Chapter 5

Kayo inserted the key into the lock and twisted it. It opened with a hiss into downtown Hong Kong.

"See you later!" Death waved as they left. The door swung shut behind them, Kayo turned back and saw the door was little more than a stretch of painted wall with a gap where Kayo assumed she put the key.

"Death gave me a picture of the man." Alex handed her a slip of paper with their mark on it. He had a bundle of short black hair and he was not Chinese like the people around them, he would stand out among the crowd. Kayo and her new partner set off in search of the traitor. As they walked Alex attempted to make conversation with Kayo but was ignored, he attributed it to her being focused on the mission. Finally she grabbed him and slammed him against a wall with a look of pure fury on her face.

"You're little more than a replacement for Eric!" She snarled "We're not friends and I have no interest in becoming your friend either now shut the hell up and start looking!" She spun around and stormed away, leaving a shocked Alex to chase her. They stopped in front of a small restaurant that was opposite a firework store and a block of apartments suddenly Kayo stepped back and shoved Alex out of view.

"He's in the restaurant!" She hissed. Kayo guided him into the apartment block where he transformed. He became an assault rifle, it's design sleek and black. Set atop the gun was a scope and on the bottom was a grenade launcher.

"This is pretty cool." She went up the concrete steps until she came to a dingy landing lined with doors. She could hear various sounds coming from them; a TV blasting a show, the sounds of arguing and the sounds of a woman gossiping down the phone and cackling like a witch. And at the end of the hall was a small window that overlooked the open front of the restaurant. Kayo tugged it open and with much resistance it finally slid up and left enough room for her to aim and fire. She went down on one knee and put the mans head in the center of her scope, she took a deep breath, one shot and he would be dead, a smoking hole in the side of his head. Kayo pulled the trigger. The shot made an almighty bang and a purple light filled the hall, the purple bolt flew across the short space and hit the cup of water in his hand. At the last second he tilted his head back and took a swig of his water, the glass exploded in his hand and for a second, time stood still. Then hell broke loose. Their mark threw himself away from the table as a second shot hit the leg of his chair and tore through it. People fled from the restaurant in a flurry of screams and panic. Kayo slipped out of the window, gun in hand, and leapt to the street. The wind whipped her hair and face, Kayo hit the concrete floor, feet first, and rolled. She came up in a crouch and charged through the gaggle of people into the restaurant, He stood in the doorway leading to the kitchen with a revolver drawn. He fired and Kayo hurled herself to the ground to avoid the shot and in reply send a burst of bullets randomly, they hit everything around him as he took a pot shot and fled through the door. Kayo got up and followed, the kitchen was a long rectangular room with counters along the sides and middle, more bullets zoomed her way and the chefs threw themselves to the floor. She stepped out of cover and fired a single shot, it missed and struck a pile of plates next to him, which exploded with a crash and shower of china shards. He took the opportunity to run for a flight of stairs as Kayo fired at him again. Swearing with frustration she gave chase. This lead her to a spiral stairway which she could hear the echoed footsteps of her prey. Kayo aimed with the grenade launcher and fired. It struck the stairs above her with a boom, it transformed into a bright purple ball of light that absorbed that section of stair into it and Kayo realized it was attuned to her soul, so it became less or more powerful in accordance to her wishes. Kayo forced it to close with her mind and carried on running, she was getting angry at the futility of her new weapon. She leapt the gap she'd created with little effort thanks to her fury giving her energy and power. Finally Kayo reached a grey metal door that was slightly ajar at the top of the stairs then she booted it open and stormed onto the rooftop with her gun raised.

