Chapter 19

"Looks infected." comments the auburn haired man, which earns him an annoyed glare from the brunette. While on their way to Leaf's contact, Gary and Leaf have been hiding out in different areas. They've managed to avoid more guards, but Leaf warns that their luck will soon run out.

"No shit. No wonder why you never became a detective." Gary presses tightly on the wound, which makes Leaf wince. "Didn't I warn you that I'd kill you if you try that again?" She snaps at the smirking man.

"You need me right now." he knowingly tells her as he continues to clean the wound.

"Not really."

"Then why am I still alive?" The only reason Gary has kept Leaf alive is because he needs her. As much as he hates to admit it, Leaf may be his only way of escaping the Hayden Family for good, and she's a much better fighter than him.

"Cuz you're cute."

"I know." winks the man. The two have realized that the other is a constant flirt, which could be why they get along pretty well. They both understand that it's just meaningless flirting, so they're able to communicate without any misunderstandings. Gary soon finishes wrapping the wound. "Who's your contact anyway?"

Leaf smirks at him as she puts her jacket back on, but something falls out of one of the pockets. "An assassin never reveals her secrets."

Gary and Leaf look down at the fallen white object where Gary frowns. Daisy. "Why do you even have that?"

Although Leaf would rather pick it up to hide away in her pocket again, she feels like she can't do that anymore. Not with this man looking at her like that. It's not like he looks vengeful and angry, but rather he looks extremely sad and hurt. "I have souvenirs of all my victims." She tries to nonchalantly say because assassins aren't supposed to have feelings.

"She never carried daisies on her." For all Gary remembers, his sister wasn't a plant person, so this flower definitely cannot be hers.

Leaf walks away from the flower and Gary. "I forgot to grab something from her, so now I have daisies."

Once Leaf leaves the room, Gary lets out his angry breath as he unclenches his fists he hadn't realized he was clenching. After these past couple of days on the run with Leaf, he had grown comfortable around her. However, he's now reminded that she is still the same person-no monster-who killed his sister. Her calm tone just now proves that she's nothing more than a monster. When all of this is over, Gary will make sure Leaf never hurts another person again.

Outside, Leaf had gone to a secluded area nearby to think. Why had she held onto that dying flower? It's the same one she was supposed to leave once she killed that detective, but since that failed, Leaf had been holding the flower in her pocket since. Why hadn't she dumped it yet?

Chuckling to herself, Leaf knows the answer. It's because her cold heart still feels guilt. Guilt for everyone of her innocent killings. She's had to kill innocent spouses and children just because she was ordered to. But when she willingly killed Daisy Oak, Leaf did it due to knowing that Matthew doesn't like witnesses. Even though it almost resulted in Leaf's death herself, Matthew hates having witnesses more.

Leaf fights back the tears glossing her eyes. Right now is not the time to feel emotions. Besides, she's supposed to be a stone-cold assassin. So what if she kills innocent people? It's her job to kill people anyway, and she's good at it too.

Taking a deep breath, Leaf levels her breathing. Maybe she'll allow Gary to kill her after all of this is over? She really doesn't like killing innocent people anymore, and she wants to escape this life. Growing up as a poor orphan, Leaf has been involved in a lot of crime, but she wants to stop. She wants to live an honest life now away from all of this guilt. However, she knows that'll be hard, and she should pay for her sins. Therefore, Gary can take her life. He's the most fitting person to do it because she killed his sister without orders from Matthew.

Smirking sadly at the ground, Leaf has realized she flirts a lot to hide her pain. Maybe that's what Gary does too? Maybe they're pretty similar? All the more reason she should allow him to kill her. She's caused him so much pain, and he's already helped her a lot. Granted, he only did so because he needs her to escape the Family, but Leaf wants to stop feeling guilty. Someone like her really never belonged in this world to begin with.

Before she can continue dwelling in her self-pity, Leaf says, "You're not very discreet."

