um. Annabelle gripped the plastic handle o

obby. A blast of over-conditioned air hit her face. She ste

doors. Suddenly, a tall figure stepped out f

mmed into her throat.

the pristine floor and crushed it under the toe of his expen

a?" he asked, taking

violently jerking her arm back. The physical revulsion

d down at her suitcase. "Where do you think you're going? Y

e," Annabelle said. Her voice shook, but s

large frame casting a dark shadow over her. He pulled his phon

cher said in

speaker. Sloane was his ex-girlfriend and curren

galleries?" Archer asked, keep

e in this state will buy a single sketch f

the back of Annabelle's throat. She bit the inside

his pocket. "Last chance, Anna. Apologize, come back t

deep pocket of her trench coat. Her fingers wrapped ar

r die," sh

nd out and pressed the nozzle. A thick stream

e threw his hands up to his face, s

aised her heavy boot and stomped down on his e

aned, bend

avy glass door with her shoulder. She burst out onto the b

ed from inside the lobby, hi

street. A yellow cab slammed on its brake

n, threw her suitcase onto t

!" she gasped, slam

rear window. Archer was stumbling out of the building, his face red a

weat soaked her shirt, making it stick to her skin. She dra

g the immediate termination of her lease due to 'unforeseen complaints'. You have 24 hours to v

ure terminal. She paid the driver in cash and

at a kiosk. Her thumb traced

kpoint. With every step, the invisib

ouncements. She looked down at her phone. The loca

ring, pulled out the tiny plastic chip, and d

d her eyes. The plane engines roared to life. The aircraft surged forward, pressing her back