Ben could feel his heart pounding as he made my way through the darkened alley.
Quickly making his way to the place he was told, Ben went over the events that happened only mere hours ago.
x
"You need to disable a bomb. But we have no idea who it's been set by. We've sent you the location. Be careful."
Ben gave his reply, and cautiously hurried to the location he was told. When he got to the abandoned area, there was no sign that it had been disturbed.
But, he saw a piece of something glinting in the shadows, and inched his way towards it.
It was in fact something like a bomb; a timer set on it, counting away the time.
Ben worked quickly, cutting some wires, and effectively disabling it. The ticking time halted. But something didn't seem right.
Then, the contraption made a noise, and a code showed on the miniature screen.
Ben was puzzled, but started to decipher the code in his head.
He let out a gasp at what it deciphered to.
"Meet me in that one alley. I'll explain then. See you there.- Ice Queen"
"Erica set this up? She knew that they would send me for something like this…But something doesn't add up," Ben thought.
"Still...apparently six years hasn't changed anything about her," Ben whispered.
x
Something still didn't seem right with all of this. Ben knew even Erica wouldn't try something like this, something that had high risks if it went wrong.
Ben heard the tiniest whisper of a footstep, and was jolted back into the present.
His skills had definitely improved since he'd seen Erica last, and he was almost sure that that was a small slip up made by Erica just now.
He stood still for a moment.
He didn't hear anything. Yet, the air felt different...
Within a second, he was flattened to the cold ground, an arm at his throat.
But a very familiar smell fluttered through the air.
Lilacs and gunpowder.
Only one person can ever smell that way.
Erica.
Ben stilled and made no movement as he looked up into the face he hasn't seen for years.
"Erica," he breathed out.
Erica smiled, as sly as a cat.
She removed herself from her position and helped Ben up.
Erica looked as beautiful as ever. Silky black hair flowing down her back, dark eyes taking in everything, and her presence in general, taking a strong air.
Looking at her again, any doubts cleared from his mind.
"You know, I didn't expect to see you again," Ben got out.
There was a brief second where Ben could swear Erica's eyes looked dark and confused, but it was gone just as fast.
"And why is that?" She asked softly.
"Well, I don't know," Ben said, not being able to think of a better response.
Erica gave a breathy laugh, and Ben suddenly cleared his throat.
"Well, Erica, you must have a reason to ask for me to meet you. Especially because of the lengths you went to for it. Setting a bomb? And then giving an anonymous tip to the CIA about it just to get them to send me...It's completely you though," Ben finished off.
"Right. If I'm being honest, there isn't much of a reason. Just needed to let you know you'll probably be sent on a huge mission next month, and also that I'll probably never see you again," Erica said calmly.
Suddenly shocked, Ben stuttered, "Are you telling me I'm going to die on the mission? And how do you know? Well, actually you probably hacked something or stole something, so don't answer that."
"Pretty much. Of course, if you're a better Spy than you were years ago, then maybe not. Also, I obviously have my ways."
Ben shook his head incredulously.
Erica laughed again, a sound Ben wasn't expecting more of.
The laugh had a twinge of darkness to it though.
"I'm just kidding, Ben. That's not the real reason. I just wanted to see if you were any better than me now," she said smirking.
The air now seemed charged with energy.
Something felt off.
In a flash, Ben was pinned against the wall, Erica laughing as she stared him down.
Ben gaped at her, struggling to move.
"I guess you didn't get the memo," she chuckled.
"I'm the bad guy now."