Walking out from the shadows, a black haired man with one hand smirks. "You took my arm, so I'm gonna take your life."

Leaf turns to face him as a grin dances on her face. "I know you're out there, Lucas."

Soon, a masked man enters the area from a different direction. With his arms crossed over his chest, he glares at Leaf. "Of course we can't hide anything from you."

Winking at them, Leaf replies, "I am the best." She then smirks at Jimmy. "Ready to lose your other arm?"

Assassins are good at keeping their emotions at bay during attacks, but Jimmy is very irked. This is personal, and he knows Leaf only kept him alive as a message to the Hayden Family. Jimmy hates being used as a tool. "I'm gonna wipe that smirk off your face." Jimmy growls while pointing his gun at her.

"Tsk. Tsk. Jimmy Boy. You know guns and your weak left hand are nothing for me."

"It's fine." Jimmy snickers and he shoots the gun as Lucas stealthily moves towards the woman.

Coordinators Interior Design

When Dawn had walked into work on Monday morning, Kenny had hugged her tightly, much to Zoey's confusion. Barry always shows up late, so he still has no idea what is going on. During lunch, Kenny had asked Dawn for more details on Paul and her situation, but she had told him "no need to worry!"

Obviously, Kenny worries; however, he knows he can't force Dawn to tell him anything. Fortunately, their years of friendship has allowed him to be able to read her without her having to say anything. Despite Kenny hating this conclusion, he can tell that Dawn really is okay with that purple haired brute. It irks him, especially since she keeps blushing when she thinks about that gangster. Kenny needs to make his move soon before some asshole gets Dawn's heart again. She deserves better than those shitty men she's always attracted to.

When Dawn's cell rings, she steps out into the hallway because she knows her coworkers won't like this caller. "Hello, Junior!" Dawn happily greets into the phone.

"Hello, Dawn!" Junior's chipper voice rings through the other end. "The construction on the room is basically completed! We just need to wait on the plumbing to finish, but the main office is done. Did you want to meet up as we finish planning the office?"

"Of course, Junior! What works for you?"

"How about Friday evening?"

"Friday evening sounds perfect!"

"Great! See you then!" Junior then hangs up, and Dawn grins. Even though everyone keeps warning her about him, he seems very professional. Besides, now she has another chance to infiltrate the mansion in search of that Ash guy.

That evening, Dawn is the last one to leave the office as she prepares to walk down the three blocks to Paul's car. She'll have to tell him about her meeting with Junior this Friday, but Dawn isn't so scared since she knows Paul will be there. He's always there for her even when she least expects it. Dawn can't help but smile at the thought of that cold yet caring prunehead she happened to meet near Buneary Place months ago.

Despite seeing him during her lunch break earlier, Dawn is eager to see Paul again today. Kenny had commented on the new expensive necklace on her neck. Dawn blushes as she remembers Paul's fingers touching her neck and hair. Gosh, he has such an effect on her, and she loves it. These feelings are nothing like what she's felt in her past relationships, but that could also be because none of her past relationships involved her life being in danger.

"Dawn!"

That voice shakes her from her thoughts as she freezes from instantly recognizing it. Dawn doesn't face him though. She won't. He doesn't deserve to see her again. Why is he even here? He's supposed to be in Jubilife City at his fancy technology job cheating on his next girlfriend.

When that familiar hand grabs hers, she can feel the cold on it, like he had been waiting for a while. This gesture melts her heart because she always has a soft spot for her exes; thus, she cuts them off once they break up. She had loved them at one point, so any time they do something nice to her, she falls for them again, which is why it takes her forever to break up with the manipulative men.

The hand gently pulls her to face him, and midnight blue meets dark brown eyes as Conway smiles from behind his glasses. "Hey, Dawn." Despite the cheating, Conway was a great boyfriend. He is gentle and a good listener, but he just likes talking to other women too since it boosts his confidence and ego. He likes feeling like he's wanted by multiple people/

Dawn is mentlaly cursing herself for freezing up on him. Why is she allowing this man back into her life when all he's done is just greet her? Doesn't she like Paul now? So then why is it so hard for her to fight these old feelings for Conway? Is it because he's still able to control her after over a year apart?

