Stitches and Burns

Chapter 19: May 31, 1999

I woke up later. My vision was blurry. I tried to move my hands and legs but I was tied to a chair. I could feel my ears empty, they got my comms.

I looked straight and saw a blurry figure sitting across me.

Chase: Is he up?

Clair: Yes, he is.

I suddenly felt a big wave of water hit my face. My eyes opened up and I was wide awake.

Harlan: FOR FUCK'S SAKE!

I spit out some of the water and looked at Clair, my coat on one arm, as she walked beside her sister Chase.

Chase: That's the guy?

Clair: Yup.

Chase looked at me. Chase in her crimson suit, her green eyes, short hair, a mix of blond and copper, and a look that looks so beautiful yet so sinister and... familiar?

Chase: Not that bad, I'll give you that.

Chase dragged a chair in front of me.

Chase: Hey, look at me.

Chase held my face by the cheeks and turned it to get a good look at my face.

Chase: You grew up well.

Harlan: Sorry but, who the hell are you?

Clair: Harlan, meet my sister Chase Delvey.

Chase let go and sat back on her chair.

Chase: Harlan Harlan Harlan, Clair told me all about you. I would honestly love to sit here and chat, but we're kinda busy right now, so let's cut to the chase.

Chase leaned in.

Chase (whisper): How many agents are here?

Chase leaned back.

Harlan: What?

Chase: C'mon, we know you didn't come alone. Right here, tonight, in the building, how many are there?

Harlan: Oh piss off.

Chase: Just give us a number. C'mon, and I'll let you go. Fair?

I looked at Chase, then at Clair. Clair tried to hide it but her face was confused... and scared. Something was wrong. Not with me.

Something was up with Chase.

Clair: Harlan, just tell her now.

I looked back at Chase and smiled.

Harlan: I have no idea what you are talking about.

Chase sighed and a large amount of pain hit me as Chase stabbed me at the shoulder with a dagger.

Clair: CHASE!

Chase: HOW MANY?

Harlan: ZERO... BITCH-

Chase twisted the blade deeper in.

Harlan: FOR CHRIST'S SAKE-

Clair: CHASE STOP!

Chase pulled out the dagger and I started bleeding out. Clair rushed to me and she put pressure on my wound.

Clair: Damn it, Harlan.

A gun loaded. Clair turned back to Chase, who was aiming her gun at me.

Clair: Chase...

Chase: Five.

Clair: Chase, put the gun down.

Chase: Get out of the way. Four.

Clair: Chase, we need him-

Chase: Three.

Clair: Think of what he can get us, think of it-

Chase: TWO.

Clair: CHASE!

Chase: ONE!

Clair: DAMN IT CHASE, HE'S A T.H.E.P.A. AGENT! THINK ABOUT IT.

Chase stopped.

Clair: Think of what T.H.E.P.A. has that we don't. Think of what they can do now that we won't be able today and tomorrow.

I looked at Chase, she was thinking.

Clair: Our inside man told us our mole was compromised. We need him.

Chase lowered the gun.

Chase: Patch him up. I'll talk to him alone. Five minutes.

Chase walked out the room and me and Clair were left alone.