Dangerously Falling

~ 1: Haden ~

Thump

Thump

Thump

My fists hit the punching bag repetitively as I danced around it, moving quickly as I struck the leather.

Sweat dripped down my forehead, going unnoticed as my knuckles continued to make contact with the rough material, and I could feel bruises start to form.

It was a typical Friday night. Underground in a dark basement, boxing with a faded red punching bag.

The gym door behind me swung open with a loud, "creak" and slammed back shut again. I didn't stop.

Thump

Thump

Thump

The punches got more aggressive as the sound of footsteps echoed through the almost empty room. I didn't look back, already knowing the person who entered.

"You should stop before you break your hands," a male voice spoke behind me.

I paused, allowing myself a single moment to breath, before continuing to strike at the beaten up bag.

"What do you want Haden," I growled, back still facing him.

"What? Can't a brother go see his little sister for no reason," he asked innocently.

I stopped, finally turning around to face time. It took me a moment to take in the fact that he was wearing a suit and tie, a major contrast to his usual basketball shorts and baggy t-shirts.

"Who are you and what have you done to my brother," I asked, stepping back from him.

He rolled his eyes, straightening his suit.

"I have a date tonight, and I really wanted to make a good impression," he explained. I nodded and looked at him with an expectant look, silently asking why the hell he had interrupted my training.

"Okay fine, I need a favor."

"Surprise, surprise," I said sarcastically.

"Oh shut up."

"You shut up."

"No, you shut up"

"I said it first."

"I was born first."

"I'll kick your ass first."

"At least I have an ass"

"Well you act like one to"

Our bickering continued for another minute before Haden gave up with an exasperated sigh. I gave a smug smile, and he, like the child he is, stuck his tongue out at me.

For a moment, everything seemed normal.

I snapped back into reality, as pain shot up my bleeding, bruised, and sore knuckles, through my wrist and up my arm. I walked over to the side of the room and grabbed the bandages sitting next to all my stuff, wrapping my hand in the thick cloth.

"What do you need," I asked my brother, who had decided to plop himself down next to me.

"Well.. um- uh.." he stammered, looking nervous. "I was wondering if i could borrow your car?"

I glared at him. "And why would you think I'd let you do that?! Jessie is my baby, and if I remember correctly, you nearly killed her while drunk driving. Not to mention the fact that you crashed your own car into a street lamp." Jessie was my silver jeep that I had spent 2 years saving up for. I'd be damned if anything happened to her.

"Jeez, you make it sound like I'm asking to sacrifice your newborn to Satan. I just need her to drive to and from my date. Please Aria.." He gave me the puppy dog face and I sighed. Grabbing my car keys, along with the rest of my stuff, I stood up.

"Fine, but you're driving me home first." He looked giddy with excitement as I tossed him the keys. We walked up a flight of stairs, entering the common room which was littered with people here and there.

I looked around, the feeling of family hugging me from the inside. Haden and I were abandoned by our father to the care of our mother, who promptly decided we weren't worth her time anymore and left to god knows where.

A year after her departure we started getting mysterious letters with cryptic notes and missing return addresses. Each letter contained a different address each time with a very specific time and date.

After a while, Haden and I decided that life couldn't get any worse than it already was, and started showing up to the addresses at the set date and time. It was the best decision we ever made.

We were recruited into a notorious gang who had stirred up whispers in the small town we resided in. At first we were hesitant, but as time passed, we had earned the trust of the other members, as well as them gaining our trust.

I snapped out of my memories as the gang leader, Alex, walked up to me.

"Aria, can I talk to you quickly?"

"Sure," I turned to Haden. "Go start the car, I'll be there in just a second."

Alex pulled me over to a quieter corner.

"I have a new mission. You remember the group that attacked us during last Thursday's shipment?" he asked, looking at me. "Well they took something of a friend of mine, and he said that if I can get it back to him, he'll give a pretty good reward."

I nodded, biting my lip. "So what's the catch?"

He looked at me sheepishly. "You're gonna need a partner."

"No."

"Please, it's a great reward, 200k, and-"

"No."

"Please Aria, you're the best person for this-"

"No."

"But you're our best female bait-"

"No. For the last time time Alex. I won't work with a partner. You know what happened last time I did."

"Yeah but-"

"No." I stated firmly.

He sighed. "Fine, but if you change your mind, please tell me."

He walked away, probably to go find another female bait.

Maybe Roxy would do it, she was pretty good. And willing to have a partner. My subconscious reminded me. I rolled my eyes.

Usually you only needed a partner for a mission if you were staying with the target for a long period of time, which meant you needed someone to have to communicate with at all times in case something went wrong and you needed to bail, or if the target starts to suspect if you're a bait.

Baits were important, especially the females. A bait could start an entire operation, get information, and depending on his/her skill level, could bring an entire operation down as well. They had to be smart, quick on their feet, and good at improvising.

Thankfully, being a bait meant not having to work close with anyone.

Unless you were just starting or physically incapable, baits were generally allowed to work alone.

Walking up a flight of stairs, I reached ground level, and walked into the parking lot where I could see Haden waiting with Jessie for me.

To an outsider, the base entrance probably just looked like a normal storage container on the side of a parking lot.

Haden unlocked the Jeep, and got into the driver's side. I walked around towards the passengers side, sliding myself in.

As we drove back towards our apartment, my eyelids started to feel heavy. My muscles sore from today's training. Leaning back slightly, I began to relax.

Then everything stopped for a second. I looked to my left, barely getting a glance as a car slammed into our side. My head hit the window, and everything went blurry for a second, then I was out.

~~~

So! First chapter! Let me know your thoughts and comments!