Still holding her hand, Conway speaks again to her silence. "Uh. I know I probably shouldn't be here, but I miss you, Dawn."

That genuine smile of his makes Dawn relax as her mind and her feelings fight with each other. She can't be with him anymore because he doesn't deserve her, and being around her will risk his life. Taking a deep breath, Dawn finally says, "We broke up, Conway. You're supposed to leave me alone."

"Yeah, but I've changed, Dawn! I haven't been in a relationship since you left! I realized that you're the best for me, so I'll stop with the cheating! I swear I haven't slept with anyone in months!" Hearing her voice again aches Conway's heart because he's missed that voice. That sweet voice that only cared about him while he took her for granted. After they broke up, Conway had continued seeing other women, but he always had that void only Dawn could fill.

She roughly pulls her hand away from his as she glares into his eyes. Dawn will not fall for his tricks again! She's had over a year to get over him, and she has with Kenny's and Paul's help. With this newfound confidence, Dawn tells him, "I don't care. I've moved on."

"With who?" Exclaims the man, and then the thought of Dawn's best friend Kenny pops into his mind. With an angry look at Dawn, Conway opens his mouth again, "With fucking Kenny? You said he was just a friend! I knew you were cheating on me! That's why I cheated on you!"

Dawn is taken aback by her ex, but then again, why is she even entertaining conversation with him. "You're not worth my time. Good bye."

Before Dawn can leave though, Conway grabs her wrist again and drags her to his car. With it being dark due to winter, there aren't many people out, so no one is around to witness Dawn getting pulled around by this man. "No way! You're not leaving me until we talk!"

"You never wanna talk! You just like sleeping around!" shouts the woman as she tries to shake his hand off of her.

"I always talk to you! I listened to you and I loved you!"

"It's not love if you're cheating on me, Conway!"

As they reach Conway's car, he feels himself get lifted off the ground as he's slammed into the side of the car and held in place by his collar. This impact shocks him, so he releases Dawn before looking at the tall muscular purple haired man glaring furiously down at him. No one says a word as Dawn takes in the situation. She hadn't even noticed Paul had shown up. Isn't he supposed to be waiting down the street?

However, Conway gasping for breath quickly gets her attention as she tells Paul, "Let him go."

"Why?" Growls the larger man.

Why? Paul never questions her reasons. If anything, he just calls her troublesome. Plus, she's never seen him this angry before, so Dawn puts a hand on his shoulder. "Paul."

Her soft voice seems to calm him down enough to drop the coughing man to the ground. "Contact her again, and I'll kill you." Paul glares at Conway before grabbing Dawn's hand and walking briskly to his car.

When Dawn hadn't showed up for 15 minutes, he decided to drive around just in case something happened to her. That was when he spotted a man dragging Dawn away; however, Paul didn't recognize that man as anyone from the Hayden Family. When he heard Dawn yell Conway, though, he instantly remembered it as the name of her ex she had told him about this weekend.

What are the odds that her ex shows up a few days after she tells Paul about him? But then again, Paul and Dawn have been experiencing a lot of unexpected moments, so he shouldn't be surprised. Luckily Dawn was there to protect Conway, else Paul would've put that small man in the hospital for weeks.

"Paul?" Dawn asks the still very angry man after they've driven in tense silence for a while.

"Hm." He furrows his brows in annoyance at everything. This whole situation. When did his life get so annoying? Oh yeah, when Ash called him. Paul still needs to kill that dumbass.

"Thanks." When Paul doesn't respond, Dawn can't help but giggle. They're really complete opposites with her being talkative and bubbly while Paul is quiet and stoic. Her giggling seems to calm Paul down because his scowl is less prevalent now. Smiling at him, Dawn says, "You're always protecting me."

