Chapter 9

In the past when Annie had traveled for missions, she had spent the majority of her time in some of the most glorious cities in the world lying in wait, and then quickly leaving once they were completed. There was never time to stop and see the sights, to appreciate the breathtaking splendor of the Eiffel tower in Paris, the historical beauty of London, or the architecture of the ancient buildings she had witnessed in Colombia. Life as a spy was constant motion, never stopping, never ceasing. For the first time in a long time, Annie could simply be.

Staying cooped up in Joost's flat was habit at practice. It was easiest to remain hidden by remaining out of sight, but the reality of the situation dawned on her that there were no immediate repercussions awaiting her if she decided to explore the city. In theory she could step out the door without sparing a single thought about looking over her shoulder. Though habit would make her wary regardless of her new found freedom, the freedom itself was refreshing. And so, after hours of deliberation and combing through Joost's belongings due to sheer boredom more so than nosiness, Annie decided to venture out into the winter wonderland that was Amsterdam.

Annie carried her messenger bag with her, the burner phone Joost had offered her, and a small beretta pistol she had found in the desk as well (already loaded), now accompanying the cash that resided there. She did not need the gun, but it made her feel more in control of her surroundings, though she would be lying if she did not admit that it's presence also brought to mind the last time she had shot such a weapon. Instead of allowing the tainted memories to ruin the morning, Annie focused instead on the snowscape into which the city had transformed while she slept. The Emperors Canal was vacant of skaters so early in the day, fresh fallen snow covering the icy surface. The roadsides were quiet, a few scattered people occasionally passing her as she walked, small food vendors serving hot cocoa and coffee. She could not help but smile as she observed the seemingly pristine, untouched city. The sound of snow beneath the heel of her boots was nostalgic, and it reminded her of winters in Cold Springs with her sister, snowball fights with the neighborhood boys, and laughing at their busted lips because a 12-year-old Annie would assault them with her uncanny snowball throwing accuracy.

Annie's nostalgia gave way to a slow, creeping sadness. She shoved her hands into the jacket of Joost's she had borrowed in lieu of her trench coat, digging her chin into her scarf against the cold and pulling the brim of her knit hat down to shield her face out of habit. There was so much she needed to explain to Danielle, but what did you say to your sister who thought you were dead? Annie could still remember, quite vividly, sitting in the alley in Frankfurt, hastily writing on the back of a postcard; her finals words to Danielle before her life as Annie Walker ended.

Would she ever be able to have that life back again?

There were so many more questions that had to be answered before that one ever could be, and that was why Annie had run in the first place, because she knew in her heart that answering those questions meant facing the not just the demons of her time as Jessica Matthews, but the demons of Annie Walker as well.

What are you running from?

Annie paused as she crossed a bridge overlooking one of the city's outer canals, leaning against the iron wrought railing and peering down at the snowy surface of the frozen water. After a moment of indecision, she opened the messenger bag and retrieved the burner phone. The silver sliver of her breath curled up into the partly cloudy winter sky, and her fingers wrapped around the phone as she shivered against the cold. It would be so easy to dial the number, the thought alone enough to make her finger tips tingle, and not from the chill. Overhead an elm tree's bare branches rattle in the wind. Annie recalled that the last time she and been here in this place it had been fall, and their leaves had not yet fallen, beautiful and golden. She closed her eyes, phone still clutched in her grasp. It was so easy to recall how it had felt then, to walk arm and arm with the man who, after one phone call, had flown half way across the world to help her.

So what was stopping her now?

With a deep breath Annie opened her eyes again.

That was when she saw the red dot hovering over the left breast pocket of Joost's jacket.

Without thinking she dove to the right, hitting the ground just as the crack of gunfire exploded in the air, bullets ricocheting off the iron railing and exploding into the snowbanks on the canal below the bridge in a cloud of white. Instinct took over and Annie scrambled forward, pushing herself up, ignoring the burn of her hands, retreating off the bridge at a dead sprint. By some grace of God the phone somehow remained in her hand, and she darted past a screaming couple and elderly gentleman, another round of gunshots following at her heels. In a split second time seemed to stop, the world freezing around her. Annie felt the distinctive rush of air brush past her cheek as a bullet whizzed by her head, decimating the window of the building just in front of her, a million flying glass shards exploding into the air.

Almost falling on the ice and snow covered road, she raced for the nearest side alley, not slowing down once she was shielded by the north facing buildings, the direction from which the gunman had been shooting. Shoving the phone inside the jacket pocket, Annie reached the end of the alley and took the first right, remaining close to the side of the buildings, now headed south and back toward the city center, even though her walk had led her to the outermost canals and roadways away from Joost's apartment. She could not go back now, the location was likely compromised. Adrenaline rushed through her veins, and her thoughts were sprinting just as quickly as her legs, a steadily increasing roar inside her head. Her lungs were on fire from inhaling the frigid winter air, but Annie ignored their screaming protests.

Keep moving. Don't stop. Don't. Stop.

Annie had arrived at a more active pedestrian area, cafés and food vendors of various sorts being occupied by people who had braved the winter weather to venture outdoors. She only slowed down once she had reached the safety of the crowd there. Trying to catch her breath, Annie pulled her hat off and tossed it discretely in the first trashcan she passed, letting down her dark hair out of the bun it had been in. She walked briskly, head down, avoiding the curious stares of bystanders. Somewhere behind her something crashed and voices were raised. Her heightened senses caused her to flinch and spin around to inspect the source of the commotion. It was a vendor, admonishing a small group of kids who had run into his cart. Annie released the breath she had been holding, turning back and continuing to walk southward at a hurried pace. She would try to make her way toward Joost's shop in the city center, in hopes her attacker had not already been there. Her heart was still racing: the gun in her bag burning a hole into her thigh where she could feel its weight. Her hands itched to have their fingers wrapped around it's neck.

A stinging sensation was beginning to spread across the bicep of her left arm. Annie winced, and then as an afterthought she brushed her fingers across the fabric of the jacket there. When she pulled them back she was greeted by the sight of blood.

A bullet graze was the least of her worries. For now she could ignore the steadily increasing throbbing in her arm as an annoyance until she had found a safe hiding place. However, remaining inconspicuous in public while bleeding was easier said than done. Annie glanced over her shoulder once more with a quick move of her head, her main concern that whoever had been shooting at her might have someone else on the ground following close behind. Satisfied that there was no immediate threat, she focused on making her feet move forward. Hands shaking from adrenaline, she fished the burner phone back out of the jacket pocket, knowing that this time she really would have to call for help.

"Annie!"

At the sound of her name being shouted loud enough for the entire world to hear, Annie froze in her tracks, her heart stopping. Her brown eyes grew wide in disbelief, and then horror, as she met the familiar gaze of the person who had materialized in front of her.

"Danielle?"

A/N: Sisters finally reunited, though hardly how they planned for it to go, ha! Pay attention readers, things are fixing to get sketchy. Let me know what you think in the reviews, and thank you a million times to the moon and back for all the love and support, LOVE YOU GUYS! :)

Oh, and sorry to leave you hanging. But not really! ;) xxx