Warnings for 'A Cult Of Personality':
Violence, blood, swearing (though not a lot), misogyny, sexual references.
Chloe threw herself behind cover. She could hear slow footsteps making their way towards her. It was dark enough that she had to rely on hearing rather than her sight. The footsteps grew louder. Each footfall was slow and deliberate, almost as if whoever owned those heavy boots was trying to frighten her. Chloe scrambled as far as she could until her back hit a wall. She gripped her empty weapon and snapped her head left and right, looking for an escape. There was none. The figure towered over her, illuminated in the gloom with dark red strobe lights.
"This is it," the boy said, "are you ready to meet your end?"
She was crouched in the corner with nowhere to run. Her team was dead. Her ammo spent.
"Just finish it already," she spat.
The boy smiled. She could see his teeth as he grinned underneath his helmet. The bullet exploded onto her visor, covering her in red.
"Good game," she said as Alex helped her up, "you really get into character don't you?"
The boy rubbed the paint from her helmet so she could see.
"It's half the fun."
The rest of the players were dusting themselves off. The game had only lasted around fifteen minutes. Chloe and Alex had decided to play in opposing teams and it had all come down to them. She was the better shot, but the boy knew how to use his environment to his advantage. Ducking behind cover and crawling along the ground meant he took her by surprise at the end, winning the game for him and his friends. There had been three of them on each team. With Chloe, were Marnie and Micah. Alex hadTom and Daisy. It was the last time they'd all be able to play together before they all went off to uni. Alex's team let out a shout of triumph and slammed their helmets together.
"Animals," Marnie laughed. She was befreckled, curly-haired and full of energy, "have you done this before?"
"A couple of times. Usually with a bigger team, but I preferred doing it this way."
"Big teams suck," Micah added, "you can never communicate properly with them."
"Didn't save you from losing," Alex said with a grin and Micah took off running to catch him.
Marnie put her arm around Daisy as they headed to the changing rooms. The latter was tall, pale and timid. But that had all changed when she had a gun in her hand and a game to win. Chloe liked them all. She liked Tom, the movie nerd that he was, and Micah with his long hair and tendency to over-explain everything. She still couldn't believe that this was one of the last times she'd see them all together. With their A-levels complete, it was only a matter of time before they all left for university. It had been months since Point Blanc and they had used the days to spend as much time together as possible. Paintball was one of their favourite pastimes, but they had also gone camping, indoor rock climbing, pottery making and life-drawing. In the beginning, the girl had tried to stay out of the way. She thought that Alex would want to have his friends to himself, but after a while, Chloe had begun to feel as much a part of the group as them. Now, an era was coming to an end and they could all feel it.
"I'm going to miss this," she told them as they removed the paint-stained clothes.
"Don't kill us off so quick," said Marnie, "we've still got your birthdays coming up and there's no way in hell we're not having a massive fuck-off party."
"Good thing your birthdays are only two days apart," Daisy said, "it's fate."
"The only thing that will be fate is all of us getting wasted," Chloe told the girls.
"Definitely."
"I can already hear the ambulance coming to pump your stomachs," Daisy laughed.
"How are you guys getting home?" Chloe asked.
Girls had been going missing all around London. Everyone was trying to go about their lives as normal, but after the 6th had been taken, it was hard not to be scared. Posters were up all around Chelsea, Alex's neighbourhood. A twenty-one-year-old, called Emily had gone missing just a week before from the area. Chloe couldn't go a day without seeing one of the ten faces in the news or sellotaped to a lamppost. The police had no answers. No one was walking around alone anymore.
"Don't worry, I've got a taser in my bag," Marnie showed it off, "and I've got Daisy to protect me from the bad guys."
They met up in the cafe of the leisure complex. It was a brand-new building but somehow smelt like popcorn and old shoes already. Chloe hugged Tom and Micah.
"See you soon, yeah?"
"Next time we see each other you'll be adults," Tom said, "that means your buying."
"Gladly. If you pay me back."
"Deal."
Chloe and Alex watched them board the next bus outside. The day was drawing to a close, though it was still fairly warm. Summers in London could get pretty hot. They each bought a cool drink to sip in the park outside. Chloe leaned against the boy's shoulder as they watched people go about their evenings. The sun was low and a brilliant orange. There would be a solar eclipse soon, she remembered.
