Two weeks later, the mission began.
The sun sat high over the university campus. Students poured out through the main gate, laughing, shouting, chatting with their friends. Cars honked as they passed in front of the school.
Daniel sat in a black car not far from the crossing. He wore a black hoodie and simple jeans. Nothing about him looked rich or dangerous.
In his right ear, a tiny earpiece buzzed to life.
"Target in sight," a woman's voice said calmly. "White top. Blue jeans. Backpack. She's walking out with a female friend. No security with her."
The voice belonged to Mara, Daniel's handler.
Daniel's eyes moved to the gate.
He saw her immediately.
Amara Williams.
In real life, she looked even more alive than in the picture. She was laughing at something her friend said. Her hands moved when she talked. She looked like someone who believed the future was bright.
"Got her," Daniel replied quietly.
"Remember," Mara said, "you are just a stranger today. A small accident. Nothing major. Make an impression, not a disaster."
Daniel started the car and slowly rolled forward.
Amara's friend turned off to the left. Amara waved, then stepped toward the road alone, checking her phone as she walked.
Perfect opening.
Daniel pressed his foot down a little harder on the pedal.
The car sped up just enough.
At the last moment, he slammed the brakes.
The screech of tires cut through the air.
Amara froze, eyes wide, as the car stopped just in front of her. She stumbled backward, her phone slipping from her hand and falling to the ground.
"HEY!" she shouted, her heart pounding loudly.
Daniel quickly opened the door and jumped out.
"I'm so sorry!" he said, hands raised. "Are you okay? I didn't see you. I swear I didn't see you."
Amara put a hand on her chest, trying to calm her breathing.
"What is wrong with you?" she snapped. "Are you blind? You almost hit me!"
People around the gate turned to look. Some whispered. Some watched in interest.
Daniel looked embarrassed.
"I know, I know," he said. "I'm an idiot. This is my fault. Are you hurt anywhere?"
She tried to move her right foot.
Pain shot through her ankle.
"Ow," she winced.
Daniel noticed the way she flinched.
"Your ankle?" he asked. "Did you twist it?"
"I'm fine," she said quickly.
She tried to walk away, but her steps were uneven. Her ankle failed her, and she grabbed the side of the car to keep from falling.
Daniel stepped closer, but kept a bit of distance.
"Please," he said. "Let me take you to a clinic or hospital. This is my mistake. I should be the one to fix it."
Amara gave him a doubtful look.
"And if you're a kidnapper?" she asked.
He let out a small, dry laugh.
"If I wanted to kidnap you, there are easier ways than almost killing you in public in front of a school gate," he said. "I really am just a bad driver at the moment."
Her lips twitched, just slightly.
She sighed.
"Fine," she said. "But if you try anything, I'll scream, bite, scratch and jump."
"I fully believe that," Daniel answered.
He helped her into the car carefully. She watched him silently now, still suspicious but less angry.
He moved around and got into the driver's seat.
"What's your name?" she asked suddenly.
"Daniel," he said. "Daniel King. And you?"
"Amara," she replied.
He pretended to hear it for the first time.
"That's a nice name," he said. "Sorry my car tried to kill you, Amara."
She rolled her eyes and looked out of the window.
"Just drive," she muttered.
He drove her to a private clinic nearby. He waited while a doctor examined her ankle and confirmed it was only a sprain, not a break.
Daniel paid the bill at the reception without making a big show out of it.
Later, he took her home.
That was when he finally saw the Williams family house in person. High walls. Strong gates. Guards at the entrance. Cameras at every corner.
One of the guards stepped forward.
"Who is this?" he asked.
"Just someone who almost turned me into a pancake," Amara said dryly. "He brought me to the clinic."
The guard studied Daniel for a moment, then stepped aside.
"Thank you for helping her," he said shortly.
Daniel nodded.
"No problem," he replied. "I'm glad she's okay."
Amara turned to him.
"So," she said. "We've had an accident, a hospital trip, and now you know where I live. If you see me again somewhere in this city… it better be by real coincidence."
He smiled a little.
"I'll try my best," he said.
She walked through the gate.
The guard closed it behind her.
Daniel stood there for a few seconds, then turned and walked back to his car.
In his ear, Mara's voice returned.
"Good job," she said. "You have her attention now. Step one complete."
Daniel got into the car and gripped the steering wheel.
"Yeah," he answered.
But as he replayed the look of fear on Amara's face and the pain in her eyes when she moved her ankle, something uneasy shifted in his chest.
He told himself it was nothing.
It was just the mission.
It always started this way.