Project Mercy

Chapter 9

When the guy had fully entered the room, Nat had introduced him to be her boyfriend, Gabriel. He seemed to be a controlling character which caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up, but I trusted her judgement.

" Just to clarify, you did turn up here without warning," She declares pointing at me in a confirming manner. I raise my eyebrows still smirking at her attempt to distract me from the fact that she was hooking up with this guy.

"Well as soon as you help me out with my problem, you'll be able to carry on your...encounters with Gabriel."

Gabriel seems to perk up at this as he moves further towards the edge of the sofa, "Don't forget that Graycen is coming round in a bit, so whatever 'help' M needs will either have to be done now or after he has left."

At the sound of his name, my heart starts to beat quicker than normal, and my hands become clammy. They couldn't be talking about the same Graycen...could they? I mean, it would be impossible as it meant that Natalia was still in the life of guns and violence, which defeats the whole purpose of getting her out in the first place.

While Nat and Gabriel talked about something or another, I immediately start to plan what I was going to do if it was him. I couldn't possibly jump out of a seven-story building, that would indeed be suicide and it would be a tad dramatic. I guess I'd have to suck it up and play along if it is him.

Suddenly someone clicks their fingers in front of my face causing me to jump in surprise, my attention now on Gabriel who had previously clicked. I scowl at him as he smiles, " Am I boring you M?"

"Of course you did, with a voice like yours who wouldn't?" I gave him a curt smile tilting my head, God I hated his guts. Cocky s**t. His smile soon disappeared at my remark, as he retreated into his awkward position on the sofa with his phone now in his hands.

" Is it alright if we sort your problem out after Graycen has left? He'll probably be here in a few minutes anyway," Nat smiles, grabbing a jumper from the back of the sofa.

"Alright," I slightly smile, taking the backpack off my shoulders, but leaving it in the same place. I couldn't risk these vials getting in the wrong hands, and this guy looked pretty sketchy to me. Plus if it is Graycen who is coming, then I definitely need it close by.

"So, where'd you guys meet?" I ask trying to fill the defining silence of the room. I watched as Graycen's eyes lifted from his phone, darting his eyes to Nat who shifted uncomfortably while looking back at Graycen. I frown, the two seemed to be having a mental conversation through rather odd facial expressions. I sigh, "It's not a hard question guys."

Gabriel looks back at me with an unsure expression, " We met-" Nat suddenly cuts him off, her staring at me intently, probably wanting me to believe her lie." at a...club!"

" Sure, alright. We'll go with that," I nod disbelieving, their postures relax as the loud ring of the doorbell echoes through the apartment.

"I'll get that" Nat shouts, jumping up from the chair but is stopped when Gabriel stands up making his way to the door, " No.Sit, I'll get it."

Nat slowly sits back on the sofa holding a blank expression as she stares at the floor. I knew that look too well, " Are you alright?" I ask, shifting closer to the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going on but unexpectedly Nat smiles crossing her arms, "I'm fine."

I nod, still frowning in confusion, as footsteps from the hallway get louder and louder. I stretch my arms, nervous to see if this guy was actually my Graycen. The minute I saw those green eyes round the corner into the living room I shrugged my bag back onto my back, ready to run. I may not have a plan but I'm confident that I would be able to get out of here if needed, we'll just have to see where this is heading.

I watch as Graycen turns his head away from Graycen making direct eye contact with me. I gulp as a small smile makes its way onto his smug face, I look to his stomach where a couple of hours ago, a bullet had lodged inside. 

Surprisingly, there was no blood, no bandages, no nothing, he was absolutely fine. Apart of me wants to sigh in relief because he was clearly alright, but my other part of me wants to strangle him, as he made me think he was dying. The way he pleaded me to stay, the way he pretended to hurt, all just made me mad. This is why I have trust issues, you can't trust people nowadays they're all very what's the word? Deceitful? Yes, deceitful is a perfect word for it.

"Graycen, this is M. M this is Graycen," Nat introduces us, not knowing our chaotic past. I stand, mischievously walking towards him, " Pleasure" I say, holding my hand out to him. He hums still smirking and takes my hand, shaking it in a tight grip.

I look back to Nat who talks quietly to Gabriel, " I better get going Nat, it's getting late." The clock on the wall behind them read seven o'clock which meant that it was getting dark which is perfect to hide from the various people who are after me, including this specimen standing before me who still hasn't let go of my hand.

"But, I thought you needed my help," She replies confused. "Yes, yes I do but I'm afraid I need to get going, we'll speak soon," I say pulling my hand away from Graycen's who now stares stone-faced at Gabriel, who shrugs at him. Okay, I really do need to get out of here, something is definitely going on and I am probably in the mix of that something.

"It was nice meeting you Graycen," I uttered side-stepping Graycen making my way to the front door.

"Hold on! Let me see you out," Nat declares practically running towards me. I nod walking with her to the bolted door. She unlocks it and pops her head out of the door checking for anyone in the corridor, "All clear."

I step out the door turning back, "I'll be back" I announce.

"Promise?" Nat holds out her pinky wiggling it in a childish manner, I laugh. " Somethings never change huh?"

"You'd be surprised," she smiles as I link my pinky with hers. "I promise," I smile sincerely, letting go. I walked down the corridor making my escape and heard a small bang which told me she had gone back inside. Hopefully, she won't stab me in the back and tell him what my plan was, I had faith in what is left of our friendship, and I am willing to bet that she wouldn't snitch.