Chased

FLASHBACK

Dad got up and went to answer it. Everybody was tense, I could feel it. When dad returned he was followed by two men dressed in casual wear. They both looked at me and took out their badges and showed it to me. I tensed it was the police that got me in to this mess could I really trust these people. Mum and my brothers made space for them to sit and everyone else arranged themselves in the sitting area. I stared at my mug not knowing how to start. One of the FBI agent was an old man who had a kind smile the other was about mid 30’s and was very serious looking. The old man introduced himself as George and the other as Mark. He then asked me my name. I told him that my name was  Piper Collin, that I am 20 years old and was currently employed at a law firm as an intern. I continued by saying that I don’t mean to come out as rude but I would like to tell the tale before I lose the courage to do so. They asked me if they could record what I say. I nodded in reply. He pulled out the recorder and told me to start by introducing myself. I repeated what I had said before and then started to narrate what happened.

It was three weeks back, I had gone early in the morning to work. I stopped at a coffee shop to get a bagel and then walked towards the firm. On the way I had noticed a guy and a girl who was his girlfriend getting on a bike carrying a small box, the box seemed heavy and the girl even told her boyfriend that it was. He commented that the heavier it was the better. I didn’t pay much heed to whatever else they were saying but I did notice that he had his hands bandaged and that the girl had a butterfly tattoo on the inside of her right arm. I got to work 10 minutes early so I started with the task that Ms. Wyatt gave me. I was engrossed in it when Lucas another intern asked me if I could go get a package from the front desk for Mr. Hugh. I didn’t mind as I wanted to stretch my legs so I went downstairs and as I was asking Marvin I noticed the same girl and guy coming into the building. They walked up to the front desk and handed the package over and told the attendant to give it to Mr. Wong who is the CEO of the firm. After handing it over they walked out of the building and took off on their bike. I took the package I had and gave to Lucas and went back to work. Usually mail and packages get delivered after lunch however today it was delivered right as everyone was about to leave. I walked out saying bye to Marvin my friend at the front desk and as I rounded a corner I nearly ran into the pair from earlier that day. As I passed them and walked on I heard them talking how the police were going to find Mr. Wong in pieces when the timer goes off. I felt a shiver run down my spine. I turned around to walk back towards the office, I knew I had to warn everyone inside, from the couple’s choice of words I guessed it was a bomb but before I even made it to the front of the building I heard the explosion. People were screaming, the entire top floors were up in fire and smoke. I stood there staring up at the flames for I don’t know how long. I tried to move but my eyes were glued to burning building.    

The wailing sirens of a police cruiser brought me out of my reverie. Few minutes later firemen showed up and more policemen. The police rounded everyone and started asking questions. A police officer named Gina asked me if I saw what happened. I told her I didn’t see actually what happened but that I knew it was a bomb that caused the explosion. She asked me how I knew, I went on to reply that I knew because the people who planted the bomb were talking about how the police would only find pieces of Mr. Wong once the timer goes off. She asked me if I got a good look, I said I had and so she took me to the police station where I had to sit down with a sketch artist and describe both their features. I did tell them about the tattoo as well, that was on the inside of the girls arm.

 After that I was dropped off home. Neither of my parents nor siblings were home so I took a shower and tried to get some sleep when police officer Gina called me on my cell and told me that they caught the girl however they didn’t catch the guy. She told me that she wanted to place me immediately in witness protection and place me in a safe house. She told me that he was a hacker and a science genius who knew how to make nitrogen bombs and that I wasn’t safe considering if he finds out I gave the information to the police. I told her that it was late and I didn’t have the strength to do anything so she said that she would arrange the transfer early next morning. After I got the call I was restless and couldn’t sleep so I took a sleeping pill. 

When I woke up the next morning it was around 6.00, it was quiet in the house as everyone else was sleeping still. I packed an overnight bag with required necessities. I called officer Gina who said that they were on their way and to wait inside till they arrived. About 20 minutes later someone knocked on the door, I asked who it was and once I knew it was Gina I let her in. She explained to me that they were going to have to blind fold me for this to work. I nodded not too enthusiastic about being deprived of sight. She pulled a black bag over my head and walked me to the truck waiting outside. Once in the car Gina kept on talking to the driver giving instructions in Italian I think but I was too panicked to listen. We drove for I don’t know how long but after what seemed forever we stopped. They parked the car and got me out, the moment my shoes touched the floor there was residing echo which led me to believe we were in an enclosed underground parking area. 

 They made me walk a bit and stop, I heard the ping of an elevator door. I was led inside and we were moving upwards I had guessed. Once the elevator stopped they led me through a series of hallways and finally they took off the bag. Gina opened the door using a key card and then handed it to me. I followed her inside. It was the penthouse of one of the hotels in god knows where.