"I said I would."

"But you've never lied to me." she then sadly looks out her window. "People always lie to me."

Paul glances over at the melancholy woman before focusing back on the road. It's not in his character to console people, but he wants to hug her. He wants to take all her fears and pains away. Gosh, she is too troublesome. Although, like her name where the sun emerges from darkness, Dawn brings some light into his dark life, and he wants to protect this light. For his own selfish reasons, he wants to protect this little bit of happiness he hasn't felt since before Reggie's death.

While looking out the window, Dawn reflects on the past two months. So much has happened to her, and it's all centered around this man who constantly protects her without asking for anything in return. She has realized that she always wants to be around him, even when he's mean to her because Paul means well at the end of the day. Although Dawn doesn't know what she did to deserve having this man in her life, she's grateful for him.

If fate really brought them together on that field that day, then there must be a reason, right? They were meant to meet and be together. After a few more minutes of silence, Dawn breaks it again. "I think I like you, Paul."

Hayden Corporation

May is working late as she's trying to figure out who infiltrated her network. If it's someone in the immediate Hayden Family, then they must've gotten help because none of them can crack May's system.

She also hasn't seen Drew since that night at his apartment. When he hadn't arrived the next morning, she left. Although, he did text her saying he's fine, but busy. Sighing as May searches through her computer again, May thinks about that grasshead who she's been thinking about a lot lately.

With everything going on right now, May finds herself also really concerned about it. While Drew can obviously take care of himself after years of training with Paul and Ash, May can't help but worry. She constantly hopes for his safe return, and she's on edge whenever they're separate for more than 10 minutes.

Gosh, she wishes everything could just go back to normal where Drew would walk into her office right now and tease her while she teases him back. Where they can talk and joke like friends, even though they're not friends. They're not friends, so what are they? May blushes at the question as she remembers the kiss she shared with Drew a few weeks ago.

While she has no idea what compelled him to kiss her like that, she did see the worry and pain in his eyes. It's something she's never seen on the playful Drew before, but when he told her the kiss was just a punishment for her not answering her phone, May decided that Drew is just messing around. However, that pain and fear in those emerald eyes seemed genuine. What could've scared him that much?

Shaking her head because this is not what she needs to be focusing on right now, May clicks through the security feeds of the building. Maybe she can spot Matthew or someone doing something. Or maybe some remnant of Ash? Of course any video of Ash wouldn't be accessed by her since Hayden Family apparently doesn't trust her anymore, but May isn't scared. They have no evidence to harm her...yet. Drew would protect her, though, right? No. She can't rely on him anymore. She needs to be strong because he has enough burdens already, but she also needs to be careful because the Hayden Family knows about her family.

May's attention is quickly piqued at the feed of a small woman with a black cap walking through the halls. Since it is obviously well past normal building hours, many of the workers should be gone by now. The people who usually stick around this late work in the Hayden Family gang. Moreover, May has never seen a woman like this before.

Once the woman gets in a view of a camera that partially gets her face, May runs it through her computer, and gasps at the result. While this woman's hair is obviously black, May knows dyes can change that. She quickly gets out of her seat as she notices Misty is now walking down her hall. What is Detective Misty Waterflower doing in Hayden Corporation? Isn't she supposed to be on the run? Is she trying to die? Or is she looking for Ash?

Taking a deep breath, May makes sure her gun is on her waistband before swinging open her door and dragging the woman inside. Misty is shocked, so she effortlessly fights off whoever grabbed her as the door closes behind them. As Misty gets ready to harm this person, they exclaim, "Ash Ketchum!"

Misty calms down while now looking around the small room where she sees many computer monitors as well as the scared brunette woman on the ground. This woman looks like she doesn't know what she's doing, so Misty could easily knock her out if she wants to. However, the brunette had said Ash's name. It has to be her, right? There's no one else in the dark room.

"What?" Misty repeats just to be sure as she keeps her attentive eyes on the woman.