The agent had been worried about how things would be between them after Point Blanc was over. Emotions had run high and decisions had been made on instinct alone. After all, they had only known each other for a few short weeks before their first kiss. A part of her had been waiting for the attraction to fizzle out. Alex had been vulnerable, had she taken advantage of that? But as she watched the sun play off his fair hair, she wondered how she could have questioned her attraction to him.
"Want to head home yet?" she asked.
"Nah. Let's just stay here for a bit. The sun feels nice."
"It does," she closed her eyes and felt its rays warm her skin, "have you made a decision about uni yet?"
"No, you?"
"Not even close."
Chloe had taken her exams as an external student under a fake name. According to the British government, Chloe Hartford didn't exist. Ellie Anderson however, had three A levels to her name and had applied to multiple universities. Alex had done the same, but something was holding them both back.
"It just feels like things aren't over yet," he explained.
"I know how you feel. Part of me wants to leave it all behind. But if I do that, what was it all for?"
"Right. And I'll never know more about my father and uncle."
That's what Chloe had told him after Point Blanc. When Yassen had shown up at the school, Chloe's heart had sunk. Once, when Chloe had been just a child, Blunt hadn't shut the door to his office. An eight-year-old Chloe hadn't known what she was hearing when he told Jones that a man called Yassen Gregorovitch was being trained by a certain John Rider. Now, it all made sense. She had given Alex a choice when everything was over. If he wanted a normal life, Chloe would keep the information to herself. If he wanted to learn the truth, it would mean involving himself further in the world of MI6. The boy hadn't hesitated.
"We could always take a gap year," she suggested, "go hiking in Thailand and try to 'find ourselves'."
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," he finished his drink and sighed, "what do Mrs Jones and Blunt think?"
"Who knows. They've been avoiding me lately."
"Why?"
"No idea. I expect when I turn eighteen they'll start giving me jobs. Maybe they feel guilty about Point Blanc."
"Blunt doesn't seem like the type to feel guilty."
The two of them picked up their bikes and strolled home. Days spent with Alex always passed so quickly. Chloe had no idea what she wanted to do. In some ways, she was bound to MI6, in another, she wanted to leave it all behind and find her own way. At least she had him. He was going through the exact same thing. They rounded the corner of the street. The sun had disappeared over the horizon, leaving the neighbourhood in the humid darkness. The sound of a car door slamming made them both jump. Further up the road, a young man was guiding a very drunk looking woman into a car. Instinct made them both duck behind a wall.
"Stop fussing. Just get in," came the man's lowered voice.
"Fuck you," the woman slurred. She sounded more annoyed than anything. Even so, the shiver that travelled down her spine told Chloe that something was off. She looked at Alex. He nodded at her. As the car set off, the two teenagers hopped on their bikes and gave chase.
The car was heading towards an abandoned industrial estate. Chloe knew it well. The group had often explored the boarded-up buildings and office blocks. It was not a good sign that they were heading there. The empty buildings were perfect for all sorts of criminal activity to take place. They split up. Chloe followed the black vehicle a few cars behind, while Alex broke off on a parallel road in case it took a sudden turn. Through the rear window, Chloe could see the man holding the woman off and she tried to hit him. Seeing as the woman was intoxicated, it was impossible to tell if her actions were playful or defensive. Chloe managed to pull out her phone and call Jones while steering shakily with one hand.
"Yes?" Jones' voice was inquisitive. Chloe hadn't called her in months.
"Me and Alex have just seen someone pull a woman into a car. We're following them now. It's heading to Dunmill Industrial estate."
"What on earth do you think you're doing? Why are you following a car?" Chloe heard Jones' chair be thrown backwards as she stood, "just wait and tell me what's going on!"
"Send a team. I have a bad feeling."
Chloe hung up. The car had pulled into a gravelled plot of land. There was a rundown office building surrounded by barbed wire fences, burnt-out cars and construction debris. Chloe gently lay her bike on the pavement and crouched behind a huge, stinking recycling bin. She texted Alex the location and took a picture of the number plate as she waited for him to arrive. The man got out of the driver's side and opened the door for the women. She was wearing a sequined party dress and had red hair down to her waist.
"Where are we going?" she said, sounding happier than before.
"Party's through here," said the man and led her into the building.
"Hey!" Alex whispered as he put down his bike and crouched next to her.
"They went inside. I'm going to follow them. You in?" she said.