"Behind you!" Alex warned, she spun and used the gun to deflect a crowbar that was swung for her head, but she couldn't block the powerful punch that followed. Her head snapped back and tasted the blood filling her mouth. Fury took over and Kayo blocked another swipe, twirled the gun and smacked him in the face with the butt of the gun. He stumbled and clutched at his bloody nose, Kayo took the opportunity to launch a savage kickI for his face. It was a ruse and he caught her foot and with a bellow like an animal he used it to hurl her across the roof like a ragdoll. Kayo bounced and rolled until she felt her back slam against the railing. She pulled her self up and charged him, he dodged to one side and launched an aggressive elbow into her throat, knocking her to the ground. He leapt onto the and started choking her, he dug his fingers into her trachea and pushed down with his thumbs.

"Who do you think you are?" He snarled "Sending a kid to kill me!" He bore down on her with his full weight and pinned her arms using his knees. Then he began laughing, it was an unpleasant laugh and it sounded like he'd eaten a nail.

"I remember you now!" He chuckled "You were that little smart ass with the brat of a partner!" He bared his yellow teeth "He was pathetic just like you!" Kayo felt rage pulsing through her like blood, she struggled against the hold, gurgling. Her vision was darkening.

"I bet he died, just like you then I'll kill your partner other there, you dump bit-" He flew off of Kayo with a yell, she sat up coughing violently and clutching at her bruised throat. Alex and the man were wresting on the ground, the pair of them throwing punches. Then he got the upper hand, he kicked Alex off of him and lifted him by the throat. He threw several punches into his face which drew more blood. He held him over the edge of the roof and Kayo rose, with leaden feet she sprinted to him and barged him with her shoulder. He flew off of the roof and over the edge, Kayo threw herself forward and grabbed Alex's blood soaked hand. He looked up at her and their eyes met. She heaved and pulled him up and back into safety. His face was soaked with blood and covered in bruises. They both supported each other until they reached the wall where they collapsed against it.

"Are you ok?" He throat was burning and her voice was husky.

"Yeah." Kayo tore off a strip of her dress and used it to mop up some of the blood.

"Your throat…" His fingers lightly brushed the bruised flesh.

"I'll look far better than you do." She chuckled.

"True." She had cleaned off most of the blood from his eyes and she could see his sparkling blue eyes.

"You're gonna be hellah bruised tomorrow!" She laughed.

"That sounds about right." He rubbed a cut across his temple and winced in pain. They supported each other to the wall where they collapsed against it and slid down to the ground, Kayo breathed heavily and rested her head against her new partner's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," Kayo moved close to Alex and engulfed herself in his warmth.

"For what?" Kayo felt the cold rush her and shivered, Alex put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed her tight.

"What I said to you."

"It's alright, I understand, you feel like I'm replacing Eric and if you're not ready for us to be partners then I will wait for you."

"Shut up with all the soppy shit Alex!" Kayo snorted.

"You put on a brave face so people do not see what you're feeling." Kayo was taken aback by his apt analysis.

"It's getting cold up here, maybe we could get something to eat and go back?" He suggested.

"I like the idea," Alex stood up and offered his hand to her, she accepted it and they left the building, they hopped the gap made by the singularity created by the grenade. When they left there was a storm of flashing blue and red lights, the body of the rogue agent was surrounded by paramedics and policemen. They averted their eyes and made their way through the rapidly emptying streets until they came to a stall selling grilled chicken covered in sweet sauce. They ate the meat and stopped at the wall door. Kayo plunged the key into the small gap and felt the heavy metal parts of the door twisting in response. It swung open and they found themselves in the little side room once again. Alex gratefully slide down onto the plush sofa with a sigh of relief. The sun was setting and darkness was coming rapidly. Kayo's phone exploded with noise the second she stepped out of the doorway. She peered at the notifications, most of them were from her friends wondering where she was but a headline from the news app on her phone caught her attention;

"Man found dead with an axe stuck through his head." Kayo's skin crawled at the thought. She had done worse on covert operations but something so close to home was bloody terrifying for her.