Taking a deep breath, May tries to calm her nerves. A detective wouldn't kill her, right? At least not unless it's self defense. May really hopes this detective won't harm her. She mentally curses herself for not thinking this through, but after thinking about how much of a burden she is on Drew, she just wanted to help. Now that May has found Misty, May needs to do her part of the plan.

"I know Ash. And you must be Detective Misty Waterflower." When May tries to stand up, Misty flinches at her, making her stop. "I have Ash's papers!" squeeks the woman who finally stands once she sees Misty relax.

"Who are you?"

May hesitantly looks at Misty as May grabs the stack of papers from her backpack. She doesn't feel safe leaving the papers anywhere, so she carries them on her, which also isn't that safe either. Usually, May is with Drew, though, thus feelings safe no matter what. "I know Ash. There aren't any friends in the Hayden Family, but he's the closest thing I have to one here." the brunette chuckles while handing the bloody papers to Misty.

May watches as Misty studies the paper, and the brunette is happy to see it seems like Misty recognizes the writing. Of course Misty recognizes this writing because she wrote them! This blood must be Ash's. Furrowing her brows in frustration, Misty asks, "Why do you have them?"

The brunette tells Misty about how Paul had found the papers, and Dawn's involvement. About how Paul, Drew, and May suspect Hayden Family has something to do with ASh's disappearance, and Misty shares this same suspicion. May then explains the plan to try and rescue Ash, which involves them finding Misty to see if she can decode the papers.

Obviously, Misty can read the papers, but she won't let them know that because she doesn't trust May. After May explains the situation, she expectantly looks at Misty, whose gaze is still on the papers. "Will you help us?"

Even though Misty had just learned about all these people trying to rescue Ash, can she really trust them? Can she really trust anyone in the Hayden Family? Well, she trusts Ash. Sighing, Misty realizes she has nothing else to lose. At the rate she's doing this alone, Ash will turn up dead or she will end up dead before him. If she's going to die anyway, she may as well rely on these people too; however, she needs to make sure May is really on Ash's side.

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because you've been here for 20 minutes and no one's killed you yet. I could've called someone to tell them you were in the building and where, but instead, I pulled you in here. There are no cameras in my office, and I can erase the video feed." May really hopes to get out of this unscathed, and she hopes Misty doesn't take those papers away. Their team needs this former detective's help.

Frowning at May, Misty replies, "If I find out you're lying, I'll kill you myself."

Abandoned Warehouse

Once Leaf had left, Gary began training to clear his head. Even though Leaf killed his sister, Gary has been finding that he feels slightly guilty for wishing for Leaf's death. Maybe it's because he's been spending too much time with her? Maybe they talk too much? Maybe he's been relying on her too much?

Groaning, Gary rests his forehead against the cool wall while sweat falls down his face. This isn't rocket science. Leaf killed Daisy, so Gary needs to avenge his sister. Although he doesn't want to kill Leaf anymore, he does want her in jail. Last week he preferred that she dies from Matthew's men, but Gary needs answers from her first before she dies. It's hard to believe that Leaf carries daisies around for some insignificant reason like souvenirs.

When the door slams open, Gary quickly grabs his gun and hides behind some debris. Fortunately, he spots the brunette woman he's been traveling with, so he steps out with confusion. They're supposed to be being discreet, not slamming doors loud enough for all of Veilstone to hear.

Stepping out of hiding, he gets ready to ask her why she's panicking when he notices the stream of blood she had trailed into the room. Leaf quickly spots him due to his movements, and she exclaims, "Assassin!"

Gary nods and both of them run out of the building together. With Leaf's new injury, Gary sees she's slower from the intense pain. While a part of him wants to think this is what she deserves, he is somewhat concerned. Hopefully he's only concerned because he needs her as a fighter right now.

Before he can wallow too deep into his thoughts, Gary feels a sharp sting on his shoulder where he now sees a shallow fresh cut. He and Leaf then spot the two assassins quickly on their tails as the assassins start throwing more knives in their direction. "Let's split!"