"I'm in."
The pair knew they couldn't gain access from the main entrance. Who knew what was inside? More people? Cameras? Attack dogs? The boy pointed to the left where a rusty fire escape was barely holding on. It would have to do. They kept low as they crossed the car park, keeping an eye on the windows. Underneath the first ladder, Alex linked his fingers together and knelt on the ground. Chloe pressed her foot into his hands and he pushed her up. Her fingers tightened around the metal of the ladder. With her arm muscles working overtime, she managed to pull herself onto the landing. Her hands came away orange with rust. She reached one arm down to Alex as the other gripped the railing.
"Careful you don't cut yourself," she warned. Flakes of metal had come away and were sharper than one might have thought.
He jumped and caught her hand. Her fingers twisted around the bars as she took his weight. He was heavy, but not so heavy that she couldn't pull him up. The burden decreased as he hooked an elbow around the rail. She grabbed the back of his jacket and helped him haul his legs over. Alex rolled over onto his back and blew out a puff of air. Chloe's heart was pounding from the exertion and the two of them sat for a moment to catch their breath.
"You good?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Let's go."
Every step they took rattled the fire escape, even though they placed each foot so gently. Every squeak of the screws sent Chloe gripping the sides, ready to jump if the whole thing came apart. The people inside were still climbing the stairs. Chloe could hear their footsteps echo through the building. They were talking and laughing. A knife of doubt twisted inside her. Could she have been wrong? Was this woman not in any danger? Jones had sounded more exacerbated than worried. Maybe she knew something they didn't.
They reached the top of the fire escape. Chloe looked through the window, the glass had been shattered from the outside so all they had to do was climb in. There was no one in the room and she kept low to the floor once she was through. Alex dropped down next to her. They crept to the door, which was lying in splinters on the ground, leaving a gaping hole where it should have been standing. Broken glass was everywhere and it was hard to avoid it crunching beneath their feet. The voices were louder now. Peering around the frame, Chloe saw the pair standing in the middle of what used to be a board room. There was even still an empty water jug in the middle. The cups lay shattered on the floor. The woman sat on the large, round table and crossed her legs.
"You're going to love it," the man said, wrapping his hands around her waist. He was an average looking guy with a small nose and messy hair.
"You sure? This place looks like a complete shit hole."
"I promise, babe."
The woman looked around in confusion, "where is everyone?"
"You'll meet them all soon." her boyfriend reassured her.
The man began to kiss the woman's throat and Chloe put a hand to her forehead. Had she really followed a couple just to watch them make-out? She was about to leave when Alex caught her wrist. He signalled for her to listen. Another car had just pulled onto the gravel. The sound of stones pinging out from underneath the tires was unmistakable. They heard two sets of footsteps climb the stairs, then,
"Mr Chapman," said a man, "are you well? You must introduce me to your friend."
Chloe strained her neck to get a glimpse, but the pair were hidden behind a partition.
"This is Christie."
"And you are?" Christie asked. She had hopped off the table, "one of your friends?"
"He's going to take us to the party."
"And who's that other guy?"
"Just someone to make sure everything goes smoothly," the new man said.
"I don't like this, Mike," an edge of panic coloured her voice. She was alone with three men in the middle of nowhere.
The woman was backing away, but the only exit was being blocked by the new arrivals.
"Come on Chris, it'll be fun. Didn't you want to do this?"
"I- I've changed my mind. I want to leave."
"I'm afraid that is not possible," said the man, in a smooth and calm voice, "Mr Gregorovitch."
Chloe's blood turned to ice. Yassen stepped into view. He was holding a syringe full of clear liquid. Mike Chapman moved aside as the assassin approached the terrified woman. Alex started forward but Chloe held him back. Yassen could kill them both, she knew. A piece of glass had snapped under Alex's foot. Only Yassen's sharp senses had detected it.
"What is it?" his employer questioned.
Chloe pressed herself into the wall and held her breath. She could feel that he was looking in their direction.
After a long pause, he said, "nothing," then, "keep still."
Christie screamed as the needle went into her neck.
Chloe clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Bitch," Mike spat.
"Bring her to the car," said the unknown man.
Chloe chanced a look into the room. Mike had lifted Christie over his shoulder and was taking her away. Where was Jones' team? Had they not taken her seriously?
"Let's go, Mr Gregorovitch."
