
Stop.
Focus.
The car stopped.
I looked up.
Dark building.
Familiar.
The same place.
“Here we are,” the driver said.
My heart pounded.
I stepped out.
Alone.
Again.
The doors opened.
And he was there.
Waiting.
Sergei.
His eyes locked onto mine instantly.
And he smiled.
Slow.
Cold.
Like he had been expecting this.
“Well,” he said softly…
“…you came.”
My heart pounded.
“I didn’t have much choice.”
He chuckled.
“There’s always a choice.”
Not in this world.
I stepped forward.
Held out the box.
“I have something for you.”
He didn’t take it.
Instead—
He stepped closer.
Too close.
“And I have something for you,” he said quietly.
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
His smile widened.
“The truth.”
My breath caught.
“About what?” I whispered.
His eyes darkened.
“About why you were really brought here.”
Silence.
My heart stopped.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He leaned closer.
So close I couldn’t breathe.
“You think this is about revenge?” he whispered.
A chill ran down my spine.
“It’s not.”
My heart pounded wildly.
“Then what is it?” I asked.
His smile faded.
“It’s about you.”
Everything stopped.
What…?
Before I could react—
A loud noise.
Gunshot.
I gasped.
Everything exploded into chaos.
And in that moment—
I realized something terrifying—
This was never just a delivery.
It was an ambush.
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