Wild Flower

y's

stepped out first, his shoulders tense, every step deliberate. I followed,

apartment," I sai

ied curtly. "

ng a keycard from his pocket. A soft beep soun

ike the sleek modernity of his

lined one wall, displaying live feeds from various camera angles. The furniture was

om," he said dryly, loc

red, taking in the co

be comforting. It's

. I stood awkwardly in the center of the roo

ou, or is this just a special occasion?"

, his eyes fixed

lio

and, his jaw tighteni

. "What do you mea

s. A figure was moving in the sh

etective Cain

o a thin line. "No. This

w, the power flickered, and t

rgency lights bathed the room

ot ordered, his v

I will,"

sion sharp as a blade. "Thi

someone's trying to kill us, I'm not just g

ation evident. "Fine. Stay clo

you," I

et. It looked like a smartphone, but when he tapped the sc

nly one,"

e w

lant.

an you

t suggested I should

ick enough to choke on. My heart pounded

, or are we winging

ied, his tone m

. "Great. Love a

d bang echoed through the room.

epeated, stepping

m, following

nd of footsteps grew louder. Whoeve

o stay back as he moved

my breath shallow. Then, out of t

t!" I

the assailant lung

omething familiar about his movements. Elliot dodged hi

utal and efficient, both of them moving with

stake. He turned slightly, e

art s

spered, my voic

enough. Elliot took advantage, knocking him to th

liot demanded, his

swer, but his eye

ice muffled by the mask

rdered, pressing the barrel o

ctantly, the

Detecti

back, my m

red. "Why are y

xpression pained. "It'

ain," Elli

, then back at me.

said, his finger tigh

stepping forward.

ed, his gaze f

m?" he asked

ted. "But I w

his stance remained tense. "You've go

ard, his eyes ne

he wasn't who you thought

oward Elliot, whose

re you talking a

per wasn't just an artist. She was a sp

in the air like

, my chest tighten

e was answ