"You go. I want to sweep the area first."
"I give the orders, dog. We're leaving," the affronted laugh he gave told Chloe he wasn't a man used to being told 'no'.
"Let me do my job," if Yassen was angry at that comment, he didn't show it.
"Fine. Just don't take too long. There is much to do. Everyone's waiting for us at The Tideway."
Alex began to creep back the way they had come. The Russian had to know they were there. They had to escape and fast. Chloe followed him slowly, picking up a piece of glass as she did.
"Stop," the assassin said, "turn around."
The girl didn't need to look to know that he had a gun on them. They obeyed, raising their hands.
"We meet again, boy," he said to Alex.
Yassen looked somehow older than he did at Point Blanc. Old and tired. They all heard two cars driving away and for a split second, Yassen had looked out of the window. Chloe used that second to throw the glass. She was aiming for the space next to his head. Her plan worked, and Yassen used the hand the gun was in to bat the shard away, unable to master his reflex. With the gun no longer pointing right at them, Chloe and Alex charged. She grabbed the hand holding the gun and twisted it until he was forced to let it go. Alex locked his arm around the Russian's neck and squeezed. The gun clattered to the floor. Chloe couldn't believe it. They were going to overpower him.
Yassen grunted as he tried to breath. He was turning red. Then he drew his knee up and drove it into Alex's stomach. The boy gasped and his grip loosened. Yassen threw his body weight to the side, forcing all of them to collide with the wall. Alex's head knocked against the concrete and he fell to the floor, stunned.
"Alex!"
Chloe aimed a kick at the man's shins, but Yassen only caught her ankle before the blow connected. He pulled her leg over their heads and Chloe lost her balance and fell. The man was on her in an instant. He threw her against the wall so hard that the air was driven out of her like a popped balloon. Yassen had plenty of time to pick up his gun as the pair struggled to make sense of what just happened.
"What are you doing here?" Chloe managed to say. She could pull no tricks now. The gun was trained on her head and Yassen wouldn't be fooled twice.
"I have been hired to protect someone," he said, "that involves killing those who pose a threat to him."
"Who is he?"
"That doesn't matter. Shouldn't you be asking about your father, Alex? That's what I would do if I was about to die."
"Tell me," the boy demanded, "who was he really? Who was he to you?"
"My friend," said Yassen. Chloe waited for him to pull the trigger. A minute passed and nothing happened.
"Your birthday," he began, "when is it?"
"What?" Alex was sweating. His hand had been cut by glass, but he still had the gall to joke, "you want to get me a gift?"
"Tell me."
"It's in a few days," he said.
"And yours?"
"Mine's in a few days too."
Yassen did the unexpected. He laughed. It was a cold noise, without a shred of mirth.
"You're in luck, kids. I don't kill children."
The Russian turned away, so unafraid that he didn't even feel the need to guard his back.
"Don't pretend you have a moral code," Chloe found herself saying, "how many people have you killed? How many innocent people? Why are children any different?"
"Chloe, shut up."
"You're a hypocrite."
"I'm a hypocrite?" the man's lips curled, "maybe. Then what is MI6? I'm the bad guy and they're the good guys? Except they're not telling you everything. They're not so innocent."
"What does that mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean. Ask them yourself. Ask them about Scorpia. Ask them who your father was, Alex. Their answer will be all you need to prove that I'm right."
"Since you seem to be so talkative," Alex said, "mind telling us who that man was?"
"My employer. If you're smart, you'll leave this to the grown-ups. You try to follow us, you'll die."
Yassen backed out of the room and was gone. Chloe tried to chase him but the man had rounded the corner and disappeared. She went back to Alex and helped him up.
"Your hand okay?"
"Yeah," he said, but his face was pale and had a sickly quality.
"Where the hell is Jones?"
As if summoned, several black shiny cars poured into the carpark.
"Better late than never..." Chloe grumbled.
"That poor woman. What did that other man say? They're waiting for them at The Tideway? Any idea where that is?"
"Somewhere on the Themes maybe? Let's just get back to MI6. Blunt will want to hear about this."
Welcome to the next entry! Thank you so much for giving it a look. I worked really hard on this so any reviews would be super appreciated, and constructive criticism is always welcome too. I'm basing this off the T.V show world, though I have read a lot of the books. I just really like the vibe of the show. Anyway, thanks again and enjoy!
S