"I'll see you later," Alex picked up his jacket and put it on. Kayo nodded, she was too busy reading the story. He was found in an alleyway, close to where she lived, she yawned and decided she'd get a cup of coffee before she went back. Kayo went into a quiet coffee shop and ordered a large mocha from the girl who looked like she had been caught in an explosion at a makeup factory. She sat and took her time, she had always enjoyed peace and quiet without the chatter of people filling her ears constantly, it was nice to sit in the one of the comfy chairs with only a few other people sat down. By now the sun had almost set and darkness was sweeping through the streets like a phantom, Kayo remembered how much time she used to spend here. Both working and drinking, she had been fired after headbutting a particularly rude customer, who had been threatening one of the newest workers, and breaking his nose. The manager had told her he respected what she did but for the sake of the shop's reputation he had to fire her, Kayo understood. Then she witnessed something unusual. A person walked by the window, normally she wouldn't even have paid attention, but this time it was different. They walked, doubled over as if in pain with their arms hanging loose and towards the floor, their feet dragged across the floor. They looked like a zombie. Under the circumstances and the increase of random and violent murders Kayo realized what it could not just be a coincidence. She downed the drink and coughed as it seared her throat as she rushed into the cool evening air with blast of white fog coming from her mouth as she stalked the figure down the street, then he broke into a run. Kayo sprinted after him, he was running faster than she could have guessed as he lost her in a matter of minutes. Panting Kayo searched through the streets when she heard a demonic screech, she broke into a run again when she reached the source. The man was on all fours, screaming in rage and smashing his fist against a manhole cover, his fists becoming bloodier as he pummeled it with his fists. He threw back his head and screamed, deep gashes snaked across his knuckles and pumping blood. He renewed his feral assault, the metallic protrusions on the cover slitting open his hands, Kayo stepped into the light and went to call out when another joined him, they both began to punch the manhole, both of them howling like animals. Kayo knew she needed help and turned. Before her stood a behemoth of a man, he too was doubled over with his arms hanging loosely, his presence shocked her and she stood paralyzed in fear as a fist collided with her jaw. She yelled out in pain and clutched the area as a metal pipe clanged against her head, creating a long laceration across her temple. Kayo snarled and rolled away as the pipe smashed down onto the pavement. With unsteady feet ran, stumbling blindly, her foot hit the curb and she sprawled. A car rounded the corner as her assailant stepped into the road, the car slammed into him and he hit the concrete with a wet smack Kayo scrambled to her feet and ran, she did not look back.

*Rin and Ciaran's apartment*

"Calm down!" Rin screamed

"No!" Ciaran ran with Silver in pursuit.

"He's not gonna bite you, you big baby!" She bellowed. He lopped around the dog and ran past Rin, she tripped him and he sprawled across the carpet. He turned as Silver ran to him and began to lick his face feverishly. He spluttered and Rin laughed as he shifted uncomfortably to get away from the dog. Silver leapt onto Ciaran's chest as he sat up against the wall, the puppy tilted his head to one side and decided it was better to conserve his energy and laid down. Ciaran looked at Rin for help but realized, with much horror, that she was recording on her phone with a big smirk stretched across her face. The puppy woke and let a little whimper as Ciaran picked him and sat on the sofa with him. Silver stirred, looked up at the boy with his wide innocent eyes and went back to sleep. He gently rocked the dog like a baby, his heart was pumping faster than he'd expected it to. Rin put her arm around Ciaran's shoulder and pulled him against her, she rested her head against his for a minute and lightly kissed his cheek.

"Proud of you." She whispered. Ciaran turned to her, his lips parted then he moved forward and so did she. Their lips brushed and Ciaran's phone burst into song. Silver awoke and threw himself to the ground in a frenzy of psychotic barking, Ciaran pulled away from his weapon and answered the caller.

"Kayo? What do you mean? Hang on I'll get the door!" Ciaran unlocked the door and Kayo stumbled in with blood covering her face. Ciaran caught her as she fell into the apartment and collapsed into a heap on the floor.

A/N:Hello guys sorry for not updating last week I started year 11 and I've had a fairly large amount of homework to do so I may not be able to update every week. But I will try! Thanks for reading I hope you have a good day/night /whatever…