Cassidy
The guard kept conversing on his earpiece, he looked at me then replied to a voice on the other side.
"Yes sir."
His hand was clutched tightly around his earpiece, face pale and tense as voices barked rapid orders on the other end. He looked younger now, like the gear he had on was suddenly too heavy for him.
I stepped closer. "What's happening outside?"
He didn't speak. Just reached for the safe behind him, punched some codes, unlocked it, pulled out two guns, and checked the clips.
When he handed one to me, my hand trembled slightly.
"Shoot for the head," he said, his voice low and flat. "No hesitation."
I stared at the weapon.
Then nodded.
His eyes flicked to Mara. Distrust flickered across his features, but he sighed and ran past us with his weapon raised, vanishing up the stairwell without another word.
I grabbed Mara and tugged her behind one of the stone pillars, ducking into the shadows. "Stay close."
Mara nodded, breath shallow. "What's going to happen?"