"You'd die!" Leaf tells him as she continues following him. Even if Gary fought the one handed Jimmy, she knows Gary wouldn't last more than 5 minutes.

Smirking at her, Gary replies, "Only you can kill me." He then stops running as he rolls to the side to avoid the silenced bullets shot at him. Leaf glares at the man for disappearing on her, so when she can, she runs in the same direction she last saw him. Unfortunately for Gary, Jimmy decided to stay on Leaf's tale since it'd be quicker if Lucas finished off Gary before helping to take down Leaf.

However, Gary Oak has a few tricks up his sleeve as he plays with the shadows in the dimly lit alley, making Lucas cautiously look around while trying to figure out where the real Gary Oak is. "Come out and I'll make this as painless as possible!"

With being the second best assassin to Leaf, Lucas quickly spots the correct shadow and is on Gary. The auburn haired man shoots his gun, but Lucas effortlessly dodges it before knocking the gun from Gary's hands. Gary manages to dodge the many swings of Lucas's knife, and he also knocks Lucas's gun away. As the two are engaged in hand to hand combat, Gary gets stabbed in the upper arm by the knife. He fights through the pain, but he's clearly losing. When Lucas pulls out another knife, he pins Gary to the wall.

"Any last words?" The annoyed assassin asks.

"Yeah." Gary smirks through the blood coming out of his mouth. "You're dead."

Before the angry Lucas can react, he feels a sharp pain in his shoulder as a dagger had just been thrown into it. Since assassins are good at fighting through pain, he gets ready to slice Gary's neck; however, the ex-cop pushes Lucas away while enduring a slight cut on his neck in the process. Fortunately, Leaf is quickly on Lucas where she hits the surprised man.

Although Lucas knew Leaf was here, she is really quick. He can never gauge how fast she can reach him, so she always gets him by surprise. The two engage in a heated fight as Gary pulls the knife from his arm. Gasping from the pain, Gary finally looks back to see if he can help Leaf, but he notices she has Lucas pinned as she's about to slash his throat.

"Stop!" Gary shouts, and he's relieved when she does. Why had he even called out to her? They're better off if the assassins are dead because these assassins are very strong. Nevertheless, a part of him doesn't want to see anymore killing. His sister was killed, and that's enough killing for him.

Unfortunately, Leaf's hesitation shocks her, which allows Lucas to quickly hit her and flee. He's too injured to take her on right now, especially since she has Gary Oak helping her. Lucas will deal with Matthew's wrath later, but unlike Jimmy, Lucas isn't ready to give up his life like that. It's also why he wasn't present when Leaf had killed Brenden. He knows a losing battle when he sees one, so he will fight Leaf again when she's alone since she's in worse condition than he is in.

Once Lucas is gone, Gary weakly walks over to the kneeling woman glaring at where Lucas once was. "Why'd you make me stop?" Leaf angrily snaps at the man once he's beside her. She isn't so sure why she listened to him too. Even when she'd kill whole families and spouses and children would tell her to stop, she never hesitated. Although grateful that he stopped her from committing another murder, Leaf questions why she listened to Gary Oak. Now, Lucas will heal up and hunt them down. This was their chance to be rid of all the Hayden assassins for good!

Gary isn't so sure why he stopped her either, but a part of him felt like he should. Despite Leaf prefering to appear like a killing machine with no emotions, she has many. It's like every killing upsets her, and he's noticed after every killing he's witnessed from her. Maybe she actually doesn't enjoy killing? But why should he care? She killed his sister! "I was hoping he'd kill you." Gary lies.

Sighing because she's too weak to argue back, Leaf stands up where she wobbles over in pain. Due to her many new wounds, especially after killing Jimmy, she's lost a lot of blood. Her vision becomes very fuzzy, and she passes out to the sight of concerned dark viridian eyes as Gary catches her in his arms.