Chapter 9 - Encounter

I was waiting for my impending doom. Well,  I lied when I said I will do everything, but it depends on what he wants me to do. I cleared my throat waiting for Fitzgerald answer. He was looking at me, narrowing his eyes, contemplating his decision.

"I will give you a chance," he finally spoke. A wide grin appeared on my face.

"Really? You won't do anything to me?" I asked curiously. I want to know why he changed his mind.

"You want me to do something to you little tiger?" he leaned forward while smirking at me. I frowned. From hot to cold, I couldn't understand him. He changes his mood drastically.

"What are you thinking Sir?" I questioned.

"What are you thinking Miss Miller?" he questioned back while rubbing his chin. He was dodging my question!

"I'm thinking that you are a good employer, Sir. What about you Sir? I answer back your question," I challenged.

"I'm thinking you're an interesting woman, Miss Miller," his voice was cold as an arctic ocean. Well,  I know I'm interesting, but sorry Fitzgerald I'm not interested in you!

"Thank you, Sir, but I need to go,"

I stood up and walked away. I have no time in this nonsense conversation! Time is running and the more time I stayed here, the more time I'm wasting.

It was past six in the evening and I was in my apartment, lying down on the sofa, talking to Ellie on the phone. She was laughing at me when I told her what happened to me this morning especially on the pool part. But our discussion went serious when I showed her the envelope that I found in Fitzgerald study room.

"It was dated the day that Dad killed and the receiver was Sebastian Fitzgerald," I said while I was examining the envelope.

Ellie gave me an encouraging smile. I took a deep breath and withdrew the paper inside the envelope. I read it and my mind went into chaos.

"What does it said?" Ellie asked furrowing her brows.

"I don't understand Ellie. It says:

It is the last of the road,

The beginning of the rage,

In the middle of isolation,

Comes the first of the gates,

And in the centre of the fog,

Will be the end of the man," I read it to Ellie. She was twitching her lips.

"I don't understand either. It's like a riddle or something," she analyzed. I agreed, there must have something behind this context and I have to know what it is.

"Ellie, I've got to go. I remember, I still have things to do," I dismissed and hanged the phone. I stood up and went to my drawer beside my bed, placing the letter there.

At the bottom of my bed, lies behind a secret compartment. I opened it and all my valuables were there. I got the things that I will be needed in my mission. My 22mm calibre pistol or which I called baby glock. It is a small gun that can easily be concealed. My 9mm calibre pistol or my Big glock, I had brought it in Belize and I've been using it for five years in shooting range. Of course, I won't forget the ammo, the gun will be useless without them. And lastly but not least, the combat knives.  When it comes to survival, knives were convenient and easy to use.

All were ready and I changed my clothes to all black. From a black tank to a black leather jacket, black jeans, and black boots. Of course, It wouldn't complete without my black cap and a black mask to conceal myself. I tie my hair into a ponytail and kept my weapon hidden beneath my jacket with my shoulder holster. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

~~~~~~~~~~

I was standing, hiding behind the tree, looking over to my former two-story Mediterranean Style House. Screw it! I was expecting that nobody was guarding it but bloody hell I was wrong! Good thing there are too many trees, that I can camouflage to it.

I climbed at one of the trees, quiet as a mouse and studied the place. Two men were guarding the entrance with riffles on their hands. Crap! I'm brave, but not a fool to go that way. Sweats cover my face and I brushed it with the back of my hands.

I closed my eyes and concentrate, thinking what would I do next. Then an idea struck me. I jumped down the tree silently and drifted to the bushes while the guards were busy talking. I crept down until I reach the end of the bushes.  The moment I'm sure that I'm out of their vicinity, I walked around the house.

After a few minutes of struggle, I was able to reach the back of the house. I advance my way to the pool but damn it! Another man was guarding!

I darted towards the nearest tree without noise and climbed at it again. I assessed the man, and he was lean and about my height. I can take him down!

I whistled to get his attention and  I succeeded.

"Who is there?" he asked fiercely. I continued whistling and he was following the sound.

The moment he was right below me, I plunged at his back and hammered his head with the back of my gun. He collapses and I breathe out. Sweats trickled down my face, and my heart was pounding loud in my chest.

I need to tie him down and gagged him up. I smiled wickedly as I saw a hose near the pool. Heaven was on my side this time.

I pulled him behind the. My goodness, he is heavy. I tied him tightly and gagged him with his clothes.

All was clear. I shuffled to the back door and my body was paralyzed! For heaven's sake! Another guard, not just one, but two. My impulse escalates and I dashed outside. I paused and tried to catch a breath, hiding behind the wall.

There's no other way to go inside but to climb up the window. Hesitation was on my mind but no! I won't back down! Quitting was never in my vocabulary.

Slowly I breathe in and out as I crawled up to the window. My knees were trembling and my hands were clammy.

'Relax Gab, if you don't want to end up dead because of falling', I told myself.

I was almost twelve feet above the ground and I just need a little step to reach the window. I moved forward but my other feet suddenly slide down. Bloody hell! My stomach knotted and throbbing pain course to my left leg. I gritted my teeth as I instantly grabbed at the window sill. I move forward until I was able to open the window and squeezed myself in. I need a full body massage after this.

A dark room approached me upon entering. I know this room, it was the study room of my Dad. I was breathing hard while I bent down. My hands were quivering and I close my eyes trying to control my breathing. As I regained my strength, I stood up and rushed to the desk.

I turn on the flashlight and opened the drawer. I scanned every folder and envelope that I found. There was nothing.

Then I went to the bookshelf. One by one, I checked the book and one book caught my eyes. The black one hiding at the back of the other books. I got it and placed it inside my jacket.

I was engaged in finding evidence when the doorknob clicked. My eyes widen and I rushed behind the shelf as I retrieve my gun. I can hear my heart thump intensely when the door burst open.

Footsteps can be heard coming closer. I sneaked at the man who owns it and damn, he was big. I took a deep breath as I loaded my gun. He paused and looked at the open window. Without wasting the opportunity, I surprised him and shoot him in his arm.

"Fuck!" he growled and shoot back at me. I dodge it by leaping on the floor. I can hear more footsteps coming outside the room. I fired at him at the last time and plunged to the open window. Holding on the window sills, I crawled down as fast as I can. Adrenaline rush into my vein and I realized I was already on the ground.

Rain starts to pour as same as my enemies.

"Don't shoot her," the man shouted.

I run into the trees and they were after me. My legs were wobbly and painful but I didn't slow down. You won't shoot me,  but I will shoot you. I fired at them.

I stumbled a shaking step, but manage to keep moving. I was soaked in the rain and my vision was blurry. My pulse pounds at my temples,  but I push myself to kept running. I was breathing hard but I can't stop here.

A flickering light appeared and I breathed out, my refuge. I hide my gun and bent down on my knees while I called the cab.

Thank God. I'm safe, for now.

~End of Chapter 9~